Wrapping Up Oshkosh

By ANN Contributor Aleta Vinas

(This is just one view of the best -- and worst -- of AirVenture 2004. We'd love to read your comments. Please send them directly to me: Pete Combs, editor@aero-news.net )

Favorite Airplane: No matter who performs at EAA Oshkosh AirVenture, my heart is consistently stolen by the AV-8B Harrier. Watching about 20 tons of aircraft hovering on "a column of noise" (thanks to ANN newbie Chris Armstrong for that description) is mind-blowing. There’s a feeling of watching the laws of physics being broken.

No matter what I was doing at the time, I would leap out of the ANN trailer, locking the door as I exited, to watch this aviation marvel. I can’t wait until next time.

Gentleman of AirVenture: Yes, I am biased on this vote but it’s my opinion, so there. I don’t believe I have ever talked to a young person (20 years old) with the intelligence, poise, politeness and manners of Jamail Larkins but if he calls me Ms. Vinas or ma’am again, I’m going to have to hurt him. It’s Aleta, if you please. His pathway into the aviation world is amazing and his belief in giving back is unshakeable. His peers have called him an "achiever" and "motivated." He is someone to keep an eye on, for sure.

Biggest Party Pooper: Who asked Mother Nature for all that rain? Not me! At least she let up enough for the afternoon airshow but I could have done without walking around wearing an over-sized trashbag to stay dry. Course, even a wet day at Oshkosh beats a sunny day being at work.

Special Mention: A special thank you to Dick Knapinski for all his help with information for my articles before and during AirVenture (heartily seconded -- ed.).

FMI: www.airventure.org