Meeting: Feb 7, 2006 Tuesday
Place: Airpark Terminal Building

Inside this Issue:

www.eaa.org

President’s Corner

Hello everyone, I hope everyone's enjoying the break in the cold weather. If this is what Global warming is all about in our area, I have no complaints.

Well folks, I am proud to announce that after many years of fund raising and what has seemed like a snail's pace of planning and building, we have finally come out of the long tunnel.

Last week the electrical and building inspectors signed off on the work on the hanger. We are now officially the newest addition to the Jefferson County Airpark. EAA Chapter 859 has a place we can call home.

When we broke ground back in April 2005, work proceeded slowly.  Then things speeded over the summer. Finally by the fall we were under roof and closed in. Through rain, heat of summer and cold of winter, everyone got it done.

I could never speak highly enough of all the members who gave up so much of their own time into the construction of this building and also to those who helped out behind the scenes with fund raising, gathering materials and donating tools and materials to finish the job.

Now that the building part is done, the hanger is open for business, meaning members projects. It looks like it will be able to support at lease two projects in addition to the Prop Buster airplane. At the last Board of Directors meeting we set up some ground rules for the building and will be requiring a small fee of $25.00 per month for the use of the building for airplane projects. This will help pay for the electric and building expenses. The airport bylaws, however, require that as soon as your aircraft project is signed off by the FAA, it must be moved to an airport hanger. The rules will be presented to the membership for changes and vote at the February meeting.

We have been holding work parties on Saturdays for the last couple of months and it seems to be working out well. Starting at 10:00am, Chapter members would come out and we would be into a job with lots of coffee breaks complete with donuts. This past Saturday, it was a warm and sunny day and we cleaned out the hanger.  What a mess! There was a lot of activity at the airpark with several of the based pilots taking advantage of the warm weather. I must say we have the best spot on the airfield for airplane watching. Also we had visitors just stopping by to see all the activity up at our end of the field. They were invited in for a cup of coffee and to share in some flying stories. We made a couple of new friends that day.

We still have some things to do in and around the hanger. Our next small project is to get gravel laid and compacted in front of the hanger doors. Two loads have been put down but at least two more are needed. We can now start moving in things we have for our meeting area.

As spring approaches, we will start having more and more activities at the new building. If you have any ideas on how to make things more interesting both for the building and at the meetings, let us know.

See you at the February Meeting.

Dave T.

Wood, Glue, Rivets & Dreams
I have had the opportunity on a couple of occasions to visit with an extraordinary man at Pontiac airport in MI. Harold Thompson was a bomber pilot in WW2 and is still an active pilot and mentor. After 10 years and thousands of hours his homebuilt is almost ready to fly. Harold, who is in his mid eighties, has built one of the finest 2 seat aircraft ever designed. The Falco (http://www.seqair.com/) is an all wood 2 seat, 200 mph cruiser, 240 mph VNE, fully aerobatic plane that was certified as a production aircraft. Harold spent time with me explaining the inverted oil system on his IO-360 engine, the cylinder preheat system and the fully retractable gear, probably the strongest looking gear of a small aircraft I have ever seen. It might be a 50 year old design but is still one of the best. Thanks Harold. You inspire me and I am sure many others. - Don

Pictured here is Harold introducing Sharon to something, although I can't be sure what!

Question of the Month - Are ramp checks ramping up?

There has been an increasing number of calls lately to the AOPA Pilot Information Center from members who have been "ramp checked." So should you be concerned?

"Nobody likes being ramp checked, but the regulations do allow FAA inspectors to do it at their discretion," said Woody Cahall, AOPA vice president of aviation services. "But a ramp check doesn't have to be particularly painful if you understand the rules and exercise some common sense."

Cahall noted that ramp checks are part of the FAA's normal surveillance activities and that the agency seems to be increasing the use of this particular enforcement tool in some areas of the country.

An FAA inspector may decide to check you and your aircraft because he's observed something unsafe, or it may simply be a random check. You can expect that an inspector will show you his identification and ask to see your pilot and medical certificates.

"Think about how you would react to a police officer and a traffic stop," said Cahall. "When he says 'license and registration, please,'" you know that a polite response and a cooperative attitude goes a long way toward minimizing any hassles."

The regulations require that your pilot and medical certificates be readily available, and you should be willing to show them. The inspector can examine your certificates, but he can't keep them. If he asks you to "surrender" your certificates, politely decline and contact an aviation attorney.

What other paperwork can he look at? Remember AR[R]OW for the documents required on board the aircraft?

Airworthiness certificate;
Aircraft Registration;
Operating handbook or flight manual; and
Weight and balance data are all required to be in the aircraft.
But you don't have to have your logbooks — pilot or aircraft — in the airplane. There are reasons why you wouldn't want to carry them with you, and why you should keep your logs in a safe place.

"Losing aircraft logs can significantly reduce the value of an aircraft," said Cahall. "And if you lose your pilot log, it can be very difficult to reconstruct it to prove currency, time to be applied toward ratings, etc."

The regulations don't require that you keep logs with you, only that they be made available upon the reasonable request of an authorized FAA agent. So the inspector can ask to see your logs, and you can legally tell him, "They're at home. Do you want to schedule a time for me to bring them to you?"

The inspector can board the aircraft, but not without your knowledge and consent. He can inspect the exterior and look through windows.

Finally, be cooperative, but don't volunteer information. Remember what they say on Law and Order — anything you say can be used against you.

For more information, see AOPA Online's subject report "Ramp Checks." Pilots should also consider AOPA's Legal Services Plan should they need an attorney to represent them against an FAA enforcement action.

OSHKOSH AIRVENTURE
Planning for the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration has kicked into high gear! One place you'll want to visit again and again for the latest AirVenture news and developments is http://www.airventure.org/, the official website of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006. We've got plenty of exciting announcements coming down the pike, so go to the place where you can find out about it first.  

Sharon, my wife, lost her Uncle Lee last month after a bout with cancer. He was a true EAA believer, an outstanding engineer, (yes, he helped in the design of many of the GMC and Chrysler cars that we drive) who built and flew a Pitts Special and at one time even ran his own flight school in Michigan. He often visited us at 2G2 in his Cardinal.  His passion for introducing anyone he could, particularly young kids with the Young Eagles into aviation will continue now as the family has established the EAA Allen L. Davis Education Scholarship Fund. There will be a formal announcement and event at Oshkosh this year. Pictured below: Lee while undergoing chemo was still actively participating in aviation. He gave me a couple of hours complex flight training and took his Granddaughter Katie for her first flight in the EAA Ford TriMotor, the same aircraft we are trying very hard to bring to our airport this year.

You earned your wings Lee, God bless. - Don

If you are interested in the Sport Pilot Certificate, this might be of interest to you.
3-in-1 Sport Pilot Training Kit
Adventure Productions' Hamilton Flight Training System 3-in-1 Training and Test Prep Kit is designed to help expedite training for the 3-in-1 Sport Pilot Training Kit
Adventure Productions' Hamilton Flight Training System 3-in-1 Training and Test Prep Kit is designed to help expedite training for the Sport Pilot certificate. The program is structured for the new sport pilot, or the seasoned pilot looking to transition to light-sport aircraft. The set includes the three-DVD “Learn to Fly Kit”; the “Sport Pilot Training Kit”; and the “FAA Test Prep Kit” to prepare you for the FAA Knowledge and Practical exams. Purchase together or separately by calling 775/747-0175 or visit www.AP-store.com for more information. The program is structured for the new sport pilot, or the seasoned pilot looking to transition to light-sport aircraft. The set includes the three-DVD “Learn to Fly Kit”; the “Sport Pilot Training Kit”; and the “FAA Test Prep Kit” to prepare you for the FAA Knowledge and Practical exams. Purchase together or separately by calling 775/747-0175 or visit www.AP-store.com for more information.

Pilot Shortage Sparks Government Action Overseas
An explosion of low-cost carriers and a shortage of viable flight schools is behind a pilot shortage that has forced some airlines to ground aircraft and even cancel flights in India. According to Rediff.com, the country will need about 3,500 pilots in the next five years and domestic schools are only producing about 100 a year. The shortage is so acute that the government has taken drastic measures over the past year to try and minimize the impact on travelers. In December, the mandatory retirement age was increased to 65 (a pilot younger than 60 must be in the cockpit) but it's the so-called anti-poaching legislation that has pilots in the biggest lather. As the new airlines opened up, they naturally tried to lure pilots from other carriers and money is the most obvious incentive. Indian airline pilots make about $10,000 a month, ten times what an Indian air force jockey makes. To cut down on cherry picking by pilots (and the schedule disruption it brings), the government passed a law that requires pilots to give six months' notice before switching airlines.

PROP BUSTERS CLUB
If you are interested in some real affordable flying, contact Dick Hawkins (Prop Buster President)
or Tom Cucarese (Treasurer) 740 266-9305 for details on becoming a Prop Buster Member.
The airplane is a Cessna 150 and is based at the Jefferson County Airpark.
What does it cost to belong:
Initiation Fee $250.00
Dues: $200.00 a year
Aircraft Flying Rate: Per Hour $40.00 wet.
Your Flying Insurance is included in with your membership to the Flying Club.
So if you’re looking for very affordable flying, this is the group for you.

Chapter Dues
Membership form