HANGAR FLYIN

VICE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

-S. W. Tucker

That's right. I've changed my name. Call me Sad Willie! This club election has undone me.

I simply can't believe that a guy who ran such a poor campaign (me) would find himself elected. Didn't you notice? I was not even there on the day of the election! How irresponsible!

Then there was my other worthy opponent, Dennis Matheson. (I must have looked pretty desperate, running for both President AND Vice-President).

But back to Dennis. Is there no shame? Is it true what I heard? Did he really have on a tee shirt that said, "Don't be a sucker, vote for Tucker"?

I do take solace in the fact that the members of EAA 471 had the good sense to reelect President Bridwell for another term. He has done a great job and we need him to lead us through our building project. So we shall press on. Gray can take care of the presidenting, and I'll take care of the vice. Having 6 children, I'm uniquely qualified for that roll.

One of the ploys Gray tried to use to get unelected as president was to tell the membership that the club needed new ideas from fresh leaders. Well, you saw through that and reelected him, tired and weary as he tried to appear. But then I stuck my foot in my mouth again. Afraid that you might be foolish enough to offer me, Sad Willie, the crown, I thought up some things that presidents are supposed to think up just incase I needed them. When it appeared that Gray would win in a landslide, I offered to give him my presidential ideas for his new administration. He said something like, "Well, since you are not President, you have to keep doing the newsletter, so just write my column this month and tell the club my new ideas that you thought up. So here I am. And here are Gray's new ideas.

(Drum roll please).

I read an editorial a few months ago in Custom Planes about the need for another program like Young Eagles. But this program would encourage flight for grown ups. After all, who has the expendable income to take flying lessons and begin flying? (None of us, but we fly anyway huh!) General aviation would benefit and grow if we could involve more adults in flying while at the same time planting the love of flying in the younger generation.

That idea began to hum around in my mind. I thought of EAA 471, of our breakfasts, of our fly-outs and fly-ins. I thought of all of our own members who do not have airplanes but who hang around the airport because we love flying and things that fly. We go to the airport just like we all did when we were kids.

Remember? You were 10 years old, sticking your nose through the chain-link fence with your fingers entwined in the fence wire watching airplanes? Now you are a member of EAA and have the code to the gate. Now you are on the inside of the fence, but you still can't fly unless someone invites you.

And that is the point of this column – inviting someone to fly. When we have had fly-outs, generally, there are seats available. Some of us non-owners, however, have had the following experience as shown in a conversation between two imaginary 471 members whom we shall name Rocky, a wanna be flyer, and Jerry, a pilot and airplane owner.

Sez Rocky, "Hey Jerry! Are you going to fly to Sweetwater with the club next month?"

"I'm not sure," replies Jerry.

"Well, if you do go, could I fly with you?" asks Rocky hopefully.

"Weellll," draws out Jerry, not wanting to hurt Rocky's feelings, but knowing that if he does go, he will probably invite Harry to ride with him.

But Rocky gets the message. So he moves on to the next hangar, hoping for better results, ---- or does he? I have the suspicion that maybe he does not. He reverts to that 10 year old looking through the fence, wanting to fly - hoping to be invited, but not wanting to ask lest he face the polite turn down.

It is an awkward situation for both Rocky and Jerry. But there is a solution. How about we start a program called "Bald Eagles." No ....No.... Where did that come from? Lets call it the EAA 471 Wingman program. All the folks who want to participate in available flights will sign up as wingmen. Youse guys who have aircraft and an empty seat would be asked to adopt a wingman from the list. This might be for just one flight, or it might develop into a flying friendship. Some of you older pilots who prefer not to fly alone might want a wingman who has a pilot's license, current medical, and BFR.

So next time you fly, take a look at that line up over there. See us? We're the old kids with our noses stuck in the fence.

Well, that is Gray's first new idea for the year. He does have a couple of others, but he doesn't know about them yet.

And I want to be the first to announce Dennis Matheson's candidacy for next year's election (to something). I've already got my tee shirt. It says, "Don't be a menace – Vote for Dennis !!!"

EAA 471 Web Site

Have you been to EAA 471's new web site? Thanks to Wayne McCormick and Hobby Stevens, eaa471.org is on the web. As soon as one of them shows me how, we will start posting the newsletter directly to the web page for those of you who are computer capable. Each month I'll send the email list a note telling you that the newsletter is posted. That should solve the problem we've had with the huge email files I've been sending you.

As always, a paper copy will be mailed to anyone who requests it.

Flight of Angels

By now most of you know that we lost a good friend this past month. Long-time member Betty Cannon received clearance for take off on Sunday November 18^th. Her warm smile and cheerful greeting will be missed.

Harold has asked that in lieu of flowers, individuals could make a contribution to the Chapter's building fund. These individual memorial contributions will be totaled, and a single "Betty Cannon Memorial" contribution shall be entered into our Chapter 471 Building Fund list of contributors. Of course, Harold Cannon and his family will be notified of all contributions.

Hangar Rent Due

The Board of Directors set the hangar rate at $560 per year, payable by January 1, 2002. This is the same amount as last year.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

December 8^th -

No Breakfast because of Christmas party.

EAA Christmas Party – Enrique’s Mexican food (The old Zentner's Daughter) 7:00pm Awards will be presented.

January 12^th -

NO breakfast.

Lunch in Sweetwater at Mrs. Allen's. Ground transportation provided.

Bring wives, friends. We will work on seats.

Meet at airport NW side at 10:00am.

EAA 471

Chapter Officers

President Gray Bridwell

Vice-President Billy Tucker

Secretary Jim Snellgrove

Treasurer Hobby Stevens

Director Barry Cotner

Director Dennis Mathison

Director Hank Castle

Director Wayne McCormick

Past President Carroll Bird