Mooney Caravan XXV - July 22, 2023

Caravan XXV, our Silver Anniversary was a special time for many reasons. The preparation and practice of our Mooney Caravan pilots was evident in the smoothness of this year's event. The many cumulative hours invested by our volunteers, including the Safety and Operations committees, continue to improve our annual pilgrimage to EAA's Airventure. The Wisconsin Air Ground Crew in Madison along with Caravan Ground Ops lead by Jason "Wojo" Wojteczko and side kick Justin Tyme was well organized and polished. The Wisconsin Aviation facilities were first rate, as was the Holiday Inn. For once the weather, notams, and FAA all aligned in our favor. Every category of our “Go – No Go Matrix” was in the green. Much work and communication lead to a smooth taxi, runup, line up, and departure out of Madison airspace. In fact, we executed our processes so well that we were off the ground fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. This was appreciated and commented on by Madison tower.

Our ship count this year was a total of 54 airplanes 51 Mooney's, 2 Comanches, and 1 RV-14 (welcome back Ernie “Smash” Brock). Once again pilots hailing from across the United States, Mexico and Canada launched for Madison for Oshkosh's hallowed North 40. Alpha element consisted of Mooney Lead, Wayne “Gorilla” Morris, Deputy Lead, Robert "Hoser" Davis and Rookie of the year Paul “Bear” Maxwell (Flying the Mooney Predator). All Mooney Caravan Squadrons were represented with participants from the Flying Monkeys, Northern Flights, Gun Fighters, Rocky Mountain Squadron, Mid-Atlantic Group Best Coast, and the Texas Wing. Bret “Whitey” Lowell flew as Mooney Tail.

Great weather is never a guarantee. 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. As mentioned before, we were ahead of schedule for our arrival at Oshkosh. The entire flight recovered and were clear of 36L/36R in less than seven minutes! OSH Tower radioed appreciation of 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.

Our arrival was also announced on EAA Radio by Wayne Flury and Fred “Rainman” Reimer. 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. There are several videos published of our flight and landings.

Immediately following our debrief, a bit of thunderstorm rolled through with rain and strong winds. The wind and rain were soon over, and we appreciated the brief relief from the heat. The big tent that serves as Mooney Caravan HQ gave shelter during the storm.

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 and Sponsor's Appreciation event on Sunday evening were fun. Big thanks are owed to our amazing sponsors. This year we were treated to four amazing breakfasts, which were a big hit with our hungry campers.

As with years past, the Mooney Caravan sponsored the 11th Annual Mooney Owners Forum featuring leaders in the Mooney Community:

• Larry “Joker” Brennan – Safety awareness
• Wayne “Gorilla” Morris – Protecting your hearing
• Jim Anderson - Senior VP, Starr Insurance, How to get the best insurance rate
• Chuck "Cowboy" Crinnian - Mooney Caravan

It was a special treat to have our president, Chuck Crinnian surprised at the end of the Forum by the presentation of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Mooney Caravan member and FAA deputy regional administrator, Ken “Slide” Knopp made the presentation. Cowboy was ambushed in the best of ways. Well done and well-deserved Cowboy!

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.