EAA 732 The Northwest Arkansas Chapter

<br />

<p>Chuck Bilbe began his engineering career at NCR as a designer of military electronics. His power supply design was used in the AWACS airborne printer, and he did logic circuit design for the Skylab space station printer as well. He joined King Radio Corporation in 1973 and was the designer of that company's first digital large-scale integrated (LSI) circuit which formed the heart of the KT76A transponder.&nbsp; He also did all the software programming and much of the electronic design for the KNR665 area-navigation computer, the first King Radio product to be microprocessor-controlled.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Later, Chuck worked for a number of well-known companies including Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, and Sun Microsystems, doing a wide range of system hardware designs and software projects. At Hewlett-Packard he was the lead software designer for that company's HP1630A digital Logic Analyzer, one of the first Hewlett-Packard parallel-bus logic analyzers. He was also Project Manager for that company's embedded-systems high-level-language compiler group, and was instrumental in the design of an optimizing C compiler product, which utilized automated an optimizing compiler-generator program of his design.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> While at Sun Microsystems and Oregon Software, Mr. Bilbe implemented a number of high-level-language compiler systems, specializing in machine-code optimization and runtime library software, and debugger support hook software in the compiler system.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> After many years in the rather abstract field of computer software, Mr. Bilbe became interested in flying, and became involved as an entrepreneur, developing touchscreen drivers for in-flight computers, moving-map software, navigation programs, and high-speed photorealistic graphic software for the IBM PC architecture. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Most recently, Mr. Bilbe has been working with Jim Younkin in the design and development of the microprocessor system and software of the TruTrak family of digital autopilot products.</p>

<br />

<br />

Steve soloed in June of 1964 and got his Private Pilot’s license in August of that same year. He went on to acquire a variety of licenses and ratings; Commercial, Instrument, ATP, Single & Multi-engine land, Turbojet Flight Engineer, DC-9 type (he was also a Check Airman on the DC-9). He got on at TWA in his early 20s with very little time. His comment: “ Timing is everything.” He has flown the B-727, L-1011, Convair 880 and DC-9. He is also one of a very few people who held a military Navigator and Pilot rating. He retired in 1998 after 31 years and about 20,000 hours. He flew the KC-97 for the 180th Refueling Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, based at St. Joseph, Missouri from 1967 to 1976. He and his wife have owned a Champ and a Cessna 150. Completed N99ST, a Van's RV-6 Quickbuild in September 2003 after about two and a half years of build time. As of June 2004 N99ST has about 70 hours and the "RV Grin" is still real.

<br />

<p> The aviation bug hit during my early years in California when my Dad worked at North-American Rockwell as a tool and die maker on the Saturn Rocket System, B-1 and Space Shuttle projects. Ater &quot;one of those days&quot; at the office, I decided to act on the impulse to learn to fly and haven&#39;t regretted it since then. I&#39;ve owned a Cessna 150, a Piper Cherokee 180 and now a Long-EZ. I never need a reason to fly only a destination and really enjoy IMC, really, no joke. I&#39;d like to have the time to build from plans but will start by finding a project to complete with someone.</p> <p> <strong><em><span style="color: #0000cd">Currently serving as President, EAA Chapter 732 (JAN2011)</span></em></strong></p>

<br />

<br />

<br />

<p>I got my Pvt at Will Rogers in Okc Dec 1966. That checkride airplane is now sitting across from where I used to park my cher 140 in Lawrencville Ga. I got my Multi and Comml Jan 1969. I flew rentals 6 times that year then never flew again until Oct 2003. As soon as I got my BFR I bought the Ch-140. I got a ride in an RV6a summer 2004 and decieded I had to have one. Bought &quot;Tweetybird&quot; 200JH in Nov as is where is as Owner had to sell due to bad heart and couldnt take me up. I didnt have it inspected, just bought it and flew an RV6a driver up to Salem Mo to fly it back. I am glad I wasnt able to get someone to take me to get it as after the first transition flight I new I might have killed myself in it. :-)Charlie Heathco</p>

<br />

<br />

<p>Wayne Larabee has been flying for quite some time.&nbsp; He soloed in 1944 when he was 16 years old.&nbsp; He holds a commercial, multi and single engine license with an instrument rating.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s also a CFII, MEI and A&amp;P.&nbsp; Wayne flew for Atlantic Richfield doing pipeline patrol and has also done charter work, instructing and was a Cessna Dealer for 25 years, logging 30,000+ hours over the years.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s also been an FBO owner and at one time had two FBO's.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s currently working on completing his RV-6 project.&nbsp; Wayne has spent a lot of time helping others in the chapter with their projects but has recently been concentrating on finishing his project and hopes to fly it this year.&nbsp; In past years he&rsquo;s owned an Aeronca 11AC, Cessna 195, G model Bonanza, a Great Lakes and a Super Cub.&nbsp; Not to mention the Cessna&rsquo;s that were his while a dealer.&nbsp; Wayne says his favorite airplane, so far, is the Cessna 195.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s a member of the EAA (and one of our chapter&rsquo;s technical counselors), AOPA (has his 50 year pin from them) and the Quiet Birdmen.&nbsp; He and his wife have lived in Bella Vista for 10 years and have 2 kids, 4 grandsons, 2 great granddaughters and a great grandson.&nbsp; </p>

<p>Jack Macy soloed in 1952 and got his license in 1953 using his GI Bill.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s a private pilot, with a single engine land license.&nbsp; All of his flying has been for pleasure and currently owns a Starduster II.&nbsp; In the past he&rsquo;s owned a Piper Tri-Pacer, a Mooney Mk20 (wood winged), an Executive Mooney and was is part owner of a Cherokee 140.&nbsp; Jack&rsquo;s a member of the AOPA, the EAA (he was the chapter&rsquo;s President last year), and the Ozark Military Museum, being particularly active in the last two.&nbsp; His favorite factory airplane is the Mooney and his favorite kit airplanes are the Starduster and RV-6.&nbsp; He also enjoys woodworking.&nbsp; He and his wife have lived in Bella Vista for 12 years and have 4 kids and 5 grandkids.&nbsp; </p>

<p>I purchased a Rutan Long EZ just before finishing up my VFR. &nbsp;I&#39;ve been in love with the plane and Rutan&#39;s designs since I was five years old and say Burt&#39;s brother, Dick and Jeanna Yeager fly The Voyager non-stop around the world.&nbsp;</p> <p>This year, I&#39;ve made an addition to my hangar and picked up a Cozy MK IV project. &nbsp;The airframe is almost complete. &nbsp;I&#39;m hoping I&#39;ll get to work on it regularly and have it flying in the next year or so. &nbsp;Cross your fingers!</p> <p>I love turning people on to aviation. &nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<br />

<br />

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Scott Musgrave has been a pilot since 1986.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s a Private Pilot and most of his flying has been in a Cessna 172, with some Cardinal and Arrow time thrown in for fun.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Scott&rsquo;s father owned an airplane and his uncle was in the aircraft salvage business.&nbsp; As Scott grew up in Nashville, AR, he got to play with all of those airplanes and the aviation bug bit him hard.<br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He and his wife, Belinda, and their daughter Kalli, live on a small farm with lots of horses and dogs and other animals.&nbsp; He graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Arkansas.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp; Scott has completed work on and is flying his Glasair Super II S FT.</p>

<br />

Bill Phillips has been a pilot since 1987 and currently holds a Single Engine Land rating. His aviation experience has been recreational, with most of his time being split between a Cherokee, a Champ and his RV-6. Bill purchased his RV-6, already completed, from Tony Bingelis. Some of you may have heard of Tony as he's written several books about building homebuilt aircraft. Bill has never built a kit airplane but he and a partner did rebuild their Champ 7DC from a basket case. He says if he were to build a kit today, it would be the RV-7. His favorite airplane so far is his RV-6. Bill retired from his role as Project Engineer for Uncle Ben's Foods at the end of 2006 and immediately went to work for Uncle Ben's Foods as a Consultant in 2007. He and his wife, Kim, have lived in Fayetteville since 2001. Bill was officially transferred up here from Dallas, Texas, in the spring of 2002. They have a son, Robert, who graduated from Baylor (Waco, Texas) with his MA in Communications in May 2004. Robert and his wife currently live in Tempe, AZ. He's also been involved in photography, having a part-time business for 6 years, shooting mostly sports, portraits & weddings. Hopefully, the photography effort can supplement his retirement income so he can continue flying :)

<p>I've lived in NWA now for 15 years. I enjoy building and restoring airplanes when time allows. I currently fly a Cessna 310 and am building an Express and restoring a 1952 certified Anderson Greenwood AG14, 2 place pusher.</p>

<br />

<p>Charley Scott has been flying since 1964.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s a private pilot, single engine land, with an instrument rating and has a hi-performance endorsement.&nbsp; The majority of his approximately 2500 flying hours has been personal with a little done for business.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s also logged about 30 hours of helicopter time.&nbsp; Charley currently owns a flying Glasair 1 FT&nbsp; he constructed and is working on an Express series S90 kit.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s owned and/or flown a Beech Musketeer, a T-34, a Bonanza and a T210.&nbsp; He says the V35/F33 Bonanza is his favorite factory built airplane to fly and the Glasair is his favorite homebuilt airplane to fly.&nbsp; He has been involved with the EAA and Civil Air Patrol extensively and is a technical counselor for our EAA chapter.&nbsp; Charley spent 20 years in the oil &amp; gas business, traveling extensively, including a lot of overseas traveling.&nbsp; He&rsquo;s currently retired from Comercial Insurance sales. He and his wife Frances plan to do a lot of traveling in the future.&nbsp; Charley has lived in Northwest Arkansas since 1974 and enjoys building and flying airplanes.&nbsp; </p>

<br />

Rex Stewart started his flying experience in 1954 with the purchase of an Aeronica 7AC from a friend for $600.00. He soloed three weeks later and got his private license in 1955. In 1957 he converted the 7AC to a 7BCM which increased the versitility somewhat. In 1958 Rex and his family moved to Indiana, selling his airplane in the process and concentrating on an engineering degree. He resumed his flying in 1970 by joining a flying club with five airplanes from a Cherokee 6 on down. In 1974 he aquired an instrument rating and purchased a Cherokee 180D which he sold one year later, replacing it with a Mooney M20C which he flew all over the U.S. In 1984 he traded the Mooney for a P-35 Bonanza which he flew for enjoyment all over the U.S. In 1998 he sold the Bonanza and purchased an AA-1C Grumman Tomcat which he has used for short excursions in the air while he works on the construction of his Glastar Kit which was well under way by the year 2000. In his more optomistic moments Rex still believes that 2003 may be the year. In all this flying fun Rex has accumulated nearly 2000 hours of fun and hopes there will be many more to come.

Doug Stone has been fascinated with airplanes for as long as he can remember. Doug took his first flying lesson in 1968, shortly after going to work for Boeing as an engineer in Wichita, Kansas. Learning how to handle a Taylorcraft on a short grass strip in Kansas gave him a real respect for what wind can do to an airplane. In 1985, Doug joined the EAA and started on a plans built KR-2 which he then proceeded to pull all over the country as the result of company assignments. After retiring to Bella Vista with his wife, Lynn, in 1999, Doug purchased part interest in a Cherokee 6 and obtained his instrument rating. He is now turning serious attention to finishing the KR-2, which he now admits should have been completed a long time ago.

<br />

<br />

<p> Barry West has been a pilot since 1967. He is a private pilot, single engine land, with an instrument rating and 2400 hours flying time. All of his flying has been for pleasure. He has built both a Kitfox IV and a Turbo Pulsar and flew the Kitfox for more than 500 hours.&nbsp; He sold the Pulsar before completion after&nbsp;deciding not to fly it so he could maintain his sport pilot rating.&nbsp; In the past he has owned a Cessna 182 and a Cardinal RG. His favorite airplane to fly has been the Kitfox. Barry&rsquo;s a member of the EAA and&nbsp;the Air Museum at Drake Field . He is also very active in the Young Eagles program and is one of our chapter&rsquo;s Young Eagle Coordinators.&nbsp; He is also a Technical counsellor and past president, treasurer and newsletter editor.&nbsp; Barry&rsquo;s a retired Mechanical Engineer with a bachelor&#39;s degree from the University of Arkansas and a Master&#39;s degree from Southern Methodist University. He and his wife Sherron have lived here for&nbsp;16 years and have 2 grow&nbsp;children and 3 grand children.</p>

<br />

Where to start? I've loved all things that fly since I was a small child. I remember running outside every time I heard a sonic boom, which was often in those days, and I could usually spot the jet overhead. Sky King was one of my favorite shows back then. Many years later, I reached the point where I could make the attempt to realize the dream of flying, and passed my Private Pilot checkride in 1994. The high wing Cessnas (152s and 172s) gave way to a Piper Archer PA-28-181 (N9362K) that I rented every chance I got (actually, every time that I could afford). My grandkids still remember me giving them rides, and I enjoyed that as much as any accomplishment I've ever achieved before or since. In 1997, I believed I'd done what I set out to do, and just couldn't justify the rental costs anymore. But I never lost my love of flight, and in 2005 (after spending 2 1/2 years building a flying model of a 1930 Fleet biplane), I decided that maybe I could build a full size two seater. Maybe I could! So I began thinking over hard what I wanted, what I missed most about flying. I decided that - for me - it is not about reaching the destination, its about the 'getting there', it's about what I see and do and experience along the way. Low and slow seems to fit me fine, and so I began researching the options for an experimental two-seater that I could build and feel safe in, one that had a low stall speed and a good load hauling capability. I've been a member of AOPA for a while (got my 10 year pin), but decided to join the EAA to learn what I could about any low and slow home-builts that a guy like me could actually afford. After much research of performance claims, NTSB and TC accident reports, I finally wound up buying a 51% approved kit that I think I will be happy with.(N412LZ) EAA Chapter 732 seems to be an extremely knowledgeable group, and I joined this chapter with hopes to learn what I can about building a tube and fabric airplane, the right way.

<br />

Jim Younkin is known by many for his creation of the air racing replicas, the Travelair Mystery Ship, and Mr. Mulligan, as well as the super Stearman "Goliath", the Mystery Pacer, and more recently the Mullicoupes. He is also known for his G Model Staggerwing production line which saw three D models converted to G Models and then upgraded with a number of engineering improvements. Finally, he is also known by some for his activity in the art of forming compound aluminum aircraft parts. All these activities were accomplished in his retirement years. Prior to these, his professional career as an electronic engineer was in the field of designing gyro instruments and autopilots for general aviation. In the late 1950's he developed the first miniaturized solid-state gyro slaving system which he sold to AIM (Aviation Instrument Mfg Co.) From AIM, Mr. Younkin went to Mitchell Industries where he designed autopilots and related instrumentation. During that period he invented the low-friction heading selector (bug) into the three-inch vertical card DG. This basic design concept is used today in all autopilot directional gyros. Mr. Younkin's primary accomplishment at Mitchell was autopilot design, and Jim was the sole designer of the Century III, the first attitude position autopilot to fly without feedback sensors on the servos. Mr. Younkin also developed the Century I and Century IV, and contributed to the design of the Century Forty-one, which evolved into the present-day Century 2000. Another product, the NSD-360 horizontal situation indicator (HSI) is Mr. Younkin's design. This unit is probably in greater use today than any other HSI, and it is still being produced. As could be expected, Mr. Younkin holds numerous autopilot patents. Jim spends his time now developing and marketing solid-state digital autopilots for the experimental aircraft market.

<br />