December, 2020 ~ ~ Volume 45, Issue 12 ~ ~ EAA Chapter 569 Newsletter www.eaa569.org ~ facebook.com/eaa569 ~ Lincoln, NE

Meeting Announcement Yes, I enjoyed being chapter president No meeting in Dec ember. this year, and even enjoyed trying to tie it all together in spite of the pandemic. We’ll have a Business Meeting via Zoom Our zoom meetings got the “business” in December. Watch your email for the attended to swiftly, directly — and invite. closed by being Max Headroom style get-togethers. This pandemic is now Also, the Chapter 569 Christmas Party worse than ever, but the darkness is originally scheduled for December 5th greatest before the dawn. has been postponed. Tom Sawyer and Jimmy Olsen Aloft in the PIREPS Press Plane President’s By Tom Winter Message Tom Sawyer never ever had a GPS, but he did Fly: Mark Twain wrote a Tom Winter novella in which Tom and Huck were up in an airship. They were over the I close as I began, with gratitude. Sahara Desert admiring the dunes and Leaving office, I feel sort of like a guest philosophizing over the limits of human leaving a banquet, and thanking his host! mortality inspired by seeing the dried Tom Trumble, our incoming president, out remains of a sandstormed caravan has been a wonderworking vice down below when they had to go back president, treasurer Cristy Higgins has because Tom’s corncob pipe broke been a wonderful go-to resource. Jerry apart. Corncob pipes aren’t forever, and Mulliken has served well as our what you gonna do? Yup. have to go secretary, and I look forward to Don back to Aunt Polly. Osborne stepping in as vice president. And Doug Volkmer is the glue holding And as for Jimmy Olsen, cub reporter it all together, continuing as webmaster for the Daily Planet, there are some and newsletter editor. local airport news stories he’s been following. We were up two hours today. I thank them all for agreeing to serve No GPS, so Tom and Jimmy found their the Chapter in 2021. way by pilotage: compass heading, windage correction, landmarks, chart, And I must speak of Lori Oliveros: just like they taught in pilot school. When we put her officially in charge of Start on the ground with the chart, select the Fly in Breakfast, we learned what a the compass heading, then, when up, great manager she is. Where do you find make the wind correction, then match such people? Why, in the EAA, of landmarks to the chart. Of course, in our course! private pilot training, we worked out the wind correction on the ground, with the

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E6-B. Ha! Instead of turning the is a great one,” the governor said at Cold Weather Operations whiz wheel, sight a landmark ahead the Costco opening. Davis is also, as From Lycoming that is on our course, and swing the you read here last month, the A note that came in the mail from nose around until — no matter company designing the upgrades for a Flyer reader included a suggestion where the nose is aimed, we are the Lincoln Airport terminal. An off that went something like this, “How actually going on course. And note: When Fisher Foods was about an article dealing more THAT gives the wind correction. I pressing chickens near downtown extensively with the cold-start miss the GPS only for the Lincoln, there was a chicken- problem?” This suggestion was a groundspeed and the ETA. The rest: processing-plant smell. Like good one as it provided an all good. The view: Eastern feathers being burned or something. opportunity to share information Nebraska, with all the Pleistocene about a variety of cold-weather glacial till hills that I hate as a At Seward, we caught Greg considerations to help get the engine bicyclist, never fails to provide an Whisler and four A&P employees at started and to keep it operating interesting landscape. Hills, streams lunch in the hangar loft. They are during cold-weather conditions. and streamlets, little canyons... busy. Although the suggestion made in Often Tom Sawyer wants to be the first paragraph was aimed at down there exploring, or be at play The ten nested T hangars, that the helping with cold-weather starting, on that isle. Platte and Loup just like Seward Airport Authority put in for this article has been expanded to the Mississippi: Tom Sawyer in August 2018, are up, and they are include tips and information on should be on that island. filling up. They are beautiful, and as preflight, starting, in-flight safety you taxi by the “new smell” and engine operational On the ground, Tom Sawyer turns simply radiates. considerations. Keep in mind that into Jimmy Olsen, who interviewed this material deals with normal a city council member who was at At Omaha Approach, there’s a cold-weather operation experienced the Fremont Airport: controller who habitually recites at temperatures to -25˚ F, and not “five” as “nine.” Pronouncing by the extremely low temperatures that The Fremont Airport Advisory the book and distinctly speaking may be found in Arctic regions. Committee has approved Davis “Two eight eight FIFE Sierra” is no Operation in those regions may Design’s plan for their new help. He still says ‘Nine.” Not require more specialized terminal. Yay! (Tom is “niner,” the by-the-book knowledge. irrepressible.) The Fremont City pronunciation, but “Nine.” Today it Let’s start with the general health Council will vote it up or down mattered. Approach told me to of the engine. When attempting a Tuesday night. So, as you are contact Lincoln Tower. Tower told start under adverse conditions, it is reading this, it has already me to contact Approach. Approach imperative that the engine be well happened. I’m betting that the City sent me back to try Tower again. maintained and in excellent Council is down with the governor’s Why? Approach had put on the operating condition. Spark plugs goal that Costco — with their new wrong tail number. They make up and magneto points should be $450M campus with 800 employees something. Never again. I have properly gapped and ready to — has a great experience with checked the FAA Registry, and next function effectively. In addition to Fremont, and that the new terminal time he wants me flying around the ignition system, the proper building will be voted up with under a pseudonym, I’ll tell him functioning of other systems such as hosannas. “What we’re focused on “2889 Sierra is registered to a induction, priming, exhaust and (now) is making sure their in Kodiak, Alaska. THIS is carburetor heat can have an effect experience with this (Fremont) plant 2885 S.” on the starting and operation of the engine. (continued on page 3)

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Regular maintenance should system very critical. Even a tiny remember that the battery is include having the heating system bubble of moisture may freeze in the handicapped by cold weather. checked for leaks. This cold- fuel line and totally cut off the flow Particularly when a single-viscosity weather tip is worthy of a separate of fuel. Two steps should be taken oil is being used, the colder the little sentence all its own – to avoid this problem. First, avoid temperature, the more cranking remember, you can’t smell carbon water contamination if possible. energy required. Combine this with monoxide. Keep fuel tanks full to prevent reduced battery output at lower In cold weather, preheat is another condensation, and be sure fuel caps temperatures, and it can be a serious factor that must be considered prior do not allow leakage if the is handicap. to starting the engine. There are parked outside in rain or snow. While on the subject of batteries, specific guidelines in Lycoming Second, look for contamination remember that freezing service instructions which establish before every flight by religiously temperatures provide a perfect when preheat should be used, but draining fuel tanks and sumps. opportunity to destroy an aircraft how much, or the method of preheat If flight is planned for bad battery. The battery with a full is generally left to the good weather, the preflight inspection charge survives nicely, but one that judgment of the pilot or should include observation of the is discharged will freeze. Once this maintenance person doing the relief opening in the engine breather happens, the problem can only be preheating. Use of the heated dip tube so that any freezing of moisture remedied by replacing the battery, stick is not recommended by at the end of the breather will not so it is very worthwhile to take Lycoming, although most other result in a loss of engine oil. preventive measures. Should the methods are considered to be Once on board the aircraft, check battery be run down during an satisfactory. For most Lycoming the fuel-selector valve for freedom attempt to start, do not leave it; get models, preheat should be applied of movement. It may be frozen fast it charged immediately. And finally, anytime temperatures are at 10˚ F or (this has happened), and you’d be absolutely certain that the master lower. The exception to this rule is better find out while still on the switch is always OFF while the the 76 series models that include the ground. aircraft is parked between flights. If O-320-H, and the O/LO-360-E. Most of the time, we think of left on, the battery will discharge These engines should be preheated starting any engine as a very simple and freeze. These rather minor when temperatures are below 20˚ F. process. Just engauge the starter, mistakes can be quite expensive. It is recommended that these and listen for the engine to start Oil is another factor to be guidelines be followed even when purring. Unfortunately, when the considered in the cold-weather multi-viscosity oil is being used. In weather turns cold, it is not always starting process. All oils are affected addition to hard starting, failure to that simple. When dealing with a by temperature and tend to thicken preheat the entire engine and oil reciprocating , it may as the temperature drops. The supply system as recommended be essential to get a start on the first engine may be reluctant to turn over may result in minor amounts of try in order to avoid icing over the when the oil is stiff; a summer abnormal wear to internal engine spark plugs and making an weight oil is not suitable in cold parts, and eventually to reduced immediate start impossible. In order weather. It is also the condition engine performance and shortened to achieve a start on the first try, which brings out the primary TBO time. there are a number of factors to be advantage of multiviscosity oils and Water is one of the most likely considered. Those factors will be of preheating. Because contaminants of aviation gasoline. discussed in the following multiviscosity oils are thinner The engine will not run on water, paragraphs. (lower viscosity), they allow the and although we may get away with Although it might be good engine to be turned over more small amounts of moisture in the procedure to use an external power easily. The easier and quicker oil fuel during warm weather, flight source for starting during very cold flow also promotes faster into freezing temperatures makes weather, most of us expect our lubrication of internal engine parts any amount of moisture in the fuel battery to do the job. We should (continued on page 4)

Page 4 of 8 EAA 569 when the engine does start. Since these cylinders. As the air becomes amount of throttle opening does the proper oil viscosity is so colder and denser, the amount of have an effect on the air that is important in all aspects of engine prime used must be increased, but pumped through the engine. Just as starting and operation, the the number of strokes to be used we compensate for cold/dense air by recommendations of oil grade vs. should be planned as a result of adding more fuel for start, it may temperature range shown in some trial and error experimentation also be appropriate to reduce the air Lycoming Service Instruction No. for each aircraft a pilot flies. When part of the mixture when the 1014 should be followed. the correct number of primer strokes temperature is very cold. For Probably the most important factor for each temperature range has been example, if the throttle is normally in starting an engine is achieving a established, the engine will usually set open one-half inch for warm fuel/air mixture that is satisfactory start very quickly. We may find that weather starting, it may be helpful for combustion. Since the engine an engine starts easily when one to reduce this to one-quarter inch in usually starts very easily, many stroke of the primer is used in the cold weather. Again, it will require pilots are unaware of or ignore the 60˚ range, two strokes in the 50˚ some experimentation to determine change of starting procedure needed range, three strokes in the 40˚ range, what is needed to achieve the to successfully start under varying etc. This is an example of the trial correct fuel/air mixture for any temperature conditions. In warm and error we might use to establish particular aircraft at any weather, the air is less dense, and the number of primer strokes to use temperature range. therefore must be mixed with a under any particular temperature When an engine does not start lesser amount of fuel than in cold condition. easily, it can be frustrating. Of weather. In addition to this, in warm While discussing the priming of an course, this can occur at any time of weather, the fuel will vaporize engine, there have been situations the year, and it is very tempting to readily and make starting easier. where primer lines become clogged. just keep grinding away with the Simply stated, as temperatures go This makes engine starting difficult starter in an attempt to get it going. down it becomes more and more and negates any trial and error Should this happen to you, RELAX. important that we have a plan for experimentation that may have been Take care of that starter, or it may priming that will achieve the correct done. When maintenance is done on fail. The general rule for starters is fuel/air mixture. an aircraft before the start of winter, that they should only be operated for When priming a carbureted it may be wise to have those primer short periods, and then allowed to engine, the pilot’s plan must lines checked to ensure that fuel will cool. If engine start has not occurred consider the temperature, the flow through them. after three 10-second periods of number of cylinders which have The amount of fuel needed to operation with a pause between priming lines installed, and the achieve the correct fuel/air mixture each, a five-minute cooling off number of strokes of the primer for starting a fuel-injected engine is period is required. Without this time needed to produce the correct controlled by timing rather than limit for operation and an adequate fuel/air mixture. The primer lines number of primer strokes. With the cooling off period, the starter will are ordered or installed by the electric fuel pump on, moving the overheat and is likely to be damaged airframe manufacturer and not all mixture control to the rich position or to fail completely. aircraft are configured the same. allows fuel to flow to the cylinders. The previous paragraphs have Some aircraft have actually been For cold-weather starting, it may be addressed several issues that relate produced with only one cylinder necessary to keep the mixture to the cold-weather preflight and the being primed, and these engines are control in rich somewhat longer cold-weather start. There are other extremely hard to start in cold than in warm weather. cold-weather items that should be weather. The number of cylinders The fuel part of the fuel/air considered in the operation of the that are primed must be considered mixture may be the part we have the engine. since the total fuel delivered by the most control over during the engine primer will be divided and sent to start, but keep in mind that the (continued on page 5)

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Assuming the engine has kicked you didn’t discover the power loss Engine operating temperature is off, check for an indication of oil through instrument scanning, you’ll another item that is not usually pressure. Learn the characteristics get a warning through the “heavy” given enough consideration in cold relative to response of oil pressure wheel or stick. weather. We usually are very indications of your aircraft/engine During flight in very low cautious about high oil temperature combination. On most single- temperatures, exercise constant which we know is detrimental to engine aircraft, an almost speed props about every 30 minutes good engine health, while a low oil immediate response is noted. On to help prevent congealing of oil in temperature is easier to accept. The twin-engine aircraft, the response the prop dome. desired oil temperature range for may be much slower. On some Should one engine of a twin, for Lycoming engines is from 165˚ to twins, the oil pressure may go up, any reason, indicate the prop must 220˚ F. If the aircraft has a and during warm-up, may drop be feathered, don’t tarry too long winterization kit, it should be again for a short period of time, then with reduced power in very cold installed when operating in outside again rise to normal. All cases weather. At reduced power, the oil air temperatures (OAT) that are mentioned may be normal, but the may congeal making feathering an below the 40˚ to 45˚ F range. If no important thing is to know what to impossibility. winterization kit is supplied and the expect from your aircraft/engine A tip for every pilot, don’t run one engine is not equipped with a combination. set of fuel tanks nearly dry before thermostatic bypass valve, it may be After start, do not idle engine switching tanks. Switch with plenty necessary to improvise a means of below 1000 RPM. It’s not good of fuel remaining in the tanks first blocking off a portion of the airflow practice to idle engines below 1000 used. This is “money in the bank,” to the oil cooler. Keeping the oil RPM at any time. This is should you find the selector valve temperature above the minimum particularly true during cold frozen. recommended temperature is a weather to prevent lead fouling of Although carburetor ice is not factor in engine longevity. Low spark plugs. (Exception – Piper necessarily a wintertime operating temperatures do not Pressurized Navajo) phenomena, a check of carburetor vaporize the moisture that collects Now, here’s a tip for novice pilots. heat should be made during the in the oil as the engine breathes When setting up for cruise engine runup. Generally speaking, damp air for normal combustion. configuration, be precise, read your we can say that carburetor heat When minimum recommended oil instruments and remember what you should never be used for takeoff, but temperatures are not maintained, oil read. Example: If you decide on 22” there is one exception. This should be changed more frequently of manifold pressure, set it right on exception occurs when operating in than the normally recommended 50- 22. If the RPM is to be 2350, make temperatures so cold that hour change cycle. This is necessary it 2350. Select an altitude. Trim the application of carburetor heat in order to eliminate the moisture aircraft to hold that selected altitude. produces a rise in RPM. Most pilots that collects and contaminates the Note airspeed. Now, if anything will never find themselves in oil. changes, barring turbulent air, it has circumstances which require use of And finally, power-off letdowns to be a change in power. Perhaps it carburetor heat for takeoff and should be avoided. This is is carburetor or induction-air icing. climb; those who fly carbureted especially applicable to cold- Suppose you picked up a bit of engines will almost certainly have weather operations when shock- carburetor ice, and the engine occasion to use carburetor heat cooling of the cylinder heads is suffers a slight power loss. There during cruise or let down. Use of the likely. It is recommended that will be a slight drop in manifold full-hot or full-cold position is cylinder head temperature change pressure, a loss in airspeed, and the recommended. An intermediate not exceed 50˚ F per minute. Plan aircraft will want to lose altitude, setting should only be selected if the ahead, reduce power gradually and and if you hold altitude, you’ll find aircraft is equipped with a maintain some power throughout back pressure on the wheel is carburetor air temperature (CAT) required. Therefore, even though gauge. (continued on page 6)

Page 6 of 8 EAA 569 the descent. Also keep the fuel/air For President: Tom Trumble Trumble suggested making the info mixture leaned out during the For Vice President: Don Osborne visible to national EAA members. descent. If an exhaust gas For Treasurer: Cristi Higgins temperature gauge is installed with For Secretary: Jerry Mulliken The next board meeting via Zoom is a normally aspirated engine, keep it scheduled for Dec. 16, 2020. No peaked to ensure the greatest Dennis Crispin moved, Lyle member meeting is planned for possible engine heat for the power Eisenhauer seconded to accept the December. setting selected; for a turbocharged officers slate as proposed. Motion installation, lean to peak during carried. Respectfully submitted, descent unless otherwise specified Jerry Mulliken, Secretary in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, A lengthy discussion followed or under conditions where the concerning the meeting limiting inlet temperature cancellations, due to the increased would be exceeded. precautions being urged by health Exposure to snow, frost and cold authorities around the Covid-19 News from weather while flying requires the pandemic. The board and members consideration of many factors, both attending agreed that the November EAA Headquarters airframe and engine related. This breakfast should be canceled, and discussion deals with issues relating the Christmas party postponed EAA Mourns Death of Audrey to the engine. While there may be indefinitely. The question of other issues, those items which are holding the December breakfast will Poberezny asked about most frequently have be considered at the December The EAA community and all of been discussed. Safer flying and meeting. There was no consensus aviation were saddened on Sunday, longer engine life could result from as to when or if the Christmas party November 1, as Audrey Poberezny, careful consideration of the material should be held. wife of EAA's late founder Paul addressed. Poberezny, died peacefully in Reproduced by permission of The treasurer’s report by Cristi Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at age 95. Lycoming Engines, an operating Higgins showed that $3,085.28 is in division of Corporation. All the checking account, $1,474.79 is It is often said that behind every rights reserved. in the breakfast account and the club success, there are the unsung heroes holds a $10,000 CD, with interest that made it possible. For EAA, that was a role that was successfully Minutes of the Club Meeting coming to the checking account. executed by Audrey Ruesch

Poberezny with grace, The meeting was called to order on Tom Winter reported receiving the determination, and wisdom. EAA November 18th by President Tom Chapter Service awards from EAA and all of its members over nearly Winter at 7 pm and was held via headquarters. These will be 70 years owe her an immeasurable teleconference Zoom. More than a distributed at the next physical debt of gratitude. dozen people were logged in. meeting.

New grills for cooking breakfast "Audrey was indeed EAA's First Agenda items – Lady and the quiet power behind the have been purchased for the club. These will save a great deal of labor, leader in EAA's formation and 1. Consider cancellation of Nov. 21 development," said Jack J. Pelton, Crete flight breakfast, and the especially at cleanup. EAA CEO and Chairman of the Dec. 5 Christmas Party. Board. "She supported Paul from 2. Vote on the slate of officers for There was discussion about privacy settings for the membership roster the very earliest days of EAA, from 2021 on the national EAA website. (continued on page 7)

Page 7 of 8 EAA 569 being the sounding board for ideas our community by lowering the not- regular safety webinars and the and balancing the books, to to-exceed number each year and we annual Founder's Innovations Prize answering the phone and typing out have met that challenge over the have also put the spotlight on safety membership cards. Audrey did past decade, as we have seen fatal for experimental category aircraft. whatever needed to be done, but accident totals drop by nearly 40 never sought the spotlight for percent for both experimental and "While we are seeing already very herself. Her understanding of amateur-built aircraft over the past small numbers, the continual people was also a gift that helped decade." emphasis on safety for all of us can EAA grow and thrive into its unique never be overstated," Elliott said. place in aviation, and her warmth As a comparison, experimental "This is a trend that must continue will be remembered by all who category fatal accidents totaled 73 as we pursue ever-higher levels of knew her." for the yearlong period ending on safety. We must focus on training, September 30, 2011, with 51 of safety enhancements, and good pilot E-AB Fatal Accident Total those in amateur-built aircraft. skills to complement the ever- Drops Again, Below FAA Not- Along with the amateur-built improving technology in today's subcategory, the FAA's aircraft cockpits." to-Exceed Goal experimental category includes FAA Requests Data From Safety totals for experimental other aircraft groups such as amateur-built aircraft continued the experimental/exhibition, Private Airport Owners experimental/light-sport aircraft, decade-long improvement trend in Private airports may be listed as 2020, as fatal accident totals and research-and-development aircraft, among others. "closed indefinitely" within the finished below the FAA not-to- FAA's airports database if the exceed number for the 12 months The drop in experimental category agency has not heard from the ending September 30, 2020. accidents mirrors and, in some owner of a private-use facility since Over the 12-month period from cases, exceeds the decline in overall January 2018. Airport owners can October 1, 2019, through September general aviation fatal accidents over verify and update their information 30, 2020, which mirrors the federal the past decade. Elliott noted that with the FAA through the Airport government fiscal year, total fatal the overall fatal accident numbers Data and Information accidents in experimental aircraft for experimental category aircraft Portal (ADIP) online, or by dropped more than 15 percent from remain much lower than other reaching out to their FAA regional the previous year, to 44 total fatal recreational pursuits, such as airports office. accidents including 32 in amateur- boating and driving all-terrain vehicles. The list of airports that may be built aircraft — an 18 percent drop. closed indefinitely can be found on The 44 fatal accidents were eight EAA has worked closely with the the ADIP website under quick links percent below the FAA's not-to- FAA and NTSB on as "Private Airport Report." exceed number of 48 for fiscal year recommendations to reduce fatal 2020. accidents, including through Events "This is outstanding news as far as participation in the FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee. Dec-Jan, EAA Webinars. Click the continuing trend of lower accident totals in experimental Efforts have also included here for more information. category and amateur-built aircraft, thousands of copies of the EAA especially as total flight hours Flight Test Manual now in the hands Dec 5 – Chapter 569 Christmas increased over the past 12 months," of amateur-built aircraft owners and the increasing use of an additional Party - Villa Amore Italian said Sean Elliott, EAA's vice Restaurant – 5:30pm Postponed safety pilot during initial flight president of advocacy and safety. testing in amateur-built aircraft. "The FAA continues to challenge Other safety initiatives ranging from

And finally … Airworthy! Page 8 of 8 EAA 569 By Doug Volkmer

This year will be a year that most people would just as soon forget. There will, however, be one day in 2020 that I’ll always remember. The day the FAA came and inspected my RV-7. I arrived early at the hangar that morning. I did a thorough inspection of the plane, looking it over as if I was going to take it for a flight. I checked everything. Nuts, safety wire, cotter pins where needed, etc. Everything looked good to me. I then grabbed the broom and swept the hangar floor, burning off some nervous energy. I think I had the cleanest hangar floor at the airport that morning! Rick and his partner arrived shortly before 8:00am. Armed with their mirrors and flashlights, they began their inspection. They looked it over really good, crawling around underneath and inside. I anxiously paced the ramp while they did their thing. In the end, they said I did a wonderful job building it and issued me my special airworthiness certificate. They did point out a minor squawk that I was able to address right away. Now what? I need to close it back up and prepare for the first The all important Special flight. I have someone lined up for that who has a heckuva lot Airthworthiness Certificate, the more entries in his logbook than I do. He’s also done a handful end result of an educational and of first flights. recreational journey. Can’t wait to fly this thing!

John Cox 2279 County Road 2425 DeWitt, Nebraska 68541-2518

May your holidays glow bright and all your dreams take flight.