AirVenture 2007 is now a thing of the past. It was a good convention except for the aircraft accidents that occurred en route to-at-and on the return home. The comments I've heard have all been positive. It has been several years since I've seen as many airplanes and people as there were this year. They came early and stayed longer. Also, the overspill airports had more traffic! The EAA publications have plenty of material for the next several months so I'll move on to local subjects.
I had a phone call a couple of days back from the vice president of the Greenwood EAA chapter. He had come up with the idea of a meeting on a Saturday morning in September of chapter officers. He thinking is of the chapters in the central Indiana area getting together to have a discussion about problems, new ideas, things to do and so on. I think it is a good idea and plan on attending. I should have more on this get-together at our next chapter meeting.
Last Monday evening at EAA Chapter 67 monthly, Jon Ogle put on the table the question of meeting places and what may happen to several airports in the Indianapolis regional area in the not too distant future. The airports are in the NE quadrant. I'll add a couple more that are north and northwest that could disappear, too, when the dollar bill is right. If we are to continue our type of flying, we had better start thinking of solutions, then begin taking action; otherwise, flying will become so expensive that we will be priced right out of the air. I think some of this is already taking place. Ten years from now, I predict there will be four to five less airports in the area serving general aviation.
I'll close with commenting that August seems to be a slow month for fly-ins and things to do, but keep a sharp eye on September. That month the calendar is full! Hope it cools off some as my grass needs mowing.
Gus
In Attendance: Bob Braaf, John Broyles, Skip Budny, Mark Eminger, Gus Gustafson, Doug Hatfield, Bob Henderson, Dave Kopeschka, Steve Kopeschka, Mike Laurenzano, Jim Lewis, Doug Moncreiff, Michael Mossman, Gary Reynolds, Bryan Ruberson, Jim Snyder, Vern Sullenger and Paul Vogel. If you were there but we didn't record it, let us know.
Guests: Walt Fritz and Lou Sullenger.
Treasurer's report: $1,820.80 in the bank plus $73 for the tool fund, plus whatever would be collected during the evening.
Secretary's report: Michael Mossman reported on updating the newsletter content and chapter member records. Since Michael will not be at the September meeting, we will need someone to record the minutes and perhaps take some photos.
Vice President's report: Doug Moncreiff reported on up-coming fly-ins and the following months' meeting program schedule. On September 15 the chapter will host a fly-out somewhere. Currently, the plan would be to hold it at Pegasus Farms.
President's Remarks: Gus will announce nomination committee in September, candidates in October, election during the November meeting. Aluminum Overcast is due in Bloomington IN on September 11-12, and is sponsored by Chapter 650.
Fly-Out Planning: Mike Laurenzano: Fly-in is scheduled for September 15. We will put the location and information on the chapter website and also in newsletter. Pegasus Farms resident Dennis Singleton has offered to cook. We can hold the meeting in Peggy Mershon's hangar if the chapter will spring for food and drinks. Those planning to attend should send a head count to Laurenzano and copy Michael Mossman and Doug Moncreiff.
Project Reports: None given.
Young Eagles Report: None given.
New Business: Gary Reynolds reports that there are 57 items on the VU tool list, with some of the items being sets. We have 16 items donated so far. His estimate is that about $600-700 will be needed to buy enough tools to finish the first set, as he would like to have the set ready by the time school starts, with the deadline being the end of August. Vern Sullenger moved to auction the tool box with a minimum bid of $300 and put the proceeds towards the tool set, then buy the rest of the tools from the chapter treasury, reimbursing the treasury with 50/50 earnings until the end of the year. Gary Reynolds seconded. All voted in favor; none opposed. Motion passed.
Buy/Sell/Trade: None reported.
50/50 Drawing: Jim Lewis won $17, with $17 going to the toll scholarship fund. Jim donated his winnings to the fund.
Program: After the business portion of the meeting, the members held a round table discussion of AirVenture 2007. See feature story at end of newsletter.
To get a downloadable PDF membership application see http://www.eaa1311.org/PDF_files/membership_application.pdf
Hitting the Fly-In Circuit
Chuck and I got the Zenair out of the hangar and prepped it for the short flight north to Frankfort IN (FKR) for their fly-in breakfast. While the sky was beautiful from the ground, the visibility was a bit murky in the air. Fortunately, it was well above minimums, and Frankfort is a short hop from Lebanon, so we flew with confidence. In just a few minutes we were in their pattern and announcing our intentions for runway 09. Upon landing we followed a Cherokee and a Cessna to the parking area. The ground crew directed me to park beside the Cherokee and had the airplane chocked before I could get out. Nice touch.
The Commemorative Air Force's PT-26 came in as the sole representative war bird and vintage divisions.
Several Cessna 172s, Cherokees, some other Pipers, a Beech Musketeer, some twins and other span cans made the show. Most of the hangar doors were open and roped off, giving the crowd a bit of static display for some light viewing. Most of the hangared airplanes were not show-stoppers and some should have left the doors closed. However, a few unusual airplanes were available for viewing and are worth noting.
A Velocity canard was tucked backwards into a T-hangar. These airplanes still look futuristic in spite of all of the advances everyone else has made in design. They look fast just sitting there.
Several local businesses hoped to capitalize on the fly-in traffic and set up small booths for financial services, nursing homes, and other local enterprises. But we weren't interested in their wares, we came for the food. So Chuck and I headed to the maintenance hangar, where the local volunteers set up shop to grill pancakes, sausage and dole out generous portions of coffee and orange juice. They were asking for donations with the proceeds going to a local charity.
We hung around for a short while then decided to head over to Westfield. We originally planned to return to Boone County Airport and head over to Westfield with a group but none of them were flying so we went direct. Westfield is just a short little hop so we barely had time to get to altitude and get on course then prepare to enter the pattern and land.
Westfield airport is to the west of town and has a grass 18-36 runway that nearly abuts state road 32, so it's easy to find. The runway is a bit rough. With so little rain this summer, it hadn't been mowed so the grass was a bit high. Still, it's easy to get in and out of. Just watch your gross weight on those high density altitude days.
Westfield has a bunch of ultralight-style of aircraft based there. Many are the so-called "fat ultralight" that have already been converted to experimental sport light aircraft. We poked around through the open hangars, looking for the new and unusual, the old and moldy, anything to catch our eyes, and perhaps that elusive barbecue grill. Finally, we heard the sound of airplanes overhead. Several of the fly-in attendees were in the pattern after a morning poker run. Now we have a fly-in!
The Indy Flyers "ultralight" club has been hosting a poker run and summer fly-in at Westfield for several years. They had about 12 participants in the poker run, who flew in for the lunchtime festivities. After landing and parking, Chuck and I got a good look at what these guys are flying.
COMING UP: Marion IN's annual Fly-In/Cruise-In, scheduled for Saturday, September 1, is a "must attend" event. They'll have a great assortment of homebuilts, classics and contemporaries, military and commercial, plus a fine showing of old, unusual and showy automobiles and motorcycles. All proceeds support Marion's high school band.
September Fly-Out at Pegasus Farms
Help will be appreciated for planning the day. Equally important, a few volunteers will be needed to clean up after the meeting. Also, a hand held radio that will be needed. If you are a volunteer for either or both of these, or can provide the radio for the day, please let Mike Laurenzano know.
Commemorative Plaques Displayed at Oshkosh
Tom, a Zenair 601 builder, got the idea to cut aircraft plaques from a friend who spend eleven years building an airplane from scratch and wanted something very permanent to document it.
A small plaque cut using a clear, high-resolution JPEG photo can cost as little as $50. Scanning, extensive photo editing and inlays will add to the cost. Larger plaques for business signs can run to $2,000 or more.
Interested in getting one for your self? Want to give one as a gift? Need a permanent sign for your FBO? Want to recognize a new homebuilt's first flight? Perhaps planning your tombstone in advance? Tom invites interested parties to stop in. Bring your photo and they'll engrave it while you wait. Take I-65 north to Merrillville, then head west on US 30. They're just inside the Illinois border on US 30. Contact Tom at 708-758-0050 or email at rogangranite@hotmail.com. Check out their website at http://www.rogangranite.com.
Chapter Tool Scholarship in Full Swing
Gus bought a new, proper-sized toolbox to start of the set. Upon opening it he discovered that it was damaged so he's taken it back to be replaced.
Gus petitioned the EAA and received its "blessing" for the scholarship, pending a "hold harmless" clause for the scholarship. The full set of tools, which is required for the Vincennes University A & P license program, will be loaded to a deserving student. Since the chapter has successfully accumulated a full tool set, Gus would like to start a second set. Since the A & P program lasts two years, alternating the two sets would allow the chapter to assist one new student every year. Practically all that remains to be done is to select the worthy student.
Funding for the current future sets is coming from the 50/50 proceeds, member donations and proceeds from the auction of the donated tool box. To see the toolbox, contact Gary Reynolds at 317-590-7059 or N98GR@aol.com. Minimum bid is $300. If you would like to make a donation to the fund, please send your check to the Vern Sullenger, chapter treasurer.
New Chapter Name Tags Available
We have two simultaneous designs available for members. Those with an aircraft will be able to have a nametag with a photo of their aircraft in the lower left-hand corner. Members currently without an aircraft will have the EAA logo in front.
If you are new to the chapter or would like to have your nametag updated with a photo, please send an email to Michael Mossman at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com. We get it ready for the nametag at no cost to you. Restrictions for content and reproducibility will apply.
Chapter 1311 Builders' Local Resource Directory
AED Motorsport Products, 5375 W. 86th St., Indianapolis IN 46268, 317-334-0569 http://www.aedmotorsport.com. AED specializes in 4130 chrome moly, stainless, aluminum, titanium, FK rod ends and spherical bearings.
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,
Earl's Indy, 302 Gasoline Alley, Indianapolis IN 46222, 1-800-331-INDY http://www.earlsindy.com. Earl's specializes in hoses and related supplies and service, plus AN fittings and hardware.
McKinney Corp, Lafayette, IN http://www.mckinneycorp.com. They stock a wide variety of 4130 steel and 6061 aluminum tubing, AN hardware, NACA scoops, and other items
Check out our online directory at http://www.eaa1311.org. Click on the link "Homebuilder's Resources" on the left. Note that all resources listed are merely suggestions; as a chapter we do not endorse any of them. Our recommendation: "Caveat Emptor" (let the buyer beware).
Project Updates
Is your project finished and flying? Consider submitting a flight and performance report for the newsletter. Your experiences and insight will help other members who are building the same or similar model aircraft, and will positively influence others who may be contemplating an aircraft project. If you aircraft has been flying for several years now, you might be making adjustments, modifications, or undertaken some significant repairs? Any memorable flights? Share them with your fellow chapter members!
Download a Microsoft Word copy of the Project Questionnaire at http://www.eaa1311.org/PDF_files/Project_Questionnaire.doc
Support Our Servicemen
SERVICEMAN UPDATE NEEDED: In December of 2002 Jim Griffin joined Chapter 1311. Shortly before the war with Iraq started Jim signed back up as a Major with the Marines and has been serving in Iraq. If anyone knows how to contact Jim, or knows of his whereabouts or of any way to track him down, please contact the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com.
Newsletter Publication Schedule
Get back editions of the newsletter at http://www.eaa1311.org. Click on the link "Newsletters" at the left then click the link for the edition that you want.
Membership Roster Updates Needed
August 2007 newsletter continued onto Section 2
August 2007 newsletter ends on Section 3
By Michael Mossman
With AirVenture sitting smack dab in the middle of out publication schedule, and the rest of the month sweltering in the oppressive heat, there haven't been very many fly-ins within a short flight. So when I headed out to the airport on Saturday, August 11 for a little bit of flying, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that two local airports had activities planned that day. Saturday was a gorgeous day so Chuck Leucht and I decided to hit both of them.
Kokomo-area resident Tom Gebeau spotted me and came to say hello. I met Tom at Greenwood in 2001; we were both building Zenairs at the time and often use fly-ins as a chance to catch up and compare notes. Tom finished his 601HD about a year before I did and hits most of the area fly-ins. He has also flown it to the northeast corner of Ohio and has made a few day trips to Put-in-Bay in Lake Erie. He equipped his airplane with an 80-hp Rotax engine and a hand-held radio. It's a great example of how a nice aircraft can be built on a minimum budget.
Another interesting homebuilt making it to Frankfort was a Little Toot built by Bob White of Crown Point IN. With ailerons on the bottom wing only, it's appears capable of some modest but fun aerobatic flight.
A Mitsubishi MU-2 turboprop was hangared but visible. This little twin-engine rocket ship is not commonly seen around here and drew its share of oglers.
My vote for the best "oh my gosh" was this Comp-Air turboprop. This airplane looks like it can do it all: haul lots of people and baggage, do it with a full load, fly out of high density altitude airports with a short runways, clear obstacles, and cruise at high speed, all while looking very slick and studly. With no visible data card we were unable to estimate the fuel consumption, which had to be as dramatic as the airplane's appearance. Perhaps that's why it wasn't flying on Saturday.
We taxied to the tie-down area and thought that we came in on the wrong day. Only one other airplane was there, an all-metal Titan Tornado. Could we have been mis-informed about the fly-in? Chuck and I toured the hangars, looking for interesting aircraft and any signs of a barbecue grill.
They had a few Quad City Challengers and three or four Kolb aircraft plus the aforementioned Titan. One guy flew in a Interplane Skyboy (very nicely equipped), plus an Avid Flyer and a Carlson were there. The airplane that really caught Chuck's attention with a Czech-built Sting aircraft. It was all composite, low wing, with a front-hinged bubble canopy, Rotax engine and the best panel that I've ever seen on an LSA. We struck up a conversion with the pilot, who said that it's his wife's airplane and he's just flying it until he gets into his next project, which he thinks will be a RV-9.
After their obligatory hugs and hand shakes, the Indy Flyers participants and ground observers made their way to the back row of hangars, where they had a couple of grills and tables for a cook out, plus a cache of food and drinks. Menu for the afternoon was hamburgers and bratwurst plus chips, baked beans, cole slaw, cookies and cake, and bulging ice chests of soft drinks and bottled water. Chuck and I devoured the delicious fares, thanked our hosts and departed for home.
Next year, check out the fly-ins calendar for Indy Flyer's Westfield fly-in. The food is good and you'll get a great close-up look at how well some of the really little airplanes perform. You'll see what the flying life is like at a little, private grass airport. But the best part is the people. They're friendly and ready to talk to anyone. There's not a pretentious one in the bunch. I'll see you there next year.
By Mike Laurenzano
The September's fly-out will be at Mershon Airstrip, Pegasus Farms, Monrovia, IN on Saturday, September 15th. Since we don't have any serious business to conduct, the first arrivals will be expected to begin at 1000 hours with meal time at 1130 hours.
Mershon is listed as a restricted (private) airstrip on both the St. Louis Sectional Chart inset and on the Indiana DOT Aeronautical Chart as Mershon (6IN6). The runway is 3,000 feet long and 100 feet wide grass strip with runway orientation 16/34. It is on the 201 degree radial at 16.9 DME from VHP (116.3) at N39o32.77'-W086o28.64', with an elevation of 870 feet MSL. The south end of the airstrip 20 feet higher than the north end and is maintained for daily use.
For those planning to fly in, one can choose to land from the north over the trees or from the south, over Hickory Springs Development. The preferred direction is from the north where the terrain, for about the first 1,000 feet, slopes up from the tree line on the north edge of the airstrip. Consequently, once over and past the trees, as you continue the approach, the strip will very gradually come up to meet you. As you descend below the tree line, you may feel a little claustrophobic since there are trees on both sides of the runway. The next 2,000 feet of 16 is then fairly level and ends at the southern boundary of Pegasus Farms, where Peggy Mershon (the developer) has her hangar and house. If you approach from the south for landing on 34, you will be flying over a housing development that has trees at the initial part of the approach and a house just to the east of the centerline, about 300 feet just south of the end of the airstrip. Recommended traffic pattern altitude is 800 feet MSL with standard left hand traffic. We plan to be on frequency 122.9 MHz starting at 1000 hours to provide any assistance for your arrival. Once on the ground, taxi south to the turn off on the southwest end of the airstrip across the road to a grass area south of the hangar. There will be someone to assist in parking.
For those driving, from I-70 take the Monrovia/Belleville exit, Exit 59 (which is Indiana 39) and go south past the truck stop on the right and continue south to Monrovia, about 2 miles. In Monrovia, the road "T's" at Indiana 42 (which is also Main Street). Turn right on 42 and go west straight through town about 4 blocks on Main Street, past the Subway Sandwich Shop on the south side. The very next intersection past Subway is Baltimore Road. At that intersection there is a big rock at the southwest corner that says "Baltimore Road," which is also marked with a street sign. Turn south (left) onto Baltimore Road and go 2 miles until you see a black rail fence on the east side, which is "W Aurora Lane." Before turning off of Baltimore Road, make sure there is no traffic coming north. It is best to almost come to a stop at the crest of the road to make sure it is clear on the other side before turning. Turn onto Aurora Lane past the green "Pegasus Farms — Private Road — No Outlet" sign. Follow Aurora Lane about three quarters of a mile, as it curves right, then down a hill, then up a hill and then curves left. Once you get out of the wooded area you will see a large white house with a green roof and a hangar next to it. Park on the pavement or blacktop near the hangar and please do not drive on the grass.
Peggy Mershon has been gracious enough to let us use her hangar for the meeting. All chapter members and their family are invited. Since the chapter will provide the necessary food and beverages, there is no requirement to bring anything. However, if there is something you would like to bring, please do so. Please do bring your favorite lawn chair. In order to properly plan, please do respond to Mike Laurenzano at malaurenzano@yahoo.com or 317-201-5889 with the number in your party who will attend, no later than Sunday, September 9th.
At the Classic Aircraft booth and at other stops at Oshkosh, Tom Rogan of Rogan Granite in the Chicagoland area was showing engraved granite plaques of aircraft with commemorative information. Originally the business started making monuments for graves sites and expanded into countertops, which comprises most of their business. They've recently acquired a water jet cutter that can make aircraft parts, but devote its shop time to custom engraving plaques and stones. Working with JPEG photos, they are able to show incredible detail. If further relief is needed, they can cut inlays with one color of stone and fit it into another.
Gus Gustafson's new project, the Eric Gustafson Tool Scholarship, is now nearly complete. The chapter started with a donated Snap-On tool box that's too big for the aviation program. The chapter will auction the tool box, with the proceeds to help pay for the rest of the tools. Several chapter members have donated some tools. With the chapter's blessing, Gary Reynolds bought the rest of the tools, many at significant discount.
EAA Chapter 1311 now has its nametags 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?
Start thinking of the places where you locally buy for AN hardware, sheet metal, paint, tools and other items. We'll need an address, phone number and web site, if they have one. Be sure to let us know if you would recommend them to others or not. The idea here is that members should be able to look to suppliers that you trust and would continue to do business with. Please forward your ideas and recommendations to Michael Mossman at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com.
Let's get some updates on chapter members' projects. With just a bit more than 50 members, we list about 48 projects. Although many of these are flying, most are in various stages of build or rebuild. Let's get a story and photos about them in the upcoming editions of the newsletter.
Be sure let the newsletter editor know if any of our members or their families has someone in the service, especially if they have been called up for active duty. We'd like to recognize them and thank them for representing us so honorably.
EAA Chapter 1311's newsletter is published by email notice on the 15th of each month, with a PDF version available on the chapter web site around the 20th. Newsletter contributors: Please email your material to the newsletter editor by the 14th of the month.
If you changed your email address or internet service provider, please be sure to let the newsletter editor know of the new address. If you know of a chapter member who's changed their email address or is no longer getting the newsletter, please let us know. Contact the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie@insightbb.com