The Plane Newsletter

A publication of Chapter 1111 Experimental Aircraft Association

February 2004 - February 2004 - February 2004 - February 2004 - February 2004 - February 2004 - February 2004 - February 2004

From the President

USING YOUR EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT FOR BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEWS

The day will come when your project will go from the shop to the sky where it belongs. The day will also come when your Biennial Flight Review (BFR) must be done. If you have flown off the phase 1 test time and are in phase 2, and assuming your plane will carry a passenger, you can take your BFR in your airplane.

Some instructors will want to sell you time in their airplane or the FBO’s plane, as that is what they are familiar with and they are in business to make money. But think about this; you should demonstrate to the instructor that you are familiar with your airplane and not the plane you may never have been in for maybe two years. Chances are good that the only plane you will fly for the next two years will be your own.

I have not had a problem getting instructors, as many of them like the experimental experience, and the one hour minimum flight review has been very thorough.

A word of caution: One of the instructors asked that I demonstrate a departure stall. During my phase 1 testing I had done departure stalls with about 150# of ballast in the back seat , but not with a heavier passenger and not with one hour of fuel burned off. This condition moved the center of gravity rearward but still in specs.

This was not the time to try a departure stall with a passenger. So I did not do it and told the instructor I would only demonstrate it solo. We skipped that part of the air work and went on.

The important thing here is safety first, ego last. Even if someone such as a BFR instructor asks you to demonstrate a maneuver and you have not been there before, don’t do it. Yes, I got my log book signed.

Dick Woods has agreed to do the financial audit for the past year. Thank you Dick.

... and make sure you bring your money to buy a 2004 EAA Calendar!!!

Plane Thoughts

PULL INTO PUYALLUP

In 1924, when 94-year-old Ezra Meeker took to the skies above the Oregon Trail in an Army de Havilland airplane, it was merely the latest in a series of publicity stunts that defined the life of this hops magnate, town father, Oregon Trail activist, marketing guru, writer, publisher, fruit farmer, and entrepreneur. Along the way, Meeker founded Puyallup (pronounced "pew-al-up"), a charming Washington town nestled at the foot of Mount Rainier, 10 miles east of Tacoma and about 35 miles south of Seattle. This February 21 and 22, the Puyallup Fairgrounds play host to one of the West's largest and most anticipated aviation events, the twenty-first annual Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show. AOPA President Phil Boyer will address the crowd on Saturday afternoon. That same day, a separate European car show is also being held on the Fairgrounds. All this, plus Tacoma's revitalized museum district and the majesty of flying past (if not visiting) Mount Rainier, makes February a great time to visit.

Minutes/Notes From Last Meeting

The great controller in the sky decided we would not have a January meeting due to the weather. There are no minutes for January 2004.

Calendar of events

Next Board Meeting: Thursday February 5th, 6:00 pm at the Kelso FBO

Next Club Meeting: Thursday February 5th, 7:00 pm at the Rosenzweig's home

Program:

We will be meeting at the FBO around 6:45 to carpool to Charlie Rosenzweig's place to check out the Toyota pickup engine installation in his RV-6A. Charlie reported a demo run could be made.

Directions to Charlie's House:
9070 Ocean Beach Hwy
577-6407

From Longview, drive west on Ocean Beach Hwy #4 (You will pass Fred Meyers, Wal-Mart, and Bakers Corner). Once you pass the intersection of Coal Creek it will be approximately 5 miles to Charlie's house.
After Stella you will go past Germany Creek. The road starts to go up a hill and the west bound lane will go from one lane to two (passing lane). Get in the right hand lane. About 1/3 mile on the right there will be a sign post that says 9150 on it. This is my driveway. It goes up the hill to the right. There will be a cross road, GO RIGHT, continue up the hill to my house and shop.

Classifieds

Please Note!!! All classifieds will start to bear a date. After they have been in the newsletter for 3 publications, they will be moved to the classifieds section of the EAA 1111 web page. Thank you in advance for alerting the editor when and if your ad can be removed.

Kelso Flight Service is offering a fuel discount if pilots make an advance payment on a bulk purchase.
A $500 debit card provides fuel at $2.20 per gallon, plus tax.
A $1,000 debit card provides fuel at $2.10 per gallon, plus tax.
A $2,000 debit card provides fuel at $2.00 per gallon, plus tax.
The debit card is designed for the card operated fuel dispenser at the airport. Accounting is automatically done when the card is used.
For details, contact Kelso Flight Service @ 360-414-5960

Flight Funnies

While taxiing at Los Angeles, the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United 727.
An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Air crew,screaming: "US Air 2771, where the hell are you going?! I told you to turn right on to Charlie taxiway! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there. I know it's difficult for you to tell the difference between C and D, but get it right!"
Continuing her rage to the embarrassed crew, she was now shouting hysterically: "God! Now you've screwed everything up! It'll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there and don't move until I tell you to! You can expect progressive taxi instructions in about half an hour and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that, US Air 2771?"
"Yes, ma'am," the humbled crew responded.
Naturally, the ground control communications frequency fell terribly silent after the verbal bashing of US Air 2771. Nobody wanted to chance engaging the irate ground controller in her current state of mind. Tension in every cockpit at L. A. was definitely running high. Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking "Wasn't I married to you once?"

Officers and Committee Chairpersons