TALESPINNERS - February, 2001

EAA Chapter 174
Chartered since 1966

TALESPINNERS
February, 2001
 

From the President

This is my second , “From The President” entry and once again I have to correct a mistake I made at the January meeting and that issue of, TALESPINNERS. I incorrectly acknowledged that Dave Fehring was the librarian when in reality it is Ray Kneipp. So, for any library business please see Ray, not Dave!

Thank you Don Fairbanks for putting on a slide program that reminds us of what can happen when mechanical things go wrong and/or when the electronic impulses between the ears break down. It’s really a treat when our own members put on the program. Who’s next?

I appreciate Tim Fry taking the initiative to bring a guest and get a beginning builder’s program underway. Hopefully this will be the birth of a great project. I must have gotten a little long in my last newsletter submission as our editor completely chopped the second page of my message from publication. “P” being my middle initial for persistence, I’ll put the gist of that page here. I mentioned (then) that I feel the chapter needs a project to call its own. I know this subject has come and gone but I think it is time to revisit it. I’m looking for someone to head up a group to look into this. The group will gather all the pertinent information (including member interest) and report to the board and the chapter. There are several benefits. For example, a project can give those who are thinking about building, the opportunity to try their hand at it before committing a large sum of money. A project in progress can give members (young and old) something to be involved with and an avenue to learn and try different techniques of craftsmanship. A project can be a benchmark as to what we are as a chapter. With good information, we can make an informed decision as whether it’s a good idea or not.

Mark Webb mentioned that the hanger was in need of some cleaning. Mark will pick the date for the undertaking and decide what needs to be done. Please be ready to pitch in and help as you do on our other projects. Hopefully we can tie it in with another event such as a flyout lunch or picnic.

In the last newsletter, I mentioned the idea of change for our chapter. Another new change this year will be our web page. Prior to writing this, I signed on to www.eaa174.org and was excited to see the message that we are registered. Norm Beaudette is currently spear heading this effort and it’s looking great. There are so many possibilities of how we can benefit from this page. We can let everyone (worldwide) have information about our chapter and events. We can use it to let each other know the status about flyouts. Information about projects can be listed. Young Eagles Rally dates can be posted and it may be possible to pre- register for the rally through the web site. If a member is working on a particular plane and has a problem, it’s possible to make the problem known and get responses not just from our own members, but from all over. I’ve received some feed back that members are worried about our newsletter disappearing from their mailboxes. At this time I am not in favor of this happening as not all members have e-mail access. However, I am also aware of the rising cost to produce and mail the newsletter. This is a consideration that we as a chapter are going to have to look at in the near future. Like the newsletter, this web site is yours, the members. Give your suggestions and ideas to Norm to help make it as great as the newsletter.

Tim Hendricks has resigned as Young Eagles Coordinator. His business is taking him to Columbus full time and he will be relocating soon. This is a big loss for the chapter. Tim put in a lot of effort that paid off with the chapter flying a record number of young people in 2000. Tim, thank you. We now need to fill this position as soon as possible. Someone please step forward and take over where Tim left off.

Our program this month will be about a day in the life of a commercial pilot. I’m really looking forward to this program! George Elbel can testify as to how many questions I used to ask him about flying for Delta. Several years ago, George took me to CVG and I got to see what when on in the cockpit of a 727 between flights at the gate. I was thrilled. People moving here. People scurrying there. Clip boards with important papers waiting for signatures being passed around. Mechanics sticking their heads in the cockpit to check something that the last crew noted as a problem. Passengers boarding the plane (with more than two carry on!) looking for seats. The new pilots organizing their “office” the way they had trained for endless hours to do. And then, it was time to go. I was depressed driving home that day. I wanted to stay and go with that plane! That was my 727. I had sat up front. I knew about the electric trim problem that was fixed (I got to push the button for the mechanic). I belonged in the front of that airplane. Oh yes, I’m really looking forward to this meeting.

I hope the month since our last gathering has gone well for you. I’m looking forward to all of us getting together again. One of my goals this year is to shorten the business meeting to provide more time for the break before the program. I know last month we went kind of long and I will try harder this month to obtain my goal. Well, keep your wings up, the wheels down and your throttle max forward. I’ll see you on the 18th.

Bob Porter, Chapter President

Minutes from the January Chapter Meeting

Meeting was called to order by Bob Porter at 2:05 PM. Tim Hendricks filled in for vice president Scott Hersha, and Tim Fry filled in for treasurer George Elbel. Six new members/visitors were introduced. Bob Porter discussed the recently-assembled Chapter meeting calendar, noting that two of the dates have been off-scheduled due to Easter and Father’s day, and that fly-in breakfasts have been scheduled for June 16th and August 18th. Last month’s meeting minutes were approved and seconded. Ray Kneipp indicated no news to report in regard to the library. Eric Rood recommended a new book, Fly Fast...Sin Boldly: Flying, Spying & Surviving, by William P. Lear, Jr. – a must read.

Mark Webb disclosed that he had recently received his tail wheel endorsement, with Scott Hersha providing the endorsement. Congratulations, Mark! Mark also mentioned that Roger Augenstein will be using the hangar beginning May 1st.

Mike Franzago reminded the members of his new email address (see print version), and that all newsletter articles should be submitted by the first of the month. Tim Hendricks awarded certificates to those pilots and support crew who participated in last year’s Young Eagles rallies, but were not present at the Christmas party to receive the awards. Tim also announced that he has set this year’s program target at 125 YE’s. Under new business, Gary Collins announced next month’s program (see front page).

Tim Fry, introduced new member Dave Schooler, who then presented his ideas for a hands-on demonstration project that he volunteered to instruct for Chapter members. The project involves building an aluminum tool box, and would demonstrate many key elements in project building, including riveting, welding, painting, and the use of metal working hand tools. The idea was greeted with enthusiasm, and a sheet was passed around for members to indicate their interest in the program. It was suggested that the program be scheduled during warmer weather.

Norm Beaudette conveyed some information about EAA’s Sportair Workshops for Builders and Restorers, which will be presented in Pittsburgh, March 3-4. Norm also presented a brief discussion of his ideas for the new Web site he’s developing for the Chapter.

Don Fairbanks presented a slide presentation of aircraft accidents he has investigated, primarily in the Cincinnati area. Although the slides were bleak, the presentation was enlightening. Meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM.

Norm Beaudette, Chapter Secretary

Minutes from the January Board Meeting

The meeting was called to order by president Bob Porter at 7:05 PM, January 31st. Bob opened by announcing that Mark Webb will be looking for volunteers to help clean up the Chapter hangar, and suggested that the date be associated with a fly-out, TBA. Bob also expressed his intention to get someone to chair a committee to investigate the feasibility and interest in a Chapter project. Discussion ensued about liability and personal issues that might arise from a project. George Elbel agreed that many Chapter members really want to learn first hand how project construction fundamentals are done. Gary Collins suggested that restoration of a certifiable aircraft might reduce the liability concern. Tim Fry volunteered to chair.

Bob announced Tim Hendricks' resignation from the Young Eagles program, due to increased time constraints and pending business relocation, and said he would seek a replacement immediately.

A discussion about the Chapter’s tax status followed. EAA 174 is currently a 501(c)7 “not for profit” organization, and EAA National has encouraged all chapters to pursue 501(c)3 “nonprofit” status. A significant distinction between the two is that only in the latter situation may a donor to the Chapter be allowed to deduct the donation from his/her own tax liability. The board agreed to pursue nonprofit status, just in case Howard Wells wins the Ohio lottery and donates half the winnings to the Chapter (as promised). Stu Faber agreed to complete and file the necessary forms.

Tim Fry announced that so far 12 people have expressed an interest in Dave Schooler’s tool box project, and that an announcement will be made in the coming newsletter for members who missed the January Chapter meeting. Ken Werremeyer raised the issue of costs, and it was decided that participants would pay for their own materials, and that the Chapter would cover extras, such as gas supplies.

Norm Beaudette disseminated printouts illustrating the prototype for the Chapter’s new web site, and agreed to present a brief exposition of the new web site at the February Chapter meeting.

Stu Faber suggested starting some of the fly-outs at 9:00 am, and providing donuts and coffee for the occasion. The idea is to give members a chance to socialize before the fly-out, which would still begin at either 10:30 or 11:00 am. This way, even those not intending to fly out would still have a reason to come and mingle with other members on a Saturday morning. This would also provide a reason to “show up”, even when the weather appears uncertain. The board agreed that this was an idea worth pursuing. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.

Norm Beaudette, Chapter Secretary