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March 2009 Chapter Meeting

The meeting of Chapter 890 was called to order by President Mike Atwell March 14 at Isbell Field in Fort Payne. There were 26 members present. Secretary minutes were read and approved after one correction. The treasurer report was read and approved. A member donated $100 to the memorial fund.

OLD BUSINESS:
Space Camp - Continued discussion on sending students to Space Camp or the Aviation Challenge in Huntsville, AL. Currently, only two had sent in requests for consideration. Roger Graham had presented us with a 50% discount ticket, and mentioned he could possibly obtain another. It was decided we would ask him if he could obtain a second discount ticket. The chosen applicants would be responsible for their transportation, and if requested we would assist. A motion was made and accepted for the executive committee to make the decisions on which individuals would be sent to camp, and give a report at the April meeting. A deadline for submitting requests to the executive committee for consideration was set for Friday April 3rd.

Cookout- There was a brief discussion on having the cookout at the EAA hanger on May 30 after our Fly-in Breakfast.

Flying Seniors- Before further discussion, it was decided we needed to check with EAA insurance department to see if they would cover the event since it is similar to flying Young Eagles.

User Fees- If you have not done so, please ask your representatives to support House Bill HR915 as it does not contain user fees. It was reported the new proposed budget has wording in it to possibly allow user fees in the future.

NEW BUSINESS:
DARE- No one was aware if the Sheriff’s DARE department is considering on having an event at the airport this year.

MEMBERS:
Scott Bixler – Passed his Private Pilot check ride. Sold his Buttercup project.
Jerald Smith – Flying the hours off his RV-9.
Darrel Smith – Flying hours off his Zodiac.
Bob Brown mentioned Scottsboro Fly-In, May 16, will have a Band in the evening.
Madonna & Barry Wigley – Spoke about their experience at the Flight Physiology and Survival seminar the previous weekend at Madison County and the experience of spatial dis-orientation.
Bud O’Neil – Still waiting for nice weather to fly his gyro. He reported on the PRA Fly-In.

Upcoming Events:
April 14-19: PRA – Benson’s Day’s, Wauchula, FL, (KCHN) (Popular Rotorcraft Association)
April 24-26: Sun-n-Fun, Lakeland, FL
May 16: Moontown Annual Fly-In
May 16: Scottsboro, Fly-In

Other News:

FAA Funding Bill - Sans User Fees - Passes First Hurdle
The latest version of the House FAA funding legislation-H.R. 915 (known as the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009) received a nod from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The bill would fund the FAA for the next 4 years and does not incorporate user fees. It is supported by most in the general aviation industry. Next in line is the House Ways and Means Committee, which has also supported FAA funding without user fees in the past. One fear is that the implementation of NextGen modernization could spur the debate to include user fees to help supplement the needed funds. Also of concern to opponents of user fees is a line in President Obama's preliminary budget that seems to favor adopting the fees beginning in 2012. (Flying Magazine - 3/12 www.flyingmag.com)

US Airways Hero Sullenberger Details His Thoughts and Deeds
In an interview with Katie Couric aired on CBS's 60 Minutes Sunday night, US Airways Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger eloquently described his thoughts and emotions as the drama of Flight 1549 unfolded over New York City. He calmly related how he saw the flock of birds filling his windscreen, too late to take evasive action; then felt, heard and smelled the results of the multiple bird strikes that disabled both engines. He recounted his decision-making process-first the decision not to return to LaGuardia Airport because he was too low and slow to risk a steep turn. He then described how he considered Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, but eliminated that as an option, saying that the consequences of not making the runway would have been catastrophic, to all the occupants of the Airbus A320 and people on the ground. He told Couric, "Losing thrust on both engines, at a low speed, at a low altitude, over one of the most densely populated areas on the planet. Yes, I knew it was a very challenging situation." On his decision to land in the Hudson: "The only viable alternative, the only level smooth place sufficiently large to land an airliner was the river." Describing his concerns about making the water landing, he said, "I needed to touch down with the wings exactly level. I needed to touch down with the nose slightly up, I needed to touch down at a descent rate that was survivable. And I needed to touch down just above our minimum flying speed, but not below it." And finally, expressing the confidence based on a 42-year career as a military and airline pilot and accident investigator, Sullenberger told Couric, "I was sure I could do it. I think, in many ways, as it turned out, my entire life up to that moment had been a preparation to handle that particular moment." To read more about what we have to learn from Captain Sullenberger, read the editor's comments at Flying Magazine. See the blog at
http://blogs.flyingmag.com/left_seat/2009/02/flight-1549-heres-a-lesson-from-sully-.html
This blog includes the audio recording from the tower - it has not been edited or condensed so expect periods of silence.

Click here to see a powerpoint that documents the events of that day (it is a big file so be patient).

From Our Members

from Nelson Jackon
A YouTube video of planes dancing to the rhythm of Jack Savoretti´s song Dreamers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dgNc5S8cLI

frugal flying
AOPA has introduced a new BLOG for the frugal flyer. Visit this link: http://blog.aopa.org/frugalflier/

Upcoming Events

Chapter Meeting - April 11, 2009 at 10 AM
The regular chapter of meeting of EAA 890 will be held at the Fort Payne FBO at 10 AM.

Young Eagles - April 11, 2009
Young Eagles flights will be offered on Saturday, April 11th from 9 am to Noon. Bring your young aviation enthusiast to the airport for a free introduction to the world of flying. Young Eagles that complete the orientation will receive a free flight in a general aviation plane and a certificate of completion.

Fly-in Breakfast - May 30, 2009
Chapter 890 will be hosting the next fly-in breakfast on Saturday, May 30, 2009. Breakfast for members begins at 7:00 and is open to all others from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM CST. Please contact Laura or John Bundy if you would be willing to help in the kitchen, or hangar cleanup.

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A website is always a work in progress. If you see errors or if there are additions you would like to see, please contact Laura Bundy (lbundy@kijikdesign.com). Photos and articles are always welcome.