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Chapter member Frank Castronovo at the controls of his 1944, 65TAC Aeronca Defender, N39565. It was built at the Middletown, Ohio factory just as WW-II was beginning to wind down, and was originally used as the employee's flying club airplane. The logbooks show that it has been owned by Ohio residents ever since. The aircraft was rebuilt in 1982 and equipped with a Continental 85 engine, with the 100 horsepower (0-200) conversion. It cruises comfortably at 90 mph, and burns 5.5 gallons of avgas per hour. In 2000, this aircraft won First-Place in the antique division at the EAA Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-in (MERFI). In 2002, and again in 2003 Frank flew it to Oshkosh for the Airventure extravaganza. It is currently based at Salem Air Park (38D).
Chapter member Gene DiVincenzo poses with his two grandsons (Marco with Gramps, and Gino in the "cockpit") and two of the family airplanes (photo taken in 2002). The ship in the background is Gene's 1978 Varga 2150 (100% original). It has a 150 h.p. Lycoming engine, tandem seating with dual controls, a full IFR panel and a cruising speed of 127 knots. This aircraft, based at Youngstown Elser Airport, has taken Gene six times to Oshkosh and once to Sun 'n Fun. The smaller "aircraft," shown being piloted by Gino, is a scratch-built-from-plans Pedal Mustang. The prop turns as it is being pedaled, and Gene built a pair of them--one for each of his older grandsons. The engine is one kid-power, and the crew chief (Papa Gene) reports that it is a groundlooping champion. It too has been to Oshkosh (1999)! UPDATE: Gene has since sold the Varga, and now flys a beautiful Sonex, which he built from plans.
Chapter member Jim Strock flying his J3 Cub (left). In the middle is Price Field, Jim's home airport, and also the location of the house where he and his wife Theresa reside (envy being able to pull your airplane from the garage and go flying!). Price Field is located inside the Youngstown/Warren Regional Airport (YNG) Class D airspace. Jim is a licensed A&P IA, and an EAA Technical Counselor. In addition to being a member of EAA Chapter 531, he is also a member of Chapter 117 in Niles, OH, and has been responsible for some coordinated activities between the two. On the right is Jim's KR-1, which he built from plans.
Our chapter treasurer and newsletter editor, John Stoll is well along in the construction of his RV-8A, as the above photos show (taken 2007-08). From left to right they show: 1) John working with his son-in-law to rivet the tank stiffeners, 2) application of tank sealant, and 3) the left tank in its holding jig. The final photo shows John at the Vans Aircraft factory, taking a demo ride in their RV-8A. Go, John!
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