Our next meeting will be in Susquehanna Pa. at Mel McKinney's place probably in Dave Schwartz's hanger like before or in Mel's garage.  The meeting will take place on the third Saturday of the month on the 17th of June like always at around noon.  Mel will supply the food and drink.

Directions to Mel’s:   Get to Great Bend either by 81 South or Route 11 South and when they go past McDonalds go across the Bridge, take a hard first left and travel along the Susquehanna River .  If you are coming from the south, turn right before the bridge.  KEEP GOING IT IS QUITE A WAYS , until you see some horses and an open area on the left side near the river, where airplanes are kept in a hanger that has all sides open.  This is Mel McKinney's Airport.  Go a little further about 200 to 500 feet and look for another hanger on the left.   This will be (completely enclosed) Dave Schwartz's place.  The picnic is very apt to be there.  If not, continue straight,  another 200 feet or so and go to the South end of the landing field and make a hard left to Mel's house. It may be in his garage.  Anyhow look for many vehicles and investigate your bound to be close.

    Last month we had our meeting at Gil and Liz Aitchison's place.  He had the runways and everything ready for flight to come in and again we had foul weather.  No flying but we had a great picnic just the same.  So thanks to Gil for his gracious hospitality.  You could see how much work went into the runway care.  His efforts were not wasted; we had 17 guys attend and regardless we had a good time hanger flying.  Jim Croisant supplied the food and was head chef. His good food added the touch required.

    Gil supplied the flag for the pledge of allegiance.  Mel McKinney started the ball rolling by asking for the treasures report from Gil for a grand total of $1158.00.  Expenses were buying Ultralight Hats for 45 dollars.

    We talked about Old Rhinebeck, I sent to all members who have computers information on Old Rhinebeck.  I advise we look at the schedule of the shows.  Opening season is on June 17th and the closing final airshow will be on the 15th of October; it closes on October 29th.  The cost for  seniors is 10 dollars and for regular Adults it is 15 dollars.  Then there is the group rate which is also 10 dollars for seniors.  It is 12 dollars for regular adults (not seniors) in a group.  Seniors, in their way of thinking is 65 or older.  So you see, even though some of us think we're seniors already we aren't quite there yet for Rhinebeck. We're good for Denny's because were 55 or older but not so with Rhinebeck.  I believe we planned on going in July so if we take the group plan it will be good, that will mean we need 15 or more persons to go to qualify for a group plan.  Jim Croisant has been looking at the Oneonta Bus Lines for a trip out.  He will have that info at our next meeting.

    We talked about stopping at White Birch for breakfast on the way to Old Rhinebeck which sounds like a plan.

    Mel McKinney said, Dave Schwartz is busy with purple, trying to get the engine replaced or looking at many options available.  Mel was also talking about his experiences with the ultralight he purchased in Florida and his emergency landings and some damage that had to be repaired on his aircraft in Florida .

    We were told that the Sidney Fly-in was to be the day after our meeting on Sunday the 21^st.  They also had a breakfast.

    Election of officers will be in June our next meeting, so be thinking who you'd like to nominate for what.  Gil said, he would maintain the treasury so one officer is taken care of.

    This meeting looks like we're going to have a flea market, bring all your unwanted airplane parts or used good parts to sell or trade etc, 

Charlie Olbrich -  will be able to make our meetings now that he has changed jobs.  He had planned on a pig roast for the 3rd of June. Anyone that could come would be welcomed with a dish to pass.  I didn't help out the situation because I failed to get the directions down for our guys to attend.  My fault on that part Charlie, I'm not sure if the weather was in your favor or not but it would have been nice if we could all attend.  It just seemed like I was up to my butt in alligators and forgot that my original objective was to drain the swamp.   My apologies for not getting this newsletter out sooner for Charles's Pig Roast.   I got bogged down with too many extra curricular activities and wasn't paying attention to all the dates.  I hope his crew chief John Svegl and Charlie were able to have some show up. 

    Your Secretary, ended up in the VA Clinic for tests and VA Hospital twice in Syracuse, for Agent Orange Registry,  I really got the jerk around and reminded them it was like the Army.  I have been fighting Agent Orange rashes for several years since I got out of Viet Nam and was told to go to Syracuse , for Agent Orange Screening.  More red tape to be continued on that end.  Dave Pender (former Ultralighter and deceased) wanted me to go and I procrastinated for two more years before I finally went.  Another good friend of mine who died because of Agent Orange exposure (John Klemic) wanted me to go also.  By the way, guess who has John Klemic and Dave Pender's hanger now?  Our third veteran of the Viet Nam War, Matt Garbett. Not to mention the third guy that owned this hanger before Matt was a Math Professor at Broome Community College , he died in an airplane crash.   Stick around Matt!!

   However, I have pleasant news, I was able to pass my Second Class Medical with Dr. Nichols in Owego, so I can fly a fat ultralight if I want too or anything else providing I can afford it.  So if you want to get your physical or medical go see Dr. Nichols, he is a good doctor and will be fair with you.  He is at 130 Temple Street in Owego , NY .

    Jim Croisant pulled his axle and wheels off his Phantom to get ready to paint.  He also ordered more parts and is waiting for them to come in.  He hopes to have her flying by Father's Day. He also mowed a swathe 40 feet wide in his hay field to see how it would look and he is looking to rent a dozer to clear off some high spots.  In addition to this he noticed he has to make some changes on his hanger in order to accommodate his wings to the Phantom. Mel McKinney offered to crow hop Jim's ultralight when he gets squared away.

    Allen Huntley - Worked on his windshield on his Hawk and completely stripped his C-150 of paint.  He thought he had a buyer but apparently it fell through.  He will sell it for 15 thousand and it has 300 hrs on it SMOH.  That is low time on a rebuilt engine so it ought to be pretty good on the compression.  I'm not sure what year it was built.

    Dave Thomas - Has been cutting the grass on the runway at Zaverton Field or now is called the Husky Haven.  The owne has 17 huskies for a sled she uses in competition meets.   Dave said he flew his airplane and the wind made him think he was flying a helicopter.  He had a problem with robins nesting in his craft he has had to clean the nest out 5 times.  Dave said Husky Haven may be good for an August meeting, so we can schedule one in August and he may be able to have his sister-in-law help out with the food. He said, for sure, the new owner will have food available for us if we want.

    Duane has flown 25 hours so far this year with Gil and some with Allan.

    Matt Garbett - had a chance to fly in a Sky Ranger, he has been looking at one for $26 K and that was 3 years old.  He flew a C-172 a couple of times and a Beachcraft Sundowner but lately he has been too busy with work.

    John Torta - has 2 planes now - a Micro Mong and a Flight Star that landed in a corn field.  Dave Price was part owner with him on the Flight Star.  The main fuselage has white epoxy paint on the Micro Mong and the wings are not completed yet.

    Norm Dibble - will be 80 this year October 31st.  He plans on having a blast on the 28th of October for his birthday.   It sounds like we're all invited providing we wear our slippers.  He has an ultralight for sale he would like to find a home for.  He also found out he has an aneurysm next to his heart which is a hard place to operate on.

    Tom Bothouser - Is ready to put color on his Mini-Max.  He re-built his windshield. It looks real sharp now with a lot more support.  A three piece windshield made it a lot more practical getting in and out of.  His craft will be blue and white.  He was talking about the oil that was used in his engine he purchased from Allen Huntley CAV-101.  The engine showed very little wear and pleased him greatly.  The engine had 500 hours on it and it looks like it is good for more hours.  Tom lately has been dealing with a pinched nerve and it has been very painful to sit any length of time.

    Al Osterhout - has been very busy as care taker for himself and his mom and dad.  It seems everyone has been taking their turn in the hospital.  His dad is out right now and his mother is in.  His dad said to say hi to everyone and that he misses the group and their developments.  Al said, Uncle Ray's Pegasus is for sale for 5K.  His Newport is also for sale but the price on that has not been determined.  I saw his Newport ; it looked great the last time I saw it.  It probably is about ready to fly, I'm not sure if Tom Decker will fly her or not.

    Mitch Mitchell (I almost said Mitch Miller the band director) is still flying his Flight Star.  He finally got retired from BAE so he can have more time to spend on his hobbies.  He has flown 150 hours on his Flight Star.  His HKS engine has proven to be very reliable.  He is USUA Certified Pilot and is trying to become an instructor.  He also has an Affordaplane with a Chapporal engine.  He keeps it at White Birch with Max Francisco.

    George Smith - is working on his Savannah and enjoying every minute of it.

    Paul Muhlig - has been working on his hydraulic brakes on his hawk and his doors.

    Gil Aitchison - had done some flying in the past month and in fact gave me a pass and review over my place in Chenango Forks.  He busied himself with the property for us to enjoy at the meeting.  Again, many thanks for your hospitality Gil.  He also showed us a video of an ultralight out of control.

    The meeting was over at about 3 PM.

        Your Secretary,

            Mel Wightman

PS from Tom Lewis:  There’s a fellow who has a two place TierraT Bird for sale.  He’s asking $8000.  He said he has $11,800 in it and has never flown it.  His email address is [email protected].  His phone number is 570-807-1436.