EAA Chapter 563

The Beacon

February, 2023

Chapter

Youth Programs

Ray Scholarship

We have put in our application for a 2023 Ray Scholarship grant.

Airplane Building

The teens have been working on the landing gear, the firewall assembly, and the control linkages. The factory's rivet holes in the rear carry through spar wouldn't align with those in the top skin. This past week custom parts supplied by the factory were received, and we'll have to match drill through the skin to mate to the new spar assembly. Once that is in place, the aft fuselage can finally be riveted together.

VMC and IMC Clubs

The VMC Club meets this Sunday at 6:30 in the hangar. The following Sunday, at 6:00, the IMC Club meets under the direction of its new coordinator, Dana McNeil.

Hangar

Dave Anderson's Zenith is now at Canton. Rich Gilbert is working on his Onex's engine. Andy Plouse's RV-8 is on its gear with the engine mounted, and the fuselage has been painted. He's currently working on wiring. Jim Augustine's RV-14 quick build kit will be coming before long and will be placed near the other RV. Jim will be setting up a table for his work. Ron Wright is working on single seat pusher, and its engine is currently out for rebuilding.

The chapter now has access to a 6/12 VDC, 30 A battery charger for members to use at the airport, and it has a set of jumper cables. We also have a 24 VDC battery charger, which is stored in the gray cabinets in the hangar, where one can also find a 12 V power box for testing instruments.

Greg LePine has repaired the small sand blaster kept in the hangar. It's available for members to use. He also re-arranged the large box of numbered drills which were donated by Bill Engel.

Members

Chapter membership dues remain at $35, individual or family. Please drop your dues off in the mailbox in the hangar or mail them to:

EAA Chapter 563
1320 W Bird Blvd
Peoria, IL 61615

Mark Roberts and his family have joined the chapter. All four in the family are EAA members, and they live in Morton. The daughter, Anna, is in flight training at BFA:

Our primary reason for being members of EAA is two-fold. Initially it was to facilitate our family trip to AirVenture last summer. We stayed for three days in an RV and had a great time. We are continuing our membership now in order to best facilitate Anna's participation in EAA 563 as she pursues her private pilot license via Bradley Flying Association. Anna looks forward to getting more involved with the chapter as her schedule allows, most likely by helping with the breakfast at the monthly chapter meetings, etc. Since she is only 16 years old, you are likely to see me or her mom attending those meetings as well, especially as we get to know everyone.

Airport

3MY

The LifeLine Pilots has asked us to join them for their next Plane Fun Day this coming fall. Joe Troglio will be the chapter's liaison with them. Members are welcome to make suggestions for activities we might have for the public at this event.