Just got back from Oshkosh. It was a great show. Do I enjoy being with
350,000 of my closest friends, No! Do I like the prices, well compared
to other venues, they are a little cheaper. [Fuel was $1.99/gal] Can you
research specific builder questions on about any subject, you bet. Can
you see the latest and greatest new non-certificated products, you bet.
Can you see the latest and greatest in certificated products, maybe, but
usually a couple of years behind the non-certificated products. Can you
see row after row of homebuilt's, you bet. Can you attend forums and
workshops, you bet and on just about any aviation subject you might be
interested in. [I attended a least 12]

I agree, they screwed up on the automotive conversion line this year.
Even I had to ask around to find Tracy and Dave's planes. They were
within about 300 feet of one another. Had to really look to find Tom
Parkes 20B Lancair ES. [All those Lancairs look the same until you peer
into the cowl] To the best of my knowledge, it is the first flying 20B
in a Lancair, with a IV-P under construction in Canada. There was a IV-P
with a strange cowl, with two NACA lower inlets. Did not hear the
description, but I'm guessing maybe a V-8.

This is the largest Aviation Show in the World. Much is to be gained by
going. Perhaps you may want to explore a subset of EAA for Automotive
Conversions, such as the War birds, Vintage Aircraft, etc. This would
allow you to have a small gathering, such as Tracy's, where you can
gather to discuss that explicate subject, without the crowds, where
everyone has a very focused shared interest.

Marv's forum was excellent. Attended two of Dave's which helped me a
great deal. Really enjoyed my discussions with Tracy and Tom and came
away with far more knowledge then when I started.

Giffen Marr
Lancair IV-P wan-a-be