Category: Build Reports

HAWKAviators has 6 Young Eagles on the ground in Oshkosh.
We are waiting for pictures and news from AirVenture 2019…

Reports of “attrocious” weather and flooding with good weather coming.

AirVenture Schedule of Events

Legendary Aircraft Designer Burt Rutan to be Celebrated

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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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.

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 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.

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.

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-

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 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.

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!

and   EAA chapter 800

HAWK and EAA chapter 800 are separate organizations that work hand in hand to get and keep the kids interested in aviation careers.

This newsletter was delayed because of numerous exciting things happening with both organizations that carried over in to March. I will start with the March happenings then back up to January.

Braden is now a Private Pilot
He passed his check ride with flying colors. Braden is HAWK’s first official in-house trained pilot. There will be more pilots shortly.

Sterling H-HAWK’s CFII was invited to attend the AOPA Bob Hoover awards ceremony in Washington DC. Sterling was fortunate enough to sit at the table with Mr Vangrunsven and his wife. (yes the VAN’s aircraft owner that has over 10,000 airplanes flying and another 4000 plus in construction). Sterling had a really good time and really represented HAWK. Sterling was fortunate enough to rub elbows with all the VIP’s in aviation- lucky guy!.

J F and his wife Rlee brought their personal Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopter to the EAA Chapter 800 March monthly meeting at MACK and flew 15 of the HAWK and EAA 800 kids and also flew 5 HAWK mentors. A Eurocopter AS350B2 is not inexpensive to operate, it was a real treat for the kids. J F flew 5 kids at a time for about 15 minutes and the ones lucky enough to get the co-pilot’s seat actually got to fly the helicopter. Braden, Krista, Kaitlin, Shay (a HAWK mentor) all got helicopter control experience. HAWK could really use a Donated Helicopter as the kids are hooked. If anyone happens to have one just sitting around?

Programs like bringing a Helicopter to an EAA meeting really helps keep the kids interested. Jake M(15) talked about his hot air balloon instruction at the meeting and how excited he is to be able to start feeling like he can fly it. He is getting good and should be able to get his Private pilot’s license this summer when he turns 16. He is getting close to doing his solo flights and has his Student Pilot’s license. A little more instruction and he will be ready to solo – he just needs to get his written test out of the way. One big problem in Ballooning is the lack of Designated Examiners. There are not any balloon Designated Examiners in Colorado and the only ones are in most of the west Utah and New Mexico. It seems that there is getting to be a lack of Designated Examiners in all phases of General Aviation.

The EAA chapter meeting also dealt with figuring out how the EAA Chapter 800 and HAWK trip to Oshkosh will be handled; what kids are going and who will be mentors to oversee the kids. Another discussion concern’s the funding and logistics for the trip. This will be the third trip for the organizations. The kids are lining up to go and are really excited.

The next topic was the MAY 18-20, 2018 Mack Fat Tire Jamboree. EAA Chapter 800 with HAWK’s help is feeding the attendees and their solicited help at the chapter meeting. Anyone wanting to help please contact EAA 800 president Kim Neibauer or Ken and Jerry Hurt. The Jamboree is always interesting. Mack has free camping and airplane parking areas on a nice manicured grass area. Plus there is an evening bonfire and other goings on during the event. Bring your airplane and come play or if you do not have an airplane still come enjoy the festivities. (I would bet J F could easily win the short takeoff and landing competition).

Now the HAWK Happenings
As mentioned above Braden’s work has paid off he is now an official pilot! He is HAWK’s first in-house trained pilot. He is starting his next rating – his instrument rating plus his Hot Air Balloon rating. (Braden turned 17 in January).
Logan has now soloed in the family 172 and is working on his hours for his Private. He turns 17 in August and should be ready for his Private about the same time.
Jake and Christa should have their Hot Air Balloon private’s before years end.

The Kids are learning!

N9606W
The Cherokee flies instruction regularly.

Braden took his checkride with Lynn French the Designated Examiner. He chose to give him the test in the HAWK Cherokee. So far, Braden seems to finally be in harmony with the weather gods. Braden plans and the weather turns on him. Lynn French issued Braden one of the last paper student pilot certificates before the IACRA program went into effect. So far, thanks to generous donations of cash, airplanes and other items the HAWK kids can afford to fly the Cherokee for nearly free as long as they work in the shop and earn their time. Five hours in the shop gets them one hour plus $10.00 for insurance for flight time in the Cherokee. Braden is the caretaker of the Cherokee and rounds up the younger HAWK kids to clean it, keep it nice and shiney and now he can fly them. Sterling is the mentor and instructor in the Cherokee. Jerry F is the AP/AI that keeps the maintenance current.

N838CP
HAWK’s January and February consisted of working on the Zenith 701. The 701 was moved into the heated build hanger and the wings are temporarily installed. The engine mount and engine are installed and now all the logistics of where to mount oil coolers and the new Zenith factory radiator is in process. The airplane was weighed (583 pounds) as it sits nearly complete- only the cowl and a few small parts were missing. It looks like it will be around 625 pounds when completed. It should really perform as light as it is. The Pega Daedalus wings make putting the airplane together interesting- they are totally different than the Zenair wings- longer with a different airfoil and with slide out slats. Pat and the 701 kids are doing a very nice job on the airplane. Tim Allen and his daughter Kaitlin made Carbon Fiber wing root fairings to fair the wings into the fuselage. They look awesome! Tim plans on making a Carbon Fiber cowl to help keep the weight down. Hal Stockman with Zipper Big Bore donated his time to check out the 912 Rotex going into the airplane. Hal purchased the pusher Rotex 912 exhaust that did not fit on the 701. Zenith is making the correct exhaust for the 701. The Zenith 701 is turning into a really nice airplane. Hopefully the 701 it will make Oshkosh 2018- that is the goal. 90 percent done 90 percent left to go. The crew working on the 701 primarily consists of Kaitlin, William M, William A, Collin, and Jake, with mentor’s Pat W and Tim A overseeing the project.

N3815B
The F35 bonanza donated by the Lovelace’s was evaluated after the donation became official in January. The airplane looked good and the leather interior was really nice. Once we got past the pretty there were numerous issues that needed fixed due to years of sitting, potentially costing a lot of money. (Airplanes do not do well with non use especially if left outside to the elements – they are made to be used). The radios were old and out of date. The big item was the propeller. It had a big AD on it and after chatting with propeller shops it was determined that the HAWK piggy bank was not near big enough to handle the estimated cost to just do the AD, much less do the rest of the needed repairs. To comply with the propeller AD alone the cost could be from minimum of $4,000 just to comply if everything was Ok to as high as $14,000.00 if the blades were bad. A friend with the same prop just spent $8,000 to get his propeller updated to do away with the AD (the AD is due every 5 years unless updated). HAWK CFII Sterling flew N3815B a lot in the past and said the airplane would not work to train the kids. The kids could not get complex airplane time because it had a throw over yoke and no brakes on the passenger side. Using it for instruction was out. The cost to get it flying was extreme. The fact the airplane only has a value of around $35,000 in real good shape made the cost of repair prohibitive. HAWK had two offers for the airplane and the members decided in a special meeting to accept one of the offers rather than take the risk of fixing it and marketing it with HAWK’s limited funds.. The Items that needed fixed were items that the kids could not do in house, so from an educational standpoint it was not a good investment. The airplane now has a good new home with someone repairing it to use it as their personal airplane. (HAWK was not going to let it be scrapped). And HAWK has a few more dollars in its account. Again thank you Mr and Mrs Lovelace.

N538RH
HAWK member Ron Huddleston and his wife were so impressed with how the members of HAWK handled N3815B and that the HAWK group wanted to see it continue to fly rather than scrap the airplane they decided to donate their airplane to the program. In February the Huddleston family donated the 2014 Arion Lightning that Ron built to HAWK. (Actually it is a Huddleston Lightening on the registration). The airplane needed a condition inspection and some minor work which the kids can help with. By HAWK doing the work to get it in the air. With Ron’s blessing the plan is for the airplane to be available for sale at Oshkosh 2018 with the funds going to educate the HAWK youth in aviation. Ron Flew P2V Neptunes off aircraft carriers and is a retired from United Airlines and is aware that most kids can not afford to fly due to today’s costs. He is a HAWK member and is doing his part to get kids into aviation. Ron donated the funds to do the Cherokee interior and really believes in kids being the future of general aviation. Thanks Ron and Gayle for your support. Jerry F is currently doing the condition inspection with any kids he can steal from other projects to help.

N90555
The balloon is flying regularly and several HAWK kids should have their private certificates by the end of 2018. The chosen kids can fly it at no expense to them. (totally free including fuel and instructor) The program is like an aviation scholarship for the chosen HAWK kids that will be old enough to get their Private Pilots certificates within a year or add it as a type rating. The kids can solo it at 14 and get their private at 16 years old. The kids chosen to fly the balloon must crew it, work in the HAWK shop regularly and must attend the free HAWK ground schools each month. Currently Jake M, Christa, Braden, are working on their Private pilots license. Michelle H is the mentor and Eddie C is maintenance and instructor. William M got HAWK’s second inflator fan running. William is also turning into HAWKS engine mechanic and is currently repairing a 20 hp John Deere lawn mower motor that HAWK will sell for operating funds. ( I will say going through the IACRA program to become a recommending instructor was enough to drive a grown man crazy.) Without Sterlings help I would have given up. With Sterling’s help and after 2.5 hrs of trying to get my address recognized I became a Recommending Instructor- what a pain! Seems the records show my home address as a business since I use it to repair balloons and IACRA will not take a business address. Thanks to Sterling my official address for IACRA is now 5 miles SW of Fruita- go figure)?.

N13245
The HAWK 172 is being reskinned due to the hail damage to all the top surfaces. The wing is in the Cessna wing Jig and is being taken apart. Solomon B is removing the damaged firewall. Christa and Collin have removed the tail and are currently reskinning the wing and control surfaces. Collin, Solomon and Logan are the crew working on it with Shay and Eddie as the mentors. This is a big project and will be years in the making but will make an exceptional 172.

The Tool Box Program
This program really shows the kids how to do aircraft type sheet metal work. And is very active. There are about 20 boxes in various stages of construction plus more than 10 finished. Tristan, Ryan, his brother , and Collin are doing a very good job on their boxes and should progress to aircraft work shortly. Collin is working on the 172 mentored by Christa.

Lyle Bingham HAWK’s web guru brought his balloon over from Utah to get it annualed and to attend the HAWK board and members meeting February 10th 2018. After the HAWK meetings his balloon was inspected by HAWK’s balloon inspector with the help of the HAWK kids and returned to service after a few minor repairs- most problems found by young eyes. While at Mack, Lyle made a nice donation to HAWK that was matched by the little company he works for called Dell (Yep that computer company). Seems they support what their employees donate to nonprofits with a special program of matching funds. HAWK is really fortunate to have someone of Lyle’s caliber donating their valuable time to make the HAWK program work. Braden works with Lyle and maintains the web site with Lyle. Braden is also getting his Solidworks certification and teaches kids Solidworks at his High School.

Watch for Beth Stanton’s article on the HAWK program in the MAY 2018 issue of Sport Aviation- it should be interesting.

HAWK is growing rapidly!