The Plane Newsletter

~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~ April 2009 ~

Important Dates -

Executive planning meeting: 5:30 pm on the first Thursday of the month in the clubhouse (Kelso hangar A7). All are welcome!!

Food will be ready at about 6:30 and the Chapter meeting will follow at about 7:00.

The Grub
Somebody is going to whip up something good.

Minutes From Last Executive Meeting
Jerry brought chili dogs.
We put in bucks for the drawing.
There were intro's all around. A very good turn out this month.
We have $2483.18 in checking and $2145.64 in savings.

Dick Woods completed an audit of our books. Thank You Dick!!!
Eric is to wright a Thank you letter to Mr. Woods.

We talked about new business and/or any old interests. We had a very animated discussion. Lots was said, hopefully some was heard.

Al is to send out self addressed stamped envelopes to all stagnant members.

We talked about starting a flying club. We are wondering of the interest. WE have someone who is affiliated with the Toledo Flying Club. Maybe we can hook up with them or get some guidance.

We put in for Happy Bucks... Our brand new member - Dennis Miller - drew the red chip. What are the odds?!?!? We have been drawing on that silly chip for who knows how long and a brand new member gets the 'gold'!!! Sounds like an enrollment enticement to me. Congratulations Dennis!!

Jerry talked about the airport master plan. He outlined the potential threats to the airport due to developments.

Current Events - the top three news items from Google at the time this newsletter was created based on experimental aviation

A Wing and a Prayer: Safety Concerns Over Red Bull's 55-Year Old Seaplane

''Splashdown'' pilots to be at 2009 EAA AirVenture

Nall Report reveals highs, lows in GA safety record

Tech Counselor Minute- from Jerry Sorrell (Tech Counselor)

WOODEN PROPELLER CARE

For whatever reason, discussion about the care of wood props has come up in recent aviation publications. Here are a few basics.

1. Follow the instructions that came with the prop. This is especially important regarding torque values, which will vary according to the bolt size. If the prop is torque too little, it may chafe, burn the wood and actually break the bolts. The friction developed between the prop and the hub is what transmits the power. It is not the bolts in shear; they only provide the compressive force.

2. Check for seasonal expansion and shrinking. Even though the prop may be fully protected by varnish, the water molecules migrate into the wood according to the temperature and humidity. One technique I have read about, is to fully loosen the bolts so the prop has time to recover and let it " recover it's memory" over a period of no less than 2 hours, and then retorque..

3. Check for tracking. Wood props may not necessarily be so true that the blades track exactly. Sometimes it is necessary to cut a piece of card stock, (like manila folder) and use this as a shim to get the blades to be within 1/16" tracking. Do not use any kind of adhesive tape for this. The engine heat will transmit though the hub and into the prop. Any adhesive tape will usually become plastic and the tape will migrate out from the hub due to the centrifugal force. ( I know from experience.)

4. I have heard some suggest that a prop may be brought into track by torquing to a higher value to pull the "high blade" down. I do not believe this is good practice as this eccentrically loads the prop against the hub, and there is the risk of over torquing. Before you add any shims to the prop, move it 180 degrees on the hub to be sure you are dealing with the prop tracking and not a bent hub. If the hub is good and the prop is not quire right, the same blade will still be out in the same direction. If the other blade becomes the "high blade", it is time to dial the run out on the crankshaft hub.

Interesting Stuff

Airbus Cockpit (be sure to look overhead)
Move your cursor to see the whole cockpit from top to bottom.
You can even zoom on the instrument panel.
Most panoramas are of landscapes.
This 360-degree panorama unlike any other..
It's a picture of an Airbus A380's cockpit. Be sure to go to full screen. (F11).
http://www.gillesvidal.com/blogpano/cockpit1.htm

This is part of an estate sale in Independence, OR.
The planes are:
-->1979 Mooney M20J - about 1850 TTAF; 190 TTSN on the engine and about 600hrs SMOH on the prop. IFR with older avionics. Great paint and interior. Well cared for - good records. They are asking low $90k's.
-->2002 RV4 A beautiful RV4 - around 280hrs since new. O360 engine, Sensenich prop. Metallic Red paint with Gold Trim, white leather seats, dual controls - excellent finish. - excellent avionics package. Builder's logs. They are asking low $50k's
These two planes are hangared here in Independence and if you'd like to look at them, or the records, I have them - give me a call - I'll be happy to show them to you. You'll have to negotiate with Susan on the price though :-)
-->1999 Restoration Super Cub -- A very pretty Super Cub. About 470 hours TT since complete rebuild. 150 or 160 hp (not sure yet), Alaska Bushwheels. White with blue.
Asking $110,000. This one is in Elko, Nevada but may be ferried here later in the Spring.
As far as I can tell, Cye was one of those VERY meticulous builder's and the aircraft are clearly in great shape and well maintained. If you know someone interested in them have them contact me (info below).
Andrew (Andy) Duncan
768 Luscombe Street
Independence, OR 97351
Phone:503 838 9870
Fax: 503 838 9870

First roadable airplane takes flight
By Thomas B. Haines
You may not have noticed it, but history was made on March 5 at 7:40 a.m. when the Terrafugia Transition lifted off the runway for the first time at New York’s Plattsburgh International Airport. The Transition is the first “roadable airplane” that is completely self-contained in ground mode; previous attempts at flying cars required the wings or other components to be trailered on the ground.
At a press conference at the Boston Science Center March 19 announcing the first flight, Chief Test Pilot Phil Meteer demonstrated how the airplane switches to road mode in just 30 seconds as the wings fold in the middle and bend upward at the root, collapsing up next to the fuselage behind the two-person cockpit. To change back to aircraft mode, the pilot must enter a personal identification number into a keypad next to his left knee—a level of security to prevent someone from stealing the car and attempting to fly it.
Terrafugia CEO Carl Dietrich described the anxious moments on March 5 as the Transition barreled down the 11,000-foot runway at Plattsburgh and lifted off, followed by a Cessna 172 chase plane flown by volunteer formation pilot Giora Guth and John Telfeyan. “We felt as if we had planned for every contingency, but at that moment all we could do was watch,” Dietrich said. As planned, the airplane flew only a few feet above the long runway before landing again. Phase one of the flight test plan includes a series of such runway hops, to date as high as about 70 feet. Meteer so far has logged seven landings, saying the four-wheeled (front-wheel drive) craft lands conventionally. Pilots will love the feel of the Transition while taxiing, he said, because of the automotive-style suspension. “We built it to withstand Boston-style potholes,” he quipped. The flight tests followed months of high-speed taxi tests and thousands of hours of wind tunnel and simulator sessions.
Designed as a light sport aircraft, the first Transitions are scheduled to be delivered in 2011 with a sales price of $194,000. Refundable production positions can be reserved now for $10,000. The Transition is powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912S engine in a pusher configuration. In the ground mode, the propeller, which is nestled between twin vertical stabilizers, is stopped. The engine is optimized to run on high-octane auto fuel, but it can also burn 100LL avgas.
Look for more information about the Transition in the May issue of AOPA Pilot.

100 year old film--- Dawn of Aviation --- Wright Brothers
I thought you might be interested in this film clip from the Austrian archives about the Wright Brothers demonstrating their plane in Italy in 1909. What is even more fantastic is there was an on-board camera on the Wright plane and the last part of this film shows it. Wilbur Wright is at the controls on both of the flights. Its a GREAT video considering it's 100 years old and the quality/weight of the equipment of that day.
This film clip is fascinating and in very good condition for its age being as it shows the Wright Bros demonstrating the Flyer to a group of European officers and officials in 1909. Only runs for 4 minutes. The shots of the plane in flight are the best I have ever seen of this machine showing a degree of speed and smoothness I did not think would have been possible. Excellent starting sequence with the linen covered props and easy start but the outstanding sequence being the take off along the rail . You can't see the actual weight drop to pull it along the rail but in some shots you see the tower. The small piece of string on the forward elevon was put there by the Wrights to ascertain degree of side slip as you are aware the plane basically turned flat, and although they eventually put in a form of wing warping it was always a difficult plane to handle in turns, so they kept it as flat as possible because any side slip over a certain angle was unrecoverable. This was the two seat version as you can see and designed for a hopeful military use. It could only fly in very calm conditions. I saw the replica fly at Temora a few years ago.
The in flight shots were something else again and possibly the earliest aerial movie shots ever taken. When you think he had to fly the plane and also hand crank the camera, I think it must have been fixed in position as the camera stays motionless and in any case cameras were heavy in those times and the plane had little spare capacity but I could be wrong. Note the take off ramp. Loved the old Italian Roman ruins in the final shots the approach speed was very slow in deed.
http://www.europafilmtreasures.eu/PY/322/see-the-film-wilbur_wright_and_his_flying_machine'

EAA AIRVENTURE 2009 WELCOMES US AIRWAYS FLIGHT 1549 COCKPIT CREW TO OSHKOSH
Pilots Sullenberger and Skiles to share their story with fellow aviators
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (March 26, 2009) - The cockpit crew from US Airways Flight 1549, involved in one of the most riveting aviation events in recent years, will share their experiences at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh on July 27-August 2.
On January 15, 2009, the nation and world were captivated when Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles successfully executed an emergency landing of an Airbus A320 airliner in the Hudson River in New York City. The leadership and skills from all the flight's personnel saved 155 people aboard the airplane that day.
"These two pilots have told their story to the world since the remarkable events of January 15th, but at EAA AirVenture they'll have the opportunity to talk in-person with fellow aviators on how their training, planning and airmanship skills were tested," said Tom Poberezny, EAA chairman and president, as well as AirVenture chairman. "There is perhaps no place better than Oshkosh where an audience would understand the decision-making process that took place in the cockpit that day and learn the lessons from these two pilots' experiences. We eagerly look forward to welcoming them to 'aviation's family reunion' at Oshkosh this summer."
Sullenberger and Skiles will be featured in a Theater in the Woods evening program hosted by longtime TV personality David Hartman on Friday, July 31, and also at other venues during the week.
Capt. Sullenberger has nearly 20,000 flight hours logged, and began his airline career with PSA Airlines in 1980. He also served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of captain, and has been a flight instructor, accident investigator and national technical-committee member during his career.
Skiles has more than 20,000 flight hours and began his career with US Airways in 1986. The Oregon, Wis., resident is also a regular AirVenture attendee, as he began attending the EAA fly-in convention with his parents - who are also pilots - when it was in Rockford, Ill., in the 1960s.
Additional details regarding the pair's EAA AirVenture appearances will be announced as they are finalized.
EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA's yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket purchase, is available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org.
EDITOR'S NOTE: High-resolution images of Sullenberger and Skiles are available at http://www.airventure.org/news/2009/090325_us_airways.html

Flights

Heard anything good lately? Been anywhere interesting? Let me know. Click here to send me an email!

On the Lighter Side

Lost student pilot: "Unknown airport with Cessna 150 circling overhead, identify yourself."

ATC: "Cessna G-ARER What are your intentions? "
Cessna: "To get my Commercial Pilots Licence and Instrument Rating."
ATC: "I meant in the next five minutes not years."

---Tower: "...and for your information, you were slightly to the left of the centerline on that approach."
Speedbird: "That's correct; and, my First Officer was slightly to the right"

Here is the challenge- go to www.youtube.com, search on cool aviation or experimental aviation and let me know if you can spend less than a couple hours going from one clip to another.... betcha can't.. has anyone tried? Seen anything cool you would like to share?.

Editor's Comments

If you have any ideas or comments, please let me know. I want your feedback. The chapter and the newsletter are only as good as the input and the energy of the members. I want your pictures, your stories, your thoughts. Don't be shy!! If you get an interesting link or something funny via the web, please don't hesitate to share it with me.

I hope to make this newsletter a place our members look to for vital information, a thing prospective members appreciate and are motivated to join, a link our fellow EAA'ers around the country look at to keep in touch.

Officers and Committee Chairpersons