EAA Chapter 471 was represented at this year's Abilene Business Expo. Several members worked on marketing our May 18^th Young Eagle's day at the Expo. Spending the day talking about aviation to the public does get to be work after a few hours. Thanks again this year to Abilene Aero who sponsored the booth, and to the following chapter members who were involved:

Billy Beaird

Frank Berg

Gray Bridwell

Harold Cannon

Hank Castle

Billy Tucker

Please make sure to view the picture of the individuals who worked hard to share aviation with the folks at the Expo. We are trying a new phototechnology. It is called STEALTH. The Airforce has used it, and now we are giving it a try. If you don't see the photo, it must be working. If you do see the photo, you should contact a health-care professional.

For those of you who have not noticed by now, our chapter has a write up in the March issue of Sport Aviation.  Bob Mackey felt pressured to write an article about our chapter and its activities.   Some may wonder why it is signed Gray Bridwell. The article was proofed by me and emailed back to nationals. Some parts were added, while others deleted, but nobody told the editor that Bob wrote it. So, she thought it was written by me since it came from me. Oh well, great article about a great chapter!!!

It seems that we are still working to get someone to approve our counter offer for our T-hangar lease. I have contacted Kathy Webster, who is the head of the Airport Development Board. She will meet me at one of the T-Hangars the first week in April so I can explain with detail how these hangars are not the quality of Midland International’s hangars we are being compared to. I have spoken to another high-ranking member of the Airport Development Board, and he gives hope for our counter offer. 

The FAA has removed partial social security number and partial pilot certificate number search capabilities on its Airmen Inquiry website site. As reported last week, this capability had briefly allowed searches using partial Social Security numbers or pilot certificate number (which are the same in the vast majority of cases), yielding names and addresses of airmen matched to the final six digits of a SSN.  The FAA reported on Monday that searches can only be conducted by entering a complete last name and partial first name, and that SSN, pilot certificate number or date of birth will not be displayed.  The change protects the privacy rights of individual pilots while preserving the original intent of Congress in accordance with the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century 

Well folks, my little desert tour is officially on the downswing – yesterday was sup-posedly our halfway point, although in my case, I think I'll get a few extra days here - lucky me! :o) I'd have to say the things I miss most are my dog, flying my Pitts, riding my Harley, partying in Austin, and of course, all my family and friends. I have to say a nice prime rib from Saltgrass Steak-house and some Marble Slab ice cream would have to boost my spirits considerably as well. :o) Right now, rumor has it that I'll be back on the home turf towards the end of May.  The good things about this place: a decent amount of flying, not having to clean my house (which I did rarely anyway - now I just don't feel guilty!),  no laundry, decent food, beers on the deck at sundown, and free movies - although I've seen most of the ones they show here. Things that still suck - the shower tent, the walk to the bathrooms, the shower tent, 3 beer limit, the shower tent, and missing my Brit (and Aussie!) friends from the C-130 world. Oh, and the shower tents kinda suck. :o)  For those of you who watch the news, you'll see that we've been keeping pretty busy, although the B-52s seem to get most of the credit. Oh well, I'm not here to get credit - just doing my job. My only wish for 'recognition' (for lack of a better term) is that you guys would have half a clue what I'm up to over here. I'm happier than ever not to be in the Army right now...

Sorry I don't have more to tell. All the 'exciting' stuff is stuff I can't talk about, so that kinda limits my mono-logue a little. I just wanted to give you all a mid-point update and let you know I'm still over here fighting the good fight (or something like that). I appreciate all the mail and goodies and e-mails you all have sent - that's been a big high point of the trip so far. If any of you have some photos you haven't sent yet (you know who you are!), I'm keeping a list. Just kidding.... ;) Seriously, thanks to all of you guys for keeping in touch and making the time pass a little less painfully and a little more quickly. You're all fantastic people and wonderful friends, and for that I am certainly blessed. It's not a hint or anything, but for those of you who asked here's my temporary address over here:

405 AEW/ 9 EBS

Capt. Lisa Kary

Operation Enduring Freedom

Unit 73004

APO AE 09395-3004

The zip is pretty im-portant to get right, as some found out when a package was returned. As before, THIS email address (i.e., the one I'm writing to you from) is the only one I have any access to check. If you have a sec, would love to hear from you. I apologize if it takes a-while for me to reply, but you have my word that I will get back to you eventually. Take care and please con-tinue to stay in touch.

Love,

The fly-out to Galveston to tour the Lonestar Flight Museum and Moody Gardens is scheduled for June 1^st. If you are not yet on the list but want to go, please let Gray know. Thus far the following people are planning to go:

1. Tim & Pam McMurray
2. Gray & Teresa Bridwell
3. Don & Jo Bledsoe
4. Chris & Debby Ulibarri
5. Dick & Julia Humphrey
6. Carroll Bird
7. Charlotte Rhodes
8. Richard & Betty Baxter
9. Judy Stocks - Lubbock
10. Buck Prior

11. Terry & Mickey Cole - Lubbock
12. Wes & Becky Hays
13. Rick and Sue Liles – Lubbock
14. Vicky & Becky Bledsoe
15. Lon & Renate Beasley

The following persons have indicated that they can receive the full (picture and text) version of Hangar Flyin' by email:

srwest@fnbabilene.com;

rayco@sbcglobal.net

btucker@cisco.cc.tx.us;

I am sending a text-only version to the following:

kaye@txol.net

If you can receive the newsletter by email and are not on one of these lists, or if you see an error, please contact me.