MEMBERS/CHAPTERS IN ACTION
MEMBER CENTRAL
Gets an Upgrade
Chapter 403 makes a connection for younger eagles
Ground Bound
EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN’T FLY, EAA Chapter 403’s Ground Bound is
one popular biplane. Built by members of the Carson City, Nevada,
chapter in 1988, Ground Bound incorporated a 5-hp lawn mower
engine and the complete lawn mower frame, allowing tail wheel
steering and tight turns, or “ground loops.” After going through
six engines, several sets of lawn mower wheels, and many belts,
chains, and bearings, chapter members installed a riding lawn
mower frame, transmission, and electric-start engine. Ground
Bound now has a new drive chain, three forward speeds, and about
10 hp. Over the years, the homebuilt has also gotten operable
ailerons, rudder and elevator control surfaces, and a new set of 12-
foot removable wings, as well as a realistic-looking seven-cylinder
radial engine with a slow-turning soft propeller.
According to its EAA amateur-built logbook, the biplane
has made appearances at more than 110 events, including the
Reno National Championship Air Races and many air shows
and parades. The plane has logged more
than 5,500 passenger rides and 45 pilots,
including Paul Poberezny, Lefty Gardner,
and Wayne Handley.
Chapter member John Grub, EAA
40865, said the best use of Ground Bound
is giving rides to children who aren’t old
enough to participate in Young Eagles.
“Often when families come to our airport
for Young Eagles Days, they sometimes
have younger children with them that
must stand by and watch while their older
brothers and sisters become Young Eagles,”
John said. “With Ground Bound, these
future Young Eagles are also able to get a
ride in an airplane and usually have a grin
from ear to ear when we taxi in and park.”
Ground Bound has a full instrument
panel with knobs, levers, gauges, and
switches, but none are actually connected
to anything. “When they are told to push
in the throttle and Ground Bound starts to
move, they are fully convinced that they
are controlling the airplane,” John said. “At
a recent outing in Reno, Nevada, for a Girl
Scout Space Day event, a young girl kept
looking at the disconnected oil pressure
gauge showing zero. When we returned
from the ‘flight,’ as she climbed out, she
commented, ‘I think you better put some
oil in the motor.’”
In the future, John imagines the
possibilities of a smoke system, flashing
lights, recorded radial engine sounds,
and more. Until then, Ground Bound will
continue making appearances at as many
events as possible.
