EAA Sport Aviation

THANKS TO MIKE BUSCH for his insightful article “The Waddington
Effect” in the March issue. Although the name C.H. Waddington
had been unknown to me, I have recognized the effect for quite
some time. Years ago I was an apprentice watchmaker. My mentor,
It is only years later that
I recognized the wisdom of
that statement. Having been a
pilot for more than 40 years, I
recently placed my wings (and
my airman medical certificate)
in a desk drawer to pick up
my old hobby of collecting,
repairing, and servicing
mechanical wristwatches.
I have worn mechanical
chronographs, for many years and have come to the following
conclusion: Service a mechanical wristwatch only when needed…
and not before (manufacturer’s advice and warranty requirements
notwithstanding).

This is the kind of article that is imminently practical with respect to airplanes, automobiles, or wristwatches.

Henri Bonnet, EAA 635102 Santa Barbara, California

Circuit Breaker Advice

I JUST READ THE BETTER PILOT column entitled “Worst Case Scenario”
(June, page 52). In the section labeled “Tripped Breakers and Blown
Fuses,” the author writes, “The general rule is that a circuit breaker
can be reset one time if it trips off. If it trips again after being reset,
it should be left alone.”
I suggest that an even safer policy for a tripped circuit breaker
(or blown fuse) is the following: If a circuit breaker trips (or a
fuse blows) in flight, do not reset that circuit breaker, unless the
device protected by that circuit breaker is needed for flight. If the
device is needed for the completion of the flight, one (and only
one) reset is allowed.

For example, if the circuit breaker for the pitot heat trips and you are not in IMC, do not reset that circuit breaker. Rather, land and troubleshoot the problem on the ground. If the circuit breaker is for the gear motor (and the gear is up), only one reset is allowed.

Dale Ellis, EAA Lifetime 632088 Greer, South Carolina

From Facebook

We recently asked fans of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to tell us their single most favorite Oshkosh memory or a brief story of an unforgettable experience.

Here’s how our Facebook friends responded:

Landing on the green dot four months after getting my ticket. ;-)

—Michelle Rudolph

Attended my first AirVenture in 2009 as ballast in the back seat of a Piper Arrow, and I was unable to utter a coherent sentence as we entered the right downwind for RWY 27. I was really, finally going to AirVenture! —Jay Beckman

Catching my first glimpse of the North 40 parking area as I drive into the show.

—Paul Chandler

I flew on the B- 17 Aluminum Overcast during AirVenture 2010; it was awesome!

—Steven Alan Jewell

Last year was my dad’s and my first flight into Oshkosh. We studied the NOTAM as much as we could, and we made it just fine. What a thrill! —Casey Stewart

When I watched 15 P- 51 Mustangs run up their engines for the crowd, and all the World War II vets around me were in tears. Priceless! —Marty Dufrene

My grandparents have been taking me there my entire life; this year will be my 27th year so I can’t tell you just one amazing memory. AirVenture has been my single greatest memory of every summer of my life, and now that I have two kids, I get to share the same gift. —Scott Janes

Watching the Concorde take off after its last visit to EAA. :( —Darlene Hogan

After 30 years in aviation, I finally got a chance to attend AirVenture last year for my first time. I flew from Seattle in a C-210 with two friends and was thoroughly impressed with the efficient coordination in which everything was handled. The volunteer staff is remarkable, and it was obvious that the show wouldn’t be possible without them. I definitely intend to make it back to Oshkosh again soon! —Scott Burris

Walking from the campground at dusk into the sea of planes. Silent but with such exciting potential for the days to come. Want to know what airplane heaven is like? Ask me, I’ve been there. :) —Julie Garratt

In 2009 I went for a flight around OSH in the beautiful P-51D American Beauty. My favorite flight ever! This year will be my 11th year, and I am looking forward to seeing all the great friends that I just see once a year. —Leigh Ann Evans

My first flight in as pilot in command. After six years of my hubby flying in without so much as a hold at Rush Lake, I get a hold at Green Lake! —Mary Honeck