GEOFF ROBISON PRESIDENT, VINTAGE AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATON AirVenture thoughts In my column over the past few 114 ultralights, 131 seaplanes, 40 aero­ 1929 Zenith biplane . .. all three being years you've read my heartfelt at­ batic, and 33 rotorcraft! There were 797 the only flying examples of their type in tempts to offer meaningful descrip­ commercial exhibitors and 2,128 foreign the world. Who can't believe this fairy­ tions about the event we all know visitors from 71 nations; the top three land of make-believe would make Walt as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. I have nations were Canada with 492, Austra­ Disney blush in disbelief. Harry Houd­ read and enjoyed a number of other lia with 229, and Brazil with 186 (and ini would shrink away in disgrace In the members' writings that have also at­ these are the ones who registered!). There presence ofsuch real magic. And speak­ tempted to share the emotion of this were 37,000 campers and 865 on-site ing of magic, while all of this is unfold­ event. When I read Charlie Harris' media reps (from five different nations)! ing, there Is a guy flying overhead in a offering in the August newsletter of We had more than 500 volunteers in real rocket-powered EZ canard compos­ VAA Chapter 10, it really struck a the Vintage area alone . .. you can just ite! I'm not kidding . .. I couldn't make chord, and I knew right away it was imagine how many volunteers it took this stuffup ifI tried. As I said, you can something that should be shared overall to accomplish this task. And, was see it, but you can't believe it. But . .. you with all of you, especially those who it accomplished! still have to see it; it's only the World's may have never had the opportunity It was simply a magnificent accom­ Fair ofAirplanes and Who's Who ofAir­ to visit with us in late July. Here's plishment ... you have to see It to believe plane People! Charlie's amazing analysis of the It-not so; yes, you can see It, but you Next year's dates are July 27-August 2008 event. Enjoy! still will not believe it. You will not be­ 2, 2009. Burt Rutan's and Sir Richard lieve it, because it Is not to be believed. Branson's Virgin Galactic White Knight A Place Called Oshkosh. It is the largest, cleanest, most beauti­ Two has already committed, and per­ As is said, "You have to see it to be­ fully run aviation spectacle in the world. haps, just perhaps, the most gorgeous, lieve It!" Indianapolis is called thegreat­ It is so overwhelming it will bring tears brand-new, last-of-the-breed Gee Bee est spectacle in racing. March Madness to your eyes! There is not just something Q.E.D. on this planet, or in the universe culminates in a Monday night colossus for everyone; there are zillions of things ... just perhaps. Make your plans now; frenzy. The post-season bowl games mes­ for everyone. From a Pletenpol to a brand next July will be here before we know It! merize college football fans. The Super new (perfect) 1928 Boeing 40C to an F-22 Bowl is the greatest thing in all ofprofes­ Raptor that is so awesome that it is mind­ Thanks for sharing your emotion sional football. boggling in its performance. In the mean­ and excitement about AirVenture But, none can hold a candle to a place while, Glacier Girl and the only flying Oshkosh, Charlie! called Oshkosh for seven days in late SB2C in the world are sitting on AeroShell EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, July, early August each year. You have to Square ramp, just a few steps away from The World's Greatest Aviation Cel­ see it to believe it-not so. You can see Dick Keyt's fabulous (36-plus-year-old ebration, is July 27 through August it all right, all seven days or even 10-14 (Dennis)) Polen Special experimental. 2,2009. days ifyou count getting there early and And, this is in the daytime . .. folks Please do us all the favor of in­ staying a few days after. But even ifyou like Dick Rutan and Joe Kittinger step viting a friend to join the VAA, and see It, all of it, you still can't really and up in the evening at the Theater in the help keep us the strong association totally believe it. There is so much of it Woods. Dick and Joe have something we have all enjoyed for so many ... airplanes from Fond du Lac to Ap­ near 1,000 jet fighter combat missions in years now. pleton (well, almost) .. .more ofanything Southeast Asia between them! And just VAA is about participation: Be a and everything connected with airplanes across the road from the Red Barn sits member! Be a volunteer! Be there! than you can ever imagine . .. 540,000 Dick and Patsy Jackson 's 1930 Sikorsky people . .. more than 10,000 airplanes S-39, and next to Addison's 1928 Model ... 2,516 showplanes, including 972 40C Boeing is Al Stix's and John Con­ homebuilts, 822 vintage, 404 warbirds, ouryer's Glenn Peck-restored and -flown o E VOL. 36, No. 10 2008 co TENTS I Fe Straight & Level AirVenture thoughts by Geoff Robison 2 News S Aeromail 6 AirVenture 2008 A bright spot in aviation, Part I by H.G. Frautschy and Sparky Barnes Sargent 1 4 The Regal RNF /I Ask any pilot" by Sparky Barnes Sargent 20 Light Plane Heritage Clearing the workben ch by Bob Whittier 2S The Vintage Mechanic Part Two: Ignition system troubleshooting by Robert G. Lock 28 What Our Members are Restoring STAFF EAA Publisher Tom Poberezny 32 Mystery Plane Director of EAA Publicati ons Mary Jones by H.G. Frautschy Executive Director/Editor H.G. Frautschy EAA Art Director Olivia P. Trabbold News Editor Ri c Reynolds 37 Classified Ads Photography Jim Koepnick Bonnie Kratz 38 Calendar Advertising Coordinator Sue Anderson Classified Ad Coordinator Louise Schoenike Copy Editor Colleen Walsh Director of Advertising Ka trina Bradshaw Display Advertising Representatives: u.s. Eastern Time Zone-Northeast and Eastern Canada: Ken Ross Specialized Publications Co. 609-822-3750 Fax: 609-957-5650 kr4O@comcast .l1et U.S. Eastern Time Zone-Sout heast: Chester Baumgartner Specia lized Publications Co. 727·532-4640 Fax: 727-532-4630 COOllf1l 111 @mitldspring.com U.S. Central TI me Zone: Gary Worden C O VER S Specialized Publications Co. FRONT COVER: The Grand Champion Contemporary is this 1969 Cessna 172K, owned and 800·444-9932 Fax: 816-741-6458 [email protected] ftown by Stephanie Allen of Mukilteo, Washington. It's shown in formation with her husband's U.S. Mountain and Pacific TIme Zones: John Gibson Beech Bonanza, a previous award-winning restoration . For more on this yea r's EAA AirVenture, Specialized Publications Co. 916·784·9593 Fax: 510-2 17-3796 see our artic le starting on page 6. EAA photo by Bonnie Kratz. jO/lI [email protected] BACK COVER: The oldest flying Ford Tri -Motor is an outstanding subject for the discerning eye Europe: Willi Tacke Phone: +49(0) 1716980871 Fax: +49(0)8841/496012 of photographer John Slemp. Read more about John's work on our VAA News page. willi@(lyillg·pages.colll VINTAGE AIRPLANE ELT Requirements Clarified Venture, and other efforts have in­ Annual Meetings, The first week of September, the creased aircraft owners' knowledge EAA and VAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric and awareness of the differences The minutes of the annual Administration (NOAA) sent out between the 121.5/243 MHz ELT membership meeting of the Ex­ reminders to U.S. aircraft owners and the 406 MHz ELT, allowing perimental Aircraft Association regarding upcoming changes in them to make an informed choice Inc. held August 2, 2008, are avail­ emergency locator transmitter (ELT) on whether or not to upgrade. EAA able in the October 2008 issue of services. As of February I, 2009, sat­ said that requiring an upgrade to EAA Sport Aviation magazine. ellite coverage of 121.5 MHz ELTs 406 MHz ELTs, as the FAA proposed During the annual meeting of will end and only ground-based several years ago, is too costly a the Vintage Aircraft Association, monitoring will take place. NOAA burden to place on recreational! the results of the election of direc­ recommends that aircraft owners general aviation aircraft owners. tors and officers were announced. transition to the International Civil For those flying outside the Elected to two-year terms were: Aviation Organization (ICAO) stan­ United States: While 406 MHz ELTs Officers dard digital 406 MHz ELT systems. are not mandatory for operating in Geoff Robison, President This caused some confusion the United States, pilots who fly in­ Steve Nesse, Secretary among aircraft owners, many who ternationally-to Canada or Mex­ presume they are now required to ico, for example-will be required Directors upgrade to the 406 MHz units. to upgrade their ELTs to the new Steve Krog However, there is no requirement ICAO standard 406 MHz units af­ Robert D. "Bob" Lumley in the United States to upgrade to ter February I, 2009. EAA is work­ Dave Clark the 406 MHz systems at this time. ing with Transport Canada to obtain John Berendt Installing such a unit is solely an an exemption to this regulation for Espie "Butch" Joyce Jr. option at the discretion of the air­ aircraft transitioning through Can­ Steve Bender craft owner. ada to Alaska or those flying from Jeannie Lehman Hill Of course, operating with a the northeastern part of the United 121.5/243 MHz ELT after the dead­ States to the west where the most di­ Reagan Washington National Air­ line presents additional risks to pi­ rect flight route requires a short tran­ port (DCA) VOR/DME in Washing­ lots and passengers ifa crash occurs, sition through Canadian airspace.