The Detour

What happens when 150 planes suddenly have to land

Photo Courtesy Chicago Rockford International Airport

So I got to ride along with a good friend and pilot as part of the annual Bonanzas to Oshkosh mass arrival into the gigantic EAA Airventure convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in late July. One-hundred-and-forty-nine aircraft—all single-engine Beechcraft Bonanzas or twin-engine Baron aircraft—lined up on Runway 1 at Chicago Rockford International Airport to take off three-at-a-time for the 110-mile flight to Oshkosh Wittman Regional Airport, forming a 30-mile snake of airplanes.
            The tradition started in 1990 when Wayne Collins and a few friends decided the only way to ensure that they could camp together at Oshkosh was to arrive together in formation. It has since evolved to be an annual extravaganza. In the weeks leading up to Oshkosh, the B2Osh organization hosts a series of weekend clinics around the country to teach the fundamentals of formation in preparation for the mass arrival. 

            Yet, despite all the training, practice and planning for the flight, things can happen that cannot be rehearsed. This year, as the huge formation neared its destination, the Oshkosh airport suddenly closed due to low clouds and poor visibility, forcing the whole conga line of aircraft to find an alternate place to land. 

            The following videos document the event. The first from an aircraft in the second row of the formation, including communications. The second from the ground as the aircraft jockeyed to land. 

And this courtesy of Anil Sangwan.

            It was hectic, confusing, at times a bit of a mess, but all landed safely.

Briefing at Fond du Lac. B2Osh founder Wayne Collins seated with white ball cap.

Inside the terminal at Fond Du Lac, flight leader Robert Mortara gathered all the pilots and briefed the procedure for the 10-mile flight to Oshkosh for once the weather cleared. The airplanes, more than 130 of them (some flight elements diverted to other airports), were parked everywhere—tail-to-tail, nose-to-nose, some between hangars, others behind hangars. All were orderly marshaled to the runway to depart single-file for the short flight to Oshkosh. All arrived safely.