59 GRAPEVINE Waco, Texas
Transcription
59 GRAPEVINE Waco, Texas
Time to renew your Chapter 59 membership! 59 GRAPEVINE Waco, Texas 3 Time National Award Winning Publication of EAA Chapter 59 ....and the LAST WORD on Sport Aviation in Texas! Vol. 50, No. 02 February 20, 2010 Going Strong for 50 years! EAA Chap. 59 meets the 1st Sat. of each month at the EAA hangar (PWG) VISIT THE CHAPTER 59 WEB SITE AT: WWW.eaa59.org *READ THE CHAPTER 59 NEWSLETTER IN COLOR ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB* Chapter 59 Pancake Breakfast Inside this issue: Chapter Business . . . P. 2 Prez Sez . . . . . . . . . . . P. 3 Announcements, etc. . . P. 4 February Pancake Breakfast . . . . P. 5 Book Review . . . . . . . . . P. 6 Project Updates . . . . . . . P. 8 Sonex Diaries . . . . . . . . P. 10 More Projects . . . . . . . P. 11 Painting Problems. . . . P. 13 Flight Advisor . .. . . . . . P. 14 Calendar of Events . . . . P. 15 Classified Ads. . . . . . . . P. 16 ******** Mr. Clarence Cobb held Chapter members and visitors attention after breakfast with an interesting talk on his experiences in WW II in the Pacific. MEMBERSHIP: Full membership in EAA Chapter 59 is $24 per year, which includes the monthly 59 Grapevine newsletter. EAA national membership is required. Introductory membership is $12 (first year only) and includes full privileges. EAA national membership is not required. Dues are prorated monthly after March each year. Send check payable to EAA Chapter 59, to Charles Chesnut, 1401 Alford Dr., Hillsboro, TX 76645. NEWSLETTER SUBMITTALS: The next 59 Grapevine will be published on Mar. 20, 2010. Please submit inputs by Mar. 10, 2010, to Mike McMains, 325 Bluebonnet Circle, McGregor, TX 76657, or via e-mail to [email protected]. Business card display ads available. $10 per month or $100 per year (two months free). Contact or mail ads to Charles Chesnut, 1401 Alford Dr., Hillsboro, TX 76645. CHAPTER 59 MEETS THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH FOR A BREAKFAST FLY/DRIVE-IN FROM 8 AM TO 10 AM, & EACH THURSDAY FOR LUNCH AT 11:45 IN THE EAA HANGAR AT McGREGOR EXECUTIVE AIRPORT (PWG). Page 2 - 59 Grapevine - Feb. 20, 2010 EAA CHAPTER 59 - WACO, TEXAS 2010-11 OFFICERS: President . . . . . . Kenny Grisham Vice President . . . . . Brad Moffett Secretary . . . . . . . Alice Young Treasurer . . . . . Chet Chesnut OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD: James Young Boyce Vardiman Jim Hail Pat Baucum Gene Franklin David Wilson CHAPTER 59 APPOINTED POSITIONS: Technical Counselor: Joel New Flight Advisor: Mike McMains Membership Coordinator: Pam Brown Building Ops. Chair: Bob Coomes (254)749-5490 (254)855-3777 (254)756-3059 (254)315-5850 Young Eagles Coordinator Events Coordinator Museum Curator Food Coordinator Webmaster Monty Suffern Robert Keck Web Editor (254)867-0474 (254)848-9072 (254)723-2558 (254)715-5117 McGregor City Liaison Historian Newsletter Staff Editor . . . . . . . . Mike McMains Proofreader . . . Sue McMains EAA Chapter 59 Board of Director’s Meeting February 9, 2010 Call to order: 6:05 p.m. Attendance: Boyce Vardiman, Jim Hail, Pat Baucom, Mike McMains, Monty Suffern, Pam Brown, Jim Young, Alice Young, Jon Botsford, Robert Keck, and Brad Moffett. Kenny Grisham, President, was unable to attend, and he appointed Jon Botsford to preside in his absence. Minutes of last meeting: Jon moved to accept the minutes, and Jim Hail seconded. Passed Treasurer’s Report: Chet Chesnut Chet was unable to attend. New signature cards will be signed, and all present signatures will be removed. The new authorized signature names will be: Kenny Grisham, President; Chet Chesnut, Treasurer; Alice Young, Secretary; and Brad Moffett, Vice President. Jon Botsford moved to approve the new designees, and Boyce Vardiman seconded the motion. Passed. The Board discussed inventorying items for sale. Pam stated that there was a need for more shirts in size medium. The Board authorized Pam to reorder what is needed to restock. Education Committee: Jim Young Jim reported that Jenny Dixson with Region 12 Education Service Center has invited some of the Educational Team to the Teacher Award Presentation at Region 12 on February 16. In April, the Math Collaborative at Region 12 will host an all day teacher workshop at the hangar. The cutaway fuselage, flight simulators, and other items now stored at Dan McKee’s need to be moved. Boyce proposed checking to see if a local hangar is available. Jim will poll members to see about the suggestion as well as any other idea. Jim stressed the need for accessibility. Kenny wants to invite all pilots based at the McGregor Airport to Chapter events. A mail-out was suggested to all registered pilots in the area with information about the Saturday Event and the Thursday luncheons. Monty suggested a headset demonstration for the April Event. Facilities Committee: Boyce Vardiman The upstairs is ready to be framed in, and a handrail will be put on the stairs. The safety cabinet donated by Pat Baucom needs to be painted. The Board authorized Kenny to buy a trashcan for each rental space. The kitchen will get a new coffee pot in time for the Awards Banquet. Activities Committee: Kenny Grisham Steve Helm Jon Botsford Emmette Craver Jon Botsford Ron McKinley ............ [email protected] Dave Clay [email protected] Billy Jack Waters open (254)848-9072 Pam reported that there were seventy people at the January Event. Brad Moffett’s head was shaved, as promised, to acknowledge the growth of our chapter in 2009 by more than 50 new members. Clarence Cobb was the speaker for the Saturday Event. Clarence told about his time on the island of Tinian in the South Pacific. The 28th Annual Parrish Fly-By was held. Seven slow aircraft and six fast made the trip in honor of Chapter 59 members who have passed away The Parrish Fly-By was extended to include Nick Pocock’s airstrip this year while the family distributed his ashes. Mike McMains suggested that the Board make use of an annual planning guide of major events and activities so that advance planning without conflicts can be accomplished for events such as the Parrish Fly-By, the Awards Banquet, elections, etc. The Awards Banquet is scheduled for February 19, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the hanger. Jon said that 40 members have made reservations to date. Monty reported on Music Night, which will occur in April. The date will be announced later. Jon will be in charge of the menu. There will be a ragtime and country music presentation. Monty suggested a flying event to Caddo Mills in the Spring to see how rocket racer engines are made at Armadillo Aerospace. Brad suggested a fly-out to Whitney along with a picnic and camp out. Project: Jim Hail Jim proposed starting the engine of the Project at the March Event. Twelve members showed up to work at the last work day. (cont’d. on p. 4) The next general Chapter 59 meeting will be the Pancake Breakfast, Mar. 6, followed by various activities in the EAA hangar at McGregor Airport (PWG). Feb. 20, 2010- 59 Grapevine - Page 3 NOTICES TO AIRMEN The Killeen EAA Chapter is having a Young Eagles Rally on Feb. 27 (Sat.) at the Temple Airport. Chapter 59 pilots are encouraged to participate, as they have helped us in the past. Briefing at 9 AM. Annual membership dues in EAA Chapter 59 are a bargain at $24/year, and become due for renewal each January. Don’t miss an issue of the 59 Grapevine! Why not renew today? Member Derek Hodges sent a note saying he and his stepson, Jake, have signed up for the fabric covering SportAir Workshop in Dallas this month, to broaden his building skills. Chapter 59 webmaster, Ron McKinley, will soon have a secure members-only section of the website. Watch for new features. New to Chapter 59, or have a question or idea for us? Look for the folks in red Chapter 59 shirts & you’ll go straight to someone who may be able to help you or get your ideas in motion! Prez Sez –Feb., 2010 -Kenny Grisham I sit here trying to find some profound thought to proclaim to the membership, something that will inspire and bring you to action. And I got nutin', nada, zilch, zero. I think most of that reason is that the membership inspires me. We have, over the past fifty years, gained an immense knowledge base and a group of wonderful volunteers. People who have been there, learned how to do it and now share that knowledge with others. We also have those that are devoting time and effort to keep us fed weekly and monthly. And we have those who keep us in good cover with our building and its interior needs. Whenever there is a need in the Chapter, someone usually many someones, come through. If you are not utilizing this great resource and participating in it at the same time, you are missing out on some great experiences. We've been working on the Cub project during some workdays in the last few Nice day? Want to fly out somewhere with fellow members? Chapter 59 is trying out a Short Call-out List for unplanned trips to lunch or another EAA Chapter’s event. If you want to be notified by phone for these impromptu gatherings, get on the list by contacting coordinator Pam Brown at [email protected] or 254-723-2558. She will develop a phone tree to get the word out. For local area flights, goodbye to TFRs (Terrorist controlled Flight Restrictions!) The EAA flight planning web site can still help with en-route TFRs, but be sure to call Flight Service for pop-up information. P-49 is still in effect to 5,000 ft., 3 mile radius of the Bush ranch. The advertisers in this newsletter allow us to produce it and the web site at a very minimal cost. They are our sponsors and support us, so please support them. Don’t forget to tell them you “saw it in the 59 Grapevine!” months. I will admit I was not so excited myself about spending time on the project the last time but came anyway. I left with a feeling of accomplishment and learned some things and learned about some of our members and what knowledge they bring to the table. If you've ever gotten to eat lunch with the Thursday Lunch Bunch you will find someone bringing food and deserts every week. Members step up and surprise us every week with their great dishes and deserts. We've even had non members bring the main course. Its a great time of camaraderie and fellowship. So participate. Either as a follower or a leader but participate. You are in control of how this Chapter grows and your participation is vital. We have no snow on the ground, its not 18 below zero, and it’s usually flyable weather, get out there and fly (keep your eye out for some up coming flying activities). Blue Biplane Turning Base, Cap'm Ken An ECI Dealer 512-864-5529 EAA Chapter 59 Pancake Breakfast & Monthly Event –Mar. 6, 2010 EAA Chapter 59 Hangar (PWG) Page 4 – 59 Grapevine –Feb. 20, 2010 Chapter 59 Member Projects Jon Botsford Aeronca 7 EC Rich Hewgley Sonex Don Wiltse RV-9 James Cooper RV-7 Bill Lloyd Avid Flyer/Raven Don Ray KR-2 Chapter 59 Piper Cub Replica Jerry Ferrell Alder Derryberry FLYING! Bob Coomes Lake Amphibian Derick Hodges RV-7A Elwin Cook Sonex Andrew Womack Zenith 701 Monty Suffern Velocity Johnnie Holick CX-4 David Clay Sonex Ray Woodard Sonex John Jacobsen RV-7 Jim Hail Flitzer Frank Dicorte Star Bee Gyrocopter Russell Hall Lil’ Buzzard Rick Hingtgen Kolb Firefly Rick Fields Ryan PT-22 Terry Gerdes RV-7 Have a technical question about flying, aircraft, or Chapter 59, of interest to members? Announcements & Condolences Please e-mail information to [email protected] We regret to report that Chapter 59 member, Ray Woodard, is seriously ill with cancer. Some of our members are helping him complete his almost finished Sonex. Deepest sympathies go out to Ramona Chesnut & Ann Golding on the loss of their sister. We received the following notes this month from Chapter 59 members: Feb. 8, 2010 To all who participated in the Pocock airstrip fly-over: I want you all to know how much we enjoyed, and were honored by, the exquisite and well organized missing man fly-over performed over our runway last Saturday. And what a thrill for the grandkids, even to the last low flying plane! We are forever indebted! Sincerely, Mrs. Nick (Alvena) Pocock & Family P.S.: Now where do you think Nick was, down with us or up there directing traffic? And this note from Guss Eoff: Dear Ones: Thank you for your love– The loneliness and emptiness is almost unbearable. Love you all– God bless, Guss Eoff E-mail me at [email protected] and I’ll get the answer & put the response in the Grapevine next issue. –Mike Board Minutes– Continued from p. 2 Chapter 59 March Event Mar. 6, 2009 Pancake Breakfast 8-10:30 AM Chapter 59 Cub Replica project workers will roll out the airplane for its first engine start after breakfast. Chapter 59 Hangar (PWG) J. Bond Browder, M.D. Internal Medicine FAA Class I, II, & III Physicals Membership Committee: Pam Brown There are currently 154 paid members. Fifteen members have moved out of the area, deceased, or have decided to become inactive. Pam also said that the web design is still being fine tuned, and progress is being made to set up a system like Pay Pal to facilitate the payment of dues. Adjourn- 7:15 p.m. Alice Young, Secretary Browder Clinic 7005 Woodway Dr. Suite 201 Waco, TX 76712 254-732-3633 FAX 732-3661 Feb. 20, 2010 - 59 Grapevine - Page 5 Pancake Breakfast February, 2010 Chapter 59 V.P., Brad Moffett, declared that he would shave his head if the Chapter added 50 members in 2009. Above: Brad, Hollie & Hannah. Above right: Jon Botsford demonstrating his barber skills. Right: Membership Coordinator, Pam Brown added this lovely decoration. Young Eagle Collin Perry got his first flight after the Pancake Breakfast. 9-04 Page 6 - 59 Grapevine - Feb. 20, 2010 Book Review –Monty Suffern MAYDAY by Captain John Winslow Most books on aircraft accidents report those that went terribly wrong, and with great 20/20 vision (in hindsight), analyze in fine detail the many links in the chain of events which led to the accident. “Mayday” on the other hand, reports 17 amazing true stories of aircrew fighting near impossible odds to bring their crippled aircraft safely back to earth by showing courage and airmanship of the highest order. One story in particular caught my attention, when in December of 1978, the pilot of a Cessna 188 Ag-Truck, was seriously lost over the vast pacific ocean while ferrying the aircraft from the USA to Australia. It should be noted that a large percentage of the light aircraft in Australia and New Zealand arrived there by installing long range fuel tanks, and flying them there, usually via Hawaii. The journey started on the West Coast of the USA with two Ag Trucks, in fact, and followed a normal ferry flight route to Honolulu (that’s the big step), then south towards Christmas Island and onto Western Samoa (Pago Pago). Departing Pago Pago, one of the aircraft suffered an engine failure on takeoff and ditched into the Pacific Ocean, but quite close to land, so the pilot was fine. After checking that his mate was OK, the other pilot headed off towards Norfolk Island – a tiny 10 mile diameter speck in the vast Ocean, and some 1700 miles away, but equipped with an extremely powerful NDB (remember this is pre-GPS). The range of this NDB is likely around 200 miles. The Ag Truck had a fuel endurance of around 22 hours for the expected 14 to 15 hour flight. This leg of the trip started well, with various islands appearing in accordance with the flight plan and chart, but then land marks became fewer and fewer, leaving the last 700 miles of the flight with no visual cues to ensure the aircraft was on, or at least near, the intended track. However, the powerful NDB along with the ADF in the aircraft should surely take care of the final track into Norfolk Island. Or so one would have thought! Not planned however, was the fact that the needle of the ADF in the aircraft was loose on its shaft, and so was pointing where ever it wanted to. After his ETA came and went by half an hour, the pilot (Jay Prochnow) was really worried that he had not sighted land, and asked for assistance from Air Traffic Control in Auckland, New Zealand. They obligingly provided a couple of other frequencies for him to try, which only helped him discover that his ADF was essentially useless, although at that stage, no one knew why. His prospects looked quite grim for if he ran out of fuel and had to ditch, the search area would have been many 10s of thousands of square miles of empty ocean, an impossible task in terms of search and rescue. ATC did offer some assistance however, by calling an Air New Zealand DC 10 which had just departed Fiji (airport, Nadi) bound for Auckland, New Zealand. Despite being loaded up with passengers (well, 88 of them anyway), the DC 10 set off to try to locate the stricken Cessna. Fortunately, this aircraft was well fuelled and carrying far more fuel than it required for its flight. (Fuel was cheaper in Fiji than NZ). Now you need to picture the impossibility of this task. A tiny crop duster at 8000 ft being searched for by a DC 10 at 30,000 ft or so, with only charts to help them find each other. Some innovative thinking was required to at least narrow down the search area. Remember too, that the Ag Truck had no autopilot and very limited room in its cockpit for shuffling maps. However, one thing going for them was that the two aircraft were soon in radio contact with one another, albeit on an HF frequency. To shorten a long story, some of the “navigational tricks” used were (1) both aircraft flew directly towards the setting sun and accurately noted their compass heading. The intersecting lines on the map gave the first clue, but the DC 10 did not know whether they were ahead (i.e. to the west) of the small airplane, or to the east. (2) Both pilots measured the angle the sun was above the horizon (well, measured is used rather loosely) by holding their thumb 1 foot in front of their eyes, and estimating how many inches (or thumb joints) the sun was above the horizon. Knowing the relative altitudes of the two aircraft then enabled the well qualified navigators on the Air New Zealand flight to calculate how far from the setting sun each aircraft was. It seemed they were about 200 miles apart, and almost close enough to be within VHF radio contact. Sure enough, a few minutes later they were able to talk on a much clearer communication setup. (3) The ATC folk in Brisbane were able to determine a relative bearing to the Cessna using his HF radio transmissions. This information proved to be quite accurate, but still the two aircraft could not see each other, and night was beginning to fall (despite this being the longest day of the year in the southern hemisphere). Some misleading information from an oil rig being towed from NZ to Singapore nearly undid all the good work being done, but eventually, the DC 10 did sight the Cessna and was able to use its very accurate inertial navigation equipment on board to give the small airplane a heading (next page) Brad & Hollie Moffett’s daughter, Hannah, & Chapter 59 member, Sandy, were on hand at the Pancake Breakfast to watch the head shearing event. airimpressions.com Feb. 20, 2010– 59 Grapevine - Page 7 Book Review -(cont’d.) and distance to Norfolk Island (which incidentally, is where all the mutineers from the Bounty settled and proliferated). Although he had been flying now more than 19 hours, and had little fuel left, Prochnow opted to try for Norfolk rather than ditch beside the oil rig. The DC 10 could do nothing more, and headed for Auckland where it arrived 3 hours and 54 minutes late, but with not one complaint from any of the passengers who were on this mission of mercy. After being airborne for 23 hours and 5 minutes, the little Cessna 188 did land on Norfolk Island, much to everyone’s relief, and showing what a little fuel conservation can do for you. After all, there is no point burning good fuel excessively and unnecessarily when you do not know where you are going. The Captain of the DC 10 ordered that the cabin crew serve complimentary champagne to all passengers when the news of the safe arrival on Norfolk Island was received. -Monty Note – on the attached map, you will see that the ICAO designator for Australian airports is Y, and for New Zealand airports is N. Note also that Fiji comes under NZ airspace control, and Norfolk Island is an Australian territory. Distances and initial headings for each leg of the route are approximately as follows KSFO to PHNL 2399 statute miles @ 252° PHNL to NSTU 2600 statute miles @201° (there was likely another stop in between) NSTU to YSNF 1700 statute miles @ 230 ° YSNF to YSYD 1044 statute miles @ 247° and for the air New Zealand flight NFFN to NZAA 1336 statute miles @186° Note that the map has been compressed North South to fit the page better Page 8 - 59 Grapevine -Feb. 20, 2010 Project Updates Engine baffles are particularly important with pusher propellers. Above shows Monty’s pressure baffle system with NACA duct inlets. Above right: Opening in ducting was fabricated for oil filler access. Right: Top cowling nicely fitted in place on Monty Suffern’s Velocity. Above: Bob Coomes finishing up the overhaul of the IO-360 engine for his Lake Amphibian. Right: Frank Dicorte working on the pre-rotator for his GyroBee. Compliments of: Aircraft oil, tools, & supplies Brent Mattson Brian Mattson Blake Mattson Feb. 20, 2010– 59 Grapevine– Page 9 More Project News Russell Hall is making good progress on his Lil’ Buzzard restoration project. Work on the controls is shown here. Ray Woodard with his Sonex near completion. This photo shows new fuel lines for the Rotax engine on the Lil’ Buzzard. Shown here are Jimmie Blackwell, Dale Breedlove, Dave Clay, & Elwin Cook who have dived in to help get Ray’s airplane flying as soon as possible. Page 10– 59 Grapevine - Feb. 20, 2010 SONEX DIARIES –Elwin Cook January, 2010 Week Of Jan 13 Have been alternately working on canopy at home and oil cooler installation at the hangar. The firewall is pretty thin and with carb air exchange box and oil cooler mounted close together, they will have a tendency to vibrate severely. Fabricated a stiffener for firewall. It will be tricky to rivet, but think I can swing it. Drilled and riveted oil cooler mounting bracket. Drilled out and clecoed a ½” angle piece to firewall. This stopped the vibration. Week of Jan 18 Over the weekend, threaded the screw holes in the canopy bows. All went well, but need dimpler die to countersink holes in side mounts. Got the side holes reamed to size. I have decided to go with screws on sides, rather than rivets. Got the latch ready to install. Did some cosmetic trim work on cowling and started to thread side holes in canopy frame. Disaster!!! I was removing the canopy from the frame to install the latch, when it slipped with ONE (1) screw still in the frame. Result? A crack across the attach hole. I may be able to repair it, will consult experienced builders first. Week of Jan 25 Worked glue into the canopy crack and let it cure over the week-end. Looks pretty stable, so I fabricated a trim strip for the entire aft edge to support the damaged area and spread the stress a little. Painted framework of the canopy. Fitted trim strip. Fit is close, but needs some cutting and trimming. Cleaned hangar for a change. Took trim strip to hangar for additional trimming. Threaded screw holes in frame. Drilled out screw holes in aft trim strip. Cut opening in canopy for outside latch handle and fitted latch retainer spring. Got all screw holes in frame threaded. Started installing canopy retainer cable but positioned bolt hole in the frame wrong. Inside washer will have to be modified to fit. Week of Feb 1 Have screws for all the holes now, so got everything threaded and fitted. Started fitting canopy to frame when I discovered one (1) outsized hole. Had to go shopping for another sized screw and thread cutter. Got home and found thread cutter was too big for the tool I had, so back to the store for a bigger tool. I really don’t need this. Got leading edge holes countersunk. Had to grind down some screws for the sides where there wasn’t enough room for full length. Partially assembled canopy today. Everything seems ok. Will need some minor adjustments, but 3-4 hours of work should finish it. Went to Lampasas Friday to give Ray Woodard a hand with fitting his cowling, so today, I fitted side hinge and latch to canopy. It fits, so started aligning holes in leading edge. Had some problems with acrylic wanting to “hump” between screw holes. Finally got screw holes aligned with no humps. Now, to finish aft side and just put it on the plane. Week of Feb 8 Canopy done except for final fitting of aft trim strip. Installed aft trim strip, now, only thing needed is to install latch and restrainer cable. That will wait until I get it back to the hangar next Monday. Week of Feb 15 Took all tools and materials left from canopy fabrication back to the hangar. Couldn’t take canopy until tomorrow, so did some minor assembly work to latch, and roughed out gear fairing for Ray Woodard’s plane. Took canopy out to the hangar and fitted it to aircraft. Will need some adjustments, but pretty close. -Elwin When you’re single, you can work on your canopy in the living room with no complaints! Waco Flight Training 7805 Karl May Dr./ACT Airport www.wacoflighttraining.com 254.754.4040 [email protected] 16146 16146 S. S. IH-35, IH-35, Bruceville, Bruceville, TX TX 76630 76630 Flight instruction, aerial survey & filming, wildlife control services Office: 254-857-9260 Fax: 254-857-9360 Web: www.hothelicopters.com Aircraft Rental (C‐172S & M20J) Biennial Flight Reviews Primary/advanced instruction IPCs Now open with full‐time CFIs on duty ready to serve you! Feb. 20, 2010- 59 Grapevine - Page 11 Cub Replica Project Update Thanks to hard work & leadership by Jim Hail, progress on the Chapter project is advancing. March 6th, after the Pancake Breakfast, will be start-up time for the engine. Left: Jim Hail showing the engraved memento from Region 12 teachers for our student aviation programs, led by Chapter 59 Education Chairman James Young. Members who showed up for the Cub project workday got a free gourmet lunch. Above shows members at their favorite pastime. At right, Bob Coomes gives Jim a hand troubleshooting a pesky master solenoid. Page 12– 59 Grapevine - Feb. 20, 2010 First Flight of the RV-12 Left: Grover Rogers & John Foy smiling after the first flight of their RV-12 from Rabbit Run Airfield. Next 3 photos show the first lift-off. Everything worked as advertised on this short test flight. There are now about 20 RV-12s flying, with over 200 kits sold. When the snow melts, expect to see the skies rapidly fill whith this new light-sport entry. Trim-Aire owner & Beechcraft guru, Buddy Miller, shown here taking a break at the Mexia Airport with (left to right) Weldon Hill, Bob Brashear & Les Miller. www.internationalbiplane.com Feb. 20, 2010- 59 Grapevine - Page 13 The Joys of Painting– Ron McKinley Painting airplane parts: Here's a little story about an episode I had when trying to paint some airplane parts. Many of you know that I recently purchased a used 1967 Cessna 172H. While the airplane is mechanically in great shape, the same can not be said about its original 1967 paint job. The paint is weathered and worn. There are several places where the paint is faded so bad that there is scarcely any left. So, I decided to do some badly needed touch-up work. I elected to start with the simplest parts possible, the nose wheel pant. Anyone who has ever dealt with automotive enamel paints such as Imron or Nason paints knows that these paints do not come cheap. Imron will run around $75 per quart, while Nason is about $40 per pint. (Including the reducers and catalysts required). Since I am also planning on painting the whole cowling along with the nose wheel pant, I went ahead and purchased enough paint to do both parts. Or so I thought. Parts prep went along pretty well, sanding, repairing some epoxy cracks around the mounting holes, and then some more sanding. Since the wife and daughter were gone to Phoenix for the week, I brought the thing in the house and did the masking on the dining room table with an old issue of the Thrifty Nickel. Perfect, got the whole thing masked off and covered. Now I was just about ready to paint. Both Imron and Nason paints require a very specific mixing ratio of paint to reducer to catalyst. Nason happens to be 8-2-1 mix. Now how am I going to get that ratio just right without mixing up the whole pint can?? A trip to the local Dollar store yielded a set of kitchen measuring spoons. I got the part all cleaned down, wiped off the dirt and residue, swept the shop floor, sprayed some water around to keep the dust level down. Cleaned the gun again just to make sure and now I was ready for some painting. First a quick tack coat, let it set for a few minutes, took my time, no need to hurry, let it set and get tacky. Good, time for a second tack coat, again perfect!. Now let that one set up and get tacky. 15 minutes and I'm ready for the third and final coat. Lay down went perfect, got a really nice coat, plenty of coverage, and lots of nice clean gloss. No runs either!. And then it happened. A nasty piece of space junk somehow managed to find its way to Groesbeck, Texas and landed in my work shop. Not only in the shop, but right smack in the middle of my fresh paint on the nose of the darn fool wheel pant right where it would cause the most ugly blemish ever if it were allowed to stay. NO problem I'll just get out my handy Exacto knife and remove the little intruder. Ok, so now I can re-coat that little spot, easy now not too much, OHHH-NO, blugh, running, no, no stop! Oh well, I'll just let it dry and sand it out tomorrow. Again the wife is gone so I'll bring the thing in the house and let it sit by the heater to dry. The next day I went back out to the workshop, and proceeded to sand down that ugly paint run. It didn't seem as bad as when it first happened, but it did require repainting the spot, so I sanded the whole thing down with 400 grit paper. Again cleaned the gun, the shop, wiped to part down and mixed up a batch of paint. Just as soon as I poured to paint into the gun and picked up the spray nozzle I noticed a small amount of paint thinner from the gun dripped into the paint can. No problem I thought since it was thinner any way. I'll just shake it up and make sure its all blended together. Here comes problem number two. Just as quickly as the paint hit the surface it looked as though I was spraying in a sand storm. Tiny specks of blob all over the place. Now the whole damn thing is trashed. Tried to wipe it off but things only got worse, a lot worse. My seemingly simple little paint job on a small part is turning into a project. What went wrong? It had to have been that little amount of paint thinner from the gun nozzle that dripped into the paint. The paint was obviously contaminated. Nothing to do now but let it sit in front of the heater again and dry. I'll just have to sand it all down and try again tomorrow. Day 3: Sanded the whole wheel pant down with 150 grit paper, then again with 320 grit. Cleaned the gun again. This time I made sure there was no MEK or thinner left in the gun. I cleaned the shop floor, changed the paper covering the shop table, wet the floor down, paid extra attention to the paint mixture. I wiped the part down with Alcohol and quickly dried it off. Ready for the third try. Again-(AGAIN). Globs of space junk. The thing looked like I was spraying confetti – garbage, trash, splats like it was coming out of the gun. I stopped instantly after only one quick swipe across the surface. By now you must have figured out that, if nothing else, I am persistent. I'm a Scotsman, and the Scots never give up, sometimes to a fault. I decided to seek some help in the form of a professional. Somebody that should know what is going wrong. Something besides me just being a hardheaded dumb Scotsman that doesn't have sense enough to give up when he should. I mean after all, how difficult can it be to paint a wheel pant? The wheel pant went to the airport with me where two or three experienced people had a chance to offer their opinions. (Everyone except the pro painter, who was gone that day). Most settled on the idea of static electricity and dust. Back to the shop, sanded the thing down again, but this time there's no way I'm laying any paint on this thing until I know what is going wrong. So I called the guys down at the paint store, NCS on Valley Mills Drive. (That's the old Car Quest, remember?) They said to bring the part down and they would take a look to see if they could figure it out. One look and the secret was revealed. Remember that Thrifty Nickel newspaper I used to mask off the lower half of the part? The first time around when I laid down the very first coat it was fine, but once that layer of paint had dried into the paper it turned the paper (and the print) into a form of confetti every time the spray from the subsequent attempts went across it. I was in fact blowing confetti into the paint. Four days later, a full $40 dollar pint can of paint and a new masking paper to cover the part and it finally looks done. Bottom line is don't use newspaper as masking paper when painting small parts. Newspaper is for reading or for covering the bottom of the bird cage but it can drive you crazy on a simple paint job. -Ron Page 14– 59 Grapevine - Feb. 20, 2010 WHERE IN THE WORLD IS GSW INTERNATIONAL? -Homer Dale Cox I’m sure most of our older members know exactly where it is, but perhaps the younger crowd does not. In any case, I believe all might find a little history of this now closed airport quite interesting. It is particularly eye-opening to go to www.wikimapia.org and scroll down memory lane for an up close look at the location and size of this not-so-old airport. Fort Worth transferred commercial flights from Meacham to the newly developed Amon Carter Field in 1953. The airport was built with the help of American Airlines on land annexed from the city of Arlington. Ultimately the plan was to “annex” the air traffic from Love field in Dallas, but of course, that plan didn’t work. For better or worse, (as was the case) the city of Fort Worth purchased Amon Carter field lock, stock and barrel -roll in 1960 and renamed it Greater Southwest International. To my way of thinking, it was a grand airport when I flew into GSW on American in 1960. It was my first time to visit and I was in awe of the magnificent terminal building with its huge murals. It was so nice I wondered why we had stopped at Dallas Love on the way in - forgetting that there were only 4 or 5 passengers left on the plane after they all got off in Dallas… Indeed, several airlines served Greater Southwest including American, Braniff, Continental, Delta, and Eastern. Nonstop jet service to Los Angeles was offered beginning in December of ’59. The problem was the FAA believed it was ridiculously expensive to maintain operations at two locations in such close proximity, therefore in the mid 60s, the powers that be announced, “No More” and airline service was terminated in 1969. Then in 1972, Greater Southwest had its final curtain call. In all fairness, the FAA and other business leaders had been trying to get the two cities to agree on a one airport compromise for years, but harder heads had always prevailed. Today, DFW sets on land purchased by both Fort Worth and Dallas. It literally dwarfs GSW immediately to the south. It’s actually the land American Airlines corporate offices and training center now occupy, but from a satellite view, you can still catch a glimpse of one city’s dream, including a part of the main runway which is now the north end of Amon Carter Blvd. –Homer Flight Advisor Corner -McMains 91.319 Operating limitations Advisory Circular 90-89A Amateur-Built Aircraft Regulations & Reference Materials Normal Operation If you intend to build or are currently building an aircraft, the list below will guide you to answers to important questions you will have during construction, and operation upon completion. Most answers can be found at: www.faa.gov Initial Building 21.191 Basic definition of amateur-built 21.175 Classification of airworthiness 21.193 Needed information for experimental testing 45.22 “N” number special rules 45.23 Experimental display 45.29 Size of “N” number 47.15 General information/ ”N” number 47.33 General information/ Registration 91.205 Instrument and equipment requirements Advisory Circular 20-27F Advisory Circular 20-139 Advisory Circular 21-12B 21.181 Duration of airworthiness 91.25 Accident reporting 91.207 ELT requirements 91.319 Operating limitations Maintenance 21.93 Major change Part 43, Appendix D Advisory Circular 65-23A Sale 21.179 Transfer of airworthiness C.A.F.E. evaluationswww.cafefoundation.org Flight Testing 91.305 Flight testing area www.fortparkerflying.com Feb. 20, 2010- 59 Grapevine - Page 15 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Every 2nd Sat. Lufkin, TX Fajita Fly-in Angelina County Airport (LFK) NEXT: Feb. 14 Every 3rd Sat. Jasper, TX Free BBQ lunch Fly-in Every 4th Sat. Granbury, TX Granbury Airport Pancake Breakfast Granbury Airport (KGDJ) Feb. 26-28, 2010 Oshkosh, WI EAA Chapter Leaders Academy Oshkosh Airport (OSH) Mar. 5-6, 2010 Casa Grande, AZ 52nd Cactus Fly-in Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ) Mar. 27, 2010 San Marcos, TX Bi-plane Fly-in & Warbird Rides San Marcos Airport Apr. 13-18, 2010 Lakeland, FL 36th Annual Sun ‘N Fun Lakeland Regional Airport (LAL) Apr. 24, 2010 Sherman, TX 3rd Annual Texoma 100 Air Race North Texas Regional Airport (GYI) www.sportairrace.org May 28-30, 2010 Ranger, TX International Bi-plane Assoc. Fly-in/Ranger Fly-in & Airshow Ranger Airfield July 26-Aug.1, 2010 Oshkosh, WI Airventure 2010 Oshkosh Airport (OSH) Jasper County Airport (KJAS) -fuel discount www.cactusflyin.org Chapter 59 Events Every 1st Sat. Pancake Breakfast Fly-in 8-10 am EAA hangar (PWG) Every Thursday Thursday Lunch Bunch 11:45 am EAA hangar (PWG) Mar. 6, 2010 Monthly Breakfast & Event Starts 8 am EAA hangar (PWG) Mar. 9, 2010 Chapter 59 Board of Directors Meeting 6 PM EAA hangar (PWG) Mar. 6, 2010 Cub Replica Project engine start-up After breakfast EAA hangar (PWG) Apr. 24, 2010 Chapter 59 Music Evening Details soon EAA hangar (PWG) Thanks to the following for contributing to this month’s 59 Grapevine: Elwin Cook, Pam Brown, Hollie Moffett, Grover Rogers, Dave Clay, Ron McKinley, Monty Suffern, Homer Cox, Russell Hall EAA CHAPTER 59 MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL FORM –2010 DATE:________________ CHECK ONE: Application for introductory (new) membership___Renewal___Associate Membership_______ NAME:__________________________________________DOB:__________________ SPOUSE_________________________________________DOB:__________________ MAILING ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________ CITY:_______________________________STATE______________ZIP:____________ HOME PHONE:_______________________BUS. PHONE:________________________ FAX:________________________E-MAIL:_____________________________________ AIRCRAFT INTERESTS:_______________________________________________________________________________________ LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES:_______________________________________________ EAA #;___________________AOPA #________________YOUNG EAGLE #:____________ HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT CHAPTER 59?____________________________________________________________ HOW CAN CHAPTER 59 MEET YOUR NEEDS?_____________________________________________________________ Having accurate, up-to-date information is important to your Chapter and to you. MEMBERSHIP: Full membership in Chapter 59 is $24 per year, which includes the monthly publication of 59 GRAPEVINE newsletter. Introductory memberships are available for $12 (first year only). Dues are prorated after March of each year. The year begins in January for all members. Associate memberships are available to businesses and those interested in getting the 59 GRAPEVINE newsletter but who cannot participate in the regular events of the year. These memberships are $12. Student memberships are available to full-time students at $6/six months upon proof of enrollment. Regular members are also required to join National EAA after their introductory year. Forms for joining National can be obtained from the Secretary or Treasurer. Make payment to: EAA Chapter 59 Mail to: Chet Chesnut, 1401 Alford Dr., Hillsboro, TX 76645 James Cooper Account Executive www.ikon.com Page 16 - 59 Grapevine– Feb. 20, 2010 CLASSIFIEDS: Positions Available: Staff reporters needed for Chapter 59 newsletter. Could easily lead to exalted position of editor. No experience necessary, free training. Pay doubles each year for qualified applicants. If you can read this, you qualify. Contact Mike McMains 254-715-4411. BEARHAWK PLANS • $250 • FOR SALE • 4 Place High Wing .Plans Set No. 548. Includes construction photos by Mike Meador, Russ Erb's ref. CD and BearTrack newsletters. Get started today on owning this great aircraft! Contact Donald Wiltse Telephone: 512-415-7994 cell or 254-412-5451 Work [email protected] (email) 1975 Cessna 150M, TT 4,020, SMOH 2,040. Located at Mexia (LXY). $17,000. firm. Last chance. Ron McKinley 254-7298607 or [email protected] for details. For Sale: 1958 Piper Tri-Pacer PA22-160– complete, but needs rebuild. $12,000 OBO. Rob Womack 254-829-2593 2000 American Champion Citabria, 1260 TTA&E. This is the current model at half the price of a new one. Fresh annual inspection Sept. Strong engine, straight flyer, ready for work or play. Buyer’s market price, only $65,000. Free training with purchase. Contact Mike McMains 254-715-4411 Airport for sale in Robinson, Texas, 3 miles East of Interstate 35, TE17 on San Antonio Sectional. 2400' sod, 32/14. Out of ACT 15 NM on 28 acres, house, new metal storage building and maintenance shop, enclosed hanger and wood shop, 4 rental hangers (currently all full.) and 4 open tie downs, plus maintenance equipment. $365,000.00. Contact Dan McKee, Owner, 2495 West Moonlight Drive Robinson, Texas 76706. 254-662-3255 For Sale 5606 Aviation grade hydraulic fluid at $ 50.00 per case ( 6 gals ). Or $ 4.00 per quart. B. J. Waters- Call 254 8532426 or 495-5106. PA-17 replica (Wag-a-Bond) Kit in Georgetown. Call Seth Hancock 512-864-5529. Fiberglass nose bowl, unused, WagAero part number MO-47-000. New price $272, sell $100. Bill Boyd 254 848-9227 Sport Pilot instruction now available right here in Waco, Texas. Accelerated and standard instruction along with Sport Pilot BFRs. Tail Wheel transition training for all pilots. Tail wheel aircraft rental available. Contact Kenny Grisham at [email protected] or 254-749-5490 for more information. FROM: Mike McMains EAA Chapter 59 325 Bluebonnet Circle McGregor, TX 76657 S T A M P FIRST CLASS MAIL – PLEASE FORWARD
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