Some of you will recall a Sunday two years ago when a new/prospective member stepped up and introduced himself to the group.  He said he was interested in building a Zenith Zodiac.  I remember talking to Kevin at that time and figured he was probably like me and would fritter away the years talking about building the plane and never actually do anything about it.  Not long after that first meeting Kevin told me he had taken a trip to the Zenith factory in Mexico, Missouri to test fly the plane.

Shortly after the test flight he must have taken delivery of the kit.  I’m not sure exactly when, but he has made great progress.  All of that was 18-months ago.  As of this Spring Kevin has substantially finished two wings, a rudder, horizontal tail, vertical tail, two ailerons and is part way through the fuselage.  He freely admits to making a few mistakes, but seems to take them in stride as part of the learning process.  I know his lessons are being shared with other local Zodiac builders.  We could all learn much from Kevin and his spirit.  Congratulations to him and others like him.

E.C.A. President, Hal Shevers, opened the meeting with four announcements:

1. The new runway lighting system will be installed in May without scheduled taxiway close-ups.

2. Electric has been restored to the old county hanger building including the Chapter hanger.

3. Sporty’s, E.C.A. has purchased eleven (11) acres on its west side of the runway for new t-hanger construction as well as the addition of a World War II aviation museum.

4. A long time member and championship racecar and engine builder, John Mugavin, was the inspiration for a new sport aviation radio.  John told Hal he wanted a radio on which he could listen to a baseball game and yet hear when one of his friends entered the pattern at Clermont County.  Hal thought it was a good idea and Sporty’s then spent almost two (2) years and over $200,000.00 developing it.  For his idea, Hal presented John Serial Number One of the Aviation Interrupt Radio.  It is featured in the latest Sporty’s catalog.

John Gauch, Vice President of Marketing for Diamond Aircraft, gave a presentation on the “Boy Scouts, Young Eagles Day” to be sponsored by Chapter 174 and held on August 16, 2003 at Clermont County.  The airport is to be tower directed with the help of Martha Lunken of our Local F.S.D.O.  They are expecting 40 to 50 aircraft, 750 youth, 250 adults, as well as the normal Saturday training and hot dog fly-in crowd.  A general discussion of this subject followed.  Phil Cady will serve as our Chapter member contact and he is looking for web site sign up volunteers for the Boy Scout Day, as well as the already scheduled June 14th Young Eagles’ Rally.  John Gauch may be contacted at: j.gauch@earthlink.net.

Tom Jenkins presented the Young Builders report.  Brian Nichols has started as our first mentor/instructor with the composite rudder project donated by Tim Fry.  The young builders are already meeting in the Hawk Building and Lesson #1 covered safety, work and tool organization.  Meeting/Lesson #2 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th at 7:30 P.M.  Young Builders are looking for workbench and tool cage materials as well as rolls of Visqueen (plastic) for floor protection.

Mark Webb then gave the hanger report.  A general discussion followed regarding increasing the monthly rate and/or making the hangar available on a weekly basis for short-term projects by members.

Scott Hersha then announced and reminded everyone that our upcoming meeting of May 18th is to provide a static aircraft display for the Clermont County public library.  The display is to be manned from 3:00 P.M. (at our meeting break).  Scott still needs volunteers for security.

Norm Beaudette gave the web page report stating the sign up pages are working again.  Please use them for Young Eagles’ programs.  New forum formats are to be added and will include 1) Aircraft Building, 2) Aircraft Maintenance, 3) Young Eagles, 4) Young Builders, 5) Fly outs, just to name a few.  Web page hosting/advertising sponsors are still being sought at the donation rate of $65.00 per year.  An advertising bargain for any business.  See Norm.

Mark Webb held the 50/50 drawing.  $46.00 was split by winner, Art West, and the Chapter.

Chapter President, Tim Fry, introduced our new Treasurer, Elizabeth Szoke.  She thanked Dave Robertson for his past work and stated that a new double entry system would be immediately used in order to comply with the Chapter’s new tax-exempt 501C3 tax status.

Howard Wells presented an article on the Wright Brothers that was given at the recent General Electric Family Day.  The article showed the depth of the engineering and science research the brothers did in order to demonstrate the reliable repeatability of sustained flight.

Meeting was adjourned at 3:30 P.M. and followed with a program on the Aeronca Aircraft Company of Lunken Field and Middletown, Ohio.

Respectfully submitted,
Tom Jenkins (For Lee Jewell)