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TEN ROMEO NEWSLETTER

TEN ROMEO TO MOSCOW, Report 2

March 16, 1984

Dear Folks:

Today seems like an appropriate time for an update.

About a year ago I met a most unusual gentleman, - Jerry Gordon.  I think Jerry was one of the first "aircraft engineers".  He worked with Walter Beech for the first part of his career, and then became Boeing's chief modification engineer.  His knowledge of NAA, as well as the flight characteristics of light aircraft, really stretched my thinking and started me on my present path.  Jerry was really my first TECHNICAL ADVISOR, and you will find him on my update list.  Everyone knows John Baker.  We had considerable contact several years ago when I was a nominee for Secretary of Education, and allowed my political activity to press me into the FAA reform concerns.  John Youngquist, Louise Sacchi, and Walt Dean round out our TA list.  These new additions bring increased strength to our "knowledge pool".

The week of February 20th, TEN ROMEO was in Wellsville with Jack Palmer where we started our modifications for this summer's flying.  Berwyn Hauser, a talented artist, placed two beautiful US flags on each outer gear door, and the tail now has the TEN ROMEO TO MOSCOW inscription.  My name is on the door, and we have reserved space for the name of my Russian navigator.  A picture of 10R will be included in a later report.

My friends at Teledyne-Continental have asked that I come down and speak with their 200 member management team.  The title of my presentation is, "Have Continental, Will Travel".  As most of you know, there is little I enjoy more than speaking about TEN ROMEO.  It will be a real pleasure to share my experience with those responsible for the reliability of that "heart" setting under the cowl of TEN ROMEO.  And, while we are on the subject, since my return from the Soviet I have been speaking a couple times a week to interested groups.  Two of my program sheets are enclosed - if you know of groups with an interest, have them contact me and we will work something out.

Great progress has been made regarding new equipment needs for TEN ROMEO.  Next week a FUELTRON will be installed, along with the new wingtips and strobes, and a backup directional gyro.  The first week in April, TEN ROMEO will be back at Jack Palmer's for installation of the backup pressure system, two 3/8" front windows, and gap-seals.  When the TEN ROMEO equipment list is revised, it will also carry the information that Mike Smith worked on the aircraft last year for a couple of days and increased speed by 8 mph.  His work included tightening the flaps, aligning the elevators, changing the angle of incidence of the left wing by 1/8", and installing his BONANZA gear package.

The other day I spoke with "Rusty" Tomlinson, who expressed concern about the equipment load being placed upon the 70 amp alternator in TEN ROMEO.  He also suggested that a backup alternator be considered for the kind of flying I am looking forward to.  Rusty's comments are highly valued - it was his uneasiness with my single probe EGT which moved me to a GEM before last year's GRAND PRIX.  (Wouldn't now fly a reciprocating engine without one of John Youngquist's GEM units, but that's another story!)  The possibility of moving to a 100 amp alternator, as well as a backup 70 amp unit are being investigated.

A decision has been made to install the GOODRICH boots on TEN ROMEO for the trip to Moscow.  The technical need for them probably will not be present, but as I considered the responsibility of showing the Soviets the best we have for the light general aviation fleet, it would be a mistake to NOT have them installed.  General feeling suggests boots might carry a mile or two penalty per hour.  However, TEN ROMEO has light hail damage on the leading edge.  The boots will probably smooth out those 50 or so dimples and perhaps even increase my speed a bit.

A final decision has yet to be made on the navigation unit to be used to supplement that top-flight KING panel of mine.  The Global-500, LTN-3000, Sperry IONS-1020, and KNS-660 have all been suggested.  It may be that we will find that a top Loran-C might be the best bet.  Will keep you posted, and if any of you have suggestions, please give me a call.

As you might guess, the DRAFT BUDGET is undergoing a constant revision.  The registration and sanction procedures of NAA were clarified by Milt Brown - my estimates were a bit high.  It should be possible for Report # 3 to carry a REVISED DRAFT BUDGET more accurate than the one you have.

It appears that we are well within our time frame on this project with major accomplishments falling properly into place.  There are times when I allow myself to dream on - to the project, hopefully, which will follow TEN ROMEO TO MOSCOW, - operation SILVERSTREAK.  Who knows - the next time I fly an aircraft into Moscow, perhaps it will be the EJ-1.  And, the route will be MOSCOW, IRKUTSK, and PEKING.  (Don't worry, Brooke.  That state-of-the-art single-engine prop-jet won't come near your Gulfstream III time!)

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TEN ROMEO TO MOSCOW

TECHNICAL ADVISORS

A number of knowledgeable friends, colleagues, and interested persons have been willing to serve this project as TECHNICAL ADVISORS.  A TECHNICAL ADVISOR will not be asked for financial support, but will have background knowledge and experience which, if shared, may make TEN ROMEO's trip to Moscow and back safer and/or more successful.  TECHNICAL ADVISORS are listed in the chronological order of their joining the project.

Individual Expertise Organization
Mikhail Lyubimov
Milton Brown
Jerry Gordon
Jack Palmer
"Rusty" Tomlinson
Dick Murray
Jim Dunn
Dick Knipe
Marilyn Rainey
Don McQuinn
G. Garnett Tate
John Frank, Jr.
Stan Hemstreet
"Bud" Clark
Chuck O'Neill
Dave Andrews
Mike Smith
Robert Chapman
Marion Jayne
Karl Schaffrath
Robert Money
Wayne Rosenkrans
John Youngquist
Louise Sacchi
John Baker
Walt Dean
Michael Mozur
Soviet Air Space
Record Filing
Flight Parameters
Aircraft Preparation
BE-36 Specialist
Electronic Panel
Cold Weather Matters
Operational Experience
Distance, City to City
Canadian Air Space
Risk Specialist
Bonanza Specialist
Polar Flying
Engine Operation
Regulations
Ferry Fuel Expert
Speed and Safety
Fuel Monitoring
Speed Flying
Mapping & Distance
Weather
Maps
Engineer
Ocean Flying
General
Navigation
Protocol
Soviet Civil Air
National Aero. Association
Formerly Beech and Boeing
Palmer Airmotive Ltd.
Page Avjet Corporation
Murray Avionics Co.
BF Goodrich Co.
Mall Airways
Civil Aero Board
Air Transport, Canada
Rollins Burdick Hunter
American Bonanza Society
Guard Supply Unit
Teledyne-Continental
Federal Aviation Administration
Aircraft Facilities, Ltd.
Mike Smith Aero, Inc.
Silver Instrument Co.
Grand Prix Air Race, Ltd.
NOAA
National Climatic Data Center
Jeppesen
Insight Instrument Corporation
Sacchi Air Ferry Enterprises
AOPA
ARNAV Systems, Inc.
US Embassy - Moscow

TECHNICAL ADVISORS will receive progress reports on the planning of this project, and will offer suggestions if there are ways to improve the planning or execution stage of the project.

(List updated 3/16/84.)

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FLIGHT GROUP PRESENTATION - Dr. Millard Harmon      (518-439-7166)

"FLYING SOVIET SKIES"

Dr. Harmon has been piloting aircraft for over 40 years, and received his first 300 hours in the Army Air Force in World War II.  He currently owns a Beech-36, which is one of the best equipped single-engine aircraft on the Eastern seaboard.  His credentials include a Commercial ticket with an Instrument rating and several thousand hours of PlC time.

Recently, Dr. Harmon returned from a month of extensive travel within the USSR where he did an UPDATE on the research he carried out within the Soviet in 1958.  The early study resulted in his receiving his doctorate degree from Boston University.

In the spring of 1983 Dr. Harmon flew his aircraft, TEN ROMEO, in the GRAND PRIX AIR RACE.  It has long been his desire to fly TEN ROMEO into Moscow on a record attempt for his class aircraft.  It appears he has received Soviet approval for his attempt.

Content of Flight Group Presentation:

  • Jump-seat experience into Moscow
  • Comments about Soviet aircraft
  • Reference to Soviet passenger handling
  • Procedure for use of Soviet Air Space
  • Fortunate contact for partnership
  • Jump seat experience out of Moscow
  • Target date into Moscow of TEN ROMEO
  • Soviet student response to record attempt
  • Planning the Moscow flight
  • Soviet flight the precursor to "OPERATION SILVERSTREAK"

Dr. Harmon is an experienced "after-dinner-speaker" and his light, informative, and interesting style has been enjoyed by many flight-orientated groups, including the CAP, FAA, AFA and others.

His FLIGHT GROUP presentation will be structured, time-wise, to the host group's suggestion.  It may be as short as 15 minutes, but with his full handling of the topic, followed by a question and answer period, it takes an hour.

For Further Information, Contact:

Dr. Millard Harmon
34 Elsmere Ave.
Delmar, NY 12054

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 SERVICE CLUB PRESENTATION - DR. MILLARD HARMON     (518-439-7166)

"THE RUSSIAN CONNECTION"

Dr. Harmon has recently returned from a month of extensive travel in the USSR where he was able to compare today's conditions with those he witnessed twenty-five years ago during a similar trip.

Content of Presentation:

A review of Soviet humor -

  • Shortages as seen in 1958
  • From the current business community
  • From the streets of Moscow
  • The Irkutsk view per Intourist

A comparison of Soviet society over 25 years

  • Influx of increased automobile production
  • Impact of imports on Soviet production
  • Cost of services related to average salary
  • Effect of surplus cash on individual needs

A consideration of the American/Russian connection

  • Government contacts
  • Arms negotiations
  • The people-to-people impact

Dr. Harmon is an experienced "KEYNOTER" for such groups as ROTARY, KIWANIS, etc., with over 150 presentations to such community leadership clubs.  Time required for this presentation is flexible to fit program structure of business meeting, notices, etc., but will not override the scheduled dismissal time.  Ten to 25 minutes is the usual time available.

Presentation is light and humorous, but provides insight which will give your members thoughtful moments for some time to come.

For Further Information, Contact:

Dr. Millard Harmon
34 Elsmere Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054