↓
 
Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431 
 
  • Home
  • Scholarships
  • Chapter Info
  • Airport Info & History
  • Fly-In Schedule
  • C37 Weather
  • Donate
  • Join
  • Contact

Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431

Monthly Archives: November 2013

Kitfox First Flight

Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431 Posted on November 22, 2013 by EAA Chapter 431January 18, 2014

Another First Flight at Brodhead Airport in November!

Chapter 431 member Roy Spach recently got his Kitfox project in the air after a flurry of work over the summer and fall. Roy tells the story…

First flight of our Kitfox 3, N93RM was November 3rd, with Gene Calkins at the controls. Since then, Gene has put on approximately 1.5 hrs of flight testing. He will continue test flights until tweaking is finished and operational parameters are established.

This kit was purchased in 1991 by two gentlemen in Louisville, Ky. Sadly, in 1993 one of the partners flew west and the completed portion of the plane, remaining kit parts and a 582 Rotax were stored in a garage until October, 2009 when it was purchased and moved to Wisconsin. The new owner sold the Rotax and replaced it with a 2180cc VW conversion. In June of this year I became the 3rd owner of what was billed as an airworthy aircraft. This was not totally accurate. Since purchase, the engine has been rebuilt, all accessories replaced and controls re-rigged. Gene says it now flies very nice. I am sure I would have been overwhelmed had I not been privileged to be advised/assisted by Professor Kitfox Gene with additional information and encouragement from all the neighborhood guys; Si, Matt, Bill, Dan, Archie and many more with names I can’t recall. I can’t imagine how I will ever be able to return all the goodness. Thanks to all. Also wish to thank “The Avionics Place” out of RFD for making the trip to C37 to install the radio and transponder.

Sunshine and tailwinds to all. –Roy

Roy Spach's Kitfox

Kitfox 3, N93RM. Photo provided by Roy Spach.

Nice job Roy, Professor Kitfox and everybody else!

Travel Air First Flight

Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431 Posted on November 19, 2013 by EAA Chapter 431November 19, 2013

EAA Chapter 431 member Eric Berens of Stevens Point, Wis. celebrated a major milestone on the restoration of his 1929 Travel Air with the first flight on Friday, November 15, 2013. Eric sent the following information:

NC 666H is a 1929 Travel Air, Model 2000 with a Curtiss OXX-6 engine, dual ignition, liquid cooled, 102 hp, a 102″ Ole Fahlin propeller, 30×5 inch wheels. Restored by Kent McMakin at the Brodhead Airport. Chad Willie helped with the engine. It is painted in its original colors “Travel Air Blue”, with silver wings. Original period instruments are installed and the interior is duplicated from original fabric. Peter Bryn, a long time, well known Travel Air flyer and collector of Dazey, N.D. owned and soloed in this aircraft on October 24, 1936 and it remained with his family from whom I got it. Terry Bryn, Pete’s son, reviewed his Dad’s logbook noting that NC 666H’s last flight was October 24, 1937. So last Friday’s flight was its first flight in 76 years and 22 days.

Congratulations Eric!

Travel Air Take-off

NC666H takes off on its first flight after restoration.

Travel Air climb out

Eric Berens talks to pilot Tom Hegy while Kent McMakin looks on.

Eric Berens talks to pilot Tom Hegy while Kent McMakin looks on.

Photos by Jim Weeden.

Subscribe to our E-mail List

©2025 - Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431 - Weaver Xtreme Theme
↑