Post Oshkosh Let Down

I am a little let down by the loss of my Oshkosh spirit. It’s not really rational considering we had a wonderful trip out and back, along with a killer good time while we were there. I love every moment of that trip from the pre show build up, the euphoria of flying west, dodging weather, and navigating safely to a place nearly half a continent away. 

While there, we congregate with thousands of other enthusiasts who share a bond from having done the same thing.   Departing to head home using only our machinery, experience and guile to propel us along. Writing this now I guess its only natural to  feel a little down knowing that this accomplishment is in the logbook. It is truly the highlight of my year and now that it’s past I look at the balance of summer with the same trepidation a school child views the start of the academic year.   

I used to attend Sun n Fun yearly but since the economy tanked in December 2007 the economics of taking that trip became hard to justify. The fly in is only three months prior to Oshkosh but high fuel prices and tight flying money have kept us from attending regularly since. Surprisingly we are not alone in that, I was surprised to see that Sun n fun was no longer considered busy enough for the FAA to include on the Special Traffic Management Program (eSTMP).

I wish there was another event like Airventure that was spaced evenly around the calendar that we could get everyone to fly to. There is something almost magical about getting a couple thousand airplanes and pilots together that I find really uplifting. This is difficult to explain, but its almost religious in an evangelical sense when there is so much positive energy centered around general aviation

Perhaps if they moved Sun N Fun to the opposite side of the calendar from Airventure more people would attend again. Logistically it might not be possible. The past few Florida winters have been cold and camping in January and February probably isn’t as appealing as it is in April. Winter means icing too and most of us aren't flying aircraft equipped to deal with ice.

Regardless, I’m sure to snap out of my Oshkosh Post Partum once I get back in the groove of coming into work every day after having the last two weeks off but until then….