Membership Meeting Notes - March 2010
EAA Chapter 240 - March Membership Meeting Minutes March 2, 2010 Hangar Report - John Leslie discussed the hangar insulation project: o Received quotations from half a dozen suppliers o The lowest bidder was Graber – the company that originally erected our hangar o Only the ceiling will be insulated – where most of the heat is lost § Members voted unanimously to proceed o John will organize a work party soon. It should take about 3 weekends Guest Speaker – Tim Fields of the Delaware Air National Guard Tim is a C130 pilot who has served 4 deployments in Afghanistan. With some great photos and fact filled slides, Tim described his experiences as a military pilot in this primitive country. The main base of operations for coalition forces is Bagram Air Base. Originally built by the Soviets during their occupation, taxiways are built with concrete blocks (these were the original Soviet runways). Afghan air space has minimal radar coverage. The elevation of the highest air field in Afghanistan is 7800 feet. Tim described it as “wild west” flying, with few rules, high terrain and bad weather. There are too many aircraft and too few air traffic control services. There is also the constant threat of anti-aircraft artillery, rocket propelled grenades, and small arms fire. C130s are the “pick-up truck” of the Afghan war. Their main purpose is to deliver supplies by air drop. They are capable of carrying 32,000 pounds of equipment or 64 paratroopers. They also serve as an air-borne ambulance - the C130 becomes a “flying hospital – with a team of 5 medical personnel. Flying the C130 from the USA to Afghanistan is typically a 4 day trip. Other Business Scholarship – applications need to be in by March 31st. The selection will be done in April. Pedal Plane – Jeff Vaughan has the raffle tickets - $5 each. The scholarship is funded by this raffle. Flyouts planned – Carl Spirito - this Saturday to York. - April 10th to Cambridge, MD - May 8th to the Flying ‘W’ RV Fly-in – The May 15th Pancake Breakfast will also be an RV Fly-in. Young Eagles – John Leslie - Will be held on each Pancake Breakfast day except for the June air show days. - Also at Massey August 28th Next Chapter meeting – at the Bellanca hangar in New Castle, Delaware (Route 273 and Centerpoint Blvd). Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.66,-75.59&ie=UTF8&ll=39.663972,-75.587276&spn=0.000863,0.002631&z=19&layer=c&cbll=39.664035,-75.587648&panoid=lCeobdq46Bc3hgInsCaKMA&cbp=12,88.15,,0,6.74 Newsletter – please submit articles to Mike Parry Read More →
Warbirds at New Garden!
After months of snow and dreadful weather this weekend saw much action at the Chapter’s base at New Garden Flying Field, with the arrival of warbirds! For those of us lucky enough to have been there this was a treat! See full versions of these photo’s here. Read More →