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One Friday, I got a phone call from Warren Cresswell, affectionately known as Triple Mike. "Phil … lets go to Oshkosh for a few days." I thought about it for about 5 seconds … the last time I had been to Oshkosh was 2 years ago. Sure, why not. The following week, Captain Billy Lowe called me. "Hey, Billy what's UPPP." "Not much Captain Phil." "Say, what's happening with Oshkosh", I asked. Billy replied. "well, Barry, our partner in GDOC has the airplane, so John and I are driving." Some simple math in my head, turned the drive into about 28 hours of not so much fun as compared to flying. I suggested to Billy, that we should all go together. That got Billy thinking, flying is way more fun than driving. We arranged for me to call Warren and Billy to call John.
Ten minutes later, everyone was on board. Billy would be flying with me, in Commander GTUS and John would be flying with Warren in Mooney GMMM. Warren arranged for a car and two rooms at the Hilton. All of the arrangements were done one week before our scheduled departure.
A call from David Grossman, indicated that his planned trip to Vancouver (for a restaurant opening), was cancelled. "So David, what you're telling me is that you have the time set aside. Why not join us in Oshkosh?" Two minutes later, David was onboard. Another quick call and David had a room at the Hilton and a rental car.
We decided to leave Toronto Friday morning and return Sunday. Our plan was to meet at Buttonville (CYKZ) Friday morning at 6:00 am, with wheels up at 7:00 am. Unfortunately, those words are not in David's vocabulary. David left Toronto at about 2:00 pm. Warren, was up before the crack of dawn, and was at Buttonville at 5:00 am!
Our route of flight was direct. After spending lots of time flying over the water to the Bahamas (Warren has gone as far as Venezuela), flying over the lakes was not a concern. Air time was 3 hours. Our route was Buttonville direct to Greenbay. One hop. US Customs was available on the field. We were wheels down at Greenbay (KGRB) at approximately 9:00 am local time. That gave us the day at Oshkosh. Suffice to say, with flight following, the trip was uneventful. Further, GTUS and GMMM, flew "wingtip to wingtip", BFC style. US Gate facilitated entry into the US, with no problems. No one came to meet us.
Wow, talk about airplane mecca. Parking was no problem. No line up for registration. They even gave John van Leishout a complimentary ride in a polished aluminum, with green and beige accents, antique Cessna 170, arguably an Oshkosh champion. At the gates we were welcomed by a US air force B2 bomber flyby. Wow, what a way to start our day. The weather was severe clear. Lots of sun. Lots of airplanes. More sun. Lots of airplane stuff for sale. Lots of seminars. Topped off with an exciting air show. The Canadian Airshow at the CNE has nothing over this airshow. Over fifteen P51 Mustangs. Spitfires, Hurricanes, B17s, Blue Angels, too many airplanes to list. Suffice to say that the airshow was UNBELIEVABLE. Unfortunately, Bob Hoover did not fly on the days we were there. I saw his performance two years ago. His ability to fly his Twin Commander is nothing short of breathtaking. He ends his routine with a dead stick landing concluding with a taxi (dead stick) to show centre and the announcers.
At the end of the day, we drove back to our hotel in Greenbay, a short 45 minute drive from Oshkosh. Captain David "Dav1d" Grossman was waiting for us at the local steak house. After a quick shower, we were off for dinner. At dinner, we meet David's co-pilot Jeffery Elliott. As you know, Wisconsin is the beef capital of the mid west. Our wonderful hostess, Maria, suggested the prime rib (yes, Billy got her phone number). The food was excellent and served in monster portions. I had the small 10 oz prime rib. I think that the 10 oz was really 15 oz. Billy and John had the 16 oz, which neither could finish. Jeff, went for the 24 oz, you eat it and its free, portion. It took two servers to "wheel" that baby out. Before beginning, Jeff had to sign a restaurant waiver, "this food is dangerous to your health". Warren and David had a side bet on. I think that the cow won. Jeff's biggest concern was telling his wife.
Saturday found us up at 7:00 and raring to go. After a quick stop at Denny's for breakfest, we found ourselves at the gates by 8:30. However, the weather gods were not co-operating with us. A cold front had moved in, delivering 1000 foot ceilings and rain. Warren and I took shelter at Rod Machado's seminar at the FAA hanger. Rod is a captivating speaker and is immensely funny. It was one of the best seminars, which I have attended all year. I would recommend him to anyone.
Captain Dav1d had to get his co-pilot back to Toronto for Saturday evening. The combined feeling of the group was for David and Jeff to depart Sunday and enjoy another evening with the "gang". Unfortunately, the weather gods were not cooperating. Well, Jeff certainly had "getthereitis". The ceilings were coming down, the weather was becoming marginal VFR, the Canadian geese were filing IFR with mother nature. David and Jeff left the show just after lunch and headed back for Greenbay. Wheels up found David heading south and into IFR weather. David's strategy was to fly south towards Chicago, one mile out over the water. Being over the lake, David felt that there was no risk of hitting a tower. A short 20 minutes into his flight and he was on the ground just north of Chicago. Clearly a wise choice (Editor's Note: "there are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots"). The next day, found the weather improving as David flew around the lake and towards Detroit. However, as David approached Detroit, the weather began to deteriorate quickly, calling for a diversion to the north. Once David and Jeff penetrated Canadian airspace, the weather immediately became severe VFR. CF-QER and its aircrew arrived safe and sound back at Buttonville Sunday at 7:00 pm.
Back at Oshkosh, we all had agreed to meet back at the car at 6:30 pm. Personally, after two days of walking around, I was ready for a good cold one! Our plan was simple. Meet back at the car and take a short ride to Billy's favorite watering hole "Jeffs On Rugby". Upon walking into the bar two young women threw themselves at Billy. "Hey flyboy … haven't I seen you before! Weren't you off of the USS Yorktown last year in Singapore?" Well, our never to be without words, flyboy, was quick to join the conversation. Three minutes later Billy was downing a cold one and enjoying renewing old acquaintances. (Editors note: It's absolutely unbelievable how Billy seems to know someone in every port … I wonder if he was ever in the Navy, aircrew that is?) A few moments later, in walked Mike and Caroline Koff and their two boys. Now the party was really beginning to take shape. Transport Canada was represented by John Donaldson. His question to the server was "is that coke or pepsi?" We had warned the restaurant owner that this could be a problem. We coached them for the J.D. correct answer. Suffice to say, the evening was a blast. Lots of great food followed with wonderful conversation.
Sunday morning saw IFR weather. 600 feet and 2 miles. It was a no go for Commander GTUS. However, GMMM was an excellent traveling companion. He decided to hang in with us and go VFR back to Buttonville. That ended up occurring at about 5:00 pm. We spent the day at the FBO in Greenbay. The FBO has excellent movies and very comfortable lazyboy recliners. By 5:00 pm, the ceiling had lifted to 1000 feet and 5 miles. Just 15 miles north, the clouds were 2500 scattered. However, a nasty thunderstorm was moving in. It was now or never. It was like a Claxton went off. I was on the phone to flight services for up to date weather and to file a VFR flight plan. Billy called Canadian customs. Warren and John did the same.
Briefed, filed and customs advised, we made a mad dash to the planes. No batmen here. No mechanics preflighting. But it did feel like the battle of Britain. Preflighted, run up completed, clearance delivery called, we began our taxi to the runway. It was now or never … talk about getthereitis! On the roll, in the climb, we hear GMMM heading back to the barn with engine troubles. Oh no!!! Not good. "Greenbay Tower, this is Canadian GTUS, with request." "Go ahead TUS." "Would you relay request to company GMMM, what is the nature of his mechanical problem and would he like us to return to Greenbay?" A few moments later, Greenbay Tower advised us that GMMM had fouled plugs and that we should go on without him. Twenty minutes later, we monitored Warren and John check in with Cleveland Centre. Warren had his problem resolved.
Other than weaving our way through a cell and some build ups, the trip back to Toronto was without incident. It was smooth sailing at 8,500. Billy and I were back on the ground by 9:30 pm. It certainly was a trip to remember.
I would highly recommend the trip to any and all aviation enthusiasts. Not only does one see and hear interesting airplane, but you are part of over 800,000 people all with the same goal, the love of aviation. It is quite interesting how everyone comes together with a common goal. Most of the people which I saw, from the booth staff, parking attendants, ticket sales people, bus drivers, attendees, all were pleasant and quite accommodating. Everyone had huge grins on their faces.