EAA Chapter 732

Newsletter February 2005

Presidents Message:

From The President’s Workbench

Building an aircraft with a great set of instructions can be a real joy. Nearly every step is carefully explained, detailed pictures are provided, and in some cases notes of caution are injected where people have previously made mistakes. We start cruising; thinking that as long as we check off each step, accomplish each task, a real airplane will magically appear. Wrong!!!

No set of instructions is totally complete. There are places where you become the designer, where you must make difficult decisions on some very important details concerning your airplane. The pioneers of our hobby, in many cases, had nothing but a dream at the start. They built their own instruction sets, sketched their own drawings, and suffered through countless hours of frustrating mistakes. We should salute this spirit every chance we get. But before we decide to pioneer on our airplane, we should carefully consider asking for help. In just our chapter alone there is a wealth of experience, people who have really agonized through the design decision process, who have made the mistakes and have learned from them. These people want to be used but it is up to you to make the first move.

Build Safe – Fly Safe

Doug

February Meeting:

The February meeting of Chapter 732 was held in the hangar of Chip Gibbons at the Bentonville Airport. Chip’s hangar was spotless & comfortable. He also provided refreshments of coffee and soft drinks. Barry West pulled the Chapter trailer from Drake Field with the chairs for the 30 to 40 members present.

The Treasurer’s report was given showing the Chapter to be in sound fiscal condition.

A new member, Jack Hollingworth, joined the chapter during the meeting. He lives in Missouri and he is building a BD-5. This is not something he picked up recently that he is going to try to finish. He is the original buyer and because of life’s events around 30 years ago, he had to set it back to await completion at a better time. Now is the better time. He originally planned to use the short wing option but has changed his thinking and is going to use the longer wings. When he pulled it back into the light of day he was pleased to find that there were no corrosion problems that would side track him. He plans to use a Hirth engine and he is enthusiastic about getting back to the project.

Upcoming Events were discussed including fly-ins, dinners and special programs (some are covered later in this newsletter):

March 5 – 4th Annual Gathering of Eagles dinner, Clarion Inn, Fayetteville AR

April 28-30 - Fly-in to tour Corvette factory and Museum, Bowling Green, KY

June 25-26 - Fly-in for leisure time, Gastons, AR

Date unknown – program featuring Dick Rutan, Neosho, MO. More information will be obtained on this and reported in the March Newsletter.

Ongoing projects were discussed next.

Mickey Ward of Berryville, Arkansas has completed the building of a Zenith CH 701. Barry West transported the scales to Berryville and they completed the weight and balance checks. Barry was going back to Berryville in the days following the meeting to complete a Technical Counselor project review.

Bob Axsom of Farmington, Arkansas reported that his RV-6A has been turned over to Don Gray of Gray’s Aircraft Refinishing at Ozark, Arkansas for painting Blue, Red and White (in order of decreasing skin coverage). He brought the photo log and bound builder’s log as well as the drawings, builder’s manual and receipt binder to support the “Selecting Your Project” program that was delayed until March. These and similar materials representing other kits should be brought to the March meeting to support the rescheduled program.

Members Shayne and Phyllis McDaniel from Pineville, Missouri reported that they are into the Cockpit and instrument panel construction on their RV-6A. Everything is looking good at this point.

Rex Stewart of Bella Vista, Arkansas reported that he is preparing to deliver his GlaStar for painting by the man that painted Scot Musgrave’s Glasair. Rex recently purchased a trailer that will accommodate the landing gear and facilitate the move. Transportation of completed aircraft, even with the wings off, is always a big problem and it is good to have it resolved.

Doug Stone of Bella Vista, Arkansas reported completion of the tail surfaces on his RV-10 with rivet bucking help from Steve Chambers. He is ready to start on the aft fuselage.

Meeting program - Electrical System Planning – Steve Chambers:

Steve Chambers presentation was scheduled for March but he stepped up to the task a month early because the scheduled speaker was unable to attend the meeting. (“Selecting Your Project” has been rescheduled for next month’s meeting.) Steve’s presentation was very practical, drawing on his experience planning and implementing the electrical system in his RV-6 and flying as an Air Force, airline and private pilot. The outline of his talk handed out to the attendees is as follows:

Electrical System Planning, Steve Chambers-20Feb2005, (Not to be confused with aircraft wiring!)

Problem 1 - Money, Degree of difficulty & Time:

a)Need TOTAL project overview/plan prior to build

1) Panel must be planned with electrical system

2) Space precious in most experimentals

3) www .epanel.builder.com

b) Builder's abilities and resources -EAA, Internet, Kits

c )Outsourced system vs. maintenance considerations?

d) Technology changing rapidly

Variables 2 - VFR/IFR Legal www.faa.gov/regulations/index.cfm:

a) Builder's IFR pilot experience

b) Proposed use and future use of airplane

1] FAR 91.205 must have primary ground based

VOR capability for legal IFR. GPS supplemental

c) Resale value

Goodies 3 - Pitot-heat/auto-pilot/extra radio/storm scope/ traffic

warning/ terrain warning/lighting/dual system

Options 4 - Component vs. Scratch Built System:

a) EFIS packages Chelton, Blue Mountain

b) Electronic engine analyzers Vision, JPI, AC Spruce

c) EXP bus systems www.controlvision.com

d) Alternator size required

Safety 5 - Build Safe. Fly Safe:

a) Extra/backup batteries vs. vacuum system

b) Large wires in cockpit

c) Thru firewall connections/runs/connections

d) Accessibility/charging-jumping ability

e) Hot wired items and related problems

Conclusions 6 - Realistic evaluations of:

a) Ability and time

b) Money

c) Use of airplane

d) Use reputable companies. Is TSO better?

e) Take pride in your work, may take longer! !

f)Remember this a learning experience! !

Questions -??

As might be expected on such an important and complex topic, there were several questions and comments.

Next month’s Meeting will be held at 2 PM on March 20 in the FBO (in the main terminal building) at Drake Field, which is located at the south end of Fayetteville, Arkansas alongside Highway 71. The program for this meeting will be “Selecting Your Project,” presented by Dave Hill.

INSPECTION OF MICKEY WARD’S ZENITH CH 701 – Barry West

On or about February 16 I loaded the scales in the Kitfox, flew to Carroll County Airport and assisted Mickey weighing his 701. Total weight was under 600 pounds and I walked Mickey through calculating the center of gravity. I found that the airplane had not been inspected by a Technical Councilor and proceeded to look it over although I had no check list nor paperwork with me. At home, I found that my inspection had been incomplete and that another trip was necessary.

So Monday, February 21, back to Carroll County and a more complete inspection.

Mickey did nice work and that helps with the inspection and generates confidence that things are OK. The airplane was not quite complete and a few things were pointed out that needed attention.

· Registration Number had been reserved but not received nor put on the airplane

· From the first trip, the fuel valve was not properly identified and marked “off and on,” but this was taken care of by the last inspection

· ELT not yet installed

· No compass correction card, there is apparently no rose at Carroll County Airport and he will need to take it to another airport or find another way to resolve this

· Ratings for fuses were not identified on the panel

· Aircraft Data Plate not installed

· Pilot Operating Handbook has not yet been put together

These items should be easy to rectify and Mickey should not have a problem with his final inspection.

By Barry West

Chapter Calendar:

March 20, 2:00 pm-Meeting /Selecting your project/ Drake Field FBO-Fayetteville, AR - Dave Hill

April 17, 2:00 pm-Meeting/Review of Mickey & Lester's 701 Project - Berryville, AR - Mickey and Lester

May 15, 2:00 pm-Meeting/Annual Picnic, Election and Fun Fly - Huntsville Airport, AR

June 12, 2-00 pm-Meeting/Review of Barry's Pulsar Project – location to be announced - Barry West

July17, 2:00 pm-Meeting/14th(and final?) Defiant Review - Drake Field – Charley Caldwell

August 21, 4:00 pm-Meeting/Harris Watermelon Extravaganza Floyd and Madeline Harris' House

September 18 2:00 pm-Meeting/Review Rex Stewart's GlaStar Project – location TBA - Rex Stewart

October 16, 2:00 pm-Meeting/Wedington Woods Fly-In - Wedington Wood Airpark (67AR)

November 20, 2:00 pm-II Meeting/Review Doug Stone's RV10Project – location TBA Doug Stone

Bowling Green Kentucky - April 28-30 2005 - Bob Axsom

Ten rooms have been reserved for April 28 & 29 at the recently remodeled Baymont Inn & Suites in Bowling Green Kentucky.  The local Hertz facility has agreed to a reasonable rate for mini-vans to transport the group locally.  Tour reservations have been made for the GM Assembly Plant at noon on Friday the 29th of April and later at 14:30 for the National Corvette Museum.  Special badges will be printed for us authorizing weekend access to the museum after our formal tour is complete.  Group dinners will be arranged for the evenings of the 28th and 29 for an opportunity to share flying stories and enjoy each other's company but participation and cost of this activity is up to the individual participants.

AAA‘s Tour Book states this about the tours:

General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant is off I-65 exit 28 at Louisville Rd. and Corvette Dr. Bowling Green is the production site for the classic American sports car, the Corvette, and two-seat Cadillac XLR. Every Corvette produced since 1982 was manufactured in the Kentucky plant. The plant offers 1-hour, mile-long guided walking tours of portions of the assembly area.

National Corvette Museum is across the street from the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant off I-65 exit 28 at 350 Corvette Dr. The Corvette was introduced at the General Motors “Motorama” show in New York City in 1953. The museum houses more than 60 ‘Vettes – actual models as well as concept cars - including one of the original 1953 Corvettes , the only 1983 Corvette in existence, the millionth ‘Vette produced and other rare Corvettes.  Also displayed are photographs, advertisements, television commercials and Corvette memorabilia. Dioramas feature the cars in realistic period settings such as a 1960s Mobil station, a dealership showroom from the 60s, a scene depicting the legendary Route 66 and an early assembly line. An area devoted to performance features racing scenes and a re-creation of a pit stop. A165-seat auditorium offers an orientation film.

The individual cost for two nights stay (based on two people sharing a room), ground transportation and both tours ($13 per person) is estimated to be $135 but this will vary depending on the van loading and van fuel cost.  Friday night only stays will reduce the cost to approximately $85 per person.  This is based on double occupancy and meals are not included.

There are at least two rooms still available for Thursday and Friday night.  If you would like to participate in this fly-in or have questions you would like to ask, please contact Bob Axsom at Jeaninebob@cox.net or 479-267-5206.

The current list of participants is as follows:

Room	Name	Airplane	Reg. #	Confirmed	Days
1	Steve & Terri Chambers	RV-6	N99ST	1/26/05	1-Friday
2	Charley & Frances Scott	Glassair	N189CW	1/26/05	2-T/F
3	Chip & James Gibbons	Bonanza	N36PD	1/26/05	1-Friday
4	Garnett & Sue Collins	Bonanza	N4984M	1/26/05	1-Friday
5	Barry & Sherron West	Kitfox/Bon	N880BW	1/26/05	1-Friday
6	JW & Helen Neal	Dakota	N2110Y	1/25/05	2-T/F
7	Bob & Jeanine Axsom	RV-6A	N710BJ	1/25/05	2-T/F
8	Tom & Ruth Wyatt	Bonanza	N733SE	Maybe
9	Bill & Camilia Smith	?	?	Maybe	?
10

Gaston's, Arkansas - June 25-26 2005 - Chip Gibbons

 Members,

I am active on the AOPA web board, where a number of flying related topics (and far, far too many non-flying related topics) are discussed. After a while the people who post questions and information there begin to get a feel for one another, but most of us have not met.

Last year we held the first AOPA web board fly-in at Gaston’s so we could meet each other face to face. The weather didn’t cooperate but it was still a great time. This year, the fly-in is scheduled for June 25th and 26^th, with brunch scheduled on the 26^th.

In addition to the AOPA folks, a Citabria web board group has been invited to attend, and some of them have said they would be there.

If the weather permits, this will be a great time to meet pilots from across the country and see some nice airplanes. Diana Richards, a new Chapter 732 member and Citabria pilot from Missouri, is coordinating the fly-in. Everyone is welcome, especially Chapter 732 members! Plan to fly in on Saturday for a while, or on Sunday for brunch, or spend the whole weekend. It should be a fun time!

This is pretty much a meet-and-greet with no planned activities other than brunch.  You'll need to make your own reservations for rooms, fishing, etc.  To learn more and to “sign up” to attend, go to www.eaa732.org/aopa

Sun ‘n Fun

Sun ‘n Fun is coming up in April and rooms are being reserved in the immediate area. There are rooms available without a long drive however. Admission for the entire week for EAA members is $90 and spouse rate is $45. For more information visit http://www.sun-n-fun.org , write Sun ‘n Fun, P.O. Box 7670, Lakeland, FL 33807, or call 836-644-2431.

AirVenture

AirVenture is more remote time wise but rooms are even more scarce. One way to find something besides the EAA route is to get a road map and make a list of the towns surrounding Oshkosh then use a service for locating hotels to help identify availability, cost and value. Some caution is warranted because the services are not the management and a recent experience with Orbitz (which is normally very reliable) secured a room southwest of Appleton for $50 per night. Management at the hotel stated that there was an error made somewhere and the rate should have been much higher. A compromise rate of $110 was established with management in this case but Orbitz stated that they have no control over the security of the reservation or the stability of the rate even though a very official looking eight digit Confirmation number was issued to the customer. Oshkosh is different; buyer be resourceful, buyer be quick and buyer beware.

Air Races

Two recurring cross country air races are again scheduled for this season at Sun ‘n Fun and AirVenture. The Sun ‘n Fun racing provides for Experimental aircraft on Wednesday (Sun 100) and production aircraft on Thursday (Sun 60). Airventure’s race AirVenture Cup is restricted to experimental aircraft. The entry fee for a Sun race is $35 and the AirVenture cup entry fee is $200. The insurance requirements are different as well; Sun requires that you have $1,000,000 liability at the time of the race (Proof must be supplied with the entry, however) but AirVenture goes further:

Insurance Requirements: All participants must provide EAA with an insurance company issued Certificate of Insurance evidencing aircraft liability insurance, in the amount of no less than $1,000,000. This coverage must include air racing, waiver of subrogation, 30-day notice of cancellation, and additional insured status as follows:

EAA, 2005 EAA AirVenture Cup Race, their Directors, Officers, Members and Volunteers.
P.O. Box 3086
Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086

The certificate of insurance must be submitted with application. EAA reserves the right to decline any Certificate deemed unacceptable. NOTE: EAA Risk Management is available to assist any EAA member regarding insurance requirements and availability. If you require such assistance, please contact the EAA Insurance Office @ (920) 426-4822.

The Sun 100 & 60 Racers fly 100 & 60 mile triangular courses starting and ending at Lakeland while the AirVenture race starts south of Dayton Ohio and ends at a private strip south of Oshkosh. The entry form and rules for the Sun races can be found under the Sun ‘n Fun information at the http://www.aircraftspruce.com website. The AirVenture Cup information is not as easy to find. Go to http://www.eaa.org, pick AIRVENTURE, pick PLAN FOR IT, pick AirVenture Cup Race.

Fourth Annual Gathering of Eagles

All aviation enthusiasts are invited. Annual aviation dinner, March 5, 2005, 6:00 pm, Fayetteville Clarion Inn. Guest speaker Pilot Mary Dilda from the “Two of Hearts” Air Racing Team. Dinner and Awards. Cost is $20.00 per non-student person, $10 each for student and ($10) one guest. Advance payment is required and must be received no later than February 25, 2005 (seating is limited). Make check payable to “Gathering of Eagles” and give to Ashlie Randles in the Aviation Department, Burns Hall Rm. 1478 B, or send them to the following address: Northwest Arkansas Community College Aviation Department, One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712, 479-619-4159. This was also announced at the Air Safety Foundation event at Springfield earlier in the month. It is already 2-23-05 so time is very short. If you are interested but the deadline has passed by the time you read this, you should call the number and see if an exception can be made for you.

Flying news

Defiant - Bob Axsom and Barry West visited Charles Caldwell in his hangar at Drake Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Barry has been following the progress on Charles’airplane for several years but Bob had never seen one in the flesh. It is big, it appears near completion and it is beautiful. Charles stated that another pilot who owns a Defiant was going to visit the field in the near future and the two of them were going to fly the other fellow’s airplane. You know how some airplanes just sound different like a Cessna Skymaster for example? Well, Bob happened to be at the airport a few days later and he heard a unique and powerful airplane departing Drake Field and he was drawn to it. He had to take a look and see what it was. It was the visiting Defiant climbing away from runway 34 – impressive!

Autogyro – Doug Stone reported via e-mail that Joe Terminella’s original design autogyro has flown for the first time. Barry West reported that it has a tractor thrust configuration and that Joe feels it could use more power. This will probably be the next item addressed in the development process. Creating an original design of an unusual configuration aircraft and implementing the design as a successful aircraft is a very special achievement.

RV-6 trip to Florida – Steve Chamber took his wife to Florida in his RV-6 giving further evidence of the aircraft’s reliability. For the return trip they would have been trapped for days by a persistent overcast. However, because he had built his RV-6 as an IFR capable airplane with a vacuum pump, attitude Indicator, DG, VOR NAV, and a Garmin 430 departing through the 600 ft. ceiling, eventually getting on top returning home was safe and efficient.

Glassair II FT – Scott Musgrave continues to fly his new airplane from Fayettville. The plane looks great and Scott is very pleased with is performance.

Kitfox – Barry West continues to fly the plane he completed several years ago. Looks good and flys good. Very reliable as well.

Building notes

Rex Stewart – Has his GlaStar ready for paint.

Bob Axsom – RV-6A is being painted

Scott Musgrave – Glasair II FT The painter is working with his wheel fairings and the upholstery has to be completed. It is definitely a going to be quite a show plane as well as a good performer.

Barry West – Pulsar instrument panel and electrical system are in work.

Shayne McDaniel - RV-6A construction focused on cockpit and instrument panel.

Jack Hollingworth – Resuming construction of his BD-5 after a 30 year delay.

EAA Products – Bob Axsom

The 2003 Sport Aviation CD update is available for $19.99. If you have everything in the Sport Aviation CD collection dating back to 1953 you will want to add this.

The hardbound book “Poberenzy The story Begins…” with a cover list price of $39.95 it is now available for $15. I have wanted one for some time and I just couldn’t pass it up at this price. It is a very high quality product and I think it is worth having by any EAA member even at the full price for its historic value but especially so if cryptic identifiers like K-2 mean anything to you.

Flying Movies – Bob Axsom

Flying movies are a rarity and two in the same season with one vying for several academy awards is unprecedented in modern times. General Aviation News February 11, 2005 issue reviewed “The Aviator” and “Flight of the Phoenix”. The reviewer was well on the band wagon of “The Aviator” and not so kind to “Flight of the Phoenix.” I saw them both and I saw the 1965 version of “Flight of the Phoenix” when it came out staring James Stewart. I really liked the original “Flight of the Phoenix” and I did not think I would enjoy the new version – I was wrong – contrary to GAN, I though it was great. Much more about flying than “The Aviator.” They did print my entire letter about the Genesis Project in the same issue though so I can’t be too hard on them. Recently on Amazon.com, I ran across an ad for another classic (for me anyway) flying movie called “The Hunters” on DVD for around $15. If you saw it back when it was originally released it may be of interest to you to know that it is available on DVD. It’s a good one to have when it’s too cold to go out to the hangar.

Member Badges and New Member Application Forms – Dave Hill

Any member needing a nametag should contact Dave Hill at 479-927-3999. We can replace nametags for our cost of about $5.00 or we can refer members to our supplier and they can order them on their own. A future newsletter will include a membership application form.