Aircraft Restoration Project
April 2008 - Purchase of the PA-22 At a specially convened Board meeting on April 18th 2008 and following supportive emails from the Membership, the attending Board members discussed and unanimously approved the proposed expenditure of $6,500 as the purchase price of the 1959 PA-22 Piper Tri-Pacer. We beleive the aircraft will be a major assett to the Chapter, providing a restoration project opportunity in which members can practice and develop aicraft-building skills, under the guidance of experienced builders and IA’s. John Leslie has agreed to coordinate the effort and equipment to get the PA-22 to the EAA240 Chapter hangar in the coming weeks. During that period we will form the Project Oversight Group, with nominated leaders who will rotate every three months, with one who will provide detailed project management (priorities, assignments, expenditures, etc). All expenditures will be carefully managed and will require Board pre-approval. Pacer N2889Z, purchased by the Chapter, with owner Bob (right) and chapter member Paul (left) Getting the PA-22 to the Chapter Hangar Read More →
Membership Meeting-Jan 5th, 2009 - Notes
Members Meeting – Jan 5th 2009 • Welcome, Welcome new members and guests by Mike Parry • Review of 2008 highlights 68 + Young Eagles Flown 4 Pancake Breakfast held. Served more than last year. Started the Pacer Restoration Project Old Buzzards day held at N57 First Scholarship awarded. ~~~~~ Coffee Break and 50/50 ~~~~~~~~~~ • Chapter Service Awards were handed out. • Project Restoration Update John Leslie Fuse has been sand blasted and primed Wings: One wing has been disassembled, cleaned up and primed The other wing is ready to have the fabric removed The Project needs member help. Work is performed at the Hangar on Wed eve 6 – 9 and Sat 9 – 12. • Pedal Plane Raffle Jeff Vaughan The Board has decided that the raffle will be the fund raiser for the Fred Kacena Flight Instruction $1000 Scholarship Tickets will be ordered soon and distributed to all members Drawing will be held at the Air Show on June 14 • Treasurers Report Larry reported that the chapter is in fine financial shape. Expense report was handed out to the membership for review. Any questions see Larry. Larry also announced that we need a candidate/volunteer to get a food handlers license. • Membership Report Dan reported that we have 105-110 members and that we are reaching out to past members that have not renewed. The goal for new members is 25 this year. • MOVIE - BUILDING AND FLYING THE AERONCA CHAMP ~~~~~ Coffee Break and 50/50 ~~~~~~~~~~ • At-Large Report Bill Kellsal See web site for upcoming flyouts . Show up at the hangar early to get a seat! Fly outs will be held the first Sat after our meeting. • Young Eagles Report John reported that we have a YE event at each Pancake Breakfast date, 5-16, 7-11, 9-12. See website for YE details Will have an event at Massey. Date TBD • Hangar Report A combination lock has been installed. No more key needed for entry. Every Sat. between 10 – 2 there is a gathering of members. Stop by and have a cup of coffee. A new Lathe has been added. Jeff Geist will be giving a class on its use. Date TBD Discussed the possible installation of motion lights do to recent thefts at the airport. The Board will review and advise. • Dan Guttierrez announced he has a share of his Cherokee 235 for sale. See Dan for details. Read More →
Citabria Flight
Mike Parry provided this video (6 mins) of he and his son Neil enjoying their Citabria: Read More →
EAA Chapter 240 Goes Underground!
Visit to Luray Caverns Airport, VA (by Mike Parry) The day even started with an adventure as a not-quite-as-it-should-be Cessna engine forced a temporary return to N57. But soon all normal engine parameters were attained, all was well and we all headed off southwest. We each took great care going between the extended P40 and the Washington ADIZ controlled air spaces. The corridor required careful navigation, with GPS’s earning their keep on this flight! Perfect, warm and clear weather made for a smooth flight with good visibility and lots to see. Chapter 240 goes underground The flight into and along the Luray valley is particularly spectacular. The Shenandoah Trail is visible on the peaks to the left, with equally picturesque rising landscapes to the right. The airport was soon in sight, and all accomplished safe landings. The very friendly FBO staff greeted each aircraft as we taxi-ed back to the ramp area, offering fuel or parking, or both. The same staffs operate the van shuttle service, the five-minute ride (no cost, tips welcomed) to the Caverns. The popularity of the place becomes immediately evident, with many cars and buses in the large lot in front of the cavern entrance. Food was in just about everyone’s mind and we enjoyed burgers, fries etc (normal pilot fodder) in preparation for our assault on the caverns. Entrance fee’s paid ($16) we gathered in the cave lobby to await our guide for our one hour, six-mile walking tour. He appeared dressed as the Joker (think Batman and Robin) and introduced himself as such. This was never really explained, perhaps a local thing, perhaps Halloween? Whatever. We descended to the depths, appreciating the cool air and transfixed by the incredible rock formations.Our guide described the forces of nature that had brought about such sights. Stalactites and stalagmites were explained, the effect of erosion, and how the caves were discovered: while exploring in the area local tin-smith Andrew Campbell’s candle was blown out by a draught of cool air on August 13th, 1878. Some excavation followed and the extent of the caverns was slowly revealed, using candlelight! The National Park Service designated the location as an illustration of the nation’s natural heritage, in 1974. The Caverns Company also offers an excellent museum at the same location. Transportation was the main theme, with many historic and classic cars and trucks. A phone call brought the shuttle service back to the Caverns. We set the record for the number of EAA240 members ever to get into a shuttle, and we were on our way back to our parked aircraft, with lots to talk about on the 60-Cirrus minute flight home. Read More →