An Overview Of Doing Large-Scale Maintenance At Oshkosh

By: Maria Morrison

Each year, Oshkosh hosts thousands of aircraft, some fresh off the production line and others manufactured nearly 100 years ago. Given the large number of aircraft, there are bound to be maintenance issues that need attention during the airshow.

The crew of EAA’s B-17 “Aluminum Overcast” performs a 30-hour inspection each year, cleaning and checking the aircraft. To adapt to the Oshkosh demands, the inspection is done in the evening after the day’s flights are completed. This year, the crew worked on the ramp until nearly 9:00 pm as they rushed to complete all the required checks before dark, working only with what tools could be brought up in the truck from KOSH.

Most aircraft don’t have the luxury of being owned by the organization that runs AirVenture. Flabob Express, a DC-3, suffered the failure of two cylinders early in the week. However, since they were still on their return leg from their Atlantic crossing for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, they were carrying more tools and spare parts than normal. “We were ready for it and we have the tools,” said Hualdo Mendoza, “We’re lucky it happened here.”

The crew of Flabob Express did some of their cylinder change at the Weeks Hangar, where EAA conducts maintenance for the airshow aircraft. The rest they did at vintage parking, working over tarps so small pieces didn't get lost in the grass. “You never know when it will happen," Mendoza said concerning engine issues on older aircraft, "just that it will happen.”

Lower-profile airplanes are not as lucky. Pilots parked in the many acres of the North 40, for example, must fix their aircraft using whatever tools they brought along or can acquire. Coming from Whitehorse, Yukon, Russel Bamford lost cabin heat in his Bushmaster on the flight to Oshkosh. Upon opening up his cowling, he discovered the heat was being vented away from the cabin, and wanted to close up the leak before heading back up north.

Bamford and his co-pilot checked at the Spencer Aircraft booth and various other vendors on the field, searching for something they could use for a quick repair. They ultimately decided to make their own part for the trip home. “We’re going to make a template with a piece of paper and go to [the hardware store] to get some metal we can fold around it,” Bamford said.

(Image provided by the author and from file)

FMI: www.eaa.org/en/airventure/plan-your-eaa-airventure-trip/eaa-camping-and-lodging/camping-amenities/aircraft-maintenance