HOSING UP YOUR HOMEBUILT
Speaker: Dale Henson
Western Coupling Corporation
Tuesday, 21 September 1999
1700 hrs (5:00 PM Civilian Time)
USAF Test Pilot School Auditorium
Edwards AFB, CA
Hi – ho friendly neighbors, Tim the Tool man will be right back to talk about the new Binford...Wait, wrong news letter...Let me see, oh right, yes, well while we are talking about friendly neighbors we EAA types have one right up the street from us in Mojave. You all remember Dale Henson don’t you? Dale runs Western Coupling Corporation on Mojave Airport where they fabricate all types of hoses. Dale will be our guest speaker at this month’s meeting and will be talking about the proper selection, fabrication, and installation of hose assemblies for light aircraft. He will be briefing us on all of the different types of hoses, and how to determine which to use for what application. This meeting will be a real eye opener where you’ll find out how to solve hose problems on your homebuilt, say in a tight engine compartment, or your factory built where you have a hose that’s failing to perform its function. Dale will also show us how to install hose fittings, and some new quick disconnect hose ends. Western Coupling is glad to do small homebuilder type orders, although they do have a minimum order like many industrial suppliers. Bob Waldmiller had some hoses made up at Western Coupling and said they were near perfect, so you can believe they do quality work. For more information you can contact Dale at:
Western Coupling Corporation
Mojave Airport
Phone 661-824-4637
FAX 661-824-9242
One last thing, ever think of a hose as being a flexible hole going wherever you want it to go? Makes you think doesn’t it?
So, we’re looking forward to an exciting and informative evening with Dale, and as always, come on out and enjoy the schmooze time before the meeting and the gourmet dining at the BK Lounge afterwards. See you there!
- George Gennuso
Vice Kommandant and Schmooze Meister
Check your calendar! You may still have time!
Get down to Fox Field on Saturday, 18 September and participate in/enjoy Chapter 49’s second Old Fashioned Fly-In. Events will occur from 0800 to 1600 (8 AM to 4 PM if you haven’t learned to read that yet). Events will include a Pancake Breakfast, Lunch, Fly-bys, Swap-a-ride, Exhibits, Young Eagles & Old Buzzards, Spot Landing Contest, and Free Raffle. The best part: No Registration Fee! Just show up and have fun!
How well do your really know what your weight and balance are? Our good friends in Chapter 49 (some of us are them) have procured some new fancy scales for weighing aircraft. On 23 October 1999 they are planning a Weight and Balance Clinic, probably at Fox. NOTE: This is a tentative date, and may still change. There will probably be a fee, especially if they have an FAA DAR there to sign off certified aircraft. Check with Dick Monaghan (661-947-6216) or Bob Hoey (661-948-1102) for further info.
Once again, EAA Chapter 1000 has been tasked with coordinating this year's General Aviation display in Hangar 1600. As before, all aircraft are BY INVITATION ONLY!! So don't just fly up to Edwards and expect to be allowed to land. Come by Ground Assault Vehicle (e.g. car, truck, van) and be welcomed with open arms.
Further, due to the nature and scope of this year’s show we are limiting invitations to those aircraft who meet the criteria below and, whose aircrew can provide their own transportation, lodging, and meal arrangements. This shouldn’t be a problem for most Chapter 1000 members. In addition, pilots and passengers will not be allowed access to their aircraft in Hangar 1600 or the flight line in general from 2200 Saturday to 0700 Sunday morning. Arrivals will only be allowed on Friday afternoon (8 October 1999). Departures will only be allowed on Sunday afternoon (10 October 1999) after the air show. If you fly in, you're in for the duration.
Our space for aircraft is very limited, and much of it is already allocated. However, if you think you have an aircraft which meets the following criteria:
If your aircraft fits these criteria, contact the Kommandant at 661-609-0942 or aldrichg@tps.edwards.af.mil and ask. The worst we can say is "No, Thank You."
During the Open House, please come to the Chapter booth in Hangar 1600 and hang out, schmooze, and enlighten the great unwashed about our collective chosen endeavor. It’s the place where the really cool folks hang out.
(After receiving this e-mail, I was led to ask "Where'd you find a Kitfox II? They haven't been produced for years...Whazup with that Charlie Wagner guy? We haven't heard from him since he moved up there with you (over a year now).)
I am the third owner of Kitfox II kit. First guy didn't have time. Second guy died and I bought from the estate . Lots of pieces missing, but quite buildable. Many IV upgrades included. Charlie Wagner is still building his hangar. As you can imagine, if you know Charlie, it is absolute perfection. We have 2500 ft of paved runway available if any of you are transiting near.
Paint for the RV-6 will come when the Kitfox flies.
- Rodney Howes
After presenting the test item to the assembled masses, I suspected that a general panning might be imminent. Right there on the back of the package it said in bright red letters "NO HIGH FRUTOSE CORN SYRUP. WHEAT FREE-DAIRY FREE-LOW FAT." Of course, none of these are words that send Project Police taste buds a-flutter.
In the end, it was decided that if Raven’s Nest C3s set the standard for Chocolate Chip Cookie excellence, then Official Astronaut Chocolate Chip Space Cookies nail down the other end of the scale. None of the PPOs were impressed. The so-called cookie resembled a sticky, gooey granola bar, with more oats than chips. About the only high point of this experience was when our local space-connected guy Bernie Bakken pointed out that unlike standard C3s, this one produced no crumbs. This is a good thing in a spacecraft where crumbs don’t fall to the floor but instead seek out the most critical piece of equipment and make a kamikaze dash toward it.
A hearty crew managed to make it into TPS in spite of the ongoing base exercise. Really, you’d think they would deconflict their schedule with the Project Police before putting on a simulated terrorist attack.
Sometime around 1730 we all moved down to the MOL room for the continuation of the festivities. Our speaker needed a white-board to draw on, so we re-located our gathering.
Rod Todaro is a USAF navigator who is currently building a Velocity Elite RG. "Building" is used in the loosest sense of the word here, since the TPS Staff seem to keep giving him other tasks that seem to fill his time. The aircraft is patiently awaiting further activity in a hangar at Mojave Airport.
Eric Felt and Shon Williams are flight test engineers who are not currently building but are in that critical phase of evaluating which aircraft will best satisfy their design missions.
Bob passed around several samples of his unique antennas. His antennas are designed for mounting inside composite (wood or plastic) airframe components. He showed us several drawings of antenna patterns and talked about how the airframe will affect the antenna patterns. He covered ground planes, VSWR, how his antennas are designed, and several other topics I don’t claim to understand. We videotaped the meeting, so pick up the tape in the chapter library (in the TPS library) and watch it if you really want to know what went on.
Besides being happy to sell you an antenna, Bob will be happy to answer your questions at 310-316-8796. You can also find Bob’s notes on the Internet at http://www.pavionics.com.
If you’re building an aircraft, now is the time to talk to Bob and plan your antenna installation. Don’t wait until you’ve finished building the airframe thinking you’ll just scab on an antenna—that doesn’t work very well.
- Erbman, psuedo-secretary
Then, of course, our brethren in Chapter 49 will be hosting the "Old Fashioned Fly-In" at Fox Field on the 18th. Please be sure and turn out for that one as it promises to be a really neat, relaxed get-together with good food and lots of cool airplanes.
Next on the agenda will be Copperstate...and our own Open House and Airshow - both on Columbus Day weekend. What a dilemma! Copperstate is always a prime destination, but this year's Edwards event is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the X-15 program and the 50th anniversary of the naming of the base. Couple that with a two-day show featuring the Thunderbirds, Sean D. Tucker, and other major attractions, and the Phoenix show may lose out!
Speaking of the Edwards Open House...If you or someone you know were intending to display their airplane in Hangar 1600 as we have done in the past; you should check out the Chapter web site for late breaking news. Due to the size and nature of this year's show, we will be limiting our invitations to local folks and/or those that can arrange their own lodging and transportation. If you are not "connected" to the web, call one of your chapter officers for details.
Of course, even if you don't fly to Phoenix or Edwards, you are more than welcome to stop by the Chapter 1000 booth in Hangar 1600 kibitz and schmooze with the public about EAA, Edwards, and life in the desert.
Fly Safe and Check 6!
- Gary Aldrich, Kommanding
This month we add another fine new Project Police Officer to our ranks courtesy of the Chapter 1000 web site. Joe Lewis and his wife Betsy are joining up with us, coming to us from somewhere behind the lines in Europe. Joe is a U.S. Army Officer (he didn’t specify what rank) stationed somewhere in Europe. He didn’t say where, but after weeks of study, the Project Police boffins determined that an address containing "APO AE" would indicate somewhere in Europe with a 95% confidence level. Further study of the telephone number, which required contracting out some of the work, indicated that the country code of "31" would point toward the Netherlands, although the city code of "45" was not listed in our reference material. This was further confirmed by a ".nl" suffix on his e-mail address. Prior to joining up with the Project Police, Joe was a past president of EAA Chapter 175 in Tampa FL. He owns a Cessna 182, and is currently building an RV-6. Welcome to the fold, Joe! (As an added cool benefit, Joe’s New Member Information Sheet came printed on A4 size paper, a European standard. I had always heard of it, but this was the first piece I’ve actually seen.)
Sun'n Fun 1999
The full story of our Sun'n Fun adventures have been collected in a common location. Read the entire story.
Our highly trained canine support aided us by looking so cute and gawking at passers-by who were carrying food, thereby enhancing our cover and distracting the casual stroller from our critical gaze.
We cannot offer more information as it’s too sensitive to be entrusted to the U.S. mail.
Jenna and Joe Ware, Undercover Project Police Officers, posing as EAA Chapter 723 Judges
Hole In Cowl
Bent Fuselage
Fuselage Missing
Two Thumbs Up for Rare Bear
- Jenna Ware
On the BF front...I now have about 10 flights and 7.6 hours. During the first flights I had an oil leak that was depositing oil in the bottom of the cowl after each flight, not noticeable during ground runs. After this dumped 1/2 qt of oil along the belly during a 1.5 hour flight (flight #7), the problem was trouble shot to a crack in the oil tank. Pro-seal didn't do a bit of good but to slow it somewhat, so the tank was removed, and sure enough, a 3" crack was found behind the flange on the forward side. Probably not unexpected for a 50 year old oil tank that's been who knows where. Also had a front case seal that was leaking and appeared to be an installation error originally. This was removed (not easy with a flanged shaft) and replaced. Test flew yesterday after these fixes and the result is a very dry engine! Now time to fly a little...or a lot.
Overall, the BF is performing pretty good. This airplane is a real blast to fly although it's not been upside down yet. I had been getting current in a Citabria prior to first flight and had the opportunity to fly one this weekend. After flying the BF, it really felt like flying a truck! The BF is somewhat slow compared to others, but I can easily exceed RPM redline in level flight by at least 200 RPM. Since I'm using a 72x42 Sensenich, I have room to move to a 72x44 and gain the additional 10 MPH. A minor rigging problem has been cured and everything seems to be running great. My hand-held Icom IA-22 is working very well and I'm actually surprised how well it works, considering I am not using an external antenna.
So far, Edwards is on the list of must-dos.
- Jim Piavis
EAA Chapter 1000 Det 11
San Carlos/Mountain View CA
I just finished the July issue of the Newsletter. Well done. I enjoyed reliving your trip to Sun and Fun.
Over Father's Day weekend, I flew an air show in my Eagle at Moffett Field. Attached is an air to air picture of my "wings over Moffett". Please add it to the site if you like.
You may have heard about my engine failure in the Edge 540 last February. Well, the plane is being rebuilt at the factory. The fuselage has been repaired, and new wings and firewall forward will be built beginning in September. The plane should be flying again in January, 2000.
Hope to see you all at the Open House.
- Norm DeWitt
EAA Chapter 1000 Det 11
San Carlos/Mountain View CA
On the issue of wood fatigue.
In general, for ductile metallic materials, fatigue failures result when the endurance strength of a material is exceeded for a number of defined loading cycles. The mode of failure is a breakdown of the material grain structure propagating from an area of localized stress caused by material flaw, surface condition or change of material section. The failure is visually indicated by a crack. After the formation of the crack, complete section failure follows in a rather short number of cycles.
Now for wood.
Wood is organic. (Nature’s composite and a lot better than epoxy and glass when used in the Bar-b-Que.)
Wood has a cell structure (grain) that is composed of Cellulose material. (Not to be confused with cellulite which many of us are familiar with.)
When the moisture content of wood is maintained within correct ranges, the mode of failure when endurance strength is exceeded is an increase in deflection. The material becomes more compliant. (your wings flap more) If moisture content is too low the material will shear with the grain.(Assuming we are talking spar here)
Hence by definition, Fatigue Failure is when repeated application of a load will exceed the endurance strength of the material, and cause a change of material properties that result in an unsafe condition.
Now how about all those who restore old wood, tube and fabric aircraft? All the articles go something like this...After removing that old grade A cotton and cleaning out the rat’s nests, both spars were replaced because of cracks at the root and compression attach points....
How did those cracks get there?
Further reading:
Fundamentals in Machine Design, Phelan
Forest Products Laboratory Formulas and Reports
National Forest Product Association
- Kevin Deutscher
Phoenix,AZ
Bearhwk272@aol.com
Information on the Edwards Open House should be posted by the time you read this.
Other than that, Bearhawk progress continues to interfere with any Web Site work. Aw, shucks.
- 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 661-538-2028.
Sep 18: EAA Chapter 49 Old Fashioned Fly-In, General William J. Fox Field, Lancaster CA (661) 948-0646
Sep 21: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 609-0942
Oct 6: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
Oct 9-10: Edwards AFB Open House and Airshow
Oct 7-10: Copperstate EAA Regional Fly-In, Mesa AZ
Oct 12: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 609-0942
Oct 19: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 609-0942
Nov 3: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
Nov 9: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 609-0942
Nov 16: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 609-0942
Dec 1: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
Dec 14: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 609-0942
Dec 21: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 609-0942
Jan 5: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
Jan 11: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 609-0942
Jan 18: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 609-0942
Feb 2: EAA Chapter 49 Monthly Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Sunnydale School. 1233 S. Ave. J-8, Lancaster, CA. (661) 948-0646
Feb 8: EAA Chapter 1000 Board of Directors Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. Test Pilot School, MOL Room (661) 609-0942
Feb 15: EAA Chapter 1000 Monthly Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Edwards AFB. USAF Test Pilot School, Scobee Auditorium. (661) 609-0942
WANTED - Location and/or names of owners of AT-11’s. Hulks, parts, or flying. Call Lee H. Erb, (817) 275-8768, or e-mail LeeErb@Compuserve.com
President Gary Aldrich: gary_aldrich@pobox.com
Vice President George Gennuso: pulsar1@qnet.com
Secretary Miles Bowen: mbowen@cybersurfers.net
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/9909nltr.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 -- 17 March 2000