PROPWASH
EAA Chapter 766
Oct 2015
Current 2015 Board of Directors
October Meeting: The October Meeting Meeting will be on Monday October 19 @6pm.
President:
Gary Gritt
Vice President:
Lee Kunze
Treasurer:
Jim Fintelmann
Secretary:
Open
Membership:
Luiz Cordeiro
Young Eagles:
Open
Activities:
Dave Rudd
Programs:
Chris Roenitz
Newsletter/Web:
Open
From the Editor
Thank you to Andrew and Luiz who
contributed articles for this issue.
This will be my last issue, as Roger and I
have resigned from our volunteer positions.
EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
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A Wish Come True—Thank You Dave!
By: Andrew Strong
Every once in a while, we are reminded how precious life is and what seems to be a
normal day to us is a precious day of survival to another. And, the things we complain about are trivial compared to the struggles of others.
I was recently reminded of these facts when my friend Vicky from work was diagnosed with cancer. The chemotherapy and surgeries did not catch it all, and a few
weeks ago it was diagnosed as terminal. Vicky has been the glue that holds our work
family together and projects a bubbly and positive attitude that we attract to. And
personally for me, she has been actively interested in my activities with the EAA chapter – in fact, she was the first one from work to visit our T-28 display.
It’s hard to watch the effects of time on my friend. In searching for a way to give her
a brief escape from the daily struggles and experience something new, I remembered
Vicky had never been in a private plane before and would treasure an opportunity to
do so.
That opportunity came last Saturday when Dave volunteered to take Vicky and her
husband on that escape. Unfortunately, we woke up to fog and drizzle. Hearing the
disappointment in Vicky’s voice and sensing the tears while projecting an, “I understand,” response was heartbreaking.
Dave re-arranged his schedule without hesitating and opened up the afternoon for
possibilities depending on the weather. A few hours later God smiled down on us and
the weather cleared. Hearing the joy in Vicky’s voice when giving her the good news
cannot be equaled. We took off later that afternoon and flew along the edge of a fog
bank over the lakeshore with the sun shining down upon it like a new snow drift.
Vicky was in the right seat, and for a while had the joy of flying the airplane. We
made the loop down to Port Washington, over her parents’ house in Saukville, north
over her house, and over the sights of Sheboygan County. During which she got a
text from her mom that simply read, “I see you,” as we flew over. It’s the little
things that matter.
Sadly, her health deteriorated only a couple days later and she was admitted to the
hospital where she remains today. According to the clock and calendar, it was just
another hour of another day. For my friend and I, it was a very magical hour of a
very precious day - a wish was granted due to the generosity of one of our members.
Words cannot express it well enough, but with all my heart and soul I say, “Thank
you Dave.”
EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
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2
FALL CRAFT SALE
Saturday, October 24, 2015
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
RELAX and join us at the Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin
Craft Sale. There will be a variety of crafts being offered: Stained
glass, floral, jewelry, knit, crocheted and sewed items, wood crafts,
lawn art, Amish bakery and much more. We have several new crafters so check us out. Start your Christmas shopping early.
Lunch will be available for purchase from 11:00AM to 1:30 PM.
The Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin is located at, N6191 Resource Dr., Sheboygan Falls, WI (take Hwy 23 or Cty. O to Cty. TT,
follow TT into the airport to the Center. Watch for the sign. For information call: 920-467-2043.
With paid Admission of $1.00 per person you will be eligible to draw
for a door prize. Admission is donated to a local charity.
EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
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An Experience to Recall: Submitted by: Luiz Corderio
This 1967 true story is of an experience by a young 12 year old lad in
Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It is about the vivid memory of a privately
rebuilt P-51 from WWII and its famous owner/pilot.
In the morning sun, I could not believe my eyes. There, in our little
airport, sat a majestic P-51. They said it had flown in during the
night from some U.S. Airport, on its way to an air show. The pilot
had been tired, so he just happened to choose Kingston for his stop over.
It was to take to the air very soon. I marveled at the size of the
plane, dwarfing the Pipers and Canucks tied down by her. It was much larger than
in the movies. She glistened in the sun like a bulwark of security from
days gone by.
The pilot arrived by cab, paid the driver, and then stepped into the
pilot's lounge. He was an older man; his wavy hair was gray and
tossed. It looked like it might have been combed, say, around the
turn of the century. His flight jacket was checked, creased and worn - it
smelled old and genuine. Old Glory was prominently sewn to its shoulders.
He projected a quiet air of proficiency and pride devoid of arrogance.
He filed a quick flight plan to Montreal ("Expo-67 Air Show") then walked
across the tarmac.
After taking several minutes to perform his walk-around check, the tall,
lanky man returned to the flight lounge to ask if anyone would be
available to stand by with fire extinguishers while he "flashed the old bird up,
just to be safe." Though only 12 at the time I was allowed to stand by with
an extinguisher after brief instruction on its use -- "If you see a fire,
point, then pull this lever!", he said. (I later became a firefighter,
but that's another story.) The air around the exhaust manifolds shimmered
like a mirror from fuel fumes as the huge prop started to rotate. One
manifold, then another, and yet another barked -- I stepped back with the
others. In moments the Packard -built Merlin engine came to life with a
thunderous roar. Blue flames knifed from her manifolds with an arrogant snarl.
I looked at the others' faces; there was no concern. I lowered the bell of
my extinguisher.
One of the guys signaled to walk back to the lounge. We did.
EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
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An Experience to Recall: Submitted by: Luiz Corderio (Continued)
Several minutes later we could hear the pilot doing his pre-flight
run-up. He'd taxied to the end of runway 19, out of sight. All went
quiet for several seconds. We ran to the second story deck to see if we
could catch a glimpse of the P-51 as she started down the runway. We could
not. There we stood, eyes fixed to a spot half way down 19. Then a roar
ripped across the field, much louder than before. Like a furious hell spawn
set loose -- something mighty this way was coming. "Listen to that thing!"
said the controller.
In seconds the Mustang burst into our line of sight. It's tail was
already off the runway and it was moving faster than anything I'd ever
seen by that point on 19. Two-thirds the way down 19 the Mustang was
airborne with her gear going up. The prop tips were supersonic. We clasped our
ears as the Mustang climbed hellishly fast into the circuit to be eaten up
by the dog-day haze. We stood for a few moments, in stunned silence, trying
to digest what we'd just seen.
The radio controller rushed by me to the radio. "Kingston tower
calling Mustang?" He looked back to us as he waited for an
acknowledgment. The radio crackled, "Go ahead, Kingston." "Roger, Mustang.
Kingston tower would like to advise the circuit is clear for a low level
pass." I stood in shock because the controller had just, more or less,
asked the pilot to return for an impromptu air show! The controller looked at
us. "Well, What?" He asked.
"I can't let that guy go without asking. I couldn't forgive myself!"
The radio crackled once again, "Kingston, do I have permission for a low
level pass, east to west, across the field?" "Roger, Mustang, the circuit
is clear for an east to west pass." "Roger, Kingston, I'm coming out of
3,000 feet, stand by."
We rushed back onto the second-story deck, eyes fixed toward the eastern
haze. The sound was subtle at first, a high-pitched whine, a muffled
screech, a distant scream. Moments later the P-51 burst through the haze. Her
airframe straining against positive G's and gravity. Her wing tips spilling
contrails of condensed air, prop-tips again supersonic. The burnished bird
blasted across the eastern margin of the field shredding and tearing the
air.
EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
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An Experience to Recall: Submitted by: Luiz Corderio (Continued (2)
At about 500 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she passed with the
old American pilot saluting. Imagine.
A salute! I felt like laughing; I felt like crying; she glistened; she
screamed; the building shook; my heart pounded. Then the old pilot pulled her
up and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of sight into the broken clouds
and indelible into my memory.
I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day! It was a time
I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day! It was a time
when many nations in the world looked to America as their big brother. A
steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated difficult political
water with grace and style; not unlike the old American pilot who'd just
flown into my memory. He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart,
old and honest, projecting an aura of America at its best.
That America will return one day! I know it will! Until that time,
I'll just send off this story. Call it a loving reciprocal salute to a
Country, and especially to that old American pilot: the lateJIMMY STEWART (1908-1997), Actor, real WWII Hero (Commander of a US
Army Air Force Bomber Wing stationed in England), and a USAF Reserves
Brigadier General, who wove a wonderfully fantastic memory for a young Canadian
boy that's lasted a lifetime.
EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
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Upcoming Chapter and Aviation Events
Monday, October 19
Chapter Meeting at 6pm
Monday, November 16
Chapter Meeting at 6pm
President
Gary Gritt
920-447-2572
[email protected]
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership
Young Eagles
Activities
Programs
Newsletter/Web
Lee Kunze
Open
Jim Fintelmann
Luiz Cordeiro
920-565-2594
[email protected]
920-918-0310
920-457-4590
[email protected]
[email protected]
920-467-3022
920-458-9422
[email protected]
Open
Dave Rudd
Chris Roenitz
Open
Gary
Luiz
Lee
Younfg Eagles
EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
Secretary
Dave
Chris
Jim
Newsletter
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EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
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(This one isn't exactly aviation humor, but it's just too good to pass up. Just pretend it was written especially for
those of you in your 23rd year of rapid progress toward flying your very own kit plane.)
MECHANIC'S TOOL GUIDE, part 1
HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate
expensive parts not far from the object we are trying to hit.
MECHANIC'S KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door;
works particularly well on boxes containing seats and motorcycle jackets.
ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning steel Pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age, but it also
works great for drilling mounting holes in fenders just above the brake line that goes to the rear wheel.
PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads.
HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a
crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
VISE-GRIPS: Used to round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
OXYACETYLENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your garage on fire. Also
handy for igniting the grease inside a brake drum you're trying to get the bearing race out of.
WHITWORTH SOCKETS: Once used for working on older British cars and motorcycles, they are now used mainly for
impersonating that 9/16 or
1/2 socket you've been searching for the last 15 minutes.
DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it
smacks you in the chest and flings your drink across the room, splattering it against that freshly painted part you
were drying.
WIRE WHEEL: Cleans rust off old bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of
light. Also removes fingerprint whorls and hard-earned guitar calluses in about the time it takes you to say, "Ouc...."
HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering a motorcycle to the ground after you have installed your new front disk
brake setup, trapping the jack handle firmly under the front fender.
EAA Chapter 766 Newsletter
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Disclaimer
Be aware that as always, in past, present, and future, any communications issued by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 766 regardless
of format, and/or media used, which includes, but is not limited to, this
newsletter and audio/visual recordings, is presented only in the context
of a clearing house of ideas, opinion, and personal experience accounts.
Anyone using ideas, opinions, information, etc., does so at their own
risk. Therefore, no liability is expressed or implied by the Experimental
Aircraft Association, Chapter 766 or any of its members. Any event announced and/or listed herein, except as noted, is done as a matter of information and does not constitute approval, sponsorship, control, or
endorsement of said event.
This newsletter is published by Chapter 766 of the Experimental Aircraft
Association for the use, education, and enjoyment of the members and
others to whom it is provided. No claim is made for technical accuracy
of material presented. Editorial content is the opinion of the contributor and does not reflect the position of Chapter 766 or the Experimental
Aircraft Association. The submission of articles, comments, or inquiries
for publication in the newsletter is encouraged.
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