The Capstone Program
Tuesday, 16 March 1999
1700 hrs (5:00 PM Civilian Time)
USAF Test Pilot School Auditorium
Edwards AFB, CA
"And now for something completely different," as Monty Python would say. But, you'll all be completely comfortable with the situation, as in the past when we were all turned into guinea pigs. Yes, once again we will be asked what we think of a new system being developed by the FAA called the Capstone Program. Wen Painter's nephew, August Asay, will be here from Alaska to do the presentation. Read on for a brief description of the Capstone Program.
The Federal Aviation Administration-Alaskan Region's Capstone Program is an accelerated effort to determine if new technology GPS-based avionics systems can improve operational safety and efficiency. Alaska suffers the loss of approximately 45 lives each year from aircraft accidents. This accident rate is 5 times greater than in any other area of the United States. A recent Mitre-CAASD study concluded that approximately 38 percent of these fatal accidents could be avoided by providing the pilot with improved situation awareness of terrain, weather, and other aircraft. The Capstone program has chosen to equip all commercial operating aircraft in an isolated area of western Alaska with the following equipment in an effort to improve pilot situation awareness: an IFR-certified GPS receiver; Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B); a Multi-Function Display with a moving map that presents traffic, terrain, weather, NOTAMS, PIREPs, and special-use airspace status information. A limited flight demonstration of this technology will occur in June/July 1999. The evaluation program will begin in January 2000.
For a more detailed description you can look on the web at: www.alaska.faa.gov/capstone. So everyone show up and have a look at this new system. They are looking for our input as to the feasibility of using a system like this in Alaska and the lower 48, or is that 49? As always, there will be the standard shmooze time before the meeting and the gourmet dining at the BK Lounge afterwards. See you there.
(Any talk of a Chapter 1000 sponsored flight test project? I think there might be a VC-180 available--and of course the demod costs would be prohibitive so it have to be left in after the completion of testing...)
- George Gennuso Vice Kommandant and Schmoozemeister
Read the Complete Report!!
(The list has been deleted from the web version as it's out of date now and doesn't matter anymore. If you really wanted to know who the delinquents were, well, you should be a member of the chapter...)
0940-SOG team awakens from digestive torpor and notices black PPTAF uniforms everywhere. Obviously our pathfinding penetration of the Flabob Combat Area Assault Zone had been successful.
Conclusion: Operation Rubidoux Sundown VII Preoperational Forward Air Control infiltration of Flabob Aerodrome was conducted by new PPTAF team member Leo V. Williams and his wingman...er...daughter, Kathleen D. Williams.
Thanks to Chapter 1000 for being filled with such nifty people. El Presidente Gary Aldrich and his crew made me feel right at home on my first operation. I look forward to many more.
- Leo Williams
The meeting was called to order sometime around the appointed 1730 following schmooze time. No one was allowed to stop schmoozing until all of the Chewy Chips Ahoy were consumed. This appears to be a requirement, but we can't confirm it, since the Project Police Bylaws were last seen floating aimlessly about cyberspace where even Buck Rivetz is powerless to locate them.
Bernie Bakken has formalized a process for procuring official Project Police uniform apparel. Order forms were printed in the February newsletter. Contact him to place your order.
The new way-cool Chapter 1000 patches are still available; contact Gary Aldrich ($5 each) and order a bunch.
I'm sure there was much talk of Operation Rubidoux Sundown VII on Saturday, Feb. 27. Of course, that's now in the past. Project Police SIGINT officers read the intelligence found on Chapter 1's preparations in the Chapter 1 newsletter.
To all delinquent dues non-payers: Pay up! Just do it!
This month we regressed to our happy pre-salad days of kindergarten when we all looked forward to Show and Tell. Since it was Vice Kommandant George Gennuso's idea, he led off first. He showed us his Pulsar instrument panel complete with all of the water-slide decals he made as detailed in the February Leading Edge. It's amazing how good they look. You'd swear the markings were silk-screened on by some professional for some obscene charge.
Next up was Russ Erb, who showed some of the jigs he made to do repetitious procedures. The Bearhawk ribs use angle stiffeners which are riveted on. There's only a few billion of them, or so it seems. Each stiffener must be bent from flat sheet and drilled for rivets. He showed how a relatively inexpensive aluminum brake was modified heavily to make it serviceable for bending the angles, and was fitted with a depth stop to allow quick positioning of the blanks. Once set up, each angle took about 20 seconds total to bend.
He also showed drilling jigs set up for drilling the rivet holes. The accuracy was so good that light could be seen through the holes in a stack of angles six inches thick. Also shown were a block ground to joggle rib flanges when used with a hammer. Russ showed one of the tip ribs with a chord of about 5 feet. Doug Dodson was heard to comment on how big it was compared to his Glasair wing.
Third up was Roy Bailets, who had brought all sorts of cool toys from his composites business. He talked about many of the techniques used to rapidly create female molds for various parts. Not all were serious airplane parts-Roy displayed an alien bust he had created, suitable for selling at the Roswell Ramada. This was all very interesting to a metal working guy, and Roy commented on how he avidly collects all newsletter articles about metalworking. Roy also slipped and agreed to write an article for the chapter newsletter on welding band saw blades.
- Erbman, Pseudo-Secretary
In fact, we just happen to have a weekend event in the offing...the annual Chapter 1000 Scotty Horowitz yada, yada fly-in coming up in May! This would be a perfect opportunity to come on out and show your Project Police colors...or, if you prefer, you may remain undercover so as not to alarm the populace of the sleepy little burg of Rosamond. Better yet, volunteer to help out with some aspect of the execution. Don't be swayed if you can only show up the day of the event. Your BoD is vastly experienced with line-o-sight tasking. You can be part of the crack, well-oiled machine. Pay no attention to the apparent chaos that surrounds our normal gatherings...it's all part of the plan. If you can't help out or come out at least wish us fair skies and following (light) winds. See you at L00!
Check 6 and Fly Safe!
- Gary Aldrich
Next Rally: March 13th, 8am, Fox Field
| January 9, 1999 | Fox Field | Rally Total = 8 |
| Flight Crew | ||
| Pilots | Equipment | |
| Ray Greene | Cardinal 177B | |
| Mike Hartenstine | Cessna 120 | |
| Bob Hoey | BD-4 | |
| Ground Crew: | |
| Paul Rosales | Victoria Rosales |
| Kristin Abraham | |
| January 16, 1999 | California City | Rally Total = 28 |
| Flight Crew | ||
| Pilots | Equipment | |
| George Heddy | Cessna 172XP | |
| Ozzie Levi | Bellanca Cruisair | |
| Dick Monaghan | Luscombe 8A | |
| Wen Painter | Cessna 182 | |
| Ground Crew: | |
| Paul Rosales | Victoria Rosales |
| Ron Wilcox | Miles Bowen |
| February 13, 1999 | Fox Field | Rally Total = 19 |
| Flight Crew | ||
| Pilots | Equipment | |
| John Bush | Cessna 140 | |
| Don Gates | Cessna 150 | |
| Ozzie Levi | Bellanca Cruisair | |
| Con Oamek | Bonanza F-33-A | |
| Wen Painter | Cessna 182 | |
| Connie Trippensee | Grumman Tiger | |
| Gary Trippensee | Luscombe 8A | |
| Ground Crew: | |
| Paul Rosales | Victoria Rosales |
| Ron Wilcox | Miles Bowen |
| Angela Webber
(expecting) |
Next Rally: March 13th, 8am, Fox Field
Don't miss this one !!!! EAA kids day. In addition to our usual crowd of Antelope Valley kids, bring your very own young eagle(s) for a sanctioned ride. No, it doesn't matter whether they have flown Young Eagles before or not! Be sure you bring their friends. Age limit is 7-17. See you there!
Thanks for your help!!!!
| Young Eagle Operations: | |
| Dave Webber
Dave.Webber@dfrc.nasa.gov dawebs@ptw.com 948-9589 |
David McAllister
David.McAllister@dfrc.nasa.gov 256-4829 |
- Dave McAllister
(PPO Jim Payne reminds us that a Young Eagles rally will be held on April 10th at Rosamond Skypark. Project Police Spouse (PPS) Jackie Payne, a teacher at Desert High School at Edwards, says to expect a big gaggle of kids from the base. The Rosamond Rotary will be serving breakfast from 8:30 am. Young Eagle pilots will get free food! Do you need any better reason to show up?)
First to come in was Shawn Keller of Tehachapi. Shawn is an Electronics Engineer who is working on a TEAM Z-Max to be powered by a Subaru EA-71 engine. He lists as his project on his nametag an "Eindecker 2000." I'm not sure if this is the Z-Max or something else. Shawn has lots of experience working with R/C models and flight simulators. He's also been seen around the group at Scaled Composites, as he designed the electrical systems for the Williams V-Jet II and the prototype Proteus.
Next in was Leo Williams, whom you already met on page 4. Leo lives with his wife Wanda in that California town that you could swear was missing a letter in its name (Hemet). He spent 10 years seeing the world as a flight engineer on Air Force C-141 Starlifters, and has also worked at Starduster. He lists his projects as a Starduster Too and a Rand KR-2. Currently working as a screen printer and artist, Leo was especially in a hurry to join Chapter 1000. Bernie Bakken hired Leo as the official Project Police uniform shirt printer, and Leo wanted to secure the rights to wear one of his creations during Operation Rubidoux Sundown VII. Leo is doing a great service to the chapter, printing T-shirts in much more flexible quantities and at a much lower price than our previous supplier.
The Project Police have recruited an inside man at the Teledyne Ryan's RQ-4A Global Hawk project. Brad Norman of Rosamond works as a Flight Test Engineer and UAV Command and Control Operator. In fact, he was the second person to "pilot" the Global Hawk. When he wants to actually pilot an aircraft without a radio link, he flies his Mooney M20F.
Finally, Vance Cochrane joins us in the Det 11 area (San Carlos). Vance lives in Belmont CA, and apparently comes to us after Norm Dewitt told him what a great chapter we have. Vance flies an L-29, which he describes as "An L-29 is a Czechoslovakian Jet Trainer built by Aero Vodochody, commonly called a Delphin. Here in the US it is certified in the Experimental Exhibition Category. I don't have an electronic picture handy, but I would love to fly it down to a chapter meeting." Vance is a Consultant with interests in the area of flight testing and aerodynamics. He is also a prestigious FAI World Record holder for the fastest time from San Carlos, CA to Santa Barbara in a Katana DA-20. (I wonder who holds the world record from Fox to Flabob?)
Prior to leaving for OTS, Bryan again showed his excellent judgement on 14 Feb 99 when he proposed to Tanya Adams. She, in turn, showed her excellent judgement by accepting. She knows what she's getting into-she grew up in an Air Force family.
You too can keep up with what's going on. Tanya is posting the latest news on Bryan's adventures at http://www.qnet.com/~bd/ots.html.
If you have ever welded a band saw blade, you know the goal is to weld a blade that will not break the moment you go to use it. Secret NO. 1 is to apply less pressure to the butted blade ends about to be welded (see pressure knob) by dialing in about one half (1/2) the recommended pressure. Secret NO. 2 is to apply lower annealing temperatures (see annealing button) when annealing a fresh weld. We will get back into this stuff later.
(B) Remove oil residue with acetone or other solvent.
(C) Remove rust with scotch brite or 150 grit sandpaper.
(B) Apply pressure by twisting the pressure knob in a counter clockwise direction just enough to barely push the blade ends together. Experiment with test samples by using varying degrees of pressure. Too much pressure will cause blade ends to overlap instead of butt.
(C) Press welder button in all the way until glowing hot metal cools completely (about 5 seconds).
(D) Manually return pressure knob to zero.
(E) Unclamp blade, being very careful not to bend it even slightly.
(F) Visually inspect weld. A good weld runs full width with no air gaps.
(B) Press annealing button until weld starts to change color then instantly release annealing button the moment you see a discernable color change. Without removing the blade, depress and release the annealing button two (2) or three (3) times. As the blade heats up its color will first turn dark blue then dark red and finally orange. It is not necessary to make the weld joint and surrounding area turn orange. Eye hand coordination is important here. The cold steel blade will appear a gunmetal gray color.
(C) Reposition blade 0.040" (1mm) to the right of center and repeat step (B).
(D) Reposition blade 0.040" (1mm) to the left of center and repeat step (B). Inspect your welds by bending several test samples by hand. Physically bend samples back and forth two or three times or until they break. Note: If you have trouble getting wider blades in the 1/2" range to weld properly, try turning the blade around for one final annealing on the opposite side.
(B) Grinding metal lumps off the back side of the blade will allow the weld to slide past blade guides without making a thumping sound.
- Roy Bailets
Just a few words describing the latest triennial fly-in to Langley Park on 27th February. As you have the picture of the 1996 event on the web you should be able to picture it OK. This year we had a huge amount of hassles with the authorities - mainly police - in the organisational phase and we were all very glad that the fly-in went without incident. In previous years we got away with A$10 million insurance coverage but this time we were faced with A$100 million which was well beyond our means. Luckily the Perth City Council helped us out and we only had to fund the insurance cover for the first A$20 million.
I had every intention of flying our Auster in and, as my instructor (and copilot) was the chief safety officer for the event we were scheduled to be the first plane out of Serpentine Airfield at 0717 hours. Imagine my disgust when I got out to do the preflight and found a flat tyre. To cut a long story short we took the wheel off and eventually found that the valve stem on the tube was cut where it went through the hole in the split rim, and, of course, there was no spare available. By this time it was about 0930 and most of the aircraft had taken off so we decided to substitute Jim's Mooney and we eventually got into Langley at about 1130 hours as the second last aircraft to land.
The landing was interesting to say the least as it was a right hand circuit within the confines of the river banks (luckily it is a fairly wide river at that point) to keep away from the residential areas. Turning onto the base leg we were faced with tall city buildings that were well above our height and only a matter of 100 metres (328 feet) or so from the centreline of the runway. I am glad then that I was not flying! Just top make matters worse Jim found that his approach speed was very high and had to 'plant it' onto the grass-it was only later that we found out that the wind had just shifted and we had about a 10 knot tailwind. Bearing in mind that the effective strip length was only 618 metres (2028 feet) onto grass it was a bit of a challenge for Jim but he made it with plenty to spare.
We had a total of about 135 aircraft land on and park the field over a period of 3 1/2 hours so the spectators had something to keep their interest. The aircraft ranged from ultralights to T-6's and a Partenavia twin with the majority being homebuilts (Jodels, T18's, RV's) or Classics (Austers, Cubs, Stinsons etc.). About 1530 hours we started to depart for home and a well earned beer or two. In my case it was champagne to celebrate my 60th Birthday which happened to fall on the day.
The following day we had an air show at Serpentine airfield which was quite well attended (and we got the Auster flying for the 'Classic' flyby segment). Altogether it was a very successful weekend (although very hot - around 100 deg. F on both days) but we were very glad to see the Sunday night and the (more) beers. A number of people came from the other side of Australia including one couple from Queensland in a Piper Cub. It took them a week to get here.
I am not sure if we will do it again as the problems we had in the organisation this time were a bit much and I doubt if anyone will put their hands up to do it again.
- Graham Byass
EAA Chapter 1000 Det 10, Perth, Australia
- Jim Piavis
- Vance Jaqua
EAA Chapter 1000 Det 8, Camarillo CA
Usage History on http://www.eaa1000.av.org
- Russ Erb, Webmeister
Just a reminder that the EAA Chapter 1000 Web Site is hosted courtesy of Quantum Networking Solutions, Inc. You can find out more about Qnet at http://www.qnet.com or at 805-538-2028.
Mar 16: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 490-1476
Apr 7: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
Apr 10: EAA Chapters 1000/49 Young Eagles Rally, 8:00 a.m., Rosamond Skypark, Rosamond CA (661) 256-4829
Apr 13: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 490-1476
Apr 11-17: Sun 'N' Fun EAA Fly-In, Lakeland FL.
Apr 20: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 490-1476
May 5: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
May 11: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 490-1476
May 15: Seventh Annual Scotty Horowitz Going Away Fly-In, Rosamond Skypark (L00), Rosamond CA.
May 18: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 490-1476
Jun 2: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
Jun 8: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 490-1476
Jun 15: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 490-1476
Jul 7: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
Jul 7-11: Northwest EAA Regional Fly-In, Arlington WA
Jul 13: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 490-1476
Jul 20: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 490-1476
Jul 28-Aug 3: EAA AirVenture '99 Fly-In Convention, Oshkosh WI
Aug 4: No EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting
Aug 10: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 490-1476
Aug 17: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 490-1476
President Gary Aldrich: gary_aldrich@pobox.com
Vice President George Gennuso: pulsar1@qnet.com
Secretary Miles Bowen: miles_bowen@ple.af.mil
Technical Counselor Gary Sobek: gasobek@jps.net
EAA Chapter 1000 Home Page
E-Mail: Web Site Director Russ Erb
at erbman@pobox.com
URL: http://www.eaa1000.av.org/newsletr/9903nltr.htm
Contents of The Leading Edge and these web pages are the viewpoints
of the authors. No claim is made and no liability is assumed, expressed
or implied as to the technical accuracy or safety of the material presented.
The viewpoints expressed are not necessarily those of Chapter 1000 or the
Experimental Aircraft Association.
Revised -- 23 July 1999