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July 2015
Steve Sez...
Swift National at Bowling Green has to stand as one of the BEST EVER for me. I think a lot of the
participants thought the same way. I'm certain there will be other reports and photos in this newsletter,
so I will leave it to them to give details. Let me just say, this one set the bar extremely high and we have
to thank the folks who set it up for us to enjoy!!!
OK, how about some maintenance info? I got an e-mail from a Swifter asking questions about brake
bleeding. I have to remember, there are new Swifters out there and although it may seem simple to
those of us who have been around all these years, there is always something to learn.
This is how I bleed my Cleveland brakes:
I have a +/- 4 oz pump can that has a plastic hose attached (with safety wire). On the business end is a
bleeder fitting (also safety wired to the end) I got at local "Auto/Airplane-Zone" store. It has straight
threads that match the tapped hole in the brake (slave) cylinder where you remove the hex nut or
bleeder fitting.
I start by removing at least 4 oz of fluid from the brake reservoir on the firewall, and discard this fluid.
I look at the fluid to determine the color. If it is clear and red, I continue...
Then attaching the bleeder fitting to the brake cylinder, I start pumping the Mil 5056-A (Shell Fluid 4) into
the cylinder until it raises the fluid level in the reservoir (maybe a couple ounces).
I then repeat the above, including removal of fluid from the reservoir with a visual inspection as I
discard the fluid, prior to starting on the opposite brake cylinder. If the color of the fluid removed is
other than a nice clear red color, I continue back flushing each brake cylinder until it is.
Brakes Continued
Being careful not to introduce any air into the system. Except for a bit of a mess in the paper
towels I put under the cylinders, the job is relatively quick and clean. When I'm satisfied the
reverse bleeding has worked, I top off the reservoir to about 1" below the top.
Just as a caution, this article is intended to give an example of how I as an A&P, back flush my
brakes. This maintenance MAY not be covered under Appendix A to Part 43, paragraph (C)
"Preventive Maintenance." You be the judge and take extreme care!
Fly safe...
Steve Wilson
My trip to Swift National
I want to apologize in advance for not providing complete coverage of Swift National 2015, but I
really don’t feel qualified for that. I do hope that my short story of my trip and time in Bowling
Green will stir your own memories of one of the best Swift Nationals ever. I arrived in Bowling
Green Thursday evening after dinner. My trip over from Texas was uneventful, other than an
alternator problem in Arkansas that required a few hours of work in the sun and heat. I was met
that evening with the usual Swift friendliness. Pat Moore allowed me to use his tie downs for the
night, thus saving me some sweat and grime associated with having to secure my own. Friday
morning, Wade Gillespie and I flew a formation flight at 630 am. It was nice as the air wasn’t
bumpy and we had a nice view of sunrise. We flew twice more that day. A highlight for me was a
photo shoot with Paul Barnett’s Swift. It was late evening, and the warm sun provided great lighting
for a beautiful , very original, Swift. Paul did an excellent job of keeping it in close, and making me
look good snapping pictures. Friday afternoon we visited the Corvette plant and museum. I came
away with a new respect for American engineering and manufacturing. Saturday involved more
flying of course, and the big PUSH to get some pictures of our Swifts. It really was a push, as many
of the planes where hand positioned in rows for the best photo op. It was nice to see all the Swifts
together with the pilots and a corvette. I know it was a big effort, but worth it for the memories.
Saturday evening included plane rides for a few lucky folks from Bowling Green. They all loved
their short flights in our Swifts, and got a new appreciation for their town from the air. The
formation guys of our organization provided a missing man formation flight that was spot on, as the
names of Swifters lost this year were read. We will certainly miss them, but I think they would tell
all of us to cherish our times with each other, and get out and fly those Swifts whenever possible.
Sunday morning was an early departure. Stan Price and I flew together for the first leg of our trip
home. It is always fun to fly in loose formation with a friend on a trip, and I enjoyed it. We had to
dodge the usual summer buildups on the way home, but nothing too challenging. As I reflect back
on the week, a few thoughts in leaving. The event was planned out perfectly, and the Bowling
Green Airport was a perfect place for our gathering. I would return anytime. The food was
excellent at each meal, and having our activities/ meals in the hanger added to a sense of family.
We had a great gathering of different types of Swifts. A nice assortment of Original to Super
Modified. Most of all, we had a great group of people. It was fun to renew friendships and make
new ones. I hope this short recount of my time at Swift National 2015 stirs your own memories and
thoughts. My pics https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0M532ODWGc1fNu
Stan Price’s pics https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0C5idkMwGBRcIX
Todd Bengtson
A SPE CIAL FLIGHT
On Friday, June 12, I was watching WBKO Channel 13 News from Bowling Green, KY when they
announced a fly-in of thirty or more Swifts for a weekend show at the Bowling Green Airport. I could not
believe what I was hearing! It brought back memories of when I was a junior in high school in Casey,
Illinois, in 1953 and three of us boys, who graduated from Casey High School in 1954, went to Coles
County Airport in Charleston, Illinois, to look at those type planes. Arriving there, we saw an all metal,
low wing, two seater, gleaming in the sun! It was a beauty! Its landing gear even detracted as a P-40
Curtis or P-51 Mustang. Its rudder was the shape of the P-40s. It looked like a little fighter plane. I was
so enamored.
Hearing this about the Bowling Green event, I remarked to my wife, "I must go to Bowling Green this
Saturday to see these Swifts." I did not know that so many of these Swifts were still airborne. Immediately, I called my grandson, Blane Burnett, to meet me at the airport. What a day we did have
together! Even his dad, mother, and sister joined us there.
The first Swifter I met was Captain Peter Boronkay of Southwest Airlines. He explained the history and
development of the Swift and informed us that fifteen hundred of them had been made and that 700
were still flying. Standing there admiring these beautiful planes, I thought, "This is the most Swifts in
one place I have ever seen, and it is so exciting!"
While I was still admiring them, my grandson, Blane, was talking to one of the Swifters asking, "Can one
of you give my granddad a flight?" It was not long after an excellent show by these Swifters that a
young man said to me, "Do you wish to go up?" Of course, I exclaimed, "Yes, I would love that!" This
was William H. Kientz from Chesterfield, Missouri, and was a fixed wing and Rotorcraft Pilot. He
explained many things as we made three or four passes over Bowling Green. Each time we would
make a sharp pull up, and I felt the G's. What a blast! This was the greatest Grandfather's Day Gift for
a 79-year-old preacher who had been preaching for over 55 years and one who had flown many times
to other countries in big birds. This flight, however, was the greatest thanks to Mr. Kientz and the great
organization of Swifters. It is my hope that someday I can visit their museum in Athens, TN.
Keith Burnett
Bowling Green, KY
O SHKO SH N EWS
Steve's take on Swift participation at Oshkosh AirVenture 2015...
SWIFT TYPE-CLUB PARKING:
As you will read, there have been some changes in organization for parking as a “Type-Club” group at AirVenture.
IF YOU PLAN TO PARK WITH THE GROUP AT KOSH, I STILL NEED YOUR E-MAILS WITH "N" NUMBERS, SO THAT I
HAVE SOME IDEA OF HOW MANY, AND WHAT SWIFTS TO EXPECT.
stevewlson@ aol.com
As of this date there are no specific parking instructions issued by EAA. Should I receive any additional
information, I will pass it on in time for the Monthly SMF newsletter. We have been told to taxi south and that “We
know what a Swift looks like, and we will park you together.” I sincerely hope this works!
Elsewhere in this newsletter is a placard similar to what we have used in the past. Please take an 8 1/2" X 11" copy
with you! Our AirVenture contact says by showing it to the flagmen on duty you will be directed to the appropriate
location. Please, do not argue with anyone as to where you are directed. JUST GO! If you find you are not with the
Swifts give me a call (817-578-9877), and I will see what I can do. They have promised to move us around if
necessary.
Yes, it may (hopefully not) be an inconvenience, but I will do what I can to get us together. From what I have
learned thus far, we will “most likely be located near our usual spot where we have been in the past,” which is just
north of the Ultra-Light Red Barn. On your approach to KOSH, it is my suggestion is that you make a request to
land on Runway 36 or 18 (adjusted for your comfort level with existing winds), as that way you will be on the
correct side of the airport and find it easier to be directed to what I think may be our “usual spot.” Good luck. Fly
safely!
SWIFT FORUM:
The Swift forum, by Bo Mabry will be on Monday, July 20, from 11:30 – 12:45, held at Workshop Classroom 3 (same
as last year). At that time we will try to get an early headcount and transportation plans for the annual Swift dinner
https://www.eaa.org/airventure/event/Globe-Temco_Swift_Aircraft?id=6E75DDB03CD24E06ABC5043245B578F8
SWIFT DINNER:
Our annual dinner will be on Wednesday July 22, with cocktails beginning at 18:00 and dinner at 18:30, at Becket’s,
2 Jackson Street, Oshkosh, WI. If you are curious why not Kodiak Jack’s again? They called Barbara Wilson en
route to Bowling Green (which was nice) to tell her that they would be closing their doors prior to the end of June.
Barb scampered and found the only two locations that would accept us at this late date for the number of people
we expect to attend. This is a very nice restaurant, with reasonably priced food and drinks; however, it is an “order
from menu,” not the buffet style we have been used to. We'll see how it works out. My opinion is that most folks
are as interested in visiting, maybe more, than how they are served. We do need an very close estimate of the
number of people to plan to attend by 11:00 on Wednesday July 22. Attend the Swift Forum on Monday or call Barb
prior to the deadline 817-578-9878. Thank you!
This is a parking identification only. All aircraft must be registered with Camper Registration.
A few of Todd Bengtsons pics from last year are below.
https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0MGWZuqDGGeEL0
RR S W FALL G ATH ER IN G IN FO
It seems a long way off, but it is time to plan for the Red River Swift Wing Fly-in in
October from 22nd thru the 25th at Pecan Plantation (0TX1). We have reserved the
entire club accommodations and will have to give these up 14 days prior to the
event if not filled, so it is NOT TOO EARLY to call and reserve a room...
817-573-2641. Don't forget to tell them at the time of your reservation that it is with
the Red River Swift Wing.
We are also hoping that some or all, of you will consider staying with airpark folks.
This will be similar to the accommodations at the Diamond Point Fly-Ins. These are
just as important as the hotel rooms, in that we need to have some idea of how
many would like to do this and let us get started on homes to accommodate the flyin guests. Please call Barbara Wilson at 817-578-9878, or e-mail to
[email protected]
We are looking forward to a wonderful fly-in, but need to get started on it NOW!
July 2015
Future Events for 2015
RRSW
EAA Airventure (KOSH) July 20-26
Hilltop Lakes TX (0TE4) August 22
Stephenville TX (KSEP) September 26
West Coast National (KJAQ) Sept. 24-27
RRSW Fall Gathering at Pecan Plantation
(0TX1) October 22-25
“Items presented herein are not guaranteed to be accurate and are not intended for operational use.”
RRS W
3005 Creekview
Grapevine TX 76051