Issue March 2012 3/4/2012 Oshkosh Sport Aviation Capitol of the World Oshkosh Sport Aviation Capitol of the World Oshkosh Sport Aviation Capitol of the World Oshkosh Sport Next Chapter 252 Meeting March 8 th Doors Open at 6:30 PM Meeting starts at 7:00 PM (Wear Your Chapter Name Badge) Sonex Aircraft 511 Aviation Road Wittman Regional Airport (East side) From Oregon St.& Hughes, take Hughes west to Red Tail Way, enter through the security gate. Sonex Aircraft is straight ahead. Snacks & treats are always appreciated! March Meeting - Aircraft Riveting- At the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting we will have a program oriented towards the technical, homebuilder aspect of aviation. Chapter Secretary Chad Jensen will be the speaker. Chad reports: For the March meeting, I will be giving a demo on riveting. I am not a metals expert, so we can open the discussion to the group if we would like to talk about the metal properties of solid rivets, but I plan to show different examples of the riveting process. I will show a couple of different types of blind (pop) rivets, as well as go over the types of solid rivets and the various tools used and needed for the riveting process. I'd like to ask if anyone has any riveting tools available (squeezers, both manual and pneumatic, blind rivet puller, bucking bars, etc...) to get in touch with me ASAP. The reason being that my wife and I just moved in to a new house a couple of weeks ago, my entire garage is still packed in boxes, and I have had very little time to start going through things (Brittne says the house stuff is first...). I do have plenty of rivets and some scrap metal to use, and I do know where that stuff is so I don't need to ask for that. If anyone can offer some tool help, I'd appreciate it. I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday for the most riveting session we will have this year! S. J. (Steve) Wittman Birthday Fly-In Breakfast - April 7 th - From 7:30 to 11:00 A.M. Chapter 252 will host a pancake breakfast fly-in to commemorate legendary pilot and aircraft designer S.J. Steve Wittman s 107 th birthday. This event is open to the public. Held at the Wittman Regional Airport Terminal building on 20 th St., the event features a breakfast of sausage, eggs, beverages, and all you can eat pancakes. Those attending can fly-in or drive-in. The cost is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under the age of 10. Contact Wayne Daniels (info on last page) if you are able to help. 3/1/1925 In 1925... Ryan Airlines begins the first regularly scheduled passenger airline service flown within the mainland United States. The service runs between Los Angeles and San Diego. They start with a modified Standard J-1, but soon build their own model Ryan M-1. The M model would be the inspiration for the infamous Spirit of St. Louis. WE NEED YOU! To help promote this event! Given the time of year good flying weather is always requested but not always granted (it is Wisconsin ). So, we may need to depend a lot on local attendance from drive-ins. PLEASE do print off extra copies of the event poster (see page 7), and distribute to any local businesses or other organizations that are willing to promote local events. THANK YOU! Page 1 of 10
2012 Chapter Calendar and Wittman Airport Events March 8, 2012 Chapter 252 meeting, Sonex Aircraft Aircraft riveting by Chad Jensen March 17, 2012 Light Aviation Safety Seminar FAASTeam & Michael Goulian EAA Founders Wing - FREE March 29, 2012 Board Meeting, Batten, EAA April 7, 2012 Chap 252 Wittman Birthday Fly-In Wittman Airport, Oshkosh April 12, 2012 Chapter 252 meeting, location TBD Antarctica Expedition, Paul Votova. April 26, 2012 Board Meeting, lunch room, EAA May 10, 2012 Chapter 252 Meeting, location TBD Window installation & Pitot/static Systems by Bruce Botterman. May 31, 2012 Board Meeting, Batten, EAA September 15, 2012 Chapter Fly-in Breakfast & Airport Open House Check out the event calendars at: http://www.eaa.org/calendar/, and http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/air/ fly-ins.htm 2012 Chapter Dues Renewal Send $20.00 to: Chapter Secretary, Chad Jensen 1035 E. Black Wolf Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54902 (309) 532-4347 taildragger7@gmail.com Dues are payable as of Jan. 1 st & must be received before March 31 st (to avoid being dropped from the Chapter membership). Welcome New Members! New Chapter members Mike and Audra Hoy s aviation interests span sport and commercial aviation. They live in Oshkosh and are active in the local Winnebago Flying Club. Mike began flying in Pontiac Michigan and became a flight instructor in Kalamazoo. He served as an airline pilot on Convair 580 s for seven years, progressing to Instructor Pilot and Check Airman before taking his current position with UPS as a first officer on 747-400 s based out of Anchorage. Along the way, Mike has gathered a whole alphabet of aviation titles, including ATP, A&P and CFII-MEI. He also has a strong interest in the low and slow side of flying. His first project was a plans-built clipped wing Cub. He is currently leading the group recreating Paul Poberezny s famous Mechanic s Illustrated Baby Ace and he is just getting started on building a Laser 200.aerobatic plane. That doesn t leave a lot of spare time, but Mike also manages to volunteer as a pilot for EAA. Audra is a cum laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and worked for a couple of corporate consulting companies before becoming the manager of the Oshkosh Convention Center. She has been an active volunteer at AirVenture for Project Status Reports Got a project? Send your updates to the Chapter Newsletter Editor. Pictures are welcome too! Tim Hoversten reported he picked up components of a partially completed Bearhawk, to add to his own project. He estimates this will save him quite a bit of time, shaving possibly a couple of years off of the project time. Mike Butler has his Piper J-3 flying again after performing a rebuild on the wings. Mike is also looking for a new project and is considering a few options at this time. Dennis Moehn mentioned his Zenith wings are coming along fine. Soon he will be attaching wing tips and moving them to a storage location to await the fuselage. more than a decade and frequently helps Mike with aircraft projects at the hangar. Audra recently soloed and she anticipates getting her Private Pilot license this year. Mike and Audra also have yet another homebuilt project started, although Audra will be doing most of the work on this one. This project, with a normal build time of nine months, is expected to leave its hangar in early September. Congratulations, Mike and Audra! Submitted by Fred Stadler A newer Chapter member is Brian Cooper (EAA #1036078) who lives in Oshkosh with his wife Joni, and daughters: Hannah, Abigail, & Sarah. Brian is a professional pilot in missionary aviation with the Wings As Eagles Mission Air Service, and holds Commercial, Multi, and CFII ratings. Brian reported that when he was about 12 years old his Aunt said to him, one day you are going to be a missionary pilot. Brian recalls that at the time he did not take her seriously. However, later while in High School he was attending a Kansas Highway Patrol Academy program, and got to sit in the right seat of their Cessna 172 as the officers demonstrated how they would monitor vehicles on the interstate. On the way back to the airport the pilot let Brian try his hand at flying, and after that he was hooked! Brian took his flight training at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. After that he worked as an instructor at Baker College of Aviation at the Downtown Airport in Kansas City. He also worked for Airborne Traffic Reporting in Kansas City. Brian s hobbies include hunting, target shooting, and reading. He also helps promote the EAA Youth programs by providing flights as a Young Eagles Pilot. Page 2 of 10
President s Message By Wayne Daniels Many thanks are to be had for those who either participated in or made possible Chapter 252 s Annual Celebration of Flight Banquet held on January 28, 2012 in the Eagle Hangar of the EAA Museum. Topping the list was Janet Davidson, who booked the outstanding venue, the beverage service (Fratello s) and the once again terrific caterer in Sodexho of Ripon College. She also collected all of the graciously donated Silent Auction items. Janet, Jane Smith and Terry Novak then presented all the auction items for banquet attendees to view and bid on...thanks to all who did just that! 2011 Service Award Certificates were presented to those present who served as Chapter Officers, Board Members and Committee Chairpersons. I sincerely appreciate the help all of those that assume leadership positions that keep Chapter 252 a successful and active chapter. No one person can ensure a chapter s success, so whether you have served in a leadership position, been a presenter at a chapter meeting, took a shift at the Aeromart tent, flipped pancakes or cracked eggs at our Pancake Breakfast - you played a part in our chapter success! Thank-you, one and all! In addition to the banquet social hour where friends mingled with each other and the service award presentations, John Monnett made the annual presentation of the Spirit of Elo plaque recognizing a chapter member who has made a significant contribution to grass roots flying. Beginning in 2004 with the presentation made to Munsil Williams, the chapter has now recognized nine very deserving individuals. This year at long last EAA s Founder, Paul Poberezny was recognized. Many would have thought that he might have been one of the first to be recognized, but even he knew that Audrey (2009 recipient) really kept the Chapter Board Meeting These meetings are open to ANYONE in the Chapter membership who is interested in attending. Please advise Wayne Daniels if interested. 2/23/12 Attending: Wayne, Randy, Janet, Jim, Al, Chad. Junior memberships, concluded free chapter membership until 18th birthday as long as an EAA national membership is current. Mass email notification of 252 board meeting approved. Banquet- discussion of the size of the event. Has been a community event in the past to bolster membership with a known speaker. Discussion about should it go back to being called a chapter banquet. Encouragement to bring a friend. Would like to plan to have the speaker confirmed by mid-year. Short discussion on future chapter hangar/development. No decisions or indepth points. Chapter flight training scholarship discussion. Deferred for one year. Fund raisers would be needed since Aeromart is gone. Could use the banquet for silent auction to fund in 2013. Harley-Davidson raffle was brought up. Would need a registered gaming permit to sell raffle tickets (vs. a sweepstakes). Other projects or vehicles could be used for raffles. Money to be used for scholarships. Randy will check on application fees. Newsletter content-chapter schedule, future presentations for the year. Janet to contact members on the roster organization running. Prior to the announcement of Silent Auction winners, our entertaining emcee Hal Bryan introduced the evenings featured speaker John Monnett. While expecting perhaps a bit of history of Monnett Experimental Aviation we actually heard about a very important item to any aviator s collection, that being a COMPASS! If you were there, you understand the significance. Finally, I would like to thank Jim Casper, Doug Milius and Randy Novak for assisting on the same morning as the banquet, the order taking and serving Subway sandwiches, chips, beverage and cookies to over 180 SportAir workshop participants. who have not paid. Booklets for new members with contact info for current members. Wittman fly-in- possible Bill Brennand talk with Jim Cunnigham, moderated by Hal Bryan. Respectfully submitted, Chad Jensen, Secretary First Young Eagle Rally for 2012 By Doug Milius Our chapter's first Young Eagle rally will be held in conjunction with the pancake breakfast on April 7th (weather permitting). In the past we have had an excellent turn out of pilots willing to donate their time and their planes for this event. We could use additional ground support to help with registration, the use of our flight simulator, and for airplane parking. If you can help in any way please let me know. This is a great way for our chapter members to show that they are truly interesting in fostering aviation to the next generation of pilots! Any pilots volunteering for flights should make sure you are current with all of the requirements to provide a safe flight for the Young Eagles. This not only includes your plane meeting all the necessary FAR's but also yourself in having a current medical and EAA membership. If you haven't flown for a while make sure you get out and practice a few touch and go's so that you are current and so you feel comfortable flying passengers. Our schedule for the morning will be: 8:00 AM- Ground personnel briefing 8:30 AM- Pilot briefing 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM- Young Eagle flights 11:15 AM- Wrap up and debriefing Any pilots flying Young Eagles can receive $1 a gallon off their purchase of 100LL by using a Phillips 66 Credit card. As the commercial goes, "Who wouldn't want more cash??" I am looking forward to this event and to meeting with the Young Eagle volunteers! Page 3 of 10
Chapter 252 Resource List, 2012 Chapter member advisors (aviation professionals, or experienced & EAA recognized), who will often make themselves available to provide advice to other members. Additional names may be added as they are confirmed. Technical George Donaldson, (Abbeville, LA) EAA Tech Counselor stormyusa@yahoo.com 518/461-6636 Lyle Forsgren, (Oshkosh) EAA Tech Counselor lands@northnet.net 920/966-0410 Tim Hoversten (Oshkosh) EAA Tech Counselor thoversten@eaa.org 608-617-7339 Chad Jensen (Oshkosh) EAA Tech Counselor (309) 532-4347 taildragger7@gmail.com Patrick Keesler, (Neenah) EAA Tech Counselor pkeesler2000@yahoo.com 920/729-5751 Joe Norris (Oshkosh) A&P, IA, EAA Tech Counselor tailwheelpilot@hughes.net 920/688-2977 Randy Novak, (Oshkosh) A&P, IA, EAA Tech Counselor classicair.novak@gmail.com 920/426-2763 Flight Janet Davidson (Oshkosh) CFII gbvfx@hotmail.com, 920/267-3205 Jim Kress, (Oshkosh) CFII jim.kress@att.net, 920/233-5660 John T. Monnett, Jr., (Oshkosh) EAA Flight Advisor john@sonexaircraft.com 920/426-5402 Joe Norris (Oshkosh) CFI, EAA Flight Advisor tailwheelpilot@hughes.net 920/688-2977 Owen Russel, (Butte des Morts) CFI, EAA Flight Advisor owenrusel@charter.net 920/582-4328 Medical Kevin Green MD, (Oshkosh) Airman Medical Examiner www.foxvalleywellness.com 920/922-5433 Chapter 252 Financial Summary As of 2/22/12 Provided by Al Follendorf Assets Current Assets (Checking & Savings) Checking - $7135.88 Money Market - $35, 138.42 U.S. Bank Aeromart - $22,218.22 Not Yet Deposited - $419.04 Total - $64,911.56 Fixed Assets Furniture & Equipment - $709.99 Pancake Grill - $877.96 Trailer - $1000.00 (est) Aeromart Parts Inventory TBD* Total Assets $2,587.95* Total Equity - $67,499.51* *Note At the close of Aeromart 2011 remaining inventory totaled $17,474.00 at original seller listed price. Some items have since been claimed. Re-inventory of remaining parts to be conducted prior to Aeromart 2012. Actual value the Chapter will realize may be considerably less. Survey Do You Own An Amateur Built Airplane? At his day job our Chapter Secretary Chad Jensen works as EAA s Community Homebuilder Manager. Chad has requested input from Chapters in an attempt to determine how many experimental amateur-built (homebuilt) aircraft are now owned by someone other than the original builder of the aircraft. Chad is requesting Chapter leaders answer this short survey on your chapter membership. Please drop a note to Wayne Daniels at wedan444@sbcglobal.net, or call him at (920) 233-0410, to report: 1. Do you own an amateur-built aircraft? Yes or no. 2. Are you the original builder? Yes or no. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this survey. Wanted Pictures of Your Airplane! The Chapter is planning to create a new page to display members aircraft on the Chapter Website at EAA252.org. Please e- mail a photo of your airplane or airplane project to Charlie Becker at sonex450@gmail.com. Chapter 252 officers did formally inform EAA that we would no longer be managing the Aeromart operation. H.G. Frautschy of EAA s Vintage division has advised us that Paul Kyle will be the new Chairman of Aeromart. Anyone with questions or those wishing to volunteer in advance for Aeromart can contact Paul directly at through his e-mail address at paul_e_kyle@hotmail.com, or by phone at (262) 844-3351. Correction In the last issue of the Pylon that was mailed out, I inadvertently referred to our own Janet Davidson, as Janet Green, by mistake. Of course, Janet D. caught the mistake! My apologies. I do know better. The on-line versions have been corrected. Page 4 of 10
Chapter 252 and the Wittman Big Bonzo Photos courtesy of Jim Casper & Mike Butler Recently I met with Jim Casper and Mike Butler to review an earlier Chapter 252 project; the recovering of the Wittman Big Bonzo, Thompson Trophy race plane - which resides in the EAA Museum. This year, 2012, marks the 30 th anniversary of the beginning of the Bonzo refurbish project. Bonzo, on the ramp in front of Wittman s original hangar. As reported by the EAA In 1934, Wittman set his sights on the famed Thompson Trophy Race, a pylon race for aircraft of unlimited size and power. Without any formal training in aeronautics, Wittman designed and built Bonzo, specifically for the Thompson Trophy Race. The design was dictated by the engine and Wittman s choice of engine was dictated by his lack of funds. He chose an obsolete Curtiss D-12 engine, the same type as was used in Curtiss-Schneider Trophy Race winners in the mid-1920s. Wittman s race plane designs emphasized light weight rather than sophisticated streamlining. Bonzo s fuselage was no larger than it had to be to hold the big V-12 engine, giving it an odd, angular look that the race press called a flying barn door. The wings, built of wood, did not have the strong, heavy plywood skins typical of race planes of the day. Instead, Wittman spaced the wing ribs twice as close together as in normal wing construction. With a doped fabric skin, the extra ribs gave the wings the strength needed at race speeds. In its first Thompson Trophy Race 19th Annual Wisconsin Light Aviation Safety Seminar 2012 Featuring Michael Goulian, World Aerobatic Champion March 17 th Oshkosh This program is a Wisconsin Light Aviation Safety Seminar and is sponsored by the local FAA FAASTeam in cooperation with the Wisconsin Light Aviation Advisory Council. Speakers include Jeff Taylor, Brian Meyerhofer, Frank Gatolin and Michael Goulian, World Aerobatic Champion. The program MC is John Dorcey. Same day registration is FREE, beginning at 8:00AM. There will some big ticket door prizes, and lunch will be available on-site for a reasonable cost. The following credit(s) are available for the FAA, Morning Sessions: Jeff Taylor, WI DOT BOA: Weather Wise & Pilot Smart. Brian Meyerhofer, Leading Edge Airfoils: Rotax Engines 2 & 4 Stroke. 12:00 pm Luncheon Break (available on site) Afternoon Sessions: Michael Goulian, World Aerobatic Champion: Safe flying in a high risk environment. Frank Gattolin / BobClarke, Aviation Safety Consultants: Fly that wing but know it. WINGS/AMT Programs: Basic Knowledge 3-1 Credit. When: Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 8:00 AM Where: EAA AirVenture Museum Founders Wing Oshkosh, WI 54902 On-line advance registration and additional information for this seminar can be found at: http://www.faasafety.gov/spans/event_details.aspx?eid=42236 1935 Bonzo finished second behind Harold Neumann flying Mr. Mulligan. Flying Bonzo cross-country to the 1936 National Air Races in Los Angeles, Wittman landed in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where an engine backfire set Bonzo on fire. The fire was quickly put out but Bonzo was damaged too much to compete that year. A year later, at the 1937 Thompson Trophy Race, Wittman flew a rebuilt Bonzo to the fastest qualifying time more than 275 miles per hour. He led the field for 18 of the race s 20 laps, until a rough engine forced him to throttle back and finish in fifth place. In the 1938 National Air Races, Wittman and Bonzo placed third and in 1939, in the last Thompson race before WW II, Wittman and Bonzo placed fifth. Throughout its racing career, Bonzo faced competitors with more horsepower and more financial backing, yet Bonzo remained a serious and respected adversary among unlimited pylon racers. In its final configuration, Bonzo could achieve 325 miles per hour faster than the fastest U.S. military fighter planes of the day on just 485 horsepower. Casper reported that prior to the 1936 race, the spring steel landing gear was installed. Wittman envisioned this as a desireable improvement, and patented the concept. Cessna Aircraft would later make the gear famous on it s line of single engine aircraft. Wittman donated Bonzo to the EAA Bonzo on outdoor display at a fly-in before the refurbish. Museum in 1959. It was the first airplane in the museum, and would remain on display for many years at the original EAA location in Hales Corners. By the time EAA decided to move the museum to Oshkosh, time had taken its toll and the finish on Bonzo was showing it s age. Continued on Page 6. Page 5 of 10
Bonzo - Continued from Page 5. In 1982 Chapter 252 took on the project of refurbishing the airplane to make it more presentable for display, with the goal to have it completed in time for the new museum s dedication in July 1983. The fuselage fabric aft of the cockpit was replaced, and all of the fabric on the tail surfaces and wings was replaced. Structural repairs were not needed, as the team found the tubing and wood to be in sound condition. However, some soot staining on the wing woodwork was noticed evidence of the 1936 fire. The tasks were split up, and work was performed in various locations in the area. Much of the fuselage work was performed in downtown Oshkosh at Joe Scheibinger s old Parkway Garage. At various times other parts could be found in Mike Butler s Members tear into Bonzo. George Rotter starts to remove the fuselage fabric. Under the stabilizer fabric - evidence the stabilizer had been used as a rodent pantry. Jim Casper and crew found out the prop was really stuck onto the crankshaft! home garage on Island View Dr., Bob Strehlows basement, Arden Hjelle s machine shop in Fond du Lac, and Wittman s home/hangar on Wittman Regional Airport. The team started with the objective to perform as accurate a restoration as possible, using Grade-A cotton fabric and butyrate dope. Butler reported that about 19 coats of dope were applied, and sanded, to achieve a smooth finish. The freshly covered sub-assemblies were moved out to Wittman s private shop where the parts were assembled and top coats of Red and Silver Imron enamel were applied. The final finish was going to be butyrate dope, as it was originally, but was changed to Imron after Wittman saw the recently finished Laird Super Solution replica, which would also be on display in the new museum. Wittman recognized that the original Laird airplane never had as slick a finish as the replica, and not wanting Bonzo to look any worse opted for the polyurethane finish on Bonzo. The team was not always able to work under ideal conditions. The Parkway Garage workspace was heated during the winter months with a kerosene space heater, and the final paint job was actually applied outdoors next to Wittman s shop. The Chapter members regarded the experience as a unique opportunity, and enjoyed learning some of the things that made Wittman s design styles and philosophy unique. The overall original workmanship was functional, with priority placed on structural integrity, and not cosmetics. The airplane was designed to go fast, not look pretty. Casper reported that like all of Wittman s designs it was an example of design efficiency, with no unnecessary Wing structure showing the heavy laminated spars and close rib spacing. This plaque was attached to the wing structure prior to covering with fabric. Fabric starts to go on the wings. Mike Butler and George Rotter work on wing fabric. Continued on page 7. Page 6 of 10
Bonzo - Continued from Page 6. components every part had a purpose. There were some unique design features, one being the method of how the wings were attached to the fuselage, or in this case how they were not attached. The laminated wood spars simply extended beyond the root rib a bit, providing a short stub that would nest with a simple square socket on the side of the fuselage. There were no attaching bolts. The tension of the Wings are stitched, clear & silver dope applied in preparation for the color. Bob and Paul Sonnleitner apply the final color outside Wittman s shop. Final assembly in Wittman s hangar, with Wittman supervising Grade A fabric goes onto the fuselage. There s always a comedian in the crowd. single flying/landing wires held the wings to the fuselage - simple, light, efficient. The engine now in the airplane is an incomplete core. Casper reported the original was removed when it was requisitioned by the government at the beginning of WWII for the purpose of testing propellers. Many Chapter members worked on the project over many months, one and sometimes two nights per week. The more technically experienced Chapter members naturally assumed leadership roles, and the younger members enjoyed the opportunity to learn from others while working on a piece of aviation history. George Rotter was the mentor for much of the fabric work, and Bob Sonnleitner the sheet metal work. Wittman would stop in occasionally to provide guidance and help. Checking it over Butler recalled what a unique experience it was to work with Wittman and listen to some of his stories about flying Bonzo and the Thompson Trophy Races. He remembers that sitting in the airplane was intimidating experience. Casper said he has always been a design junky, interested in the mechanics of things. He enjoyed listening to Wittman talk about why he chose certain design ideas. Casper reported that 15 Chapter members were identified as the key members involved in the refurbish process. Each of the team members received plaque/certificates containing a sample of the original Bonzo fabric. At the end Wittman hosted a party at his house to celebrate the project s completion. The 15 principal team members left to right: Back row: Jerry Schultz, Don Helm, Jim Casper, Tom Chase, S.J. Wittman, Joe Scheibinger, Bob Sonnleitner, Walt Warning, Ed Derus. Front row: Arden Hjelle, Tom McConnell, George Rotter, Bob Strehlow, Mike Butler, and Paul Sonnleitner. Not shown in the photo is Norm Sutter. Page 7 of 10
February Chapter 252 Meeting February 9 th offered considerably better weather than our last meeting, and the attendance reflected it with about 27 members and guests in attendance. John Monnett was once again kind enough to let us use the Sonex facility. Oshkosh airport resident Mark Lokken was present as a guest of member Wes Koplitz. Mark has been laying low for some time due to some health issues, and the meeting provided a good opportunity for Mark to get out and see some fellow aviators. Doctor Jim Syverud was present as a guest of Gary Geisler. Gary introduced Jim as a new partner in his Piper Sportcruiser, and Jim then announced that he was joining the Chapter that night! President Wayne handed out some EAA Chapter officer and advisor pins. This was something he normally does during the winter banquet, but at the time they were not available. Members were reminded that the April Wittman Birthday fly-in was only about 8 weeks away, and preliminary preparations were in process. Featured speaker for the evening was our Chapter Medical Advisor, Doctor Kevin Green, AME. Doctor Green provided an interesting slide show and narrative about the current medical requirements and the best practices we need to follow as responsible pilots. He referenced some upcoming changes that would affect the way the FAA processes medicals. He also spoke about the decline in the number of AME s in the industry, a fact that concerns him. The Times They Are A Changin Sure, maybe it s not quite as bad as it was when Bob Dylan released the album under that title (or is it?), but the FAA medical process will be entirely different for many of us in the next year or two. As Doctor Green reported at the meeting, the application for an FAA medical is available online via the FAA website. It s called FAA MedXPress, and he reports that after 10/1/2012 it will be the ONLY way you can fill out an application for a medical certificate. EAAChapter 252 - Airplane Spoken Here - As described by the FAA The FAA MedXPress system allows anyone requiring an FAA Medical Certificate or Student Pilot Medical Certificate to electronically complete the FAA Form 8500-8. Information entered into MedXPress will be transmitted to the FAA and will be available for your AME to review at the time of your medical examination. Once you have submitted the form on the website it will stay on file for a while until you visit your AME, at which time he will go onto the site to retrieve the information. There will no longer be a paper application. To start the process you will need to access the FAA site, and go to the Medical Certification section located under the Licenses & Certificates tab. After clicking on FAA MedXPress you will be instructed to create an account for your application. Creating the account is probably a good thing. Questions may come up that you are not prepared to answer? Having your own account will allow you to save it in draft form before actually submitting it. This will give you a chance to gather up information about doctor s visits you ve had in the last couple of years, etc. Once you are finished with the application, it s recommended you print a copy for your own records. Check it out at www.faa.gov. Page 8 of 10
Page 9 of 10
641 Bowen St. Oshkosh, WI 54901 Based in Oshkosh, WI A Part of the Aviation Community in Oshkosh and the Surrounding Area Since 1965 Join EAA Chapter 252 Membership $20.00/yr. New Members Contact: Janet Davidson, 2781 Fisk Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920) 267-3205 gbvfx@hotmail.com EAA Chapter 252 - Our Mission Statement A 501c3 non-profit social organization intended to honor the aviation legacy of S.J. Wittman through the promotion of recreational aviation in the Oshkosh and surrounding area. To promote aviation growth & safety through aviation oriented youth programs, public outreach, and member education. What s In It For Me? The opportunity to: Participate in a family oriented organization where everyone shares a common interest. Learn from your fellow members. To Learn More About Us Contact the officers shown below, or visit the Chapter 252 website at www.eaa252.org. On the website you ll be able to view our past newsletters, check out our calendar of events, and follow links to other related sites. Attend one of our monthly meetings. Usually scheduled for the 2 nd Thursdays at various locations. Chapter meetings typically feature guest speakers and other special programs of interest. President Wayne Daniels 3778 Red Oak Ct Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 233-0410 wedan444@sbcglobal.net Vice President Charlie Becker 3965 Sharratt Dr Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 426-1854 sonex450@gmail.com Secretary Chad Jensen 1035 E. Black Wolf Ave Oshkosh, WI 54902 (309) 532-4347 taildragger7@gmail.com Treasurer Al Follendorf 160 Adella Beach Rd. Neenah, WI 54956 (920) 422-0200 afollendorf@sbcglobal.net Young Eagles Doug Milius 1305 Maricopa Dr Oshkosh, WI 54904 (920) 231-9237 drmilius@sbcglobal.net Chapter Historian Jim Casper 99 Johnson Ave. Oshkosh, WI (920) 460-0858 C jmcasper@milwpc.com Membership Janet Davidson 2781 Fisk Avenue Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920) 267-3205 gbvfx@hotmail.com Newsletter Editor Randy Novak 641 Bowen St. Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 426-2763 classicair.novak@gmail.com Page 10 of 10