Building an airplane then fly it yourself is not for the faint of heart. For those who knows me I am a very careful and sometimes timid person. I am even afraid of height! What in the devil brought me the idea of flying and even building an experimental airplane? Well, my background as an engineering professor helps. I am interested in machines and know and trust the limitations of them. Flying is a dream and fantasy. After I learned to fly in the late 1980s I always dreamed of having my own plane. Then, I found that I can build my own. I taught undergraduate manufacturing processes and graduate computer-aided manufacturing courses for many years. Airplane building became perfect examples for my classes. However, due to job and family commitments I did not get to do it until now. Do I regret that I did not do it earlier? No, everything has its timing. I would not have the time to do it earlier. Now I have the time and thus the privilege to undertake this project. In the past two years I spent more than 1,700 hours physically working on the airplane (planning not included). During those 1,700 hours, I was on my own for more than 1,650 hours. Yet, I would not be able to complete the airplane without the help of a lot of people. Some tasks are just not possible to be done with one person. Some others are too daunting and frustrating to do. The encouragements from friends are important to keep the project going and keep me sane. Following are names of a lot of people who helped in one way or the other. I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation to every one of them.
First and foremost I would like to thank my wife Li-Fen for her support. She not only fully supported my building and flying, she is also brave enough to fly with me. Guess what the tail number N103LF stands for? I will give you a hint, 103 is my birthday. Her birthday has already on another airplane's tail.
My sons, David and Joey also helped through out the entire project. Whenever they came home, I always draft them to work. Joey is the one less interested in flying. He always slept when he flew with me. Guess what, he is the one benefited the most from the airplane. Since I finished the airplane, I have flown him to and from West Lafayette, Indiana for five times.
The next most helpful person is Josh Blair. He helped me sand and prime cowling, gear leg fairing, and wheel pants. He also helped me hung the engine. Although still a college student he started a small business doing airplane detailing (Top Flight Detail). Quite a few airplanes at KPMH were detailed by him. I just had him polished my airplane after 100 hours of flying. If you need his service you may find him in Hangar 3 at KPMH. Josh's brother Chris works at Chasteen Aviation as a lineman. He also helped me unload the engine from the truck.
Kyle Knore, such a gentle guy and genius on mechanical things. He was working on a doctor's Waco and his own Cub J3C next to my hangar. Whenever I had a problem, he is the first one I consult with. Of course, in return I get to help him on electrical problems. Kyle also helped me on my weight and balance. He borrowed an electronics scale from his racing friend. Without the electronic scale it would be very difficult to do the weight and balance. I enjoy his company and friendship.
Fred Casidy is the AP at Chasteen Aviation. Fred is such a friendly guy. He is always willing to lend a tool and answer a question.
John Kennard, a Bellanca Super Vicking owner and Jim Kadel, the owner of a Commander 114, are good friends. We had a lot of fun lunches together. We even have our own table in the airport restaurant. I enjoyed riding their airplanes. After my airplane was done, we flew to a few airports together.
Ben Bagnall, a corporate jet pilot and fly instructor, visited me several times. He helped me to do the final mounting of my right wing. Without him rocking the wing, it is almost impossible to put those tight tolerance bolts through the holes. Ben also gave me and my wife our first and only ride in an open door Cub J3 on a windy day. It seems gusty wind does not affect the airplane when Ben is flying.
Mike Fisher, the designer of many small airplanes (Fisher Flying), helped me mounting the left wing. It is always interesting talking to him.
Arnold Blankenship, the owner of a 1956 straight tail Cessna 172, has his hangar right behind me. He took me and his friend Terry Penn to fly several times.
The airport manager, Paul Claxon, is the one gave me the hangar. He is a friendly fellow to talk to.
Of course I must acknowledge the friendship from the loafers (that's how they called themselves) in Hangar 3: Mark Fraulini, Bill and Dave Boyer . They love MS Flight Sim and HBO Deadwood. They name everyone around by the characters in Deadwood. Dave told me that I am Mr. Woo. I hope Mr. Woo is a NICE character. These fellows were present at my first engine start. They will remember the oil leak and how we tried in vain to plug it. Bill also helped me to hold the propeller while I used a large hammer to pound the pins into the propeller extension and the hub. It looked really scary. Of course, Stefen, Robert, Chris, Richard, and a few others also hang out in hangar 3. Hangar 3 is a club house for all of us who hangs around the airport. It is fun to be there.
Gary Lee was there when I taxied in after the maiden flight. He greeted me and took pictures for me. I chatted often with Dick Smith who likes to sit outside the terminal building watching airplanes, on his way home from school. He got to fly with me over his school. Although does not have his ticket yet, he started flying before I was born.
I met Larry Wiley, a West Virginia RV-4 pilot outside the airport restaurant. He gave me my first RV ride. Ever since we became friends. He is building an RV-7A at home. He would visit once in a while. We exchanged a lot of ideas. After I finished my phase one flight test, I flew to his home airport and gave him some nose wheel time (for insurance purpose). As soon as he gets his RV-4 (a tail dragger) sold, he will move his RV-7A project to the airport and test flight it soon.
I probably missed the names of several others. If you are one of them, I am sorry. I do appreciate your help and friendship.