Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

March 12, 2005

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Preparation for Low Speed Test Runs

Team North American Eagle™ would like to thank all our sponsors for their continuing support, without which this project would not exist.  In addition, we would especially like to thank the following companies that put additional resources into the project for this weekend’s historic first low speed test runs:

Lights, Camera, Action!!

The night before, the crew installed the McVay’s Mobilizer under the car so we could tow it out to the end of the runway.  Recently, Blastek of Auburn completely sandblasted the entire frame.  It had already accrued a coating of rust and the team at Blastek removed it and prepared if for painting.  Powder Coating, Inc. of Mulkiteo finished the mobilizer in black bullet proof powder coating.  It came out looking great!

On Saturday morning, the Discovery Canada crew had the entire North American Eagle™ team get up at 5:00 AM so we could meet a 6:00 AM film shoot.  The production team wanted to capture the Eagle in front of the early morning sunrise.  We assembled at the end of the runway as everyone took their places.  In the next few minutes 80% of the local town would be awakened as the American Valley Aviation M32-60B start cart was fired up, followed by the 42,500 hp S&S Turbine Services engine roaring to life.  The film shoot went well and we can’t wait to see the finished product.  We then towed the car back to the pit area and finished some last minute inspections.

First Official Run

At 10:00 AM PST the car was again towed into position at the west end of the test facility runway.  The same crew as before took their positions, as Ed got into the car and did a final pre-run checklist.  Minutes later, after turning on the four onboard cameras, Bill Eckberg signaled to Ed the runway was his.

The car roared down the track with the McVay Welding Truck, with our 150 gallon foam fire extinguisher in the back, running chase, with the recovery crew truck close behind.  During the run Ed reached a speed of approximately 70 mph and tested the steering, brakes, throttle response and got an overall feel of the car.  5000 ft later Ed came to a stop and let the engine idle for 5 minutes before shutting it down.  The initial run was a complete success!  Everything worked perfectly.

The Crowd Went Wild!

Hundreds of people consisting of friends, brothers and in-laws, lined the airport runway and erupted in jubilation.  The aircraft that spent its entire career as a chase plane for NASA during the '50s & '60s had now completed the Phoenix process. It was now the center of attention when the entire ground crew arrived at the scene.  Discovery Canada film crews captured the event as team members gave Ed the congratulatory high fives, hugs and handshakes.  It was a momentous occasion that was the culminations of some 24,000 man hours of work.  Bill McVay and Mark Seguin placed the car back on the mobilizer and we headed back to the command central with people lining the taxiway cheering us on as it rolled into place.

When we arrived back at the trailer, the rest of the team and all of our friends came together and congratulated each other.  Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, aunts, wives, husbands, uncles, cousins, sponsors and man’s best friend were all united as one as we celebrated this very special moment.

Run Number 2

Two hours later we did it again.  This time Ed was more aggressive and hit speeds around 170 mph.  The car came to a complete stop utilizing the newly installed Eagle Machine, Inc. rear disk brakes.   We headed back to the trailer to let it cool down.  Back in the pits, Bernard’s brother, Howard McVay, was busy barbequing hamburgers and hotdogs for the entire team.  Everyone’s appetite was almost as big as the S&S Turbine engine's thirst for Jet A fuel.

Run Number 3

After lunch we headed out again.  This time Ed hit speeds just under 200 mph and successfully deployed the Drumheller Engineering parachute system.  It worked great.  We pulled back into the pits, decided it was a good day and pulled out the adult beverages. We all toasted each other and planned for the next day's runs.

Thank You

It took a lot people to put this day together.  Beside the crew, who put in time each week, were two of our biggest supporters in attendance.  Jerry Lamb and his wife Marilyn, of Lev X Corporation, were there.  Jerry is designing our unique Neodymium Iron Boron magnets that will be used to eliminate the kinetic energy in the aluminum wheels during deceleration.  In addition, Lev X provides the tractor that pulls the North American Eagle™ around to events.  Also on hand was Steve Green, from Eagle Machine, Inc. in Abottsford, BC, who has been helping the team since the very beginning with high precision machined parts.  The last two weeks Steve has been burning the midnight oil as he rushed to complete the brand new rear axle brake assembly.

Many of the teams relatives were on hand also.  Ed’s sisters and brothers came to see the historical event.  Keith’s father was also on hand.  LeRoy and Jean Ann McVay came to see their three sons and grandsons make history.

Special thanks goes out to all the ladies who kept our stomachs full. Tammy McVay, Jeanette Selby, Libby Wallace, DiDi Boyington, Hollie Sargent and Suzie Schenck.

It was an historical day for the project, a day that will be remembered by this Band of Brothers for the rest of our lives.  The car ran great and all the systems did what they were designed to do.

Tomorrow’s Update 

Read “From the Driver's Perspective” as Ed describes the fastest run to date.

We invite you to add a comment, or remark, about our program or the site.

[Privacy Policy]