William Wynne

You Were Right, Again Today I made my first and likely last post to an aviation Internet discussion group. William was right again; it was, of all things, inarticluate again. Bad news for me, but no wonder Rolling Stone magazine has answered exactly zero of my e-mails asking for a job as their transportation beat writer in the gonzo style, two deparments in which they've been lacking of late. Luckily, I have the self confidence from writing for four really good newspapers, two really bad ones (four Pulitzer prize winning newspapers total, unfortunately one of the bad newspapers won two Pulitzers so technically it's only three papers winning four prizes), several magazines and FlyCorvair.com to realize I could fix the result of my attempt to self censor, as well as the rookie mistake of using my real name instead of one of my pseudonyms, and you can be certain that will not happen again. I long for the good ol days in New York City where I could just sit on the A over the East River, watch the world go by, head out to the beach and creatively write what the fuck I wanted whenever I wanted with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. If you please, let me explain here my thinking of late. Someone mentioned this week on the Net group that my husband William actually had no pilot's license. As William explained, due to perennial peer pressure, he went with the first flight instructor he could find and had lesson one, lesson two and lesson three literally went up in flames and William had to pull the so called "flight instructor" from a burning wreckage after the "CFI" directed him to fly an open cockpit, 1930s design, Ralph Nader/ WW engine conversion powered airplane into a thunderstorm. The "CFI" had the only carb heat control and even afterward when I asked if he'd pulled it, he quickly shot back without even looking at me "No, didn't need it." Even as a student pilot myself at that time, I knew when the dew point and temperature are almost equal, and thunderstorms are afoot, you need to use your carb heat. So, this "CFI" let the carb ice over and when the engine quit overflew a mile long (not 2,000' as WW said because I went back and clocked 9/10ths of a mile when I drove down it in my Honda) grass field and spun in our beloved N1777W Pietenpol from 80' when he realized he wasn't going to clear the trees to make it to the next mile long field. Then the "CFI" remained dazed and confused in the airplane, did not turn off the master and only came to life as the plane ignited when William was pulling him out of the PIC seat in back. The fuel lines in the front had severed on impact and doused WW in av gas. This led to almost a month in the Tampa General Hospital burn unit that was not pretty. William had the benefit of a team of shrinks and an ungodly cocktail of psychotropic pain killers. But believe me when I say none of us will ever completely heal from that experience. You might could see how we'd be passionate around here after another experimental airplane crash turned out so badly and took our friends' lives. After that, I really just wanted to tell all the people I care about how grateful I am for everything they've ever done for us because I certainly never told Bill and Phil enough and now it's too late to tell them. Also, Spruce Creek is not entirely full of snobs who can't buy class no matter how much money, cars and airplanes they have because class is not for sale at any price. Sweeping stereotypes is an oxymoron was the second sentiment, as witnessed by all the nice people we met at Spruce Creek who would do almost anything for us and vice versa. I have silently stood by my man while all sorts of nasty things have been said about him on the Net for the past 10 years but this "doesn't have a pilot's license" crap motivated me to speak up and defend my man. Our flight instructor Chuck after WW's Bastille Day 2001 "incident" said there was no reason for that one either because he's taught a lot of students, including everyone who went through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University's aerobatic training program in the '80s, as well as an International Aerobatic Champion and air racer. Chuck won in the Silver Biplane category in Reno himself, and has flown everything from his farm days cropdusting to the latest and greatest Curtis Pitts dreamed up when Chuck worked for him in South Florida then later as a Pitts dealer, and the Cole Brothers Flying Circus, as well as military planes on missions he'd rather not talk about. Of all his students though, Chuck maintains William is the only "natural pilot" he ever met. Until William, Chuck said he believed "that natural pilot stuff is a load of crap." So I read 10 years of good and bad posts about my man and now as Nancy Reagan would say it is my turn. I fly, engineer, troubleshoot, order, tweak, design and talk airplane stuff with the best of them. I walk the walk and I fly the fly. This week I simply had enough of the people who type the type and believe their own hype, which they've never flown and most likely never will. How could they possibly find the time what with all the typing they do. Granted William's typed till he's blue in the face, as have others who are all cattle under their big hat (as opposed to what Texans refer to as "All hat and no cattle"). But William has always typed with a little help from his little friend me that although this is experimental aviation, for the love of God and all things holy, be careful about the advice you follow from the Internet: Know the source, and if it seems like a good idea, test the hell out of it on the ground before you fly it and certainly before recommending it to anyone who will read it and might end up test flying some yaywho idea over a populated area. That's the other part of the story I believe most people never even consider: When you type in some bullshit remark about "Prince William," his wife reads it and it affects me and somewhat hurts my feelings. His mother and father read some of this crap, my mom and dad, our brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles as well all know how to read. The good news is William converted to Buddhism before Christmas, and my Yoga and Flight Instructors Cindy and Jeff, respectively, introduced me long before to the eastern concept of it only matters if you let it matter, so care about the important things: doing the right thing for yourself, family, fellow man, universe and the god who made it all possible. So I'm going to write what I want to write here, and you can write whatever the fuck you want to write wherever you want to write it thanks to people like Capt. Wynne, Lt. Col. John, Major Tammy Duckworth, Tim O'Brien and all active military and veterans and I will remain very happy and thankful about that. Believe you me, we can all be super dooper happy William did not convert exactly to Nazi Facism before Christmas but instead chose Buddhism. The answer we were looking for was Buddha. Amen, A Big Handel Hallelujah and Happy Easter to us all. And to all . . . It's 18 days almost 17 now till Sun 'N Fun for all y'all out there counting down with us. We're going back to our building, shipping, ordering, flying, researching, developing, designing, dogging, doing all the crazy fun stuff we do in the sun down here all day and into the night, two people, one big family of friends and Scoob E Dooby D Doge helping. If you get a Click and Ship e-mail notification from us via the U.S. Postal Service this weekend, know that your Oil Pan, Baffle or Cowling Kit or Ring Gear is on its way. I highly recommend you get to work on your projects with your family of friends. I also immodestly commend myself for not using the words A-hole nor J-hole anywhere on our Web site, that I can recall. Yea me. Good Bye, I'm Sorry and Thank You I've been censored again, this time for inarticulateness. Well excuse me if two friends dying makes me inarticulate. Also please excuse me if great loss inspires me to do no shipping all week and not much else besides feeding and walking Scoob E Dooby D Doge. I'll be back at work Tuesday after the St. Patty's Holiday. I truly apologize for dropping the ball on everyone's Baffle Kits. When you receive them this week via USPS Priority Mail I hope you'll get right to work in your shop, taking short breaks only to eat, sleep and tell those you love that you love them. That's what I intended with this post: Last week, many news outlets across America covered a tragic accident on the ground involving two experimental aircraft in Florida. The collision took the lives of three aviators and left one in grave condition. William and I knew very well the two pilots killed in the RV-8. Eight years ago, I bought my Taylorcraft from E. Phil Schacht when I ran into him at our local Publix and he told me it was for sale. Bill Hess was the second nicest guy at Spruce Creek (in a tie with Tony Crawford), and Phil was no slouch in the nice guy department either. Phil used to drop by our old Spruce Creek hangar to say hello, update us on IAC 288 happenings or have something welded. Unlike the other fellows who would drop by to show guests they actually knew working class people actually working on wicked cool flying Chevys, Phil would always leave before dark, saying with cheer in his heart and a smile on his face: "Time to go home and save my marriage." Bill sought me out in the middle of our seven long days at AirVenture Oshkosh and Sun 'N Fun two years in a row to say thank you to me for writing, publishing and mailing the monthly EAA/IAC Chapter 288 newsletters, and to thank William as well for serving as EAA 288 President. Granted the Zenith booth is somewhat on the way to the RV field at OSH, but it's two blocks out of the way on a very long walk to the RV field up there, so we greatly appreciated him making the hike to express the sentiment for what he said he realized was largely "a thankless job" for us. I had occasion this week to call Bob Bean at Spruce Creek to tell him I was sorry about Phil and Bill, who I'm sure would agree with me that Bob Bean is The Nicest Guy at Spruce Creek. Well this kind of talk befuddles Bob, so he handed the phone to his wife Sarah, and I repeated what I said, adding that certainly she's the nicest woman we ever met at the Creek. Coincidentally, she'd just passed her Biennial Flight Review with Tony Crawford, and I gave him my condolences as well and told him I'd been talking about him all week, what with him being in a tie for Second Nicest Guy at Spruce Creek, where the boys with their toys aren't exactly having a Mr. Nice Guy Contest. Mrs. Crawford is also right up there in the Mrs. Nice Guy department, along with Linda P., Linda F., Claudia, Shirleys H. and P., Ann, Fran, Marilyn, Lauren, Laura, Maredy, Doris, Iris, Judy, Betsy, Lorraine, Alice, Erica, Nancy, Sabine, Lorraine, Maxine, Joni, Sue, Joyce, Brenda, Mrs. Lawson, the late and new Mrs. Spinks, the late air racing/sharpshooting couple, Deborah, Peggy, Sheila O. and Mary P. Outside the Creek, I thank these amazing and inspiring women for the privilege of knowing them and their families: Joanne, Mary, Bunny Janice, Jackie, Tess, Maryann, Marilou, Luci, Alison, Melissa, Aline, Winnie, Josephine, Judy, Anie, Alice Nash, Ginny Q., Ms. Linderman, Mrs. Lanauskas, Ms. Geretchka, Miss Krajewski, Miss Kathleen, Gracie, Juanita, Gala, Suzanne P., the late Mrs. Sheridan, Nonny, Grandma and Grandmammas, the very alive (as far as I know) Theresa, Alicia, Maggie, St. Pete Times Suzanne, Dawn, Lisa, Susie and Laura, Lucille, Cindy and Geri, Mrs. Greg Bullitt, Mrs. Lacasse, Mrs. Agerscoff, Sentinel Henry and Tattler Jean Claude's Moms, Mrs. Schroeder, Nancy L., two Sally H.'s, Anna W., Mrs. Wellisz, Mrs. Van Atta, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Edelson, Katherine, Mrs. Oaks, Dana, Deena, Celia, Lisa N., Barb, Eileen, Joni, Kathy S., Darlene, Janet, Bunny Melissa, Southern Belle Musketeer Pilot Nancy M., Agie, Kiwi Nathalie, Joy, Olga G., Jeannie L., Jean P., Deltona Mrs. P., Veronica, Mrs. American Aeros, Donna, Stephanie, Val, Sherry G., Mrs. Larson, Mrs. Ropp, Diane, Jane, Robin, Carmen, Tammy V., Angelica, Bonita, Mellony, Dee, Sue1A, Sue2A, SueC, Susie K., Pat, Yogini Cindy, Trish, Mrs. Shannon, JJBF, Jean K., Liz to be G., Marcy G., Fran, Fonda, Rhonda, Rachel, Angelina, Amy, Vicki, Deb, Earlene, Jodie, Lisa H., Cindy, Jean, B.J., anyone I forgot but you know who you are (and aren't you glad I'm not likely to win an Oscar. Or am I?) and Mona Lisa. Our world is richer for having these treasures and their families as friends. Our hearts go out to all of Phil and Bill's relatives and aviation friends and families. Our world is less without them and we'll treasure and honor their memories. I also want to give a special congratulations to Lousie and Michael Wynne Sr. of New Jersey celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary tomorrow, March 16, 2008. As a Wynne-In-Law myself, I fully understand that this is not the easiest family to marry into, what with the high U.S. Navy standard set by Patriarch William Wynne Sr. and his wife Mickey of 'Do the right thing at all times because if you're breathing, you're representing your family and your country and you will behave accordingly or you will be a very large disappointment to your family and your country and you do not want to suffer the consequences of being a disappointment' (I somewhat paraphrased that, but not much). Fos and Lt. Col. John know what I'm talking about here as well. "I would have married the dog to get into this family," Lt. Col. John has said of the Wynnes on several occasions. Louise and Michael certainly rose to the challenge, raising two brilliant young men, both Eagle Scouts, of whom we're very proud. Happy Birthday to Michael Jr. and Brian. (Look for a Best Buy gift certificate shortly, although that hardly seems reward enough for you two Excellent and Enterprising standouts.) I've been missing my Grampa lately too, who died just after Sun 'N Fun 2003 after 90+ years crafting custom cabinetry. I've been thinking a lot as well about our family's good friends Tom and Leona Westy of Tuckerton, N.J., and all over Florida in the winters. We met Tom and Leona after my parents moved us to Florida in 1976 and purchased the Sea Treasures gift shop on Treasure Island where my Aunt Fran worked mainly for fun for many years until my parents sold the place in the mid 1980s. Tom and Leona purchased and revived the John's Pass Dolphin Show and breathed new life into its adjacent bait and tackle shop one town north of our shop, in Madeira Beach. They were snowbirds at the time, spending summers running the entire carnival game concession at their West Point Amusement Park in Pennsylvania. The Westys were largely responsible for the early street smarts portion of my education, for they were wise beyond words, although neither had a college degree. I was with Leona right before she died of Cancer back down the shore in New Jersey over 10 years ago. Tom died a few years later of a broken heart. When he was alive, he most always chewed an unlit cigar. Once upon a time, I asked him why he didn't ever light the cigar. "I tell you what, Gracie: If I knew I were going to die tomorrow, I'd light this cigar," Tom answered. This week as I remembered all the good times with the Westys, I wondered if Tom ever lit his cigar after Leona died. I hope he did, and that it gave him some small pleasure. As I sign off, I thank all my family for raising me well enough (without being a military family) to do the right thing at all times if at all possible. Lastly, and firstly, I thank God for another sunny, beautiful, windy 78F degree day in paradise, where we try to always remember we're truly blessed. [Sunset photo above courtesy of Mark Langford. Thank you very much Mark for everything as always.] Bike Week 2008: I was going to subtitle this story We All Just Want To Be Big Rock Stars But after seeing for ourselves all the Daytona go-go dancers have been legislated into wearing full bikinis at all times, it will now be subtitled I Got Your Boobies Right Here Stay tuned to this page for "Full Coverage" of Bike Week 2008. By Grace Ellen BPAN Newsletter In The Mail Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2008 If you read this in the Pietenpol Newsletter from Oshkosh this week, know that I wrote it: To continue with the article on "If Bernard Pietenpol were alive today ... " I, Grace Ellen, hope Mr. Pietenpol would use the Internet in the intended manner for which Al Gore invented the Web: Enjoying Good Old Fashioned Made in the U.S.A. Porn. To subscribe to the Brodhead Pietenpol Association newsletter and likely never read anything like the statement above, visit www.pietenpols.org Scoob E says Belated Congratulations NY Giants. (No one expected that startling Super Bowl XLII win. ... Except for me. ... I expected the Giants to win, and said so in my December 2007 Christmas Message of Goodwill to the World which you can check if you must below to confirm (o ye of little faith) or at The December 2007 FlyCorvair.com Hangar Page). Belated congratulations as well to everyone who played a good game in 2007 and 2008: Navy, Army, Coaches, Support Crew, the whole Manning Family, and all athletes of all ages and pay scale (including zero to negative dollars-there's a lot of money in sports because a lot of parents invested it there). Dad really wanted to see the Pats go all the way in Super Bowl 42 for the Perfect Season some see only once in a lifetime, if that. Practice more for next year, deliver the perfect cheer and maybe in 2009 they can do what only the Miami Dolphins (GO DOLPHINS!) have done. For now, we still revel in the Giants' and Mannings'unstartling victory. Team Flying Scoob says click here for video of the Jan. 5, 2008 first flight of Chevy Corvair powered ZenVair #17, which Scott Laughlin built in his Nebraska garage. Above, Scoob E looks like a Rabbit. Scott Laughlin's N5SL now has more than 20 Flight Hours on it. Click here to see a movie of it. Above, Scoob in one of his FlyCorvair.com sweaters. He doesn't have a real fur coat, so he wears a sweater to keep warm on cool evenings when the temperature dips way down into the low 70s here. One reason I like Scoob so well is his hair coat that doesn't shed, doesn't annoy my cat and dog fur allergies, and allows me to practice my hair stylings on someone other than me. I do thank my family for my super swell blonde hair, but white hair is nice looking as well. I further resolve to learn how to post to YouTube, so we can all see The S-Cube Videos. Thanks to Scott and Company for inspiring us with their films. 2008 Aviation Events Of Interest Please e-mail your local av event info with "Event" in the subject line and check this page throughout 2008 for additions Sun ’N Fun, Lakeland, Fla., April 8-13, www.sun-n-fun.org EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisc., July 28-Aug. 3, www.eaa.org Wheels and Wings Annual Airplane and Car show in conjuction with the County Fair, Osceola, Wisc., Sept. 6 KR Gathering 2008, Sept. 19-20, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, www.krnet.org Winter Break: TBA in 2008 at www.FlyCorvair.com/hangar.html Happy New Year To The World From Grace Grace's Mom Liz took this photo while enjoying the Christmas season. Liz took almost all the photos on this page. Note That Grace's Husband Was Compelled to Write: This is Grace's message of personal joy. There's no hidden meaning in it. We're hard at work for a productive 2008. If you don't get every word of it, don't worry, it's meant for enjoyment, not total understanding. Thank you. William Note from Grace: We are enjoying being busier than you could possibly imagine. We're streamlining behind the scenes at FlyCorvair.com; unfortunately not seamless, nor easy. Anything worth something in life is rarely easy. Be respectful, laugh when you can, doo good and enjoy yourself and I believe you'll be ok. It works for me. However, some reviewers "don't get it," so Here It Is On Its Own www.FlyCorvair.com/grace.html Page. If you don't like it, don't read it any more. Change the channel, tune out. Please Doo Good and Have Fun. Thank you. Also note that mild cussing is ahead, as is the case in certain aspects of aviation and life. Consider ye warned. Saturday, January 12, 2008. It's Sunday, 78F and sunny in Florida after a nice rain bath for the plants this morning, and I'm continuing my quiet work at www.FlyCorvair.com while practicing my resolution to be respectful and thank the God of my choice for all of the Universe's great gifts as much as I can remember all day every day. I am enjoying today as I do most days here: Blonde and barefoot, but that is the only respect in which I resemble Brittney Spears, and that is fine by me. I stepped out of the shower today to hear the Barenaked Ladies coincidentally playing one of my favorite songs, "If I Had A Million Dollars" on Sirius Satellite TV Channel 6009. I enjoy that very funny lady DJ on Channel Nine. If the Barenaked Ladies had a million dollars, they sing that they'd have prewrapped bacon AND sausage, a tree fort with a fridge, an exotic pet like a llama, monkey or emu, and buy their gals green dresses (but not a cruel green like the one you get when you make the Cinderella Story come true at Agusta), a K Car - a real Reliant automobile, a nice house with furniture, and a fur coat, but not real fur cuz that's cruel too. But still they'd eat Kraft dinners, sure they'd just eat more. [TM] What the hell - why not? This aint no dress rehearsal. Most of us only go around once. I'm happy to invite the Barenaked Ladies over in 2008 because thankfully today, we already have here most of the stuff they mention they want in their song. As well as a crap guitar from Sear's. So if you Barenaked Ladies make your way here, please bring guitar strings. We don't have a million dollars, but like their song says, we're rich. I do resolve 2008 to be the year of threes. If this year keeps going well, I resolve to secure three decent pinball machines: the good Star Wars and Indiana Jones models, I'm talking multi ball, and Spirit of '76, which I so enjoyed playing with my Dad Bob lo those many years ago at Harold's in Mad Beach, Fla., when I was a wee GE. Pinball's good for all the obvious reasons: hand eye coordination, exercise, stress relief for the TV that someone watches too much - the least likely suspect here watches waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much news channels, which makes him waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay pissy. A good game of pinball or Fun Center Regulation Size air hockey does a soul good, especially on weekends. Holy J-Lo I modified (due to that damn full length mirror for which I'm so thankful) my primary, threefold New Year's Resolution to stop dicking around, stop taking crap and if at all possible at all times run our lives and aircraft engine company out of NOT a shit house. I achieved my revised resolution to also lose 10 pounds with my invention of Saturday, January 12, 2008, unveiled to a large crowd with great reviews: Strike A Pose Yoga [TM] If I had a million dollars, I'd hire a personal trainer to nip this butt in the bud. Barring that, I'm working out when I can and striking a yoga pose when I can. It's a good resolution recommended by one Duke University grad I call Baby Doc Duke. Knowing several Docs can be confusing for anyone. For those of you who don't know Florida, it's a jungle, forest, ocean, gulf or lake if you're doing it right. After I edged the walkway to the hangar with a shovel, hose and all my muscles for a long time, I took two baths, all kinds of tiger balm, Posemon ancient chinese secret remedy recommended by health conscious Sue, and a Ben Gay [TM] type spray version to again walk upright. Even with the little blue miracle pill for everyone, Aleve [TM], it still hurt but I did it anyway because it had to be done. That's what people in this family do: what must be done. So, when the mood strikes, I'm hitting a yoga pose throughout the days and nights of 2008. Thankfully, I've got some yoga babes helping me out with this resolution. For those of you ruing the day Al Gore invented the Internet, and wondering when my rambling will stop, think of the Net's good aspects: Porn and you can always shut it off or change the channel or read a book or make a resolution. Plus this is a mercifully short entry. I'm pretty satisfied with my performance on my be thankful a lot resolution made in my earlier update below. My personal taste says January is the month for resolutions, unless you come up with a super one, so I'm almost half done resolving for the first of just 12 months in a year. How many days to Sun 'N Fun? If I had a million dollars I'd have Noah Dietriech Jr. figure it out. We do airplane engine company stuff all day long, every day, even when we're not posting technical updates about it on the Web for all to read. I talked to a 601 builder Sunday, January 13, 2008, for an hour about airplanes and such, and William gave him phone numbers for two other guys who I'm certain happily spent even more time on the phone as well talking about airplanes and whatnot. I'm just saying, since soda fairy Princess Grace [TM] lives here, it's only right we should Do Good And Have Fun [TM]. As our Brit friend Sue says, "It would be rude not to." We're so blessed to know where almost all our tools are and that they're calibrated, cleaned, oiled and in working order. Hope 2008 finds your place even better. All our best for you and yours. Grace Grace's Scoob E Dooby Deer born Dec. 26, 2007 at Walgreens, where Liz's Scooby Dear also came from that day. Scooby D Dear above is the granddeer of Liz, Mickey, Bob and Capt. Bill. Gary's new puppies, sisters Toffee on the left and Taffy on the right above. Four pounds of dog are the boss of Gary. Doubly cute because he doesn't suspect a thing. Dec. 23, 2007 to Sunday Morning January 6, 2008 On the way to my parents' house across Florida Dec. 23, 2007, with Tampa Bay lit up on the left. I did not get a blue Escalade XLT with moon roof, seat heat, and Sirius radio for Christmas, but I did enjoy a merry Christmas with my family, which was all the better. I WILL be treating myself to a wheel balance and alignment, however. If you've ever driven a boat in chop, more specifically flown a day VFR Taylorcraft in chop with a slight crosswind, [THE FOLLOWING IS NOT RECOMMENDED OR TYPICAL TO TAYLORCRAFTS AT ALL EVER], at night, on dimly lit instruments, with a prop imbalance at 60-68 mph, which incidentally, is the exact speed at which Florida Insterstate traffic moves near major cities, then you'd agree my Blazer deserves its wheels balanced and aligned. Luckily, I'm a well trained Taylorcraft pilot, so the Blazer was no match for me. I made the command decision to do the ride back home in daylight, and it was a delight. I understand Howard Hughes drove around in beaters a lot as well. Winter has finally arrived in Florida, where it is 40F and windy January 3, 2008. Billie Holiday is on Siriusly Sinatra singing "Remember" as I begin writing this. Grace Ellen checking in here to say Happy New Year, and let you know we're back from Christmas and New Year's holidays and working very hard. As anyone who bought a Conversion Manual this year can tell you if they've read all the way to the last page, our Winter Holiday has long been scheduled for Dec. 21, 2007-Jan. 5, 2008. Christmas in Florida: 60-80 F and no snow. Above, it's a cool 60 at the State Park. They had a loveley lit Menorah and some Kwaanza corn as well. It wasn't easy talking to friends who've been cross country skiing in Maine, or William's Aunt Bubbles from Westchester County, N.Y., when we're so missing snow for Christmas here in Florida. We did enjoy the cool clear weather. One day, a spooky fog rolled in late afternoon before a mild front. I talked to Dave the Bear on the phone as the fog rolled in to the Home Depot parking lot. That was nifty. We also bought William's white truck in a Home Depot parking lot, so they're generally swell. Due to a late start, we will be extending our break from answering the phone or e-mail through Jan. 8, 2008. In the meantime, in the spirit of my New Year's Resolution to celebrate Christmas every day, I will soon be sending out all Baffle Kits and every Cowling Kit we have. I waited until after the Holiday Mailing Season to post these because they are precision bent expensive parts that certainly didn't need to be unbent in the Christmas Crush. We shipped out a few more engines before Christmas, and a few more will also be going out shortly for arrival in plenty of time for Spring Break (again, apologies for the delays). I mailed several Distributors Dec. 31, 2007, including one to our Spanish Piet builder Jorge, plus 601 Intakes and Exhausts. All DVDs will go out next week as well. The majority of other items please consider Class "B" till the eighth. Above, I talk to William from my parents' on Christmas morning. I highly encouraged him, against his mother's wishes if you can imagine, to go spend an only child Christmas with his parents in New Jersey. In another Christmas miracle, he jumped in his new 1986 Chevy Silverado and drove up there. They all had the best Christmas, although we were all guardedly optimistic on the truck, which we'd bought in a Home Depot parking lot just days earlier. Christmas Day, William's mom Mickey and dad Capt. Wynne invited family over to celebrate William's birthday, which is the 29th. A grand time around their Charlie Brown Christmas tree was had by all, especially William. As an only child myself, I knew it was the right thing to send him up there. He has an older brother and two older sisters, so 2007 was his first opportunity ever to have his parents all to himself and their cat Baxter Christmas morning, a real treat. I enjoyed my first only child Christmas in nine years, but certainly don't mind sharing. Charlie Brown finally did teach all his friends that it's not really about the tree or the Escalade, although I've been told I'd look damn good in a Cadillac (Thanks again Bill and Sue). As I reviewed the 2007 At The Hangar entries, I realized I'd typed a lot about airplanes, people and engines, mainly engines, over the years. Often this is much more enjoyable for you to read than it is for me to type in, edit, proofread, photo size and post. The earliest homebuilders had limited access to scant information and did a lot of building and flying on minimal budgets with unlimited stoicism. Check out early EAA Sport Aviation magazines for photos at Rockford and all over the country of aviators enjoying the hell out of what they had. We get more mail, phone calls and e-mail than you could imagine. I installed a new answering machine, a Christmas present from our flight instructor Chuck, and now the phones don't work. I'll get on that Monday. Generally the machines are full of technical questions, order inquiries or one guy from Roanoke. Honestly, most technical questions can be answered by typing in your key word or words to the Google (TM) box on Our Home Page as suggested by Florida ZenVair builder and Power Point Artist Fred Roser. If you're calling to inquire about order delivery, know this: It will arrive when it gets there by U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail or Air Mail. If we're on the phone telling you this, we are not designing, making, testing, ordering or shipping parts and supplies so these operations you have just delayed for everyone. Not good. Certainly your time could have been better spent building, painting, polishing, reading, flying, showering or being nice to someone. I resolve to be more productive in 2008. I highly recommend it already. Alaska Cruise dinner, July 2007, with, from left, my Dad Bob, Mom Liz, me and William. This week, I'll be typing very little about airplane engines. You are forewarned. Just like TV, you don't have to tune in if you're not interested. Also be warned that foul language may crop up. Please don't flame or e-mail to bitch about it. Just tune out. Thanks in advance to those who do read and enjoy this. In 2007, I realized William, Howard Hughes and I all somewhat had airplane companies in common. We all enjoy eccentric vehicles and good movies (if you want something done right, do it yourself; immediately rent, buy or borrow from your library the "splendiferous" Hell's Angels produced by Howard Hughes. It is a delight). William is certainly more akin to the late Mr. Hughes, but we enjoy an entirely different kind of wealth, i.e. not piles of cash, treasure and factories. We do have good family and friends backing us, however, for which we are grateful every day. We also thank the good people who make the little blue miracle pill for men and women: Aleve [TM]. Although I did resolve to substitute it with Bikram Yoga more often in 2008. Please wish me luck with that, and I wish you all the best with your resolutions. Paranthetical note: William quit coffee Jan. 1-2, 2008. This both a bad and good thing. Mainly I see his cup as overflowing for 2008. I resolve to be more productive in 2008. I already highly recommend this. Thank you very much to Jim and Rhonda for the sparkling cider visible on the coffee table above, as well as the other neat gifts including the GPS power fix. 2008 will be the year I learn to use a GPS/com thanks to Rhonda and Big Daddy Cleanex, and our flight instructor Chuck as well who gave us the GPS/com for Christmas. Mom loves this photo of me at the Hubbard Glacier, and has an 8x10 on their fridge. If you ever get the chance to take an Alaskan cruise, I say go. We were blessed with beautiful weather almost all days. The one day it rained I didn't care. I watched whales, lots of whales, while wearing Dad's rain slicker with William; meanwhile, Dad and Mom took a tour bus to Myndenhall glacier. Again, a good time was had by all. Many people do not realize my chief job in our airplane company is not putting paper together, taping it into labeled envelopes with prepaid postage and delivering it to the U.S. Mail Ladies. I see it as helping people realize their flying goals. This requires a bit of magic on my part. For instance, I make piles of stuff appear and disappear all day long. I am the Coke Zero Fairy (TM), and sometimes this involves a tiara, as it did much earlier, in fact yesterday. When you can open your refrigerator under your own roof in the wonder of what God created and find a cold soda or water, it is magical and you say Thank You. If it is not magical, you are doing it wrong. Try harder to do good and have fun. Eagle eyes will note two eagles on the shore of George Inlet near the old cannery outside beautiful Ketchikan, Alaska. I recommend you say Thank You daily, too, for there's great gifts all around you if you'll just take the time to really look. You owe it to yourself in 2008. Some will remember Tiger Cubby, whom we rescued from Spruce Creek. Little did we know she'd be invading unfriendly Whobis territory. She leads a very spoiled life now with my parents, where she's still easily pleased by a good game of string. It pays a nifty return to be easily pleased. Some people will consider you an idiot for this; they are unenlightened and it's best to be polite to the ignorant and insane. I may not be Smarter Than A Fifth Grader (TM), but I believe I am wiser. That belief is the key. I also find that laughing at myself at all opportune moments is most beneficial, another recommended resolution. Boutchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C., Canada, a town also noted for its go-go bars by several U.S. rock stars. Another little known fact: I am also the maid, gardener, IT department, shipping, receiving, A/P, A/R, pilot, purchaser (which 90% of homebuilders wish they knew all about, but alas do not have a nearby family-owned toy store in which they can be thankful to visit and learn), Web mistress, personal assistant, shrink, driver, passenger, Elk, friend, sister, aunt, wife and daughter. This takes up all my time, and can be quite demanding. William chose these cards for me. He did a great job. William and Lowly Worm share a smile. If you can smile, laugh, enjoy yourself and your situation most of the time, you are doing it right. Mom and Dad with their New Year's Eve presents. Sharp eyes will note Mom's wearing one of her presents, the 2008 sunglasses, while displaying her celebratory champagne and Chaser (TM). You must have good people on your side. I order airplane parts that involve good engineering, tolerances, standards, testing, and cutting with medium like lasers, garnet dust blasting through water and lathes operating in more planes than you can imagine with more lines of computer code than I can imagine. I must thank Jere, Paul, Spencer, Bob, errill, Craig, Gary, Rachel and their families and mention the importance of a good crew on your side. We're nice to people a lot, so the Universe rewards us. Howard Hughes had Noel Deitrich and company, and I'm thankful we have a good support crew with us. We must learn this year to cherish the moments when we just hang on, stay loose and enjoy the ride. Look at the glass as half full, unless it's all the way full or overflowing. It bears repeating: If you cannot feel marvelous, you should look marvelous. Guarded optimism is the order of 2008 in most scenarios, unfortunately even in scenarios involving the Bucs. We are rooting for them though, and we have seen them win the Super Bowl. I also root for Peyton Manning, because I like anything that guy does, and by extension Eli. Women don't even understand this type logic when they're exercising it. It is not for us to question how the Universe works, but just be happy it does at all. [Update: Go Mannings! and Jags] Celebrating with photos of our July 2007 cruise around Alaska and a giant banana split. If you're fortunate enough to have a mother who wants to make a fuss over your birthday, you should let her. She did give birth to you after all. Most of us only get one or two mothers, just the right number. Dad at the George Inlet Cannery near Ketchikan, Alaska. If you've got a Dad who enjoys making a fuss over you, you should let him. Quality time is important. Sunset over Butchert Gardens in Canada. Enjoy the tiny victories. Stop and smell the roses every chance you get. Ours were in full bloom before the temperature dipped below freezing overnight. Be happy you're not freezing, and if you are freezing, have a cocoa if you can and get a blanket and some warm clothes. Above I am distressed as my mug shot is taken on the cruise ship over a true misunderstanding that was quickly resolved without time in the brig for me. Your #1 Supporter must be yourself. I simply do what needs to be done. I am doing everything all at once, all the time. I am "doing something, even if it's wrong," as my flight instructor Chuck taught us. What packing looked like circa Sport Aviation Fly In June 2005. I'm thankful we've got places to safely go and stuff to pack. I spent the first two days of 2008 unpacking. For those who didn't hear, 2007 was the year I got rid of my Honda. William Wynne Sr., Naval Academy Class of '49 graduate, Seabee, WWII, Korea and Vietnam vet, former owner of 1965 Buick Skylark Sportwagon in Seafoam Green, same color as my Corvair van, and certain members of his family including his parents and sons, do not abide unAmerican cars. So the Wynne Jr.'s are now an all-Chevy family, with the exception of my Taylorcraft and NSU Prima scooter a friend found at a garage sale and for a very reasonable sum entrusted us to recycle. It's in the works. Anywhoo, I spent the first two days of 2008 unpacking my Chevy Blazer. This was a lot of unpacking. Some might remember the photo above, illustrating how much you can cram into a Honda. Now imagine how much you can cram in a giant Chevy. I remain thankful we have places to go and stuff to pack. Liz after singing a Christmas Eve rehearsal and concert, and midnight Mass. It's not all Lucky Sevens. You must have good people around you. Highly recommended are good friends, family, lawyer and accountant. Good friends or being a good friend can help you find a good lawyer, accountant or computer genius. Here I am in Sitka National Forest in Alaska with no cell phone and no worries. If you really look, you'll see I'm smiling. This general area is where your beautiful aircraft wood grows. I read a few articles in the latest issue of Doc and Dee Mosher's Brodhead Pietenpol Association newsletter (available for $16 a year, $30 for two years in the U.S. payable to Brodhead Pietenpol Association LLC, P. O. Box 3501, Oshkosh, WI 54901, with more info at www.pietenpols.org) about the merits of using other types of wood in aircraft building. After this walk through the woods, I still believe there's nothing like Sitka spruce. No, we don't check our cell phone messages, and yes often they are turned off or missing in action. In 2007, I'd guess William's cell phone spent 18 weeks total at various times under the seat of his blue Corvair. Another gap in cell coverage extended three months after it was tossed but caught like a girl over a wheelbarrow full of water. But when the equipment's available, we obviously check caller ID so we're aware of who called. If you're a Corvair pilot, you know we'll generally call or e-mail you right back. I resolve to be as thankful for every day as I am for Christmas. Christopher Walken In A Winter Wonderland with some and little and bigger kids. Getting a bang out of life is always a good idea. We both just got back from the greatest Christmases ever to celebrate together at home, above. All our families had Charlie Brown trees this year, decorated to the hilt surrounded by love. It's very nice, which is what we're going to continue to be in 2008. Treasure moments when the sun is shining, as well as when it's overcast and cooler, softly raining or rolling in spooky fog. The sun is always shining, whether the clouds are there or not. When Ed Fisher's wife Val told us she "had the best time ever" visiting us last year, we said thank you. In 2008, I resolve to continue to endeavor to make each day our best day ever. We bid you all a Happy New Year, and to all a Goodnight. Take Care. Grace Ellen A Few Of My Favorite Links Christmas 2007 At The Hangar Thanksgiving 2007 At The Hangar August 2007 At The Falcon Skunkworks and EAA Oshkosh AirVenture June 2007 At The Doge Palace April 2007 At Sun 'N Fun Valentine's 2007 At The Hangar Sweet Rides and Their Designers in January 2007 At The Hangar December 2006 At The Performance Racing Industry Show November 2006 Corvair College #10 At The Hangar October 2006 Grace and Bob Hone Their Shootin' Skills At The Hangar The Sky Is High And So Am I. Na na na na na na na. It's A Pietenpol! August 2006 At The Hangar July 2006 Philosophy And Flying Out The Hangars Sun 'N Fun and International Corvair College In April 2006 Making The Magic Happen At The Hangar In March 2006 At The Galapagos In February 2006 Legendary Name Dropping At The Hangar In January 2006 Corvair College #9 November 2005 At The Hangar Oshkosh 2005 Getting Married On The Beach July 4, 2005 OSH, Illinois and SAA June 13, 2005 The Greatest Shirt Ever Made At The Hangar June 13, 2005 Part II Good Times Had By All In May 2005 At The Hangar Sun 'N Fun April 2005 Outrunning Blizzards during our February 2005 Midwest Tour Corvair College #8 November 2004 At The Hangar Buckeye Corvair College #7 2004 And Pre-Show Warm Up At The Hangar Corvair College #6 May 2004 At The Hangar Corvair College #5 January 2004 In California The Latest At The Hangar