The Taledragger

April 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!

 

The President’s Corner 

The unmistakable signs of spring are popping up everywhere. Flowers are blooming, trees are budding, allergies are on the rise, and hangar doors are opening to show our winter’s work. 

 

Significant accomplishments made during the last few months indicate just how active this chapter truly is. As the summer grows nearer, I expect there will be many activities for us all to share in. The Independence Flyer is nearing a final wing fitting and firewall construction. Ernie promises a stellar covering class in the near future. The Noon Patrol has two more Nieuports ready for flight, and as the weather continues to warm, we can expect to see more Nieuports overhead. The Luscombe engine is about to be pickled for storage while we take on the next phase, the airframe. And we are researching the Hirth engine on the Hornet, so you can expect to see some activity on this project as well.  So pick a project and come join in the fun.

 

I want to thank Dale Sunderman for taking time out of his very busy schedule and sharing his experiences with the art of TIG welding. I have known Dale for many years and have marveled in his determination to excellence. I am confident that when his Christavia project is complete, it will be a masterpiece in craftsmanship.

 

Please join me in welcoming Dick and Terry Greenwood, and Bud and Dottie Stordahl to the chapter. Dick and Bud attended our last chapter meeting and signed up on the spot.

 

We are still looking for someone who can do a short few minutes on aviation safety. It only needs to be a 3-5 minute talk around the do’s and don’ts of committing aviation. If you would like to take this on, please let me know as I would like to incorporate this into our general meeting plan.

 

For our next general meeting, we have planned a spring cleaning project to follow the business meeting. Bring your gloves, sprayers, pressure washers, and other instruments of cleaning as our hangar management team is creating a to-do list to spruce up our shop for the coming summer months. And just so nobody starves, there will be hot dogs, salad and drinks available.

 

I Hope to see you there!                                                                                                                                                     Al Cleveland

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

EVERY OTHER SUNDAY	THE INDEPENDENCE FLYER BUILDERS GROUP	CHAPTER HANGAR, AROUND NOON-ISH
APRIL 10TH	EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING	CHAPTER HANGAR, 8:30 A.M.
APRIL 10TH	GENERAL MEETING	CHAPTER HANGAR, 10 A.M.
APRIL 17TH	ANNUAL PROFICIENCY TRAINING	GABEL'S HANGAR ALL DAY (SEE PAGE 4)
MAY 31ST	MEMORIAL DAY AT 7S5	CHAPTER HANGAR, 11 A.M.
JUNE 11TH	YOUNG EAGLES DAY	CHAPTER HANGAR, 8:30 A.M.
JULY 7TH TO 11TH	EAA NORTHWEST REGIONAL FLY-IN	ARLINGTON, WA
JULY 27TH TO AUGUST 2ND 2004	AIRVENTURE	OSHKOSH, WI
AUGUST 14TH	HILLSBORO AIR SHOW	HILLSBORO, OR
AUGUST 21ST	ANTIQUE FLY-IN	MCMINNVILLE, OR
SEPTEMBER 17TH & 18TH	OREGON AIR FAIR	ALBANY, OR

 

 

Executive Committee Meeting

EAA Chapter 292:  March 13, 2004

 

1. Attendance:  (7) Cleveland, Vasend, Andersen, Moreno, Finberg, Gwynn, Pongracz.
2. 12-Month Plan:  We want to move toward a recurrent schedule that is easier to anticipate.  Young Eagles in June and September, the Annual Banquet in December, and so on.  With the flying schedule already so full in August (Hillsboro on the 14^th and McMinnville on the 21^st, it was agreed to move the August meeting to the last Saturday of the month (the 28^th) and make that our Annual Open House during the afternoon, with an evening barbeque where the wives will be prohibited from going into the kitchen!  Lots of events are on tap for the summer flying season, so check the calendar of events on the first page and mark your calendars.
3. Flag Pole:  Andy Andersen will look into proper clearances with the Oregon Department of Aviation and see if the American Legion would like to participate with the pole.  It’s time to bring this to a proper resolution.
4. Treasurer’s Report:  The checking account balance is $5299.70 (with the April mortgage paid), and the outstanding mortgage balance is $1,880.89 (which means we could be through in August!).  We now have 83 of 88 paid members—with five outstanding promises to be redeemed.
5. Project Loan Funds:  Roger Vasend is working on a fundraising thermometer for the Luscombe Project.  All other funds are ok for now.  Ernie will attempt to resolve the Hornet engine situation, research the serial number of the engine and determine if there are outstanding ADs. 
6. Pop Machine:  The idea of a pop machine in the building was unanimously rejected.  Power usage alone would exceed potential savings from pilfering by several orders of magnitude.  This is one of those “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” deals.  But please remember, pop isn’t free.  The big sign on the fridge read “Pop:  50 cents!”
7. Annie’s at the Airport:  Andy Andersen reported that the restaurant has sold and is in escrow.  It was purchased by Bobby Muse, owner of the Speakeasy in downtown Independence.  The restaurant will reopen this spring and be renamed The Starduster Café.  (I hope they bring back the spinach omelet that was called the 7S5.)
8. Community Use of Chapter Facilities:  As mentioned in this space last month, this situation had gotten out of hand.  Two possible permitted uses are allowed:  the IAHA Annual Meeting IF it is held on the day following our Annual Banquet, and the one weekend for the OPA Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Pongracz, Chapter Secretary

 

 

CLASSIFIED ADS (continued from page 5)

FOR SALE: 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.

 

General Membership Meeting

EAA Chapter 292:  March 13, 2004

 

1. Attendance:  Once again, the Saturday venue has proven to be immensely popular with over 40 members and guests in attendance.  Dick Greenwood and Bud Stordahl joined the chapter today.  Dick and his wife Terry live in Albany, and Dick has built a beautiful example of the Earthstar Gull 2000.  Bud and is wife Dottie live in McMinnville, and Bud flies a PT-2 with a 130 hp Subaru.  Welcome to you both!
2. Treasurer’s Report:  The checking account balance is $5299.70 (with the April mortgage paid), and the outstanding mortgage balance is $1,880.89 (which means we could be through in August!).  We now have 83 of 88 paid members—with five outstanding promises to be redeemed. 
3. Passages:  Mike reported that his Hurricane 103 just passed the one thousand hour mark yesterday and invited the membership to inspect the continued airworthiness of this wonderful vehicle.  (After all, it’s not really an airplane!)  Mike also reported that the #12 Nieuport 11 of The Noon Patrol flew for the first time on March 7^th under the very capable control of Al Cleveland.  What a week!
4. Program Schedule:  Al reported on the planning by the Executive Board, and the membership approved of the August Barbeque the last Saturday of the month.
5. Technical Counselor Report:  Ernie Moreno reported that he performed four inspections last month.  He told of the problem with inaccurate readings on the EIS of an Gull 2000 and how important it is to generally enrichen the mixture during the initial run-in.  Having an adjustable prop also facilitates this process, because you have the capacity of better control rpm’s and the loading of the motor.  He also told of missing cotter keys on the aileron control linkage of the #12 Nieuport 11. This should have been caught on a precovering inspection, and Mike reported that installing cotter keys at this later stage was a real bear!  As reported in The Taledragger last month our safety inspections and flight advisor programs are paying off, with accident rates way down this past year!  Keep up the good work.  Perhaps this fact is worth repeating:  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.  Ernie also reported on the scarcity of 4130 chrome moly steel.  Aircraft Spruce is exploring vendors in Europe.
6. OPA News:  Andy reported on the Airport Watch Program which will be featured at the OPA Potluck next Thursday evening.  He also announced the APT Program for April 17^th, and an announcement of this vital program can be found below.
7. Featured Program:  Dale Sunderman on TIG Welding Tips.  Dale gave Dave Martin permission to work up an article around his “cheat sheet.”  Dale has been a believer in the superiority of this system since be compared notes with Steve Wolf many years ago.  Pitts fuselages have been TIG welded for many years.  Dale uses a Miller machine because he can lower the amperage down to 8 amps and achieve greater control.  He uses a private bottle size of 150 cubic feet because it doesn’t get confused with the leased 175 cubic foot units.  He noted several rules worth repeating here:  Don’t disturb air on cooling welds, Do use the gas lens cup tips, Do just spend the money for the best hood you can buy and protect your eyes (this isn’t the place to save money in life!), and when working with aluminum cleanliness is everything and contamination is your number one enemy (use a stainless steel wire brush to clean aluminum and don’t let it touch anything else!).  What a great program!  Thanks, Dale.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Pongracz, Chapter Secretary

 

Oregon Flying Farmers (OFF) 2004 APT Day, at 7S5, Saturday, April 17, 2004

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 17, 2003, for the Annual Pilot Proficiency Training (APT) Day at Independence State Airport (7S5). Keith Crimin, Safety Officer for Flight Standards District Office in Hillsboro, will be the instructor for the FAR Seminar to be held between 2:00 and 3:15 pm in Carole and Rod Gabel’s hangar at the Independence Airpark. The hangar will also be the headquarters all day for coffee, tea, milk, cookies, and Hangar Flying while pilots are taking check rides.

One-hour proficiency flights will be available all day except during Seminar. Please let Andy Andersen, (503) 838-4231, andyconnie1@msn.com or Bob Severance, (503) 838-5387, know if you would like to reserve time for flight proficiency flights, starting at 8 am. We have 3 CFIs, Pete Weber, Denton Honbeck, Frank Kummerfeldt and more if needed. The AFT Day activities count for your BFR. The donation this year for the CFI flight review in your aircraft, is $25 minimum. No cost for seminar. All pilots welcome whether or not you are OFF member.

 

Luscombe Project Update

 

The nuts have rethreaded and returned to the task. By the time EAA members read this latest report, the engine should be complete, with slick new magnetos and spark plugs.

 

Next it's on to the fuselage, now in residence at the EAA hangar.  Some additional paint removal is in order.  A section of skin and bulkhead need to be replaced, along with many more items.

 

Join us at the April 10 chapter meeting, where we will decide how to proceed.        --Bob Schwarzler

 

News from HQ: EAA Announces Harrison Ford as New Chairman

 

Harrison Ford, best known as a renowned actor in more than three dozen films but also an extremely active pilot and member of the EAA, was introduced as the new Chairman of the EAA Young Eagles Program, which has flown more than 1 million young people since 1992.

During a welcoming program at Van Nuys, Calif., with EAA President Tom Poberezny, Ford accepted the chairmanship of the program, saying, “It’s daunting to step into General Yeager’s shoes, but aviation is about learning new skills and the satisfaction that comes with practicing them and doing better.” 

Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, who has served as Young Eagles Chairman since 1994, will continue to participate as one of more than 35,000 volunteer pilots who have been involved since Young Eagles was founded.

“Harrison Ford’s passion for flight has grown through the years, as he has achieved several pilot certificates and ratings, and made aviation a major part of his life,” Poberezny said. “He discovered Young Eagles on his own several years ago and quietly started flying young people. He now has flown 81 Young Eagles. He is a natural fit to help lead us to even greater achievements as EAA members prepare the next generation of aviators.”

Ford actually began flight training as a college student in the 1960s, but then put his training on hold until he rediscovered it in the early 1990s. He has since earned ratings in rotorcraft and tailwheel aircraft. He has been an EAA member since the mid-1990s and a member of a local EAA Chapter near his home.

The Young Eagles Program was founded in 1992 and has provided more than 1 million free demonstration flights to young people. Through January 2004, young people around the world have participated in the program through the efforts of 35,000 volunteer pilots. Major support is provided by Jaguar Cars. More information is available at www.youngeagles.org. 

 

 

CLASSIFIED ADS

 

LYCOMING ENGINES & PARTS: Harry Malette (800) 831-6513

 

1987 AVID FLYER B  N#3PN: Recently updated 2-Place, 850# gross.  Newer Rotax 582 with oil injection and electric starter. All the usual instruments plus Val-Com radio and Garmin Pilot 111 GPS.  Grove aluminum  landing gear with hydraulic. brakes. 340 hours on airframe and approx. 140 on engine. Always hangared. Something around 15K buys it. Contact Mike Tracy, Eugene (541) 461-6346 or homegrwn1@hotmail.com

 

BEAUTIFUL 1966 CESSNA 150, 466 SMOH. KX-125 nav-com, KT-76 tx with mode C, and SPA-400 panel mount intercom.  $21,500. Dewey Erlwein  (503) 838-6661

 

QUICKSILVER MX  377 Rotax , good to excellent sails. It does not have steerable nosewheel . Comes  with a complete extra rebuildable 377 Rotax. All the original paperwork, complete assembly & parts manual and lots of new odds and ends. I have no place to store it anymore and would like to sell it for $2,650 David Harris (541) 688-6751 nailbangr7@aol.com

 

 

1982 MX QUICKSILVER:  New Rotax 447, Front and rear fairing with wind shield and storage, Wheel pants, Rear drum brakes, Ivo Prop 2 blade, ground adjustable, MXL stabilizer, Vibration coupler, drive shaft, pillow block bearing, small pulley and drive belts are all new, Wing wire bolt kit and as well as other safety up grades. New wheels and tires. Strobe, Tach, CHT, EGT, Air speed, Regulator.  Qualifier Sails.  Located at Daniels Field.  Always stored in hanger. $4,000.  (541) 607-9055 (home), (541) 953-2443 (cell) marty.nill@guaranty.com

(Classifieds continued on page 3)

 

What’s Up with TIG Welding?

Mike Pongracz’s minutes of the March 13 membership meeting note that Dale Sunderman, a former Chapter 292 member, brought along his Miller SyncroWave 180 50 TIG welder and shared tips with us. Several are in Item 7 of the minutes. TIG stands for tungsten/inert gas. This electric welding technique uses a low-voltage, high-amperage arc to weld metals including aluminum and stainless steel. A shield of inert gas (argon) prevents oxidation of the weld if you do it right.

 

Dale Sunderman (right) offers chapter members advice on TIG welding.

 

A TIG system uses a fixed tungsten tip as the welding arc electrode. A similar electric system is MIG (metal/inert gas), which feeds wire into the weld under an argon shield. The wire serves as both the electrode and the welding rod.

Mike has gas welding experience and is a self-taught TIG welder. He believes it’s possible for those without experience to learn aircraft-quality welding easier with TIG than with oxy-acetylene gas welding.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are Mike’s notes on TIG welding, which he said we could share with you:

--Look for a machine that is capable of as little as 8 amps, which will be useful for welding thin material.

                --Set the maximum amperage you will need on the welder panel. Then use the foot pedal to obtain a percentage of the panel setting. If you set the panel at 70 amps, pressing all the way down on the foot pedal will yield 70 amps. Half way down would be 35 amps. The foot pedal turns the electricity to the welding torch on and off.

                --The foot pedal also controls the flow of argon, which continues for 7-10 seconds after the foot pedal is released. On some machines, the after-flow time is adjustable. The objective is to protect the hot weld from oxidation. Hand controls are an alternative to the foot pedal where you could not get your foot onto the floor.

 

Ernie Moreno tries his hand at the TIG torch.

 

                --Gas flow is rated in cubic feet per hour. Argon is an expensive gas. Refills on a 125-cubic-foot bottle can cost $40. Be careful buying used bottles, which may in fact be leased and will be retained without credit by some welding supply stores. Buy a bottle that is a private size only so it cannot be confused with a leased bottle. Buy a large bottle because it is more economical than a small one.

                --Use a tungsten tip that is the same diameter as the thickness of the metal being welded. Pure tungsten (with a green band) is used on aluminum. Make the tip round or melt it in the torch.

                --For carbon steel and stainless steel, a tip of 2% thoriated tungsten is used for the tip. This material has a red band to identify it. Grind this tip to a point with grind marks going straight down to the point. The length of the point should be 2.5 times the diameter. Use a protective mask to avoid breathing the grindings.

                --Buy a gas lens. It makes gas flow much more consistent as it reduces turbulence near the tip.

                Set the polarity control on AC for aluminum and DC for carbon steel and stainless steel.

                --Normally, stick the electrode about ¼ inch out of the electrode. For difficult-to-reach spots, the tungsten can be extended to 5/8 inch, but more gas flow is required. For steel, gas flow is about 12 cubic feet per hour. But for aluminum, use 25-30 CF/H.

                --Welding rods. I have used CMS 32 rods from Aircraft Spruce. The Aviat factory (which builds the Pitts airplanes) and master craftsman Steve Wolf use the ER70-S2 rod, and I have switched to that. For thinner material, use a 1/16-inch rod. For thicker material and larger welds, use a 3/32-inch-diameter electrode.

                --Never contaminate the tungsten tip, the base metal or the rod. If you dip the tip into the molten puddle, stop immediately and regrind the tip. I use a small grinder that is dedicated for grinding tungsten only. When welding aluminum, use only a stainless steel brush to clean the aluminum. Never use this brush for anything else; if it becomes contaminated (such as by touching carbon steel), it will contaminate the aluminum you are trying to weld.

                --Always wear safety glasses and protective clothing. Ultraviolet light is very intense with this process, and you will burn. [Dale hangs a leather bib below his electronic welding shield to prevent sunburning his neck]. If you use an electronic helmet, avoid blocking the sensors, which would momentarily reduce the protection and could result in “flashing” your eyes.

[Dale recommends buying a high-quality electronic helmet from a known manufacturer. Some of the cheap imports ramp up protective density too slowly to preclude possible eye damage.]

Thanks to Dale Sunderman for this list of tips. –Dave Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROGRAM NOTES:

SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 10 A.M.

 

BRING GLOVES AND CLEANING TOOLS. IT’S SPRING CLEANING TIME! WE WILL HAVE SOME TASTY TIDBITS TO MAKE IT MORE PALATABLE.