HANGAR FLYIN'

- by Billy Tucker

EAA Chapter 471 lost a good friend last week with the passing of Carroll Bird. Carroll exemplified what our chapter is all about. A past president of our chapter, he was a successful builder of his own airplane, an unselfish mentor to other builders, an avid aviator and a plain ol' good guy.

Years ago, I was invited to a chapter meeting by Harold and Betty Cannon. I had talked to Betty on the phone and was assured that I would be welcomed to visit a chapter meeting or event. So I

went to the next monthly meeting. In addition to meeting Harold and Betty

face to face for the first time, one of the people I met that night was Carroll Bird. He gripped my hand, smiled that smile

of his, and in that instant, I had made three new friends.

Let's not take each other for granted. When next we meet, how about a handshake and a smile – just like we always received from Carroll Bird.

While setting up for the EAA breakfast, I witnessed something truly great. Don Bledsoe was made to stay in one spot and tell others where things should be placed. He has trouble wanting to do it all himself and never getting help which is too big of a task. The rest of the story is, there were enough people helping for him to have someone to tell where everything should go. When we gather together as a family of EAA’ers we like to talk. Breakfast setup with enough folks setting up, is the place to do it. Setup, talk, setup, talk, this does work well and makes the setup easy. If you were there setting up last month, you will need to go setup and do just what you did last month and we need you to continue for the breakfasts to come! It takes you! This will ensure we have enough folks to make it so much less of a burden and more fun.

A record number of people turned out for breakfast. 67 folks were fed by the cooking crew. A big round of thanks goes out to Don Bledsoe, Lew Jones, Charles Screws, Richard Baxter, and Charlotte Rhodes. These folks provide a real draw for all of us to come together as a great group of aviators. As a result of the various works, membership continues to grow with the addition of 2 new members just that Saturday. Could it be the food? Or something in it? This month we have added 20 chairs and additional tables. Lets have another record breaker!

This is the year of all years to go to Oshkosh. We have reservations for the following people to park and camp together. If you want to go and do not have a plane I will place you on a separate list and we will match you up with someone who has a seat.

We will be an easy walk to Wal-Mart and restaurants off field.

The tram service runs right in front of where we will be parked so getting

around the field is an easy ride to anywhere. The field has showers,

restrooms and food also……Great place! While you read this, dream for a minute: sitting next to a plane, 800 miles from home in a day, next to all your EAA buddies. Peering out from your campsite, you see a sea of over 800 acres of planes. The bad thing, we return home Friday the 1^st.

In a recent meeting with the FAA folks in Abilene about our Fly-in/Airshow, it looks like we will be able to travel to some of the surrounding airbases to give a presentation on behalf of our Fly-in/Airshow.

(Recent formation flying with our new friends)

Chapter 471 spies have been listening in on conversations about the donation of real plates, not Styrofoam or paper; silverware, not plastic. The surveillance gets a little vague, but it sounds like there will be a dishwasher (Maytag?) in the works as well. More undercover work will be done, but the chapter’s P-3 is down for maintenance and surveillance will resume shortly.

Pancakes Coffee

Sausage (Patties) Orange Juice

Sausage (Link) Milk

Ham

Eggs

Hashbrowns

Biscuits

Homemade gravy

From: Michael Stephan mstephan@shr.net>

To: Charlotte Rhodes charlotterhodes@hotmail.com>

Subject: Carroll Bird

Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 15:40:24 -0600

Charlotte,

I heard about Carroll and was saddened to hear of the loss. I know how

close everyone was to Carroll. He was one of the first members I worked

with out at SWRFI, and of course when he found out I was building an RV he

had to show me his plane. he was a real nice guy and fun to be around.

Send my condolences to the family and to Chapter 471.

Michael Stephan

SWRFI Secretary