OFFICERS: PRESIDENT-DENNIS D’ANGELO
VICE PRESIDENT-WALT TURK
SECRETARY-RON PEEK
TREASURER-LARRY FREY
WEBMASTER-BOB MCDANIEL
PROGRAM DIRECTOR – RICK RAY
THE LEADING EDGE
Flying season is upon us and not too soon either. With the warmer weather coming, I contacted my buddies in Dayton Ohio and began talking up our Fly-Out-Meeting. Plan is for the Dayton Ultralight Club (DUC) to fly and meet with Chapter 64 members at a predetermined location in Indiana. The DUC president, Greg Kodel will determine how far his club members can reasonably fly in a day to meet us…remember they are flying much slower aircraft than we are. I will look at the proposed location to determine if we can accomplish the meeting in a one day out-and-back flight. If the distance is too far, we will plan for an overnight meeting. The idea is to fly as many members as possible--use every available seat in every airplane we can muster. This should be a great get together and I will keep you posted as to the date of the flight…most likely toward the end of summer. This is a good issue for us to discuss at the next meeting.
WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN. Our Congressional members are still pushing for a “Fee-for-Service” Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. You may think this move will have little impact on your VFR flying; however, the Federal Government’s move away from owning and operating the Federal Airway System (which is more than just air traffic control) will have an impact on your clear weather flying as well. A fee-for-service ATC system could very well include paying for the public use airports. Currently, public use airports can receive State and Federal funding for maintaining the facility to Federal/State standards. With a loss of Federal/State funding many of the public use airports will pass higher operating costs onto the user most likely in the form of landing fees. If this has you worried…and it should…please take the time to write your Congressional leadership. We’ve included information on the local members of Congress who are active in this issue and they need to hear our concerns. We’ve attached a proposed letter you can use to contact your representatives, so please take time to do so. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me (618-975-3726) and we can discuss. Also, expect we will address this issue during the April meeting.
BRAIN’S FLIGHT. Brian Kissinger’s flight for cancer research (Brain’s Flight) is gaining steam. He recently made headlines in the Belleville newspaper…front page…showing his progress and highlighting his efforts to gain $100K for cancer research. The L-4 is moving along nicely; however, we still have a long way to go before he can make his flight. Brain desperately needs the chapter’s support to make his attempt a success. We still need volunteers to help assemble the aircraft and make it air worthy by Brain’s proposed flight date…currently set for mid-April 07. Please help by volunteering during our chapter meeting or by calling at Brian 618-980-1130. I know that Brian greatly appreciates the support.
MEETING AT MIDCOAST AVIATION IN MAY 07. The 1May 07 meeting will be held at MidCoast Aviation. Expect a shortened formal part of the meeting followed by the facility tour. We are working the food arrangements and should have a plan ready to discuss at our 3 April meeting. A BIG THANKS to Bob McDaniel for arranging the tour.
DAYTON TO KITTY HAWK PRSENTATION AT 3 APRIL MEETING. At the next meeting I will make a presentation on the 2003 Dayton Ultralight Club flight from Dayton to Kitty Hawk. In June 2003 I participated, along with twenty-seven ultralights, in a flight to from Dayton Ohio to Kitty Hawk North Carolina to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight. The slide presentation shows the 3 day aerial adventure which traversed over 900 miles. There are quite a few air-to-air shots to keep the interest of any pilot. The presentation only takes 30 minutes, so, for your early to bed types, we should be out the door at our normal time.
See you in April and until then…
…keep ‘em flying.
dd
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“Greetings from Chapter 64”- The March minutes are as follows:
March 6, Hangar One
Chapter President Dennis D’Angelo welcomed everyone to the meeting.
We have a good turnout.
Secretary’s Report: A motion was made to forego reading of the secretary’s
report due to mailing of newsletter – motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report A motion was made to forego reading of the Treasurer’s
Report due to it’s inclusion in the newsletter – motion passed
unanimously.
Correspondence: None this month.
Old Business: We reflect on the loss of one of our founding members. Warren
Heck was one of the last 4 original members of the chapter. He passed
away after a fight with cancer. He will be missed
We talked more about planning a trip to Dayton Ohio. Bus cost is $2300, we’ll need to pack the bus with 50 people to make it economical. Hotels will run about 45 – 60 dollars/night. We could carpool or rent vans.
A member suggested that we delay the trip until winter time. Show of hands indicated that by far the majority of the members preferred a “winter time” trip vs. summer. We will continue to plan the trip for the winter time.
We talked about Brian Kissinger’s upcoming flight to raise money for cancer research; several members have been helping with the preparation. Brian needs help to finish the plane, he plans the trip for April, much work is left to be done. We need a “Monster Garage” type of effort to make the date. He is attempting to raise $100,000 for cancer research. Brian has “hard & fast” air show dates that he needs to make. Brian extends gratitude and appreciation for those that have already helped. A sign up worksheet was passed around at the meeting.
We discussed Young Eagles flights coming up May 5& 6. Sparta also wants to do a “Dad’s” Day flight.
Mike Brenner brought in a catalog and suggests getting a drill guide for drilling instrument holes.
New Business: The Midwest fly-in is coming up on May 5& 6 and EAA64 is doing the soda sales stand again. We have a sign-up sheet for anyone that can help out. We discussed maybe putting some EAA64 hats and shirts on display and for sale. Young Eagles are being done on both days from 9-noon. Planes and ultralights are welcome for display at this event.
Everyone needs to write their congressman to help prevent our flying freedoms from going away. They are already working on plans to impose user fees. This is really important to us as aviation enthusiasts. AOPA website has sample letters that you may want to download, sign, and send in to oppose this movement. Here is a helpful link to guide you to structure your letter properly and you can also find links here to locate your federal and state congressman and their proper address: http://www.aopa.org/faafundingdebate/contacting_congress.html
We discussed getting Jerry Costello to attend a meeting. Jerry is on the aviation committee. We should probably join up with some other local groups to arrange for this meeting. Phone calls to your congressmen are most effective. Correspondence to Durbin would also be a good target. Fight the user fees.
Meeting Schedule
Dennis D’Angelo will provide slide show at April meeting
June meeting is at Gary Kearns.
May meeting is at MidCoast Aviation.
Committee Reports
Librarian-
Technical Advisor-
Program Director-
Young Eagles-
Projects-Mike Brenner – Walt is going to help put on horizontal
stabilizer, install rudder and wire rear lights. Mike has instrument panel
100% complete. Bought used transponder, checked out fine, put it in the
plane and now has high pitched whine. Anyone have advice on how to fix
that!?!
Walt – His plane will be ready to fly in May. Needs to paint the
boot cowling, wings are done but not on. Glass is in.
Gary – Building an RV7 – waiting for autopilot servos, panel
done, ordered motor.
Bert Hampton - Unique scheme setup for 701. Seniors at Alton High School
have a contest to design the paint scheme for the plane. The graphics
art department is participating. The goal is for the plane to look like
a pyasol bird.
Member working on a Skybolt, bought tig welder.
50/50 Drawing-D’Dangelo won the big jackpot and donated it back
to chapter.
TOOLS – Jim demonstrated the tool flairing tool. This tool flairs
at 37.5 degree fitting vs. that standard copper plumbing flair which is
45 degrees. Jim also demonstrated a die for 3 1/8 inch instruments to
help drill the 4 holes that hold an instrument in place.
Motion made to buy the tool for $27 for the club. Motion seconded and
approved. Jim Stoops will order the tool.
We have lots of clecos if anyone is doing sheet metal work.
Guests – Doug White – Gov’t contractor at Scott, C-130
background, GA Pilot, looking for a hangar
Meeting adjourned @ 8:16PM with 34 members present.