Newsletter
Issue #109 USUA Club #66
Richard E. Miller Chapter
July/August 2003
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The next meeting of the club will be
at Mel McKinney’s Susquehanna Airport
on Aug 16th. The luncheon
will be provided by Dave Schwartz with cold cuts to make sandwiches. Everyone is welcome to camp out at his
place on Friday evening.
The September meeting will be at
Zaverton International in South Montrose, Pa.
July Meeting Notes
We had a fair attendance of
approximately 20 people one which was a guest Doug Keney. We had two
fly-ins Dave Swartz and his converted Piper Tri-Pacer to a conventional gear
with extra length on the tail and extra wing length so it's no longer a
Clipped- Wing-Piper. Mel McKinney flew his two place ultralight in and
what performance that little craft had. With the wind in the right
direction, he was able to take off in the width of the runway. Ray
Osterhoudt gave us a demonstration with his new Para-Sail plane. He definitely
was a kid with a new toy.
Our meeting started promptly at 1 PM
with the pledge of allegiance and then on to other business.
Dave Swartz helped us with the club
by-laws and filled in as a chairman for the business of electing
directors. Every year we change directors, the following directors
for the ensuing year are George Smith, Gil Aitchison, and Dave Donnora.
Matt Wightman announced he would
have to step down as President because of his job requirements on travel and he
may not be able to make the meetings.
Ray Osterhout volunteered to
take the gavel and the club and I thank you for that Ray.
Having a club with incorporation standards is best for all of us. We don't need
to assume any liabilities so our club is solvent in that respect. This
allows us to fly and not feel threatened with individual suits. However use
good common sense and vigilance is important for the safety of all in the club.
Dave Swartz agreed to stay on as
treasure through December of this year.
Mel Wightman volunteered for club
secretary.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion on Rhinebeck Airport is
in progress and a date is posted for the Sunday after Labor Day which is on the
7th of September. All those who are interested in car pooling and going
should meet at Ray's place at 535 Fox Farm Road in Windsor. Be there by 8
AM or 8:30 AM. for coffee and goodies prior to the trip. The trip
should be started at 9 AM sharp to insure we make the show in plenty of
time. Ray Osterhout, Tom Hettig and Mel McKinney said they
would drive. If there are any more volunteers to drive please come forward.
The status of the USUA was discussed.
It seams that the USUA has come to grips with it’s internal and
financial problems and is a functioning organization.
NEW BUSINESS
A discussion was made about the air
show in Sussex which is held on the third weekend of August. Because of
the short notice planning would have to be done on the phone and internet to
make this show possible with transportation and car pooling etc.
Mel McKinney mentioned it would be
nice for many of us to try to visit with Ralph Arnold (former club member) who
is now at a nursing home at Gracious Living Estates on the 20th of July
which was on this last Sunday the next day after our meeting. We
sincerely hope he had a nice visit with those who were able to meet with him.
AVIATION NEWS
Aviation Day at Link Field was
discussed by Mel Wightman and Matt Garbett. Matt Garbett and Art
Gregory from Greene were flying a Beechcraft Musketeer on instruments to get in
at around 9 or 10 in the morning. The ceiling was down in the beginning
and the temperature was around 55 degrees with a slight mist in the air.
It warmed up at around noon and approximately 22,000 people were expected and
security was at a all time high. Many volunteers were controlling the
crowds around aircraft and watching for suspicious people. Care was given
for smokers around the aircraft to see that they were ushered to safe areas
away from fuel etc. There were many venues and demonstrations of
aerobatics and many great static displays. The event was declared as a
success and a good time was had by everyone who attended.
In the category of achievements we
have Dave Donnora’s first flight in his Aerolit, Dave Thomas’ solo adventure in
his Afford-A-Plane and John Sherman’s solo In a Citabria. Congratulations guys!
Respectfully Submitted,
Mel Wightman
I thought I'd mention that FAA
Administrator Marian Blakey signed off on the final rules forwarding the LSA
package to the Department of Transportation. Hopefully, this will be good
news for sport pilots. It is estimated
that in less than 12 months the sport pilot rules will be implemented.
Mel Wightman deserves our
appreciation for furnishing the excellent variety and quality of food for the
July meeting.
Tom Lewis