New engines at Corvair College #43, and the “Signature Move” contest.
Builders,
Pictured below are new engines on my run stand at Corvair College #43 in Barnwell SC last week. Every new engine makes a very important milestone in a builders project, but more importantly, it is also the affirmation they have really come to understand their power plant at a level 95% of homebuilders never will.
.
The other side of this is more lighthearted; it is a great moment of fun when the engine which was just a collection of parts before, becomes a running, living creation, with just a second or two of cranking the starter. Ask anyone who was these, all of the engines pictured cranked up and ran in one or two seconds. Factory built engines bolted on by homebuilders without training or guidance don’t do that well. The difference is support and understanding. When your motor cranks up at a college, there are cheers and handshakes, and shortly after there is the traditional “Captain Morgan Pose” for the photo. Its all in good fun.
.
This year, one of the six male builders pictured below Tracy had such a moment, but after a minute with the video rolling, I leaned over and said “Cowl Flaps are Open”aviation speak for your fly is down. This corrected, we took the “CMP” photo, and afterward he humorously added “Its my signature move”. We made some jokes about how this photo could go in his album with others from his 6th grade graduation to his wedding which would all have his fly open. Colleges are both serious training and good times with new friends. If you think you know who had the ‘signature move’, use the comments section to cast your vote.
.
Tracy Sheradin, with her Pietenpol engine. Tracy and her husband Dan we outstanding volunteers at the college.
.
.
Larry Harris, who’s engine got off the stand before I got a photo. Thus I have the temp gun to show it is still hot on the bench form the Saturday morning run. Our pit crew worked so well the engines were hitting the stand on 65 minute intervals.
.
.
Mark Spang with his Zenith 750 engine. He has attended all 9 Colleges we have held at Barnwell.
.
.
Dale Sleep and his Zenith engine. Brisk weather and a smooth break in run.
.
.
Grant Ziebell, and his 3.0L upgrade for his flying Zenith 750.
.
.
Mike Loevin, and his new Sonex power plant. Mike attended several Barnwell Colleges, but brought his engine across the finish line at #43.
.
.
Thomas Clepper, on the right, with his Corvair. He is setting the ‘Friends and Family plan record, because he has 5 other people started building their own Corvair. His running engine makes a powerful case for building your own.
