President’s Column
Hi Everyone,
Spring is in the air and so is my airplane. I finished my annual condition inspection after waiting on parts of course. (Tires and brakes were on order for about 3 weeks) I did a thorough pre-flight inspection making sure I didn’t miss anything, and I encourage all of you to do the same.
Looking forward to the Flying Start program on the 17th of May which is the International Learn to Fly Day as well as Armed Forces Day.
Also looking forward to the official kickoff of the flying season with the Cabin Fever Dinner on the 31st of May at Block Brewery at 6PM.
See you there.
EAA Chapter 1056 Newsletter May 1st 2025
We had a very good turn out this month with 18 in attendance
The agenda for this month’s meeting included the following:
Our visit to the Gilmore Museum
The Cabin Fever Dinner
The Zenith Flying club
The Flying Start event
The Zenith Builders workshop
Wake turbulence video
Gilmore visit
The chapter trip to the Gilmore Museum on April 16th was very successful. Participants were me, Steve Aupperle, Ron Stovall, Jeff Kemph, and Greg Lask. We were fortunate that the weather held off and we experienced a good day. Jim Smith, our former Chapter 1056 president serves as a Docent there on Wednesdays. He met us at the entrance and lead us through all of the buildings. Although I’ve been there several times, I gained a lot of knowledge about the museum and the displayed vehicles that I would not have known about without Jim’s experience. Every time we go, they are either expanding or remodeling something.
In the lobby of the main building, they currently have a display of vintage race cars. Very cool. The displays there change regularly. The last time I went they featured all the different Mustang models.
Since there are so many buildings or barns to walk through it was nice to take a lunch break halfway through the tour. They have a vintage chrome and stainless diner from the 50s that served burgers and hot dogs and such.
There is a small but significant Motorcycle building that we visited after lunch. During the summer almost every weekend there is a show of some sort. I’ve been to the motorcycle show and the British Car show that both draw large crowds.
Steve put together a Power-Point presentation for the meeting that included pictures of some of the vehicles and added stories about the founding Gilmore Family along with things that Jim pointed out along the way. He included a fun quiz for the group about certain vehicles.
Cabin Fever Dinner
As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, the Cabin Fever Dinner will be held at Block Brewery in Howell starting at 6 PM, May 31st. This year you will be on your own for menu choices. No banquet style like last year. We found that it is easier and potentially less expensive. We do have a party room reserved on the first floor.
The Zenith flying club
The Chapter endorsed Zenith 650 Flying club has finally reached its Zenith LOL! Dan Green has formed an LLC called 5 Star Aviation and the club has the needed number of participants. This is very good news. They have a flight instructor lined up for “type” training as well. (Phil Cook, Navion Aviation in Zeeland, Mi.)
Flying Start Program
The Flying Start Program date that we are hosting is at 9AM on Saturday May 17th. It features introductory flights for adults who have an interest in flying. For further information, see Flyingstart.org
Zenith Builders workshop
It has been confirmed that the Zenith builders’ workshop will be held at our hanger/clubhouse on October 10th, 11th and 12th. This is program sponsored by Zenith Aircraft that invites interested parties to build a Zenith rudder. Viking engines may also attend and support the event. The airport has given permission for attendees to bring campers and park on the Grand River side by the fence. I hope they fill the potholes. It’s truly embarrassing.
Additional Presentations
Wake Turbulence
Steve ran a short but very interesting video about different types of wake turbulence and how to avoid them
Tire changing. We saw pictures of what creative ways there are to break a bead on an aircraft wheel to change a tire. (see two-by four pry bars for further information)
There is also a special tool you can purchase at Harbor Freight specifically for small diameter wheels but what’s the fun in that?
Owner/Builders project updates
Steve Aupperle is finally back in the air after completing his annual condition inspection on his 750.
Gary Konrad now has 420 hours on his RV7, and he has been flying it now for 5 years. My how time flies! (chuckle) He has postponed his flight to Greenland until whoever does whatever. I’ll leave it at that.
Anthony Muldoon and Katelyn Brooks - The 172 is down waiting on parts. He hasn’t flown it since November. They are also busy with wedding plans. No stress there. Anthony a 727-flight engineer for IFL is waiting for his aircraft and destination to be back in the air. Katelyn is painting Falcon Jet parts for her job, also at IFL.
Jeff Kemph is load testing his wing on his part 103 ultralight project
Fred Liskovec is going to Terra Haute to do an airworthiness inspection
Ron Stonewall recently returned from Sun n’ Fun where he worked in the metal forming tent. He also recently attended the EAA leadership workshop in Oshkosh. He really enjoyed it. They got to visit the Sonex headquarters as did Steve when he attended.
Jim Nye recently returned from snowbird duty in Florida. Welcome back Jim! He went for a short flight in his RV9. He needs to complete a condition inspection.
Bruce Pratt took his Cozy 3 up for a flight and noticed high gear box temperature, so he landed to see oil running out from under the cowl! Yikes! Turned out to be a drain plug that had fallen out. He has since replaced the gear box as a precaution and safety wired the drain plug. A good tip from Bruce. Aluminum gear box case + cast Iron drain plug = safety wire.
Rick Hubert is offering rides in his Model A. I intend to take him up on that offer since he lives the closest to me.
We welcomed Larry Jennison back to the chapter after a long absence. He was one of our chapter’s original members and pre-dates me. I’ve been around 20 years. Wow. He is currently building a 1952 L-21 into a 160HP Super Cub. He has built an RV-3 and owned several other airplanes. He goes back as far as working for Spencer Hardy at the Howell Airport back in the day.
Chris Peretto was in attendance with his dad John. He is involved with the 5 Star Aviation flying club mentioned earlier.
We had two visitors Brandon Harris and his son William. William is a student at Crosswinds aviation on the field. Welcome! Hope they come back. I could not read the e-mail addresses they wrote down.
That’s All folks!
Respectfully Submitted
Kurt Immekus
Chapter Secretary
EAA 1056 Leadership
President: Steve Aupperle
(248) 830-8448
Vice President: Tom Evanoff
(517) 294-2538
Secretary: Kurt Immekus
(810) 287-8295
Treasurer: Rick Hubert
(517) 294-1393
Chapter at Large Officers:
Greg Lask
(810) 599-8653
Gary Konrad
(810) 923-3326
Jim Nye
(517) 294-2815
Newsletter Editor:
Kurt Immekus
(810) 287-8295
Technical and Flight Advisor
Technical Counselor:
Carl Franz
(586) 337-2229
Joe Skone
(517) 546-9916
Gary Konrad
(810) 923-3326
Flight Advisor:
Carl Franz
(586) 337-2229
