November 2001

Hello Folks,
November is almost here and we know it. Cold mornings and very windy days are a strong reminder that those lazy summer days are a thing of the past and we better get ready for winter. However, even though temperatures are moderating, we are left with memories of some very nice meetings at homes of our members. So, for instance, was our last meeting at the beautiful home of John and Joyce Smith where we were all invited for a hamburger cookout. I counted eight airplanes that arrived and "broke in" the runway in front of John's house. Joyce had the hangar decorated in a red white and blue motif to show our solidarity with those who suffered such a tremendeous loss during the September 11th attack on our country.

During the meeting, Wayne Spence read a poem writtten by his daughter in memory of this terrible event. The poem is being reprinted for you later in this issue so that, when you get weary of the news of war and the rhetoric of those who call us the agressor, you can remember what it is all about, and be reassured that our cause is a just cause.

Arrivals at Smith's Aerodrome for the October barbecue and meeting.	The 1954 team of Blue Angels, of which Chuck Hiett was a member. Can you pick him out?

For our presentation, Chuck Hiett told of his experiences as a Marine Aviator. He gave a very serious account of the two times in his career when he was airborne with armed atomic weapons in his armament. He told us that not having to drop either one of them made them the most important missions he ever flew. (And resulted in the best landings he ever made.) Today's times and Chuck's reports make me aware of how close we always are to chaos and destruction. What a fine job our military strength does in keeping us out of trouble. Only when we think we can let our guard down will trouble overcome us.

The hamburgers and hotdogs at Smith's Aerodrome were very tasty and we owe John and Joyce a big thanks for their effort. Also a big thanks to the guys that did the fly-bys after the meeting. It was exciting.

Here are some news items I gathered at the meeting: John Zook got "checked out" in his Taylorcraft again, and our treasurer, Gene Pascoe, passed his biennial and is again among the ranks of the active pilots in the Chapter. All this was made possible through the unfailing effort of our Chapter Safety Pilot, Bill Newton, a CFI, to whom many of us (including this writer) owe a great debt of gratitude. He is always willing to help out. At this meeting we also gained a new member, who is known to many of us, Jody Whitehill. Jody, we like to see you and your family at our meetings.

"Thank You" to Our Hosts
Perhaps now would be a good opportunity to thank all our members who have hosted an event at their home this year. To start with, Sue and I and many of our members spent a beautiful Saturday at the home of Jim and Millie Tausworthe this spring. In September, many of us enjoyed the hospitality of Bill and Mary Marx, where we enjoyed buffalo burgers. Even though this was officially an MPA event, all EAAers were invited, and those who were present certainly were treated royally. Just this last weekend we were the guests of Mike and Sharon Vaughn at their hangar in Mountain View. We had a great time with our fellow members and the Santa Gertrudis burgers were excellent, not say that Bill Marx's bacon-wrapped bisonburgers weren't delicious, too. As long as these guys keep this friendly rivalry going, we obviously all benefit! A great thanks to all of you from me and I am sure that the rest of the membership joins me in that. Now if you are not a member, and read this and think, "Hmm, I wish I had been there," come join us. I am sure we'll do it again next year.

That Time Again
While we are on the subject of membership I want to remind you that membership dues for the year 2002 are coming up. When you renew your membership is a good time to buy one or two of our great Chapter patches. They are only $5.00 each, or two for $8.00. Also, please order a nametag if you don't already have one. They are also only $5.00. Membership in the Chapter is $10.00 for one (National EAA membership is also required) and spouse membership is an additional $5.00. Now, you might say this is really adding up, but nametags and patches are only once. You can really have a lot of fun for not much money spent. And our national organization has -- and still is -- doing a lot of work in Washington to protect our freedom to fly. As a matter of fact, they are doggedly trying to protect aviation from the destruction of Warbirds in the bill that is being hashed out in conference committee right now.

November Meeting Early
Here is the agenda for the next meeting: ELECTIONS!! The Nominating Committee will be presenting a slate of nominees who have agreed to serve if elected. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor during the meeting. If you don't want to be elected (heaven forbid), be there and if you want to be elected (yeah!), come so that we all can shake your hand and congratulate you after your victory. This will all take place on 3 November, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. (please note, this is the first Saturday of November) at White's hangar. You all know where it is by now. If you don't know, call me or e-mail me and my wife will give you directions. She is good at that. I hope to see you all there.

Now, as promised, here is the poem that Wayne Spence's daughter wrote so you can read it and think about it again.

Let us never forget what happened on September 11th. The world, and especially we Americans, will not be safe anywhere until terrorism is eradicated.

Buzz Rides Again
Buzz Thunderbee is hard at work on his new assignment to protect us.

Young Eagles This year we made good progress with our Young Eagles project. The numbers would look much better had it not been for cancellation of the West Plains Air Show, but we made up for it somewhat at the Rally at Mike and Sharon Vaughn's hangar at Mountain View airport. Our Young Eagles Coordinator, Robert Harshman, submitted this report. Bob Brantley briefs a Young Eagle before his first flight.   Chapter 1218 Young Eagles Summary 10/20/01 "A total of 18 Young Eagle missions were flown. The Flight Leaders were Mike Vaughn with 8, Mike White with 5, Jerry Luna with 3, and Ben Hurtt with 2. The aircraft used were a Cessna 172; a Cessna 170; a Cessna 150; and the "Daddy of the Cessnas," a Luscombe 8A. A yellow homebuilt Falco was used as the briefings aircraft. "The Chapter now has a total of 236 Eagle missions, with 15 Flight Leaders." -- Robert Harshman We appreciate that Robert submitted this report to the Newsletter. Robert also reminds us of the parameters for participating in the Young Eagles program. "A Young Eagle flight can be flown at any time and does not need to be [at] an official Chapter function. As long as you meet the basic requirements -- appropriate airmen's certificate, current medical, current biennial flight review, current national EAA membership, 90-day currency in the aircraft used, aircraft liability insurance for the aircraft used (owned, rental or borrowed), Young Eagle registration form and certificate, a Young Eagle -- FLY AWAY! A supplemental 1 million dollar EAA-supplied liability insurance policy is in effect as long as your liability insurance is at least $100,000 per passenger seat." Since most of these requirements are ones you have to meet anyway, it shouldn't be too much trouble to become a Flight Leader.

Air Zoo Support
Two months ago, we decided to write letters in support of the Kalamazoo Air Zoo coming to Springfield. Here is the text of the two letters. The Air Zoo certainly ties in nicely with our hopes and expectations for the Young Eagles program.

"Honorable Members of Springfield City Council,

I am the newsletter editor of South Central Ozarks Chapter 1218 of Experimental Aircraft Association ("EAA"). As such, I have been commissioned by the members of our Chapter to write to you in support of the development of the Kalamazoo Air Museum complex in Springfield.

The members of EAA Chapter 1218 are dedicated to aviation safety training for its members and the public, assistance in the construction of aircraft, maintaining good relations with cities in this area in which there are airports and, most of all, with educating and introducing young people in the age range of 8 to 17 years to aviation through the Young Eagles program. In this program, our pilots volunteer themselves and their aircraft to give free airplane rides to youngsters in hopes of interesting them in aviation, either as future pilots or in other aviation-related careers.

The location of Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Springfield offers great economic opportunity to the area. It will be a wonderful addition to our Southwest Missouri complex of tourist destinations. It also furthers our goal of educating youth about aviation. It fits in well with the overall aviation culture of the Midwest, in that Springfield is near Wichita, a hub of aircraft manufacturing; FAA headquarters are located in Oklahoma City; Whiteman Air Force Base, near Kansas City, is the home base of the B-2 stealth bomber; Tulsa is the home of a major school of aeronautics, and McDonnell-Douglas is located in St. Louis. Springfield is truly in a central location for so much aviation activity. Thus the youth of the Midwest will have an opportunity to become familiar with aviation careers. Others may take up flying as a recreational pursuit, thereby supporting many small businesses in the area. In any case, aviation teaches youth to set goals for personal achievement and self-discipline, as well as an impetus for maintaining good health and safety practices in every endeavor.

Area EAA chapters hope that this experience will be a great follow up to the Young Eagles Flight program.

We, therefore, encourage Springfield City Council to use all the resources at its disposal to facilitate location of Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Springfield.

Sincerely,
Fred W. Kalhoefer
EAA Chapter 1218"

To Bob Ellis, Zir Zoo Museum Director:
"Dear Mr. Ellis,

I am the newsletter editor of South Central Ozarks EAA Chapter 1218 (Missouri). As such, I have been commissioned by our Chapter members to write this letter welcoming you and your organization to our area. We would also like to offer our assistance in Kalamazoo Air Zoo becoming situated here. As one step, the Chapter has encouraged the Springfield City Council, in a letter, to do everything in their power to make your move to this area possible.

One of the main missions of EAA is the introduction of youth to the field of aviation through our Young Eagles program. We give youngsters a free rides in our airplanes, preceded by an introduction to the principles of flight, and followed by presentation of a certificate to each new Young Eagle. Each one then receives a half year subsciption to Young Eagles magazine, and is enrolled in "The World's Biggest Logbook," which is maintained at the national headquarters of EAA. To date, over 725,000 Young Eagles have had their first flight.

We feel that your presence in Springfield, the principal city of the Ozarks region, will make possible a great follow up experience for Young Eagles who have already taken a first flight, further heightening their interest in aviation. Or young people who visit Kalamazoo Air Zoo first might then seek out a Young Eagles Rally in the area or an EAA Flight Leader (the official term for a volunteer member pilot) to take a first flight.

To learn more about our Chapter, please visit us at http://eaa1218.50megs.com. Again, we are looking forward to welcoming you to our area and we offer our assistance in any way that is within our capability. Please feel free to contact me or any of the officers of our Chapter (whose names and phone numbers are listed on the website) regarding this matter.

Regards and best wishes for your move,
Fred W. Kalhoefer
EAA Chapter 1218"
Members who would like to know more about the Air Zoo should check their Web site at http://www.airzoo.org.

See you at White's hangar next Saturday.