Thun Field Thunder

EAA Mount Rainier Chapter 326 Newsletter October 2013 178

Next Meeting Cap Building at Thun Field

Tuesday, Oct 8th, 7PM

Program: Angel Flight

Refreshments: Steve Dickinson Angel Flight West is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions and other compelling needs. Our network of 1,600 pilots throughout the 13 western states donate their aircraft, piloting skills, and all flying costs to help families in need, enabling them to receive vital treatment that might otherwise be inaccessible because of financial, medical, or geographic limitations. EAA Mount Rainier Chapter 326

Jim Moss Obituary would qualify for and sign on as a pilot with Northwest Airlines. He would fly the Northwest 727s and eventually evolve on up to the 747s. Jim would fly right seat and eventually assume 747 left seat responsibilities and fly James Schafer (Jim) Moss, an Incredible American Life… international flights. Jim was born in Elkhart, Indiana on March 2, 1932; he passed away quietly in Buckley, Washington on September 1, 2013, after a long and extremely During Jim’s Northwest Airlines career, he campaigned an exceptional successful, highly adventuresome and creative life. Jim grew to manhood group of personally owned outstanding polo ponies and was as fine a polo in Bloomington, Indiana, graduating from Bloomington, Indiana High player as existed on the west coast. But, even with his great success as a School in May of 1950. Bloomington is also the home of Indiana horseman, Jim’s sport flying career never suffered for one moment. Jim’s University where his father was varsity wrestling coach. He followed high practiced aerobatic skills were such he became the top billing airshow pilot school by attending the Indiana University Business Administration School on the entire west coast during the 1960s and 1970s primarily flying the on a varsity basketball scholarship. The aviation attraction had always been beautiful Ryan ST-A’s. As time moved on and as the polo ponies and exceptionally strong and Jim elected to leave the university on October 17, airshow performances became passé, Jim’s interest turned to yet another 1952 to become a Naval Aviation Cadet. His primary flight training was exceptional skill, the restoring and creating or re-creating of some of in North American SNJs at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, history’s most unique and appealing rare airplanes. ; his advanced flight training was at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, also in SNJs. He did his carrier Jim acquired, rebuilt and highly custom modified a tiny 1930’s qualifications in the Gulf on the CVL Monterey. Upon graduation from experimental biplane into his smooth as silk, beautifully cowled and faired flight training, he elected to accept his commission as a Second Lieutenant 165 Warner MG-2, he loved flying his Bucker Jungmeister, and he crafted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. His later active duty squadron from scratch a magnificent full scale re-creation of the 1931 Matty assignments included Pensacola NAS and several Marine Air Bases where Laird—Jimmy Doolittle Super Solution. The airplane was so perfect it he flew Douglas AD attack aircraft. simply stopped the show at Biplane Expo 2002 at Bartlesville and at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2002. The airplane now resides in Kermit Week’s Jim’s continued interest and abilities in athletics were such he extended Polk City, Florida Fantasy of Flight priceless collection of unique and his Marine Corps enlistment to continue to play on Marine Air Base exceptional airplanes. championship basketball teams. Jim left the active duty Marine Corp as a First Lieutenant in 1957 to return to Indiana University and successfully As Jim wound down his Super Solution project in 2002, he turned his complete work on his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, efforts and creativity to the concept of a plans-built 1934 Gee Bee Q.E.D. graduating in 1958. R6H. It was a supremely ambitious project. It was the final Granville Brothers design and was created for Jackie Cochran to fly in the Mac With his service commitment, competitive athletics and college degree Roberson London, England to Melbourne, Australia Air Race of 1934. It behind him, Jim returned to his first love, aviation. Professional aviation was financially underwritten by the American Tobacco Co. and was painted career opportunities in 1958 were very few…Jim first flew as a freelance in the dark green color of the Lucky Strike cigarette package of that era. charter pilot in small Piper Tri-Pacers, he built time and eventually earned It was to be a 6500 pound gross weight machine powered by a 675 his multi-engine and instrument rating. He moved up to flying such as horsepower Pratt and Whitney engine turning a two blade Hamilton- four-engined DC-6Bs in freelance contract explosives trips into Standard propeller. The aft cockpit, two place sliding canopy machine Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. As Jim built his heavy equipment time and spanned over 34 feet, carried 400 gallons of fuel and 28 gallons of oil. It’s experience, and as the aviation economics would evolve for the better, Jim

2 EAA Mount Rainier Chapter 326 fully faired fixed and wire supported undercarriage set the high leading historical and creative aviation thus lost a talent level reached by only an edge of the wing at more than 6 feet; it was a big airplane. extremely few, and virtually beyond compare.

Jim’s vision and version of the airplane would slightly extend the wing With apologies to James Michener, Where Do We Get Such Men! span, reduce the fuel capacity, and increase the power to an 1820 Wright Jim’s wife Judy, who has been incredibly supportive through all of Jim’s developing 1425 horsepower while turning a three blade prop. Jim’s overwhelming time dedication to his long series of spectacular airplane airplane would be a hair larger, double the original power but retain the projects and the past nearly three years of constant never-ending medical pure awesome look and style of the Granville Brothers last design. attention, has provided Jim the unreserved love, loyalty and encouragement Jim would begin his massive Gee Bee undertaking in 2002 and finish in to complete his earthly aviation mission. That mission seemed to have been the late summer of 2013, while somehow even sectioning in an completed on August 16th and 18th when the massive red and white Gee indescribably beautiful super custom original 1930 Great Lakes biplane Bee Q.E.D. coughed, and burst into life to the supreme delight of the many powered by a 270 hp Russian M-14 radial engine…this gorgeous biplane loyal and prayerful friends in attendance. Jim knew his life’s climatic was parked on the northeast corner of the EAA Vintage Aircraft adventure was at an end, and a few days later, on September 1, 2013, the Association Red Barn at Oshkosh all week long during the 2009 EAA Angels of the Lord came to call, ever so gently and lovingly touched Jim AirVenture Oshkosh. It was easily the finest custom antique on the field on the shoulder and took him to the most gorgeous, glorious home at Oshkosh 2009. imaginable…all of his countless aviation heroes were there and were anxious to greet him, it was a momentous and joyous occasion for all, in He continued his heavy concentration of extreme devotion to complete the that to many of his greeters, Jim was as much a hero to them as they were Gee Bee, when suddenly out of the blue in 2010, tragedy began with a to him. surgical procedure for throat cancer; the medical procedures were believed successful but had their collateral after effects. Jim slowly regained his Jim leaves a tremendous void in our lives; one of a loyal loving husband, strength and continued on with the Q.E.D. with ever greater help from his one of a sense of family, one of extreme ability and professionalism, one small group of dedicated aviation craftsman friends. Another medical of deep and pure friendship, and one of the best that mankind has to offer! setback affected Jim’s hip, but still he persevered and continued. Then in Enjoy the wonders of Heaven Jim Moss, God created it for people like the summer of 2013 the throat malignancy returned and Jim’s earthly days you! became numbered, although Jim and his friends were virtually finished with the Gee Bee, they stepped up their pace and in mid-August, 2013, completed Jim’s “Impossible Dream”. A highly qualified and thoroughly experienced test pilot had been selected; the airplane was started, warmed and the masterpiece taxied on August 16th, and on August 18th the process was repeated, this time the taxi speeds were moved up into the 50/60 mph range. The second event was attended and applauded by 45 friends, who had helped on the project, while they enjoyed an outdoor sit down dinner as prepared by Jim’s wife and guardian angel, Judy.

Jim left our world at high noon on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at the age of 81. His talent, craftsmanship and creative originality have been so extraordinary they defy reasonable and practical belief. The world of

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QED Update Jim Moss passed away on Sep 1st but his masterpiece comes to life! Even though our operating limitations restrict us to essential crew only we were able to get Jim on board for this first flight. His crew station position Some of you may already know but for those who haven't heard yesterday blocks the aft cockpit compass from view but gives him a great Sep 26th all the right things came together and we were able to get the perspective. I hope he enjoyed it as much as we did. QED in the air. Congratulations to all of you who have worked many hours on this project After a quick liftoff and set right back down on the runway under IFR for a job well done. We now have a flying machine that is going to really conditions in the morning Carter and I retired to the hangar where we impress the aviation world and we can all be very, very proud of. waited for the weather to clear. Around noon it looked like we may get a chance to give the beast a chance to fly so notified Judy that there was at Thank you so much Jim and Judy Moss, least a 50/50 chance we could get a first flight in before Carter turned into a working pumpkin around mid-afternoon. Rich Alldredge

At around 1230 the beacon finally went off and the ceiling lifted to just PS: When weather and schedules once again come together and allow us over 1000 ft. We were able to get the aircraft fired up and ready to go by to consider another flight we will try to schedule it when most of you will 1300 and watched in awe as Carter took off from runway 17 headed be able to attend. Will keep you posted. south. The aircraft lifted off at 85 Kts and climb out was at 110 Kts. A beautiful gradual climb out to pattern altitude then a sweeping left turn back to the downwind for 17. Left downwind for 17 puts you just over the east airport boundary so those of us on the ground got to see and hear the QED at its finest. What a beautiful sight and an even more moving sound.

We held airspeed to 120 knots for this first flight and didn't change anything but throttle setting/stick controls during the entire flight. Approach speed was at around 110 Kts and Carter put it down and rolled it out beautifully.

The aircraft is very well behaved and clearly would like to fly at something approaching 200 rather than 120 Kts. The only squawk from the flight was for a re-tensioning of the right side flying/landing wires.

We mounted a GoPro camera in the aft cockpit so we could monitor the engine and flight instruments. It has a wide enough field of view that it also provides a great out the window view of the flight. I would have liked to attach a copy of the video to this message but it is too big to email so will look for another way to get it distributed. Perhaps a DVD sometime soon.

4 EAA Mount Rainier Chapter 326 The Fashion Show NEWSNEWSNEWS Let’s have everyone wear their chapter garb to this meeting. It’s been a long time since we’ve offered the opportunity for our people to order new Okay where is it? stuff. In the past, we have done this for hats, jackets, pullovers, t-shirts, and coffee cups. We could use some help with this. There is lots of news out there but we don’t see much of it. I’m talking about Chapter 326 news. Let’s read about What we really need here is a volunteer to get with our clothing company your project… progress or lack thereof. What about building tips, yours and develop a list of items and prices, and possibly different items of or something you ran across. Achievements or obstacles… flying or apparel or whatever. It might be convenient to have a clothing company building. Medicals, AME’s, now that Billingsley has retired. Cockpit do the sales so that orders and payments are for them to deal with. Just an gadgets… navigation, weather, traffic. Tools. idea. News that is internal to the chapter is stuff that you won’t find all over the It would help to have a coat rack or something to help with sales. Stuff internet. laying in box on the floor is not getting it done. Maybe the Spencer gals could help. I guess for the more youthful crowd, facebook is the place for this kind of sharing. But, I don’t do facebook… not yet anyway. So just send me Let’s discuss this at the meeting. an email and I’ll post it in the newsletter. Long or short, 25 words or 1000, shorter is better given the attention span of us old-timers. Chapter Dues for 2014 Pictures are good too. Not necessary but try to include a picture of yourself As usual, we begin collecting dues for the next year in October. as part of the narrative. That’s because we have to report our membership to EAA Hq in December. Email to [email protected] This past year was very successful with a record setting 121 paid up members. Thanks to all for the response to our dues collection. Okay here’s an example: I need to make stiffening indentations in about Chapter 326 Dues are $15 per year. 40 wing ribs in my Skyote. Ya I know, just rivet on angles. But I’d like Make check payable to EAA Chapter 326. to try to do what the plans call for, and nothing says how. I borrowed a Pay our Treasurer, Norm Pauk, at a meeting, bead roller and played with that on some scrap. No joy at all. BTW the Or mail to Norm at: ribs are .020 2024 T-3. The indentations are 1/2” wide and 1/8” deep. Here’s a clever idea I found on the EAA U-Tube video “Hints for Norman Pauk Homebuilders”. 12012 SE 260 PL Low Budget Hydro-forming Kent, WA 98030 That’s seems like overkill for my project but it gives me some ideas. If Paypal is now an option too: you’ve done this, or have some helpful suggestions. Fire away. http://www.eaa326.org/members.htm jb

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Here are a couple shots of my Interstate Cadet project. After the summer of camping, fishing, family and trips, I finally got back to it on Sep 4. As you can see, the trim has been done, the side windows are installed. Right sliding glass window as well. Will start on the left slider tomorrow. Windshield after that, then cowl it up and take her for a ride! As usual, 3 steps forward and at least a couple back……but some progress! You might notice some cheering from the canine section……………Otis is an aviation fan. He also like the 49s. Mike Latta

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September Meeting Recap Scott recommends if you're interested in , go to a reputable school to get some training, even 10-20 hours to get you started. He had a student with him who just passed his check ride for rotorcraft a week prior. Visitors: This student had 350 hours flying as multi-engine commercial pilot in fixed John Hazen from Auburn has joined our chapter and is building an RV-12. wing and it took and additional 47 hours, twenty just to learn how to hover Guest Speaker : Scott Pomeroy with his Hughes 300. the aircraft. FAA requirements are forty hours in training, ten of that solo time. Joey Smith, the young recipient of our Air Academy scholarship, came to let us know all about his experiences at the Academy in Oshkosh. There Smitty asked if there was any history of where the pilot sits and why. Scott were icebreaker games to get to know each other, great breakfasts in the told him that some of the French made blades turn clockwise mornings, climbing, and hiking. His favorite was the ride in the helicopter and the pilot sits on the left and the American made turn counter clockwise and the museum. Joey said the staff members were so awesome and made and the pilot sits on the right. it a lot of fun. Curt Bryan took a shot at the Coriolis affect. You can buy a kit for as little Scott Pomeroy, a commercial pilot and instructor with Atomic Helicopter, as 20-30 thousand, but then you may want to put an engine in that along flew into Thun in his Hughes S300C to speak about rotorcraft kits. He with upgrades. They seem to run from Mosquito's single seater for 20-30 mentioned there are about five large companies that sell kits, most well thousand a kit to as much as one hundred and fifty thousand once you have known are Rotorway, Eagle R & D, Safari, and Mosquito. Helicopter kits invested properly. Scott said they charge $320.00/hour to fly the helicopter range from lifting capabilities to seats, just depending on what you are that he flew in and that includes him in it. You can get a rating with their willing to spend and what you are looking for it to do. company so that you can rent it without Scott. Inspections are done anywhere from 100 hours to 2200 hours. The Robinson helicopters go with Scott brought the S300C out to show comparisons to how much money a 12 year or 2200 hour inspection done in California. The inspection will you can spend on a kit versus what they are spending in the industry itself. be complete and thorough with a price tag of $100,000.00 to $150,000.00 It had a Lycoming 360 engine, 190HP, fully instrument rated, no turn when you are ready to get your copter back. Scott said the blades on his coordinator, but they are putting one in. Lift capability useful load is about helicopter were $100,000. 1,000 lbs. It has dual fuel tanks, 66 gallons, which can take you about four to five hundred miles away. It has a five hour range and even though it's Randy bought an unfinished blade kit for $2,500 from a shop out of Texas. only two seats with a small compartment it is pretty useful as far as training. Scott said he has never flown in a kit built helicopter, but would like to fly Randy's. RPM's are kept around 3200 and his hover power is about 23 Scott’s advice on getting a kit helicopter is making sure the company you inches at takeoff and he tries to maintain that throughout the flight. He purchase your kit from has an A-plus rating. He said in the industry the doesn't like to take it above 26 as he is in the cautionary envelope at that number one helicopter crash is from guide wires, but in kits something point. The empty weight of this helicopter is 1245. There is one helicopter they call "Dynamic Rollover" is the number one reason for crashes and built by Mosquito called the "Mosquito Air" which is considered to be an fatalities. By this the helicopter is either on the ground or very close to the ultralight and you don't need a rating to fly that. ground and a sideward or lateral movement begins. The skid is either stuck to the ground or pushed up to something causing the copter to roll over. Treasury Report: Randy read report in Norm's absence. Beginning Balance - $4,932.28 Deposits - $ 230.00

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Withdrawals - 0 Aerocoupe has brakes on the left seat only and anyone interested may Ending Balance - $5,162.28 contact Bruce.

Thanks to Kevin and Angela for bringing refreshments. It was announced John Brick got to go back in time for a day! One of the new fellas from our chapter's sweetheart of the kitchen, Toni Smith, turned 39 years today. the Portland Formation group purchased two retired jet at an estate Happy Birthday Toni !! sale auction. A Lockheed T33 and a LTV A7D, both of which John flew. How cool it must of been to walk around and possibly sit in the birds you Tom Brown was looking for another rider to fly to the Reno Air Races and flew in as a young pilot. (Not calling you old, John!) share costs. Joe Andre said the Prop Wrench is still missing. If you have it or know who has it please contact Joe. Smitty wanted to thank everyone George Lightner told the group he has been to the WAAM located on the for keeping his hangar clean during the Burger Burn. Randy presented Joe Hood River three times and loves going. He said they have loads of antique Andre with an "Indian Head" hood ornament to put on his Aeronca Chief airplanes. Pay five dollars to tie your plane down and that gets you into that he is building. Steve says our next presentation will be on Angel the museum where you will see a fantastic assembly of airplanes. Flights. Kerry Albritton, Kevin informed everyone that they will no longer work with Eagles Nest Secretary/Biographer as the Eagles Nest wants the airplanes to be built at the school. All the kids are still involved but working at the airport is much more convenient and efficient. They are now working with Team Flight of Puyallup and filing a 501(C)3. The current plane they are building will be finished this school year. Kevin says they plan to start on a second plane soon.

Randy, Smitty, and a couple of other members helped Spencers out at the Cubs and Classics. They said even though the rain kept a lot of the cars from arriving that it was a lot of fun. They watched as the new owners of the DC-3 take off and fly the pattern. When the DC-3 came in to land, the right landing gear didn't go down and they had to go around while one of the crew members hand cranked the wheel down. A safe landing was made and after a bit more work, she was flown to California. I, personally, will miss seeing her sitting out there at Thun, but glad to know she will be flying a lot at her new home.

Bruce Hughes has an Aerocoupe that he totally rebuilt two years ago and would like to donate her service for future Young Eagles events. Since Bruce hasn't flown solo in eleven years, he is looking for someone to volunteer to pilot his baby. The volunteer will need to fly with Bruce for 4-5 hours and then his insurance will cover that pilot to fly the plane. His

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Tool Crib

Joe Andre is our tool custodian. 253-753-6116 Marv Scott and Andy Karmy do the prop balancing. $50. Marv 253-691-5496 Andy 253-347-1597

Compression Tester

Mag Timing Buzz Box

Scales $20

Engine Stands, vertical and horizontal

Craftsman Air Compressor 33 gal, 6 hp, 150 psi, oil free

Kerosene heater

Gas Welding Rig

Riveting tools C-Frame Rivet Gun Rivet Squeezer Bucking Bars Clecos & pliers

Hand Seamer

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Chapter Membership Refreshment Schedule 121 paid up members May the Dexheimers June Norm Pauk July Joe Andre & Tom Brown Joining or Renewing Membership?

September Kevin Behrent Chapter 326 Dues are $15 per year. October Steve Dickinson Make check payable to EAA Chapter 326. Pay our Treasurer, Norm Pauk, at a meeting, November need volunteer Or mail to Norm at:

January 2014 need volunteer Norman Pauk 12012 SE 260 PL Kent, WA 98030 Fly Out Opportunities Paypal is now an option too: http://www.eaa326.org/members.htm Twin Oaks (7S3): Pancake breakfast by Chapter 105. First Saturday of every month. Dinner at the RAM Last Thursday of the month (not Nov or Chapter 2013 Activities Dec). Join us for dinner at the RAM restaurant, at 7 PM. NW Conf & Trade Show: Feb 23 & 24 The RAM is on the east side of Meridian, Young Eagles Day: Sat June 29th across from South Hill Mall, in the same parking lot as Home Depot. Burger Burn: Sun Aug 11th We are normally seated as a group in the Christmas Party: Tue Dec 10th 6 PM back dining room.

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July 6 Tacoma Freedom Fair July 11 - 13 Arlington July 13 - 14 Olympia July 19 - 21 Concrete July 19 - 21 NW Biplane Fly-In Felts Field Spokane July 27 Friday Harbor July 29 - Aug 4 Oshkosh Aug 2 -4 Eastsound Aug 10 -11 Olympic Airshow Olympia Aug 11 Burger Burn Thun Field Aug 16 - 18 NW Antique Aircraft Fly-In Scappoose, OR Aug 16 - 18 Van’s Homecoming Independence, OR Sept 6 - 8 Hood River WAAAM Sept 11 - 15 Reno Air Races

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A GOOD STORY NOT KNOWN BY MANY. RANS S-19 Ventura Kit - Emp & Wings complete… Fuselage half done. The only four airplanes Israel had when the war of independence - Finish kit still in box. began were smuggled from Czech Republic . They were German - Strobe lights and parking brake options. "Messerschmidt 109". They were assembled overnight in Tel Aviv and were never flight tested. This is a short video about their pilots. New cost $26,000 plus shipping Will sell for $20k P.S. Contrary to popular perception (by the people who do not know history), the United States ' assistance to Israel during the war of Dick Migas 480-234-1471 independence was quite different. Americans were not allowed to join Located in Enumclaw the fight and arms embargo has been established and enforced by the FBI. At the same time Arab armies were very well supplied by the same countries who maintained arms embargo against Israel and of course had great advantage in manpower.

8 minute video http://vimeo.com/54400569

Can you tell what I'm doing currently? :) Andy Karmy Jet SBR-40N. 40" combination shear, brake, and roll

Fuel Tank Sealant It weighs approx. 650# . Buyer will need a truck and a friend. I am asking $600 o.b.o., or trade - I am a tool junkie! - for what have "2013 Reno Special" issue of e-Golden Pylons. To download this 16- you. This does not include the stand/table you see in the picture! page, picture-laden, special issue, visit the website listed below: . Reno 2013 Pics Dan Henderson 253-882-7945 SPITFIRE 944 - If you have seen it before, watch it again. A touching University Place video of a pilot being shown film he did not know existed.

Click here

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Chapter 326 Staff

President Randy Albritton 253-214-6035 Vice President Tom Brown 253-847-2507 Secretary Kerry Albritton 253-214-6035 EAA Chapter 326 Treasurer Norman Pauk 253-630-6396 NL Editor John Brick 253-230-8516 The Mount Rainier Chapter Photographer Andy Karmy 253-333-6695 Pierce County Airport - Thun Field Webmaster Andy Karmy 253-333-6695 Puyallup, WA 98374 Young Eagles & Eagles Nest Darrin Dexheimer 312-520-4300 Technical Counselor Harold Smith 253-752-5480 Technical Counselor Charlie Cotton 360-893-6719 Chapter Flight Advisor Jim Triggs 360-438-1482 Chapter Flight Advisor Marv Scott 253-691-5496 Program Coordinator Steve Dickinson 206-948-2563 Biographer Kerry Albritton 253-214-6035 Tool Custodian Joe Andre 253-539-2408 Chapter Hangar Project George Lightner 253-584-9477

Chapter 326 Website http://www.eaa326.org

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