President`s Message - EAA Chapter 471 Website

September 2014
www.eaa471.org
President’s Message
Steve Krazer
Hey Y’all!
Welp…. The L.O.E. Fly-In is now less than a month way. Please keep in mind that if you want
to participate, you’ll need to register. A copy of the registration form is included with this
newsletter.
We will need “All-Hands-On-Deck” volunteers for the following posts during the Fly-In:
• Set up
• Registration Table
• Shuttle Bus Hosts
• Breakfast Cooks, Hosts & Clean-Up (Yes! We are moving our chapter Breakfast to
Saturday October 4th and host the L.O.E. participants!)
• Hangar 3 Hosts
• Banquet Hosts
• Post Fly-In Clean-up Crew
Please email me and let me know where you would like to help…
[email protected]
A lot of you have asked how many planes and folks we can expert. The truth is, we have no
earthly idea. Estimates are from 40 to 100 airplanes have shown up in the past. As always,
weather will be a big factor as to how many actually show up. Nevertheless…. We need to be
prepared for the most and show them what West Texas Hospitality is all about. Steve
(Here is a link to the LOE registration form. In addition, a pdf & MSWord file will be emailed
separately.)
Editor’s Note
There has been much work done towards the preparation of the coming fly-in. Many members
have shown-up on workdays to lend a hand; many have gone to the hangar on their own, on
random days just to do needed work. Those of you that haven’t been by Hangar 3 lately might
want to come “have a look”. I think you’ll be impressed.
Regardless of the fly-in, we are finally going to have a heated & air-conditioned meeting /
dining room, a pantry for storage and bathrooms that finally look finished. There’s still much to
do and, as Steve mentioned above, we desperately need all hands on deck before, during and
after the fly-in. Sam
2 Wackos in a WACO
A trip report of N13572 from KABI to KFBL
By Robert Kibbe
(Editor’s Note: As most of you know, the Waco bi-plane that has been in Hangar 3 for the past several
years was owned by Chapter member David Stark. David had decided to sell the plane and have Gary
Potter & Robert Kibbe make the delivery flight. The following was provided by Robert.)
After several test flights the decision was made to launch at daylight Wednesday, August27, 2014 on
this journey. The WACO UIC cabin biplane was returning to an old home with the Redman’s of RARE
Aircraft in Faribault, Minnesota (KFBL). Gary Potter and Robert Kibbe, both members of EAA Chapter
471, were to assist her in the journey.
Engine warm-up and run-up complete, we asked the KABI tower for taxi instructions. After explaining
that this aircraft was a 1933 year model airplane, not an experimental, flight following was established
for KHSD (Sundance, OKC). Getting settled in cruise flight at 5500ft MSL, we watched the sun rise like
a red rubber ball out our right side. The various controllers were unfamiliar with this type of aerial
machine and this led to extended conversations. At 90 to 95 knots groundspeed (GPS), we had plenty of
time to talk to them. After a detour around Ft. Sill restricted airspace (they didn’t want artillery rounds
falling on us), it was determined to stop in Chickasha, OK (KCHK)for fuel. We made this decision
based on the engine sputtering when it shifted from the right tank to the left.
Landed at KCHK and purchased fuel. Had to get the airport manager off the mowing tractor to take cash
as everyone now wants plastic money. Weather check and pit stops for the pilots and we were airborne
again. Enroute to Emporia, Kansas (KEMP), the weather was good and groundspeed increased to 100 to
105 knots. Had the same engine sputter on this leg (I was flying) and I told Gary I wouldn’t fly anymore
as this airplane didn’t like me.
Upon landing at KEMP we met an interesting older gentleman. He said, “I remember that airplane, it
came through here about 10 years ago headed to Abilene, Texas”, after fuel and a weather check, a
diversion to St Joseph, MO was planned. Thunderstorms were passing through our planned line of flight.
Cash was not a problem here.
At KSTJ we taxied past all the C-130’s (ANG unit) and bought fuel, again. Weather had cleared so off
to Des Moines (KDSM). Back to 90 knots groundspeed at 3500MSL. Again more conversations about
what type of aircraft we were with ATC.
Des Moines (KDSM) is a regional airport with jet traffic. While on final approach, a regional jet was
holding for us. The pilots of this jet had their faces glued to the windscreen watching us on final. As we
went by them I rolled the window down and waved at them. The look on their faces was priceless. Taxi
instructions were to the FBO nearest the tower(they wanted to look us over). After fuel ($7.93/gal) and
weather check, we called for taxi instructions. The instructions were to back taxi until we had enough
run-way, then turn around and take off.
Airborne to Faribault (KFBL) the tower mentioned that we should avoid the radio towers about 6 miles
north, 3000MSL on our line of flight. The remainder of the journey was IFR (I Follow Roads) with I-35
on our right wing.
Jeremy Redman greeted us at KFBL and we got to drool over the rare, antique aircraft at their facility.
Shuttle service to Minneapolis with overnight at Embassy Suites. A total of 9.4 hours flying time, with a
fuel burn of 18.5gph. (continued)
In conclusion, I decided that the old time aviators were plenty tough to fly these airplanes day in and day
out. I wouldn’t do this again ………… until next week. Robert
Above, David Stark with his Waco.
Below, Gary Potter (l) and Robert Kibbe a few days before their delivery flight.
~ Frequent Flyer~
Jeff Randall
(Editor’s Note: It’s amazing to me, the background that some of our members have and how they
became interested in aviation. A few weeks back, I took the photo of Jeff that appears at the end of this
article. I got to thinking that I really had not gotten to know him although he’d been a chapter member
for several years. And of course, I certainly admired his always-clean-and-polished C150. I asked Jeff
for a little information on his background and his interest in aviation:)Sam
I enlisted in the Air Force right out of High School in 1987. I was a dual rated tower and radar
approach controller in Ft Worth, Carswell AFB. I served 4 years there and got out in 1991 to pursue
FAA Air Traffic employment. I got my private pilot's license through paying for my own flight training
at 50F Bourland Field Airport in 1991, also working part time at the FBO as a front desk/lineman at
Bourland in 1992. The FAA didn't initially work out for me due to a nationwide FAA hiring freeze in
1992 so I had to resort to working at Office Depot. I told people "I went from clearing multi-million
dollar F16's for take-off to stocking .99 cent binders on a shelf". But I still took pride on putting in an
honest hard days’ work and was the best worker I could be. I struggled to stay current flying for the
next few years due to lack of funds. My break came in 1995 when Midwest ATC offered me a position
in the newly opened tower in Sugar Land Regional Airport SGR (Houston area). I was thrilled to be
back in the tower and working airplanes and my flying hour increased a bit more due to better wages. I
was at SGR for about 14 months before getting selected for Albany Southwest Georgia Regional Airport
ABY in the summer of 1996. I worked at ABY for 4 1/2 years, my flying hours again going up due to
even better wages with my new contract tower company RVA. While at ABY I started pursuing the
FAA more aggressively and though I couldn't get directly into an FAA Tower or Approach I applied for
Flight Service as plan B as they were hiring under a Veteran's preference program. I was selected for
Macon Georgia Automated Flight Service Station MCN in 2000 and spent 5 1/2 years there. Though
initially I enjoyed Flight Service my heart was in wanting to get back to the Tower. In 2005 Flight
Service was contracted to Lockheed Martin and a program was set up to allow ex-military and contract
tower controllers like myself to bid on a list of FAA facilities. I was selected for Abilene
Tower/TRACON the summer of 2005 and I've been here for just over 9 years now enjoying every
minute. I had a lapse of zero flying hours from 2000-2008, but I got the itch to take back to the skies
again. My brother who was an ex-Marine controller, and a Army UH60 helicopter pilot and a Glasair
owner (he also owns a Velocity now and is a Lifeforce Medevac Helicopter pilot in North Georgia)
prompted me to investigate aircraft ownership. I bought my first aircraft, a 1975 Cessna 150M in
September 2008 and flew it from Tennessee to its new home at Elmdale Airpark. Due to a 2009 divorce
I was forced to sell the plane after only owning it 6 months. After getting back on my feet financially I
started searching again to own a plane. I found N6653T "The Turtle" a 1960 C150A in November 2009
and flew it from Tucson Arizona to its then new home at Elmdale Airpark. (continued)
I then joined the local EAA 471 chapter and national EAA in 2010 and got my name on the hangar list
and got a T-hangar to get the Turtle in an enclosed hangar. Though I have had my license since 1991
(an 8 year period of no flying 2000-2008) I have only about 450 hours of flight time but I've had some
great flights in the Turtle, and it always gets comments wherever I take her. I've enjoyed aerial
photography, cross countries for air shows, flying family and friends and Young Eagle flights. I'm
honored to help preserve a tiny part of aviation in maintaining a 54 year old plane and help introduce
aviation to kids and friends. Jeff
Jeff Randall with “The Turtle”
The Hatz Man is Back!
If you remember back in the May newsletter, there was an article about Chapter member
David Bradshaw selling the red Hatz bi-plane which he had owned for about eighteen
months. Well, David has now latched-on to another Hatz. If you thought his first one was nice,
then you should see this new gem of his. The Classic Hatz, built by Jim Douglass, of
Longmont, Colorado was completed in 2004 and is of incredible craftsmanship and attention to
detail. It differs from David’s first Hatz, a CB-1, in that the Classic has push-pull ailerons
instead of cable, aluminum ailerons, and has a more rounded fuselage. Additionally, it has the
Waco-type lower-wing inward curve at the root. NX7WY which is powered by a 160HP O-320
has won several awards. When you see it, you’ll know why. Sam
David Bradshaw with his Hatz Classic
2014 Oshkosh AirVenture Report
By Charlotte Rhodes
(ed.: The July / August newsletter had an article about Charlotte’s eighth trip to Oshkosh to work ATC
during AirVenture. The following is Charlotte’s trip report.)
Wow!
Another great year at
AirVenture! Some of the aircraft
highlights showcased this year
included the first Valdez STOL
demonstrations, the first production
HondaJet, the One Week Wonder,
the Gee Bee, the Lockheed Vega,
the Fairey Gannet, seven Lockheed
12’s and the Thunderbirds. That is
just the tip of the iceberg! World
War II veterans got free rides in P51’s as an acknowledgment for their
service “Hops for Heroes”, how
about that for a salute! There is
always so much going on that it is
hard to keep up.
On the more personal side, Air
Traffic had a blast! I love working
with other people who love being
around and working airplanes.
Through lots of teamwork amongst
all of us, we create our own unique
family, who gathers once a year to
have a working reunion. The group
of controllers who keep coming back
just amaze me. I tried sitting down a
couple of nights to do updates and
send out, but I was so tired I just
couldn’t follow through, 4:30 comes
around awful early and I had to hit
the sack.
My crew had a great schedule. Our
first two days, Sunday and Monday,
were in the tower working arrivals.
These are normally two of the
busiest days. We did have a few
busy spells with very few go-arounds. We always have someone try to land opposite direction and
thank goodness for all the eyes we have up there watching. Fisk was our third day and if you ever get to
Airventure, venture out to Fisk and visit. Thurs we had Fly-By, departures off 36, and the morning
started off just dandy. For a couple of hours we launched around 140 aircraft each hour in between the
arrivals. Around 9am is when the breezy crashed off 36L and 36 L and R were shut down for 3 hours.
They got departures going off 27 after about an hour and a half. Friday it was off to Fond du Lac and
that is always a good time. Saturday we were in the tower again and not much going on. Sunday we
had IM, departures off 27, and this is always a hot spot. Hot Damn we were happy! Last day and we get
to work out departures, can’t beat that with a stick! All four of the team work in unison, with only very
quick potty breaks the whole time you are out there and it is mentally and physically draining staying on
your toes for that long. We love every minute of it! Lots and Lots of beautiful aircraft.
Wednesday evening Steve Johnson and friend, Jim Berry, Ty Lyon and two friends and I all met up and
ate Japanese. Dave Marten had planned to go with us but the group of Mooney’s he came with had
pushed their gathering back to the same time so we didn’t get to see him this year.
All in all it was another successful year. I have one more to go, as a controller, before I retire. I think
by then I will be ready to give it to the young ones. I’ll just go back and watch, because that’s where the
real show is. Charlotte
Left to right, Charlotte, who is team lead, along with Eric, Brian and Randall.
Above & Right
Charlotte Rhodes working departures at Oshkosh.
Left
Ty Lyon seen at 2014 AirVenture
Off With the Old … On With the New
A few months back, Jim Berry was doing the
annual on his Wittman Tailwind and discovered that
his cylinder compression numbers were not where
they needed to be for him to be comfortable. Since
he had an over-hauled O-320 (from his previous
Tailwind project), he decided that it was time to put
it to good use. Jim had the old engine off and the
new one on in short order. Once he completes the
fresh-air intake and filter modification, then he’ll be
back in business.
Stay with it, Jim!
Nice Cherokee 140 For Sale
Chapter member Wayne McCormick is selling his plane. Since his partner in the aircraft has
moved out of town, Wayne has decided to offer it for sale. See details & photo below.
(Editor’s note: This plane has been a proven Young Eagles flyer over the years. Thanks, Wayne!)
1968 Piper Cherokee 140
N7328J
Hangared at Elmdale
Priced to sell: $16,000
Call Wayne at 660-4918
Breakfast
Saturday, September 13th
9:00am Hangar 3