Jets to Oshkosh

Steve, a friend and fellow L-39 Instructor Pilot, and I flew two L-39s to Oshkosh, Wisconsin on 19 July to position them for the EAA’s AirVenture convention. It had been a long time since I flew a two-ship solo formation sortie with a similarly-trained ex-Air Force fighter guy. We had a magically great time. It was as if we’d gone back in time 10 years.

Earlier in the day, we test-flew the two airplanes on a local formation sortie. Steve led me on an interval takeoff from Rockford, Illinois, and we rejoined and headed for our west practice area, climbing up to about 12,000 feet. The planes’ systems needed to be thoroughly evaluated, so we did a full series of formation configuration changes (gear, flaps, and speedbrakes in various combinations), then cleaned up and began some formation wing work (mostly crossunders, close trail, lazy eights, and barrel rolls).

After a few minutes, Steve said, “Go extended trail,” and I answered, “Two.” He peeled away in a full-power, rolling dive and I positioned myself in a 1500-foot cone behind him. When I called “in,” he began a series of loops, rolls, and lazy eights, with me following behind. Using BFM (Basic Fighter Maneuvers) to stay in position is extremely rewarding – you don’t get to exercise these skills very much in any other kind of flying.

It was time to go home. Steve rocked his wings and I rejoined as he dove down through a large hole in the cumulus clouds. We entered initial and broke to downwind using four-second spacing. We looked damned good.

After we’d refueled, it was time to head to Oshkosh. We loaded up our cargo compartments with our canopy covers, inlet and exhaust covers, and lawn chairs. We strapped in and, with a nod of Steve’s head, we cranked the engines in perfect synch. After an utterly flawless formation takeoff, we climbed to a 13,500-foot cruising altitude for the 20-minute flight. It was cool and smooth as glass, and the late afternoon sun had that golden glow to it -- the kind of glow photographers love. (Wish I’d had someone with a camera in my back seat!)

We reported initial at KOSH, to the apparent delight of the controllers, who cleared us for multiple patterns, in whichever direction we wanted. Steve made the mistake of doing a touch and go. I did a low approach, cleaning up on short final and eating his lunch, energy-wise. His closed pattern was nice, but I had LOTS of smash at the departure end of the runway, and was able to do a monstrous closed pattern that any F-16 driver would have admired. Ahhh. There’s nothing like pulling up into a closed pattern.

The Oshkosh convention grounds looked completely ready to go -– all the buildings, signs, and display tents were in place, but there were no people and very few airplanes. A strange sight indeed, especially if you’ve ever been to Oshkosh during the convention.

We landed, parked and secured the jets, then caught a ride home in a mighty T-41 (Cessna 172) piloted by our friend Bobby. The trip took over an hour as we slogged along at 3000 feet in the evening heat. Quite a contrast to our earlier trip, but very enjoyable nonetheless.

What a day. I felt rejuvenated and alive. I need more of this kind of thing in my life.