Here are the highlights of our chapter activities for the year 2008.
November Meeting
Our final official chapter meeting of 2008 was held on November 16, 2008; this was our election meeting. The following officers and directors were elected for 2009: Randy Berry, President; Jim Herpst, Vice-President; Libby Berry, Secretary; Leon Strock, Treasurer; Don Bledsoe, Director; Ron Lindsey, Director. We enjoyed vegetable beef soup and biscuits afterwards. Leon spoke about "getting back to the basics" regarding building and flying sport aircraft. He expressed the sentiment that the new crop of "sport aircraft" are much too expensive ... and there are many types of planes which can be built or had for much less. The attending members voted NOT to hold a December meeting (as is stated in our bylaws) in order to allow members to enjoy the Christmas holidays with their respective families.
Fall Tidbits
Our October chapter meeting went well, although it was a bit windy. After the meeting, Don Schmotzer gave us some safety tips and quotes to remember. Norman Davis and Kevin Bell came in Kevin's realistic looking Lamborgini kit-built automobile. Both Kevin and Eddie Price, owner of a new 1500' strip near Pond Branch, joined the chapter on that date. Luis Rodriguez flew his Kitfox down later in the day from his home near Laurens. We enjoyed pizza, and later popcorn, while watching the movie "633 Squadron" The primary entertainment ended up being the member "wise cracks" during the movie ... ala Mystery Science Theatre 3000.
On Sunday, October 26th, Larry Maner, Don Bledsoe (along with Joe Garner), and Randy Berry flew to Trenton and enjoyed chit-chat with some of the Trenton Flyers (see left photo above). Larry and Don had also visited the Orangeburg Airport beforehand. They have been making a number of flights together (in separate planes) recently. Larry has nearly satisfied all of the requirements for his private pilot ticket and plans to take his final checkride soon.
Keath Toney bought a Kolb Mark III during the summer of 2008 and has been diligently working on it and his trailer since then. He finally managed to get it to Lexington County Airport at Gaston (2SC8) on Tuesday, November 11th (see right photo above) for some ground testing. Randy and Keath took it down the strip several times and got the tailwheel up before a blown voltage regulator (and apparently shorted battery) ceased activities for the day.
VAA Chapter 3 Fly-In
The VAA Chapter 3 Fly-In was held at Woodward Field Airport (KCDN) near Camden, SC on October 3-5, 2008. The event was almost like a mini-Oshkosh with an estimated several hundred planes of all descriptions attending ... from ultralights to warbirds. Don Schmotzer (with Tony Gantt), Jim Herptz, and Leon Strock departed Pelion Corporate about 8:30am on October 4th enroute to Gilbert International Airpark (SC45). They then met up with Randy Berry about 8:45am above SC45, and the group flew east over Lake Murray Dam and then to Camden for the event. Ron Johnson had flown in a bit earlier, and Ray Ackerman (with wife, Laurie) flew in later in the morning. Don Schmotzer had flown up on Friday also. A lunch of hotdogs & BBQ sandwiches was served. The weather was almost perfect for the event.
September Meeting & Welding Seminar
Our September meeting was held at Do Little Field (SC90) on Sunday, September 28th. Everyone had a great time! We wish to thank Norman Davis and his neighbor, Steve Hawley, for holding a very informative welding seminar in which they demonstrated various types of welding, including acetylene, MIG, and TIG. Six members flew in for the event: Don Schmotzer (with Andrew Strock), Leon Strock, Jim Herptz, Ron Johnson, and Randy Berry ... and later, Bruce Harrison (who brought the food). Several members drove or rode in (Ron L., Tony, Keath, and Larry). Afterwards, we had hotdogs and chips, chili and cake (provided by Norm's wife, Sheryl), and soft drinks. We later enjoyed chatting and lounging in Norm's hangar. The guys saddled up and departed for home about 6pm.
Four Aces at Gaston
Don Schmotzer took this photo on September 4th of four Baby Aces aligned in a row. The pilots are (left to right): Leon Strock, Jim Herpst, Randy Berry, and Jimmy Berry. It was a beautiful fall-like day only a couple of days before Hurricane Hanna's arrival.
August Meeting
We had a good turnout for our August 24th meeting at Pelion Corporate Airport (6J0). Although the terminal was a bit small for our group, everyone enjoyed the air conditioning and some respite from the gnats. The business meeting began about 3:15pm, in which members participated in lively discussion. We discussed and took a vote on whether to hold future meetings on Saturday or Sunday. Sunday won out, but we decided to hold our next meeting on Sept 28th later in the evening (6:00pm) than previous and to show a movie afterwards. Leon Strock and Don and Diane Schmotzer provided a late afternoon lunch of bratwursts from the money which Larry donated. Don also fried homemade potato chips "on the spot". Other highlights included: welcoming back members Jim Summers, Karl Fields, and Bruce Harrison; welcoming new member Keath Toney; and Xen Motsinger's renewal of his medical certificate. Jim Herpst, Leon, Rodney, and Don flew their planes after the meeting, and a number of members hung around just to watch.
July 12th Supper
Chapter member, Larry Maner, donated $100 to the chapter for a supper held on July 12th, 2008. Thanks, Larry! Leon & Myra Strock, Don & Diane Schmotzer, and others prepared a delicious meal consisting of BBQ chicken, deep fried corn on the cob, potato salad, slaw, homemade potato chips, baked beans, two cakes, tea, and various other items. Ray Ackerman and Randy Berry flew their Baby Aces in for the event. Several others flew in at various times during the day, including a J3 Cub, an Aventura, and a visitor from Lenoir, NC, who came in a Maule. See photos above.
Independence Day Flight
Six planes gathered on the morning of July 4th, 2008 at Pelion Corporate. They then flew to Dry Swamp, Orangeburg Municipal, DoLittle, and back to Pelion. It was a rather unique gathering in that six Baby Aces (and one Taylorcraft) were present. Click the photo above for further details.
June Meeting
At our June 22nd meeting, we viewed a DVD presentation recorded at Carolina
Aviation Museum of Charlotte, NC of an interview with Mr. Murray Price, B-24
Liberator pilot in WWII. Mr. Price (who is now 87 and lives in Lexington)
had planned to be with us, but was unable to attend at the last minute due to
deteriorating health. Nonetheless, his tales were fascinating and enjoyed
by all. It gave us some inkling of what it was like to be a 22 year-old lieutenant in command
of a huge 4-engine bomber and 10 crew members under very stressful conditions
... for example, watching the
B-24 beside you go up in a "ball of flames". Afterwards, we also viewed an EAA introductory video of
Air Venture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin (which incidentally, is coming up July 28th - August 3rd).
Saturday
Breakfast
Our breakfast
event on Saturday, June 14th, went well. Fourteen members and guests
attended, and four planes flew in ... 2 Baby Aces, a Taylorcraft, and a Mooney. Later, a visitor
from White Plains arrived in his Baby Ace. We had grits, ham, sausage, eggs,
toast, coffee, orange juice and jelly. Everyone really enjoyed the meal and had plenty
to eat. Afterwards, several of the group hung around and chatted until
just before noon. Airport owner, Don Bledsoe, was unable to attend, but we thank
him for allowing us to hold
the event there. Left click on the photos below to enlarge them.
Cockfield
Aerodrome Fly-in
Seven chapter members made the trip down to Cockfield Aerodrome for their fly-in on June 7-8, 2008. Don Schmotzer, Ron
Lindsey (and son, Kyle), Leon Strock, Jim Herpst, Luis Rodriguez, and Ray
Ackerman (White Plains) flew down. Randy Berry took his travel trailer down, and
Rodney Dowdy drove down later that day. For further details, click on the photo
above.
Recent Chapter Aircraft
Several chapter members recently added or
changed aircraft. Tony Gantt just purchased this Taylorcraft
(far left) in April. Larry Maner (center left) purchased this Cessna 150M in
May. Both Tony and Larry have now soloed their respective aircraft. Jim Herpst (center right) just started flying
his newly renovated Corben Baby Ace in June. Ron Johnson (far right) has been
flying his Precepter Super Pup aircraft for some time now. Each of
these aircraft is beautiful and immaculate! Tony, Jim and Ron are private
pilots; Larry is nearing completion of his private ticket. Click on each member photo for more information and photos. May Meeting
The May 25th, 2008
chapter meeting at Lexington County Airport at Gaston was well attended (see
photos above). It was a nice day, and
several members flew in: Don Schmotzer, Ron Lindsey,
Rodney Dowdy, Norman Davis, Luis Rodriguez, and later, Leon Strock. After the
meeting, several members flew down to Barnwell, SC.
MAFSAC 2008
Several chapter members attended MAFSAC 2008 held in Lumberton, NC on May 16-18,
2008 . For further details, click the photo above. Sailplanes at Perry, SC
The region 5 sailplane meet was held at Perry International Airport in Perry, SC
on April 21-26, 2008. In April of each year, the privately owned airstrip
of Al and Rhonda Tyler near the small town of Perry, SC turns into a veritable
sailplane and camper city for one week out of the year. This small town receives
visitors from all across the country, as well as Canada and other countries. The
above photo was taken there on April 25th, 2008. Click the photo above for more
information. Also, to enlarge the photo, go to the HIGH FLIGHT page on this
website.
April Meeting
We
held a very informative and productive meeting on Sunday, April 20th. Rodney
Dowdy gave us an impressive demonstration on repair of a propeller using a
combination of superglue and baking soda. It's a very effective method of making
reasonably minor repairs on composite (or wooden) props. The reaction between
the two substances (one can actually see it smoking) makes an amazingly strong
chemical bond and repair. The whitish areas in the right photo show the repaired
areas. Flat black paint completed the repair. Then, Don Schmotzer spoke on
formation flying and collision avoidance. An interesting discussion followed.
Several photos are shown above of the event. We also selected an official
club logo ... the one shown at the top of this section.
Sun-n-Fun 2008
The aviation year officially began with the kickoff of Sun-n-Fun 2008 in Lakeland, Florida (KLAL) from April 8th - 13th. Several club members attended, including Ron
Lindsey, Bob Ethridge, Randy Berry, Don Bledsoe, and Tony Gantt. Luis Rodriguez had planned
to fly his Kitfox down but was nixed by the weather. Click the photo above
for more information. ELSA Deadline Passed The January 31, 2008 deadline has now passed for converting unregistered
two-place and "fat" ultralight aircraft to Experimental Light-Sport
Aircraft (ELSA) status.
Beware of buying any aircraft
which is NOT registered and does not have an "N" number at this stage
of the game. The only ways to get it registered now is to qualify for
EXPERIMENTAL (YOU must have built 51% personally) or EXHIBITION (very
restrictive) status. However, owners who
had paperwork into the FAA by that date may apply for an exemption granted by
FAA (through the efforts of EAA) to complete the process by January 31st,
2010. Click the photo above for details. (Note: Incidentally, I learned in an
AOPA sponsored forum at Sun-n-Fun that it is now a "CRIME" (not just a
fine or loss of pilot privileges) to fly an
improperly registered aircraft).
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