EAA Chapter 1218

Following breakfast prepared by Jim Vokac, Eric Fremgen and Fred Kalhoefer, the May 2, 2009 meeting was called to order by President White with 36 members. Guests present were Paul Allen, Summersville, Gary Brandon, Houston, Eli Greene and his mother Trina, Willow Springs, Ron Hook, Gainesville and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Protiva, Peace Valley.

A motion to approve the minutes as sent by e-mail due to the absence of a newsletter was made by Mike Vaughn, second by Bob Brantley and approved by membership present.

Treasurer Jim Vokac gave the financial report.  More funds will be needed for the Pietenpol project.  A $5000+ CD will mature May 26 to be deposited in the chapter checking account.

A motion to approve was made by Jack Richardson, second by John DeRoos and approved by membership present.

Eli Greene, the recipient of the chapter donation to Drury University Leadership Academy thanked the chapter very much for the donation.  The academy hours will go on his college transcript.  He is a high school freshman taking two college courses now and planning a career in aeronautical engineering.

Guest Jim Protiva thanked the chapter for the sympathy card following the aircraft accident and death of his brother, Frank, earlier this year.   Jim feels the accident was caused by scud running.  He implored all pilots to think twice before risking their life or lives of others scud running.  He asked if anyone with short field experience would fly in on their short strip on May 11^th, his brother’s birthday.  Frank loved mountain flying in Idaho and would have felt so at home with our group. 

Thank you cards were read from Sandy Smith on behalf of the Jerry Smith Scholarship Fund and Linda VanTreese on behalf of the Gene Pascoe family.  There was also a check enclosed to help offset the members and chapter expense for Gene’s celebration of life.  Sandy Smith noted the Jerry Smith scholarship is for any flying related college courses.

Mike Vaughn, MPA Chapter President spoke regarding the “use” tax letters being received from the Missouri Department of Revenue.  The letter states information from the FAA has been obtained regarding registration of an aircraft and records do not show payment of consumer use tax on the aircraft.  It is his understanding they are going back as far as 1970.  During State Aviation Day, Jefferson City, MPA members from elsewhere in the state had not yet received the letter.  Senator Purgason and Representative Kuessner are looking in to it.    The letter goes on to respond within 30 days to resolve this issue; failure to respond may result in an estimated assessment for the tax, interest, penalty due, filing a tax lien against your property or referring your account  to a prosecuting attorney.   There are three places to check on the letter; need to file, already filed or not required to file.  What Mike has found is all those receiving the letter are checking the not required to file.  Missouri revised statutes 144.043 defines light aircraft – a light airplane that seats no more than four persons, gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less which is primarily used for recreational flying or flight training.  Kit planes are included in the description.  At the top of the letter, it states light aircraft are exempt from the tax.  Those Mike has spoken to have checked the box not required to file.  Mike also read the response Floyd Deidiker, CPA and pilot sent the Department of Revenue following receipt of his use tax letter.   He explained how his airplane should be exempt due to the description falling in the light aircraft category.  Mike feels the state is grasping for revenue generating ideas.  President White thanked Mike for keeping members informed.  President White said he had always felt the MPA was the political part

of aviation in our area.  Statewide the MPA has been loosing clout with the decrease in active members.   A lot of people that are members do not attend meetings.  He encourages everyone if you are going to be a member of an organization, you should attend meetings and take an active part.  Along the lines of taking an active part, President White mentioned an article in GA News regarding saving Ranger Field.  It is about one young man’s ambition to save Ranger Field, Texas.  Reading the article, it could just as easily said Willow Springs Memorial or any other small airport around the country that is closing due to lack of interest, pilots not standing together to fight the issues.  President White encourages all to know what the issues are regarding general aviation issues and send messages to your representatives.  Get involved; every time a law is passed we loose freedom.  Take action to keep general aviation alive.

The first Saturday of October will be Ozfest in Willow Springs.  The chapter has been asked to participate in some manner.  No action is needed yet but be thinking of ideas.

On Saturday, July 4^th, Willow Springs will hold their annual parade.  The Willow Springs “Air Force” usually flies over weather permitting.  We usually pull the float and toss balsa airplanes to the kids, Jim Vokac heads up the clowns and anyone may participate.  We then return to the airport for an old-fashioned picnic.  We will discuss details at the June meeting. 

The June meeting by a motion made by Bob Brantley, second by Fred Kalhoefer and approved by members present will be breakfast potluck at 9 AM with meeting to follow then Pietenpol workday.

President White asked if members had noticed the bridge progress.  Some of the expenses mentioned in the financial report were for the bridge.  Wiring for the lights is now needed and someone to put the electrical line in.  The masonry posts need to be installed following the electrical installation.  President White asked for a motion to purchase the items necessary to complete the bridge.  A motion to approve the purchase was made by Brent Humphreys, second by Bill Ghan and approved by membership present.

The Pietenpol project is coming together.  The skeleton is in the hangar.  Bill Ghan and a few faithful workers are working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8-5 PM.  Bob Brantley requests members to loan or donate hand tools they aren’t using to the project.  Clamps and pliers are needed.  Also, a rolling tool chest would be handy.  We have gorgeous electrical machines to work with but are lacking in hand tools.  Jack Richardson suggested the chapter join the Broadhead Pietenpol Association.  There is a newsletter published; the yearly fee is $16.  A motion   to join was made by Clint Allen, second by Brent Humphreys and approved by members present.  Bill Ghan reminded member’s cash donations are accepted for the Pietenpol.  He donated the transportation to Illinois to purchase the initial parts, Clint Allen has donated the wood and Berlin Batesel the lift struts. 

President White thanked Sharon Vaughn for the Wright Flyer publicity in the MPA state newsletter.  Several members attended the Open House at the new Springfield terminal last Saturday.  The Wright Flyer is prominently displayed but the plaque has not been installed yet.  A big thank you was given to all the members that helped move the Flyer to the new terminal.  Henny (our video elf) is working on a DVD with footage from KY3 and pictures from members about the move.

President White asked Brent Humphreys to report on the status of the newsletter and website.  Brent has been very busy with his job and apologized for the lack of a newsletter.  The webpage is almost ready.  President White emphasized the importance of a current website.  Mike Vaughn had asked earlier for a medical examiner’s phone number; there should be links to such important information.  Eli Greene mentioned he designs websites as part of a class he is taking.  He volunteered to build a site or assist Brent with our site.  Brent is working on a Pietenpol progress section on our own website.  Brent welcomes articles and pictures submitted by members.

Mike Pascoe, Gene’s son said the family wants to do something with Gene’s EAA Biplane project.    They would like to donate it to the chapter with the one stipulation; we finish it and fly it.   No vote is called for at this time; there are several details to be taken care of before we take the responsibility of such a project.   The Executive Board will do some discussing after the meeting instead of taking up so much time during the meeting.  Jack Richardson asked about the issue of chapters not being allowed to have a flyable airplane.  Any project that reaches the flyable stage has to be rolled over into the LLC created by the chapter per national’s instructions.  

A round of applause was given to the cooks.  President White reminded members to donate to the jar since no one had to bring any food in.

Treasurer Vokac reminded members about the biplane mailbox raffle tickets he is selling as a chapter fund raiser.  Janet Brantley spotted the plane in Mammoth Springs during the summer and told Phyllis White about it.  It took several months to make connections with the people selling it.  Tickets are $1 each or 7 for $5.

Phyllis & Sharon White presented the idea of creating a hosta bed where the group of trees is near the bridge.  The expense will be $100-$200 depending on how many hostas are donated.  Bob Brantley made a motion to go with the project, second by Cheryl Butler.  Wayne Spence said he would pay for it if he was allowed time to relate an incident related to scud running  to Springfield with his wife and son many years ago.

Bob Brantley showed the first completed Pietenpol rib.    Only 29 more to go.  Anyone wanting to sign it is welcome to do so.

A motion to adjourn was made by Bob Brantley, second by Mike Vaughn and approved by membership present.  Cleanup and Pietenpol workday followed.