A Yarn Of A Different Color

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Tom R

By Tom Roberts

This is a yarn of a different color to be sure. This adventure started with an AH-1W SuperCobra. The “Whiskey” model is the only Cobra derivative still in U.S. service and is flown by the Marine Corps. Ski (AKA my wife, Jean) and I spotted it sitting on the ramp at Hamilton-Owens (KCUB) while taking a bicycle ride around the airport. The two pilots were walking around peering into multiple open hatches. We rode over and introduced ourselves to the two young captains. They told us they were on the return leg of a cross country flight from Yuma Arizona on their way home to New River, North Carolina. They said they had flown all the way at 120 knots at 500 feet AGL. I think helo guys get nervous much higher than that. Sounds like fun.

They also told us they had had a generator failure the night before and landed at Owens. The day we met them, they had called for help, but their base was having an air show and they were low on the list of priorities and would have to wait for help. A maintenance guy told them they could try unplugging one generator and plugging the wires into the other to see if that fixed it. Their back up plan was to ride back home in the UH-1N Twin Huey that was one day behind them. They had switched the plugs and were going to do a run-up to see if it worked. We rode back out of the way. While it was running, Ski and I rode over to the FBO. On the porch, we met a very nice couple watching the Cobra. We found out they were the parents of one of the pilots. They were glad to be able to spend time with their son and his friend.
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President’s Cockpit: May 15, 2012

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Tom R

EAA Chapter 242 2011 President Tom Roberts

It has been a while since I put in my two cents. Last month, several EAA 242 members helped out Peggy Lopez and Eagle aviation put on a static display and poker run with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.We were able turn over a check for $5000.00 to them. Great job. It was good to see the public back on our air patch. Planning for next year’s event is already underway. Be sure to make plans to attend our next general membership meeting May 19th. Soleil Black is coming to speak to us about the SOaR Aviation Aerospace Summer Camp to be held in July. This should be of interest to all of us given our success with the Young Eagles program.
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May 2012 Young Eagles Report

Posted on May 14, 2012 by sheltr

Bob Stearns flew his 250th young eagle in May, 2012, Erika Sineath, and Erika is also one of our 2012 Air Academy students.

Young Eagles pilot Bob Stearns passed the 250 mark! This is especially significant since Bob has been flying young eagles one at a time for several years now. Keep watching and participating for more exciting milestones. We had two young eagles dates in May. On the regular day we had 33 young eagles and the 2nd one was a special day when we hosted 25 fourth graders from Harbison West Elementary. Not all got their ride that day so we are hoping they come back on one of our regular days. We ended up with 41 for May, a good month. Our YTD total is 227, a little off our hoped for average of 50 per month but still a great status this early in the year.

Our all time total is now 9802, less than 200 from 10,000. EAA 242 is now closing in fast on having 10,000 Young Eagles. We are now working on our 21st year of officially being in the Young Eagles Program since starting in 1992.
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Thunder Mustang Landing Gear Gets Its Logic

Posted on May 7, 2012 by LucyWalters

On the Thunder Mustang, I had reached the point that I needed to layout the wiring to manage the gear lights, inner gear door shuttle valve and power the electromagnets to lock the doors shut. I used Jim Stark’s idea of using magnets rather than the mechanical locks and cables running through the doors. I decided to accomplish all this by designing a printed circuit board to handle the logic and make the wiring part of the task a no brainer. So that is what I did and enjoyed designing it.

Circuit Board Functions:

1. The gear lights function just like they do on a Boeing 767. (I have a friend who flies one). When gear legs and doors are moving to their next location the amber/ yellow transition lights turn on. When the legs and doors are where they should be and locked the 3 transition lights each turn off. When all are locked in the down position the transition lights are turned off and the green lights are turned on. If one or the other fails to close/lock, then the corresponding light remains on, if it is a door, and the green remains off, if it is a gear leg.
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April 2012 Young Eagles Report

Posted on May 1, 2012 by sheltr

Paul Carter celebrates his 1000th young eagle whom just happens to be his grandson, Carter. Congratulations Paul and Carter.

Young Eagles pilot Paul Carter passes the 1000 mark! Paul flew young eagles on both April dates and chose to give his grandson, Carter, a ride as his 1000th. Congratulations Paul and Carter.

Cantzon achieved his 100th young eagle after being in the program for three years. The lucky youg eagle was Haley Kyzer.

We also celebrated with Cantzon Foster as he passed the 100 mark. We have several other pilots whom are approaching significant milestones. Keep watching and participating. We had two young eagles dates in April. On the regular day we had 36 young eagles and the 2nd one was a special day when we hosted 31 fourth graders from Harbison West Elementary. We will host another group from Harbison West on May 10. We ended up with 67 for April, a good month. Our YTD total is 186, a little off our hoped for average of 50 per month but still a great status this early in the year.

Our all time total is now 9766 and EAA 242 is now closing in fast on having 10,000 Young Eagles. We are now working on our 21st year of officially being in the Young Eagles Program since starting in 1992.
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Vans RV-1 Visits Columbia – Part One

Posted on April 19, 2012 by mikehoover

Vans RV-1 at Jim Hamilton-LB Owens Airport on Saturday, April 7, 2012.

On Saturday, April 7, 2012, I was in my hangar working away on my Vans RV-9A project when I heard my scanner erupt with exciting news. A “flight of two” reported approaching from the south and was setting up on a three-mile initial for the overhead break. So out of the hangar I go on my bike quickly to the end of the hangar row to watch for this special flight of two to appear off the end of runway three-one. A small crowd had gathered there waiting for the arrival of Vans RV-1, the first one built back in 1962 by the proprietor extraordinaire of Vans Aircraft, Richard VanGrunsven.
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President’s Cockpit: Another Sun ‘N Fun Trip In The Books

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Tom R

Another Sun ‘N Fun is behind us. Reminds me that the year is moving on. Tax time too! My friend, Dennis Dabney, his lovely fiancé, Debbie and I flew down to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (KLAL) in Dennis’ beautiful Bonanza Friday, March 31, 2012. Dennis waxes it about twice a week. Keeps its drag to a minimum. Dennis filed an IFR flight plan and we were in the upper atmosphere (actually 10,000 feet) shortly after 0800. It made more sense for me to ride down with Dennis and Debbie than to have my brother, Don fly over from Falcon Field, GA (KFFC) to Hamilton-Owens (KCUB) and pick me up then fly to Sun ‘N Fun. The plan was to fly back to Falcon with Don on Saturday after the air show, spend the night at Don’s house then fly the RV-7A back to Hamilton-Owens Sunday.
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President’s Cockpit: Vans RV-1 Oshkosh Tour Stop At KCUB this coming Saturday, April 14, 2012

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Tom R

Last Saturday, I had the rare honor of flying James Clark to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV) to retrieve Van’s very first aircraft design, the RV-1. I flew escort on the way back. It’s a lot slower than my RV-7A, so I had to fly back at the un-RV-like speed of about 120 KIAS while keeping James in sight. The RV-1 was last flown by Dick VanGrunsven in 1968. It went through several owners over the past few decades and ended up somewhere in Texas. I think it was not flown for several years. It was decided to donate it to the EAA museum in Oshkosh. The plane was put back in flying order and plans were made to fly it to many destinations around the country before allowing it a well deserved retirement. One stop is a month long visit to Van’s Aircraft in Aurora, Oregon.

The significance of this little airplane goes way beyond simply being the first RV. It goes back to the very roots of the EAA. And Van’s Aircraft is, by sheer numbers of aircraft being sold annually, the largest aircraft company on earth. Many small companies like TruTak, Dynon and Grand Rapids would not exist today if it were not for Van’s designs. RV’s are one of Lycoming’s largest markets.
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March 2012 Young Eagles Report

Posted on March 27, 2012 by sheltr

EAA Chapter 242 Young Eagles Program

EAA Chapter 242 Young Eagles Program

March was to be a make-up month since we were weathered out in February. We were expecting about 50. We ended up with 71! This made for a long morning. And, Greg Toppi reported another young eagle so we reported 72 in March. We actually added another date on March 24 for some scouts, but that was weathered out also. The scouts did attend and Ron, Xen and Tom gave them an introduction, tour of an airplane and some ramp observation of flying. Our YTD total is 119, a little off our hoped for average of 50 per month.

Our all time total is now 9580 and EAA 242 is now just a little over 400 away from having 10,000 Young Eagles. We are now working on our 21st year of officially being in the Young Eagles Program since starting in 1992.

March pilots were: Paul Carter, Al Folger, Matt Herring, Dennis Perry, Don Roberts, Tom Roberts and Greg Toppi. By the way, Paul Carter is only about 15 away from having 1000 young eagles. Don’t you want to be on hand the day he makes 1000? Ground volunteers for March were: George Batten, Joe and Sharon Berger, Bill Blythe, Drayton Cook, Ron Johnson, Xen Motsinger, Don Roberts, Jean Roberts, Tom Roberts, Ron Shelton, Bob Stearns, Greg Toppi.
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President’s Cockpit: March 25, 2012

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Tom R

EAA Chapter 242 President Tom Roberts with Lexi Lawson, a freshman at The Citadel, a 242 Young Eagle and Air Academy student, who visited the SAC on Saturday, March 24, 2012.

We had a surprise visitor at the SAC last Friday. Many of you may recall our own Lexi Lawson. She has been a Young Eagle frequent flier and is now a student at The Citadel about to finish her freshman year. She is also a frequent helper at our Young Eagle rallies when she isn’t flying. Lexi was also one of our Air Academy attendees.

Actually, it was partly a surprise. I knew a day or two before that she was coming. I had asked her if she would send me a picture of her in her uniform. She did better than that. She showed up at the airport in it. I must say, she cuts a rather dashing figure in her summer whites. Her mother, Sheri, had just driven back from the Citadel to get Lexi for spring break and they stopped by to see us. It is nice to see our Young Eagles grow up and pursue their dreams. I like to think we had something to do with her success. Lexi is living proof of the value of the Young Eagles program. And we are all extremely proud of her.

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