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Meet Jim & Sue Robinson  

8689 Star Road  Erie, Illinois 61250-9772  Phone 309-659-2721 

(18-36) RF 122.9 / 3H5 800' Pattern Altitude

N 41°41.10 

W 90° 04.79 - GPS

 Map   e-mail: Jim 

Or   Sue   

If stopping in PLEASE call ahead. We may be away doing sign work or helping with someone's plane. 

Brian is now a Authorized Independent Rotax Repair Center      CLICK ON SIGN...

 

 

 

 

Eugene Clark's Challenger-1 #11 (from Monroe Wisconsin. Vintage 1983. 4th engine. 1927 hours on plane) Nice Plane Eugene..

 

 

 

My Challenger...

Rebuilding My Challenger

There is a great website where you can design your own Name Tags right online. Change colors and background design until it is just the way you want it. They have cloth and leather. Check them out at www.nametags4u.com

ONE More- http://www.b-n-senterprises.com/ This is where I get Challenger lapel pins, hats and t-shirts with Challenger pictures.

 

 

 

Ultraflight Radio

http://www.ultraflightradio.com/

http://www.xcpilot.com

 Looking for a "N" number? click here

Paper Airplane Flight Simulator

Sky North Adventures Inc

Challenger Troubleshooting

Quad City Challenger

E-groups Fly Challenger

Challenger Excellence

Challenger Canada

Large Collection of Challenger Pic's

Fly A Challenger (SIMULATOR)

Remote Control Challenger

Ultralight Home Page

EAA  USUA  ASC

Sport Pilot Update

DUATS Online

ipilot  Landings  Rotax

Men's Health

  Paper and   Balsa Planes

Flying Coordinates

Jim and student lose power and have to dead stick land. 3 times.  And then there was the in-flight "situation" flying home.

also: Why some men like planes over women.....

 Show N Shine 04   May 15 2004 

  New Pictures 5/17        More Events

 

 

Norm Pasvogle of Moline, IL.. The Storming Norman of Erie Airpark. At the Show N Shine he gave 60 people a ride in his Cessna. At last year's 20th Anniversary it was more. We are honored to have Norm as one of the friends of the Airpark.

 

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See the newest safety feature for the Challenger that could very will save your life on the For Sale page.

Floats for sale;

They are bolt on, they were mounted on a ChaIIenger.
          The kit is complete. as shown in the picture.
          They are 14 ft long. 
          Standard bottoms.
          Ser. # 383-1-02
questions, give me a call.
          
  The asking price is $4000.00 cash.  You can pick them up here. 

I will deliver them. Pay for my fuel and $200.00 a day for my time. 8 hours a day of driving "on the road" time.

The Challenger fly in:

 Will be September 20 21 22, 2013.   This will be the biggest one yet with all national dealers invited along with our Canadian friends.

Fly in early and stay late if you like.  As in years passed everything will be the same.  We will have a Drive in type movie set up at the end of the runway again.   A large bonfire and refreshments!  We will have the best weather this year!  We will have several food vendors on site from steak sandwiches to corn dogs and funnel cakes and even a breakfast vendor with coffee and donuts!

We are working on getting a hot air balloon there for "tethered balloon rides" for photo ops.  Many more things in the works.  If you have something to sell and would like a space call me and I will get you set up.  We welcome parts, vendors of all kinds.  (No kits please this IS a Challenger event sponsored by the QC Challenger Ultralight aircraft company).    Jim and Sue, at an Erie place.

  *** *** *** *** ***

    

This is a modification that we are doing here at Erie Airpark. 

It is something you may want to do when you recover your Challenger. 

Picture Number 1 you can see a standard Challenger II.  See how the area under the engine is square?  This is a hard area to cover.  So to make this area easier to cover we "rounded it off as you can see in picture #2.

Picture #2.  The area has been rounded off using some scrap 035 x1/2 in tube.  A little bending and some Stainless rivets and she is ready to cover in picture #3

Picture #3.  This is the modification done and painted.  A big difference!  We like this look and the customers like it too.  Plus it is easier to cover than a 90 degree corner.


Midwest LSA Expo

 
100 Aviation Drive, Mount Vernon, IL
Admission is $5 for all three days.
On You Tube

This is one of the best LSA shows I have ever been too.  We will will be going back next year.  We planted several seeds, and we were very well received.  The public that was coming by were impressed with the price of a new kit.  They kept asking, is is that for the whole kit?  I would say we were busy talking all day, all 3 days!   There were plenty of vendors there and lots of good food for sale on site and a first class restaurant on the field where you could go and sit down and have a steak of fish on real plates in air conditioning. Like I said,  We will be back next year! It is already on the calendar.  We also had FREE camping on the field, with electrical hook ups. 

It was a windy day!  The Airport personal brought out cement blocks and ratchet straps to help hold down out tents.  The Mt. Vernon Airport takes  care of its guest!  They even had free pop corn and would constantly bring out bottles of ice water to us. then they would want to know if there was anything else we needed.  If you are selling aircraft or parts this is a "must Go Too" show!
 

This is a part of the display we had set up.  We had a Challenger, single  set out to look at.  This recieved alot of intrest as  one could have a look at how well they are put together.  We were busy talking to prospects all 3 days.  They loved the lack of "Sticker Schock" at the Challenger display.  We also had the local Flight instructor bring out his personal Ch II clip wing to add to our display.  Jim,  at an erie place.

The U/L Challenger has been sold.  It was the factory's Challenger that I finished here and was on display at Oshkosh.  It will be moved at a later date to its new home.  Don't forget anyone can now get a 10% discount on a new Challenger kit.  Call me, at 309 230 0944, if you have any questions.  Jim, at an Eerie place.


I have had the pleasure of flying early in the morning,  as a friend of mine has to fly before he starts work, and would like me in the back seat.

I am always amazed at the early morning weather, cool, most always calm, and as you climb out at about 200 feet you can feel the air getting warmer, as the sun's rays have already warmed the upper air.  I began to think the evening air is about the same.  So there we have it, the "Golden Hour"  ( or two hours )  an hour in the morning and an hour just before the sun sets.  Without a doubt, the best time to fly. 

I know it takes some effort get out of bed before the sun comes up, but let me tell you; it is worth it for that one golden hour of flight.  A great way to start the day!   While you go about your day you can always look back to that one hour of morning flight.  Think about how beautiful he sun looked as it started it's daily flight across this great country.  To see the wildlife on the ground as they search for that first meal and shake off the chilly night.  I have seen deer, wild turkeys,  ducks, geese, coyotes and even a bald eagle flying under me!  I would have missed all this had I stayed in bed, under the warm covers.  As a result, my day is always better for getting out and enjoying that golden hour.

On the other end,  there is always that golden hour just before the sun sets.  You go out to the air park and get your plane out, do your preflight, and wait...then it happens, the wind stops, the air is calm, it's time.  As you climb out into the cool evening air you look around and again enjoy what God has given us.  All the days trials and tribulations fade away and you become relaxed,  very relaxed. You watch the sun sink into the horizon.  The air get cooler as you turn and head for your home field.   The smile on your face begins to hurt, as you realize you have been grinning for the last half hour.   Back on the ground, you put your plane away and start thinking about the next flight. 

Now flying cross country, or overnight campouts, or to another strip is fun stuff and I enjoy that too,  But like I said in the beginning, the "Golden Hour" is the best!  Get outt'a bed, or turn off the T.V. and get out and fly! 

Jim, at an Erie place. 


*************  **************  ***

Need a tat for your plane?

Decals....................

Made right here at Erie Airpark.


We have 2 Challengers here for sale.  One is ready to fly out and the other needs some repair.  Both are single place and nice planes. Ready to fly 9 grand the one needing repair is 4500.

I also have a gyro project that someone could buy and finish building.

While departing for a morning flight (Jan. 11) I was called back to the airpark.  Seems we had a prop EXPLODE! on take off.  Not a hard short field take off just a normal take off.  When I returned to the field I began picking up parts of the prop and began our investigation.
With all the parts laid out on a table we found no signs of FOD.  The leading edge was smooth and without damage of any kind.  It looked new.  We worked our way in, to the hub area and I saw the tell tail signs of what happened.  Stress cracks.  They were not bad, I thought,  in fact I have the same type of stress cracks on my prop.  They have the feel of hair caught under varnish, and are almost invisible.  DO NOT BE FOOLED!  I laid the remaining pieces of prop on top of my prop and they looked like a perfect match.  The angle of the cracks matched mine to a tee.
I installed a different prop and will bring the 2 props to the February club meeting for all to see and I will field your questions.
I have run wood props for 20 years and this is the first time I have seen this kind of damage.  But now I know what to look for and will be glad to take a look at your wood prop.  This is NOT a manufacturers fault.  No this just part of the life of a wood prop they get old and become brittle and weaker till one day POW!  They will come apart.   Keep your prop clean, waxed and balanced at least every 2 years.  Keep an eye on the finish and re-varnish as needed.  You will get many years of use out of your wood prop.
As for me, I fly about 200 hours a year and I have switched to a carbon fiber prop and will keep an eye on it.  Jim Robinson, Safety Director, Illowa Sport Flyers.

 

Ultralight Legal Challenger For Sale Click here

Hot Air Balloon (Not blimp) For Sale Click Here

28th Challenger Event is Saturday Sept. 17th

Friday arrivals and bonfire and drive in movie, pulled pork sandwiches and popcorn and pop. Steve Bornhoeft got the Challenger Ultralight out and buzzed the end of the runway a few times but it was getting dark so he flew most of the way back to the hanger and touched down and taxied in.

Saturday's Pictures that the webmaster took, will post more if anyone sends them.  Click HERE

 Great celebration!  Jim, and Sue at an eerie place.

Sue and I would again say "Thank you" to all who flew in' drove in or took time out of their weekend to help us celebrate another Challenger fly in!  Our attendance was down, weather around us was not as good as it was here.  The Challenger factory did a great job this year with the registration and pictures and the prizes.

Thanks to Darlene and Steve for the 8 pounds of bacon they bought and donated to the cause. And all the help they did with breakfast Saturday morning!  got any idea how long it takes to cook 8 pounds of bacon???  Dar knows!

Thanks to Kathy and Jeff Nank for jumping in and helping cook all the pancakes and the eggs they donated.  They do this at church so they had experience.

Sue and I Were in charge of the pan cake breakfast and could not have done it without all the extra help. We had to figure how many Plates butters and syrup coffee forks and all the other stuff to buy. (It is O.K to get in an argument in Alde's)  I guess it all worked out.

The food was great again this year, Aledo Meat Market.  The snacks and sodas brought out by the Dewitt's were awesome!  and the Drive in movie was a big hit!  Friday evening was a little cold but Saturday was perfect (58 degrees' no rain and NO bugs!) , coco and coffee  pop corn, and a hot bon fire.  Great night for an outdoor movie under the stars!  If you need  to get hold of our vendors give me a call me and I can hook you up.

We had Mike Jackson here doing annuals on the Challengers I think we got 7 done this year.    

I think everyone enjoyed having Frank Beagle as our MC this year, Thanks Frank.  A big thank you goes out to Bill and Patty for bringing out the PA system and the tunes!

We would especially like to thank all the Pilots who flew in for the event, and those of you hangared here who made the effort to get your planes out to be on display.  That's why we do this is to see all the Challengers.  Thanks everyone!!

We have decided to skip next year, the 29th anniversary Challenger fly in. So we can have more planning time to do the 30th. Anniversary Challenger fly in.  I can tell you now it will be the best one yet!  you have 2 years to plan so get started.  We already have a commitment from the frozen north...I will keep you all posted.   

Jim and Sue at an erie place.


This is a Challenger II paint job that I am doing here at the airpark.  My goal is to have it look like an eagle in flight when done.  I should have the wings done tonight. All together the paint job will take me about20 hours to complete.  The owner painted the base colors on for me.  Now it is up to me to bring this thing to life.  This is so much fun, I can't believe this is part of my job!

We will have it on display this weekend at the Challenger fly in here at the airpark. Stop this Saturday and have a pork chop, look at some really neat Challengers.  Don't forget the drive in movie and bonfire at dusk. 
I will be in the shop painting most of the day and tonight.....

She will soon be n the air!

Click to enlarge.


President Obama's military escort landed at Erie Airpark for some R&R today. Those lucky enough to be there got a quick tour of the choppers and a visit with the crew. Jim was thrilled that they stopped in. (Webmaster)


Hello all Challenger fans,

Thought I would share my cross country experience to Air venture 2011.For those of you who do not know me, I fly a Challenger II long wing which I purchased 3 year ago. In Oct. 2010 I received my LSA certificate. I had the pleasure of knowing Jim and Sue who own 3H5 Erie Airpark Airport (Erie IL) in the past 3 years and I have to say that they are one of the nicest people I have ever met and Jim always has a positive outlook in life and is one of the reasons I fly today. He knows Challengers like I know the sun will rise every morning. He came to Rockford and inspected my plane and gave me good advice when I purchased it.

One of my  ventures was to fly solo in my Challenger to Oshkosh and camp under my wing. I did that last weekend and it was awesome. I left Rockford IL ,1C8 Cottonwood at approx. 6:00 AM on Friday along with all my camping gear well organized and bun-geed in the passenger seat. It took approx 2 1/2 hrs (125 miles) to Oshkosh because of a 6 kt headwind. I didn't care because my attitude is that it's about the JOURNEY and not the destination.
I did stop at KUNU Dodge County Airport in Juneau, Wisconsin approx. 70 miles due north from Cottonwood. My back started to get sore and the stop was well needed. After a short break I departed Juneau and was prepared for another 55 miles to Oshkosh. I also stopped so I could called in to the Red Barn at the ultralight field to let them know I was coming and what runway was open. I studied the NOTOM well in advance and was prepared to enter the pattern. It was hard not to site see but I had to focus on getting into the pattern and making my landing. I felt like I was in the show and everyone was watching as I came in for my approach to make my landing. Remember this was my first time in and the furthest I every flew. I also was somewhat unfamiliar with the landing strip especially from the air. I was a little high and had to do a slip and I have to say it was awesome ! For a moment I forgot where I was and the next thing I new ,I was on the ground. It happened so fast. I have to admit, I was glad to be on the ground.

After I registered and tied down my plane I met everyone at the Challengers Booth. Jim was there, Greg Klemp, Karen, etc. It was nice to see everyone again and advents like this has a way of bringing  everyone together again. The experience of camping under my wing was a little to get use to since my scouting days. My air mattress blew up like a animal balloon and I did not get much sleep. The show was awesome but unfortunately I had to leave the next day before 12:00 or else I would have to wait till 6:30 pm and that would be pushing it to make it home before dark. My luck, I also had a head wind of approx. 10 kts to fly back home. As I departed from Oshkosh, I decided to fly over Green Lake due west and take pictures of our cabin and the lake. From there I flew approx. 10 miles south and stopped at 13WI Nowatzski Field (Pvt.) because that's where my wife would pick me up if I ever land there to go to the cabin at Green lake. From there I headed south again to WI97 Mathaire Field where they had jumpers in the air and they cleared me for landing. We always drive by the field when we  drive home from the lake. I always wanted to fly there. There I had something to eat and fueled my plane back up because that was my last stop before I arrive back at Cottonwood. From Oshkosh to Cottonwood took approx. 3 hrs not counting the stops.

When I finally touched down at Cottonwood ,I was sad that the journey was over but at the same time relieved because I was tired and haven't shower for 2 days. When I stepped out of the plane my legs felt a little disoriented and took a little while to adjust. As I packed everything away and closed up the hangar, sitting in my car I realized why I fly. I love it !!  I'm also a Diabetic for 32 years now and I know that  life's to short to wait till retirement. Grab a whole of it now before it pass's you by.

My next adventure will be to fly to 3H5 Erie Airpark for their anniversary in Sept. Maybe camp overnight.

See ya there,

Harold Goellner  Harold@ame.com

815-985-3094

Click picture to expand.

Challenger Anniversary is only:


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New additions Building Tips Click Here


Marty Spies Fly-In Every Sunday Morning

Click to see Pictures.


RC Fly-In and camp out. NEW


Cook & Camp out at Erie Airpark

Cool and damp and rainy what a great time to cook and camp out....


A few days ago a friend of mine flew in to my strip and we were talking about our dream planes, and what we would like to have.  The longer we talked, the more we realized that we already had what we wanted, our dream plane.  We both fly the Quad City Challenger II.  Now I know that this plane is not for everybody but as far as "bang for the buck", it stands alone.  I don't want to sound like a commercial for the Challenger, as I am a Challenger dealer too.  However it is about the best plane for the money out there today. 

Start with any 5 planes, one being the Challenger II.  and price them out in a like manner, with the same options and power-plant.  as far as cost to complete, build time, performance and gross weight, ( this could be a great article) the Challenger II will most always come out on top. 

That's where we came out with the idea of bang for the buck.  You can always go faster fly higher, or land shorter, whatever.  All it takes is more money.  In today's economy, money is keeping a bunch of new pilots out of the aviation world.  But if they new about the Challenger II there could be a  ground swell of new Sport Pilots coming into the flying game. From there on the skies the limit!  It is all about What you can afford to fly or "Bang for the Buck".

Thank you, Jim Robinson, Sport Pilot and Airport owner. www.erieairpark.com


Here is a picture from the flight home from Illinois we were at 7000 feet. Andy

 

We have all ages come to our fly in and this was a birthday ride.  We did not fly, but I don't think she quit smiling the rest of the day.

Jim giving a lecture at 27th Anniversary event.

 

Stop by our Chat page and say Hi. Click Here

Even if you just found my site, name and location would be great.

     Eight foot long painting of Erie Airpark by Dan Budde www.danbudde.com/

For Sale   "Mitchell Benson Gyro"  /1989 Kit Fox!   Sold in one day.

 "For Sale Page" Navy Markings Challenger.


 A Friend's website, check it out. Thanks Jim

I have many items available.  Click the link to check it out.  Whether you would like an embroidered logo or you want a design done in vinyl, or maybe I just have great price!   Prices do not include embroidery, design work.  Place your order and send me your questions.  I will respond within 24 hours.   Ann Comer   http://www.sportswearcollection.com/annsthimblina


Bob Olden's Stearman replica and he had me paint on the graphics.  The plane is really nice.  Jim

        

And here's another:

   

 

Denny's article in Light Plane World Magazine

Jim Robinson was the first out of Erie Airpark. (picture below)

We had food and flying video's and snow on the ground. 

September 18, Challenger 27th Anniversary at Erie Airpark.

Dawn Patrols scheduled so far: Fly-In and join us.

Ted & Marilu Wink @ Larson Field Orion, IL  Just south of Orion Ill.

Jeannine Eden  @ Clinton Airport  

Still looking for a dry weekend, hopefully soon.

Sept. 18 Denny & Karen Baber @ Erie Airpark during the Challenger event 

Schedule your event: dennis.dyer@mchsi.com  

The DeWitt, IA branch of the club seems to fly every Sunday Morning, they fly out of Marty Spies airstrip.  Marty Spies Airstrip IS 6 MILES WEST OF ELVIRA ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HARD ROAD. LAST PLACE ON THE NORTH BEFORE THE FIRST CURVE TO THE NORTH.

W 41°-51.53' & W 090°-28.96'   HE HAS HEATED SHOP W/BATH-ROOM. RUNWAY RUNS NORTH-SOUTH

AND MOWED IN A BIG ARROW. THE WIND SOCK HE HAS IS WAY UP ON EAST SIDE OF RUNWAY. OR IF THEY FIND DEWITT IA, IT'S ABOUT 3 MILES NORTH-EAST. 563-659-3095 HOME/DAY WORK 563-659-2866

Feel free to contact Marty for details on flying in. Marty mlscspies@gmtel.net

Website to check out....     www.challengers101.com

Challengers101 is operated under a committee guidance who actually do all the editing and approval of everything which is placed on the web site.  The members of our committee are as follows.

Jim Hayward   -   George Hurt (Challenger Dealer, Oklahoma)
Mike Harrison (Challenger Dealer, Arizona)   -   Ralph Shultz
Bud Connolly    -   Bill Volcko   -   JD Stewart (FlyChallenger List)
Robert Victor (Miracle Antenna)   -   Bob Robertson (aerocontrols)

Respectfully,   Art Freeman - Webmaster

 

A very good book. Click on book to go to website.

 

 

 

 

 

Jim flying his Challenger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EKmSHlEMbY

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 Erie Airpark Friend Special:

When staying at the Comfort Inn in Fulton, Tell them you are visiting Erie Airpark and you will get a Managers discount.

The manager is a club 188 member.

1301 17th Street  Fulton, IL

815-589-3333

www.choicehotels.com/hotel/il241

We stayed here after the Club Awards Program in Jan. It is truly a 5 Star experience.


100 hour or yearly inspection sheet.    High time/use inspection sheet.


 One pretty single place. Click          

Fly-In Drive-In breakfast at Bud Westbay's lake  See Pictures here:

http://picasaweb.google.com:80/erieflyer

And remember Friday evenings at Clinton, IA airport all summer. Good food and good friends, plan on driving or flying in.


Leiland Widick, a Sport pilot Examiner, will do check rides for anyone who would like to hook up with him in the following counties:  Marshall, Stark, Knox, and Mercer.  Leiland is an SPI in the Springfield FDO, and can also do check rides anywhere in that area.  And cannot do check rides in Whiteside County, a different FSDO. To contact Leiland call him at home.  618-643-2744  or you can contact him at work,  618-453-9244. the cost of your check ride will be $250.00 Leiland has flown in Challengers with me and enjoys flying them.  If he is in your area, and you need your check ride,  give him a call. Jim, at an eerie place.

Friend of the Airpark, Steve Dentz Solo's his Challenger.

Click on Picture

New Friends of the Airpark, used house paint and vinyl graphics.

Click on Picture

 Friends Of Erie Airpark Send us a picture.

PPC instructor will give lessons here at Erie Airpark.

 

New Project on "All Aircraft Projects" page

 Check out the new feature on the "What's Going On" Page

Also keep up with the Project's Page 


How well do you "Know Your Airplane"

  New project on Project Page

  Wing Tip and Stabilizer lights.

  Aircraft heater for Rotax©  

Tips For Building

 How to repair a hole in your plane.

Wide Body Challenger 

Building Doors for a Challenger 

Installing a 3rd door on a Challenger    

Skinning a Challenger 

Part 2  &  Part 3 


DUATS Weather download

A good flying weather site. 

 

 

 

 



Illowa Sport Flyers Home Page

Electric Flap Actuator

Ultralights making a comeback...

Click Here

 

 

 

Jim & Sue Project page. 

 

The light at the end of the tunnel is another airplanes landing light coming down head-on to the runway you are taking off from.

— Robert Livingston, 'Flying The Aeronca.'