www.eaa407.org
South
Austin Moses, President
Jerry
Phillips, Vice President
John
Bakken, Treasurer
Harold Mothersill, Website
Dale
Cresap, Newsletter
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President's Message:
Although most of us reduce our flying time in the
winter due to weather or work, at least one individual isn't. As I am
writing this Steve Fossett in his ultimate global flyer is over
Speaking of a small world, come join us for an
informative evening listening to Ken McKuen tell us of his flying adventures in
third world countries. The meeting will be held on February 18, 2006, 6:00
p.m. at IDA.
Also on
the agenda for the 18th is a short member survey which we would like to have
each one fill out and return to me. We need updates on email addresses,
planes flying and interests for future programs and activities. We would
also like to know who has interest in helping in Chapter
leadership. Come prepared with a pencil to fill out the
survey.
Our
thanks to Art Lazzarini for an informative and entertaining program last
month. I for one learned a lot and enjoyed hearing from him.
Thanks to John Bakken for contacting Art.
Austin
Moses
Next
Meetings:
March
18, 2006 at Blackfoot, Time open.
Builder's tour.
Other
items on the schedule are a fly-in breakfast at Dell, Mt, Lancair staff
presentation, technical builder's workshop and a number of speakers yet to be
determined. Dale Cresap is putting together some Young Eagles flights and
we will have our annual Christmas Party on December 9, 2006.
One
thing we felt is to have fewer fly-ins as the regular meetings. We
want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate in the monthly
meetings whether or not you have a completed airplane. We will try to
arrange some fun flights outside of the normal
meetings.
January
Meeting:
There
was a good turnout for the January meeting in
The
idea of holding our speaker/lecture meetings in the evening was discussed and it
was decided to do so.
Dale
proposed a Young Eagle rally for the students of the
Art
Lazzarini came from Hailey to talk to us about mountain flying. His talk
included both adventure stories and useful instruction. Some key
points:
Take
off downhill regardless of wind
Oil
pressure is the most important instrument in the plane for mountain
takeoffs.
Select
an abort point at which you will commit to land or go around. For short uphill
strips the abort point is before you reach the threshold.
Editor’s
Column:
As
Young Eagle coordinator, I am making arrangements for a special rally with the
P-51
Lust Chapter 2
I have a long list of errands
to do after work, but on a hunch I go to Pacific Fighters. I have learned by
experience to trust my instincts in such matters. The gate opens to reveal the
ramp is torn up, but I drive on it anyhow, and around some barriers to get back
on good pavement. John is in front of his hangar, and both Mustangs are there,
so what is going on? John says he turned Bob Jones loose in the Texan, and we
watch him take off. It turns out that Bob has not soloed in a Texan since 1944,
over 60 years ago. He does just fine. I ask John about the control pressures on
the Texan, and the Mustang; he says they are light, but the Texan is still hard
to fly, with plenty of bad habits. It was used as a transition trainer for this
reason and it is easy to go from there to the Mustang. I work up the nerve to
ask John if I can sit in the Mustang. He says sure, go ahead. Wow! I am careful
not to touch anything inside, except that I can’t resist nudging the stick – so
responsive. The cockpit is comfortable, but crowded with buttons, levers,
gauges, and controls. There is trim for aileron and rudder as well as elevator,
and holes in the floor panel to permit viewing of fuel gauges directly on top of
the wing tanks. Visibility is quite good even with a greenhouse canopy over
tandem cockpits, with full controls and modern instruments fore and aft. I’m
glad I brought my camera this time, and I get some pictures of Bob returning in
the Texan as well.