Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This may have been the most challenging #AirVenture arrival ever for most of the pilots that flew in for the opening weekend. Wildfire smoke was a major issue causing wide spread IMC conditions across the region; we’re debriefing how it played out.
It was a challenging time to get the ultra VFR Chipmunks all the way to the event.
To learn more about visiting or supporting the Canadian Aviation Museum:
canadianaviationmuseum.ca
Huge thanks to the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) for hosting us.
Learn more here:
iac.org
PlaneWX is a new supporter of FlightChops and it was a particularly helpful tool while we figured out which weather window to fly the Chipmunks to get them from the Museum (in Windsor near Detroit) to Oshkosh.
planewx.ai
Thanks to AOPA for sharing interview footage they shot with Lisa and Katie
aopa.org
Thanks to Scott from Canard Boulevard for sharing footage from his 2026 Fisk arrival episode that is definitely worth watching:
youtu.be/4rJEtpQ0r6A?si=gM9NpK2D3FiRvobT
My friend Blake wrote a great Blog Post related to this topic:
"Smoked Out: When Wildfire Haze Turns VMC into IMC"
fly.blakecrosby.com/2025/06/smoked-out-when-wildfire-haze-turns-vmc-into-imc.html
I appreciate Bose Aviation being a Flight Chops supporter for over 10 years!
boseaviation.com/experiences/first-solos-steve-thorne
Shout out to SiriusXM Aviation
Having access to weather data while flying is a game changer!
siriusxm.com/aviation
Canadian link:
siriusxm.ca/aviation
And thanks to my KOSH ATC buddy Christiaan for the solid briefing to set us up for success to fly the warbird arrival - you'll hear more from him in a future episode that expands on this trip, meantime he has a channel too:
youtube.com/@ATC-Flyer
#Flying episodes like this wouldn't be sustainable without the involvement of Patrons.
I want to thank all of you for your ongoing support!
To become a part of the Flight Chops core community
and gain access to exclusive raw cuts, behind the scenes videos, and more, visit:
patreon.com/join/FlightChops
Follow FlightChops on Instagram:
instagram.com/flightchops
Follow FlightChops on Facebook:
facebook.com/flightchops
FlightChops Sponsors & Supporters:
flightchops.com/supporters
FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 20 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.
This may have been the most challenging #AirVenture arrival ever for most of the pilots that flew in for the opening weekend. Wildfire smoke was a major issue causing wide spread IMC conditions across the region; we’re debriefing how it played out.
It was a challenging time to get the ultra VFR Chipmunks all the way to the event.
To learn more about visiting or supporting the Canadian Aviation Museum:
canadianaviationmuseum.ca
Huge thanks to the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) for hosting us.
Learn more here:
iac.org
PlaneWX is a new supporter of FlightChops and it was a particularly helpful tool while we figured out which weather window to fly the Chipmunks to get them from the Museum (in Windsor near Detroit) to Oshkosh.
planewx.ai
Thanks to AOPA for sharing interview footage they shot with Lisa and Katie
aopa.org
Thanks to Scott from Canard Boulevard for sharing footage from his 2026 Fisk arrival episode that is definitely worth watching:
youtu.be/4rJEtpQ0r6A?si=gM9NpK2D3FiRvobT
My friend Blake wrote a great Blog Post related to this topic:
"Smoked Out: When Wildfire Haze Turns VMC into IMC"
fly.blakecrosby.com/2025/06/smoked-out-when-wildfire-haze-turns-vmc-into-imc.html
I appreciate Bose Aviation being a Flight Chops supporter for over 10 years!
boseaviation.com/experiences/first-solos-steve-thorne
Shout out to SiriusXM Aviation
Having access to weather data while flying is a game changer!
siriusxm.com/aviation
Canadian link:
siriusxm.ca/aviation
And thanks to my KOSH ATC buddy Christiaan for the solid briefing to set us up for success to fly the warbird arrival - you'll hear more from him in a future episode that expands on this trip, meantime he has a channel too:
youtube.com/@ATC-Flyer
#Flying episodes like this wouldn't be sustainable without the involvement of Patrons.
I want to thank all of you for your ongoing support!
To become a part of the Flight Chops core community
and gain access to exclusive raw cuts, behind the scenes videos, and more, visit:
patreon.com/join/FlightChops
Follow FlightChops on Instagram:
instagram.com/flightchops
Follow FlightChops on Facebook:
facebook.com/flightchops
FlightChops Sponsors & Supporters:
flightchops.com/supporters
FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 20 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.
