TALESPINNERS - March, 2001

EAA Chapter 174
Chartered since 1966

TALESPINNERS
March, 2001
 

From the President

I was speaking with a former member of our chapter the other day and he inquired as to how Chapter 174 is doing. Some of his inquiries included who the officers were and some of the basic things going on in the chapter. My first response was to direct him to our new web page, www.eaa174.org. A short time later he approached me again and was quite impressed. The web page is a really nice tool to bring people up to speed on our chapter. I’m sure as time goes on, we will continue to find many more uses. Our conversation led to more than just the web page. This particular member had moved up north and joined a local chapter there.

Unfortunately, the chapter is struggling and has very little activity. It’s during a conversation such as this that I am reminded that we cannot take what we have for granted. It takes work by all the members to keep us moving forward. I am going to pitch my request again and again for all members to get involved with the different projects going on with the chapter. I have been told that there are different groups or personalities within the chapter. There are those who like to build and those who like to fly. There are those who like to socialize and those who like to sit back and take it all in. And then there are those who are a combination of all the above. My point is, this chapter has enough different functions and activities for all to take part in. Too often, we have the same people running the different functions. As I noted earlier, one of my goals this year is to get different people to take over some of these responsibilities. And it is happening. Let’s keep the ball rolling.

Along these same lines, I have a good news-bad news situation to note. The good news is that at the February flyout, we had a great turnout despite howling winds (what fun we had watching planes land in the cross wind on 04 at Clermont). People are turning out to chat and go for lunch somewhere. The bad news is that a couple of us got left behind due to lack of seats. But the bad news is really good news because it shows that more and more people are coming out to join the fun and THAT’S WHAT WE WANT! We’ll get more planes. Bill Miracco brought a friend who got to ride with Gary and Howard. I think it might have been his first flight or one of a very few flights he had taken in a “small “ plane.

By the time you read this, March will be half gone. That means warmer weather is quickly approaching and more pleasant flying is near. One of our premier events early in the summer is our Young Eagle Rally. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Saturday, June 9th. We want to get an early start on the planning stages to make this one of the best ever. Tim raised the bar for us this year. With everyone helping (and good weather), I know we can break our record of last year and provide a lot of young people with a great flying experience. Dave Fehring and Tom Jenkins have both stepped forward offering to help Bill Crawford with the program. All three of these folks will be approaching members to help with everything from flying duties and ground crews to setting up and running the registration table. They will need help in promoting the event by contacting local schools, newspapers and radio stations. Any new ideas you have to help make the rally a success please let Bill, Dave or Tom know.

Another topic that I need to bring up has to do with membership. It has come to the board’s attention that we might have a few members that belong to the chapter but not National EAA. It is important for any member to know that you must also belong to National EAA in order to be a member of Chapter 174. If you need an application to join National, please contact one of the board members.

On behalf of the chapter, I want to thank Scott Hersha and Mike Franzago for putting on the program at the February meeting. It’s fun to hear what their days are like while they are at “work”. Frankly, that scheduling thing boggles my mind. Maybe if Gary comes up short for a program some month, the guys will tell us about some of the off the wall things that can happen. You know, hanger flying. The program for March should be interesting to builders and non-builders. Gary Chafin, of Hartzell Propeller, is scheduled to talk about selecting a propeller for your aircraft. Gary is the Product Support Manager for Hartzell and has over 13 years experience working with propellers. He has traveled around the world figuring out solutions for problematic applications. Hartzell works closely with some of the major kit suppliers including Van’s aircraft and Lancair. Gary has hands on information about the process of developing a propeller for an application. So, bring your questions about anything you ever wanted to know about propellers for experimental or certified airplanes.

The third month of the year is already upon us. Our chapter is doing well and moving right along with 2001. Let’s keep our propellers pointed down the centerline of our busy lives and lift off to reach the challenges and goals we set for ourselves. See you at the meeting.

Bob Porter

Minutes from the February Chapter Meeting

Meeting was called to order by president Bob Porter at 2:03 pm. Tim Fry filled in for treasurer George Elbel. Last month’s meeting minutes were read, approved and seconded.

Bob Porter opened by congratulating Mark Webb for completing first flight in his new Kitfox homebuilt. Four new members/visitors were introduced. Tim Fry read the Chapter’s current financial bottom line numbers, which were approved and seconded. Secretary Norm Beaudette mentioned that the new web site is now up and running and can be found at “www.eaa174.org”. An inexpensive ($11/mo.) web hosting provider was found, providing the appropriate systems and more than enough capacity (75 MB). Norm also mentioned that he has obtained an updated association manual for distribution to board officers, chairs and advisors.

Tech Advisor Howard Wells briefly noted his visits to Glastar and the RV9 facility in Kentucky. Librarian Ray Kneipp indicated that there were no new additions to the library. Hangar coordinator Mark Webb mentioned that after Roger Augenstein vacates the hangar, Larry Williams will take up occupancy. Mark will pick a date for hangar cleanup and inform the membership. Mike Franzago noted the delay in the February newsletter, due to a particularly busy schedule.

Bob Porter expressed his desire to get someone to work closely in parallel with Bill Crawford in this year’s Young Eagles programs – and take over the coordinator position next year. Tim Fry mentioned that so far 12 people have expressed an interest in the “toolbox” project. Tim said that he will contact other chapters for information, both pro and con, on the advisability of having a Chapter homebuilt project. He will contact National as well, and encouraged others to join him in his investigation. Stu Faber indicated that the non-profit status application would be finished soon. Since the fee was over $100, a necessary motion to accept was made by Dave Robertson, seconded by Gary Collins. Scott Hersha explained a novel way of labeling individual wires in a harness using clear shrink wrap tubing around the labels to fix them in place. Norm Beaudette gave a short video presentation on the new web site. Business meeting adjourned at 3:10 pm.

Scott Hersha and Mike Franzago presented an account of life behind the yoke of the really big birds, discussing how category seniority and schedule bidding play critical roles in the quality of monthly flight assignments, as well as other interesting aspects of a commercial piloting career.

Norm Beaudette, Chapter Secretary

Minutes from the February Board Meeting

The meeting was called to order by president Bob Porter at 7:10 pm, February 28th. Bob mentioned that he had received a document from an EAA-authorized insurance agency soliciting property insurance. The Board felt that this insurance would not be a useful addition to our current liability insurance. Bob presented secretary Norm Beaudette with a Certificate of Insurance for hangar/clubhouse and Class I event liability, for filing. Stu Faber mentioned that the non-profit status application was not quite ready and that he would try to expedite it.

Discussion turned to the Young Eagles program. Bob suggested preparing newspaper articles to solicit our former Young Eagles as members and to inform them of our web site. Tom Jenkins volunteered to serve as the Assistant Young Eagles Coordinator for this year, with the intent of assuming the Coordinator position next year. Norm mentioned that he will soon have a page on the web for members to volunteer for the next rally, and that an additional page could be used to allow interested youngsters to email us and perhaps even register in advance. Stu Faber is working on updating the by-laws. The Board will review at the next Board meeting. George Elbel corrected the white calendar cards and will send out revised cards.

Tim Fry led a discussion on the advisability of having a Chapter project. Tim had contacted National and prepared a summary of his findings, which he will discuss at the next Chapter meeting. Tim agreed to provide Norm with some copy for the web site, to allow members to email Tim about their interest in a project. A discussion also ensued on the feasibility of building a Chapter hangar. George resolved to check with Hal before continuing any more serious discussions.

Norm handed out copies of the most recent Chapter manual and pointed out several areas for review. Norm will check into the need for individual event insurance for fly-outs, fly-ins and Young Eagles activities. George agreed to send a copy of the roster and financial report to Norm for forwarding to National. Meeting adjourned at 9:07 pm.

Norm Beaudette, Chapter Secretary