Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

October 15, 2005

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Several of the team were present at today's work party; our "eleventh hour" weekend before loading up and heading south to appear at Edwards AFB's Open House. Ed Shadle, Keith Zanghi, Jon Higley, Russell Garlow, Bill Eckberg, Bernard and Dennis McVay, Scott Robertson, Dave Wheeler, Steve Wallace, Von Armstrong, Omar Charmosta, Ed & Barbara Drumheller, Dave Selby, Glenn Amy, Tim Finley and Meeko were present.

Our newest team member, friend of Bill Eckberg's, is Richard Pengelley, a retired Boeing flightline mechanic who decided to help out the project with his skills. Richard was busy cutting and grinding away on metal for some needed items.

The hydraulic problem with the speed brake doors took up most of the day's time and attention. The engine had to be pulled back out for a second time and the valve controlling the doors had to be adjusted. With the problem solved, the doors operated correctly using the electrical backup system.

Keith cut the grating that covers the area of the rear platform in the trailer, while Jon reassembled the steps that go from that platform down to the center floor of the trailer. He and Russell also painted the tie-down brackets which will be used on the inside walls of the trailer for transport of the NAE™.

Ed, Barbara, Von and Glenn worked on packing parachutes into bags today. Bernard set up the hydraulic ram to aide in the packing process.

Steve continued working through connecting his wiring for the data acquisition system today. A new antenna was also installed to allow for better telemetry operation of the system. Tim helped Steve check the wiring on the DC converter box for the electronics bay and found they had to change a few wires around.

Tim Finley continued work on instrument lights and switches in the cockpit, while Bill, Dave and Scott checked and corrected the hydraulics problem. Before the engine could be reinstalled, Jon took a torch to each of the fire detectors inside the engine bay so Tim could verify that they were working correctly.

Ed Shadle began work on assembling the mechanism that will operate the valves controlling the magnetic brakes on the rear axle. He also added new sponsor decals onto the side of the trailer with Omar & Jon's help, and coordinated calls to the shops up north making final adjustments to the wheels and axle that will be picked up Monday.

Tomorrow some of the team will continue working on connecting the engine back up again and putting the tail cone on. It's expected that loading will also occur, but if not Sunday, then definately by Tuesday afternoon. I may be doing one last update before leaving south Wednesday. Glenn, the assistant webmaster, will be doing updates with images I send him from southern California.

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