Sunday, November 28, 2010

October Meeting

October 11 EAA Chapter 704 Meeting Minutes:
The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by President Dave Duperron.
We began with the pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved with one correction. (Paul Zimmer is not Paul Zimmerman) So sorry.
Treasurers Report shows a balance of $ 1053.45.
Old Business:
Dave asked our members if they thought it was a good idea to pay dues to the Michigan Private Air Strip Association. Vic Johnston discussed the benefits. A motion was made by Ron Fritz and approved by the chapter.
New Business:
Our combined Christmas Party with chapter 233 will again be at John Gills hanger on December 6. As usual everyone will bring a dish to pass.
Notice of the Greenville Poker Run for October 22:
Dave asked for volunteers to be on an election committee to nominate officers for 2011
We will elect our new leaders at the November meeting, while Paul Gill makes hamburgers for everyone.
Motion was made and approved to donate $100.00 to the Boy Scouts, thanking them for helping at the pancake breakfast.
Paul Zimmer talked about the procedures for Young Eagles Flights.
A documentary film on War Birds of World War II Airplanes was shown until adjournment at 9 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sec. John Gill

Links of interest

Links of interest.
House of Representatives support for backcountry airstrips
http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2010/100916backcountry.html

http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2010/100628backcountry.html
Co-Pilot for Iphone/Ipod
http://www.ljd-tech.com/copilot/
CoPilot is a flight planning program for general aviation. It performs the calculations that you would normally perform with a ruler, a protractor and an E6B calculator. It performs time, distance, heading, fuel and weight & balance calculations.

Re Registration

FAA AIRCRAFT RE-REGISTRATION BEGINS NEXT MONTH


According to the FAA, about one third of the approximately 357,000 aircraft registered in the United States have inaccurate records. To clean up what they say has become a database riddled with incorrect addresses, aircraft that have been destroyed, etc., the agency has made a decision to require all currently registered aircraft to be re-registered. Essentially they're starting with an empty ledger, and will fill it out in the next three years.

September Meeting Minutes

EAA Chapter 704 Meeting Minutes: Sept. 13,2010
Meeting opened by Dave Duperon with the Pledge of Allegiance:
Treasurer’s Report shows a balance of $1,135.44
Paul Zimmerman reported on the Aug 28 Young Eagles Event. They flew 45 Young Eagles after a short weather delay.
Dave Duperon will send thank you notes to the volunteer pilots.
PJ is creating a face book page for 704’s Young Eagles. The address is “face book young eagles.” A discussion on the benefits of being on face book followed.
Ron Fritz let us know that he still uses an old typewriter and not a computer.
The Young Eagles credits from 2009 were given to Evan Mason for the EAA Academy.
We discussed sharing the proceeds from the pancake breakfast with the Boy Scouts.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 followed with a trip to Paul Kovalak’s to view his RV7-A project.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sec. John Gill

A trip To Paul's House

At the meeting September 13th.




I got a call from Pres-Dave and an email from Paul Kovalak about a presentation for the September meeting. We are going to get together at the Sparta Airport Lounge and take care of the normal business for the chapter. Then for all the people that want to, we will go over to Paul Kovalak’s home and check out his project. He has his RV-7a coming along great. I think it is great that he is willing to do this. You know all pilots pay attention to detail. So inviting a bunch of pilots over to see a project that you are working on is a great way to motivate other people that are dragging their feet (I’m guilty of that). So come to the meeting and then come see Paul’s workmanship on a great plane.



Ken




2010 Young Eagles

Young Eagles


We had another good Young Eagles day at Sparta airport. The Pilots and volunteers did a great job at helping all the kids and some of the parents getting a ride in an airplane to introduce them to aviation. Paul Zimmer has organized another great Young Eagle day. He and his family do a great job helping out. Scott Richmond also did his part. He helped get the insurance worked out with the EAA . He also talked me into flying the kids, I need to thank him for that. PJ did the certificates with the pilots signatures and helped out with the post-flight gifts. All the others including our Pres-Dave Dupperon had a smile on their face and helped keep everything going. I need to apologize because I can’t remember all names of the people that helped out. I’m just terrible with names.

I do know that this was my first time flying YE kids. I had a great time. No one puked in my plane (bonus) and smiles were plentiful. I never thought that flying the kids was going to be so much fun. Just this past week I got the information package from EAA and welcoming me to the ranks of YE Pilots. EAA gives they pilots an information package with certificates and registration forms, first class package to keep a pilot sharing the experience of flight with more kids.

Thanks Paul and everyone that helped. Special thanks to the pilots.

Blue Skies,

Ken



AirVenture 2010

As AirVenture 2010 draws ever closer, here's a few tips to help make your visit a little bit easier on your stress level and even your pocketbook. First, you can still pre-purchase tickets online and print them to save time at admissions. Before you pre-purchase your tickets, make sure that your EAA membership is current since EAA members get a significant discount over non-members. EAA member can also purchase passes for friends at the discount rate, plus if you buy a weekly ticket for a friend, they will receive a free 6-month EAA membership, redeemable at the EAA Welcome Center.




You can also pre-pay for your campsite in Camp Scholler if you plan on arriving between Thursday, July 22 and Monday, July 26. You'll receive express entry into the campground during peak hours, saving you some waiting time. When you get to Oshkosh, follow the signs to EAA Camping. A red "pre-paid" camper sign will direct you from there. You can finish up your registration at the "Online Prepaid Camping" building. While you're there, you can also redeem your advance purchase admission, or buy additional tickets.



AirVenture can seem daunting, but a little bit of preparation beforehand will help things go smoothly.

June Meeting Minutes

JUNE l4, 2010 CHAPTER 704 MINUTES:
The chapter met at John Gill’s hanger at 6 PM to dine on hamburgers and brats.
The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by President Dave Duperron.
There were 23 members present and seven guests. (David Meinke, David Moody, Dale Buttermore, Cameron Therese, Nick Kline, Peter Neal, and Cory Reimink.)
President Dave explained that Scott Richmond has the Media all set for the “Pork on the Hoof” barbeque on Aug. 21st. He also discussed buying a commemorative brick at the Brown Arch at Oshkosh. No action was taken.
The newsletter will now be posted on the airport computer.

A reminder of the Chapter 211 September 24 bus trip to the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio (All payments are due in full by July 15). Please mail checks to Walt Clawson, payable to EAA Chapter 211.

Cost for overnight at Hampton Inn, is $94.00 per night for double occupancy.

Cost per seat for the bus transportation is $46.00.

After the meeting several members gave plane rides to anyone wishing to fly.

Respectfully Submitted,

John Gill

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Pauls's Engine

Paul Kovalak sent some photo’s of the ECI engine kit that he is putting together.
He is going ECI kit IO-360. Zimmer is installing the same basic engine with some differences only in the accessories and induction types. I plan to finish the build Thursday if all goes as planned.
That was some of the text from the email that I received on June 22nd. So the engine could be finished by now.
Paul is going t miss this upcoming meeting because his son is on leave from the Air Force Academy. (Family of fliers)
Thanks to Paul for sending in the pictures and keeping us updated on his projects.
If you have a couple pictures that you want to share please send them in. Everone in the chapter would love to see them.





Minutes from May Meeting

MAY 10,2010 CHAPTER 704 MINUTES
The meeting was called to order on May 10 at 7:P.M.by President Dave Duperron.
We began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Paul Gill introduced the guest speaker, Steve Gutschow.
Steve has seven different turbo powered radio controlled model airplanes.

It was a good night for some demo flights, so Steve was first on the agenda.

Out on the runway, Steve explained what’s involved flying these models, including the controls and instrumentation.

The actual demo flights were very exciting to watch.
Tom Kozura gave a show and tell on his motorized bicycle. He built it to resemble a classic Indian motorcycle. It has an original1903 carbide headlight.
Paul Z gave a report on the Young Eagles. We have a camp pledge of $265.00.
Paul Gill reported on the DC 3 for Pork on the Hoof Day.

Dave asked for volunteers to fly Young Eagles at Greenville Airport on May 22nd.
John Gill passed out information sheets for the Sept. 24 trip to the Air Force Museum in Dayton OH. He also explained that if the group wants to visit the Waco factory in Battle Creek, we just need to call ahead.
Dave said there are used digital scales for sale if anyone is interested.
Dan Carlson showed his newly redesigned rudder. With the help of Larry Bauer, it now has more yaw control.

John & Paul Gill displayed a rudder and stabilizer that is being constructed for an Acro I Biplane.


Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M.


Respectfully submitted by Sec.

John Gill

May Meeting RC Demo





t the May Meeting we had a demonstration of a radio controlled turbine powered airplane. Steve Gutschow came by to show us his airplanes and how they work. Steve showed us everything he does to get his plane in the air. The plane he choose to fly was not his biggest or fastest, but could han-dle the crosswind takeoff and landings.   Steve did a presentation on the aircraft showing the ducted fan engine and the other components in the fuselage.   Thanks to Steve for coming out and showing us what is possible with the Radio controlled Aircraft.

Monday, November 08, 2010

Other Projects

Tom Kosura showed the Chapter one of his more current projects. While Tom was in Saugatuck he saw a gentleman riding around on a bike that he added a motor too. Tom found out where to get the engine kit from (Battle Creek) and ordered a bike with fat tire and a Springer front suspension.


Added a carbide front light, created a gas tank front the sheetmetal of the bike. Really a nice job and attention to detail. Words don’t describe the bike very well, Tom has done another great job on a project!

April Minutes

April 12 Chapter 704 Meeting Minutes:




The meeting was called to order on April 12 at 7PM by Vice President Paul Gill.



March minutes were read and approved:



The treasurer’s report given by Jay Dean shows a balance of $858.13. (It was approved by members).



Present were 16 members and Tim Wasco was our guest.



Pete Jeppeson is looking for pilots to fly Young Eagles on May 22nd at Greenville.



Pork on the Hoof for Aug. 21 was discussed, and a sign up sheet was passed around for volunteers and Young Eagle pilots.



Tom Kozura suggested a 2535 military request form should be filed to get U.S. airplanes at the event.



Paul Zimmerman and Paul Kovolac gave reports on their RV7 projects.

They hope to take delivery of their engines soon. Tom gave an update on his Sopwith Camel project.



A short movie clip was shown on “War Birds”, a film to be produced in Michigan.



Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.



Respectfully submitted by Sec. John Gill

Sun-n-Fun

The annual EAA Spring Beak for Pilots, was this past month. Traveling to Florida while the end of winter is still in Michigan, always makes the trip down fast and the trip back slow. There were hundreds of informational forums, vast amount of planes, and a ton of wind for the first 4 days.



The Volunteers are the heart of any EAA event, weather the Young Eagle events or Oshkosh there are enough opportunities for everyone to help out and talk to pilots and people involved with aviation. My wife and I drove down, (she cannot travel light), and camped at the airport. If you can travel light there is areas just like Oshkosh that you can camp with your homebuilt or with your certified plane. Dan Bauman beat us down by a couple of days and was there helping out when we arrived. He helped move a trailer for one of the exhibitors of floats. I ran into him several times during the event, he volunteers at the corn roast.



I seen John Gill but missed seeing Dave Duperron but chatted with him on the phone after we got back from Florida. I try to keep pretty busy going to forums and walking the grounds. I started going for a run in the mornings down the flightline to the helicopter base and then back. I quickly found out that my run was a popular idea. Every morning I would see 20 people doing the some thing. But there was this young lady that would pass us all and wave at us old folks as she sped away, the guy I was running with vowed to trip her the next day we went out. (she was elusive)



The wind was the story for the first 4 days, all day all night. The wind let up on Friday and it was great. The evening airshow was good to see. I talked with some pilots that landed that said that they almost went around because of the wind being more than they thought.



Sun-N-Fun as a good time and I look forward to going again next year.



Blue Skies



Ken



Presidents Message

Greetings fellow builders, pilots and aviation enthusiasts,


Well, except for the last few days, we’ve had a great late winter and early spring with lots of sunshine, which for me is the yardstick by which I judge the weather.

Next week is ‘Sun & Fun’ and it appears quite a few members are going to attend. Dan Bauman, Ken Barnum and John Gill that I know of though there is probably more. My wife and I are going as well. My visit will be a work/discovery session to learn all I can about the RV-10s. I’m at the stage in building where decisions need to be made regards interior and exterior finish, panel design, firewall forward considerations, etc. and I’m taking my notebook and hopefully will get some questions answered.

We are leaving early though so we can visit Pat’s parents for a few days while were down there so I will not be at Mondays meeting, however the meeting will be chaired by the very capable Vice President Paul Gill. We had a meeting Tuesday and he’s raring to go. I suspect it will be a FUN meeting given Paul’s penchant for doing fun things. Thanks a lot Paul for stepping up. And of course I’ll have a report directly from Sun & Fun when I get back as I’m sure will the others.

For chitchat sake, I wanted to let you know that I’m planning to join the Sparta airport 140 club “if they’ll have me” in the near future. I need to get flying again and this seems to be the best way to get me back in the sky without pulling me away from the 10 project. I made an offer for a share in the172 that was accepted and all that remains is to get the deal done. I know if I bought a “beater”, as Tom would say, I would be at the hanger working on it all the time and not on the RV. I’m looking forward to getting and staying current.



See you at the Airport. Dave

Road Trip

Walt Clausen came to the meeting to see if there is any interest in joining with another EAA Chapter to go to the Dayton USAF Museum. They basically want to fill the bus with people to keep the cost down. Walt stopped by to judge the interest and to get a preliminary head count. So if you want to go see the planes at the Dayton Museum (who doesn't) stay tuned to this station for further information.

March Meeting Minutes

March 8, 2010 Chapter 704 Meeting Minutes:




Meeting was called to order on March 8 at 7: PM by President Dave Duperron, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Twenty Two members present and guests were Gerald Hoxie and Walt Clausen.



Secretary’s Report given by John Gill and approved by members.



Treasurer’s report was given by Jay Dean. Balance is $908.12. (Approved)



We passed a sign up sheet around for people to volunteer for flying Young Eagles.



Walt discussed an upcoming trip to the Dayton USAF Museum.

The bus trip departs late afternoon on Sept. 24.

We will visit the Museum on the 25th and depart at 5: pm

The cost is around $100.00 per person with double occupancy at the hotel.



Dick Roberts gave an update on future improvements to the Sparta Airport. They will do the taxi way design this year and construction next year.



Cathy Quakenbush is requesting a high school sponsored “airplane wash” to help support their Mission Trip.



Dan Bauman brought his vertical stabilizer from his RV 9A project. He discussed the paint and finish process he used.



Our speaker was Tom Kozura. He spoke on accident investigation by the FAA.



Respectfully submitted by John Gill

Meeting

When coming to a chapter Meeting this is what you will see! Be brave, if you can land a Cessna 172 in a 20kt gusting to 30kt crosswind, you can handle a EAA meeting with ease.


I’ll be at Sun-N-Fun during the April meeting, so take a couple pictures and take a couple notes and send them to me to put in the news letter. Take a couple photo’s of your flight that you take this month. Everyone likes those!



Blue Skies



Ken

Presidents Message

President’s Message


Greetings fellow EAAers. Hey there are signs of spring out there. Man am I ready. I’m even thinking about priming, some RV-10 parts this weekend that I’ve been preparing all winter. Then --- I can start putting pieces together. Will that be fun.



I’d like to thank Paul Zimmer for the great program on “computer weather procurement”. Boy I needed that. Doing most anything on the PC is intimidating for me. I know I’ll never be able to tool around in cyber space as he does but I do feel like I can now get some weather when I need it. Paul also turned me on to “VANS AIRFORCE” which seems to be the GO TO place if you’re building an RV. Thanks Paul.



Tom Kozura will be putting on the program for our next meeting which is this coming Monday. It will be about “investigating aircraft accidents”. If I know Tom It will be very interesting. Hope to see you there.



Coming up, we are still planning a trip to the KAL-AIR Museum and a trip to the WACO factory in Battle Creek. These trips will probably be in the summer or fall, what ever we can work out. In the mean time we can hopefully get out to some of our builders homes and see how their projects are coming. This could be “in addition” to our regular meetings. Any volunteers?



Most importantly please mark your calendars for the third Saturday of August the 21ST, for our Young Eagles Program. In case of rain, or other inclement weather, keep the following Saturday, the 28TH open as well.



I think most everyone is aware of the declining numbers in the aviation community and understand the effects it will have on our freedom to fly in the future. Introducing kids to an exciting, enjoyable first flight can, in the long term, have a positive impact on pilot numbers by instilling in these kids a life long interest in aviation. Good reason that we all make a special effort to make this event in August a Hugh success.



As we have on occasion in the past we are going to combine the “Young Eagles” program with the “Big Brothers - Big Sisters” program called “Pork on the hoof”. The Big Brothers – Big Sisters program is a very worthwhile program in and of itself and deserving of our support. However because it draws large numbers of people it has proved to be a good partner in Chapter 704’s Young Eagles program.

We will have more on this at Mondays Meeting. Hope to see you there. Dave

EAA Workshops

EAA Workshops will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 17 & 18 at the Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti.   The topics will be Composite Construction, Electrical Systems and Avionics, Fabric Covering, and Sheet Metal.  In addition there will be a Saturday evening presentation: "What's Involved in Kit Building."  For costs, scheduling, and signups go to www.eaa.com and follow the links to sportair workshops. 




An FAA Safety Seminar will be held at the Plainfield Fire Station,  4343 Plainfield Ave NE(5mi. and Plainfiedl) Tuesday, Mar.9 at 7pm.  The topic is "Where's the 'F' in Airspace" and will be presented by Randy Coller, editor of the Michigan Aeronautical Charts.  It is free.  For more info on this and other free safety programs put on by the FAA go to www.faasafety.gov and follow links.



Thanks,

~Ken Mosley~ 

Feb Meeting Minutes

EAA CHAPTER 704 MINUTES (Feb 8, 2010)




The meeting was called to order by President Dave Duperron at 7PM.



Guests Present: Michael Gill and Linda Kozura.



Minutes of January meeting were approved.



TREASURERS REPORT: The balance of $895.68 was approved.



There was further discussion of possible group camping at Oshkosh.



Scott Richmond gave a talk about Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the need for involvement.

We will again have a “pork on the hoof” and Young Eagles Flights. We are hoping for the third Saturday in August.



Following a coffee break, Paul Zimmer gave a presentation on obtaining aviation weather information via the internet.



Meeting was adjourned about 9:15.



Respectfully submitted,



John Gill

DC3

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH'S DC-3 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TAKING SHAPE FOR GRAND ENTRANCE

Mass fly-in arrival to highlight July 26 air show at Oshkosh

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (March 4, 2010) - Possibly the largest gathering of DC-3 aircraft since the 1940s is committed to the aircraft's 75th anniversary commemoration during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, coming July 26-August 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

That celebration includes what could be a 40-airplane mass arrival at Oshkosh on Monday, July 26 – the opening day of the 58th annual edition of AirVenture. Aircraft and DC-3 enthusiasts from around the world have already committed to participate in the event, including many aircraft that have never before been seen at Oshkosh. In all, as many as 50 or more DC-3s (or its military counterparts, the C-47 and R4D) could be at the event.

"When we first suggested the DC-3 75th anniversary party, we thought as many as 25 aircraft might make for an outstanding program," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "The response has been far beyond our greatest expectations and now will be one of the greatest aircraft reunions ever seen at Oshkosh, with more surprises to come."

The mass arrival fly-in was capped at 40 aircraft, which will stage at Whiteside County Airport in Sterling/Rock Falls, Ill., beginning on Saturday, July 24, with support provided by M & M Aviation. Following a media day and dinner on July 25, the formation's pilots will have their full safety briefing on Monday morning, July 26, prior to the public departure for Oshkosh. The full group, with a combined 96,000 horsepower, is scheduled to arrive at AirVenture in time to open that day's afternoon air show with an unforgettable flyover.

Hess Lake

Hess Lake


Dave Duperron was nice enough to send me some pictures of the planes on Hess Lake. For the past couple of winters, some of the members of the chapter have flown to Hess Lake and landed. Smugglers Cove is a good place to stop and grab lunch or dinner. There is usually some snowmobiles and ice racing going on also.



Send in pictures from the places you visit. A Picture from a phone camera is good enough!





Thanks Dave!

January 11 Chapter 704 Meeting Minutes

January 11 Chapter 704 Meeting Minutes




Meeting was called to order on January 11 at 7: PM by President Dave Duperron.

December minutes were read and approved.

Treasurer’s report given by Jay Dean. Balance is $849.67. (He says pure speculation).

18 members present. Our visitor was Jeff Ostrander. Jeff is a CFI and flies a Decathlon and a Bonanza.



COMMITTEE REPORTS:



Discussed having a group travel to Kalamazoo Air Museum.

Discussion regarding a general camping area for chapter members at Oshkosh Air Venture.

Chapter now has about 14 members building airplanes.

Dan Bowman explained the duties of Tech. Counselors and inspections he has made on many projects. He also gave an update on his RV 9 project.

Paul Zimmer agreed to be the Young Eagles coordinator again this year and gave us an update.

Ken Mosley will do a 2011 calendar with pictures of member’s airplanes.

Ken Barnum is requesting pictures and descriptions of projects for the newsletter.

Vic Johnston talked about private airport membership in the M.P.O.A. His son Jeremy is a flight commander for the Flying Tiger Sharks, and is training to be a flight instructor in the T38.

President Dave presented awards to last years officers and committee members.

John Gill showed the video of a “special” class field trip to his hanger.



Respectfully submitted by John Gill.

AWOS

Paul C. Miller-Sparta Aiport


Notice

As of 1/9/2010 the Sparta Airport AWOS has a new discrete frequency. Pilots can hear the airport weather advisory on frequency 132.95 . Two Mic clicks on 132.95 activate the AWOS

February Meeting Program

February Meeting Program:




For this up coming meeting we are going to get some information on the sources of getting weather information. There are many different sources that everyone uses, and all input is valuable information for us as pilots. If you have a source that you find is accurate for Michigan weather, we would appreciate your input at the meeting Monday night.

January Meeting 2010

January Meeting (What you missed)


A new year for the chapter started with several presentations on projects and some speakers from the chapter sharing their building experience.



Paul Kovalak started us off with the research he had done with L.E.D lights for wing tip lighting. An excellent presentation with a informative question and answer session too.

Great job Paul!



Second up Tom Kozura.



Tom’s project is a Sopwith Camel, He brought in some of the Historical Parts to an original Sopwith Camel. They are very rare, Tom’s presentation was with some engine cylinders and a gun sight. Very informative and the amount of research that Tom has done is amazing.



The last presentation was on a great day that John and Paul Gill had with special needs children. John and Paul had the day video taped and they shared that video with the chapter. They opened up the hanger to the kids and let them climb in and out of the planes and had a great time. Thanks for sharing that with the chapter, It was great.



The January meeting was Great thanks to all that presented and helped. :)