Oshkosh warmup party

What started as a small local gathering has grown the past few years into an event for both pilots and Madison-area locals alike. Capital Flight, a flight school and aircraft dealer at Morey Field, hosts the open house-style event, which also includes live music, food and drinks, and an aerobatic performance from Cirrus owner and airshow star Michael Goulian.

Morey Field has a paved runway and a turf runway, both in excellent condition. If you have never done a true soft-field landing, the well-maintained, wide Runway 1/19 is a great place for a first-timer.

Admission is free, and Morey Field offers overnight parking on the pavement and camping on the grass. If hotels are more your speed, you will need some luck to find a room still available this close to the big show, but it never hurts to check—or make a plan for next year.

Learn more about the event on the Capital Flight website. The airport was featured in the AOPA Air Safety Institute video Beyond Proficient: STOL Goal, which will not only sharpen your skills, but also will provide a look at the area.