Airventure -- New Home

[weirdjim]

There has been a lot of kvetching and peeving in another thread about moving Oshkosh-Airventure. ASIDE from the multi-$M investment EAA has in Oshkosh and ASIDE from the only reason Airventure isn't in East Undershirt XY is that the Poberezny homestead in the '50s was Hales Corners WI, what is the perfect place?

Let me start it off with Jay's contention that it should have a bazillion foot runway from an abandoned AFB.

PRO: Can land a lot of exhibition aircraft like the C5 and a 747 no sweat.

CON: Can land a lot of gulfstream and C-421 stuff with people who think their stink don't smell.

Let's thrash this one around for a few days and then I'll throw out another consideration ... and another ... and another ...

But PLEASE, I BEG of you STAY ON TOPIC.

Jim

 

[Jim Logajan]

What problem is solved by moving it?

 

[Jim Logajan]

What problem is solved by moving it?

Please stay on topic. If you have nothing to contribute, don't.

Thanks,

Jim

You used the phrase "perfect place" and all I want to know is what you mean by that. Otherwise I'll propose Eugene Oregon since that would be perfect for me because i'd have a place to stay nearby.

There. I proposed a new home for Airventure. I gave a perfectly valid rationale. It even fits my criteria for perfect.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Near Lebanon, Kansas - because it is close to the geographic center of the contiguous United States; or
near Belle Fourche, South Dakota - because it is close to the geographic center of the United States with Alaska and Hawaii included:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_center_of_the_United_States

Near Plato, Missouri - because it is close to the mean center of the United States population:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_center_of_United_States_population

In Pike County, Indiana - because it contains the median center of the United States population:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_center_of_United_States_population

Somewhere in the northern part of South Asia (maybe Afghanistan(!)) because that is where the center of population of the world appears to be located:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_population

Or on Easter Island, because that is nearest the antipodal point of the center of world population and therefore far from meddling government officials.

 

[Jim Logajan]

No, it points out the short-sightedness and absurdity of thinking the moving the venue solves the problem. The example using a dozen planes is pitifully inept.

By the way, just saw this new about Columbia airport in California:

"The 47th Annual Father’s Day Fly-In has been cancelled this year only due to the cost for the FAA to staff our temporary tower."
From:
http://www.fathersdayflyin.com/

 

[Jim Logajan]

Airventure seems to be held at a bad time of the year - before the bulk of convective weather has subsided. Should be held in April, May, September or October. June, July, and August are worst.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Agree that the summer weather is tough, but the event has to be in the summer or it'll be basically impossible for anyone in grade school or college to attend.

Depends on the intended demographic. Almost none of those would be pilots or owners or builders. Sun 'n Fun in April 2013 allegedly had about 150,000 in attendance while Airventure 2012 reported about 500,000.

Sun 'n Fun doesn't have a national organization associated with it, nor quite as long a history as the national EAA fly-in, and is a pretty long haul for anyone west of the Mississippi. Yet still managed to grow fairly well with all those ticks against it.

 

[Jim Logajan]

But... But... But... I wanna whine about it and pretend there's such a thing as airspace that isn't controlled by the FAA!

There is a lot of airspace that isn't controlled by the FAA. No need to pretend.