This was the 50th anniversary of EAA holding their annual convention in Oshkosh. Things were a little different back then. Ok, maybe a lot different. The arrival instructions in 1956 were pretty simple:

Approach the field wide and high. Check to see if the field is open. Large white cross will be placed next to the wind tee when the field is closed for show. Field has no tower communication. Proceed either to airport at Appleton or Fond du Lac as alternates if necessary. Call in by phone (Oshkosh Stanley 1551) to check when field is open. Runway 9-27 will be closed, also that part of runway 18-36 north of runway 9-27. Clear runway immediately upon landing. Be prepared to show your EAA identification to allow parking in EAA area.

That’s it. (We especially liked the phone number.) By comparison, have a peek at the NOTAM that tops out at 32 pages (complete with pictures) and describes the current procedures. A little different….

Speaking of different, if you have had any thoughts that AirVenture is a rather conventional convention, here’s an example of why that’s not true. Check out how attending AirVenture and learning about RC flying led Alex Vanover (aka CaptainVanover) to become a professional drone racer.

Championship Drone Racer — From Learning RC at Oshkosh to Professional Drone Racing

This guy has racked up an impressive list of 1^stplace victories over the past two years. So again, why go to Osh? Inspiration, connections, learning something new … and you really can’t predict what might come of it.

And finally, for a different sort of flying … STOL and backcountry flying is catching the attention of a lot of people. In fact, this type of flying is creating its own fan base. You can find actual competitions as well as demonstration events at many aviation gatherings. We saw a full-on demo at AOPA’s Fly In in Livermore CA last month, which featured no less than a dozen aircraft varying from Mike Patey’s turbine-powered Wiga named Draco (growing hugely popular over the past year) to a Cessna 206 and everything in between. It’s fun and exhilarating to watch. Here’s a glimpse of this year’s competition at the ultralight runway. (Fast-forward about 2 minutes into the video for the real action.)

Word on the street is that the Reno Air Races will be presenting STOL drag racing … two planes taking off from a starting line, landing at the finish, coming to a complete stop, whipping a quick 180, and flying back to the starting line. First plane back wins.  Let me tell you, the races are close with margins of victory not unlike NASCAR.

But even better, we learned about a fly-in that you might want to check out this Fall. The High Sierra Fly-in at Dead Cow Lakebed in Flanigan (north of Reno), Nevada, October 17-20, 2019 has apparently become the best backcountry fly-in in the country. Well, so we were told, but we have no reason to doubt our sources! This off-airport, camping-only event is really intended for fly-in airplanes but drive-in spectators are welcome.

There will be plenty of STOL drag racing. But what really appeals is the camaraderie at the event. We were surprised to learn this year is the tenth anniversary. Hope to see you there!