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| Welcome to the EAA Chapter 1246 Website! |
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Register to Win!
We want to invite you to register to receive e-mail
notices of all our upcoming programs and events. In addition, we will send an e-mail that gives you three
chances to win a door prize at one of our monthly Chapter meetings. Just bring a copy of our response email
to receive your 3 free drawing tickets.
If you decide to become a member of EAA Chapter 1246, the annual dues are only $20 and you can join on-line
by clicking here. An extremely valuable benefit to being
a member is the on-line access that you will have to our searchable database of all pilots and aircraft
owners in our geographic area. You can find anyone who owns (or is building) an airplane of the type that
interests you. You can also locate other pilots and aviation enthusiasts, including other EAA members
in our Chapter. The search can be as broad or as specific as you want. This incredible resource
is available exclusively to our paid-up Chapter members.
We invite you to come to one of our meetings or events and discover the benefits of participating in the
educational and fun activities of our Chapter. The combined knowledge and experience of our members is
awesome, and they are willing to share. There are informative and entertaining presentations at each
of our meetings, which cover a wide range of aviation-related topics. Our interests go way beyond
building and maintaining experimental aircraft.
What is EAA?
The Experimental Aircraft Association is an organization that promotes all forms of recreational aviation.
The EAA was organized in 1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by some individuals who were interested in building
their own aircraft. Over the years it has grown to include all types of aircraft, from ultralights to
commercially manufactured aircraft. An interest in aviation is the common denominator that brings our people
together, in good fellowship and sharing. The EAA is a national organization and has local chapters,
such as ours, all over the world. You don't have to be a pilot to join in, the only requirement is a love
for aviation.
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| Monthly Meetings |
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Thursday, February 9th, 2012 - SWOWTIME! - Flying the P-51 Mustang
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This month it's SHOWTIME! We will be showing a documentary on flying the P-51 Mustang.
In 1944, as the Allied daylight bombing offensive moved further eastward, the North American
P-51 Mustang provided much-needed air superiority as it escorted bombers all the way to
Germany and home again. Now, you can step into the cockpit of a P-51D - the Mustang
definitive version - to experience the thrill of flight just like a World War II fighter pilot.
Filmed in color with multiple, high-definition on-board cameras, this thrilling program takes
you for a complete flight - from engine start to shutdown - using the same drills P-51 pilots
used in World War II. You'll also enjoy spectacular air-to-air footage of your flight, listen
in to the chatter on the intercom, and even accompany the crew chief and pilot as they perform
the pre-flight checks and walk around!
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All meetings are held at 7 pm in Conference Center Room D 106, Section A on the second Thursday of each
month at the Collin Country Community College. Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a pilot or a member
to attend. Need more information? Feel free to
contact any of our Officers.
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| Chapter News |
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Garmin Pilot III Airport Database Changes
EAA Chapter 1246 Member Robert Allen has updated his listing of airport changes for his Garmin Pilot III. Get your free copy here HERE.
First Saturday Coffee and Donuts for March 2011
What a nice turnout! We had 40 people at the March 2011 First Saturday Coffee and Donuts. A big THANKS to Chuck and Shirley Roberts for being our gracious host and letting us use their hangar. Maybe next month the winds will be less than 20-30 mph and we can have some folks fly in.
Weather Transition - by Dick Stephens
Spring is not far off. This is a beautiful time of year as well as a very dangerous season for pilots. As we make the transition from cold wintery blasts to the rapidly changing patterns of spring weather, shifting jet streams, and pop up thunderstorms, we need to keep a “Weather Eye” out and understand what can happen.
February 26th Flyout-Flyin to Mt. Vernon
Well, not quite. The weather man missed it just a tad (under statement). BUT, never-the-less, we had a nice group of folks manage to make their way in. We all had a good time and told many tall tales. We'll have to try this again. We now have stockpile of sausage and weenies for the next grand adventure!
Airport Traffic Control Tower Now Open At Collin County Regional Airport
The new Tower is now open!
Here is what Kenneth F. Wiegand, A.A.E., Airport Director, Collin County Regional Airport, has to say about it:
After years of coordination, the replacement Airport Traffic Control Tower became officially operational at eight o’clock last evening. The first aircraft that received clearance was a Lear Jet, which departed shortly after eight. The “shake-down” period has begun and may continue for a few weeks as punch list items are attended to and the controllers and their electronic equipment settle in.
Many have asked what will become of the old tower. Staff will work with the City to schedule its demolition as soon as the Tower Manager let’s us know that everything of value (to them) is removed and other appropriate preparation is complete.
We are presently working with Congressional delegation staff to receive a couple of dates in April that we might coordinate an appropriate ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony. As always, I will keep you informed as we proceed.
Thank you for your continued outstanding support!
Updated Airport Information for old GPS's
EAA Chapter 1246 Member Robert Allen has been using a Garmin Pilot III for years, but Garmin no longer supports the model, so he can't update the database. So he has been maintaining a list of airport IDs which have been changed and wants to share with our chapter. He plans to update this list every 56 days with the latest changes. Click HERE to get your free copy. THANKS ROBERT!
Monthly Chapter Meeting Photos for January 13th
We had a great turnout for this month's EAA Chapter 1246 meeting. In the group of 50 people attending, we had several new visitors, along with our dedicated members, all ready to hear a great presentation from Joe Murphy and Michael Zamani from the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team.
Dean Eilands' RV-9
Dean has wings! Our Chapter Vice President, Dean Eiland, is making good progress on his Van’s RV-9 (no A!). Yep it’s a tail-dragger. He has been working diligently put this beautiful bird together in his brand new metal building (otherwise known as “Dean’s Man Cave”).
Website: http://www.mykitlog.com/eilanddean
EAA Chapter 1246 11th Annual Chili Cookoff
What a great turnout! This years Annual Chili Cookoff was a huge success. Be sure and check out the video!
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| Aviation News |
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The Latest News From AOPA - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association:
No user fees, tax hikes in long-term FAA bill
No user fees. No increase in avgas or jet fuel taxes. General aviation pilots can celebrate what wasn't included in the long-term FAA reauthorization bill. The House and Senate ironed out details on a four-year FAA reauthorization bill Jan. 31, paving the way for a full vote in both houses before the latest short-term funding extension expires Feb. 17. Highlights of the bill indicate that GA fared well.
Bank of America helps member buy LSA
After achieving his dream of learning to fly, AOPA member Carl Houghton wanted an airplane of his own. When it came time to investigate financing, he made some inquiries into AOPA's Aircraft Financing Program.
LightSquared tests offer 'no practical solution'
AOPA is calling for the Federal Communications Commission to revoke LightSquared's conditional approval to develop a mobile-satellite network. A technical committee has concluded that the transmissions pose intractable interference problems for aviation navigation and other uses of GPS.
The Latest News From Aero-News Network:
Canadian Teens Send Lego Man To FL800
Viral Video Drawing Massive YouTube Views One of the latest viral videos on YouTube was created by two high school seniors from Canada, who were inspired by edge-of-space projects using weather balloons. Their video shows a Lego man holding a small Canadian flag as he climbs to 80,000 feet, high enough to clearly see the blackness of space and the curvature of the Earth. Since the video's posting on January 25th, it's attracted over two million views.
Bell Helicopter Delivers 4,000th Commercial Product From Canadian Facility
Air Medical Holdings Gets Milestone Aircraft Bell Helicopter has delivered the 4,000th commercial product since it began production at its Mirabel, Canada, facility 25 years ago. During a small ceremony at Bell Helicopter's facility in Mirabel, long-time customer, Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH), took delivery of the 4,000 aircraft - a Bell 206L4.
LightSquared Fights On In Battle For FCC Approval
Sprint Nextel Has Given The Company Another Six Week Extension LightSquared has until mid-March to resolve its issues with the FCC over its proposed 4G broadband network under an extension of its deal with Sprint Nextel. The move comes after a 30 day extension was granted to the company at the end of 2011. Approval of the service from the FCC is a condition of a 15 year agreement between the wireless provider and the start up broadband company.
The Latest News From AVweb:
Question of the Week: Crash Pilots as Criminals?
A New Hampshire pilot is facing manslaughter charges in the death of his daughter after the twin he was flying without a multi-endorsement crashed in Massachusetts. Are there circumstances where pilots should face criminal action?Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers about the proposed weight limit increases for light sport aircraft; click through to see the breakdown of answers.
American Wants To Slash 13,000 Jobs
About 400 pilots are affected by sweeping layoffs proposed by American Airlines as it tries to emerge from bankruptcy. In a plan unveiled Wednesday, the airline announced it will lay off 13,000 employees, about 15 percent of its workforce, cancel unprofitable routes and retire old inefficient aircraft. "We are going to use the restructuring process to make the necessary changes to meet our challenges head-on and capitalize fully on the solid foundation we've put in place," CEO Thomas Horton said in a letter to employees. The employees have a different take.
DOT OIG: FAA Faces Controller Shortage
Southern California, Atlanta, Chicago and New York were identified as areas that face the risk of having too few controllers as veteran controllers retire, according to a report (PDF) by the Department of Transportation. The FAA anticipated the problem, but efforts to train new recruits have seen too many fail to qualify for work at high-traffic facilities. To complicate matters, the report says those high-traffic facilities have seen attrition rates above the national average and many hold high numbers of controllers eligible to retire. The reportconcluded that "the Nation's most critical air traffic control facilities are facing significant staffing shortages" that "could lead to potential risks to their daily operations."The FAA has a different opinion and has issued a statement.
Other News and Special Interest:
Confessions of a DAR Inspector Kitplanes
Want to know what a DAR inspector is looking for when he comes to inspect your newly completed experimental airplane? Check out this excellent article from the December 2008 "Kitplanes" magazine, written by our own Mel Asberry. Just click on the link above to view the article.
How to Update your E-mail Address on the EAA Chapter 1246 Database
If you are a member of EAA Chapter 1246 (if you are not, you should be), it is important that you have your current e-mail address in our database, so that you can receive notice of our monthly newsletters and other important announcements. Click on the link for step-by-step instructions on how to update your e-mail address and other personal information on our website member database.
EAA Chapter 1246 Featured in AutoPilot Magazine AutoPilot Magazine
AutoPilot magazine (which is publlished bi-monthly and distributed to pilots, flight schools, and FBOs in Texas) has written a Chapter Profile of EAA Chapter 1246 in its May/June 2008 edition. Click on the link above to see what is being said about our great chapter. You can view the entire publication online by going to the AutoPilot website at http://www.autopilotmagazine.com/content/home.asp
How To Build Your Own Airstrip inTexas FAA
Instructions on Farm and Ranch Airstrip construction.
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