TECH REPORT

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TECH COUNSELOR REPORT SEPT 2020 By Jerry Sorrell

This report comes from resources within the EAA HQ library.   The “checklist “ below serves to help you , as a potential builder, evaluate a project you have in mind and what areas of study and commitment you are able to apply to your dream project.   The Builder Skill Level Quiz: A Self-Assessment Answer the following questions and then see the recommendations below them. As a builder, this quiz is for your own eyes and for your own use. If you are comfortable sharing the results with your Technical Counselor, they will be able to help you get any training you need to gain more confidence in the processes. Question Not at All or No Somewhat Agree Agree Totally Agree 1. I have a lot of hands on maintenance experience already 2. I have already built an aircraft and feel comfortable and confident 3. I am skilled at using basic tools and machinery 4. I enjoy making things and fixing things 5. I enjoy learning the things I don’t know as a mechanic 6. I think that attention to detail is one of the most important skills in building 7. I am safety conscious and don’t like to rush 8. I think that documentation is important in a building project 9. I would be willing to interrupt my project to get additional skills training 10. I enjoy building as much as flying Use this information to score:

Not at All 1 pt Somewhat Agree 3 pts Agree 4 pts Totally Agree 5pts   Total Points =   What You Should Think About   Twenty points or less: Take a look at question 10. If you answered that with less than a “3” then you might want to reconsider whether you want to build your own airplane. Statistics have shown that you’re more likely to invest in the project but then let it languish.   Twenty to Thirty Points: If you answered question 10 with an “agree” or better, then this may be a good path. You’ll probably need to get some training in specific skills. Ask your technical counselor for help. The EAA has so many resources that it may be tough to navigate all of the information at once; spend time mapping out the project and what skills you will need. It’s worth spending the time up front doing this.   Thirty to Forty Points: You’ll be fine. Spend some time up front figuring out what you will need to study or if you need any classes or workshops. Utilize the EAA resources for builders.   Forty to Fifty Points: You’re in great shape in skills and experience. Think about becoming a Technical Counselor!

If you desire to be a tech counselor, there is a process to follow on the attached link. https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/volunteer-assistance/eaa-technical-counselors

FLYING ADVENTURES

PICTURES FROM MARY-ANN McCLELLAN

PICTURES FROM GARNET WEST PART TWO Next trip took me completely around the Olympic peninsula. The trip up went past Shelton again, then skirted the SeaTac 30 mile veil, and gave a glimpse into the Olympic mountain range alongside.  My first intended stop, Jefferson county at Port Townsend was closed for runway maintenance, so I continued on to Sequim Valley W28. They have a ‘suggested’ landing fee of $10 that is waived with a fuel purchase. I needed some fuel to make it back home anyway, so OK–besides, it was the least expensive fuel on the coast. ($4.85/gal) But a landing fee? Seems like a way to discourage drop-ins. Nice old Republic SeaBee lawn ornament though.  After a stop at a full-on International airport (with a plush FBO) at Port Angeles it was time for a hot and skippy landing at Sekiu 11S, which is tucked into a bluff that you approach over the small boat harbor.  Here began the true wilderness portion of the flight, with almost no places to put down except dense, remote forest or surf–Brrr!. This leads me to the only thing I would change in retrospect–I would advise traveling this route with another aircraft. There are just too many stretches where you would almost certainly disappear if you had to set down, and you’re far from assistance. Unless of course you have one of those perfect machines guaranteed not to fail or your money back.  Me, I’m like one of those chameleons whose eyes rotate separately–one eye keeps scanning the engine instruments while the other searches the ground for survivable spots to set down. Oh, I’m exaggerating. A little…  Forks S18 has the Timber museum, so there’s that. Quillayute UIL, has a rundown, abandoned nature that reminded me of the opening scenes of the movie 12 O’Clock High–you can almost hear the ghosts of the past. Prepare for a bumpy ride once you leave the runway, nature is reclaiming the rest.  The coast from there down is gnarly and visually arresting. The marine layer slid in soon after, so it’s VFR on top to Aberdeen then past Elma to Chehalis for a final fuel stop before home. 6.1 Hobbs hours later I was ready for a cold beer and a hot shower.  What a spectacular corner of the country we have to fly over! I look forward to getting together again soon to compare notes, until then, keep ’em flying! Garnet

OUR CLUB MEMBERS WORKSHOP

CHARLIE ROSENZWEIG’S RV-6 WITH HONDA CONVERSION

JIM AND MARY-ANN McCLELLAN’S RV-7: ANOTHER RV GETTING CLOSE

TAKE NOTE OF RUNWAY CLOSURE: SWRA NEWSLETTER – SUMMER 2020

Dear Airport Pilots and Patrons: I recall a time in my early flying days when I was more than frustrated by a stuck fresh air vent in my less than roomy Cessna 150 rental on a typical hot summer day. The matter was greatly intensified due to the presence of the two-hundred-pound heater sitting in the seat next to me with his shoulder pressed firmly against mine due to Cessna’s design oversight for anyone larger than the standard “FAA size” human. I remember the cockpit feeling more like a sauna by the time we got back to KAJO. I’m writing this newsletter during a time when I believe we can all agree we find ourselves in less than ideal conditions. Just the other day, it was nearly 90 degrees as I watched two people get out of a Cherokee 140 wearing masks. I can’t imagine the added stress in the cockpit by the reductionof fresh breathable air and extra difficulty in communications, breathing and talking through a mask. While hardships in the cockpit and life are not new, the obstacles we sometimes face most certainly can be. But thankfully, aviation is fueled by passion and our passion is what will keep it alive. I’ve been inspired by all the flying activity in recent weeks in spite of the current pandemic and sincerely hope the weather and circumstances continue to allow for great flying opportunities for everyone into the foreseeable future. Please take a look at the different topics below for updates on what’s going on at KLS. In particular, please note some partial runway closures at the end of August or early September for warranty work from the 2019 runway project. Fly Washington Passport Program This program continues to be a success and has attracted numerous pilots to SWRA fairly regularly – even during this pandemic. The mailbox and stamp are temporarily at my office which has allowed me to meet some of the pilots and passengers flying through. We already have several jacket winners and many have earned numerous patches. It’s great, and sometimes entertaining, to hear about some of the adventures that pilots have “endured” to get a stamp. A few stories sounded more like a treasure hunt rather than dropping in for a quick stamp. This is a volunteer-based program so please let me know if you experience anything that does not match the website, such as a stamp location, so that we can get it updated right away. Additionally, please let anyone interested in this program know that we have passport books here at SWRA, just have them give me a call to arrange to pick one up. SWRA Construction Update / Runway Closure About mid-September we will have warranty work on the runway and taxiways from last year’s FAA project. At this time, we do not anticipate more than 1-3 full day closures of the runway, 1-3 half day closures, or a combination of both. As we finalize the scope of work, we will update you with a more detailed schedule. Please look for flyers at all the entry gates for details. New FAA Grant funded projectsAs reported in the prior newsletter, 2020 was a carryover year for grant funded projects. The FAA allows airports to save and combine multiple year grant funds to apply toward a larger more expensive future project. The FAA has directed the airport to complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) starting in 2021, which will take up to two years to complete. This EA will be an in-depth study of all planned airport projects for the next 5-10 years as identified in the most recent Master Plan Update.

While you will see very little physical activity on the airport related to this specific project, its necessary to open doors to FAA funds for future airport projects. New LPV Instrument Approach went live on May 21, 2020 As many of you know, we’ve been working with the FAA for the last several years to get an improved instrument approach to improve minimums for SWRA. I am happy to report that as of May 21, 2020 our new LPV approach to Runway 12 became active. This new approach is nearly 400 feet lower than our existing RNAV approach! We sincerely appreciate all the time and energy from the FAA’s Western Flight Procedures Team to make this new instrument approach possible. Frequency Change and Grass Landing Strip Update Discussed during our November tenant meeting, was the desire to pursue a new CTAF frequency to reduce the congestion from nearby airports that share our frequency. Additionally, we discussed the desire for an official grass landing strip at KLS, for which a committee was put together and a meeting was held. I want to let everyone know that these projects were not set aside, or forgotten about, andare very much a part of our plans moving forward. However, due to staffing shortages within the local FAA we need to patiently wait for a level of FAA staffing that would support processing these complex requests. Over the last several years the FAA has experienced significant turnover in Washington State positions. In fact, there are four positions that directly oversee SWRA (Planning, Environmental, Projects/engineering, Airports Manager) in addition to other specialized positions thatassist that team. Currently, only one of the four positions are filled and he is new to Washington. I don’t share this to complain about the FAA; in fact, they have worked very hard with a fraction of their normal staff to keep projects moving forward as best they can. I share this to let you know that it would not be beneficial to pursue either of these projects until new FAA staff are hired and brought up to speed on the airport. We are anxiously waiting for these positions to be filled and, as soon as it seems appropriate, will restart these requests with the new FAA team. I am committed to pursuing these projects and will keep everyone informed as we get more information and updates. Next Airport Tenant Meeting is scheduled for …??? I want to start this section out by thanking everyone again for their participation in our last airport meeting. It was the most attended meeting since coming on board in 2016. I sincerely appreciated the open discussions and chance to clear the air on some issues. Our Board Chairman also appreciated the meeting and was glad to have a chance to hear from everyone. Until our next meeting, please don’t ever hesitate to contact me to discuss any questions you may have. As far as when our next airport meeting will be, that is dependent upon when the current COVID restrictions are eased or lifted to allow for a large meeting. We will schedule the next airport meeting as soon as it is permitted and safe to do so. However, if there is enough interest, we would be happy to explore hosting a Zoom meeting to allow for a tenant meeting sooner than later. If this interests you at all, please call or email me so I can gauge the amount of interest and plan accordingly. Happy Summer Adventures I hope this newsletter found you and yours healthy and enjoying these beautiful summer days. I sincerely hope you’re able to make the best of these times as we all try to adjust. I am so thankful to hear the sound of aircraft climbing overhead throughout the day and hope that sound is as comforting to all of you as it is to me. I wish you all a happy rest of the summer and many safe and exciting flying adventures. Sincerely, Chris Paolini Airport Manager

THE GREAT EAA CHAPTER 1111 OPEN-AIR BARBIE COOK OUT
AND HANGAR TALK SOCIAL

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AVIATION ODDITY VIDEO THE THRASHER BROTHER

This was some wild stuff back in the days after WW-2. Some of the antics like the “drunk pilot” stealing the Cub are still done today. Next is a special Ercoupe combination that was also in air show work by the Thrasher Brothers.The  recent plan  to put two YAKS  together  is not a new idea. 

AGAIN DUE TO GOVERNMENT PANDEMIC LOCK-DOWN NO MEETING THIS THURSDAY SEPT 3
MAKE YOUR RSVP FOR OUR OPEN AIR BARBIE COOK OUT FOR THURSDAY SEPT 10
IF YOU MISSED LAST MONTH WE HAD A GREAT TIME SO COME ON OUT AND JOIN US
FOR ANOTHER GOOD ONE
BUT REMEMBER KEEP SENDING YOUR PICTURES
STORY’S AND ALL THINGS AVIATION YOU WOULD LIKE INCLUDED IN YOUR NEWSLETTER TO CUBACE32@HOTMAIL.COM