Rental Workshop!

[Bill Heher]

Marriott loves me, not only do they give ya a free Continental Breakfast every day, they rent me a workshop to repair my mistakes!  ( not sure how the "Housekeeper" feels about it - she probably thinks I'm nuts)

Living large and enjoying life in Portland!

[Randy Powell]

How do the neighbors feel about the smell of a monkote iron and CA glue? Do you run engines on the test stand in the hallway or the balcony?   

[billbyles]

It looks like that wing stand could double for an ironing board...

[Paul Taylor]

That is just too cool Bill. Man it must be nice setting up shop where ever you go. What type of work do you do that allows you long stays in Portland. I only get to go out then once in a blue moon and only for about a week. The last few times I was able to borrow a plane from Richard and Art. Leo's stuff flys bassakwards But he is still OK by me. The NWFB's are a great bunch of guys. Tell them I said Howdy!

[Jerry Olson]

Bill Is that Super Mario Brothers on the tv screen.  When do you have time for that stuff between working, flying and repairing?

[Bill Heher]

Nope Jerry - it's not Super Mario Bro - CNN, about the same thing I guess.

Paul  - I install and set-up Semi-conductor chip manufacturing equipment - big machines that Intel, AMD, Motorola, etc. use to process the silicon wafers that computer chips are built on. Portland is nice, and the NW Fireballs are the greatest, but I wish I could do the same thing and sleep at home most the time.

Anyone can set up a repair station in a hotel room, as long as it has a table, or night stands, ironing board and such.  I can pack it up and return everything to normal in no time. Residence Inns are great- they usually have a small table, a work station / counter, coffee table etc. Any of the extended stay type usually have similar set ups. Don't overlook the bathroom for counters and shelves, + it has a fan for glue fumes.

I send a box ahead that has engines, support equipment ( handle, lines, glow driver, fuel bulb) and repair supplies like 5 and 30 minute epoxy, CyA, X-acto knives, tape, pins, etc. Shipping it avoids hassles at the airport. Priority Mail flat rate box will pay for the shipping in not having to buy stuff at you destination- except fuel.

Newspaper to protect the tables and carpet, and lots of tape for securing stuff to the tables, holding parts, etc. Plastic trash bags to keep glue from sticking to furniture / newspaper.  Cardboard box or a ceiling tile to pin stuff to, Ya just gotta keep you eyes and mind open - see post in ARF section for repair status after tonights session.

[Matt Colan]

At a contest one time in Wrentham Mass, my grandfather couldn't figure out why it wouldn't the ST 46 would not run right.  He took it into our hotel room and took the whole nose apart, blew out the venturi, flushed out the tank.  Hotels are have more good than having a bed to sleep in

[john e. holliday]

When Ma Bell was sending me out of town to schools that usually lasted 3 to 12 weeks I would drive so I could take my planes and equipment.  Have built several airplanes in the motel rooms.

While staying in Topeka the year I was working there almost got in trouble when my supervisor asked about the dope in my room.  He stated her eyes got wide and she was getting edgy.  He then explained the dope I was using to finish planes.  Always tried to make sure I did not leave a mess.  DOC Holliday

PS:Once I learned who the maid was a tip was often left. jeh

[Clayton Berry]

I built a Voo Doo one night in a motel somewhere near Scooba, Mississippi.  2 coats of clear dope on silkspan.  I'm sure they loved me.  Met a guy named Bob Beasley at that contest.  Was stationed at Keesler in Biloxi.  Had this killer strong plane he called the Eye Soar.  Had flaps and a pine fuse, if I recall.  It could take repeated hits from a Voo Doo.  Or bricks or shotgun blasts, for that matter.

In 75 I was in traction for a couple of months.  I could sit up, but I couldn't get out of bed.  Built a few indoor hand launch gliders with my brother.  My Wilkro razor plane, carving wings from 1/4 inch super light sheet...  What a mess.  They got a kick out of it.  Think I may still have some balsa dust in my belly button.