I was humbled to have been invited out as a staff photographer for the AirVentureCup Race back in July. This race has been running for 25 years and is open to any pilot with an airplane. there a numerous classes you compete in and if you mount doesn't fit any class, one will be made for you !.
AirVentureCup Race
We didn't have any turbine powered airplanes this year and I understand its the first year no-one went faster than 300mph. Also, in a change from the normal format it was decided that the course would be a circular one with take off from one airport, cross the finish line then back to the first airport. Details can be found on the link.
If any of you are interested in racing next year, please do get in touch via the website, it's a fantastic atmosphere and a great bunch of people to race with for sure !.
So first thing was to get Stateside and I opted for flying with American Airlines and paid extra for for Premium Economy seating which paid huge dividends in priority boarding and seating / meal stuff. My first problem I had was that I had to get into a flight suit as I would be flying not during the race but before and afterwards.
Working from home due to Covid and not getting out and about and keeping fit did not help when I tried my old flight suit on...
However, in the best tradition Tony had an older spare one that I was able to get into so once I'd added my badges all was good
.
Flew out in a Dreamliner...I do seriously like these planes and normally try to book flight using them !...from Heathrow after consuming a 'full-monty' breakfast that enough grease to do an oil change on any truck !
Yuck !!
While taxying out to take off we pulled over and shut down the engines for 20 minutes while the Captain said they were waiting for some Data to be uploaded...nothing to worry about obviously !!!! but did get the chance to wave at Concorde
Then with all the mysterious data uploaded, they kicked the tyres and lit the fires and we roared off across the Pond to Chicago
Last time I was in Chicago was back in 2013 and I was flying in Witchcraft with Jim H flying alongside in Betty Jane and it brought back strong memories of happier times indeedy.
Once I cleared Homeland Security...yes they let me back in
...it was straight on a coach down to Milwaukee. First time I've used Coach USA and will use them again, it was a seamless service right through and very comfy
Was picked up in Milwaukee and we drove the 100 odd miles to Oshkosh to finish getting the get the camp set up. The AVC Race finished on the Sunday just as Oshkosh starts on the Monday and most of the racers then fly to Osh and park up in a special area right on the crowd line.
Last time I was at Osh was back on 2005 so had to get the obligatory mug-shot in
Friday morning was the move flight from Osh to Wausau for the race and was invited to fly along with Aaron and Reagon in their awesome V tail Bonanza. Flight time was around an hour and for the first part of the trip we had two Lancair Legacy's loping along side (both of which would be racing that weekend). Joe and Kevin in Race 6 and I can't for the life of me remember who was flying the other one, very embarrassing !