May 2014 - EAA Chapter 44

The Flyer
Volume 46, Issue 5
Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 44
CHAPTER FLY-OUTS
TAKE OFF THIS MONTH
by Mike Kuyt
Thank you for all the input of possible
destinations for us to fly to. There were so many
good ones that we have plenty for next year! This
year the Fly-Out Committee (Julie and me around
the kitchen table) picked three destinations for
your flying and touring pleasure.
The first flight is at the end of this month,
Saturday, May 31st to Penn’s Cave, Centre
Hall, PA, 814-364-1664, www.pennscave.com
Penn’s Cave Airport, N74, 814-364-1479
7G0 to N74 is 138nm
Mike & Julie ready for a morning flight.
Penn’s cave features a water tour by boat
into the cave and a wildlife tour by small bus. It is
a 10 minute walk from the airport. No rental cars
or further transportation is needed. There is a café
and restaurant along with a nice gift shop. A
sweater or light jacket is recommended because it
is cool in the cave. The cave tour is about an hour,
the wildlife tour is about an hour and a half. They
are open 9AM – 5PM and cave tours leave every
hour.
The runway is 2,500 x 40 fair asphalt.
There is no fuel at the airport. Tie downs are
grass. Elevation is 1260 ft with TPA pattern at
2260 ft over a ridge. The airport operator, who is
Continued on next page.
May 2014
IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE...
by Mike Clayton
...that another busy month has gone by.
A small group of us spent a day cleaning
out the “Dog House” (Steve Zeigelstein’s barn).
We managed to retrieve the remainder of the
library materials, and disposed of everything that
was not wanted, along with some other stuff that
Steve had identified as no longer wanted. The
bonfire was magnificent! We still have to retrieve
the Metal Shear, and we will be done.
Bob Nelligan-Barrett, our librarian, has
started sorting the materials from the library, and
we have found some amazing things.
For
example, there is a book on the Black Sheep
Squadron, autographed by Pappy Boynton. We
have another book on Voyager, autographed by
Burt Rutan and Dick Rutan. WE have a good
selection of books on the history of aviation.
There are many other books which are fairly old,
including some describing aviation in the 1930’s.
We also have a number of aircraft plans for
homebuilding, and a good selection of technical
books. There are also a number of books on “how
to fly”, which you may find of interest. Bob is
trying to organize and catalog these items so that
they will be accessible to members. Things that
we judge not to be needed for the library will
either be disposed of or offered to members for
their personal use.
I have responded to a request from EAA
national headquarters for any chapters that would
be interested in hosting a shortened version of the
Homebuilders Workshop. This would be
something for the chapter and the local
community, and would likely focus on one or two
areas such as composite construction, tube and
Continued on next page.
EAA 44
Fly-Outs con’t
very friendly and talkative, advises a slightly
higher extended downwind over a ridge and
then a drop down into the valley.
This route would take us past Geneseo,
Dansville, and into central Pennsylvania, all
very pretty country. In addition, The Piper
Museum at Lock Haven is only 17nm from
Penn’s Cave airport for anyone wishing to make
a stop there. According to my flight computer,
that is a 7 min and 33 second flight in my
Cessna including climb out.
Our next fly-out is an overnight on Sat/
Sun July 19/20 to Put-in-Bay, OH (3W2).
This is a popular tourist destination that is only
accessible by airplane or boat. There are good
restaurants, hotels, fishing, charter boating, gift
shops, and museums.
The last flight of the season is on
Saturday September 6th to the Niagara
Aerospace Museum, flying in to Niagara
Falls International (IAG), with a possible
flyover of Niagara Falls. More info on these flyouts will be published in the July newsletter.
Please contact me if you are interested in
participating in any of these fly-outs. I can be
reached by email at [email protected] or
by phone at 585-802-2189.
“Energizer Jack” Frenz is prepping a bookcase for
the Board Room for your reading pleasure.
MAY 2014
THE FLYER
Believing con’t
fabric, or metal. This is in the very early stages, and I
will make more available as things progress.
One thing to think about in terms of the
affordability of flying, is to build your own aircraft. It
does not have to be a high speed turboprop, but can be
very affordable, fun to build, and a lot of fun to fly!
For less than the price of a used car, you can be in the
air! The Chapter is here to provide support and
guidance for those interested.
Spring is coming, and with it the Young Eagles
rally on Saturday, May 17th. If you can do so please
come to help. Elise Isler is the person to contact. We
can always use help with the ground crew, cooking hots
and hamburgers, and general support. Please consider
helping to give the experience of flight to a young
person.
SAC UPDATE
by Kevin Arganbright
A crew went down to Steve Z's Dog
House with the goal of bringing the boxes of
books back to the Chapter House. Ambition took
over and we cleared everything out. This
included three big bonfires! By the time we were
done we were too tired and it was raining too
hard to unload anything at the SAC. Thank you
to everyone who helped us unload Steve's
trailer and the other vehicles before Aprils’
meeting. Thank you Steve for giving us free
storage for so many years.
The drywall in the shop area is all up and
ready for mudding. We shouldn't have to hang
any more until the hanger is built. The picnic
tables are finished and ready for the Young
Eagles Event. We are due to have some good
weather and they will come in handy. The third
bathroom needed to be reconfigured, but is now
fully functional for anyone needing a more user
friendly facility. We brought back some cabinets
and a book case and they are being restored so
we have some storage.
Anyone wanting to help is welcome to come
out to the Saturday work sessions.
PAGE 2
EAA 44
THE FLYER
CHAPTER OFFERS PINCH
HITTER CLASS TO MEMBERS
Text & photos by Dave Hurd
The course came about based on an interest
shown by the non-flying partners/spouses of some of our
pilots. In preparation for making the course available,
your Board of Directors had authorized the purchase of
the well known and highly respected Pinch Hitter course
from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Potential
attendees had offered feedback on the ASF course saying
they liked the information in the video, but did not want
to rely solely on the booklet that came with it.
Pinch-Hitters Julie Kuyt, Karen Tesmer, Evelyn
Amsler, Mariannne Dennis, & Elise Isler.
With the needs of our partners in mind, I crafted a
PowerPoint presentation geared to match the chapters in
the video. The goal of the presentation was to amplify and
reinforce the material shown in the video. In addition,
sections of the presentation included actual panel
photographs of the aircraft the partners would be flying
in. This permitted a specific discussion of each person's
aircraft and the steps necessary to function as a resource
to the pilot, empower the partner, and in the unlikely
event of a pilot incapacitation, effectively call for
assistance on the radio - a process impossible to cover in
a generic video.
There were numerous breaks for snacks, and a
lunch geared toward the tastes of the ladies in attendance.
All prepared through the hard work and planning of my
lovely bride, Becky. We even let the guys back in the
room to enjoy the vittles. They had been asked to not be
present so the ladies could feel more at ease in posing
questions, and it worked terrifically well. The interaction
was lively, and a couple of the partners really kept me on
my toes.
Each of the attendees also received a pocket card
with an emergency checklist, room for their notes during
the day, and a reference back to the ASF web site for the
on line Pinch Hitter so they can review the material at any
time at their own convenience.
MAY 2014
As the program was limited this time to spouses
and partners of our own members, it was free of charge to
the ladies who attended.
A s a n a d d e d b o n u s , l o c a l C F I , To m
Hodgins volunteered to make a brief but very well
received, presentation to the group outlining the in-flight
activities they could expect when they work with him, or
another CFI or flight school to gain the necessary Pinch
Hitter stick and rudder skills for aircraft control sufficient
to get an aircraft safely back to earth. Tom wowed the
audience and the pilots present when he offered the
attendees 2 hours each of instruction free of charge in
the interest of promoting their safety and the program.
Thank you Tom (below).
Special thanks goes to Norm Isler who provided
invaluable audio-visual assistance in getting the projector
and laptop set up for the presentation, and for providing
clean up detail to clear enough tables in the great hall from
all the accumulated stuff that had been brought over from
the dog house.
I've already received some nice words from the
attendees, and of course, some "suggestions" from my wife
on how to improve the next time. There has also been the
thought of having a special follow up session after the
ladies get some air work in to reinforce the process.
Creating the side show was a rather significant
time investment, but it was certainly worth the great
reaction from the ladies, and hopefully we can do it again.
The ladies left Dave whupped!
PAGE 3
EAA 44
THE FLYER
THEY DID IT RIGHT!
GETTING A DAVIS DA-2A
BACK IN THE AIR
Text & photos by Jim Martin
EAA Tech Advisor & Flight Advisor
I was called by Norm Isler in February to see if I
might help two pilots/mechanics from Scott Air Force
Base near St. Louis, Missouri prepare to fly a Leeon
Davis-designed DA–2A V-tail home-built. The new
owners had already bought the airplane in January, during
one of our raging snowstorms. Robert Bouche contacted
me as a EAA Technical Advisor and EAA Chapter 44
Flight Advisor. He is an accomplished private pilot
working on his commercial rating and already had several
hours of instruction on a Davis. His partner, was also an
experienced private pilot with experience in the DA–2A.
I’m going to relate to you all the things they did right. This
whole process exemplifies how to use your tech and flight
advisors, and hopefully to encourage you to use us as you
make progress while deciding what to build, building, and
finally in preparing for the 1st flights in your aircraft.
model. The aircraft has some unusual features, including a
hand operated lever that actuated both main wheels
without differential braking, a separate switch for the
starter solenoid, and obviously in all flying V-tail
arrangement. My experience with V-tail aircraft was that
although they were an excellent compromise when flying
straight and level, they typically ran out of pitch or yaw
authority when significant crosswinds were encountered,
and especially at slower speeds. Both pilots had
experience with this model aircraft in significant
crosswinds.
Because they had not had an opportunity to taxi
the aircraft or get significant runtime, I convinced them to
allow me to run the airplane and do high-speed taxi tests
before we scheduled their departure from St. Louis. This
was important! The engine would not remain running
below 1000 RPM. It would falter and quit when advanced
to take off power, it would not make rated RPM sufficient
for takeoff. They decided to schedule a week off and
travel to Ledgedale, to work on aircraft and to make any
modifications needed for safe flight. From Jim’s
description of the carburetor set-up it appeared that a nonstandard carburetor was installed. After they arrived and
decowled the engine, we found the carburetor to be stock.
I was able to convince Jeff Boshart, with his generous
oversight, to allow them to use his shop and clean and
rebuild the carburetor. The also gave us valuable advice to
check the intake hoses for leaks. They were excessively
loose.
Owner Jim Hill’s Davis DA–2A is a two-seater,
nosewheel aircraft, powered by 80 hp Continental. It had
not flown in several years, Jim had close to 400 hours
experience in the aircraft. Robert had started the airplane
but was not able to do any extensive taxiing due to the
snow in January. They had already posted the bill of sale,
and reregistered the aircraft. I convinced them to procure
insurance, and include my name as one of the insured
pilots – acting as an instructor pilot. After discussion with
the insurance agent, I agreed to give Robert 2 hours of
flight instruction, and his partner 5 hours – weather
permitting.
The fuel that was in the tank was of unknown
age, and appeared to be green. I was able to convince
them to drain all fuel, thoroughly clean the main tank,
replace all fuel hoses, clean the sump, and change the gas
filter.
Both pilots and myself were thoroughly briefed
by Jim Hill, reviewed the operating handbook, logbooks,
and available information on the Internet. This aircraft was
the prototype for Mr. Davis’ upgrade from the previous
From the logs, the last weight and balance date
was unknown. I borrowed the scales from Phil Hazen, 15
minutes later, we were pleasantly surprised to find the
weight to be within 20 pounds of original.
MAY 2014
PAGE 4
EAA 44
THE FLYER
Subsequent starts and run-ups indicated the need
to warm up and stabilize engine temperatures for smooth
engine operation. The motor would no longer falter or quit
and made rated takeoff rpm.
experienced, mature, qualified people that you allow to
oversee your work, your training, and your planning
before committing yourself to an experience you’ve never
had before!
Circuit breakers had no labels, I made labels. The
passenger headphone jack was intermittent, it was
resoldered. Subsequent taxi tests, run-ups, and excursions
down the runway indicated no flight control or directional
control issues. Those gave us an opportunity to rehearse
aborted takeoff procedures. It was late in the day and
winds were out of limits, so we called it quits.
Recently, a DAR in the local area has been
adding limitations to the 1st flight of experimental aircraft
he has signed off due to what he has perceived as
guidance from the local FSDO/MIDO office. I know this
was a case in Dave Hurd’s Glasair project, where he was
limited not to carry passengers. I discussed the situation
with management at the FSDO, and convinced them that
this was the antithesis of the EAA mentoring and advisor
program. I have agreement from the FSDO manager, as a
tech advisor and flight advisor, and former FAA
experimental test pilot, as well as Aeronautical Engineer
and Mechanical Engineer, and homebuilder, that I would
be allowed and encouraged to participate in any way in
those capacities.
I have a pre-flight and in-flight test plan I use
both for 1st flights of aircraft, and for returning aircraft to
flight status. We spent more than an hour briefing and
answering questions together.
Tuesday afternoon the weather improved and
winds abated. We were able to fly for several hours,
investigated stalls, spin susceptibility, coordination
exercises, determine climb speeds and rates, and executed
multiple approaches and landings in a variety of wind and
crosswinds situations.
I signed Robert off in his logbook and reviewed
his flight planning for the trip to St. Louis. We were
hoping the next day to get some flight instruction for his
partner, but weather was changing too rapidly, and Robert
decided to head home. FLT plan.com has a unique feature
that allows you to track and aircraft’s progress knowing its
tail number and if it’s filed a flight plan. I was able to
watch his progress all the way to landing outside St.
Louis.
Throughout the process I was continually
impressed by both of them, their willingness to take my
advice, and their willingness to solve even the smallest
problem upfront, on the ground, without schedule
pressure. Over these years, having built, rebuilt, or
modified 9 aircraft, I know the pressure you experience
trying to get an aircraft into the air the 1st time. This is
why it is so important to surround yourself with
MAY 2014
If any of you need help, advice, or
encouragement – use your advisors – Jeff Paris, Earl
Luce, or myself. We’re here to help and love doing it!
OLD GOAT RUMINATIONS
by Art Thieme
The Chapter needs to make a decision.
Seeing all the boxes from the storage at
Steve Z’s Dog House showed a collection of historic
items and dated material. The question is our library
going o be an archive of chapter and local aviation
history, a reference library, or a collection of aviation
books, journals, etc? As an old guy I like to see
historic materials but admit that I seldom dig into the
files to read any. A library needs filing and
cataloguing, Int he old building Hugh Jones put
things on a computer like a card file. Another
question: do our younger members read print
material or is ti mostly electronic? Research seems to
be all Google. Who uses a card file? Not even the
public libraries! I’d hate to see the material recycled
but it will be a full time job to organize it all. Space
will be a problem. I think that the Pilots’ Lounge
would be a good use of space. We used to have a
rack for magazines and publications like Trade-aPlane. I know, all in good time.
I said that if I had the funds I would buy a
PBY. Now I see where I can buy a PBY Catalina
desk. A company called MotoArt build desks using
authentic PBY airframes.They were kind enough not
to include the price in their ad.
“If you’re faced with a forced landing, fly as
far into the crash as possible.” Bob Hoover
Old Goat, Out.
PAGE 5
EAA 44
THE FLYER
EAA Chapter 44
Board of Directors’ Meeting
8 Apr 2014
Board Members Present: Williams, Clayton, Byers,
Nelligan-Barrett (N-B), North, Hazen, Hurd
•
Oshkosh Airlift (Steve North):
• Two booked so far, looking for more.
•
Old Business:
• Dave has reviewed the Pinch Hitter
material and assembled a set of
PowerPoint slides covering the key
elements of this course. Dave is on track
to complete by May, need to schedule a
presentation date.
• Phil Hazen reviewed possible events for
this year’s calendar:
Other Members Present: Arganbright, Isler (Elise).
Reports:
• President (Mike Clayton):
•
•
•
No specific items
Vice President (Norm Isler):
• (Absent)
–
Aerocamp: Tom Bowdler typically
coordinates
–
Daryl Byers moved to hold a series of
Chapter open houses on the second
Saturday of June, July and August.
Rob Williams seconded, passed
unanimously.
–
Mike Kuyt is setting up several
Chapter fly outs, details at next
general membership meeting.
Treasurer (Elise Isler):
• Report read and approved
Business:
• Building Committee (Kevin Arganbright, et.
al.):
• Main focus is cleaning out Steve
Ziglestein’s “Dog House”, will begin the
week of 14 Apr to move and sort
material.
• As soon as the weather allows will begin
working on a concrete walkway to the
storage shed.
• Plan to complete ADA bathroom before
the AOPA safety seminar in May.
• Longer term – expand & improve
parking lot.
•
Homebuilder’s Council (Darryl Byers, et. al.)
• Had a builder’s gathering at Mike
Clayton’s shop with Earl Luce to work
on Mike’s Kitfox.
• Will try to get Jim Martin to present a
program on making sure your homebuilt
is airworthy and properly flight-tested.
• Dave Hurd and / or Jeff Paris might be
able to develop a composite practice kit
for a future homebuilder program.
• Still planning on hosting a metal
building workshop using the previously
purchased toolbox kits.
•
Capital Campaign (Rob Williams):
• Rob requested time at the next General
Membership meeting to present details
on the Wings 44 Society, a planned
giving program for the benefit of the
Chapter
MAY 2014
•
•
Mike Clayton reported on a survey trip to
Steve Ziglestein’s “Dog House”. Mike
noted that additional work is needed to
sort out items that are worth keeping from
the junk.
New Business:
• Rob Williams moved to accept a donation
of used kitchen cabinets from the Islers to
replace the mismatch set we currently
own. Dave Hurd seconded, passed
unanimously. Will need to decide how
best to dispose of the old cabinets.
• Our first Young Eagles event will be
Saturday, May 17th. Elise Isler is
coordinating ground staff and pilot
volunteers.
• Dave Hurd moved to allow Rob Williams
to dispose of material removed from
storage at Steve Zigelstein’s deemed to be
useless (e.g. old projectors, spent fire
extinguishers, etc.). Mike Clayton
seconded, motion passed unanimously.
• Bob N-B presented information on a
proposed collection plan for acquiring,
storing, preserving, and displaying our
aviation related material.
PAGE 6
EAA 44
CONTACT EAA 44
The Flyer is published monthly.
For an electronic copy, go to <eaa44.org>
and enter your email address where
requested. For a mailed hard copy ($10),
contact Treasurer Elise Isler. For
membership info, contact Treasurer Elise
Isler.
Stories and photos by the editor
unless otherwise noted. Article deadline is
1 st Tuesday of the month. Send
submissions to Editor Bob NelliganBarrett.
OFFICERS
President: Mike Clayton ’15:
585-352-1763
[email protected]
8 Adams Trail
Spencerport, NY 14559
Vice-President: Norm Isler ’15
585-638-8098
[email protected]
Secretary: Steve North ’14
585-723- 5794
[email protected]
Treasurer: Elise Isler
3631 County Line Rd.
Brockport, NY 14420
585-764-9811
[email protected]
DIRECTORS
Darryl Byers ’15
585-659-8150
[email protected]
Phil Hazen ’15:
585-227-9811
[email protected]
Dave Hurd ’14
585-226-2402 [email protected]
Bob Nelligan-Barrett ’15:
585-754-726
[email protected]
Jeff Peters ’14
585-233-6880
[email protected]
Rob Williams ’14
585-737-9435
MAY 2014
THE FLYER
[email protected]
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Kevin Arganbright: 585-392-2689
[email protected]
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Larry Greeno; 585-730-4934
[email protected]
FLIGHT ADVISOR
Jim Martin: 585-368-9333
[email protected]
HOMEBUILDERS COUNCIL
Darryl Byers
585-659-8150
[email protected]
LIBRARIAN/NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Bob Nelligan-Barrett: 585-754-7263
[email protected]
146 Worthington Rd.
Rochester, NY 14622
OSHKOSH AIRLIFT
Steve North: 585-723-5794
[email protected]
SPORT AVIATION CENTER
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Mike Clayton: 585-352-1763
[email protected]
TECHNICAL COUNSELORS
Earl Luce: 585-637-5768
[email protected]
Jim Martin: 585-368-9333,
[email protected]
Bob Northrup: 585-507-1000
[email protected]
Jeff Paris: 585-750-5333
[email protected]
WEBMASTER
Phil Hazen: 585-227-9811
[email protected]
YOUNG EAGLE COORDINATOR
Elise Isler 585-764-9811
[email protected]
EDITORS EMERITUS
Paul Pakusch: 585-746-4514
Art Thieme: 585-663-1875
REGIONAL CALENDAR
Look to Upstate NY’s Aviation
List at <upstatelist.org> for regional
fly-in breakfasts and other events.
EAA 46 OPEN HOUSE
FLY-IN COOK-OUT
Wed. June 11 6-9 PM
(rain or shine)
Hots/burgers/drinks providedBring a dish.
FREE, though donations
accepted for food.
Lancaster Airport (BQR)
4343 Walden Ave.
GENESEO AIRSHOW
THE GREATEST SHOW
ON TURF
July 11-13
See the 1941 Historic Aircraft
Group’s whole schedule of
summer events at <1941hag.org>
ROCHESTER AIRSHOW
Aug 16/17 featuring
the USAF Thunderbirds.
<RochesterAirshow.com>
BROCKPORT
Rt. 31
Rt. 260
N
Brockport-Spencerport Rd.
Rt. 19
EAA 44 is a 501(c)3 organization.
Gifts of cash, securities or other
property to the Chapter for the benefit
of the Sport Aviation Center are
welcome and fully tax deductible.
Contact Treasurer Elise Isler for
details.
SwedenWalker Rd.
Shumway Rd.
Sport
Aviation
Center
To NYS Thruway
Exit 47
Eisenhauer Dr.
Ledgedale Airpark
Colby St.
PAGE 7
EAA 44 Calendar
May 15 AOPA ASF Seminar
May 17 Young Eagle Rally
May 20 General Meeting
May 24 SAC Work Day
May 31 Penn’s Cave PA Fly-Out
NEXT GENERAL MEETING
Tues May 13, 6:30/7:30
Gail Isaac will be
presenting a CD on Kermit
Weeks’ Fantasy of Flight
Museum in Florida.
Joe DiDonato will be
providing a dinner of meatballs,
sausage & sauce. Please bring
sides and desserts to
compliment our entree.
Bob Nelligan-Barrett
EAA 44 Newsletter Editor
146 Worthington Rd.
Rochester, NY 14622
June 10 Board Meeting
June 14 SAC Work Day
June 17 General Meeting
FLY-IN GIVE-A-RIDE
MEETING - NO SPEAKER
June 28 SAC Work Day
July 8 Board Meeting
July 12 SAC Work Day
July 15 General Meeting
July 19 Put-in-Bay OH Fly-Out
July 26 SAC Work Day
All activities take place at the
Sport Aviation Center unless
otherwise noted.
Sport Aviation Center
44 Eisenhauer Dr. 14420
Brockport Airport/
Ledgedale Airpark (7G0)
43° 10' 56" N
77° 55' 1" W
Board Meetings2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 PM
General Meetings3rd Tuesday of the month
$5 Dinner 6:30, Meeting 7:30
SAC Saturday Work Days2nd & 4th Saturdays, 10 AM