Nobody flew into the meeting this time due to some iffy weather. Nevertheless, we had a first rate potluck barbecue thanks to the efforts of cooks Dave McGougan, Leo Lang, and Doug Killebrew, and all the folks who brought in the great side dishes.
The meeting commenced at 2:00 with the Pledge of Allegiance; President Karsten conducting.
New members and visitors were recognized. We were fortunate to gain three (!) new members at the meeting. We urge everyone to be sure and make all our newbies feel at home and help them with any questions they might have.
This will most likely be the last year for the St. Louis County Fair and Airshow. Chapter 32 will be at this year's event, and we are looking for volunteers. Contact Karsten if you are interested.
Dave Domeier rescued a bending brake from the dump, and brought it in. Gale identified it as a light-duty brake, mainly used for guttering, and useles to us. However, Dave thinks he might be able to acquire modifications to it that will enable it to bend heavier material. The jury is still out on this one!
If you have noticed a rather long tubular arrangement lying on the floor near the west wall, it's a flagpole! We need some able-bodied volunteers to help us put it up properly. Contact Karsten.
Our food coupon guru, Ron Burnett, had to be out of town so Vince Morris distributed them at the meeting.
Steve Morse gave a TIG welder report (pricing), and some discussion ensued. Al Lowe has loaned his TIG welder to the chapter, so we can postpone the purchase of our own for a little while. Subsequent to this discussion, we voted to buy a large tank of argon gas. This gas will serve Al's welder, and then ours (once we have it). Steve also did some research on a better set of scales. Evidently, the ones we have are not reliable in that they tend to give different readings every time they are used to weigh the same airplane. Steve found a better set that is in wide use by RV builders. The members voted to purchase those scales and sell our old ones.
Bud Cole offered to teach seminars on aircraft and engine design. Hopefully, there are still some folks out there who are talented and brave enough to build their own design. That's the definition of grassroots aviation.
The meeting was adjourned, and Greg Smith gave a very interesting talk on how he is going to blow his life savings in 5 years (or less?). Greg is retired from Emerson Electric, and instead of kicking back and flying his Pulsar, he is working to develop an improved Pulsar kit. He showed pictures of a fuselage plug, which is used to lay up two fiberglass fuselage halves. There are numerous improvements over the existing Pulsars, including a wider cockpit and the choice of either Rotax or Jabiru engines. Greg expects his prototype to fly to Oshkosh 2008. This appears to be a really fun way to set fire to $100.00 bills, but we all hope Greg succeeds.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Bower,
EAA Chapter 32 secretary
