HAWK Aviators July – Jan. 2019

Gone West
Eddie Clements generally writes and sends these newsletters. However my name is Braden Hobbs and for those of you who do not already know, I have the unfortunate duty of informing you that our fearless leader Eddie Clements has peacefully passed away. Eddie passed in Oshkosh after having spent the day enjoying Airventure. This legendary man is now in our memories, forever flying and gone west. His legacy will be carried on by HAWK and our generous supporters for many years to come.

Piper 9606W
HAWK`s 1967 trainer made the annual pilgrimage to EAA airventure at Oshkosh this year under the command of HAWK`s new private pilot Braden Hobbs. Braden made this flight along with HAWK`s flight instructor Sterling Hurst in Lightning 538RH and Shay Boe in Cessna 35441. During this flight the vacuum system in 06W failed. This problem was quickly fixed upon return from Oshkosh by installing a spare vacuum courtesy of Jerry Freidman. Since Oshkosh 06W has been flown for EAA young eagles by experienced pilot Jerry Freidman.
Along with young eagles, Sterling H. has given many hours of flight instruction with Krista J., William M., William S., Logan B., Braden H. and many others. In an effort to keep kids flying, the HAWK Aviators board has approved Braden Hobbs to fly missions with HAWK kids. Since the first approval, Braden has flown 5 missions in 06W and Randy Owens has flown 2 in his Zenith 701. 9606W will be going into annual inspection on February 1 leaving HAWK without a trainer for a period of time. Along with inspection our Piper will receive a new fuel strainer valve and our directional gyro will need to be removed and a new one will need to be found. At 52 years young the Cherokee flies onwards.

Zenith 838CP
Work continues on HAWK’s Zenith 701, with all damage repaired and the new Rotax engine mounted. HAWK has been studiously working to fabricate engine controls and rig the control surfaces. Along with these tasks, new fairings have been molded with Pat Wehling in charge of the aircraft. Pat can be found rigging controls and reverse engineering plans. Tim Allen has been fabricating new parts based on Pat`s plans and with necessary changes to account for the new power plant and wings. Model aircraft builder Logan B. is putting his foam shaping skills to good work molding new aerodynamic fairings for the Zenith. These foam molds are then given a fiberglass shell. That shell is then removed from the foam and becomes a new fairing. William M. has taken Eddie`s plans for patching skin and has nearly completed making two new inspection ports out of two holes long ago misplaced. With new parts made and ordered every week it is beginning to look a lot like an airplane. HAWK is grateful to have a hanger neighbor with a completed 701, Randy Owens. He is happy to allow Pat, Tim, and Braden inspect his 701 frequently to see how something is supposed to look.

Dakota Hawk 280DH
HAWK`s flagship aircraft 0DH sprung a leak in the right side fuel tank and with no inspection ports in the area the hard choice was made to cut through the wing to fix the leak. Braden Hobbs along with student William M. cut open the top of the fabric and heated and removed glued wood in order to replace the fuel line and value assembly. Jerry F. inspected the repair and determined it fully repaired. The aircraft now awaits some minor wood splicing and regluing followed by restitching of the wing fabric.

Cessna 13245
Sean G. has picked up where Eddie left off in the restore of HAWK`s 172. With the wing disassembled and control surfaces detached, new skins are being fabricated. With the aid of capable students Solomon B. and Krista J. the Cessna wing is being put back together and will soon be in one piece. With aid of Braden H. control surfaces are also being made whole again. At this rate the hail riddled Cessna may be put together within a year. However the expensive part has yet to come as the Cessna needs new electronics, a new interior and we have yet to even look at the engine.

Firefly 90555 and others
Unfortunately after Eddie`s passing we no longer have a balloon instructor or even pilot thus our impressive collection of hot air balloons sits mostly untouched awaiting a new pilot to teach us the lessons of three dimensional billiards, as Eddie said. Despite the loss of Eddie’s knowledge, his main A+P student and balloon student, Braden Hobbs supervised assembly and organization of the different systems, determining what systems would be determined airworthy if inspected and what was wrong with the others. HAWK however has now gained a new source of information in a new up and coming pilot. Congratulations to James Mullin who passed his hot air balloon private license check ride this month, we are now awaiting his government paperwork to be processed. After a mechanic is found to do an annual inspection on 90555 HAWK balloons can again take to the air.

Lighting 538RH
As you may have heard, the beautiful late-model and low-time Lightning aircraft donated to HAWK last Spring by Ron and Gayle Huddleston, which we intended to sell at Oshkosh last summer, suffered a nose-gear collapse (and a serious prop strike) upon landing there. Luckily, the plane was insured and no one was injured. Repairs at a facility at Oshkosh are about complete, and this plane will again be offered for sale in the coming months.

Shop and People
Toolbox Project
Braden Hobbs has been teaching new toolbox instructors William M. and Shay Boe the art of teaching kids and fixing their mistakes and two more toolboxes have been finished. Congratulations to Aidan (left) and Britton (Eddie`s grandson on right) their hard work has been rewarded and they now have a toolbox that will last for a long time and have moved on to working on airplanes. Three years ago I stood right where these two stand and now I am a successful leader at the airport. These two have the potential to outdo me by leaps and bounds.

 

Ground School
Ground school instructor Michelle Hobbs has continued her efforts in education. Ground school remains on target of teaching basic aviation knowledge. Flight Instructor Sterling Hurst continues this education with his own advanced ground instruction to flight students. HAWK was donated a flight simulator control setup and Braden Hobbs found a free computer. With Jerry Freidman`s efforts to fix said computer HAWK may soon have an operational flight simulator to use for demonstration.

Hanger Space
Eddie was donating the use of his hanger as the main hanger and after his passing HAWK had to take on the rent of another hanger. Moving the tools and build hanger into one of the other hangers was considered. However, due to lack of space and thanks to gracious donors the build hanger has remained where it is for now. Nevertheless the idea is still on the table.

New Management
Eddie was HAWK`s general manager and with his loss the board of directors Bryan Miller, Michelle Hobbs, Sterling Hurst, John Wilson, Don Coleman along with help from John Caldwell have had to pick up lots of slack. Although a challenge the board has done a good job and the chaos is limited. With the board organizing adults and Braden organizing kids the work is back on track and attendance is up.

Jobs in Aviation
Recently a HAWK aviator has secured a job in aviation. Braden Hobbs signed a contract with the US Army as an air traffic systems controller and will leave for basic training July 22nd marking another of Eddies milestones of success for HAWK.

The Future of HAWK
Many people have taken new roles after Eddies departure and these roles are still shuffling around. Two HAWK aviators will be graduating this year in the class of 2019, William S. and myself, Braden Hobbs. Finding new instructors and teaching others of the past and of what Eddie taught me has been a great challenge and priority for me. The future is truly an uncertain place for HAWK. However with that said for as long as there are kids to be taught and funds/materials to teach with, HAWK will be here to follow the mission Eddie provided, teach kids aviation.

Many Thanks
We especially wish to thank all the supporters who have given HAWK financial support in the six months since Eddie Clements passed away. We received many contributions at his Memorial Service and several substantial ones since then, including very generous amounts from Dalt and Patsy Garlitz, and from Irvine Smith. It has been especially helpful during this period of transition to have the funds we need to maintain our youth programs. Thank you all so very much. In addition, during the last year Russell Franke donated a late 1940s Luscombe (sans motor), and Robert MacAdams of Green River, Wyoming donated a used Jabiru 120hp motor (both were even delivered to us). Without the support of these exceptional individuals and company’s HAWK could not function.

In Conclusion
Thank you for you patience as this letter is long overdue. If you have any questions or want more details on a project please visit our website at


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April, May, June Newsletter

HAWK-april-may-june-2018-newsletter: 2018 Fat Tire Poster Courtesy Fly Colorado
2018 Fat Tire Poster
Courtesy Fly Colorado
As usual the past 3 months have gone by so fast at 10CO that it is hard to keep up. There is so much happening with EAA Chapter 800 and HAWK that I have not had time to sit down and even get the newsletter out. In this time frame there has been the Fat Tire Jamboree at 10CO. EAA 800 and HAWK worked together on to provide help, meals, t-shirts and other support so that the event went smoothly. EAA 800 supplied the food and the meals and Ken and Jeri Hurt plus Kim deserve a big big thank you. The meals were excellent and nobody went hungry. (Although more people attended than planned.) The weather was perfect for the Jamboree and the Jamboree came off without a hitch. 50 some airplanes and over a hundred and twenty-five people ate at the event. Both EAA 800 and HAWK managed to get sufficient funds to help pay for the campground fees for Kids to Oshkosh for both organizations. The fat tire Jamboree was a huge success. Travis Reese and his wife did an excellent job with promotion and logistics. Thank you both! And thanks for including EAA 800 and HAWK in the planning.
Greg Lucas donated the Poker run winnings to HAWK $320.00 – that was a pleasant surprise- Thanks Greg!. Travis Reese donated $300.00, Tyler McClymond donated $400.00, Rick at Sun Country Cubs donated $500.00. And thanks to everyone who donated to EAA 800 and HAWK to support the programs. Both EAA Chapter 800 and HAWK paid for the band and the food out of what was donated but the donations exceeded the expenses. Life was good for all who worked the Jamboree.

Spreading Their Wings, The HAWK Fledglings Take Flight Courtesy & Copyright EAA 2018 and Beth Stanton, Author
Spreading Their Wings, The HAWK Fledglings Take Flight
Courtesy & Copyright EAA 2018 and Beth Stanton, Author

HAWK owes a very big thank you to Beth Stanton for her excellent article in the April Sport Aviation about the EAA chapter 800 and HAWK program. Beth Stanton, the author of the April Sport Aviation article, attended the Jamboree and was amazed at the goings on at MACK. Beth felt like royalty, as she got an hour of instruction in the HAWK balloon, she was introduced to the flying fun of Randy Miller’s 450 Stearman, flights in Carbon Cubs and to cap her trip, about 45 minutes of time in Rlee and JF’s A350B2 Eurocopter. Bet she is still grinning. If you see Beth at Oshkosh, say Hi from EAA 800 and HAWK. Beth had a really good weekend camping at MACK. Her article has really generated donations in both cash and goods to help keep the programs viable. Some of the donations include $2000.00 from Micheal Jager, Mark Guenin donated $1000,00. Erwin Oertli, and Brian Kelly of Balloons West donated a used AX8B balloon system with 4.9 basket, burners and tanks, Josh Stanley donated an AX8B envelope with 4.9A1 basket plus an 8HP Fan for HAWK to repair and sell. Gary Owens donated numerous rivet guns, angle air drill, straight air drill, bucking bars, Cleco’s and P&W 985 tools. Brian Miller had a really good pneumatic Rivet puller donated by a guy named Tom out of Dillon Colorado.

HAWK's New Balloon-'The Tomato'
HAWK’s New Balloon-‘The Tomato’
Donated by Will and Karin Jefferies

HAWK mentor Tim Allen, HAWK’s certified ground instructor Michelle, HAWK president Brian Miller and three HAWK kids Caiden, Ryan and Jake made a road trip to Salt Lake City and picked up Will and Karen Jefferies’ Hot Air Balloon, tether harness, night lights, radios, inflation fan, 6 tanks, and other stuff they donated to HAWK. The kids set up the balloon the end of June. Braden inflated the balloon with HAWK kids help. The Galaxy AX7 N5244J is in exceptional shape. The balloon is solid red and the kids are calling it the Tomato. The balloon sat for years and does not have a lot of time on it. Will can no longer fly due to new knees and other parts. It will make a good backup for N90555, the balloon HAWK kids are currently flying. THANKS WILL AND KAREN. The balloon will teach lots of kids. In addition, I am going to fly out to Oshkosh in the Mooney and stop to look at a 2 thirds scale Fieseler Storch Fi 156 a nice gentleman wants to donate to HAWK and possibly we will pick up on the way back from Oshkosh as Russel Franke is towing a transport trailer to Oshkosh. Mike Duggan of Longmont EAA 648 and Tom Aguirre donated his flight bag and headphones to the program. Every week something new shows up. BETH YOU DUN GOOD! (As a side note – HAWK only works on donations and currently pays for 3 hangers, the expenses do not stop. Hopefully with the sale of airplanes HAWK can do more to make aviation affordable for the kids. No mentors are compensated for their time, in fact most mentors contribute funds to keep the kids flying and building).

A very big thank you to West Star Aviation. West Star donated $2000.00 to EAA 800 and HAWK to help pay for fuel and meals for the kids. Thanks Mr. Krogman West Star president. West Star’s very generous donation helps make the trip happen. They have been our primary Oshkosh trip sponsor the past 3 years. They donated the awesome paint job on the Cherokee. Hightower Supply donated the Jet Glow paint which is the best and very expensive- Thanks Pat Trimm.

William's finished tool box with the 701 in the background
William’s finished tool box with the 701 in the background

Saturdays in the HAWK hanger have been very busy. HAWK kids are making the necessary preparations for the trip to Oshkosh. HAWK was attempting to have their Zenith 701 flight ready for Oshkosh and up until the end of March thought it possible. The problems due to the Pega Daedalus wings have really slowed that project. Because of donations, and the funds from the jamboree meals, EAA Chapter 800 was able pay for the two campsites at Oshkosh for the kids. Preparing for the trip to Oshkosh has been interesting. The kids going have constantly changed and HAWK mentors have had so many problems that their schedules have also been constantly changing. This year scheduling has been worse than previous years. I would equate it to herding cats. HAWK and EAA 800 are taking seven kids to the Oshkosh show. The seven kids are the ones who are always working in the shop each Saturday. This years Oshkosh trip should be really interesting. Braden Hobbs, HAWK’s new 17 year old pilot, is planning on flying the Cherokee N9606W to Oshkosh (with Mom and Dad’s approval). Braden is working on his instrument and commercial fixed wing ratings and his private balloon rating. He is rapidly building hours.

2014 Arion Lightening donated by Ron Huddleston. This plane is for sale to fund the program.
2014 Arion Lightening donated by Ron Huddleston. This plane is for sale to fund the program.
Sterling is planning on flying the donated Huddelston Arion Lightening N732RN to the show with plans of selling it to support the HAWK program. Anyone wanting a real nice light sport, this is the one. Shay and Logan are again flying their 172 to the show. Logan has soloed and is building time. The plan is similar to the past years. The ground caravan will rendezvous with the airplanes at Aurora Nebraska on Friday night and continue to Oshkosh Saturday the 21st. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. No problem for the ground crew, big problem for the 3 air crews.

Now the hanger talk-

Collin's finished tool box.
Collin’s finished tool box.

N838CP the HAWK 701 has proven to be a handful. HAWK wanted to fly it to the show but issues keep showing up. Pat Wheling, one of HAWK ‘s mentors, and Tim Allen, another Mentor, have taken on the project with the kids. The Canadian Pega company, that made the wings, is no longer in business. HAWK has their build data but it is severely lacking. The center of lift is different than the standard wings. And the center of lift has presented a whole set of problems with the weight and balance. Pat and Tim are closing in. Hal Stockman (Zipper Big Bore) examined the airplane and engine and gave us some good ideas. He also had a spare Luga ground adjustable carbon fiber prop he fixed us up with. The prop is extremely light. I have never heard of a Luga prop. Apparently it is Russian. Hal is the guy who rebuilt the HAWK 912UL’s drive. Hal is a Rotax expert. Hal will be flying his new Rans S-7 with his special Rotax engine that turns out 130HP in the Oshkosh STOL show. You can always identify Hal as he wears coveralls with a reflective strip on them everywhere he goes. If you see him, say Hi. Last year Hal flew lots of Young Eagles at Oshkosh. N838CP hopefully will make the show next year.

Russel Franke donated Luscombe 8A?
Russel Franke donated Luscombe 8A?
Russel Franke got in trouble with his HOA at his home because he has to many airplanes in his yard (One can never have too many airplanes). Russel’s new lawyer neighbor who built a huge house directly across the street from Russel’s is really hassling Russell. Just like people who buy a house under an airport approach and then gripe about the airplanes. (The house now blocks Russel’s view. Russel did not contest it). Anyway Russell gave HAWK a Luscombe 8A he had in the yard to appease the neighbor. Hope it works for Russel’s sake, but doubt it. Anyway. the Luscombe Data plate says its an 8A but in reality it is an 8E as it has wing tanks and “D” window’s. The Log books show it as an ‘8A special’ The Luscombe society says Luscombe made some 8A’s that were similar to 8E’s. They had all the 8E modes but still had a continental 65 in them. On this airplane someone was modifying the firewall with the pan to accept electrical. The workmanship is not good and a new firewall has not been located to date. Russell also gave HAWK an 0-200 off a Cessna 150. The airplane and engine have full logs but the registration expired and the N-number is now on a Cessna 205. The project will be shelved for a while until parts are found. The air frame is in really good shape and should polish out. Thanks Russel!

N13245. the 172 Russel Franke gave HAWK is progressing nicely. Solomon, Krista and Jaden have the hail damaged wing skins drilled off. And Krista and Braden are riveting the new flap skin on and are about finished. Krista has all the new skins fit for the elevators and trim tab and is working on reassembly. Again Hightower Supply came through and supplied the Sherman Williams epoxy primer for the project. The 172 will be totally primed inside all the areas where the skins are removed and replaced. Krista and Braden are doing an awesome job of riveting the skins back on the flap.

N9606W is being cleaned, serviced and polished for the Oshkosh trip.

Picture of the HAWK balloon in flight with kids at the burner. Picture taken by Randy Owens out of his Zenith 701 Courtesy Randy Owens, Photographer
Picture of the HAWK balloon in flight with kids at the burner. Picture taken by Randy Owens out of his Zenith 701
Courtesy Randy Owens, Photographer

N90555 the HAWK balloon now has the fancy Firefly donated 4.0 basket officially installed with the extra Fuel tanks HAWK acquired with the donated systems. Watch for the HAWK balloon N90555 at Oshkosh. It is signed up for the Monday tether and the last Saturday free fly. EAA Chapter 800 president Kim Neibauer is towing it out. The winds have not been kind at 10CO so the HAWK balloon has not been flown much. Fall is coming – it has been a very hot windy spring as evidenced by all the Colorado and Utah wildfires. The HAWK kids are working on HAWK- EAA 800 banners for the balloon- hopefully they will be done, but like everything, time is flying by. OSHKOSH IS COMING!

As a side note, The Sport Aviation Article has generated a lot of interest by other EAA Chapters and interested individuals as to how EAA Chapter 800 and HAWK set up the program. Oshkosh will be interesting in that I am going to take paperwork and other items to share with other chapters who want to talk about the program. So far the HAWK program has been a resounding success and others want to copy it. All of the HAWK mentors are more than happy to share any info with other EAA chapters about how to set up similar programs. HAWK started with nothing but an idea of doing something beyond Young Eagles. And HAWK has turned the idea into a real functioning program and kids are becoming pilots that would not have had a hope before. This is evidenced by kids flying airplanes into Oshkosh. It has not been done without trials and tribulations but so far the program is working better than anyone believed. Any EAA Chapter can do the same thing. It is really nice to see a dying EAA Chapter become a active viable program. EAA Chapter 800 now has a good turnout each chapter meeting of kids younger than 80, and now has aviation excitement again. Again I want to say THANKS to all the HAWK MENTORS who make the program work!