On May 1-5, 2002 I visited the Portland, Oregon area and Van's Aircraft in Aurora, Oregon. This area is the mecca of RV's and RV building. I was astounded at the number of RV's I was able to see during my visit. My brother-in-law, Bill Boyle, lives in the Portland area and owns a beautifully restored Piper Tri-Pacer that he flew me around in while there. (Thanks again, Bill). If your ever at Independence (7S5), look Bill up. Not too far south of Portland at McMinnville Airport (MMV) is the Evergreen Aviation Museum, new home of Howard Hughes' "Spruce Goose". This is an unbelievable aircraft. There are a lot of other classic aircraft and war birds to view there as well. Also flew down to Independence Airpark (7S5), an airport community near Salem, Oregon. Bill and his wife Gale own a couple of lots there and plan to build their home and hanger (hopefully) soon. We also visited Lenhardt Airport (7S9) in Hubbard, Oregon where an acquaintance of Bill's was completing a restoration on the Beech Staggerwing (pictured below). Look for it at Oshkosh 2002. In the hangar as well was a DeHaviland Beaver, an RV-4, a restored fuel truck and a restored Tug.
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| Still under restoration | One heck of a wingspan | The tail is 80 feet high |
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| 4 of the 8 engines | HS is wider than a B-17 wingspan | Bill and the Tri-Pacer |
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| Interior of the Tri-Pacer | Final Approach to Independence (7S5) | Aerial view in Independence (7S5) |
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| On final Rwy 15 at Scappoose (SPB) | Beech Staggerwing at Lenhardt (7S9) | DeHaviland Beaver at Lenhardt (7S9) |