Compiled By The Staff and Readership of the Aero-News Network and Aero-TV (Part 3 of 5)

• Best of Show! The Very Best/Worst of Oshkosh '13! (Part 1)

• Best of Show! The Very Best/Worst of Oshkosh '13! (Part 2)

For quite a while, we have recognized the highs and lows inherent in the general and sport aviation community -- and yes, we’ve had a bit of fun in the process. There are but a few places where that is more apropos than at a major event like the Oshkosh Fly-In -- a place where one can take a solid read on the heart and soul of aviation. It's hard to know what really is going to make a difference and what really qualifies as exceptional unless you've been watching this industry carefully for several years... as we have.

Over the last few years, ANN readers remarks have been heavily incorporated into ALL aspects of this report, and not just the Aircraft awards and such. Their contributions have been carefully considered and (in many cases) incorporated into our annual summation.

The full list of our Annual Best Plane of the Year Selections (tentatively announced after Oshkosh and finalized at year's end) will await the end of the year. So; here are our picks for the Best and Worst of this year's Oshkosh... and why we think so...

ANN Thanks its readers, staff and supporters for their input to this year’s listings... in particular, ANN appreciates the input and assistance of Tom Patton, Nathan Cremisino, Ashley Hale, Paul Audd, Ben Flock, Dave Juwel, Judy Juwel, Gene Yarbrough, Maxine Scheer, Eric Van Gilder, John Ylinen, Bruce Brandon, Rich Davidson, Ginger Davidson, Tom Woodward, Karen Woodward, Maria Morrison, Roland Delhomme, and Katherine Tryon.

Best Aero-Software: A Tie -- ForeFlight/WingX

OK... it may sound a cop-out... but the ‘plane’ fact of the matter is that the mobile flight planning software market is led, quite aggressively, by two primary products that everyone else (including the almighty AOPA) is trying to copy. On any given day it's nearly impossible to call one or the other the best in the business because each brings so much to the table-- and keeps upping the ante with each revision. Both WingX and ForeFlight represent outstanding values... and each is a uniquely impressive product for a number of reasons... and we go back and forth as to which one we like best... a decision made all the more complicated by the fact that both these products receive upgrades at a blinding pace that makes their rivalry and quest for flight planning supremacy a lot of fun to watch... while all of aviation benefits as these two amazing programs duke it out to claim they are the best. We have them both... and we wouldn’t part with either.

Best Avionics - Portable: Stratus – Second Generation

The iPad revolution got a boost when aviation discovered how useful they could be... and that boost has been made all the more prominent by the addition of a number of accessories that raised the ante and capabilities of these devices immeasurably. The latest Stratus allows for subscription-free weather, ADS-B traffic, GPS position and attitude information – and comes in a pocket size unit that’s long on battery life and cost-effective, to boot.

Avionics Companies That Will Change the Business (AGAIN): Aspen, Bendix/King, FreeFlight, PS Engineering, Trig Avionics 

A little revolution is a good thing now and then... ask George Washington. The avionics industry truly benefits from the occasional shake-up and we have a feeling that the innovation and insight provided by the foregoing companies will do just that. Its not always the 600 pound gorilla that changes the world... but the little guys doing great business, consistently -- day in and day out -- that turn into the 600 pound gorillas down the line. We have high hopes for these folks.

Best Avionics - Panel Mount: PS Engineering’s PAR200

Talk about packing five pounds into a two pound bag... PS Engineering hit this one out of the park with their unveiling of a unique new bit of avionics that offers an audio panel and com radio in one small panel-mounted unit. What we’ve seen has been impressive... and comes from a company with an unparalleled rep for customer support and innovation.

Runner(s)-Up: Trig Avionics Teeny-Tiny Panel-Mount Avionics Line 

No matter which one you choose... the TY91 VHF Radio, the TY92 VHF Radio, the TT31 Transponder, the TT22 Transponder or the TT21 Transponder, Trig has brought forth a lovely and exquisitely engineered line of avionics for those who need their panel space... but also wish to make sure they get all the capabilities of much larger systems. The gear is getting rave reviews and we have a feeling that there is much more to come from a company that shows every sign of being a powerhouse in the making.

Best Accessory – Electronic: Sagetech Clarity ADS-B Receivers

A feature packed ADS-B receiver, Sagetech's Clarity SV is getting serious attention from the GA world. Not the least expensive of the various ADS-B add-ons we've seen, the unit does boast a tremendous array of capabilities and a solid rep for quality.

Best Non-Certified Flight Deck/Panel: MGL Avionics new 10.4 screen

Incredibly capable and customizable, MGL is becoming the ‘Go-To” company for experimental amateur-built glass panel avionics. You name it, and this system does it... beautiful gear.

Best Accessory: Para-Phernalia Mini-Softie

If you like aerobatics, soaring or the occasional flight that lives outside of your comfort zone, then a good chute is a great comfort. Being a veteran of a real live “Oh-Crap” moment that required the use of such a rig, I can personally vouch for their effectiveness.

Best Accessory – Safety: The proliferation of AOA indicators announced this year... especially by Bendix-King

This is a technology without a downside... it adds so much to a pilot's comprehension of what is happening to his or her aircraft that we continue to scratch our heads as to why these things aren't in every airplane right now. With Bendix-King now involved in pushing this tech, we have a feeling that the AOA Indicator's time has come... finally!

Runner(s)-Up:

• BRS Chute for RVs -- A great accessory for one of the sport aviation world's most successful kit series.
• Jeppesen Data Driven Charts -- but we sure wish they would let someone else write their applications.

Best Accessory – Powerplant: Ultra Electronics - FEI AuRACLE Engine Management Systems

Simply beautiful stuff... with a mastery of visual ergonomics that few can match. From its piston roots to its current work in turbine rotorcraft and beyond, this is an instrumentation system that you’re going to be seeing more and more.

Runner(s)-Up:

• Piper’s Exciting 93 UL Experiment.
• MW Fly AEROPOWER engines.

Best Event/Exhibit Of Show: Bendix-King’s Grand New Digs

If there was ANY doubt about the re-emergence of Bendix-King as a force to be reckoned with, their stunning new display area sure seems to shoot that down rather handily. It was a beautiful addition to the Oshkosh experience -- and a pretty darned informative one, to boot.

Much Anticipated -- But Not Yet Ready For Primetime:

• Aero-Diesel Engines For Everyone
• Aviat CNG Airplane
• Terrafugia Transition
• Icon's On-Again, Off-Again A5 Amphib

The Most Educational Booth/Display(s):

• Synergy Aircraft
• Perlan Project
• ADEPT Airmotive

Best Promotional Literature: Aquila Brochure

The slick brochure included a pull out section with technical specs, fabric choices, etc -- all held closed with magnets -- kinda cool.

Best New ANN Feature: The Continuing Upgrade of ‘Airborne’

Much copied, but never exceeded, our ‘Airborne’ programming continues to evolve in a very positive way... and you ain’t seen nothing yet. ANN pretty much pioneered aviation video programming for this end of the business and after nearly 2000 programs and features, we’re still learning how to do it better... and we’ll be doing just that. BIG upgrades are coming for Airborne after the first of the year!

Runner(s)-Up:

• The upcoming SportPlane Resource Guide AND the Aero-Sports Guide -- if you want to bring more people into aviation and KEEP THEM THERE -- you need to give them as many reasons as possible for doing so -- safely, cost-effectively and intelligently.
• ANN’s NEW permanent presence at Wittman Field -- and its all paid for!

ANN's MVP: Nathan Cremisino 

Anything but an easy choice, Nathan stands out in a crowd of folks that makes it hard to stand out at all... simply because each and every one of them are do damned goods at their jobs... but Nathan is often the guy to pull them all together... and he does it cheerfully, carefully and professionally.

Runner(s)-Up: 

• Ashley Hale
• Tom Patton
• John Ylinen

ANN's Rookie Of The Year: All Of Them... Each One Proved An Amazing Addition To The ANN Experience

In addition to a group of VERY talented stringers that join us on a regular basis, we had the chance to work with some new folks this year that impressed us in no small way...

• Ben Flock
• Eric Van Gilder
• Karen Woodward

Outstanding Personality (Commercial): Alan Klapmeier

No matter the obstacle or hardship placed in his path, Alan Klapmeier’s belief and personal investment in aviation and his ability to do something positive within it deserves respect from each and every one of us. Alan has brought an incredible amount of integrity to the aviation world... even when he has to counter those who do not know the meaning of the word. The man is indefatigable, brilliant and (we believe) a key element in what it will take the aero-world to rebuild itself into a sustainable future. We’re glad he’s on our side.

Runner(s)-Up: 

• Yves Rossy - What a wonderful spirit! Yves is one of us... an enlightened flyer who will bring many more to the world of aviation.
• Chelsea Abingdon Welch - Meticulous in business and terrifically committed to bringing more people into aviation -- we can’t say enough good things about her.
• Michael Coates -- Pipistrel’s lead ‘guru’ -- Mike is one of those guys that does not know the meaning of the word ‘quit’ and shows unerring instinct in what it takes to survive in the aviation business.

Outstanding Personality(s) (General): Bob Hoover

No contest... easily one of the most amazing aviators who has ever lived, Bob’s inspiration to us all is as strong as it has ever been. Polite, friendly and extraordinarily professional at all times, there is no finer man to look up to than Bob Hoover.

Runner(s)-Up:

• Rex and Melissa Pemberton, Skip Stewart-fresh, exciting and dynamic, they’re great ambassadors for aviation.
• Dick Rutan... still one of the all-time great personalities of this business.
• Kermit Weeks... a guy who has given much back to the aviation world.

True Gentlemen/Women of AirVenture: EAA’s Dick Knapinski

The guy answers questions as honestly as he can -- and under the kind of stress that can only be called maddening, at times. THE mouthpiece for much of the EAA’s efforts, Dick does a truly outstanding job with flare, professionalism and no small amount of humor.

 

Runner(s)-Up: 

• Yves Rossy-compelling talk about knowing when to back off and when to push it, very engaging to talk to and lots of insights to share about ego, safety and chasing the impossible.
• Peggy Chabrian. Peggy has mobilized women in the aviation world to a degree once thought improbable and has truly improved the lot of aviators the world over. An amazing aviator. 

Honored Souls: Frank Beagle, Roscoe Morton, Jane Wicker and (Forever and Always), Vicki

The world gets a little smaller each year with the loss of those we loved... but not being able to trade stories with Frank Beagle, this year was a sadness that was hard to get my soul to acknowledge... A true flyer, Frank was a joy to know as a friend and a vocal proponent of all things aviation.

Roscoe Morton was the king of the Oshkosh announcers... and a very nice man to all who knew him. Roscoe rose above much of the politics of the industry and managed to be the consummate professional.

Jane Wicker was lost a few weeks before in the midst of an air show that showed how treacherous gravity can be when it is not respected... but her amazing spirit will, no doubt, live on long into the future. What an amazing lady.

Every morning, without fail, I’d head over the IAC building to leave flowers at the memorial for Vicki... and four years after the loss, the ache refuses to dissipate. From the first day I met her, and all through our marriage, to that blissful last chat in grass at Wittman Field before she got her angel’s wings, she has never been far from my thoughts... God bless this miraculous little girl, who changed my life (and SO MANY others, as well) forever.

Greatest Improvement Over Previous Oshkoshes: The Weather!!!

Its been a LONG time since any Oshkosh event had this kind of weather, pretty much the whole week long. It was a great week for Oshkosh... relatively cool, few storms, and bright blue skies nearly every day.

Runner(s)-Up:

The restoration (mostly) of an unencumbered flightline, devoid of the much maligned (and rightly so) chalets that SO screwed up the visual landscape last year.

‘Bravo-Sierra’ Unlimited: The big tent put up by Epic Aircraft... proclaiming ‘EPIC Certified’

Of course, the airplane isn’t certified and when we questioned their people, they not only didn’t want to discuss this potential misdirection, they were downright rude about it. This is the second event at which we've witnessed such conduct... two times too many. “Certified,” my butt...

Runner(s)-Up:

• Cirrus Aircraft... still dishing out the same old BS and refusing to mend a company that was propped up through the deceit, BS and their mistreatment of a number of investors, suppliers, supporters, friends, staff and the man who created it. One of these days, the majority of the industry is going to see what a house of cards this company is (IMO) and it isn’t going to be pretty.
• The number of folks trying to push one agenda or another who use the title “Captain” to give them standing that they plainly did not earn. Its getting pretty embarrassing watching someone trying to promote themselves that seems to have NO clue what the title means... or what it takes to earn it.
• Sun n Fun claims about last year's successes... When all reports state otherwise. Stick a fork in it.. this so-called Fly-In is done... and swirling the drain.

Dead Grass/Eroded Concrete Award: The Oshkosh Ultralight/LightPlane Area

More brown grass and people than I’ve seen in many years of coming to Osh. Hurray! Could this be a sign of better times to come?

The Steel Cojones Award: Earl Weener

Earl is the NTSB Member that went ahead with a Safety forum/presentation at Oshkosh -- when all other government leaders ran and hid. This guy is on OUR side... 

Runner(s)-Up:

• ANN’s Bruce Brandon -- for squaring off with the FAA over their refusal to provide tower access to a legitimate media request-- so that the aviation world could see what the FAA expected us to pay for. .
• Rex Pemberton flying a wingsuit with Melissa's aerobat -- they make it look easy.

Hey ANN Readers! It's NOT too late to let us know what YOU think! Let's hear from YOU, our readers and viewers, about the all the highs and lows YOU experienced in your examination of what is still the greatest airshow on Earth, warts and all.

FMI: Best/Worst of Oshkosh 2013 Comments? Complaints? Additions? Let Us Have It!