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  #61  
Old 10-14-2018, 03:16 PM
ToadMan8 ToadMan8 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oxford, OH
Posts: 48
Default Flag at Butler County Regional Airport



Jon's home airport recognizes the magnitude of the loss. A great aviator, homebuilding ambassador, and friend.
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  #62  
Old 10-14-2018, 04:15 PM
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RV6_flyer RV6_flyer is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
Posts: 3,508
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Melton View Post
I don't think I am as strong as others I know. Hurting today at Butler County Airport.
You are not alone. I am in the same position as you but at a different airport.
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Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6
Flying
3,400+ hours
Where is N157GS
Building RV-8 S/N: 80012

To most people, the sky is the limit.
To those who love aviation, the sky is home.
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  #63  
Old 10-14-2018, 06:46 PM
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Brantel Brantel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
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Yesterday was a rough day. I forced myself to work on the RV10 HS. Did not work to well to keep my mind off this tragedy....
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Brantel (Brian Chesteen),
Check out my RV-10 builder's BLOG
RV-10, #41942, N?????, Project Sold
---------------------------------------------------------------------
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB
Lyc. O-360 carbed, HARTZELL BA CS Prop, Dual P-MAGs, Dual Garmin G3X Touch
Track N159SB (KK4LIF)
Like EAA Chapter 1494 on Facebook
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  #64  
Old 10-14-2018, 06:58 PM
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sbalmos sbalmos is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Liberty Twp, OH
Posts: 641
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I drove right past my hangar entrance at HAO today. Just wasn't up to it. The only reason why I even went over yesterday was to do my chapter presidential duties in a Young Eagles flight weekend. One kid was taking a flight yesterday on his 15th birthday. Made for a very bittersweet day in my mind.

Still in a daze...
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Scott Balmos - RV-9A N112SB
Cincinnati, OH, KHAO
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  #65  
Old 10-14-2018, 08:22 PM
Raven31 Raven31 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sumter SC
Posts: 34
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I met Jon after he responded to my AOG post just after Christmas 2016. I landed in Ohio for gas flying from NY back to NM. My alternator died when I started up after refueling so I posted my issue and he responded letting me know he had a spare alternator and he was only 20min away. Jon brought the alternator and we put it on my -8. We departed 2 ship and he stayed on my wing for a little while then said "I don't know about you but I'm getting a little low on gas" with a big grin on his face. I laughed and saluted, Jon broke off and headed home. As he turned toward home he said "if you have any issues just come to my airport and I'll have a hangar for you and a place to stay" Just a great guy and happy to help others. I did send his alternator back to him after getting back to NM.

While we were putting the alternator on I asked him how he got into the airshow circuit and his response was "that is a story we can discuss over beers sometime" I never got the chance to hear that story.

Blue skies my friend. I know you will continue to help aviators from above.
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  #66  
Old 10-14-2018, 09:31 PM
madhun madhun is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Buderim, Queensland Australia
Posts: 153
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Blue skies & Tailwinds Sir.
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Quentin Carter
Bushby Mustang II - 170hrs and counting
$500, if Mrs. Hun ever asks aircraft parts are $500!
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  #67  
Old 10-14-2018, 09:33 PM
Lars Lars is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Davis, CA
Posts: 1,156
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In the Spring of 2012, Jon posted that he was traveling to the SF Bay area for a few days, and was interested in meeting up with anyone who might be about. I responded, and a few days later Jon showed up at my hangar at KDWA where I was finishing up my RV-7. Jon gave my project a thorough once-over, which for me was immensely soothing since, though I'd had plenty of eyes on my project, his were the most experienced. And then, before I had a chance to throw up road blocks, he declared my plane ready for a first engine start. The next thing I knew someone had dashed off to buy some gas, I pushed the start button, and it sprang to life.

Jon made another visit to the west coast not long after that, with his wife joining him. My wife and I were fortunate to be able to host them for dinner.

What wonderful people. His enthusiasm and support were a gift. Godspeed, Jon.
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Lars Pedersen
Davis, CA
RV-7 Flying as of June 24, 2012
960+ hours as of June 30, 2020. Where did the time go?
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  #68  
Old 10-14-2018, 09:39 PM
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fl-mike fl-mike is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,347
Default A real punch in the gut

Such a loss for the RV community, his family, and friends. Jon was always someone I sought out at SnF and Oshkosh after meeting him at the NC formation clinic when I was a "scary red guy". Truly one of "us" and always smiling and seeming to love life. I'm pretty sure Jon could build an RV in the time I take building an HS. He sure will be missed. Godspeed Jon.
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Mike W
Venice, FL
RV-6A. Mattituck TMX O-360, FP, GRT Sport EFIS, L3 Lynx NGT-9000
N164WM
N184WM reserved (RV-8)....finishing kit in progress. Titan IOX-370
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  #69  
Old 10-15-2018, 12:45 AM
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jetmech jetmech is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fairfield, CA
Posts: 105
Default Very sad day

I meet Jon a few years ago when he popped out to the west coast on a layover he was checking out the locals RV?s at Yolo an remarked he?d never flown a RV3,
I told him we can fix that and gave him a quick run down on my -3 and off Jon went into a beautiful blue morning sky for some fun,he landed one hour later with a huge RV grin that said it all! Class act
God speed my friend you will be missed
My condolences to the family
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RV-7
10" HXr GRT's Safe-fly 2020 with Echo ADSB
TMX REDGOLD IO-360/System 32 EFII
RV-3a/o-320 Old School style Brada
Speed is life! Bank it & Yank it for the G's
Dues paid 2020 thxs again DR!
Home base -o88
Team Light Aviation LLC.
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  #70  
Old 10-15-2018, 06:53 AM
tracy tracy is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: chattanooga,tn
Posts: 231
Default

Sad news. I was in HAO the week before and thought about walking down to his hangar to meet him....wish I had.
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Tracy Willingham
RV-8
Powered Paraglider
Pitts S2B- sold
Chattanooga, Tn
Dues Paid

Last edited by tracy : 10-15-2018 at 07:08 AM.
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