A Message From Rodney...
| Updated May 15, 2022 11:10 EDT |
Following is an important message from our Director of Training and Operations:
Hello Everyone,
I would like to let you know that there has been a significant change to the Cessnas 2 Oshkosh mass arrival flight that Craig, Gil, and myself feel is important enough to notify you.
A couple of weeks ago I was notified that our procedure during the mass arrival 2021 resulted in our occupying Runway 36 at Oshkosh for an unacceptable amount of time. This was due to the fact that we had an unprecedented number of aircraft in our flight and that two uninvited aircraft decided to break up our launching sequence.
The FAA is mandating that we have our entire flight launched, in the air, and formed up BEFORE we turn in to Oshkosh. This will mean that we need to expand the time of our lead elements from a 21-minute flight to almost an hour. The only way to accomplish this is to depart Juneau, head south and then turn back to the north to re-join our existing route. The exact routing will depend on the number of aircraft that show at Juneau.
I understand that this information may cause some of you to question your participation in our event, and I completely understand. I also need you to know that we will accomplish this planning with the utmost level of deliberate safety.
What we need from you is to perform a self-evaluation to determine if this is outside your comfort zone. If you need to withdraw from this year's arrival, we need you to do this PRIOR to June 10th. This will allow us to continue to plan and organize the arrival. Find out how to withdraw here.
I honestly feel that this plan is easily within our skill-level and can safely be accomplished, but we will all have to be extra-diligent with airspace surveillance, airspeed control, and situational awareness. Bottom Line, we need to be at our best during this flight.
All the rest of our procedures, plans and events remain unchanged and if you have any questions please feel free to email me at:
I look forward to seeing you in Juneau!
Rodney Swanson
Director of Training and Operations
Cessnas 2 Oshkosh
Before You Head Out to Juneau...
| Updated July 12, 2022 12:54 EDT |
The C2O Juneau Conga line taxiing for takeoff on their way to Oshkosh.
...we want to let you know a few things that will make your arrival and stay easier and more enjoyable. First, when you get to Juneau you'll be only thirty (30) nautical miles away from your goal, with the fun just about to begin! Exciting things will happen and those who participate in the mass arrival will have lots of goodies awaiting them! The next thing we want to say is: HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT TO JUNEAU! Plan ahead, do a thorough preflight and watch out for developing weather and last-minute TFRs.
Our host, Chris Batterman, Wisconsin Aviation Airport Manager, leads a very dedicated staff who do absolutely their best to assist us every year. This will be our 17th year at Dodge County Airport (KUNU), and we can say without hesitation that the staff at Wisconsin Aviation is the best.
ADDITIONAL PARKING PROCEDURES WILL BE IN EFFECT
PLANNING IS STILL IN PROGRESS
EXPECT UPDATES HERE AND VIA EMAIL
When you arrive in Juneau:
PROCEED TO THE FUEL ISLAND AND HAVE YOUR PLANE FUELED BEFORE PARKING.
AFTER, DO NOT MOVE, WAIT FOR DIRECTIONS FROM WISCONSIN AVIATION LINE STAFF.
The parking and tiedown plan in effect since 2017, will be in effect again in 2023, with some modifications and additional procedures. The plan is directed at maximizing the available surface space and facilitating the radio roll call, taxi-out and launch procedures of the mass arrival flight. The two main parking and tiedown areas, one east of runway 02-20, next to the FBO building, and the other, west of runway 02-20, next to the hangars on "the other side of the field" will be in use. Other areas are now under study and every pilot will be notified via email once the areas are designated. All aircraft with retractable landing gear will be parked on the west area, near the hangars on designated spaces. All the fixed gear aircraft will be parked on the east area, next to the FBO building.
Once your plane is fueled, a Wisconsin Aviation line staff will direct you or will tow your plane to your designated parking and tiedown area. Unless there is an urgent reason for it, you should not move the plane from your designated spot until the radio call to taxi-out for the mass arrival flight.
Once your aircraft is parked and tied down, proceed directly to Wisconsin Aviation's front desk to take care of your fuel bill. Once done, Chris or one of his very able staff will direct you upstairs to the Cessnas 2 Oshkosh's registration office where you will check in and receive your personal welcome package. This package will contain a Cessnas 2 Oshkosh logo shirt and a badge for you and each of your registered passengers plus any extra shirts you may have ordered, the schedule of events at Juneau and Oshkosh, a volunteer sign-up form, several briefing cards and logistic information about the mass arrival flight. This logistic information will be discussed in detail during the mandatory mass arrival preflight briefing starting at 12:00 Noon CDT (UTC-5) on Saturday July 22. Remember, the brief is MANDATORY!
CHECK-IN CLOSES PROMPTLY AT 11:00 AM CDT (UTC-5) ON Saturday, July 22, 2023, ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE BRIEF.
There are some things you need to know about the airport at Juneau. Aircraft parking is at a premium and will be tight, specially this year when we are expecting about 0 Cessnas 2 Oshkosh aircraft, plus the additional seasonal traffic of transient aircraft that make Dodge County Airport (KUNU) their final fuel stop before hitting RIPON. You need to exercise extreme caution during surface movement operations. Do not park on grass surfaces unless you are being directed by Wisconsin Aviation line service personnel. DO NOT PUSH BACK ONTO THE GRASS!
Following are a series of Google Earth® views of Dodge County Airport showing the ground movement, parking and tiedown areas and the FBO location.
Click here or on the picture to see a larger image.
Picture 1 shows a wide view of the Dodge County Airport (KUNU)
Click here or on the picture to see a larger image.
Picture 2 depicts a closer view of the main ramp, camping and overflow areas.
The grassy area north of the main ramp is where we pitch our tents and set camp during the two to three days we spend at Dodge County Airport (KUNU) in Juneau. A port-a-potty will be available on the east side of the tiedown area and full toilets will be available in the main building. Two showers will be available for the use of all our campers. One is upstairs in the Wisconsin Aviation building and the other is in the main hangar. Bring your own soap and shampoo, this is not a hotel! LOL. That said, there are hotels in Beaver Dam, Watertown and other towns around Juneau. To get to Beaver Dam, from the airport head north on State Highway 26 for 1.5 miles, turn west onto State Highway 33 and follow that road for 7.5 miles. To get to Watertown, from the airport head south on State Highway 26 for about 16 miles. Wisconsin Aviation and Cessnas 2 Oshkosh will provide shuttle service in our vans between Dodge County Airport (KUNU) and hotels in the area. We only ask that you pitch in to cover the cost of gas. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated. For hotel and vehicle rental reservations, contact Wisconsin Aviation, they'll take care of reservations for you at FBO discount rates. Their telephone numbers are (920) 386-2402 and (800) 319-0907.
As many of you know, during the week of the arrival, starting on Thursday, July 20, there are many chores that need to be completed in order to make our event a success, like transporting equipment from the storage facility to the camping grounds in the North40, and preparing breakfast every morning at Cessna Base Camp starting the Sunday after the arrival. We are asking you to help us out. For that purpose, we will circulate a Volunteer List. Please find what you can help with and sign your name.
We look forward to meeting all of you who are new to Cessnas 2 Oshkosh and to see again all the many returning friends.
Let the fun begin!