April                                                                                                                                 2003


President                      Ron Linn                  (541) 449-3630 

V.  Pres.  & Y/E             Jeff Guenther           (541) 276-0431  

Secretary                     Wilma Cheney          (509) 522-1743  

Treasure                      Cub Culbertson        (541) 276-1908 

News Letter                 Jim Smith                 (541) 276-3533

 e-mail   jsmith@uci.net

Presidents Corner

A call, from the Army, went out to manufacturers for a new Liaison airplane. Several outfits had airplanes that were candidates including Stinson who, at that time, was owned by Volltee.

 

The L-5 Stinson airplane was sent to the Army for testing in 1941. It was approved and about 3600 were built, and used, from 1942 until maybe as late as 1962. A pretty long run for such an ugly airplane!

 

Much has been said about the “short field T/O and landing” capabilities of the craft. I’m not so impressed. Maybe I haven’t pushed out into the fringes of the envelope, but from what I see, she’s no hero. All things must be viewed in the prospective of their time frame. The competition was Aroneca’s and Cubs. She is a bigger and more powerful airplane than the 65 hp airplanes and may carry a load better in a tight situation. A Cub is a much handier short field airplane. The L-5 maybe rugged in rough fields but her weight, and the time she spends on the ground stopping and starting, would rattle her, it seems!

 

Mine came to me from Lee Abney who did most of the repair/restoration work on her over a span of too many years for her to remain fresh. In the 70’s Lee and Kenny Coppinger rebuilt Waco biplanes and generally enjoyed themselves with old airplanes. One day they were shooting dope on a wing panel when an old cattle truck came rattling up the drive. The driver was someone they knew from networking with old airplane guys. He was proud as punch to display his new project in this L-5. He had acquired it through Bob Sturgis down in Troutdale and was “carting” it home to restore. They looked through the cattle truck slats at wings, a fuselage, cowlings, and miscellaneous parts. Then, off she went to Enterprise.

 

A few years later the Enterprise guy called them and offered the airplane to them as he felt he wouldn’t ever finish it. Lee and Kenny did some trading and Lee had the airplane parked at his Auto body shop in Stanfield. I walked by it often enough to start thinking maybe I wanted it and bought it from Lee. Carted it home myself, finished the project and got it flying.

 

I have used the L-5 as an observation craft to spot fields for my business. It generally works great for that and is fun to fly. If however you need to take someone with you it is so noisy that you cannot communicate. I said,” YOU CAN NOT COMMUNICATE!!!”

 

So I have been getting the airplane ready for the May 17th Airshow where she will be in display. The tail wheel tire is really worn. I had known it was bad but was having trouble with the decision. That tail wheel is a Shinn model with a 3” wheel diameter that is real odd to today’s suppliers. Only one supplier has the “800 SC” tire and, I think they said, get copies from England. When the demand builds up the Englishmen cast a few tires and the supply line will have a few in it for a while.

 

Problem?

 

The little tire is smooth and $180 each. The “smooth” isn’t the part that caught my attention. I bit the bullet, ordered and installed the tire. She looks good, for a L-5!

 

If your going to let $200 stand in your way you may be in the in the wrong hobby!

 

Ron

 

 

Secretary’s Corner

EAA Chapter 219

April 15, 2003

Clubhouse, Pendleton Airport

 

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by President Ron Linn, who lead us in review and discussion of the meanings of: A, B, C, D, E, and airspace designations. Dave Cheney reminded that the only correct frequency for air-to-air communication is 122.75

 

Walla Walla Flyers will fly out to YAK on the 19th for breakfast and tours of Cub Crafters and McAllister Air museum.  Next fly-out will be on May 2 to Lewiston for Chapter 328’s pancake breakfast fund-raiser for their Chapter HQ, Museum, and related projects.

 

Cub reported a major runway-resurfacing project underway at Walla Walla.  Plan for runways 725 and 1634.  Project will last at lease all summer.  Take care.

 

Minutes were accepted as printed.  Treasurer’s report was accepted.

 

Ron received a call from and IRS lady for clarification on the 501 (C) (3) application, giving assurance that they have at least read the application.

 

A work party at Ron’s place to construct racks for people-moving trailers for Doolittle Raiders Day was accomplished.  The trailers have been moved here, needing only another coat of paint for completion, but some other refinements may be done.  Project has been done with safety of passengers foremost.

 

The Young Eagles rally for a Cub Scout pack in Hermiston will be May 31st.   This will be a small rally with only about 25 kids and there will be no publicity.  Jeff has things well under control and will file the insurance notification with HQ.  A Young Eagle Rally at Martin Field will be May 17th.

 

Harold will notify HQ of our participation in the May 17th Doolittle Raiders Airshow event as People Movers and Hospitality Room for insurance purposes.  Bob Potter emphasized we should be careful not to use words “hayrides” when communicating for insurance matters.  We are People Movers.  No decision made.

 

Wilma described a permanent heavy-duty plastic banner the Chapter 604 recently obtained, at a cost of $125.00, with a possibility that we might like to procure one for 219.  Discussion evolved into selling advertising on People- Movers. No decision was made.

 

 

Jeff brought ideas for “Bus Stop” signs for People Movers.  A 1919 International bas been promised.  PAM has a Volunteer Registration form which will net a free sandwich.

 

Jeff distributed 2002 Young Eagle credit letters- a total of 175 credits for 219: Harold 16, Doug 21, Harper II 24, Cub 42, Dave 19 Chet 24, Dan 29.  Jeff has received a request from a Willamette Valley chapter EAA 902 in Molina Oregon, asking or any of our credits that we would not use for and Air Academy candidate.  Since we have no candidate. Credits were signed over and Jeff will send them. The left over credit they can’t use will be signed back over to the National for redistribution to other candidates.

 

The BBQ Pits need to be moved since our old picnic space is being used for other purposed. The cooking area canopy has arrived, thanks to Bob Potter facilitating.

 

A motion to purchase a Chapter First Aid kit (with extra Band-Aids) was approved.  Harold Nelson was appointed to do the job.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 for cake served by Dee Betts.  We especially appreciate Dee who not only bakes the cakes, but also serves them and cleans up.

 

Attending:  Ed and Dee Betts, Norm Carrigg, Wilma and Dave Cheney, Cub Culbertson, Lee Dudek, Jeff Guenther, Tom Hutchison, Harper Jones, Dick Inman, Ron Linn, Ed Nakonieczny, Carol and Harold Nelson, Bob and Lois Potter, Floyd Slinker, Jim Smith, Fred Tenney, Gary Zollman, and Bob Irving (Our latest Member).

 

Wilma Cheney for Tami Kincaid, Secretary.

 

 

Editor’s Corner

Don’t forget “flyin” at Doug Drakes June 15th. 

 

Be sure to highlight the fly/drive in BBQ at the Drake Ranch on June 15th.  “Pot luck” starting around 2:00 p.m. The Drake’s will supply the Meat, beverages, table service and tables, so bring lawn chairs, side dishes, salads and desserts.  Airplanes are welcome to use my 1500' grass strip and we can shuttle from Lexington airport if necessary.  Thanks, Doug Drake. Email address  dadrake@oregontrail.net

 

If you miss this event you don’t know what you’ve missed. Superb setting’s you never forget. Jim

 

 

 

 

 

Calendar Of Events

EAA 2003 Calendar

 

.May 10-11          Hot Air Balloon

                    Festival Walla Walla

                    WA.

.May 10-11          Comanche Fly-in at

                    Martin Field College

                    Place, Wa.

.May 17             Doolittle Raiders

                    Airshow and Dance

                    Pendleton Ore.

.June 15 219        Annual Picnic at

                    Doug Drake's

.July 12-13         NW EAA Fly-In,

                    Arlington WA.

.July 18-19         Oregon Antique/

                    Classic Fly-In,

                    Cottage Grove Ore

.July 29-           EAA Annual Fly-1n

                    Oshkosh Wisc.

 August 4          

.August 21-24 ???   Aerobatics Competi-

                    tion, Pendleton.

.August 30 ???      Prosser Fly-In

.September 12-14    Pendleton Roundup

.September 20-21    Martin Airfield Open

                    House College Place

                    Wa.

.December 6 ???     219 Christmas Dinner,

                    PDT EAA 2003 Calendar

3rd Tuesday (except June,Dec.`)

                    EAA 219, PDT, 7 p.m. 

4th Saturday Breakfast, Hangar Workday

                    PDT, 9 a.m.

 

 

Chuckle Corner

 

A contribution from Bob Irving:

 

The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one's gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them. So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways 747, call sign Speedbird 206.
Speedbird 206: "Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway."
Ground: "Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."
The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.
Ground: "Speedbird, do you not know were you are going?"
Speedbird 206: "Stand by, Ground, I'm looking up our gate location now."
Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): "Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?"

Speedbird 206(coolly): "Yes, twice in 1944, but I didn't stop."