September 2000

By Pat Fulco

Get ready for a real treat for this month's program. Former NASA shuttle commanders and now shuttle instructors, Steve Nagel and Jim Buchri, will speak about the shuttle training aircraft. You will hear from the experts how they train those brave astronauts to handle and land our shuttles. Don't miss this one. Come and bring your family and friends to hear about something we normally hear only on TV.

Also, a reminder that on Saturday, October 7^th, we are having our "Bald Eagles Day" at Bobby Jackson's hanger at West Houston. Hanger C-7. We need all you pilots with your planes to fly our families and volunteers who have been so faithful in our Young Eagles Program. Our ladies need to start thinking of those delicious sweets you bring to go along with Ron Campbell's famous barbecue luncheon. Price per plate is $7. Remember, this is a time to get to know everyone, especially our families who cannot attend our meetings. We all need to start praying for a beautiful, cool day and having a safe, great time.

We need some help with our refreshments for our Thursday night, September 21^st, meeting. Our faithful hostess, LaVerne, cold really use some assistance with the snacks this month.

Most of you should have received the West Houston Airport newsletter. There was a survey in which Woody Lesikar needs our help. I have asked him to come to the meeting and answer questions regarding this so our chapter could respond in this need. He will bring extra copies of the survey in case you did not get one.

Our Young Eagles events will be in November and December, so let's mark our calendars so we can finish this year with another successful attempt to get those youngsters into aviation!

See you at the meeting! - Pat (281)492-8450

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"It flies like a Cub, a slow Cub." These were the words I got from Mike when he had landed after test flying my Legal Eagle ultralite. Mike Kimbrel's opinion was very valuable to me as Mike has many thousands of hours in a great variety of planes. Mike owns a DC3 and 14 other planes that he keeps at his farm airstrip in Oakville, Washington. He recently flew to England in his 310 Cessna mostly IFR so he was well qualified to test the handling of an ultralite. He is also the designer of the Banty ultralite and has sold many sets of plans for it.

I was invited to a wedding of one of Mike's sons. At the affair, we talked Mike and his wife, Mary, into coming home with us for a couple of days visit. I had for some time been trying to get some highly qualified pilot to fly the Legal Eagle and see how they liked the qualities that I had been enjoying for the last couple of years. I had always thought that the Legal Eagle flew great but I also knew that I might be a little blind to any faults that it might have, as it was my baby and had hatched it here in my own shop. The first evening after we arrived at my hangar home I flew the plane for Mike and let him observe as I flew around the pattern here at Sport Flyers field. The weather was not the best as the heat here in Texas had gotten the air a little choppy. After landing I told Mike, "You wait till morning." The windsock will be wrapped around the pole in the morning and I want you to get a smooth air flight. Sure enough, the early morning proved me correct with no wind. I was very impressed with the preflight that Mike gave the little ship before he was ready to give it a test flight. Nothing went with out being looked over carefully. This is probably why Mike has had very few problems in his many thousands of flying hours. Did I mention that he is a high time Delta pilot? With no wind conditions we could see just how quick the Legal Eagle could get off the ground. Well, we were pleased to see the plane took off in just 300 ft. and the climb was just as impressive. Mike stayed up for a long time and I was glad I had put a gallon of gas in before he left as I knew the Better Half VW used 2.1 gals per hr. and he could stay up as long as he wanted to. Mike made several orbits of our field and I could see him moving the controls to test the stability in several modes. Then he came in for a landing and made a touch and go this was repeated several times. What beautiful landings. Very smooth, not a bounce in a car load. What a pilot. It was plain to see that he was having a good time. With the no wind conditions we were able to see just how much distance the plane would need to land and stop. Wow, just about 200 ft. was all, then he had to use throttle to get back to the hangar. All this time I was taking pictures as fast as I could squeeze the shutter button. Mike taxied up to the hangar, shut down the engine and sat in the plane and began talking about another subject. I was anxious to find out about how he had felt the plane flew. I finally asked him what about the plane? How does it fly? Did you like it? Mike just looked at me and said, "It’s great it. Flies like a Cub, a slow Cub."

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Is Your Warbird on the Endangered Species List???

Many warbird owners and enthusiasts regard such broad authority as a threat to these significant aircraft, since military representatives could force museums and other collectors to make the airplanes unflyable to comply with the regulation.

Unless these sections are defeated, they will effectively cripple the warbird preservation movement.

Since late July, members of EAA’s Legal Advisory Council and Warbirds of America Division have been working with congressional representatives to modify the language in the resolution. A key figure in the effort is Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), a pilot and supporter of recreational aviation. Sen. Inhofe and EAA have suggested that Department of Defense’s authority include demilitarization for purposes of "solely deactivating offensive equipment and weaponry" in disposed surplus items.

However, this legislation may continue in its current form unless you take action to stop it. Please take action today.

Section 361 of the proposed Bill gives the government the authority to demilitarize ex-military aircraft and Section 362 of the Bill requires the government to track the identity of anyone who has purchased ex-military hardware.

Please take a few minutes to call, fax or email your local Congressman and ask that they take action to remove Section 361 and Section 362 from House Resolution 4205. If you send a FAX, a simple, handwritten note is all that is necessary (FAXES are actually given higher priority than e-mails by most congressional offices). In your letter:

EAA is keenly aware that "citizen awareness and action" makes a large impact on congressional actions. As in any action, 100 letters/faxes or more can make a huge difference on how your congressional members react to legislative agenda items. Be proactive and let them know how you feel about Sections 361 and 362 of H.R. bill 4205.

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Chapter 774 MEMBER PROFILE:

I have always had a love of airplanes and flying. My first flight was in an open cockpit bi-plane flown by a barnstormer in Fayetteville Arkansas. I could only see out by looking through a rip in the fabric below my feet. I guess I was about 4 or 5 years old. During World War II my brother and I could identify almost any aircraft by the sound of the engines.

When I was in the University of Houston in 1954, I was drafted and told I was going into the Army. When I talked to the Air Force they offered me a slot in the Aviation Cadet Program. I took that and went to pilot training.

I got my wings and commission as a 2nd Lt. on 30 Sept, 1955. My pilot training started in Bainbridge, AB, GA. Our first aircraft was a PA-18. We got 20 hours in that aircraft. I had the honor of being the first in the class to solo. I had 8 hours. Then we moved to the T-6G. That was a fun airplane to fly and one of the best pilot training airplanes ever made. I had my basic training at Vance AFB in Enid OK. I went to multi-engine training, flying the B-25.

After graduation I went to Lake Charles AFB, LA to fly the KC-97. Was there for 3 years. Then to Seymour Johnson AFB, NC to fly the KC-135. After 5 years I went to Saigon Viet Nam to fly the C-123. I guess I learned more about flying in that plane than any I have flown. We operated on grassfields as short as 1300 feet. We did air drops, flare drops at night, hauled passengers, wounded, and cargo of all kinds.

I went to Laredo AFB and instructed in T-37 for a while. Then to Mather AFB, in Sacramento CA to fly the T-29. I was there for 5 years. Got lots of flying time there

We flew 4 to 5 days a week for 6 to 7 hours a day. Then I went to Keesler AFB, Biloxy, MS as an operations office and to fly VIPs.

My last flying assignment was CCK AFB at Taichung, Taiwan to fly the C130. I really fell in love with the Hurky-bird. That airplane could do anything. We hauled cargo, passengers and dropped bombs. We dropped the 15,000 lb jelled propane bomb called the Cheeseburger. We could operate on a 3,000 foot strip with a 65,000 lb payload. When we went into a hot field, We would use the combat off-load checklist. I could land, clear the runway to the off load area, drop a 65,000 lb load and take off in less than 4 minutes. That was fun flying.

I retired from the Air Force at Bergstrom AFB on 1 July, 1974. Since then my flying has been just here and there. I really don't have much single engine time. If I can get my physical squared away I may go back and take lessons in single light aircraft. My time in the EAA and Chapter 774 has been a wonderful part of my life. - Lynn Dyes

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The Editor's Corner…..

By Gary Craze

Wow! You know Fall is in the air when you check out the September and October aviation calendar. I counted twenty events around Texas alone! With the weather dropping down to the 70's in the mornings and the 90-100 degree highs about to fall through, it should be a wonderful couple of months for flying.

This month I started adding a section called "Member Profiles". We've got so many interesting people in our chapter that I have no doubt that I'll have months and months of quality "supply". I hope you find the profiles interesting and entertaining. First up this month is our own chapter president, Lynn Dyes. I think you'll agree that Lynn has had a colorful flying career! I tried to include photos of the types of aircraft that Lynn has flown. My apologies if I get some wrong, Lynn. You flew so many!

Let me echo Pat's call to action to help out Woody Lesikar's drive to supply completed questionnaires to NATA. Let me tell you, Austin pilots are not happy campers right now, and the situation appears to be growing worse. Two airports down in a year, and more local strips could close in another year. We have been incredibly lucky here in Houston, but that makes us ripe for action. So let's be pro-active and fill the sandbags BEFORE the flood.

Looking for great fly-ins? I'm trying not to be soured by two years of bad weather and poor attendance at the SWRFI in Abilene, so the October 19-22 EAA event could be a great show to attend. However, it coincides with Wings Over Houston, and local EAA chapters are trying to really bolster our attendance this year. We'll see what happens, more info to come. Always a favorite is the Flying M Ranch Fly-In, better known as "Reklaw", October 27-29. The Flying M (7TA7) is just northwest of Nacogdoches. It was an incredibly fun event last year. Very informal with all kinds of homebuilt, classic and ultralight aircraft. And more good food than you could hope to eat.

Do you like radio-controlled airplanes? Then don't miss the September 15-17 event at the Monaville field. See the details below. These big 9 foot wingspan RC bombers are amazing!

Last, but certainly not least, let's give a big round of thanks to Ron Hudson for stepping into the Vice President position, and Jessie Tamborello for stepping into the Secretary position. We really appreciate their commitment and stepping forward to volunteer for our fine chapter!!

Regards, Gary

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Houston EAA Chapters News Roundup and Other Houston Area Aviation News

(Meets 2^nd Saturday of the month, Montgomery Co. Airport, Hangar 13)

James Gay has a recommended place for sandblasting and painting a fuselage. Brown Enterprises (713)466-0070 (Near W. Little York at Beltway 8). He got the whole fuselage and tail sandblasted and painted (with his paint) for $230. The paint came from Picco Coatings Company 11601 McKinley, Houston. (281)447-8877. He used a 2-part Epoxy Primer that can also be used as the finish coat. It was $22 and thinner was $8.40. Call James at (281)855-9606 for more info.

12^th Annual Radio Controlled Big-Birds Fly-In, September 15-17. Wanna see a 9+ foot wingspan B-17 with 4 engines, working bombay doors and retractable gear? Or how about ducted fan and real jet engines powering jet fighters? Or how about a Russion BEAR Bomber? Bomber Field is located one mile west of Monaville, and Monaville is between Hempstead and Brookshire on FM359. There is a covered observation deck and concession stand for hotdogs and hamburgers. It is an amazing thing to see!

The Breakfast at Giddings which happens the 3^rd Saturday of every month got great reviews by 302 members. Lots of planes, from RVs to a T-28 to powered parachutes! It's well-attended and the pancakes are great. They are also starting a "Sundae Sunday", serving ice cream sundaes from 3-5pm the 1^st Sunday of every month!

Have you done the Service Bulletin for your 912, 912S or 914? The bulletin calls for replacing the magneto stators before your next flight. Rotax will replace the part in exchange until the end of September, so hurry!!

Byrdell Mathews has two O-320 Lycomings for sale. One for $6,000 and one for $8,000. (281)298-2691

Fighting with the FAA over your Medical? Check out Virtual Flight Surgeons at www.aviationmedicine.com Ask questions, etc. They will even represent you to the FAA to get your medical back.

We've all seen it happen. Airports are closing almost as fast as bad restaurants. Could this happen to West Houston? It sure could. And that would be a shame. West Houston needs your help. The National Air Transportation Association is soliciting nominations for "America's 100 Most Needed Airports". With this in mind, you might be receiving a questionnaire this month containing a number of open-ended questions which NATA has formulated. Your time and effort in providing this information will be appreciated. For more info, contact Woody Lesikar at West Houston at (281)492-2130.

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In the "Who's Fastest" Category….

In his book SLED DRIVER, SR-71/Blackbird pilot Brian Shul writes:

I'll always remember a certain radio exchange that occurred one day as Walt and I were screaming across southern California 13 miles high. We were monitoring various radio transmissions from other aircraft as we enter Los Angeles Center's airspace. Though they didn't really control us, they did monitor our movement across their scope. I heard a Cessna ask for a readout of its groundspeed. "90 knots", Center replied. Moments later a Twin Beech required the same. "120 knots", Center answered. We weren't the only one proud of our speed that day as almost instantly an F-18 smugly transmitted, "Ah, Center, Dusty 52 requests groundspeed readout." There was a slight pause. "525 knots on the ground, Dusty." Another silent pause. As I was thinking to myself how ripe a situation this was, I heard the familiar click of a radio transmission coming from my back-seater.

It was at that precise moment I realized Walt and I had become a real crew, for we were both thinking in unison as Walt inquired, "Center, Aspen 20, you got a groundspeed readout for us?" There was a longer than normal pause.

"Aspen, I show one thousand seven hundred forty-two knots." No further speed inquiries were heard on that frequency.

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