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

Project Update
Troy Grover has Chuck LaBarreare's RV-8A in his shop after its recent trip to a paint shop in Texas. LaBarreare finished the RV a year ago and had so much fun flying it that he delayed getting it painted until this spring. Troy's performing its first "annual" (condition inspection) and is replacing the nosewheel strut with a new and beefier installation.

Troy says that working with LaBarreare was a lot of fun because he would ask if something cool would work or fit then Troy would work on a way to get it in. LaBarreare's aircraft has a mix of some of the latest digital and analog toys in the panel.

For more information on this aircraft, see the February 2006 and April 2007 newsletters.

http://www.eaa1311.org/newsletters/060201_newsletter.pdf or http://www.eaa1311.org/newslettersweb/060201_newsletter2.html

http://www.eaa1311.org/newsletters/070401_newsletter.pdf or http://www.eaa1311.org/newslettersweb/070401_newsletter2.html

AirVenture 2008 NOTAM Available
The AirVenture 2008 NOTAM is now available on the EAA website. The Notice To Airmen is required reading and is an important part of your Oshkosh preflight preparation. The NOTAM outlines all arrival and departure procedures, radio frequencies, Wittman Regional Airport details, and must. There are updates on nearly every area to enhance safety, efficiency and convenience. Special flight procedures are in effect for Wittman Regional Airport and alternate airports from 6 a.m. CDT on Friday, June 25, to 11:59 p.m. CDT on Sunday, August 3, 2008.

Download the NOTAM at http://www.AirVenture.org/2008/flying/2008_notam.pdf

If you are unable to download the NOTAM, you may get a printed copy of the 32-page book by calling 800-564-6322.

New Endorsements Required
Mike Laurenzano reports that on March 5, 2009, pilots flying out of the United States will be required to have an "English Language Proficient" endorsement on their certificate. This is an international aviation law requirement, and will be required, even if flying to Canada. All new certificates will be plastic, and will require a $2 fee for updating. For more information, see http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/english_proficiency/ or check back in this newsletter in a few months for an update.

FAA Bans Chantix Use
Pilots and air traffic controllers may have to continue to step out of the cab for a smoke if they've been using the anti-smoking drug Chantix; the FAA recently banned the drug's use based on a report by the nonprofit group Safe Medication Practices's report. The report pointed out hundreds of serious problems since the drugs introduction in 2006, including dizziness, loss of consciousness, seizures and abnormal spasms and movements.

Although the ban is effective immediately, the FAA is not aware of any aviation accident caused or contributed to by the drug. The FAA is notifying pilots and air traffic controllers' union of the ban. The report cited many serious events, including accidental injuries, road accidents and falls, along with cased of blurred visions, seizures and movement disorders. Condensed from an AP report

Hitting The Fly-In Circuit
By Michael Mossman
Photos by Chuck Leucht
At last! The fly-in season has finally arrived. Chapter 1311 decided to kick off the new fly-in season with their first fly-out breakfast, to be held at Pam's Place, and small fly-in community just west of Eminence IN. With the opportunity to get in some flying time, catch up with some friends and get a great breakfast, Chuck Leucht, Chuck Long and I planned on departing Boone County Airport on Saturday morning, June 14, for the short flight to Pam's Place.

Alas, the flight was not meant to be. 6I4 (Boone County Airport) was socked in with fog; visibility was less than on-eighth mile. We knew that it would burn off, but when it was happen was a big unknown. Chuck Long had to be back to town early, so he opted out. Chuck Leucht and I headed over — ground bound — for the eats.

Just a few miles south of Boone County Airport, the skies turned crystal clear and stayed that during the entire tripe to Pam's Place. Had we made a mistake? No, some of the folks who came out later for some morning flying said that the fog hadn't cleared the soggy airport area until around 9:30.

We were greeting at Pam's Place by Mark Eminger wearing some rubber boots — not a good sign. Would anyone be able to land there and get out later? We were soon to find out. Vern Sullenger and Doug Moncreiff came in a few minutes later, circling the area to find the runway. Pam's Place "tower" (Mark on a hand-held radio) directed them to land a little bit long, where the runway would be the firmest. Vern came in and did his splashdown right on the money the taxied over to the parking area. With one aircraft arriving, we officially had a fly-in! A short time later, we heard the sound of a large engine overhead: Bob Braaf had recently ferried his Cessna 205 from Colorado to Greenwood Airport, laborously avoiding the heavy storms that that blanketed the midwest that week. Braaf's big six-seater made it two airplanes.

A half-hour later, completely different sound radiated from overhead, that of a substantially smaller engine. Searching the sky, we spied a tiny yellow and blue airplane: Bryan and Keith Ruberson were flying the award-winning Aeronca Chief to the breakfast. After flaring and touching down on the soft runway, Ruberson's Chief rolled for what looked like 200 feet before he turned it around toward the parking area. Three airplanes!

After spending some time taking photos and talking about 205s and Chiefs, the group headed over to Mark and Tina Eminger's hangar/shop for some breakfast. Tina cooked sausage-egg-cheese-biscuit sandwiches on the spot, and served them with doughnuts, coffee and orange juice. These breakfast sandwiches were absolutely delicious. She came around later with a few more and asked it we wanted any. I was already full (it takes just one to sustain you for the morning) and didn't think that I needed another one but the thought of throwing them away seemed heartbreaking so I indulged (I had to skip lunch that day).

Mark built a large hangar/garage/shop next to his house at Pam's Place and had it open during the breakfast. He's displayed with Christavia project and talked a bit about the design and difficulties of scratch-building the airframe. The Christavia is a tube-and-fabric fuselage with all-wood wings, and is designed for back country flying. He's got the fuselage and tail feathers welded and has completed all of the built-up wing ribs. He says that he'd like to complete the wings, but doing so means that he'd have to commit to covering them at the same time, and he's not prepared to dedicate that much concentrated time on them. He says that since he moved to Pam's Place, he hasn't had time to work on the Christavia for two years due to building the house and shop, plus the rigors of extended commuting for his work.

The first Chapter fly-out was a success. Perhaps eight to ten chapter members made it to the breakfast — some flying and the rest driving — plus their guests, a few more from the Pam's Place neighborhood and the Eminger's family filled out the attendance. Three airplanes — and it could have been two more had the fog lifted — made it a good fly-in day.

Coming up soon: Boone County Airport's fourth annual Affordable Flying open house (June 21), Noblesville's EAA Chapter 67 fly-in breakfast (June 28), and more. See you there!

Chapter 1311 Builders' Local Resource Directory
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?

Local sources:
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.

Northwest Lumber Company, 5035 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254, 317-293-1100, http://www.northwestlumberco.com. Stock of quality woods and woodworking tools.