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January 19, 2000

Daryl Hegyi, President
Jeff Rochon, Vice-President
Glenn Ursel, Treasurer
Patrick Stanley, Secretary

Mail to: Pacific Ultralight Flying Association
102-16071 82 Avenue
Surrey, B.C. V3S 2L6

PUFA Newsletter published by Glenn Ursel

From The President
by Daryl Hegyi

Welcome to the new year, decade, century and (last year of the second) millennium!  We look forward to another thousand years of ultralight flying.  Things are looking bright for the future.  The regulations are changing to allow passenger carrying.  Transport Canada is recognizing us more and more as a legitimate method of transportation.  The King George Airfield has continued to resist the efforts of (some) Surrey residents who want to shut it down.

Now, if only they would develop an engine that produces 100 horsepower with less than 50 pounds of weight to it that uses less than a gallon of fuel per hour.  And, if the news media would stop blaming every aircraft incident on ultralights, then life would be really rosy.  Oh, maybe the weather will clear up too.

Transport Canada is holding safety seminars specifically to address the concerns of pilots flying in and around the Lower Mainland area.  This is mainly in response to the recent mid air collision which generated a lot of media attention and genuine concern.

The seminars will be held January 15th, 12:30 to 16:00 at Sundance Inn, near Boundary Bay Airport and January 29th at Pacific Flying Club, time TBA.

Editorial Note

by  Glenn  Ursel

While I was camping in the Baja Penninsula of  Mexico with some of my Glen Valley ultralight friends, Patrick agreed to put the November newsletter out for me.  He has a publishing software called PageMaker which Im sure you will agree results in a much needed sprucing up of the PUFA Newsletter.  Patrick and I are trying out a joint production of the newsletter now with me carrying on as Editor only and Patrick doing the publishing (and mailing) of the newsletter.  We hope you like the results!

This month we include an article from Fred Baron whimsically entitled Friends in High Places which is a story of Freds trip to Seoul, Korea last June with his friend and fellow PUFA member, Bryan Evans, piloting the Air Canada Boeing 767 as captain.  Fred also passed along the reprinted article from West Coast Aviator on Canadas Standing Army which you might find amusing.

Leland Sheldan and Steve Cowan are starting up a new rotax 2 cycle engine maintenance business in North Surrey and Patrick was invited by Leland to visit their shop recently.  Patricks article on the visit is included in this newsletter for your information.

Our PUFA Web Page has been temporarily discontinued but Daryl Hegyi advises he will  have it up and running as soon as he can.  Finally, please note the new Executive of PUFA listed in this newsletter which reflects the election at the Annual General Meeting on November 24th, 1999.

Friends in High Places

Last June, I had the pleasure of flying on Air Canadas latest Boeing 767 to Korea.  We left Vancouver International Airport (CYVR) at 14:00 local.  I was treated to the luxury of a seat in business class and, on top of that, I was offered a jump seat in the cockpit for take off which I jumped at (pardon the pun).  I was given a headset in order to hear all the

radio transmissions and I felt like one of the crew.  What an eye opener; Ive never seen so many gauges, switches and dials compared to my Lazair Ultralight.  There was 60,000 hp slung under each wing.  Our take off weight was 186,000 kg.

We took off from Runway 26 left and climbed our over Georgia Strait to about the middle then turned northwest and climbed up with Vancouver Island on my left and the coast of BC on my right.  We leveled off at 35,000 feet.  The aircraft performed flawlessly and the 3 pilots were a picture of efficiency.  After I was sure the aircraft was in good hands, I retired to my huge,

comfortable seat behind the cockpit but I was seated so that the cockpit was fully visible from my seat.  I wanted to make sure that they didnt make any mistakes up there.  I was wined and dined with the best wine the Okanagan had to offer and a choice of entrees, salmon, scallops or steak.  Those flight attendants sure work hard all the way to Seoul, a 12 hour flight.

I was treated like a king which is even better than a baron.  After dinner, we had a choice of 3 movies in either English, French or Korean.  I could control these movies right from my seat with my own screen, marvelous!  Before I settled down to a movie, I had to check on the flight deck to make sure we were on course.  When I entered, I found only 2 pilots there and was told that the the third pilot was taking his 3 hour nap in the back and that, when he returned, one of

the others would go back and have his break, etc.  I went back to my seat and, instead of watching a movie, I decided to have a nap too.  As we approached Japan, I was invited back to my honoured seat in the cockpit because we would soon be crossing into Korean airspace and starting our descent for approach to Seoul.  For a fleeting moment, I had a little trepidation with the thought of the shooting down of Korean Air Flight 007 crossing my mind.  Of course I never voiced my concern to my hosts but, when I was told that we would be flying within 16 miles of the border with North Korea, I tightened up my 5 point harness.  We glided down from 39,000 feet, which we had climbed to just an hour ago, into a thick haze that I was told always hangs around Seoul in the summer.  Finally we were on final to Runway 32R and I could see the approach lights coming into view.  I was treated to a typical Air Canada smooth landing, and I mean smooth; I could hardly feel the wheels touch down.

We spent 2 days in Seoul at the Seoul Hilton, the lap of luxury!  We did a little shopping and visited the War Museum, which was a real treat.  It is a huge building and a first class museum.  There are at least 50 aircraft
 
 

inside the building and then a few more outside, including a full size B52.  It was great to see that even our Canadian troops were represented in the museum because of their participation in the Korean conflict.  Outside, sitting on the lawn, was a DeHavilland Beaver on floats.  I tried to find someone to ask if they would sell it.  I was treated to a polite NO; I had to ask, right?  A Dehavilland Beaver just sitting there!  What a waste, eh?

Well, its finally time to go home to Vancouver and I packed my one bag (a carry on) and tried to make myself look respectable which isnt that easy.  We made our way to the airport through the heavy Seoul traffic and I checked in at the Air Canada counter.  I was treated again to the typical Air Canada royal treatment.  Whether youre travelling coach or business class, you are in good hands with Air Canada!  I am not prejudiced at all when I say this even though the Captain was my best friend, Bryan Evans.  You see its good to have friends in high places.  I was treated to this flight by my friend and the generosity of Canadas finest airline.

My Captain friend, Bryan, or Snoopy as he is known in the ultralight world, has previous twin engine experience.  You see, he is an ultralight pilot of an old Lazair that has two powerful 6 hp engines and weighs 200 lbs soaking wet.  So any guy that can fly at 20 mph will have no trouble with a Boeing 767!

I must say that Bryan was the perfect host; he made sure that I got through Customs and Immigration all right.  I was looked after all the way and I thank him for that.  I really did appreciate it, thanks Bryan!

Fred Baron
November, 1999

Canadas Standing Army

Early in the 1930s a Ford Trimotor aircraft operating for Northern Airways out of the Yukon was written off due to extensive corrosion in the fuselage, structural longerons showing up about amidships.  The ship actually broke in two while taxing over rough ground.  Investigation of this event and similar corrosion problems with other Trimotors revealed that the corrosion occurred adjacent to the toilet used by passengers and crew.  This early facility did not resemble the airborne biffies of today.  It was, instead, your basic port-a-potty.  The excessive corrosion in the aircraft structure was accurately attributed to the inaccuracy of male passengers.

On last nights news, a report from the Canadian military revealed that our army doesnt shoot straight and taxpayers are to be dinged for a six million dollar rebuild on each of Canadas military Hercules aircraft and a further 2 million for the installation of splash-proof toilets.  The old Trimotor problem has been detected on the Hercs with the major fuselage beams requiring replacement due to corrosion from, you guessed it, urine, in the vicinity of the John.

Two facts jump to the fore in my febrile brain:
(a) The military dont read this magazine - we told this story years ago which, had they read it, would have caused them to take precautions. (The military?  Take precautions?  Youre reading my lips.)  And,
(b) The macho, We stand alone, male image is intact and prevails in the Canadian military and, judging from the state of most public toilets, on civy street also.

Now, I dont want to suggest anything that will alter the status quo, nor affect the male psyche but, for the army, it would be easy to solve the problem and save 2 million per copy on those deflection seats planned for the Hercs.  The army instills blind obedience in its men.  Soldiers are expected to give their lives for the cause.  A hail of bullets will not stop the Canadian army.  Will the order to be seated put them in full retreat?  Had that order been in place previously, we would not be shelling out millions for this refit.  If they establish this order now, there will be no need to install those two million dollar seats.

Now, enforcement would be a difficulty for it would be unthinkable to have an attendant with fixed bayonette resident in each airborne John.  However, a very low ceiling in that part of the aircraft would be effective and, combined with strategic placement of the facility itself, would make it usable only in the seated position.  This magazine has an advertiser whose talents provide working drawings and exploded nomenclature views of complex, aerodynamic structures.  We have invited his services to provide the details of such a design.  We join him in making this offering, free of charge, to that military department in charge of these Herculean biffies.

Originally published in the West Coast Aviator
November, 1999

Power Stroke and 2 Cycle Engines

That is the name of Lelan Sheldon and Steve Cowans new shop for all two cycle engine repairs, rebuilding, tune ups, cleaning, etc.  It is centrally located at 11168 157 B Street in North Surrey.  I went over to have a look for myself and was impressed the minute I opened the door.  If you look up the word clean in the dictionary, you will get an idea of their shop; a well organized shop with lots of specialized tools and heated too.  I felt like I was in an operating room!   He even gives you a free cup of coffee.  I chatted with Lelan for a bit and then I noticed some engine parts on the work bench and asked what he was doing.  He spent the next 45 minutes showing me - in great detail.  He is a meticulous man that takes great care in his work to the point of using a jeweler's lens to look for hairline cracks unseen to the naked eye.  He indicated the following list of maintenance jobs and prices as as a Spring Special:

Power Stroke and 2 Cycle Engines
11168 157 B Street, Surrey, B.C.
Ph. 649-0418 E-Mail S10AIR@Home.Comj

Carburetor cleaning and inspection of all metering parts $59.95 a pair + parts.  All parts discounted 10%

TOP END DECARBONIZING
 -Remove, inspect Cylinder head
 -Remove, inspect cylinder barrel
 -Check wrist pin for decolorization
 -Check condition of cageless wrist pin bearings
 -Replace base gasket, head gasket
 -Parts at a 10% discount
Air Cooled Engine $149.00
Water Cooled Engine $169.00

We then stepped into his office where I noticed many awards he received in his past profession in real estate and couldnt miss his trophies for Drag Boat racing.  He has been flying for fifteen years and owns a Rans S-10.  Lelan is new to PUFA but knows a lot of the members and will be writing articles about engine maintenance for our newsletter and plans to have an open house in the near future.  IthinkPower Stroke 2 Cycle Engines  will be a welcome asset to the ultra light community.

Patrick Stanley
December 16, 1999

The Swains Appreciation Party

It was a gala affair held in an upper conference room of the Sundowner Neighbourhood Pub in Delta on the evening of Thursday, December 16th, 1999.

It was gratifying to see the looks on the faces of Mary and Tony as they entered the banquet room and saw all their friends gathered in their honour.  Many of our west coast aviation elite were present with the RAA, COPA and PUFA members well represented.  Tenants and friends of the Delta Heritage Airpark were there to show their appreciation for the three decades of volunteered help given by Tony and Mary, two of the original supporters of the airpark.

Delta Heritage Airpark in beautiful BC is always a friendly place to visit.  (The runway is a 2600 foot grass strip at sea level that would be below sea level at high tide except for the dyke nearby.)  I fly there in my Red Baron (Murphy Renegade) biplane from the Intergalactic Aerodrome behind my home with the anticipation of seeing Mary Swains smiling face behind the counter in the coffee shop.  She always has a warm hello and a friendly smile to cheer this old mans heart!  Tony is a lucky man.

Tony Swain is always helpful and one of the mainstays of the airpark.  There are many others involved in making this wonderful place function as the Delta Heritage Airpark and they are all under the constant scrutiny of the Delta Council and the Greater Vancouver Regional District.  Fortunately, it has developed into a fine working relationship, thanks to the Swains and all the other supporters that help make it happen.

Visiting pilots and members of the non-flying public who stop by are always greeted with a friendly hello and a tour of the facilities.  On the first Sunday of each month (excluding holidays when it becomes the second Sunday), Mary Swain and all the ladies of the airpark produce a fine breakfast of pancakes, sausages, eggs, fried potatoes, orange juice and coffee or tea - and a warm greeting - all for $3.00!  You cant beat the price anywhere!

I think that little ten years old Mercedes and her sister are getting short changed in the tips department for all the hard work that they put in as waitresses.  They both work like grown-ups, attending to the hundred or so customers crowded into the little coffee shop during these once a month breakfasts.

The last time that I paid a flying visit to the airpark Mary Swain commented on how great it was to have a micro-wave oven there but that she didnt have one at home!  That was the clue that the ladies needed to choose a gift for Tony and Mary.  We all chipped in and bought one for them.

The party that we arranged to honour them was also a time for pilots to swap stories; some bold ones and some rather unbelievable ones - perhaps brought on by a little too much Christmas cheer.

The ladies all looked lovely in their beautiful dresses; the grizzly old pilots, usually seen wearing old blue jeans and well worn flying jackets, were dressed more like head waiters at a fancy restaurant!

We all had a fine time.  A few speeches were made and a number of stories told about Tonys military and civilian flying escapades - enough to make a James Bond movie.  Even the tales of epic trips to Oshkosh with Mary in the Harvard were entertaining in themselves.

I hope that next year we will all meet again; same time, same place (God willing), and make this an annual gathering of old friends.  When all is said and done, we are only wealthy if we measure our wealth in true friends.  Mary and Tony are indeed rich in this regard.  A helpful friend cannot be bought.  A friend is always there when needed and it costs nothing to be friendly.

Many thanks to Mike Langford, Jeff Rochon, Ken Hicks, Bob Christen and Gordon Hindle for making this a great party.  Thanks especially to Mike and Maureen Langford for doing most of the work in arranging this event for all of us to be able to say Thank You to Tony, our Pacific Coast COPA Rep. and his wife, Mary.

Fred Baron
December 20, 1999