The chapter members got the New Year off right. It may have been COLD and WINDY, but I was very pleased with the turnout. The program about light sport aircraft was interesting and having a new aircraft in an enclosed hangar helped a lot; I want to thank everyone involved in putting this program together for that meeting. Right now I think that "light sport" is going to be a main element in keeping general aviation alive.
Today (Saturday, January 12) I did my share of airport visiting. In the morning I was on the southeast side of Indianapolis at Post Air attending the monthly war birds Squadron 3 meeting. From there, I went up to Sheridan to see the normal Saturday crowd — lots of fling being done. It was beautiful day! I also learned that a person in Cicero, IN, is putting Titan Tornados together. He is doing about five a year and has been using Westfield for the test flying.
Yesterday I got to meet the gentleman who has the use of the chapter's tool box while attewnding A & P school at Vincennes. He is very appreciative to have its use. "Professor" Clark arranged a photo session during the noon hour. Gary Reynolds and Mike Gehrich were also there. After the picture taking, Dave gave Gary and me an additional tour of the school facilities. That is a very nice place to work or attend school. If only I were 20 years younger.
Under the heading "interesting reading," look at page 10 of the last issue — # 24 — of General Aviation News. What the city officials are doing to the small guy in aviation is something else. It ranges from disgusting to very laughable. You have to read it.
Looking forward to next month's meeting and the visit to Troy Grover's shop.
Gus
In Attendance: John Broyles, Dave Clark, Dennis Crawley, Troy Grover, Dale Gustafson, Dave Kopeschka, Steve Kopeschka, Glen Matejcek, Doug Moncreiff, David Morton, Michael Mossman, Gary Reynolds, Kim Shumaker, David Stucker, Vern Sullenger and Paul Vogel. If you were there but we didn't record it, let us know.
Guests: Clayton Eckert, Sean Smith, Chad Suverkrup and Ernie Winters.
Treasurer's report: The chapter closed out the first tool fund with a net chapter expense of zero. We will continue the 50/50 throughout 2008 to build up for the next tool set.
Secretary's report: We didn't have any minutes from the December meeting, which was held at the Christmas Party on December 8. The Board of Directors held a meeting immediately before the general chapter business meeting. Items discussed: report on the financing of the tool scholarship fund, setting dues for 2008, future direction of the newsletter, and on-going community outreach projects for the chapter. The board authorized David Morton to research prospects of the Airport Authority giving the chapter hangar space.
Vice President's report: We had a great time at the L.A. Café for the Christmas Party. 28 people came that night and the food was excellent, the company even better, and everyone had a great time.
President's Remarks: We have several chapter service awards to present. Some of them went to members who were not present at the Christmas Party. Chuck Long received an award for Young Eagles Coordinator, and Michael Mossman received awards for Chapter Secretary, Newsletter Editor and Tech Counselor.
New Business: Dennis Crawley has some new chapter hats for $12.
The HCAA is planning a bus trip to the USAF Museum in Dayton OH for one day in April. Cost will be about $25 per person.
Buy/Sell/Trade: None listed.
50/50 Drawing: Not held
Program: Clayton Eckert and Chad Suverkrup of Fast Track Flight brought an Evektor SportStar aircraft and talked about Sport Pilot training. See feature story at end of newsletter.
To get a downloadable PDF membership application see http://www.eaa1311.org/PDF_files/membership_application.pdf
Dues are Due!
Please send your $15 dues to the treasurer: Vern Sullenger, 1763 Ramsey Lane, Plainfield IN 46168, or give it to Vern at the next meeting. Make your check out to EAA Chapter 1311.
LeBaron Flies Restored RV-4
Hopefully by spring I will have all the bugs worked out and can fly up to Indy for a fly-in or two. I put the first take off and landing on You Tube if you wish to see it. The links are as follows:
First takeoff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOeInnBxqpY
First Landing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPpxZ9D2BXg
Tim LeBaron is a former Chapter 1311 president and now works for the NTSB as an accident investigator. He and his wife Erika live in the Arlington TX area.
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).
Time for a Checkup
December 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
First of all, I am sure you are surprised to hear from me. I'm surprised too. As most of you know, I have spent the last three years fighting colon cancer and it's not getting any better. I can no longer take the chemo treatments as they have beaten my body to a pulp.
I cannot stress enough to everyone when they reach that Half Century Age mark to schedule themselves for a colonoscopy. If I'd only known, I wouldn't be sending this letter, Actually, if colon cancer is in your family, don't wait until your fiftieth birthday — do it now! My youngest son had one and they removed two polyps that might have been trouble down the road. My tumor grew for probably 10 years before it gave me grief. If I can save one person from this disease, then I have accomplished enough in my life.
I don't have an actual prognosis as my oncologist is such a "up" kind of guy he's pretty good a sidestepping unpleasant topics. He said I could have months still, but he couldn't be coaxed to say how many. Frankly, no one can really say for sure. So, I'm just in a holding pattern, waiting to take off for a new destination that people say is better by far than this beat up old world.
When I was a little boy, I looked up into the sky in the beautiful forest of Yosemite Park where my family was camping and saw an eagle fl through the air. I longed to be that eagle. But that night I woke up scared that I'd actually turned into that eagle. That experience stuck with me all my life.
God gave me the next best thing. With wings of metal and engines that roared, just like that majestic creature, through the clouds I soared. I've been privileged to view this earth from high above cities and wilderness and see sunsets that were too awesome to even attempt to describe. I've met and worked with some of the best people in the world and been blessed with more friends than I probably deserve.
Most of my dreams came true and I've had a very good life. Outside of a few episodes of turbulence here and there, my life with Shirley and the kids has been a very smooth flight. So I will sign off for now and wait until I board for my last trip. I have no fear of leaving except that I'd really planned to take a later flight. Oh well, that's the way it is in the aviation field. Take care of yourselves and enjoy life each day to the fullest.
Happy landings,
Note: This gentleman boarded for his last trip and flew west on January 3, 2008. — Gus
Aviation on the Web
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
Boone County Airport News
CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Boone County Airport Association's annual Christmas Party, scheduled for December 15, was cancelled due to weather and rescheduled for Saturday, January 19.
Hangar Space: There are several hangar vacancies available. Anyone desiring to base an aircraft at the airport or use the maintenance hangar will be required to join the association. For more information contact Michael Mossman, association secretary, or see the website http://www.booneairport.org.
Young Eagles News
Editorial Comments Sought
Calendar of Events
April 18-13, 2008 — Sun 'n Fun Fly-In — Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL), Lakeland FL. For more information see http://www.Sun-N-Fun.org
June 6-8, 2008 — Golden West EAA Regional Fly-In — Yuba County Airport (MYV), Marysville Ca. For more information see http://www.GoldenWestFlyIn.org
June 14-15, 2008 — Virginia Regional EAA Fly-In — Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ), Suffolk, Virginia. For more information see http://www,VAEAA.org
June 27-29, 2008 — Rocky Mountain EAA Regional Fly-In - Front Range Airport (FTG), Watkins CO. For more information see http://www.RMRFI.org
July 9-13, 2008 - Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In — Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO), Arlington WA. For more information see http://www.NWEAA.org
July 28-August 3, 2008 — EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh WI. For more information see http://www.AirVenture.org
August 23-24, 2008 — Indianapolis Airshow — Mount Comfort Airport (MQJ), Greenfield IN. For more information see http://www.indyairshow.com
August 25-26, 2008 — EAA Mid-Eastern Fly-In, Marion OH (MNN)
September 27, 2008 — Wood, Fabric & Tailwheel Fly-In — Lee Bottom Field, Hanover IN (64I)
October 10-11, 2008 — EAA Southwest Regional, The Texas Fly-In — Hondo Municipal Airport (HDO), Hondo TX. For more information see http://www.SWRFI.org
For details on EAA Chapter fly-ins and other local aviation events, visit http://www.eaa.org/events
January 2008 newsletter continued onto Section 2
Once again it's time for Chapter 1311 members to ante up with dues. The chapter's board of directors again set the 2008 dues at $15 to help meet the chapter's on-going expenses. Since we don't have any chapter fund raising events, we need to pay our EAA assessments, insurance, web site maintenance, and other internal expenses with what we raise from dues.
By Tim LeBaron
About Wednesday of last week I started realizing that I was running out of excuses why I couldn't fly the RV-4. Thursday night we performed the first engine run and Friday night I cowled it up and added ten more gallons of fuel. Saturday morning dawned clear with wind out of the south at eight knots. Erika, along with several of my co-workers, showed up for the event. I bet I'm the only person that ever had four accident investigators from the NTSB watching and video taping their first flight.
After a brief engine run up I was cleared to depart Runway 17 from Grand Prairie Airport (GPM). I climbed to 2,000 feet and circled the airport for about 45 minutes. GPM is under class B airspace so I had to stay low to keep from busting the DFW airspace. Things went well and after my knees stopped knocking I figured it was time to land. The landing was uneventful, for which I was relieved. After all that was the first time I had landed an RV-4.
I had several observations during this first flight. First of all the view was awesome. Second of all the cabin was a little draftier then I expected. This will come in handy during the hot Texas summers. Third of all I had to hold right rudder during the flight to keep the ball centered. I have since added a rudder tab.
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.
(Editor's note: the subject isn't exactly aviation related, but since most of our chapter is of the age mentioned in the letter, this might be relevant to your life. If this is one of your New Year's Resolutions, make an appointment soon.)
John V. Wilder, Captain
PSA/USAirway (retired)
By Glen Matejcek
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has an aeromedical branch. They are very good at dealing with medicine in aviation and the FAA. They have saved many professional pilots' careers. Some years ago, they formed a side company to deliver the same services to airmen outside of ALPA. This company is called Virtual Flight Surgeon, and is (obviously) a web-based service. My current employer, the air traffic controller's union, and several other airlines all contract with them. Individuals with medical issues can hire these folks to address medical certification issues for a fee. They probably represent the single greatest resource for folks with aeromedical issues. I have two friends that have used them for very serious issues, aside from my own adventure with kidney stones. For more information, visit the site http://www.aviationmedicine.com/
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
TRANSACTIONS: Roy Dawes traded his taildragger Colt conversion with a Lycoming 320 engine to an undisclosed party in Texas for a Globe Swift in early January. The Texas had a ferry pilot fly the Swift from Texas with the landing gear locked in the down position. He then hopped in the Colt and flew it south.
EAA Young Eagles Update: By newsletter publication date more than 1,370,610 Young Eagles have taken their first airplane ride.
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 or send it as an email to michaelandkatie@insightbb.com.
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.
January 17-20, 2008 - U.S. Sport Aviation Expo — Sebring Regional Airport (SEF), Sebring FL. For more information see http://www.Sport-Aviation-Expo.com