Monthly Archives: June 2014

Swiss Hatz First Flight

Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431 Posted on by

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Brodhead Airport attracts fans from all over the world, and in recent years, Hans and Sam Gautschi from Switzerland have kept in touch with the Hatz Biplane they are building and even attended the annual Hatz fly-in in July. Yesterday, member Gene Calkins received the following message:

Dear Gene,

Do you remember us? We met us at Brodhead and built a Waco styled Hatz with a Rotec radial engine, which we finished this Spring. Now, we are pleased to tell you and the Brodhead airport community, that Sam made a successful first flight on June 11 at 745 p.m.! Sam did an amazing job with just his about 160 hours flight experience in his pocket! Everything went well and the Hatz flies beautifully! A video on youtube will follow a.s.p. We are very happy with our Hatz and thanks to the late Mehlin Smith, who showed us that a modification to the already well basic design is worth and can be successfully accomplished.

We hope to return to Brodhead for the Hatz meeting next year, but unfortunately cannot take the Hatz with us!

Please find some pictures attached.
Kindest regards
Hans & Sam, Switzerland

You can learn more about the Hatz project on Hans and Sam’s website. Pictures of the first flight are below.

Congratulations Hans and Sam!

UPDATE: Here is a nice video of the first flight:

[youtuber youtube=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0_Ki2e78MA’]

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Dave Waller’s Pietenpol Progress

Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431 Posted on by

Chapter 431 member Dave Waller sent some pictures of his Pietenpol Aircamper project along with some information:

I started making ribs April of 2012. I got a beat up jig from the chapter and rebuilt it. Then I started on empennage and now I have just about all of the wood parts made except for the spars, leading and trailing edges. I am going to have to rework some parts so that statement is not quite accurate but today I hope to have the parts made to bolt the struts to the fuselage for the center wing section.

I am going to use a Corvair motor and some components from William Wynn to make it an airplane motor. I am trying to make every part myself, which drives my friends with more skills and better shops nuts, but it is my goal.

Piet-Fuselage

Photo gallery is here:

https://plus.google.com/photos/112075061757106902820/albums/5819790561694608289

Looking pretty good, Dave. Thanks for the update and good luck moving forward. Hope to see it flying soon.

Piet-Wing

Aircraft Familiarization for Local Fire Crews

Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431 Posted on by

Last Wednesday (June 11), the Brodhead Fire Department came out to Chapter 431’s annual Aircraft Familiarization and Fire/Rescue training class at the airport.

Brodhead Fire Department's heavy iron

Brodhead Fire Department’s heavy iron

Member Bill Bell gave the presentation and five local pilots opened up their airplanes to show details of the fuel systems, electrical and other components that are important for First Responders to know about.

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A big thank you to the Brodhead Fire Department crews for coming out and letting us show you a few things about the aircraft we fly and the activities going on out here.  Thanks also to our pilots and presenters, Mike Williams (J-3 Cub), Bob Buzzell (Stinson 108), Ben Johnson (Cessna 172), Bill Liimatainen (Fairchild 24), Jeff Fink (RV-8), Pat Weeden, Mike Weeden and Bill Bell.

http://www.cityofbrodheadwi.us/departments/fire_department/index.php

 

Frank Baker to Present “Cub Tales” June 14

Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431 Posted on by

Local author Frank Baker will be giving a presentation at Brodhead Airport on Saturday, June 14 at 10:00 on his book, “Piper Cub Tales” and his adventures flying a J-3 Cub all around the country.

Frank Baker

See Frank’s website HERE.

Join the book’s author as he flies adventure filled cross-country flights in a 1946 Piper Cub. Flying low and slow across seemingly endless prairies, through narrow mountain valleys, and over high mountain passes in the Rocky, Cascade and Appalachian Mountains, totaling some 71,695 miles, he and his passengers experience the extremes of Mother Nature’s personality. As a purist, Frank navigates solely by aeronautical chart, plotter, stopwatch, airspeed and compass. His “seat of the pants” flying in a vintage tail-dragger gives the reader a feeling for what aviation was like in an almost bygone era.

Spread the word and join us on Saturday the 14th for an interesting presentation!