Mooney Caravan XV to Takeoff Saturday, July 21^rd, 2012

This section to be rewritten to reflect the change to all formation flying.

please ignore the below text until it is updated.

We would normally say that the '14th Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh will be a repeat of the successful 2010 Caravan', however last year's washout (heavy rain at OSH flooding the North 40 resulting in the cancellation of all mass arrivals) is not something we wish to repeat. What 2010 did show is that safety is our main concern and when dealt with uncooperative forces of nature, we will make our decisions based on safety and prudence. While a number of people went on to Oshkosh by car, alternate airport or just waiting until conditions improved, the official caravan did not take place last year.

The 14th Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh will be a repeat of the successful 2009 (not 2010!) Caravan. Departure from Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) will be Saturday July 23rd this year. Once again, the emphasis will be on safety and comradery. As in 2009, the Caravan will be comprised of eight groups of six aircraft for a maximum of 48 aircraft.

Our 2008 Mooney Lead, Bill Rabek felt that “The most important thing is that we have a safe flight, regardless of how many planes participate. We are keeping the level of participation the same as for 2008 so that we can focus on safety and successful flight performance.” Pilots participating in the flight must have successfully flown in a previous Caravan or have relevant prior experience and proficiency to hold station.

The mandatory pilot briefings will include information on weather, routing and the flight profiles. Each pilot/crew will be required to undergo a ‘situational awareness’ briefing on the ground and view another aircraft spaced at the appropriate distance for the Caravan flight. “We’ll place an aircraft on the ramp at the appropriate distance and ask everyone to sit and look, to get a good ‘sight picture’ of what they will see during the Caravan while flying the route” offered Rabek. “This way they’ll have the opportunity to understand when they are too close or too far away.”

Caravan participation will be limited to 48 aircraft. However, additional registrants may sign up since there is traditionally significant attrition in the rolls between May and July. The order in which individuals sign up does not guarantee inclusion. Individual participation is at the discretion of the Flight Leader. Caravan volunteers who are working to make all this happen will have first priority for participation in the Caravan. (Here is another great reason to volunteer for one of the work groups!) Final selection will be based on a review of flight experience, prior Caravan participation, total and recent hours flown, and certificates/ratings. If you have not paid your registration fee, consider yourself a “standby” only. The registration fee MUST be received no later than June 10 to ensure participation. As of June 10, paid registrants not contacted by the Caravan Flight Leader may consider themselves accepted into the Caravan and all unpaid registrants will be moved to the bottom of the list.

The Flight Leader may ask for additional information about your flying experience. We may request a sign-off from a CFI as to a pilots' proficiency in basic station-keeping, traffic pattern work, spot landings or similar situations. Anyone not accepted into the Mooney Caravan will have all fees refunded. Co-pilots are strongly recommended and their participation in the flight briefings is requested.

Any cancellations after July 9 will not have their registration fee refunded. Reservations cancelled before July 9 will receive a refund; however to cover some fixed costs, $85.00 of the registration fee is non refundable regardless of when the reservation was made or cancelled.

SAFETY and FLIGHT PERFORMANCE are overall goals of the flight. In the event that extra aircraft should arrive at Madison, the overflow will fly the FAA’s AirVenture Fisk arrival procedure with an arrival time coinciding with the arrival of the Caravan.  It is important that you review the flight procedure and other information at the official EAA AirVenture web site, www.AirVenture.org. Should you break out of the caravan during flight, you will be following the standard AirVenture arrival procedures into Oshkosh .

This should cause all Mooney aircraft to be parked in close proximity.

Departure Point: Madison Dane County Regional Airport (MSN). The distance from Oshkosh is 62 nautical miles

Date: Saturday, July 23, 2011. The Caravan departure from Madison is scheduled for 3:30pm. (See the detailed schedule below)

Friday Accommodations in Madison: We have arranged for a group rate at the Crowne Plaza, Madison hotel across from the East Towne Mall and about 3 miles from the airport. The Mooney Caravan price for either a single or double room is $92.00 per night. The hotel amenities include: Pool, Fitness centre, Free Shuttle, T1 internet access, free HBO, Bar on site in the hotel lobby (Good Wisconsin beer and bar cheese!), and Restaurant on site. The hotel is close to at least 5 eateries. Caravan participants will need to book their own room by calling: 1 877-227-6963 or 608-244-4700 and reserve under the rate quoted for the MOONEY CARAVAN. 30 rooms have been reserved for us. First come first served. The reservations must be made by June 21,2011 to get the special rate.

Madison Transportation: The Caravan may provide a van for transport between the airport and the hotel from noon Friday until noon Saturday. At other times, the hotel provides free round trip transportation.

Groupings: The Caravan will be configured as eight groups of six aircraft, with a maximum participation of 48 aircraft. See the procedures for details.

Formation Flying: Bravo and Charlie groups will be the formation groups adjusted for size as required. Each group will be a maximum of 6 planes flying in 2 ship elements so as to meet all of the requirements of our FAA LOA. The formation program is being run by Larry Brennan and will require additional practice and training. All participants in groups Bravo and Charlie mus be pre-approved by Larry Brennan.

Fee: The $85.00 registration fee covers Caravan participation. This is the same as 2010 and a bit higher than 2009 for two reasons. We no longer have a member located at MSN and the Mooney Caravan board has decided to carry liability insurance.

Unlike in previous years, the registration fee does not come with a BBQ ticket and thus all BBQ tickets must be ordered separately. Box lunches at Madison are available at an extra charge and like BBQ tickets, can be reserved at the registration page.  Payment for the Caravan as well as BBQ tickets and MSN lunches are now handled over the web. It is requested that you pay when you register. You will also be able to pay later via a link that is sent with your confirmation email.

The fee MUST be received no later than June 10 to ensure participation. Any cancellations after July 9 will not have their registration fee refunded.

To cover some caravan fixed costs, $85.00 of the registration fee is non-refundable regardless of when the reservation was made or cancelled.

To Join: Pilots wanting to participate must register by visiting the registration page. Click on the REGISTER button to the top of the page.

Waiver and Proof of Insurance: Pilots will be required to sign a waiver upon check-in and will have to show proof of a valid liability policy on their aircraft (copy acceptable).

Pilot Requirements: All pilots will be expected to have the following minimum experience:

• 500 Hours Total Flight Time
• Instrument rating, Commercial or CFI certificates are not required, however advanced training is a plus
• 50 hours Mooney time
• Minimum 25 hours last 6 months, some should be practice for the Caravan

Group Leaders: One of the special pleasures of the Caravan is being a leader of a six-plane group. If you would like to volunteer to be one of the seven group leaders, please check the appropriate box in the Caravan Registration form. Group leaders are selected from volunteers with the most experience and who best meet the following criteria: 1) Copilot on board (especially those with pilot ratings), 2) functioning autopilot preferably with altitude hold, 3) GPS installed, 4) prior Mooney Caravan experience, 5) Caravan volunteer. Group leaders must attend a special briefing at 12:00 noon CDT on Saturday and will later conduct a plane side group briefing prior to departure.

Lunches at Madison: $8.00  each. Please add this amount to your registration fee for every extra person in your party desiring a bag lunch at Madison on Saturday, July 23rd.  Please include a note indicating what you are paying for: Caravan, BBQ, lunches....

T-shirts, apparel: Available separately from James Oliphant (caravanorders-at-sbcglobal.net) Visit the Caravan catalog. Click on the CATALOG Button in the header.

Sunday, July 24^th Barbecue: Limited Availability. BBQ tickets are not included as part of Caravan registration. Tickets can be ordered at the registration or registration update pages for a cost of $25.00  each.

Prepaid BBQ tickets can be picked up at Madison check in or at the BBQ.

Schedule:

Caravan History

In the spring of 1998, a small group of loyal Mooney owners decided to fly together into Oshkosh and started what we now know as Mooney Caravan. They flew together and camped together. Over the years the Mooney Caravan has grown in size and stature, reaching as high as 97 planes in 2000 and receiving evermore-widespread news coverage. In 2002 the Caravan temporarily relocated its departure point to Watertown, WI due to construction at MSN. Weather and other factors created delays and almost caused the cancellation of the flight, but 80 aircraft departed Watertown and arrived safely at OSH. For all other years the Caravan has departed from Madison Wisconsin (MSN).  For more information, click the "Past Caravans" button in the header.

Volunteers

Please help! This event is carried by the strength of those who volunteer their time and efforts to make it successful.

Please note the following working groups and where you would like to help. Contact these folks directly or write to one of us at the following emails to volunteer for a working group.

• Mooney Caravan President: Chris Shopperly,Chris_at_southridgepetro.com
  
  
• Secretary/FAA Liaison: Dave Piehler,davep_at_aviating.com
  
  
• Mooney Lead: Rob Higgins,higgins_rob_at_me.com
  
  
• Website, Registration and Finance: Scott Cutler,cutler_at_alum.mit.edu
  
  
• MSN FBO: Darwin Puls, d-ddpuls_at_mindspring.com
  
  
• PR/MSN Local Arrangements: TBD, TBD
  
  
• Barbecue: Bret Lowell, BretILowell_at_raytheon.com
  
  
• Apparel: James Oliphant, caravanorders_at_sbcglobal.net
  
  
• Flight Leader Emeritus: Bill Rabek, wrabek_at_bellsouth.net
  
  
• Formation Advisor: Larry Brennan, lawrence.p.brennan_at_gmail.com
  
  

Plan to Join Us!

We'll keep you posted of Caravan developments.

[Updated May 10, 2011]