Oshkosh AirVenture 1999 Photo & Video Album

My brother, my father, my uncle and myself all flew into and attended the Oshkosh AirVenture (http://www.airventure.org) on August 1st, 1999. Oshkosh is the world's largest airshow and fly-in sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association (http://www.eaa.org). It makes Wittman Regional Airport (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) the absolute busiest airport in the world for just one week -- with an estimated 60,000 participating aircraft and attendance of roughly 800,000. If you're a pilot, like myself, Oshkosh can be easily equated to a religious pilgrimage beckoning your attendance every year. Here are just some of the pictures and videos that we took of the event this year...

Oshkosh AirVenture 1999 Photos
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Gary (me) & Randy (bro) Upon Arrival That's the brand new 1999 Cessna 172 "Skyhawk" that we flew into Fon Du Lac (FLD) airport.Lynn (dad) & Randy at Fond Du Lac We had to fly-in here because aircraft rental insurance prevented arrival at Oshkosh.Randy Inside Helicopter at Oshkosh No idea what helicopter this is -- just a REALLY BIG one.
Randy Inspecting a Cessna Caravan One day, the Illinois lottery is going to buy one of these great single-engine turbo-props for me.Cessna Caravan Instrument Panel Okay, So I REALLY want this airplane. Doesn't the panel look as friendly as any other single?B17 "Flying Fortress" Taking Off The warbird show is REALLY something to behold sitting among the homebuilt aircraft on the line.
B25 "Mitchell" on a Bombing Run The airshow is nicely narrated while pyrotechnics reveal the deadly purpose of these vintage aircraft.B17 "Flying Fortress" on a Bombing Run This bomber is so famous it deserved another picture. Note to myself: Get better zoom lens.B25 "Mitchell" on a Flyby So what's wrong with yet ANOTHER picture of my favorite bomber?
Bob Hoover Inverted in his Shrike Commander The famous and talented 60+ year-old pilot in his UMMODIFIED general aviation airplane.Randy & P51 "Mustang" My favorite WWII fighter airplane and brother. Okay... my only brother.P51 "Mustangs" in the Warbird Area Sunday was slow -- most aircraft (and people) had cleared-out Saturday.
Waco UPF-7 with Jet Engine Under Fuselage This was the strangest sight/sound -- a bi-plane climbing vertically.Burt Rutan's New Proteus See... that thing really CAN fly! NASA uses this for high-altitude research (I think).
Oshkosh AirVenture 1999 Videos
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P51 "Mustangs" & F15 "Eagle" in Formation Two famous fighters from two different eras flying together -- a beautiful sight!B17 "Flying Fortress" Taking Off The workhorse bomber of the second World War departs from Runway 18 (South) at Wittman Field (Oshkosh).B25 "Mitchell" on a Boming Run Notice the plumes of smoke from the pyrotechnic "bombs" -- makes for a very dramatic show.
B17 "Flying Fortress" Flyby Slow but lethal bomber. Every year Oshkosh presents a great battle re-enactment.Gary Beside B25 "Mitchell" My favorite World War II bomber. Hmmmm... wonder if I can log some twin-engine time on this thing?P47 "Thunderbolt" Classic airplane. My grandfather's brother flew one of these during WWII.
P51 "Mustang" Display My favorite WWII fighter. One day I hope to fly in one. Nice shots Randy.Fon Du Lac (FLD) Airfield This airport is only 10 miles from Oshkosh. Shuttle buses were available (but not free).Preflighting the Airplane Before Departure Yup! Got wings. Got a propeller. Got Fuel. We're good to go!
Takeoff from Fon Du Lac Airport Departure from Runway 27 (West). Cool shots Randy! But what about flying centerline Gary?In Flight -- A Gyrocopter Below Flying in and around Oshkosh means loads of air traffic. Here a gyrocopter is seen flying below.Enroute Somewhere Over Wisconsin Yup, my new handheld Garmin GPS in the winshield and some beautiful lakes in Wisconsin.
Enroute -- Sunset Somewhere Over Wisconsin The flight home was smooth as silk and the sunset was equally pleasing.Landing At Home Dupage Airport (DPA) Finally home and landing on Runway 33 (Northwest).