Hendricks County EAA Chapter 1311
Avon/Danville, Indiana
Chapter 1311 meets on the first Wednesday of the month. See schedule for location and dates
Monthly Newsletter —October 2007
Section 1
From the Chapter President
By Dale "Gus" Gustafson
This month I'm getting an early start on my remarks for the October newsletter. An early start not only means the day but also the time of day. Yep! The sun does rise in the east and this morning it was big and round and a really bright orange. A beautiful sight to see! I'm on the north side of Indy metro area at an eye surgery center waiting in the lobby while they prepare my wife for cataract surgery.

I've heard that the fly-out was successful on Saturday, September 15. I was unable to come to the fly-in because I was in Oshkosh attending an EAA Chapters leadership Conference. There were chapter leaders from all over the U.S. All of the areas of the country were represented. We discussed many aspects of the aviation industry, both good and bad, and time seemed to be at a premium. A good summary of the meeting is forthcoming. The last Saturday (the 22nd) there was another central Indiana chapters' leaders meeting at the Greenwood airport. Five of the central Indiana chapters were represented.

Have any of you lately been watching the price of crude oil go up? What the cost of aviation fuel will be is anybody's guess. This is when the little old 4-cylinder, 65-h.p. engine can make a comeback. The old Champs and Cubs are here forever! How many of you like the sound a radial engine makes when it is at idle? I have one that is my favorite, and I'm only thinking of 165 to 450 h.p. engines. We have P&W, Wright, Lycoming, Continental, Jacobs and Warner. Mine is the Lycoming R-680 of 225 h.p., and it has the front exhaust collector ring. The sound at idle is just like a sewing machine. Also, nine cylinders do a lot to help the smoothness. Stinson Aircraft used this engine back in the early thirties and it was also used on Stearmans in the PT series.

I'm now back to finishing my remarks for the newsletter. Over two weeks have passes since I first started this writing. Faye is doing fine with her eye. We've been to Fort Wayne and then I went on up to DeKalb County Airport to help out with a Young Eagles event on Saturday, the sixth. I was doing my usual thing taking pictures, (this time using a digital camera) after the boys and girls had arrived back from their flight. One of the young boys was blind but he had a smile from ear to ear. Seeing a smile like that just makes it all worthwhile!

Before the November chapter meeting they will have selected the person to have the use of the toolbox for probably two years. Hope to have this person as a guest at our meeting. Also in my November remarks, I plan to write about airplane hangars a subject that I think needs addressing.

It is now the middle of October and maybe time to think about storing our flying machines for the winter, raking leaved and getting the snow blower ready. Fly and drive safely.

Gus

October's meeting
October's meeting was held on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at Hendricks County Airport. Chapter President Dale Gustafson opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

In Attendance: John Broyles, Dennis Crawley, Mark Eminger, Gus Gustafson, Dave Helton, Robert Henderson, Mike Laurenzano, Chuck Leucht, Jim Lewis, Glen Matejcek, Doug Moncreiff, Dave Morton, Michael Mossman, Rick Princell, Gary Reynolds, David Stucker, Vern Sullenger and Paul Vogel. If you were there but we didn't record it, let us know.

Treasurer's report: Currently have $1,054 in the account plus $40 in dues to deposit and whatever we will have from the 50/50 drawing. Vern Sullenger: If we sell the toolbox the chapter won't have much of its own funds in the tool kit. This evening we paid our website hosting fee. We now have hats, which are $12 each; when you buy them you will pay the chapter. The remainder of the EAA calendars are now free; pick one up from the table.

Secretary's report: Michael Mossman gave a reading of the minutes of the September meeting, which were approved.

Vice President's report: Doug Moncreiff gave a report on the fly-out to Pegasus Farms. Mike Laurenzano brought enough food for about 30 people; approximately 21 came. HCAA loaded the chapter the tables. Dennis Singleton cooked bratwurst on the grill and Peggy Mershon had very positive comments on the outcome. We now have an open invitation for using the hangar again.

The elections will be on the November 7 meeting. The program will be Mike Laurenzano talking about air-to-air refueling. Our annual Christmas Party will be on December 8 at Brave Italian restaurant at 86th and Ditch Road. We will be taking reservations and checks.

Elections Report: Glen Matejcek said that the board of directors would like to expand the numbers of Class II directors. The slate of candidates was announced. Additionally, there will be a referendum on the ballot for extending the term of the Class I directors (officers) to two years. This year we will also be allowing an email vote.

President's Remarks: Gus reports that Noblesville Chapter 67 is hosting their annual barbecue on Sunday, October 7 from noon to 3 p.m. Long-time barbecue volunteer Maurice Hobson won't there; he is headed to the hospital. Gus reports that there are lots of good perks for being a chapter officer. You get lots of free stuff and learn a lot at the EAA leadership seminars. Plus they feed you very well.

Young Eagles Report: Chuck Long is conducting a Young Eagles outing for some Cub Scouts at Hendicks Co. Airport and needs volunteers.

New Business: Glen Matejcek reports that David Gray, our program at the May 2006 meeting, painted the cover of a book on the battle of Midway. The Harpoon is no longer coming to Hendricks County Airport. They cannot transport it with a failed engine, plus the fact that the BAA is gone so the accommodations are now more favorable at Mount Comfort.

Buy/Sell/Trade: Gus Gustafson reports that a flat 4 O-290 engine in crate is available at Mount Comfort. The engine should be about 125 to 145 h.p., and is pickled, They will entertain offers. Gary Reynolds has two RG25 batteries for free. They are 12 volt and are good for testing avionics, etc.

50/50 Drawing: Gus won $16 from the 50/50 drawing. He donated his winnings to the tool fund.

Program: The members gave a round table report on the Chapter fly-out to Pegasus Farms and of the fly-in at Lee Bottom Field.

Web Newsletter in Three Sections
The web newsletter is divided into three sections to take some of the sting out of the download time. If you receive only one section of the newsletter, or if the sections you receive are missing the embedded photo attachments please contact the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie@insightbb.net. The PDF version that gets posted on the website will remain as one file. See http://www.eaa1311.org/newsletters.html to download a PDF newsletter. (PDFs are posted within one week of the email version.)
Welcome New Members
Lebanon resident Chuck Leucht joined Chapter 1311 at the August meeting. Chuck and his wife Pam have a Cessna 150 and recently purchased Arvel Turner's partially-completed RV-9A. Previously to joining the chapter, Chuck has volunteered for many Young Eagles flights and is on the board of directors for Boone County Airport Association. He works for Air Systems Components in Lebanon.

We have had many guests over the past few months and many people have expressed an interest in our organization. Look around and see if you have any friends, family members or acquaintance that are interested in aviation. Take the time to invite them as a guest to the next meeting. If you see somebody new, introduce yourself, welcome him or her, and invite them to sign up.

To get a downloadable PDF membership application see http://www.eaa1311.org/PDF_files/membership_application.pdf

Rush Sells RV-6A
Larry Rush sold his beautiful RV-6A recently to a buyer in Nebraska. He writes "FYI ... My plane RV-6A N939LT, 'Daddy's Girl' has a new home in Omaha, NE as of Oct 1st !!! Sad event. Larry 'LIMA TANGO SENDS'"

If you'd seen Larry's airplane you'd recognize it to be an outstanding example of fine workmanship. We hope that he got a good price for it and that it has a good home.

Ask Your Tech Counselor
By Gary Reynolds

At the September meeting Jim Lewis brought up the question of whether or not a homebuilder can perform some alternate tests on a transponder came up. Here are the EAA's answers:

What inspections are required for VFR operations?
The aircraft transponder and altitude reporting equipment (encoder) must be inspected and certified every 24 months in accordance with the requirements of F.A.R. 91.413 and F.A.R. 43, Appendix F.

What inspections are required for IFR operations?
In addition to the transponder inspections required by 91.413, the altimeter and static system must be inspected and certified every 24 months in accordance with the requirements of F.A.R. 91.411 and F.A.R. 43, Appendix E.

Who can perform these inspections?
With a few exceptions, only a FAA Certified Repair Station with the appropriate ratings may perform the inspections required by 91.411 and 91.413.

What are the rules for Experimental aircraft?
Experimental aircraft must also comply with 91.411 and 91.413 requirements for transponder and altimeter inspections and certifications.

Can a builder with a repairman certificate for the aircraft he built perform his own altimeter or transponder certifications?
No. Although the FAR's do authorize the "manufacturer" of the aircraft to conduct the tests, the builder of an amateur-built aircraft does not meet the FAA's definition of a manufacturer. The FAA, in Order 8130.2, defines a manufacturer as a Production Approval Holder (PAH). Some examples of a PAH would be the holder of a Production Certificate (PC), a Parts Manufacturing Authority (PMA), and Technical Standards Order Authorization (TSOA). According to the FAA, an amateur builder does not fit this definition and, therefore cannot perform the transponder and pitot/static tests on his/her homebuilt.
(Info obtained from Ferrer Aviation Services, LLC — source: EAA website)

Project Update
Tim LeBaron has installed the wings and has finalized the panel installation of his RV-4 project. He bought the crashed airplane about a year ago and has systematically been rebuilding it. We hope to hear more about this rebuild in the near future and to see it fly from Tim and Erika's new home in Arlington TX up to Indiana for a fly-in soon.

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.

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

Cold Weather Inflight Hazards and Tips
By Dave VanDenburg
This month I would like to discuss cold weather operations by discussing some in-flight hazards and tips applicable in the winter months.

Probably the first in-flight hazard that comes to mind when we think about winter is icing. I have flown combat aircraft in a lot of areas of the world, and short of actual combat, only two things scare me in an aircraft. One is thunderstorms, which we don't see much of in the winter, and icing, which we do. If you see ice build up on your windshield or wings, change altitude or find clear air quickly. Don't be afraid to use the "E" word (emergency) to get whatever help is available from ARTCC.

If you experience a reduction in RPM (fixed pitch prop) or a reduction in manifold pressure (constant speed prop), suspect induction system icing. This could be carb ice or impact ice on your air filter. If you think you are experiencing induction system icing, apply full carb heat or select alternate air. If you have carb ice, the engine will probably run rougher (as the ice melts) but will clear up soon. I do not recommend using partial carb heat unless you have a carb air temp gauge. Partial heat may increase the carb ice problems.

If you are flying behind a constant speed prop, cycle it every 30 minutes or so to keep warm oil in the dome. A sluggish pitch change mechanism could be slow to react and result in an engine overspeed during a rapid power application. This could be really expensive (and dangerous).

Switch fuel tanks with plenty of fuel remaining in the tank. If you have a frozen valve and cannot select the full tank, you will still have enough fuel to land safely. If you wait until the engine coughs, and then find you cannot move the selector valve, you will probably call yourself a few bad names and join the ranks of those called "Glider Pilots."

Avoid power off letdowns. A high speed, idle, descent can result in very rapid cooling of your engine (shock cooling) and cracked cylinder heads. Lycoming recommends a maximum temperature change of 50 degrees F per minute. Keeping the engine leaned until you are approaching pattern altitude can also help keep your engine temps up.

After landing, run your engine at a low power setting for several minutes prior to shutdown. This also promotes slow cooling and will reduce oil coking if you are turbo supercharged.

Lastly, I highly recommend you carry some form of survival kit. It would really stink to survive an off airport landing and then freeze to death before someone found you. Some of the things I recommend are space blankets, some duct tape, matches, an aluminum cup, knife, freeze dried coffee, tea, signaling mirror (a CD works great) and warm clothing to include a hat and gloves. Also carry a hand held radio.

These have been just a few ideas to consider when flying during the winter months. Lycoming has some cold weather tips in their book "Key Reprints." This book is available free online at www.lycoming.textron.com. Your POH is also a great source of cold weather operating tips.

Winter flying is fun and can be just as safe and enjoyable as summer, if we take a few precautions.
Dave VanDenburg is an EAA Tech Counselor for Chapter 439 in Michigan. Contact him at email: WA8DOF@yahoo.com

October 2007 newsletter continued onto Section 2
October 2007 newsletter concludes on Section 3