New Airplane

There's a brand new airplane flying in the skies over New Mexico, and soon it will be cleared to fly anywhere Jeff darn well pleases.   Readers who have been here for awhile, and who have stopped to read the comments, will recognize the name "Jeff" as a regular commenter.  He's quite a guy. 

During the day, he works at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Yeah, that makes him one of the "best and brightest" in America, even if all he did after his day job was go home to his wonderful wife, Becky.  But, Jeff's not happy doing just one thing. 

You'll find him at the airport on weekends, building and repairing airplanes or teaching others how it's done.  Jeff's hanger is always open to friends and newcomers - he was the first pilot I met when I showed up in Los Alamos one day -  and the coffee's always on.   There's also time in his life to be the President of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 691. 

I was the chapter Vice-President several years ago when the President at that time was killed in an automobile accident.   The job of President should have fallen on my shoulders, but the chapter was in decline, and I felt I was not capable enough to revive it.  Because of my lack of credentials, I declined the office and Jeff stepped up to the plate. I like to tell anyone who will listen that the best thing to ever happen to the Green Chili Chapter was me declining office.  Under Jeff's knowledgeable leadership, the chapter has grown and blossomed into one of the strongest in the state. 

This is a picture of the airplane loaded on a truck headed for Los Alamos, along with the son of the deceased pilot who started building it, when Jeff bought it.   Jeff drove it to it's new home in New Mexico and started by disassembling what he bought.  It took him a little more than a year, working evenings and week ends, to tear it apart, rebuild all that did not meet his high standards, and complete the project. 

The toughest part of the job, according to him, was having to chase off all the well wishers and kibitzers so he could work!   All the local EAAers have been on a steep learning curve during the build.  Monthly meetings have included hands on updates as the plane went through successive stages on it's way into the air. 

The airport just hasn't been the same since he started this project - Jeff's hanger has been a flurry of work instead of the social focal point of the airport.  But, all that is about to change.  Tomorrow, Jeff's "Grizzly Cub" takes to the air for it's maiden flight. 

This is what will find it's way to heaven tomorrow, with Jeff at the controls.  It's a far cry from what was in the back of the truck he drove home in the middle of January, 2010.  The plane is finished. It has been inspected by an FAA official and found to be airworthy. The paperwork has been completed and the last item to complete before it takes to the skies is the start up checklist.  For those of you who would like to see a little more of just what it is he has accomplished, here's his web page.  Look under "The Cub Project".  You'll find out just what it takes to build an airplane.  It's all there.  http://jscott.comlu.com/

I am proud to have spent many, many hours in the hanger at Jeff's side, and wing to wing in the air as we traveled the Southwestern skies in search of adventure.  Good luck to you Saturday morning, Jeff.  There is no better builder in America and I know all will go well.  Happy Landings, my old and dear friend.