Pike’s Peak Flyer

Mea do w Lake Ai rport - Col orado Spri ng s, Co lora do

The Voice of EAA 72 http://eaa72.org June 2016

I was born in 1938 and grew up on the is-land of Nantucket, 30 miles at sea off of the coast of Cape Cod. I remember vividly flocks of Bombers going overhead on their way to Europe. We also had a Naval Avia-tion Training unit on our island and they used to shoot at targets on a lake bordering the farm I grew up on. They also dropped bombs containing water, life rafts, life preservers, and even floating mines used to wash up on the shore. Even a group of German sailors came ashore and were quickly captured by our ever vigilant Coast Guard patrols. We lived under black-out conditions at night

and most of the young men from Nantucket

were somewhere in the military service.

World War II is still very much in my memory. I always loved seeing and learning about the airplanes. I nev-

er ever thought I would to get to fly on one.

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Next Meeting

A Ride Back In Time! By Hank Bartlett

Date: June 25th Program: Dana Rieman - Presents his jet powered personal design. Place: MLAA Hangar, 13550 Piper Lane, Peyton, CO Come early and sup-port the AEFCO Pan-cake Breakfast, 8:30 AM—10:00 AM. Meeting follows breakfast at 10:00AM.

PIK E’S PEA K F LY ER THE VOICE OF EAA 72 PAGE 2

When the EAA B017 Aluminum Overcast came to Col-

orado Springs in May, I volunteered to help out. I had

done this when the plane came here before. I had

enjoyed seeing the World War II vets become so in-

vigorated when they saw the B-17.

This time I brought out my friend Ed Wolford who had been a navigator on a B-24 in the Pacific. I knew he was partial to the B-24 but he said he’d really like

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to see the B-17. He is 92 and climbed up the ladder into the crew compartment with the vigor and ex-citement and at the end of the tour he was beam-ing. The B-17 brought back many memories of his training and combat flights. I think it also brought back memories of lost friends. The overall effect was very positive. When I signed up to volunteer, I checked the box wanting to go with the B-17 to Albuquerque. I nev-er thought I’d have a chance to go. Well, I did! Tom Andersen, Josiah Bookman, Jim Geil and I all got to go. We all remarked later what a wonderful experi-ence it was. We arrived at 7:00 AM. We met the crew, signed the appropriate paperwork and went to the plane. We were put to work turning the propellers by hand to make sure there was no engine oil looking them up. I guess it also helped to sort of get compression up. After turning the props “just like in the movies”, we got on board. I was in a canvas bench seat at the waist gunner’s location and then came engine start. I think we all love to hear the engines turn over, belch a lot of smoke and hear the cylinders begin to fire. Inside the aircraft it is even more ex-citing because the plane starts to shake and come

to life as each engine comes on line. It was an experi-ence I’ll never for-get. Taxiing out to takeoff was really

great. I’m pretty familiar with the COS airport be-cause I take my students over there frequently. To see it from the waist gunner position on the B-17 was a whole new experience. The crew began the run up and then we went down the runway and lift-ed off. We did not leap into the air. It was a gradu-al climb. I think they wanted to save the engines

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“I thought of those gallant 19-20 year olds who faced tough odds in WWII and still went out on every mission they were asked to. They knew the chances were against them and still did it.”

A RIDE BACK IN TIME

PIK E’S PEA K F LY ER JUNE 2016 PAGE 3

and not use max power. I can imagine with a full fuel load and all the bombs, a takeoff was a pretty heart pumping affair in WWII. There were low scattered clouds but we climbed up through them. I could see Pikes Peak through the gunner’s window. The crew had told us we could move around after takeoff. I headed for the bom-bardier’s position and was able to pretend bomb Pueblo Reservoir. We passed by La Vita Pass where I had just a couple of days before flown with Bill Clo-thier to pick up his Bonanza at Alamosa. The view from the B-17 was magnificent. As we were heading toward Albuquerque, I was standing behind the pi-lot and co-pilot trying to identify all the instruments and what they were indicating. The pilot turned to me and said, “You want to fly?” Well you can guess my answer was “YES!” I

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got in the pilot’s seat and looked out the left wing to see these large engines turning the huge propellers. I was in a different time and place. The co-pilot asked if I was pilot. I said, “Yes, I flew a Cherokee 180”. He said, “This flies like a Cherokee 180 but is a little more sensitive in pitch.” He had me do some heading changes and it flew great. Not real nimble, but very stable with no surprises. I thought of those gallant 19-20 year olds who faced tough odds in WWII and still went out on every mission they were asked to. They knew the chances were against them and still did it. After about an hour we began our descent into Dou-ble Eagle Airport west of Albuquerque. I went back to my seat, strapped in and we landed gently. The ride was over, but my memories will always be there. I always appreciated what the WWII service members did. The flight reinforced that apprecia-tion even more. We were lucky to hitch a ride in a van going over to Albuquerque International to take some of the crew to meet airline connections. We picked up a rental car I had reserved and were back in Colorado Springs that evening. The flight was a wonderful experience for me. I’m sure my companions felt the same way. Awesome doesn’t even come close to describing it. I am thankful to EAA for keeping the Aluminum

Overcast operating, for the crews that fly and main-

tain it and for our Chapter 72 for allowing me to go.

B-17 Recap!

By Tony Nesse The B-17 “Aluminum Overcast” arrived at the COS municipal airport before noon on May 9th. The support trucks arrived that afternoon. Pam Potter, Hank Bartlett and Tony was present to welcome the crew, and Pam stayed on to interact with the media when they came to cover the visit during the afternoon. The next day the aircraft flew 4 passenger carrying trips, and sold 37 of 40 available seats. Over 900 people came to tour the B-17 during the afternoon. Pam, Hank, Al Spratford, Jim Geil, Lee Lesher and Tony did

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PIK E’S PEA K F LY ER THE VOICE OF EAA 72 PAGE 4

Brian Esch—Congratulations First Flight! By Brian Esch

I am glad to share with everybody that

after three and a half years of work,

N614BR took to the skies on April 26, 2016.

Thanks to Jeff Moore and the new essen-

tial pilot program, I was at the controls

with Jeff's expertise next to me. Dub Wil-

trout has also filled this role as well. Thanks

Dub!

The first flight went great with no major

problems. Joel Harding volunteered to fly

chase and didn't notice any important parts

falling off! Thanks Joel!

I now have ten hours flown and need fifteen

more to satisfy Phase One Flight Testing. No

major problems but a few that need atten-

tion:

Cylinder temps are a little high

Radio quit transmitting.

The engine is newly overhauled so there is a

break in period which probably has a lot to

do with the temps. It is flying but still needs

a lot of work to be really finished.

Thanks to everyone that gave me support!,

crowd control, helped with boarding and deplaning, placing and removing chocks, helped in the gift shop and answered questions. A TSA agent came by briefly to inspect the operation, and left satisfied. The personnel at Jet Center were extremely helpful, and we did not significantly interfere with their duties. Their president, Aaron Wood, told me they would welcome us back next year. The B-17 crew also expressed satisfaction with the visit. Kudos to Pam Potter, who did a fabulous job on publicity and helping during two full days at the airport, Sandy for publicity, Hank, Al, Jim and Lee for their work at the airport. I invited the B-17 flight to plan a COS stop again next year. Hank Bartlett, Josiah Bookman, Jim Geil and John Anderson rode to Albuquerque with the crew, and enjoyed the experience.

The EAA 72 share of the sales earned over $ 1,600.- for the chapter.

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B-17 Recap!

A Travel Advantage

Joan Spratford, Owner

(719) 630-7700

(800) 739-2520 Fax (719) 630-1892

PAGE 7 PIK E’S PEA K F LY ER JUNE 2016 PAGE 5

Thank you for supporting

these EAA Chapter 72

members!

Jerome Limoge, M.D. Senior Aviation Medical Examiner

2020 North Academy Blvd

Suite 155

Colorado Springs, CO

(719) 659-0988

(719) 527-0196 fax

If you weren’t

around before

2008, you

missed knowing

a truly beautiful

woman—Diane

Uberecken.

We had some great times with Diane and Ray. Whatever

the chapter was doing—YE rallies, chapter cookouts, or

big events like the Rocky Mountain Fly-in—they were there

doing whatever needed to be done.

I miss my dear friend but was blessed to have known her

and cherish my

memories.

Our hearts go out

to Ray and family

for their loss.

...from the desk of ... Sandy

Diane & Ray Uberecken

Diane and Steve Trolander

at the Rocky Mt Fly-in

Smile because

it happened!

Dr. Seuss

Don’t cry because it’s over.

Sandra Martin

Newsletter Publisher 7505 Mallard Drive

Peyton, CO 80831

M EAD OW L AK E AIR POR T - COL OR AD O SPR IN G S, COLOR AD O

Phone: (719) 351-1640

Email: sandy_martin@earthlink.net

Chapter 72 Officers

President: Brian Christian 719-495-0202 skyaker@gmail.com

Vice President: Bob Hall 719-591-6622 robjhall@comcast.net

Secretary: Tony Nesse 719-487-7485 tonynesse@gmail.com

Treasurer: Sandy Martin 719-351-1640 sandy_martin@earthlink.net Membership Chairman: Mike Jerger 719-637-0876 michaeljerger@hotmail.com\

Director: Vann Norred 719-229-2150 vann@pikespeak.net Young Eagle Coordinator: Sandy Martin 719-351-1640 sandy_martin@earthlink.net

Young Eagle Pilot Coordinator: Lee Wolford 719-338-1370 leefly@Sprynet.com

Newsletter : Sandy Martin 719-351-1640 sandy_martin@earthlink.net

Webmaster: Bob Hall 719-591-6622 robjhall@comcast.net

Burrall Sanders 719-660-8650

About Our Chapter

EAA Chapter 72 meets at Meadow Lake Airport. Meetings are on Saturday, usually following the 3rd Tuesday of each

month with a Young Eagle Rally and/or breakfast/brunch/lunch. Look for the calendar of events to highlight special chapter

events like Young Eagle Rallies, fly-outs, and all other chapter sponsored activities.

The Chapter Newsletter is published monthly, normally mailed and available on the website a few days before each meeting.

Readers are encouraged to contribute articles, photos, etc. by submitting them to the Newsletter Editor in hard copy — email, pen/

paper, as long as it’s not verbal—by the first Saturday of each month.

Annual membership is $25. Send to Sandy Martin, at 7505 Mallard Drive, Peyton, CO 80831 and start receiving the newsletter

each month, attending the meetings and having a great time with sport aviation.

Visit our website: http://eaa72.org

Fred Carter - Engines 719-683-6440

Jay Brinkmeyer 719-963-3408

Next Meeting

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Technical Counselors/Advisors: