Volume 2
number 1
January 15, 2014
!
We have a number of items to cover in this edition of IN-FORMATION. I trust you all enjoyed
magic and time spent with loved ones. Following that theme, I will begin with what I consider
the most important quality we reflect – the component of family we enjoy as members of
Cherokees to Oshkosh. Since parting company in Wisconsin last July, I have maintained contact
with our walking wounded and without exception – they are all doing great. Rusty has shared
with me Debbie is in a brace and continuing with physical therapy. Sandra’s doctor stated she has
good bone growth, and she is working on getting the strength back in her arm. Karen Ferguson
is feeling better than she has in a long time, however, is still providing a challenge for Fergie
putting some weight on her. I saved the best for last by design. Lolly is walking without
assistance for short periods. In each contact with them, I have observed a common denominator,
and that is they have positive attitudes and are committed to joining us at mini-clinics and in
Wisconsin next summer! In addition, I have recently heard from John Duncan, and he is still
working on his medical reinstatement from the FAA. As many of you recall, John has been part
of our family since 2010, and had a heart attack over a year ago. He had hoped to have his
medical in place to fly with us in 2012, but it simply did not happen.
MiniClinic Dates John did assure me that he will be joining us one way or another in
2014.
(more to come)
FEBRUARY 9-10
MiniClinic KSCK
MARCH 29-30
MiniClinic 60J
APRIL 12-13
MiniClinic M33
MAY 17-18
MiniClinic KPCZ
JUNE 28-29
MiniClinic KUAO
a holiday season filled with
Registration for Cherokees
to Oshkosh 2014 opened
at midnight January 1,
2014. Over one third of
the slots were requested
within the first twenty-four
hours. Slot registrants will
receive a confirmation
email within a day of
registering and the official
registration packet in 2-3
days. Included with the
registration packet are
instructions and a link to
order C2O apparel.
Staying with the theme of family – I want to once again remind all of you we are enthusiastically
soliciting submissions of your thoughts for the newsletter. Dennis and Peggy
Frett provided us an excellent example of what we would like to share
with the group in each newsletter. The impetus for our
request is that if you know more about your extended
family – it makes the reunion in Wisconsin
much more enjoyable. The entire team is
N
unified in the belief that the propagation of
OPE
S
I
ON
this idea will enhance the cohesiveness we
RATI
T
S
I
already share as a flight. We all have a story
REG
to tell, and your family wants to read it.
-Ter
Cherokees to oshkosh, llc
Volume 2
number 1
January 15, 2014
Cherokees To Oshkosh! It's not that simple
I've flown day-trips to Airventure, as it's now called, every year for the last 15 years.
Most years, twice. Our PA28-161, is based at (KARR) Aurora Municipal Airport, an
easy 120NM flight. In the early years, I avoided flying into OSH, and instead went to
FLD or 79C, a quasi-secret, close-in gateway to the big event. As my skills improved, I
began to fly the FISK arrival and lived through the full adventure. My wife, Peggy,
usually joins me for at least one of the flights. We always arrived as early as possible in
the morning, and departed each evening before the field closed, arriving home shortly
after dark. And then came C2O, and it wasn't simple anymore, it was
CHALLENGING and INCREDIBLY REWARDING!
C2O enticed us with the promise of a formation flight experience into Airventure,
and that's all I needed to hear. I had absolutely no formation experience, but admired
those that had. I wanted to learn from experience, practice with guidance, and
develop the skills required to be part of a formation flight. We were welcomed into
the C2O family in their second year and have been learning, practicing, and loving it
ever since.
Peggy and I are exported Iowans, and soon-to-be Missourians. Married for 42 years, with no kids, thank you very much, we're now planning
our retirement home, an air-estate (1MO2) in Windsor, Missouri. My self-employment in housecleaning services, and Peg's position in SAP/
Business Process Implementation with Schneider Electric are showing a glimmer of light at the end of the "half-day" (7AM-7PM) work
regimen tunnel, and we're moving steadily toward the promise of long-foregone vacations and anything aviation.
For Peggy and I, C2O has been a real evolution into an amazingly diverse group of talents. A group that has grown from its roots, with a
goal of a “mass arrival“ to Oshkosh, to a respected member of aviation’s premier annual event. Simply, we are C2O!
Dennis & Peggy Frett Hampshire, IL
C2O - 2011 - D3
C2O - 2012 - D1
C2O - 2013 - D2
From the Right Seat
Many participating C2O pilots have
indicated an interest in acting as Safety
Pilots, but want to know what is expected of
them. That is a difficult question to answer
and depends to a large extent on the
individuals involved. Tony and Sandra
Harding, Rusty MacSwords and Wayne
Michelli agreed to work with me to develop
training to address this question. Although
we were unable to fly in Ohio due to
October weather we did complete the
briefing and they provided excellent
feedback regarding their concerns. In
November, Wayne Michelli hosted Rusty
and myself, and we successfully flew four
sorties practicing rejoins, overshoots, and
offset trail. I required them to fly from the
right seat to demonstrate loose formation
flying. As an instructor/evaluator with
many years of experience, I don’t think
much about flying left or right seat, but
clearly that was the biggest adjustment
required of anyone who wishes to act as
Safety Pilot. In addition, flying from the
right seat requires an adjustment in the
formation “picture” and location of
instruments in individual aircraft. I will
continue to develop the briefing to meet
those needs.
Januar y to seek for mal for mation
credentials. (Joe already has his Wing
Card, but wants to work toward obtaining
his Lead Card.) I have done my best to
align C2O training with established
formation standards, and this is our
opportunity to take it one step further. It is
not my objective to train everyone to this
level of expertise, but to insure the
minimum standards we do require conform
with FAA recognized standards. In
addition, I hope to provide a conduit for
those who truly want to move to the highest
level of formation skills.
Ferg (Dwane Ferguson)
Director Air Operations, Cherokees to
Oshkosh
As a follow-up to these goals, Chip Gentry
and Joe Oram will join me in Florida in
2013 Photo Book - The annual Cherokees to Oshkosh photo book is available for order. It is 30 pages and contains 215
images which were graciously contributed by our participants. The cost is $50 which includes tax and shipping. Send an email to
[email protected] for ordering instructions.
Cherokees to oshkosh, llc
Volume 2
number 1
January 15, 2014
EAA Type Club Coalition
Many of you are already aware of our affiliation with the EAA Type Club Coalition. For those that have not become familiar with the term, the
TCC began as an idea in 2010, and would follow a model that has proven itself within the American Bonanza Society. Tom Turner, Executive
Director of the ABS Air Safety Foundation has served at the helm of the TCC, and is firm in his resolve that those that belong to type clubs are
safer pilots as a result. As an aviation safety course developer and proponent for the ABS Aviation Safety Foundation, Tom was (he stepped down
as co-chairman of the TCC in October as he did not have sufficient time to commit to the project) well qualified to build on his vision and belief
that the fatal accident rate in GA aircraft could be significantly reduced thru education and training. This founding principle of the TCC has been
shared by many respected pundits throughout the aviation community, and is the reason EAA has chosen to promote it.
Every member of your Cherokees to Oshkosh team also believes in this idea. Safety of flight has been a founding principle since we fist began in
2010, and will remain at the forefront of every decision made by the leadership of this group. We firmly believe we have augmented stick and
rudder skills for many of you that have flown with us, as well as ADM. I assure you, your team will remain rigid in our commitments to continue
to raise the bar at every opportunity. For that reason, Fergie, Chip and Joe have made the decision to go to Florida in January and get some
additional training. Upon completion of their F.A.S.T. check rides, they will be able to bring those polished and enhanced skills to the rest of us,
and build on the knowledge base they impart each time we reunite. On behalf of the entire flight--thank you for your commitment to excellence
Gentlemen!
APPAREL NEWS
We are also offering jackets this year and they will be
available in both male and female
styles. The male style has a
stowaway hood. The ladies is a
little more fitted and has a
removable hood. Jackets
come with the logo. Name
or N number can be added
below the logo.
Our “Fifth Arrival” shirts will be purple. They will include the C2O logo
and your name. N numbers can be added. Raspberry
pink is also available as a second color for the ladies.
The ball caps and outback hats will be available again this year.
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Outback hat
Both hats will have the Cherokees to Oshkosh logo on the front and the date on the back.
Cherokees to oshkosh, llc
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