Settling In for Winter

Nothing lets you know that summer is definitely over than the first snowfall of the season. Oshkosh got that message loud and clear last Wednesday, as about 3 inches of heavy, wet snow hit the area. Thankfully, prior to then we were blessed with great weather these last few months that resulted in an extended growing season to help expedite ground repairs.

Crews stayed busy making their usual clean-up and repair work, most notably filling in and smoothing over ruts left in Camp Scholler. They have also worked with airport personnel to replant grass along the turf taxiway next to Runway 9/27, and also reseeded the area damaged by the F-16 overrun at the north end of Runway 18/36.

Now the big question, what's in store for 2012? No surprise, our focal point will be addressing the mud and dust in Camp Scholler. We are working with county officials and engineers to create additional hard-surface roadways known as a cobblestone method, which is a gravel mixture that allows water to penetrate and flow through. Main east/west roads will be addressed as will select north/south roads, noted in yellow on the map below.


When any hard surface is put in place, you must account for where any storm water runoff goes. We are in the process of running filter tests of the cobblestone with officials with the goal of finding an approved storm water treatment that will benefit all.

In other site-related news:

EAA staff also is working with state, county and local officials to discuss AirVenture traffic flow in 2012, especially with the Highway 41 project continuing and the closure of the Highways 41/21 interchange. Highway 21 traffic will be routed to Highway 44 (South Park Ave.) on the detour, which will cause changes in traffic flow to the AirVenture grounds.

Among the solutions will be utilizing the Highways 26/41 interchange more extensively to ease congestion. That would mean more traffic, especially outflow, would be using Poberezny Road south of Camp Scholler. Anyone who has traveled that stretch can attest that road isn't in the best of shape.

Discussions have begun between EAA, the State of Wisconsin, City of Oshkosh, and Town of Nekimi on improvements and resurfacing the stretch from Waukau Avenue to its intersection with County Highway N near the Highway 41/26 interchange. EAA has been mentioning the deteriorating condition of Poberezny Road, especially between Ripple Road and County N, for several years to local and state officials. If an agreement is reached, the project could take place as early as next spring.

Also, U.S. Cellular is trenching from west of Highway 41 to the AirVenture grounds and installing more fiber connections to the cell phone towers here, to improve that carrier's service at AirVenture. We will keep you posted on any other updates wireless carriers may make.

That's it for now. If any updates of note arise over the winter months, I'll be sure to keep you posted. We're less than 250 days until AirVenture 2012!

Blue skies ... and stay warm!

Thursday's Update: Campsites in Good Shape Despite Muddy Roadways

Here's a brief update from around the grounds as of 4:30 p.m. CDT Thursday:

• Grass roadways in Camp Scholler (primarily the numbered streets and Cedar Ave.) as well as the parking lots are a quagmire following yesterday's and today's early morning showers. More rain is forecasted Thursday evening.
• Campsites, however, look to be in good shape for the most part since many campers were already in place and haven't moved about on the muddy roadways.
• If you're in Camp Scholler, try to avoid these affected roadways if you can, both with vehicle and foot traffic.
• Crews worked overnight and during the day on filling damaged site areas in with stones or wood chips, most notably in high traffic areas like exhibit areas, shuttle bus stops, and near bathrooms and shower houses. We will continue to monitor and treat trouble spots as needed.
• Some turf areas usually used for aircraft taxiing are coned off and alternate taxiing routes marked. As always, pilots should use extra caution when taxiing off of paved surfaces.
• As of 3:45 p.m., the GA Camping Area is approximately 80% full and the GA Parking Area is approximately 70% full. Both of these areas are only able to accommodate single-engine aircraft. Non-showplane twin-engine aircraft must seek accommodations at the FBOs.

Keep checking back on the Aircraft Parking Status page for more information.

Wednesday's Update: Rain Jinx in Effect as Storms Hit

Tuesday, we reported the grounds were in excellent condition after days of dry weather. Sorry about that jinx. AirVenture 2011 saw its first substantial rains Wednesday, as nearly an inch fell during off-and-on showers in the morning. Here's a brief update from around the grounds as of 8 p.m. CDT Wednesday:

• The rains came at the worst time, just before gates opened for the day. Thus, the grounds had no time to absorb any of the rain before it saw vehicle and foot traffic. "Slimy" conditions exist in areas that saw heavy use on Wednesday.


• The good news, however, is that an approaching line of storms that was expected to hit Oshkosh in the late afternoon never materialized and made way for sunny, evening skies.
• The revamped drainage system helped move water quickly off-site, and grounds started to soak up puddles as the sky cleared. We'll hope the skies remain clear overnight as Thursday is forecasted to be dry during the day.
• Crews will be working overnight - assessing areas that saw the most damage from foot and/or vehicle traffic, and where to apply either stone or wood chips to improve accessibility.
• Top priority will be to fix areas in the parking lots and exhibit areas, and tomorrow they will move over into the campgrounds.
• In the aircraft parking area,crews continue to assess ground conditions and are marking turf areas that should be avoided. As always, pilots should use extra caution when taxiing off of paved surfaces.
• As of 4:15 p.m., the GA Camping Area is approximately 95% full and the General Aviation Parking Area is approximately 85% full. Both of these areas are only able to accommodate single-engine aircraft. Non-showplane twin-engine aircraft must seek accommodations at the FBOs.

Keep checking back on the Aircraft Parking Status page for more information.

Tuesday's Update: Conditions Remain Excellent

Here's a brief update from around the grounds as of 5 p.m. CDT Tuesday:

• Aircraft continue to enter AirVenture in droves. As of 2 p.m., the GA Camping Area is approximately 95% full and the General Aviation Parking Area is approximately 98% full and only able to accommodate single-engine aircraft. Camping is available for general aviation twin-engine aircraft, but those needing parking only must seek accommodations at the FBOs.
• Airport parking conditions remain generally excellent, as sunny skies have been the norm for the first two days. A chance of storms is in the forecast for the next three days.
• Crews were cutting more grass in the southern portions of Camp Scholler to accommodate any late camper arrivals over the next few days. Still plenty of room there despite a great crowd already.

Keep checking back on the Aircraft Parking Status page for more information.

Monday's Update: Mowing the Lawn

Clear skies greeted everyone at opening day of AirVenture 2011 with not a drop of rain to be felt. Here's a brief update from around the grounds as of 3 p.m. CDT Monday:

• The flightline and aircraft parking areas continue to swell. The GA camping area is approximately 80% full and the GA parking area is approximately 70% full.
• Airport parking conditions remain generally excellent, with only a few soft spots in turf areas used for aircraft taxiing marked with cones. As always, pilots should use caution when taxiing off of paved surfaces.
• Puddling from Saturday and Sunday morning's storms has faded.
• Campers continue to set up sites in Camp Scholler, but plenty of room remains available. How so? We have the ability to cut more fields to the south, thus opening up more campsites, like so:

Keep checking back on the Aircraft Parking Status page for more information.

Sunday's Update: Energy Abound At AirVenture

Here are a few quick aircraft parking and campground updates, as of 5 p.m. CDT Sunday:

• Another overnight storm hit Oshkosh, but the grounds withstood the heavy rains it brought. Some puddling in Camp Scholler and in the Warbird area.
• Vehicle access to a few “numbered” streets from Lindbergh in Camp Scholler is blocked off due to soft, muddy ground at the entranceways.
• North 40 continues to come back to life as aircraft now line the entire south side of Runway 9/27.
• Vintage, warbird, homebuilt, and ultralight areas are all reporting significant parking activity.
• Camp Scholler is bursting with energy. Campsites are now being filled all the way down Stits in the Cedar Ave. area.

Keep checking back on the Aircraft Parking Status page for more information.

Saturday's Update: Grounds Weather the Storm

Here are a few quick aircraft parking and campground updates, as of 3 p.m. CDT Saturday:

• Storms on Saturday morning brought heavy rains to Oshkosh, and with the exception of puddling in some roadway/driveway areas, the thirsty grounds absorbed the much needed rain.


• Periods of storms are expected throughout the reminder of Saturday and overnight into Sunday before clearing early in the day.



• More than 100 Bonanzas arrived shortly after 1 p.m. and set up camp in the rapidly populating North 40 (pictured above).


• Firm ground conditions are being reported throughout the aircraft parking areas.


• Camp Scholler continues to fill. Sporadic campsites remain west of Stits near Camper Registration.


• Big rig campers continue to populate the 24-hour generator areas. No problems in setting up camp on the grass, even after this morning’s storm.


• Campsites south of Elm and west of Stits are starting to bustle with activity.

Keep checking back on the Aircraft Parking Status page for more information.

Friday's Update: Grounds Coming to Life!

Just a little less than three days before AirVenture 2011, the convention site and Camp Scholler are a buzz of activity. Here are a few quick aircraft parking and campground updates, as of 3 p.m. CDT Friday:

• Camp Scholler is starting to fill. With the warmer than usual temperatures blanketing the area, the shaded areas are the "hot" spots. Paul's Woods is, of course, at capacity as is the wooded area near Schaick and Stits.


• Most sites west to Stits and south to Elm have been claimed, but there is plenty of room west of Stits and south of Elm.


• All campsites with electric/water hookups are SOLD OUT.


• No need to worry about soggy grounds this year. Big rig campers are navigating the grass surfaces with ease.



• Turning toward the aircraft parking/camping areas, it's great to see rows of aircraft fill up the North 40 (pictured above) and Vintage areas - two locations that were hit hard by last year's flooding.


• The grass is healthy and ground conditions are suitable for taxiing. As always, pilots should use caution when taxiing off of paved surfaces.

Keep checking back on the Aircraft Parking Status page for more information.

Applying the Finishing Touches

We are just under two weeks from opening day, but Camp Scholler and the AirVenture grounds are already coming to life. Campers have started to trickle in (or at least put their claims in), and our great volunteer force is doing a yeoman's job of helping ready the convention site.



Those who have arrived early got the first look at the drainage improvements and newly chip-sealed roads in various areas, and many like what they see. We got a good rain early Monday morning that was handled with ease by the expanded ditches. As confident as we are in that they would be able to withstand the conditions we saw last year much better, we don't want them to be tested too much. We are a bunch that always prefers clear skies.

You can check out where the Wi-Fi spots are on the AirVenture grounds map, and new this year will be a dedicated Wi-Fi building that will feature charging stations for your computers or other electric accessories. Those of you without electrical hookups at your campsites can use this area to get charged.

Moving onto the convention site, we are pleased to be offering an additional food provider this year. Fratellos, a popular restaurant in the Fox Valley, will offer an expanded menu to AirVenture attendees, and will be located just north of Garmin Exhibit Hangar D off Celebration Way. Be sure to check out the variety they have to offer.

Sticking with food, a concession stand has been added to the Hangar Café for "express" items to help ease congestion. You'll be able to a grab a quick coffee or snack and be on your way.

With all of the dedicated Burt Rutan and Chris Heintz activities going on during AirVenture, the Homebuilt area is sure to be a hot spot. To accommodate the larger amount of homebuilt aircraft expected, we've expanded the homebuilt parking area to the north side of P-1.

And finally, we are looking at securing a number of portalets as well as trash units that might pose a danger to people and/or aircraft should a severe storm with high winds strike. This is one of the safety measures we can take away from the unfortunate events at Sun 'n Fun earlier this year. We won't be able to secure all of them this year, but we will be able to address the high traffic areas.

On that note, be sure to sign up for our new text messaging service for Weather & Vehicle Traffic Alerts during AirVenture to stay informed on potential severe weather and procedures to follow. To receive necessary text alerts to your mobile device, text OSHALERT to 84444.

Additionally, you may also sign up for the Features & Attractions Alert by texting OSHFUN to 84444. You may cancel both at anytime by texting STOP to 84444.

Keep checking back to this blog leading up to opening day as well as the first few days of AirVenture for periodic updates on aircraft parking and campsite capacity.

Clear skies and safe travels! We'll see you here at KOSH!

In Case You Missed It ...

Editor's Note: Campsites south of Lindbergh Road to about Elm Ave. and west of 28th Street to 24th Street were re-leveled, and that is the only area closed for 2011. We apologize for any confusion.


Check out the recent story highlighting the drainage improvements in Camp Scholler and the AirVenture grounds.

Some notable points from the story:

• A new north/south drainage area near 28th Street was established near campsites most severely affected by last year's rains.
  
  
• Campsites south of Lindbergh Road to about Elm Ave. and west of 28th Street to 24th Street were re-leveled. That specific area will not be open during AirVenture 2011 to allow it time to firmly settle.
  
  
• Other areas with expanded drain channels include Paul's Woods, just west of Knapp Street Road; Warbirds Camping and the Red Lot auto parking area, with expanded drainage between the Civil Air Patrol compound and the North 40; and Waukau Avenue, just north of the Blue Lot auto parking area and the Nature Center.

One Month 'Till (Camping) Opening Day!

Mark your calendars: Friday, June 24. One month from today, Camp Scholler opens! AirVenture 2011 is right around the corner and will be here before we know it. As promised, I have more detail regarding the changes you campers will need to be aware of when entering Camp Scholler.

Those of you arriving at Camp Scholler during AirVenture will notice a big change at the main entrance. The three "booths" that previously occupied the entranceway have been moved to the left-hand side, adjacent to the red camper building. This will free up space in the entranceway, allowing three additional lanes of traffic into the campground. With camping rigs getting larger and larger, it had become increasingly difficult to maneuver them in between the booths, not to mention the difficulty in accommodating true "drive-up" service to the windows.



Camper registration check-in, however, will remain mostly the same. Temporarily park your camper in the driveway, walk to a registration booth to check-in, and then proceed to your desired camp spot. Those who have pre-purchased camping through advance online sales will find dedicated windows to handle your accommodations, getting you into the grounds much faster. Purchase your advance camping here.

Also, for those who arrive to Camp Scholler weeks prior to AirVenture (including Camp Scholler opening day on Friday, June 24), registration check-in will now be held at the campground's main entrance instead of the corner of Forest Home Ave. and Lindbergh Road where it was previously located. This allows us to effectively streamline registration operations in one central location. If you are flying in to set up camp early, a shuttle will be available to transport you from ConocoPhillips Plaza to the main registration building.

On to other areas of the grounds ...

Good news to report on the drainage front from a soggy Oshkosh. Yes, good news. Oshkosh has had its fair share of rain this spring, which has actually been a good thing. It has given us some good feedback on how the drainage improvements are faring in Camp Scholler and other areas of the grounds.

We are happy to report areas that saw significant flooding last year have seen, at most, minimal standing water after heavy rains this spring. What is there is gone in short order soon afterwards. Ideally, we all hope these drainage run-offs aren't tested with the amount of rain last July, but we are confident that nearly all of the problem areas have been addressed. Crews are now addressing drainage concerns in the Warbirds area.

Some of the feedback we receive in post-AirVenture surveys suggests the addition of more hard surfaces in Camp Scholler, whether it be roadways or camper parking. We are looking to that as part of a master improvement plan for the campgrounds; however, we have to take into consideration how that affects stormwater run-off and retention without wasting real estate vital to camping areas.

Warm weather is finally a starting to arrive in Oshkosh after what has been a cool and damp spring. Crews are seeding and repairing any leftover ruts from last AirVenture. Chip-sealing is beginning this week on the following roads: Stits Road and Lindbergh Avenue in Camp Scholler, the south end of Wittman Road along the flightline, Foundation Road on the traffic loop, and the Blue Lot parking entrance. All are expected to be completed in time for AirVenture.


Looks like the exhibitor tents are starting to bloom along with the dandelions.

Guess that means I should wrap up this blog. Just remember, one month until Camp Scholler opens!

Welcome, Spring?

It wasn't quite as intimidating as a warbird roaring over the flightline, but the first bird of the season - the sure sign of spring, the North American Robin - made its return to the AirVenture grounds a few weeks ago.

This usually means you can count at least two more snowfalls. We had one shortly after that sighting, and we got blasted with the second one yesterday. Yes, Oshkosh got three inches of snow (thankfully, the brunt of the storm that featured 14 inches of snow stayed north). Hopefully, this is the last as well as we are eager to get back out on the grounds and prep for another memorable AirVenture!

When the ground dries up a bit, we'll pick up where we left off before winter by continuing work on drainage improvements (pictured below) in problem areas in Camp Scholler as well as the Vintage and Warbird aircraft parking areas.


As expected, a good number of the "ruts" leftover from vehicle and aircraft traffic on the soggy grounds smoothed themselves out during winter. Snow cover helps push these out to an extent. In the areas that didn't completely smooth over, we'll take a roller over them when the ground dries out to finish what winter started.

Once May rolls around and spring weather is completely here, we're going to be chip-sealing more roads throughout the grounds, including Stits Road and Lindbergh Avenue in Camp Scholler. We'll also be chip-sealing the south end of Wittman Road along the flightline, Foundation Road on the traffic loop, and the Blue Lot parking entrance.

The road chip-sealing done in parts of Camp Scholler and exhibit areas drew rave reviews in survey feedback we received following last year. We are happy to continue to make these upgrades, helping cut down on dust in these areas and provide a smoother, cleaner drive on these roads.


We are also finalizing plans to revamp the Camp Scholler entrance (above), which will now feature a new gate for those who bought Advance Purchase camping. New for this year, attendees may purchase camping for all dates in advance on the AirVenture website and utilize an "express" area to enter the campground faster. I'll have more details on the new entrance in my next blog update, which should be in late April or early May.

Hope everyone had a great winter season and are making plans to join us in Oshkosh this year!