2 Next Meeting: Wittman Field Airport Manager, Jim Schell

5 Remembering Randy Novak

9 May Fly-Out + Flying Start

MAY PYLON 2019 The monthly newsletter of EAA Chapter 252, Oshkosh, | Chapter

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Sharing our Passion for Flight

CARRIE FORSTER ters spent the day with Brian O’Lena, Michelle Kunes, and ne of our missions number of other EAA staffers, as an EAA chapter is including Rick Larsen, Char- Oto help to share our lie Becker, Serena Kamps, passion for flight. One way David Leiting, Kyle Voltz, that we do that is by being and several others. Brian involved in the Young Eagles shared information about the program. Our chapter is very program, and also sought active in Young Eagles, both input from the chapters that 4,300 pilots, about 1,800 of with individual members and were represented. It was great them flew 10 or more Young with our rallies that we hold in to be able to exchange ideas Eagles. I also learned that as conjunction with our fall and and look at what’s been going some of our volunteer pilots spring pancake breakfasts. well and how to keep the pro- age out of participating in gram vibrant in the future. the program, the new pilots Recently I had the opportunity coming in may not have the to spend a day in a discus- I was interested to learn that opportunity to fly as many sion group, talking about the approximately 4,300 pilots youths. In order to keep flying Young Eagles program. Lead- flew about 55,000 Young as many youths as possible, ers from several other chap- Eagles in 2018. Of those we need to keep recruiting continued page 10 Welcome The Pylonis the monthly newsletter of EAA Ch. 252 and is published monthly by the newsletter editor.

Digital copies are emailed to each chapter member. Hard copies are mailed upon request to those without email access. Current and past copies can be accessed from the chapter website at www.252.eaachapter.org. If you have submissions for the newsletter, please send to editor Mike DiFrisco no later than the 20th of each month preceding the issue month at mickeydee59@ me.com. Submissions received after the 20th will be included at the editor’s discretion in the next month or held for a future publication.

Suggestions for submissions include (but are not limited to): > updates on build projects > flight milestones > technical articles > items of interest to the general membership > classified ads

Submissions in either Word or PDF format, and photos in .jpg format are appreciated.

May Gathering June Gathering

See you at the Chapter 252 JUNE See you at the Chapter 252 MAY Hangar for the May meeting. Hangar for the June meeting. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Meal Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Meal and hangar flying. Meeting at and hangar flying. Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Members, Prospective 7:00 p.m. Members, Prospective 9 Members, and Guests Welcome! 13 Members, and Guests Welcome!

MAY MEMBERSHIP MEETING:

Thursday, May 9 Dinner at 6:30 (Food will be Brats and Burgers) Presentation at 7:00: Jim Schell, Wittman Field Airport Manager Jim earned his degree in Aviation Management from St. Cloud State University in 2009 and began his career that same year in Cheyenne, WY. In April 2018, Jim became the Director at Wittman. As a Wisconsin native, he is excited to be back in the Badger state. Also a former student pilot, he plans to get back into flying, earn his private pilot’s license and eventually own an aircraft.

COMING IN JUNE!

Eric Abraham will be talking about his experience with building the canopies on the RV-7, both tip up and slider configurations. Eric says he used a non-standard procedure and glue instead of rivets and screws. He’ll also cover basics on what a builder should 2 expect during this part of the build. Chapter 252 Hangar Expansion Updates – one of our greatest ways of earning Resource List Our Chapter Home money for the chapter. Our pancake breakfast and brat barns have also Chapter member advisors (avia- By Carrie Forster helped us considerably to pay our tion professionals, or experienced annual costs for operating the han- & EAA recognized) who are active s most of you probably al- as mentors and support Chapter gar while having some left to add to programs/events. ready know, the board has the savings. been looking at expanding Joe Norris A our hangar. We’ve had some fits We have quite a bit of the money EAA Tech Counselor and starts with finding sewer and saved to go toward the expansion, EAA Flight Advisor water laterals and also with finding [email protected] but we don’t have quite enough 920-688-2977 a contractor to take on the project. money. We’ll need to continue to Contractors are currently very busy, look at ways to raise money in Lyle Forsgren and many are not interested in tak- order to move forward with the EAA Tech Counselor ing on a relatively small project. We expansion. We’re fortunate to have [email protected] had been working with one contrac- 920-589-2060 such an active chapter with mem- tor that ended up falling through, bers who work hard to help us Tim Hoversten but Charlie Becker is in the midst thrive. EAA Tech Counselor of getting a couple of bids for our [email protected] project. Why should we expand? That’s a 920-426-6846 valid question. The expansion will Jim Kress, CFII We are very fortunate as a chapter provide two bathrooms and running [email protected] to have our own hangar for a meet- water inside the hangar. We’ll have 920-233-5660 ing space. When I joined the chap- a separate meeting space, which ter six years ago, the chapter al- will enable us to hold board meet- John T. Monnett, Jr. ready owned this hangar. Over time, EAA Flight Advisor ings in the winter without having to [email protected] I’ve learned more of the history of heat the entire hangar. It would also 920-426-5402 what it took for our chapter to be enable us to hold a board meeting able to purchase this hangar. Chap- while another group is using the Owen Russell ter members held a capital fund- main hangar area at the same time. CFI, EAA Flight Advisor raising campaign, and the chapter [email protected] This expansion would provide more 920-582-4328 also were in charge of AeroMart at flexibility and versatility. AirVenture for three years, which Andy Miller, CFII was a huge undertaking. As a board, we hope to hold more Chapter 252 IMC Club Leader events in the chapter, and running [email protected] Over the past six years, we’ve been 920-213-7672 water would certainly make that steadily adding to our chapter sav- easier. It would facilitate holding ings through the continued hard Young Eagle events at our own work of our members. Renting the hangar. It would make it easier to hangar during AirVenture has been hold a variety of educational and building events and projects at our hangar. As a 501(c)3, this expan- sion would help further our educa- tional mission.

Personally, I’m very excited about the prospect of finally getting this hangar expansion underway. I look forward to the many ways it will help us grown in our mission. I hope all of you are excited, too. 3 ences with energy, purpose, and enthusiasm. As a student, Sonja’s 4.0 grade point aver- age demonstrates her ability to excel in all subject areas. She is consistently well-prepared, in- ternally motivated, and exhibits his month, I would like to our monthly gatherings and exemplary interpersonal skills Tformally introduce Sonja volunteering at chapter events in the chemistry laboratory set- Karner as EAA Chapter 252’s throughout her flight training. ting. In addition, Sonja is very Ray Aviation Scholar! I first She is looking forward to giv- focused on listening, following met Sonja almost a year ago ing back by flying as a Young directions, and has exceptional when I gave her a Young Ea- Eagle pilot once she receives written communication skills gles flight on May 20, 2018 and her certificate. Sonja has dem- as evidenced in formal lab right away, I could sense she onstrated initiative by seeking reports. From everything I have had passion and drive as well as approval to set aside a class observed about Sonja, I believe a budding love of aviation. She period each school day to focus she is a very poised and mature enjoyed the flight tremendously on her ground school study and individual who maintains her and was so grateful. I later re- has worked with her teachers composure regardless of exter- ceived a note from her thanking to create an independent study nal stresses and circumstances. me for introducing her to this program for next year which whole new world of flying! will allow her to train during Sonja’s maturity reaches school days. She hopes to at- beyond the school and into Since then, she has been work- tend Saint Louis University for the community. In addition to ing on the Sporty’s Learn to Flight Science and is consider- working a part time job, Sonja Fly course and has completed ing becoming a commercial has been a volunteer at the two modules. She became a pilot. Wherever her future takes community farmer’s market chapter member last fall and her, Sonja is confident that she held every Saturday during the has joined us on a couple of the wants to fly for the rest of her summer and early fall months. chapter flyouts, been present at life. Between maintaining a per- almost every monthly meeting fect GPA, organizing her busy and volunteered at our pancake As part of the application extracurricular, athletic, and breakfast last month. Through process, she submitted a letter volunteer schedules, Sonja is an all of this, her parents have of recommendation from her incredibly efficient student who been beside her supporting and chemistry teacher, Michelle has mastered time management encouraging her. Klysen. Here is an excerpt: skills.

Sonja submitted an applica- As I have had the opportu- Based on all of this, I am tion to be considered for the nity to know Sonja Karner, her confident that Sonja is the right Ray Aviation Scholarship in smile, gracious personality, and candidate to receive this schol- which she states her intent to positive attitude come to mind. arship. I look forward to seeing remain active and involved in She approaches all life experi- her progress through her flight training and attain her aviation goals and am excited that we as a chapter have the opportunity to have a part as Sonja’s sup- porting cast! Let’s do our very best to encourage her along this journey!

4 --Serena Kamps Remembering Randy Novak

As told by Mike Butler was not a lot left of the plane that could be used except as lot can be said about patterns. Luckily I was able to Randy: Smart, intel- acquire a set of drawings which A ligent, quiet, patient, made the project doable. Again detail oriented, airplane lover, Randy’s patience with me was friendly, devoted, and interested beyond the norm. I was calling in you. I could go on and on. him at all hours and I know his wife Terry had to think I was I don’t think I was one Randy’s nuts. During this adventure I closest friends, because he had purchased my second J3 Cub, a lot, but we were close when In 1986 I purchased a 1930 on floats, so I could fly some- it came to airplanes, especially Fairchild KR21, serial number thing while I was restoring the the antique and classics. When 1, restoration project which was New Standard. A float plane he went to work for Mercury a real basket case. My father was something that I always Marine we had another mutual in law went with me to pick it had envisioned having. interest. He worked in engi- up and when he saw it he said neering as an engineering tech- Denise (my wife) is going to be Unfortunately the Cub was not nician and early on I worked in upset when she sees it. I said, as airworthy as I thought. The Mercury’s Racing division with Marv, (father in law) this is a plane was in Canada and the both of us based in Oshkosh. I piece of aviation history so she owner flew it down to Bren- eventually moved to the Ser- will understand. When I called nand’s seaplane base as part vice Group in Fond du Lac and her that night he wanted to talk of the purchase deal. I think Randy also moved to engineer- to her and said that she should Randy agreed, reluctantly, to ing in Fond du Lac. He eventu- not be upset when she sees the help me get it relicensed in the ally was promoted to a Manag- plane and to think of it as a US. Once we got it back to er position which, in Mercury’s piece of aviation history. my hangar and started inspect- hierarchy, is very rare without ing it we found that it was not an engineering degree. This is I knew that this was going to quite up to snuff as far as being a tribute to his knowledge and be a complex project so I asked airworthy. Well now I had two professionalism. Because of Randy if he would help with his projects. I went all out on the our jobs we interacted often. expertise. He agreed and it was J3 and put Randy under the With him being in engineering a start of long term education gun again. He acted excited and me in service it was only process for me. From then on I but I’m not sure he really was. logical we talked often trying to looked up to him as a mentor. It took three years but, for me, resolve problems. I trusted his I know I drove him nuts with it was worth it. When it came expertise more than any other all my phone calls, at all hours, to the final inspection to get it in engineering. asking questions and looking relicensed in the US Randy and for advice. His patience with Ken Appleby did all the paper- I first met Randy when he went me was saintly. He was truly work. And it was extensive. to work for John Monnett at his an inspiration which kept me When it was all said and done new Sonerai plant he opened in enthused and focused on how to Tim from the FAA, FSDO, Oshkosh in 1983. I had recently do things right. office in Milwaukee looked at completed a Sonerai II and Randy and said that this was proceeded to damage it while Our interaction on plane proj- the first plane he has inspected taxi testing it prior to its first ects continued even after the for an airworthiness certificate, flight. Randy helped straighten KR21. I purchased a New Stan- that the paperwork did not have the bent landing gear. That was dard D29 in the late 1990’s. any problems with it. 5 the start of our friendship. This was even a more complex project than the KR21. There After the J3 was completed and flying we worked on some of In 2013 I purchased a Star- rewrite the “big” AC 43.13-1B the issues that cropped up on duster Too project. Randy loved Acceptable Methods, Tech- the maintenance of the plane. his Starduster so I thought he niques, and Practices- Aircraft I then got back to restoring the wouldn’t mind giving me ad- Inspection and Repair Manual, New Standard. We had a lot go- vice on this new project. It was years ago. This is the Bible if ing on there but mostly normal going along fine until he found you’re working on an airplane. stuff. By then, I believe, he had out he had cancer. It really took enough confidence in me to let the wind out of my sails. I then Randy was very involved in me carry on with decreasing just lost interest in the project the T Craft club as well as be- involvement, on his part, until after that and sold it. ing a Civil War re-enactor. He 337’s were needed. Most of our restored an original Civil War interaction after this was in our Since his cancer we talked a cannon and made his own can- relationship we had with our lot less and mostly on Mercury non balls. employer, Mercury Marine. issues until I retired in Janu- ary of 2015. I would see him I’m really going to miss Randy. Randy always had a logical so- at his hangar on occasion and I chuckle thinking about the lution to a problem and that is we would talk but even that times he had to hold in his what I appreciated most about became less and less. I would frustration during my learning him. When we had problems, think of him a lot and when I process. He could have said I with products in the field, we heard he had passed it really really don’t need this hassle and would discuss them and usually left me with an empty feeling. I moved on. I thank the good I would us his recommenda- still think of him often. He had Lord that he did not. He made tions as to how to address the lead a good life, in my opinion, me a better person for it. problem. And he was usually and the aviation community right. has lost a truly great aviation God speed and fair winds my expert. He had helped the FAA Friend.

Pancake Breakfast Wrap-up A great volunteer turnout by Chapter members helped make our Spring Pan- cake Breakfast a success despite dreary weather that prevented flight activities. The April 6th event was held at the terminal build- ing and celebrated the birthday of the airport’s first manager and our Chapter’s namesake, Steve Wittman.

Although the weather kept away visitors who had planned to fly in, we were still able to serve great breakfasts to those who arrived by car. The planned Young Eagle flights were rescheduled for the upcom- ing Chapter event on June 8th. With support from Perkins Restaurant and especially from our dedicated Chap- ter volunteers, we overcame the fickle Wisconsin weather and raised $1,315 for the Chapter treasury.

6 lights the massive Allied operation that Take Advantage of landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. The gallery includes actual the Activities at combat and other military artifacts from the EAA Aviation that campaign that began the Allied Museum march to ultimate victory. Thursday, June 6, 6:30 p.m. — Movie: Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5 – Pioneer “The Longest Day” Airport opens This 1962 classic based on the Cornelius EAA’s famed re-creation of a 1920s aero- Ryan book features a star-studded cast, drome opens for the flying season with ranging from John Wayne and Sean 50 vintage airplanes on display. Pioneer Connery to Richard Burton and Henry Airport displays are included with mu- Fonda, telling the story of the 1944 Al- seum admission. Flights for adults are lied D-Day invasion from both sides of available, at additional cost, in a choice the conflict. Free admission for EAA of two fully restored antique biplanes members, $5 for nonmembers. (weather and operational requirements permitting). In addition, Young Eagles Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. — flights are offered free for young people Ultralight Day ages 8-17. is open week- EAA’s Pioneer Airport is transformed ends through May, with daily operations into a fun-fly zone as ultralights and beginning on Memorial Day weekend. light planes from throughout the region arrive on EAA’s grass airstrip. The af- Thursday, May 16, 7 p.m. — Museum ternoon festivities with EAA Ultralight speakers: U.S. Air Force Special Chapters will feature flying proficiency Operations pilots contests to showcase this fun, afford- An extraordinary presentation as mem- able facet of recreational flying. Free for bers of the U.S. Air Force 1st Special EAA members, included with museum Operations Wing talk about flying the admission for nonmembers. legendary AC-130 gunship for combat missions that provide support to other Thursday, June 20, 7 p.m. — Museum aircraft and soldiers fighting on the speaker: Ron Strauss and “Flying Elvis” ground. Free admission for EAA mem- EAA member Ron Strauss was one of bers, $5 for nonmembers. Elvis Presley’s private pilots who will talk about what it was like flying Elvis on Thursday, June 6 — Museum Gallery his private Convair jet named Lisa Ma- Opening: D-Day 75th anniversary rie. Free admission for EAA members, The EAA Aviation Museum opens a new $5 for nonmembers. gallery in its Eagle Hangar that high-

7 April 2019 Board Mtg Minutes Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Chapter Hangar

Attending: Carrie Forster(President), • June - Eric Abraham, airplane cano- Charlie Becker(Past President), Kurt py construction Weina(Secretary), Jim Kress(Hangar • July - Eric Abraham, aircraft painting Manager), Wayne Daniels(Board Mem- • August - Barry, CAP ber), Doug Milius(Membership), Jim • September - Corn Roast Casper(Board Member), David Leiting (Vice • September - Pancake Breakfast/ YE President), Fred Stadler (Treasurer), Jim Rally Cunningham, John Forster, Serena Kamps • October - • November - Old Business: • December - • Ray Aviation Scholarship – updates • Hangar Expansion – updates • Present scholarship at May meeting • Enlisted John Monnet’s help • Application process has been com- • Looked at the building with a con- pleted tractor, suggested 20’ addition in- • Funds have been deposited stead of 16’ • Sonia worked with her school to in- • He estimated cost is $80,000 – clude her ground school as an inde- $90,000 for completed project pendent study program • Will be soliciting another bid. • Need to coordinate with Jamie to • Putting our name in for convention meet with Sonia and her parents pancake breakfast to raise more funds • For next year we may want to form a for project committee to review applicants. • Pancake Breakfast/YE – updates New Business: • $1300 profit from the Spring event • Aviators by Design Hangar request • YE Event rescheduled to June 8 • Brian & Mike Long, working on a • Collected email addresses of kids student Zenith STOL build project interested looking for new location to complete • Location to be at the terminal project • Using the EAA pre-registration pro- • Plane is beyond the stage of kids cess for the event coming to pull a rivet • Eric resigned his position as YE Coor- • Final panel design is going to be a dinator, John F to take up the posi- basic panel to get it in the air tion • Tracy Buttles and Mike are the pri- • Monthly Fly-Outs mary technical advisors to the proj- • May fly-out to Waupaca for Chapter ect 444 meeting on May 11 • When it is completed it will become • Flying Start – updates a club plane, to reside in Waupaca • Registration process has been setup, • Estimated 6 months of volunteer link to be distributed time to complete it. • 4 people registered so far • Looking for a free space, heat costs • Brat Barn - need chairperson will be covered by Aviators by De- • First one is Friday May 24th sign • Meetings: • Looking to move in by end of May. • May - Jim Schell, airport manager • Motion made to approve used of the • Food to be Brats and Hamburgers hangar by Aviators by Design for no • Tuesday, June 4 - Flying Hamburger rental cost for the estimated 6 month Social period made by Carrie, seconded by • Volunteers needed Charlie, passed by voice vote 8 Chapter Officers & May Fly-Out – May 11, Waupaca, WI for Board of Directors

EAA Chapter 444’s Monthly Gathering President: Carrie Forster 920-540-6432 We will plan to meet at the Chapter 252 at 8:45 am for an 9:15 am [email protected] departure. This should get most people on the ground in Waupaca by 9:45:am. However, if you would like to head straight to KPCZ, Vice-President: David Leiting, Jr. that it completely fine! (This is mainly for you speedsters or low and 262-914-4278 slow flyers.) This trip will give you the opportunity to meet the folks [email protected] working with Aviators by Design, the Zenith CH750 build that will Secretary: Kurt Weina be completed in the Chapter 252 hangar, and check out how Chapter 920-685-0219 444 runs their gatherings. [email protected]

If you do plan to fly your own airplane, or have an interest in riding Treasurer: Fred Stadler along please email David Leiting at [email protected]. 920-303-5582 If you plan to fly your airplane and have an open seat please include [email protected] that in your email. This will help us fill open seats with members who wish to attend, but do not have access to an airplane. Past-President: Charlie Becker 920-573-3381 [email protected]

Board Member: Wayne Daniels 920-410-0107 [email protected]

Chapter Historian & Board Member: Jim Casper 920-460-0858 [email protected]

Board Member Emeritus: John Schram 414-405-6524

Membership: Doug Milius 920-205-3349 [email protected]

Young Eagle Coordinator: John Forster [email protected].

REMINDER: Flying Start Event Young Eagle Coordinator: Serena Kamps Our first Flying Start event will be held onSaturday, May 18, 9:00- [email protected] noon, in the morning at our chapter hangar. The purpose of this event is to help foster future general aviation pilots by providing informa- Eagle Flight Coordinator: Kyle Voltz tion and resources for them to start flight training. The morning will [email protected] consist of a presentation about what it takes to become a pilot, in- cluding training requirements, costs, etc. We’ll have several CFI’s on Hangar Manager: Jim Kress hand to answer questions. Participants will also take part in an Eagle 920-233-5660 Flight. People can register at https://eaachapter252.typeform.com/to/ [email protected] N4MZXO. VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!

9 FIRST BRAT BARN EVENT! Following a very successful Festival Foods Brat Barn operation on the Friday before Memorial Day the past few years, the chapter has its first of two scheduled days coming up on Friday, May 24, 2019.

Once again we are seeking volunteers to staff the Brat Barn. The following shifts are available: 8:00am till 1:00pm - 3 volunteers 11:00am till 1:00pm - 2 volunteers 1:00pm till 6:00pm - 2 volunteers

Please contact me with your preferred shift at [email protected] or 920-410-0107 This operation is again at Festival Foods next to Men- ards just SW of the Hwy 21/41 interchange. Please wear a chapter t-shirt if you have one to staff the Brat Barn. If you can’t spare some time to help the chapter effort, then please stop out at lunch time for a Brat or burger! Thanks, Wayne

REMINDER Chapter 252 Chapter 252 is hosting a Flying Ham- AA burger Social on Tuesday, June 4, from E 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the EAA Weeks Hangar on 20th Ave. FLYING Volunteers Needed! Starting at about 3:00 that day, we’ll need volunteers for set up, grilling, host- ing, and clean up afterwards. We’ll also need people to make side dishes and desserts. Volunteers do not need to be there for the entire time­--come help out as you are able. Watch for more informa- SOCIAL tion about volunteer sign up.

Board Meetings IMC Club Meetings Winnebago RC Flyers Club Fourth Thursday of every Third Tuesday of the Month Meetings month 6:30 pm Fourth Tuesday of the Month at 6:00 p.m. Location: EAA Aviation Center 7:00 pm Location: Chapter Hangar All Chapter Members Location: Chapter Hangar Members Welcome at board Welcome Local AMA Chapter meetings.

10 PRESIDENT’S REPORT continued Join the 252 pilots and helping facilitate oppor- addition to his day job). He plans tunities for the volunteer pilots to to continue being involved with Family! fly kids. Young Eagles and hopes to fly at future rallies. Serena Kamps is Annual Membership (Calendar For our members who have flown continuing as one of our coordi- Year) Young Eagles, I thank you and our nators and is a valuable resource Dues are $20 board thanks you. If you haven’t for us. Stepping in to Eric’s role ($10 for partial year, July - De- flown Young Eagles before and are is John Forster. John has been an cember). interested, please talk to a board active Young Eagle pilot and is ex- Student Memberships are $10. member or one of our volunteers. cited to work with Serena to help We can help give you more infor- coordinate the program for our Dues in the amount of $20 can be mation. You can also learn more chapter. On behalf of our chapter, given to Doug Milius or mailed by coming to a rally – consider many thanks to Eric, Serena, and to him at: volunteering, not as a pilot the John. first time out, but come help out as Doug Milius ground crew and see what it’s all In addition to the Young Eagle 1305 Maricopa Dr. about. program, our chapter is becoming Oshkosh, WI 54904 more involved with helping adults As a board, we’ll continue to do on the pathway to flight train- Thank you for your continued what we can to be actively in- ing. We will be holding our first support of EAA Chapter 252! volved in this program. Hopefully Flying Start Event on Saturday, along with the hangar expansion May 18, at our chapter hangar. will come more opportunities to There is still room for additional fly Young Eagles. Our Young Ea- participants to sign up. If you or gle coordinators will be working someone you know is interested in on this. joining us, follow the link https:// eaachapter252.typeform.com/to/ Speaking of Young Eagle co- N4MZXO. ordinators, I want to thank Eric Abraham for his years as a Young I’m excited about all of the ways Eagle Coordinator for our chap- our chapter is helping to share our ter. He has done an outstanding passion for flying with the next job, particularly in organizing and generation of pilots. leading our rallies. Eric has decid- ed that it’s time to step back from Blue Skies, coordinating as he takes on more Carrie private pilot students as a CFI (in

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