Sunday, January 10, 2010

Featured Project!

New to the Newsletter and blog,

EAA Chapter 704 Jan. 07, 2010






I always wanted to build an RV and was leaning toward a 7A at first but later the RV-9A seemed to offer more of what I wanted and this fall was very close to making the purchase. In September I saw an AD on Barnstormers for an RV-10. It was a standard kit that the builder had finished to about the “quick build” stage, and what a beautiful job he had done. I couldn’t stop looking and went back to that ad numerous times in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime I was talking with the guys at vans trying to decide if I should get the 7A or the 9A. The fellow I was talking to suggested that it all boils down to one question: WHAT IS YOUR MISSION.

I thought about that a lot over the next few weeks and my wife and I had several discussions about our mission. I figure it will take at least a couple of years to build a plane and by that time my wife will be near retirement-I’m already retired. We wanted a plane to tour the country after retirement, find a warm spot to accommodate the winter months, be able to transport kids and friends, have plenty of baggage space and an IFR certified machine. The more we thought about it the more the RV-10 seemed to fit the mission. Though considerably more expensive to buy, equip, insure and operate we decided to take the plunge and buy the plane best suited for the mission.

Of course seeing that beautiful RV-10 project on Barnstormers helped push me in that direction. Brian Raeder who started the project was determined to win “Grand Champion” with this plane at Oshkosh and then sell it for more money than had ever been received for an RV-10 on the market. This was to be an income-producing project to fill time while his business was slow. I have no doubt in his ability to have accomplished both goals, you see, he had already won Grand Champion for a lite sport plane he built a few years back. I saw it and it was marvelous in beauty and workmanship.

Well Brian’s business is restoring war-birds, which he did out in Idaho for many years. He worked for people that demanded perfection and every project was meant to be a grand champion many of which were. For family reasons he moved back to Ohio and started his own war-bird restoration business. It was slow getting started hence the RV-10 project. About a year ago his business took off and the 10 project was pushed aside for later. Well, about august he recognized he would probably not get back to it for a long time and decided to put it up for sale.

The following pictures are some that he sent me while I was in the market. Check them out. Dave


Program for Chapter 704 Meeting



For the January meeting Paul Kovalak is going to show his wing tip lighting system. He did a “roll your own” way of doing the lighting. I know it will be an informative meeting, showing the way that he fabricated the lens and the LED placement.

President's Message

EAA Chapter, 704 Sparta Michigan
Jan 07, 2010




Greetings fellow builders, pilots and aviation enthusiasts from the table of the president, I hope this new year brings you good health, good fortune and time to nurture old and new friendships.

Notice I said from the table of the president and not desk. One person sits at a desk, and what’s implied is that all ideas, intelligence, wisdom and energy flows from that point or “that desk” out to the chapter members. Because I don’t feel all that intelligent or wise I would rather envision myself sitting at a table with other enthusiasts gathering their ideas, tapping their wisdom and intelligence, and collectively providing direction and guidance while filling our events calendar for the coming year.

We had just such a meeting Tuesday evening with the new board and several other enthusiastic members ( 9 in all ) gathering around the lounge table in an effort to establish programs and fill our 2010 calendar. We accomplished much, and I believe we will have an exciting and informative program for the year. More about that in next month’s news and comments. We will try to have a “calendar of events” ready for publication by that time. I would like to thank all the members that responded to my “last minute” call and participated with enthusiasm and energy at this meeting.

I would like to welcome Paul Gil to the board as Vice President and thank him for agreeing to serve in that capacity. The Vice Presidents primary assignment is procuring programs. That can be very challenging for one person. If you have any ideas or suggestions regarding programs or events please contact him.

I would like to thank the remaining board members for agreeing to serve yet another year- all are returning members, most having served for many years-. Thanks for your dedication to the chapter. I would especially like to thank Ken Barnum for again accepting the task of “news letter and web editor” and Paul Zimmer who has agreed to host the Young Eagles program again. Thank you gentlemen.

Dave

Next Meeting!

Next meeting for the Chapter is going to be at Sparta Airport Pilots Lounge January 11th 2010.

See you there