May 2008 News Letter

The May meeting will be on Saturday, May 10, 2008 in the back room at Riverview Airport.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Let Bob S. know if you prefer to receive the newsletter by e-mail in place of postal mail and check the chapter web page for information or send Bill W. items to put on the web.

MAY PROGRAM

There will be coffee and hangar flying at 9am (Officer’s meeting also) with the business meeting starting at 10am. This change in day/time was promoted by several members as a means of bringing in their A/C during daylight hours.

“Are quick-build kits worth it? This Alex Woolman will explain his perspective on the Quick-build kit. He’ll discuss his experiences with the RV Quick-build option. He has photos to show and great information to share. Other members are invited to compare the Quick-build process with the regular build process.

April Meeting Report

- SECRETARY’S REPORT: We began April with a total of $5215.67 ($921.40 (checking), $4092.13 (saving) and $202.15 in cash.) There was no activity in March

OLD BUSINESS:

1. The Ford Tri-motor tour will still be in July (there will be no change to an earlier date). Arrival will be on Monday, July 7^th with flight given on May 8^th & 9^th. Departure will be on the morning of the 10^th. The visit will be hosted by Rapid Air at their Kent County Airport location. Contact Hugh if you can help.

2. The Young Eagles rally at Greenville to be held on April 26^th was cancelled due to high winds. The event has been rescheduled for June 21^st. The first Young Eagles event of 2008 (hopefully) will be held at the Kalamazoo Airport on May 3^rd, weather permitting. Anyone interested in helping out, contact Dick Foster for details.

3. The annual work crew to the Week’s Restoration Center, scheduled for April 18-20, left from Riverview Airport at 1pm on the 18^th. Saturday was spent disassembling an RV-7, detailing a French jet (for sale), removing the jug from a B-17 engine and building parts for a Fairchild restoration. Saturday evening brought the experience of a prime rib dinner and friendly conversation with EAA members from all over the U.S. at the lodge with the EAA Leadership Conference. Sunday presented the opportunity to tour the EAA Museum in the morning, then heading back to Grand Rapids in the afternoon.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. The opportunity for a summer trip to the Wilderness for an R/C demonstration was mentioned. More information on this later.

2. Bruce Witman talked about the possibility of setting up a chapter campsite at this year’s AirVenture at the Camp Schuler site. More on this later.

3. Progress reports were given by Alex Woolman & Kel DeFries. Alex passed his final inspection on his RV-9A with his first flight

hopefully on Tuesday, April 15^th. Congratulations Alex!

Kel has made progress on his Sonerei. Fabric has been removed from the fuselage and work on the cockpit begun.

FEATURED PRESENTATION:

Dick Foster presented a DVD on AirVenture 2007 in preparation for this year’s event. The DVD was an excellent presentation with much information for veteran attendees and newcomers alike.

Future program ideas we are working on:

(Do you have any more ideas?)

Rag & Tube aircraft construction

National Weather Station visit

Hovercraft Shop visit...Don Bender

V tail Sonex...Evan Stroup

Visit to Jackson, light sport aircraft?

IA Refresher Course, how to inspect aircraft...Gleim’s courses

Private airstrips in Michigan...Repeat visit by Steve Zelle?

Newsletter questions, suggestions or comments? Contact Bob Swietek

Remaining 2008 Meeting Dates (subj. to change)

5/10 6/14 7/12 8/09 9/13