Stick and Rudder - EAA 186

Thanks George!! by John C. Zinkus, Beech Sierra N18987

This article is about flying and some of the perils associated with this endeavor. Pilots refer to their autopi-lot as “George” and often state that “George” can fly the plane smoother than they can by hand. This “George” and autopilots are different subjects. This “Thanks George!!” refers to a fellow pilot who has a Beech Sierra like the one that I fly and we often fly together to keep current and practice. {Ed.: In over for-ty years of flying I’ve never heard anybody refer to their autopilot as George. This is new to me.}

On Saturday April 12, 2014 both George and I had signed up to fly “Young Eagles” as part of the EAA ac-tivity for our Chapter. We flew from Manassas Regional Airport just a short flight to Culpepper Regional Airport for the day’s activity. With a beautiful day and a lot of young children signed up for the flights we had a very busy schedule. At about 4:30 P.M. it was time to complete the event and fly home. Several of our Chapter pilots all met for a few minutes to discuss our activity and plans for our next event.

George taxied out first from our group and I followed a couple of minutes behind. As I turned onto the tax-iway for runway 22 at CJR I saw George sitting at the #1 position waiting for takeoff. Since CJR is a non-towered airport, pilots announce their intentions over the common frequency while flying into and out of the airport. As I continued my taxi to the run-up area I heard George call out, “Culpepper traffic, Culpep-per traffic, there are two airplanes on short final attempting to land on runway 22 at the same time.” I looked to the right of George’s airplane and could see the two planes with the lower plane, a low-wing air-plane, just about 100 feet high and the second plane just over top of the first. I called out on my radio for the planes to abort their landing but the lower plane continued. We were fortunate that the higher high-wing airplane broke off the approach and landing and avoided what could have been a terrible ending for a good day of flying. The low-wing pilot taxied in and called out a, “Thank you for the call on final.” The high-wing pilot also called “Thanks for the call.” He had not seen the airplane below on his approach.

As pilots, we all must do our best to always be alert and responsive to situations in which we have only sec-onds to respond. George Philipps, owner and pilot of Beech Sierra N63039, had a front row seat but was not a spectator. He was in the arena and made the call.

Thanks George!! Well done.

Newsletter Deadline Newsletter items are due on the first Wednesday of the month. Email items of interest to [email protected]. General meet-ings may be canceled in the event of poor weather. Call the chapter house phone (703) 365-8764 for additional information.

Inside this Issue

Thanks George .................................................................... Cover Directory Updates ................................................................. 11 News You Can Use ..................................................................... 2 Koehler’s Korner ................................................................... 12 President’s Column ..................................................................... 8 Classifieds ............................................................................. 14 Business Meeting Minutes .......................................................... 9 Calendar ................................................................................ 15 General Meeting Minutes.......................................................... 11 Who’s Who ........................................................................... 16

EAA Chapter 186, KHEF 10629 Observation Road Manassas, VA 20110 (703) 365-8764

June 2014 www.eaa186.org

A Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to the Advancement of Aviation Education, Homebuilt Aircraft, and Private Aviation.

Stick and RudderStick and Rudder

June 2014 EAA Chapter 186 Stick & Rudder Page 2

www.eaa186.org

News You Can Use We are sorry to report we have lost another former Chapter 186 member, Doug Nebert. Read here http://koin.com/2014/05/31/plane-crashes-in-toledo-ore-3-on-board/. Doug Nebert was the Chapter Secretary in both 2010 and 2011. He’s on our First Flight Board for his RV-10. He and his wife, Dee, moved to Newport, OR to open a successful Bed & Breakfast Inn where Al and Judy Sparks stayed for a short visit with them in 2012. Doug would join us at the Chapter breakfast at Oshkosh. Super per-son and great volunteer! Doug's family has asked that friends who want to express their thoughts, sympathies and condolences to please send them to:

Ms. Dee Nebert and Family c/o Tyee Lodge 4925 NW Woody Way Newport, OR 97365

Dates for the memorial services to celebrate Doug’s life have yet to be determined, but they are target-ing August 16 to occur in Portland, OR and Reston, VA. We’ll announce the additional information once it becomes available. If anyone would like to make a contribution, the family asks that donations be sent to two different charities in Doug’s and his granddaughter, Zoey’s, honor. Donations can be made in Zoey’s name to the Teddy Bears for Kids program, http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/site/c.elKSIdOWIiJ8H/b.8090883/k.6F4B/Teddy_Bears_for_Kids.htm. In Doug’s name, do-nations can be made to the Young Eagles program https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-education-and-resources/eaa-youth-education/eaa-young-eagles-program.

Doug the Fascinating by Rich Largent

{Ed.: Any theological overtones in this article are strictly those of the writer and his alone.}

Whenever you learn that someone you know or have met has died, the shock of it momentarily stuns the senses and most often leaves one speech-less, save for some almost embarrassingly obligato-

ry comments or observations. As your mind begins to right itself, one struggles to bring into focus the inescapable finality of it all. You search for words, comforting memories, and mentally transmit them through prayer in the hopes the newly departed will receive them and know of your sorrow for them.

I didn't know Doug Nebert all that well but I was fascinated by him. He became a Chapter 186 Board Member as Ginny and I were beginning to step back from Chapter participation at that level, but, nonetheless, he fascinated me. To the casual observer, he was the most laid back of individuals. He didn't seem to be the least bit interested in any-thing being discussed around the Board table. Look a little closer and it became readily clear he had the ability and capacity to take in and digest all that was being said, seemingly before most of it had even been uttered. He seemed to question every-thing, this proving at times to be a bit perplexing. But, if you took the time to get on his wavelength, you quickly understood the wisdom of his queries. In as few words as possible, he made you think and consider possibilities that would have taken others paragraphs to expose - simply fascinating. You could see he was always thinking, analyzing, com-paring and evaluating the pros and cons of virtually anything anyone said and all at the speed of light.

We watched as he meticulously completed his RV-10 in the Chapter's Builder Hangar and shortly thereafter announced he and his wife had decided to open a Bed & Breakfast in Oregon State. As odd and as radical an idea as it seemed, one knew he had already examined this idea from a hundred dif-ferent angles. Or, the reality of it all, after looking at it sixteen ways from Sunday, might have been it just seemed like a neat idea and they decided to go for it - fascinating.

Doug Nebert was probably the most casually intel-ligent person I have ever met. He never seemed to care much about anything but in coming to know him you found he cared plenty, he just didn't show it all that often. His eyes, however, would betray his somewhat laconic demeanor. For when an issue or idea hit home with him, they would dart from side to side, focusing momentarily on this or that person as if to visually confirm he alone understood


www.eaa186.org

the matter at hand. Satisfied his enthusiasm had gone undetected, a slight pursing of the lips would give way to the tiniest of knowing smiles and he would look down or away in contentment.

Doug was not a friend. He was not a colleague. We never flew together or actually ever discussed anything about flying. He was a builder, I was not. He was a fellow Chapter member and as such, we did share a common bond, that of a love of aviation and of those who fly. His life ended while flying an airplane. Some might say he was doing what he loved. What he loved was living and doing it such a way as to not waste a second of it. He embraced life as few I have known. That it has been taken from him, and his step granddaughter, is a travesty left for a higher order to explain. I'm certain he has already asked those questions.

Proud Papa by Dan Botzer

My son, Jamie, was my first Young Eagle flight. He commissioned in the US Navy (and graduated Virginia Tech with a degree in Electrical Engineer-ing) on May 16, 2014. He'll be heading down to Pensacola, FL later this year to start pilot training. He got the flying bug after spending a week at the EAA Air Academy at Oshkosh in 2009. Ginny, thanks for letting the Chapter help sponsor that for Jamie. It helped Jamie decide he wants his future to be in aviation.

Someone Wants to Fly

Do you love to fly? Would you like to share the experience? Why not provide someone with an in-

troductory flight though our EAA Eagle Flights Program! EAA’s Eagle Flights is a way to help an adult who has expressed an interest in aviation to get a free, hands-on flight experience. We need pilots to volunteer to conduct Eagle Flights. The pilot requirements and insurance coverage are iden-tical to the Young Eagle program. Our Chapter is conducting 1-2 Eagle Flights a month. The Eagle Flight program emphasizes quality over quantity, so we don’t anticipate requesting any pilot fly more than a couple of Eagle Flights a year. To volunteer, please contact Paul Schafer, our Chapter 186 Eagle Flight coordinator, at [email protected]. Please let him know your home airfield. We cur-rently have three Eagle Flight candidates and only one pilot has volunteered, http://eaa186.org/eagle-flights/.

Father’s Day Present Once a year we thank our fathers for everything they've done for us. But enough with the boring department store ties already! It's time to give dad (or yourself) something he really wants - an officially licensed EAA 186 50th Anniversary T-Shirt! T-shirts with silk-screened pocket logo and full-sized back logos. Preshrunk heavyweight cot-ton. Was $18, on sale for the month of June for $12! Contact EAA 186 Merchandise Manager, Di-ane Cole at dpcaml_at_yahoo.com.

Wings Over Manassas by Sandi Miller-Long

EAA Chapter 186 Wings Over Manassas is an ex-citing day of FREE aviation activities for kids ages 8-17. Ground school instruction, tour of the control tower and a museum scavenger hunt highlight this action-packed day. Your adventure includes break-fast and lunch, t-shirt, prizes, certificates, your own model airplane and a flight in an airplane or heli-copter. All of this takes place at the Manassas Re-gional Airport in Manassas, Virginia. This FREE event is limited to 30 participants. Visit our EAA Chapter 186 Young Eagles web site at http://eaa186youngeagles.org/#!/youth-aviation-day/ for more information.


www.eaa186.org


www.eaa186.org

CULPEPER AIR FEST TO FEATURE EXCITING 2014 LINEUP

CULPEPER, VA - Anticipation is building for the 15th annual Culpeper Air Fest that will be held on Octo-ber 11, 2014 at Culpeper Regional Airport. This free event will thrill spectators with performances by his-toric Warbirds, vintage aircraft, aerobatic performances and headlined by the world’s ONLY civilian owned and operated Sea Harrier jump jet that can take off and land like a helicopter yet flies at near-supersonic speeds.

Other performers include the Flying Circus, B-25 Mitchell Bomber “Panchito,” T-28 Trojan Horseman demo and introducing Jason Flood and his Modified Pitts S-1S, the RED GHOST. On the ground specta-tors will be able to explore fascinating aircraft displays, meet pilots and crewmembers, and experience at-tractions and exhibits designed to entertain and inspire the young and young-at-heart. Culpeper Air Fest is a fun, family-friendly and community-oriented event with something for everyone. We can’t wait to open our doors to our neighbors and inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals,” says Mike Dale, Culpeper Air Fest Chairman.

In addition to Saturday’s activities, the Air Fest will serve as a home base on Friday, October 10 for the ground breaking Potomac Flight, a unique flyover of Washington, D.C.’s greatest landmarks. For more in-formation on your opportunity to participate in this once in a lifetime event, please call 703-431-9611 or email [email protected].

Air Fest gates open October 11 at 8 A.M. Be sure to check the Culpeper Air Fest website (www.culpeperairfest.com) regularly for updated news and attractions. Fans can follow the Air Fest on Fa-cebook, Twitter and Instagram (#CulpeperAirFest).

Contact Kerry Ward for additional information at 415-580-2704 or [email protected].


www.eaa186.org

This is a fun aviation related get together weekend with proceeds going to offset van rental, meals, appear-ance fee and travel of celebrity, greens fees, donation to Bryce volunteers, movie screen rental etc. The $125 entrance fee should leave extra proceeds towards a charity. For more information go to http://www.golfdigestplanner.com/24830-BACSwing2014/index.html.


www.eaa186.org

June Meeting World record holder, pilot, author, and EAA Mem-ber CarolAnn Garratt will be speaking to EAA Chapter 186 on Saturday, June 28, 2014 about fly-ing around the world in a single engine airplane. Her first world flight in her J-model Mooney in 2003 took seven months. Her 2008 flight set a new world record by circumnavigating the world in eight and a half days. She has given the fascinating presentation about this flight to standing room only crowds at a number of venues, including Oshkosh and Sun ‘N Fun. Her June 28 presentation will be about her 2008 and 2011 flights. The third flight took eleven months with visits to over thirty-five countries including Madagascar, Jordan, Egypt, Thailand and Israel!

August Meeting

Esteemed author and retired senior American diplo-mat, Robert F. Dorr, will speak at EAA Chapter 186 membership meeting on August 30, 2014. The

experiences of American B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber crews - some of them different from what you might expect - are the topic of Bob Dorr’s presentation based on his book “Mission to Berlin.” Bob will talk about crew conditions aboard the B-17 and crew members’ battles with weather, tem-perature, flak and fighters. The focus is on how it felt to be aboard a loud, shaky, unpressurized heavy bomber in the middle of a war. The center of the story is the February 3, 1945 mission in which Lt. Gen. James Doolittle, Eighth Air Force command-er, sent 1,003 B-17s to Berlin and 434 B-24 Libera-tors to Magdeburg, escorted by 948 fighters after an unusual event that Doolittle never mentioned in his autobiography. Yes, you know some of this and you’ve seen some of it, but some of Bob’s content will surprise you.

Big YE Event!!! We have 115 youngsters who have signed up for the Young Eagles Flights on June 14th at Winches-ter Regional Airport. We generally start at 9 A.M. and if you can be there at 8:45 A.M. for the briefing that would be appreciated. Please let Ginny Largent know if you cannot make 9 A.M. We know that some have difficulty with that time be-cause of getting over the mountain. Please let Gin-ny know (glargent2_at_verizon.net) if you still plan to attend and if you can make the 9 A.M. start (or what time you can come), weather per-mitting. She will be setting up flight times with the youngsters, but needs to know how many pilots she will have. Lunch will be provided to all the volunteers. If you have a friend who can help out on the ground, please bring him/her along!

One Week, One Oshkosh EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 - the world's great-est aviation celebration. Warbirds. Vintage. Homebuilts. Ultralights. Aerobatics. We'll be there … will you? July 28 - August 3! It’s the planes that bring you there. It’s the people who bring you back. Reignite your passion. Oshkosh: You gotta be there! Get your tickets now at AirVenture.org/tickets.


www.eaa186.org

President’s Column by Danny Miller

My thoughts this month turn to the matter of what EAA means to me. As is the case with many, I was mesmerized as a small child by flying machines. There was nothing in this world that I could have imagined more fascinating, fun, and interesting than to take flight freely without the bonds of mechani-cal accoutrements to get there. Unfortunately, I was born with only the typical human scapula in my back rather than the wings that somehow I knew should have been there. Realizing that unfet-tered flight simply was not in my human genome, I began the life-long love of aviation and pursuit of achieving personal fettered flight.

I grew up in Riverside, CA where I used to frequent Flabob Airport, home of EAA Chapter 1. It was there that this passion was further cemented in my psyche, but not without a few distractions. Setting aside the typical adolescent male diversions of girls, motorcycles, girls, sports, girls, cars, girls, college, girls, military, and, oh yes, more girls (I’m seeing a pattern here!), as well as a few other life altering events, it wasn’t until sometime in the early 1980s that I joined EAA Chapter 14 in San Diego. I recall that nearly every member of Chapter 14 with whom I had contact was, compared to my 30-something years, a senior citizen. However, as I look back, they were probably all in their fifties with only a handful of the senior citizen variety.

While there were many, some with whom I’ve maintained contact over the years, there was one gentleman in particular who I’ve never forgotten. His final flight was in 2006 but Colonel Ben Hun-saker, USAF, EAA Chapter 14 founder, Director Emeritus, benefactor, writer, organizer, and a con-stant contributor throughout Chapter 14's history has left an indelible EAA mark on me. Colonel Ben had many flying tales of WWII, his many mis-sions over Germany as a lead B-24 pilot, his duties in Panama, Korea, and Vietnam. He worked in the Chapter after retiring from the USAF and was a builder of a Heath Parasol. Ben lived every minute of his life and shared it with all of us. But more importantly, he welcomed this young 30-something year old with the warmest of enthusiasm.

Colonel Ben knew his time was limited and the Chapter needed new members to keep the personal aviation candles burning. He saw in me an unbri-dled aviation enthusiasm available for exploitation and took advantage of it because he knew I’d step up to the challenge. I was never an officer nor on the BOD but I spent a lot of time volunteering for a variety of duties. It was also during this time that I began building my first plane, a Long-EZ.

Many Chapter 14 members of that time have taken their final flights, but these elder participants in the world’s greatest grass-roots personal aviation or-ganization taught me that one of the most important acts we can perform is to mentor our younger peo-ple. Most of us have done it in our professional lives, oftentimes without even realizing it.

Today’s aviation marketplace complains of a big shortage of aviation professionals on the horizon. There’s a strong laymen’s belief that general avia-tion should be more restrictive on light piston-driven airplanes. They also seem to believe that those who use the national airspace system should pay for it. This has become abundantly obvious in view of recent proposals by the increasingly igno-rant Obama administration that general aviation should pay user fees. Fortunately, the majority of our legislators are significantly better informed as they’ve chosen to either ignore or vote down Obama’s rhetoric. Aviation careers are truly boundless with a large variety of study areas from pilot, mechanic, fixed base operators, airport man-agers, air traffic controllers, aviation safety inspec-tors, aerospace engineers, and the legislators that help keep it all together, just to name a few.

So please, as you drive to the airport, if you see a child watching through the fence or a car in the viewing area with people watching planes taking off and landing, stop, ask a few questions to invite further aviation exploration. You may find several folks, child and adult alike, interested enough in aviation to seek additional information. Bring them closer, be a mentor, be a friend. Some of those friends will remain so for a lifetime.

See you all around the Chapter House, Danny – June, 2014


www.eaa186.org

Business Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May21, 2014

Chapter President Danny Miller called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.

Old Business

April Meeting Minutes - Mary moved to accept the April meeting minutes as submitted. Gil se-conded the motion. The motion passed.

By-Laws, 501(c)3 and Amendment Verbiage - Sandi told the BOD that the IRS letter to the Chap-ter confirming 501(c)3 status, Articles of Incorpora-tion, and By-Laws are now with lawyer, Milt Jones, for review. Diane suggested that we should also make available to the lawyer pertinent pages from the Red Book that contain past dialogue between the IRS and Chapter 186 concerning 501(c)3 status. Diane flagged the pages and Sandi will make copies and forward to Milt. The second issue for the law-yer concerns Virginia procedures relating to proxy voting and what constitutes a sufficient majority for various actions in the proposed by-laws.

Winchester Equipment Storage - Danny will gather a group of 4-6 volunteer Chapter members with trucks to visit the hangar at Winchester in June and remove/move/donate all EAA 186 items in that hangar. Room will need to be made available in the Chapter house, Builder’s hangar, and possibly the large pancake trailer for storage. Items we definite-ly want to keep include the big green booth, BBQ kettle, large tent(s), refrigerator and PA system. Unused cabinets and the brake machine may need to be removed from the Builder’s hangar to make room for these items. Announcements will be made in the 186 Blast and in the Stick 'n Rudder.

VP Report: Sandi Miller-Long - HEF and Fall Fly-In Status - Sandi submitted a copy of the profit and loss statement for the cook trailer at the HEF air-show. As this was a very successful event for the Chapter, we are looking for other opportunities to use this smaller cook trailer. The BOD was very appreciative of the volunteer turnout for the event.

Due to the possibility that the B-17 might visit HEF

in September this year as well as the many other scheduled aviation events in the area at that time, Sandi suggested we forgo the Fall Fly-In this year. She suggested, instead, that the Chapter hold a top-quality BBQ on the deck and Chapter membership Open House as a thank you to our many volunteers. The B-17 crew, if in town, will be invited to attend as well. Laura moved to accept a BBQ in lieu of a fly-in as submitted by Sandi. Mary seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Treasurer Report: Laura Hoover - Laura reported that she was surprised to see the water/sewage bill for March 6 - April 7 was exceptionally high. Dis-cussion followed as to what might have been the cause, with the leaking urinal as the most likely sus-pect. O.C. will provide a meter report to see if the situation can be resolved. Danny stated that he will contact Rich and ask him to take a meter reading every couple of days to keep a check on things be-fore future problems occur.

Laura also reported that the tax forms for 2013 have been filed.

Chapter House - Signs, Rules, etc. - Sandi and Danny suggested that we add "Flight Instruction is not permitted" to our Chapter House rules for insur-ance purposes. The list from EAA National of pro-hibited activities does not allow a Chapter to con-duct flight instruction. However, ground school instruction is permitted. The question arose as to what is a flight school, ground school, flight review, and flight instruction. Mary suggested we place the following verbiage on the website: "EAA Chapter 186 is not a flight school and does not provide flight instruction." Sandi agreed to add that to our web-site.

Merchandise report: Diane Cole - Diane stated that she would like photos of the recently donated items to the Chapter for identification and inventory purposes. These items are temporarily located in Rob Anderson's hangar. Diane will make arrange-ments with Rob for access in order to obtain the photos.

Sandi suggested we run a Father's Day sale on our 50th Anniversary T-shirts. Diane approved the sug-


www.eaa186.org

gestion and announcements of the sale will be made in the 186 Blast and the Stick 'n Rudder.

James requested a $150 budget to purchase small items to be sold or given to Young Eagles and/or their parents at rallies and other events. Discussion followed. James will contact EAA HQ to deter-mine if this would be allowed under EAA rules.

Tools, Security, HEF Liaison report: O.C. Baker - O.C. reported that all three of our major tools are currently checked out to various members. The BOD and O.C., who monitors this activity, are pleased to see these tools being used by the mem-bership.

James reported that the process to establish a VFR corridor at HEF continues. With the success of the program at Leesburg, it’s hopeful that this may be good news for HEF. James also suggested to Sandi that she look into having "essential" personnel from the FAA speak to the Chapter about the status of the HEF airspace and other issues that affect our Chap-ter membership.

Membership report: Judy Sparks - Judy made a motion to have a plaque for former Chapter presi-dent and secretary, Al French, be installed on the memorial wall at EAA in Oshkosh. Gil seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Sandi mentioned that she has new membership soft-ware for the website and if able to obtain a comma separated value (CSV) file from Judy's database, she will set up the membership directory on the Chapter website in the Members Only section. This should save the Chapter considerable money in printing and distribution costs. Printed membership directories will still be available for those who do not have internet access. Danny will work with Ju-dy to export the CSV file; the Chapter directory should be available mid June. {Ed.: OK, maybe July...or August.}

Judy suggested that we replace ten of our aged wood tables with sturdy plastic, folding tables. Dis-cussion followed about the variations in price and quality. James offered to research the price of ta-

bles and report back to the BOD via email as soon as possible.

Young Eagles report: James Sulton - James re-ported that the Young Eagles rallies have been go-ing very well, despite the recent bad weather, and that we have at least one open rally scheduled for each month for this year and several private rallies. The huge Young Eagles DARE Event at Winches-ter airport coordinated each year by EAA 186 mem-ber, Ginny Largent, is on schedule for June 14th. The Chapter's goal is to fly 1,000 Young Eagles in 2014.

Wings Over Manassas report: James and Sandi - Sandi reported that there are ten participants already scheduled for the June 20th Wings Over Manassas event, and eight for the August 16th event. She told the BOD that she has emailed press releases to sev-eral local news agencies and placed announcements on the Manassas Patch.

B-17 report: Mary - Mary reaffirmed that, while it looks promising that we might host a B-17 visit at HEF this year, the schedule for September is not yet confirmed. Mary will report to the BOD via email when she has a definite answer. Mary has agreed to speak at our July membership meeting about her adventures with the B-17 as a tour coordinator.

New Business

Deck paint: Al Sparks - Al suggested that we look into a new very thick paint product by Behr for the deck (BEHR DECKOVER Solid Color Coating). This product was suggested by one of the Chapter members and seems to provide excellent results. James agreed to do further research into the product and price cost. Sandi suggested some of our Young Eagle Hi-Fliers might be willing to help with the deck painting.

Roundtable

None

Gil moved to adjourn the meeting. Mary seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm.


www.eaa186.org

General Meeting Minutes Saturday, May 31, 2014

The May, 2014 Chapter General Meeting was held at the Virginia Fly In at Suffolk, Virginia airport. It was a great day for flying and two Chapter mem-bers flew in from Manassas (Danny Miller and Dan Botzer). Two other Chapter members attended also along with one guest.

Danny Miller called the meeting to order at 11:10AM.

Eagle Pilots: Danny said Paul Schafer was looking for more Eagle Flight pilots.

T shirts: The Chapter will have T shirts on sale for $12 for the next month.

June General Membership Meeting Speaker: Our speaker for the June General Membership meeting will be Carol Ann Garratt who will discuss her around the world flight.

Library Resources: Sandi is looking for a Chapter member with carpentry skills to assist in making shelves for the library resources. If you have those skills and can help please send Sandi an email.

The meeting adjourned at 11:20.

Directory Updates DID YOU CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL? Please ad-vise Judy Sparks (jhsparks_at_comcast.net, 703-590-9112) of any changers in your contact infor-mation.

NEW MEMBERS

Buchner, Mark 5358 Ravensworth Rd. Springfield, VA 22151 301-275-2476, XAF2FE_at_aol.com Ratings: ATP, A&P Aircraft: Cessna 150L

Mayer, Chris & Debra 9302 South Whitt Dr. Manassas Park, VA 20111 703-361-7139, mayhemxpc_at_live.com Ratings: ME, Comm., ATP, Inst., CFI

Aircraft: Cessna 0-2A, Based: Manassas

VA Festival of Flight Saturday, May 31, 2014


www.eaa186.org

Mostly Medical Matters This is a banner month for the Chapter. John Trollinger got his Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA, and as of 5/26 already had over 5 hours of flight time out of JYO. Meanwhile Amit Ganjoo moved his Sonex to JYO this month also. Both John and performed a “final” inspection of the Sonex on 5/26 and found a very clean aircraft. Hopefully, we found all the little nits, such as miss-ing labels, safety wired nuts, etc., so that the FAA inspection will go smoothly. With a little luck Amit will be flying by the time you read this.

There is another reason why the month was special for me. On Friday, May 16, I got the letter contain-ing my Medical Special Issuance, and on the fol-lowing Monday I got my 3rd Class Medical! The rest of this KK will be devoted to “lessons learned” in the process of getting my medical back. I know, I know, a medical brief is about as interesting as a safety brief, but I suggest that most all of you will one day face a serious medical issue that affects your ability to fly. So, try to struggle through this and be forewarned.

First off, what are the rules? When in doubt, go to the Federal Aviation Regulations. Part 67 covers “Medical Standards and Certification.” Subpart D, beginning at 67.301, covers the third-class airman medical certificate. I suggest you all read it. I don’t remember ever being given any instruction in the Part 67 rules at any time in any of my pilot training, even though it can deeply affect all pilots. Eligibility is clearly laid out for medical certifica-tion with minimum standards for eyes, ear, nose throat, equilibrium, mental, neurologic, cardiovas-cular, and general medical condition. Under 67.311 it clearly states that one cannot have a cardiac valve replacement, such as I did. Part 67 actually lists fifteen specifically disqualifying medical condi-tions. So, I could not be issued a normal third-class medical. However, there is an exception clause. Part 67.315 allows a person that does not meet the normal provisions to apply for a discretionary issu-ance of a certificate under 67.401.

Part 67.401 covers special issuance of medical cer-tificates. There are two types of waivers that the FAA can issue. If the condition is stable, such as monocular vision, a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) may be issued. A SODA does not have an expiration date, but may require a flight check. On the other hand, for a condition that can change, such as cardiac artery disease, diabetes, or substance abuse, a special issuance Authorization may be issued, but it will come with time limits that require airmen to demonstrate they’re safe to fly. An Authorization may be issued if the applying per-son shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Sur-geon that the duties authorized by the class of medi-cal certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period in which the Authorization would be in force. With the Authorization, an AME can issue an airman medical certificate valid for the time allowed on the Authorization. The special issuance Authorization Letter is issued by the FAA’s Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City, or possi-bly by a Regional Medical Office.

AOPA and the FAA have a lot of information on how to proceed for a special issuance. If you want details, go to their web sites. My cursory review indicated that I had to wait six months after my valve replacement before I could get the Authoriza-tion (different things have different wait periods). Also, by the grape vine, I was told that I could begin the process about three months before the end of the wait period. I had the operation on 3/2/13. I began by calling my AME and asking what to do. He gave me the number for the medical folks in Oklahoma City, (405) 954-4821. I called on 5/2/13 asking what I needed to do to get a special issuance and was told a letter would be issued. I finally got a letter from the FAA dated 5/29/13 and it was nas-ty. It demanded an immediate return of my existing medical certificate, threatening me with criminal prosecution if I did not comply! I sent a formal let-ter back with my medical certificate in it and also requesting a statement of what I needed to do to get a special issuance. Two months later at AirVenture I still hadn’t heard anything from the FAA, despite another formal letter from me. I chatted with the

Koehler’s Korner


www.eaa186.org

FAA people at their building one quiet morning and actually met with the Federal Air Surgeon, who was present. They apologized and promised a letter soon. As it finally turned out, a local friend went to bat for me thru the Regional Medical Office in New York, and an initial letter was finally issued on 8/14/13 listing the required information I had to submit. My response went in on 9/7/13, six months and five days after the valve job.

Unfortunately, in the process of having my heart examined for the treatment of the congenitally de-fective aortic valve the doctors found relatively mild cardiac artery disease (CAD). It was not enough to require bypasses, but my doctors felt they needed to put me on medication for it. This raised a red flag for the FAA and they asked for additional test information on the CAD. My doctors per-formed a series of tests, including a stress EKG. Due to the CAD, I had an abnormal EKG. Specifi-cally, a negative s-t of about 1.5 to 2mm, but the FAA limit is a negative 1mm, so another round of information was required. My doctors decided that the best long term solution was to put a stent in the third level vessel that was causing most of the issue. Unfortunately for me, the stent required another three month wait and another round of test results to the FAA. I submitted my fifth letter to the FAA Medical Division on 4/23/14 with all the requested test results. I fully ex-pected them to take a few months to respond. I didn’t expect anything until around AirVenture time, but on 5/8/14 they issued the Authorization for me!

So, what is the Authorization? Its offi-cial title is “Authorization for AME Assisted Special Issuance of Medical Certification.” I had to take it to my local AME for a third-class medical exam. The Authorization requires I submit various test data to the AME each year to renew or extend the medi-cal certificate. These test results, such as an EKG, stress test, and echocardio-gram are all normal type tests that my cardiologist says I should do anyway. I will just need to ensure they are sched-uled in the 90 day period prior to the

renewal of the third-class medical; and of course, they must show no adverse changes in my medical condition. The Authorization is good for six years, and should be renewable in a straightforward man-ner; again, if there are no adverse developments. So, while the process is cumbersome and bureau-cratic, it does work. If you have to go through it, I suggest using the AOPA and/or EAA assistance programs.

I have a couple of final thoughts. Remember that 61.53 states that we must abide by the rules associ-ated with a medical deficiency, medication, or treat-ment. My initial call to Oklahoma City resulted in a denial of my medical certificate, so I did not have the option of going Light Sport at some point. While I think it is better to work within the rules than to try to sneak around behind them, my option was to never talk to the FAA and fly LSA, remem-bering 61.53. On the other hand, I’m told that less than 1% of the requests for Authorizations are ulti-mately denied. So, persevere if you have a medical issue and there is a ray of hope in resolving it!

Hope this little discussion helps you keep building and flying your bird.

Dick 6/2014


www.eaa186.org

Classifieds 1967 Beech Debonair C-33 N5454U - $24,000. IO-470K, 80 gallons, 3,269 TT, 1,829 since factory re-manufacture, 429 SMOH, 79 since chrome top O/H, 429 since prop O/H, IFR w/KX155s and Cen-tury IIB. Not in license, will require considerable work. Logbooks complete, clear title. Trailer available for movement to off-airport repair loca-tion. At HEF, tie down #119 SW in front of Chap-ter House. Russ Hall at hall_at_patriot.net, 703-754-0347(h) or 703-298-2886(c).

Continental TSIO-360 cylinder - Overhauled in July 1994 by Aerochrome of Norwalk, CA. It’s been kept in proper storage, has no corrosion and is ready for installation. I paid almost $600 for it. You can have it for $250. Contact Danny Miller, 248-756-8048 or danny.miller_at_n107sd.com.

Need a BFR? - Eric Puschmann wants to give back to the Chapter and this is his way of dong it. He’ll provide a free biennial flight review to active EAA 186 members. Please try not to overwhelm him as he has no interest in taking on students at this time. Contact Eric at puschy_at_aol.com or 703-435-3512 to schedule.

1997 GLASAIR 2FT - $55,000. Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 HP, Sensenich fixed pitch prop, 1,280 hrs TT A&E, compressions are all in the 70s at last annual 8/13. Bendix King KLN-89B IFR GPS, HSI, KX 155 nav/com, KS-97A com, KT-76A Txponder, Trio Pro Pilot autopilot, IFly 720 GPS to drive autopilot, receive traffic and weather from Sky Radar ADS-B receiver, Grand Rapids 4000 EIS, Dual P-Mags, wet vacuum pump, dual brakes, Reiff Hotband cylinder heating system, Temper Foam seats, heated pitot, extended wing tips, 44 gallons fuel, located at Franklin, VA, (FKN), call Dale at 757-876-0978 or f100f4f5_at_yahoo.com.

Rotorway Exec 152 - I have a complete project for sale. Built in 1989, flew for 100 hours, took a hard landing that broke one gear leg and bent/tore the tail boom. I bought the aircraft from a Chapter 186 member (through George Smith) in 1999, put on new style landing gear and welded in the newer

frame braces. Then I had kids and it sat for 13 years. I don’t have time to put it back together. So, it's time to let someone else get this whirlybird back in the air. I have about $13,000 in it. Make a rea-sonable offer. Pete Kurzenhauser, (m) 703-772-5515, (w) 703-613-0961, (h) 703-759-4413. Locat-ed in Great Falls, VA.

Sandra Miller-Long

Sandra_at_WunderWebs.com 248.756.8047


www.eaa186.org

2014 CALENDAR Date Event/Location Contact Remarks

June Sun, 1 8 - 4

Virginia Regional Festival of Flight Suffolk, VA

Judy Sparks

Sat. 14 10 A.M.

D.A.R.E. Event (OKV) Ginny Largent, 540-868-2698 glargent2_at_verizon.net

Frederick County D.A.R.E. Program (150 Kids)

Sat. 21 10 - 4

Wings Over Manassas James Sulton, 510-384-7286 james_at_aviationed.net

Young Eagle Rally to follow event

Wed 25 7 P.M.

Chapter Business Meeting Danny Miller president_at_eaa186.org 248-756-8048

Sat, 28 10 A.M

General Meeting Chapter House

Sandi Miller-Long vicepresident_at_eaa186.org

July Sat. 12

Rain date: 19 10 A.M.

YE rally, Chapter house Open Rally (KHEF)

James Sulton, 510-384-7286 james_at_aviationed.net

Open Rally (pre-registration required)

Wed 16 7 P.M.


Sat, 19 10 A.M



28-31 All day

AirVenture 2014 EAA

August 1-3

All day AirVenture EAA

Sat. 9 Rain date: 16

10 A.M.




Sat. 16 10 - 4

Wings Over Manassas James Sulton, 510-384-7286 james_at_aviationed.net

Young Eagle Rally to follow event

Wed 27 7 P.M.


Sat, 30 10 A.M



September Sat. 13





Wed 24 7 P.M.


Sat, 27 10 A.M



October Sat. 11





Wed 22 7 P.M.


Sat, 25 10 A.M



Stick and Rudder - EAA 186

Documents