EAA AirVenture 2003 Report – Days 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Daily reports from Steen’s Oshkosh crew

Article by Steen Aero Lab Staff

As AirVenture 2003 continues into the weekend, we are expecting even more of the same – a great deal of interest in the Skybolt and Pitts (especially the new Pitts Model 14).
There are some really excellent Skybolts here (as always). See photos of examples below.

The best part of AirVenture and Sun N Fun is getting caught up with members of our extended family. We greatly cherish the warmth and comradery shown by friends old and new. These airshows involve much sacrifice and work, but the rewards in human terms are priceless.

The Oshkosh crew will be posting photos from Oshkosh here for your enjoyment. Please check back throughout the week for new photos!

DAY 2 – Wednesday, July 30

: David Stone and Mark Eckenrod mug-up for the camera.

: We have lots of products on display in the tent.

: The new Model 14 fuselage is attracting lots of attention!

: Attendance seems to be really good this year.

DAY 3 – Thursday, July 31

: Marshall Collins is the organizer of the grand Pitts fly-ins in Ozark, Alabama. The next one is this November. We’re really looking forward to it!

: Our friends at Liberty Aerospace are at Oshkosh as well with the technologically advanced XL2. Liberty is based at Melbourne, our home airport.

: Many Skybolts made it to Oshkosh this year.

: Skybolts N45TZ (purple) and N4TZ (red) are a beautiful pair.

: More shots of N45TZ and N4TZ.

: Steve and Gail Jones’ beautiful Skybolt N727GS.

: Almost ready for college…

: 27 Golf Sierra sits in the morning sun.

: A great lineup of acro biplanes.

: Pete Clinton from Colorado shows off his beautiful Skybolt… we’d have a big smile too!

: The Skybolt has truly classic features.

: Clean setup under the cowl.

: The twice-restored Boeing 307 is a beautiful and unique aircraft inside and out.

DAY 4 – Friday, August 1

: Steen Aero Lab’s tent is located between the main gate and Paul’s park.

: Street party on Main Street!

: The Aircraft Shapes booth has many new examples of complex machining and aerospace assemblies.

: Jim Simmons returned this year with his super yummy Skybolt.

: Bill Ammentorp is the former owner of the Steenship

: This is the unique lower cowling pan on Pete Clinton’s Skybolt N684P. It is fastened with Dzus fasteners, and swings down from the left on a piano hinge. Allows easy access to the induction system and the underside of the engine. Pull the wire in the hinge and it is easily removable.

: Tom and Linda Kozura’s Skybolt N51TL is a fine example of the type.

: The engine compartment of the Kozura’s Skybolt is spotless.

: The exhaust installation is neat as well… and we like the treatment they gave the firewall!

: The spacious cockpit is nicely done… the panel is well laid out and there’s plenty of room.

: Prop forward, throttle forward….

: Even the stuff you don’t normally see is beautiful… a sign of great craftsmanship.

DAY 5 – Saturday, August 2

: Keith Phillips’ perfect Model 12 N212KP from Daytona.

: Keith is an old Air Force acquaintance of our chief pilot Bill Plunk.

: Before the rooster crows – these guys are the dawn patrol. The Model 14 in the morning news.

: Not the Ritz, but not exactly roughin’ it.

: The JP-4 fired barbeque was a big hit. Dogs well done in seconds.

: Balloons in celebration of a great show and of entering the home stretch.

DAY 6 – Sunday, August 3

: David McKay from Bruntons holds a clevis used in a mission-critical launch system. It is machined from solid inconel, and has been highly optimized for strength/weight. The wire EDM roughing pass takes 27 hours. To paraphrase a well-known Australian, “Now this is a CLEVIS”.