Well last month (winter) I reviewed how we EXPERIMENTAL people look at each other. This month (summer) I thought I would share and experience I had with the instrument panel of the Volksplane II. I headed for Ozark Radio at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport and found it in the first of four hangars, of its new owner, THUNDER AVIATION. Boy are they getting big!!! I walked in an asked if I could have my EXPERIMENTAL airplane’s airspeed indicator and altimeter checked. UUUHHHHH!?! The three technicians looked like I had just asked them to calibrate something for an EXPERIMENTAL airplane. AAAHHH!!! We can not calibrate the altimeter or airspeed indicator. We will have to send them out. Hey guys I do not want a yellow tag (indicating a fully certified-EXPENSIVE- piece of equipment) just tell me if they work. Hey guys look, there is a nice altimeter attached to that piece of test equipment. Look, my altimeter appears to be only 50 feet off. I wonder how “I” could adjust that? Maybe this little screw? “Yes”, came a voice from the back of the room, “but do not take it all the way out cause you may not get it back in?” Now that is the information “I” was looking for. Well the altimeter is done. What about the airspeed indicator or should I just do that testing out the window of my moving car? (Hey that is how Burt Rutan tested the Vari-viggen.) Well the ice had been broken and two of the three technicians laughed. I was told that the airspeed indicator could be tested in the shop. YAHOO!!! I was on my way. The next day as I arrived to pick up my instruments, the technician who had the most fearful look on his face the day before when I dropped them off was the man who delivered them to me. I told him that I would wipe off his fingerprints. He still did not laugh. The instruments were calibrated and within +/- 3 knots and 20 feet. No yellow tags but that is O.K. I did the checking for my own peace of mind. The technician took my name and address but as of now I still have not received a bill for the work done. I doubt I will ever get one. I doubt they will even say they saw me. 

Talking with a friend this week I heard an interesting “air rage” story. (Hey they have a Skyrage Foundation somewhere in this great country now.) This friend was out flying his slow “Cub” the previous weekend and got buzzed by a fast Aerobatic bi-plane on its way to Creve Couer Airport. The “Cub” pilot raced to the airport to talk with this person. The meeting went well. The “Cub” man realized that you can not see squat from the back seat of this “Pitts”- aful airplane. All was well because it ended well. Gentlemen and Lady Laura, keep looking around out there searching for the enemy because the ARE out there and they ARE trying to hurt us!!!

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