We had a great time at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh all week long.  Our days began with a briefing in our tent.  During our final briefing, yellow AOPA hats were distributed and Bill Ryan took this great group shot.  It had been a long week, but all were having fun!

What a surprise! A ride with AeroShell

I got quite a surprise this morning when what I thought was an 8 a.m. meeting turned out to be an opportunity to do a little formation flying and aerobatics with the AeroShell team in their North American AT-6 “Texans”. It was an unforgettable experience. The team flew through spectacular maneuvers including loops and an amazing bomb burst with the smoke on. It could only happen at Oshkosh.

The view from inside the cockpit during maneuvers.

My morning began with savoring the thrill of flight and ended with working on the serious business of  protecting our freedom to fly. Just a couple of hours after the adrenaline rush of flying with the AeroShell team, I found myself in a meeting with EAA’s Tom Poberezny, other association heads, and a delegation of congressional leaders.