March '99 Volume 99.03
This Month
- Keith Williams, President
Note change of meeting place: Rockwell Collins in CR,
not at Hills Bank!
The March meeting will be at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids on
March 5. We've met at "The Radio Company" every few years in the
past, and it has always been a very popular meeting. This year, Tom
Olson has done a great job of arranging for a factory tour and a
visit to what we call "systems rigs". You'll see all the neat stuff
our members who work at Collins create for use in the latest business
jets and regional airliners.
Directions:
From the corner of Collins Road and C Ave. NE, go North and turn left
(west) into the first driveway. Continue straight west past the first
entrance to the second entrance. (This is near the SW corner of the
building.) Park in the general area and go through the door to the
guard station. A chapter member/employee will be at the door to sign
in guests and take them to the Building 106 Auditorium.
Attendees must be age 16 or over.
Arrive at the door between 7:00 and 7:20 so you can be signed in
and escorted to the meeting room by 7:30 so the meeting can start on
time. (Meeting room = 106 Auditorium) For
everyone's convenience, Collinsemployees may wish to wear their
badges.
What You Missed...
- Dave Griffiths, Newsletter Editor
Last month the meeting got under way at the usual time. The
meeting started with a few announcements: Jim Bacher is healthy now
and will be flying again. Apparently the cure for his ailment is
caffeine.
Roger Fiblekorn(sp?) which some of you may have known has passed
away.
Tom Olson announced that there will be an airshow in Ankeny on
September 25th and 26th. The air show will be a huge festival to
celebrate the opening of a new air park. It will feature the
Thunderbirds, EAA's Spirit of St. Louis and John McLaughlin's(sp?)
RV-6.
Steve Ciha is interested in getting "Pete's Patch"(3 mi. S. of
Alburnette) turned into a residential air park. He suggests we locate
a developer if there is enough interest in it. If you would seriously
consider paying $50,000 for a 1-3 acre lot, contact Steve Ciha at
(319) 438-1204.
Finally, the main event, Ron White introduced Bernie Nitz Flight
Advisor from Chapters 75(Davenport) and 1000(Edwards Air Force Base).
Bernie has been flying for thirty years and has more than 5,000
hours. He built and flies a Vari-EZ. Bernie attended a flight testing
seminar at the EAA lodge and he says that it is an excellent
facility, somewhat like a mountain lodge might look like and the
people their eat sleep and breath flying and will convey a wealth of
information to you. He recommends you go if you get a chance. Some of
the other people who attended the flight testing seminar were a 747
captain, a former F4 pilot and an NTSB crash investigator. Bernie
said he felt somewhat humbled by the quality of the other
attendees.
Next Bernie began his program. He spoke about the Flight Advisor program which began in August of 1994. His program was too long and filled with valuable information to list it all here, but I will try to give you as much as I can.
The object of the Flight Advisor program is to increase safety during the first hours of flights. Before 1994 20% of all home-builts crashed during the first two flights. After the introduction of the Flight Advisors program that has dropped to less than 1% of participating pilots.
Some reasons you should participate in the Flight Advisors program: Access to over 400 Flight Advisors with knowledge of many, many aircraft; help deciding which aircraft to build; they can help you locate flight instruction in the plane you want to build; they can help you develop flight test programs; 60 % of Flight Advisors are CFIs, but they do not provide flight instruction for liability reasons; All have more than 1000 hours flight time, many with more than 10,000 hours; most Flight Advisors have been involved in testing several new aircraft; participation is a form of life insurance; your aircraft insurance will be lower; you are helping all of sport aviation by preventing additional regulations; finally it is the "smart" thing to do.
Bernie says the role of the Flight Advisor is to: advise, evaluate, influence, educate, represent EAA and provide resources. He also says the Flight Advisor program is not limited to amateur-built aircraft, but is open to anyone who is going to fly an aircraft that is new to them.
Bernie noted that after the John Denver crash the FAA decided to require that controls be easily accessible and marked. John Denver's Long-EZ had a tank switch that was difficult to reach and unmarked.
Bernie says that first flight hazards we should try to avoid are: excitement and anticipation; cockpit workload; unproven equipment(have anybody and everybody inspect your aircraft, TEST, TEST, TEST before your first flight, especially fuel flow!); low pilot proficiency(get some time in type); bad weather(skies should be clear and winds should be light); traffic(pick a low traffic situation); a parachute; a fire extinguisher handy in the cockpit.
Other suggestions for a first flight are: minimize excitement and distractions; have a designated flight test crew; limit spectators to only those people that have a function; NO MEDIA!(nothing good can come out of their presence); select a time when the airport is inactive; have all personal matters resolved, so that you mind is on what your doing; have an established flight test plan; use flight test cards; minimize manual data recording.
Finally, use an airport with a control tower and crash crew and coordinate with both of these before your flight.
Next Month
- Keith Williams, President
Next month's meeting will be at Hills Bank in North Liberty at
7:30pm, doors open at 7:00pm. The subject is Tom and Terry (+??) with
a first-hand report of Sun 'n Fun!
Chapter Business
1999 Chapter Leadership Workshops
Each year, EAA puts on about a half-dozen Chapter Leadership
Workshops. This year, the closest one is in Aurora, IL, on April 24.
This is a l-o-n-g one-day drive or a short flight, but is definitely
within reach of Chapter 33 members. Pat and I attended one last year
in Indiana and found it very worth while.
It would be especially beneficial to those currently in leadership positions in the Chapter, those who are interested in ways to make the Chapter really hum, or those who think they might, in the future, be interested in becoming more active in the leadership of the local group. If you're in either of these groups, or just want to go, I highly recommend it.
The Chapter will cover some, if not all, expenses of attendees. It
would make a great fly-out for some of our fast-airplane members!
Annual Banquet
Mark May 22 as the evening for the annual Chapter 33 banquet! As
of this writing, the location has not been determined but other
details are set.
Bob Mackey of EAA will be our guest. If Bob's enthusiasm doesn't
get you excited about the EAA, the Chapter, and life in general no
one can. And, there'll be entertainment while we're dining! Plan to
come, and stay tuned for details.
Volunteer Work Parties
Spring is coming-the letter from EAA announcing the summer
schedule of work parties at Oshkosh arrived last week! They run from
May 1 through July 17, so there are several opportunities to serve
your organization and have some fun doing it.
Steve Ciha is the volunteer coordinator so if you have any interest in participating, let Steve know. If you can plant a flower, drive a lawnmower, paint a garage, prune a tree, or most anything else, your help will be welcomed. And usually there's an opportunity for a tour of the museum or something, too.
Did you know that OSH is less than two hours away in a fast
airplane?
Bolkow Jr.
Tom Harris is building a Bolkow Jr. and would appreciate contact
with anyone who has any experience with one. Call Tom Harris at (319)
President Keith Williams (319)
395-7405 Vice President Tom Olson (319)
393-5531 Secretary/Newsletter Editor Dave
Griffiths (319) 432-6670 (Send articles to 900 Garfield Ave,
Tipton, IA 52772 or griff@netins.net) Treasurer Terry Scherman (319)
362-8660 Technical Counselors Marv Hoppenworth
(319) 396-6283 Tom Olson (319)
393-5531 Ron White (319)
393-6484 Flight Advisor Dave Lammers (319)
337-1425 Young Eagles Tim Busch (319)
393-9069 Directors John Banes, Roger Smith,
Greg Zimmerman, John Ruyle
Officer's Column
- Keith Williams, President
You'll notice that this issue of the newsletter contains a
calendar of the events for the entire year. You might want to put it
on the refrigerator, right next to the doctor's appointment card and
under the hairdresser's appointment or, if you're a younger family,
next to Tommy's A+ paper. We hope this will be a useful reference
throughout the year.
You'll notice that there are four planned Young Eagles events:
McBride, Tipton, Belle Plaine, and Washington. The Chapter leadership
feels these are very worthwhile activities and are a lot of fun. We
are expanding the program to other locations this year so youngsters
in other areas can experience the thrill of becoming an Eagle. This
year, Tim Busch, Young Eagle Coordinator, will have the assistance of
Jill Fishbaugh and Steve Rezabec-triple the horsepower of last year!
They'll be providing details as the time nears. Remember, we have
never had too much help on the ground so come on out and get
involved.
We also have visits to a couple of projects planned for the Fall.
We've been a bit short on those the last few years, so if you'd like
to show off your project sometime, let us know! We could even arrange
a special Saturday meeting. No one builder has all the answers, so
this is a good way to share knowledge.
The schedule is changeable and there is always next year. If
you have an idea for a meeting, let one of the officers know about it
and we'll consider it. Good meetings bring great attendance so we
want to provide the best meetings possible.
Finally, I'd like to thank the other officers and directors for
giving up an evening to help plan the activities for the year. This
sort of thing is a huge task for one person but a group of folks
interested in sport aviation can do it, with good results, in one
evening! And a special thanks to the Zimmerman's for hosting the
meeting!
Announcements
Dues:
Don't forget to pay your dues. Dues are $15.00 and are due now.
If you saw the words: "Last Issue" printed in red in the upper right
corner of your address label then you have not paid your dues and
this will be your last newsletter. Bring them to the March meeting or
send them to:
Terrance Scherman
1203 16th Street SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Wanted
I am looking to find individuals who are interested in owning
property on a rural Air park in Eastern Iowa, Linn, Johnson, Iowa or
Benton county. Or simply persons interested in buying land for a
private airstrip.
Call Walter M. Rich (319) 364-3733
I am looking for a Taylor monoplane (flying or project) or a Bowers
Flybaby. I will give $100 to the person or club that leads to the
purchase of the planes or project I buy. I know that the Taylors are
hard to find, but would love to have one, but Flybaby would be great
also. Please email(aainds@yahoo.com) or call toll free 1 888 754
3980, ask for Dave
Looking for miscellaneous AN hardware, 4130-N tubing and fittings.
Tom Harris (319) 362-6323
For Sale
A 40,000 BTU natural gas radiant heater, and a 10" spinner with
double back plate and prop cut-out. Call Bob Schrieber, (319)
264-5753.
One set of RV6-6A plans with manuals, some newsletters. Call Merrill
Knouse, (319) 732-2861.
Baby Ace type fuselage, all welding done. Call Henry Rahlf, (319)
263-7953.
Small Sears lathe, 30" lathe, drill press, small farm tractor, some
blacksmith tools. Call Kenny Kemper (319) 263-8843.
One share of interest in two airplanes based at Greencastle airport,
$2,700. The first airplane is a 1946 J-3 Cub($13.00/hour wet). The
second is a 1947 Cessna 140($15.00/hour wet). Well maintained and
always accessible. Tail wheel endorsement required. Monthly dues of
$45.00 for hangar rent and insurance. Dale Yoder (319) 337-7071 or
Walter Rich (319) 364-3733.
Acro Sport II, fuselage on gear, wings nearly ready to assemble,
fittings cut out, most material to finish. $8,500.00 Warren Lacey
(319) 462-4009
I produce software for airfoil analysis and plotting. In addition, I
am publishing an on-line magazine on the use of computers for
aircraft analysis. It will appear in January, 1998. The url is:
http://www.hanleyinnovations.com Patrick Hanley, Ph.D. Software
Developer. Mail Inquiries to:
Hanley Innovations
PO Box 870
Storrs, CT 06268
Phone: (860) 423-4060
20) 426-4800
Share a Ride?
Rides Offered
Walter Rich, Stinson 108(4 place taildragger) weekends, (319)
364-3733 or rich@comic.net
Ride Wanted
Dave Griffiths wants a ride in a Cozy or Velocity, (319)
432-6670.
If you want to get or give a ride, contact:
Dave Griffiths
900 Garfield Ave.
Tipton, IA 52772
(319) 432-6670
griff@netins.net
Experimental Aircraft Association
Alexander M. Lippisch Chapter 33
c/o Dave Griffiths
900 Garfield Ave.
Tipton, IA 52772
1999 Calendar of Events
Month Date Time* Place Program/Activity January 8 7:30 PM Hills Bank Steve Wilson February 5 7:30 PM Hills Bank Bernie Nitz March 5 7:30 PM Rockwell Collins View latest systems rigs and plant tour. April 16 7:30 PM Hills Bank Tom and Terry (+??) with a first-hand report of Sun 'n
Fun! May 22 Annual Banquet 5 McBride Airport Young Eagles + Chapter meeting (pot-luck lunch) 19 Tipton Airport Young Eagles 11 Greencastle Airport Sunday afternoon at the airport. Pot-luck supper. July 17 Belle Plaine Young Eagles 31 Oshkosh Campground Annual pot-luck supper. August 14 Washington Airport Young Eagles 10 7:30 PM Meeker's in Robins Visit Tom's Mustang II project 24-26 Ankeny Cars, Planes, and Boats expo 1 7:30 PM Finley's North of Marion Visit Bill Finley's auto-engine-powered Long EZ
project 5 7:30 PM Hills Bank Don Gurnett with an out-of-this-world report on space
exploration. Election of officers. 3 North Liberty Community Center Christmas Party pot-luck supper.
Reliability and safety considerations in design
Flight Advisor program
Bob Mackey, EAA
June
Airport
September
October
November
December
* Indicates starting time. Doors open ½ hour prior.
Changes will occur; always check current
newsletter for latest information.