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Our next meeting will be Monday, April 16th,
7:30 pm at the chapter hanger at Gundy's.
Snacks: Last names starting with I-L
by Bhrent Waddell
As we approach summer, things are starting to get busier and schedules are filing up. Sun-N-Fun, the first 2007 EAA fly-in, is this month from April 17-23 in Lakeland, Florida. Since a couple of the Chapter 10 Board members are planning to attend, we decided to have the annual Bhrat feed in June rather than April this year. Since the secret recipe for the brats came from our visits to Oshkosh, we’ve tried to have the Bhrat feed to welcome warm flying weather and to begin thinking about this year’s fly-ins. In June, it will still be before Oshkosh, so the tradition can continue.
This month’s program will make use of our hi-tech computer projector by presenting the highlights of an AOPA and FAA Weather Wise course. It will be a good reminder of some dos and don’ts when flying this spring and summer. The program will be good for both low time and experienced pilots. Yes, even experienced pilots can benefit from learning what controllers can and can’t see on their radars.
Our intention was to announce the recipient of this year’s Air Academy scholarship at this meeting. Unfortunately, no applications were received by any Board member by the deadline, so it looks like we probably won’t be sending anyone to the camp this year.
The Young Eagle’s flights were held March 24 as planned. I appreciate Shawn Benson, all of the pilots, and volunteers that supported the flights. I know the future pilots enjoyed the flights when I hear “Can I do it again?”
If you haven’t paid your Chapter 10 dues, you probably aren’t reading this because we didn’t send you a newsletter. It’s past time to join, so encourage everyone who benefits from the Chapter to join up.
Inside this newsletter there is more information on FAA user fees. Take note and support the EAA and other organizations that need us to contact our representatives to defeat this push to tax/charge us unnecessarily for participating in flying activities. User fees are counter productive and inconsistent with safe flying. They discourage people from engaging in flying and staying proficient by adding to the cost of every flight.
I plan on going to Sun-N Fun and hope to have some good information to share with the Chapter when I return.
Bhrent
Good news! If you are reading the article (on paper, not the website), this means that your dues are now paid up for 2007. For some reason, we’ve been getting excellent turn-outs for the membership meetings but the dues are not coming in. Ask your buddy if he has read his April Chapter 10 newsletter. If he hasn’t, chances are that his 2007 dues are not current. If you know someone in this category, please remind them to pay up.
Dues are still only $20.00 a year, sign up now!
EAA is continuing to work with other general aviation organizations to oppose the FAA’s proposal for funding the nation’s air traffic control system. The funding plan, which reflects the advocacy of the powerful big-airlines lobby, would implement user fees and sharply increase fuel taxes to replace the current, time-tested system of excise taxes on aviation fuel and airline passengers. EAA and the other general aviation groups view this as nothing but a ploy by the airlines to offload more of their costs onto general aviation while grabbing more control of the nation’s airspace. Meanwhile, their proposals would require the establishment of a new and potentially costly bureaucracy.
In the past 10 years, the airline industry received a $5 billion government bailout, a $10 billion loan guarantee program, and a shift of some pension obligations to the U.S. taxpayer. Now, as many airlines are experiencing a recovery, they want to jettison even more costs by imposing user fees on general aviation.
The airlines, represented by the Air Transport Association (ATA), falsely claim they pay more than 90 percent of all aviation taxes but make up only two-thirds of the operational activity in the system. Yet in the 35 airline hubs that receive the vast majority of FAA funds and resources, general-aviation operations account for only 6% of the total. For example, when general aviation was prohibited from operating at Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport in the wake of 9/11, overall ATC costs there were not affected.
However, the cost of the user fee proposals to participants in general aviation, including the many EAA members who enjoy personal flight as a pastime, would be sizable. The FAA’s proposal includes new fees to pay for the costs of numerous certification and registration activities, such as: registering an aircraft ($130), replacing an aircraft registration ($45), issuing an original dealer’s aircraft certificate ($130), issuing an additional aircraft certificate ($105), issuing/renewing a special registration number ($80/$50), recording a security interest ($130), recording a security interest in aircraft parts ($130), issuing or replacing an airman certificate ($50/$25), issuing an airman medical certificate ($42), and providing legal title opinions pertaining to aircraft transactions ($100).
And, of course, there’s the potentially devastating 3.5-fold fuel tax increase, from 19.4¢ to 70¢ per gallon, and a series of other user fees for access to the nation’s busiest airports.
The FAA maintains that its plan is essential for funding the creation of the next generation air traffic control system. Adding insult to injury, the concepts and proposals for accomplishing this modernization entail greater restrictions and costs for general-aviation operations.
Meanwhile, projected revenue from a user fee system in 2008 would be approximately $600 million less than the funds that would be raised by maintaining the current excise tax structure. The shortfall would persist, amounting to approximately $900 million less funding from 2009 to 2012.
Another reason why general aviation opposes user fees can be found north of the border, in Canada: Ten years ago, when the ATC system was established as a government corporation (NavCanada), light general aviation was exempted from ATC and airport user fees. Now, despite an appeal to the Canadian Transportation Agency, general aviation light aircraft operators will pay charges for the use of seven important airports (including several reliever facilities) for the first time. According to the Canadian Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the airline community is viewing this as just the beginning of general aviation paying user fees in Canada.
Even more extreme examples of user fees harming or practically killing general aviation in numerous other countries add to the condemning evidence. Common sense indicates that any initial user fee scheme will eventually trickle down and be imposed on all flight-related operations.
The FAA’s proposal would also transfer control of agency funding and oversight away from Congress and dramatically reduce public control of how the FAA exercises its discretionary spending.
“EAA remains categorically opposed to user fees,” said Doug Macnair, EAA vice president of government relations. “Such a system will not enhance safety and it will not improve services. It will add barriers for thousands of recreational aviators while being a costly burden to the federal government.”
How, then, do the big airlines and the FAA attempt to justify such an imbalanced, unfair, and flawed proposal? Their rhetoric asserts that “fat cats” in private jets should pay more for using the nation’s ATC and other services. But it conveniently overlooks the oppressive effects their proposals ultimately would have on average aviation enthusiasts like the members of a thousand EAA chapters across the nation. Those chapters are made up of people who already make sacrifices to afford their enjoyment of personal flight. They should not have to underwrite big businesses’ use of, and attempts to commandeer, the nation’s airspace.
Please write your congressmen and let them know how you feel on this issue.
I guess as Willie Nelson would say in his song, we are "on the road again." A new beginning for some newly-elected Chapter presidents and officers as well as old (and we don't mean of age). But I guess old is a nice experience as we learn more about our fellow human beings.
As mentioned by EAA Headquarters in a recent e-mail, I offered to be of help to our Chapter Program and share some of the articles I came across while reading Chapter newsletters (which over the years has been thousands). I know of no other aviation organization that has accomplished so much for the good of aviation with our 950+ EAA Chapters - maybe they should be called "churches" with many denominations of varied interests of aviation.
For me, it is difficult to realize how quickly my life has passed by for it was more than half of a century ago when Ray Stits of Riverside, California stated that he would like to form the first EAA Chapter (1953). Others followed; some failed along the way maybe due to a lack of enthusiasm, leadership or not enough local interest. But then some encouraging leadership appeared and the chapter was reborn.
Many years ago some members objected to their aircraft being called "experimental." It was felt that "experimental" was a word degrading their handy work. I suggested the word "custom-built" (I even mentioned it to FAA on one of my many visits to Washington). My FAA friends told me it would be difficult to change, dollarwise and any forthcoming regulation could conceivably be more restrictive than what we were enjoying at the time. The issue was brought to the membership. The word "experimental" was the word of choice and as we can see today, has had no negative impact on this wonderful movement, working with hand and mind, to be creative, and to explore through the freedoms we as aircraft homebuilders have earned by its safety record and quality of workmanship. One only has to look at what you/we - the experimenters, far-reaching thinkers, craftsmen and women have accomplished: non-stop flights, non-refueled around the world, flights into space and thousands of designs operating with a very reasonable safety record. The many aviation companies, large and small, supplying kits, hardware, engines, propellers etc.
Some times I have wondered; who are we? I know what the letters E.A.A. stands for -Experimental Aircraft Association - but what is it that brings us together? It came to me while reading Chapter newsletters and attending fly-ins or Chapter meetings.
We are an aeronautical, educational and social group. Each of these elements bring us together and if we take one of these elements away, I don't think we would be the wonderful family we are and aviation is richer for it. That large growing family now extends around the world. We will continue to read your Chapter newsletters and will share with you and your Chapter newsletter editor some of the fine articles we read in other newsletters. Maybe we can reduce the ever-increasing plea of newsletter editors to their own Chapter members stating "I can't print anything if you don't send in anything."
EAA Chapters represent a lifeline of communication between its members and EAA Headquarters. Let's keep the lines of communication open and rest assured we're reading your Chapter newsletters.
Sincerely,
Paul H. Poberezny
Founder and Chairman of the Board
When Did you buy your RV-10 kit?
March, 2006
Why did you decide to purchase this model?
I loved my first one.
When will it be ready to fly?
It has already flown, I currently have a little over 19 hours on it.
What colors did you paint it?
The aircraft is white with red accents.
What engine did you install?
A Lycoming IO-540 with 9:1 compression pistons putting out approximately 275 horsepower.
What are some of the features of your RV-10?
What was the hardest part of the project?
It would have to be the electrical wiring installation and the cold weather.
Was there any part of the project that you especially enjoyed?
The first flight and every flight since.
How was the factory support for your project?
I did not require any support. The factory has built two RV-10's, I have built eight.
What do you think of the kits?
The kits were wonderful, superb, and perfect. Dimple, cleco, and shoot, it was amazing.
Clarence Larson was our guest speaker last month. Clarence gave an interesting and informative talk on building a RANS S-6ES Coyote. As you can see from the pictures, there was a pretty good turnout for this meeting.
There was a good crowd at last month's pancake breakfast.
To list your aviation items for sale, contact newsletter editor Craig Loomiller.
| Day of Week | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | April 16th | Chapter meeting @ Gundy's 7:30pm |
| Tuesday - Monday | April 17th - 23rd | Sun 'n Fun @ Lakeland, FL |
| Saturday | May 5th | Ponca City Breakfast Fly-In |
| Monday - Sunday | July 23rd - 29th | Airventure 2007 @ OSH |
To add an item to our calendar, get the information to the newsletter editor Craig Loomiller. See the contact info on the home page for e-mail, phone, and mail addresses.
| Day of Month | What | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Monday | Board meeting | Chapter hangar | 7:00pm |
| 2nd Monday | Newsletter Folding | Chapter hangar | 7:00pm |
| 3rd Mondy | Chapter meeting | Chapter hangar | 7:30pm |
| 1st Saturday | Ponca City Breakfast Fly-In | Ponca City | |
| 1st Saturday after 3rd Monday | Pancake breakfast & Fly-Market | Chapter hangar | 7:00-9:30am |
If your last name starts with I, J, K, or L, April is your month to bring a snack for the meeting.
| Month | Initial letter(s) of last name |
|---|---|
| January | A-C |
| February | D-F |
| March | G-H |
| April | I-L |
| May | Annual Picnic |
| June | M |
| July | N-P |
| August | watermelon provided |
| September | Q-S |
| October | T-V |
| November | W-Z |
| December | Christmas party (no Monday meeting) |
If you would like to receive the newsletter electronically off of the chapter web site (www.eaa10.org) every month, just send Secretary Bob Thrasher or our web editor Bob Minich an e-mail. This action saves the chapter money on printing and mailing costs, which in turn, helps keep your dues low. It’s really simple to do. We send you a monthly e-mail notice when the latest newsletter is posted online. Just click on the provided link and you are there!
If you haven’t taken a look at our web page lately, you should check it out! Bob has started putting a picture of the author along side the articles, which really adds a lot to the newsletter. Many organizations have gone to an all-online newsletter which really reduces costs. Hopefully, we can get our own chapter moving in that same direction. We are supposed to be a progressive-thinking organization, after all.
