Volunteers began arriving at the airport before the 8 a.m. pilot's briefing, conducted by Young Eagles Coordinator Chuck Long. Gary Hood of Hendricks County Aviation provided doughnuts for the volunteers.
Just before the scheduled 8:30 start time, the eager Young Eagles began arriving. Although we got off to a slow start, once we had the first wave of planes in the air, the crowd thinned out, with very few kids waiting a more than a half hour or so.
Complementing the awesome aerial armada of aircraft was the ground crew consisting of Gus Gustafson, Linda McCord, Doug Moncreiff, Michael Mossman and many other volunteers who worked hard. Sorry, we were unable to record all of the names, but please note that we certainly appreciate helping to keep the event flowing smoothly and above all safe.
All-in-all, our total for the day was 65 thrilled Young Eagles rides. With smooth air and cool, sunny skies, you couldn't have asked for a better day.
EAA Young Eagles Update: By newsletter publication date more than 1,305,483 Young Eagles have taken their first airplane ride.
Editorial Comments Sought
Calendar of Events
June 8-10 — Golden West EAA Regional Fly-In — Yuba County Airport (MYB), Marysville CA. For more information see http://www.GoldenWestFlyin.org
June 15-17 — Summer Heat Air Festival, Muncie IN (MIE). For more information see http://www.munciecvb.org/mvb/summerheat.asp
June 23-24 — Rocky Mountain EAA Regional Fly-In — Front Range Airport (FTG), Watkins CO. For more information see http://www.RMRFI.org
July 11-15 — Northwest EAA Fly-In — Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO), Arlington WA. For more information see http://www.NWEAA.org
July 23-29 — EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh WI. For more information see http://www.AirVenture.org
July 28-28 — Dayton Air Show. For more information see http://www.usats.org/home.html
August 25-26 — Indy Air Show featuring the Blue Angels, Mount Comfort Airport (MQJ). For more information see http://www.indyairshow.com
August 25-26 - EAA Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-In - Marion Municipal Airport, Marion OH. For more information see http://www.MERFI.info
September 1 — Fly-In / Cruise-In, Marion IN (MZZ). For more information see http://www.flyincruisein.com/
September 22-23 — Blue Ash Airport Days, Cincinnati Blue Ash Airport (ISZ)
September 27-30 — Gathering of Mustangs and Legends, Columbus OH (LCK). For more information see http://www.gml2007.com/
September 29 — Wood, Fabric and Tailwheels Fly-In, Lee Bottom Field, Hanover IN. For more information see http://www.leebottom.com/
October 6-7 - Virginia Regional EAA Fly-In - Dinwiddle County Airport, Petersburg VA. For more information see http://www.VAEAA.org
October 5-7 - EAA Southeast Regional Fly-In - Middleton Field Airport, Evergreen AL. For more information see http://www.SERFI.org
October 25-28 - Copperstate Regional EAA Fly-In - Casa Grande (AZ) Municipal Airport. 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
Directions from Indianapolis:
On the Radar:
Chapter 1311 Board of Directors
Newsletter editor: Michael Mossman, 1-765-483-9533, michaelandkatie@insightbb.com
Classified Ads
FOR SALE: Four sets of very nice Koss headphones. Contact Michael Mossman michaelandkatie@insightbb.com 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@insightbb.com for details or to make offer. Proceeds benefit Chapter 1311.
FOR SALE: Stinson L-5 Landing gear Struts. Contact Kenny Shull 317-539-5542.
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@sbcglobal.net
WANTED TO BUY: Headsets and intercom. Contact Mark Rinehart, 317-745-2466, capt_riney@yahoo.com
RV KIT FOR SALE: RV-6 elevator and vertical stabilizer. Both in decent shape, leftover from a previous project. Make offer. Mike Jackson 317-496-8513 mjack40@comcast.net
AIRCRAFT FOR SALE: '57 C172 TT approx. 3700 hr. Engine approx. 700 hr since overhaul. Good paint, nice interior. VFR: Narco Mode C, Narco 720 channel comm.; Horton STOL kit w/gap seals. Last annual 6/06. Hangared at Franklin, IN. $30,500. Reason for selling: starting a project. Tom Chapman, cell 317-625-3126, home 317-888-6866, tschapman1@aol.com
AIRCRAFT FOR SALE: One-half interest in a beautiful Tri-Pacer in great condition. Located at Hendricks County Airport. $9,000. Reason for selling: starting a light sport aircraft. Dave Helton 317-590-5001 davehelton@heltonassoc.com
AIRCRAFT FOR SALE: 1966 Alon A2, TT-2539, SMOHE 930, IFR panel, nice, $29,000. Mark Eminger 765-528-2146 or Robert Barnhart 765- 448-4024 for information 7-10:30 EST.
2007 Membership Roster
Did we miss anybody? Please let us know; we'll get it updated right away.
Aviation Humor — C-5 Overrun
The aircraft's nose was so far over the end of the ramp, the crew was unable to see the runway where it was supposed to turn around so the pilot simply had to leave it at the end of the runway. The Air Force C-5 Galaxy, largest airplane in the free world, is almost as long as a football field and as high as a six-story building.
Weighing 420 tons with a full load, it uses a system of 28 wheels to distribute its weight. The aircraft had to wait for a specially made tow bar trucked in from Dover, Del.! When the tow bar arrived, it was used to hook the C-5 to a tractor that then turned the aircraft around. The plane was not damaged.
The female co-pilot was overheard saying to the male pilot as they exited the plane "I told you we should have stopped and asked for directions."
Quote of the Month
May's Program
With about 21 people in attendance, the tour was split into two groups so that everyone would have a chance to see and hear the presentation.
My group was led by Pamela Bird, who is the tower supervisor at the airport. Mark Crittendon, operations manager, led the other group.
Bird's group first viewed the radar room, which was on the second floor of the tower's main building. Inside the darkened room were 14 workstations with new radar scopes and an auxiliary video screen above.
Bird said that Indianapolis's radar can show traffic and weather up to about 60 miles out. Other radar sources are networked into the system, allowing the controllers to range out to about 250 miles. An improvement from the old radar system, weather can be overlaid on the screen, with colors to show intensity. When the controller zooms in or out, range circles are displayed, helping them to estimate the range of aircraft or weather that can't be identified on the screen.
The new control tower opened on April 26, 2006. It's height is about 340 feet although it was originally planned to be much taller. The FAA has used the same basic design format for several towers located at metropolitan airports.
The control tower is powered by commercial utilities. Since the entire operation is "electronic," a black out would shut down a tremendous amount of airspace, so the tower has some huge backup generators on line and ready to go at any time.
The radar can "paint" aircraft in the smaller general aviation airports, such as Hendricks County Airport. Traffic flying in the pattern at about 1200 feet will show up on the radar. As long as the plane has Mode C the controller can track the altitude. The controllers don't have many problems with the smaller aircraft. Bird claims that most of the problems are when the little guys fly through restricted areas like Camp Atterbury. When the controller detects an airplane attempting to transition a restricted area, they must call the authority governing the restricted area and warn them of the encroaching aircraft.
Over each radar station in the darkened room, the controller has an auxiliary display mounted overhead that operates with a touch screen. Using this auxiliary display, the controller can call up primary and supplemental information about any airport or other facility, as required. They have instant access to radio frequencies, VORs, runway direction, length, altitude, emergency phone contacts, and much more. The auxiliary display can also show weather.
Once our group had toured the radar control room, we headed for the top. The control tower has an elevator that goes up within a couple stories of the "cab." On the level where the elevator stops, the tower has a couple of small offices and an employee lounge. Each of these rooms has outwardly-facing windows, and the view is fantastic.
Once it's time to ascend to the cab, you'll have to walk up about 30 to 40 steps to the cab. Although it's not ADA-compliant, it's not too arduous of a climb.
Once you're in the cab, the view exceeds even that of the offices below. The room was windows all the way around, and is designed specifically so the controllers can see every bit of the airport property. On the day we toured the tower, the visibility was down to a few miles. We could see to the edges of the airport and a bit beyond but not much more.
Up in the cab, the tower has enough controller desks for about eight people, although only four were there when we toured. Hanging from the ceiling are some radar screens. Even with all of the high-tech equipment installed an in use, sometimes the controllers have to use binoculars so what the movement of aircraft on the ground.
Indianapolis International has parallel approaches and runways, as do many other airports of its size and larger. Some airports can bring aircraft in side by side, but incoming aircraft at Indianapolis must maintain two miles of separation.
When routing large aircraft in and out, noise is a big issue and plays a dominating role in which runways are used. Unless strong winds dictate a specific runway, the controllers will use different runways to reduce the noise "footprint" in the neighborhoods surrounding the airport.
Strong winds can have another influence on the use of the airport. After the tower became operational, they experienced some high winds in the 60 knot range. Being very tall and thin, the tower swayed in the wind, leaving some of the controllers a bit nauseous, so they had to leave their workstations. Fortunately, not many aircraft will attempt to take off or land in wind that strong so the reduced staffing didn't cause too much of a problem.
Eventually, it was time to trundle down the stairs to the elevator then head for the ground floor. The center has several nice meeting rooms on the basement level, fully equipped for classes or conducting business.
The center is a beautiful facility, and the equipment in there is fascinating. The facility and staff exude a feeling of confident professionalism. Once you get past the gates and barbed wire, it's a friendly place.
May 2007 newsletter continued from Section 1
May 2007 newsletter ends on Section 3
We had an unprecedented amount of pilots and planes this year. Chapter members piloting planes were Jon Byrum, Troy Grover, Dave Helton, Chuck Long, Paul McCord, Jim Snyder and Vern Sullenger. Along with these pilots we also had EAA pilots Harold Boyles, Jim Graham, Gary Hood, Margaret Schue and Susan Zellers, for a total of twelve pilots and airplanes.
By the scheduled closing time of 10:30 a.m., the crowd had thinned to no one waiting in line, so we started to pack up and close the event. At about quarter to 11, a father came in with two kids. We told them that we were closed, so they started to leave, looking rather sad. Margaret Schue offered one more ride, and we made these last two kids very happy.
COMING UP: Boone County Airport (Lebanon) will host a Young Eagles event on Saturday, June 23. Volunteers are needed for planes, ground crew and sign-ups.
If you have an opinion on any story that appears in the newsletter, or any other aviation-related issue, we want to read about it. We will make editorial space available for your responsible comment. Please contact the newsletter editor at 1-765-483-9533 then send it to the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com. Or just write what you wish and send it as an email.
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.
June 1-2 — EAA Southwest Regional — The Texas Fly-In, Hondo Municipal Airport (HDO), Hondo TX. For more information see http://www.SWRFI.org
The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 6:30 p.m. at Hendricks County Airport. Program: Skip Budny's Mini 500 helicopter project.
Take U.S. 36 (Rockville Road) west past Avon.
Turn left (south) on CR 300 E (84 Lumber is on the SW) corner of the intersection.
At about 1/2 mile turn right (west) into the airport.
The operations building is straight back from the road.
June 6 — Program: Skip Budny's Mini 500 helicopter
July 11 — Program: Paul Vogel Sonex
August 1 — Program: Oshkosh Report
September 5 — Program: Fly-out planning
September 15 — Fly-out
October 3 — Program: Fly-out Reprise
November 7 — Program: Mike Laurenzano Refueling
December 8 (date subject to change) - Christmas Party
January 2, 2008 — Doug Moncreiff V-Hi-Max
February 6 2008 — What's new in Troy Grover's shop
March 5, 2008 — Steve Lathrop's Bearhawk
April 2, 2008 — Dave and Steve Kopeschka Corvair-powered auto gyro
President: Dale "Gus" Gustafson, 1-317-293-4430, dalefaye@msn.com
Vice President: Doug Moncreiff, 317-280-1621, cdmoncreiff@sbcglobal.net
Secretary: Michael Mossman, 1-765-483-9533, michaelandkatie@insightbb.com
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, mailto:p_vogel@sbcglobal.net
FOR SALE: Custom composite 6.24"-wide panel flush-mount for Garmin GPS 296 or 396, $75 Contact Larry Rush k9hxt@sbcglobal.net
Current as of May 14, 2007
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 1946 Aeronca Chief CRAWLEY, Dennis Crawley27@comcast.net Grumman Tiger DAVIDSON, Ginger planecrazy13@att.net RV3 DAVIDSON, Rich ifitsoldillflyit@msn.com RV3 EMINGER, Mark tjemee@yahoo.com Christavia Mk1 GRIFFIN, Jim jimg@netcapade.net Questar Venture GROVER, Troy rv6grover@sbcglobal.net RV10 GUSTAFSON, Dale DALEFAYE@msn.com Piper J-4 HELTON, Dave davehelton@heltonassoc.com Piper Tri-Pacer HENDERSON, Robert robert_10215@msn.com Christavia MK2 KOPESCHKA, Dave iedvk@iquest.net Little Wing Autogyro KOPESCHKA, Steve stephen.j.kopeschka@rolls-royce.com Little Wing Autogyro LATHROP, Steve lathropdad@worldnet.att.net BearHawk LAURENZANO, Mike mikelaurenzano@yahoo.com Bushby Mustang II LeBARON, Tim tjlebaron@sbcglobal.net RV-4, RV8, Breezy, 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 MELCHIOR, Dirk d-r-melchior@msn.com F1 Rocket MONCREIFF, Doug cdmoncreiff@sbcglobal.net JDT Hi-Max MOSSMAN, Michael mmossman@fujifilmgs.com Zenair 601 HDS MYRTLE, Bill WEMyrtle@yahoo.com Brantly B2B, Kitfox I NG, Bart bng@math.iupui.edu RV-7A PRINCELL, Rick GRPContracting@comcast.net GP-4 RAHM, Kenneth riptide757@aol.com — REYNOLDS, Gary n98gr@aol.com RV6A ROEVER, Doug dmroever@iquest.net RV-7 Tail kit 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 SMITH, Michael mesmith958@aol.com — SNYDER, Jim jim.snyder1@comcast.net Cherokee 180 STUCKER, David d.j.stucker@worldnet.att.net — SULLENGER, Vern sullenger@iquest.net Cherokee 140, RV-7A VOGEL, Paul p_vogel@sbcglobal.net Sonex VONDERSAAR, Bob rvondersaar@austin.rr.com Steen Skybolt VONDERSAAR, Teresa tvondersaar@ausin.rr.com Steen Skybolt WEATHERS, Steve — Sonerai 2LS WININGS, Jim — Rocket
Station Virginia — One of the military's largest transports got stuck at the end of a runway atop the I-564 overpass for more than 16 hours. It was unable to turn around at the West end of Chambers Field at the Norfolk Naval Station. The incident forced the closing of the field to all but helicopter traffic and made for a dramatic sight for hundreds of motorists passing beneath it during morning rush hour.
"That thing's like a big building sitting there.'' said motorists. The nose of the aircraft actually stuck out and OVER the Interstate!
Thanks to Mike Foushee, EAA Chapter 729 (Columbus IN) newsletter editor
"I do not, however, look on the forthcoming flights as anything particularly sensational; they will be the logical result of a great deal of hard, cooperative work. There will, of course, be danger, as there must be in flying at new altitudes and speeds. But we are well prepared. I have complete confidence in the airplane and the men who have worked so long and hard on the project." Bell chief test pilot Jack Woolams, from X-1, Into the Unknown by Louis Rotundo
By Michael Mossman
Prior to the regular business meeting, EAA Chapter 1311 and guests toured the new control tower at Indianapolis International Airport on Wednesday, May 2. Due to security controls in place by the TSA, we needed to pre-register everyone who wanted to attend. Getting to the tower was a small ordeal all on its own. Coming from the north, the directions took us around the aptly-named Perimeter Road. It's several miles around on Perimeter Road, which includes a few stop signs for roads that appear to go nowhere. Eventually arriving on the road that heads to the tower, we had to drive through some construction areas, past a couple of unmanned checkpoints, through a motorized gate and barbed wire, then finally into the neatly landscaped area immediately surrounding the tower.
Using STARS, the system has the capacity to display up to 16 radar sites, like Fort Wayne, Evansville, and others. Until the system is fully operational, not all of the remote radar sites available. Indy Center controls some airspace beyond its Class C airspace, most of that being to the north and east of the airport.
The computers used for controlling can alert the controller that aircraft are too close together or on a collision course. Within the controllers' area, minimum IFR separation is three miles horizontal and 1,000 feet vertical.
All radio communication, radar and flight data is recorded and retained for 45 days. This data is used for quality control purposes and for evidence in case of an accident or other transgression.
Controllers normally work eight-hour shifts but regulations allow them to work up to 10 hours at a shift.