President's Message

Chris Ulibarri

We recently had our Annual Membership meeting and discussed some very important issues for our Chapter. We talked about the Annual Christmas Party to be held on December 18th at Fairway Oaks Country Club at 7:00pm. The cost will be $16.00 per person and should be much better than last years.

Be ready at the Christmas Party to also pay for your membership dues, and as applicable for your hangar dues and end room dues. Costs for them are the same as last year. Any question let me know or contact one of your Chapter board members. We were unable to get a financial report from Dick Humphreys due to his hectic schedule for this meeting but will get one soon and pass it on to all Chapter members.

We also discussed in detail Hangar #3. Gray Bridwell, Tiny Malm, and Jim Berry are looking into costs for a roof for hangar #3 and getting a building inspection done on it before we as a Chapter make the big plunge for it.

I will be working on our annual report with our board members and will get a copy to everyone once it is complete. This report is due to EAA Headquarters before the end of the year and we want it to be an excellent one.

We then discussed looking for a new Chapter President, Treasurer, and Young Eagles Coordinator. Our board members will be meeting to discuss this issue and will report to you all the results of our discussion on it. Gray Bridwell has been working diligently on Fun Fly-Outs/ Fly-Ins for 2005 so be ready for another active year.

Thanks again for your hard work and dedication to our Chapter goals and look forward to the coming year.

~ Chris ~

Christmas Party Slated For December 18th

Chapter 471's annual Christmas party is set for Saturday, December 18^th.  This year, the party will be held at the Fairway Oaks Country Club at 7:00 PM.  Cost will be $16.00 per person.  (No special dress requirements)

Our Christmas party has always been a special event with a good number of members in attendance.  Gray Bridwell has put together a video that he will present highlighting this year's events.

We do have some business to take care of during the gathering as we will be voting for some of next year's chapter officers / board members.  Also, keep in mind that this is a good time to re-new your membership and to submit hangar dues. (if you have a hangar)     The party sure makes for a good opportunity for every-one to get together.  Make plans to attend.           

EAA Chapter 471 -  Las Cruces Trip

By Gray Bridwell

 After confirming that Teresa and I were the only ones from the chapter that would be making the voyage, I set out to see if anyone else would be going to Las Cruces from the Dallas area.  We linked up with Mel and Ann Asberry from Farmersville.  We agreed to meet in Andrews for the fuel stop.  Once full, we made the trek across desolate and high terrain.  Two hours later we were in Las Cruces enjoying wonderful weather and visiting with many friends we have met through the years at various fly-ins across the country.  Our rent car was pulled up and ready.  Plans for the evening meal with friends were made and the time was set.  Off to the hotel for a nap. The evening meal was at an old post for the Butterfield Overland stage coach called "La Posta Restaurant".  A wonderful meal was consumed and new friends were made.  One of the people we met pulled gliders with our own Bobby Nichols - Small world!  Saturday was filled with tours to pecan groves, gift stores, wineries, open air markets filled with every kind of craft you can imagine.  Saturday evening was a planned Mexican dinner in a large hangar filled with about 500 people who made the same trek we did for a casual weekend around other airplane enthusiasts.  The evening was top notch and the food was incredible.  The return voyage home was made in a little over two hours.  It was good to be home to see a couple of kids who missed their parents.

~ Gray ~

Tis the season for inclement weather, thus this article is on the ATC side.  This is just a reminder for those of you who can and do fly in weather or poor visibility.  For ATC to issue a Special VFR clearance, the pilot must request it.  We are not allowed to solicit them.  On occasion, we will drop hints to the pilot like, "the field is IFR say intentions" or "are you requesting something special".  Bottom line is the pilot must request the clearance.  Same bottom line applies for a Contact Approach and VFR-on-Top clearance.  If you are VFR and want an IFR clearance to do an instrument approach, please request the IFR clearance.  Don't just ask for an ILS, GPS, NDB etc., because the possible assumption is there, depending on the weather conditions, that you want to accomplish the approach VFR.  With an IFR clearance request the controller should assign you a local beacon code, which allows for Minimum Safe Altitude Warning monitoring (MSAW).  This is not monitored on a local VFR beacon code.  Basically, let's all be clear with what we want and do not assume anything.  We know where that takes us.

~ Charlotte ~

Radar Blips

The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.  J

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Your EAA Membership Benefits

What They Are and How They've Changed

We're often asked "What are the benefits of belonging to EAA?"  The answer can be a long one depending on what that individual's interests are as EAA has a vast offering of benefits and services.  And they are evolving and improving all the time.  But let's just start with the basics and explore what's new in a $40 EAA membership.

Every member receives his/her choice of a monthly magazine.  EAA SPORT AVIATION is the flagship monthly publication for members interested in the broad scope of recreational aviation with editorial geared to the flying, buying, building, restoring and maintaining of all types of aircraft.  We are currently in the process of expanding our coverage of production aircraft news and hands-on topics. EAA SPORT PILOT & LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT magazine is new just this year and its editorial is aimed at those who'll fly the newest special light-sport aircraft, including fixed wings, trikes, powered parachutes, gyrocopters, gliders, and Part 103 ultralights.  Your membership includes a choice of either membership or you can add on the additional magazine.

EAA member benefits at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each year have also increased.  Now members not only have greatly reduced admission fees, but you'll receive discounts on specially priced meals from several food vendors, have access to the members-only internet cafe, and enjoy member events in the new EAA Member Village near AeroShell Square.  And the list will be sure to evolve over the next few months as we set plans for the 2005 event happening July 25-31. Watch this space for more details on "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration."

EAA's Insurance Program has expanded with the addition of insurance for students and renters.  This non-owner insurance plan is Sport Pilot-ready.  In addition EAA, and Falcon Insurance have developed an outstanding insurance plan for all types of aircraft including expanded coverage, service and great pricing for members.  Call today for a free quote at 866-647-4322 or visit www.eaa.org.  EAA membership also includes preferred rates on other lines of personal insurance.

 With the new Sport Pilot movement, EAA's technical team is the leader in helping all aviators understand what the new ruling means and how it helps reduce the traditional time and cost barriers associated with training and aircraft ownership.  We have a special brochure series that answers many of the questions members have on this topic.  If you'd like to receive this information or have a question on Sport Pilot, please don't hesitate to give us a call or visit the website at www.sportpilot.org.

Another new benefit of EAA membership this year is unlimited admission to the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh.  That's right all members can visit the museum as often as they like-- at no additional charge. 

The EAA membership umbrella includes the wonderful ability to join a local chapter and participate in all of its activities.  Plus, EAA members also have the opportunity to join one or all of EAA's affiliate organizations: EAA Warbirds of America, EAA's Vintage Aircraft Association, and the International Aerobatic Club division of EAA. Plus, an affiliate of EAA is the National Association of Flight Instructors. The EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council reaffirms EAA's commitment to its homebuilding roots. There's something for everyone!

With the EAA Flight Planner, EAA members can easily plan a VFR flight, view a route on current maps (including Sectional, WACs and other) check NOTAMs and weather, file with DUATs and many other functions.  This $50 value is free for EAA members, just check out the website at www.eaa.org for more information.

For individual services, EAA provides a wealth of educational and technical benefits.  Access to pilot programs such as EAA Technical Counselors, Flight Advisors, Aeromedical Advisors, and Aviation Information Services representatives are ready to answer your aviation questions at 888/322-4636.  EAA's education opportunities include SportAir workshops held around the country – the perfect place to learn about aircraft building and restoration.  Call 800/967-5746 for all the details. 

Working with kids via the EAA Young Eagles program gives the next generation of aviation enthusiasts the chance to take to the sky.  EAA members provide an introductory flight experience for kids aged 8-17 – members have flown more than 1,100,000 Young Eagles since the program's inception.  Call 877/806-8902 for more information.  EAA's Air Academy aviation camps provide a resident camp at Oshkosh headquarters for youth who are aged 12-18 interested in aviation.  Reach the Air Academy at 888/322-3229.

Finally, the discounts!  Great deals and discounts for EAA members abound:  you can save on everything from member discounts on Ford vehicles, John Deere equipment, Hertz car rentals, travel services, and even a preferred rate on the EAA VISA® credit card.

For more information on any of your EAA membership benefits we're at your assistance on-line at www.eaa.org or in person at 800/JOIN EAA (800/564-6322.)

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 Reminder ----- We will not have a December Breakfast.