Pike s Peak Flyer. The Voice of EAA 72 June 2016

Transcription

1 M ea do w L a k e Ai r po r t - Col o rado S pri ng s, Co l o ra do Pike s Peak Flyer The Voice of EAA 72 June 2016 A Ride Back In Time! By Hank Bartlett I was born in 1938 and grew up on the island of Nantucket, 30 miles at sea off of the coast of Cape Cod. I remember vividly flocks of Bombers going overhead on their way to Europe. We also had a Naval Aviation Training unit on our island and they used to shoot at targets on a lake bordering the farm I grew up on. They also dropped bombs containing water, life rafts, life preservers, and even floating mines used to wash up on the shore. Even a group of German sailors came ashore and were quickly captured by our ever vigilant Coast Guard patrols. We lived under black-out conditions at night and most of the young men from Nantucket were somewhere in the military service. World War II is still very much in my memory. I always loved seeing and learning about the airplanes. I never ever thought I would to get to fly on one. (Continued on page 2) Next Meeting Date: June 25th Program: Dana Rieman - Presents his jet powered personal design. Place: MLAA Hangar, Piper Lane, Peyton, CO Come early and support the AEFCO Pancake Breakfast, 8:30 AM 10:00 AM. Meeting follows breakfast at 10:00AM.

2 PAGE 2 P IK E S P EA K F LY ER THE VOICE OF EAA 72 to see the B-17. He is 92 and climbed up the ladder into the crew compartment with the vigor and excitement and at the end of the tour he was beaming. The B-17 brought back many memories of his training and combat flights. I think it also brought back memories of lost friends. The overall effect was very positive. When I signed up to volunteer, I checked the box wanting to go with the B-17 to Albuquerque. I never thought I d have a chance to go. Well, I did! Tom Andersen, Josiah Bookman, Jim Geil and I all got to go. We all remarked later what a wonderful experience it was. (Continued from page 1) A RIDE BACK IN TIME I thought of those gallant year olds who faced tough odds in WWII and still went out on every mission they were asked to. They knew the chances were against them and still did it. When the EAA B017 Aluminum Overcast came to Colorado Springs in May, I volunteered to help out. I had done this when the plane came here before. I had enjoyed seeing the World War II vets become so invigorated when they saw the B-17. This time I brought out my friend Ed Wolford who had been a navigator on a B-24 in the Pacific. I knew he was partial to the B-24 but he said he d really like We arrived at 7:00 AM. We met the crew, signed the appropriate paperwork and went to the plane. We were put to work turning the propellers by hand to make sure there was no engine oil looking them up. I guess it also helped to sort of get compression up. After turning the props just like in the movies, we got on board. I was in a canvas bench seat at the waist gunner s location and then came engine start. I think we all love to hear the engines turn over, belch a lot of smoke and hear the cylinders begin to fire. Inside the aircraft it is even more exciting because the plane starts to shake and come to life as each engine comes on line. It was an experience I ll never forget. Taxiing out to takeoff was really great. I m pretty familiar with the COS airport because I take my students over there frequently. To see it from the waist gunner position on the B-17 was a whole new experience. The crew began the run up and then we went down the runway and lifted off. We did not leap into the air. It was a gradual climb. I think they wanted to save the engines (Continued on page 3)

3 JUNE 2016 P IK E S P EA K F LY ER PAGE 3 (Continued from page 2) and not use max power. I can imagine with a full fuel load and all the bombs, a takeoff was a pretty heart pumping affair in WWII. There were low scattered clouds but we climbed up through them. I could see Pikes Peak through the gunner s window. The crew had told us we could move around after takeoff. I headed for the bombardier s position and was able to pretend bomb Pueblo Reservoir. We passed by La Vita Pass where I had just a couple of days before flown with Bill Clothier to pick up his Bonanza at Alamosa. The view from the B-17 was magnificent. As we were heading toward Albuquerque, I was standing behind the pilot and co-pilot trying to identify all the instruments and what they were indicating. The pilot turned to me and said, You want to fly? Well you can guess my answer was YES! I got in the pilot s seat and looked out the left wing to see these large engines turning the huge propellers. I was in a different time and place. The co-pilot asked if I was pilot. I said, Yes, I flew a Cherokee 180. He said, This flies like a Cherokee 180 but is a little more sensitive in pitch. He had me do some heading changes and it flew great. Not real nimble, but very stable with no surprises. I thought of those gallant year olds who faced tough odds in WWII and still went out on every mission they were asked to. They knew the chances were against them and still did it. After about an hour we began our descent into Double Eagle Airport west of Albuquerque. I went back to my seat, strapped in and we landed gently. The ride was over, but my memories will always be there. I always appreciated what the WWII service members did. The flight reinforced that appreciation even more. We were lucky to hitch a ride in a van going over to Albuquerque International to take some of the crew to meet airline connections. We picked up a rental car I had reserved and were back in Colorado Springs that evening. The flight was a wonderful experience for me. I m sure my companions felt the same way. Awesome doesn t even come close to describing it. B-17 Recap! I am thankful to EAA for keeping the Aluminum Overcast operating, for the crews that fly and maintain it and for our Chapter 72 for allowing me to go. By Tony Nesse The B-17 Aluminum Overcast arrived at the COS municipal airport before noon on May 9th. The support trucks arrived that afternoon. Pam Potter, Hank Bartlett and Tony was present to welcome the crew, and Pam stayed on to interact with the media when they came to cover the visit during the afternoon. The next day the aircraft flew 4 passenger carrying trips, and sold 37 of 40 available seats. Over 900 people came to tour the B-17 during the afternoon. Pam, Hank, Al Spratford, Jim Geil, Lee Lesher and Tony did (Continued on page 4)

4 PAGE 4 P IK E S P EA K F LY ER THE VOICE OF EAA 72 Brian Esch Congratulations First Flight! By Brian Esch I am glad to share with everybody that after three and a half years of work, N614BR took to the skies on April 26, Thanks to Jeff Moore and the new essential pilot program, I was at the controls with Jeff's expertise next to me. Dub Wiltrout has also filled this role as well. Thanks Dub! The first flight went great with no major problems. Joel Harding volunteered to fly chase and didn't notice any important parts falling off! Thanks Joel! I now have ten hours flown and need fifteen more to satisfy Phase One Flight Testing. No major problems but a few that need attention: Cylinder temps are a little high Radio quit transmitting. The engine is newly overhauled so there is a break in period which probably has a lot to do with the temps. It is flying but still needs a lot of work to be really finished. Thanks to everyone that gave me support!, B-17 Recap! (Continued from page 3) crowd control, helped with boarding and deplaning, placing and removing chocks, helped in the gift shop and answered questions. A TSA agent came by briefly to inspect the operation, and left satisfied. The personnel at Jet Center were extremely helpful, and we did not significantly interfere with their duties. Their president, Aaron Wood, told me they would welcome us back next year. The B-17 crew also expressed satisfaction with the visit. Kudos to Pam Potter, who did a fabulous job on publicity and helping during two full days at the airport, Sandy for publicity, Hank, Al, Jim and Lee for their work at the airport. I invited the B-17 flight to plan a COS stop again next year. Hank Bartlett, Josiah Bookman, Jim Geil and John Anderson rode to Albuquerque with the crew, and enjoyed the experience. The EAA 72 share of the sales earned over $ 1,600.- for the chapter.

5 JUNE 2016 P IK E S P EA K F LY ER PAGE PAGE from the desk of... Sandy Don t cry because it s over. Thank you for supporting these EAA Chapter 72 members! Diane & Ray Uberecken Smile because it happened! Dr. Seuss If you weren t around before 2008, you missed knowing a truly beautiful woman Diane Uberecken. We had some great times with Diane and Ray. Whatever the chapter was doing YE rallies, chapter cookouts, or big events like the Rocky Mountain Fly-in they were there doing whatever needed to be done. A Travel Advantage Joan Spratford, Owner (719) (800) Fax (719) I miss my dear friend but was blessed to have known her and cherish my memories. Our hearts go out to Ray and family for their loss. Diane and Steve Trolander at the Rocky Mt Fly-in Jerome Limoge, M.D. Senior Aviation Medical Examiner 2020 North Academy Blvd Suite 155 Colorado Springs, CO (719) (719) fax

6 M E AD OW L AK E A IR POR T - C OL OR AD O SPR IN G S, C OLOR AD O Sandra Martin Newsletter Publisher 7505 Mallard Drive Peyton, CO Phone: (719) sandy_martin@earthlink.net Visit our website: Next Meeting Saturday, June 25, 2016 Chapter 72 Officers President: Brian Christian skyaker@gmail.com Vice President: Bob Hall robjhall@comcast.net Secretary: Tony Nesse tonynesse@gmail.com Treasurer: Sandy Martin sandy_martin@earthlink.net Membership Chairman: Mike Jerger michaeljerger@hotmail.com\ Director: Vann Norred vann@pikespeak.net Young Eagle Coordinator: Sandy Martin sandy_martin@earthlink.net Young Eagle Pilot Coordinator: Lee Wolford leefly@sprynet.com Newsletter : Sandy Martin sandy_martin@earthlink.net Webmaster: Bob Hall robjhall@comcast.net Technical Counselors/Advisors: Fred Carter - Engines Jay Brinkmeyer About Our Chapter Burrall Sanders EAA Chapter 72 meets at Meadow Lake Airport. Meetings are on Saturday, usually following the 3rd Tuesday of each month with a Young Eagle Rally and/or breakfast/brunch/lunch. Look for the calendar of events to highlight special chapter events like Young Eagle Rallies, fly-outs, and all other chapter sponsored activities. The Chapter Newsletter is published monthly, normally mailed and available on the website a few days before each meeting. Readers are encouraged to contribute articles, photos, etc. by submitting them to the Newsletter Editor in hard copy , pen/ paper, as long as it s not verbal by the first Saturday of each month. Annual membership is $25. Send to Sandy Martin, at 7505 Mallard Drive, Peyton, CO and start receiving the newsletter each month, attending the meetings and having a great time with sport aviation.