February 21, 2009

Meeting was called to order at the Ryan Field meeting room at 1000 by President Duane Boyd.

Secretary’s Report: Secretary Bob Miller briefly summarized the combined meeting and Pancake Breakfast of the Tucson and Casa Grande chapters at the Casa Grande airport on 1/17/09. The minutes of this meeting were published in both the SkyWriter and the website.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mick Myal reported that as of 1/23/09, we have a CD worth $3278.78. A Chapter 81 patch was provided to every member, either in person or by mail. Extras if desired will cost $2 each. Mick investigated Chapter 81 ball caps: expensive and, besides, everyone has a surplus of caps. We are temporarily out of name badges, but will have more by the next meeting. Some folks are paying Chapter dues in advance; so far, 77 members are paid up to date.

Old Business: Vice President Hal Burlingame informed us that the Pancake Breakfast made $350, $200 after expenses, ½ of which went to Chapter 1145.

New Business: President Boyd was given some aviation-related items by a chapter member who was unable to attend the meeting. These were given away as door prizes during the meeting. Chapter member Bob Masterson had passed away; in lieu of flowers, it was suggested that a contribution be made to the Young Eagles program. Pima Air and Space Museum was having a presentation on February 21 and 22 on the SR71 Blackbird, the world’s fastest airplane (mach 3+). The Golden West Fly-In will be held in Lincoln, CA on June 12-14. Joe Seibold is soliciting entries for his Personalities and Projects file, to be featured in the meeting room and also to appear in the newsletter. He will be at Ryan Field Saturday February 28 at 1000 to take photos of your project. He can do the profile by phone interview, and provide a copy of the photo to you. Joe also has a 20 foot flatbed trailer that needs to be re-decked. Hal Burlingame offered the use of his shop for workspace. Webmaster Bruce Noon is soliciting photos for the webpage. Newsletter publisher Erik Fjerstad suggests/requests that members take the newsletter by E-mail; it is in a format that one can print out if one prefers to read it off paper. This will save the chapter 50 cents per copy. He also is soliciting submissions. A member roster will be provided on paper at the next meeting, rather than by E-mail or on the website, because phone numbers will be published (SPAM danger). The postcard mailing brought several members and guests to this meeting. Gil Alexander informed us that Skip Walker’s Thunder Mustang is completed and has flown off 80 hours. Ed Justice informed us that IATA will be auctioning off everything, including office equipment, planes, and busses. Hal Burlingame suggests that we hold a Hangar Party, rather than a Pancake Breakfast; he will investigate airport restrictions on such an event.

Bob Miller made a presentation on a proposed replacement for 100LL: unleaded Avgas. In a nutshell, there is no reason that the same unleaded gasoline that is used for Autogas could not be modified to serve as Avgas. The added expense of replacing tetraethyl lead with another octane enhancer would be offset by the reduced cost of transporting and storing it (leaded fuel requires separate facilities for both).

Meeting was adjourned at 1110. Many of us then went outside to ogle the gorgeous F.8 Falco and Thunder Mustang on the pad.

Respectfully Submitted by

Secretary Bob Miller