December 2015 The Ultralight Squadron of America Newsletter Published monthly by the Ultralight Squadron of America, Perris Valley Airpark, Perris, California. USA OFFICERS Gary Pittman President (714) 448-7668 Frank Mamone Vice President (909) 659-6545 Jim Farthing Secretary (760) 213-4056 Mike King Treasurer (951) 265-8169 Make checks out to: EVUPA Mail dues to: 9175 Bonita Drive Cherry Valley, CA 92223 Jim Shepherd Sergeant-At-Arms (951) 443-8317 LES SEYMOUR Ultralog Editor (760) 731-9629 skyranger4les@sbcglobal.net President s Message President s Message Greetings Club Members, With all of the news warnings about El Nino you would expect the second flood of the earth. No matter how much rain we are expected to get this winter I would like to remind every club member to winterize his or her aircraft. History repeats its self and we all remember the past floods at the airpark. In some cases many of the aircraft were submerged regardless if they were parked outside or inside a hanger. To protect your plane make sure it is sitting above the flood plane. This may require setting your aircraft on jacks or other supports. Another suggestion is adequately cover your aircraft with water resistant material such as plastic tarps to prevent water from entering the inside of your instruments, controls or cabin. As we all know, water can cause corrosion that results in expensive repairs. Also make sure your aircraft is adequately secured to prevent any strong winds from damaging it because a tie down failed. Should the airpark become flooded, please wait a few days for the ground to dry out before coming to check on your plane. The ground will be soft and you could cause damage to the field by driving your vehicle on the taxi or runway. You can also call some of the local members (Bob Baker or Larry Preston) who live near by to get an update on the airparks condition. By taking pre-cautionary steps to protect your aircraft now, it may prevent expensive repairs in the future. As always, please do a thorough pre-flight exam of your aircraft prior to take off especially after a rain. You ll be glad you did it. Fly safe, fly often
THE ULTRALOG December 2015 Secretary s Report for November 7, 2015 Meeting called to order at 10:00. Officers present are Gary Pittman, Frank Mamone, Mike King, Jim Farthing, and Jim Shepherd Guests: Don Masangalo MXL Sport 2S Airpark President: Called the August meeting to order. He welcomed members and visitors. Secretary: Called for a motion to approve September minutes as published in the Ultralog; so approved. Treasurer: Gave financial report for September; President called for a motion to approve; so approved. Sgt-at-Arms: Leo Minnie has his Challenger at the field at tie-down #5. OLD BUSINESS 1. Hangar Repair: Jim Farthing - most hangar repairs are loose curtains in the back. Will put together a work party and repair hangars. 2. T-Shirt inventory: Need new vendor for club shirts. Doug Bauer is working on it. 3. Moving Hangars: Has been approved by the Airport. Up to individual owners to move hangars. Owners to coordinate move together to cut expenses. 4. Updated directory completed. OTHER REPORTS: 1. Calendar Review (President): December meeting will be Saturday the 5th. Club Christmas Party. The calendar is published on the club website. 2. Committee Reports: none 3. Safety: None 4. Competition (Leo Minnie): Five pilot competitors: First Place 13 pts Mike Porter and Gary Pittman Second Place 10 pts Doug Bauer and Bryan Harmon Third Place 5 pts Lloyd McFarlane Page 2
December 2015 THE ULTRALOG NEW BUSINESS 1. Vote for Stan Hauxhurst Award recipient 2. New Members - there are no new members 3. Probationary Members - there are no probationary members to be voted to regular membership. 4. Quicksilver Aircraft has been bought out by Beaver Borne (Air-Tech Inc) 5. IP address is still going down too often. John Mock suspects a defective router. 5. Ultralight instruction - in work. If interested contact Von at 424-212-4046 PROGRAM No program scheduled The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 am Christmas Party & Pot Luck See page 6 for more details Page 3
THE ULTRALOG December 2015 The homebuilder SKYCOP (And his amazing stories) It was a devastating day when SKYCOP discovered the fabric on his airplane failed the puncture test. Not only did the punch go through the fabric, the fabric itself tore. Realizing he had to replace the fabric, SKYCOP remembered it had been over 12 yrs. since the plane had any major maintenance or overhaul. The airplane itself was manufactured in 1985 and there was no record of any repairs or damage. Taking into account the fabric needed to be replaced and there were no records of any repairs, SKYCOP decided it was time to completely disassemble the airplane and to rebuild it from the ground up. Unfortunately, SKYCOP had no idea what he was getting into. The first thing SKYCOP did was to transport his plane to his workshop at home. With wrenches in his hands and a trash barrel next to him, SKYCOP began the task of disassembling the plane. Nuts and bolts were removed and thrown away. Cables and buckles were taken apart and disposed of. This is fun! thought SKYCOP. I ll have this done in no time! Within a mater of hours the airplane was reduced to a pile of tubes and various parts. With his hands on his hips SKYCOP was feeling pretty good as he surveyed his work. But the horror of reality set in. How do I put the plane back together again? thought SKYCOP. Well, there were several parts on the floor and the trash barrel was full of other parts. However, SKYCOP had no idea what to do with them. Did I mark the parts as I removed them? thought SKYCOP. Nope, not a one. Did I take pictures of removing the parts? Nope, didn t do that either Now what am I supposed to do? thought SKYCOP. The day just got darker and darker as SKYCOP realized what he had done. But wait! There is hope! There is a light from above! SKYCOP looked on the workbench and saw a narrow ray of sunlight shining on it. There it was! THE HOLY ASSEMBLY MANUAL! Dancing and singing around the shop, SKYCOP could not contain himself. Redemption had come and the adventure of rebuilding his airplane had arrived. Put Part #A42 into Part #C63 with AN4-21A, WT/W etc. What does that mean, and where does it go? This wasn t SKYCOP s first rodeo when it came to working on airplanes. After all, he went to A&P School to learn how to repair airplanes. The difference was, this was his airplane and SKYCOP wanted it to be exactly as the manufacturer made it. It s got to be by the book! thought SKYCOP. Months went by and soon it was years as SKYCOP worked on the plane. Although SKYCOP wanted the plane to be assembled exactly the way the manufacturer recommended, he soon learned there were additional updates on ways to improve the aircraft s performance and safety. One of the more interesting aspects of building a plane is the network of talking to other builders of the same aircraft. Using the Internet and talking on the phone, SKYCOP quickly learned different methods and techniques that would benefit his airplane. The information SKYCOP received from other resources was priceless. However, SKYCOP was always weary about a builder who said, Nope, you don t need that part. After a few years (far cry from disassembling it in one day) all the parts put together resembled an airplane. SKYCOP s confidence grew each time he worked on the plane. Soon the wings were done with new fabric and a new design painted on it. Next were the tail section, then the fuselage and finally the engine installation. (Continued on page 5) Page 4
December 2015 THE ULTRALOG With over five years of tedious work, SKYCOP finally stepped back and looked at his completely restored airplane. Satisfied the airplane was safe and secure, SKYCOP invited other recognized builders to completely inspect his plane before its maiden flight. Once he received the go ahead from his peers, SKY- COP prepared the plane for its maiden flight. In the end, SKCOP realized the benefit he learned while restoring his plane. SKYCOP gained a better insight in the design of the airplane and its flying capability. One positive impact was that SKYCOP knew every inch of the plane and is able to recognize any part that looks out of place. Another important plus is the recognition of the plane s performance and its limitations. As a result of his experience, SKYCOP would like to share with others the positive and negative aspect of taking on such a project. All anyone has to do is talk to him. Want to know how the maiden flight of SKCOP s Beaver RX550 went? Well that s another story. About the author: Larry SKYCOP Preston has been a member of U.S.A. since Gen. MacArthur returned to the Philippines in WWII. He likes to dream of cross-country flights to different states, but will only fly to and from Hemet for breakfast. As with all of his stories, they are 90% true. El Nino is coming are you ready? Photos from 2010 Page 5
THE ULTRALOG December 2015 Ultralight Squadron of America 2015 Christmas Party and Potluck Dinner When and Where Saturday, December 5, 2015 Squadron Club House, Perris Airpark Schedule of Events Competition at Set-up and preparation at Brief Club Meeting Group Picture Potluck Dinner from Gift Exchange CLEAN-UP! 9 AM 10 AM 11:30 AM 11:45 AM 12 1PM 1 2:30 PM 2:30 PM Rules Bring enough food to share, whatever your favorite dish is. You can bring more than one dish. Bring spouse or significant other. Guests are welcome. Bring a wrapped gift for the gift exchange; price up to $30. Get something you want and give it as a gift. You must bring a gift to participate in the gift exchange. Guests are welcome to participate (they must bring a gift too). Questions call Gary Pittman 714-448-7668 or Jim Farthing 760-630-0250 or email farth001@cox.net Page 6
December 2015 THE ULTRALOG JANUARY 3 MEETING FEBRUARY 7 MEETING 21 BREAKFAST FLIGHT 28 LAKE WOHLFORD FLY-OUT MARCH 7 MEETING 14 BREAKFAST FLIGHT 20-22 BORREGO SPRINGS APRIL 4 MEETING 11 BREAKFAST FLIGHT 17-19 LANDERS (PENDING) MAY 2 MEETING-NOMINATE OFFICERS 9 BREAKFAST FLIGHT 22-24 BRIAN RANCH JUNE 6 MEETING / VOTE NEW OFFICERS 13 BREAKFAST FLIGHT JULY 11 MEETING / INSTALL NEW OFFICERS 18 BREAKFAST FLIGHT AUGUST 1 MEETING / PROPOSE BY-LAW CHANGES 8 BREAKFAST FLIGHT SEPTEMBER 5 MEETING / VOTE BY-LAW CHANGES 12 BREAKFAST FLIGHT 25-28 GYRO COPTER FLY-IN AT EL MIRAGE OCTOBER 3 MEETING/NOMINATE STAN HAUXHURST 10 LAKE WOHLFORD OR SAN DIEGO FLY-IN 16-18 LANDERS FLY-IN (PENDING) NOVEMBER 7 MEETING / VOTE STAN HAUXHURST 14 BREAKFAST FLIGHT 20-22 BORREGO SPRINGS DECEMBER 5 CHRISTMAS PARTY/PRESENT STAN HAUXHURST AWARD 12 BREAKFAST FLIGHT Page 7
The Ultralight Squadron of America Newsletter November 2015 Les Seymour 2271 Audrey Court Fallbrook, CA 92028 Competition & Meeting & Christmas Party Saturday December 5, 2015 Please submit any information, events, things to brag about, funny anecdotes, etc. to be included in the next issue of the Ultralog by December 15 Send them snail-mail to: Les Seymour, 2271 Audrey Court, Fallbrook, CA 92028 Or email to: skyranger4les@sbcglobal.net and put ULTRALOG in the subject line. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE ULTRALOG BY MAIL OR IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO VIEW IT ONLINE AT www.ultralightsquadron.org.