August, 2004 Edition          

Chapter # 407                       www.eaa407.org

          South East Idaho

 

 

Officers and Contacts:

          Hal Johansen, President                            522-7297              haledie@ida.net

        Jerry Phillips, Vice President                    523-3981              phillipsjh@asme.org

          Harold Turvey, Secretary                         785-2552              happyharold@cableone.net

          Harold Mothersill, Treasurer/Website     524-6204              lmothersil@aol.com

          Austin Moses, Newsletter                          684-3922              mosescpa@srv.net

 

NEXT MEETING:   Fly or drive to Dell, Montana (4U9) for breakfast at the “Calf A”.  Saturday August 21.  Plan to be there at 9:30 A.M.  Plenty of runway with 7000 feet.  Keep everyone advised of your whereabouts on CTAF 122.9 or if you want to talk along the way try 122.75.  I suggest  parking at the south end of the runway, shutdown and push you aircraft off the hard surface run up area.  It is about a half mile walk to the restaurant.  If you have not been there it is a pretty homespun atmosphere in an old school house, sit wherever you want and with anyone.  If you plan on being there it might help to have a head count,  to warn the rather small restaurant, so do call Jerry Phillips our V.P. & Special Activities Chairman at 523-3981, I have.  See you there!!

_________________________________________________________     

WEBSITE  UPGRADED: Harold Mothersill, after moving and vacationing, has made some nice changes to eaa407.org so do take a look on each menu item and observe the improvements.  If you have a photo of your aircraft, or whatever, we would like to have it magically appear by clicking on your name on the Member Roster.  Try clicking on Austin Moses to see what happens, sooo! Get a photo to Harold.  What we really need is someone to volunteer to be “Photo Chairperson”.  Call me at 522-7297 to volunteer and I will work with you to get that function going.  I have a new digital camera which can do a pretty fair job and is available if needed.

__________________________________________________________

 

M.E. ‘Mac’ Asher - We lost Mac to natural causes while attending a fly-in at Smiley Creek.  He was an avid aviator and was the pilot for Nevada governors Grant Sawyer and Paul Laxalt, among other Nevada state officials.  He flew for charters, air-ambulance, and flew the backcountry of Idaho out of Salmon, as well as being a crop-duster and flight instructor.  He was a member of the Q.B. Association, the EAA, the American Legion, the Antique Airplane Assoc. and the Flying B Ranch.  He was a former board member of the Nevada State Fair and the Reno Air Races. We will miss his good humor, intelligence and  friendly nature. 

 

 

Welcome New Members:

 

Terry/ Natalie Bergevin:   They attended our last  meeting after seeing our website  and then decided to join our chapter  when they saw the good time we were having at Hoffs Rainbow Ranch.  Terry comes  from a flying family background with both his parents being pilots.  They owned aircraft  including a J-3 Cub, Ercoupe and a TriPacer.  Soloing at age 16 he spent a bit of time at A&P school before becoming a 30 year veteran  welder at the site.  Longtime EAA members they are heading for Oshkosh again this year and building a SONEX.

Welcome to Chapter 407 Terry & Natalie

 

 

July 8, 2004

 

Chapter 407 had a small but enthusiastic group of kids to fly in support
of the Collings Foundation who brought their B-24 and B-17 to town for
flight and tours.  We had five aircraft piloted by the following
members:  Hal Johansen, Nick Davidson, Steve Hildreth, Pete Stewart, and
Gary Shipley.

The group flew five kids.  Two by Hal, and three in Steve's C-172.  Bill
Smith and Max Shipley provided ground support.

The event was planned as a quality not quantity event and the kids that
went up were treated to quality rides and returned with smiles on their
faces.

Thanks to all for your support.

 

Gary Shipley

 

From the editor:

 

July was an interesting flying month for several of us, including our illustrious president and yours truly.  I had decided to fly back to Oshkosh, hoping to meet up with Hal and others back at the fly-in.  Hal left on Sunday, the 25th and planned to make the trip in two days, arriving early Monday morning.  I wanted to leave early Monday and try to make it in one day arriving in the afternoon on Monday.  I departed Blackfoot about 4:30 a.m. and flew without incident south of Jackson Hole in order to avoid the Vice President’s TFR, then slightly north to avoid the highest of the Wind River Range.  Even so, the little Pulsar saw 13,000 feet to keep above the peaks in the dark..  With the sun in my eyes, Wyoming crossed underneath and soon the Black Hills were visible in the distance.  Letting down to 7500 ‘, Mount Rushmore slid under the wings and I glimpsed the white faced gentlemen from over my shoulder. 

 

I had planned a fuel stop around Rapid City, but with the help of a slight tail wind and the “little john”, I passed it by and went on to Phillip, South Dakota for fuel.  I landed at 8:05 a.m. in Phillip and following the fueling and a stretch of the legs, I was off at 8:30 for Baraboo, Wisconsin for the next fuel stop.  Head winds slowed me down to about 135 mph through South Dakota so I was planning for a fuel stop short of my original expectation when I glanced down to see the coolant temperature climbing quickly.  I punched the moving map on the little GPS 90 and then looked outside to see if the nearest strip was where it said it was.  Sure enough, not more than three miles away was the welcoming numbers of 18-36 at the Pipestone, Minnesota airport.  I pulled the power back and lowered the nose for a short down wind and touchdown at the 4,000’ strip and shut it down. 

 

Antifreeze was dripping from the little four stroke Rotax when I pulled the cowling but it took over an hour to determine where it was coming from.  After checking all the hoses and every obvious leak location, I finally took off the exhaust pipe from the number three cylinder and there was a pin hole in the water jacket of the cylinder head.  We called the Rotax experts at Lockwood Aviation in Sebring, Florida and the mechanic said it was probably a casting problem and that a small bead from a TIG Welder would probably fix it.  Hopeful, we found a motorcycle customizer with a welder and by 6:00 p.m. he was ready to draw a bead.  Only when he struck the arc, the casting disappeared leaving a ¼” hole into the water jacket.  The casting had been worn down to where it was paper thin all along that section.  After comparing that cylinder with the others, it was apparent that the heavy muffler hanging on the number three cylinder had caused it to vibrate loose and over the past year or so, I had kept tightening it until the steel bulb on the exhaust pipe had worn the aluminum casting away and exposed the water jacket.

 

With all hope of a quick solution dashed, I found a motel room, had supper and called Hal to let him know not to expect me.  It was a tired body that lay down to rest that night, but a thankful one too.  Thankful that the airport had been there when needed and for the help that the FBO operator and his son were giving me.

 

Tuesday morning dawned with a telephone call back to Lockwood Aviation with the plea to put a new cylinder head assembly together and overnight it to Minnesota.  Then we pulled the engine and cylinder head to get ready for the new head, which arrived on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.  Wednesday morning, we carefully torqued the new head down and reset the engine in the bed of the Pulsar.  By 5:00 p.m. we were test running it on the tarmac and were disappointed to find an oil leak in a push rod tube pressed in at Lockwood.  It was a slow drip so I determined to leave that evening anyway.  Not to Oshkosh but back to Blackfoot.  I had had enough fun for the week and spent sufficient money for three Oshkoshs.

 

Leaving about 5:30 p.m., I battled head winds back across South Dakota, landing at New Castle, WY, just as the sun set.  I camped on the field and was fueling by seven on Thursday for the leg home.  Blackfoot showed up just where it should be at about 10:30 a.m. and I set the little bird down two days before I had planned, but glad to be back home.

 

In the two weeks since, I pulled the engine again, removed the cylinder head and shipped it back to Lockwood for repair.  They graciously replaced the push rod tubes, letting the green Lock Tite set up over night this time and shipped them back.  As of today, Friday the 13th, the bird is back in the air with no oil leaks so far, and a pilot anxious to not let any more of this summer pass by without flying. 

 

Although the trip didn’t turn out as planned, I met some nice folks in Pipestone, which, by the way, is named after the soft stone mined by the Indians to make their peace pipe bowls.  If you happen to drop into the airport there, say hello to Clarence and Mike Taylor for me.  They were so accommodating and helpful during my stay!

 

Austin Moses

 

 

 

E. A. A. Chapter 407

Minutes of July 17, 2004

I. S. U. Hanger, PIH, Pocatello, Idaho

 

The meeting was called to order by President Hal Johansen at 10:23 a.m. with 28 souls attending.  It was announced that the Nominating Committee consisting of Larry Boam, Kent Linsenmann, Gary Shipley and Harold Turvey had met, and will be canvassing the members for candidates for the positions of President and Secretary, which will be for the term of two years.

John Bakken was in attendance, and is recovering from having his thyroid removed. It was also announced that former member Gil Vasquez had passed away from a heart attack.

Harold Turvey read the minutes from the June meeting, which were approved as read. Harold Turvey  also gave the treasurer’s report in the absence of Harold Mothersill, with the club having a balance of $5,385.70 in the bank.

Austin Moses was thanked for getting the newsletter on the web site for this month.

Hal would like everyone to visit the membership roster on the website, and check their e-mail address to make sure it is correct...he keeps getting some e-mail returns from his meeting announcements. Please send any information corrections or additions to Harold Turvey at “happyharold@cableone.net”.

Gary Shipley gave a report on the Young Eagles flight of 5.

Jerry Phillips announced that the next meeting will be held August 21, 2004, at Dell, MT, which will start with breakfast at 9:30 a.m. There will need to be some numbers turned in prior, to allow the café time to prepare for the onslaught...so please let Jerry know if you plan to attend.

Don Knauts gave a report on the library, with a new addition of “Countdown to Kitty Hawk” video.

Carl Yrene announced that the media was made aware of today’s meeting, and should have been in the “happenings today”.

Hal apologized for the saturation of some computers with the pictures sent out along with the newsletter.

Gary Shipley gave a report on the “tool crib”, and would like input if there are tools that need to be acquired by the club or if there are tools that you need.

At 10:45 a.m., the time was turned over to Gordon Bernier for his presentation on “automotive engines for homebuilt aircraft”. He had on display an engine acquired from a 1995 Mercury Mystique, which he had installed in his Wag Aero 2+2. It lost a thrust bearing after only 40 hours. He discussed the dry sump oiling system, the cooling system, the engine mounts, the ducting, the wiring and operation of the engine. He also discussed many of the other auto engines available (Viper, Northstar, Subaru, VW, Buick, Ford, Chevy), the pit falls of some, and the advantages of some. There are certain items that need special attention when used in aircraft. Fuel pumps, batteries, belt drives, aluminum radiators and the proper anti-freeze and monitoring water pressure rather than water temperature were some of the items addressed. Please contact Gordon for recommendations on research items and printed matter.

A short break was taken at 11:22 a.m., after which the “bring-a-buck” drawing was held, with Oscar Batdorf being the winner.

The group reconvened at 11:50 a.m., after which Jeanine Lawler made a presentation on “recovering an aircraft” using Poly Fiber, for which she is a distributor, and can be contacted for any associated items. She will be working diligently on an Aeronca Champ this coming winter. There are 6 basic steps to recovering an aircraft. 1) preparing the aircraft; 2) glueing and shrinking; 3) rib lacing; 4) finishing tape and gussets; 5) heating and smoothing the edges; 6) applying the coating. And remember, PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE !!!

As with other fun things to do, CAUTION needs to be exercised during some operations and when using some of the items associated with covering an aircraft...this would include wearing nitro-butyl gloves when handling certain items, and using a respirator when painting or at other times when appropriate. Misuse or mishandling some items CAN  BE  FATAL OR HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH if caution is not exercised (even though pain or discomfort is not immediately felt).

If you have any needs or questions, please contact Jeanine at Lawler Aeronautic, 1-800-608-5235.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:57 p.m.

 

 

Advertisement:

 

Second Annual Wings & Wheels Festival

October 1st-3rd, 2004

Wenatchee, Washington

 

Contact Wenatchee Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau at  (800) 572-7753 or www.east-wenatchee.com for more information.