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Requirements


We want everyone who shares this dream to be able to join us and have worked hard to develop training procedures to make this a reality for as many people as possible. But we must be honest with ourselves. This arrival will require some basic stick and rudder skills, along with discipline in your flying. Ultimately you will have to hold position near another airplane with reasonably close tolerances for the 45-minute flight from KCWA to KOSH. You will need to be able to fly twenty feet off the deck for a ways and land on a specific target area. High-speed taxi will also be a necessity on occasion. Plus, with dozens of other aircraft in the group, contingencies you don’t need to consider in other flying will need to be planned for. Everyone's safety depends on the pilots ahead of and behind them and we are only as strong as our weakest link.

The type of formation flying we do is very basic but is similar to anything else new we learn in aviation: some people get it right away and others may take a while. Just as it’s difficult to know who will learn Instrument flying quickly after getting their pilot’s license, it’s difficult to exactly predict who will learn these skills quickly and who will need extra time. Pilots who are Instrument rated and/or have their Commercial license tend to have the flying discipline to pick up these skills more quickly, even at low total hours of flying time.

Pilot Requirements


We have found that the basic minimum experiences which tend to lead to success include:
  • Private Pilot Certificate
  • Meet all FAA currency requirements for day VFR, carrying passengers.  This includes a current medical and Flight Review, as well as appropriate documents and inspections for the aircraft you will be flying
  • 200 hours total time
  • 50 hours in Cherokees (or the type of aircraft to be used during the arrival)
  • 50 hours in the previous 12 month

Aircraft Requirements


Our main focus are single engine Piper aircraft.  The majority of our participating aircraft are PA28s; we also have several PA32s in the group.  In addition, we have also found that single engine Grumman aircraft fit into the formation well, although they do have some special considerations.

Proof of liability insurance is required; a copy must be uploaded to participate.


Additional Requirements


There are several things which are required:
  • Meet all FAA currency requirements for day VFR, carrying passengers.  This includes a current medical and Flight Review, as well as appropriate documents and inspections for the aircraft you will be flying
  • Signed copy of Cherokees to Oshkosh, Inc. – Flight Waiver (sign online during registration)
  • Must possess and have read Current Year NOTAM for AirVenture (available in Document Library once released).
  • Return participants MUST attend at least one Mini Clinic - for Dates, Locations, and Registration, see Current Year Schedule page.
  • First time participants MUST attend at least two Mini Clinics - for Dates, Locations, and Registration, see Current Year Schedule page.
  • MUST review all ‘CtO Fundamentals’ videos (newcomers) and/or slide presentations (past attendees) PRIOR to attending their first mini-clinic.
  • MUST review ‘CtO Arrival Safety Briefing’ video(s) PRIOR to arrival at Central Wisconsin Airport (KCWA), Wausau, WI.  Information regarding these will be sent by email NOTAM several weeks before OSH.  NOTE: Watching these videos does not eliminate the requirement to attend the in-person mandatory safety briefing/briefings presented at KCWA!
  • Arrive at the staging area (KCWA – Mosinee, WI) in time for the final mass group training the day before the arrival
  • MUST attend final mass group training the day before the arrival
  • MUST attend safety briefing the day of the arrival
  • MUST submit a Registration Fee of $150 by March 31 (Earlybird) or $175 by May 31 (if spaces are still available).
  • MUST be considered appropriately trained and ready to safely participate in the Mass Arrival by the CtO leadership team prior to the Mass Arrival departure. While any "no-go" decision will involve full participation by the pilot, all decisions by CtO leadership are final.
  • Must agree to accept flight decisions made by Cherokees to Oshkosh, Inc. in the event of weather problems or arrival conflicts at KOSH beyond the organization’s control. This may include a delay until the following day or complete cancellation of the Mass Arrival.

In addition, EAA has some rules we need to follow once we arrive. We highly recommend that everyone read all available information on their website, regarding camping with your aircraft. Here are the basics:

  • EVERYONE MUST TIE DOWN!!!  There are very few hard-surface tie-downs at KCWA and none where we will be tying down at OSH, so tying down in the grass is a must.  Although tie-downs may be rented on-site at OSH, they are not available for rent at KCWA. Dog lead-style tie-downs are NOT acceptable at KOSH.
  • Camping on the field requires EAA membership. You can join there if needed. We suggest doing it now. You will receive a lot of information prior to Oshkosh that will assist you in planning and making your AirVenture experience even more memorable. See airventure.org for camping, attraction, schedules, and survival guide information.
  • The camping fee does NOT grant admission to AirVenture. You must purchase that separately by the day or by the week.
  • https://www.eaa.org/airventure/plan-your-eaa-airventure-trip/eaa-camping-and-lodging