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In last month's issue of Aerial Pursuits, Ipondered the changes in our nationalorganization, its publications and recentleadership changes. As a follow­up, Irecently wrote to our new Chairman,Jack Pelton, expressing my support ofhis efforts, and inviting him to attend achapter meeting one day. With the endof my second (and final, according to theboss at home) term as chapter president,I now ponder the future of EAA1114,reflecting on how far it has come since Ijoined in the fall of 1996.

Back then, EAA1114 was not quite twoyears old and we could easily holdmeetings in the original downstairs BullShack, which has not changed much in16 years. Probably unlike any otherchapter of the EAA, ours was a spinoffof the aerobatic chapter IAC19, which isstill one of the most active groups of itskind and a testament to the leadership inour state's aviation community. In 1996,I believe that Cecil Boyd, one of thechapter's co­founders, was president. Wemet one evening of the month as I recall,and things were pretty simple. At eithermy first or second meeting, a request fora new newsletter editor was made.

Not having flown for many years andnot being a builder, but wanting to assistthe chapter and learn from others, Ifigured the job was ideal for a newbie

Aerial PursuitsVolume 1 8.11 Newsletter of EAA Chapter 111 4 Apex, NC November, 201 2

Next Chapter Meetings &Area Events

see eaa111 4.org Calendar Page

Nov 17th, Chapter meeting, Hal

Bowman, Cold War B-47 Pilot

Nov 30th, Chapter Builder/Movie

Night, 6-9 PM, Movie: "The Great

Circle Air Safari"

Dec 1st, Goldsboro-Wayne Pancake

Breakfast Fly-In (GWW)

Dec 8th, Young Eagles Day at

Moore County (KSOP)

Dec 15th, Chapter meeting, Paul

Franzon, Flying Down Under – Huge

Tracks of Land

The View from AboveKent Misegades, President EAA111 4

like me. It was ­ within a few months Iknew all the members and was amazedat their many talents that I described inour monthly newsletters, hammered outon a very primitive Packard­Bell PC,transferred to a dozen or more floppiesand printed off at some print shop nearmy office in Morrisville. The wholefamily helped to collate, fold, staple,stamp and mail each edition, which grewfrom a few dozen copies to over onehundred as our chapter grew quickly inthe late 1990s.

Great leaders in action: Formerchapter president, Siler City &Asheboro Airport Manager KarenMcCraw gives membersinstructions at a meeting in thelate 1990s. Most of the peoplehere remain active in EAA 1114.

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As a result of getting to know fellowmembers, I learned that even the mostexperienced pilots like Bobby Cox,Denny Mercer, Mort Altmann, CecilBoyd, Ron Normark and others werenormal human beings who would speakto a low­time pilot like me. In fact, theymade me feel just like one of them, tookme up in their planes, helped me find aCFI and eventually my first airplane, alovely 1966 C150 owned by BrianWhite. As the chapter continued togrow, we started meeting for breakfast ata restaurant in McGregor Village, whichis when Bobby decided we needed abetter club house and with the help of anumber of chapter members created oursecond­story Bull Shack. I do not recallhim ever asking for a dime from thechapter for this, either.

As a result of my volunteering to do oneof the less popular jobs in a chapter, Ilearned a great deal about interviewingand writing, publication software,photography and image editing. Much tomy surprise, our newsletter was namedthe best from all EAA chapters atAirVenture 2001, an honor I attribute tothe excellent articles contributed by

many of you, and in particular from JimZazas, a very gifted writer and greathuman being. Paul Poberezny makes ita habit to read every issue of everynewsletter, and it seems he passed onsome comments to Jack and GoldaCox, former head of EAA publications,which eventually led to my being askedto support the free­lance writers atAirVenture. I recall sitting speechlessthat first summer in a room that includedBud Davisson, Peter Lert, JimKoepnick, Lauren Paine Jr. and otherswhose work I so admired.

One writing assignment I receivedfocused on engines and fuels for the newLSA class of aircraft. In the course ofdoing the research for this article, Ilearned of the failed search for a lead­free replacement for avgas and thepopularity of mogas among grassrootspilots. In trying to understand why moreairports would not sell mogas, a fuel thatnot only helps lower lead emissions, butalso lowers the cost of flying, I foundthat the cost of a new airport fuel systemcould cost $100,000 or more. Themechanical engineer in me told me itmust be possible to make such systemsfor less money, leading to a review ofexisting suppliers and a goodrelationship with one of these, U­Fuel ofEau Claire, WI, the people who inventedthe country's first self­service aviationfuel systems. We got along so well, thatthey asked me to head up aviation salesfor them two years ago, and I accepted,perfectly satisfying my need for a newchallenge after 'retiring' from my first

Ah, there is nothing like that first love! The author's first airplane, a 1966C­150F with the appropriate tail number Romeo­Juliet, N73RJ. Itsprevious owner was chapter member Brian White who gave it this uniquepaint scheme. His friend, chapter member Gary Wilser taught me to fly it.

Below ­ The chapter's booth was apopular place at the former RDUAirshows.

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30­year career in scientific computingand aircraft design.

While still living in Germany in early1996 but planning a move to Cary, Icontacted the EAA for information onlocal chapters. I was sent the name ofthen EAA1114 president Cecil Boyd,who I figured must be English with sucha name. What a pleasant surprise to meethim later that fall and discover we spokethe same language ­ Southern! TodayCecil and I sit on the board of directorsof the NC Global Transpark in Kinstonas unpaid appointees of the StateLegislature working to promote aviationmanufacturing in eastern North Carolina.Who would have ever imagined that?

If I had not volunteered for a job in EAA1114, I would probably be back at a deskjob or living out of a suitcase as a roadwarrior again. Instead, I can work fromhome (where I daily see my girlfriend ofthe past 31 years) and all my clients are

airports. But there's more ­ both of mysons grew up around airplanes and CoxField and both earned their A&Pcertificates, recognized around the worldand providing them with a good meansto earn a living should all else fail. Theolder one, Ben, used his A&P skills togain employment as a design engineer inthe automotive industry, and can easilymove from his CAD station out onto theshop floor and fabricate his own designsas a result of his training. Chaptermember Claude Burkhead III helpedus find the A&P school at theGreensboro airport that Ben attended.

Thanks to the EAA, the new LSA sectorprovided the means for my younger sonTim to earn his LSA Repairman andRotax certificates one summer a fewyears ago, which promptly resulted in afull­time job offer from another chaptermember, Tom Malechuck, owner ofGuardian Aviation in Siler City. (Duringone recent week at Guardian, Timworked on a Stinson Gullwing and aSpartan Executive, two planes few seeeven in museums these days!) Threeyears later and Tim is a certified FAAA&P mechanic, will take his check ridesoon, thanks to the preparation from

chapter members/CFIs Don Johnson,Gary Wilser and David Williams. Heenjoys his career at a time when many ofhis high school friends are unemployed,saddled with a mountain of college debtand living with their parents.

And it's not just my family that hasbenefitted from my membership in ourchapter. Over the course of the last 16years, I can recall numerous instanceswhere chapter members helped eachother find a hangar, an instructor, anAME, a mechanic, an avionics shop, theright tool for their projects, or advice onparts. We started a separate homebuilderclub for those who lack the skills and ashop to build airplanes, and are nowcompleting a rare Stits Skycoupe. We'vehelped each other find work when wehad none, replacement cars when onewas damaged or stolen, doctors when weneeded one, and we all show up toconsole families and honor our own withmissing man formations when someonegoes West.

Just this week in fact, Barry Elk, aSonex owner from Oshkosh so new tothe area that he has not yet attended ameeting, asked me for help finding apediatric orthopedist for his daughter

Above ­ a cute 8 year­old TimMisegades in front of the CollingsFoundation B­24 in Burlington, ca.1996. Right ­ A&P Tim in his office,Guardian Aviation, working on aSpartan Executive, June 2011.

Above ­ a common sight at CoxField in the past ­ Denny gives achild their first flight, whichalways included a roll or two. Thepassenger is Tineke Misegades onher 16th birthday in 1999.

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who broke some bones. A quick requestvia the listserver to you all resulted in ahalf dozen recommendations within anhour, for a person none of us has met inperson!

With my retirement looming at the endof the year, it's time for someone else totake over the stick to keep the chapter oncourse, which frankly has been easygiven the engagement of my fellowofficers and so many of you serving asvolunteers. Won't you consider fillingone of the positions that come open atthe end of the year? These includePresident, Vice President, Treasurer,Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, andProgram Chairman. Please contact meASAP if you can help. You might besurprised where your involvement in ourchapter leads you. For my family, it hasbeen an amazing journey so far.

Chapter NewsIn contrast to last month's issue, there islittle news among chapter members toreport, except that our Treasurer andMember Database Wizard Ed Savage,recently reported that we have 185members in EAA1114. A few years agoI was told by headquarters that theaverage chapter size is around 40, andthat only one out of every three EAAmembers participates in a local chapter.What a pity for those in our area who aremissing out on all the fun!

On November 10th, our award­winningYoung Eagle Coordinator, DavidWilliams, completed his last YE rally,flying 60 youngsters at the Henderson­Oxford Airport. After two previousrained out dates, the weather turned outperfect, a fitting end to David's many

years of involvement in one of theEAA's most successful nationalinitiatives. According to David, he plansto scale back his Young Eagle flying infavor of more flight instruction as one ofour chapter's newest CFIs. He's turningthe reigns over to Charlie Davis, whohas been part of the area's vaunted YEteam for many years. Congratulations toDavid on a job well done, and a heartfeltthanks from your chapter and literallythousands of young people whose liveshave been touched by your generosityand sacrifice.

One of our newest member is somethingof an EAA celebrity. Barry Elk, whoflies a Sonex he built, just moved toApex from the frozen North. Until thispast April, Barry was Director ofMembership Marketing at EAAheadquarters. He resigned from theEAA this past spring but continues on ina similar capacity for The MembershipCorporation of America, a company thathandles such matters for organizationssuch as the EAA. Hmmmm....perhapswe can recruit Barry to head up chapterrecruiting? Barry and his family willattend our meeting this comingSaturday; I know everyone will givethem a warm welcome.

Following our August meeting, I askedour speaker, Frank Gozzo, owner ofFlight Gest at RDU, if we could arrangea tour of his flight school once their newRed Bird flight simulator is up andrunning. Frank just contacted me withthe news that they are ready for us, andwe're looking at a possible date in thecoming few weeks for this. As (EAAmember) Paul Harvey used to say:"Standby for news!"

Our December Movie Night willactually be on November 30th. As apreview to our December 15th meeting,when chapter member Paul Franzonwill describe sport aviation in his nativeAustralia, we'll show "The Great CircleAir Safari", a recent film that follows theadventures of a group of vintage aircraftowners as they fly across the AustralianOutback.

I'll be looking for you on November17th, when we greet Cold War B­47Stratojet pilot Hal Bowman, who willdescribe his experiences during the mosttense times of the Cold War.

Aim High - Fly SafeKent

New chapter member Barry Elk (left) with fellow Sonex builders CharlieBecker and Joe Norris, all formerly at EAA headquarters.

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Chapter old­timers may recall a visit inthe late 1990s from Tony Spicer of EAA297 from Stag Airpark near Burgaw, NC.Tony, a retired USAF pilot, built one ofthe first Sonex kits and became apopular spokesman for the manufacturer.At my invitation, Tony flew his prettyred­on­silver Sonex to Cox Field soonafter its completion.

Since then Tony has sold the Sonex, andbuilt a lovely, Ford Thunderbird BlueRV­3B that was completely destroyed inthe Sun 'n Fun storm in 2011. He quicklyreplaced this with a very nice RV­4,which was promptly damaged on theWednesday storm at Oshkosh this year.Ironically, the RV­4 was parked in frontof the Sonex facility at Oshkosh whenthis happened. Tony was able to makefield repairs and return the plane to StagAirpark. Being a passionate & skilledbuilder, not timid of taking on newdesigns and preferring single­placeaircraft, it came as no surprise when herecently described to me his currentproject, the new Panther from SportPerformance Aircraft (SPA) of GreenCove Springs, FL. flywithspa.com

For anyone with an interest in Corvairengine conversions or the Sonex, SPA isa known entity. For Corvair fans, theyoffer their 'Fifth Bearing' hub, acompletely new stock crankshaftreplacement and recently began sales ofan entire kit engine, their 3400+ CC'Stroker' powerplant, which will fly onthe prototype Panther. SPA also offersparts developed for the 'Cleanex', a stockSonex powered by a 3100CC Corvairengine.

According SPA's web site, "The Pantheris designed to be a versatile, mid­sized,single seat low wing Sport or LSAaerobatic airplane with quick foldwings....The Panther offers un­paralleledversatility. The Panther is the BurgerKing of airplanes, “Have it Your Way”.You choose the engine, landing gearconfiguration, wing length, safetyfeatures, open or enclosed cockpit andkit or plan/kit combo….you make it howyou want it."

Common features:­ Quick (2 min or less) easy singleperson wing fold, no controls todisconnect.­ fit in 18ftx7x7 space (trailer ) whenfolded­ large cockpit with adjustable rudderpedals and seat back, room for big guysand a parachute!­ forward (2cu ft) and rear baggage area­ pilot rollover protection­ ballistic chute capable­ bubble canopy replaceable by smallwindshield and skirt for open cockpitflying­ excellent visibility

Flying design goals:­ easy to fly with low stall/landing speed­ long stick and travel for light controlfeel without being "twitchy"­ positively stable in all axis­ excellent off runway and climbperformance­ fun and sporty to fly with greatperformance and wide speed range!

Tony is now busy at work on his Pantherand has promised to visit Cox Field oncehe has the airplane completed. Knowinghow intensive he works, this may comesooner than you'd think.

Boeing B­47 Stratojet, America'sfirst all­jet intercontinentalbomber. Learn what it was like tofly from one of its pilots, HalBowman, at the November 17thchapter meeting.

Tony Spicer buildingnew SPA Panther

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The 2012 Winston­Salem Air Show heldat Smith Reynolds Airport was aresounding success. Once again, mostlyclear skies and comfortable temperaturesdominated the two­day event andallowed more than 25,000 air showattendees to see some of the best actsavailable in the air show business.

This year’s show theme was UnitedStates Marine Corps aviation.

Highlights included Art Nalls of Calvert,Maryland flying his British AerospaceFA2 Sea Harrier, the only privately­owned and, concurrently, lowestairframe time Harrier “Jump Jet” in theworld. Nalls, a former USMC Harriertest and combat pilot, put his aircraftthrough an enthralling series of vertical(VTOL) takeoffs and landings, and high­speed maneuvers.

Sea Harriers were used by the Britishand saw combat in the Falklands War,both Gulf Wars and the Balkans conflict.Though Nalls’ FA2 Sea Harrier neversaw combat during its previous role as acivilian contractor’s avionics andweapons test aircraft, it did pave the wayfor numerous upgrades in its combat­hardened brethren.

Other Harrier versions, notably the AV­8A and AV­8B, were used by the UnitedStates Marine Corps with spectacularcombat results.

The Collings Foundation of Stow,Massachusetts brought their restored,Marine Corps­marked Douglas TA­4JSkyhawk trainer and ground attackaircraft, and it flew several times each

day. Nicknamed affectionately the“Scooter” or “Bantam Bomber” by itscrews during the Vietnam War, this pint­sized attack jet carried a big punch incombat. No longer used in combat, thisjet’s near­supersonic demonstrationpasses and tight turns gave the crowd amemorable air show experience.

The U.S. Army Golden Knights fromnearby Ft. Bragg, N.C. performed eachday, their two­member tandem jumpsbeing especially impressive and easilyseen from the ground. The United Statesflag jumps, the parachute cutaway jumpsand the canopy­stacking maneuvers wereall impressive. The Golden Knights’swell­traveled jump plane, a Fairchild F­27, provided the team’s “stairway­to­the­clouds” and made several high­speedpasses at the conclusion of each GoldenKnights demonstration.

Various civilian acts performed over theweekend, including the very popularIndy Boys and Girl (Paul and ThereseStender are from Indianapolis, Indiana)with their “School Time,” a GeneralElectric J­79 jet engine­powered schoolbus. This modified yellow school busbreathed fire and rockets while it turnedlazily and maneuvered into position onthe runway, but reached speeds betterthan 350 mph during its blisteringafterburner run down the Smith ReynoldAirport’s runway 15. The Stender’s use

this school bus to inspire kids to keepaway from drugs and realize there ismore to life than sitting in front of acomputer.

Greg Connell flew his Pitts S­12 in athrilling aerobatic routine each day. Thishighly­modified Pitts Special sports a400­hp, M14 radial engine on the nose,which Connell claims the “HP” standsfor “Heart Pounding.” Moreover, he billshis exciting airplane act as having“Warbird presence and power withagility and attitude.”

Other exciting air show acts includedBob Ford who flew his North AmericanT­6A through an exciting ten minute,low­level aerobatic performance, and theTwin Tigers (Buck Roetman and MarkSorenson) who flew their Yak 55’s –both painted in identical tiger markings –through a thrilling series of closeformation aerobatics. Not to be outdone,the Red Thunder Aerobatic Team flew adazzling, three­ship formation aerobaticdisplay in their single Russian­built Yak­52 and two Chinese­built Nanchang CJ­6 aircraft.

Winston­Salem Airshowby Jim Zazas

Art Nalls' impressive flights in hisFA2 Sea Harrier were majorhighlights of the show.

Above ­ P­51­D owned & flown byDr. Alex Newsome of Cheraw, SC.Below ­ Beechcraft UC­45J (JRB­4) Expeditor, owned & flown byWendell Hall, Cheraw, SouthCarolina.

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The airport was “assaulted” both days bythe Sky Soldiers Air Assault Team.Flying an AH­1 Cobra helicopter and anUH­1H Huey helicopter, this popularteam from Atlanta, Georgia showed howthese combat helicopters teamedtogether in Vietnam and other conflictsto thwart a determined enemy. The TA­4J Skyhawk and Sea Harrier flewconcurrently, which made for aspectacular display of Vietnam­eracombat air power.

World War II­era Warbirds were onprominent display throughout this airshow on the ground and in the air withall participants turning 100LL fuel tothunderous noise with sheer fun as theby­product. The crowds thrilled to seethese Warbirds fly and talk with thepilots afterwards. No doubt the ghosts ofSmith Reynolds Airport were thrilledalso. This airfield trained NorthAmerican B­25 pilots during World WarII, with many of the flyers participatingin Jimmy Doolittle’s Tokyo raids in1942.

Jeff Michael and Alex Newsome flewtheir North American P­51D Mustangs

on both days. Larry Kelly brought hisrenowned North American B­25J“Panchito” from Maryland and flewmany times giving rides and during theshow. George Lancaster brought hispopular “Spirit of North Carolina,” aDouglas A­26 Invader based inWilmington, N.C. Wendell Hall ofCheraw, S.C. flew his Beechcraft UC­45J Expeditor, and local pilot MikeSteele flew his North American T­6Gand this author flew Barry Avent’s NorthAmerican SNJ­6 both days.

The Winston­Salem Air Show hasenjoyed an increasing popularity overthe years, its roots going back to twoaerial exhibitions held on the grounds in1911. Today, this air show has become alate summer weekend tradition forattendees, airshow performers, localWarbird owners and pilots, and the manysponsors, volunteers and Triadcommunity officials.

What’s planned for the 2013 Winston­Salem Air Show? If previous air showsoffer any guidance, the acts will bevaried, enthralling and overall great funfor anyone enjoying the day or the wholeweekend at the Smith Reynolds Airportin Winston­Salem, North Carolinaduring the last weekend in August.

Left ­ B­25J­25NC (TB­25N) ownedby Larry Kelly and flown by LarryKelly and Calvin Peacock. Below ­Douglas A­26 Invader owned &flown by George Lancaster ofWlimington, NC.

Below ­ Jon Houghtaling shot thisphoto while flying back seat in anSNJ­6 flown by author Jim Zazas.

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Copyright 201 2 by EAA Chapter 111 4. Aerial Pursuits is the official newsletter of EAA Chapter 111 4, which meets on

the third Saturday of each month at Cox Field (NC81 ), Apex, NC. Aerial Pursuits is sent to al l active chapter members

via electronic transmission or mail , depending on preference. Issues are posted in the Newsletter page of the chapter's

web site, www.eaa111 4.org. Membership rate is $30 annually, paid to the Treasurer according to instructions provided in

the Join/Renew page at www.eaa111 4.org. Newsletter contributions are welcome and should be sent to the Chapter

President, Kent Misegades, 204 Parkmeadow Dr. , Cary, NC 2751 9, kmisegades@bellsouth.net, 91 9-303-8230.

Contributors agree to their work being sent to EAA headquarters for publishing.

This and ThatMembers & their adventures

Andrey Piskarev sent these images from a June,2012 trip organized by Wings of Carolina toTangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay.

Kent and Ulli Misegades recentlystopped by the front gate of the USCoast Guard Air Station in ElizabethCity, NC. On display there are this HU­25 Guardian (Dassault Falcon 20), aswell as an HU­16B Albatross and HH­52Seaguard (S­62).