AVweb contributor Nancy Hattaway Miller is a perpetual
student pilot whose main hobby is training CFIs for a "better" job in aviation.
Nancy was the fourth employee at PC World
Online and was instrumental in developing their web site and newsletter
products. When the bleeding-edge online environment began to seriously
interfere with her flying time, Nancy moved to the print side of PC World
magazine, where the pace is merely frenetic.
In a work history variously
described as "Renaissance" or "checkered," Nancy has earned her keep as a
photographer, writer, chemist, programmer, soda jerk, college instructor,
typesetter and veterinarian. She and her husband Patrick enjoy the
temperate climate and blue skies of Northern California, and are always
happy to give California weather reports to their friends in thunderstorm
or windchill country.
It's been a long time since I last visited the EAA Fly-In at
Oshkosh. Twenty-one years long, to be exact. Back then, I was visiting because my
boyfriend at the time wanted to go see the airshow for a day. It was fun. I remember
purchasing a visor and sunscreen because I forgot them, and I got a sunburn anyway.
In 21 years, sunscreen has improved a lot, the Fly-In has become AirVenture, and I've
started (and almost finished) my training for a private pilot's certificate. It seemed a
wonderful time to re-visit Wisconsin and immerse myself in all things aviation. On the
last visit, I learned to bring sunscreen. On this visit, I learned a lot more.
I learned ...
... how to shower at 4 am.
... how to spell Poberezny.
... to put on sunscreen early.
... how to navigate around the Oshkosh area in a car.
... the rules for combining SCUBA diving and flying.
... where in Oshkosh you can find a realistic 50's drive-in complete with waitresses on
roller skates.
... what a Waco looks like on floats.
... how to navigate around the airport in a golf cart.
... a little bit about instrument approaches.
... that black baseball caps are a bad idea.
... to put on sunscreen often.
... the best places at the show to catch a nap.
... to take my own lunch.
... to buy fresh squeezed lemonade to go with the lunch I brought.
... that maybe I want to save my money for a taildragger, rather than looking for a 172
to buy.
... that off-site camping is kinda cool.
... that camping under your wing is way cool.
... that my boots are really good.
... that shorts really are a better idea than jeans.
... that it doesn't matter how cold the night was, the day can still be very hot.
... that a huge majority of Oshkosh attendees are incredibly civilized people.
... that even SPF 45 waterproof sunscreen is no match for the Oshkosh sun.
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