Saturday, May 3rd

Saturday, June 7th

NOTE: all breakfast volunteers receive complimentary breakfast.

Program: Annual Van's Aircraft Visit
Location: The Factory
Address: 14401 NE Keil Road, Aurora
Date: 7:00 PM, May 8th, 2008
Phone: 503-678-6545

Continuing with our tradition to hold one meeting each year at RV-central, the meeting will be at Van's Factory on Aurora Airport where we'll get to hear the latest news, see the factory demos and prototypes, and have a chance to tour the factory and shop. Don't you just love that Van's is virtually in our back yard?

From Portland:
Take I-5 South, take the Canby/Hubbard exit (exit 282A), continue south approximately 2.5 miles, turn left on Keil Road (before the 2nd stop light); Vans is on the left, about 1/4 mile from the intersection.

Flying:
Aurora (KUAO) is well-lighted so its a good night-flying destination for those who are so inclined. Van's is the large factory building near the south end of the field. Take the taxiway turnoff at that end, jog left, then right at the second taxiway you come to, taxi east between the blue hangars (taking care to avoid obstructions and holes that are right next to the taxiway), park in the center of the paved area or in the grass but NOT in the parking lot (cars go through there too).

Plane Pool!
Members who plan to fly to the meeting are encouraged to take this opportunity to share any empty seats with still-building types. A good way to offer or ask for a seat is to use the chapter forum.

Plane Pool!
Members who plan to fly to the meeting are encouraged to take this opportunity to share any empty seats with still-building types.

Future Meetings
June - Parkside bbq & projects tour
July - No meeting, Arlington fly-in
Aug - Lenhardt fly-in & bbq

Meeting locations are always needed. If you're interested in hosting a meeting, or have an idea for one, contact the Meeting Coordinator, Walt Foster, at rvaitor1@yahoo.com or 503-690-3488.

Meetings are the second Thursday of the month, starting at 7:00pm, unless otherwise specified (here and in the newsletter), and are typically at the site of someone's experimental aircraft project or hangar. The structure of the meetings is pretty loose. The first 40 minutes or so is generally spent socializing, eating chips and dip, and checking out the project. Then we get down to "business", with introductions of new members and guests, milestones, discussions of group issues, open items, and the host project. After that, it's back to BSing late into the evening. Be sure to bring any tools, parts, etc. that you wish to sell, loan, give away, etc. And while you're there, throw a buck or two into the kitty, to help out the host for costs of purchasing the refreshments. All are welcome, building or not, group member or not. Spouses too!

Meeting places are always needed. If you would like to host a meeting, you will be expected to provide:

• A location that will hold 30-50 people. In the summertime this can usually include just about any size shop as long as we can overflow outside.
• Refreshments. You can get away with a couple of bags of chips and a few six packs of soda, or go all out and proved a full buffet bar with microbrew beer and smokies on toothpicks. We're all really there mainly to BS about airplanes, so don't feel like you have to go overboard with the food -- but feel free to do so if you want!
• A "kitty" — jar or bowl for folks to throw a few bucks into. Hopfully the host will get reimbursment for all that food and drink.
• A program. Once we get through the business part of the meeting, you'll be expected to talk about your project for 20 minutes or so. For example, people usually like to know:
  • Anything in particular that led you to choose this particular project?
  • Any 'gotchas' to let others know about?
  • Any cool techniques or tips to pass on?
  • What would you do different next time?
  • Have you used a TC? Do you plan to use a Flight Advisor?
  • What kind of primer did you use? ;-)

If you have a different sort of presentation that's fine, this is not a "required questions" list, just some suggested topics. Just let the meeting chairperson know how you want to handle it before the meeting starts.

Meeting ideas and sites are always needed. Interested in hosting a meeting? Contact the Meeting Coordinator, Walt Foster, at 503-690-3488 or rvaitor1yahoo.com.

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Breakfast regulars: Len Kauffman, Char Miller, Joe Miller, Donna Lervold, Rion Bourgeois, Mike McGee

Begun by the Chapter in 1994 to raise funds for construction of a hangar, our monthly breakfast has become a local tradition. Folks from all over the Northwest come by car and by air to enjoy our breakfast, walk the flight line, and talk airplanes. When good weather prevails it's common to have over thirty aircraft fly in including a heavy contingency of RVs.

What: breakfast includes scrambled eggs, 2 blueberry pancakes, 2 strips of bacon, grits, juice and coffee.
When: the first Saturday of every month. The hangar door (dining hall) opens at 8:00 AM (by 9:00 AM the line can get quite long). The hangar door (dining hall and grill) is usually closed by 10:00 AM.
Cost: $5.00

This has grown to be a popular event, during good flying weather expect a lot of traffic in the pattern. If you are ground bound, it's a good time to come down and see a lot of airplanes!

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SIGs, or special interest groups, are a great way for members with specific interests to get together, share their knowledge, and learn more. With the wide array of topics of interest to homebuilders SIGs are encouraged, but someone needs to step-up to provide some direction. If you're interested in starting a SIG just let the webmaster know for posting here, and then send the newsletter editor an announcement for the newsletter.

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Now in it's 17th year for 2008, the Home Wing sponsored "NW RV Fly-in" has developed a loyal following with RV pilots attending from as far away as California and Texas. Traditionally held the Saturday on Father's Day weekend, it's a great chance to get up close and personal with over 100 RV builders and flyers. Walk the flight line, take some pictures, have a hamburger lunch, and buy an event t-shirt... if you're interested in RVs you won't be disappointed.

Speaking of our fly-in t-shirt — every year it's a new design with a new plane (or planes) featured. They've become something of a collector's item, with many people taking pride in owning one from every year.
T-shirt gallery

The 2008 fly-in will again be held at Scappoose on Saturday, June 14th.

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At the urging of Jenny Hickman, past Secretary and current Treasurer, the chapter has begun the tradition of holding an annual Poker Run to local airport sites of interest, including the Tillamook Air Museum. Event HQ and registration is at Twin Oaks. Registrants get a commemorative T-shirt. Past first prizes have included hand-held radios, as well as an interesting handmade trophy. The run is followed by a barbecue at the chapter hangar at Twin Oaks.

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EAA Chapter 105 sometimes hosts the EAA's B-17, the Aluminum Overcast, on the Portland stop at Hillsboro Airport of its national tour. For more information on the tour, see www.b17.org

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Chapter 105 members are regulars at such events as the EAA fly-ins in Arlington, Oshkosh, Sun-N-Fun. Trips to the Jackpot Air Race, and the Reno Air Races are also commonly arranged. From time to time we hold camp-outs and fly-outs to other fun destinations as well, and fly-outs to Northwest fly-ins are common. For complete and up-to-date information about members' participation in these and other events, subscribe to the newsletter. During the flying season there is a "Flying Activities" section.

Of course AirVenture (still called just "Oshkosh" by the old timers) is the "big event" each year as fly-out destinations go. Chapter 105's own Rion Bourgeois chronicled his trip to OSH with three friends in 1994 and their adventure has become legendary. When you're prepared to be truly entertained and have some time read Flying to Oshkosh With Dangerous Dan, The Dean of Danger. For overall information on the big event go to the AirVenture web site.

Another local tradition is the "RV dawn patrol" We meet on 122.75 at 7:30 a.m. Saturday mornings (weather permitting) and decide on a destination. Get up in the air and on frequency and join us!

Several of our group fly-outs have taken members across our country's northern border to destinations among the vast and beautiful mountains and islands of Canada.  One goal of these fly-outs is to help folks overcome the
percieved difficulties in making a border crossing flight. It's not as tough as you might think, but it still holds some challenges. Whether you go with a group or on your own, be sure to make use of the Home Wing Border Crossing Checklist -- it's just the ticket for making sure you have all your ducks lined up.

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