New Holding Pattern, NORDO Times, Change In Airshow Waiver

For some, the first telltale signs of spring are found not in blooming flowers and warmer temperatures -- no, for pilots it's not truly springtime until the Notice to Airmen for arrival and departure procedures for the annual EAA AirVenture Fly-In are published.

Well, the birds are now singing -- and the NOTAM, which is in effect July 22-31, is now available for download on the EAA's AirVenture website.

The NOTAM outlines procedures for the many different types of aircraft that fly to Oshkosh for the event, as well as aircraft landing at nearby airports. It was designed by EAA and FAA to assist pilots in preparations for their AirVenture flights.

According to the EAA, there are some noteworthy changes compared to the 2005 version. Those changes include an additional VFR holding pattern established at Green Lake; air show waiver times that close the airport a half-hour sooner than in previous years; a displaced threshold on Runway 27; and a time block for NORDO (no radio) arrival requests at 0700-1000 daily.

A high influx of VFR arrivals is expected to begin at Oshkosh on Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23. Besides following the published arrival and departure procedures in the AirVenture NOTAM, pilots should maintain high vigilance in watching for other aircraft.

The online version of the NOTAM -- a .pdf file --- is available in the "Plan For It/Pilot Information" area of the EAA AirVenture website. In addition, printable arrival and departure signs for aircraft are available through the Pilot Information area of the website.  

For traditionalists, a 32-page printed NOTAM is also available by calling EAA Membership Services at 800-564-6322 or through any one of 15 selected Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS) throughout the country. The printed version may also be requested through the EAA AirVenture web site.

Oh, and one final bit of information: additional hints and tips for pilots arriving at and departing from EAA AirVenture 2006 are available online here, from those who know best: the air traffic controllers who expertly handle the massive influx of air traffic into and from Wittman Field every July.

FMI: www.airventure.org