EAA Sport Aviation - August 2011

ON THANKSGIVING DAY, 2010, N1413E took to the air again after nearly 40 years. A relatively rare Aeronca with fuel injection, it was used in air shows back in the late 1960s until it was torn down and stored in a barn for nearly 30 years. After it spent yet another short stint in another owner’s barn, my wife and I purchased the project airplane in late 2007. A frame-off restoration began, and three years later on Thanksgiving Day, I flew the Aeronca Champ off one of the largest grass strips in the United States at Indiantown Airport (X58).

During the extensive three-year restoration all new wood, including spars, was installed. An STC change with the engine and dorsal fin increased the gross weight to 1,300 pounds, keeping it in the light-sport aircraft category. An overhauled, carbureted, 85-hp Continental C85-12F was installed in place of the original fuel-injected engine. This accommodated a lightweight electrical system, making N1413E night VFR capable, with electric start and built-in radio/intercom. I opted for a new Sensenich wood prop for that classic look.

Charles Stence, EAA 847130; Indiantown, Florida; E-mail: charles.stence@gmail.com

OHIO ULTRA CRUISER PLUS I BEGAN BUILDING MY Hummel Ultra Cruiser Plus in 2004 after meeting Morry Hummel at a radio-controlled model flying field in Bryan, Ohio. I was impressed with an ultralight called the Ultra Cruiser I saw flying there, but discovered I was too big for the plane. Then I saw the Ultra Cruiser Plus, which was an experimental category aircraft that would fit me fine. Five years later, on May 22, 2009, my childhood dream of flying my own airplane came true after 41 years; my Hummel Ultra Cruiser Plus flew for the first time with me at the controls. After a little over a year of flying, modifying, painting, and paperwork, that plane was ready to make my second childhood dream of flying to Oshkosh in my own plane come true. Thanks to the guys at Hummel Aviation: Terry Hallet, Morry, Steve, and Mike. Morry passed away before the plane was Oshkosh-ready. Thanks for a great plane, Morry.