Visiting with the Gate Guard... Heading Home. (016)

"Around the Field" at the 1998 Oshkosh Fly-in, AirVenture 016

Here is an excerpt from Volume One of "Around the Field: The stories of the people places and planes of the Oshkosh Fly-in". Excerpt from August 1998.

---

Not just a gate guard. Chloe Jezeski is the EAA AirVenture gate guard at the Camp Scholler north gate. She's worked as a gate guard at the fly-in for eight years now.

This is only a seasonal job for her but she really enjoys it. "I love meeting the people," she says.

She must love it, she works 12 hour shifts during the fly-in, then heads off to her regular job each night. "During the show I work about 20 hours a day," she says.

She likes to do a bit more than her job requires. In addition to her regular duties, such as keeping traffic flowing and patiently explaining the bicycle regulations, she prepares each year to answer attendees questions about things like the best restaurants, shopping places, laundries, and car repair shops.

Working the gates at EAA AirVenture is a family affair for Jezeski. Her husband Dan has been doing it for 11 years, and her 18 year old daughter, also named Chloe, for 3 years.

Packing up, and heading home. In writing this column over the past week we've met some amazing people and seen some thrilling things.

We've seen 747 heavies and ultralights; we've met widows and war heros; we've talked with a high school girl from Finland and retired naval officer from California. And as always, it's been a wonderful experience.

What we've tried to share in these columns is that, whatever we call this event, the real heart and soul of the Oshkosh fly-in is its people.

Founder Paul says we're a big family. He's right. If we could gather together in the evening, around our kitchen table, we'd thrill each other with our day's adventures, we'd squabble over who gets the last dinner roll, and we'd fight over our differences. But when all is said and done we'd know that we all share a bond, going back over a hundred years, between all people who are drawn by the joy of flight.

Oshkosh is a special place, and already we can't wait 'til next year. Some cultures have one phrase that they use to express both greeting and farewell. We think that works here too. So until next year...

Welcome to Oshkosh.

---

Learn more about Volume One of "Around the Field: The stories of the people places and planes of the Oshkosh Fly-in" and other books by Jack Hodgson here.

General Aviation, Flying, Airplanes, EAA, Experimental Aircraft Association, Wittman Field

Arnie Zimmerman, Breezy Pilot... It's a David and Goliath Thing. (015)

"Around the Field" at the 1998 Oshkosh Fly-in, AirVenture 015

Here is an excerpt from Volume One of "Around the Field: The stories of the people places and planes of the Oshkosh Fly-in". Excerpt from August 1998.

---

Arnie Zimmerman is devoted to getting kids excited about aviation. Arnie is the owner and pilot of the Breezy that gives rides each year at the fly-in. The Breezy is a unique airplane design of exposed metal frame and fabric covered wings. The pilot and passengers ride in seats perched at the front of the aircraft.

Arnie's fly-in rides are free to anyone willing to wait in line - a donation to EAA Young Eagles is suggested. First priority is given to kids, and then to EAA volunteers and FAA personel. He gives as many rides as possible before the daily showcase flights begin.

This is the 10th year Arnie has given Breezy rides at the Oshkosh fly-in. He's been giving rides whenever possible during the 22 years that he's owned the airplane. He estimates that he's given over 5000 rides. He expects to give about 175 rides at AirVenture '98.

Arnie is a big believer in the EAA Young Eagles program. Every kid who flies with him here at the fly-in receives the official Young Eagles certificate. He's also active giving Young Eagles rides through EAA Chapter #461 at Clow Airport in Bowlingbrook, Illinois.

"I got my start in aviation through a guy who helped me, and showed me about flying. It's rough for a kid today to earn enough to fly." So Arnie and the Breezy do what they can.

Is this a David and Goliath thing? It's not unusual for someone to be proud of their airplane, but Brian McShurley has numbers to backup his boast, that the big guys should be looking over their shoulders.

McShurley, from San Jose, California, is a builder of the S-51, a 3/4-scale mustang clone from Stewart 51, Inc., and he is spending the week hanging out in the Stewart tent to help make converts.

He points out that there are four completed, flying S-51s here at AirVenture '98. He says that there are four more that will be doing taxi tests in the next 90 days, and he expects at least four or five more to fly each year after that.

"We counted 22 P-51 Mustangs at the fly-in this year. The S-51 fleet will easily overtake that number in the next few years."

---

Learn more about Volume One of "Around the Field: The stories of the people places and planes of the Oshkosh Fly-in" and other books by Jack Hodgson here.

General Aviation, Flying, Airplanes, EAA, Experimental Aircraft Association, Wittman Field

Septuagenarian volunteer from San Jose... A two-year-old's first airplane ride. (014)

"Around the Field" at the 1998 Oshkosh Fly-in, AirVenture 014

Here is an excerpt from Volume One of "Around the Field: The stories of the people places and planes of the Oshkosh Fly-in". Excerpt from August 1998.

---

Harry Wilson is the editor of "The Intrepid Airmen", the newsletter of EAA Chapter 62 in San Jose, California. Seven years ago, at a time of life when some people settle down and do less, the septuagenerian Wilson began to pursue his lifelong, but always postponed, love for aviation.

He became an EAA member in 1991. "My son gave me a birthday present of an EAA membership," he remembers. Two years later his chapter needed a new editor, so he volunteered.

In the five years since he took over, "The Intrepid Airmen" has repeatedly won 2nd or 3rd place in the annual EAA McKillop Award for chapter newsletters. This year he and his team won the 1st place prize.

Harry, now 77, has never learned to fly. "All my life, ever since Lindbergh, I've been fascinated with aviation. But I could never afford it." But now he's determined to make it happen. In the past year he's gotten his medical and taken ground school. He's hoping to begin flight lessons soon at Watsonville Airport, which is a short drive from his home in Rio Del Mar, California.

"The thing I like about EAA is the people and the airplanes. The other day I sat here," he said from his seat in the Volunteer Center where he's helping out during the fly-in, "and watched a hundred crosswind landing. I was riveted. We talked them over and I was able to learn a great deal. It's a wonderful thing."

Now that he's won 1st place surely he'll slow down? Nope. The members of Chapter 62 have elected him the be president next year.

This year's EAA McKillop 1st Place Award for chapter newsletters was shared by David McGowan of Chapter 242, Columbia, South Carolina, and Cecil Hatfield of Chapter 723, Camarillo, California.

The first-time Oshkosh attendee from Ames, Iowa had asked for suggestions on what to see. When directed to the Warbirds area he said. "My father flew Corsairs." Like so many things at the fly-in, this triggered a memory.

"When I was two my father was taking me for a ride in his Champ. My mother was strapped into the back and he set me in the front. When he hand-propped the engine, I did what I'd seen him do so many times. I pushed in the throttle.

"Well, my mother and I went rolling across the field, with my father chasing behind. He lost both his shoes running. Finally, he grabbed the wing strut just as we were about to go into the fence.

"I rode in the back after that."

The first-timer from Ames headed off for the Antique/Classics flight line. Probably looking for a Champ.

---

Learn more about Volume One of "Around the Field: The stories of the people places and planes of the Oshkosh Fly-in" and other books by Jack Hodgson here.

General Aviation, Flying, Airplanes, EAA, Experimental Aircraft Association, Wittman Field