The Gates Aren’t Open Yet, But The FAA AirVenture NOTAM Has Been Issued Meaning The Fuse Is Lit

On Monday, May 16, AeroSports Update clued our readers in to our plans to publish a series of safety articles relating to the prevention of loss of control accidents that address the specific procedures for pilots flying into Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) during EAA-AirVenture. Today, we’ll give you an idea of how this is going to work.

We’ll be featuring a series of six articles that address AirVenture flight operations safety starting on Friday, May 27, and continuing on subsequent Fridays for the next six weeks, Flight instructor, Earl C. Downs, who has flown into EAA-AirVenture in various aircraft numerous times, will be presenting specific recommendations for practicing maneuvers that will prepare you for the special AirVenture procedures. Earl’s articles will address issues of concern brought forward in the NTSB Safety Alert regarding operations at large air events.

We think you’ll appreciate what Earl has to say, and here’s a little information about his background. Earl, and his twin brother Ed, took their first flight lesson at age 14 and knew that aviation was going to be a career. They also knew that because of their need for highly corrected vision, being an airline pilot or military pilot was not in the cards. Becoming a commercial pilot and flight instructor before the age of 20, Earl made the decision to make aviation training his career.

He’s been involved in flight training in general aviation ever since, and also managed to work in a second 23-year career in the flight operations ground training department of a major airline. While with the airline, he remained proficient as a flight instructor in GA type airplanes. As an FAA designated flight examiner he’s administered over 1,000 check rides and has better than 8,000 hours flight time as a flight instructor. He currently provides first flight preparation training for aircraft homebuilders in his own home-built Zenith Zodiac.

Earl says, “Loss of control accidents have been with us since the beginning manned flight, and it’s appropriate that the NTSB and FAA have brought it to the forefront. While the current focus of the FAA and NTSB is on angle of attack instrumentation, I believe pilots can also flight back against loss of control accidents by simply improving their basic flying skills in the types of GA airplanes they operate.

“I found that the first-flight and flight-testing preparation I teach for experimental aircraft flyers relates directly to the prevention of loss of control. My plan is to provide a way for pilots to prepare for the AirVenture by practicing some simple procedures in their own aircraft. It is my hope that the outcome will lead to confidence, safety, and allow the pilot to enjoy the heck out of their AirVenture adventure.”

The ANN crew will be going at full speed at Oshkosh, and if you see any of us around (we’ll be wearing Aero-News logo shirts), please say hi.

(Image of Earl C. Downs from file)

FMI: AirVenture NOTAM