Minutes of Meeting Dated, March 12, 2024
Submitted EAA Chapter 87
by Richard DeVito – Secretary
The March meeting was held at Brunswick Executive Airport. President Leo LeClair called the meeting to order at 1910.
The following members were in attendance:
Leo LeClair
Richard DeVito
Russell Keith
Dave Beemer
Charlie Gabelmann
Craig Wade
Camille Cyr
Marjie Waterman
Barrett Waterman
1. SECRETARY’S REPORT
Reading of the minutes from our last recorded meeting on February 13, 2024 was waived. They have been posted on the Chapter website.
2. TREASURER’S REPORT
There was no treasurer’s due to the absence of the treasurer. The treasurer did state by email the we can now accept PayPal and Venmo for dues payments and donations. He also advised he would like to propose in time, to move us to a credit union that participates in the shared branching system. University Credit Union that he uses does, and he has the requirements for us to establish an account. This would allow any of us to use a shared branch to deposit, withdraw, etc. IE Leo's check could have been deposited at a shared branch a while ago. Bath isn't in his back dooryard. Something we can discuss.
3. OLD BUSINESS
Leo reported that we have retrieved the Chapter scales and they are now stored in Russe’s hangar.
Leo also reported he had not as yet talked with Jay Hewitt regarding his offer to donate tools he used to build his Sonex plane. The intent would be to set up a chapter tool crib that Russ would store and members could access.
4. NEW BUSINESS
We had two guests at the meeting. Barrett Waterman and his mother Marjie. Barrett is 17 and attended to obtain an application for a Young Eagles flight with Russ. Barrett stated he had not flown in a plane Leo outlined the Ace Camp program for Barrett since Barrett was not aware the program existed.
In a later discussion, The writer proposed Noah Magliozzi as an Ace Camp candidate. Several years ago, the chapter sponsored his brother Austin at Ace Camp. There was some discussion of a $500 partial sponsorship but no vote was taken
Members also discussed holding a Young Eagles event at Brunswick possibly in May. It was felt we could have four or five pilots available. Russ advised we would also need two workers on the ground. No final decision was taken, and Russ will follow up on the event.
5. GENERAL
The trivia question of the evening was “What was the longest time for a single flight in a plane and what type of plane was it?” The members were able to identify the plane as a Cessna 172 but failed to get the time. In 1958, the plane flew 64 days, 22 hours, and 19 minutes covering 150,000 miles.
There was also discussion on the proposed FAA ruling expanded the Light Sport category. The proposed ruling would expand stall speed to 54 knots, allow controllable pitch props and retractable landing gear. This might allow use of some 4-place aircraft, but the single passenger limit would still apply.
6. PROJECTS
Russ Keith brought a temperature controller he developed to preheat is Vans RV-9A. He does not heat the cylinders, but has two pads on his oil pan and the controller maintains his oil at 55 degrees. He also has a dehumidifier system.
Dave Beemer brough in several parts from his Vans RV-14A kit. They included a bell crank and several pieces from his landing gear structure.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2010.
APRIL MEETING
The April meeting will be held on Tuesday April 9, 2024, at the Brunswick Executive Airport FBO commencing at 1900 hrs. The Secretary will not be in attendance.
Minutes of Meeting Dated, February 13, 2024
Submitted EAA Chapter 87
by Richard DeVito – Secretary
The February meeting was held at Brunswick Executive Airport. President Leo LeClair called the meeting to order at 1907.
The following members were in attendance:
Leo LeClair
Richard DeVito
Russell Keith
Charlie Gabelmann
Lincoln Benedict
Andy Roberts
Tom Muller
Craig Wade
Andrew Constantine
Ian Bugler
1. SECRETARY’S REPORT
Reading of the minutes from our last recorded meeting on November 14, 2023 was waived. They have been posted on the Chapter website.
2. TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported a January 31, 2024 checkbook balance of $5,050.15.
Andrew Constantine is working to digitize the treasurer’s files and is developing capabilities for accepting payments using Pay Pal and Venmo.
Andrew found a supply of decals with the EAA87 logo. He offered them for $1.00 each and several members purchased one.
Andrew has purchased rights to the EAA87.org URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
The report was approved as submitted.
3. OLD BUSINESS
Andy Roberts and Andrew Constantine continue to work on a member profile outline
The goal is to determine what is needed to get members to attend meetings. Suggestions included having a speaker or an A&P at the meeting, or possibly an outing to the New England Aviation Museum in Windsor Locks, CT.
Leo LeClair suggested we might consider hosting another Coffee and Donuts Day at Brunswick. The one we previously hosted was well attended and cost is minimal.
4. NEW BUSINESS
The State of Maine airshow will be held in Brunswick again this year.
Russ reported that there is a new flight school at Lewiston Auburn airport using Cessna 172’s.
Leo stated that the chapter scales have been on loan to a member since November and that member does not have an aircraft. Members agreed that we should retrieve the scales. Russ will pick them up.
Jay Hewitt has offered to donate some tools to the chapter that could be part of a chapter tool crib. Members voted to accept the donation and the tools will initially be placed in Russ’s hangar. At some point we need to assign a tool crib manager to run a loaner program.
5. GENERAL
Craig Wade has passed his private pilot written test and is currently training at Freyberg using a Vashon Ranger. It has a full Dynon panel and he finds it easy to fly.
Andy Roberts outlined his procedures for cold weather starts. He does not preheat above 20 degrees based on Lycoming guidelines. Before starting he applies ¼ throttle and pulls the prop through ending on a cylinder with lower than maximum compression. The engine has started successfully each time.
Andy also related that he was instrumental in finding a home for a derelict Piper Colt at Wiscasset. It has sat for 14 years and Andy was able to track down the owner who has agreed to donate the plane to an aviation group.
6. PROJECTS
Lincoln Benedict is installing a new battery box in the tail of his Glastar.
Andy Robers is planning a trip to the Bahamas and is working on a jacking system for his Glastar that will allow him to replace a tire if needed. The jack profile must be quite low and he is looking at a scissors jack.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2027.
MARCH MEETING
The March meeting will be held on Tuesday March 12, 2024, at the Brunswick Executive Airport FBO commencing at 1900 hrs.