Hi all - this is Laura Crook (Tracy's wife). Tracy arrived at
Oshkosh on 7/27 (Thursday) about 1:30 pm local time. He didn't mention
how many planes were on the field, but he did recount this story:
Every year for the past 9 years the EAA has graciously mailed Tracy a
special arrival sign to display upon landing, to indicate that he is an auto
powered plane. The sign is always accompanied by a letter going on and
on about how the auto engine pilots exemplify the "true spirit" of
Experimental Aviation blah blah blah. For
almost as many years, upon arrival, the ground crew either has
absolutely zero idea what an "auto powered" plane is and leads him to a random
parking spot and/or after landing, it they know where the auto powered
row is, they taxi him for 1.5 HOURS, usually in the 95 degree heat
(translation: 110 degrees in an RV cockpit).
This year was no exception - they did park him on the auto powered row
after a 1.5 hour taxi. He was NOT a happy person when he called
me. He is not sure that he will ever attend again - it is just
inexcusable year after year after year.
Laura
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 10:06
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Oshkosh
Buly; I just returned from Oshkosh, not sure if
there were 50 homebuilts on the field. Every where you looked you
could see planes that qualified if you could sign 51% of your name.
The main theme of conversation on home building by folks looking at The
Wittman Tailwinds, was, what has happened. At SAA two years ago, Paul
mentioned at the banquet that a young couple came to camp and didn't have
the money to get on the flight line, he said they were escorted out and
shown the road and most of the gathering applauded. The only reason I
stopped by, was my daughter was there with my grandson working on a Boy
Scout Badge. I could go on and tell how we were treated like %#@&,
but I won't. I don't care if I never make it to Oshkosh with my home
built. JohnD