Apr 18

Great breakfast!

We had a great turnout this morning, including three planes from Independence, OR.  Bob Severns actually attended twice, though technically the first time he was stuck above the cloud deck, circling and watching in vain for it to burn off.  A couple hours later, things got better and he showed up in his Cessna 120.

The Challenger LSA is in the hangar and ready for refurbishment.  There’s plenty of work to do on it!  It has a Rotax 503, fabric wings, and some interesting wiring that will benefit from attention.

The menu for today was:

  • Scrambled eggs
  • Bacon
  • Sausage
  • Biscuits & Gravy
  • Pancakes

See you next month!

Apr 09

April 1st, 2009 Meeting

The meeting should have started with our normally great hamburger/hotdog/ Chili Bar-B-Q at 6:00. Instead, our illustrious President Ben Hallert flew in with his newly purchased Gulfstream IV (you probably read about his lottery win in the paper) and the entire group loaded up and headed to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. After a wonderful Luau the tired but happy group loaded back up and headed back to the clubhouse. If you missed this meeting, suffice to say, you probably shouldn’t miss another. There was some talk of visiting the space station next month, but that presumes that the Space Shuttle will be available on the first Wednesday of the week in May.


Meeting called to order at 7:02 PM (man that G-IV is fast!) by President Ben Hallert. V.P. Bill Dewey and Sec./Tres. Randy Stout were also present. The 23 members and guests in attendance then introduced themselves. During introductions, Walt Weischedel again mentioned that his 90% complete (with 90% to go) RV-4 is for sale and will be on eBay this weekend. Call him at 747-4808 if you have an interest. Greg Maloney, a J-3 Kitten owner was a guest at this meeting.

V.P. Bill Dewey brought in a nice group of pictures and maps from the early 60’s and 70’s. They really show how things have changed and how much we have grown!

Sec./Treas. Randy Stout brought up the clubs need for a new TV and microphone setup. He asked the group to get their heads on a swivel and look around for a great deal (i.e. cheap but BIG). A new (better?) tuner was also suggested as a good item to acquire.

Bill brought up for discussion the potential to cover the patio area. Suggestions to cover the 45×16 area are now being finalized with an acrylic type of cover on a framework. Brent Burgess was not in attendance but has been asked to go to the County and ask about the necessary permits (if needed). No final decision was made at this meeting on final design or costs.

We have changed the breakfast from the 2nd Saturday to the 3rd. Saturday so that we would not conflict with the Independence group, and that they might find that Creswell is a great place to fly out to for breakfast. The next breakfast is on the 18th of April. Daniel Cathy has notified Bill Boyd’s email about this breakfast.

Secretary Stout noted that dues are due again. Please see him at the meeting or mail your $25 to EAA Chapter 31, 86277 Panorama Rd., Springfield, OR  97478

Bill Robinet asked the group to consider helping George and Vivian Oswald sell their Challenger II. Discussion was held revolving around the sale or gifting of the airplane to our group, or the museum group. Randy will contact EAA national and ask about the exemption that was requested for this airplane. Doug Kindred will ask Hal Skinner about the tax deductibility of the plane to the museum, then having the club make it ready for sale.

Daniel Cathy reminded the group that we have offered to provide a breakfast and lunch for the OACAC meeting in Cottage Grove on July 18th. This will also be the Luscombe fly-in. He also noted that the Stearman fly-in will be on July 31-Aug-3 and the possibility that the Boeing 40C will be in attendance.

Dave Heisley noted that the clubhouse trash was not emptied from a recent activity. We will contact the group that had rented the clubhouse for that night and “explain” the clean-up procedure more carefully.

It was noted that Dorothy Schick’s Icarus had a fender (or nosewheel) bender. It should be up and running again quickly. She is also said to have ordered a new Skycatcher for her instruction business.

There being no new business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 and a brief workshop by Bob Severns was held on engine dismantling and inspection. He brought in a great example of a “bad” rebuilt job, and what to look for when you are tearing one apart. Thanks Bob, great job!

Next time program:

May- Rod Johnston- Magneto overhaul procedures.

Respectfully submitted,

Randall Stout

Secretary/ Treasurer