Hayward Air Rally

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Racer Updates from the Chairman

Below is a collection of the Racer Update email messages sent out by the Rally Committee Chairman.

July 22, 2014

1. Fuel prices enroute for the Rally:
SPZ $5.75
ENV $5.50
LND $5.60
RAP $6.41
MVE $5.50
MSN $5.79

2. AirVenture 2014 attendees can stay up-to-date on daily highlights, including aircraft arrivals and air show lineups, as well as potential severe weather updates by subscribing to receive text messaging alerts on their mobile device. EAA staff will provide timely updates in case of severe weather, as well as what necessary procedures to follow. Text OSHALERT to 69050 to automatically sign up for any necessary weather alerts. Text OSHFUN to 69050 to automatically sign up for notable features and attractions (maximum of eight per day).

You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 69050. Alerts will begin on Friday, July 26, in time for the weekend's mass arrivals and will not be delivered past Sunday, August 4.

3. There is a smartphone (Android/iPhone) free app for all things AirVenture: schedules, maps, exhibitor information, etc. Go to this link for the download instructions.

4. Lunch tomorrow starts about 1100. We should have enough food to last until everybody is in .. but get it while you can.

Chris

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For those that ordered charts, we have those available including the to-be-valid-tomorrow Cheyenne and Omaha charts.

For those that ordered the Flytie tiedown kits, we have those available too.

Wow...things are actually coming together. Who knew?

Chris

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1. The pedestrian gate access code between the tower and the 'green ramp' is 514....please note, last year's code is no longer valid. Only three digits now: 514.

2. There is a temporary vehicle gate access code for the use of the Air Rally. Punch in 6021 and bring your car on the field, please wait when you clear the gate for it to close fully behind you (pesky security requirements). When on the field, please remain in the marked roadway 'zipper lanes' and observe the Mach 0.84 speed limit. Oh wait, sorry, that's for another airport. 10 MPH on the ramp, please.

3. The NOTAM books arrived! To the wrong place, and shipped via the wrong carrier, but no matter. We have the books now and you will get a freshly-autographed copy tomorrow.

Until the next update surely will be penned,
Chris

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Rally Pilots and Crew,

1. Pay no attention to the low overcast in the Bay area this morning.

KHWD 221454Z 29004KT 10SM OVC022 19/16 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP190 T01890156 53010
KOAK 221453Z 26004KT 10SM SCT015 BKN022 BKN110 18/13 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP181 60000 T01830133 53007 $
KLVK 221453Z 29007KT 10SM OVC016 17/14 A3007 RMK AO2 RAB24E38 SLP180 P0000

2. 'The plan' for your rally crew kit bags was to have one printed copy of the AirVenture NOTAM booklet included. We have been told four times that the shipment 'was on the way' from Oshkosh, but it has never been received. So we have no NOTAM books for you. :-( There may be a last-minute miracle here, but we're no longer planning for it.

3. If you haven't done so already, each pilot and crew is advised to download the NOTAM from this link. I wouldn't necessarily print it all out: you'll be able to get one at OSHKOSH after arrival. But the arrival information is necessary for our, uhh, arrival. After downloading the book, read up through page 13 and you'll have the information you need to get your knowledge level up to par. After the morning breakfast briefing at the Madison hotel, it should be a birdie for everyone. :-)

4. Purchased your AirVenture tickets in advance? Don't forget, you need to log-in to the ticket site (see the directions in the ticket purchase email) and print your tickets. The email is not the ticket for admission.

Until the next update,
Chris

July 21, 2014

The VIP movement TFR is published. You can view it at tfr.faa.gov (and likely your favorite online weather/flight brief source, too). The TFR number is 4/2792

Looks like AF1 will be departing the local area at about 1 PM local time on Wednesday. There are plenty of NOTAMed areas prior to that, and a combination of these will affect our impounds from 1000 to 1345 PDT. You can get into Hayward however, by following normal TFR requirements: file a flight plan to Hayward (VFR or IFR) and be in radar control with a discrete transponder code. Everybody arriving after 1345 PDT should not be impacted .. but please all don't wait until that late in the afternoon to arrive. That would mean we'd need to give your lunch away. :-(

Our rally departures on Thursday morning will not be impacted by the TFR because it expires on Wednesday.

Chris

 

July 20, 2014

1. LAST CALL: for special dietary requirements. This is so we can best accommodate you at the arrival lunch on Wednesday, all lunches enroute, all rally breakfasts enroute, and the awards dinner.

2. From the reader mailbag, we're getting lots of questions about 'CPA'.

CPA=Closest Point of Approach.

Pick a checkpoint. Draw a circle around it, at 2.0 nm radius or 1.0 nm radius, as the case may be.

The airplane must come inside that circle, to get credit for 'being at' the checkpoint.

The scoring software captures the time of closest point of approach that you make to the exact checkpoint coordinates. So we'll know whether you were right on top at 0.00 nm, or something else like 3.141592653 nm, or maybe even 6.02 x 10²³ nm. The precise time you are closest to the checkpoint is logged as the CPA.

3. Another reader asks, "I’ve read pgs. 18-20 but still need clarification. Prior to departure at KHWD does each team hand in just Day 1 fuel/times/ect. or are all 3 days numbers collected? Just wondering if estimates could be updated for the next day based on the fuel/times for the current day."

Ans: Simply put, each day you only turn in the estimates for that day.

4. Another question along the same line: "I was wondering if the entrants will have daily racing data available to them (time and gallons) at the end of each day, so they can adjust the next leg, or, if the race data will be restricted to performance at the end of the race?"

Ans: Each day is scored separately, but the totals are combined cumulatively for a 'grand total' score to determine the order of finish in the event. You do keep a copy of your daily scoring sheet after the final landing of each day; this scoresheet has your estimates for fuel and time, along with your actual fuel consumed. You'll be able to determine how you did on time each day from your own inflight log keeping.

5. Last question for tonight, "Do we have to go to Fallon Muni, or is Hazen VOR acceptable? Asking because there is a big ugly R-4813A plopped right between Fallon and Dixie Valley. I do see in the vicinity of page 39 in the POH a note about clearing the special use airspace. I'm assuming this is referring to the many MOAs in the area. Or is there some special procedures though the restricted area?"

You can go anywhere you want - that's one of the burdens, or joys, of designing your flight as you see fit. But let me give you a little nugget, and you gotta trust me on this one. You should plan SPZ-FLX-NV30 direct. Some secrets I like to keep to myself; there is a certain wry amusement in not revealing all the rally planning details in advance to the racers. There needs to be some mystery and suspense about the course.

6. Someone pointed out to me that the European models that I have chosen might not be, ahem, correct for the entire audience. You know, you're right about that. So here I'll add a new model to the lineup. I present to you tonight Annika, Brigette, Svetlana, und Lars. All of them now starting to see some possibility of precip at the eastern end of the rally. Stay tuned.

 

July 19, 2014

1. Got tiedowns? If not, here is a fabulous product, made locally here in the Bay Area: www.flyties.com Need a set? Order through us and we can have it delivered to you at impound, no sales tax, no shipping costs.

2. I'll share Annika, Brigette, and Svetlana with you. See below.

Chris

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

July 18, 2014

Although I am sending this after midnight, it is the update for yesterday.

1. There have been some questions posed about an apparent difference in coordinates for Timing Line Paul from where people think it is, and I spent a fair bit of time today (Friday) looking at it. After examining this closely, I stand by the PAUL coords as published in the book (and flight checked on 5/29). I put this error down to my using Skyvector.com to build an easy link for all of you to look at the routing. I 'hooked' the indicated chart feature from the sectional as the waypoint in the pre-release given to the racers. The Skyvector shows the waypoint in the right x-y with respect to the chart, but not wrt the true earth layer underneath. It appears there is some serious slip between the two orthogonal systems at that location, and the sectional chart clearly wasn't warped properly with the geofile: that's techno-speak for us that work in the GIS world. The flat chart was not translated precisely enough, to wrap itself around the earth model (i.e., warping) and that issue lies with whichever vendor Skyvector uses to get their digitized charts from. It could be, they take the free public product from FAA/NACO which is already warped, and maybe they tweak it some more. What I can tell you is this: I used Google Earth extensively over the last six months to select and prepare the route. I have noticed a rather significant offset (perhaps 100 meters or so) on the Minneapolis and Green Bay sectional charts, when overlaid on a highly-accurate aerial map model that is accurate to within 5 meters of ground truth.

So, if you have uncovered what you might think is a small offset in the Paul coordinates, it is likely because you use a different flight planning software product. Different software developers have different workarounds to solve map translational issues, but only if the problem is apparent (like, a customer calls in to complain). My measurements here, compared to where some crews told me they thought the Paul point was, only differed by about 121 meters, or 395 feet, or 0.07 nm. At 120 knots that is 2.1 seconds of error. Don't get wrapped up in the axle about the nuances of GPS coordinates - we've done all the work for you and the errors have all been caught (as much as humanly possible). Paul is correct as published: 43:22.027, -089:37.111

2. With the coordinates mystery resolved, I turned my attention to the lovely European models here by my side. Unfortunately, these models are not named Annika, Brigette, and Svetlana. No, they have names like NCEP MesoWRF, MSLP, Simulated Radar, Precip, and 2-m T.

We are all starting to look at various weather predictions now and I am sure everyone has their favorite sites to use. I start to pontificate five days out. But as an example of what I am looking at now, see the screen shots below. These are for Thursday morning. The winds are for 700mb (~10,000').

precip

winds

Another update tomorrow, which is actually now today (Saturday).

Until then,
Chris

July 16, 2014

1. Now that the coordinates are public knowledge, to avoid confusion you are reminded that the coordinates provided are in the format of DEG:MIN.MIN and not DEG:MIN:SEC.

2. Here is a Skyvector link of a possible flight routing with all the checkpoints.

3. By now everyone should have their plan figured out for placing their race numbers on the airplane. Tape, poster paint, graffiti artist, it's your call what to use. You need to have the numbers applied prior to impound being 'signed off' to get your registration complete, so consider doing that at your home airport, prior to arrival at HWD. Please refer again to the 'how to apply numbers' document attached to this message.

From the reader mailbag, a fellow rally pilot writes:
For those who cannot find tape:

This is the tape that I have received from the tape supplier in New Jersey. It looks like it should work ok. Of course I won't know until I actually use it but it is very similar to what I have been using for the past 5 years. If you order you will need to ship 3 day UPS.

http://www.findtape.com/product726/JVCC-V-36P-PC-Clean-Room-Vinyl-Tape.aspx

4. The previously mentioned VIP TFR for Wednesday July 23 is not yet published, however, I have been called not once, but twice by the US Secret Service (true story) and have been assured there is no impact on our operations at all for Thursday, and to expect that the TFR will be wrapped up by noon on Wednesday because the President will be headed to another West Coast city by that time. I have another call with the USSS later this week to get the final details and will share them with all as soon as I am able. Presently, if the 'official prediction' of the TFR being in place for Wednesday morning, and only being the outer ring over HWD, then you will all be able to get into HWD when impound opens at 1000 by filing a flight plan, either VFR or IFR, and squawking a discrete transponder code prior to your arrival into the TFR area.

5. Special dietary needs for our enroute meal stops? This is the time to let me know (if you have not already).

6. All chart orders have been sent in and these should be available for pickup at impound/registration on Wednesday, July 23. At registration we accept cash for any outstanding payments (charts, shirts, dinner tickets, answers to the checkpoint questions) and exact change is always appreciated. We'll also accept checks made payable to 'Hayward Air Rally' or credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover).

7. An EAA AirVenture article online, "Flying In: Making Your AirVenture Experience a Safe One" is worthwhile reading.

Some other items from our reader's mailbag:

8. Wendover AWOS changed to 121.55 two months ago. The charts have not yet caught up, but it should pop up in your NOTAMs. The new frequency is in the FAA database already, though.

9. Silver Springs AWOS is called a 'Super AWOS' and it broadcasts on the CTAF/UNICOM frequency. It doesn't broadcast continuously, though, similar to typical AWOS sites. The receiver at the SuperAWOS site has some intelligence to monitor the frequency; when it has been quiet for a specified unit of time, and then someone broadcasts on frequency, like approaching the airport, or taxiing, the SuperAWOS will give the weather report. Then it will stay quiet until the next x period of time passes, and someone else transmits something. Sound goofy? Well yeah, it is indeed a Mickey Mouse kind of AWOS. But it is relatively inexpensive for these underfunded publicly owned, but privately run airports.

10. You won't find Clover Control on the chart unless you know where to look for it. That is the military range control callsign for the Hill AFB restricted complex that surrounds Wendover. They are expecting us, but you don't need to talk to them.

Yikes .. one week to go. Until the next update,

Your Tour Guide

July 15, 2014

As promised, here are the checkpoints:

HWD

1. Mustang (2CL9) 38:20.06, -121:18.21
2. Alta Sierra (09CL) **bonus checkpoint** 39:06.83, -121:03.40
3. Nervino (O02) 39:49.11, -120:21.17
4. Flying Eagle (77NV) 39:50.80, -119:41.20
5. Timing Line HALE 39:33.621, -119:14.438

SPZ

6. Dixie Valley (NV30) 39:57.99, -117:49.66
7. Microwave Station 40:24.89, -117:12.37
8. DOBYS **bonus** 40:58.31, -115:52.47
9. Ranch/Tower 41:06.16, -115:05.43
10. Timing Line WINNIE 40:50.499, -114:12.595

ENV

11. Fremont Island **bonus** 41:10.49, -112:20.64
12. Tremonton 41:42.86, -112:11.05
13. Random Point 42:00.00, -111:03.00
14. Farson 42:06.40, -109:26.95
15. Timing Line WIND RIVER 42:43.733, -108.38.800

LND

16. Midwest 43:24.49, -106:16.68
17. Bill **bonus** 43:13.96, -105.15.60
18. Sherwin 1 (WY09) 43:30.37, -104:52.69
19. Custer County (CUT) 43:44.02, -103:37.17
20. Timing Line BUFF 43:59.455, -103:16.171

RAP

21. MMNHS **bonus** 43:52.67, -101:57.65
22. Tracks 44:21.00, -100:22.00
23. Clark County (8D7) 44:53.70, -097:42.63
24. Clear Lake (5H3) 44:46.28, -096:41.29
25. Timing Line OMEGA 44:53.388, -095:38.935

MVE

26. Hector (1D6) **bonus** 44:43.86, -094:42.88
27. Wells (68Y) 43:44.00, -093:47.01
28. Towers 43:34.25, -092:25.64
29. Houston County (CHU) 43:35.78, -091:30.24
30. Timing Line PAUL 43:22.027, -089:37.111
31. Hospitality Suite CROWNE 43:07.686, -089:18.574

MSN

A textual update later tonight. Until then,
Chris

July 12, 2014

1. Aerographics (the fancy laser-cut race numbers tape place) has called me back and said, due to a small spurt in activity from Air Rally entrants, they are reducing our price to $15 per character, standard font, single color. www.aerographics.com

2. Our t-shirt order is now locked down and sent to the vendor. We've ordered some extras over what you all requested; the latecomers should be able to get a shirt but shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed without a pre-order.

3. Last call for charts (have I said that before?). Our order goes out Monday at the close of the business day. Get those new July 24 charts, fresh and hot off the grill. Condiments not included.

4. Any military veterans in the group? If so, will you still be at Oshkosh on Friday morning, August 1? Here is the info page, and the sign-up page is here. Tickets are free but you have to jump through the ticketing engine hoops to get your freebie. Kind of like 'hurry up and wait'. :-)

5. Tiedowns: in a very early racer update I mentioned get a portable tiedown kit for your plane if you didn't already have one. Read 'Member's Mission: Eliminate Bad Tiedowns' here.

6. It's July 12, and Camp Scholler is open - and has been for a week already!

7. We are now working on the rally group repositioning procedures for the Madison to Oshkosh flight. I have surveyed all the crew entry applications and managed to get everyone on board with the 90 knots for the NOTAM arrival sequence (Ripon-Fisk-OSH) and while that flight segment has a specified airspeed by the FAA, now the chess game begins because everybody's regular cruise speeds are different. This is a puzzle with way too many moving pieces, because you folks don't know the operational restrictions we need to work around to get a group to fly in with one contiguous group. So...I am going to break everyone into two performance categories:

(a) you can either maintain 120 knots indicated airspeed, straight and level at 2500' MSL, gross weight, 30º C, or

(b) you can't maintain 120 under the same conditions, but 90 will work for you.

Everybody will fly 90 knots indicated for the NOTAM segment, but we don't want to dawdle all day out there just getting to the NOTAM airspace: it's 53 miles from MSN to Ripon, so we can allow airplanes to speed up to 120 on the transition route if able. Otherwise fly 90 the entire way from takeoff at MSN to final approach at OSH.

I think the following crews will fly 90 because they can't maintain 120 indicated straight and level at 2500' .. correct me if I am wrong: R6, R17, R20, R42, R53, R411.

I call your attention to the NOTAM, page 4, left column, third paragraph: "Extended periods of slow flight may be required when following this procedure." So this is a good time to go out and get some practice in slow-flight procedures if you feel the need. (Something that Maverick and Goose would never do.)

8. From the reader's mailbag:

Q: Is Cobre a mandatory checkpoint?

A: No. It is considered the IP (Initial Point) for Winnie. The purpose is to get all the airplanes approaching the timing line from the same direction. It is suggested you go to Cobre before you turn southeast to Winnie, but the rules don't say you MUST go to the IP (Cobre). You do need to approach the timing line from the correct direction, however, and make the radio calls at the three suggested locations.

Until the next update,
Chris

July 10, 2014

Back apparently by popular demand, it's time for our reader's mailbag. This might even be the 50th annual reader's mailbag. I do not know but it seems like I have been answering questions about this event, for like, I don't know, forever. Let's get started by having you click on the attached link .. and yes, it was safe .. when I sent it.

1. Q: Will there be WiFi at Oshkosh?
A: There is free WiFi over much of the grounds at AirVenture. There is also excellent cell coverage by the major carriers as they have portable cell towers installed on site during the show.

2. Q: Is there a place for us to charge our electronic equipment?
A: Don't know if you are camping or staying elsewhere. If camping, well there are no electrical outlets at each aircraft parking spot/campsite, but there are banks of outlets at the shower houses/restrooms. Also, as you wander the grounds each day, there are several opportunities to snag some power. :-) I might recommend though, that if you are staying at Oshkosh and otherwise don't have regular access to an AC outlet all the time, get a portable power pack, possibly one that uses solar (which is what I have; it can be charged at the wall outlet or via solar, too, which is great as you walk around during the day). Check out Amazon.com and search for "power pack solar" and you'll see lots of possibilities, all quite reasonable in price (except for the $106 model, which I actually have). If camping, and you want to use the AC outlets at the shower houses, you'll make a lot of friends if you bring a power strip/surge strip with more outlets...then lots more can share the power.

3. Q: When you send out the POH, do the PIC and co-pilot get one each?
A: Everyone should have already received the advance copy of the POH via email. You'll receive the next copy, with checkpoints, on July 15. BTW...no need to print those out...there will be two printed POH books in your crew bag when you arrive at check-in.

4. I have heard from one entrant that he plans to use this brand of tape product. I have not personally tried that type of tape, so you're on your own there. BTW...if you don't feel the need for fancy numbers (Aerographics) or simpler do-it-yourself tape numbers (plastic 3M tape from Orchard Supply or elsewhere), then a low-budget method is water-based poster paint or tempera paint which you can get at most hobby stores.

5. An eagle-eyed rally pilot (ok, really I think he's the copilot of record for that crew) has noticed a bad set of lat/long coordinates in the preview copy of the POH that you have. If you missed that little blunder of mine (which escaped being caught through three proofreadings after the checkflight), Iet me save you the trouble of looking for it: the coordinates for Timing Line BUFF are wrong on page 65. It appears the coordinates for WINNIE magically pasted themselves into BUFF's spot, too. The correct coordinates for BUFF are 43:59.452N, 103:16.169W. All other data listed for BUFF is correct.

6. Q: What is the latest time that I can make the ‘traditional vs. digital’ decision? At impound? Does that traditional/digital decision apply to the entire race or can it be made for each day?
A: You can make the 'traditional vs. digital' decision at any time up until Hayward launch morning cutoff for turning in estimates..that is generally been 0830 for our 0900 typical launch time, but expect it to be 0730 for our planned 0800 launch this year. The rules and the paperwork you'll receive at impound/check-in say you're supposed to declare at impound, but we recognize people may change their minds on a decision up until the last minute. Once the final choice is made, however, you're stuck with it for the duration of the event. We did consider allowing a one-time change of classes after the first day only, but that idea died in committee and never saw the light of day to survive to a vote.

7. Q: As a non-competitor, do I need rally numbers on the plane?
A: No. For our enroute airports, we can let our ramp supervisors know you're an 'unmarked plane' and that you don't need fueling officials to certify the fuel load. BUT....if you are going to join us for the group fly-out from Madison, and into Oshkosh, you'll need the H under the wing. Keep in mind the arrival into Oshkosh is primarily "no talking" on the radio by the airplanes, it's the controllers on the ground out in the countryside who are talking non-stop. (We just wag our wings to acknowledge.) The H under the wing is used to tell the controllers that you are part of the group arrival, and they will direct you to the Air Rally arrival runway, which is likely to be 36. All other arrivals in the morning are almost always assigned 27.

8. Newcomers to the Rally will find more FAQs online here.

Until the next update,
Chris

 

July 4, 2014

1. Again, if you have a rally-approved logger, bring your device and charger to impound. Better yet, make sure the logger is charged so you know who doesn't have to stay up all night plugging a gazallion devices into wall outlets. We will collect the loggers from you at check-in/registration/route briefing; check to make sure the configuration for recording is set properly; then return the unit to you just prior to launch next morning. At the end of each day's flying (i.e., Wendover, Rapid City, Madison) the devices will be collected by the ramp supervisor for the overnight data downloading exercise, then returned again the next morning.

2. Last call for t-shirts: July 5. As mentioned earlier, as a by-product of switching shirt vendors we gained some time in the process. I think this is the third time I've broadcast 'last call' .. there will be no fourth time. Don't forget, we now will have t-shirts in sizing for both ladies and men. Send your new or modified t-shirt orders to our committee shirt guru.

3. We have five crews that have asked us to get their sectional charts for them (9, 11, 17, 53, 63). Anyone else? From the June 27 racer update, let me clarify about San Carlos Aviation and chart purchases: if you go into either of their two stores, and give them the secret codeword, you'll get a discount on whatever charts they have in stock and available to purchase. If you order with us, we will get the charts for you: out of stock, in stock, and about-to-be-revised editions too, but our price is $10 .. that is a higher price than going into the store, true, but how much more convenient can we make it? For only a few dollars more, I'll be happy to mark up the course lines on the charts for you. The correct course lines will cost you even more. :-)

4. Heads-up for those with GPS navigators, moving maps, PFD/MFD, and other associated techno-gizmos that use Jeppesen-supplied nav data: We are currently on Jepp navdata cycle 1407. The next cycle, 1408, is effective July 24 (first day of rally competition) so get ahead of the game by downloading your nav data early (the new cycle is available for download on July 15).

5. The next EAA webinar that may be of interest to you is on July 16, titled 'EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 Features and Attractions'. The time of the webinar is 1700 PDT to 1830 PDT. EAA membership is not required to login to the webinar. Pre-registration is required; the link is here.

6. And finally tonight, I am going to save a few bucks for you at Oshkosh. Who wants a free dinner and cold beverages prior to the opening night concert? Our friends at Hartzell Propeller and Hartzell Engine Technologies are extending an invitation to the entire Hayward Air Rally group to attend their 'Props & Hops' dinner reception on Monday at 1700. Please see the attached information sheet; you'll need to scroll down to read it all to find the invitation link. This is sort of your first air rally checkpoint question...Checkpoint Suds...you'll need to find the correct link there...and somebody already missed it.

I look forward to seeing you there; this may well be my first opportunity since Sunday afternoon to climb out of the dark scoring cave on Iowa Street and actually see some Wisconsin sunlight (unless there is a thunderstorm, but I digress..again). There will be plenty of time for you to eat and socialize at the Hartzell event and then walk over for the concert....and here's a tip for AirVenture newcomers: bring folding chairs for the concert if you have any. Monday night is a standing room only concert for pretty much everybody. There is a small, very small, area for VIP seating but sadly we don't qualify. So bring chairs if you got 'em, or otherwise understand it's every man, woman, and child for themselves in finding a place to sit down on the pavement for the concert. Ohh...see that C-17 parked over there, on Phillips 66 Plaza, with all that wing shade? Guess what...everyone else saw it before you did because they weren't at Props n' Hops.

My executive-level contact at Hartzell says space is limited, so sign up soon, and please don't spread the word outside the Air Rally group..they do have customers they need to wine and dine, too. :-) Yes, he says you can come to the Hartzell event even if you only have a Sensenich propeller...or McCauley...or the deviant MT.

Enjoy the holiday. You're not out practicing, are you?

Until the next update,

Chris

July 1, 2014

1. 22 shopping days left until Christmas! As my early present to you, attached is an advance copy of the crew handbook (aka Rally POH) that has everything except the checkpoint information. On July 15, we will again release the POH but with the checkpoint identifiers/coordinates included. This is a completely new procedure for us, in releasing the book early to the crews. We think it will enhance safety and make your flight planning requirements less frantic on the night prior to launch. Let us know what you think.

2. If you like to do some online web planning for the route, here you go, without checkpoints: http://tinyurl.com/p5u8kpy

3. T-shirts: news on two fronts here. (a) Due to a switch in vendors, we have a new deadline for ordering, so if you missed out on the initial t-shirt order, or want more: the new deadline is July 5. S-M-L-XL-2XL-and larger on request. and (2) Women's sizing in t-shirts is available! For those of you who are fashion-conscious, and don't care to wear the big honkin' men's shapeless shirt, you can get a S-M-L-XL-2XL-and larger in ladies sizing. Please send your additional shirt orders, change shirt orders, and requests to get ladies sizing instead of men's, to

June 27, 2014

1. These continuing updates are sent to a mailing list of our entrants, event committee members, and others who have been part of the planning process at all the remote airport locations. If you are part of that last group, and these emails are becoming annoying, let me know and I can remove you from future crew updates (but keep you informed for more important matters).

2. Paper charts: as mentioned in the June 23 update, San Carlos Aviation & Supply will be providing the (newly revised) charts on pre-order if you let us know by July 15. In addition, they will also sell you charts currently available at their two retail stores (SQL and PAO) with a discount to boot. The secret code word is 'Rally'. Charts will only be available at Hayward registration and impound if you order with us. Our price is $10 each, inclusive of tax, and you can pay by credit card at registration and check-in.

3. If you're not spending enough on this rally already: another little birdie has told me about Aerographics for snazzy 'race numbers'. This company can make you most anything you want for your airplane, in removable vinyl numbers and letters. I have heard the price is $18 per letter/numeral, but then again it sure looks fancy. So knock yourself out if you are so inclined. Check out their website and then call Marilyn at Aerographics, 800-336-9633.

4. Now we have people coming out of the woodwork to join the Rally. Unfortunately the latest two do not have airplanes. Anybody looking for someone to share the ride? One is a CFI, looking for a ride eastbound to AirVenture only, and the other is not a pilot, supposedly aeronautically adept however, and would like a ride both east and westbound if possible. They both have indicated a willingness to share expenses, although that is up for you to negotiate what 'sharing' means. Respond to me if you might be interested, and I can put you in touch with these folks.

5. A reminder, we will accommodate your special dietary needs as much as possible, given advance notice. I will be surveying the crowd no later than July 15 for your needs; but you can beat the Christmas rush now and let me know if you like...I have to start keeping track of this sooner or later anyway.

6. We have locked down the final proof version of the rally crew handbook (aka P.O.H.) and it has been sent off to a land far, far, away for printing. No, not China. What I meant was, far, far away for a C152. Maybe not so far for a SR22. In the interest of avoiding the usual 'let's stay up all night and build our flight plan' syndrome seen at Hayward, we will be publicly releasing the POH to you on July 1, but without any checkpoint information. (Hey, when you get to be King, you can decide things like that, too.) The full book with checkpoints will be released on or about July 15. Go out and fly the course if you want, it makes no difference to me: you still have to perform on race day. :-) And then, checkpoints do get changed from time to time for 'operational necessity'. Like TFRs. Or VR/IR routes going active. Oops.

7. So now as we get closer to the start of the Rally, the vast majority of the high-level planning and coordination is done and each location is now working on getting their crews trained and logistics set up. My biggest worry today, other than where are the 50 entries that we want, is the weather. Your guess as to what happens is as good as mine, particularly since for the sixth consecutive year, the Committee position for the 'Prime Minister of Weather Manipulation and Control' remains vacant. I believe we have built adequate buffer into our daily schedule to be able to accommodate the short-term convective weather that can pop up in the Rockies and Midwest in the summer, but longer-term weather patterns would be a problem for everyone, Rally or not.

8. We have two 'part-timers' now for the first day, two part-timers for the third day, and one racer who changed from a 'maybe' to 'let's do the whole rally'. Woohoo. So perhaps there is stock in advertising that we will accept part-timers on the rally route, who can join up at any HWD or any overnight stop, competing or being a tourist. Please help spread the word on 'part-timing' to any who might be interested. I just know that we are going to end up at Oshkosh, and more than one pilot will come up to me and say 'I just flew out from California, and my arms are tired yes, but I never knew about your Rally.'

9. There will be single point fueling at the Lander self-serve fuel island. Bring a towbar if you don't want to be pushed by a ramp crew, or gas or electric towed to parking spot.

10. For those of you that have the 'committee-approved' GPS logger, bring the device and charger to Hayward.

Until the next update,

Chris

June 23, 2014

1. Summer is now here and the calendar continues a relentless march towards July 23. One month to go! The latest EAA infomercial is here.

2. Charts (sectional and WAC): as previously mentioned you may use either paper charts, or electronic charts loaded on an EFB device. The use of an EFB may inadvertently place you in the Digital Class if any on-board GPS is not disabled. You don't want us placing Turtle Wax on your fancy iPad or Android tablet, do you? In keeping with the 'back to basics' spirit of the Hayward Air Race, we always encourage the use of paper charts. We've provided a list of suggested charts for the rally in an earlier update (February 1) and we need to remind you that three charts will have new editions become valid on the first day of the competition:

    • Cheyenne Sectional Chart - 90th edition, valid 07/24/14
    • Omaha Sectional - 90th edition, valid 07/24/14
    • CF-17 WAC - 44th edition, valid 07/24/14

In the past, the Hayward Air Rally has not offered charts for sale at check-in. This year, everything is different, so we want to make this a little easier for you if you'll need to get these charts updated.

In partnership with San Carlos Aviation & Supply LLC at San Carlos and Palo Alto Airports, we can have the new charts waiting for you at your rally check-in on July 23. The cost for each chart will be $10, inclusive of tax (we actually can't charge tax) and we need your orders in advance. Our order for these charts needs to be in to the vendor by July 15. We will place a PayPal link on the rally website and you will need to pay by July 15; each order is non-refundable. Reply to me directly if you want us to order these new charts for you.

Since we're doing the newly-issued charts, and we have never offered charts for sale, it occurs to me that there might be interest in getting all of your charts at one time, presuming you haven't gone out shopping yet. So...if there are other charts you need, here is a one-time deal for you: let me know about those too, and we can cobble together one big chart order. The price is still the same, $10 for each chart, and these can all be available at check-in.

3. Miss a previous update? Looking for that list of suggested charts? You can find 'all racer updates' are now stored online in a running file at this location.

4. You may invite anybody and everybody to the July 29 awards dinner: $30 per ticket if not part of a paid entry. There is a payment link on the website.

5. After watching the EAA webinar last week on the Oshkosh arrival process, someone in our group suggested to me that I remind everyone "they might want to practice landing short, middle and long, if numerous airplanes are landing". Can't say much more than that's good advice.

6. The AirVenture Camping Guide now available for download.

7. If you have special dietary needs for any of our meals enroute, I'll be asking you to let me know in about two weeks. Not yet!

8. As mentioned previously, we will allow 'part-timers' on the rally route. Join up at any HWD or any overnight stop. If enough will provide scoring for separate legs. Talk this up among your flying friends and see if we can get more. We already have two aircraft flying just the first day (HWD-SPZ-ENV), and two more aircraft who will be joining up with us at Rapid City to compete on the final day (RAP-MVE-MSN). We are still looking to fill all our 50 landing slots for OSH, so even those who can't get into the rally otherwise, can join up with us for the group fly-in.

9. 'Race 20' is looking for a pilot that is willing to accompany him for the return trip from OSH to the Bay area, departing Wisconsin on Wednesday July 30. Contact me for details if you are interested.

10. We had originally planned for two fueling locations at Lander, but now it will be single point fueling a(self-serve island only) at LND. Bring a towbar or plan to push your airplane if you don't want to be gas or electric towed to a parking spot after fueling. Of course, you could start your engine and taxi over, but .. well, that just isn't a good strategy.

Until the next update,

Chris

June 16, 2014

All 2014 Entrants,

1. There is a presidential visit to the Bay area apparently scheduled now for Wednesday, July 23. If the visit occurs as currently scheduled, there is going to be an impact for your arrival into HWD on 'impound day'. We still do not know yet where the presidential aircraft will be landing, but we have reason to believe it will be Moffett Field (NUQ) or San Francisco Intl (SFO), since the fundraising event the President is attending is in Los Altos Hills. **IF** that is the case, Hayward will not be in the 'inner ring no-fly zone', but the 'outer ring you may fly' zone.

Presuming outer ring, and the TFR is in effect during our impound hours of 1000 - 1600 on Wednesday, July 23 you can fly into HWD if:

(a) you are on an IFR or VFR flight plan
(b) such flight plan is filed before your departure from the originating airport (yes, I know there are exceptions to this but let's not quibble over the fine points)
(c) you have a discrete squawk code assigned

Those are the basic rules. I urge you to read up on VIP TFR procedures at faa.gov, aopa.org, or your favorite flight regulations reference site. Here is a recent VIP TFR, and you can review these procedures to see what is involved: http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_8567.html

For Rally departures on Thursday July 24, again we do not know at the current time if the TFR will be extended overnight ..this depends on the president deciding to stay overnight. Since the presidential function is a lunch fundraiser on Wednesday, I think he won't stay over .. but one never knows.

If the TFR is still in effect on our HWD launch morning, and it remains the 'outer ring', we can get all rally airplanes out as planned using a modified departure procedure (being drafted now).

More details will be shared on the TFR impact to the Rally as we get closer to July 23.

2. T-Shirts LAST CALL T-Shirts LAST CALL T-Shirts LAST CALL

The Hayward Air Rally Committee is about to close out our t-shirt order with the EAA vendor. We must have your preferred size by Noon, Pacific time on Wednesday, June 18, or we cannot guarantee you a shirt in your
preferred size. We will have some extras, but we can only guarantee your size if you pre-order. This is a one-of-a-kind, world-famous, not-sold-in-stores, award-winning, 50th anniversary Hayward Air Rally t-shirt. It is 100% cotton and pre-shrunk for everyone's inconvenience. The color is 'natural'. (I wanted something 'unnatural' but all I got was weird looks from the shirt people.) Unisex sizing of S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and by special request, The Big Kahuna shirt. The shirt features the 50th rally logo on the front and a special graphic on the back. I am sure you will be tickled to display your fine fashion sense by wearing this shirt for our rally, then immediately posting it on eBay or Craigslist for sale. $15.00 each.

Please let us know right away. If you have already ordered, you can disregard this message .. except the TFR part. When somebody busts the TFR next month, you could probably use this t-shirt message as an excuse when you file your ASRS report. :-)

Until the next update,

Chris

June 10, 2014

Six weeks to go.

1. We have dug up some old, really OLD, information about some of the very first Hayward Air Race (now Rally) years. There is some interesting reading about the 1965-1969 events here.

2. This is a good time to review your high-altitude procedures. As previously discussed the highest terrain altitude on any navigation leg is ~8200' MSL, but of course there is lots of other higher terrain in the vicinity between points A and Z. We have one airport to be considered high altitude - Lander, WY is 5587' MSL elevation and that is our lunch/fuel stop on the second day. Obviously the earlier we get in and out of Dodge (aka Lander) the lower the density altitude. Still, the wise pilot here should be prepared and know not only their airplane performance and limitations, but that of their own as pilot, too. If you haven't had a high-altitude or mountain flying checkout, this is a good opportunity to seek out a qualified CFI now and get it done.

3. Here's another video link of past AirVenture highlights.

4. Reminder: Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the EAA webinar for Fisk arrival into Oshkosh under the special NOTAM rules. You do not need to be an EAA member to watch the webinar. The webinar is tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11, 2014 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CDT (That's 1700 to 1830 PDT.) This seminar is highly recommended, especially if flying into AirVenture for the first time, with or without our Air Rally guided assistance. Go to this link to sign up for the webinar.

5. **NOW SOME BIG NEWS** especially for returning racers. We recognize that this special 50th anniversary rally will create some unique challenges in your flight planning. Historically, we've only released the rally crew handbook (aka, POH) to crews when they check in at Hayward. That has worked acceptably for our usual single day flight event of only two flight legs, but now you have three days of flying, six nav legs, six gas stops, 18 checkpoints, and a partridge in a pear tree to worry about. When could you possibly get all the planning done, without impacting your crew rest requirements? Remember, we lose an hour going east - twice!

So in the interest of safety we've decided to release the crew handbook early. On July 1 we will publish the rally POH via .pdf version on the event website, with all checkpoint information stripped out. What you will get on July 1 is the rules, procedures at each airport, contact information, special airspace and event procedures, **and** the identification of the arrival timing lines at each landing airport.

On July 16, we will release the mandatory checkpoints but only by lat/long coordinates or airport ID as appropriate. You will not get the multiple-choice questions for each checkpoint; those will be released with the full and official POH that you receive at Hayward check-in on July 23.

With this staged release of the rally POH, we believe that safety is enhanced because you will be able to get the majority of your route planning complete before you get to Hayward.

6. We still accepting entries, and it is beginning to look glum for getting 50 airplanes. Talk up the event with your pilot and flying friends, and please pass the word around. As mentioned in a previous racer update, we will accept 'part timers' on the Rally, who (for whatever reason) can only join us for one day or two days. They could fly HWD-ENV, or ENV-RAP, or RAP-MSN, or any combination thereof. We'll even accept folks at Madison if they want to join up in our parade to Oshkosh: help me clutter up the scope of ATC with an extended 50-nm line of aircraft coming out of Madison, all squawking the same code, all going to the same point for the Fisk arrival. Fun! I do not want to give up our 50 landing slots at AirVenture, for once these are surrendered, we don't get them back.

If 'part-timers' join up at any of the enroute points, they can compete on a single-day basis for a reduced entry fee, or can simply fly along with us for the fun of it, like a class audit. There still would need to be a small change to cover the cost of our breakfast at the overnight hotel, and the lunch stop expenses, but we can negotiate that if, and when, we have any takers.

Until the next update .. and I suppose I better finish writing 'the book'.

Chris

June 3, 2014

Our t-shirt and polo shirt orders need to be finalized with the EAA vendor this week. We want everyone to have an opportunity to order their special 50th anniversary Air Rally polo or t-shirt if they have not already done so.

Please, no later than Thursday of this week, please provide the following information to Jenny Donnelley, our event registrar at email lawridon@yahoo.com:

1. T-Shirts requested: size and quantity S-M-L-XL-2XL (unisex sizing) 100% cotton $15.00 each has air rally logo on front, and special artwork on the back

2. Polo shirts requested: size and quantity S-M-L-XL-2XL (M or F sizing) has air rally logo on front left breast area. 100% cotton, banded sleeves $25 each. Customized embroidery is available, up to two lines additional for a small $5 fee. This could be your name, aircraft type, N-number, shoe size, race number, whatever. Just keep it in good taste, as we don't have a sub-committee to review your shirt embroidery ideas. :-)

Please provide your order information to Jenny by the Thursday deadline as we may not be able to guarantee all sizes available after our order deadline, and we likely will not be able to provide any custom shirt embroidery after the order deadline.

Payments can be made via the order and entry link on our web site ..and we will confirm your order first and then get you over to the payment page.

Volunteers need to provide Jenny their requested size as well. We will provide our committee members and ramp leaders with one polo and one t-shirt, but again we need your order information in advance.

Ramp leaders: your ramp volunteers will receive one t-shirt, and you need to get their preferred size .. but that order doesn't need to be in by this Thursday. However, it's a good time to start collecting that data now.sandrues

Thanks all,

Chris

May 29, 2014

1. We are at 60 days until the rally lands at Oshkosh!

2. Gil Takemori has written a nice first-person experience article about the Air Rally which is attached to this message - please distribute freely in the hopes of drumming up interest in the event.

3. We will consider 'part-timers' on the rally route. Join up at any HWD or any overnight stop. **If** enough interest, we will provide scoring for separate legs. We haven't yet determined what is 'enough'. But I want to keep our 50 landing slots for MSN-OSH, so if nothing else get your flying friends, who might otherwise be going to Oshkosh but not in the Rally, to join up with us at Madison for the group flight to OSH.

4. The ADS-B mid-continent gap is now mostly closed. Bring your devices!

5. We have an entrant who needs to drop out. He is holding reservations for two college dorm rooms for the entire week at Oshkosh. Any takers?

6. There will be single point of fueling at Lander, WY (LND). We had planned on two fuel pumps but it now appears the FBO won't have that project done in time for the rally. Aircraft will be repositioned to a parking spot after fueling at the self-serve pump. Bring your manual towbar if you don't want to be gas or electric towed to parking spot.

7. The Bay-area local FAAST team is holding a 'Wings' safety event on June 7 at San Carlos (SQL). The subject of the briefing is 'Flying into Oshkosh'. You can get more information here.

8. A reminder also about the upcoming EAA webinar on flying into Oshkosh under the special NOTAM rules: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CDT (That's 1700 to 1830 PDT.) You do not need to be an EAA member to connect to the webinar. This seminar is highly recommended, especially if flying into AirVenture for the first time, even without our expert guided assistance. Go to this link to sign up for the webinar.

9. Finally, since we seem to be on a roll for weblinks, some interesting reading about GA from the New York Times of all places. "But first, getting there, as they say, should be half the adventure."

Until the next update,

Chris

May 22, 2014

2014 Rally Pilots and Crew,

I've just released 20 rooms out of our room block back to the Appleton
hotel. We only have nine people holding reservations so far out of the
50 rooms available.

The low uptake is likely because you are camping under the wing, are
staying in the college dorms, have made alternate hotel reservations in
Oshkosh, or otherwise not needing the room in Appleton.

Another possibility of the low uptake is you do plan to stay at the
Appleton hotel, but haven't made the reservation yet. If so, NOW IS THE
TIME to do so. Please refer to www.hwdairrally.org/2014/lodging.html
for instructions on how to make your reservations.

Thanks,

Chris

May 16, 2014

1. On this date in Hayward Air Rally (ex-Hayward Air Race) history: May 16, 1980 - Bob and Jean Long, as Race 77 in their Bonanza claim first place with 97 penalty points in the 16th annual Hayward to Las Vegas Proficiency Air Race. Finishing second was Gerald Myers and J. Robert King as Race 13 in Myers' Bonanza; this was only a peek of things to come as Myers and King won the race for four consecutive years (1982-1985).

2. We are sitting tonight at 30 entries, give or take. Can we get our planned 50? Don't know but there does seem to be some new interest in the rally now that EAA has published a blurb in the May 2014 issue of Sport Aviation. Help get the word out; talk up the rally with your pilot friends and other potential victims, oops I mean entrants.

3. I've been asked if the Bad Elf GPS is 'a committee-approved GPS logger'. Unfortunately, the answer is no. The Bad Elf does not provide the required data output format of GPS records necessary for scoring.

4. We will be parked on the grass at Oshkosh .. so if you don't have a set of tiedowns in your plane now, you should consider buying a set now through your favorite aviation supplier. The Oshkosh EAA chapter has basic tiedown kits available on arrival at AirVenture, for sale at a price, of course. But isn't it better to have some choices, and buy what you prefer?

5. The hotel reservations lists are starting to have a little life now. This is starting to sound like a broken record, but if you haven't already made your enroute or Oshkosh (Appleton) hotel bookings, please do so NOW as we will need to start trimming down our room blocks with each hotel. Hotel reservation information is here.

6. If you need to cancel your hotel reservations, here are the drop-dead dates for each property:

  • Hayward: July 9
  • Wendover: July 18
  • Rapid City: June 25
  • Madison: June 26
  • Appleton: June 27

7. For those of you who want to camp, but don't really want to rough it, the Oshkosh YMCA will again offer their indoor camping during AirVenture week. See some information here. Air conditioned camping. Hot showers, even. With a weight room, an ice skating rink, artificial grass in your campsite, and apparently, no mosquitoes. Yeah, that's camping nowadays.

8. Tips for Flying into EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014: a free webinar hosted by EAA. Wednesday, June 11, 2014 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CDT (That's 1700 to 1830 PDT.)
You do not need to be an EAA member to connect to the webinar. This seminar is highly recommended, especially if flying into AirVenture for the first time, even without our expert guided assistance. Go to this link to sign up for the webinar.

9. To get you really thinking about all the cool things at AirVenture, check out this YouTube video of the 2013 highlights.

10. Things to do during AirVenture week:

  • Monday, opening night concert sponsored by the Ford Motor Company: Kenny Loggins
  • Tuesday, air rally awards dinner
  • Wednesday: Night airshow and fireworks, sponsored by DAHER-Socata
  • Friday: Valdez STOL demonstrations at ultralight flying area
  • Any day: pull a rivet, a wire, a cable, or a muscle and otherwise contribute your building skills to the 'One Week Wonder', a Zenith CH750 that will be built by everybody and anybody in one week at AirVenture.
  • Saturday: EAA Runway 5K Run (a special prize if you can beat me)
  • Any day, especially if it rains: See the museum
  • Wednesday: Check with FedEx at AirVenture about shipping home your winner's trophy. :-)

11. Those of you who have aircraft with published range under 400 nm, or have otherwise expressed concern about the longer leg lengths this year, please contact me for the special procedures we have discussed offline. It's your final chance for comments before the rules get published.

12. And now, finally, just for fun and wonder: this link.

Until the next update,

Chris

May 4, 2014

"One Week, One Oshkosh".

We are at T-80 days and counting.

1. All systems are go here at Air Rally HQ but we are receiving intermittent reports downrange that the HARRRTS is not seeing proper load traffic. HARRRTS is the Hayward Air Rally Room Reservation and Tracking System, and the three range tracking stations (Wendover, Rapid City, Madison) are reporting only 10, 8, and 9 rooms reserved respectively. The Rally Committee will start returning block rooms back to the host hotel prior to the event, so if you're one of those astronauts that has not yet made your enroute hotel reservations, it's time to get that done so you don't run the risk of being marooned in outer space..which, come to think of it, is sort of how the Badlands National Park to the east of Rapid City looks. Room reservation instructions are here.

2. We are getting closer to a point where the Air Rally needs to start committing to contracts for the catered meals at each of the three stops, and at Oshkosh itself for the awards dinner. We've allowed each of you to show your interest in the event by placing a deposit; now it is time to get your entry fee balance paid. We don't think we're going to see our hoped-for 50 entries, so help us better prepare by confirming your intent to participate by finalizing your entry application and balance of your entry fee.

3. We are pleased to report that the awards dinner will be held at the EAA Partner Recognition Center, on Tuesday evening July 29. We anticipate opening the doors of the PRC at 1730 for no-host cocktails, with dinner starting at 1800. Dinner will be served buffet-style; if you have special dietary needs you can let us know now (preferred) or in any case, no later than two weeks prior to the rally start. We're planning to have a guest speaker as usual and then the awards presentations will follow. The PRC is an air-conditioned venue and is located on field at Oshkosh near Exhibit Hangar A and the ATC control tower.

4. Don't forget, you can buy your AirVenture daily passes (or weekly) in advance and save over the daily walk-up cost. Pass prices and details here, with advance ticketing here. If you're not already an EAA member, and are staying at AirVenture for three days or longer, consider joining EAA as the cost of membership will be returned to you in pass discounted prices over that for the general public.

5. I anticipate lots of questions this year, not only from the rookies, but even the rally veterans as there are lots of procedural changes for the event this year. If you have any questions**, send them to me so that that we can get the answers out to everyone.

6. The HARRRTS reports a mystery reservation under the name "Cobey Parnell" at two of the hotels. I don't recognize the name .. any of you using a pseudonym this year?

Until the next update,

Chris

**any questions are probably fine, except 'where are the checkpoints'. Ha...nice try, but no.

April 17, 2014

All,

The EAA and FAA have released the 2014 AirVenture NOTAM, and you can download it here. You'll need to be familiar with the 'Fisk VFR Arrival' procedures as detailed in the document, as that is the procedure we will use by agreement with FAA about transitioning all our rally aircraft from Madison to Oshkosh on Sunday, July 27.

Please refer to the arrival procedures on pages 4-12 and become broadly familiar with the procedures. Our likely runways for landing are either 36 or 27, although that can always change up until the last minute. Also, please see the note at the bottom of page 28 .. you're already covered there. :-)

There is a lot of important information in the NOTAM booklet for your departure from OSH, too, so make sure you bring a copy of this NOTAM booklet with you head up to Hayward for the Rally.

On page 1 you'll see some information about 'parking signs': I've attached my holiday gift to you. Download and print, and you're good to go...as long as you remember to bring it. Yes, there is a printer at the Madison hotel in case you forget.

We will discuss the Oshkosh arrival at our breakfast briefing on that Sunday at the Madison hotel. Please come prepared, there will be a test!

T-97 days and counting.

Chris

April 3, 2014

To the 2014 Hayward Air Rally 'racers' and potential entrants;

This is another in a continuing set of update messages for the 50th annual Hayward Air Rally, to be held this July. No, you did not miss an update from March .. none was sent.

1. Entry form is available online. You want a choice, single-digit race number? First come, first served. Just be aware, so we don't dash your hopes right off the bat, that returning 2013 entrants have first dibs on their previous number. And oh by the way, no you can't have Race 1.

2. The hotels enroute aren't yet nervous, but I wonder why so few people have made their reservations for Wendover, Rapid City, and Madison? Or Appleton, for that matter, for your AirVenture lodging? We have only six people with room reservations at Wendover, eight at Rapid City, six at Madison, and two at Appleton. We're sitting on ~25 entry deposits today, so clearly the majority of you are planning on camping with your plane enroute .. or have relatives in each city .. or simply have put off making hotel reservations.

3. As to camping with your plane, there is limited space available on the airport grounds at Wendover if you wish to rough it. There is no camping permitted at RAP or MSN. Please let us know if you want to camp at Wendover and possibly miss out on the fine casino food.

4. Please see the attached recent press releases about the Air Rally's scholarships and our operations into AirVenture, and please forward to your flying friends, FBO, flying club, or anyone who might be interested.

5. Included in your entry fee benefits this year is a one-year software subscription to either AvPlan (for iOS devices) **or** Naviator (for Android devices). This is a $50 value. For those of you who have not yet moved to an EFB platform, here's a great (free) way to get started. All charts, VFR and IFR, are included in your subscription.

6. As previously mentioned, breakfast each morning enroute (but not Hayward) is included in your entry fee. We'll have a guest speaker at each morning briefing presenting a route update. At Hayward, there will be breakfast-type snacks at the morning briefing that you can take with you on the plane. Those of you that have special dietary needs, we'll contact you about two weeks in advance of the event so we can make adjustments as necessary.

7. We are coordinating with EAA on our t-shirt design this year, and anticipate offering a unique Hayward Air Rally-AirVenture shirt. An embroidered polo shirt is also available, with just the Hayward 50th logo. More details on these 'soon'.

8. We use small GPS data loggers during your flight to capture time/position/altitude/speed data which is used as part of the scoring process. Those that have flown the Hayward Air Rally to Bend, and have purchased one of the loggers from us, can reuse the same unit this year. Please bring it to Hayward for impound, with the charger, and we will collect it from you each evening and return it to you each morning.
If you do not have an approved data logger, you have two choices: (1) buy one from us for $50 .. oh well there goes your $50 value from the free software, or (2) borrow one from somebody else. I need NMEA v2.0 or v3.0 protocol data, $GPRMC and $GPGGA sentence strings, with both at a 1-Hz rate. So thanks for not asking if your iPhone will do the job. If it did, I would need to collect your phone each night, and you don't get it back until the morning. Plus, you'd need to give me your iTunes password to extract the data. In return for this, I can install the Complete Unabridged Collection of the Cowsills on your iPhone. Or maybe the Partridge Family. Worried about spending $50 for some gizmo you might never use again? There are lots of everyday logging uses for such a device, and most of these are legal!

9. Preliminary route planning is done for all three days, and we will be flying a route check in late May. At the current time, the planned leg lengths in nautical miles are (in order flown) 243 - 276 - 307 - 275 - 328 -322. Based on requests from two racers who have aircraft with ranges less than our existing '400 mile rule', we have built in a plan for optional fueling stops on the two longest leg lengths (322, 328). We'll have more information on this later as some of the procedure is still to be finalized. What I want to emphasize here is this optional enroute fueling stop is only intended for the short-ranged aircraft, and does not replace the mandatory fuel stop at the lunch point. We can't, due to airport size, fueling capability available, and rally officials being present, have the opportunity to offer everyone this extra fuel stop. Those of you who asked for this extra fuel stop, and you know who you are, please look at these planned stage lengths and tell me if this is adequate or you think more are necessary. I essentially have a breakoff of 300 +/- miles to be the point at which we think about optional fuel.

10. Win an ultimate AirVenture experience: details and sign-up here.

11. Impound is being planned for 1000 - 1600 on Wednesday, July 23 at Hayward. We anticipate arrival and parking procedures as used in the past; these will be provided to all entrants in advance of impound day.

12. Again, please help us publicize the event. Now that spring is here, out West anyway, we are hopeful that many potential entrants are now starting to think about their summer and vacation plans.

13. Not able to fly with us this year? We're happy to accept your donations, any size large or small, in support of our Young Eagles scholarship program.

Until the next update,

Chris Verbil
Chair, Hayward Air Rally Committee
www.hwdairrally.org

Twitter: @hwdairrally
Facebook: Hayward Air Rally

The 50th anniversary Hayward Air Rally is going to Oshkosh in 2014!

February 1, 2014

This is another in a continuing set of update messages for the 50th annual Hayward Air Rally, to be held this July.

1. The Air Rally Committee has set this year's entry fee as $300 per crew of pilot and copilot. This is a reduction from $350 from last year. There are lots of 'extras' included with this year's Air Rally entry, to include breakfasts at each of our three overnight enroute stops, and our traditional Hospitality Suite also at each enroute stop. Extra passengers have a fee of $125; this is an increase from $100 but again, we are including much more with each entry this year. I recognize the extra fee for pax may give some families pause;

2. All pilots are encouraged to read AirVenture 2013 NOTAM now. The 2014 is published in May, however reading the existing document will get you ahead in the learning curve, if you haven't flown into AirVenture before. The 2013 NOTAM is here. The Air Rally is in discussions with EAA Operations and the current thinking is the Rally will use the 'Fisk' arrival procedure into OSH, after staging a Rally-like departure out of MSN on Sunday, July 27.

3. Advance camping reservations now open for Camp Scholler at OSH, use this link. If you are camping with your plane, no advance reservations are necessary.

4. Our Hayward hotel is set for your arrival night at Hayward, July 23. The La Quinta Inn, adjacent to the airport, has blocked rooms for the Hayward Air Rally at a rate of $99 plus tax for Wednesday, July 23, single or double occupancy. There is an additional $5 charge for each person in a room, over two. Please contact the hotel directly at (510) 732-6300 and mention 'Hayward Air Rally' to receive the contracted rate. A credit card number is required to hold your reservation. Deadline to make reservations at the La Quinta is July 9.

Continental breakfast and free WiFi are included in the rate. Additional hotel amenities and information on this La Quinta location can be seen here.

We anticipate having Committee-provided transportation to shuttle crews to and from the La Quinta, however, it is within a reasonable walking distance to the Air Rally ramp and briefing area.

5. Apparently there hasn't been a stampede to make reservations at the hotels for Wendover, Rapid City, and Madison. Only one person has made a reservation for the Crowne Plaza at Madison. Please consider making your hotel reservations now so our contracted hotels don't start getting anxious.

6. We are finalizing the annual edits of the paper entry form, and expect to have that posted online shortly. We'll notify everyone when the document is posted online, and we're ready to accept your full application.

7. Earlier this week, we received confirmation from EAA that the Hayward Air Rally Committee is the largest single provider of YE Academy scholarships! We are sending seven outstanding teenagers to the Academy this summer, and we hope to have our scholarship winners meet us at their respective airports as we fly the rally course. A portion of your entry fee is tax deductible as it directly supports the cost of this scholarship program. The exact amount that is allocated as a charitable deduction will be reported to you after the Rally is completed and our accounting is complete.

8. Necessary charts for 2014 are listed below. We will allow the use of electronic chart display devices for the Rally, however if you are entered as Traditional Class you must disable any GPS functions if such capability exists in the device. This restriction does not apply to those entered as Digital Class. In keeping with the history of the Air Rally, we encourage you to carry paper charts on the Rally.

SAN FRANCISCO SECTIONAL CHART 92nd edition, March 6, 2014
KLAMATH FALLS SECTIONAL CHART 90ed, April 3, 2014
LAS VEGAS SECTIONAL CHART 91ed, March 6, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY SECTIONAL CHART 91ed, April 3, 2014
CHEYENNE SECTIONAL CHART 90ed, **July 24**, 2014
OMAHA SECTIONAL CHART 89ed, February 6, 2014
TWIN CITIES SECTIONAL CHART 88ed, June 26, 2014
CHICAGO SECTIONAL CHART 88ed, May 1, 2014
GREEN BAY SECTIONAL CHART 88ed, May 29, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO VFR TERMINAL AREA 84ed, March 6, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY VFR TERMINAL AREA 50ed, April 3, 2014
MINNESOTA / ST. PAUL VFR TERMINAL AREA 82ed, June 26, 2014

World Aeronautical Charts may be used in lieu of Sectionals:
WAC CHART CG-18 44ed, June 26, 2014
WAC CHART CF-16 43ed, Jan 9, 2014
WAC CHART CF-17 44ed, **July 24**, 2014
WAC CHART CF-18 43ed, October 17, 2013

9. We have 22 entries confirmed via deposits so far. This year isn't a typical Rally, so our numbers are what they are at the end of January. I am still hopeful we will fill the entry field to 50 airplanes. Talk the event up with your flying friends. Direct any with questions towards my email address (info@).

Until the next update,

Chris

January 6, 2014

1. Oshkosh area hotel is set! OK, ok, so it's in Appleton. But do we have a deal for you, at only $180 a night. A bargain by AirVenture week standards. The group hotel is the Ramada Inn in Appleton. We have 50 rooms blocked from Sunday, July 27 through departure the following Sunday, August 3 . A three-night minimum stay is required. You may pick any three days or more out of that week-long block; if you will stay in the hotel after the rally arrival at OSH on Sunday, and stay through Tuesday night so you can attend the awards dinner .. you're covered. If you want to stay longer, no problem. If by some chance you want to camp a few days at OSH upon arrival, and then move to the hotel later in the week, that isn't a problem either as long as you take a three-night minimum stay from the block; for instance Wednesday night through Friday night.

Rooms are one or two queen beds, and this rate is valid for single through quad occupancy. The Ramada has complimentary in-room wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, with complimentary fax, copier, printer, scanner, phone line, computer in an on-site Business Center. Room rate includes a complimentary expanded hot breakfast buffet .. your guess is as good as mine as to what 'expanded' means. Hotel has plenty of free parking, and is within walking distance to many dining options, as well as walking distance to EAA shuttle bus pickup.

Call the hotel directly to arrange your room reservations, and provide a credit card number for the deposit.

Ramada
1565 Federated Drive
Appleton, WI 54913
Phone: 920.560.3000
www.ramadaappleton.com

2. There is ample shuttle service between Appleton and AirVenture, although it is a pay-for service provided by a charter bus company. If you are considering renting a car, Hertz brings in literally hundreds of cars for EAA week and rentals can be picked up at the Orion FBO terminal on the north side of the field. There are on-field free AirVenture shuttle busses that will get you from our rally parking spaces, to the 'North 40' and beyond, which includes the FBO terminals. Check Hertz for Oshkosh 'Local Edition' rentals, but be advised: it's a seller's market during AirVenture, and the rates you pay may be higher than 'normal'. You might consider partnering up with another rally crew to share car expenses. There may be other rental car companies operating in the area during AirVenture: you could check Enterprise for instance, and see what they have available during that crush week. You'll likely need to call the local office at Hertz or whatever rental company you choose to determine what rental specifics there are for that week.

3. The Oshkosh Convention and Visitor's Bureau has opened up their link to private houses/rooms for rent during EAA week. Check it out here and make reservations on your own. A house can look expensive at first, but again, if you partner up with another crew, the costs become reasonable. You might also want to check out Craigslist for local rentals, but I've noticed that doesn't usually have much to offer until closer to AirVenture time. Keep in mind there are some legal protections offered through listings on the Oshkosh CVB, but you're on your on if dealing with Craigslist.

4. If you plan on camping **with your airplane**, no advance reservations are necessary. If you plan on camping in Camp Scholler, or elsewhere, with rental arrangements, you'll need to make those separately. Did you know? Many of the AirVenture vendors and exhibitors stay on field in rental RVs, which are placed on site by a private firm. Some of these are quite nice, and a lot of money .. but all of these are expensive, in most cases $1000 or more for the week. One such operator is EventRV, although there are others you can find with an web search.

5. The AirVenture lodging information page is continuously updated and lists all the typical housing options.

I'll continue to paste the previous rally updates to each message, so everyone has the latest information from us.

Current weather at each enroute stop...looks like it is summer time at several stops after the cold of this weekend:

Hayward 57F, cloudy
Silver Springs 35F, clear
Wendover 23F, clear
Lander -1F, clear, wind chill -10F
Rapid City 5F, overcast
Montevideo -13F, clear
Madison -14F, clear, wind chill -38F
Oshkosh -15F, wind chill -39F

So who is out doing 'practice runs' right now? :-)

Chris

December 1, 2013

Yes, I skipped November 1.

1. Hotels:

Wendover is set. As discussed previously, our host hotel is the Montego Bay Hotel-Casino with a room rate of $59. They will accept your reservations now. The night of stay there is July 24.

Rapid City hotel is selected and the contract is complete. Our host hotel there is the Best Western Ramkota Inn; the room rate is $115, and the hotel will accept your reservations now. The night of stay is July 25. Call the hotel direct at (605) 343-8550 and ask for the Hayward Air Rally rate to make your reservations.

We have selected a Madison, WI hotel for our stay but do not have a proposed contract yet from that property. When the contract is signed, we'll announce the hotel and how to make reservations.

For those that prefer a hotel for the Oshkosh stay, we have selected a hotel but it is in Appleton, about 20 miles north of Oshkosh. Transportation between Appleton and AirVenture is relatively easy, and many people stay in the hotels in Appleton because the rates there are cheaper than in Oshkosh proper. We did have a proposed contract from an Oshkosh hotel, but we felt at $275 per night it was not reasonable. So as mentioned in the October 1 update, the Appleton hotel is the Ramada Inn and the nightly rate is $180. Believe it or not, we're still negotiating the cancellation clause with the Ramada as we want to get the most pilot-friendly cancellation policy possible. We hope to have this nailed down in the next few days, so hold off making your Appleton reservations for now .. yes, I know I said that last time. For the Appleton stay, we have blocked 50 rooms for the period Sunday July 27 - Saturday August 3, although we know that not everyone will stay the entire week, not will we likely sell all 50 rooms. We will be adjusting the contract room block next year when we get closer to the event, so as soon as I say 'go' and make the Ramada reservations, please do so.

We anticipate having our usual Hospitality Suite with food and adult beverages for Wendover, Rapid City, and Madison. We are not planning that for Appleton since not everyone will be staying at the hotel.

2. Camping

Planning on camping with your airplane at Oshkosh? Time to start planning soon. There is much information about on-field camping at the AirVenture website (airventure.org). Also, the December issue of EAA Sport Aviation has an article about 'Oshkosh Camping Fun'. Due to copyright restrictions, I can't send that to the list .. so if you are not a member, go hunt down someone who is, and look at their issue. Of course, you can always join EAA and get the magazine yourself. :-)

3. Route

We are still planning our previously announced routing of Hayward - Silver Springs, NV - Wendover, UT - Lander, WY - Rapid City, SD - Montevideo, MN - Madison, WI and onto Oshkosh. We are aware that some of these proposed daily routings will be longer than our typically used 250-nm distance between fuel stops. As such, we are contemplating changes to the Air Rally daily procedures and the scoring, in order to allow those airplanes with shorter range to be able to safely compete. As these rules will be morphing over time until approval by the event committee, all I can say now is 'please stay tuned'.

4. Daily Operations

Typically the Rally has launched aircraft starting at 0900 in the morning. We have some extra considerations for the 2014 route, as the higher terrain and the summer thunderstorm activity come into play the later we fly in the day. We are planning earlier launch times for 2014, particularly with respect to Wendover and Rapid City. We may start aircraft departures as early as 0700; again, this is being discussed right now but no firm decisions have yet been made other than a general agreement we WILL launch earlier than normal. With early departures, I could forsee crews needing to be up as early as 0500 at the hotel, if they wanted to have a chance for breakfast. Wendover, being a casino-hotel, does have 24-hour dining choices but the other stops do not. So we are planning to hold the morning weather and route briefing in each hotel's large meeting room, and the breakfast will be provided by the Air Rally through hotel catering. Breakfast and a group route briefing together, then off we all go to the airport to start the early departures. We anticipate the group breakfast briefing at Wendover, Rapid City, and Madison, but not at Hayward.

That's all I have right now. More information as it becomes available.

Chris

October 1, 2013

Rally entrants and friends,

This is the first of a regular series of updates for the 2014 Hayward Air Rally to Oshkosh. Planned updates will be on the first of every month.

1. Wendover NV hotel block at the Montego Bay Hotel-Casino is arranged. You may make your reservations now for the first overnight stop on the Rally, Thursday July 24. See instructions here. We will have our typical Hospitality Suite at the hotel for that evening, but slimmed down from our usual two-day stock of food and beverages. We'll have ample adult (and not) beverages and light munchies, figuring that most crews will want to get a dinner elsewhere that evening.

2. No hotel has been selected yet for Rapid City, SD (July 25) or Madison, WI (July 26). We are working those cities right now.

3. The hotel bids we received for Oshkosh (city proper) are in our opinion, ridiculously expensive and not rally-friendly with respect to cancellation policies. Oshkosh is very expensive during EAA, we understand that, but I am not willing to sign us up for hotels, or more correctly glorified motels, at $250 and up per night. We are in discussions with a hotel in Appleton, which is 22 miles north of OSH on US-41 .. a very easy drive and there is plenty of commercial shuttle service if you don't rent a car. While the contract is not final yet, as we still need to finalize the deposit and cancellation policy, I am comfortable enough to let everyone know that the Appleton hotel is the Ramada Inn. The room rate will be $180.00 plus tax, per room, per night for single - quad. Amenities include complimentary breakfast, a swimming pool and whirlpool open until midnight, high speed Internet service, microwaves and refrigerators in all guest rooms, a 24-hour business center, fitness center and convenience store. If you participate in Wyndham's frequent stay program and/or want airline frequent flyer points, those will be available with your stay. DO NOT CONTACT the hotel .. yet. As soon as the particulars are resolved and agreed with the hotel, we will publish that information to everyone.

4. Additional lodging options for Oshkosh are explained on the 2014 lodging information page on the website. Start now to think about what your plans are for housing: hotel, college dorms, private homes, on-field camping. Do not wait to decide. The veterans of Oshkosh know the issue of planning in advance. If you have never been to AirVenture before, please start your lodging planning now. Those that wait until the last minute have few options, or more specifically, few inexpensive options other than camping with your plane.

5. If you are planning the 'camping thing', we need to know. It helps in our discussion with EAA about where the Rally group of planes is parked.

6. Initial route plans for the three days include no terrain higher than 9000', and the longest leg length of 320 nm. Yes, that is a stretch over what we have done in the past. Those of you with lower-performance airplanes can contact with me about your concerns now, so if there are issues I haven't considered in route planning, we can look at it again. The long(er) legs are once we are east of the Rockies, so if nothing else the flight segment is all downhill or over reasonably flat terrain in the midwest.

7. For rental cars at Oshkosh, there is a Hertz office that brings in about a bazillion cars at the airport for AirVenture. It isn't exactly cheap, and Hertz never is anyway, but not unreasonable if you share the costs with others. The rental car inventory is not yet available online at hertz.com, but you could call the local Hertz office and inquire of their plans for reservations:
Hertz Local Edition
525 West 20th Avenue
Oshkosh, WI
Phone: 920-237-1317

8. Please help us with our publicity push by distributing the rally flyer to your local airports, FBO, flying clubs, etc. If you need a quantity printed up for you, let me know and I can mail them out to you.

That's it for now. If you have not already signed up for 2014, please consider doing so now by submitting your refundable $50 entry deposit. Information is here, and the payment can be sent through PayPal or US Mail.

Looking forward to seeing all 50 airplanes and crews at impound on Wednesday, July 23. Better yet, I am looking forward to seeing all 51 airplanes parked together at AirVenture. Don't forget, Race 1 will be there, too. :-)

Chris Verbil
Chair, Hayward Air Rally Committee
www.hwdairrally.org