Calling in the Hired Gun (Torch)

Mike McClusky, of McClusky Limited is going to come to the hangar tomorrow at 11:00 AM to check out the welding work needed for the Bearhawk wing strut attachment.


Nice.

Phase 2 of MNI Heavy Aircraft Industries

http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/waiex.html.

To my complete surprise and delight, Bill informed me today that he ordered the tail kit for my birthday!

Other major events today:

1) Kent, who was the first person on scene when the Bearhawk arrived, and who has been great fun to hang out with over the past year, took a large part of his day to walk us through the puzzling array of tools we received. I'm not sure that I've seen anyone in a field possess such an in-depth knowledge of almost every item in a tool kit.

2) The Great BatmobileTM vs Airplane Of Our Choosing Race was formalized after a contentious battle over terms. The opposing party, dressed in a red jacket of questionable pedigree (possibly stolen from a waiter or the recently deceased Michael Jackson) is now in a heated wager with the keepers of this blog. Stay tuned for details.

3) Discussion of the formation of MNI Party Barge, LLC, a Nevada Corporation, was entered into. This would complete our domination of air, land and sea. Not to mention sound. The discussion was tabled for a later date.

Chicago Knowhow

Illuminating visit from the Knaacks (pere et fils). The elder Knaack has built a Mustang II and is currently working on both a Stuart S-51 and a Harmon Rocket. He liked the Bearhawk, including our flush rivets and .040 wing skins.

VIP Visit

Spent about 0.5 hrs cleaning and sweeping to prep for floor painting.

Later in the evening, Matt Munson stopped by to tour the facility and assess suitability for droid assembly.

Chinese Pilots

BEFORE

AFTER

While I was spending my lunch hour at the hangar sticking old drywall tape back on with Elmer's (really), my through the-wall neighbor Jay Yau stopped by for introductions and to see my plane.

Since I don't have one, he told me about his: an RV-7 project, and a completed Murphy Rebel which he flew to Alaska.

For the full story, Mr. Yau was eager to point me at his URL: www.chinesepilots.com.