Our next meeting will take place at Gil & Liz Aitchison's.  We are glad at the last moment they were able to take care of our needs almost without questioning themselves first.   The meeting is on Saturday the 17th of August at around 11:30 or 12 noon.  The meal will be supplied by Jim Croisant who originally volunteered for Chenango Bridge .  Directions to Gil’s is at the end of the meeting notes. 

    Our meal in July was furnished by our President Mel McKinney and also he furnished the place for us to meet.  Many thanks to Mel for allowing us to come and providing the meal.  There were 17 people present one of whom became a new member;  John C. Kozler (our only sea plane pilot), congratulations!  Welcome aboard!  It was a so so day for Summer not a perfect day for flying but great for a picnic and get together. 

    Our President Mel McKinney started off with the pledge of allegiance and then got into the rest of the meeting by around 1 PM. 

    He started off our round table review with Norm Dibble who said, his incomplete kit Cruiser is for sale.  Make best offer. 

    Mel McKinney said he tried to get out the ad in the paper but was too late and so it didn't happen this time.   

    John Kozler our new member introduced himself to the group and shared his experiences flying on floats in a 7AC Champ a few years back.  It sounded like he enjoyed flying off water. 

    Dave Thomas suggested going to Franklin Forks (Salt Springs) for our next meeting but this didn't happen and he didn't have to cook.  Thanks anyhow for trying to get us set up for a meeting Dave, it was a good try.  

    There was talk about us going to Chenango Bridge also to White Birch in Hancock.  Another possibility was Kirkwood but Chenango Bridge was not acceptable because one ultra light pilots in the past caused confusion; he wasn't one of ours.  He landed a Para-sail ultralight in the middle of the runway so that no one else could land or take off their aircraft on the runway.  I guess he didn't realize what he was doing but he was in the way and consequently we suffer for his mistakes.   

    Matt Garbett checked with Chenango Bridge about a meeting and the outcome was as above.  Matt had Dave Pender's ultralight is for sale and Jim Croisant is now the proud owner of his Phantom X-1.  This aircraft is really rugged and will take some abuse in G loading.  He has a dual carb 503 Rotax; he was asking $3500 for the craft.  I think it was a deal of a lifetime and it will prove to be a neat little ship for Jim because he is preparing for a strip at his place and a hanger is under way as we speak. 

    Matt learned to fly in Long Beech, there he talked about the Boning Pass (mountain passes) around the San Francisco Valley .  He said, he experienced mountain waves between two mountains.  One time he said he fell over 3 thousand feet like water falling over the rocks.  He was thankful to get back alive.    

    Duane Ross didn't have anything to add to the round table this time. 

    Dave Thomas didn't have anything to add to the round table at this time either.  He said, he is looking for a buyer for his ship also. 

    Harry Henderson has been flying everyday that has been good and his time allows.   

    Al Osterhout pumped his legs with medicine and went to visit Harry at White Birch.  He worked with Harry on his aircraft and then talked about trips with his girl friend Beverly .  They went to the Hudson Valley and saw the Vanderbilt Manson and while in the area he wandered over near Old Rhineback Airport .  An observation of Polytechniques was being displayed and because Al had on his Ultralight Hat he became a part of the show.  His girlfriend didn't know what was going on she thought it was an act of terrorism taking place and somehow they were involved.  Al was playing the game for all it was worth and she was rather frantic until he explained to her it was just a mock-up WWI bombing mission taking place and they just by co-incidence managed to get in free because of his hat. They volunteered Al to help in their show, sounds like the hat was his ticket because others had their hat's on also. 

    The discussion came up where in our April meeting we should think about renting a bus and going to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.   Maybe take our wives along too and stop at a restaurant on the way.   Any more ideas?  Sounds great!  Let's try to air more ideas to spend the treasury.  Let’s all wear our hats too. 

    Dave Schwartz has an engine vibration on his Purple Piper.  He has been doing a lot of checking to see what it may be.   

    Jim Croisant went to look at the Phantom and bought it, he figures if he spends around a couple of hundred dollars on the craft that will be about what it will take to get her airborne.  He also got his field mowed for a runway which is approximately 1200 to 1400 feet long. 

    Tom Bothouser’s work on his Mini-Max is ongoing.  He said, he had a chance to fly with a bush pilot at 7th Lake in the Adirondacks .  They used a 185 Cessna on floats.  A gas cover was loose and noticed he was loosing fuel.  One can't be too careful, keep those gas caps on tight.  Even the most experienced have their problems. 

    A few of us were talking about spins, Chandles and Lazy Eights that were used for Commercial maneuvers. 

    John Finn has a leading edge air foil and is still working on his motor mount.  He also has a prop. 

    George Smith has his empennage unit finished.  He said, the engine is amazing but what a lot of work to do.  The ribs are getting ready to cover now.  The Savannah will go 110 MPH not to exceed 135 MPH.  With full flaps it will stall at 27 MPH.  It will take off in 100 feet at 1500 feet per minute with the 912S 100 hp. 

    Dave Donnora has his fuselage covered, the wings need to be covered.  He was delayed because of surgery on his leg and has been building a barn. 

    Mel Wightman is still building his wooden Cherokee and hopes to be finished with it by the end of September so I can be free again.   

    It was a good meeting everyone enjoyed the prop wash fellowship and food, great time had by all.

        Your Secretary,

            Mel Wightman

To get to Gil’s use the following directions:

Going east on rt 88, get off at exit # 3, Port Crane. Turn left on to rt 369.  Go to the end of 369 which runs into rt 79.  Continue east on rt 79 and when you go past the Windy Hill Candle Factory, take the second road on the left, which will be Babock road. 

Continue left at the "Y" in the road.  Continue on and the road, the name changes to Palmiter Road .  The address is 416 on the right hand side of the road. 

Gil may have streamers at the end of driveway, park on the side with the mailbox, (more room).   

Rt 12 north to Greene, at light turn right on to 206 east.  Go thru town and about 3/4 mile make a right turn on to Hartman hill road.  Travel to the end and make right turn.  Go 200 feet, make left turn and go 2 miles to my 416 address.