The first comment that I want to make is that I was very pleased with our monthly meeting last Wednesday. We had four guests, several becoming members of the chapter. I want to welcome them all. After the business portion of the meeting, we traveled west to Skip Budny's home to view his helicopter project. Skip had a very nice presentation and refreshments followed. His shop is a place to be envied. The finish work was done by Skip and a lot of very good engineering went into it. Again, I want to thank Skip and his wife, Kay for their efforts.
June's meeting was held on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at Hendricks County Airport. Chapter President Dale Gustafson opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
By Mike Laurenzano
Many of you already know about "Pegasus Farms" South of Monrovia, IN. Some of you have even visited it. For those who remember, we even had an EAA Chapter 1113 meeting there in July 2003.
For those who do not know about Pegasus Farms and how to get there, a few hints will be provided. The runway is 3,000 feet long and 100 feet wide grass strip with runway orientation 16/34. It is on the St Louis Sectional Chart inset and listed as Mershon's which is on the 201 degree radial at 16.9 DME from VHP (116.3) [N39o32.77´ W086o28.64´].
The location is absolutely beautiful as the airstrip is maintained for daily use. Approaching from the North, about the first 1,000 feet slopes up from the tree line on the north edge of the strip. The next 2,000 feet of Runway 16 is then fairly level and ends at the southern boundary of Pegasus Farms, where Peggy Mershon (the developer) has her hangar and house.
One can choose to land from the north over the trees or from the south, over Hickory Springs Development. Either way, it is a really fun experience. From the North as you descend below the northern tree line, you will feel a little claustrophobic since there are trees on both sides of the runway and you will be getting the sensation that you or descending into a valley. You are — a valley of trees. However, this particular approach is a confidence builder. If you approach from the south on Runway 34 you will probably will be stopped by the time you get abeam the main access road. Once on the ground, taxi south to the turn off on the southwest end of the airstrip. Even though there are grass taxi strips to the lots, I suggest that you shutdown and park on the grass to the west of the strip and not attempt to taxi beyond that area without a guide. Mike Mossman might be able to shed some light on this issue.*
In case you might be wondering why I am familiar with Mershon's, it is only because my wife Livia and I have built a house and moved there last summer. It was not an overnight decision to move to Pegasus because the idea of purchasing a lot started back in 1997. I did not do so then because the developer, Peggy Mershon, had no legal guarantee in place that the airstrip would remain in perpetuity. However, five years later, when having a runway was not as much as a criterion as it had been, my wife and I decided it really was time to move from Plainfield and enjoy a little more country; and country is what Pegasus Farms is all about.
Just recently the Pegasus Farms Homeowners Association was organized and agreed that the airstrip would stay as planned by Peggy. I could say that I did not have a lot to do with that decision, but the fact is, I did.
Since Mershon's is listed as Restricted (Private), for those who would like to visit, please contact Mike Laurenzano at 317-201-5889 to let me know you would like to do so. And by the way, Peggy still has lots available. So come and visit. I guarantee you will enjoy the scenery and the excitement of landing at the prettiest and most picturesque grass airstrip in Indiana.
(*The runway is reasonably smooth but some of the taxiways have the potential to eat propellers. — Ed.)
Chapter 1311 to Sponsor Tool Scholarship
Gus presented his basic outline to EAA Oshkosh, who blessed the idea but would like a "hold harmless" clause in the scholarship. There are still a few more details to work out but the basic idea is quite simple. The chapter will need to accumulate a starting set of tools for a worthy Vincennes University A&P student. The basic tools to start with may be used but serviceable (not junk) and be contributed to the chapter. Just about every person involved in aviation ends up with surplus tools and equipment as time moves on and they no longer have a use for them.
Requirements: Initially we will call it a Tool Library with the chapter retaining ownership while the student is taking classes. Student must maintain passing grades. Should the student drop out, he cannot take the tools with him. However, upon receiving the A & P license, the chapter may donate the tools to the student should they be needed for employment.
Snap-On, Craftsman and Mac Tools give Vincennes University students a substantial discount, but any other quality tool manufacturer such as S&K, Williams, Matco, Proto, etc., are also acceptable. All tools must meet the minimum requirements of this list, with no substitution of tool types permitted. We're starting off with a nice tool box that has been donated to the scholarship.
To qualify, an application would need to be submitted. A selection committee would need to be established: i.e., two members from the school and one from the chapter, or perhaps the reverse. Having to be a member of the EAA cannot be a requirement (discrimination problems). We may, however, invite the student to attend the chapter meetings and functions. A person in the chapter should be selected to oversee and monitor this program. Should the chapter cease to exist, the tools would be donated to whichever school the student is attending, or a private individual may desire to continue the program.
It is very possible that this proposal would become an annual function at the beginning of each school year as it usually takes two years to complete all classes.
Financing this proposal may be done in various ways; i.e., 50/50 drawing at the chapter meetings, setting aside money for this specifically, cash contributions, donations of tools and even outside contributions from other persons or groups.
The Indianapolis area has several A & P schools in its geographical area and possible employment after graduation may be available.
To see a list of the required tools, download the PDF file at http://www.eaa1311.org/PDF_files/vu_tool_list.pdf.
New Chapter Name Tags Available
We have two simultaneous designs available for members. Those with an aircraft will be able to have a name tag with a photo of their aircraft in the lower left-hand corner. Members currently without an aircraft will have the EAA logo in front.
We have photos and/or illustration for perhaps a third of the members. For those that we don't have a photo or illustration, you'll be able to submit your own photo for use, with some limitations based on acceptable formats and content: we will need photos that will reproduce with reasonable clarity, and you will need some legitimate connection to the aircraft in the name tag.
Acceptable formats: Scannable analog photos, or digital photos in JPG, TIFF, EPS, Photoshop composite formats. Digital photos will need to have resolutions from 640 to 2600 pixels in width.
Unacceptable formats: Word documents or PDF files with embedded photos. Photos printed from a laser or inkjet printer cannot be accepted. Digital photos with resolutions less than 640 pixels in width will not be used.
Acceptable content: Your current or recent aircraft (whole or fractional ownership), another aircraft of same make and model that you are building or an aircraft that you have a significant connection (flew it in a war or for the airlines, etc.).
Unacceptable content: Aircraft you didn't own or have any significant connection, non-aircraft subject ( we won't use a photo of your car or dog, etc.) or any content in poor taste.
We'll start out with the tags that we have and update them periodically as we get more photos and/o project completions. If you have a photo that you would like to use on your name tag, please send an email to Michael Mossman at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com. We get it ready for the name tag.
Chapter 1311 Builders' Local Resource Directory
Previous resources:
AED Motorsport Products, 5375 W. 86th St., Indianapolis IN 46268, 317-334-0569 http://www.aedmotorsport.com. AED is up on the NW side of Indy, and specializes in metals such as, 4130 chrome moly, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, FK rod ends and spherical bearings. They carry sheet, tubing, and various cross section bars, rods, and angles.
Chance Aviation, 4444 Decatur Blvd , Indianapolis, IN 46241, 317-486-8802, http://www.chanceaviation.com. Chance is a parts supplier tailored to the local FBO's, and does not have a full line of hardware in stock. However, they might have what you need on hand and keep you from waiting for a mail order delivery.
Earl's Indy, 302 Gasoline Alley, Indianapolis IN 46222, 1-800-331-INDY http://www.earlsindy.com. Earl's is in Gasoline Alley, and specializes in hoses and related supplies and service. They also carry an extensive line of AN fittings and hardware, as well as some ducting and wiring supplies, such as SCAT and heat shrink tubing.
McKinney Corp, Lafayette, IN http://www.mckinneycorp.com. Specializing in parts and materials for the drag racing community, they stock a wide variety of 4130 steel and 6061 aluminum tubing, AN hardware, NACA scoops, and other items
Gus Gustafson has proposed a new Chapter 1311 philanthropic project called "The Eric Gustafson Tool Scholarship. The intent is to aid a financially stressed person get a start on the basic tools needed for the required courses while pursuing the A & P license. Tools may cost upwards of a thousand dollars by completion.
EAA Chapter 1311 now has its name tags for the meetings. Our tags are a lanyard-style of tag, so there is no clip to mar the fine fabric of your clothing.
We've all been around town trying to scrounge up a few AN bolts or perhaps some 4130 tubing to finish a last-minute weekend building or repair project. How much easier would it be to know where the best supplies of quality parts and materials are?