Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

January 20, 2007

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Present at today's work party were Ed Shadle, Keith Zanghi, Jon Higley, Russell Garlow, Bernard McVay, Von Armstrong, Tim Finley, Rob Martinson, Rich Pengelley, John Drury, Omar Chramosta and Sam Yellowbird. Several tasks were on the list to accomplish; brought by Keith to the shop.

First, the rear travel axle was worked on by Bernard McVay - the team's welding specialist. Von Armstrong began by removing the hubs from the old axle, while Bernard began cutting useable portions of material off the old axle which had bent in transit on the way back from our last test session in southern California. Then, Bernard began to fabricate the replacement axle, with "beefier" thickness, while adding features that will make it much more ergonomic for the crew's use in the installion and removal of it.

After Keith removed one of the mid-wheel hubs and Bernard measured the rear axle dimensions, Keith Zanhi, Operations Director and co-owner of the project, briefed the team members present about how various aspects of the project's progress are coming along which need to happen this winter. There were several good points that were shared and others that were more challenging to handle than expected.

While Tim Finley, Bernard McVay, and Von Armstrong stayed at the hangar to work on tasks there, the rest of the team transfered the travel trailer over to Spanaway's airport where the newly acquired school bus, donated by Cavemn Coffee, awaited them. Sam Yellowbird discussed plans on how the bus could be painted with the project's color scheme with Keith Zanghi.

Keith Zanghi, Jon Higely, Russell Garlow, Rob Martinson, John Drury and Omar Chramosta all spent the afternoon removing all of the rear bench seating from the bus, with every other bench seat removed from there to the front to provide more leg room while traveling. Some of the team had to go underneath the bus to hold nuts with a ratchet, while others inside the bus turned bolt heads on the floor of the bus. Several modifications and designs were discussed for enhancing the "creature comforts" the team members would possibly enjoy while in transit to a test, or record run, venue. Ed Shadle took a break from caring for his wife who recently underwent hip replacement surgery and made an appearance to monitor how things were going with the bus at the airport, as well as the hangar.

During next week, parts will be tranported to Eagle Machine in Abottsford, B.C. where work on modifying the car's hubs will allow for taking on the all metal wheels soon to be manufactured. More news will be forthcoming on this event later this winter when it happens.

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