At the last chapter meeting, a few members talked of their impressions from this year's fly-in. Discussions overheard at the Blue Barn were often less than positive, with members of other chapters talking of poor finances and lack of camaraderie. In contrast, 563 is growing and has a stable budget.
Many vendor booths at OSH were staffed by people who didn't seem to care to talk to customers.
No new ADS-B solutions were seen or are under development, so now is the time to select. The least expensive solution observed was about $3000 for a new in/out system. Local avionics shops are back-logged on installations, on the order of 6 months. The FAA at OSH admitted there are still problems with ghosting in ADS-B.
Tim Threw offered this along with a photo regarding his flights into OSH this year:
Because of the weather, OSH arrival was "interesting" this year on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I arrived on Thursday before the show (many others did too). I flew out Tuesday to pick up a friend at MKE. This picture was taken around noon on Tuesday on the return to OSH. Arrival was not as congested by then. I camped with my plane in HBC Thursday 9/19 – Friday 9/27. Rained a lot—tent stayed dry—had a good time. Saw old friends and made new ones. My second year of flying in & HBC—a great experience.
View from Tim Threw's RV-7
Treasury
The Treasurer reports no significant change in the chapter's financial position.
Breakfasts
Cooks are needed yet for September and October.
At the mid August breakfast JB Waggoner and Bill Valbracht flew up from Missouri again, this time bringing a leaking tire on their RV-7 with them. Chapter members provided advice, tools, and transportation, and Mike Tillman opened his shop to make the repairs. Both gentlemen sent thank you notes to the chapter: "All the best, and many thanks for all of the many helping hands this morning!"
VMC and IMC Club
Monday September 10 is the date for the IMC Club fly-out, for lunch at Alton. It follows the usual Club meeting on the 9th.
The VMC Club coordinator reports only two or three attendees at the recent meetings. Use it or loose it, folks.
Elections
Nominations for directors are welcome. They will be needed by the October meeting for the vote to be held in November.
Members
Welcome new members Tim Coverstone, Al Jennings, and Will Staelens. Tim hopes to build an RV starting this winter.
As mentioned last month, Scott Decker has rejoined the chapter. I talked with him at his hangar here at 3MY, which is a few doors north of ours and facing east. He flies a pre-war Aeronca with an ancient Lycoming. He also has a project Aeronca, and the sight of its tube fuselage sitting outside his hangar prompted our introduction. We learned where he was to have the fuselage repainted, at Piercy's in Carlock (which worked out well for him). "As for background, I was in the chapter years ago and then joined Uncle Sam's team. I was with the USAF for 8 years of active duty and then the rest of the 30 years with the ANG in Peoria. I retired 30 Nov 2017 from the military and from the Peoria Fire Dept in 2015."
Currently there are 64 paid memberships in 2018, the highest so far this decade.
Progress was slow in August for Karl and Kip Kleimenhagen in the build of their RANS S-20. "The majority of the wing parts machined from plate and extrusions were done incorrectly, and the factory has been slow to respond with replacements. In the mean time, we've looked into painting shops and have been taking measurements for the Oratex fabric order, as well as doing various subassemblies and trying to work out fixes for various defective parts. With frustration setting in, we basically stepped back for a week to cool down."
Airport
3MY
Saturday September 8 the Airport Authority is holding an Open House here at 3MY from 11 to 3. There will be food trucks and aviation related booths, including a booth from our Chapter—volunteers to staff it are needed. We were asked to provide Young Eagles flights but feel it would be too busy for that. We might cordon off a homebuilt from the chapter for display, or we may provide people to watch over any airplane on display.
Upcoming events
(See also the Home page on the chapter web site. There are numerous fly-ins in the area this time of year.)
9/01 (Sa) 8:00-9:00
breakfast, in the hangar, followed by the chapter meeting
9/02 (Su) 6:00
VMC club meeting in the hangar (evening)
9/09 (Su) 6:00
IMC club meeting in the hangar (evening)
9/10 (Mo)
IMC club fly-out to lunch
9/15 (Sa) 8:00-9:00
breakfast, in the hangar, followed by the board meeting
