The Big Show

We made it to the big show. By all estimates, it was one of the biggest AirVentures as far as attendance and vendors. Packed. The planes in aircraft camping were into the overflow parking field. Camp Scholler was packed too. As you know, we were in the Ultralight/LSA area this year and it was crowded as I’ve ever seen it. We had a lot more foot traffic than I expected to get. We had Steve Henry kiddy corner across the aisle from us with his yellow plane on display. Also had Hal Stockman stop by and look at the P-36 and the Verner. Really nice guy. We had forgot to print brochures before we left, so we worked on the files and got them printed on Tuesday. Ran out by Sat morning. It was a busy week! Hot too! Record heat index for several of the days and rain storms several nights. Big lightning shows too! Fortunately, there was only one rainy morning that impacted the exhibits and by 9 it was clearing up. All in all, a good show.

Our booth focused on our LiteFighter prototype and a Verner 3VL engine on display. BTW - getting the engine to the show was an ordeal. After trying several methods, we shipped it using Freight Center on-line service and they shipped it via Yellow - YRC. The pick-up of the engine in California didn’t happen on the expected day - so it was going to be late - after the show started. It arrived on Monday afternoon thankfully and we went after the show to get it. Little did we know that they were shutting the doors right after we grabbed our engine from the dock in Neenah, WI. About mid-week, Yellow went out of business. Literally one of the last shipments for the carrier. We had to trailer the plane to Oshkosh and so we had the trailer setup as our booth, with a smaller 9x9 pop-up canopy for the Verner display. Its not ideal, but worked-out. The booth spaces are more generous in the Ultralight area - 40ft x 40ft so it wasn’t so restrictive as the Homebuilts area is. We had the trailer and canopy in the back of the booth with the plane in the front.

The reception to the P-36 Hawk was amazing! We were constantly busy with people checking it out and other vendors stopping in. We allowed many people to climb into the cockpit and try-it-on for size. It fits 95% of the folks and the rest are just too big for GA aircraft. We also had a number of people asking about the Verner Motor engines and hope that we get some more sales from the show - there is usually a delay of a couple months. I had forgotten to setup our LiteFighter sign-up sheet on Sunday and Monday, but remembered half way through Tuesday. We still got over 70 folks signed-up for more info and some definits for standard kits when available. We needed to sell two more beta kit slots and we did that. We may add to the number depending on how the production goes. On Friday morning, we were given a few minutes to prep and were tugged over the fence line onto the ultralight flight line. The announcer interviewed Scott about the engine and airframe. The Hawk was tied down to the tug, so we got to run the engine for the crowd. I was relieved when the engine started right up like normal. Puff of smoke and roared to life. I was worried the battery might be too low or we were out of gas or something. However, everything worked great and we were a hit on the flight line. We also had an Aero News Network interview from Jim Campbell as well as one for Kitplanes magazine. Several photogs came through as well. We were not really ready to sell standard kits and so we didn’t spend any money on extra advertising. We need to get going so all our focus right now is just that - get going! On that front, we made some great contacts and meetings at the show. Networking! We are working on setting-up our production with an existing, well respected manufacturer. This is the fastest way to get the kits out and we know it will be quality.

Golden Hour at the Seaplane Base

There were a couple accidents and some averted during the week. A Bonanza tried to land opposite of traffic and that was a big oops. We also were having lunch when the helicopter and gyro collided near us. Didn’t see it, but heard it. Terrible sound. I did look up in time to see a rotor blade twirling down. It got real quiet. Everyone knew something bad just happened. We then heard about the T-6 accident long after it happened. Saturday was a tough day. The night show still went on like nothing had happened and there was scuttlebutt going around Sunday about not having had a moment of silence or something. Then again, maybe there was and we were unable to see it happen.

Sunday was a complete waste of a show day. Only a few people wandering through the outdoor booths. I did hear that the vendor buildings were quite busy for part of the day. We had time to talk with the other vendors and network. We got to do the booth tear-down and packed the trailer after lunch. The plane is not easy to disassemble, but we have it down to a science. I think we rolled out of the show around dinner time. Got to a hotel in South Bend around 11pm. Not bad, traffic was ok in Chicago. The drive home was uneventful and we were relieved to get home safe and sound. No damage to the plane other than the terrible beating the roads provide. One guy I talked with said he transported his plane project and the g-meter indicated 10 G’s. Our new oleo landing gear survived the ordeal and didn’t lose any oil or pressure. Pretty happy about that result.

Since our return, we have been slowly reassembling the airframe and doing a full annual inspection on her. We are also making a minor modification to the oil system by adding a remote oil cooler system instead of plumbed in-line from the draw tube. WE are also switching from a 7 row to a 10 row cooler since we have just enough room. We should get much better cooling. Scott is making the flap indicator over again. The last version failed as it was 3D printed from a home printer. Not good enough quality - it was warped. So going very simple and metal is the plan anyway. The cowl flaps may get modified to be in-flight adjustable by a simplified version of how the F4U Corsair does it. Seems too simple to not try to do it. It is not high on the priority list, but we will try that at some point. The static ports were relocated per recommendations and the old holes are in the perfect spot for a lifting rod poke-thru. So we did a very simple version of that and will see how that does. We have some ideas for reinforcing it more if needed. It has been a hassle moving the plane by pushing and pulling on the tail surfaces. This will be a big improvement.

Next up is flight testing, flight testing and some more flight testing. We want to be sure of what aero changes we want to incorporate and what is needed for structural and manufacturability improvements. We are pretty happy with the flying qualities, but we can improve a few things, just a skosh. The next two months are likely flight testing and practice with short field landings and operations. Some in-flight videos and pics will be posted. Then we get on with the beta kits. YES!