It is really difficult to realize that it is that time of year again and that the EAA Golden Anniversary Convention is just around the corner. Airventure 2002 should really be outstanding!
NuVenture Aircraft will be there once again in the outdoor display area. This time our site is #261, which is located right behind the Eclipse Aviation tent. The neighbor across the way is Beechcraft so we are in very good company. Any Venture builder/owner/pilot who wants to spend a little time in our booth helping to tell the public about our wonderful flying machine is welcome. If you donıt want to tell the public anything, you are still welcome.
As far as I know the location for the Venture aircraft parking will be the same as in the last two years. This will be in the first two rows north of the Com Center, or immediately south of the taxiway into Areoshell Square. This location affords a very short pull or taxi across grass, which is best for small, highly loaded tires.
Once again we will try to get all of the Venture owners/pilots together for a dinner to be hosted by the Company. Friday night at the Pioneer Resort is the target, but we will have to see how that works out.
Oshkosh is a strange phenomenon. After the show each year I question next yearıs attendance. But as the time approaches I become more and more positive. By the first of July I can hardly wait. I have decided that there are three factors involved.
First, there are always new things to learn. Oshkosh seems to be the introduction time for all those innovations in sport aviation.
Second, Oshkosh is the meeting place where, once a year, we have the opportunity to visit with the many aviation friends we have made over the last 40 years. We hope to see you there.
Third, I suppose as much as anything else we look forward to the cross country flying trip. It is always a pleasure to view once again from the air the spectacular scenery which we have seen dozens of times before. And the aircraft we now fly is an added joy. The Venture makes it from Fresno, CA to Oshkosh, WI in just a little over 6 hours with one fuel stop somewhere in Wyoming. The fuel burn at 12,000 to 13,000 feet cruise altitude will be between 12 and 13 gallons per hour. It makes for a short day even with loosing the two hours due to time zones. Ditto for the trip back home, even against the prevailing 15 to 20 knot headwind. Thanks again, Jim Griswold, for the truly marvelous aircraft you and your team created!