August (2007) Meeting Minutes

EAA Chapter 704 met at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2007 for it's regular monthly meeting . President Vic Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

The treasurer's report showed $1566.04 in the check book and the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed in the newsletter.

President Johnston reported on the success of the recent fly-in pancake breakfast and stated we had received a check for $600.00 from the Lion's club for our share of the proceeds. It was voted to give $150.00 to the Boy Scout Troop 704 for their help in the project.

President Johnston called attention to and asked chapter appreciation for the work of the newsletter editor, P.J. Bevelacqua and Jay Dean, Secretary/Treasurer.

Paul Kovalak reported his work on the tail section of his RV-7 project and said he is getting ready to start on the wings.

Dan Bauman has the canopy pretty well fitted in place on his RV-9. The engine is all ready.

Dave DuPerron took his beautiful yellow Super Cub project go Oshkosh and was given an award for outstanding workmanship.

The group shared several stories about their experiences at Oshkosh.

President Johnston spoke of the upcoming "Pork on the Hoof' event scheduled for Saturday August 18. There are a number of different sorts of activities on tap in addition to the pig roast dinner. Among the events are a classic auto show, a motorcycle riding demonstration,
racing car display, helicopter rides, and a Young Eagles program providing rides to youngsters ages 8-18. The proceeds from this program are to benefit the Big Brother/Big Sisters of Grand Rapids
program.

Visitor John Grimer from Wayland was introduced to the group.

Ken Mosley showed pictures of a device he had welded together and attached to John Gills RV project allowing it to be rotated for ease of accessing the under side of the fuselage.

After the business meeting we adjourned to John Gill's hangar and look at the apparatus. It was a very clever and professional looking framework housing a jack and post which attached to the propeller flange on the engine. The attachment allowed for rotation of the aircraft with the aft end fitted via a rod through a "hole in a board" arrangement. It can be imagined that John will strap himself into the cockpit and practice snap rolls in the near future.

Meeting Adjourned 9:00 p.m.

Jay Dean Sec/Treas EAA Chapter 704

President’s Message (August 2007)

Dear EAAers,

Well, the Oshkosh Event is well underway as I am writing this (Jul28), so many of our members will be returning with some exciting AIRPLANE stories......I believe there is one feller with one of them there yeller aeroplanes that may have a special story to tell. With most of summer activities that can seriously interfere with our “plane-talk” behind us, it will seem good to return to normal.

I understand the Paul C. Miller fly-in breakfast event was successful. Thanks to all those who participated in the setup and teardown. I apologize that I had to leave right after the tables and chairs were in place, but I had some family obligations.

Tom Krashen from MDOT-AERO will be joining us perhaps on our September meeting for a special presentation. He always does a great job of informing and entertaining us.

See you Aug 13....bring your stories and a friend.

-Vic Johnston

Pork on the Hoof 'Fly-in, Drive-in, Trailer-in or Walk-in!'

Inaugural Pig Roast to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Grand Rapids on August 18, 2007 from 9:30am to 4:00pm at the Sparta Municipal Airport. Visit the newly renovated Sparta Airport with FREE plane rides for kids and a Car and Motorcycle show!

A family friendly festival with free plane rides for children (ages 8 - 17), helicopter rides, flight simulators, games and treats for children. Meet IHRA funny car driver, Tim Stevens. An opportunity for pilots, car enthusiasts and motorcycle riders to gather together on the grounds of the newly remodeled airport. Proceeds will benefit the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. Call 616-887-5744 for details! We will see you then!

August 18th, 2007 - 9:30 am-4pm *
* Rain date August 19th, 2007 with same times.

Location: Sparta Municipal Airport
9100 Vinton Ave, Sparta, MI 49345

July (2007) Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes July 9, 2007

EAA Chapter 704 held its regular monthly meeting on July 9th, 2007 at the Sparta Paul C Miller Airport pilot’s Lounge with 18 members and guests present.

The treasurers report shows $1641.04 in the checkbook. The minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed in the newsletter.

President Johnston led a discussion on the upcoming pancake breakfast/flyin. There was a very mixed feeling over the location of the event with the final decision to proceed as before in providing the necessary tables and chairs as promised with each individual having the option whether to attend or not.

President Johnston mentioned the upcoming Short Wing Piper Flyin at the Grant Airport on August 4. Brunch is to be held at the Grant Depot Restaurant at 11 am hosted jointly by Vic Johnston and the Koopman’s. He stated you could attend whether you flew in or not.

There is also going to be a “Pork On The Hoof’ pig roast at the Sparta Airport on August 18 to benefit the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Grand Rapids program. It will continue from 9:30 am til 4 pm.

After the business meeting we retired to Dave DuPerron’s hangar and viewed his newly completed Piper project. There are not adjectives available to describe this aircraft —It is beautiful beyond imagination. He will take it to Oshkosh with hopes of attracting the judges attention.

Meeting Adjourned

Jay Dean Sec/Treas EAA Chapter 704

2007 Pancake Breakfast/Fly-in

Sparta Paul C. Miller Municipal Airport

Pancake Breakfast/Fly-in

July 15, 2007
7:30 am - 11:30 am

Pancake Breakfast in conjunction with Sparta Town and Country Days.
Sponsored by EAA Chapter 704, Sparta Lions Club, and Sparta BSA Troop 704.

Questions?
Contact Vic Johnston - 616.696.2895

President’s Message (July 2007)

Dear EAAers,

Let’s all thank John and Ken for such a dynamic, interesting, and informative presentation on the progress of John’s RV-7. It was also very pertinent for Jeremy and I, as we were working on JJ’s RV-3 at the time and many of our problems/questions were answered in their presentation. Would you believe that they threw that program together in less than 24 hours!?

For our meeting on the 9th we hope to have a tour of Dave Duperron’s SUPER Cub, and hopefully some dialogue from Dave to share with us some of his expertise. I think we should offer a prize to anyone who can find a flaw in the aircraft. Bet you can’t.

Also we has some unfinished business to cover regarding the Dawn Patrol Breakfast...mainly, which building we will have it in. John’s hangar does not have potable water, which is a concern of the Lions’ Club and the County Health Dept.

I will again have ol’Blue rolled out to give any Olde Eagles who missed the last meeting, an opportunity to sample some airspace before the meeting. If anyone else would like to give rides to some of our “grounded flock” have your plane(s) on the ramp at 6 pm.

Until next time,

-Vic Johnston

June (2007) Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes June 14, 2007
EAA Chapter 704 met on Monday, June 11, for its regular monthly meeting. The meeting was held at the Sparta Paul C Miller Airport pilot’s lounge with 25 members and guests present. The meeting was called to order by president Vic Johnston at 7 p.m.

The treasurer reported $1669.02 in the check book with all bills paid. We had received $270.00 from the village of Sparta for their 1/2 of the costs to provide cable internet service into the lounge to supply weather data etc.

P.J. (Newsletter Editor) was asking for current or corrected e-mail addresses from the membership and sent around a sheet to facilitate this. His idea is to send the newsletter by e-mail to as many as he can to reduce the postage costs.

Paul Zimmer agreed to serve as the Young Eagles coordinator to replace Kathy Hakeem who had to resign for personal reasons.

President Johnston stated we were sill looking for a Boy Scout troop coordinator to replace Glenn Holt who had to resign for health reason. John Gill announced he would be willing to fill this position.

John Kozal, Boy Scout leader for BSA Troop 704, reported on the activities of the troop. He stated that they had started out with 8 boys in the troop and have just added 5 more. They are going to BSA Camp Gerber in a few weeks and have had several camp outs all ready as well as some service projects. One of the parents has agreed to become assistant scout master. Kozal announced that the troop does not meet during the summer but will begin again in August. BSA Troop 704 is sponsored by EAA Chapter 704 and appears to be doing well under John Kozal’s leadership.

Paramount Aviation has made a request to be included on the 704 Chapter web site along with the others that are listed. The discussion that followed indicated that the web site is owned by P.J., Newsletter editor for EAA 704, for the use of the members of EAA 704 to provide information within the group. Those listed on the web site are members of the chapter whereas Paramount is not a member and is therefore not invited to be listed on the site.

A discussion was held relative to the July Pancake Breakfast.

The Sparta Pilot’s Association is holding a STOL contest on Saturday, June 16, at the Sparta Airport in conjunction with the open house being held that day from 11:00 a.m. til 3:00 p.m.. The STOL contest is being organized by Kathy Hakeem who is urgently seeking participants.

John Gill and Ken Mosely presented a program showing a selection of pictures depicting the complexities of the wiring of his RV-7 project. John and Ken have been faced with an awesome task as John is putting a very sophisticated electronic package in his airplane. As the pictures indicate and their comments confirm, they have done the near impossible in getting all the components in place and the associated wiring routed in proper fashion. They have made a very ambitious prediction of having the airplane flying in August —and they might just do that.

Meeting Adjourned

Jay Dean Sec/Treas EAA Chapter 704

President’s Message (June 2007)

So what’s new?.....that’s what I’ve been wondering about our next meeting. I think it will somewhat resemble the old school hot lunch menu on Fridays which was a surprise cochophony of leftover dishes we had experienced the previous week (or two?) all mixed together. If you have any suggestions for topics in future meetings bring your ideas along.

I personally appreciated getting re-acquainted with some of our “Olde Eagles” last month. We all appreciated Kevin’s account, his and Dennis Wass’s sojourn to Sun & Fun. And we should all give a special thanks to the “2-Pauls” for offering their beloved Cardinal as a sacrificial lamb on the FAA altar. As it turned out, The FAA-sent angel in human form (that being Tom Kozura) was very forgiving and no aviation sins were judged. Thank all three men for making it a great presentation.

Also, John Gill helped out topping off the meeting with a static display of his RV with some of his latest innovations with the baffling and plumbing of the engine.

We will see you June 11, if I am back from camping at Ludington S.P., as will start organizing for the Dawn Patrol Breakfast in July. Vic

-Vic Johnston

May (2007) Meeting Minutes

The regular monthly meeting of EAA Chapter 704 was held on May 14,2007 at the Sparta Paul C. Miller Airport pilot's lounge. There were 27 members and guests present.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved as corrected.

President Johnston held a discussion of old business. It was announced that Kathy Hakeem wished to resign as Young Eagles coordinator due to health problems. Glenn Holt asked to be relieved from responsibilities as Boy Scout representative also for health reasons. Replacements for both these positions are being sought.

Gary Miesch, president of Greenville Pilot’s Ass’n was present and mentioned a Young Eagles day next month at Greenville working through Kalamazoo EAA Chapter 221.

There has been an invitation to attend a pancake breakfast at Ottawa Exec Airport on 6/30/07 at 8:00 a.m.. This comes from Chet and Patti Unicapher. The cost is by donation and the money will go to the Aviation Education Scholarship fund.

President Johnston urged everyone to write to their U.S. Senators and/or Representatives to protest the FAA user fee concept.
Kevin Wheeler told of his experiences flying to Sun ‘n Fun. He said they had encountered a 52 mph tail wind on the way down resulting in over 170 mph ground speed in a Cessna Buck and a Half (150). He said the trip down took just short of 7 hours —the return run took 14 hours. He had to pay as much as $5.15 per gallon for fuel.

Several members spoke of having been to Sun ‘n Fun.

Guest speaker, Tom Kozura from the FAA, conducted a typical Ramp Check on one of the member’s airplanes and described the various things the inspector would be looking for. We then visited The John Gill hangar to look over John’s RV project which is coming along very nicely.

Meeting Adjourned

Jay Dean Sec/Treas EAA Chapter 704

SPRING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Blue Mountain EAA Chapter 604
By - Don Bais (Courtesy of The Rite Flyer)

It’s that fabulous time of year again when spring is in the air, be it a mite cool just yet, but rest assured it will come. When the weather begins to warm a little, our aviator minds turn to flights of fancy and it’s time to get our birds out of the nest and ready to go.

Strange things happen to our birds during the time they are asleep for the winter. Moisture can form in the fuel tanks, tire pressure seems to drop, and all that dust we need to get rid of! The brake disks get rusty and the battery may be down. And then there are those various critters that can invade our planes, be they parked inside or out. Birds and mice love to make our planes their homes. Mud dobbers love to make their little mud houses on our engine cylinders and create those nasty little hot spots if we don’t find them and remove them.

We purchased our Comanche in early May of 1983. We didn’t have a hangar yet so it was parked outside. We hadn’t flown for a couple of weeks and when we went out to fly I did the usual pre-flight list checks, got in, and cranked up. We were cleared for taxi to runway 14 for departure, did our run-up and were cleared by the tower for departure.

It was a bit cool so Alyce pulled the cabin heat on. As we began our climb out something started to smell hot. It wasn’t an electrical or oil smell and there was no smoke but something was hot. I called the tower and got a short close pattern for landing. We taxied off the active and stopped in a safe place. I opened up the cowling and began to investigate. Upon close examination, I could see insect legs sticking out of the shroud around the exhaust that provides cabin heat. I took a screw driver and proceeded to remove the shroud and wouldn’t you know it – that shroud was occupied by about a quart jar full of yellow jackets. Fortunately, they were pretty disabled but still moving slowly about. I still don’t know why we didn’t get a surprise in the cockpit, but not one yellow jacket came through.

EAA SHARED ARTICLE

YOUNG EAGLE BECOMES YOUNG PILOT

By - Bruce St. Onge, EAA Chapter 439

My very first Young Eagles airplane ride was at Ford Airport about six years ago. The pilot did a very steep bank on my side and I thought to myself, “I’m not liking this…” A few years later I decided I would give it another shot, so I went to the 2004 Ford Airport Day for another Young Eagles ride. During the taxi, run-up, takeoff, cruise, and landing I was continually asking the pilot questions. When we got done, I thought to myself, “I like this stuff.” A couple years passed and Tom Sullivan invited me along with him to an EAA Chapter 439 meeting at NMU Aviation College. We took his Mooney Rocket.

We took off into an overcast layer. When we broke out above the clouds I could see the sun just coming up in the morning and it was “so sweet.” When Dave was giving us a tour around the college aviation shop I saw this huge set of Boeing wheels. I asked, “where did you get those?!” and Dave said that they were there prior to his working there. I still want them.

When I was at the Christmas party last year, Tom said he would talk to Terry to see what the costs are for learning to fly. Later that night Terry talked with me about the rates and suggested I save up the money, then do it. I told him I already have the money saved up and he replied, “YOU DO?” He could not believe it. He commented that usually kids my age (17) get their paycheck and spend it all. He said, “I’m proud of you for saving your money.”

Tom and Terry said to contact Kubick Aviation to see if he had gotten a training airplane yet. I went home that night, excited to start my training. I asked Chad Kubick of Kubick Aviation, “who teaches?” He mentioned an instructor, Mike Jensen, a C.S.A. Air pilot, and I gave him a call. My training started with my very first lesson on March 10, 2006.

Mike said to use one hand on the yoke. I did not like using one hand, but I got used to that after a little bit. After a few lessons we did my first stall. I started to yell and looked to hang on to anything I could, but there’s really nothing to hold onto in a 150. Mike said, “I guess you don’t like stalling” and I said “YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.”

I started to bring my ground school manuals to school so I could study during any open time I had. That annoyed one specific teacher, and she made me put them in my locker. One of my friends asked her why she was giving me a hard time about the books and she said “He will never become a pilot.” I thought, “Ok, she will see, that’s even a better reason to finish this.” When someone says I can’t do it, I become more motivated.

I started to help Tom with his plane in January of 2006, showing up almost every night around 7PM. I learned a lot about planes by helping Tom work on his. I found that you’re putting your life at risk with some awfully small hardware, like the four bolts that hold the engine mount on the fuselage. Tom said he would pay me an hourly rate (after getting up to speed) for helping him with the Lancair but I replied “no, I like doing this.” Tom came back with “OK, I will apply that money to flight time for getting your license.” I didn’t argue.

I met this guy, Bruce, in Chad’s hangar while waiting for my instructor, Mike. He asked how I became interested. I told him about my connection with Tom. Later that evening I was cleaning my room and found an EAA Young Eagles flight certificate that was signed by Bruce Rutter in 2004. I thought “wow!”

I first soloed on June 22nd, 2006. I was not nervous about the flight, but was nervous about the people on the ground observing my crappie landing. I did three touch and go’s. About a month later Mike and I were doing some ground work and he informed me that I would need to find a new instructor – he was being transferred to somewhere near Beaver Island. I flew with him another week and before he left, Mike signed my logbook to take the written exam. I scheduled the exam, passed the written and was ready for my next challenge.

About this same time I was getting ready to go to Oshkosh with Tom. I had never been there before; it was so cool. I will never forget that experience. I was also introduced to a new flight instructor while I was there, Dean Sledge.

When we came back from Oshkosh, Dean and I started to fly. We went on a couple cross-country flights. He signed me off for my first “solo” short cross-country flight; IMT-50D-SAW-ESC-IMT. After another dual cross-country with Dean, he signed me off for my long cross-country IMT-MFI-CWA-RHI-IMT. That was a long trip, taking about three and a half hours in a little 150.

Dean started to hound me even more to study the books (Tom had warned me, that as I got closer to the check ride, my instructor would get tougher.) The weather during this time was crap, it took us about a month to complete three hours of flying. Dean scheduled my private pilot check ride with Duffy in Marshfield for December 19th.

We arrived at Marshfield and Duffy was running about an hour late. All I was doing was pacing back and forth, back and forth. Dean said to sit down and relax. Well I was able to sit down for about 30 seconds only. Duffy came in and I sat next to him. Dean said to Duffy, “do you have any nerve pills for him?” He said, “We’re not going to get nervous, OK?”

Everything went well for the oral part. Nerve-racking though it was. The flying part was easy, but still nerve-racking. Duffy got out of the airplane, signed some papers and said, “Congratulations, you’ve earned it. I like seeing young people like yourself getting involved in aviation. It’s people like you that keep aviation running. We need more young people like you.” When I got back, everyone was saying “good job” and “congrats.”

It was never easy, and you get your share of nagging (and encouragement) from the instructors and fellow pilots to study. I can say now, it was well worth it. December 19th of 2006 was one of the most important days of my life.

EAA SHARED ARTICLE

RESERVE LIFT GAGE (AOA) KIT

Dear Fellow EAA Member,
My name is Kelly Meiste, I’m an EAA member (#623517) living in northern Illinois.

I’m currently flying the Zenith Zodiac 601 that my son & I built back in 2002.

The reason I’m writing you is to ask if you would take the time to notify your club members of the Reserve Lift Gage (or Angle of Attack) that I manufacture.

I originally fabricated a gage to use only on my plane. It worked so well that others have asked me to build one for them as well. It’s now turned into a part time job, and as I’m hoping to retire soon I’m now looking into building these kits full time.

My kit is priced at less than half the cost of the cheapest I’ve seen, so I believe it’s a good value for the money. It comes complete and ready to install in most any aircraft. Installation is fast and easy, normally only a few hours of your time will do it.

If someone would require a custom mounting bracket, or plate, I can build the one as required at little additional cost.

Please pass the attached poster around to your members, and have them contact me anytime if the would like to purchase a kit or just ask questions.

Thank you very much for your time!
Sincerely,
Kelly Meiste, EAA #623517

RESERVE LIFT GAGE (AOA) KIT
COMPLETE & READY TO INSTALL IN NEW OR CURRENTLY FLYING AIRCRAFT

• AERODYNAMICALLY SHAPED PROBE AND MOUNTING BRACKETS MACHINED FROM 6061 ALUMINUM (CUSTOM MOUNTS AVAILABLE).

• 2" DIAMETER EASY TO READ GAGE WITH MOUNTING BRACKET, OR SIMPLY INSTALL ABOVE YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR BEST VIEW DURING TAKE OFF AND LANDINGS.

• SUPPLIED WITH 33’ OF PROBE TO GAGE RIGID VINYL TUBING.

• “AN” HARDWARE, AND TUBING FITTINGS INCLUDED.

• VERY EASY INSTALLATION.

• COST IS ONLY $175 PLUS $15 S&H.
(LESS THAN HALF THE COST OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE KITS)

CONTACT: KELLY MEISTE (EAA MEMBER 623517)
PHONE: (815) 684-9922
EMAIL: kellymeiste@jcwifi.com

YES THIS GAGE IS IN MY PLANE, ONCE YOU
USE ONE YOU WOULD NEVER WANT TO
FLY AGAIN WITHOUT IT.