TALESPINNERS - November, 2002

EAA Chapter 174
Chartered since 1966

TALESPINNERS
Mike Franzago & Mike Griffith, editors

November, 2002

From the President

If you were at the last meeting, you heard from Hal Shevers about an opportunity for our chapter to get involved in a new project that will be beneficial for area youth, aviation in general, and for us. This project will be a joint effort by Hal (Sporty's), Plane and Pilot magazine, and chapter 174 members that will serve as mentors in teaching young people how to build an airplane. This airplane will be a real airplane with all the major moving parts, but with one definite distinction. It will never fly. You see, the purpose of the program is to teach young people specific useful skills that they would most likely be unable to obtain elsewhere at their age and without cost to them. This project (I don't think there is a name for it yet) can help these kids to understand the wide ranging potential of an aviation education. It will also help them to gain confidence in themselves in being able to achieve a goal and accomplish all sorts of things by working with their hands.

The benefit for the future of aviation is obvious. The benefit for our chapter is also pretty obvious. We will be able to get actively involved in something that is our passion and helps to ensure it's continuance. Our chapter members at the meeting were enthusiastically receptive to the idea. About half(19) members informally signed up to be mentors.

I talked with Lynne Freeman from Plane and Pilot magazine this week and he is very exited about this program. He sees it as an extension to the Young Eagles program and would eventually like to see chapters around the country set up similar programs. Chapter 174 will be the poster chapter in this effort. Plane and Pilot magazine will provide organization and exposure as well as help us to get things going. Sporty's will provide logistics, such as a place to build this project and hopefully help us set up a tool collection we'll need to get started.

As far as what's next and what is the time frame....I don't know. We are not on a deadline. We'll need a kit or at least the beginning of one and Lynne said he could help us there. If anyone has any ideas about someone wanting to donate their neglected project to our chapter please let me know. We are now a 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation and the donor should be able to get a tax break on the appreciated value of his donation. That goes for tools too (see your tax advisor, I'm not a tax attorney). We probably need to discuss this a little more at one of the meetings and maybe get a small group together to figure out the best way to put this together. Please give this some thought before the next meeting and be prepared to discuss the issue, pro and con.

Chapter elections take place at the meeting on November 17th at 2:00pm. The slate of officers are: President, Tim Fry; Vice President, Tom Jenkins; Secretary, Lee Jewell; Treasurer, Dave Robertson. Since they are all running unopposed, I don't expect any heavy-duty negative campaigning like we've had to endure in the mass media lately. Also, since we didn't have a good turnout for the second half of the meeting last month, the auction was postponed to November. You procrastinators have been given a reprieve. If you have anything to sell, bring it. And bring your checkbook or ask your wife for some cash.....we don't take credit cards. As I said last month, this is a fund raiser for our chapter so let's support it.

As I approach the end of my 'term,' I am trying to remember what I wrote in the newsletter at the beginning. I remember one thing I said was that I'd fly my airplane sometime in 2002. I think every time I've ever made an ultimatum like that, I've been wrong. I'll endeavor to not do it again. I guess I should feel lucky that I'm still plugging along. Tomorrow with some luck and a little help from my friends, I'll hang my engine on my RV-6. I think there is a little light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm not sure. It could be a flashback of the stars I see every time I bang my head trying to get out from underneath my instrument panel.

Scott Hersha

Minutes from the October Chapter Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 2:14 pm, Sunday, October 20th by president Scott Hersha. Hal Shevers presented the membership with a proposal whereby an unnamed donor has offered to purchase a project, to be used to train young men and women interested in aircraft construction, perhaps through a program like an Aviation Explorer post with the Scouts. In return for a commitment from the Chapter to provide mentors, the donor will donate the funds needed to purchase a project of our choosing and Hal will provide the workplace. For reasons of liability, the only clear stipulation is that the project must never be flown. The potential for sponsorship and publicity by Plane & Pilot magazine was mentioned. Discussion ensued and about 13 members indicated an interest in mentoring.

Treasurer Dave Robertson then gave the treasurer’s report ($361 checking, $1350 savings, $6431 CD, total $8142), after which Norm Beaudette gave the results of the last Young Eagles rally (65 YE’s, 166 for the year so far), and newsletter mailer (84% would accept web/email news, 16% wanted paper copy, out of 67 responding). Discussion about the newsletter ensued, and a Newsletter committee, consisting of Jerry Hellmann, George Elbel, Gary Collins, George Schultz, and Todd Winemiller, was formed to assist Mike Franzago and Mike Griffith with the newsletter. It was decided that a paper copy of the newsletter would be sent to all members except those who specifically indicated that they would receive a copy via email (to save on cost and labor).

Young Eagles Coordinator Phil Cady thanked all of the volunteers for a job well done at the October rally, and discussed ideas and goals for next year’s rallies.

Nominations for elected officers were then held. Nominees are: Tom Jenkins for vice president, Lee Jewell for secretary and Dave Robertson for treasurer. Meeting adjourned at 3:20 pm.

Norm Beaudette, Chapter Secretary

Auction in November

Because of the longer than usual length of the October meeting, we were not able to hold the scheduled auction.  Take heart!  We'll have it at the November meeting instead!  The auction items will consist of member-donated excess materials, tools and other items.  All proceeds go to help the Chapter (except items designated 50:50, for which 50% will go to the Chapter).  This year we'll have short forms designating a minimum selling price for each item.  So be sure to bring all your old "stuff" to the meeting!