Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh!!!!

[RocketAviator]

Ok I have jumped in head first.... how about you?

 

I have signed up and payed (now I only hopefully will be accepted) to join in the Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh...  A DOUBLE BUCKET LIST ITEM!!  One to fly in and attend Oshkosh and the second formation flying... PUT them both together and I feel like I hit the daily double...

And an extra bonus is to get to meet my new found Mooney friend Eldon from Canada who volunteers at Oshkosh and was kind enough to sell (an old short, fat man) me some 3" extensions and pedals for my Rocket... 

Come join us!

http://www.mooneycaravan.com/

 

I hijacked.... ok i know a bad word in aviation these images from their site!

 

 

[RocketAviator]

More cool pictures...  Sorry I suspect but not sure if you have to join shutterfly to view or not!

 

http://mooneycaravan.shutterfly.com/pictures

 

Enjoy...

[thinwing]

hey thats on my bucket list...someday..

[RocketAviator]

This is what they emailed me back in the

"Confirming Registration for the 2013  Mooney Caravan"

 

Volunteers who are working to make all this happen will have first priority for participation in the Caravan.

Final selection will be based on a review of flight experience:

·         Pilot certificates and ratings

·         Demonstration of competency in required formation skills normally accomplished through attending a Formation Clinic put on by one of the Oshkosh mass arrival organizations

·         Total and recent pilot hours

·         Prior Caravan experience

·         Paid registration fee

·         Minimum 500 hours flight experience

·         Flight time in Mooneys

Prepaid BBQ tickets can be picked up at Madison check-in or at the BBQ.

 

oh pick me, PICK ME... one can only hope!

[Dave Marten]

Lacee,

 

You're IN!

 

Pleasure talking with you and happy to have you on the wing. Thanks for making the effort to get to the formation clinic in Pagosa Springs, CO in June. Bonanza guys are hosting, but Bret "Whitey" Lowell, Caravan guy, will take care of you.

 

Enjoy!

[carusoam]

Dave,

When is the East Coast formation training??.

Best regards,

-a-

[Dave Marten]

Unfortunately we've only got a couple East Coasters in the Caravan so we're unable to assemble a Mooney-led clinic this year. We're continuing to partner with the Bonanza guys in areas where we cannot yet stand aone. There is an upcoming formation clinic in Martinsburg, VW in June. 

 

http://www.b2osh.org/Regionals/regional.htm

[yvesg]

Dave,

When is the East Coast formation training??.

Best regards,

-a-

  

Unfortunately we've only got a couple East Coasters in the Caravan so we're unable to assemble a Mooney-led clinic this year. We're continuing to partner with the Bonanza guys in areas where we cannot yet stand aone. There is an upcoming formation clinic in Martinsburg, VW in June. 

 

http://www.b2osh.org/Regionals/regional.htm

Dates and location of this one is not optimal for me. I am interested in participating in the Caravan however might have to pass on this year. There might be other means to get the training for me here in Eastern Canada (Some instructors c an provide this training... and I am trying to get other local Mooney owners to split the costs). If others in the area have interest, please PM me.

Yves

[Ned Gravel]

Yves:

I am interested. I took it two years ago but had to cancel my Oshkosh trip because of business. Dave was willing to check me out in Madison, but I would rather take something a bit more formal.

Let me know if you get someone. I am sure Sue will be interested too.

Sent from my iPad

[yvesg]

Yves:

I am interested. I took it two years ago but had to cancel my Oshkosh trip because of business. Dave was willing to check me out in Madison, but I would rather take something a bit more formal.

Let me know if you get someone. I am sure Sue will be interested too.

Sent from my iPad

Ned, do you know if Sue is on this forum? I know 2 other Mooney owners in the area (1 in Kingston and 1 in Gatineau) and sent them emails, still waiting for their answer.

Yves

[merrja]

Does anyone know about the date for Burlington NC? 

Thanks very much,

Jim

[Ned Gravel]

Yves:

I sent her an e-mail. Ask around the club. She tries to go to Oshkosh every year.

Sent from my iPad

[Dave Marten]

Does anyone know about the date for Burlington NC? 

Thanks very much,

Jim

I e-mailed the host. Will let you know.

[Ned Gravel]

Flying with Yves today

[yvesg]

Andrew and I this morning (June 15th). Ned is away!

 

 

Yves

[Ned Gravel]

Yeah:

 

Here I am stuck in DC and these guys get to practice for the Mooney Caravan without me.  Fortunately the two instructors are pretty good. Yves hasn't mentioned it but they are two of a three-generation Pitts aerobatic demonstration team.  The elder isn't interested in instructing, but his son (#2) and grandson (#3) are both pretty good at it.

 

I recommence training the week after next.

[Ned Gravel]

Back at the training!!  Yay!!  

 

Here are a couple of pics.

 

 

 

And Yves posted a short vid to YouTube here

 

 

[Becca]

We aren't doing the caravan but will most likely be at Oshkosh the final weekend (Aug 1-4).  Does anyone want to plan a grilling + beer event at one of our airplanes for the last weekend?

[N201MKTurbo]

We aren't doing the caravan but will most likely be at Oshkosh the final weekend (Aug 1-4).  Does anyone want to plan a grilling + beer event at one of our airplanes for the last weekend?

I'll be there Monday and Tuesday.

 

Last time I was there they wouldn't allow fire or beer in the airplane parking area. Have they changed the rules?

 

I parked at FonDuLac one year, now that is the party airport, Everybody was drinking and grilling.

[yvesg]

I'll be there Monday and Tuesday.

 

Last time I was there they wouldn't allow fire or beer in the airplane parking area. Have they changed the rules?

 

I parked at FonDuLac one year, now that is the party airport, Everybody was drinking and grilling.

Make sure you come say hi. We'll be with the Caravan group (if the weather cooperates!) My wife is a bit upset that camp fires would not be allowed... but I understand. Even if you would make it safe...all you need is a rogue spark flying away and there can go a half million dollar plane and the surroundings. This is a liability no one would like to have.

For drinks, if they allow it, we'll bring some "real stuff" from Quebec... those who come say hi early will be able to taste :-)

Yves

[DrBill]

Im arriving on Sunday and will be bringing some "local" stuff in a mason jar.  Have to compare it to the Quebec "stuff".

I'll be parking in Vintage Camping area and will stay across the street in a condo till Thursday and then I'll camp if the weather and XYL permits. I'll look for you on Sunday Yves.

 

BILL

[Becca]

We used a camp stove. Guys across from us had a kitchen quality camp stove and made steaks. There are options...

[Z W]

So, I can probably go to Oshkosh the first weekend, and no other time during the event.  Looking at the schedule, it appears the only thing on the first Saturday / Sunday are the B2OSH, Cessna, and Mooney caravans.

 

I do not have the flexibility or training to join the caravan (wish I did).  Is it worth it to show up Saturday?  There appears to not be any activities really until Monday.  Will somebody have a grill?  I can bring beer.  Trying to decide if it will be worth the trip.

[yvesg]

So, I can probably go to Oshkosh the first weekend, and no other time during the event.  Looking at the schedule, it appears the only thing on the first Saturday / Sunday are the B2OSH, Cessna, and Mooney caravans.

 

I do not have the flexibility or training to join the caravan (wish I did).  Is it worth it to show up Saturday?  There appears to not be any activities really until Monday.  Will somebody have a grill?  I can bring beer.  Trying to decide if it will be worth the trip.

Zane, arrange your arrival time to be right after the caravan. I am pretty sure you would be allowed to park with the group. Put a bunch of Mooney owners together and I bet this will be much fun. As far as site stuff, others will have to comment because this is my first time there.

Yves

[Becca]

So, I can probably go to Oshkosh the first weekend, and no other time during the event.  Looking at the schedule, it appears the only thing on the first Saturday / Sunday are the B2OSH, Cessna, and Mooney caravans.

 

I do not have the flexibility or training to join the caravan (wish I did).  Is it worth it to show up Saturday?  There appears to not be any activities really until Monday.  Will somebody have a grill?  I can bring beer.  Trying to decide if it will be worth the trip.

 

We did this - arrived a few hours after the caravans.  We were parked reasonably close to them.  The Mooney caravan lets you buy a BBQ dinner with them even if you didn't arrive via caravan so you can joing them for the evening party.  Even though the show doesn't officially start Sunday, lots of vendor activity and just watching the planes come and go would entertain you all day.  Yeah, totally go.  If you can't find beer, there's always Friar Tucks.