Chuck Long called me up earlier in the week and reminded me that the AOPA Air Safety Foundation was hosting a free seminar on Thursday evening (March 13). The seminar was about the "Top Five Mistakes Pilots Make." I'm always interested in becoming safer and improving so I decided to meet up with him and check it out. I got there early to save some seats, and in the process got to sit with fellow chapter members Glen Matejcek, David Stucker and Paul Vogel.
The presenter, Allan Hoffler, was a very witty and engaging speaker. He offered many statistics in such a way that they weren't boring or cumbersome but were thought provoking. The basic premise was that there are many ways for an aircraft flight to come to grief but with the biggest majority of them pilot error was a major contributing factor.
Hoffler claims that 25.9% of pilot mistakes causing a fatal accident are in maneuvering flight, which he sums up as "low and slow." These include hitting obstructions (controlled flight into terrain, or CFIT), stall/spin accidents (uncontrolled flight into terrain, or UFIT) and a category he calls "SPT" (stupid pilot tricks). We've all heard the joke about the last words a redneck pilot says ("hey, y'all, watch this!"). Unfortunately, many of us who aren't rednecks still do the same low level antics.
Next on Hoffler's list are Descent/Approach accidents, which account for 15.9% of the fatal accidents. He says that while some of these are weather related, but many involved maneuvering.
15.2% of the fatal accidents are in the take-off and climb phase of flight. Stall/spin causes a few of these, but also not properly planning the takeoff or calculating the density altitude and performance can contribute to accidents. His example showed that even Miami FL, at sea level, can have a high density altitude in warm, humid weather, which southern Florida often has.
14.9% of the fatal accidents are weather related. Hoffler rightly asserts that we can't do anything about weather and we can't accurately predict what the weather will be but he assures us that we can plan and react properly. He used some examples that brought this phase of flight planning into perspective: What event is really worth dying for?
6.8% of fatal accidents are cause by fuel management, or by what Hoffler causes fuel mismanagement. His advice for fuel planning is to have "enough." How much is enough is up to you, but there are legal requirements for fuel planning should be followed, at a minimum. He advises that some people will shoot too many missed approaches then run out of fuel on the way to their alternate. He recommends diverting after the first missed approach.
All of us as pilots have made some of the mistakes above and lived to tell about them. Some people make these mistakes and then rationalize that they become a safe norm ("I flew OK through weather like that before") then ultimately pay a price. What can separate us from these is whether or not we are able to recognize the mistakes for what they are and learn from them. This month's "Quote of the Month" is especially appropriate, considering the subject matter of the Thursday night's program.
Let's fly safe and responsible. I'll see you at the April meeting.
In Attendance: Bob Braaf, John Broyles, Dave Clark, Dennis Crawley, Mark Eminger, Doug Hatfield, Steve Lathrop, Michael Mossman, Gary Reynolds, Kim Shumaker, Jim Snyder, David Stucker, Vern Sullenger, Paul Vogel, Steve Weather and Ernie Winters. If you were there but we didn't record it, let us know.
Guests: Stan Gaidis.
Treasurer's report: Little change in the account balance since the previous month but we sold one hat at the meeting and have a few dues to deposit. Balance is $1,683.48, of which $75 is the tool fund
Secretary's report: Michael Mossman gave a report on the February meeting.
President's Report: Chapter President Gus Gustafson is in Florida trying to sell their property. Gus and Faye both got the flu while in Florida.
Young Eagles Report: Vern Sullenger reports that Young Eagles pilots get a credit for each youth flown, and the credits can be redeemed for sponsoring a kid to the EAA academy.
Tool Scholarship Report: Gary Reynolds reported that the chapter is now accumulating funds and cash for the second tool scholarship. So far we have a tool box and a set of combination wrenches from Glen Matejcek. The goal will be to finish the second set before the next term starts, which is the last week of August. Last year the chapter bought about $500 worth of tools to finish off the first set. This year we will try to buy according to what is needed and have amount on hand. David Clark: Last year's recipient was a 12-year air force helicopter mechanic who got divorced and would not have been able to afford to go to Vincennes University A/P program without the tools.
50/50 Drawing: Dave Clark won $11.50 from the 50/50 drawing and donated his prize to the tool fund.
Program: Steve Lathrop opened up his race car fabrication shop and showed his Bearhawk project. See feature story toward end of newsletter. 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
Dues are Due!
Please send your $15 dues to the treasurer: Vern Sullenger, 1763 Ramsey Lane, Plainfield IN 46168, or give it to Vern at the next meeting. Make your check out to EAA Chapter 1311.
Ask Your Tech Counselor
Since I didn't get to see the holes or the remainder of the airframe, I can only offer some generalities, but there are several possibilities. First, let's start with how a blind rivet works. When the mandrel ("nail") of the rivet is pulled out, a ball on the end squeezes the rivet from the blind side up. The shank of the rivet expands a lot on the blind side and bit in the middle, and eventually the mandrel breaks off, leaving a nice, tight fastener.
An easy fix for two "slightly" irregular holes is to drill them out to the next larger size then re-rivet. I would suspect that the top turtledeck skin is riveted to the bulkheads with 1/8-inch rivets (A4 size). If the next size up (5/32-inch, or A5 size) would make the holes line up properly, then that's the way to go. Barring that, the next common blind rivet size is 3/16-inch (A6 size). I would be very cautious before I stepped up to the A6 size. First, these rivets are much tougher to set by hand. Second, with a much larger hole, you will need to be careful that your re-drilled hole did not reduce your edge clearance in the bulkhead below to an unacceptable amount. Third, these larger rivets will have much larger "grip" in tension, which could distort your bulkhead or skin while pulling it. Lastly, these rivets have large heads that will be very unsightly, let alone draggy on the slick Sonex airframe. If the problem is just one or two holes that didn't line up, well, OK and try that, but if the problem is with several holes, I wouldn't resort to 3/16-inch rivets as a fix.
Another technique that can work is to add more rivets. Say the plans call for a rivet spacing of one every 40 millimeters. If you have a bad one you can always add another rivet on each side of the defective one, allowing for adequate hole-to-edge clearance. This is often a safe and permanent repair, although sometimes will be cosmetically deficient. I don't know how the Sonex bukheads underneath are formed, but if the bulkhead flange is "shrunk" with fluting, you might not be able to offset your rivet holes, as drilling or riveting through a flute is not acceptable.
I suspect that be best repair will be to replace the skin. Most likely this skin is a simple sheet with no forming involved so just buy a piece of sheet metal in the proper gauge and alloy, then let's get to work.
First, drill out all of the defective rivets only. Use a heavy magic marker and "X" across each of those holes on the old skin. The easy technique to remove a blind rivet is to drill into the head with the same diameter drill bit as the size of the rivet. When the rivet head is about to come off, break it off with a pin punch. Then take a blind rivet "nail," hold it in a pair of pliers, and smack it with a hammer to pop the center of the blind rivet out. Usually the shank will come out with it, but if it doesn't, then a pin punch will finish it off. Once you get the technique down, you should be able to de-skin the entire sheet in just a couple of hours. Be sure to hold it in place with clecos after every couple of removed rivets. Lay your new skin on a flat sheet of plywood and tape it down with duct tape. I would start with an undrilled skin as opposed to a pre-drilled kit skin, as we know that we have hole alignment issues. Place your old skin on top of the new skin. Put some weights on top so that it lays very flat. Drill one hole through the old skin into the new, then cleco them both to the plywood. Drill another hole and cleco as you go. Only drill the "good holes;" skip over the ones that you marked as defective. (Hint: Drill from the center of a line outwards, and you won't have a problem with the skins bunching up in the middle.) Once you have your new skin drilled with all of the common "good holes" you can remove the clecos and set the old skin aside. Now you will need to find the locations for drilling the missed holes. If you can back-drill from inside the fuselage, then this will be easy. But say you can't reach these holes. We will need to try something else. Maybe the missing holes are along the edges of the skin into a longeron. If you have a hole finder (strap duplicator), then cleco the skin to the fuselage, fitting the hole finder to the inner set of holes. Just start your drill into the hole finder opening (do not drill all of the way through). If you don't have a hole finder or if the holes are too far from the edge for a hole finder to reach, you will need to make a transfer drilling template.
(Hint: mark which side of the transfer drilling template is "up" and be sure that you orient it properly to the new skin) Once your new skin is 100% drilled, cleco it to the airframe. Before riveting, try clecos in every hole to be sure that each one lines up properly. Remove the skin one more time and de-burr the holes, then cleco back in place and rivet away. Tech counselors, A & Ps and other skilled builders: Do you have another idea on how this problem can be corrected? Do you disagree with any of the above? Any examples of what you did? We have lots of builders in our chapter who are constructing sheet metal aircraft and may have encountered similar problems. Please share your skills and opinions in this newsletter. Chapter member Kenny Shull Dies
Mr. Shull graduated from Westfield High School and Purdue University, where he earned a degree in aviation technology. He worked 43 years as a tool, die, and gauge maker for Link Belt, General Motors, and Rolls Royce, where he retired from in 2000. He was a member of Stilesville Christian Church, where he was a former elder and a member of the board of trustees. He also belonged to Stilesville Masonic Lodge No. 1311 and the Experimental Aircraft Association. Mr. Shull had his private pilot's license and had enjoyed boating, camping, archery, playing the guitar, and riding motorcycles. Additional survivors include daughters and a son-in-law Kim Vaughn of Fillmore and Kathy and Jay Raplee of Clayton; grandchildren Bradley and Brittney Vaughn, Kaylee Simmerman, and Kenzi Raplee; and step-grandchildren Jamie and Marc Raplee. Services were at Weaver & Randolph Funeral Home in Clayton with the Rev. Jeff Seger officiating. Interment was at Clayton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Bart Ng Gets IUPUI Promotion Congratulations Bart!
EAA Work Parties are Worth the Time Glen says that the work parties are "one of the neatest things to do but very few people do it." The EAA hosts the parties during the in and off-season times. They have a big bunkhouse and a couple of farmhouses for overnight accommodations. The refrigerators are usually filled and the kitchen is open for three meals a day. Generally, groups will go up to work different weekends of the year. During Work Party weekends the grounds are empty; one can see the horizon, which just isn't possible when AirVenture is in progress. The volunteers can go through the museum for free and can see Pioneer Airport. Glen got to fly the Ford Tri-Motor one year. For anyone with the logistical means to get there he highly recommends it. Dave says that they like to leave on Friday evening after work; the bunkhouse is unlocked and ready when they get there. He plans on working a Vintage Aircraft Association volunteers' weekend. Volunteers who can't get off of work on Friday in time for the car pooling can drive up on Saturday and join the workers in progress. All types of volunteers are needed at Oshkosh. The EAA needs volunteers with skill in carpentry, painting, electrical, mowing grass, installing windows, painting and other property maintenance chores. Members can bring children over age 13 as volunteers but their activities are restricted according to Wisconsin's Child Labor Law. See volunteer consent form for more information. Volunteers should bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, towels and washcloths, soap and shampoo, and sunblock. The accommodations have full shower facilities, with separate sides for men and women. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided. During the day Operation Thirst will bring refreshments to the work sites. The Work Parties for 2008 are scheduled for the following weekends: May 16-18, June 13-15 and July 18-20. If you would like to join Dave for an upcoming work party contact Dave at davecpd@att.net or 317-839-4500. For more information on the EAA Work Parties contact Theresa Meixensperger (EAA South Maintenance) at 1-920-426-4819 or tmeixens@eaa.org
Chapter 1311 Builders' Local Resource Directory Doug Moncreiff obtained the wood for his MiniMax V-HiMax project at Northwest Lumber in Indianapolis. They offer quality woods; builders will need to do their own grading. Check them out at Northwest Lumber Company, 5035 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254, 317-293-1100 http://www.northwestlumberco.com
Other local sources: Chance Aviation, 4444 Decatur Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46241, 317-486-8802, http://www.chanceaviation.com. Chance is a parts supplier tailored to the local FBO's,
Earl's Indy, 302 Gasoline Alley, Indianapolis IN 46222, 1-800-331-INDY http://www.earlsindy.com. Earl's specializes in hoses and related supplies and service, plus AN fittings and hardware. McKinney Corp, Lafayette, IN http://www.mckinneycorp.com. They stock a wide variety of 4130 steel and 6061 aluminum tubing, AN hardware, NACA scoops, and other items Check out our online directory at http://www.eaa1311.org. Click on the link "Homebuilder's Resources" on the left. Note that all resources listed are merely suggestions; as a chapter we do not endorse any of them. Our recommendation: "Caveat Emptor" (let the buyer beware). Support Our Servicemen SERVICEMAN UPDATE NEEDED: In December of 2002 Jim Griffin joined Chapter 1311. Shortly before the war with Iraq started Jim signed back up as a Major with the Marines and has been serving in Iraq. If anyone knows how to contact Jim, or knows of his whereabouts or of any way to track him down, please contact the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com. Newsletter Publication Schedule Get back editions of the newsletter at http://www.eaa1311.org. Click on the link "Newsletters" at the left then click the link for the edition that you want. Membership Roster Updates Needed Chapter Begins Second Tool Scholarship The chapter will need to accumulate a second starting set of tools for a worthy Vincennes University A&P student. The basic tools to start with may be new or used but serviceable (not junk) and be contributed to the chapter. Just about every person involved in aviation ends up with surplus tools and equipment as time moves on and they no longer have a use for them. The chapter has already begun the funding process, with proceeds from the 50/50 drawing at the monthly meetings, plus some seeding donations from members. If you have some tools that you would like to donate or purchase for the tool scholarship, check download the list of needed tools from the web site. Because the list isn't updated as fast as tools could potentially come in, check with Gary Reynolds at 317-745-6223 or n98gr@att.net for the current status of the tool list. See tool list. Indy Air Show Needs Volunteers According to Hamerstadt, in years past, the event has been short of aircraft and event knowledgeable volunteers. This year, he is attempting to put together a knowledgeable group of EAA folks that could be most helpful Š and have a lot of fun, too! Typically, they ask for four hours of volunteerism on any day, ie; 7:30 - 11:30 a.m., 10:30 - 2:30 p.m., and/or 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering for the Indianapolis Air Show (http://www.IndyAirShow.com), please drop him a note with your questions, comments, and volunteer list. Contact Col. Bill Hamerstadt 317-695-5354 (cell phone) or email at hamerstadt@earthlink.net. Hendricks County Airport News The airport authority is planning on an illuminated sign on US 36 pointing toward the airport. Currently, there are no funds appropriated for the $20-30,000 sign. The airport authority is planning on AWOS for 2R2 with a telephone number and radio frequency. The utilities recently lowered the telephone wires at the south end of the field. Trees were cut down on the approaches for the runway. The FAA has approved grass landing at the airport with the understanding that the grass is not a separate runway but just an optional surface. The airport is still working on the grass surface; they don't project it to be ready to handle aircraft traffic for at least one year. Hangar Space: There are several hangar vacancies available. Anyone desiring to base an aircraft at the airport or use the maintenance hangar will be required to join the association. For more information contact Michael Mossman, association secretary, or see the website http://www.booneairport.org. Young Eagles News Editorial Comments Sought March 2008 newsletter continued onto Section 2
Web Newsletter in two Sections
The web newsletter is divided into two sections to take some of the sting out of the download time. If you receive only one section of the newsletter, or if the sections you receive are missing the embedded photo attachments please contact the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie@insightbb.net. The PDF version that gets posted on the website will remain as one file. See http://www.eaa1311.org/newsletters.html to download a PDF newsletter. (PDFs are posted within one week of the email version.)
Welcome New Members
Monrovia area resident Ernie Winters joined Chapter 1311 at the March meeting. Ernie is a retired Delta Airlines mechanic and lists a Cessna 170 A has his current aircraft project. He's a Young Eagles volunteer as a pilot and ground support. Ernie and his wife, Linda, have a home on an airstrip, and are currently living in a restored and converted 100-year-old barn/house in Morgan County, southwest of Monrovia.
Once again it's time for Chapter 1311 members to ante up with dues. The chapter's board of directors again set the 2008 dues at $15 to help meet the chapter's on-going expenses. Since we don't have any chapter fund raising events, we need to pay our EAA assessments, insurance, web site maintenance, and other internal expenses with what we raise from dues.
By Michael Mossman
At the February meeting, Gus mentioned a friend in Florida who built a Sonex that wouldn't pass inspection for an airworthiness certificate. It seems that the inspector discovered some rivet holes that were peeking out from under the heads of the blind rivets on the turtledeck skin. Gus asked the members for some advice on how to properly repair these holes.
Note that although a blind rivet is set in tension, it should bear all of its strength in shear (think of the two sheets sliding against each other to "shear" the shank of the rivet in two). If the edges of the holes in each of the sheets don't contact the shank of the rivet all the way around, then the rivet can't hold the sheets in shear. It is holding the sheets together with friction, but remember that a rivet isn't very strong in tension; the joint will eventually fail.
Before you drill out your rivets for the next size up, please think this through, because if you drill them larger but they still won't work, then the other fixes below are no longer possible.
If your skin rivets to a bulkhead with perhaps 20 rivets and you have two or three defective rivet holes, consider removing the bulkhead from the fuselage and clecoing it to the skin apart from the rest of the fuselage. It will be an easy job to back drill through the bulkhead into the skin. Once you've completed that, remove the clecos, re-rivet the bulkhead to the fuselage, then add the new skin.
Take a piece of scrap sheet metal that will extend at least two or three holes beyond the missing hole in each direction. Drill one hole in the scrap then cleco it to the old part. Drill out all of the "good" holes, leaving the missing hole. Remove the clecos, then cleco the transfer drilling template to the longeron, bulkhead, or whatever. With the skin removed, you should have some easy access to back-drill into the transfer drilling template. Once you have located and drilled the missing hole, remove the transfer drilling template, cleco it to your new part, then drill the missing hole into the new skin.
If all of this sounds like a lot of work, it is, but remember that this entire job could be done in one day, and it would be a 100% permanent and proper fix. In perspective, you will have already invested hundreds of hours of work, so a few more to make it right is a very small portion in the scheme of things. Also note that even if you try to hide the defective holes, your inspector will rightfully be suspicious of any rework so don't punt here. Document what you did and how you did it with ample photographs. You'll get through the inspection and you'll have a safer and better-looking airplane that will have a better chance of resell when the time comes.
From the Hendricks County Flyer
Published February 13, 2008 07:39 p.m.
Kenneth William Shull of Clayton died February 12 in the emergency department of Hendricks Regional Health in Danville. He was 69.
Born Oct. 22, 1938, in Indianapolis, he was a son of the late Kenneth Allen and Mary Ellen (Long) Shull. He married Carol Hale on Feb. 10, 1962, and she survives.
Vern Sullenger reports that Chapter 1311 member Dr. Bart Ng has been promoted to Dean of the school of Arts and Science at IUPUI. He reports, "In the academic world that's the equivalent of an ATP." Ng and Sullenger are partners in an RV-7A with Jon Byrum.
Dave Clark and Gus Gustafson, who are members of both Chapter 1311 and the Vintage Aircraft chapter up north, spend several weekends each year volunteering at Oshkosh for the EAA Work Parties. Dave has participated in work party events for many years, and invited Glen to go to one last year. Glen gave it a try, and is now a strong advocate for more work party volunteering. Recently Paul Vogel has signed on, too.
We've all been around town trying to scrounge up a few AN bolts or perhaps some 4130 tubing to finish a last-minute weekend building or repair project. How much easier would it be to know where the best supplies of quality parts and materials are?
AED Motorsport Products, 5375 W. 86th St., Indianapolis IN 46268, 317-334-0569 http://www.aedmotorsport.com. AED specializes in 4130 chrome moly, stainless, aluminum, titanium, FK rod ends and spherical bearings.
Start thinking of the places where you locally buy for AN hardware, sheet metal, paint, tools and other items. We'll need an address, phone number and web site, if they have one. Be sure to let us know if you would recommend them to others or not. The idea here is that members should be able to look to suppliers that you trust and would continue to do business with. Please forward your ideas and recommendations to Michael Mossman at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com.
Be sure let the newsletter editor know if any of our members or their families has someone in the service, especially if they have been called up for active duty. We'd like to recognize them and thank them for representing us so honorably.
EAA Chapter 1311's newsletter is published by email notice on the 15th of each month, with a PDF version available on the chapter web site around the 20th. Newsletter contributors: Please email your material to the newsletter editor by the 14th of the month.
If you changed your email address or internet service provider, please be sure to let the newsletter editor know of the new address. If you know of a chapter member who's changed their email address or is no longer getting the newsletter, please let us know. Contact the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com
With a successful first tool set completed and loaned, Chapter 1311 is now starting the funding for a second Eric Gustafson Tool Scholarship. The intent is to aid a financially stressed person get a start on the basic tools needed for the required courses while pursuing the A & P license.
Colonel Bill Hamerstadt, USMCR (ret), president of EAA 900 at Post Air on the east side of Indianapolis, is also on the Indianapolis Air Show committee for the eleventh time.
For 2008, which is scheduled for August 22-24, Hamerstadt is trying to confirm 40-50 Central Indiana EAA and CAF volunteers to help with ramp and logistic operations. Family admittance and parking tickets will be provided as well as lunch, each day. An "all chapter" EAA tent with a representative LSA aircraft on display will serve as the separate check-in facility.
Chapter member Dave Clark had been appointed to the Hendricks County Advisory Board and meetings with the "big shots" every two months concerning local airport business. Clark reports that the instrument approach for 2R2 will be published on June 5, 2008; after that time it can be used.
The airline master plan is still on hold, so the group will need to do it all over again.
Boone County Airport News
New Members: Kevin Beach, who has a Cessna 310, joined the club in March. He will be basing his aircraft at the airport while getting it ready to ferry to his home in California.
Transactions: Wayne Deckard bought a Navion project in Georgia and brought it to the airport for a restoration. For photos, see http://www.booneairport.org. Click on the link "Projects" at the left, then selection "Unloading a Navion."
EAA Young Eagles Update: By newsletter publication date more than 1,375,201 Young Eagles have taken their first airplane ride.
If you have an opinion on any story that appears in the newsletter, or any other aviation-related issue, we want to read about it. We will make editorial space available for your responsible comment. Please contact the newsletter editor at 1-765-483-9533 or send it as an email to michaelandkatie@insightbb.com.