Photo by Dennis Biela The Mountain Range - Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) with his son James II and grandson James III. All carry the same middle name “Mountain” which the senator proudly calls the “Mountain Range” for its spanning all generations.

August 1, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin - After Sen. James Mountain Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) finished up business on the Senate floor on Thursday at about 7 p.m., he became a man on a mission - get to Reagan National Airport, catch a flight west, and drive up to Oshkosh, where he hasn’t missed an EAA convention in more than three decades.

Already here were his sons, James II and Perry, both pilots, plus grandsons James III, Glade—who just started flight training—and Cole, who had taken up residence “right where we’ve always been” near the warbirds.

“This is the 31st consecutive year I’ve been here, and we’ve always camped,” Inhofe said.

Since the senator, his son, and grandson share the same name, he’s named them “The Mountain Range.”

Also on the field is Inhofe’s pride and joy—an RV-8 (N4546Y) built by his sons and their friends.

“The engine has helicopter pistons, tip tanks to handle the required extra fuel, and a full panel.” he said. “I’ve owned many different aircraft, but this is the one I love to fly the most.”

Inhofe is the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, including the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He also serves on the Armed Services Committee.

He plans to appear at the announcers’ stand this morning at 10 a.m. to bring AirVenture up to date on “every legislative aviation issue imaginable” including the Large Aircraft Security Program, security issues, FAA funding, and others.