This month I think some words about fuel contamination; i.e, water in the fuel, is appropriate. All of us flying have heard of someone who has had a problem, or they, themselves, have had a problem with water in the fuel. The most critical time when you DON'T want water to show up in the fuel system is during take-off. The results can be disastrous! I watch people even today have little concern when their aircraft is being refueled. They let the line personnel do the fueling while they go inside, have a Coke or a sandwich, then get back in their airplane and depart. Something's missing, or haven't you noticed? Before boarding their aircraft, did anyone of them drain the fuel sumps, checking for water contamination? Even with all the safeguards in place today, you still need to check for yourself. My first job in aviation (just out of high school) involved refueling aircraft (DC-3's) for the airlines in SBN. Right away, I learned about the fueling safeguards in place then and the records that had to be kept. In fact, two years before that, when I was learning to fly the J-3, you always drained the fuel strainer (sediment bowl) on the firewall. That was 61 years ago.
Here is another example of fuel contamination. It happened at the Boone Co. Airport when I had the airport leased and it took place in the summer of 1977. A Piper Cherokee 6 had just fueled, loaded its passengers, taxied to Runway 36, made its runup, and then STARTED its take-off run. That's when the engine QUIT! We drained water out of the sumps. How much water was drained, I don't remember. The source of the water was the underground storage tank. It was an old tank that had sprung holes over the years and had to be replaced. That was a very close call!
One more story. This involves a Lake Central DC-3 at Evansville, IN, and the captain of the flight was Bill Hicks. At the SW corner of the airport is the old Republic Aircraft plant where they manufactured P-47's during WW11. After the war, the plant ownership changed to Whirlpool Corp. The LCA DC-3 had overnighted at EVV, was re-fueled and made ready for a morning departure. Capt. Hicks decided to take off on 18 (a 5000-ft. runway). After doing all the runups, etc., he started the take-off roll. Just as he broke ground, BOTH ENGINES QUIT!! He put the aircraft back on the ground and rolled to a stop, still on the runway. They drained water galore out of the sumps. Capt. Hicks, when relating to this, used to say "In another few seconds, I could have been up to my ASS in washing machines." DRAIN THOSE FUEL SUMPS!
I'm very pleased with the turn out at the monthly meetings. Just hope that the fuel costs will become lower so everyone can have a pleasant summer.
Gus
IN ATTENDANCE: John Broyles, Jon Byrum, Tom Chapman, Dave Clark, Dale Gustafson, Dave Helton, Glen Matejcek, Paul McCord, Doug Moncreiff, Michael Mossman, Gary Reynolds, Mark Rottler, Kim Shumaker, Vern Sullenger and Paul Vogel. If you were there but we didnšt record it, let us know.
GUESTS: Lori Byrum, Rick Princell, Bryan Ruberson, Keith Ruberson, Lou Sullenger and Steve Weathers.
SECRETARY'S REPORT: Michael Mossman gave a brief reading of the minutes.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Vern Sullenger reports that the chapter has $1,711.05.
NEW BUSINESS: Dale Gustafson asked if the chapter would be interested in sponsoring a youth to the EAA Academy in the future. Any such sponsorship would add to the chapter's annual expenses and would need to be met with a fundraiser or increased dues
Dale Gustafson asked if, during the summer months, would the members like to meeting on a Saturday or Sunday to visit local projects. No conclusion was drawn.
AIRPORT REPORTS: None presented.
CALENDARS: All of the EAA calendars are now sold.
NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, July 5, 6:30 p.m.
PROGRAM: Due to weather, only two aircraft flew in to the meeting. Members toured the open hangars and visited the aircraft owned by Jon Byrum, Vern Sullenger, Gary Reynolds and Dave Clark and Dave Helton.
We have had many guests over the past few months and many people have expressed an interest in our organization. Look around and see if you have any friends, family members or acquaintance that are interested in aviation. Take the time to invite them as a guest to the next meeting. If you see somebody new, introduce yourself, welcome him or her, and invite them to sign up.
to get a downloadable PDF membership application see http://www.eaa1311.org/PDF_files/membership_application.pdf
New Project
Paul hasn't settled on an engine yet, but is leaning towards an AeroVee engine, which is a Volkswagen conversion, as advocated by Sonex designer John Monnett. Paul's is not a quick build, but all of the parts are cut and pilot drilled. No jigs are needed. The aircraft is designed to be build with all blind rivets except for the wing spars. The leading edges will use flush rivets.
Paul will be building a nose wheel version, as he thinks that it will have a better resell potential. He is going to equip it for day and night VFR, although he intends to operate it within the Sport Pilot parameters, which means day VFR only for him.
Since he is retired, he thinks that he can complete the project in a year.
Good luck with this project, Paul. We look forward to visiting your shop and checking on your continued progress.
For more information on Sonex aircraft see http://www.sonexaircraft.com.
Webster Flies RV
Building Tip
aul didn't provide specifications or building plans, but a knowledgable person could fabricate his/her own using this simple concept and whatever materials were at hand.
If anyone has more information on this hangar, please forward it to the newsletter editor. We may publish a follow-up article in a future edition.
Editorial Opinion
I also remember an Indy military pilot who tried to make it back to the airport and ran into a motel. Let's face it, it's a lot more fun to tell about the saved landing than the one off the end of the runway, but John was proud to be able to stand for his beliefs and he did the right thing landing as he did. I hope Tim LeBaron is able to get his point across that making the wrong choice is sometimes a lot more fun than the corn field landing. My friend John died last month due to cancer and I will miss him, but I will never question his judgment.
Bob Vondersaar is a charter member of Chapter 1311 and was the founding president. He and his wife, Teresa and family now reside in Austin TX.
The 32-page printed NOTAM, which is in effect July 22-31, outlines procedures for the many types of aircraft that fly to Oshkosh for the event, as well as aircraft that land at nearby airports.
Call 800-564-6322 to order a copy, or view/print a downloadable PDF from the EAA website at http://www.airventure.org/2006/news/060502_avnotam.html
June 2006 newsletter continued onto Section 2
Recently minted A&P Paul Vogel bought a Sonex kit, and is contemplating the logistics of getting the crate out of the truck when it arrives. If you are available on short notice to help him unload, please contact him at pvogel@indy.rr.com or 317-272-2106.
Dean Webster flew his new RV-8 for the first time. Chapter 1311 visited Dean's project at Troy Grover's RV Builders Assistance Shop during the February 1 meeting. We hope to have a flight report and photos for a future newsletter.
Low Cost Hangar
For those aircraft owners with a little bit of land and no building to store their aircraft, Paul Vogel has provided a photo of this unique, free-standing hangar. The "door" is lifted by balance weights. It is easily raised by hand, no power need. Once the door is opened, the aircraft if pushed into the hangar nose first. The door closes over the tail.
By Bob Vondersaar
About a year ago a friend of mine here in Austin Texas, John Glader, was telling me how he landed in the mud off the end of a runway due to a power failure. His employer scorned him for not landing at a better location; he was employed as a test pilot at the time. He now owned a RV-6 and I was fortunate enough to go up with him and cut up some toilet paper a few times. John and I joined the Marine Corps during the same year, 1978, and I consider him to be one of the best pilots I know as well as a friend.
EAA AirVenture NOTAM Now Available
Condensed from EAA website
The official EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006 Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) booklets are being mailed out to pilots who plan to fly to AirVenture on July 24-30. The Oshkosh NOTAM is also available in easy-to-print PDF document form on the AirVenture website.