For anyone heading to Oshkosh, I am providing this list of items I packed in the plane for camping there.
Flight Bag
Tent – I opted for a strong wind and rain tent from REI – the storms that come through Oshkosh are not to be underestimated.
Air Mattress and Pillow – Made the tent camping comfortable
Waterproof Blanket – Costco was selling these blankets which I opted to bring instead of a sleeping bag
Folding Chair – Got this lightweight chair from Costco and kept it in my backpack while out away from the tent. Came in handy while watching the airshow.
Soft-sided Cooler – This came in handy for the flights and to keep water and drinks cool while camping.
First-Aid Kit
Zizzo Liberte Folding Bike – We all got good use out of this 23 pound bike because of the distance we were from some of the main amenities. Since you don’t know where you’ll be parked, it is a good idea to think about this if you can swing it with weight and space.
Eco Flow River Pro with Extra Battery – I used this to keep my phone, watch and laptop powered up during the camping stay.
Thermacell Mosquito Repellent – I didn’t end up using this at all, but I would bring it again.
Solar Panel Briefcase – I used this to charge up the Eco Flow Batteries when needed. I just spread the panels out on my wing when I needed to charge.
Collapsible Water Jug – Since it was quite a haul to the water stations, I used the bike to fill up this water jug and I had water at the campsite for the whole time.
Tie-down Spikes, Ropes and Hammer – I mentioned this in previous posts. It is a requirement and you want good spikes to handle possibly loose and wet soil. Also, I brought a hammer without a claw, so I had to borrow John’s to remove the tiedown spikes.
Microfiber Towel – Used this for showering.
Toiletries
Crocs – I used these for showering.
GoPros/Cables/Mounts – I didn’t actually end up using these because I was just wanting to see everything and not be looking at it through a screen. If I go again some time I might use them.
Bug Spray – I didn’t find much use for it this time, but you never know.
Umbrella – Came in very handy while watching the air shows in the hot sun.
Ear Buds – Used for listening to music in my tent before going to sleep.
Clothes
Large Brim Hat – Used every day for keeping my face out of the sun.
Backpack – When walking the show grounds, there are all sorts of vendors and brochures I wanted. Makes it nice to be able to stay out all day without making trips back to the tent. Also kept my water somewhat cool.
Camelback Bladder – I filled this up and put it in my backback. It carries more than a water bottle and took up less space in my backpack
Extra Oil – It’s a long trip so I kept 4 extra quarts in case we landed at airports that didn’t have oil or if the FBO was closed.
Cockpit Cover – The cover weighs a bit and takes up a bit of space, but it was useful to keep the cockpit dry and cool through storms and the hot sun.
Flashlight and Headlamp – Both of these came in handy for being able to see at night or riding the bike.
Luci Solar Lantern – Charges during the day, and kept the tent lit up at night.
Plastic Ozark Trail Folding Table – This small table was very useful to use while sitting in the chair.
Rain Poncho – While I put this on during one of the storms, I only wore it in case my tent had a catastrophic failure – which it didn’t.
Paracord – I brought this to tie down my solar panels on the wing, and for any other thing that it might have been used for. Didn’t use it, but I would bring it again.
Blue Shop Towels
Small Micro-Fiber Rags
So all in all, I felt like I didn’t take too many things that I didn’t need. I had surplus weight capacity and possibly enough space for a medium sized hard cooler that I could have used at camp. I might try that next time. We ended up buying a cheap pop-up tent at Walmart there so that we could all stay out of the sun as a group, but I also used my umbrella when by myself. I wasn’t able to bring that size and weight of an item in my plane, so John brought it back.