Pilots fly in formation
By Angie Landsverk
Piper Cherokee pilots from throughout the country returned to Waupaca again this summer before heading to Oshkosh for the annual EAA AirVenture.
“They’re up in numbers,” said Beth Andersen, the fixed base operator at Waupaca Municipal Airport-Brunner Field.
They call themselves “Cherokees to Oshkosh,” and this year marked the group’s ninth year of meeting at Waupaca’s airport.
“Nine years ago, two couples who love going to Oshkosh decided to do 50 planes on the 50th anniversary of the plane,” said Chip Gentry, the group’s assistant flight operations director.
They wanted to fly in formation to Oshkosh, but needed a base for their flight operations and briefings.
They found that in Waupaca in 2010.
However, flooding in Oshkosh that year meant the pilots were held on the ground in Waupaca.
They ended up being transported to Oshkosh by bus and instead began flying to Oshkosh in formation the following year.
“For folks to come to Oshkosh and camp together, they have to fly into Oshkosh together,” Gentry said.
July 19 was one of the days pilots practiced flying in formation over Waupaca.
“Today for the first mass practice, we had 26 planes. We’ll have about 28 this afternoon,” he said.
Gentry expected 31 pilots to participate in the July 21 flight to Oshkosh.
“Some started arriving as early as last weekend (July 14-15),” he said. “The folks who come in early have been practicing throughout the week.”
Prior to arriving in Waupaca, pilots attended mini clinics in the spring.
“There are three planes in every element. The leader of every element takes off 30 seconds a part. The two planes falling behind their lead are five seconds a part,” Gentry said.
The pilots were from California, Maryland, Florida, Minnesota and everywhere in between.
They have the same training and speak the same language, he said.
“We are all from different walks of life,” Gentry said. “We all come together.”
He lives in Jefferson City, Missouri and spends close to 200 hours per year flying for his law firm.
“One reason I fly in formation is to give me a fun outlet instead of just flying to work, and to keep my skills sharp,” Gentry said.
The number of pilots participating in the flight from Waupaca to Oshkosh has ebbed and flowed, usually remaining between 20 and 30 returning aircraft each year.
“We have 11 new folks this year,” he said. “By design, we prefer not to be bigger than 50 planes if possible, just for logistics.”
The pilots enjoy their annual trek to Waupaca.
“It’s great in Waupaca. The Andersens have become an integral part of our family,” Gentry said. “It’s hard to imagine another airport or town working out better for us.”
These pilots are among the many deciding to use Waupaca’s airport to stage events.
“Last Friday (July 13) we had people start coming in already, trying to beat the weather,” Andersen said.
Most of the pilots arrived between last Wednesday and Saturday.
EAA AirVenture began Monday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, July 29.
Andersen said people who fly to Waupaca for the event also spend money at area hotels, restaurants and shops.
Some leave their planes here at the airport and are shuttled to and from Oshkosh, while others rent vehicles.
The number of pilots choosing to fly to Waupaca continues to grow.
“Every year, it seems a little bit more,” she said.