E
XPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION 9; July 2003BIG COUNTRY CHAPTER # 471, INC.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
– GRAY BRIDWELL
Last month when I read the newsletter, I found that I was accused of "flying around in the 70 degree air" and not taking care of business….Well, Sam was right, I was! So what better thing to do than invite Sam along for a ride so he could enjoy the 70-degree air also!
It was a hot Saturday afternoon, I called the time and temperature for them to report that it was 99 (A hot flight). Sam arrived at the house and we quickly were airborne seeking cooler temps. After Sam climbed to 7500 feet, the temp was 71 degrees. I could live with that real easy (No longer a hot flight). To get right to the point, I was letting Sam get some RV time, as he will be my autopilot for our trip to Oshkosh. Some people pay thousands of dollars for an autopilot….I guess I am just cheep, mine never will cost that much…
The real portion of my article will be on Oshkosh. Many of our chapter members will be attending the 100th anniversary of powered flight celebrated at Whitman field- Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We will be attending various seminars that will make us better chapter members and leaders. So be prepared for more great times with EAA Chapter 471, because EAA in Abilene ROCKS! It is only getting better…Fasten your seat-belts, place your tray table in the up, and prepare yourself to blast to the next level of the EAA in Abilene….as after Oshkosh is over, all efforts will be directed to our BIG COUNTRY AIRFEST…..This will be the BIG DEAL. A special meeting will be called in August to brief every member of the schedule, and what will be occurring. ~
GrayHANGAR LEASE
At the Young Eagles event I talked to several of the hangar owners about our lease with the city. We now have a new lease, (3rd one), to sign that we could live with. If anyone would like to review, please contact me at 676-8294.
The facts:
Most of the hangar occupants feel that the city has been giving our chapter the run-around.
There will be security fencing and identification badges, background checks, special insurance requirements and drivers training in the future for anyone that has access to the ramp. (See related page with this news letter.)
The "T" hangars are not on the master plan for the city.
We would not want to build our chapter hangar at the Abilene regional airport as our guests and possibly some of us may not be able to access it.
(See What to Do on page 2)
What to do?
There is talk about staying like we are while building new "T" hangars at Elmdale. We would build hangars very similar to the ones we currently lease and each member would own them. With this simple construction type we will keep the costs way down. The chapter would help with the labor and the project would move very fast with the chapter behind each hangar owner with a helping hand. We have enough contractors and machinery to make this structure move rapidly and achieve great discounts. Then we would have our chapter hangar, bathroom, and kitchen at the end of the row of hangars….These are the thoughts that have been discussed and a formal meeting will be required. Given this information, please look at this as an option to explore.
~ GrayIs it Oshkosh? or Oshkosh on the Brazos?
A quick report about the fun that was had by chapter members in the "not-so-dry-run" of the practice trip to Oshkosh. On Saturday June 7th Seymour Beitscher, Bob and Lucretia Landrith, Dick and Julia Humphrey, Gary Potter, Charlotte Rhodes, Audie and Harley Gill, Lon Beasley and Gray Bridwell sat around and talked about the trip to Oshkosh while eating steak and fix’ins.
The evening was a perfect time to have this event as the temperatures and humidity made the perfect setting to the likeness of Oshkosh. As the evening went along guitars were herd and Lon and Audie made a great duo, lookout American Idol! After the entertainers left, a storm was closing in fast so Charlotte, Bob & Lucretia, Gary and Gray got to weather test their gear. After all, that was the purpose of the evening. It rained almost all night, with wind and lightning. After the morning breakfast, Gary flew his C-170 home. A devoted group of Chapter 471 members will make the voyage to Oshkosh. They’ll come home telling tails of the trip, the 100th anniversary of powered flight celebration, the great air shows, rare planes from all over the globe, vendors with the latest technology on demonstration, and the sights and sounds of Oshkosh, to report to all of those who missed out. There is still time to change your mind and go!
(See related pictures on page 3)
~Gary Potter Selected to be Mr. AOPA
Gary Potter has been selected by AOPA to be the Airport Support Network (ASN) volunteer for the Abilene Regional Airport.
This position allows Gary to be a contact for all phases of general aviation to the AOPA. His primary functions will be to ensure fair and equitable treatment in the access and use of the Abilene Regional Airport. Any aviation related difficulties at ABI can be sent to Gary:
Email:
kppot@abilene.com
Home phone:
325-690-6542
Mailing Address:
3102 Stonecrest Dr. Abilene, Texas 79606.
But let’s not forget that we also want to know of the good practices and procedures that could benefit the aviation community as well. Let’s also try to present a friendly and non-confrontational com-munity. In the long run, everyone can benefit from a thriving aviation program.
~ Gray
Warbirds and other surplus military equipment in private hands appear safe, at least for this year, from the Bush administration's fixation with destroying the historic items. Every year, the White House tries to include, as part of the defense authorization bill, a section that would require owners of warbirds and other ex-military equipment to "demilitarize" the items at their own expense. The wording is found in S. 1050 and H.R. 1588. It's generally agreed that means destroying them. But each year, the Senate and the House, after prompting from the various associations that owners of these things belong to, delete that section from the bill. That happened this year in May but apparently some media outlets got hold of the wrong bill, which still included the de-militarization clause, and reported that warbirds were at risk. Both AOPA and EAA issued statements last week saying the immediate danger is over but plans are in the works to end the political cat-and-mouse game for once and for all. EAA and Warbirds of America want to meet with House and Senate officials to draft legislation that would protect warbirds from demilitari-zation bills.
~ Submitted by Charlotte RhodesYoung Eagles Day Successful!
Abilene Reporter News
By Jason Sheehan / Reporter-News Staff Writer
June 15, 2003
Ruthann and Daniel Dycus may attend elementary school, but they have already figured what they want to be when they grow up. "I have my life planned," Ruthann Dycus, 9, said. "I’m going to be a mechanic on airplanes or a (airplane) designer." Daniel, 8, not wanting to be outdone by his sister, also announced his career plans. "I want to be a pilot," Daniel said.
The pair of future aviators got a chance to experience what the world of flying may offer Saturday when they received a free airplane ride compliments of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program. The EAA Young Eagles program was created in 1992 to introduce aviation to children throughout the world and spark an interest in aviation as a career. Since its inception, the program has given free rides to more than 900,000 children across the country.
Seymour Beitscher flew the Dycuses in his 30-year-old Cessna 182. He said Daniel would make a natural pilot. "This kid (Daniel) took over the controls," Beitscher said. "Then he said, ‘OK, you can have them back now.’ So he gave me the controls every once in awhile." Christopher Ulibarri, chairman for the Young Eagles local program, said he was unsure whether the pilots would be able to fly because of Friday’s heavy rains, but those fears were erased by clear skies. "The air is smooth and perfect," Ulibarri said. "The kids can see forever."
Pilot Tim McMurray said the day was a success because many of the kids wanted to go for another ride as soon as they touched the ground. "We like that because when they want to go up again; that means we’ve got them hooked," McMurray said. Although she does not have any aviation plans of her own, 11-year-
old Elizabeth Dycus was amazed at the ride. "It kind of gives you a funny feeling," she said. "It felt like I was on a cloud."
A Pat on the Back
by Charlotte RhodesI just wanted to use this avenue to offer up a big thanks to everyone who participated in our Young Eagle’s program so far this year. Our set up at home was much better than last year and will only improve as we go. To the pilots who flew kids at Abilene and/or at Snyder, you are awesome. Two weekends in a row, round and round in the heat is belief in the program and a real love of flying. I really enjoy watching some of the faces as the kids are walking back from their ride and hearing the comments they make to their parents. My favorite so far is a young girl who had not flown before and was a bit nervous; when she got back she ran up to her parents and said, "I want an airplane!" This is what it is all about, thanks guys, you did a tremendous job!
July Breakfast
Our regular chapter breakfast will be held on July 12th at the Pride hangar at 9:00am. Setup will be Friday July 11th at 5:00pm.
We will be having guests: An email from Dennis and Dan, the Altus Plastic Pickle Fork Drivers, (0320 Longez's) are meeting up with Greg Camp (Comanche), Cody (BD-4), Greg Gilbert (Varieze) from OKC, Larry (Longez) from Grove OK and a few more SLOW spam-can drivers.
Word is out about our breakfast! Now we can charge $20 per plate right? Probably not…
~ Gray
Big Country Airfest
!Planning is still underway for the best Fly-in Airshow Abilene has seen in years. The presentation to the airport board was made last month and was received well. The board made the comment that it was good to have local folks in control of the fly-in. They made the commitment to help in any way they can.
It will take YOU to help with our event. Our chapter’s role is the flight line operations. Anything that happens with planes is OUR responsibility. Our partners, Rotary and TSTC do not know this area like we do……..You will have the opportunity to volunteer where you feel you are needed on the flight line or you will receive a call to be placed in an area that is needed. The point is, sign up now…….We will need a complete staff of airplane-parking folks, along with people to assist in crowd control for planes that must taxi to the runway. If we have a shift of folks this will not be difficult work.
~ GrayEAA 471
Chapter Officers
President Gray Bridwell
Vice-President Billy Tucker
Secretary Jim Snelgrove
Treasurer Hobby Stevens
Director Hank Castle
Director Barry Cotner
Director Wayne McCormick
Director Charles Screws
Director Steve West
Past President Carroll Bird
