January (2006) Meeting Minutes

EAA Chapter 704 held the regular monthly meeting on 1-9-06 at the Sparta Paul C Miller Airport pilot's lounge with about 2 dozen persons in attendance.

President John Gill called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and held a short business meeting.

Under "old business", Ron Fritz held a discussion relative to a chapter banquet in February. This is planned to be held on Saturday. February 25th at Roger and Marilyn Doanes' mobile home park activity building. The park is called Cedar Fields and is located at 17 mile Rd. and Highway 131 near Cedar Springs. The event is planned to be a pot luck dinner with program of some sort. More details will be available at the February 704 meeting.

EAA headquarters is requesting an up to date roster of our membership to include the members EAA numbers and expiration date. Members will be contacted for this information. It is hoped this data can be collected at the next meeting.

Under new business: Airport manager, Vie Johnston called attention to the activities going on at the Clare, Michigan airport and told how the manager was posting these activities in a publication called the Michigan Flying Times so that the whole flying community can be aware of the happenings at their airport. He is suggesting we could have a person designated to feed information about activities at Sparta to this publication and make the area more aware of our existence and generate interest in attending some of them (I.e. Fly-ins etc.)

President Gill emphasized the importance of reactivating our membership with phone calls and personal invitations to some who haven't been attending lately. He would like to see our group be fully active with lots of things going on. He asked everyone's support in getting this done.

Tech Counselor, Dan Bauman. Held a discussion on Swaging cable ends and demonstrated a new swaging tool he has obtained. He created a cable end loop with a swage tool showing the proper way it should be done. He also had a cable cutting tool which does a real neat job of cutting cable --not easily done Without this tool.

Dan also told of the progress he is making on the P A 12 Super Cub he is building and hinted at the complexity of the project and the problems he has had since much of the project is customized and he had to fabricated many of the parts as he went along. He has been working lately one the Skylight installation.

Larry Bauer commented on the "Family Cruiser" he is building and Dave DuPerron spoke of his Super Cub project.

Jay Dean, acting secretary, was collecting dues and four members paid.

After a break for refreshments, Gary Kremers gave a program on his RV project showing slides of the building process and finally the finished product. It turned out to be a beautiful class A plus airplane with an electronics package to be the envy of all who want a fully IFR machine with the latest in sophistication. Gary had previously built and flown a Pulsar which was also a pristine flying machine. He is to commended for his knowledge and building skills --he is obviously dedicated to excellence.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Jay Dean, Substitute Secretary

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A Message From Our Chapter President, John Gill (Jan '06)

Happy New Year: I can't believe that I'm getting older, but it seems like it takes a lot longer to get things accomplished. Here it is time for the first meeting of the year and the program is still not confirmed. Please be patient and hopefully the program will be of benefit to flyers and builders.

My latest flying adventure's were on commercial airlines with lots of delays and rerouting. I spent a week in Tahoe skiing with my son and daughter in law, two grandsons and two granddaughters. We had a wonderful time.

Let's hope for some clear and cold weather soon so we can get our planes in the air.

My RV 7 project is languishing in the home workshop, but I am thinking of moving it to the hanger.

Many thanks to all who helped make the Christmas party a success. Let's have a good turnout on Monday night. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Air Zoo Invitation

EAA Chapter 145 would like to invite your chapter to come with us to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. A visit is planned for Saturday, January 14, 2006. Chapter 145 invites anyone interested in visiting the Air Zoo to come along. Details are as follows:
Transportation

EAA145 will provide transportation (vans) to and from Kalamazoo

If you would like to drive
(w/4 passengers), EAA145 will pay for fuel.

Schedule:

• Plan to leave Riverview airport at 9AM, arrive Air Zoo about 10AM
• Return to Riverview, time depending on riders in the van, i.e. 2PM, 4PM, 6PM?

Cost of Admission:

• Normal cost of ticket: Adult $19.50, Senior $17.50, Child (6-15) $15.50, Child (<5)>
• Military ID, 20% discount: Adult $15.60, Senior $14.00, Child (6-15) $12.40
• Purchase on-line, 20% discount: Adult $15.60, Senior $14.00, Child (6-15) $12.40

RSVP with number going

Sign up on list in Riverview
lobby or call Dick Foster at
(616) 538-8849

More Information: www.airzoo.org or Air Zoo phone: 866-424-7966

Saturday December 10th, 2005 - Chapter 211/704 Christmas Party

Saturday December 10th, 2005
Chapter 211/704 Christmas Party

Chapter 704 will be joining Chapter 211 of Grand Haven for a Christmas party to be held in John Gill's hangar at the Sparta Airport.

•The Christmas party will be a potluck with everyone
attending being asked to bring a dish to pass.

•Coffee and beverages will be provided.

•The party will start around 6:00 pm and dinner starts at 6:30 pm

•Dress is strickly casual and we hope to have a snow free area next to John's hangar to park in.

A Message From Our Chapter President, Ron Fritz (Dec '05)

Well, looks like this is my last column for the year and my term of president of Chapter 704. It has been a good year and the chapter is in fairly good shape with a healthy treasury. I want to thank all of you for supporting me this past year and I hope you have enjoyed our activities and the programs that we have had over the past eleven months.

We had a very interesting program last month when Ken Fryling gave a very enjoyable account of the restoration of a Ford Trimotor when he was working at Kal Aero in Kalamazoo. The restoration of that Ford set the stage for the restoration of several Trimotors with others still to follow. Last month also saw elections that will see John Gill as your new president. Assisting John will be Paul Spetosky as VP and Kathy Hakeem as your new Sec-Treas. All are very capable people and the chapter should see some growth in 2006. Dan Bauman will remain the chapter’s technical counselor and Kathy will remain Young Eagles coordinator. We’re glad P.J. Bevelacqua will remain our newsletter editor as he has done a magnificent job on the newsletter and chapter website.

This month's program will be Kel DeVries who will be speaking on the Sport Pilot/LSA regulations. Kel did a presentation for Chapter 145 recently and I'm told it was very informative. Kel is an old friend and graciously agreed to come up to see us. I've also asked Hugh Eisen to come along. Most of you know that Hugh is the FAA designated flight examiner for the area.

Don’t forget the Christmas potluck in John Gills hangar on Saturday, December 10. We will be joining Grand Haven Chapter 211 this year and it should be a fun evening. It’s always good when two groups can join to share a nice evening of camaraderie.
So much for now. See you at the meeting.

December (2005) Meeting Minutes

EAA Chapter 704 met for its regular monthly meeting on November, 2005 at the Sparta Airport.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by president Ron Fritz.
It was brought up that we would need volunteers for setting up tables and chairs for Christmas party to be held in John Gill’s hanger on the 10th of December that we are all invited to with EAA Chapter 211. A dish to pass was also recommended.

Ron Fritz thanked P.J. for great job he was doing with newsletter.

Officers for next year were voted on: John Gill - President, Paul Spetoskey - Vice President, Kathy Hakeem - Secretary/Treasurer/Young Eagles, P.J. Bevelacqua - Newsletter Editor/Website, and Dan Bauman - Tech Counselor.

One new member joined, Don Byers, he flies a C150 that he now keeps on the field.

John Peila won 50/50 raffle donated money back to chapter.

Paul Kovalac donated a computer to the chapter to replace one that was destroyed in lightning storm.

Barry Buchanan (Sparta Flight School) is letting us use his router. Which was also destroyed.

Ken Fryling gave presentation on rebuilding of Island Airways Ford tri-motor.

Meeting adjourned

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Hakeem, Vice President/Young Eagles
(Secretary Jay Dean was absent)

A Message From Our Chapter President, Ron Fritz (Nov '05)

There is quite a bit of information included in this month's column. First, Chapter 704 has been invited to join two local chapters in their upcoming events.

Chapter 211 in Grand Haven has invited Chapter 704 to join them at their annual Christmas party to be held in John Gill's hangar at the Sparta Airport. For two years now, our chapter has actually provided support to their party and this year they have invited us to join them. The date is Saturday, December 10. More information is contained later in the newsletter and the subject will be brought up at the upcoming meeting.

Chapter 145 in Grand Rapids is planning a group trip down to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo and has invited us to join them. The trip is planned for January 2006 but the actual date hasn't been set yet. I haven't been down to the new museum yet so this might be a good opportunity to check it out. More information will be presented in a future newsletter.

I like to see interaction between the local chapters as it gives the EAA members a chance to see what other groups are doing. For many years I've been a member in other chapters and have enjoyed this opportunity to see what others are doing and if some of their activities might be successful in our chapter. Things can get a little stale limited your EAA contact to one chapter only.

The November program will be very informative and one you should make every effort to see. I've invited long-time friend, Ken Fryling, to bring along his slide show on the restoration of Island Airways' Ford Trimotor. Island Airways owned and flew several Fords to the islands in Lake Erie, off Port Clinton, Ohio. They were all lost to accidents and the one you see in the photo below was taken to Kal-Aero in Kalamazoo and restored to flying condition. It was a monumental task and Ken was instrumental in seeing the plane restored to fly again. As a sidelight, one of the other Fords that was wrecked is now under restoration by the EAA Chapter in the Port Clinton area and will, hopefully, fly again.

Since the year is rapidly coming to a close, I hope all of you have your house chores done. The long, warm fall has allowed us to complete the chores we have put off to the end of the year. With the coming of cold weather we have to give thought to new challenges to flying. Although winter provides us with beautiful, clear flying days, there are new problems to consider before getting the plane out. We may touch on that at the November meeting but will take up the subject in greater detail in December.

I had the opportunity to attend the Fall Board meeting of the Vintage Aircraft Associatiion at Oshkosh in October. You may or may not know that I have the privilege of sitting on the Board of Directors of that association. For your information, the VAA is in very good health and looks forward to great year in 2006. At this annual meeting we all have the opportunity to attend the annual induction ceremonies for those being named to the EAA's Hall of Fame. It is a wonderful time and allows me to see many of my old friends that I've grown to know over the years

See you all at the meeting.

Just Plane Pics...

The following photographs were submitted
by John Smith for your enjoyment...

Aerocomp Turboprop w/ motorcycle
in baggage compartment

Closeup view of Aerocomp Turboprop w/ motorcycle
in baggage compartment

C-150 w/ rubber track gear

Jim Bede Round the World Unrefueled Aircraft

Modified Scwitzer Sailplane

Rocket Powered Long EZ

Attention chapter members, your photographs are welcome too. If you would like to share any aviation photos, please feel free to bring them to the next meeting or submit via email, eaa704@gmail.com

November (2005) Meeting Minutes

EAA Chapter 704 met for its regular monthly meeting on October 10, 2005 at the Sparta Airport.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by president Ron Fritz. The minutes and treasurers report were approved as printed in the newsletter.

President Fritz conducted a discussion of the feasibility of having a chapter building of its own. It was recalled that Tom Owens of Paramount Aviation had offered $5000.00 toward such a project. The consensus of the discussion was that such a structure would be quite expensive and the ongoing maintenance would be demanding, placing a fmancial burden on the chapter it was not prepared to handle. Though the offer made by Mr. Owens is greatly appreciated, the entire project is not within the financial ability of the chapter at this time.

President Fritz reminded the group that election of officers will be held at the next meeting and interested and/or willing persons should be ready to accept the leadership positions.

Vic Johnston gave an airport update. He stated that a large grant for runway improvement had been approved but the actual money may not be issued due to the unexpected government expenses resulting from the national disasters in the last few months. He sated that if the State of Michigan gets the money -- we will get the money and only time will tell.

A discussion of various members projects was held after which the meeting broke up for refreshments.

Ron Fritz then showed some very interesting old movies showing a number of different airplanes --some of which were his own. The movies may be old but the interest in them never dies. Thanks Ron. Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted
Jay Dean, Secretary/Treasurer

Chapter 211 Christmas Party

Chapter 211 of Grand Haven has invited Chapter 704 members to join them at their annual Christmas party to be held in John Gill's hangar at the Sparta Airport.

•The Christmas party will be a potluck with everyone attending being asked to bring a dish to pass.

•Coffee and beverages will be provided.

•The party will start around 6:00 PM and we will be going through the food line between 6:30 and 7:00 PM.

•Dress is strickly casual and we hope to have a snow free area next to John's hangar to park in.

Aviation Wisdom

•It’s better to be down here wishing you were up there, than to be up there wishing you were down here.

•If the houses are getting bigger lift the pointy bit at the front.

•There is nothing more useless than runway behind you.

•A 'good' landing is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' landing is one after which they can use the plane again.

•When in doubt, hold on to your altitude. No one has ever collided with the sky.

•You’ve never got too much fuel unless you are on fire