I'll use this second month's message as a chance for to tell you who I am from an aviation point of view. I grew up in a family where anything aviation was beyond our means financially. My parents, however, were interested in and supportive of all things aviation. My dad was WW-II aviator. He learned to fly in Canada in Tiger Moths and then back in the U.S. in Stearmans. The Stearman was always his favorite airplane. He went on to glider training and flew in one invasion in a Waco CG4A troop-carrying glider. When my mother was 18 years old she took six hours of dual from Captain Aretz at the Purdue airport in Lafayette. We often talked airplanes at home. They got me rides whenever they could. The first was in my mother's lap in the back seat of a J-3 Cub when I was three. The one thing that all of these flights had in common was that I always got sick. This continued until my seventh hour of dual. I then soloed in my eighth hour. The airsickness pretty much ruled out pursuit of a flying career. The flight schools put up with it because it's your money.
February's meeting
February's meeting was held February 3, 2010, 6:30 p.m., in the Operations Building at Hendricks County Airport, and chaired by Chapter President Vern Sullenger.
In Attendance: Skip Budny, Jim Buist, Dave Clark, Mark Eminger, Dale Gustafson, Doug Hatfield, Dave Kopeschka, Steve Kopeschka, Mike Laurenzano, Chuck Leucht, Glen Matejcek, Doug Moncreiff, Michael Mossman, David Stucker, Vern Sullenger and Jim Winings. If you were there but we didn't record it, let us know.
Guests: None present.
Vice President's Report: Doug Hatfield reported that he was working on the company plane last night and lost a tool. Their policy is to have a formal accounting of what goes on airplane. It took him an hour to find it; it was a knife that fell between stringers. He says that a loose tool could become jammed in the controls and bring an airplane down.
Treasurer's Report: Doug Moncreiff reported that the chapter has exactly $2,000.00 in the account, with evening's dues collection and 50/50 proceeds to deposit.
Secretary's Report: Michael Mossman read the minutes from the January 2010 meeting. Doug Moncreiff motioned to accept, and Dave Clark motioned to accept. All voted in favor.
Tool Box Report: Dave Clark bought a toolbox at Menards and made a small roller dolly to move it around. Since students also use their tool boxes for a seat, it all needs to be very sturdy. The chapter will begin accumulating tools to fill out this third box. Both students who are using the first two toolboxes are doing well; one is a missionary in Africa and needs to know how to fix airplanes in the bush. Dave would like to bring them to a meeting soon.
New Business: Vern Sullenger asked last month if the club wanted a new logo for embroidering on hats and shirts. Michael Mossman showed some prints of the ideas submitted to date.
Old Business: Vern Sullenger: Last meeting talked about painting chairs and donating them to Oshkosh. Dale Gustafson said that they are making a 1940s-style of shop at Oshkosh and need donations; our chairs would be good.
Project Report: Skip Budny reports that the Huey is now certified, by Doug Tate. Their Indiana Air Search & Rescue club is now working on a cyclic flight control issue. The aircraft has a push to the aft, Budny thinks it is in the rigging. The helicopter only needs a 5-hour fly-off. They've registered it as experimental and want to keep it experimental so they can do the maintenance. It will still be listed as first responder for emergencies by Homeland Security. Their group has two guys qualified to fly it. Currently based at Indianapolis Metro Airport and meeting all current civilian specifications, it is now worth about $2.5 million. Charlie Walker owns it, an also has a C-47. Glen Matejcek reported that his club now has a new engine on their Boeing Harpoon project.
Chapter Fly-Out: Mark and Tina Eminger would like to host their annual fly-in breakfast at Pam's Place on a Saturday, possibly end or June (June 19)
Certification Changes: Dale Gustafson reported that paper certificates go away at end of March. All pilots will need the new plastic one. One problem is that the original certificate date disappears; the new certificate bears the date that it is registered. Mike Laurenzano reported that pilots can get the forms on the internet, they don't need to go to FSDO for the application.
EAA Update: Dave Clark reported that EAA Chapter could own an airplane, insurance companies may change the current EAA rule.
Member Update: Mike Laurenzano reported on Erica LeBaron, who experienced a life-threatening bleeding in her brain in May. She has recovered and is back on track to receive her doctor's license in May
50/50 Drawing: Chuck Leucht won half of the $2 pot and donated to the toolbox fund.
Program: Roundtable discussion about first flights of homebuilts. See story towards 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: Doug Moncreiff, 8113 Traders Hollow Lane, Indianapolis IN 46278, or give it to Doug at the next meeting. Make your check out to EAA Chapter 1311.
FAA Revision to Sport Pilot Rule Mostly Favorable
EAA and NAFI jointly submitted comments to the FAA's 22 proposed changes and after reviewing more than 150 public comments the FAA withdrew eight proposals and agreed fully or in part with EAA/NAFI recommendations on 10 others.
"The revisions to the rule will affect everyone differently. For most there will be very little change. But certain groups like E-LSA owners whose aircraft used to be certificated under S-LSA provisions should be excited since they will now be able to maintain and sign-off maintenance on their own aircraft." said Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice-president of Industry and Regulatory Affairs. "Obviously there were disagreements with the FAA's in other areas, and EAA will continue to fight for changes in the future such as the rules on ultralight aeronautical experience," Lawrence added.
EAA and NAFI's three primary focus points during their review of the proposals were to maintain the original intent of the rule; ensure continued growth of the technology for the pilots, instructors, and repairmen; and ensure the continued lowering of economic and regulatory barriers for participants. The revisions are set to go into effect on April 2, 2010.
EAA's comprehensive reaction to each of the rule changes can be read at http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/SportPilotRuleRevision_Summary.pdf. Look for EAA's in-depth analysis of the FAA's issued revisions in this week's e-Hotline.
Aviation on the Web
Laurenzano Buys Another Airplane
New Chapter Logo Sought
Once we've settled on a design, the chapter will select a company to stitch them onto some hats, which will be offered for sale at chapter meetings and other events. We would also like to offer chapter shirts, too. Because of size issues, we will have to order commitments for the shirts before we order them.
Vintage Aircraft Contact Information Requested
Editor: If anyone knows how to contact Charles Laird, please forward the information to Pete Groves. Thanks!
Chapter Members Challenged to Participate
Unfortunately, not everyone's voice got heard. Some members have been unable to attend for a variety of reasons, others who simply have not been able to speak up yet have written about their concerns. I'd like to address these.
The EAA's original mission was to support homebuilders. Over the years it has expanded to include a broad gamut of general aviation, including ultralights, antiques, classics, warbirds and about anything else that flies. While a majority of our members have an interest in building, many participate in other aspects of aviation, and we need to address their needs and interests, too. We have had many programs dedicated to building, maintaining and flying homebuilt aircraft over the years. For those of you who missed those meetings or joined after we presented them, sorry you missed out. Let us know if we should bring them back again in the near future.
February's program was extremely timely, as we recently had a member complete a first flight. Although we talked about his flight, we had a great deal of discussion about the preparation, who should make the flight, and other areas leading through the event. Regardless of how far along you are in a building project, the program should have been very useful to you. When I heard similar programs in this chapter and my previous chapter, it used to get me energized to work on my airplane. And let's face it; many people live vicariously through aviators (that would be you and me). Getting up and talking about our first flights gives them the inspiration to work through their own goals, or at least dream.
We received a comment that we should be fostering aviation interest in the local schools. I like the idea of developing building skills during a program and taking our hobby to the schools. We did several of these before and we should do it again. Other members and I participated in these and it was great fun. We need someone who has contacts in the school and would be willing to dedicate their time to this. And of course we already have a template for helping them experience flight: Young Eagles. Some of our members have flown more than 100 kids, each. We have pilots and planes ready to go and can usually round up a ground crew of enthusiastic volunteers. We already have an event planned for later this spring. Why not come out and assist?
As a chapter of the EAA, we have an obligation to contribute in some meaningful way to Mother Oshkosh. There are chapters all over Wisconsin (and elsewhere) that dedicate their members' entire week to the show and spend considerable time before and after to make it work. We have several members who volunteer for Oshkosh work parties and participate at the national level, but as a chapter we don't have an official contribution. Donating some chairs and painting them is a small way to contribute. We didn't spend very much time at the meeting talking about it; please tolerate this is as part of the business our chapter needs to conduct.
Our Toolbox project is another chapter philanthropic outreach. Our efforts aren't just about our personal needs. Even though the project was started as a memorial to Dale Gustafson's son and expanded in memory of Paul Vogel, its real purpose is to help a alleviate the expenses of a few worthy students who are trying to get through A&P school. Some of our member volunteers spent a lot of time and effort keeping these kits up to spec and deserve the recognition of our chapter for their on-going efforts.
Our membership is composed 100% of volunteers, regardless of their professions. No one is on the payroll. While the chapter leaders are volunteers, the general members are also volunteers; even the members on the peripheral are, too. We all have something that we want to get from the meetings and from our chapter membership. If you have stated your needs, we will be meeting many of these needs over time. Remember that there is a cost to meeting these needs, and that cost isn't about money. The real cost is that someone has to do it. This chapter absolutely has the talent and experience to meet practically anyone's needs in aviation. These people with the talent and experience have been stepping up over the years to present interesting programs, open up their homes and businesses to show their projects, plan meetings and do just about everything else it takes to make the chapter function. These people also have needs they would like the chapter to meet, too. No one joined the chapter for the privilege of filling someone else's needs with no hope of something in return. There are plenty of for-profit businesses out there that could help a builder or restorer develop the skills needed for their aircraft, just pony up for their services. So to anyone who is asking the chapter to fulfill their needs, I hope that you will look for ways to fulfill the chapter's needs, too. It really is a fair trade.
Since my current focus is on the newsletter, I can suggest a hundred ways for anyone to contribute to our publication. But we can also use your help in many other ways. You could give monthly project reports on your aircraft. Whenever you have a problem, consider bringing it to a meeting for a round-table discussion of solutions. If you are a current builder, considering demonstrating a new skill or sharing a technique or tip at a meeting. Volunteer for Young Eagles, either as a pilot, ground supporter, organizer or recruiter. Talk about your flight experiences at a meeting. Tell the younger members what went right and wrong with your flight training. Get a higher rating and report it. Organize a teaching session for one of the local schools. Give a program on your project. Develop your aircraft painting skills by painting the chairs. Find a connection between your profession and how it could relate to aviation. Sell 50/50 tickets. Design a new logo for the chapter hats. Mow the grass at a local airport. Volunteer at Oshkosh. Help with someone's aircraft restoration. Organize a chapter fly-out. Recruit new members. Form a program committee. Develop and lead a fund-raiser. Be a liaison between the chapter and the airport authority. Find the chapter a permanent home. Donate money. Stand up at a meeting to voice your opinions, needs and concerns. Say "yes" this year when asked if you will run for a chapter office.
I can't promise that the rest of the chapter members will be able to meet your needs; I can only speak for myself. But I can guarantee that you will get out of your membership at least as much as you put into it.
Correspondents Needed
We are looking especially for correspondents for some of the upcoming fly-ins. If you are heading to any fly-ins this coming year, would you please consider submitting a story and photo or two about the event? We'd love to hear about it and hope that one of our members or readers will be there and write about it. Please contact the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie1@comcast.net.
Chapter 1311 Builders' Local Resource Directory
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).
Young Eagles News
Calendar of Events
April 13-18 — Lakeland FL — Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL). http://www.sun-n-fun.org
April 17 — West Lafayette IN — Purdue Flying Club fly-in breakfast, 7-noon.
May 22-23 — Suffolk VA — Virginia Regional Festival of Flight, Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ). http://www.virginiaflyin.org
June 11-13 — Marysville CA — Golden West Regional Fly-In and Air Show, Yuba County Airport (MYV). http://www.goldenwestflyin.org
July 7-11 — Arlington WA — Arlington Fly-In, Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO). http://www.arlingtonflyin.org.
July 26-August 1 — Oshkosh WI — EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wittman Regional Airport (OSH). http://www.airventure.org
TBO — Denver CO — Colorado Sport International Air Show and Rocky Mountain Regional Fly-In, Rocky Mountain metropolitan Airport (BJC). http://www.cosportaviation.org
For details on EAA Chapter fly-ins and other local aviation events, visit http://www.eaa.org/events
Newsletter continued on Section 2
Web Newsletter in Two Sections
The web newsletter is divided into two 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.
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 will again set the 2010 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.
From EAA e-Hotline
February 1, 2010 — The FAA's long-awaited revisions to the five year-old Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft Rule were published Monday, February 1, in the Federal Register. With the changes sport pilots will be allowed to fly higher and safer in mountainous regions, find it easier to gain towered airport experience in a powered parachute or weight-shift-control aircraft, and S-LSAs can be used at Part 141 flight schools which will likely reduce training costs for all student pilots. Additionally, a key change to the aircraft maintenance rules will allow E-LSA owners whose aircraft were originally certified as an S-LSA to perform their own maintenance.
Slight structural engineering miscalculation at the Dulles Jet Center near Washington, D.C. Apparently, they never figured on 18+" of snow on the roof. And D.C. is expecting another foot or more snow the next night.
Contributed by Skip Budny
Last month we reported that Chapter 1311 member Mike Laurenzano bought a Piper Tomahawk that was based in Florida. He placed a deposit on it but later decided that it just wasn't what he really wanted so he never took delivery on. He has now snapped up a 1966 Mooney M-20C based at Hendricks County Airport. He is looking for partners on the airplane. For more information, contact Laurenzano at 317-201-5889 or mikelaurenzano@yahoo.com
Chapter 1311 President Vern Sullenger would like for the chapter to get some new hats in a summer-sun-friendly lighter color. He would like to see the chapter have its own logo on the hats and potentially on shirts and other apparel that the chapter members might like to buy. If you have an idea for a logo, send your sketch to Vern Sullenger or Michael Mossman, or bring it to the February meeting for consideration. Your logo should be simple and easily reproducible in embroidery. As an official chapter logo, it would also appear on the chapter website, monthly newsletters and official correspondence.
We showed the submissions at the February meeting, as well as the two versions we are currently using. We'd like to know what you think of them. If you see one that you like, send your opinion to the chapter president at sullenger@iquest.net or to the newsletter editor at michaelandkatie1@comcast.net. We are also accepting more submissions. Send those to the newsletter editor.
Logo ideas: Check out other chapters and aviation associations for their logo ideas and see what works, what doesn't, and what might be adapted for our use. You can also visit the chapter locator on the EAA website. From there, find the chapter websites and see what they have used. You might need to go as far as checking out their newsletters for logos. If you have an idea but can't draw very well, sketch out your idea; we'll find someone to help bring it to life.
Mr. Sullenger:
Hello, My name is Pete Groves, I am writing to you with regards your position of president of EAA Chapter 1311. I am trying to locate the contact information for a Mr. Charles Laird, who I believe may be associated with your chapter. I am hoping that Mr. Laird can help me with additional information with regards a Laird Super Solution replica I am working towards. I know
Pete Groves
prglgw@hotmail.com
By Michael Mossman
During the January 2010 meeting, chapter president Vern Sullenger led the group through a roundtable discussion of the chapter's direction for the coming year. Members got the opportunity to offer ideas for programs and voice their opinions on where we've been and where we are going.
Chapter 1311 is always looking for correspondents and contributors to our monthly newsletter. Whenever you have a story or photo that would be of interest to our readers, we would like to publish it.
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 michaelandkatie1@comcast.net
EAA Young Eagles Update: By newsletter publication date more than 1,525,212 Young Eagles have taken their first airplane ride.
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 8-11 — Friedrichshafen Germany — Aero Friedrichshafen, Messe Friedrichshafen, http://www.aero-friedrichshafen.com/html/en