It has finally arrived — decent flying weather. This Saturday and Sunday was worth waiting for. I was at my favorite hangout on Saturday and was very pleased to see the guys getting planes in the air. I also noticed that fly-ins were being posted on the bulletin boards for June already. I hope that the cost factor will not affect the fly-in season too much. We talk about the 100 dollar hamburger … now it is becoming the 100 dollar pancake.
April's meeting
April's meeting was held on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Hendricks County Airport. Chapter President Dale Gustafson opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
In Attendance: John Broyles, Skip Budny, Tom Chapman, Dave Clark, Mark Eminger, Dale Gustafson, Bob Henderson, David Kopeschka, Steve Kopeschka, Mike Laurenzano, Jimmy Lewis, Michael Mossman, Gary Reynolds, Mark Rinehart, David Stucker, Paul Vogel, Jim Winings and Ernie Winters. If you were there but we didn't record it, let us know.
Guests: Jim Aikman, John Kerrighon and Cale Nelson.
Treasurer's report: Not given
Secretary's report: Michael Mossman gave a report on the March meeting meeting.
President's Report: When I was in Florida just about every weekend someone was busting themselves up. In the first accident a homebuilt came out of Daytona/Spruce Creek Airport and caused the accident. Two were killed on the spot, the other two went to hospital where one of the died, the other's condition is unknown. It happened at an early spring fly-in breakfast. An RV was taxiing while a Velocity made an attempt to land. After the second pass it hit an airplane trying to make a go-around.
At another Florida accident a pilot was taxiing a corporate jet that got away and hit two other corporate jets.
Young Eagles Report: The chapter held a Young Eagles event on March 16 for a group of Tri-West school academic group. Due to multiple reschedulings no kids showed up that day.
Tool Scholarship Report: Gary Reynolds reports that the second tool kit is under way. To date 27 of the 57 required items are now acquired.
50/50 Drawing Not held.
Program: Steve Kopeschka showed his Little Wing Autogyro project. See feature story toward 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.
Project Update: Huey Restoration Under Way
The group now has a C-47 that flew at Normandy and is looking to restore it to either flying or static display condition. The C-47 was on a field at Nashville TN restaurant; the group got it for a very reasonable price.
According to the FAA, they had 18 reports of fuel injection servo plugs that had loosened or completely backed out of the threaded plug holes on the regulator cover of the fuel injection servo. A servo plug gasket has been found to shrink from engine heat, causing the plug to lose torque and back out, often causing damage to the threads along with a substantial loss of engine power.
The AD requires that an FAA-license mechanic inspect the servo plus for looseness and damage on the fuel injection threats that have a servo plug gasket, reinstall acceptable parts, and torque the servo plug to a new, higher torque value.
Affected engines:
Lycoming IO, (L)IO, TIO, (L)TIO, AEIO, AIO, IGO IVO and HIO series engines with Precision Airmotive LLS RSA-5 and RSA-10 series fuel injection servos
Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) TSIO-30-RB engines with Precision Airmotive LLS RSA-5 and RSA-10 series fuel injection servos;
Superior Air Parts IO-30 engines with Precision Airmotive LLS RSA-5 and RSA-10 series fuel injection servos.
For complete information on this AD, see http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts.
Tech counselors, A & Ps and other skilled builders: How has your experience helped another builder or restorer? We have lots of builders in our chapter who may have encountered similar problems. Please share your skills and opinions in this newsletter.
ATA Calls It Quits
ATA's shutdown stranded not only paid passengers but also its employees at locations such as Chicago, Mexico and Hawaii. ATA typically flew about 10,000 passengers per day.
While all airlines, including ATA, struggled with rising fuel prices, competitive pressures and reduced ticked demand, ATA faced an additional obstacle: loss of a government contract. ATA had contracted with the government to fly charters across the globe, shuttling military members and their families to assignments overseas. ATA, who enjoyed a lion's share of these government airlift contracts, had entered into an agreement with FedEx Corp. with the contracts. FedEx terminated the venture a year earlier than stated in the agreement, dooming ATA's profitable charter business.
ATA's demise will affect some Southwest Airlines customer, who flew on both airlines through a code share arrangement.
Unrelated the ATA's collapse, Aloha Airlines filed Chapter 11 just weeks prior to ATA's filing.
Aviation on TV
AOPA Safety Seminar at Purdue in April
March's presenter, Allan Hoffler, was very witty and entertaining and spoke with confidence on real-life aviation experiences. His flight career and knowledge of the most recent Nall Report helped to emphasize how many pilots fell into fatal errors and how easily these death traps could have been avoided.
The seminar is free and is open to all pilots, regardless of whether or not they are AOPA members. It'll be held on Wednesday, April 23 from 7-9 p.m. in the Stewart Center of Fowler Hall in West Lafayette. For more information, see http://www.asf/org/seminars.
Chapter 1311 Builders' Local Resource Directory
Local sources:
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.
Northwest Lumber Company, 5035 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254, 317-293-1100, http://www.northwestlumberco.com. Stock of quality woods and woodworking tools.
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).
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
Chapter Begins Second Tool Scholarship
The chapter will need to accumulate a second starting set of tools for a worthy Vincennes University A&P student. The basic tools to start with may be new or 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.
The chapter has already begun the funding process, with proceeds from the 50/50 drawing at the monthly meetings, plus some seeding donations from members. If you have some tools that you would like to donate or purchase for the tool scholarship, check download the list of needed tools from the web site. Because the list isn't updated as fast as tools could potentially come in, check with Gary Reynolds at 317-745-6223 or n98gr@att.net for the current status of the tool list.
See tool list.
Boone County Airport News
Hangar Space: All hangars are now rented. The club will post a waiting list for available hangars and will consider building new ones to accommodate new members. 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 25-27 — T-6 Fly-In — Cincinnati Lunken Field.
June 6-8 — Golden West EAA Regional Fly-In — Yuba County Airport (MYV), Marysville Ca. For more information see http://www.GoldenWestFlyIn.org
June 12-15 — Aeronca Fly-In — Middletown, OH
June 14-15 — Virginia Regional EAA Fly-In — Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ), Suffolk, Virginia. For more information see http://www,VAEAA.org
June 17-21 — Sentimental Journey (Piper Cub fly-in), Lock Haven, PA
June 27-29 — Rocky Mountain EAA Regional Fly-In —- Front Range Airport (FTG), Watkins CO. For more information see http://www.RMRFI.org
June 21 — Fourth Annual "Affordable Flying" Open House — Boone County Airport (6I4), Lebanon IN. All day events, hog roast lunch at noon. For more information see http://www.booneairport.org.
June 21 — Midwest Taildraggers Rendezvous — Indianapolis Post Air Airport (7L8), Indianapolis IN. 8:30 to 2 p.m. Continental breakfast and lunch cookout by EAA Chapter 900 Central Indiana Sport Flyers Assocation
July 9-13 — Arlington Northwest EAA Fly-In — Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO), Arlington WA. For more information see http://www.NWEAA.org
July 28-August 3 — EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh WI. For more information see http://www.AirVenture.org
August 23-24 — Indianapolis Airshow — Mount Comfort Airport (MQJ), Greenfield IN. For more information see http://www.indyairshow.com
August 25-26 — EAA Mid-Eastern Fly-In, Marion OH (MNN)
August 31 — Fly-In/Cruise-In — Marion, IN (MZZ)
September 10-14 — Reno Air Races
September 27 — Wood, Fabric & Tailwheel Fly-In — Lee Bottom Field, Hanover IN (64I)
October 3-5 — Victory Days — Columbus, IN (BAK)
October 10-11 — EAA Southwest Regional, The Texas Fly-In — Hondo Municipal Airport (HDO), Hondo TX. For more information see http://www.SWRFI.org
October 11 — Seymour Airport Awareness Day — Seymour IN
For details on EAA Chapter fly-ins and other local aviation events, visit http://www.eaa.org/events
April 2008 newsletter continued onto Section 2
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
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.
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.
Skip Budny reports that the H-model Huey helicopter that the Indiana Air Search & Rescue is restoring will be ready for flight by mid-summer. The Huey, which saw service in Vietnam and therefore qualifies for true warbird status, will be certified as a First Responder aircraft. It will be making the local airshow circuit then will be dispatched to emergency sites across the country. It will be operated under the control of the Homeland Security Administration.
Ask Your Tech Counselor
FAA Announces Emergency AD For Engines
On March 12, 2008, the FAA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive number 2008-06-51 to owners of aircraft equipment with Lycoming Engines, Teledyne Continental Motors and Superior Air Parts engines equipment with some models of Precision Airmotive fuel injection servos.
Indianapolis-bases airline ATA Airlines discontinued all flights on Thursday, April 3. The airline that previously filed for bankruptcy protection just three years ago, re-entered bankruptcy for what appears to its final exit from the airline market.
Condensed from Associated Press
Starting on Sunday, April 27, at 9 p.m., PBS will be begin airing a 10-part series entitled "Carrier," which is a documentary about life on the aircraft carrier Nimitz. The film crew spent more than two weeks at sea on the Nimitz and got some unprecedented access to not only the crew but also many locations and systems on the ship that are normally off limits to the media. Lafayette PBS station aired the 20-minute preview on Wednesday, March 19; the series looks like a "must see" for military aviation and navy fans. Check your listing for local airings.
The AOPA's excellent safety seminar, "Top 5 Mistakes Pilots Make," will be held on Wednesday, April 23 on the Purdue campus. This same seminar played on the east side of Indianapolis on March 13.
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?
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.
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.
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
With a successful first tool set completed and loaned, Chapter 1311 is now starting the funding for a second 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.
Transactions: Vern Samuels bought Richard Dawes' Piper Cherokee 140/160 and will continue to base it at the field.
New Members: Fishers resident Rodney Davis bought a WW-II Stinson L-5 in Michigan and brought to the field the first week of April.
EAA Young Eagles Update: By newsletter publication date more than 1,376,846 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.
April 18-23 — Sun 'n' Fun Fly-In — Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL), Lakeland FL. For more information see http://www.Sun-N-Fun.org
April 2008 newsletter ends on Section 3