Christmas '02 Update From The Bear Cave

Christmas greetings to all our loyal supporters from Lyle Shelton, John Penney, myself and the "Rare Bear" crew.

Lyle Shelton	Sharon Coates	John Penney

We want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New year! Plus, bring you up to date on the progress of our project, getting the Bear In The Air and making a serious run for the Gold in 2003.

The Christmas present we have given ourselves is, the "Bear" has her engine, it is healthy,the insurance for this year is almost paid up,there are only a couple of bills to pay from our marathon run to make Reno 2002, and we have a wonderful "Rare Bear Family" as our nucleus to take us into 2003.

At this time the "New" crew at Reno, where the "Bear" is now based, consisting of Stacy Thomas, the Reno crew chief, Dave Mooney,Scott (Chip) Crawford, Elliott White, Andrew Karolak, Scott Litster, Roger Martin, Matt Thompson, Eric Ahlstrom and John Hunter, are doing a number of little things that the Bear has needed for years. This should cut down on the "Little" gremlins that can jump up and bite us, when push time comes.

Among the things they are working on: Both wing tips (structural work,replacing the check valves, and resealing); Removing the instrument panel and moving some gauges, to better suit John (as in, being able to see the darn thing); Checking the wiring and replacing as needed; Running through the full alternator system, including the wiring; The firewall has been repaired and resealed; The exhaust system is being removed and fully repaired; Further fine-tuning the engine; Researching projects to fine tune the airframe to reduce drag.

The full crew is also working very hard to find us some sponsors from the Reno area. Wish them luck, as we will need some help from new sources in order to maintain momentum, and cover the full cost of the 2003 run for the Gold.

I've been very busy raising the money for the current final insurance premium, getting the new merchandise posted on our web-store at www.rarebear.com and protecting our trademark with various individuals and companies.

Now that the "Bear" is up and running and once again is a serious threat, everybody wants a piece of her, but they will have to go through Lyle and myself to get it done. We have people contributing as little as $1.00 a month so we feel that EVERYONE should have to help their fair share, and that nobody or any company should make money off the "Bear" without contributing to the cause.

John Penney is currently very busy with the new 777 school. Lyle is busy trying to concentrate his base of operation to just one location and he is occupied with "Rare Bear" legal matters, plus he is working on the new publicity and advertisements for the year 2003. We are all working very hard to fine a new major sponsor, as we will have to have help paying the insurance premiums, as no matter how healthy the "Bear" is, she can't fly without insurance coverage. The good news here is, because we have provided the "Bear" with a new engine, more companies and potential major sponsors are looking at us. The present state of the economy isn't helping us but, we will figure out a way.

We have come too far to let anything stop us now.

A number of the members of our "New Family" are in it for the long haul including OSI Software of Ohio, Howard Lowry of STINSON AIR CENTER ,LLC of San Antonio, TX and DODGE BROS. Automotive of Granada Hills, Ca.

OSI Software is figuring out a way to pay for some test flights for the "Bear" in early March, to test the new telemetry system that they are donating and installing for us. With this system, we will be able to see and recognize any potential problem with the "Bear" before it can do any damage to the engine or airframe, and we will know where the problem is coming from before the "Bear" touches the ground.

Stinson Air Center is in the process of buying us a new compressor for the Reno hanger, plus Mr. Lowry is going to pick up the cost of a number of small parts the crew needs to make needed repairs and improvements.

Dodge Brothers Automotive is trying to procure another nose case and gears for us, as we need a spare very badly.

The crew is also making use of all the sponsors and companies who furnish us with parts or labor at cost or as outright donations, to fix the little stuff.

All in all, we have had a very good year. Taking the "Bear" from the airframe in Reno and the trashed engine in Van Nuys to one unit in Reno, healthy, proven at the Nellis Air Show, and the wonderful support we have gotten from the press including Challenge Publications (Air Classics and Warbirds Unlimited), NAG (National Air-Race Group), Pacific and Atlantic Flyer,Air and Space, Smithsonian, General Aviation News, the web-sites AAFO, Pylon1, and WarbirdsAeroPress, plus the wonderful support we got from the National Championship Air Races head office during the 2002 races, we have a lot to be thankful for.

But, mostly, we want to thank you, all our loyal fans and sponsors who believed in us, put your trust in us and became part of our "Rare Bear Family". We will not abuse this trust!

Now, ON TO 2003! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and our New Years Resolution, GOLD in 2003!!!!!

On behalf of the "Rare Bear" Crew Sharon Coates

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