January
2001

But now we are in the new year and we hope to start it off with a great breakfast meeting at the White brothers' hangar at Willow Springs Memorial Airport on Saturday, January 13th at 9:00 AM. At the time of this writing, the airport is closed because of a layer of snow on the runway, but check with Flight Service that morning, since the snow is melting rapidly with the arrival of the warmer weather. If you are flying in, the hangar is located at the northwest end of the runway (17-35) and if you are driving in, turn northeast at the stop sign in the center of town (Hwy 137) and then right at DD Highway. Just before you get to the airport, turn right again on Sunshine. Make a left on Bryan and go to the hangar. Tom, our new president, is hoping for a large turnout since we would like to discuss and plan our meetings and activities for the year 2001. Here is your chance to contribute with your thoughts and ideas. The breakfasts at the White hangar are the best and I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

Dues are Due!
Because of the inclement weather Gene Pascoe, our treasurer, has not been able to collect membership dues, so please come and bring your checkbook. If you don't remember, the dues for a single member are $10, and for those whose spouse also belongs to the Chapter, the dues are $15. However, should you for some reason -- and I can't possibly think of one (remember "BREAKFAST!") -- not be able to come, please mail your dues to Gene since we really need to get them in.

The big question will be whether Ron, "The Tiger," will be able to fly his parachute from Gainesville to Willow Springs!

Wishes for the New Year
I personally wish all of you a happy and successful New Year and here are my wishes for you: May all your flights always be in CAVU conditions. May every take off and landing be the best you ever made and may the compression of your cylinders in your engine (aircraft and body) always be eighty over eighty.

We Love to Read 'em . . .
. . . But We Hate to Write 'em!
We are a little behind in getting members to share their bios with us, but we lined up the guy that pestered us for our bios for the last two years, Len Arhnsbrak, to give us his bio in the February newsletter. Next will be the new Chapter officers who have not given us their bio yet. Get ready guys. You will be asked. We'll also pass a sheet around for mailing address updates and adding an e-mail address, if you've recently gotten one, as well as handing out the information form for submitting a story about your project in progress for the Web site. These stories are the foundation of EAA, and spur interest in membership.

Calling All Gadget Lovers
I have always thought that one of those little Palm computers or "personal data assistants" (PDAs), with the proper program, would make a great GPS. Now there is such a program available. It converts your PDA into a great moving map display or gives an HSI or EFIS display of your flight, along with detailed color maps of your route, as well as the restricted areas and elevations of obstacles along your route. The best feature, though, is the "cones of safety" depicting your distance from the nearest airport, and showing your gliding distance to the airport. With the help of this feature you can plan your flight so that you could almost always be within gliding distance to an airport. If a GPS is in your future, or if you are interested in this device go to www.controlvision.com for a first hand look. (By the way, I do not receive any discount or remuneration from the controlvision company for this information. In fact they do not know me and I have never talked to anyone there. I just thought you'd like to know about this very useful device.) It gives you a lot of information for the price, considering what other manufacturers charge for a GPS and the map cards. It's on my birthday or Christmas wish list.

Here She Is . . . Our Baby!

Till the Meeting. . .
'Bye for now, and I hope to see you at the "hangar breakfast" on January 13th at 9:00 AM.