Eagle's Lair
Members Roster

May 10, 2008

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Lights, camera, action!  Another exciting Saturday as Hollywood came to Spanaway.  A film crew from CBS News was on hand to film an upcoming Discovery Show featuring Team North American Eagle™.  The five man team flying in from all points around the US arrived at the Schenck Flying Ranch to begin filming of a new exciting show that will air next fall.  We will keep you advised when the show will air. To view all images of today's event, please visit the photo gallery.

At today's work party were Ed and Elaine Shadle, Keith Zanghi, Steve Green, Jon Higley, Bill Eckberg, Steve & Libby Wallace, Tim Finley, Meeko Dog, Rob Martinson, Rich Pengelley, Gino Sanfilippo, Cam, Rachel & Alex Shadle, John Winchester, Eric McClain, Eric Helpenstell, Von Armstrong, Sam Yellowbird, Omar Chramosta, John Drury, Bernard McVay, Sean Rondestvedt, Marty Schenck and Dr. Dave Thomas.

Guests today were Bill Eklund and Bob Lancaster who came by the hangar to watch the team work and get a tour of the car. It seems as though a weekend doesn't go by now that we don't have a visitor present. We love sharing our project with those who drop by to say "Hi!" and learn what we are up to. We also had a special guest appearance by a very unique visitor.

Steve Wallace installed another two dozen placards from Impact Laser Services.  The fuel proof laser engraved plastic placards provides easy to read instructions for electrical switches and breakers, hydraulic and cockpit instruments.  Tim Finley worked on installing the oil pressure sensor cannon plug in the engine bay.

The CBS News crew consisted of Ken Hamm the director, Eric Somo field audio, Gary was the director of photography, Mike Hamm was the Asst. director, and Greg helped out as the production assitant.  The entire production was shot in crystal clear High Definition. The crew caught some fascinating interviews as told by Ed.  When aired we are sure the viewers are going to get a real flavor for the vision and tenacity that is held by the entire team.

Following the shoot the entire production crew and NAE Team members took part in the traditional "wrap" photo and proceeded to the "wrap party".  Fried chicken, mash potatos and gravy, beans and of course the Gino Burgers.  Everyone had a great time!  It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday!

Ed and Omar worked on our parachute simulator.  In the next few weeks we will be deploying the Drumheller / Thomas Aerospace designed high speed parachutes on our vehicle simulator platform.  Their test will be documented with the Olympus iSpeed HG high speed video.  At a rate of up to 33,000 frames per second, the digital video can be analyzed in the computer to determine the operational effectiveness of this one second event.  Olympus also supplies Phase Array Eddy Current instruments for crack detection and iPlex Borescopes for NDI (non destructive inspection).

For the fourth straight week, Gino Sanfilippo is the NAE™ Team Member of the week who once again manned the barbecue and cranked out some fifty hamburgers.

This coming week the team will announce two new sponsors and partners on the project.  Stay tuned and thank you for your support in our quest to break the 763 mph world land speed record.

The team was treated to a rare and special appearance by Freedom, a rescued bald eagle that is under the care of Jeff Guidry who works at the Sarvey Wildlife Center here in Washington state.  He came down to the hangar today to see the project and share his gorgeous pet with us. The North American Eagle™ finally was "christened" by the presence of its real mascot; a very special event indeed.

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