View From The Cockpit

February 13, 2010
View from the
Cockpit
By John Slais
I think we all were shocked to hear
about
our
immediate
past
president, Don Miller, going into
the hospital for cardiac surgery.
Don was admitted Thursday, Jan.
Contents:
View from the Cockpit
- Page
1
Chapter Officers
- Page
2
14th,
had
a
heart
valve
replacement and a quadruple
bypass procedure performed on
Friday and was home the following
Featured Speaker
- Page
2
Wednesday, Jan. 20th. I just visited
Don at his home in Westlake
Board Meeting Minutes
- Page 4
Advertisements
- Page 8
Map/Directions/Calendar
- Page 9
Articles:
Flight Test Nation 2009 Edwards AFB Air Show and
Open House
By Harlis Brend
- Page 3
Fisher Horizon Project
By Greg west
- Page
Village today (Friday, Jan. 22nd) and he looks
and sounds good especially considering the
ordeal he just survived. Interestingly, Don says
the FAA, of all people, may have saved his life.
He had been aware of a slight heart murmur
and when the FAA Medical
Department required further
cardiac testing for the
issuance of his certificate
some other problems were
revealed. Don has offered to
speak to the chapter about
Past President
the details so I’ll let him tell
Don Miller
the rest of the story, maybe
even as soon as our February
13th meeting which would indicate an amazing
recovery. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
7
I have nothing new to report about the WOC
air show progress. VP Harlis Brand and I
attended one meeting with them and I believe
they are on the right track. I expect we will
receive more up-to-date information at our
membership meeting.
EAA Chapter 723
501 Aviation Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805) 383-0686
I had the opportunity to help ferry a Lancair IV
from Compton to Mexico for a Mexican buyer.
My friend and sometimes chapter member, Carl
LaRue, has about 2000 hours in his Lancair IV-P
and had previously demo’d
and helped sell another
Lancair IV to the same broker
a couple of years ago so was
asked to deliver this one. I
have about 100 hours in
Carl’s Lancair so he asked if I
would accompany him and, of
course, I agreed. Carl then
flew out here via the airlines
and stayed with me. We flew
to Compton in my Bonanza where we were to
inspect the logbooks, look over the airplane and
discuss it with a local (Compton) mechanic who
had stored the airplane for the last four years.
We were not impressed. The plane had not
flown in that four years although it had gained
about 6 hours on the tach in that time by just
taxiing. The logs were very incomplete since
2006 with what appeared to be a “paper” annual
condition inspection 2 months ago. A signature
indicated the inspection had been completed
but with no supporting data. The last pitot static
check was 10 years ago, no ELT check, no
compressions, and no AD check raised many
red flags for us. The registration number had
been changed to a Mexican registration and
back again with no logbook entry. During the
taxi tests it was noted some instruments were
inoperative and we could not get full takeoff
power. With that we got back in the Bonanza
and came home. Carl notified the broker what
would be necessary to make the aircraft
airworthy and safe to fly. So far, no reply so
this is an ongoing matter. Carl finally returned
to Ohio awaiting further developments. I’m
waiting also. Perhaps I’ll be able to complete
the story for the next newsletter issue.
Onward and upward,
John
EAA CHAPTER 723
2010 OFFICERS AND STAFF
OFFICERS:
President
John Slais
(805)
445-9745
Vice President
Harlis Brend
(818)
775-0133
Secretary
Joe Tischler
(805)
497-6502
Treasurer
Larry David
(805)
497-2042
Directors at Large
Ron Missildine
(805)
526-3303
Tom Ridderbush
(805)
445-7502
Mike Reed
(805)
492-2742
(805)
383-0686
Hangar phone
Chapter Website
Meeting Program
Saturday, February 13th
Speaker ~ Col. Gilbert E. Goodman,
USAF retired.
http://www.eaa723.org
STAFF:
Flight Advisor
Hangar Bosses
Jim Ayers
Mike Reed
Dick Crowe
(805)
(805)
(805)
498-0861
492-2742
382-4848
Membership
Newsletter Editor
Photographer
Safety
Young Eagles
Webmaster
Chapter Store
Mark Johnson
Avril Roy-Smith
Burt Misevic
Ken Coolidge
Neal Fowler
Tom Nalevanko
Tom Ridderbush
(818)
(805)
(805)
(805)
(805)
(805)
(805)
509-6402
375-7090
482-7076
987-3128
647-6994
482-5016
445-7502
Fire Wall Forward Jim Ayres
Flight Test
Dale Machalleck
Sheet Metal Fabric Owen Smith
(805)
(805)
(310)
498-0861
969-1473
836-1304
Col. Goodman is a veteran of 33 B-17 missions over Europe
during WWII. He will share his U.S. Army infantry, Army Air
Corps and post war U.S.A.F. experiences with EAA723.
TECH
The EAA Chapter 723 Newsletter is owned and published by EAA Chapter
723. It is published monthly. Chapter 723 Membership and the Newsletter
are available for $20.00 per year. This amount is due January 1st of each
year. Chapter 723 meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
The Newsletter is distributed to members of Chapter 723 in the interest
of promoting Sport Aviation. Chapter 723 welcomes articles, new tips,
photos and inquiries from its members and other readers. These articles
may be reproduced in full provided they do not carry a copyright and
provided proper credit is given to EAA Chapter 723.
The closing date for submissions to the next month's edition is the third
Friday of the month.
E-Mail submissions to the editor, Avril Roy-Smith, at [email protected].
Submissions by mail: Send to the editor, Avril Roy-Smith, 616 Avenida
Del Platino, Newbury Park. CA 91320
EAA Chapter 723 neither assumes any responsibility for the accuracy of
these articles nor any liability rising out of reliance upon these articles.
EAA Chapter 723 - February 13, 2010 - Page 2
October weather was perfect for an air show, with attendance
estimated at 225,000.
Demonstrations included the Army Golden Knights Parachute
Team and “Tora! Tora! Tora!,” a reenactment of the bombing
of Pearl Harbor. The Knights have performed at over 15,000
shows in 50 states and 48 countries and are celebrating 50
years of service. “Tora! Tora! Tora!” is performed by replica
Zero fighters and torpedo and dive bombers in front of an
impressive pyrotechnic background.
Flight Test Nation 2009
Edwards AFB Air Show and Open
House
By Harlis Brend
An Edwards Air Force Base tradition returned with the inaugural
Flight Test Nation 2009 air show and open house on Saturday,
Oct. 17, 2009. The event commemorated the 50th anniversary
of the first flight of the X-15 hypersonic test aircraft at Edwards
and honored retired Generals Chuck Yeager and Joe Engle.
Two classics in formation — P-51Mustang and P-38
Lightning
Retired Maj. Gen. Joe
Engle (left) and retired
Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager
were honored during the
opening ceremonies.
More than 50 years ago on Oct. 14, 1947, Yeager became the
first person to break the sound barrier flying the Bell X-1, and
he was the first to fly more than twice the speed of sound in
level flight in a Bell X-1A on Dec. 12, 1953. Engle was an X-15
test pilot, becoming the youngest pilot to qualify as an
astronaut and Space Shuttle commander. Three of his 16 flights
in the X-15 exceeded the 50-mile altitude required for the
astronaut rating.
The show featured aircraft spanning over 60 years of aviation
history. Flight demonstrations included the P-51, B-25, B-17,
B-52H, B-1B, the B-2 stealth bomber and the C-17 transport.
The Heritage flight included a P-38, an A-10, an F-16 and a
F-22A Raptor formation. America’s latest fifth generation
fighter, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, was on static display in
the hangar. The White Knight II from Scaled Composites
(Mojave, Calif.) made a low pass and was then placed on static
display beside White Knight I.
B-52H Stratofortress, 419th Flight Test Squadron, takeoff,
climb and flyby with B-2.
The Army Golden Knights parachute team
performed at the air show.
The air show began at 10:00 a.m. with the Edwards traditional
opening sonic boom from two F-16s flying at 30,000 feet with
Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager and Maj. Gen. Joe Engle aboard. The
Aerobatics were a big hit at this year’s event. Julie Clark thrilled
the crowd flying her T-34 Mentor Free Spirit. John Collver
provided a graceful routine in his SNJ War Dog.
About 200 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marine enlistees recited
the oath of enlistment and were sworn in by Maj. Gen. David
Eichhorn, commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center
(AFFTC). He was joined at center stage by Yeager, Engle and
a multi-service honor guard.
Continued on Page 5
EAA Chapter 723 - February 13 2010 - Page 3
EAA Chapter 723
Board Meeting Minutes
9 Jan 2010
The monthly meeting for January was called to order at
08:11 Saturday, 9 January 2010, by John Slais.
Attendance:
John Slais
Vice President
Old Business:
Scholarship commitment and insurance costs require
updates to the planned budget. A special budget meeting to
address these costs is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 14
January 6:00
Three volunteers to audit review of the Chapter’s books
during the month of January. Action taken by Shela Anne
Haskins and Harlis Brend to acquire the volunteers.
Board members present:
President
Moved for approval by J. Tischler and seconded by M Reed.
Discussion ensued and the motion passed.
Harlis Brend
Secretary
Joe Tischler
New Business
Treasurer
Larry David
Mark Swaney, representing the Oxnard EAA chapter
1469, announced the upcoming display and fund raiser of the
Aluminum Overcast, April 19-22. Chapter 723 was offered
the opportunity to participate in this fundraising event.
Directors at Large:
Ron Missiledine
Tom Ridderbush
Discussion of including the board meeting minutes in
the Newsletter was addressed. Abridged minutes will be
submitted to the Newsletter editor.
Mike Reed
Members in attendance:
Dave Howwels, Don Miller,
Ernie Salmon, Avril Roy-Smith, Sheila Anne Haskins,
Mark Swaney, Steve Kivo, John White, Keith Moore
The meeting was adjourned at 09:20.
Joe Tischler
The minutes from 14 November 2009 were read by the
Secretary Joe Tischler with the following amendment:
Secretary EAA Chapter 723
Steve Kivo had the proxy votes not Ron Missile
Discussion of the 2010 Budget was held on 1 December and
the budget was made available for the new board to review.
Received Mail: John Salis read several notes of thanks:
Ventura County 99s thanks for contributions to the Vicki
Cruse Memorial Scholarship;
Hutchinson Family Foundation made a substantial donation .
An acknowledgement will be mailed by the Secretary.
Officers reports:
Wings Over Camarillo Management Company: Director at
Large Ron Missiledine requested a decision regarding his
positions with EAA chapter 723 and the Wings Over Camarillo
Management. John Slais accepted the action to clarify the
chapter’s concerns with National by the February board
meeting.
Ron Missiledine presented an update of the Over Camarillo
Management Company
Greg Andrew public relations / marketing.
There was a discussion regarding donations made to
both organizations that may appear to go to one organization
or the other from the public. Scholarships donations should
all go to the EAA.
Committee Reports
Chapter 723 Internal Financial
Verification
As required by the Chapter 723 Bylaws, the annual verification
of the Chapter financial records was conducted at the Wright
Place on January 28, 2010.
Sheila Anne Haskins, Chapter accountant, directed the process
with the assistance of Mike Reed, 2009 treasurer, and Larry
David, 2010 treasurer. Chapter Member volunteers that
examined the records were: David Howells, Avril Roy-Smith,
Chuck Ryan, Steve Seegmiller. Observers: John Slais,
president; Harlis Brend, vice president.
The process consists of taking a random selection of Chapter
transactions, locating all receipts and documents that relate to
each selected transaction, and then the volunteers examine the
documents to verify the accuracy of the transaction. The
process is concluded by the volunteers documenting any
suggestions they may have for improving the Chapter financial
record keeping.
Thank you to everyone that helped perform this important
process for Chapter 723.
Harlis Brend
Chapter 723 Vice President
Dave Howells – Presented a budget for VME
EAA Chapter 723 - February 13 2010 - Page 4
Continued from Page 3
The B-17G Flying Fortress
Sentimental Journey made a
“bombing” pass.
B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber (Upper left clockwise): Takeoff;
Climb; Circle to land; Landing.
Railroad arrived in 1876. In 1882, the Santa Fe Railroad
expanded west from Barstow toward Mojave and built a water
stop at the edge of the dry lakebed, about 20 miles southeast
of Mojave. The lakebed was then known as Rodriguez Dry Lake.
The name was eventually shortened to Rogers in the early
1900s.
After the aerial demonstrations, David Hartman, the original
host of “Good Morning America,” moderated an entertaining
discussion with Yeager and Engle about their lives as test pilots.
F-22A Raptor (Top) High-speed pass and climb;
(bottom left) takeoff low pass; (bottom right) the
doors of the weapons bay open
C-17 Globemaster III, March Air Reserve Base. Top:
Maximum performance takeoff; Bottom: High speed and
low speed passes.
Edwards Air Force Base has an interesting history, dating back
to September 1933 when the Muroc Bombing and Gunnery
Range was established by Lt. Col. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold. The
remote training site was used by the Army Air Corps bombers
and fighters for several years. The site was designated Muroc
Army Air Base in July 1942 and was used to flight test the
nation’s first jet aircraft, the Bell XP-59A Airacomet, in the early
1940s. Muroc Army Air Field was renamed Edwards Air Force
Base in 1949 in honor of Capt. Glen Edwards. Edwards was
copilot on the Northrop YB-49 flying wing that crashed near the
base on June 5, 1948.
Rogers Dry Lake has a surface area of about 44 square miles
and is adjacent to the main Edwards complex. There are seven
crisscrossing runways drawn on the lakebed surface. The
longest, Runway 17/35, is 7.5 miles long! Edwards’ main
15,000-ft. concrete runway is located next to Rogers Dry Lake.
This main runway, combined with a 9,000-ft. lakebed overrun,
creates one of the longest runways in the world.
T-38 Talon supersonic trainer
takeoff.
F-16D high-power pass
The AFFTC, the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and NASA’s
Dryden Flight Research Center are located at Edwards along
with the 412th Test Wing and the 95th Air Base Wing. Edwards
Air Force Base and Rogers Dry Lake are located in California’s
Mojave Desert about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Early homesteaders in the area thought of Rogers Dry Lake as
a wasteland. The area was populated mostly by prospectors in
pursuit of elusive mineral wealth until the Southern Pacific
Would you like to learn more about the interesting and ongoing
aviation history of Edwards AFB? Information is online anytime
at www.Edwards.AF.mil.
EAA Chapter 723 - February 13 2010 - Page 5
Formation flight (L to R) F-22A,
F-16D, F-16C and T-38.
Scaled Composites' White Knight II,
the carrier aircraft that will be used
to launch SpaceShipTwo out of
Earth’s atmosphere.
Heritage formation flight
(counter-clockwise from left) P38, A-10, F-16C and F-22A
Group of about 200 military
enlistees was sworn in at a
ceremony during the air show.
Acrobatics -- Top: Julie Clark in her T-34 Mentor
"Free Spirit"; Bottom: John Collver in SNJ War Dog
David Hartman moderated a one-hour conversation
about flight testing with Chuck Yeager and Joe
Engle. (L to R) David Hartman, Chuck Yeager and
Joe Engle.
EAA Chapter 723 - February 13 2010 - Page 6
Fisher Horizon Project
By
Greg West
First of all I've been flying since 1996.
Not a TON of hours just enough to have
fun in that pursuit of the "$100.00
hamburger".
In that time I have
amassed time in Cessna 150s, 172s,
182s a 210 and a couple of PA 28. I only
recently got a couple of my first hours
in a Citabria...my first tail dragger.
(Before the private ticket I had several
hundred hours in ultralights as well).
My family history goes back to 1929 with
my Grandfather barnstorming in his
Waco (still have my mom's leather
"helmet" that my daughter wears now); Dad flew B25s in
the 5th AF; Brother in the air force (killed in 'Nam in 67);
A great uncle Milt Thompson who flew for Dryden at Nasa
is some unknown bird called the X 15 or
something, and a lifting body without
wings, A cousin of mine flies test pilot
for Boeing. Then there’s me...building
an experimental all wood tandem seated
high wing tail-dragger. My family thinks
I'm nuts (‘I'll stick to the big Boeings’
they say)
Flying is getting too expensive to buy
your own sooooo....I'll build my own.
Out of wood. I'm an ex contractor but
I still have the license so I like wood. I
had been looking at the Fisher Horizon
for a long time...they resemble my
favorite - the Citabria. On the Fisher
flying products website one of the original owners, and
the moderator of the site, had decided that the structurally
complete Horizon1 he had finished in his garage would
not ever fly as he had too many projects
going on. So he let it be known that, if
any one of the Fisher members could
come up with, say, one grand, he'd sell
the structurally complete bird, wings,
empennage, and all of the rest of the
hardware needed to finish the bird,
including a 20 gallons fuel tank and a
complete matco tail wheel and
spring...rigging and all (sans engine and
instruments). The kit for wood alone is
over eight grand, let alone having
someone put it together for you.
owners. Most miserable, long, slow, U-Haul driving trek
I've ever made in my life. It was only after the plane was
downloaded off of the truck that I ever even took a breath;
probably not good when you have a wife and kids.
Since that time I have finished the rest
of the wood on the fuselage, made
modifications to the left wing leading
edge to include a headlight bay, placed
on all of the stringers and then
completed the tedious task of the
aluminum rigging, struts, braces,
landing gear, cabe bearings, firewall;
fabricating the motor mount to match
up with the thrust line of my newly
acquired Rotax 75 hp, dual ignition ac
motor. Let's not forget the entire dash
panel complete with all of the basic VFR
goodies and all of the plumbing and
electrical circuits that go to them, nuts,
bolts, tangs, cable and swages, aluminum and sheet metal
cutters, painting, completed interior plus the plush gray
military seats and harnesses, the windshield and side
plexi, engine and system electrical, nav lights, strobes,
portable dash-mount radio...whew!
Then engine run ups in the driveway, the
brake testing (they stink). Once thats all
done and rigged to proper liking...ya tear
it all down and cover it, THEN put it all
back together. Now I'm at the stage
where I have to cover the starboard
wing, flaps, and aileron, paint ‘em up
then mount ‘em and re-rig everything.
Oh, did I mention completely fabricating
a fiberglass nose bowl, then an
aluminum cowling to cover the engine
(not too bad if I don't mind saying so)?
NOW...we get to request the FAA inspection.
That's where N426NH is at right now. Waiting patiently in
my garage for the right wing to get
covered, painted and mounted. Then
there's another one small problem...I
only have a few hours in a Citabria...so
far. But I’lll get there. It has been quite
a journey. With not much extra money
to both fly and build, I've been building
a little over 18 months.
So a deal was struck and in April 2008
I went to Dallas Texas to look at, purchase, and truck back
the pieces of my new Horizon from one of the original
EAA Chapter 723 - February 13 2010 - Page 7
(And before the inspection I've got to
build a trailer to make the plane portable
to the airport, as the wing fold - pretty
cool too...in about thirty seconds or
so...by yourself.)
Advertising Policy
The For Sale and For Rent Ads are Free to EAA members and
run for two issues unless you notify the editor at least two
weeks in advance.
Send Ad to:
Avril Roy-Smith,
616 Avenida Del Platino, Newbury Park. Ca 91320
For Sale:
Flight Bag: Jumbo size, Soft sided and padded. Includes a
matching accessory bag which attaches to the flight bag.
Mfgd. by Cencal Aviation Products. In very good condition
…$40 for all
Head Phones: 2 sets David Clark H10-13.4
Both in good condition. Includes Soft sided and padded
Cencal Aviation Product carrying bag. Bag has a large side
pocket.
$100 for the two sets and bag
Chapter members Ellis Beymer and Les Reeker
inspect the Formula I Racer that January speaker
Mark Johnson brought for show 'n tell.
Burt (805) 482-7076
Hanger Space for Rent
Share box hanger. Small aircraft preferred.
805-376-8221
Wanted:
partner to finish building Tricycle Q-200 (Quickie) which is
now in my garage in Winnetka. It needs new fuel tank, panel
and engine (0-200, 100 hp) plus a few small items. This is
very much like the Dragonfly with canard and main wing, 2
seats and cruises about 160 mph on 5 GPH.
Contact Mike Evans, 818-383-3614 (cell).
Who recognizes this ‘experimental’ weather van?
EAA Chapter 723 - February 13 2010 - Page 8
Vary rare membership opportunity to join the one and only Camarillo Wings Association. Become a part of the soon to be critically
acclaimed Wings Over Camarillo 30th Anniversary. Tell your grandchildren you are a charter member and gosh darned proud of it!
Membership requirements:
1.
BE passionate about aviation
2.
BE willing to accomplish miracles with special volunteer work at the Wings Over Camarillo Air Show
3.
NOT a social club
The rest is easy and inexpensive (but not free, $20). Don’t be left in the exhaust fumes as your friends apply power. Please print
membership form, fill it out and mail with your beautiful check.
Membership fees will be used as seed money for this summer’s incredible show.
2010 - Membership Application
Camarillo Wings Association
Contact:
Ron Missilidine – President Phone # 805-404-1837
Keith Moore – Treasurer
Phone # 805-551-0983
As a member of the Camarillo Wings Association, I pledge my volunteer services to help make the Annual Camarillo Air
Show a success.
DATE: ________
SIGNED: _____________________________
$20.00 Annual Membership Paid
____________ Date _________
LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
____________________________________
SPOUSE’S NAME
____________________________________
MAIL ADDRESS
____________________________________
PHONE #
____________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS
____________________________________
AVIATION ASSOCIATIONS
____________________________________
SKILLS AVAILABLE
____________________________________
Suggest Potential Member:
Name ____________ Phone # ________________
PLEASE Mail Your Annual Dues of $20.00 to:
CAMARILLO WINGS ASSOCIATION
79 Daily Drive # 265
Camarillo, CA 93010
NEXT MEETING
February 13, 2010
Doors Open at 9:00 AM at Chapter Hangar Number One
EAA Chapter 723
501 Aviation Drive Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 383-0686