Newsletter
Issue #111 USUA Club #66
Richard E. Miller Chapter
September/October, 2003
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Our next meeting will be Saturday,
October 18th at Camel Humpback Airport (Ray Osterhout's) place in
Windsor, New York.
The September meeting was held at
Zaverton's Field in South Montrose. The
owner and operator of this field was a previous Harmon Johnson student at the
Chenango Bridge Airport. He obtained
his Private License in the late 40's or early 50's from Johnson Bros. Flying at
Chenango Bridge Airport. I only met him
one other time when Harmon and I flew in his field in the 60's with a Piper
Tri-Pacer. It was a great re-union to
see Mr. Zaverton again.
We had a total of 5 aircraft fly in. Four were ultralights and one Cessna 150
airplane. A total of 17 pilots attended
the festivities. It was a beautiful
blue sky day and lots of sunshine which we had very little of this past year.
Our President (Ray Osterhoudt) served us a
real nice spread, all kinds of meats, rolls, bread, salads and beans along with
drinks. Many thanks are in order to him
from the club. This active part of
having the picnic has always been extra work amongst the officers and very few
volunteers. So from now on one person
will be appointed to bring all the goodies.
This will make it fair for everyone to help in the preparation of food
and enjoy what it takes to put it together.
We're always compensated, no one gets stiffed, so please when it is your
turn don't dread it but try and make it special for all. We only have a picnic once a month, so enjoy
it! George Smith will provide the next
meal. Thanks for being the next
appointed volunteer.
The meeting started promptly at 1 PM by
our President Ray Osterhoudt. We talked
briefly about Rhinebeck Airport as an event and we hope all of us can go and
get the spirit of aviation, the grass roots of flying off a very small field
with World War I airplanes. This
however may be tabled until next year because of weather and other commitments.
We had another discussion on insurance and
liabilities at other airports. Ray
talked about incorporations at fields and how they work.
The real fun of the meetings comes in when
everyone has a story to tell of their experiences in flying their ultralights
or airplanes. That first solo or
not.... That almost solo.... Also the science involved of building and
maintaining aircrafts to keep them airworthy.
We have a lot of crafty pilots in our club who share their expertise and
related mishaps because of some engineering changes. Some of the stories told are rather humorous and everyone needs a
good hearty laugh. So come and share
your stories, we love to hear them.
There is nothing like spreading the proverbial prop wash.
After the meeting I had the pleasure of
taking a flight with Tom Lewis, who is one of our USUA Flight Instructors. Actually a couple of guys egged me on, so we
went out and did a few Dutch Rolls and Power-On-Stalls. I was amazed; it acted very much like an
airplane. I just had to make that first transition. It was a good experience
and I look forward to trying it again someday soon.
Your Secretary,
Mel Wightman
Ralph
Arnold has been moved to a nursing home.
His address is Oakwood Terrace,
400 Gleason Rd. RR # 2, Pittston, Pa.
18640. Drop Ralph a cheery note;
I’m sure he will appreciate it. His
wife Ruth gave me Club dues for this year.
She said she promised Ralph she would keep his membership up to date so
he could receive the meeting notes.
Tom Lewis