The Taledragger

The Taledragger

March 2004

The Monthly Newsletter of

Chapter 292 of the Experimental Aircraft Association

Serving the Willamette Valley at Independence State Airport, Oregon

Visit our website at http://www.eaa292.org/. It is updated regularly by our webmaster, Karen Brown, and it’s your big chance to see all the photos in this issue in color!

It’s a special month when you can have a program where the likes of Harold Hayes shows you how to properly rebuild an A-65 engine! This was a real treat for the Luscombe crew and an invaluable experience for anyone who aspires to call himself a mechanic. Thank you, Harold, from all of us! Look for the full story by Bob Schwarzler on page 5.

←Paul Sieber, Rick Tjulander, and Don Woodley look on as Harold builds up the crankshaft. (Photo by Jerry Medlock.)

Hooray, hooray, another Noon Patrol Nieuport has been blessed. Mike Robertson visited Mike Pongracz on February 18^th and with a swoop of the hand transformed yet another project into a viable aircraft (Won’t Aeronautics enjoy that!). According to Mike it was a non-event. I guess we have got the process down. Mike and I have already started taxi tests and I think Mike hopes to be in the air as soon as the weather allows.

The President’s Corner

(Continued on page 6)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

EVERY OTHER SUNDAY THE INDEPENDENCE FLYER BUILDERS GROUP CHAPTER HANGAR, AROUND NOON-ISH

MARCH 13^TH EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING CHAPTER HANGAR, 8:30 A.M.

MARCH 13^TH GENERAL MEETING CHAPTER HANGAR, 10 A.M.

MAY 31^ST MEMORIAL DAY AT 7S5 CHAPTER HANGAR, 11 A.M.

JUNE 11^TH YOUNG EAGLES DAY CHAPTER HANGAR, 8:30 A.M.

JULY 7^TH TO 11^TH EAA NORTHWEST REGIONAL FLY-IN ARLINGTON, WA

JULY 27^TH TO AUGUST 2^ND 2004 AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH, WI

EAA Chapter 292 Purposes --Policies--Meetings--Dues

THE PURPOSE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION (EAA) CHAPTER 292: To promote and encourage the sport and hobby of recreational aviation. To cooperate with and assist governmental agencies in the development of programs relating to aviation activities. To promote and encourage aviation safety in the design, construction, and operation of all types of aircraft. To encourage and engage in research for the improvement and better understanding of aviation and the science of aeronautics. To foster, promote, and engage in aviation education. To foster closer fellowship among its members through the exchange of ideas of mutual interest. Chapter 292 is a private, non-profit organization, and recognized as a 501 (c) (3) institution by the IRS. Contributions to the organization are fully tax-deductible as authorized by law.

CHAPTER 292 AND EAA NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP DUES: EAA National Membership is required for all Chapter 292 members (call 1-800-JOIN EAA). Chapter 292 dues are $48/year for 2004 and are prorated on a $4/month basis for those who join mid-year. For more information both on National and Chapter 292 memberships, please call the Chapter Secretary, Mike Pongracz at (503) 606-9767.

MEETINGS: The general membership meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month at 10 A.M. at the Chapter Hangar, 4803 Airport Road, at Independence State Airport. Oftentimes special events will supersede the normal schedule, please call the Chapter Secretary to confirm a date if in doubt.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS: The executive board meets at the Chapter Hangar on the second Saturday of each month at 9 A.M. Board meetings are open, and anyone may attend.

NEWSLETTER: The Taledragger is published and mailed one week prior to the general membership meeting. Feature articles, stories relating to flying, technical reports, or classified listings should be made to the newsletter editor one week prior to publication. This is most easily accomplished by e-mail to the editor at pongracz@ashcreekwireless.com. EAA Chapter 292 is not responsible for any modification or maintenance items that appear in the newsletter or in any other correspondence. It is the responsibility of the reader to discuss and get approval for all such items from an appropriate A&P, the FAA or other government official.

Executive Committee Meeting

EAA Chapter 292: February 14, 2004

1. Attendance: (10) Cleveland, Medlock, McMichael, Moreno, Andersen, Finberg, Vasend, Guy, Schwarzler, Pongracz.

2. Memorial Day Program: Andy reported that planning is beginning for the May 31 program at 7S5. Al Cleveland will represent both EAA and the Explorer Scouts on this committee. It is expected that The Noon Patrol will have a fly-by and a static display.

3. ISAS Update: This seems to be as problematic as ever, and the current chair is trying to exclude EAA from a seat at the table (again) except as a part of the lessees. The by-laws committee is still trying to fashion a new charter. On another issue, the State of Oregon is talking about divestiture of some airports but this probably won’t include places like 7S5 that carry their own weight. (Those of us who live on the airpark can’t understand why we aren’t the model that the FAA and ODA encourage others to copy. We are a support base, the local community loves how we contribute to the property tax base, and we have a vested interest in maintaining, supporting and strengthening the airport.)

4. Program Planning: Bill will try to reschedule Steve Wolf for the April 10^th meeting. May 8^th is planned to be an Airpark Hangar Tour. Please contact Al Cleveland if you’d like to be included on this circuit. We hope that Frank Koch will show off his Cubby project along with one or two others. June 12^th is Young Eagles Day, and July 10^th is Arlington, but this year we’ve committed to have a program for those who don’t head north for the weekend.

5. Luscombe Project: Mike mentioned that he and Bob were discouraged by the perceived lack of support for this certified restoration project: both financially and member participation. The board turned the tables and said “Get the fuselage pressure washed and bring it into the hangar! We can’t support what we don’t see or can’t touch or feel!” It was one of those Duh! Moments, and we hope that a new approach can generate some renewed enthusiasm. We’ll try. The parts for the engine are thought to be all assembled (again) and the assembly will commence on Saturday, February 21 for this group. Bob Ross is due to return from Arizona March 1 and we hope he’ll be ready to lead the wing rebuilding group.

6. Erik Kesterson Memorial Flag Pole: Bill has some more investigating to do on this issue—but it’s still in the works.

7. EAA Hangar Rental Policy: We can’t afford to become the default community center for the airpark. That is not why we built this facility. We are here to build airplanes. We talked about a minimum fee of $200 for the use of the building but it was determined that even this is an insufficient deterrent. Our policy must be, “I’m sorry, we’re here to build airplanes.” There was positive feedback about allowing one major fundraiser like OPA’s July 4^th Pancake Feed to be staged here, and allowing such events as the Annual Homeowner’s Meeting as long as it is the Sunday after our Saturday Annual Banquet seems to make sense. What the board doesn’t want is a perception that we are an available hall for almost any aviation gathering. Al will draft a Policy Statement that will be circulated before the next board meeting for review and comment. We need to act expeditiously though, and we expect that we will adopt an official policy at the next meeting. Please feel free to contact a board member if you’d like to weigh in on this issue.

8. Help Wanted—Newsletter Editor and Webmaster: These ads are to be found elsewhere in this issue, and we hope that by next meeting we can report on genuine progress.[ Editor’s Note (February 22, 2004): Two of our newest members, Dave Martin and Karen Brown, have stepped forward to take on these challenges. Each brings considerable talents to bear to The Taledragger and eaa292.org. We are indeed a fortunate organization to have such talented people contributing to our successes. Obviously there will be no need now to run the Help Wanted ads.]

9. Treasurer’s Report: I reported on a checking balance of nearly $7,000 and an outstanding mortgage balance of $4,900. The board decided to make a principle only payment of $2,000 at this time.

10. Annual Dues Update: About 25% of the membership has not paid yet. Al will follow-up with a personal letter this week.

11. Explorer Post Support: Al requested annual support renewal in the amount of about $28. Approved.

12. Next Meeting: We need more time! The March 13^th meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. (Sorry!)

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Pongracz, Chapter Secretary

General Membership Meeting

EAA Chapter 292: February 14, 2004

1. Attendance: For the second month we’re encouraged by the turn out and by all the new faces in the crowd. We welcomed three new members to the chapter today: Michael van Slyke from Dayton is contemplating a full size Nieuport 17 project and has been following The Noon Patrol’s progress from afar for years; Jerry Pryce lives on Corsair and attended his first meeting with his son, Ian—who was invited by President Al to join the Explorer Post; and Luke Brittan from Salem, who is flying the wheel pants off of Al’s old Avid Flyer and having the time of his life! Three others took applications: Bud Stordahl from McMinnville who came with Michael van Slyke and has built a Subaru powered PT-2, Scott Schaefer from Salem who is looking hard at building a Sonex, and Joe Brooks who lives on Skyraider and is a T-18 builder and is currently putting a Murphy Rebel on floats. Welcome to you all!

2. Independence Flyer Report: Ernie Moreno reported that the he will soon be offering another of his “museum quality” fabric covering workshops after the control system issues are resolved with the Independence Flyer and rigging is complete. I reported that the “every other Sunday schedule” is problematic to plan for, and he said that the spring would go onto an every Sunday schedule. Meeting time is still “around noon-ish” so be a little flexible.

3. Luscombe Project Report: Bob Schwarzler reported on the frustration with engine parts—and often the lack thereof—and hopes that next Saturday will begin the reassembly process in earnest. This is being done right, and there is no cutting corners. It seems that this go around the hydraulic lifters didn’t pass a leak down test.

4. Treasurer’s Report: I informed the group about board’s principle-only payment decision and how this should lead to a mortgage burning ceremony later this year. The new members, some from California’s premier chapters in Camarillo and Santa Paula, asked how we were able to build our facility and I was very happy to recount how we encourage one another to be a chapter of doers instead of naysayers. I invited them to review our dedication plaques in the entry way and see how many members have devoted their time and their resources to make all of this happen. It was a great opportunity to remember how we got here!

5. Noon Patrol Update: Mike’s plane (#12) will be inspected by the FAA on Wednesday, February 18^th. This will be the eighth Nieuport 11 completed and inspected of the original fourteen. Paul Sieber is planning to fly #9 soon (Al has successfully test flown the plane), and we’re hoping to have three or four flying here in the Memorial Day fly-by that honors America’s veterans, and it would be great if a couple of us could fly to Arlington this year. Al has nearly fifty hours on his plane now, and Clay is nearly ready to get back into the air and on his way to flying off his forty hours. Mike is going to have to hustle to make it! The Noon Patrol is having its annual Valentine’s Day Thank You Dinner with the wives today and closing the books on the project. Kesterson #2 is close to completion, and Jerry Medlock needs to get a new knee himself later this month before the airplane can get on its legs. We have our priorities in life. (Good luck Jerry!)

6. Featured Program: A family emergency forced the featured presenter to cancel, but the welding program will continue next month. Bill had a video and everyone had a great time hangar flying.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Pongracz, Chapter Secretary

2004 Chapter Officers

PRESIDENT: Al Cleveland amcleveland at msn dot com (503) 838-9929

VICE-PRESIDENT: Bill McMichael n116bm at yahoo dot com (503) 364-8898

SECRETARY/ TREASURER: Mike Pongracz Pongracz at ashcreekwireless dot com (503) 606-9767

WEBMASTER: Karen Brown kbrown at willamette dot edu (503) 838-4146

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Mike Pongracz Pongracz at ashcreekwireless dot com (503) 606-9767

HANGAR MANAGER: Roger Vasend rvasend at outdrs dot net (503) 743-4327

ASSISTANT HANGAR MANAGER: Jerry Medlock medlockj at teleport dot com (503) 838-2902

TECHNICAL COUNSELOR & FLIGHT ADVISOR: Ernie Moreno ewmoreno at worldnet dot att dot net (503) 838-6878

TECHNICAL COUNSELOR (Metal): George Genevro georgegenevro at cs dot com (503)363-5032

YOUNG EAGLES COORDINATOR: Carole Gabel gabelair at qwest dot net (503) 838-3844

CLASSIFIED ADS (continued)

FOR SALE: ICOM A-23 Handheld NavCom. NIB $375, Lowrance Airmap 300 GPS NIB $400, Trip Board flight station (attaches to floor tracks) (lighted) $75, Lighted knee board $25. Contact Al Cleveland at (503) 838-9929.

RV-8A SUBKITS FOR SALE BY CHAPTER 105: Empennage assembled; one wing assembled, one just started. Can be built as RV-8 (tail wheel). Plans #81205. Located at Chap 105 hangar at Twin Oaks. Asking $6500. Contact Rion for viewing -- 503-646-8763 (eve), 503-670-1144 (day), 503-720-9394 (cell)

DONATE YOUR YOUNG EAGLE POINTS! EAA Chapter 411 has made a commitment to send a young person to summer camp this coming year 2004. If any of your Young Eagle pilots would like to donate their points to a special young person, please send them, c/o Young Eagle Summer Camp, EAA 411, PO Box 411, Midland, Oregon 97634-0411. Thanks, Jim Baker, EAA Chapter 411 Treasurer.

MCCULLOCH ENGINE PARTS NEEDED: I am in need of a magneto and carb for a McCulloch (Mac) 4 cylinder 0-100 drone engine. Please contact Ray Bruce, (503) 463-7386, Thanks.

YOUNG EAGLES PROGRAM WINS LAUREL HONORS

EAA members are not the only ones who think the Young Eagles program is pretty special. Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine recently awarded the program one of its prestigious "Laurel" honors for 2003.

The annual "Laurel" awards honor those individuals and teams who made significant contributions to the international field of aerospace during the past year. In its award proclamation to EAA, published in the February 2 issue, Aviation Week & Space Technology stated that "many of these children have grown up and gone on to earn their private pilot's licenses and choose aviation as a career, in large part because an EAA member introduced them to aviation and ignited an interest in flying."

"We are very pleased to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the 85,000 volunteers who have made the Young Eagles program a success," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "The efforts of these individuals helped take the Young Eagles program beyond its initial goal of flying 1 million young people and have carried us into 2004.

As EAA launches into a new century of flight, the Young Eagles program will continue to inspire both young and old alike. "The reasons for establishing the program in 1992 are as valid today as ever," said Steve Buss, Executive Director of Young Eagles. "Our intention is to continue introducing interested children to the world of aviation, but also help them better explore all the possibilities available through flight."

The program's new target is to register 100,000 Young Eagles annually. In addition, plans are in the works for an enhanced Young Eagles website to be launched later this year and additional activities that EAA Chapters and members can host during Young Eagles or Chapter events.

For more information on the Young Eagles program, visit http://www.youngeagles.org/.

REPRINTED FROM THE EAA HOTLINE

THANKS A MILLION, PILOTS!

A number of our frequent flyers at Independence State Airport received special recognition this month in the “Ten for 2003” insert that accompanied the February issue of Sport Aviation: Harry Bladow, Kevin Davidson, Rod Gabel, Jim Hubele, Denny Jackson, Lynn McDonald, Marcia Noell, John Ousterhout, Dick Paridee, Ron Purdum, Roger Vasend, and Pete Weber all made this special list.

Luscombe Project Update: Saturday, February 21, 2004

Approximately fourteen nuts bolted through the doors of EAA Chapter 292 and collected around the dismembered patient. Led by chief lock washer Harold, the group thoroughly cleansed and removed ancient masking tape from all of the patient's bolts, holes, etc.

←Jerry van Hoomissen and Dave Smith set the crankshaft assembly into the case while Rick Tjulander looks on. (Photo by Jerry Medlock.)

Packages of nuts, bolts, parts, and pieces were opened, catalogued, and set aside. Pages and pages of manuals were thumbed through to find exacting tolerances. It seems each nut has its own gorilla pounds of force needed. You even have to hang on for a few seconds to let the bolt get used to being snugged up tightly before you let go of it. If the hole in the nut does not line up with the hole in the bolt, you try a different nut! All nuts are not the same. We knew that! Cotter pins are strange little creatures that must be inserted just so, yanked on like crazy, and then bent over and banged on the tail with a hammer.

Gears were boiled to make them softer and then fitted to the cam shaft. Bolts were safetied, so many twists to the inch, or the chief lock washer cut them off, and we did them all over. The chief lock washer actually expected us to do this right.

Here’s the happy crew after a day’s worth of→ instruction and an assembled short block. From the left are Rick Tjulander, Paul Sieber, Chuck Kennedy, Dave Martin, Dave Smith, Bob Schwarzler, Jerry van Hoomissen, Walt Best, and Greg Guy. (Photo by Jerry Medlock.)

After liberal amounts of #50 oil here, lithium grease there, and Vaseline over there, two sneaky strings of #50 silk thread were placed around the outside of the case. Thread in an airplane engine? Yep, keeps the nasty oils from dribbling out.

With the two halves of the engine bolted together, the chief lock washer declared that he was emotionally drained for the day. The remaining nuts backed out of the door to rethread themselves in preparation for the

next session.

Bob Schwarzler

AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT RATES PLUMMET! (Feb. 13, 2004)

Figures released by the Federal Aviation Administration indicate that the homebuilt aircraft accident rate has dropped 25 percent for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2003. Over that same period, the fatal accident rate has dropped an even more remarkable 36 percent.

"This is the kind of news everybody in aviation enjoys hearing, with lower accident rates and solid growth in new homebuilt aircraft flying," EAA President Tom Poberezny said. "EAA has long spearheaded programs that help ensure that both new homebuilt aircraft and the people who pilot them are fully ready to fly safely when they take to the sky. EAA members, Chapters and staff will keep working to enhance this year's good news even further."

Poberezny also credited the valuable "peer influence" provided by the 1,000 EAA Chapters around the world (more than 900 in the U.S. alone) for the lower accident rate. EAA Chapters often include a number of experienced builders and pilots who provide an excellent forum for fellow enthusiasts as they complete their aircraft projects. In addition, most EAA Technical Counselors and Flight Advisors are associated with at least one local EAA Chapter.

Currently, there are more than 1,250 Technical Counselors and 560 Flight Advisors currently active, located mostly throughout the U.S. but also in 15 other countries. They are dedicated to the EAA philosophy of "member-helping-member" and promoting safety in aviation. Accident rates for aircraft builders who use the EAA programs are shown to be significantly lower than for pilots who are not EAA members or do not utilize these established programs.

The FAA has specifically recognized EAA's homebuilt programs as a major factor in the reduced homebuilt accident rate. The agency also encouraged formation of similar programs for all of general aviation that, according to FAA figures, has unfortunately shown a slight accident-rate increase over the past 12 months.

REPRINTED FROM THE EAA HOTLINE

President’s Corner (continued)

started taxi tests and I think Mike hopes to be in the air as soon as the weather allows.

We had three new members join at our last meeting: Jerry Pryce, Luke Brittan, and Mike van Slyke. Please join me in welcoming them into the fold. We also handed out applications to Scott Schaefer, Bill Brooks, and Bud Stordahl.

On Saturday the 21^stwe hosted the first of a series on reassembling a certified engine. Harold Hayes made sure assembly went by the book. I heard through the grapevine that there were enough people in attendance that some were using ladders and chairs to see over the shoulders of others. Bob will be contacting us for the next assembly time. Our thanks to Bob Schwarzler, George Genevro, and Harold Hayes for their combined efforts preparing the engine for assembly. “Great Job!”

I have never been one who is comfortable asking people for money, but some times we have to put on those uncomfortable shoes and take a walk, so here goes. About a year ago the membership chose to take on the restoration of this Luscombe. It was decided to secure no interest loans from members who wish to contribute for the duration of the project. Upon sale of the aircraft, those loans would be paid back.

Folks, we need a major infusion of capital, and we need you to step up and help out. Some members have stepped up to help with the expense of the engine overhaul. Soon that part of the project will be completed and we will be ready to start on the airframe. As we disassemble, clean and evaluate, we will need to expend funds for supplies and materials. Anyone interested in helping with this project please see our Treasurer, Mike Pongracz, or the Project Manager, Bob Schwarzler.

Big thanks to Dave Martin for stepping up to help with the April newsletter while Mike and Betty go walkabout and eating rue on the barby. (Dave will also be our NLE for 2005 and give Mike a sabbatical.) And thanks to Karen Brown for taking on the job as chapter webmaster. Watch for some exciting ideas in the coming months.

Safe flying everyone!!! Al Cleveland