Chapter 1311 will try to list the aviation-related events in Indiana and surrounding states, plus the major events across the country. Do you know of an event that isn't listed? Please inform the newsletter editor to get it included.
July 14-16 Willoughby, OH - Gathering of Eagles XI: "Wings over Berlin", Willoughby Lost Nation Municipal Airport, (KLNN) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KLNN
July 15-16 Kalamazoo, MI - American Barnstormers Tour, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, (KAZO) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KAZO
July 15 Carrollton, KY - Fly-in, Crawdaddy Landing, (3KY4) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/3KY4
July 15 Gaylord, MI - Pancake Breakfast and Fly-in, Otsego County Airport, (GLR) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/GLR - Information: Phil Curtiss at 989-939-8715 or e-mail at pcurtiss@bigfoot.com - Web Site http://www.eaa1095.org
July 15 Zanesville, OH - EAA Chapter 425 Pancake Breakfast, Parr Airport, (42I) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/42I - Information: Chuck Bruckelmeyer at 740-454-7487
July 15-16 Cheasaning, MI - Michigan Ultralight Association Annual Fly-in, Cheasaning Nixon Memorial Airport, (50G) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/50G - Information: Denny Demeter at 989-288-2744 or e-mail at aerograf@shianet.org - Web Site http://michiganultralight.com
July 15 Kentland, IN - Annual Open House/Fly-in Hog Roast, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Kentland, Municipal Airport, (50I) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/50I - Information: Harold Hoisington at 219-474-9080 or e-mail at airport@ffni.com
July 16 Taylorville, IL - EAA Chapter 1313 Pancake Sausage, Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast, 7-11 a.m., Taylorville Municipal Airport, (TAZ) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/TAZ - Information: Jim Stoddard at 217-226-4005 or e-mail at jmstod@consolidated.net - Web Site http://www.eaa1315.org
July 17 Fort Wayne, IN - American Barnstormers Tour, Smith Field Airport, (KSMD) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KSMD
July 18 Bloomington, IN - American Barnstormers Tour, Monroe County Airport, (KBMG) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KBMG
July 21-23 Newark, IL - Trike Bivouac Cushing Field, Cushing Field, (OC8) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/OC8 - Information: Mike Hudetz at 630-879-6568 or e-mail at michaelhudetz@msn.com - Web Site http://superhub.com/trikers/rsvp06.htm
July 21-23 Peoria, IL - Prairie Air Show, Information: http://www.prairieair.org/
July 21-22 Dixon, IL - Sauk Valley Fly-in & Air Show, Dixon Municipal Airport-Charles R. Walgreen Field, (C73) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/C73 - Hangar Dance 7/21 7:30 pm-12 am. Fly-in breakfast 7/22 7:00 am-noon.
July 21 Freeport, IL - American Barnstormers Tour, Albertus Airport, (KFEP) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KFEP
July 24-30 - EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh WI. For more information see http://www.airventure.org
July 29-30 Dayton, OH - Dayton Air Show, Dayton International Airport, (KDAY) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KDAY - Information: http://usats.org/
August 5-8 Belleville, MI - Thunder Over Michigan, Information: http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/
August 5-6 Detroit, MI - Thunder Over Michigan 2006 Air Show, Willow Run Airport, (YIP) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/YIP
August 5 Fremont, MI - Pancake Breakfast, Fremont Municipal Airport, (3FM) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/3FM - Information: Rob Osborne at 231- 689-5447 or e-mail at gunsmith@ncats.net
August 6 Nulltown, IN - Wingnuts Monthly Fly-in Breakfast, Nulltown Wingnuts Ultralight Flightpark, (73II) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/73II - Information: Fred Abernathy 765-698-2305
August 11-13 Bay City, MI - Bay City Air Show, details TBA.
August 11 Travers City, MI - 50th Annual Michigan Small Rally, Cherry Capital Airport, (TVC) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/TVC
August 12 Westfield, IN - Indy-Flyer's Fly-in, Westfield Airport, (I72) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/I72 - Information: Mark Poliak at 317-945-3640 or mpoliak@netdirect.net
August 12-13 Scott AFB, IL - Scott AFB Open House, details TBA.
August 12-13 Delaware, OH - Vintage Chapter 27 Fly-in, Delaware Municipal Airport, (DLZ) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/DLZ - Information: Delaware Airport at 740-363-0767 or e-mail at wjmcintir@cs.com
August 13 Hanover IN - Sinful Sundays at Lee Bottom Field, ice cream fly-in desserts, 1-3 p.m. Information: http://www.LeeBottom.com or email info@LeeBottom.com
August 13 Sandusky, OH - EAA Chapter 50 Annual Fly-in Pancake Breakfast, 8-noon, Griffing Sandusky Airport, (SKY) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/SKY - Information: Don Hostetler at 440-258-1761 or e-mail at loclas@hotmail.com - Web Site http://www.eaa50.org
August 16 Springfield, IL, - Civil Air Patrol Fly-in/Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, 7-noon, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, (KSPI) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KSPI
August 18-20 Alliance, OH - 8th Annual Ohio Aeronca Aviators Fly-in, Barber Airport, (2D1) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/2D1 - Information: Brian Matz at 216-337-5643 or e-mail at bwmat11ac@yahoo.com - Web Site http://www.oaafly-in.com
August 19 North Vernon, IN - Airport Awareness Day, North Vernon Airport, (KOVO) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KOVO
August 19 Chicago, IL - Chicago Air & Water Show, Information: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Special+Events&entityNameEnumValue=38/
August 19 Holland, MI - Air Affair Pancake Breakfast/lunch Fly-in, Park Township Airport, (KHLM) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KHLM - Information: Gary Miedema at 616-399-9333
August 19 Kalamazoo, MI - Newman's Fly-in Lunch, Newman's Airport, (4N0) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/4N0 - Information: Dan or Deb Wilkinson at 269-375-8486 or e-mail at dswflying@yahoo.com - Web Site http://www.skymaster.info/Newmans
August 19 Hodgenville, KY - Fly-in, Lincoln Farm, (21KY) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/21KY
August 20 Mount Sterling, KY -Annual Fly-in Breakfast and Air Show, Mount Sterling-Montgomery County Airport, (IOB) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/IOB
August 20 Taylorville, IL - EAA Chapter 1315 Pancake, Sausage, Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast, 7-11 a.m., Taylorville, Municipal Airport, (TAZ) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/TAZ - Information: Jim Stoddard at 217-226-4005 or e-mail at jmstod@consolidated.net - Web Site http://www.eaa1315.org
August 25-27 Marion, OH - EAA Regional Fly-in, Marion Municipal Airport, (KMNN) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMNN - Information: http://www.merfi.info
August 25-27 Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Air Show, Mt. Comfort Airport, (KMQJ) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMQJ - Information: Rudy Alvies at 317-542-1146 - web site at http://www.geocities.com/indyflyers2/airshow.html
August 26 Niles, MI - Fly-in/Drive-in, Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport, (3TR) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/3TR - Information: Len Jansen at 269-684-6566
August 27 Greenville, MI - GAAA Fly-in/Drive-in Pancake Breakfast, Greenville Municipal Airport, (6D6) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/6D6
August 27 Mt. Pleasant, MI - EAA Chapter 907 Fly-in, Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport, (KMOP) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMOP - Information: Bill Cain at 989-330-0225
Sept 1-3 Dayton, OH - Giant Scale Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Air Show, Wright-Patterson AFB, (KFFO) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KFFO - Information: Sarah Greiner at 937-255-3286 or e-mail at nationalmuseum.usaf@wpafb.af.mil - Web Site http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum
Sept 2-4 Cleveland, OH - Cleveland National Airshow, Burke Lakefront Airport,(BKL) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/BKL - Information: 216-781-0747 or http://www.clevelandairshow.com/v
Sept 2 Gary, IN - Gary Air Show, details TBA.
Sept 2 Marion, IN - Fly-in/Cruise-in, Marion Municipal Airport, (KMZZ) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMZZ - Information: Ray Johnson at 765-664-2588 or e-mail at rjohnson@indy.rr.com - http://www.FlyInCruiseIn.com
Sept 2-3 Nancy, KY - Fly-in, Lees Airpark, (68KY) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/68KY
Sept 2 Zanesville, OH - EAA Chapter 425 Pancake Breakfast, Riverside Airport, (OH36) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/OH36 - Information: Chuck Bruckelmeyer at 740-454-7487
Sept 2-3 Morris, IL - Morris Skyfest, Morris Municipal Airport, (C09) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/C09 - Information: Mary Englert or Jeff Vogen at 815-942-1600 or e-mail at morrisskyfest@hotmail.com - Web Site http://www.morrisairport.com
Sept 3 Nulltown, IN - Wingnuts Monthly Fly-in Breakfast, Nulltown Wingnuts Ultralight Flightpark, (73II) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/73II - Information: Fred Abernathy 765-698-2305
Sept 3 New Philadelphia, OH - Pancake Breakfast/Aviation Awareness Day, Harry Clever Field Airport, (KPHD) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KPHD
Sept 9 Nulltown, IN - Fly-in/Hog Roast, Nulltown Wingnuts Ultralight Flightpark, (73II) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/73II - Information: Fred Abernathy 765-698-2305
Sept 9 Newark, OH - Fly-in Pancake Breakfast, Newark-Heath Airport, (VTA) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/VTA - Information: Tom McFadden at 740-587-2312 or e-mail at tmc@alink.com
Sept 9 Decatur, IL - Fly-in Breakfast, Decatur Municipal Airport, (KDEC) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KDEC - Information: Gary at 217-795-8432 or e-mail at gvanair65@aol.com
Sept 10 Mt. Morris, IL - Fly-in Breakfast, Ogle County Airport, (C55) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/C55 - Information: Dr. Glen Orr at 815-732-7268 or e-mail at glloor@iwon.com
Sept 15-17 Erie, IL - Fourth Annual Challenger Fly-in, Erie Airpark, (3H5) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/3H5
Sept 16 Scottsburg, IN - Scottsburg Aero Club Annual Fly-in, Scottsburg Airport, (3R8) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/3R8 - Information: John Grammer at agrammer@scottsburgaeroclub.com
Sept 16 Springfield, IL - Civil Air Patrol Fly-in/Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, (KSPI) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KSPI
Sept 16-17 Terre Haute, IN - Terre Haute Air Fair, Hulman Field, (KHUF) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KHUF - Information: http://www.terrehauteairfair.com/
Sept 16-17 Cincinnati, OH - Blue Ash Airport Days, Blue Ash Airport, (KISZ) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KISZ - Information: http://www.airportdays.com/
Sept 16 Owenton, KY - Fly-in, Owens Airpark, (OKYO) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/OKYO
Sept 17 Taylorville, IL - EAA Chapter 1315 Pancake, Sausage, Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Sunday, 7-11 a.m., Taylorville Municipal Airport, (TAZ) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/TAZ - Information: Jim Stoddard at 217-226-4005 or e-mail at jmstod@consolidated.net - Web Site http://www.eaa1315.org
Sept 22-24 Rockford, IL - Rockford Air Show, Rockford Airport, (KRFD) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KRFD - http://www.flyrfd.com/general/AirShow.htm
Sept 23 Paoli, IN - Aviation Day 2006, Paoli Municipal Airport, (I42) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/I42 - Free food and drink for pilots who fly in.
Sept 28-30 Mount Vernon, IL - KR Annual Gathering, Mount Vernon Municipal Airport, (KMVN) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMVN - Information: e-mail Larry Flesner at flesner@verizon.net - Web Site http://www.krgathering.org/
Sept 30 Hanover, IN - 10th Annual Wood, Fabric & Tailwheel Fly-in, Lee Bottom Flying Field, (64I) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/64I - Information: Ginger or Rich Davidson at 812-866-3211 or e-mail at info@LeeBottom.com - Web Site http://www.leebottom.com/
Sept 30 Greenwood, IN - Greenwood Airport Open House, Greenwood Municipal Airport, (HFY) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/HFY
Sept 30 East Alton, IL - St. Louis Regional 12th Annual Wings and Wheels, St. Louis Regional Airport, (KAHL) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KAHL - Information: Crystal or Denine at 888-562-9950 - Web Site http://www.stlouisregional.com
September 30-October 1 - Virginia Regional EAA Fly-In, Dinwiddie Co. Aiport (PTB), Petersburg, VA. For more information see http://www.vaeaa.org
October 6-7 Springfield, IL - 2006 Illinois Wing Conference, Information: Lt. Col. Paul Hertel at 618 277 0016 or e-mail at paulhertel@charter.net - Web Site http://www.search-rescue.net/286/ILWG06/
October 6-8 - EAA Southeast Regional Fly-In, Middleton Field Airport (GZH), Evergreen AL. For more information see http://serfi.org
October 7 - EAA Chapter 67 Annual Fly-In Barbecue, Noblesville Airport I80. For more information see http://eaa67.org
October 7 Dayton, OH - Liasion Aircraft Fly-in, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, (KFFO) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KFFO - Information: Sarah Greiner at 937-255-3286 or e-mail at nationalmuseum.usaf@wpafb.af.mil - Web Site http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum
October 15 Taylorville, IL - EAA Chapter 1315 Pancake, Sausage, Biscuits and Gravy Fly-in, Taylorville Airport, (TAZ) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/TAZ - Information: Jim Stoddard at 217-226-4005 or e-mail at jmstod@consolidated.net - Web Site http://www.eaa1315.org
October 28 Brodhead, KY - Fly-in, Field of Dreams Airpark, (95KY) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/95KY
October 28 Decatur, IL - Annual Chili Day Fly-in, Decatur Municipal Airport, (KDEC) - http://www.airnav.com/airport/KDEC - Indformation: Gary at 217 795 2393 or e-mail at gvanair65@aol.com
October 26-29 - Copperstate Regional EAA Fly-In, Casa Grande (AZ) Municipal Airport (CGZ). For more information see http://www.copperstate.org
For details on EAA Chapter fly-ins and other local aviation events, visit http://www.eaa.org/events
Next Meeting
On the Radar:
Chapter 1311 Board of Directors for 2006
Newsletter editor: Michael Mossman, 1-765-483-9533, michaelandkatie@tds.net
Classified Ads
FOR SALE: Custom composite 6.24"-wide panel flush-mount for Garmin GPS 296 or 396, $75 Contact Larry Rush k9hxt@sbcglobal.net
FOR SALE: O-470 engine. Contact Bob Vondersaar bobandteresa78@msn.com for details.
FOR SALE: Four sets of very nice Koss headphones. Contact Michael Mossman michaelandkatie@tds.net for details or to make offer. Proceeds benefit Chapter 1311.
FOR SALE: Three lighted and adjustable "flight desks" for aircraft installation. Contact Michael Mossman michaelandkatie@tds.net for details or to make offer. Proceeds benefit Chapter 1311.
FOR SALE: Stinson L-5 Landing gear Struts. Contact Kenny Shull 317-539-5542.
FOR SALE: Complete Van's RV-6A project with sliding canopy, 160 hp Lycoming engine, new Sensenich fixed pitch metal prop, Vetterman stainless steel exhaust system, some options and small items included. $27,500 John Edwards, 317 539-2737 after 10 a.m.
AIRCRAFT WANTED: Sport Pilot aircraft. Contact Gus Gustafson at 317-293-4430 or dalefaye@msn.com
AIRCRAFT FOR SALE: Cessna 150, currently in Florida. Contact Gus Gustafson at 317-293-4430 or dalefaye@msn.com
WANTED TO BUY: Hirth 2702 engine with a 2.59 G-50 reduction unit. Contact Doug Moncreiff at 317-280-1621 or cmoncreiff@netzero.net
WANTED TO BUY: Used 4-foot brake and 4-foot shear. Contact Troy Grover, 317-919-6594 (cell phone), rv6grover@netzero
WANTED TO BUY: Headsets and intercom. Contact Mark Rinehart, 317-745-2466, capt_riney@yahoo.com
HANGAR FOR SUBLET: Space available at 2R2 while Luscombe is being restored. Contact Alan Ward 317-446-0785 or Silvaire8A@aol.com
2006 Membership Roster
Did we miss anybody? Please let us know; we'll get it updated right away.
Defending the Lowly Cessna 150
At the time I took a diplomatic role and considered their goals and intentions as having value and merit but I was still troubled by their opinion. Basically, it was an "all or nothing" stance. Although they weren't declaring an ultimatum, there was still no room for compromise. Bottom line was that they hadn't accumulated many flight hours and weren't likely to do so for quite some time.
This discussion haunted me for a while, but not because they weren't moving toward their goals. I inferred that they were challenging my choices even though they had implied nothing. I was once a Cessna 150 owner. Was my dream first airplane an underachiever, a sham?
Soon after I got my license I transitioned into Cherokee 180s for the four-seat capacity. I also found a couple of very nice rental Cessna 172s at neighboring airports and got checked out in those. Newer, cleaner and better maintained, they were my choice when I wanted to take someone sightseeing. With that big wing out of the way, all riders had an excellent view of the ground, at least when the turns were shallow. And with intact paint and no mysterious odors, there was no embarrassment bringing family and friends out for an hour of aerial adventure. Shortly thereafter I realized that I was renting four seats but rarely filling them all up. I downsized to a Piper Colt and Cherokee 140 and enjoyed the savings, even with the lack of prestige.
But there is still something sentimental about the airplane that you learned to fly in. I knew the 150s' habits inside and out, not that there's that much to know. But holding that little yoke felt like the handshake of an old friend, comforting and not overpowering. It knew how to put me at ease and nurture my in-flight confidence. Yes, it was like an old friend.
At my hometown airport there are 31 aircraft based on the field. Of those 31, 22 are airworthy airplanes. Of those 22, four are Cessna 150s. And among those 22, there are five contemporaries of the 150: three Cherokee 140s and two Piper Colts.
The owner of Cessna 150 number three is still working on his license. He's out flying every weekend and occasionally weekdays, and his wife and son are learning to fly, too. The fourth is an Aerobat owned by a Delta captain. He has parachutes and likes to really wring out his airplane every once in a while. Suddenly the 150 isn't looking like a student's airplane anymore.
While in Arizona a few years ago I took a lesson in mountain flying. The heavy-set instructor and I took off in a 150 in above standard temperatures and flew full throttle up the windward side of a mountain until we finally got over the top. So much for the 150 being too underpowered for mountain flying. It won't cross every peak or out-climb every grade in any temperature but it made a believer out of me.
Once I invited a friend from church for an introductory flight in my 150. This guy was at least six foot three and weighed at least 240 pounds, and none of it was fat. He could barely squeeze in the airplane, and when seated there was no way for the control yoke to turn over his legs. I thought that the seat back was going to snap off. And it was impossible for me to get in and close the doors with him in there. I was embarrassed but there was no way for us to fly that airplane (we rented a Cherokee 140 and had a great time). So a 150 isn't for everyone.
When I flew Young Eagles I could carry only one-third as many kids as the guys with the Cherokees and Cessna 172s. That didn't matter to me, though. I thought that I always gave a quality experience to each kid that I flew. And 100% of the kids that I flew got at least a few minutes of time with the controls.
Cessna probably intended the 150s to be student flown for a few thousand hours then scrapped. These days the flight schools are selling their 150s and moving to newer, larger airplanes. It may be a marketing move, as students would be attracted to larger, sleeker, sexier airframes. Who wants to learn how to fly in a dowdy 150? Funny thing, the 150s aren't getting scrapped as Cessna planned. Guys are buying them and flying them regularly. They're not getting restored, even though some of these airplanes have accumulated more than 4,000 hours of being man-handled by students. Thousands of them are holding up pretty well, twenty or more years beyond their projected life span. They're getting flown "as-is," and pilots are having a lot of fun doing so.
Although the average price for a 150 is now three times what it sold for new, the 150s aren't appreciating very much. It would be tough to buy one thinking that you'd resell it and make a buck. On the other hand, it would be tough to buy one and take a loss, provided you bought it at a fair price and took care of it. Think of it: you could buy a 150, fly it a few years then sell it for what you bought it for, perhaps less a bit for wear and tear. Maybe you'd get that back, too. Now that's some affordable flying.
When I was taking my flying lessons I could sit comfortably in a 150. For short trips, my wife and I were fairly comfortable. But as I got older the airplane got smaller. Eventually, I started getting backaches and neck aches and my flights got shorter and shorter. Finally, I admitted that while I hadn't grown or gotten heavier, I was getting older and didn't fit in the airplane anymore. It was time to move on.
Now that the FAA finally has the Sport Pilot license approved you'd think that there would be thousands of folks clamoring for a 150. Unfortunately, the Cessna 150 is too big to qualify for Sport Pilot; its gross weight is too high!
Think of the irony! The Cessna 150 is a lightly-built little airplane. They get bounced in turbulence and don't have macho crosswind capabilities. No one would accuse a 150 of being hairy chested. But it's still too heavy to be Sport Pilot. A few type certificated airplanes, like the Piper Cub and some Aeroncas, among others, can be flown with a Sport Pilot license, but not the 150.
If you are interested in aviation I hope that you are able to buy or build your dream airplane. But don't think of the 150 as an unworthy step in ownership; owning one is more of a rite of passage. If you get one you could build some hours, have fun and start some fantastic memories. You might even fly it for decades. I started out with this essay trying to defend the 150. Now that I really think about it, they've defended themselves quite well.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 2, 6:30 p.m. at Hendricks County Airport (2R2) operations building. Program: Oshkosh Debriefing. Bring your photos, video clips and stories about your Oshkosh experiences from this year.
August 2 - Oshkosh Debriefing.
September 6 - TBA
October 4 - TBA
November 1 - Chapter elections. Program TBA
December - Christmas Party
President: Dale "Gus" Gustafson, 1-317-293-4430, dalefaye@msn.com
Vice President: Dennis Crawley, 1-317-387-1737, Crawley27@comcast.net
Secretary: Michael Mossman, 1-765-483-9533, michaelandkatie@tds.net
Treasurer: Vern Sullenger, 1-317-839-8728, sullenger@iquest.net
Director: Dave Helton, 1-317-745-7916, dhelton@iquest.net
Director: Glen Matejcek, 1-317-839-5444, aerobubba@earthlink.net
Director: Paul Vogel, 1-317-272-2106, pvogel@indy.rr.com
FOR SALE: Brand new Airwolf oil filter system, still in the box. Paid $ 510, will take $ 300. Fits all Lycoming motors, has STC. Dave Helton, 317-590-5001 or dhelton@iquest.net
Current as of July 5, 2006
See our chapter roster online at http://www.eaa1311.org/memberroster.html
NAME EMAIL ADDRESS PROJECT(S) BEETHAM, John jabeetham@earthlink.net Fokker D VII, Piper Dakota BROYLES, John JohnC-DELTA@worldnet.att.net - BUDNY, Skip skbudny@tds.net Mini 500 helicopter BYRUM, Jon jbyrum@byrumarchitects.net RV-7A CHAPMAN, Jeff PoP6756@aol.com Piper Tri-Pacer CHAPMAN, Tom tschapman1@aol.com 1957 Cessna 172 CLARK, David davecpd@iquest.net Restoring 1946 Aeronca Chief CRAWLEY, Dennis Crawley27@comcast.net Grumman Tiger DAVIDSON, Ginger planecrazy13@att.net RV3 DAVIDSON, Rich ifitsoldillflyit@msn.com RV3 GRIFFIN, Jim jimg@netcapade.net Questar Venture GROVER, Troy rv6grover@sbcglobal.net RV10 GUSTAFSON, Dale DALEFAYE@msn.com Piper J-4 HELTON, Dave dhelton@iquest.net Piper Tri-Pacer
HENDERSON, Robert robert_10215@msn.com Christavia MK2
HILL, Ken khill5@indy.rr.com RV-9A KOPESCHKA, Dave iedvk@iquest.net -- KOPESCHKA, Steve stephen.j.kopeschka@rolls-royce.com Little Wing Autogyro LeBARON, Tim tjlebaron@sbcglobal.net RV8, Breezy, 1946 Ercoupe LEWIS, Jimmy rudder4@aol.com RV-7A LONG, Chuck charles.long@GM.com Zenair 601 HDS MATEJCEK, Glen aerobubba@earthlink.net RV8 MATEJCEK, Robin aerobubba@earthlink.net RV8 MCCORD, PAUL pfmccord@gmail.com RV-4, Kolb FireStar LSA MELCHIOR, Dirk d-r-melchior@msn.com F1 Rocket MONCREIFF, Doug cmoncreiff@netzero.net Ultralights, LSPA MOSSMAN, Michael m_mossman@enovationgraphics.com Zenair 601 HDS NG, Bart bng@math.iupui.edu RV-7A NOLAN, Bill TBA - REYNOLDS, Gary n98gr@aol.com RV6A RINEHART, Mark capt_riney@yahoo.com Kolb Mark III Classic ROBBINS, Will werobbins@flightline.com - ROEVER, Doug dmroever@iquest.net RV-7 Tail kit ROLDAN, Erick Phone 765-482-7287 Ducted fan research ROTTLER, Mark mark@rottler.org - RUBERSON, Bryan bruberson@aol.com Aeronca Chief RUSH, Larry k9hxt@sbcglobal.net RV6A, RV-8 SHULL, Kenny Phone 317-539-5542 Helping Others SHUMAKER, Kim kkrv-9a@sbcglobal.net RV-9A SULLENGER, Vern sullenger@iquest.net Cherokee 140, RV-7A UTLEY, Ted ted.utley@in.ngb.army.mil - UTTERBACK, Tom Phone 317-839-2505 - VOGEL, Paul pvogel@indy.rr.com Sonex VONDERSAAR, Bob rvondersaar@austin.rr.com Steen Skybolt VONDERSAAR, Teresa tvondersaar@austin.rr.com Steen Skybolt
By Michael Mossman
A few months ago I was drawn into a spirited discussion of the perfect airplane, or rather, the desired airplane for these participants. They talked about Cessna 182s, Cherokee 180s, RV-10s and other such airplanes. They were lamenting the lack of suitable, affordable 6-seat airplanes for long-distance family travel, but their current goals were simply about getting a license, building some time, and just getting into the air.
I mentioned that Cessna 150 ownership was an ideal way to get started. They could be bought for very little money, flown at low cost, and resold with no loss when the time to step up to a larger airplane arrived. No, no, these future captains said, they'd rather start out with something larger, meaning that they preferred to get what they wanted up front. Stepping up through the ranks was not the solution. No, the only way was to buy the plane they really wanted. If they couldn't afford it they'd rather wait until they could. There was no sense in buying less than they needed and no value in getting in the air and building hours until they could get their dream machine.
There is no doubt that a C-150 isn't an ego builder. For years it was widely assumed that anyone flying a 150 into any airport was a student. I thought about flying Shorty Graves' old beaters cross country. While I the air I felt like a real stud (my wife called me "Master Aviator") but upon landing my demeanor changed. I'd hide my log book in my coat pocket so no one would think I was a student stopping in only for a signature. Once I waited for what seemed to be hours while a dirty, smelly old grouch filled a soda pop machine; I only needed his signature before I could be on my way. Even though I didn't have to pay my dues the way pilots in years gone past had done, it was still a humiliating experience. Even to this day some of us lambast Shorty's poor old N24688, which we all called "Sidewinder" for its poor characteristics.
Two of the 150s are owned by guys who spent many years building and flying radio controlled airplanes. Aircraft ownership always seemed out of reach until they learned how a 150 could be had for a little bit of nothing. With a change in mindset these two moved from joysticks to yokes without breaking a sweat. One of these 150s is pretty 1960s fastback model and is in fairly good shape. The other is a 1966 version with an engine that has more than 1,900 hours. It still makes power and has legal compression so he's going to fly it a few hours more before rebuilding the engine. I doubt that either one of these guys could have afforded anything else at the time, and if they set their sights on something with four seats they might still be flying vicariously.
For most folks about five-ten or shorter and of average build, the 150 is a comfortably-sized airplane, although it's a bit cozy. But even if you are tall you can still fly one. I heard that Rik Smits, the 7-2 former center for the Indiana Pacers, has a 150 and flies it all of the time. I can't imagine folding that frame into such a dinky airplane. A major star in his day, surely he could afford any airplane that he wanted. His airplane of choice was his 150.
It should be no surprise that my first plane was a Cessna 150. I flew it for five very happy years before I finally sold it to finish my homebuilt. I didn't lose any money on the deal. Contrary to what they say about an aircraft owner's two happiest days, when I sold the 150 I was relieved but saddened. I really liked that airplane and partly wish that I still had it. The paint was nothing to brag about and the interior was a solid four-point-five on a scale of one to ten. The panel was strictly VFR. But it was mine! Every time I flew it I felt like a stud, and upon landing and driving home Katie still called me "Master Aviator."