And, Oh Yeah, The Start of My Next 50…

I’ve known it was coming (unless I did something really stupid)… but its ‘recent’ immediacy is an intellectual and emotional shock to my senses… When I  set foot on Wittman Field for Oshkosh AirVenture once again, it was my 50^th such event…. Spanning all the years from age 16 to the present day… and all the lessons, memories, and incredible people that were a part of it all.

I’ve come to Oshkosh in a myriad of ways… as part of the Rocket Racing League, in an ultralight all the way from California (at 45-50 mph!). Via Super Cub, Mooney, SR-22, R-22, Meridian, T-6, Long-EZ, and others. But… like Paul Poberezny told me SO many times, it’s the people… it’s always been the people... that makes each Oshkosh unique. I love renewing old friendships, I love to start new ones, and I have way too many reasons to grieve for all the many faces I will never set eyes on again… until the day when I, too, am absent from Oshkosh for the most final of reasons.

But… the memories… hundreds of them would so easily come to mind if I had the time to dwell… and the trip north from Florida, this year, included many of them as I approached Oshkosh once again. And upon arrival... it was a flood of them.

But the most immediate thing I need to share, first, is this… gratitude. For all too many decades, you’ve been reading and trusting in the work that I and my team have been doing as aero-writers, photographers, and test pilots, as members of the team that comprised US Aviator back in the paper magazine days and as Aero-News for the last 26+ years. And while the 16-year-old ‘me’ could not comprehend sitting down and writing this as a 66-year-old me in the present day, I like where I am right now and where I’m going… even though I see way too many threats on the horizon for a community I hold so dear.

Sadly, we’ve lost so many unique and extraordinary people that could have helped shape a better future… and we will (whether we like it or not) need to rely on the current and next generation, instead, to do so… which does not thrill me in a lot of ways. I come from a generation that was used to working their buns off for what they wanted in life… the latest generation… not so much. So… it’s going to take the best of the new breed to understand what got us here and what will be needed to go forward with hope and confidence. Mind you, the earlier generations are still well represented--for now… and I’m counting on you all to speak up and be a part of what aviation does with its future… and, yes, I have a few projects that you can get involved with, that are about to be announced… and I hope you will find them valuable enough to support.

But enough of being a worry wart… OSH23 shows every indication of being a barn-burner and I hope EAA pulls off a record… because while few organizations these days have earned my approval, EAA has the most potential to build itself into something of a positive influence… I hope. That said, I just broke a rule and joined EAA as a Life Member… the unwritten rule is that journalists should not join org’s that they may report on… but you all surely must know (and EAA is well aware…) by now that I will speak my mind no matter what. Still; I hope this gesture will last me another 50 years so I not only get my money’s worth, but that EAA will always know that I am here to hold their feet to the fire... every single day.

But this is what I want to do this week… I want to meet and greet as many of you as I can… I want to listen to your thoughts and suggestions…. I want your best ideas about what aviation NEEDS… I want to make some announcements on behalf of our partnerships with SUN ‘n FUN and the upcoming Affordable Flying Expo, and our work on the SportPlane Resource Guide as well as my stewardship of the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation… which is about to get a big boost from some stunning news. And, finally, I want to take a few minutes off here and there and just remember what got me here, what’s kept me coming back… the friends, the sweethearts, the amazing people that make aviation extraordinary, the great flights, the cool aircraft, the unique aspects of each succeeding year… and just be grateful… 

Welcome to Oshkosh!

FMI: jim@aero-news.net (Still the guy who takes all the blame)