Kettle Moraine EAA Chapter 1158
West Bend, Wisconsin, USA

Newsletter
Sectional
Vol. 5 No. 3 - May/June 2000
Available in full color at http://eaa1158.freeservers.com/
In this issue...
Upcoming Chapter Events
Saturday, May 6th, Food at High Noon - Cookout with Warbird Squadron 6
CFI Notes - Can You Trust Your Altimeter?
President's Update - Special Interest Groups Wanted
Board Meeting Minutes - April
Sunday, May 21st, 4pm - Family Social Evening
Membership Report - Two new members
Facility Update - Chapter 1158 Facility is nearly complete
Young Eagle Information - Cheap AVGAS if you fly Young Eagles
Air Camp is coming!
Classifieds - Special offer from Herb Baker
On the Fly - Who were the first pilots to fly in Wisconsin?
Chapter Calendar
Officers, Teams, Committees

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Upcoming Chapter Events
5/6 Sat. Noon Cookout with Warbird Squadron (See article below for details)
5/17 Wed. 7pm Internet / Intranet options
5/21 Sunday 4pm Family Social Evening (See article for details)
6/21 Wed. 7pm Remote Control Aircraft
See the Chapter Calendar section for full details.
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Saturday, May 6th, Food at High Noon
by Ron Champeny
Cookout with Warbird Squadron 6

Squadron 6 has volunteered to do the cooking. Please bring a dish or dessert to pass. It is possible that a number of warbirds may be in attendance as Squadron 6 will have a meeting at our hangar beginning at 10 am. Squadron 6 is the Wisconsin Warbird Chapter of EAA. We are also scheduled to fly Young Eagles that morning. In the afternoon, Chapter 1158 will host an open house for anyone interested in seeing our new facility. The open house is set for 1-4 pm. Refreshments will be served. Please pass the word, everyone is welcome! Please call Ron Champeny if you have any questions.
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CFI Notes
by Paul Lupton

Can You Trust Your Altimeter?

Photo #1
Photo #2
Photo #3
If you're like most of us you put a lot of faith in your airplane and its instruments. If your oil pressure gauge is off by a few pounds will you really know and will it matter? If your vertical speed indicator reads high by a hundred feet will you know? If you did know will you fly any differently? However if your altimeter or encoding transponder are off by a couple hundred feet and you don't know, can it be a problem? Think about it. VFR cruising altitudes, traffic patterns, ATC traffic advisories. Collision avoidance systems all rely on accurate altimeters and transponders. The FAA is no slouch when it comes to making rules. Almost 800 pages of FAR/AIM is testimony to the FAA's thoroughness in trying to cover all the bases. A quick check of FAR 91.215, 91.411, and 91.411 reveals that if you wish to fly IFR, climb above 10,000 feet, or even enter Class A, B or C airspace VFR you must have your system "tested, inspected, and found to be in compliance". This is not just at the time of manufacture but every 24 calendar months. Your mechanic is not responsible for this chore, you are.
What's involved? Actually it's an interesting process. Recently we needed our Skyhawk inspected and took it to Skycom at Timmerman. What promised to be a two to three hour job turned out to be nearly all day due to a leaky static port and a bad blind encoder, but that's another story. Generally the process involves removing the altimeter and bench testing it. Photo #1 shows Pete Halbauer, owner of Skycom, bench testing ours. The FAA has established very specific technical guidelines for making the adjustments. It's not unusual to spend an hour on the bench just tweaking the altimeter. Pete used specialized test gear that could send the altimeter to 20,000 feet or more and carefully recorded its indications at certain points. Even the discrepancy between a climb of a thousand feet and a descent of the same amount must be carefully measured and adjusted. If you really love the tech stuff you can look up the actual table of acceptable tolerances in FAR part 43 Appendix E.
Interestingly, the static system itself must be checked for leaks. Ours had a small leak due to a heavy-handed tech that had overtightened a fitting and cracked it! . Photo # 2 shows a small plastic "bottle" found in the static line that Cesssna and a few other manufactures use to trap moisture before it reaches any instruments.
Many general aviation planes use a blind encoder to send the altitude information to the encoding altimeter (sometimes referred to as a mode C transponder). This device is about the size of a small can of tuna and is hidden somewhere behind the instrument panel. It has no pilot adjustable function and does its job silently. It too, can get out of adjustment and must be bench checked. Photo #3 shows the belly of the aircraft with the transponder antenna visible. Nearby on the tripod is the test antenna that simulates the FAA radar signal that interrogates the transponder for the squawk code and the encoded altitude information. Naturally, the transponder itself can get out of adjustment and may need to be bench checked and fixed. The cost of this procedure is a $195 flat fee for a "normal" job. Repairs and replacements will raise this!
As we brought our plane home from the shop it was a comforting feeling to know that when ATC watched us we really were at the altitude they said we were at! We all know that if our altimeters drift off (you can tell this on the ground by setting the hands to the field elevation and checking to see if the barometric pressure agrees with that reported on AWOS) we can cheat a little and mentally add or subtract the error. OK, but if you get confused and add instead of subtract the error you will double the error. Now a 200-foot error becomes a 400 foot error! Imagine your surprise on a cross country as you confront IFR traffic coming at you that you thought was supposed to be 500 feet above you!
The moral: fly relaxed, get your system checked. The life you save may be your own!
4-18-00




President's Update
by Keith Brue

EAA Members

 

 

Special Interest Groups Wanted

 

As previously indicated, the next challenge for the members of EAA 1158 is the cultivation of special interest groups who will serve to provide the “spice of life” in our new facility for years to come.

 

Lets look at the calendar and figure out what could work

 

Today, we have:

1st Sunday Chapter Fly-out (passengers welcome) wheels up at 8:15.
1st Sunday Young Eagle Flights (May through September) 3:00 PM.
1st Wednesday Board Meeting 7:00 PM
3rd Wednesday Regular Meeting 7:00 PM
Every Saturday Breakfast at the Copper Penny (private room – good food)
Every Saturday “This Old Hanger” Day 8 AM till noon

As your president, I am going to take the lead and start the following special interest groups:
2nd Wednesday

Builders Club Night (7:00 PM – May 10)

(All members who are building or renovating a plane or are planning to build or renovate a plane are welcome to come and talk shop with your buddies)
4th Wednesday

Flyers Club Night  (7:00 PM – May 24)

(All members who already are owners or want to become an owner as part of a flying club are welcome to come and talk shop with your buddies)

FOR THE FIRST THREE MEETINGS, I WILL ACT AS HOST.

 AT THE FOURTH MEETING, I WILL PASS THE BATON TO

 A LEADER ELECTED BY EACH RESPECTIVE GROUP.

Anyone interested in starting a different special interest group, please call me

at 414-732-5356 or send an E-Mail to me at keith@westbend.net.

Keith Brue, President EAA 1158
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Board Meeting Minutes
by Russ Kaye, Secretary

APRIL 2000

Present: Keith Brue, President; Ron Champeny, Vice President; Russ Kaye, Secretary; Glen Brandt, Jim Dricken, Howard Kaney, Paul Lupton

The previous two months minutes were read and accepted.

Membership Committee Report- Howard Kaney reported 18 members dues still not paid. There was a meager response to the survey sent with the last newsletter. Proposed an Open House, May 6th, for people on the airport. Target 10 new members at the B-17 event. Goal for the year is 100 members.

Facility Committee Report- Ron Champeny reported the doors are installed. We are seeking trim. Looking for a 36 inch wide stove. Cabinets should be done by the end of April with donated materials. Glass wall going in a week from Saturday (per Glen Brandt). SkyCom is donating a radio and antenna for the building. Glen Brandt reported that Home Depot may donate items to finish the meeting room. Projected expenses- glass $1400.00, stove, countertops, carpet $500.00. We also need the sidewalk and patio, stove hood, air conditioner, and a master plan for the compressed air lines. Howard Kaney proposed we invite past benefactors to the May 6th Open House.

Young Eagles Report- Prefer to have the Young Eagle flights the first Sunday of the month beginning at 4:00 PM.

Smoking Policy- Based on the advisory vote taken at the chapter meeting there will be no smoking in the facility. Motion by Glen Brandt to accept, 2nd by Russ Kaye (5 yes, 1 no). Motion passed to have no smoking in the facility.

The By-Laws changes were discussed and voted on and passed.

Paul Lupton had a presentation on the Air Camp proposed for this summer. He suggests a fee of $120.00. Possible start-up cost to the chapter may be $840.00.

He also presented a picture for a possible Chapter sign for the highway which was tabled for now.

Howard Kaney reported progress on the B-17 event.

It was proposed that for uniformity the chapter patch should be placed on the right shoulder of the chapter jackets 1 inch below the shoulder seam. Passed unanimously.

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Sunday, May 21st, 4pm
by Ron Champeny
Sunday, May 21st, 4pm
Family Social Evening - informal get together for members, family and friends.

We'll fire up a couple grills for burgers and hot dogs. Please feel free to bring a dish to pass and your favorite beverage. We anticipate eating around 5:30 pm.

This will be a great time to meet new members and talk aircraft.

See you there.
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Membership Report
by Biju Daniel, Membership Chairman
We have two new members, Ross Larsson and Leigh Ullman .
This brings us to a total of 62 members who are current in their membership.
 Welcome aboard!
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Facility Update
by Ron Champeny, Facility Manager
Chapter 1158 Facility is nearly complete.
All projects are in high gear to get ready for May 6th when a noon cookout with Warbird Sqaudron 6 is planned. Also in the afternoon we will have a facility open house for family, friends and anyone interested.
We are still looking for a 36" wide gas or electric range (can be used). Most all of our other needs have been donated or are budgeted for purchase by the chapter.
Many thanks to all who have helped with this great project. If you would like to help with future projects, please just mention it to one of the chapter officers.
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Young Eagle Information
CHEAP AVGAS IF YOU FLY YOUNG EAGLES

With the spiraling cost of auto fuel, here's an offer that may make the cost of gassing up your plane cheaper than your car. Phillips 66 Company has launched a promotion which offers rebates of $1 per gallon for avgas used for flying young people through EAA's Young Eagles program between April 15, 2000 and April 14, 2001. To benefit from the program, pilots must find themselves a Phillips 66 FBO and make purchases with a Phillips 66 credit card. Beyond that, the savings will apply only to EAA members burning 100LL -- so you can forget about stuffing the neighbors' kids into the company jet for the next year's worth of business meetings and earning the rebate. For more info, visit the Young Eagles' Web site at http://www.youngeagles.org.
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Classifieds

EAA Members,

On hardware (hydraulic fittings, clamps, etc) as you need it, work from my stock/50% off Retail Contributions.

Herb Baker
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Air Camp is coming!
 by Paul Lupton
In case you missed the last meeting or haven't looked on our web page Air Camp 2000 will happen in our chapter facility July 8-13. In the interest of conserving space in this newsletter this is a brief summary of the event. We have planned for 14 youth ages 12 to 14 to spend 5 intense days learning about aviation, its history, and getting acquainted with basic aircraft flight principles and construction techniques. Your help is needed! Many of the volunteer slots are filled but many remain open. If you would like to share your enthusiasm and skills with tomorrow's pilots join us. Posters are up around town and at many schools. Al Price and I will be serving as program leaders but there is room for you. Give a call and get more details: 629-4445. THANKS!
Paul Lupton
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EAA members can now get weather at www.eaa.org
 EAA members can now access continual weather updates from FlightBrief.com in the Members Only section of the EAA website at www.eaa.org. FlightBrief provides key weather information such as satellite imagery, NEXRAD Doppler Radar, wind and surface charts, forecast surface charts and textual products, updated every hour.
An Internet-based weather and flight planning website, FlightBrief is the first complete online flight planning service for pilots and aviation professionals. More than a year in development, the service helps pilots prepare for flights quickly and safely. Updated on an hourly cycle based on 12-or 24-hour forecasts, the weather information services offered within the EAA "members only" site include:
National Infrared Satellite image, 1 hour update
National Radar image, 1 hour update
National Radar with Severe Weather boxes, 1 hour update
National Weather Depiction, 1 hour update
5,000; 10,000; 18,000; 30,000; and 38,000 ft Winds Aloft, 12 hour update
12-and 24-hour National Forecast Depiction, 24 hour update
12-and 24-hour National High Temp Forecast, 24 hour update
24-and 48-hour National Low Temp Forecast, 24 hour update
12-and 24-hour National Precipitation Forecast, 24 hour update
While the services offered on the EAA website represent a portion of resources available on the FlightBrief website, EAA members will also be entitled to a full FlightBrief subscription at a 10 percent discount. To access the weather information offered on the EAA website, a visitor must be a current EAA member.
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On the Fly

WHO WERE THE FIRST PILOTS TO FLY IN WISCONSIN?

Ms. Blanch Stuart Scott from New York, trained with Herring-Curtiss, flew a red Devil Curtiss on Memorial Day in 1913 at the Fairgrounds in Dane County.

Arthur P. Warner purchased a Herring-Curtiss 4 cylinder, assembled it, and flew it on November 4, 1909 near Beloit.

submitted: Ernestine Lynfoot
source: Forward in Flight by Michael Goc
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Chapter Calendar 

Chapter Fly-Out: 1st Sunday of each month, 8:00 am, West Bend Air (Mark Hanrahan, 243-3666)
Chapter Meeting: 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm EAA Chapter 1158 hangar
310 Aerial Drive West Bend, Wisconsin  Phone: (262)338-8411
5/6 Sat. Noon Cookout with Warbird Squadron 6 (See article for details)
5/17 Wed. 7pm Internet / Intranet options 
5/21 Sunday 4pm Family Social Evening (See article for details) 
6/21 Wed. 7pm Remote Control Aircraft
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Officers, Teams, Committees
    Area Code 262  
President Keith Brue 644-6944 keith@westbend.net
Vice President Ron Champeny 334-4309 champeny@execpc.com
Secretary Russ Kaye 284-3695 rkaye@execpc.com
Treasurer Don Shane 338-1537 cleanteam@nconnect.net
Board Members Glen Brandt 268-1648 gbrandt@execpc.com
Jim Dricken 334-9515 vanbeek@hnet.net
Howard Kaney 334-9451 hkaney@execpc.com
Dan Staehler 338-1351 staehler@execpc.com
Facility Committee:      
Facility Manager Ron Champeny 334-4309 champeny@execpc.com
Glen Brandt 268-1648 gbrandt@execpc.com
Tom Calenberg 334-0205 tjc@hnet.net
Marv Hoffman 675-6808
Howard Kaney 334-9451 hkaney@execpc.com
Russ Kaye 284-3695 rkaye@execpc.com
Jim Retzlaff 338-3728 jretzlaff@hnet.net
Fly-out Chairman Mark Hanrahan 243-3666
Historian Open Position
Internet Webmaster Steve Roensch 375-2228 sroensch@execpc.com
Home Page http://eaa1158.freeservers.com/
Membership Committee:      
Chairman Howard Kaney 334-9451 hkaney@execpc.com
Glen Brandt 268-1648 gbrandt@execpc.com
Biju Daniel 335-0947 bijudaniel@prodigy.net
Membership Growth Team Open Positions
Newsletter:      
Editor Dan Staehler 338-1351 staehler@execpc.com
Reporters Ron Champeny 334-4309 champeny@execpc.com
Howard Kaney 334-9451 hkaney@execpc.com
Publishing Team: Paul Lupton 338-1826 plupton@hnet.net
Program Committee:      
Chairman Randy Finco 377-9676 glps76@aol.com
Allen Bruggink 335-6459 allenb@hnet.net
Bill Groeneveld 334-9436 billg@hnet.net
Howard Kaney 334-9451 hkaney@execpc.com
Raffle Committee :      
Chairman Open Position
Printing Howard Kaney 334-9451 hkaney@execpc.com
Treasurer Don Shane 338-1537 cleanteam@nconnect.net
Recognition Committee:
Chairman Allen Bruggink 335-6459 allenb@hnet.net
(AOPA Airport Support
Network Volunteer) Jim Pieper 334-5856 pieps@execpc.com
Educational Chairman Paul Lupton 338-1826 plupton@hnet.net
Flight Advisor Open Position
Technical Counselor Bill Groeneveld 334-9436 billg@hnet.net
Young Eagles Gerald Zorn 626-8764 gene@hnet.net
Coordinators Sandra Zorn 626-8764 gene@hnet.net
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This and all Kettle Moraine EAA Chapter 1158 newsletters are provided for your enjoyment only. No claim is made and no liability is assumed, expressed or implied as to the accuracy or safety implications of any material presented. Viewpoints of the writers are not necessarily those of this or any EAA Chapter or of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Use of any of the material presented, whether by applying, copying or quoting, is done solely at the risk of the user.
© 2000 Kettle Moraine EAA Chapter 1158. All rights reserved worldwide.
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