Experimenter

July 2013

Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.

Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/142883

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W h a t O ur M e m b e r s A r e B uil d in g trailer Roy had designed and was on its way to the airport at New Smyrna Beach. It was time to go flying! Connie and their oldest daughter, Courtney, were quite nervous. His EAA mentors were encouraging. Instructor Don Grammer thought he had lost his mind. And Roy's dad, who just happened to be visiting from North Carolina, was proud. Even though Roy had soaked up every bit of information from other Roy Shannon (lef), with Paul Poberezny and Keith Phillips. Quickie owners and homefilled the flightline at Spruce Creek with an impressive builders and had read every scrap he could find on display of more than 120 member planes. Roy's Quickie first flights, there was no comparable feeling to closrepresented the lower end of the financial spectrum ing the canopy on the little plane and taxiing to the of the chapter, but it was rewarded with a smile and a runway for that first time. Soon he was rolling down thumbs-up from Mr. Poberezny himself, who said that the long runway behind the 20-hp Onan engine and Roy's efforts embodied the original spirit of EAA. The wooden prop (just like the ones on his RC planes) and Quickie, having received its airworthiness and regislifting into the air. tration in 2003, was also listed as one of EAA's centennial aircraft. "That first flight was like having sex for the very first time with all my friends watching!" Roy said. Roy has proved that you can build an airplane and enjoy flying without a big budget. He transports his plane But the plane flew nearly flawlessly, and after "a pretty good landing," Roy climbed out of the plane to the cheers to the airport from his garage on the custom trailer and can be ready to fly in twenty minutes. The Quickie and applause of the small crowd of supporters. burns just 1.8 gph of auto fuel at 100 mph, and the "I especially remember the reaction of my father, who had repairman certificate allows him to perform all maintealways encouraged me to do it 'a little better' the next time. nance and inspections himself. But this time, he just said, 'Well done!' That was as satisfyKeith Phillips, former Chapter 288 president, is one of ing to me as flying the Quickie for the first time." Roy's biggest supporters. "It seems like every time I leave my Quickie parked at an airport I come back to In October 2010, EAA Chapter 288 was to be visited by find Keith there telling people that this plane proves EAA Founder Paul Poberezny, and chapter members that flying can be affordable," Roy said. "This coming from a man who says he has five planes because 'Linda won't let me have six!'" Toward the end of the third year when an airplane began to take shape in the garage, Jackie Johnson, another EAA friend, suggested it was time for Roy to think about learning to fly. 28 Vol.2 N o.7 / July 2013 Today Roy works in his garage on his Vari-Eze kit. He is a believer. The Quickie Builders Association is alive and a big help since Quickie Aircraft Co. closed its doors in 1983; it provides support to Quickie builders and pilots. "A great group of people!" Roy said.

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