"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
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