The Taledragger
April 2005
The Monthly Newsletter of
Chapter 292 of the Experimental Aircraft Association
Serving the Willamette Valley at Independence State Airport, Oregon
Visit our website at http://www.eaa292.org . It is updated regularly by our webmaster, Karen Brown, and it’s your big chance to see all the photos in this issue in color!
The President’s Corner
Hey, everyone. Have you been by the chapter house lately? If not, come check out the great work done in the south hangar. If I didn’t know better, I could easily see a theater system, a popcorn machine and easy chairs filling all that space.
After the contractors finished with the drywall and insulation, Dave Ruddiman and crew applied paint to all surfaces, Bob Schwarzler and Mike Pongracz nailed down the kick boards and window trim, and our resident sparky, Jerry Medlock, with his apprentice Mike (wire nuts are color coded?) Poncgracz wired in the lights. What a difference! Great job, guys!
Well, I got my wish: That beautiful spring weather has gone and the monsoons are here, filling the rivers and streams with muddy H2O. I hear that the long-range forecasters expect this weather to stay with us through the spring. This should give us all that last chance to finish up the winter project(s) before warm sunny days bless us again.
Remember, April 2nd is practically on us, and so is the Aero Electric seminar. Bob likes to limit his classes to 25 seats, and at last count I heard there were 21 reservations. This information is a few day old, so get on that website it you want to attend. There is a Friday night gathering of all attendees for dogs and B.S. at 6 p.m. in the chapter hangar. We should also have more information about possible walk-ins to fill the remaining seats (if available) that evening. On Saturday evening following the seminar, there is a prime rib dinner planned at the Starduster for all seminar survivors. Should be a lot of fun, so don’t miss it!
For the meeting this month, the newborn sparkies fresh with new found knowledge will provide their extensive insight of their vast experience in the field of aircraft wiring (all 8 hours of it). So at the very least, it will be entertaining and if we pay attention to Bob’s teachings, perhaps even informative.
The Flying Farmers’ annual refresher seminar is here again. If you want to brush up on regs and get your biennual flight review out of the way, April 16 is the date. The seminar is free and will be held at 2 p.m. in the Gabels’ hangar, 831 Stinson St. Call Andy Andersen (503/838-4231) to schedule a flight instructor for a biennial flight, which will be done in the morning, weather permitting.
Al Cleveland
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
EVERY OTHER SUNDAY THE INDEPENDENCE FLYER BUILDERS GROUP CHAPTER HANGAR, AROUND NOON-ISH
APRIL 2ND & 3RD AEROELECTRIC CONNECTION CHAPTER HANGAR, 8:00 A.M.
APRIL 9TH EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING CHAPTER HANGAR, 8:30 A.M.
APRIL 9TH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING CHAPTER HANGAR, 10:00 A.M.
APRIL 16TH ANNUAL PROFICIENTCY TRAINING (APT) GABELS’ HANGAR, 2:00 P.M.
EAA Chapter 292 Purposes --Policies--Meetings--Dues
THE PURPOSE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION (EAA) CHAPTER 292: To promote and encourage the sport and hobby of recreational aviation. To cooperate with and assist governmental agencies in the development of programs relating to aviation activities. To promote and encourage aviation safety in the design, construction, and operation of all types of aircraft. To encourage and engage in research for the improvement and better understanding of aviation and the science of aeronautics. To foster, promote, and engage in aviation education. To foster closer fellowship among its members through the exchange of ideas of mutual interest. Chapter 292 is a private, non-profit organization, and recognized as a 501 (c) (3) institution by the IRS. Contributions to the organization are fully tax-deductible as authorized by law.
CHAPTER 292 AND EAA NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP DUES: EAA National Membership is required for all Chapter 292 members (call 1-800-JOIN EAA). Chapter 292 dues are $48/year for 2005 and are prorated on a $4/month basis for those who join mid-year. For more information both on National and Chapter 292 memberships, please call the Chapter Secretary, Mike Pongracz at (503) 606-9767.
MEETINGS: The general membership meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month at 10 A.M. at the Chapter Hangar, 4803 Airport Road, at Independence State Airport. Oftentimes special events will supersede the normal schedule, please call the Chapter Secretary to confirm a date if in doubt.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS: The executive board meets at the Chapter Hangar on the second Saturday of each month at 9 A.M. Board meetings are open, and anyone may attend.
NEWSLETTER: The Taledragger is published and mailed one week prior to the general membership meeting. Feature articles, stories relating to flying, technical reports, or classified listings should be made to the newsletter editor one week prior to publication. This is most easily accomplished by e-mail to the editor at windwing1@juno.com. EAA Chapter 292 is not responsible for any modification or maintenance items that appear in the newsletter or in any other correspondence. It is the responsibility of the reader to discuss and get approval for all such items from an appropriate A&P, the FAA or other government official.
2005 Chapter Officers
| PRESIDENT: | Al Cleveland | amcleveland at msn dot com | (503) 838-9929 |
| VICE-PRESIDENT: | Bill McMichael | n116bm at yahoo dot com | (503) 364-8898 |
| SECRETARY: | Mike Pongracz | Pongracz at ashcreekwireless dot com | (503) 606-9767 |
| TREASURER: | Bob Schwarzler | ES-FSR at pioneer dot net | (541) 487-7229 |
| WEBMASTER: | Karen Brown | eaa292 at ashcreekwireless dot com | (503) 838-4146 |
| NEWSLETTER EDITOR: | Dave Martin | windwing1 at juno dot com | (503) 838-2131 |
| HANGAR MANAGER: | Roger Vasend | rvasend at outdrs dot net | (503) 743-4327 |
| ASSISTANT HANGAR MANAGER: | Jerry Medlock | medlockj at teleport dot com | (503) 838-2902 |
| TECHNICAL COUNSELOR & FLIGHT ADVISOR: | Ernie Moreno | ewmoreno at worldnet dot att dot net | (503) 838-6878 |
| TECHNICAL COUNSELOR (Metal): | George Genevro | georgegenevro at cs dot com | (503)363-5032 |
| YOUNG EAGLES COORDINATOR: | Carole Gabel | gabelair at qwest dot net | (503) 838-3844 |
| MOWING COORDINATOR: | Dale Finberg | dalefinberg at aol dot com | (503) 364-7010 |
Executive Committee Meeting
EAA Chapter 292: March 12, 2005
- 1. Attendance: (9) Cleveland, Moreno, Schwarzler, Ruddiman, Guy, Finberg, Martin, Andersen, Pongracz.
- 2. Hangar Manager’s Report: Roger and Jerry couldn’t attend, but Mike and Bob reported on the progress of the south hangar upgrades. The wall insulation, sheetrock/plastering, and painting have been completed. Thanks to Dave Ruddiman and Pacific Painting for the beautiful paint job—for the cost of just the paint—and for the loan of the electric lift. Bob Schwarzler is finishing the trim this weekend, and Jerry will be hanging the new lights as soon as possible.
- 3. Treasurer’s Report: The General Fund is at $7,775 and there is $4,650 in the Aircraft Building Fund. Membership stands at 74/94 and equals 79% paid up members. Al Cleveland has sent a personal note to those 20 still delinquent in their dues.
- 4. Project Report: Moving right along. Hornet is waiting on final paint (4/9?) and engine run-in. The Indy Flyer should be starting on the fabric of the fuselage in about two weeks.
- 5. EAA Chapter 105 Restoration Project: The topic was to be discussed but was deferred until the April meeting. Bob Brown introduced the idea to help restore the Little Gee Bee (flown to Washington, D.C. in 1947 by George Bogardus, and accepted in principle to be displayed by the Air and Space Museum). Dick VanGrunsven is in charge of the restoration, and interested members can explore the concept at www.eaa105.org
- 6. Memorial Site: Our webmaster will be asked to establish a memorial site on our chapter website for members who have passed. Plaques and scrapbooks were discussed but eliminated in favor of the Memorial Site on the web.
- 7. Five-Year Plan: With the improvements to the south hangar currently underway, much of this previous discussion is now moot. Our aircraft building capacity is significantly improved with the completion of the rigging/assembly area in the south hangar. Similar upgrades to the north hangar will depend on funding and timing. It is important to see how these recent changes fit with the members and if they suit our needs as we envisioned. It is critical to keep the Aircraft Building Fund separate and functioning as a revolving fund. Other initiatives such as sponsoring a regular ground school in the main hangar are languishing for lack of a sponsor and someone to attend to the details. The executive committee is willing to approve this but lacks the man (or woman) power to flesh out and execute a full-blown plan.
- 8. Legal Eagle Sale: The Committee authorized Ernie Moreno to accept a bid of $3,500 from a current member for the Legal Eagle. This price is consistent with the advertised price to a member in an email announcement last September 4,2004.
- 9. Mowing Schedule: Bob Schwarzler and Dale Finberg will check with Tom Franklin as to our status this year.
- 10. Tubing Inventory: The existing stash was sold to Ernie. Otherwise these materials become something of an open bench stock, which is an untenable situation.
- 11. Donations Policy: All materials must be approved by the Hangar Manager or his assistant prior to donation. We have become the alternate disposal site for too much stuff, and we cannot afford to be buried in it.
- 12. Andy’s Announcements: Keith Crimins will conduct the Annual Proficiency Training (APT) session this year on April 16th in the Gabels’ hangar. We allowed our chairs to be used for the annual Memorial Day ceremonies. The ISAS Board has heard that the property owner west of the airport has filed a Measure 37 appeal. Andy will follow up.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Pongracz, Chapter Secretary
General Membership Meeting
EAA Chapter 292, March 12, 2005
Attendance: About 35 people attended the program. Thanks to Kevin Davidson for sharing the DVD on SpaceShipOne and the X-Prize! Dave Anderson attended his first meeting, and John Ousterhout was back for a visit!
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Pongracz, Chapter Secretary
Oregon’s Proposed Luxury Tax Targets GA AOPA has voiced its strong opposition to an Oregon bill that would impose a luxury tax on aircraft, telling legislators that general aviation in Oregon is used to meet the daily needs of communities and is a necessity, not a luxury. “In some remote areas of the state, general aviation represents perhaps the sole means of transportation,” said Roger Cohen, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. House Bill 3254 would impose a new, unspecified level of tax on many luxury items, but it would hit most of GA. Airplanes, gliders, kitplanes, hang gliders, sport parachutes, and sightseeing and recreational flights (the only services mentioned in the bill) would be taxed. Nothing in the bill seems to exempt aircraft that are used for vital services such as emergency medical transportation, search and rescue (CAP), business purposes, firefighting and security support.
AOPA says that this bill would hit general aviation hard if it became law, but the bill’s current version leaves blank the amount of the tax (a percentage of the purchase price). Collection would be the responsibility of “retailers,” who are defined as persons regularly engaged in the business of selling these luxury items. As written in the bill, sales between private parties and from outside Oregon would apparently be exempt. (It is unlikely that an Oregon law could force a retailer in another state to collect and forward sales tax to this state.)
The bill says other items to be taxed would include fur coats, snowmobiles, cars and trucks costing more than $40,000, real estate other than the primary residence, jewelry costing more than $1,000 and artwork selling for more than $5,000, sporting goods worth more than $500 and (get this) submarines. Yachts not designed to submerge are not mentioned.
Who is backing this bill? According to the Oregon State Legislature web site, the primary sponsor is Representative Carolyn Tomei of Portland, and cosponsors are Representatives Beyer, Buckley, Dingfelder, Holvey, March, Nolan, Rosenbaum, Shields and Witt. None of these representatives is from the Independence area.
Passage of this bill (if it ever came to the House floor) would require a three-fifths majority. Maybe this bill’s sponsors hope it won’t be recognized for what it is: a narrowly defined sales tax. Maybe it is a camel’s-nose-under-the-tent attempt to reintroduce that old topic.
