Charles Wilson, Paul Allen (R.C. Hatton Farms) and Bob Elliott (TKM/Bengard)

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1 This fourth in the series of Eco Air Tours/Farm Tours/etc. tied together more of the facets involved in restoring the River of Grass and protecting our water supply for the future while allowing Agri Business to flourish in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). During this adventure we were privileged to observe, up close and personal, two of the major agri business players in the EAA. Directing our tours, we had major horsepower in the persons of Charles Wilson, Paul Allen (R.C. Hatton Farms) and Bob Elliott (TKM/Bengard) guiding 1

2 us through the various processes that put vegetables on the tables of America this time of year. Without the Everglades Agricultural Area supplying these vegetables, you d be paying A LOT more for your produce during the winter months. 80% of all winter vegetables for the U.S.A come from the Glades area so you can see how important these crops are for feeding America. There was a bunch of planning and prep that went into the execution of the jaunt. We owe major thanks to Willie Lee for putting this all together. We all arrived at the Belle Glade Duster Strip around 0800 with hot coffee and delicious, fresh made donuts awaiting our arrival. Willie knows everyone in the Glades area and the manager of the bakery that made the excellent donuts was no exception. It was a chilly morning but not too awful cold with a brisk wind blowing directly across the east/ west asphalt runway. Not to be shown up by young whipper snapper ag pilots flying their Ag Tractors, our group of conventional gear aviators managed to land without event on the asphalt runway at Belle Glade. If you ve never flown into Belle Glade, you ll find it a friendly place with a good restaurant (The Black Gold) right across the street. This is one of my favorite airports. Of course there is no tower. How do we manage to fly without a tower? It s amazing! After coffee, donuts and some ample time to say hey to each other, we boarded a bus normally used to transport field workers and headed to a sweet corn harvesting operation in Pahokee. As with all the workers and equipment associated with vegetable farming, the bus was spotless. It was asked by one of our members if we were going to be required to pick the corn since we were riding the bus for free. We were provided the opportunity but few escaped the warmer confines of the bus. During the ride over to Pahokee, Charles Wilson educated our 2

3 group about the intricacies of vegetable farming in the Glades. Charles has forgotten more about the process than most know as he ran the US Sugar vegetable farming operations for many years. Paul Allen, Co-Owner of R.C. Hatton Farms, met us at their corn harvesting operation and we got a chance to watch the harvest. As point of interest, there is only one good ear of corn per stalk and they try for three crops per season. Did you know that? Paul then led us over to their packing house in South Bay and we were treated to an in depth look at the process of prepping, sorting and packing of string beans and sweet corn. The objective is to get the product to the end user within 36 hours so you can probably understand how busy things are in the packing house. 3

4 Following this, we boarded the bus and headed over to the TKM/Bengard packing house in Belle Glade where we saw the frenetic process of handling, packing and packaging the lettuce that flow in from the fields seven days a week during the season. Speed and cleanliness are critical in order to prevent spoilage and get these products to the end user as quickly as possible. Exposing the vegetables to a vacuum and Nitrogen gas infusion during the packing process reduces spoilage by cooling and helping to insure oxygen is kept from the vegetables. This helps preserve the product. Four hours pass from the time the vegetables are harvested in the field until they are shipped the end user from the 65,000 square foot cold storage area. The orchestration of considerable numbers of people and machinery, along with computerized and GPS tracking of product are all used to control costs and make changes in the field and packing house immediately. If you ve eaten string beans, sweet corn or lettuce in winter, there is an excellent chance these products have come from one of these packing houses and companies. Toby Basore and Bob Elliott, of TKM/Bengard, were instrumental in arranging for our tour of their facilities and providing the transport around the Glades area for this expedition. Keeping up the pace, we ran back to the Glades Day School across from the Belle Glade Duster Strip where we were welcomed by Mike Swindle and the Future Farmers of America. An excellent lunch of pulled pork and turkey breast BBQ along with some of the best fresh vegetables produced in the Glades awaited our group. There is something special about fresh corn and lettuce that has just been pulled from the field. Under the guidance of Mike, the kids involved in the FAA are some of the most squared away young folks I ve come across in quite 4

5 a while. There is something very special about the way kids are raised in the Glades. One of Mike s goals is to act as a liaison between the school, FFA and the businesses in the Glades to try and train and retain these young folks in the Glades for a future as leaders of the community and business. A couple of the young FFA men talked to our group, with great confidence and presence, about their goals and the programs being offered them. At the completion of this excellent lunch, Charles Wilson provided us a glimpse into the ways the vegetable farming industry is practicing to be good stewards of the land and water supply. He talked of efforts to institute Best Management Practices (BMPs) on the vegetable farms in order to reduce the phosphorous load to the Everglades and water supply. This continuing process is underway and the farmers in the area, in conjunction with the University of Florida Agricultural Center, are striving to solve the problems involved in the process. Reducing this phosphorous load while streamlining the farming process to become more efficient are high on the list of goals for these folks. A salient point that was made involved the phosphorous reduction objective of reducing this element to 10 parts per billion in the water released into the Everglades. Charles noted that bottled drinking water contains PPB! Is 10 PPB an attainable goal? They are trying and up for the challenge. We got back on board the bus, piloted by an excellent driver supplied by TKM/Bengard, and headed out to the lettuce farming operation of TKM/Bengard in the east Glades. Bob Elliott provided us a close up look at the growing process of various types of lettuce and we got to actually walk the field where a crop of ice berg lettuce was being harvested. 5

6 The girls were encouraged to carry off as many heads as they could carry. Again, cleanliness in handling and packing this product were high on the list of objectives during the harvesting process. Imagine one head of lettuce every ten inches in these 40 acre fields. And lots of forty acre fields we saw. Both R.C. Hatton and TKM/Bengard encourage church groups and other charities to come to the fields after the initial harvest and pick up the remaining undersized vegetables for their use. This is a major production as was all we saw during the day. This is not your back yard garden and this is the way we feed our population via the most efficient methods possible. Both R.C. Hatton and TKM/Bengard take great pride in feeding the country while continuing to be good stewards of the land. A wonderful tour experience we were afforded. This is not something the general public gets to see and we have Willie Lee to thank for making this happen. Just another example of the selflessness of our members. We saddled up as the sun neared the horizon in Belle Glade and we set off on our second objective of the day. At the annual Eco Air Tour, we saw the vast agricultural area from the air and got a glimpse of the various projects completed and underway by the Corp of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District. These are designed to clean up the storm water outflow to the Everglades and protect the property and people in close proximity 6

7 to Lake Okeechobee. One half hour later the gaggle landed at the privately owned Indiantown Airport and began the process of refueling and tying down for the night thanks to the invitation of Nancy and Clyde Dawson to do so. As the sun set, the Seminole Inn arranged for the Barley Barber Swamp Tour bus to pick us up and transport us to the historic Inn. The Swamp Tour is another thing we can add to the list of things to do for our group. Stay tuned for that. We got checked into the Inn swiftly thanks to the efficient staff at the Inn and we all headed to the upstairs day room/lounge area of the inn for adult beverages. This comfortably decorated living space was perfect for the gathering of our clan and, as usual, there was no lack of conversation. We took over the entire Inn. The rooms were decorated very nicely. This is not a Ritz or Holiday Inn and thankfully so. Who wants that sterile atmosphere? 7

8 After an hour or so re-hydrating and re-fueling, we made our way down to the beautiful dining room originally built to accommodate hunters and fishermen friends of Wallis Warfield. He was the President of the Seaboard Airline Railroad (now the Seaboard Coastline Railroad) and foresaw Indiantown as the HQ for the railroad. Unfortunately he died before he could make that happen. The Inn has been restored three times by the Wall family since they purchased the property and Jonnie Williams is now the Innkeeper. She is one of the Wall daughters and is committed to maintaining this historic structure. As a welcoming gift from Jonnie, we all received her cookbook that detailed her favorite Island recipes she collected on her travels to the Bahamas. Very classy. Before dinner was served, Gary Lickle (FCF, FABA, Everglades Foundation Director) gave us an overview of the successes that are occurring in the Glades area in cleaning up the storm water outflow to the Everglades via a power point presentation. Pictures definitely help to describe this ambitious process which is underway to correct 100 years of problems caused by the draining of this vast swamp around Lake Okeechobee. When you think about it, the draining of this swamp was a major engineering feat and the corrections are no less impressive. Jonnie Williams followed Gary with a lively and entertaining description of the history of the Seminole Inn and Indiantown. She and her staff have lovingly cared for the Inn and are committed to its continuing presence as the centerpiece of Indiantown. Our dinner was wonderful. We had some of the best fried chicken I ve ever eaten and the roast beef was not far behind. The Inn has a brunch on Sunday mornings that is very good. Most of us did not get a chance to partake of the brunch as we are early risers and we headed to the Cracker Café a block away from the Inn. We gaggled up and headed back out to the airport at 0800 via the Barley Barber Swamp Tour bus and found our airplanes covered in ICE. Not frost, ICE! Ice in Florida!!! As the sun rose, the ice didn t live very long and we all continued our process of talking, refueling and getting ready to lift. By 0900 we began the process of becoming airborne and headed back to our nests to rest after an very busy adventure of touring, talking and eating. 8

9 If you missed it, it won t happen again. Don t let these opportunities pass you by. There will be plenty of time later on to sit on the porch, trying to remember your name, watching the fan go round and round and drooling on your shirt. 9

10 Write your Congressmen and Senators. Enough said. Proposed legislation would cut 3rd class medical requirement for many GA pilots December 11, 2013 by General Aviation News Staff 19 Comments Reps. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) and Sam Graves (R-Mo.) have introduced a bill in the U.S. House that seeks to abolish the third-class medical certificate for many pilots who fly recreationally. The General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2013, co-sponsored by Reps. Bill Flores (R-Texas), Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), and Richard Hanna (R-NY), would require pilots who fly recreationally to hold a valid driver s license in lieu of a third-class medical certificate and operate under specific limitations. This legislation addresses two goals EAA has long advocated: Eliminating excess red tape in the medical certification process while maintaining a safe way to keep pilots flying, said Jack Pelton, EAA chairman of the board. Our members and the general aviation community have long supported a change in the medical certification process. This proposal will maintain safety, reduce costs for pilots and the federal government, and allow people to pursue the unique freedom of flight in the same way they can pursue other powered recreational activities. The proposed rule would allow pilots to use a valid state driver s license in place of the traditional medical certificate if the flights are: Not for compensation Conducted in VFR operations only, at or below 14,000 feet MSL No faster than 250 knots In aircraft with no more than six seats and no more than 6,000 pounds gross takeoff weight. In addition to allowing pilots to operate common GA aircraft for recreational flying without a thirdclass medical, the bill mandates that the FAA prepares and sends a report to Congress detailing the impact of the bill s passage on general aviation safety within five years of the bill s enactment. EAA and other GA associations worked with Rep. Rokita in developing this legislation, as we are committed to lowering barriers to aviation participation, said Sean Elliott, EAA vice president of advocacy and safety. This legislation is a step toward both of those goals. The third-class medical certificate does little to evaluate the day-to-day fitness of pilots flying recreationally. There are better ways to maintain high medical standards for aviation and allow people the freedom to enjoy the world of flight. EAA and other aviation groups have regularly petitioned the FAA for medical certification updates and changes, most recently in the joint EAA/AOPA third-class medical certificate exemption request in March The FAA has yet to move on the request, despite more than 16,000 supportive comments to the docket during the public comment period, EAA officials say. 10

11 The membership contest is fixing to end as of the last day of February, So far Lenny Ohlsson is in the lead to win four breakfasts at Chalet Suzanne. He sponsored Dave Baldwin as a new member with his Waco UPF-7. Make sure any new member you get to join shows you as the sponsor in the appropriate space on the membership app. NAME: ADDRESS: CITY: COUNTY: STATE: ZIP CODE: PHONE:( ) ADDRESS: FAX#: CELL: OCCUPATION : AIRCRAFT OWNED: Must Be An Antique Biplane With Original Type Certification Prior to IS THE AIRCRAFT LICENSED?: N NUMBER: NAME & A/C LOGO TO APPEAR ON YOUR NAME BADGE: YOUR SPONSOR IS: MEMBERSHIP DUES: $48.00 PER YEAR PAYABLE TO FLORIDA ANTIQUE BIPLANE ASSOCIATION,INC. SECOND YEAR S DUES ARE PRO-RATED IF YOU JOIN DURING THE YEAR. All information contained herein is believed to be correct. However, it is intended to be for informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon. You are reminded that Federal Air Regulations Part 91 places primary responsibility for ensuring the airworthy condition of an aircraft on the owner or operator. Any person who maintains, modified or otherwise changes an aircraft must do so in accordance with manufacturer s recommendations and all applicable FAA regulations. You should independently verify any of the information contained herein. No warranty is expressed or implied. The Florida Antique Biplane Association Inc. does not project or accept any responsibility for participation by readers of the Flying Wire, non members or members at fly-ins listed in this issue. This publication is produced as a medium of communication for those antique biplane enthusiasts and members of Florida Antique Biplane Association, Inc. The Florida Antique Biplane Association Inc. is a 501C6 corporation incorporated in the State of Florida. It s purpose is to promote the preservation, restoration and safety of flying antique biplanes. Membership in FABA Inc. is open to all antique biplane owners, whether or not the airplane is airworthy. An antique biplane is defined as one having had its original type certificate issued on or before The FABA newsletter and meeting notices are distributed via on the Internet. These transmissions contain information, which is intended for the sole use of the recipient or authorized representative. Any person who receives these s by mistake shall immediately notify the sender and destroy it. transmissions cannot be guaranteed to be error-free as information could be intercepted, altered, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept any liability for damages caused by the fraudulent alteration of this message including, without limitations, damages caused by any virus transmitted by it. 11

12 TOM WOOD-President JIM "RED" HAWKES-Immediate Past President CAROLYN MYERS-Secretary/Treasurer HARRY STENGER HERB CLARK-North Division Executive Director LARRY ROBINSON-South Division Executive Director PATTIE DUFFY Official Photographer

13 Members are offered FREE advertising in the newsletter. If you have stuff to sell, trade or want, please get me a detailed account prior to the next meeting and I will include your treasures in the next newsletter. FOR HIRE: Experienced pilot/mechanic available to ferry your Stearman including other Antique, Classic or Vintage aircraft. Contact John Lumley

14 COMPLETE EXTERIOR MARKINGS for the restorer of Boeing/Stearman Model 75 airplanes to original military schemes is now available. Items include National Insignias, Squadron Numbers, U.S. Army - U.S. Navy Service Designations, U.S. Navy Model Designations, BuAerNos, FAA registration numbers, all on full size layouts. 1" and 1/2" size authentic custom stencil sets and detailed military history and information on your Boeing/Stearman model 75 airplane is also available. Similar services also available on other military aircraft. For more information send a SASE #10 envelope to Ken Wilson, 2324 East Florida Street, Evansville, IN, or phone , idora@wowway.com NOW AVAILABLE: STC for the 2 place front seat for the Boeing Stearman. This STC keeps your airplane in standard category for better insurance rates and increases the value of your Stearman as well. Ride hopping revenue will increase dramatically with a 2 place front seat. Even if you are not in business hopping rides its better for the passenger having someone to share the excitement of the open cockpit ride. Contact John Lumley for particulars and price. captainapache@aol.com or If you own an antique biplane and aren t flying it, sell it to someone who will! TRADE: Will consider trades plus cash for my 1942 A75N1 450 HP Hawaiian Special. She has a Standard Airworthiness Certificate and features a two place front seat. Approximately 330 on engine SMOH, Redline Brakes, Gasser approved tow hook, Seat pack parachute, intercom, King KY97A 760 digital flip flop comm and King KT76 transponder. Current pitot/static/transponder/encoder certification. Priced at $149,00.00 minus your trade. John Lumley

15 BRAND NEW IN THE BOX NEVER USED $ JIM KNIGHT: ANTIQUE ACRES AIRPARK Airpark Living, Goshen, OH. Ohio s premier aviation community is located just 26 miles from Wilmington, OH (ILN) and less than an hour from Cincinnati (CVG). This friendly, gated community has 2 five-acre lots remaining one runway lots and one wooded lot. All have a great view of the runways and very easy runway access. We have underground electric, telephone, cable along with public water. A septic system is required. There are TWO turf runways the first (12-30) is beautifully crowned and x 80. It is definitely the smoothest grass anywhere. The second one (6-24) is 1870 x 100 and favors the prevailing winds. If you love aviation and country living, then Antique Acres is the perfect place for you. Being only 11 miles from I-275 brings all the amenities of the city just a stones throw away. We welcome Antique airplanes as well as those who are still learning to love the grass. We all have a common bond so let s join together to preserve the freedom of flight. There are TWO lots left, Lots 8 & 12. New homes are complete and there isn t a better investment than a lot at Antique Acres. For an appointment or more information, please call Pete or Jeanne Reed at (513) or jeannereed55@earthlink.net. 15

16 FOR RENT/FOR SALE 1) Hangars for rent at Grass Roots Airpark - 06FD. Enclosed hangars / shade hangars / 48' door oversize hangar. Contact: David Gay grassrootsairpark.com First month rent 1/2 price for FABA members with an antique biplane. FOR SALE: 1941 DE HAVILLAND 82A TIGER MOTH FOR SALE Swedish Airforce yellow and red colors, in Florida. Serial and N Brakes and tailwheel. Alternator, KLX135A GPS, Radio and Intercom. Mode C transponder, ELT, Slick magnetos. A/C 4,140 h. Engine 830 h. US$ ldejounge@aol.com

17 FOR SALE: THIRTY THREE (33) C26 CHAMPION SPARK PLUGS: Unshielded, reconditioned by Aircraft Spark Plug-MAKE ME AN OFFER LARRY ROBINSON FOR SALE: Boeing Stearman PT18; Manufacture date: 1942; Registration #: N42PT: Serial #: ; Jacobs R755 A2-B2-A2m, 275 hp. (150 hours since new); Hamilton Standard propeller 2B20/6135a (93 inch); Jasco starter; AirWolf oil filter; Gid Townsend Master Cylinders; ELT (new battery); Solid Tail Wheel; Large luggage compartment insert. (flat bottom); Garmin Apollo VHF, Garmin transponder, Sigtronics interphone; Garmin 396; Lowrance GPS. $135,000. Gary Snodgrass Cell Home AVAILABLE: Biennial Flight Reviews/Flight Instruction, Comprehensive BFR's, Instrument, Private, Commercial, Multi-engine, seaplane, tail wheel endorsement, ATP, International check out with eapis tutelage, ferry flights and guitar lessons with FABA member. John Lumley or FOR SALE: Stearman horizontal stabilizer and elevators. Stabilizer needs fixing. $ STEARMAN TAIL WHEEL HUB ASSY. NEW BENDIX 2004-A-863M SC $ FOR SALE: 1940 Stearman 300 HP Lycoming 774 SMOH, 2B20-9 prop, Jasco alt, Redline brakes. Restored 1970, same owner since. Ceconite 101, Butyrate finish. $85,000/make offer. Located at Aero Fabrication and Restoration 354 Bartow Municipal Airport Bartow, Fl

18 FOR SALE: 1941 STEARMAN (CUSTOM) A75-N1 PT-17 SER # 814 N60185 COMPLETE RESTORATION IN 2000 P & W H.P. SMOH 68 HRS. PROP HYDRA-MATIC 22D30/6531A12 SER. #E4462 LAST INSPECTED 10/19/10 TOTAL TIME AIRFRAME SINCE RESTORATION 217 HRS. OIL TANK AND COOLER LOCATED BEHIND REAR COCKPIT DER APPROVAL SMOKE SYSTEM 2.5 GAL. TANK ELECTRICAL CONSOLE RADIO BENDIX-KING KX96A W/STANDBY CHANNEL TRANSPONDER: BENDIX-KING KT76A SNF AWARD WINNER, COVER OF SPORT AVIATION & VINTAGE AIRPLANE EAA CALENDAR PAGE, MARCH, 2003 BOBBY $125, FOR SALE: Staggerwing & UPF-7 STAGGERWING AND UPF-7 FOR SALE Call Clyde Dawson: