Minutes Board of Directors Meeting
May 30, 1998 -- Meeting convened at 10:15 AM in the Training Room at New Market Airport. Present were President Joe Rees, Joe Parrish, Kevin Fleet, Ralph Vawter, John Ayers, Secretary Jim Kellett, and Maintenance Officer Bill Vickland. Linda Raney attended the first part of the meeting.

1. Linda Raney briefed the Directors on the status of the airport. She indicated that she had mailed out three prospectuses in the last week, and had shown the property to two visitors, She is encouraged about the prospects of a sale, and expects an offer at any time. She also indicated that the prospective buyers were all prospective airport owners-not those interested in converting the property to another use. However, she feels that a major obstacle has been and is the unresolved issue of State funding for replacing the fuel tanks. However, she described for the Board several best case/worst case options for various scenarios. She also indicated that it was not impossible that a re-negotiation with the IRS COULD leave the airport in her hands.

   Finally, she has been advised that formal approval for any turf runway operations is beyond the pale, posing a potential problem for the Club. We discussed the arrangements used at other airports with similar issues, e.g., Waynesboro and Louisa, and Linda indicated that she would consult with them.

2. Membership. Joe Parrish reported that we're averaging one new member a month, with no losses! At this rate we can attain our 60 member goal (we have about 50 now) by the end of the year. Motion Kellett/Ayers to accept Norm Crump for full membership-passed
   
   
3. K-21 Repairs. The Board discussed recent damage, perceive to be above and beyond "normal wear and tear", of the K-21 leased by the Club from Fred Winter and Bob Neff. After discussion, it was the Board's consensus that the Club pay for such "above and beyond" damage (defined by the Board), including two significant discrepancies. President Rees will discuss this with Fred Winter.
   
   
4. Maintenance Fund. The Board agreed that the costs of repairing the K-21 would come from the Club's Maintenance Fund, and that we may wish to consider increasing the contributions to that fund at a later date. In a closely related issue, John Ayers strongly recommended that we take such incidents as the recent damage to the K-21 as incentives to improve the procedures and technical fixes to prevent repeats of such damage in the future.
   
   
5. Pawnee Engine. Jim McCulley had recommended that we order a replacement engine for the Pawnee NOW to avoid delays with its replacement in the winter maintenance interval. (The Pawnee engine will exceed its recommended TBO before the end of the current season.) Bill Vickland led a discussion of several options, and made several recommendations based on his experience. Motion: Kellett/Rees: That the Club order a remanufactured engine now to be held for replacement of the current engine during the December maintenance downtime or after a major engine failure, whichever comes first. Passed
   

   Note Added in Proof: Subsequent to this action by the Board, Vickland determined that the estimates used by the Board in reaching this decision were much too low (E.g., factory remanufactured engine about $28,000). While the decision stands to plan for the replacement of the Pawnee engine during the 1998 winter downtime, the final decision on an overhauled engine (and by whom) or a remanufactured engine (and by whom) is still pending completed e-mail discussion by the Board.

   Bill Vickland agreed to inquire about competitive bids and the identification of a reliable mechanic to perform the swapout. It was the Board's wish that the engine be delivered directly to the mechanic who will be doing the replacement.

6. Pawnee/2-33/Hangar Work Party. -(Edited for brevity, see Ralph Vawter's report later in the issue.)
   
   
7. DuPont Regatta. Ralph Vawter reported on the progress of the planning for the Regatta. The Board agreed that the Club would "transfer" its normal operations, including our towplane and Club gliders, to Waynesboro for the event; Ralph will coordinate this with SVS and the FBO at Waynesboro.
   
   
8. After a brief discussion of the e-mail dialog on Bouchet's proposal(s), the Board's consensus was that our involvement should be limited to whatever resulted from her joining the Club.
   
   
9. Kevin Fleet reported that the Club's trailer had been sandblasted and primed, and was at Shane's shop awaiting Imron topcoating which should occur this week.
   
   

Maintenance Report
For those who were unable to attend either one of the two weekend work party days, it was a big success. A new tailwheel tire was installed on the Pawnee, the wings were sanded out, the ship masked, and the wings painted. It could not have been done without the work party. The turnout on Sunday was not as good, and had we had a few more volunteers we might have been able to paint the red trim on the wings and fuselage. However, the painting of the wings, especially the bottom surface was essential to ensure one or two more years of life before major rejuvenation of the wings. Kevin was observed upside down in the cockpit of the 2-33 for several hours. Thinking that maybe he was unconscious, I check him out to find that he had replaced the rudder pedal bolts, installed a repaired compass and installed a radio, battery, timer and antennae in the 2-33, by himself.

Charlie Shoenduby completed the annual inspections on the 2-33, and the sprite as well as three of the privately owned ships. So we are good for another year. The biggest job was the installation of the plastic sheeting on the ceiling of the two hangars. The next work party will focus on repainting the 2-33 and painting the trim on the Pawnee.

I hope that we get some help from the rest of the membership on these projects. Most of the help this weekend came from the regulars and two of the new student pilot members. Keep in mind that the greatest benefit of this club favors the new and less experienced pilots who receive instruction. I know of no less expensive way to learn to fly than that provided by Skyline. It would be great to take newly painted equipment to the DuPont meet later this year, but we can only do it if we have 100% support. Plan to spend at least one day on the work party that will be scheduled when I return. If we have a big enough crew, we can paint the Pawnee and still use it to tow, thereby permitting everyone the opportunity to fly. See you in August. I will leave for Harris Hill and the 1-26 Championships. They run thru July 8. Joan and I will vacation in the North East for two or three weeks, and will return in the last week of July.

Tow Pilots. Be sure that any Pawnee maintenance discrepancies are reported to a member of the Board of Directors. Do not expect the DO to pass your comments up the line.
-Bill Vickland

A Day at New Market
Saturday-June 13-was the first "work party" that I have attended since I have been a member of Skyline Soaring. It wasn't the first, just the first that I have attended. I think the board and Joe Parrish should be thanked for their efforts to organize this much needed event to service club equipment and assets.

The effort was divided into three areas-giving a face lift to the Pawnee, hanging plastic in the ceiling of the hangar to protect the planes from pigeon guano, and working on Miss Daisy. Bill Vickland and John Ayers put their talents to good use leading the effort on patching up the Pawnee. In the morning, they were applying patches to small cracks and dings around the plane. Late in the afternoon, Bill was spraying some ungodly smelling liquid on the wings that he described as a "softener" to the old paint. Jim Miles also lent a hand to the Pawnee effort.

If you ever wondered how someone would work on the pedals of Miss Daisy, you should have seen Kevin Fleet contorted down under the panel with his butt and feet sticking out over the seat. It was absolutely painful to view, but Kevin got the job done. He also did some work on the panel installing a new compass and radio. Jim Miles spent some time working on the wheel and brake assembly, so the next time you land Miss Daisy and put on the brakes, you probably will stop a lot faster that previously. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Many people put in some time hanging the plastic in the hangar ceiling. This was really a tough job and was only possible because of the generosity and support of Shane Neitzey. Shane supplied two sets of scaffolds, a gasoline powered air compressor-that was also mighty handy in painting the Pawnee-and pneumatic nail guns. Without those items, the job would have been impossible. The next time you see Shane, tell him "thanks"

To ensure that flying was still a possibility, we had Fred Bane fly over from Petersburg, WV (I believe that is where he is from). Fred agreed to do this for a minimum number of flights, which we were able to accomplish. I even saw Fred help move the scaffolding a couple of times. An alternate tow source is a valuable resource to the club, use it when you can.

At the end of the day, we rolled out the BBQ grill that was part of the Lisa and Tim legacy. We cooked hamburgers and hot dogs, had salads, chips, cookies and other goodies to share. Special thanks go to Malcolm Gardner. Malcolm couldn't make it to the party so he pitched in and bought the drinks that were so refreshing during the day and at the cook out. Thanks, Malcolm.

This is the kind of activity that makes the club really successful. To those who came out and contributed, thank you. To those who missed it, be sure to be there next time. In no special order, the following members participated or contributed to the effort: Spencer Annear, Piet Barber, Kit Carson, Jim Kellett, Joe Parrish, Ralph Vawter, Bob Michael, Bob Collier, Kevin Fleet, Greg Stanfield, Malcolm Gardner, John Lewis, Jim Garrison, Shane Neitzey, Bela Gogos, Joe Rees, Phil Jordan, Bill Vickland, Jim Miles ,John Ayres, Norm Crump. If I overlooked anyone, please accept my apologies and my thanks for your assistance.
-Ralph Vawter

Possible revocation of Kellett's Laws
While there is only an N=1, Wednesday June 3 provided some data to refute two of Kellett's "Laws of Aviation"

1. A bad day at the airport is better than a good day at the office... and
2. No matter what the weather looks like, by the time you get there it will be a flyable day.

So, with the passage of a big cold front on Tue night and the promise of NW winds most of the day on Wed, erstwhile glider pilot (JG) plans a diamond distance flight for Wed from Eagles nest (because I could be sure of a tow). Tue night, I moved AE to Eagles Nest, Wed morning dawns beautiful and the WX man says the winds will be NW to W all day and strong enough for running ridges. JG takes day off from work and gets Fred Daams to be OO. After the ususal preparations, AE is ready to launch at about 10:00 AM. Problem, it is warm and wind is good, but NO clouds. Well maybe it is a blue day.. AE launches on a wing and a prayer at 10:30 (need a long day for a long flight) and returns to Eagles Nest at 10:50 AM.. So, maybe the lift has not started yet. At 11:20, still no clouds, but hope springs eternal and we launch again. This time, back home pretty soon but manage to ridge soar the little hill on the 06 rnd of Eagles Nest for 1 hour and 15 min in hope of a thermal breaking loose. Nope After a while I have all the ridge soaring of trees practice I need and I land. About 2 PM Larry Burris manages a 30 flight in the Lark. So, while it was beautiful, all I did was get in two more TO and landings and a bit sunburned. On the positive side, I did help Fred do some things on his Grob. I would sure like to know when El Nino is going to be over.
-Jim Garrison

http://www.they'lltakecareofit.com
Try that URL? Right. It doesn't work!! Not a surprise. That's true at your Soaring Club, too! As the Chief WeekdayWeenie, I have the advantage of being there a lot--and have more of an opportunity than anyone else to see things that anyone else would miss. And while the Club is a LOT better (and I mean a LOT!!) in keeping its house in order than last year, thanks to the development of a trained and qualified Duty Officer cadre, there's still opportunity for doing better. Like everything else in life, you gotta run fast to stay put! We've had our share of unnecessary "incidents", and we've been just plain lucky on several occasions in not having had a catastrophe.

What follows are some suggestions for all our members-not just our Duty Officers-that result from the last six months' experience at the field:

1. In the six hangars rented by the Club or its members, there is nearly a quarter million dollars worth of equipment!! There are 24 hangar doors on those six hangars, and it's often necessary to open a dozen or more just to get one or two gliders out. At least a half-dozen times this year, one or more doors have been left unlatched or latched incorrectly. One good thunderstorm and thousands of dollars damage can be done! To YOUR gliders!! (And remember-at least one of the members' gliders in those hangars carries no hull insurance. Don't assume the risk the owner does unless you have DEEP pockets!!)
   
   
2. TAKE THE GARBAGE AWAY! At least twice, animals have ripped into food-containing garbage bags left in the hangar! It doesn't take a PhD to figure out how to dispose of a bag of garbage hauled home from the airport-what do you do with your OWN garbage?!? Do the same thing with the Club's garbage! It, too, is YOURS!
   
   
3. COMMUNICATE! Don't report a discovered aircraft maintenance discrepancy only to the D.O. or to Stacy or to El Presidente or to the CWW--TELL THE MAINTENANCE OFFICER! You have his telephone number, you have his e-mail address. (This is a Test-WHO is the maintenance officer?)
   
   
4. DON'T COMMUNICATE, DO! When you find something like (a) not enough gas for the club car (b) no garbage bags (c) no ice or water in the Club cooler (d) no paper towels (e) a plane that needs washing (f) a jammed hangar door (g) long grass around the Club hangar (h) anything remotely similar to these examples, don't COMMUNICATE the problem to someone else--FIX IT!! That's what DUTY means in DUTY Officer!! Put the receipt for what you buy in the DO envelope that you submit for that day!!
   
   
5. LEARN and follow the basic "rules", such as how to move the planes and how to open and close the hangar doors and how to fill in a duty sheet correctly and how to keep the Club's hand-held radio batteries charged. So far this year, over $1000 damage has been done to the Club's K-21 by inept ground handling in the hangar. THIS IS YOUR MONEY, GUYS!!)
   
   
6. Put the pins in the sunshade in at an angle. Put the pins away when the day is done. Where are the pins kept? (This is a test!) Remember, WE are THEY, and THEY will take care of it!!

Log this...

Welcome new members:
Dick Feierabend, 4014 Longwood Dr., Fredericksburg, VA 22408, home (540) 891.1686 work (540) 663.9372 feier@erols.com. Commercial, Multi-engine land, instrument, 2800hrs, no glider hours

Richard A. Otis, 2299 Archdale Road, Reston, VA 20191-1133, (703) 860.4141, otis@erols.com. Work numbers-(301) 757.5749 otisra.ntrprs@navair.navy.mil. Owns a C152, Comm, Instrument,CFI ASEL, ASES, no glider rating-yet.

Ed Lehr, 5317 Linsey Lakes Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060, (804) 346.5155, work : (804) 279.3484, Fax (804) 279.5385, elehr@us.oracle.com.