JUNE 2007
OFFICERS: PRESIDENT-DENNIS D’ANGELO
VICE PRESIDENT-WALT TURK
SECRETARY-RON PEEK
TREASURER-LARRY FREY
WEBMASTER-BOB MCDANIEL
PROGRAM DIRECTOR – RICK RAY
“Greetings from Chapter 64”-
The May minutes are as follows:
May 1, Mid Coast Aviation - Dennis called meeting to order@ 7PM and announced
we would have an abbreviated business meeting due to the planned tour of
Mid Coast Aviation.
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: Larry Frey gave a treasurers report highlighting
recent income and expenses. Bottom line is the balance it $32,978.00. Motion
was made, seconded and passed to accept the treasurer’s report as
stated.
Correspondence: None
Old Business: The Midwest Regional fly-in is coming up May 5-6 and the EAA64
chapter will be selling soda and flying Young Eagles. We need volunteers
to help – doors will open at 9AM to the public. There is no rain date.
We discussed options for our Dayton trip – we have two. Option one
– We could use the Convair, would hold a max of 30 people and cost
about $200 per head to cover fuel. We would fly up in the morning and back
in the evening on the same day. Option two – We could charter a bus,
seats 47 people. Everyone needs to give it some thought and we will discuss
further at the next meeting.
The museum has a Jet Star they are putting together for display. Anyone
interested in helping please call 314-504-0135.
New Business: A member announced that the GAUA ultralight
group is putting together a Founders Day Fly-in. It will be held at Keith
Smith’s airpark near Pierron, IL and will be held on the weekend after
Fathers Day. The EAA64 is invited to participate.
We welcomed Ken Gottschall back to the group after his absence due to some
heart surgery. Sounds like things went well and we’re glad he’s
back in action with the chapter. Welcome back Ken!!
We enjoyed an interesting and informative tour of Mid Coast Aviation’s Operations. The tour was led by Mike Mueller, Director of JetAviation FBO Operations. Mike was extremely knowledgeable about all facets of the operation as he has been with them many years and served in many different positions and roles for the company. The company specializes in taking factory fresh planes that are bare – they have absolutely no interior. These are referred to as “Green Planes”. Mid Coast then tailor finishes the inside to whatever specifications the customer asks for. The customers vary from businesses to “rich and famous” individuals. The sky is the limit, literally, on what they can do to generate lavish interiors that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional in many ways. The company is growing quickly and although they recently expanded into an additional larger hangar space they have plans to build an even larger one to accommodate large jets. It was a great tour – thanks Mike and Mid Coast Aviation for your hospitality!!
Meeting Schedule –
Next meeting is June 5 at Hangar One. There will be a tour or viewing of
the Outback blimp that is moored nearby.
Committee Reports
Librarian-
Technical Advisor-
Program Director-
Young Eagles- EAA64 will fly Young Eagles at the May 5-6 Midwest Regional
Fly-in. There is a TFR near the Gateway racetrack do to an event, we discussed
that we will likely fly down towards the JB Bridge then head towards Millstadt
a ways and then return. Pilot briefing will be held just outside hangar
one. We have 7 planes for Saturday and 3 planes for Sunday.
Projects-
50/50 Drawing-none
Adjourn @ 7:36 to begin the tour with 36 members and guests present.
THE JUNE LEADING EDGE (Message from the President)
BUSY MAY: I hope this newsletter finds you all healthy and ready to do some flying. May was a busy month for the Chapter kicking off with our monthly meeting and a tour of the Midcoast Aviation facility. I was amazed at the level of activity the facility performed and the number of job opportunities Midcoast brings into the local community. For those of you who could not attend the meting, we will post pictures of the event on the website this month. A BIG THANKS goes to Bob McDaniel who made our dream of visiting Midcoast into reality. Bob’s influence continued during the month with the Mid West Fly-In hosted by the Saint Louis Downtown Airport. This event opens the local airshow/fly-in season and it is a great local flying event for the Chapter to participate in. First, I must thank all the members who supported the Chapter during this event—especially Mike Lotz (Soda Sales), Larry Frey (Young Eagles) and Bob McDaniel…who hosted the event and ensured we had prime real estate for our Chapter booth. While the weather did not cooperate as we hoped, the Chapter did make enough money to pay for a full years worth of soda supplies. This means our monthly soda sales will be pure profit for the Chapter…a good deal for all. I had a great time talking flying with the participants and all the Chapter members who came to help during the event, so it was a GREAT event in my book and one we will support for many years to come.
NEW CHAPTER MEETING ROOM: During the Mid West Fly-In, Bob McDaniel offered us a new chapter meeting room and the board agreed to accept the offer. The facility is in Hangar 2 and is located on the first floor of the facility with easy street access--the best part is no steps to climb. Being located in Hangar 2…which is on the Illinois historical registry… has its advantages too. Hangar 1 is not on the historic registry (too close to the active runway) and is slated for demolished. As a historic site, there are plans to restore Hangar 2 to its original 1920’s glory and with it ensure the longevity of our meeting site. We see this move as a win-win for the chapter and the local airport community. It is great having the airport manager as an active member of the Chapter and we definitely cherish the relationship the Chapter has with Saint Louis Downtown Airport. We will discuss this issue briefly at the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING—BLIMP NIGHT: Our next meeting will include a tour of the Outback Blimp which will be moored at Downtown Saint Louis Airport. Bob McDaniel has arranged for a tour of the Blimp which will begin at 7:30 PM. Dinner will start at 6:00 PM followed by the business meeting at 7:00 PM. Expect the business meeting to be short and to the point, so we can visit the Blimp during daylight. This is another great opportunity, so please don’t miss this meeting.
BRAIN’S FLIGHT NEARS KICKOFF: Brian Kissinger’s L4 is nearing completion as his early June departure date moves closer. In early May; Brian, Marvin Campbell and Todd D hung the L4 engine and finished installing the fuel system and glass panels; however, the greatest feat was engine start on 19 May 07…this means the 1 June 2007 departure date is now solid. Just like Brian’s recovery from his illness, the completion of the L4 has been nothing short of miraculous. We should plan for a Chapter send off on 1 June, 2007 at 9 AM…I know this is a little early, but heck it’s a special event. We must honor Brian’s dream of having the Chapter send him off on his quest to raise $100,000 for brain tumor research, so plan now. Keep an eye on the website for updates on Brian’s depart; however, plan to be at Downtown Saint Louis Airport on 1 June 2007 for Brian’s send off.
AIRBORNE-GET-TOGETHER UPDATE: During the June meeting we will discuss the Airborne Get Together program…flying for food and fun. Plan is to offer opportunities for the Chapter to gather and fly together. We need your thoughts on activities we can fly to on weekends…Saturdays or Sundays. Food is a good draw, so airport burger burns or pancake breakfasts are best; however, we don’t really need an excuse to meet and fly. Come prepared with options and dates so we can get the program flying.
OK, that’s a wrap. Until we meet for the Brain’s Flight kickoff…
…keep ‘em flying.
dd