AirVenture 2012, A Near Miss, and Lots of Fun

I wouldn't say that I LOVE to fly. I like the idea of flying, I like the convenience of flying, however, since becoming a mommy, I am a VERY nervous flier.  I used to enjoy flying with my husband, I would often fall asleep, but I enjoyed it. I remember one time while he was still in college. I was visiting him and he needed to do some additional twin engine training so I went along for the ride. I did not know that they were going to be practicing stalls, but I went to sleep in the back seat anyway. I guess I had less fear back then.


So with that being said, I was pretty stressed out about our first trip in the 182 with both kids. Not only were we taking Ella on her first flight in a small aircraft, we were flying into Oshkosh for the AirVenture fly-in. I don't know if anyone has experienced this, but it can been a bit scary. Lots and lots of planes fly into Oshkosh, WI each July for this event and they all converge at one point, putting them in very close proximity to each other.  Flying makes me nervous enough without worrying about another airplane hitting us in mid air.  You know who wasn't worried? Ella, she was ready to go! She loves to play in my husband's airplanes out in the hangar, so when it was time to load up she ran out to the plane, climbed in and said "Go! Go! Go!" We had both of their cars seats secured in the plane, so we strapped them in and took off. Ella and I sat in the back and Nolan rode in the front as daddy's co-pilot.

The flight was only about 2.5 hours (MUCH better than an 8 hour drive) and for the most part was uneventful...until we came to the converging point for the aircraft flying in. I start getting nervous when my husband asked all of us to make sure we are watching for other aircraft, I prefer to ignore the fact that we are flying and try to sleep. So I am watching and asking him lots of questions, we are following all of the directions and getting ready to get in line to land.  We are skimming the bottom of the clouds because the required altitude puts us exactly there, all of a sudden a Cirrus zooms out of the clouds directly above us, MAYBE 50 feet in front of us. I. WAS. TERRIFIED. I have never ever been that close to another plane while in the air before. 50 feet may seem like a lot, but in the air it does not seem like very much. Luckily the Cirrus was going much faster than our 182. I thought I would have a panic attack. Now I have never had one, so I have no idea what it is like, but I started getting dizzy, nauseous, and my limbs went numb, lol! I was a mess. We eventually landed and I regained feeling in my limbs, but it may be a while before I fly into Oshkosh with my two kiddos again.

I was not just worried about the flight, I was worried about all of the walking and dragging two little kids around the expansive area that is Oshkosh AirVenture. I fully envisioned two exhausted kiddos whining and generally being unhappy. I could not have been more wrong! The kids were awesome! They really loved it. There was plenty to keep my 5 year old happy, he loves crafts, so we found the craft tent the first day. They also have an entire area devoted to kids activities. There were bouncy houses and pedal powered airplanes for the kids to try out. We colored t-shirts, flew model airplanes, and tried out flight simulators. The best part was the pilot and mechanic experience areas. They have it set up so that children go through different stations and learn skills needed to be either a pilot or an A&P, my son chose the A&P route because he LOVES building things. Two hours later, he had a metal badge that he riveted himself, a mini propeller that he sanded himself, several posters and some valuable knowledge about airplane engines! Ella enjoyed herself too. She really liked watching the airshow and she thought all of the mini airplanes were hers. When the first airshow started we were lucky enough to find a spot on a bench next to an older gentleman with a WWII veteran hat on. I placed Ella on the bench next to me and she immediately made friends with him. I always say she is an old man magnet because she loves old men, it is too funny. I think they all remind her of grandpa who she adores! She started talking to him and spent most of the show pointing out airplanes to him saying "Wow!" over and over. Eventually she got down in the grass and spun in circles for us, so fun.

A lot of people fly into Oshkosh and camp out, that is exactly what my husband and I did the last time I went with him, but I decided I did not want to camp with two little ones. There are a variety of other options when attending the EAA event such as hotels, bed and breakfasts, and home stays. We decided to do a home stay with a woman that opens up her house to crazy AirVenture attendees every year, My husband had stayed there before with friends. This worked out really well for us, she liked kids, had animals, which my kids love, and was happy to drive us back and forth between her house and the airport which was a huge plus! We did not get much sleep since we were all in one room together (the kids, Lance, and me), but it all worked out just fine, she even had a pack and play set up for Ella!! I found it really funny that Ella would wake up instantly if anyone moved within the bedroom we were all sharing, but somehow she was able to sleep through the entire airshow the second day. I watched other kids cowering under blankets and wearing ear protection while she snoozed away in her stroller as jets blasted overhead, it was amazing. The picture below is of us all wearing our free hats courtesy of Ford. Reminder: don't forget a hat next year, I don't know what we would have done without these, the sun is pretty intense!

All in all, it was a great trip. Despite the scary start and lack of sleep, I might just be persuaded to do it again...in a couple of years.