July 2007

Hello, Members!
Welcome to the hot, lazy, dog days of summer — namely, July! Usually by now, the grass is getting dry. But thanks to all the rain in June, everything is still green. My rain gauge overflowed, so I don't know exactly how much there's been. It's a good time to fly and see how nice everything looks.

The Fourth
It's really neat that Willow Springs is a town supportive of their airport. The Willow Springs Air Force once again flew over during the parade. Several members participated in costume and by riding the joint EAA/MPA float and tossing out balsa airplanes imprinted with Young Eagles info. After the parade they gathered at Ron's hangar for traditional picnic foods, and a firing of the anvil.

Briefing the WS Air Force pilots	The Army of the Fourth, or ...	Oh well, if the T-Bird won’t go ...
Fourth of July lunch, EAA style	In a hurry to get that ice cream?	Assessing the anvil "damage"
Photographs by Phyllis White

Oshkosh Coming Up Fast
There are lots of flying activities right now, often more than we can attend in one weekend. So pick the ones that interest you, and go have a good time. Of course, the BIG ONE is at the end of this month — Oshkosh! Are you going this year? I hope so. Henny and I are planning to go again, staying the whole week, camping out in our usual spot right by the ultralight runway. We'll have our cell phones, and be out and about all day long each day with cameras in hand. But our time is flexible, so if you get there, call us and we'll find each other somewhere and visit for a while.

Last year, I discovered that you can buy a little over-the-ear radio that tunes into the tower frequency, a weather frequency, and the public address system. It is very interesting to listen to the controllers instructing pilots on landings and takeoffs at the world's busiest airport for that week. During the daily air show, when it is sometimes hard to hear the field announcer, the public address frequency is easy to hear.

I can't wait to see the F-22 Raptor "up close and personal" on AeroShell Square. This is a very exciting airplane. Last year, we were awed to see the shock waves coming off the wings as it did a low pass over the runway, then turned straight up, and then slowed and did a little dance on its tail. When the Raptors arrive, you never know they're there until they're there — talk about stealth!

Member Arnie Zimmerman has been giving free rides in (or is that on?) his Breezy for many years at Oshkosh. This year, there will be a Breezy reunion, with the son of the designer of the Breezy planning to be on hand. I found 160 current Breezy registrations, so there ought to be a lot of them at Oshkosh, even if not all of them are there.

Bob’s Young Eagle flight with Max, a boy who came from Macomb. The whole family stayed for the meeting.
Bob and Max McKinley	Sue and Christian Denton	Christian with Ray Fine
Photographs by Sue Kalhoefer

June Meeting / Young Eagles
Before the meeting, we had two Young Eagles to fly. The two boys who flew said they had a great time, and the smiles on their faces confirmed that. Little by little, we are getting the word out that flights are available on the second Saturday of each month in Willow Springs. The numbers may not be large, but those who come seem to have "quality" experiences. That is what really matters, after all. At the July Young Eagles session, we are expecting a group of up to 15 Boy Scouts. The boys are working on aviation merit badges and the troop to which they belong, West Plains Troop 160, has been given a Pietenpol as a project airplane. They are looking for help in restoring it. Any ideas, members?

We have begun distributing business-size cards with the information about Young Eagles to area businesses that have bulletin boards. If Chapter members will put a few cards at a time on the bulletin boards in the stores, post offices, and libraries they patronize, we will soon have very wide free coverage. A small classified ad has been sent out to area newspapers requesting that they run it if they offer free ads to volunteer organizations.

We had guests at the meeting, one of whom became a Chapter member. Eric Fremgen joined the Chapter — welcome Eric! Bill Clapp visited — we hope you will visit again, Bill.

Guest Bill Clapp	ANG helicopter arrives at H27	Introductions before formalities
New member Eric Fremgen	Administering the oath	"I want to fly someday"
Photographs by Sue Kalhoefer

Gainesville Report
Most of you have heard by now that there is an effort underway in Gainesville to close the airport. The scuttlebutt on the situation changes daily. For the past three weeks, there have been articles in the Ozark County Times, including my own letter to the editor. It is all based in local politics, of course. The published excuse is that the airport is a danger to the school; there is a lot more to it that is not being published. But an airport is an airport, and important to the local community, regardless of whether they are aware of it or not. So those of us who are directly concerned with it are working to educate the city fathers and the public. A "hearing" on the topic will be included on the agenda of the city council meeting on Monday this week.

A nice thing happened at the airport that wasn't planned with regard to the issue of closing the airport. An Army National Guard helicopter arrived and a group of civilians also arrived Friday morning. A former ANG member was rejoining, and the helicopter -- complete with full colonel and a publicist -- came to administer the oath in a ceremony in front of the school. Like a good paparazzi, I went out and took pictures. (ANG will be sending the story to local newspapers.) Then I discovered I had a father and two daughters to talk to, having come over from the trailer park. So I showed them my airplane, talked to them about Young Eagles, and gave them applications to fill out.

Security
As a side note unrelated to the closing controversy, the Gainesville Memorial Airport manager, Jerry Luna, reports that TSA visited with him here about airport security. Apparently such visits can be expected at all the airports in the area. Now is a good time to re-familiarize yourself with the recommendations of AOPA with regard to protecting the airport at which your aircraft resides.

Member News
We are sorry that Roddy Clark's sister passed away from cancer. They were close. Roddy and Teresa will appreciate being remembered in your prayers.

Chuck and Marty Hiett sent word that they are at home in their new house in Gulfport, MS. Their snail mail address is 15307 Baywood Circle, Gulfport, MS 39503. The telephone number is 228-832-0495. We are glad for them. They've had to spend a lot of time living in the motor home during the last few years.

Ted Businger is now living in a senior apartment in Salem, AR. He was unable to locate a place in Hardy or Ash Flat. His new snail mail address is 608 Old Sturkie Road, Salem, AR 72576. We didn't get a new phone number.

Henny got to practice emergency landings for real on Tuesday. The "nearest" button on the GPS came in real handy, gave her time to plan her arrival over Bowling Green, MO, where she landed. The number two cylinder was cracked. Lloyd and Don to the rescue, being not far from there, in Monroe City, MO. After parts arrived and were installed, one mag started giving trouble. She'll be home someday.

Directory Changes
In addition to the Hietts, here are a few more changes, all e-mail addresses:

Homer & Louise Johnston — louise81@socket.net.
Bob Obert — rvobert@bellsouth.net.
Kent Clotfelter — kentclotfelter@yahoo.com.
Tom & Phyllis White — tomandphyllis@centurytel.net.

If you are a new member who has not signed the birthday and anniversary lists, please see Phyllis White. We like to include these dates for members and spouses each month on the website. (No, don't include the year; we only want to remember your special months and days with you.)

July Meeting
The July meeting will follow the same format as in May and June. That is, we will have Young Eagles flights from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The date is Saturday, July 14. (All you pilots and ground crew should be on hand by 8:30 a.m.) Then we will have lunch at noon. Burgers and brats will be provided by the Chapter. Everything else will be potluck. After lunch, we will have the business meeting. So bring a summer potluck dish and let's all enjoy! We'll see you on Saturday. Fly in or drive in. Until then, tailwinds!

We Celebrate

July Meeting Announcement