EAA plans major building expansion?

What's a scooter pass?

Permission to drive a motorized vehicle on the grounds... a.k.a., "License to
Kill". :-)

Ron "I had one last year" Wanttaja

*******. I would happily settle for a bike . . .

True story: Our group rents a house in town for the duration of the
show. The people we rent from work security during the show (they are
teachers during the other 51 weeks of the year). We have tried many
times to milk the fact that we pay them large dollars and reside in
their house for some kind of security-related favoritism. All to no
avail.

On the last day of the show last summer one of our vendors stopped by
our area and chatted for a bit. I mentioned my longing for a scooter
pass, and he proudly pointed out that the scooter he was riding was
sans pass--he had managed to sneak about for the whole show. The
folks from whom we rent the house (again, security people) also
stopped by--at that same time--to say hello and so forth. Thus our
display became an impromptu ambush for our poor vendor. In the end we
just had to sit back and observe the carnage from a safe distance.

Steve.

"Jim Burns" wrote in message . ..
This was also mentioned in the latest issue of EAA's Sport Pilot magazine.
For those not familiar with OSH except during EAA events, the grounds are
used through-out the year for several other major events including Ducks
Unlimited Outdoor Expo, a large Farm Equipment and Energy Expo, and
occasionally large music events.
Jim



And I seem to remember comments about fixing up and changing things around last year or the year before, but no specific
plans were made...

I have a friend on EAAs board that basically confirms that they are
expanding Airventure. I guess EAA makes 80% or more of their cash off
of Airventure and the board intends to focus on the event. Much of
this money comes from the big displays, I guess Cirrus, Cessna,
Lycoming and the like make a ton of money at the show. He also said
that one of the other folks on the Board is a former or present CFO,
CEO, whatever of either six flags or Bush Gardens Amusement parks.
The new plan includes some sort of tram, better bathrooms, more bells
and whistles: He didn't mention rides but get ready for a more Disney-
Like Airventure non the less.

On Wed, 28 May 2008 18:03:29 -0700 (PDT), 351DP
wrote:

I have a friend on EAAs board that basically confirms that they are
expanding Airventure. I guess EAA makes 80% or more of their cash off
of Airventure and the board intends to focus on the event. Much of
this money comes from the big displays, I guess Cirrus, Cessna,
Lycoming and the like make a ton of money at the show. He also said
that one of the other folks on the Board is a former or present CFO,
CEO, whatever of either six flags or Bush Gardens Amusement parks.
The new plan includes some sort of tram, better bathrooms, more bells
and whistles: He didn't mention rides but get ready for a more Disney-
Like Airventure non the less.

Some RV hookups would be useable year round.

--Andy Asberry--
------Texas-----

I bring this up because a lot of people feel that EAA has become too
commercial and has forgotten their constituency.

EAA is a big business with a shrinking constituency. Look at the "Gone
West" column each month, and all the empty airports, and it's easy to see
what they're up against.

If expanding the Airventure grounds so that it may be better used for other
events helps to preserve our annual fly-in, I'm all for it. I wish it were
otherwise, but there just ain't enough new pilots in the pipeline to support
EAA. As a result, their choices are rather stark.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

It has only take two decades to get EAA to realize that it is in not
only to their benefit, but also the taxpayers of Winnebago County to
combine the AirVenture Grounds with the Fairgrounds...afterall it is
county property. When they build the existing fairgrounds there were
those who said combine the two...but no, EAA seemed to have the
political pull to keep everyone away from their corner of the world
and have the county taketh away land from landowners to expand the
airport grounds even further. Much of this expansion was being used
for vehicle parking, which subsidized the farmers who owned it...now
EAA collects the cash.

Over the past few years EAA has opened the doors to other events such
as Ducks Unlimited and a agriculture show. I believe John Deere still
has their dealer conventions there...hence the green tractors and ATVs
that blanket the grounds during the convention.

The taxpayers were cheated, now it has become apparent that EAAs sole
control of the grounds was short sighted. Even the new Country USA
grounds west of the airport aren't working as well as
predicted...access to the highway, something the EAA grounds has...had
they built a new amphitheater there (on the airport grounds) a decade
ago, it would have saved a lot of wasted resources and money.

The fairgrounds on the north side was a huge mistake...something about
building it across the road and downwind of the county landfill
doesn't make attending concerts enjoyable after a particularly busy
day at the dump.

Many of us knew this would happen...had they listened to us then, we
wouldn't be talking about it now. The geographic footprint of the
airport isn't justified 50 of the 52 weeks a year. Had the forefathers
of Winnebago and Outagamie Counties been able to agree on a location
for a joint airport....things would be a whole lot different than they
are today.

Before you ask...yes I am a member of EAA and a resident and taxpayer
of Winnebago County.

I sat in on a focus group at the convention last year on the expansion
plans. While the two new exhibit buildings are the most visible change,
there's some things for the members too. They're going to put in real
showers and toilets in camp areas, and the plan of separating people
from vehicles is way overdue.

One of the comments we made several times, but I fear was ignored, was
the elimination of the parking fee. We thought that raising the
admission price a bit, and reducing the camping fee to make it revenue
neutral would get cars into the event a lot easier. It also gives a bad
first impression of the organization by having their hand out to collect
money before even getting near the main gate.

An item I wasn't too fond of is the triangle shape of the main, and (I
believe) only entrance. Obviously the new vendor rental rate is in the
same form where the peak rate is right at the entrance. This must be to
address the way vendors don't get much traffic to the left, and
especially the right, of the main gate. I think this will put an even
greater emphasis on the commercial aspects of our convention by moving
the people further away from the warbirds, experimental, vintage and
ultralight areas. One thing of note was the architectural drawing had
some display planes at the main entrance. They were all warbirds. None
were experimental or even LSAs.

It will be interesting to see what they do with food service. I
personally like the state fair type of food vendors they have at Sun N'
Fun. There's competition, and it seems like they have a good variety.

Paying to park isn't a problem if it is reasonable. Two bucks is cool,
but when you go over five it is hard to take, especially when you get
to the admissions gate and they sting you again. Maybe some sort of
plan to credit you back the parking fee when you purchase your daily
or weekly pass. Those purchasing a weekly pass should have parking for
the week inclusive with their pass...especially members!

The air show crowd line needs to be addressed too. They need to figure
a way to get the 1500 foot minimum so jets and jet teams can again
perform.

Though the convention grounds are clean, they were much cleaner before
the widespread arrival of food venues within the display area. Trash
and aircraft don't mix. I don't know how many times I witness and
chewed ass of people tucking their trash into aircraft or equipment.
Smoking on and around the aircraft is another sore subject with
me...on a hot summer day, some of these dumba**es light up under the
wing of an aircraft thats venting fuel!!!

The grounds need to be smoke free. A fire started in the dry grass
will destroy or damage too much too fast, especially if an aircraft is
venting fuel from expansion acting as an accelerant.

Hawkeye wrote:
Paying to park isn't a problem if it is reasonable. Two bucks is cool,
but when you go over five it is hard to take

I believe last year it was USD 7

Those purchasing a weekly pass should have parking for
the week inclusive with their pass...especially members!

The logistical problem would be what to do on the first day since you
would have to pay for parking before paying admission. My point is that
the money collection needlessly slows down the process of getting in.

They need to figure a way to get the 1500 foot minimum so jets and jet
teams can again perform.

Personally I think there are enough jets at the EAA Convention already.
Although I did go to a seminar at Sun N Fun where a team is trying to
get funding for development of a low bypass engine that would be
efficient on a 4 passenger plane flying at about 15K ft.
http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-to..._turbines.html
I live in an area that usually has a big military show nearby (Westover
/ Westfield, MA) so I get to see a major team anyway, but I can see
where people wouldn't have another change to see them.

I don't know how many times I witness and
chewed ass of people tucking their trash into aircraft or equipment.

Sheez! I didn't think the people there were such jerks. I hadn't seen
that, but the past couple years I haven't spent much time on the flight
line. The Protect Our Planes volunteers are among the most important there.

"Hawkeye" wrote
Paying to park isn't a problem if it is reasonable. Two bucks is cool,
but when you go over five it is hard to take, especially when you get
to the admissions gate and they sting you again. Maybe some sort of
plan to credit you back the parking fee when you purchase your daily
or weekly pass. Those purchasing a weekly pass should have parking for
the week inclusive with their pass...especially members!

I've been volunteering at OSH for about 20 years, mostly selling admissions
and memberships. I've heard every complaint about the cost at least a
thousand times. If you want to enjoy our dairy air in the summer wait a
month and drive fifty miles north to Green Bay and attend a Packer game.
Great entertainment. It'll only cost about $20-$25 for parking $200 for a
good seat, and $7 for a beer. After 3-1/2 hours you go home. Or come to
Airventure. Pay $7 to park, about $25 for the best seat in the house, great
entertainment from the best in the world and stay all day and all night if
you choose. The flightline is never closed.

The air show crowd line needs to be addressed too. They need to figure
a way to get the 1500 foot minimum so jets and jet teams can again
perform.

I spoke to Tom last year about the Angels or T-birds performing. He said
there's no way to make enough room.

If you want to see the Thunderbirds, they will be in Milwakee July 12-13.
See them for free on your way to Airventure. The Blue Angels will be in
Duluth July 19-20. Spend the extra time before the convention volunteering.
You'll make a bunch of new friends comprised of the best people on the
planet, air heads one and all, and you'll get a warm and fuzzy fealing from
havng been a part of the greatest show on earth.

Though the convention grounds are clean, they were much cleaner before
the widespread arrival of food venues within the display area. Trash
and aircraft don't mix. I don't know how many times I witness and
chewed ass of people tucking their trash into aircraft or equipment.
Smoking on and around the aircraft is another sore subject with
me...on a hot summer day, some of these dumba**es light up under the
wing of an aircraft thats venting fuel!!!

The convention grounds are the cleanest venue I've ever seen with 80-100 K
people roaming around. It's not spotless, but the POP crews and G-men do
their best to keep it nice. I think they do a damn fine job. Chewing out
someones ass for littering isn't a good way of dealing with the occasional
slob. Picking up the trash yourself and reminding the guilty party to help
keep Airventure clean will guilt load them so maybe in the future they'll be
more careful. Bitching can make them angry, so next time they do it to spite
you.

The grounds need to be smoke free. A fire started in the dry grass
will destroy or damage too much too fast, especially if an aircraft is
venting fuel from expansion acting as an accelerant.

The groundss are smoke free. That's the rule anyway. I worked POP for two
years and it was my job to look for smokers and pick up trash. I saw little
of either. The smokers invariably light up without thinking and are very
cooperative when politely reminded to snuff it.

Nuff said,
Tom