Steve Colwell wrote:

The question is, do enough of us want to request parking off that paved taxiway (P-1) next year? One big advantage is ease of movement if the ground is soft. We would also have to get them to push us back a little further from the taxiway for wing clearance. What do you think?

Steve Colwell Legacy

Judy and I talked to the “Chief Parker” before we left OSH on Sunday morning. She and her team were disappointed about being directed to reserve a large amount of space for Zenith aircraft--that never showed up. She offered some suggestions about how to arrange for a “Lancair parking area” for future years—and we plan to follow up on this. Specifically, she thinks it impossible to “reserve” or “guarantee” space, but if we work together with them, Lancair flyers that want to do so should be able to taxi to and park in a “designated” area. The question we need to decide, and to work with them on: what area?

Judy and I parked N437RP next to Craig and  Pat Ditsch (N52PC) in a large “block” that also contained the forum tents. A number of other BEAUTIFUL Lancairs joined us in this area…mostly by luck.  A major paved taxiway (P-1), bounds the north side of this area and is used by the warbirds and “Van’s Airforce” to get to the runways. Access into this area is rather more limited than the main flight line, but it is much closer to other things/events at OSH, and we got a very large number of visitors. The area offers a bit better protection from wind/storms than the flight line. All this to say, should we ask for this “new” area, or “our traditional” parking area along the flight line? In either case, we’ll also plan to provide some “Lancair” or similar row markers…wherever we park.

Please let us hear from you as to which area we should ask for. The OSH planners will then pre-brief their folks and try to direct us to the agreed area—when requested. Please understand, however, that this cannot be a guarantee of a parking spot—or parking area. “Especially when the field starts to fill up, they put airplanes wherever they can stack them.” …as we saw on Wednesday!

This is an informal poll that we plan to use to negotiate a parking area for Lancairs at OSH next year—and in future years if it works well. Let us hear from you. Emails directly to me (rpastusek@htii.com) or Steve Colwell (mcmess1919@yahoo.com) will keep the traffic down on the LML, but you are also welcome to post your response there and we’ll tally all received.

Thanks,
Bob