OSHKOSH AIRVENTURE: Where Dreams and Friendships are Born

OSHKOSH AIRVENTURE

I first visited OSHKOSH AIRVENTURE in 2004 with retired airline pilot Leon Pesche of Moultonborough, NH. It was HOT – so hot, we had to occasionally pour chilly water over our bodies to cool down. We camped out in my brand-new Eurovan. Heading west, we shared the driving for the 878-statute mile trip and became friends. Interestingly, we arrived early and there was no one available to sell entry tickets, so we slipped in. Leo and I were in the same boat; we were two of the fifty or so on earth who had purchased SEAWIND KITS from Seawind North America, SNA, where 49% of the work was advertised as completed. Ha! We knew we had our work cut out, but we also knew this spelled opportunity to create truly remarkable amphibians. Now on with the show folks. 

Vendors from everywhere were everywhere at KOSH. Avionics, kit planes, ultralight aircraft, factory-built aircraft from a little two-seat Cessna all the way to a Globemaster that could transport a small village. As we walked this menagerie, we stumbled upon Dynamic Aviation selling PT6s to the experimental community. We were extremely impressed with its 550 HP and light 275 Lb weight, especially in comparison with the recommended piston engine, the IO-540 delivering up to 315 SHP and weighing a third more. We calculated that a standard IO-540 Seawind with full fuel (110 gallons) would be limited by weight and balance to two people and a little baggage. We also discussed how PT6 power more or less equaled twin-engine power for remarkable takeoffs and climbs. Another fact is that a PT6 could be set at an equivalent 300 SHP Lycoming power setting – putting less strain on it and thus preserving the condition of internal parts. Each evening we talked at length about our Seawind building projects and the possibility of a PT6 in our plans. The more we learned about the PT6, the more we were convinced that this was the best engine for our Seawind kits. 

Buzz and booms are good words to describe my four OSHKOSH experiences. The buzz of activities like innovative technologies displayed and the booms of aerial explosions mimicking combat and scaring children. Then there were the seminars and workshops where one could learn about anything aviation – often from more than one vendor. I visited kit builders and workshops to learn more about building a kit myself. I believe I took my first composite-building lesson here. All the instructors were terrific. I was inspired! Days passed. The starry nights became a smidgen cooler. Mornings brought a stream of roars of airplanes taking off. Once full airplane tiedown spaces were now vacant. We packed up and headed homeward. The PT6 was just a thought, but it would one day be synonymous with a flying Super Seawind and a great Oshkosh experience. God willing, I will return to Oshkosh with my PT6-powered Seawind to spark familiar experiences, learn more, and share my winged dream come true. This time, I will open closed eyes to my amazing amphibian by landing in the Seaplane base for the first time! 

For much see SuperSeawind.com
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