Another Slow and Low Trip to Oshkosh 2022

We eventually made our way to Hot Springs SD KSHR to spend the night, sleeping bags rolled out in the pilot FBO lounge with air conditioning and a courtesy car, yes! We did pass by Devils Tower and Crazy Horse along the way.

Early wake up alarm and off to see the presidents on Mt Rushmore and head east. We hit several fuel stops, climbed above the thermals and had a nice push from the tail winds. In the back of my head I was thinking, this nice push will be a steady headwind on the return trip! We finally landed at Black River Falls KBCK with a hell of a cross wind (310 at 14 with gusts of 26), landing on runway 24, but we all got on the ground safely. I think I landed three times, no kidding. We grabbed a bite and decided to try and make it on into KOSH before sundown.

The ADSB was full of traffic as we approached the “get in line” point south of Portage KC47; we then heard about a 310 gear collapse crash on the main runway in use. Finally they announced if you were not at the Endeavor Bridge VPENV check point to turn away and spend the night somewhere else. The fastest two of our group made it in, we, the two 701s, turned back and stayed at Adams Cnty K63C. I stayed there on my first trip to KOSH in 2018. We were met by the same two brothers I had met before and they pulled in an ice chest with plenty of refreshments. We had a good time shooting the breeze and solving world problems. I reviewed the 37-page NOTAM book again, and we planned to get an early start. Slow, “less than 90 knot” aircraft could arrive early at 7AM instead of 8AM. We thought that means us.

Day 4

Here we go!

I guess everyone got up early to get in the line to Endeavor VPENV, Puckaway Lake VPPLK, Green Lake VPGRN and then Ripon VPRIP. We were passed by a ton of planes and I turned off my “ASDB In” so I could see my map and keep my head on a swivel. At FISK I heard, “Rock your wings big tire high wing and follow the RR tracks.” I was in for arrival. My buddy was right behind me and we were cleared to the base leg of 36L and then final to the Green Dot. Wow, I could not have been happier to have made this trip again in something I built in a garage at my home. We walked about eight miles the first day trying to see a few friends and, of course, the Zenith booth.

I think we walked a million miles and saw a million aircraft and vendor booths etc. etc…oh and the new Van’s RV-15. I was also finally able to see the night fireworks display, which was canceled in 2018 due to weather. It was amazing. We slowly faced the fact we needed to leave on Thursday for the long trip back. It was just us in the 701’s traveling back together, so our pace back would be close to the same speed.

Day 7

We left KOSH at 7:30 AM, wind straight out of the west of course, with a ground speed of 67 mph. This was going to be a long day! We spent the night in Hettinger, ND KHEI. They had a nice pilot lounge with a car. Good place to eat in town was the Pastime Bar & Steakhouse. Everyone there asked if we were in the two strange looking planes that just landed. I guess there was not much to see in this town for the folks living there. It was great food and we even got a couple of free beers bought for us. Driving a car with “H SOLO” has its perks!

Day 8

At first light we continued west, stopping a Ekalaka K97M due to the fact I accidently picked up my buddy’s phone. He tore his plane apart looking for it, so I dialed his number in flight and my flight bag rang. We made a quick stop and proceeded to Woltermann K6S3 to fuel up before the pass. It was getting HOT! when we left K6S3. After skirting Bozeman and Butte, we turned north to Deer Lodge K38S. We grabbed a bite in town and decided to continue on to KCOE. Well the density altitude was 9000’ and it was in the afternoon, and I was leery of taking off. My climb rate was about 150’ to 200’ leaned out and turned in the wind, but little by little I was able to get to 8000’. I pointed her west along the highway to Missoula. The other 701 had very little problem with the heat, and the extra horsepower was in his favor. I called him on the radio and said my reserve time was getting close, so I diverted and stopped at Thompson Falls KTHM to top off prior to arriving at KCOE for the night. My little continental oil temp was right at redlining the whole way through the pass. I was glad when the sun started going down.

Day 9

Headed home to KCLM, the temperature was still 89 degrees at 3500’ and hotter at 4500’, so I stayed 500’ AGL all the way to Wenatchee KEAT. It was cooler down low. As soon as I was past Leavenworth, the temps started coming down and my plane was back to normal. What a relief it was to see the Puget Sound and the smoke off the paper mills in Port Townsend and Port Angeles.

I arrived safe and sound with a few oil leaks and a lot of bugs on everything. A total of 58 hours roundtrip and more money spent on fuel than I care to share, but it was a great trip. Maybe in another couple of years I’ll do it again.

Editor’s Note: I received these photos after the publication of the July newsletter featuring the DART & CERT Training.