Hangar Flyin’

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

– GRAY BRIDWELL

UPDATE on HANGAR BID

As you have read from the newsletter, our hangar contract is VERY slanted in the city's favor, in my opinion. What would you as a hangar tenant like to see. Let me know 1,2, or 3 as I would like to have an idea of your desires.

1. A lease that follows the Consumer price index, with a four and a half percent max increase. The standard yearly increase is anywhere from from 2 to 3 percent in the past 10 years. This would mean that your rent would increase that much every year. I would be adjusted once every three years. So if it went up 2 percent for three years, on the third year, you would have a increase of 6%. With this option we could secure the lease for 25 years, two 5 year extensions, beat the nation's inflation rate percentage, and have our NW side for a long time.

2. Hold firm that the counter offer that we have made will stand. The counter offer is: com-pound only the average of the three years CPI, (not annually.) By holding firm we would indicate that if this is not accepted we would look at moving to Elmdale airport and build our own hangars. This may have to be done after Rick leaves and we have a new airport manager. This could work for us, or against us.

3. Rework contract and sign every three years, hope we never are bid against and always know we could lose the hangars to a higher bidder.

On a lighter note, our chapter has had a busy month of activities. The trip to Mrs. Allen's in Sweetwater was sup-ported by a number of our chapter members and word about our trek also spread to the Lubbock EAA chapter and several came to join us for the fun. If your name is not on this listed YOU MISSED OUT! A big round of thanks for all who were part of making this happen. Thanks Ben for the ground trans-portation and Hobby for the great captioned pictures at our send off! (Which the editor just noticed at press time are not here. We will run them later.)

Ben Turner

Earl Zimmerle

Jamie Zimmerle

Hank Castle

Charles Screws

Lew Jones

Don Bledsoe

Carroll Bird

Charlotte Rhodes

Gray Bridwell

Teresa Bridwell

Wayne McCormick

John Boyle

Seymour Baeitcher

Larry Chapman

Willie Walker

Ardy Walker

Richard Baxter

Betty Baxter

Audie Gill

Harley Gill

Wes Hays

Becki Hays

Brian Bauries

Mike Agnello

Larry Pardue - Carlsbad, NM

Rick Liles - Lubbock

Judy Stocks - Lubbock

Joel Spray - Matador

Our trip to Lajitas this past weekend was also a success with many members participating, and next month, we will have our 2nd Annual Poker Run. See the brochure elsewhere in this newsletter.

Editorial Comment – (So fire me!)

Maybe I missed something here. Exactly how has air service been increased? We now have only one airline. How have we expanded? We will have Jet Ways for our one airline. Abilene Aviation is no more, Ken Perry closed up shop.... Chapter 471 (or parts thereof) is mad and may give the hangars back to the city...REAL PROGRESS!!!

Are Your Dues Over Due?

If you have not paid your 2002 dues you will be dropped from the mailing roster at the end of February!

Sport Pilot NPRM Published

- From AVweb.com

SPORT PILOT/LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT PROPOSAL (FINALLY) TAKES WING...
After years of effort and months of any-minute-now anticipation, the
FAA's Sport Pilot pro-posal, long stalled at the hangar door, yesterday
made it to the runway and took off. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(NPRM) has already been posted online by the FAA, and is scheduled to be
officially published in the Federal Register next Tuesday. The NPRM
will then circle the run-way for 90 days -- until May 6 -- while the FAA accepts comments. With such a wide-ranging proposal -- affecting
certification of pilots, aircraft, and repairmen -- we don't doubt there
will be plenty of com-ments for the FAA folks to sort through.

...WITH NO UNEXPECTED PARTS...
The NPRM contains no big surprises -- the main components have been
hashed out bit by bit at many FAA briefings over the last few years.
The proposal would limit light-sport aircraft to 1,232 lbs. maximum
weight, two occupants, a single engine (non-turbine), a stall speed of
39 knots, maximum airspeed of 115 knots, and fixed landing gear. Among
currently certificated aircraft, J3 Cubs, Aeronca Champs and Chiefs, and
early-model Taylorcrafts would likely qualify. Either an FAA medical
certificate or a U.S. driver's license would make you good to go.

...AND PROMISING A HIGH-FLYING FUTURE
The FAA estimates 10,000 existing aircraft will be certified and 10,000
people will become certificated sport pilots and flight instructors.
The rule will increase safety in the light-sport aircraft community, the
FAA says, saving an estimated 80 lives over the next 10 years. In
addition to the regular comment period, the FAA will hold a "virtual
public meeting." You will be able respond online via the Internet to
questions that the FAA will ask regarding the proposal. The FAA said it
will publish a notice in the Federal Register shortly with details.

NOTE: AVweb's NewsWire <http://avweb.com/n/?05b> has much, much more on this late-breaking story, including AVweb's interview with the EAA's Bob Warner, the complete text of the NPRM, and links to sites with add-itional information.

Learning the Ropes

BY CHARLOTTE RHODES

Being a fairly new member and not really knowing how the club worked their fly-outs, I had not planned on going to Sweetwater. I was taught growing up to not invite yourself, you wait to be asked. Since I don't yet have my license or my own airplane, that lesson stands pretty strong with me. On my way to work one day, I saw Carol's truck at his hanger and knowing I had some time to spare, I stopped in to chat with him. He asked me if I had got his email in which he asked me if I was going to Sweetwater. I had read his email that morning and feeling comfortable talking to him I asked how the Chapter worked the fly-outs. He told me basically, if you want to go, you show up and they will find a seat for you. Carol said he didn't have anyone riding with him and if I wanted to I could. I accepted. Saturday morning we gathered at the northwest side and had plenty of available seats. I watched Don push his Citabria back in the hanger, since we didn't need the extra seats, and pair up with Lew in the Cessna. I sure like watching that Citabria fly. I spoke with Gray before we left and he assured me I was welcome to go along any time. He had been looking for a volunteer to do an article for the chapter newsletter on this fly-out and after thinking about it, I told him I would. We left Abilene around 10:30 for the short ride. Ben met everyone at the airport and made sure we all got packed in for the ride downtown to Mrs. Allen's. Our group took up about four long tables and elbow to elbow, we passed good food around so fast it made your head swim. Everyone seemed to be really enjoying the food and the company. I now know why this is a popular place to eat. Ben again made sure we all got loaded up, a bit cozier I might add, and back to the airport we went. Once there, most everyone stood around visiting for awhile. Some of us walked over to the WASP memorial and a few of the guys had some war stories or knowledge they enlightened the rest of us with. Thank you guys, I know I really enjoyed that. It came time to leave and following the gentleman in the cool lookin' RV8 departing with a high-speed low pass back over the field, we did the same. That was an absolute great way to end the day. I would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome on this trip. If there is anyone else feeling like I did before this trip, come on out and give one a try. I am sure you will feel as welcomed as I did.

Lisa Kary Deploys -

We received the follow-ing note from Lisa. Thought 476 would want to know that one of our own is upholding the cause of freedom. How about we all send her a note of encouragement !!

Dear family & friends,

I've been told that I am to deploy overseas with my squadron in the very

near future. I can't say where I'm going, when I'm leaving, or when I'm coming home ("I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you" - hehe :o).

About all I can say is that I'm leaving soon - within the next week or so, and there's lots of sand in my future. I'm not sure yet what means of contact will be available, but I'm guessing one computer for 3,000 people to check e-mail, and not much in the way of telephones. I'm sure I will be plenty homesick, so it will be great to hear from any of you if you get a second to drop me a line. I plan to check e-mail as often as I can, but for those of you who are more industrious, I have a snail mail address as well (you know, snail mail?):

405 AEG /9EBS

Capt. Lisa Kary Operation Enduring Freedom Unit 73004 APO AE 09395-3004

I'm planning to call my folks when I get access to a phone, so they will

always have the most up-to-date info. If you don't hear from me, and get to

wondering what's up, you can reach them (Arlene and Willie) at (701)

222-4060 or bubbav@btigate.com . Tell them to take good care of my dog!

:o) This e-mail address will work fine, but I've also set up a hotmail

account: acrovixen@hotmail.com Take care, God bless, and I hope to hear

from you.

Cheers,

Lisa

EAA

SportAir Aircraft Builders Workshop

On Saturday and Sun-day March 23rd & 24th, EAA will be holding an EAA SportAir Aircraft Builders Workshop in Dallas, Texas. These workshops teach people how to build their own aircraft. For further information contact Charlie Becker

EAA SportAir Workshops

1-800-967-5746

www.sportair.com

From the Office of the Membership Director – Mike Agnello

This past year has seen EAA Chapter 14 grow by five new members, for a total membership of 55. Our new members are: Michael Agnello, Semour Beitsher, James Cox, Gary Hockensmith, and Charlotte Rhodes.

Michael Agnello comes to us from Seattle, Washington, to work for Lockheed Martin on Dyess AFB. Michael is retired from the Air Force with 26 years of service. He is a private pilot with over 450 hours.

Semour Beitsher of Abilene is a 2000+ hour pilot; is multi-engine rated, as well as instruments and CFI He currently flies a C-182 RG.

James Cox, an Air Traffic Controller, is a private pilot and flies a C-150

Gary Hockensmith, also an Air Traffic Controller, is a commercial pilot, multi and instrument rated, and has lived in Abilene for four and one-half years.

Charlotte Rhodes is an Air Traffic Controller and is looking forward to building her aircraft.

In an effort to gain new members this year, we obtained the National EAA Membership List in order to identify folks who live in the Abilene area. Contact was then attempted via telephone and/or letter. We also attempted to recruit various wings and groups at Dyess. People from the C-130 group expressed great interest, but because of the events on September 11th, their membership will have to be put on hold. Because we want to grow, each of you can help in that regard by talking up our Chapter to your pilot friends. I would be more than pleased to assist in this and talk to your prospective members.

Let's keep them flying!

CLASSIFIED SECTION

For Sale:

- Garmin 195 GPS, extra battery pack, yoke mount, 2 antennas. $650. Contact: Buck Prior

672-8966

- Personal Music device: Plugs inline from your headset to aircraft. Allows CD/Cassette/Radio to be played during flight to make the cross countries seem much shorter. When the tower calls, input will automatically turn off to allow you to hear the tower and resume after transmission is over.

Call Gray 676-8294 Sells new for $100

UP COMING EVENTS

February 9^th - BREAKFAST Saturday 8:00am PRIDE HANGAR

March 9^th - 2nd Annual Poker run. "T" hangers ABI, More details to come! Prizes, food, fun!!

EAA 471

Chapter Officers

President Gray Bridwell

Vice-President Billy Tucker

Secretary Jim Snelgrove

Treasurer Hobby Stevens

Director Hank Castle

Director Barry Cotner

Director Wayne McCormick

Director Charles Screws

Director Steve West

Past President Carroll Bird