(WING-TIPS)

                    The official Monthly Electronic Newsletter Of the

    Southern Nevada EAA Chapter 1300

                                     P.O. Box 570561

                                 Las Vegas Nevada 89157-0561

                              Website www.EAAChapter1300.org

                                              April 2007

                                         Volume 8, Issue No.4

 

April 11, Meeting Location:

Our next meeting will be held at the North Las Vegas Airport in the Grand Canyon Room at 7:30 PM

Members wishing to have a quick bite to eat will meet at the Town Center II Bar and Grill 6:00 PM

 

April Meeting Program

After a brief business meeting, we will take a look at the Beech Staggerwing project in hangar A-8

 

2007 Officers and Directors:

President:                        Terry Frazier

Vice President:                Mike Perger

Secretary:                        Charlie Braun              

Treasurer:                        Brian Prinzavalli              

Director VGT:                   Armin Tuma

Director BLD:                   Glenn Smith

Director HND:                  Glenn Carlson

 

Presidents Corner April 2007:

 

If you attended our last meeting, I’m sure you enjoyed Dave Edwards’ engrossing presentation on first flight approvals at VGT. 

I certainly left with a much better understanding of how we lost FAA approval for this key flight operation.  My take is that the

FAA sees no benefit to their priority operations when they allow first flights.  As a result, any concern or challenge has the very

real potential for the FAA to take the easy way out by banning an operation such as first flights of experimentals.  AOPA fought with us. EAA didn’t want to spend any political capital on it, and just plain bad information was injected into the mix.  We must do our best to stop this from happening at our other area airports (seen all the construction signs around HND lately??). 

 

On another FAA related topic, Air Traffic Control and other user fees are rearing their ugly heads again.  On top of this, the FAA

is proposing an increase of over 350% in the aviation fuel tax (adding 50 cents per gallon).  These fees will make our flying much

more like flying in Europe where only the very rich can afford to fly anything bigger than a kite.  Please take the time to write letters

to your representatives and senators.  Senator Ensign is on the Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the FAA. 

He’s been on our side in this fight in the past, but we can’t let momentum build against us. Check out these links:

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/832-full.html#194772

http://www.aopa.org/faafundingdebate/

and let your representatives know what you think about this issue.  I understand a FAX carries more impact than an e-mail.  

 

Hope to see you at the April 10^th meeting at VGT.  We are confirmed to take a look at the Staggerwing project.  I can’t wait. 

We’ll have a short meeting in the terminal, then walk over to the project hangar.  If you can’t make the meeting, be sure to come

to the Discover Aviation event at Jean on April 21^st.  There will be lots going on including cars, airplanes (flying ~150 Young Eagles!) and an airshow.  We can always use the extra help.  If you haven’t already mailed your vote on the bylaws insurance change you can bring it to the April 11^th meeting.  We’ll be opening the ballots at a Director’s meeting shortly after the close of the vote on April 17^th.

 

Banging Rivets,

 

Terry Frazier

 

 

Meeting Minutes: March 14th, 2007:

 

President Terry Frazier called the meeting to order and welcomed new members Keith Hopkey and Brian Butler and guests

Kevin Ford, Jim and James Spots and Rob Roberts. 

 

The minutes were accepted as presented in the newsletter and as posted on the web. 

 

Treasurer Brian Prinzavalli presented the March report showing a balance of $1396.00 after income from memberships and donations.

 

General announcements were made followed by Dave Edwards presentation of the first flight situation at VGT and how it developed. 

The current status is that a new experimental aircraft can not be flown on its first flight from VGT.  Recent experience is that the

aircraft can be flown from VGT after a short initial period of testing to prove basic handling and operational safety.  Dave provided

key insights to the rolls and actions of the FAA, EAA and AOPA as we challenged this new ruling.  Hopefully the lessons learned

can help us reduce the chance of similar rulings being made at other area airports.

 

Old Business – 

            The President reminded the membership about the upcoming ballot on the Bylaws change and urged the membership to vote and return their ballots ASAP.

                                   

New Business –

            Secretary Charlie Braun resigned his post at the Chapter Secretary effective 3/13/07.  The President called for Nominations

or volunteers to take over these duties.  Mike Perger has volunteered to fill in until a new Secretary can be elected. 

            EAA / AOPA are both calling for comments to our Senators (especially Ensign) and representatives over FAA proposed

increases to fuel tax and user fees.  President Frazier requested that we all write letters on this topic. 

 

After the Chapter Committee Reports, the 50/50 drawing was held and won by Keith Hopkey who donated his $26 winnings back to the club. 

 

The meeting was adjourned with a reminder of our next meeting at North town on April 11^th.

                       

Welcome new Members:

 

Keith Hopkey and Brian Butler

 

Webpage Material:

Everyone is encouraged to submit material, information or pictures of interest,

to chapter members for publication on the Chapter’s Webpage.

Send whatever you have to Jim Bonelli, Webmaster, email address:   bonelli.j@cox.net  

The Chapter webpage URL is’   http://www.EAAChapter1300.org

Be sure to bookmark this URL.

 

Young Eagles:

Discover Aviation at Jean Airport is this month.  Saturday, April 21 is just around the corner.

Please contact Mike Smith if you plan to fly Young Eagles.

 

Then we go to Pahrump and help Chapter 1160 on May 19^th with a local Young Eagles rally.

 

 

Classified ads:

Classified ads are a service to members and posted on the Web site.  The posting will remain until the

Item offered is sold or 1 year, which ever comes first.

 

Refreshment Calendar:

Volunteers needed.

 

For your Information: FYI.

Refreshments are provided each month by volunteers. We very much appreciate the generosity of 

those who participate. We are again asking for volunteers for the 2007 Meeting schedule.

           March    14  HEN

            Apr       11  VGT

            May      9    HEN

            Jun        13  VGT

             July      11  BLD

            Aug        8  VGT

            Sep      12   HEN

            Oct      10   VGT

            Nov   ( tba )  BLD   Usually combined with Open House

            Dec      12  VGT           

                    Remember to wear your name badge

                              to the March meeting.

               Thanks for reading the Newsletter and

             we will see you On the 14th. Bring a friend……..