April 1, 2021
Canada’s first Cessnas 2 Oshkosh mass arrival formation flying clinic
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Article by Dave MacRae
The Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Clinic is scheduled for May 15, 2021, at Peterborough Regional Airport, CYPQ (registration and contact information below).
It is truly an experience to be part of a flight of 100+ aircraft landing in less than 20 minutes at Oshkosh! There are already 94 aircraft signed up for this year. For those that have battled for position on the Fisk approach before, this is the safest and surest way to arrive and we all park together at the Cessna Base Camp. Lots of great comradery, a huge tent that serves breakfast every morning and is the social centre every evening. The commemorative golf shirt included in the fee is pretty nice too!
Participation in a formation flying clinic is a yearly prerequisite to be able to join in the annual C2O Mass Arrival at KOSH. For those not familiar with the annual Mass Arrival event, detailed information, not only about the arrival flight itself, but answers to many questions about attending the EAA AirVenture event are available at Cessnas 2 Oshkosh 2021 Ontario Clinic.
Brad Willcocks, a member of COPA Flight 34, has pro-actively taken the lead in arranging for the first “Canada Cessnas 2 Oshkosh” Mass Arrival Formation Flying Clinic. It is to be held at Peterborough, CYPQ, on May 15. Rain date is Sunday, May 16.
The Loomex Group has graciously donated the classroom in their main building at CYPQ for the morning instruction. Rodney Swanson, C2O Director of Training and Operations will lead a virtual morning ground session. A few experienced Canadians have already volunteered to assist with the afternoon in-flight formation training.
The formation flying clinic is an unusual and a seldom seen training opportunity. Please note that registration is required for the May 15th class and formation training.
The following additional information is relevant to the “CanC2O” clinic. It is subject to verification as plans develop.
1. The cost for the clinic is US$65. This covers the clinic itself, commemorative golf shirt, access to a group tie-down area at the Cessna camping location at KOSH, admittance privileges to the Cessna tent where breakfast is served daily and associated activities. Separate EAA AirVenture camping and admittance fees apply.
2. Those that plan to join a mass arrival at KOSH (assuming the border opens in time) must participate in a yearly, loose formation flying instruction/coaching clinic including flight in groups of 3 suitably matched Cessna (high-wing only) aircraft. This activity is in addition to the morning class-room instruction.
3. Reminder: As of January 1, 2020, Canadian aircraft have been required by FAA regulations to be ADSB equipped for operations in the USA in Class B, C and other high-altitude airspaces. This may be a deal-breaker for some. The good news is that there are potential flight routes that steer around the sensitive airspaces when departing from southern Ontario.
4. One route from CYPQ to KOSH that avoids extensive over-water flights, allows cross-border operations including customs clearance, and avoids sensitive ADSB-required airspace, is about 600nm each way via Sault Ste Marie, including a stop in Juneau, Wisconsin, for assembly of the arrival flight.
5. All aircraft will assemble by 11:00 am at Juneau Wis, Dodge County Airport (KUNU) for departure on July 24 to arrive in formation at KOSH at 1430 CDT. Routes and waypoints for the arrival flight are published on the website Cessnas 2 Oshkosh Mass Arrival Flight Route
Registration is now open at http://www.cessnas2oshkosh.com/clinics/CYPQ_clinic.aspx
Questions: Call Brad Willcocks, 905-373-5319; Email bwcobinn@eagle.ca