CENTRAL OREGON CHAPTER

Bud Fincham, President

2252 NW Fernie Court

Bend, Oregon 97701

MEETING NOTICE

**** POTLUCK ****

Date: August 16, 2001, Thursday

Time: 6:00 PM gather to socialize; WEAR YOUR NAME TAG

A good time to meet other Central Oregon pilots.

6:30 PM start through the potluck line

7:00 PM meeting

Place: Flight Services Building, Bend Airport

Speaker: Flying to Alaska - Mike Brownlee, Arnie Vetterick, and Dean Cooper will share stories of their recent trip to Alaska.

Hangar Flying // by Joel Premselaar

Several of you heard me say that a course in aerobatics is the best safety training for any pilot. It's also a great confidence builder. It has established a present philosophy that I live by. You have also heard me say, "When I think that I know all there is to know about flying, I'll quit because I have then become dangerous." Bear with me as I confess to episodes that were instrumental in my adoption of the aforementioned philosophy.

LOOPY LOOPS

Snappy Loops

With the demise of battleship and cruiser seaplane squadrons in 1949, I was ordered to Fleet Air Squadron (FASRON) 7 based at the Naval Air Station San Diego. One of the joys of that assignment was the opportunity to fly a variety of naval aircraft. On the flight line was a trainer, the SNJ (Air Force designation, T-6). The virtues and challenges of this machine were extolled by many junior aviators. After flying many combat aircraft, I had to find out for myself whether all this folderol over a mere trainer was justified. At my request, the Operations Officer scheduled me for a flight, handed me the "J-Bird's" flight manual, and assigned an Ensign with shiny gold wings to check out the old (everything is relative) veteran.

It was severe clear at seven thousand feet over the Pacific just west of La Jolla when I announced to my check pilot that I felt ready to do some aerobatics. I received a jolly response, "Ready Sir."

After a few wing overs and some slow rolls, I laid the J-Bird on her back and pulled into a dive to gain speed for a loop. Determined to execute a perfect O and not an elliptical e as in script, I arrived at the top of the loop with the sense that the pressure on my posterior was a bit light. Having been in this situation many times before when looping the SC-1 Seahawk, a seaplane, I eased the stick back and was instantly rewarded with the beginnings of an inside snap roll. I immediately recovered from that and found myself right side up flying straight and level. The answer to this blunder was simple. The Seahawk had full span leading edge slats that were aerodynamically actuated and when the wing approached a stall, the slats would extend and reshape the wing into a high lift configuration that precluded the stall. Conditioned response caused my problem. "Well, I won't let that happen again." I mused.

Repeating the maneuver, I found myself at the top of the loop in the same situation as before. This time, instead of easing back stick, I reversed the order. A little bit of forward pressure and wham! - - another snap! - - only this time it was an outside snap. Recovering as before, my frustration was interrupted by an exclamation from my admirer in the back seat. "Wow! Sir, those were the best darned Immelmans ever."

I pointed the nose of the trainer toward home.

A Short Circuit

Boredom laid a heavy hand upon us as we approached the Mississippi from the west. We were ferrying tired SNJs to an overhaul base. Skipper (his real name) had the lead. To break the monotony, I sidled up to him for some tight formation flying. He looked at me with a St.Bernard expression. I could almost hear him whine. His eyebrows moved to an inverted V as his hands signaled what amounted to a plea for a formation loop. He watched me speak into my mike and knew that I was advising my back seater of what was to come. Skipper had no such problem. He was alone. Not wishing to transmit to the world, I hand signaled my O.K. in Morse code. I tapped my helmet gently (they were cloth in those days) with my open hand three times; dash, dash, dash, an O. Then, in sequence; palm, fist, palm for dash, dot, dash, a K. He grinned, lowered his goggles and set about to execute the world's best and smoothest loop.

Down we went to gather speed. Skipper led us into a smooth entry for the loop. Rounding out on our back near the top of the loop I began to get that all too familiar feeling. The controls got sloppy and I was falling behind even though the J Bird was pulling full power. In a step down formation I had to make a larger loop than my leader. With a passenger and his bag aboard, my aircraft was much heavier then Skipper's. Even as this realization flashed through my mind, the "J" snapped into a spin.

Observing that Mother Earth was rapidly rising up to smite me for my sin, I knew I had to recover; but where was Skipper? In one and a half turns I was out of it. Skipper? Skipper? No Skipper. Evasive action was not an option at this point. I gasped with relief for there was Skipper emerging from under the nose not more than 100 feet ahead and 45° nose down rounding out for the bottom of the loop. Since I had retarded the power to aid in the spin recovery, I eased it on again to position myself back into formation exactly where I left it. As we leveled off to complete the loop, I earned a couple of atta boys from the back seat. Skipper, oblivious of the blunder, turned to me and I could see the corners of his lips reaching for his ears. He gave me big thumb up as I tried to recover from an overdose of adrenalin!

Ahhhhh, humble pie. Sooooo good for the soul!

A Good Time on the July Fly-Out // by Dale Evans

On the Saturday following the July 19 OPA Central Oregon Chapter meeting, four airplanes from Bend and one from Prineville met in Joseph for lunch, did the David Manuel Gallery and Museum tour, and visited with the artist in his studio to view his works in progress. Oliver and Bonnie Steele were weathered in at Sunriver and canceled out.

Gordon and Mary Lou Shortreed opted for a B&B in Joseph Saturday night, while Gary Miller and his daughter returned to Bend. Dean and Wendy Cameron, Bob and Nancy Lecklider, and Dale and Ginny Evans continued on to McCall, Idaho for fuel and supplemental provisions in route to Johnson Creek.

Twenty-three airplanes from a half dozen states were lined up along the grass strip when we arrived at Johnson Creek to set up tents and prepare the evening meal. At nearly 5,000 feet msl, it was close to frosty the next morning when the Cameron and Lecklider camps were struck and loaded for departure, helped by a hot shower, and fresh coffee furnished by the airstrip's caretaker.

Then, off to Sulfur Creek, as well known in the Idaho backcountry for breakfast, as Johnson Creek is for the other amenities. Seven airplanes were there ahead of us, with a full (pun intended) crew seated on the lawn to judge approaches and landings. An everything omelet, sausage, and biscuits and gravy overfilled a large plate, and probably brought most of the planes back up to GTOW.

The Camerons and Leckliders returned to Bend, and the Evans' went back to Johnson Creek for the remainder of the week.

Several of the airplanes at Johnson Creek had departed, but we always had six or eight there for company, including two that were there for two weeks. We hiked up to the hot springs, about 50 minutes of steady plodding, and how the old bath tub, absent its claw feet, arrived at the site, I'll never know. It has three pipes, each delivering a different temperature of slightly sulfurous water, available to mix for your perfect soak.

We visited Moose Creek, and again found pilots who had been camping for periods of a week or more. Four airplanes from Texas had relocated there from Johnson Creek as part of their month-long outing. The Chamberlain Basin airstrip had only one campsite in use when we stopped there, but we talked with several pilots who had visited the strip in search of morel mushrooms which commonly flourish after a wildfire. Last year's fire had burned right up to the strip, but the country was beginning to green up.

We were again impressed by the recreational use these backcountry strips receive. A California couple with two children, camped at Moose Creek with a C-182 for their 15th annual trip, had shipped their camp gear by UPS to Grangeville, and flew it in from there. The Johnson Creek caretaker said the UPS truck delivers and picks up camp supplies at the airstrip on a regular basis, allowing airplane campers to enjoy the backcountry without being overweight for the conditions.

The recreational use of the airstrips provide the nearby small towns with airports substantial additional fuel sales and other business. Every morning, beginning about 7:00 AM, the other airplanes departed Johnson Creek for breakfast at nearby lodges and small towns, usually followed by an hour or two of sightseeing, or a trip to an airport with fuel, a grocery store, and ice.

In my view, the 1996 report on The Economic Value of Airports in Oregon, significantly underestimated the economic contributions that recreational pilots make to state and local economies. Planners at all levels of government in Oregon, where tourism has consistently been recognized as one of the top two or three drivers of the economy, have failed to recognize the tourists in small general aviation airplanes. A case can be made that it is good economic sense to improve the facilities at the few recreational airstrips that Oregon has to enjoy.

Past and Up-coming Activities // by Dean Cameron

Last month was an exceptionally great potluck. It wasn't planned, but the theme must have been Italian. We had several varieties of lasagna, all of which were excellent. The dessert table was overflowing with way too many good things. Thank you Nancy Lecklider for the lemon meringue pie. The carrot cake, apple pie, and strawberry rhubarb pie were also great choices. If you haven't been to a potluck lately, you don't know what you are missing.

Our speakers last month were Richard Benson and Dale Evans. Both are experienced Idaho backcountry fliers. Richard shared some of his experiences and impressions on flying into Johnson Creek and a few of the other strips in northern Idaho. Dale filled in with updates on the airport layout plan, upcoming events with the OPA, and his impressions on several Idaho airports. If you haven't been into northern Idaho, you just haven't been seen some of God's best work. The mountains are much more rugged than we have in Central Oregon. The valleys are full of clear streams and the wildlife is plentiful. Many of the airstrips in northern Idaho are not as difficult as you may think. Johnson Creek is especially beautiful and easy to get to.

Last months destination for our fly-out was Joseph, Oregon. We had a great turn out with six planes and 14 pilots and passengers. We were a little ragged on the departure with starting times varying by over an hour but we all ended up in the same place. Our visit included a trip through the Manual Museum, a bronze foundry tour, and an all you can eat lunch for only $10 (no $100 hamburgers here!). After the foundry tour we split up into smaller groups for different events. Gordon and Mary Lou Shortreed decided to stay in Joseph at a Japanese Bed & Breakfast. I can't wait to find out what the Japanese eat for breakfast. Arnie & Carol Vetterick and their friends stayed in Joseph and did the art gallery tour. Gary Miller and his daughter (she's a bundle of energy and a lot of fun on our trips) were last seen hunting for trophies and unique memorabilia. The Evans, Leckliders and Camerons all took off for Joseph Creek in northern Idaho.

The Joseph Creek camping was everything it was rumored to be. Dale and his Maul led the way like an indian scout. He didn't seem lost or even slightly bewildered. I, on the other hand, brought up the rear and wandered, worried, and wondered at it all. New airstrips always make me a little nervous, and a grass strip in a deep canyon was no exception, but Johnson Creek really turned out to be relatively easy. Sometimes we envision things to be much harder than they really are. My 210 only used half of the 3300' smooth grass runway. There were 23 planes at Johnson Creek that night and there was still room for many more. The river was clear, cool and soothing, the camping was comfortable, and the warm shower in the morning made it feel like home. Breakfast the next morning was at Sulphur Creek, a gravel strip with a lodge, cabins, and horseback riding. We ate so much that I had to recalculate my weight and balance. The morning air in the mountains was smooth and flying through the canyons was incredibly beautiful. Flying Idaho is a trip we should make an annual event. Touring and landing as a group takes much of the stress out of the unknown and adds to the experience. Next time I'll take my fly rod and scare a few fish along the way.

AUGUST MEETING - AUGUST 16^th: Thursday night. Have you ever dreamed of flying to Alaska? Wondered what it was like and how challenging it might be? Well don't miss this month's meeting. Mike Brownlee, Arnie Vetterick, and Dean Cooper just went to Alaska and they will be sharing their story with us. They will be providing true answers to many of your oft thought questions, such as: Are customs agents really human? Does the sun ever shine or are rain delays a way of life? If I camp under the wing, will the moose eat all my lunch meat? Are the mountains really that steep and do I need a vertical climb rate to get over them?

Several of our other members have been to Alaska and have lived there. This meeting is an opportunity to bring your photographs and stories about the north country. Share with the rest of us some of your adventures. There will be a special prize for the person who brings the photograph of the most inhospitable airstrip at which they actually landed. It always pays to come to the Central Oregon OPA meetings!

Since the theme of the meeting is "flying to Alaska" lets make the potluck match. Bring something you think you might eat on a trip to the north (whale blubber, freeze dried rations, caviar - I don't know I've never been there). Social starts at 6:00, Potluck at 6:30 and meeting at 7:00.

AUGUST 10-12: OPA Festival of Flight, Newport, OR. Support the state OPA!

AUGUST 10-12: McCall Family Fly-in, 3 Hours free dual instruction and seminars.

Camp under the wing or get room reservations early.

AUGUST FLY-OUT: AUG. 18^th - This month we will try the Oregon Coast once again. Gary Miller will lead us to Pacific City. Landing right next to the beach, easy walking to restaurants and tourist events. This is an easy fly-out for young and old. Bring a friend. Show someone else the benefits and fun which can be had when flying an airplane! We'll meet at the flight services building in Bend at 9:00 am.

AUGUST 24-25: Madras Air Fair - The air fair opens at 3:00 Friday afternoon at the Madras airport. Activities include B-25 bombing runs; jet powered dragsters racing each other and an airplane; aerobatics; static display of warbirds, antiques, RC models; airplane rides in a T-6 or steerman; food booths. Friday night there will be a twilight air show and dancing to Betty Berger's Big Band (40's big band - swing band). Saturday's activities start with a pancake breakfast at 8:00; Saturday's airshow starts at 1:30.

SEPTEMBER 1 & 2: Gold Beach Fly-In & Ham Radio Swap Meet - 8:00 to 4:00 Includes vintage aircraft and warbird displays, biplanes, skydivers, car show, RC planes, and pancake breakfast.

SEPTEMBER 8: John Day Fly-In and Fun Day - Events include breakfast, skydiving demonstration, USFS rappelling and retardant demonstration, "Sixchuter" powered parachute demonstration, and youth helicopter rides.

SEPTEMBER 8: Hood River Fly-In - Pancake breakfast 7:00-11:00, lunch 11:30-4:00. A community event featuring warbirds, antique and experimental aircraft, RC models and airplane & helicopter rides.

SEPTEMBER 14-16: Oregon Air Fair - Albany

Visit our web site at: co-opa.rellim.com for more info and link to the state OPA website. For members only lists: User name: S07 Password: 123.0

For more information about up-coming events, please call Dean Cameron (541) 389-8285 or dcameron@empnet.com

.Member Notes

NEWSLETTER IDEAS? Do you have any ideas for the newsletter? Upcoming events you want published. Trips you would like to plan with other pilots? Something useful you would like to sell? We would like your input on the newsletter. Please feel free to write a short article about an adventure or experience you would like to share. Also we'll set up some space for a classified section if you have some aviation item you would like to sell.

Contribution can be sent to: Cheresse Howard, P O Box 40, Sisters, OR 97759-0040 or Fax 541-549-1179 or e-mail to: cheressehoward@cs.com. Please submit August contributions by August 31^st.