Less Than 90 Days??? Panic!

A few hours ago, EAA's Dick Knapinski and I were commiserating about the fact that Oshkosh was less than 90 days away and that we really weren't ready to deal with it all... again. But then again, we can't wait. It's a unique brand of Aero-Schizophrenia... but we repeat it every year...  and this year is no different.

So... it's time to begin preparing for that unforgettable flight to Oshkosh. The first step for any pilot planning to fly to the Oshkosh area for the event is studying FAA's Oshkosh NOTAM, which covers air traffic procedures for the period surrounding and during the annual pilgrimage to the holy land of Oshkosh. THIS IS ESSENTIAL READING! While the overall procedure is similar to previous years, though EAA notes that there are changes on 29 of the 32 NOTAM pages - so don't rely on previous years' versions or your memory to carry you through.

Here are a few of the changes you are urged to note:

• The NOTAM is effective longer this year - until Noon on August 3, the day after AirVenture.
• There are changes to the Volk Field Military Operations Area (MOA) times and also active military aircraft (including the Thunderbirds) around Milwaukee.
• The parking area at Appleton is relocated.
• There are new descriptions of the VFR arrivals to Oshkosh and Fond du Lac.
• Some of the IFR routings and altitudes are changed.

FMI: www.airventure.org/flying/notam2009.pdf