I'll start off by saying that not much is coming to mind to write about this month. During the last ten days I have been to three different EAA area meetings and the attendance has been between 18 to 20 at each meeting. This seems to be lower than normal and I am wondering why. I know the economy is bad right now but I think there is more to it than that. Do any of you have any answers, ideas or suggestions that could be of help? My brain (what's left of it) is about worn out trying to find answers.
May's meeting
May's meeting was held May 6, 2009, 6:30 p.m., in the Operations Building at Hendricks County Airport, and chaired by Chapter President Dale Gustafson.
In Attendance: Bob Braaf, Jim Buise, John Broyles, Dave Clark, Mark Eminger, Dale Gustafson, Doug Hatfield, Dave Helton, Jim Lewis, Doug Moncreiff, Michael Mossman, Rick Princell, Gary Reynolds, Mark Rinehart, Dave Stucker, Vern Sullenger, Paul Vogel and Steve Weathers. If you were there but we didn't record it, let us know.
Guests: None recorded.
President's Remarks: John Beetham was one of the six people honored by EAA as a director emeritus. Four, including Beetham, were unable to attend the ceremony. Gus wanted to bring him to Oshkosh but he is unable to travel. He has a bad left hip and uses a cane to get around; cortisone shots have not helped. His doctor is not sure if a hip replacement would work. Beetham was a president of Allisons Aviation Division and was a past treasurer of the EAA. He also was an air force pilot. At the Chapter 67 meerting, they reminded members that Obama is coming to Notre Dame , then down to Indianapolis for fundraisers. Beware of any TFRs in place. Watch out that you don't get caught away from the field on May 22 and can't get back in due to the TFR. You can also expect more TFRs around Chicago as he comes and goes.
Vice President's Remarks: The TSA is starting to get goofy about security. Had someone from TSA must need and ID. Anywhere inside the hangar or fence. Thinks it's about keeping jobs more than anything else. Dave Clark says that we need to find out what the TSA is proposing before we react. The TSA claims that it does not need to follow "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" before establishing any news rules; this is being debated.
New Business: Mark Eminger says that the chapter fly-out breakfast is also a drive-out. It will be on June 27, from 8-11 a.m., at Pam's Place, 78I. The Ford Tri-Motor's visit has been moved to Indianapolis Metro Airport for May 26, 27 and 28. it will also be at Columbus on Thursday for rides.
Tool Box Report: Gary Reynolds needs to do a tool inventory and get them ready for students to use them the next semester.
EAA Work Part Report: Dave Clarks says that two work parties are left, one for May 156-16-17 and another for June 12-13-14. The VAA built a large 75 x 100 Vintage Aircraft hangar, and will need assistance with finishing the electrical, HVAC and other systems.
Young Eagles Report: Young Eagles rally at Mount Comfort Airport on June 20; volunteers needed. See story this newsletter. Also, Dale Gustafson reports that the FAA and EAA have an agreement that inspectors will not do spot checks and inspections at Young Eagles events. There is still the possibility that a maverick inspector out there will come out.
Treasurer's Report: Vern Sullenger reports the chapter has $2,163.60 in its coffers.
50/50 Drawing: Jim Lewis won $15 and donated his winnings to the chapter.
Program: Doug Moncreiff let a discussion on attending AirVenture as a group. See story later in this newsletter.
To get a downloadable PDF membership application see http://www.eaa1311.org/PDF_files/membership_application.pdf
Dues are Due!
Please send your $15 dues to the treasurer: Vern Sullenger, 1763 Ramsey Lane, Plainfield IN 46168, or give it to Vern at the next meeting. Make your check out to EAA Chapter 1311.
Ask Your Tech Counselor
The size of the fuel lines in a typical single engine light aircraft are determined by the fuel consumption rate of the engine. The lines in a gravity feed system need to be large enough to supply at least 150% of the fuel consumption of the engine at full power. A pressurized fuel system (i.e., a system using fuel pumps) needs to be able to supply at least 125% of the fuel consumption at full power (AC 90-89A page 23)(14 CFR 23.955). The formula for fuel flow rate in a gravity feed system is .55 x engine horsepower x 1.50 = pounds of fuel per hour divided by 60 to get pounds per minutes divided by 6 to get gallons per minute. In a pressurized system simply substitute 1.25 for 1.50.
The line size will vary per installation depending on a number of factors including how high the fuel tank is above the carburetor inlet and what kind of restrictions are in the line (filters, screens, valves, sharp bends in the lines, etc.). generally, if the flow is not high enough the line size needs to be larger, but if the pressure is not high enough either height of the fuel tank of the carburetor needs to increase, or a fuel pump needs to be added to the system.
AC 90-89A is available here:
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulartory_and_Guidance)Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/d08fa9393154b63682569ba006f6d7/$FILE?ATTLMVEO/AC90-89A.pdf
All new and old Advisory Circulars are available here:
http://rgl.faa/gov/Regularatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet
From EAA Safety Wire, April 2009
Ask Your Flight Advisor
From EAA Safety Wire, April 2009
Chapter Fly-Out Breakfast Planned
Pam's Place has a 4,000-foot grass runway with clear approach and departures at both ends; estimated field elevation is 795 MSL. Communicate on 122.9. If you plan on flying in, enter 39 degrees, 30 minutes 2.7 seconds north and 86 degrees, 41 minutes 24.7 seconds west into your GPS. No GPS? It's about 9.8 nm 144 degrees south of Putnam Co. Airport ("Greencastle" 4I7), or 10.3 NM 254 degrees west of Pegasus Farms, where we had our fall fly-out. Aircraft parking will be available. Note that there is no fuel available on the field.
Driving directions from Indianapolis:
If you would like to come, please RSVP Mark and Tina so they know how much food to prepare. Call 765-528-2146 (home phone) 317-31-0285 (Mark's cell phone) or 317-331-0235 (Tina's cell phone). You may also RSVP by email at tjemee@yahoo.com
EAA Opinion On TSA Directive
Details of this TSA directive started coming to light late last year, as airport officials began advising airport users to prepare for security changes. Since then, EAA has partnered with AOPA, NBAA, GAMA and others to voice concern and raise awareness on The Hill.
We believe the measures are unnecessary, don't enhance national security, are costly, impractical, and threaten general aviation activity.
We all have objected to the way TSA is handling this situation. TSA packaged the new requirements as a security directive (think of it as a secret internal memo) to airport managers instead of allowing public input and comment.
Because of this secretive approach, we don't have all the details of the program. However, enough of the pieces have come together and we have a feel for the major provisions. If adopted in full by the beginning of next month, the directive would:
Our objections to the directive include:
We have provided this information to keep you and your fellow Chapter members informed on this issue. EAA, along with other aviation groups, continue to work to preserve airport access and the future of general aviation.
If you or your members have additional questions about this issue or other government-related issues facing aviation, please visit our web site at http://www.eaa.org/govt.
Hitting the Fly-In Circuit
Getting into Purdue was another matter. It's in controlled airspace, and the controllers all seem to be students. There was a constant stream of aircraft trying to get in. Even more, Purdue has a flight school, and it seemed like every airplane they had was trying to get in or out of the pattern. It was busy, busy, busy, and the controller had his hands full. I even heard one pilot say that it was tougher than getting into Oshkosh. Yeah, it was full. The controller ordered a go-around when I was but a few feet from the runway when the aircraft in front of me hadn't completely cleared the runway.
Ground control directed me to the parking area. There had to be at least 50 airplanes on that crowded ramp. Some of by Boone County buddies arrived just minutes before me and were directed to the back of the ramp. The line people flagged me to the front — a real ego boost. I wished for a moment that I had washed my plane because everyone was going to see the effects of the winter on it. At least they would know that it is for flying, not a hangar queen.
All kinds of airplanes came to the fly-in. There were Cubs and Chiefs, Cessna 172s, homebuilts, even a Cessna amphibian. The big attraction was a F-18 out on the ramp. It's hard to believe that huge Navy fighter flies off of short aircraft carrier decks.
The breakfast was sponsored to benefit the Purdue flying club, so almost everyone out there was a student, working the ramp, cooking and serving, etc. By the time I got to the line, the wait was very long, and it wasn't moving. One of the serving volunteers told me that they ran out of food and had to buy more mix and sausages; they didn't realize the crowd would be that big. I told her that of course it would be big; this was the first fly-in of the year. It's been a long winter and we are all hungry for some airport food!
After visiting with some friends in the hangar "cafeteria" I headed out to the plane, as I had some chores to do at home. My quick departure was not to be; there was a cub scout troop circling my airplane. I opened up the canopy and let them take a look inside, then spent some time talking to them about homebuilding and airplane and answering questions. This kind of attention really makes owning a homebuilt worth while.
After the scouts had dispersed, I called ground control to get permission to make a short cut around the north end of the field to the runway. I switched frequencies to the tower, was cleared to depart and made the short, uneventful flight home. Another fly-in season off to a successful start.
NTSB Action Prompts Many To Respond
I sent the link to a friend in Australia who was contemplating a XL project but recently switched to a Jabiru because the Australian government grounded the fleet due to the fatal accidents. We also sent the email to a Chapter 1311 member who is in the early stages of building a 601 XL. I didn't think there would be much activity on this issue as there aren't a lot of Zodiacs flying, nor is there a lot of wide-spread interest in them
What I didn't anticipate where how many emails and phone calls about this proposed grounding. About an hour after I read Chuck's email I got an additional email on the subject. One of the guys at my home field had read it and was concerned that my airplane might be grounded — or worse — break apart in the air. Since this second email when to my home address I had a heightened priority to respond because Katie forwarded it to me. She was worried that it would affect my airplane, too. My email explained that the wing spar structures were different in the two 601 models, and the aileron hinges were different, too, resulting in greatly different flutter potential. Besides, the proposed grounding should affect only the factory-built SLA models, not the experimentals.
Later that day I got a couple more emails about the NTSB recommendation. Since the subject was fresh on my mind I sent these guys the same information I wrote before and assured them that there was nothing to worry about. But the next day I got more, and also had several other people ask me about it when I stopped in at the airport. I was starting to get annoyed about it; after all, my airplane wasn't the model under attack and I already addressed the issue. But these folks, and the ones who took the time to call me on the phone to alert me, weren't there to grill me, and they weren't just being nosy; there were interested in my well-being.
It really hit me when Mike Laurenzano called me up one evening; there were a lot of people watching my back. The aviation community is fairly small, and everyone seems to know each other and what they are flying. We know each others' aircraft and their flying habits. We know who is rated, who takes un-warranted chances, who is fair weather only, who likes to show off, who has been busted by the FAA, who really knows his stuff and who knows his limitations. We talk about those who regularly violate the FARs and those who don't keep their aircraft or flying skills up to snuff. I've seen friends and people I didn't know confront pilots for unsafe behavior, such as cutting others off during a take-off or landing, and for buzzing houses, etc. Usually, one person will take action but others will simply nod their heads in passive agreement. This was the first time that I had noticed a bunch of people individually take the lead on what they believed was a safety of flight issue. After I while I really felt honored that so many people were concerned for my well being.
The aviation community is relatively small; it seems like everybody knows everybody. Most of us know what the rest are flying. It's really great that out little aviation community is standing together and looking out for each other. We can't afford to lose anyone. That's why I was touched when I kept getting phone calls and emails. I have a lot of friends looking out for me. I hope that these same friends are watching out of you. I sure will.
VAA Work Parties Looking For Volunteers
We have living accommodations for volunteers, and we will have great evening meals supplied by chefs Steve Nesse (your regular host at VAA's Tall Pines Cafˇ) and Bob Lumley. We will also supply lunch. Please let Archie James know (afjamesn46p@comcast.net) if and when you are coming so we can make arrangements for food and lodging.
Please bring tools — hammers, drills, tape measures, etc.
The work weekends are as follows:
May 15, 16, 17 — Finish the electrical to the office spaces, start the electrical to the exhibition area of the new hangar, install paneling, and connect the water and drainage.
June 12, 13, 14 — Finish the cabinets in the Volunteer Center, finish the trim to the other offices, connect the outside electrical, and finish whatever else needs to be done.
July 23, 24, 25 — Setup and cleanup before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009.
See you there!
Mike Blomback, michael846@aol.com
Editor's note: Dave Clark is representing EAA Chapter 1311 with the work parties and invites all members to participate. If you would like to join Dave at an Oshkosh work party this year, contact him at 317-839-4500 or davecpd@att.net.
Little Known Facts From WW-II
1. The first German serviceman killed in WW-II was killed by the Japanese (China, 1937), the first American killed was killed by the Russia (Finland, 1940); the highest ranking American killed was Lt. Gen. Lesley McNair, killed by the U.S. Army Air Corps. So much for allies.
2. The youngest U.S. serviceman was 12-year-old Calvin Graham, USN. He was wounded and given a Dishonorable Discharge for lying about his age. His benefits were later restored by an act of Congress.
3. At the time of Pearl Harbor, the top U.S. Navy command was called CINCUS (pronounced "sink us"), the shoulder patch of the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry division was the Swastika, and Hitler's private train was named "Amerika." All three were soon changed for PR purposes.
4. More U.S. servicemen died in the Air Corps than the Marine Corps. While completing the required 30 missions, your chance of being killed was 71%.
5. Generally speaking, there was no such thing as an average fighter pilot. You were either an ace or a target. For instance, Japanese Ace Hiroyoshi Nishizawa shot down over 80 planes. He died wile a passenger on a cargo plane.
6. It was a common practice on fighter planes to load every fifth round with a tracer round to aid in aiming. This was a mistake. Tracers had different ballistics at long range; if your tracers were hitting the target 80% of the time your rounds were missing. Worse yet, tracers instantly told your enemy he was under fire and from which direction. Worst of all was the practice of loading a string of tracers at the end of the belt to tell you that you were out of ammo. This was definitely not something you wanted to tell the enemy. Units that stopped using tracers saw their success rate nearly double and their loss rate go way down.
7. German Me-262 bombers were capable of bombing New York City (one way) but they decided it wasn't worth the effort.
8. German submarine U-120 was sunk by a malfunctioning toilet.
9. Among the first "Germans" captured at Normandy were several Koreans. They had been forced to fight for the Japanese Army until they were captured by the Russians, and forced to fight for the Russian Army until they were captured by the Germans, and forced to fight for the German Army until they were captured by the U.S. Army.
Saving the best for last:
10. Following a massive naval bombardment, 35,000 United States and Canadian troops stormed ashore at Kiska, in the Aleutian Islands. 21 troops were killed in the assault. It would have been worse if there had been any Japanese on the island.
From Midwest Antique Airplane Club magazine
Newsletter continued on Section 2
Newsletter concludes on Section 3
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 michaelandkatie1@comcast.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 2009 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.
Fuel Line Sizing
By Pete Dougherty, TC #5337
Sizing fuel lines for small aircraft is a subject that is hard to give a standard answer to that will apply to every project. Most of the time fuel line requirements should already be figured out for you by the designer of the aircraft. What I have seen in the field is that generally, if the engine is rated at, say 50 h.p. it would have 1/4" fuels lines. If it was 65-180 h.p. it would usually have 3/8" fuel lines, and so on. Again, these are general number and what you really need to know is that there going to be enough volume of fuel delivered to the carburetor at the right pressure. The following are some FAR Part 23 guidelines for certificated aircraft that may be helpful for the homebuilder as a guideline.
First Hints for Homebuilders DVD Available
By Charlie Becker, Director of Member Programs
Please let your fellow builders know that our first DVD version of our Hints for Homebuilders videos, Sheet Metal Vol. 1, is now available. These online videos have been a resounding hit and we have had a number of requests from people with slow or no high speed internet service for a downloadable version of the Hints. To address this request, we created a DVD version of our Sheet Metal Hints for Homebuilders. This eliminates the need for a high-speed connection and allows you to watch the video in the comfort of your living room on a bigger screen. I must say that watching it on the big screen was so much better than watching it on my small computer monitor. The price is $14,95 but if you order before August 2, 2009, members will receive an introductory price of only $9.95. Our hope is that this DVD will be popular enough that we can offer additional Hints DVDs on other building topics. To order a copy, call 1-800-843-3612. The product code is F15604.
Chapter 1311's first fly-out breakfast for 2009 will be on Saturday, June 27 at Pam's Place (78I), a small aviation community airport about three miles southwest of Eminence in Morgan County. Mark and Tina Eminger will be hosting the 8-11 a.m. breakfast to chapter members and their guests. This will be a "rain or shine" event; if it rains, come out for breakfast and camaraderie, and check out Mark and Tina's Christavia Mk1 project.
Take I-70 west about 22 miles from I-465
Take Exit 51 at CR 1100 W (Little Point Road), go south (left turn), about a half mile
Take SR-42 West (right turn). Follow SR 42 for eight miles, there will be multiple 90-degree turns
Continue on SR 42 through the town of Eminence
Turn right (north) on Rhodes Road (new hangar at the end of the grass runway)
Turn left onto Airport Road (Pam's Place Airport)
Drive to 5098 N. Flyer's Row. They're the only new house in the area, straight ahead.
By Steve Buss
Manager, EAA Chapters
I am writing today to share with you the latest information on the controversial TSA Security Directive (1542-08F). The directive, which has a June 1 implementation date, applies to airports where general aviation operations coexist with scheduled airline service, even where the airline service is minimal.
EAA government affairs representatives continue to press the aviation community's concerns with the TSA, with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, and with key legislative contacts in influential Capitol Hill committees.
Our goal is to convince the TSA to explore alternatives that would address their objectives without suppressing general aviation activity and your access to general aviation airports.
By Michael Mossman
After a long, cold winter, fly-in season is finally here! This season opened with a good one, a pancake breakfast at Purdue Airport on April 18. I headed out to the 6I4 that morning to see if anyone was going. I got there a bit late, as all who planned on going were already warming up their engines or in the air. I'd have to fly over on my own.
That Saturday was a beautiful day; very few clouds with a high ceiling, and the air was pretty smooth. Purdue is just a short flight from my home base, not even far enough to count as a cross country, so there wasn't much to do but check for TRFs and keep the plane upright.
Purdue had a small marching band outside playing beside the hangar. I must admit it was the first time I heard a marching band playing "Crazy Train." Somehow that didn't fit in my concept of a marching band's repertoire. There were pretty good, though, and it's nice to see other campus groups come out to participate in a fly-in.
The wait wasn't unbearable but it was still worth it. Their pancakes were nicely golden and the sausages were well done. I added some juice but most people went for the coffee.
By Michael Mossman
It all started simple enough: Chuck Long send me an email with a link to the NTSB letter asking that the FAA ground all of the Zodiac 601 XL aircraft due to a series of fatal accidents. Chuck and I had talked often about this issue before, as we both had built Zodiac 601 HDS aircraft. Our airplanes had very parts in common with the XL models. A lot of builders were attracted to the newer XL model because of the higher gross weight and lower stall speed kept the aircraft in the sport pilot category. He believed that our HDS aircraft were built stronger for higher plus and minus Gs, and had much better control harmony.
From Vintage Airplane magazine
The new VAA Vintage Hangar is up, and now it is time for us to install the interior offices, reconnect the water supply, and install electrical service to the other buildings in the VAA Red Bard area. There is much to do before AirVenture 2009, and we sure could benefit from your skills, talents and help. If you have nay background in rough construction, finish work, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or if you would make a good supervisor, please come up and help us during any of our work weekends. Come for one day or all three days — it's up to you. All we ask is that you check in with us via email before you arrive so we can plan our work and resources.
Archie James, afjamesn46p@comcast.net
Bob Brauer, photopilot@aol.com
By Col. D.G. Swinford, USMC, Ret.
Your have to dig deep for facts like these: