Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

July 13, 2000

Ladies & Gentlemen:

The month of June kept the team very busy. Riveting and drilling continue to be the task of the day. The photos to the left shows one of the typical repair panels. We finished up most of the frame and skin repairs. Keith and I lost count after about 2000 rivets. Dirks expertise in building new frame pieces was most valuable. We still have one fairly difficult repair to make on the right intake and one near the left dive brake. Steve Green came down from Canada to pick up the stinger on the tail cone so he can fit a frame piece. Sometime during 763's life, someone decided to cut the end of the tail cone off, including the rear frame so we have to fabricate a new one. While Steve was in town we took some more measurements for the front suspension design. I think we have the final design pretty well nailed down, now it's time to build it.

On July 11th, Keith, Larry Cruz (Wings West) and I made the first attempt at loading the North American Eagle into the 48' Race Car Transporter. We were able to lift it with the loader but for some reason the carriage would not travel forward, so the vehicle couldn't be pulled up the ramps. I spoke with the folks from Hydraulics Northwest about the problem and they think it is just an adjustment on the hydraulic pressure valve. We'll go back for another try.

We have to move out of the Wings West hanger for a few weeks while they do some remodeling. We'll move to Spanaway Airport and utilize the Beechwest Flying Club hanger for the interim.

I went through the Air Force physiology training last month at Fairchild AFB. The altitude chamber training was quite fun. I chose to take the training and get my card in anticipation of a ride in the F-104D (two seater) owned by Starfighters, Inc. from Tampa Florida. That will be a thrill of a life time.

Keith and I met with Mary Butler a writer for the Tacoma News Tribune. Her article will be published shortly.

Earlier in the month Keith had the opportunity to spend a day with the Chip Ganasi Target Indy Car Team.  Lloyd Kaufman who flies the teams Lear 31 escorted Keith around the pits during the Portland 200.

I also made my annual trip to the races at Muroc Dry Lake at Edwards AFB. It was a very fun and productive trip. I spent a little time chatting with Landspeed Louise, Jack Castella, Bud Jones and a few others. Dave Haller make his first pass in the dirt with his C Altered. He now knows what a cockpit full of dust looks like. It's not a pretty picture at 166 mph.

That's all for this writing. As soon as something new and exciting happens, we'll keep you all informed.

Ed Shadle

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