EAA Chapter 1218

May 15, 2010 - International Learn to Fly Day with 44 members and guests in attendance. 
Young Eagle flights were cancelled due to rain but a few families came by to ask about flying. Adam Martin, a young man from West Plains interested in an aviation career stayed and attended the meeting.  Guest Larry Huiett was introduced.  He and his wife have a greenhouse on Hwy 76 with bedding plants, shrubs and trees for sale and she is a nurse supervisor with Air Evac. 
The business meeting was called to order by President Tom White.  He thanked the great cooks for the Mexican potluck lunch.  He also thanked Berlin Batesel, Bob Bohemier, Bob Brantley, Bill Ghan and Jerry Pfister for helping him with all the mowing and weed cutting earlier in the week.  A motion to approve the minutes was made by David Johnson, second by Jerry Pfister and approved.

Treasurer Jim Vokac gave the financial report.   A motion to approve was made by Tom Bentele, second by Doc Openshaw and approved by members.  A question was raised concerning what seemed like costly monthly utilities.  While painting the Pietenpol, the doors were open for ventilation while the heat was on.

Janet Brantley reported on Bob’s condition.  During the Air Evac tour on Thursday, he had an episode.  It turns out he had a stroke centered in the brain stem.  They do not have the results of his MRI yet.  He still has some numbness on the left side of his face, not visible to others and weakness in his left leg.  Janet said if you are ever going to have a stroke, Air Evac is the place to do it.  In about 3 minutes, they had his blood sugar and blood pressure, on oxygen, had him on a table, his feet elevated and his shirt off.  He is in OMC, room 256 and doing well.

President White showed the handheld radio delivered last month by Roddy Clark.  It was donated by Dr. Pickle, Mansfield.

Pietenpol update: Berlin Batesel is flying it some when the weather cooperates.  He has had it up to 3500 feet.  Jack Richardson passed out EAA Chapter 1218 Pietenpol buttons he made for all the members.  He made some that said builder and a test pilot one for Berlin Batesel.  An appreciative round of applause was given to Jack for his hard work.

President White asked for volunteers to mow while he is on vacation.  Berlin, Bill Ghan, Darryl Hanson and Rory volunteered.

Rory set up his computer with his flight simulator program.  He suggested when we purchase a larger television, we should also have a computer to use his program.  It has the capability to design and build an aircraft and determine if the design is flyable.  Don Nevels said some of the modern simulators are very valuable training tools; some simulator training is the same as in an actual airplane.  The nice thing about one is you can stop it versus an airplane at a hundred miles an hour.  Several members flew the helicopter simulator during the Air Evac tour.  Rory took off and flew it around without even having the instructor’s guidance.

June 5th & 6th is Art Fest & Craft Show.  President Tom will not be available that weekend.  Volunteers are needed and someone to oversee getting the simulator and tent out there on time.  If there are no volunteers, we would need to cancel.  After some discussion, Jerry Pfister will be in charge of getting the simulator and tent set up on time.  Secretary White will contact him with the list of volunteers and other needed information.

June 12 is International Young Eagle Day and our normal meeting day.  Insurance is already in place for the event.  Secretary White made a motion to fly Young Eagles 9-noon with potluck to follow and meet after lunch.  Second was made by Bill Ghan and approved by members present.   President White read some area flying events posters.  One In particular is for June 5th & 6th.  He said everyone would be busy volunteering for the art show so he wadded it up and threw it away.

Bill Ghan has submitted the necessary paperwork for Berlin Batesel’s nomination for the Major Achievement Award.  He put a lot of work into it and we appreciate it.   We will discuss in June the possibility of a project tour in July.  David Johnson hopes to have his project here in the next couple of weeks.  Clint is still working on the Jenny and John DeRoos is working on his project.  Doc’s is about ready to fly.  Berlin has 2 or 3 to hopefully get back to now that the Piet is complete.

Henny reminded us of chapter member Arnie Zimmerman’s upcoming induction to the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame.   She will send a congratulatory card on the chapter’s behalf.

Each year Willow Springs has a 4th of July parade; this year it will be on July 3rd since the 4th is on Sunday.  Oz Fall Fest will be October 2nd; we will discuss it at a later date.

Motion to adjourn was made by Jim Vokac, second by Mike White and approved by members.