My hangar (heart as well) have ben thoroughly warmed. I was just a tad behind the first arrivals. I spotted the "South Valley Stalwarts" (Bob Saville and Dan Cathey) as I got away from the FBO where I had posted the maps to 29H's new digs. I didn't want to put up the directions too early because you never know who might show up... Any way, they had linked up with Reg Jensen of my EAA Chapter. Reg had been to the hangar once before, but that was at night. "It's around here some where," he kept saying. Got the door opened, then started passing out our repast. Just deli meats, dark bread and green salad. Plus some soda, as well as forks, plates and napkens. I got to laying out the spread so we could eat, when Alex and Niel Rose arrived. Alex is twelve, but already has an Aircoupe. His has rudder peddles, and he keeps it in Niels (his dad) hangar - right next to Niels Hurricane (see the Battle of Britain)! We had bearly gotten into the first sandwiches when Geoff Roberts and Dave Perozek showed up. Geoff had taken off work (at Horizon Airlines) for lunch, and met Dave at the FBO. Dave was our only "fly-in," but Niel and Alex taxied in later. Later Jerry Grant and Don Jeffery came by. Sure was nice to see them. One advantage of having meetings in various locations is that it gives the opportunity to see different people. Again, they had a sandwitch and coffee. We all spent a good afternoon "Hangar Flying," and enjoying the new place. Later, Bob, Dan and I went through the Pearson Air Museum. There is a lot of interesting things there. Dan had looked into the Russian transpolar flight of 1937. He had found a lot of good stuff on the Internet, but Niel pointed out a fact that I had not known. "The pilot in command did not die in a plane crash. He was shot by Beria." That was the head of the Cheka (secret police; precursor to the KGB). Seems that Stalin was afraid of the Russian officer corps. Even the co-pilot had to keep on his toes to not meet a similar fate. In all, we had a lot of fun. The Oregon Ercoupe Erforce meets very regularly - Last Sunday of every month. If you're ever out our way, stop by!
Percy in Portland
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