"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
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