January 2007
(Includes December 2006)

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
The first thing I want to do is thank all of you for your patience in not receiving a newsletter for December. As most of you know, I went to Tampa to celebrate Thanksgiving with our son, Craig, and his family. I arrived Wednesday evening, and received a call Thursday morning that my mother had passed away during the night. I was on a flight Friday morning to California to join my brother and sister-in-law and other family members for her funeral, returning home two weeks from the day I left. My thanks go to Henny and Phyllis for keeping everybody informed about the December meeting. I also thank all of you who offered prayers and supportive words and thoughts during this trying time. I was glad to rejoin all of you at the December meeting and Christmas dinner.

November & December Meetings
We've had two very nice dinner meetings since the last newsletter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. At the November meeting, we elected our Chapter officers for 2007, and they took up their duties at the December meeting. Thanks go to the 2006 officers for their hard work during the year. The character of our Chapter has been shaped by the willingness of many people to take a year or more of their time to serve their fellow members. Tom White will serve as President this year, Berlin Batesel as Vice President, Phyllis White as Secretary, Jim Vokac as Treasurer. John Smith is Board Member-at-Large.

Early arrivals for the November meeting enjoy visiting before breakfast.		Aluminum plates welded by a method known as "stir welding," plus tools and a cross-section.
	Al Grant explained stir welding then took questions.	Tom White, elected 2007 Chapter President.
	Photographs by Sue Kalhoefer

At the end of the meeting, Al Grant showed samples of aluminum which had been joined by a method called "stir welding." Everyone was fascinated as they listened to his explanation of how it works and looked at the pieces. The method was actually discovered many years ago, but there was little interest at the time, and knowledge of it was lost until recently.

At the December meeting, we recognized the efforts of the many members who served the Chapter as officers and volunteers during the year. Each of the 2006 officers received service pins and certificates from the Association. Within the Chapter, all the members who donated cash and materials and goods for the hangar were recognized with special photos showing the hangar with the "Spirit of 2003" Wright Flyer inside. The hangar had its beginnings with the funds received by Bill Ghan from Springfield Regional (now National) Airport's donation toward the Wright Flyer, now on permanent display at the airport. Our hangar is a beautiful place, and should make possible a wider variety of activities in coming years. You may have received comments from non-aviation people from time to time, showing that they are aware of our presence in the community because of the Wright Flyer and hangar projects. This is good, and helps all of general aviation.

Setting up the buffet table for the Christmas dinner.	The turnout for the Christmas meeting was just great. After dinner, we had awards and recognitions for the year’s activities.
Photographs by Sue Kalhoefer

We also recognized the dedicated service of volunteers and pilots who worked at our Young Eagles Rallies this year. Even with the big push to complete the hangar, and high gas prices, our pilots flew fifty-five Young Eagles, and held one day of school sessions. Now it's time to think about planning for Young Eagles for 2007. And it's time to think of candidates for Air Academy camps during the summer. Prospects will need to apply during the Spring months.

A gift of an American flag for the meeting room was received from Bob Obert. We will purchase floor standards for this flag and one of the Young Eagles flags.

The Hiperbipe (High Performance Biplane)
We discussed how to manage the sale of the Hiperbipe. It was impressive to see the amount of planning detail that the committee did, and how well researched those details were. Three people were willing to form the LLC required, which is a big responsibility to assume on behalf of the Chapter, especially because it will require tax reporting by each of them. The members doing this are Berlin Batesel, Tom White, and Jim Vokac. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for accepting this job. Until sold, the Hiperbipe resides in the hangar. It was flown from Mountain Grove to Willow Springs by Don Nevels, delightful to watch on arrival. It has been advertised on Barnstormers and, by the time you read this, may have already been sold.

Don taxies the Hiperbipe off the runway after arrival at Willow Springs.	The Hiperbipe in its temporary home in the Chapter hangar.
Photographs by Sue Kalhoefer

Guests
We had guests at the meeting. Travis Swain was invited by Ron White. He is new here from Wisconsin, is a pilot and A&P, living in Mountain View. Rob Godsey and sons Colton and Matthew came from Van Buren. And Jerry Fry, of the King Mountain area east of Willow Springs is a fixed wing and helicopter pilot who says he is not currently flying but is looking at ultralights. We hope each of our guests will come again.

Member News
We have all been saddened by the passing of Margaret Ghan on November 30. Please continue to support Bill and his son Chris, and the two grandsons with your prayers and visits. It was good to see all of them at the Christmas dinner.

Len Ahrnsbrak has decided to sell "Rudolph," his nice Cessna 150. Rudolph is a 1967 Cessna 150-G with 3285 TTAF, 1370 SMOH. N2793S, S/N 15066693. It is IFR certified. All logs and manuals are available. In 2005 a new KX125 nav/com and new IC-A22 com were installed along with an Apollo GX55 panel-mounted GPS (certified for IFR enroute use), glideslope and marker beacons. Rudolph has been hangared after a complete restoration in 1992. There is a little hangar rash noticeable. Contact Len at 417-273-4311 or write e-mail to lalphaj@wildblue.net. Len is one of our charter members, and the first newsletter editor.

Rudolph, the red-nosed Cessna 150, is up for sale.
Photographs by Len Ahrnsbrak

The January Meeting
The January meeting will be on the 13th at noon in the Chapter hangar. We will start with a potluck luncheon. Everyone should know by now what to do. We are the potluck experts, one of the secrets of our success! "Meet an' eat, meet an' eat!" Don't forget to bring your dues if you haven't paid them yet, $10 for an individual, $15 for member and spouse. That's not much, barely more than what HQ charges for your keep. Y'all come.

Till then, tailwinds!

We Celebrate

January Meeting Announcement