Mooney Caravan XXIV - July 23, 2022

Caravan XXIV was another 'best year ever' event, thanks to the preparation and practice of the pilots involved as well as the meticulous preparation of our many leader volunteers. The Ground Crew in Madison with Ground Ops by Jason "Wojo" Wojteczko was well organized and polished. The Wisconsin Aviation facilities were first rate as was the Holiday Inn. The only real curve ball in Madison was the decision by the airport to close most of the taxiways the week before our arrival, leaving the short Taxiway M as the only access from the East Ramp to all of the runways, which essentially meant that once we started our taxi, we largely shutdown the airfield to GA and once we commit launch, to commercial traffic as well. To keep the airport operational, we switched ot a ramp-based run up. There was concern over FOD and propwash. FOD was cleared and the propwash was a non-event. Switching to staggered taxi allowed us to really compress the taxi line and we launched all 58 aircraft in the Mooney Caravan in under 8 minutes. 57 Mooneys and 1 Comanche hailing from across the United States, Mexico and Canada launched for Madison for Oshkosh's hallowed North 40. Alpha element consisted of Mooney Lead, Bret ‘Whitey' Lowell, Deputy Lead, Robert "Hoser" Davis and Rookie of the year Marc "Rash" Breen. All Mooney Caravan Squadrons were represented with participants from the Rocky Mountain Squadron, Mid-Atlantic Group, Flying Monkeys, Northern Flights, Best Coast, Gun Fighters, and the Texas Wing featuring Bucko "Sandman" Strehlow as Mooney Tail.

Great weather is never a guarantee. Our weather watchers were concerned that some forecasts predicted strong winds from the South, which would have forced an Oshkosh to runways 27 or 18 for landing in a contingency 2-ship configuration. We had prepared for all conceivable contingencies and luck favors the prepared! The weather fully cooperated for the usual 36L and 36R approach to KOSH. Other than being a bit warm and humid, the flight time weather was near perfect with light winds and few clouds, making it the best flight time weather in recent memory permitting an on time on schedule arrival at Oshkosh. MSN and OSH Tower appreciated the professionalism demonstrated by our flight. The flight concluded with an enthusiastic debrief and appreciation for the hard work that was evidenced by each pilot's execution of the briefed plan.

NBC 26 in Green Bay, WI featured the Mooney Caravan arrival with broadcast interviews of Mooney Caravan President Chuck "Cowboy" Crinnian and Mooney Lead Bret ‘Whitey' Lowell. Our arrival was also announced on EAA Radio by Wayne Flury and Jolie "Buttercup" Lucas. Wayne shared that the Formation Mass Arrivals have become a fan favorite and EAA announces the arrivals on field and on the radio due to popular demand from the thousands that arrive early to see the event. There are more than just the local on-field fans to cheer; we received notes from folks around the country that watched and listened virtually.

The evening after our arrival, a significant thunderstorm rolled through with a few inches of rain driven by high winds gusting to 50 knots. The wind driven rain destroyed a dozen of our camper's tents and left many others flooded. Our group quickly swung into action provide aid to those in need. Thanks to the quick thinking of Dawn "Fiona" Lowell, leveraging some local knowledge, was able to find and buy half a dozen new tents to replace those that were unrepairable. A few found the few remaining hotel rooms in the area, while others found a laundromat to dry out wet linens. The big-tent that serves as Mooney Caravan HQ gave shelter during the storm. Thanks to our sponsor, Honda, a generator powered 2 large fans to speed up the drying process. The aircraft were no worse for the wear, with some intrepid pilots and crew using the moisture to wash off the dust of the day. Overall, we thrived, despite the test of our mettle.

The weather the rest of the week was equally remarkable with low humidity and comfortable temperatures in the mid-70s, mostly sunny skies and largely VFR weather. Our celebratory Wisconsin Fish Fry on Sunday evening was a treat and multiple breakfasts were a big hit with our hungry campers.

As with years past, the Mooney Caravan sponsored the 10th Annual Mooney Owners Forum featuring leaders in the Mooney Community:

• Jonny Pollack - CEO Mooney Aircraft, What's up at the factory
• Chuck "Cowboy" Crinnian - Mooney Caravan
• Don Kaye - Master CFI, Tips on flying your Mooney
• Jim Anderson - Senior VP, Starr Insurance, How to get the best insurance rate

For those just reading along, what are you waiting for? Join us for quite possibly the best aviation experience around. If you're not quite sure, give it a shot at a formation clinic in your region. Join us on the ground in Madison, WI. Meet some soon-to-be, life-long friends. And, when you're ready, enjoy arriving to EAA AirVenture in style in the most polished mass formation to OSH, better known as the Mooney Caravan.