Winter Haven, Florida rwripper@verizon.net

President--Tom Olson; Vice President -- Luke Bowman;

Treasurer--Warren Krabbe; Secretary----------Ray Mallette

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rumor has it that Jonathon Cook has arranged another good speaker. Possibly on test flying experimentals. Name might be Ron Miller from the Lakeland Area.

Correction: Ryan Michel's current project is a Piet, the Skybolt is long gone. Sorry. Along with my memory failing, my compuker has decided to delete a bunch of my files….

Everyone should know that 229 really needs your 2008 dues!! A separate email will be sent to those possibly owing dues. Tiedown signup sheet is available on the 229 website and you need to sign up now!!

President Tom Olson broke in yet another new treasurer, Warren Krabbe.

Lorrie Charchian must be back as was seen using the lathe <G>. Surprise, surprise: City hanger rents apparently are still in flux as mine raised again and the larger hanger lowered…Looks like the Campbell/Beisner team ( Jim Squared) have switched over to heavy duty square tubing structure fabrication .. Rumored that recent shutdown of sub and general contractors at new FBO will have no impact on the June completion date. Maybe the Sebring restaurant has closed again.. I forgot Ocala was closed on Mondays. Understand the planes turning on the taxi way apron by new FBO might have to be more careful of the lights..

Setting a good example were Luke Bowman, Charley Westerman and writer for paying for some of the recent welding gases they had consumed. The soda/coffee fund provided the balance. Shop attendance is low as indicated by the mandatory sign-in sheet. Maybe more people might come over and at least be social for the free coffee <G>. Remember this is your shop/clubhouse! Maintenance and shop cleanliness are at an acceptable level. Thanks members!

Several members ,including Vice President Luke Bowman, went to Sebring for the LSA Fair in early January. Amazing how many cost and mission varied aircraft are out there. A fellow even had his dc motor powered trike flying in very windy conditions. Purportedly it has $7000 worth of batteries. Cessna's Skycatcher is even neater up close. $110,000+ and not available to 2009 or 2010... Although there are several other foreign and domestic directly competing LSA's, name recognition goes to Cessna as evidenced by my wife's ears perking up <G>.

Bill Kaczmarczyk passed on a copy of the 12/07 Sport Aerobatics mag which had a neat article on "regional differences". What caught my eye was not the portion on weather differences but the impact that differing regions had on airframes. The article said "For instance, when moving something like a Pitts or CAP 10 that has spent it's entire life in Florida or Georgia to Arizona or New Mexico, the extreme change in humidity has to be taken into account. If the visit is a short one, there is no concern. However if you're purchasing a plane from the Southeast and moving to the Southwest, be prepared for lots of wood shrinkage. In our own Pitts, after moving it to Arizona from Florida, we had continual rigging problems, then finally realized the spars were shrinking so much that everything, and we mean everything, was loose. Even the big bolts holding the wire attach fittings to the spars were barely finger tight.". It goes on and talks of "chlorine corrosion on stainless steel flying wires", "engine internal rust" and "sun damage to harnesses and parachutes".

Here is an email update received recently:

<Hi Chapter 229 pilots; So many new names on the list...I don't think I can make it back for Sun n Fun this year. We are fine here in Elephant Butte (Truth Or Consequences) New Mexico. I still have the Kitfox and a RV6A and fly pretty often. Not as many places to go, and not as many friends to go flying with....I miss Winter Haven in that regard. Looks likely I will go back with Sierra County as a Deputy Sheriff in the near future. Next week.(My job in a former life).... Also a possible position at the ABQ AFSS in the more distant future, working for Lockheed-Martin. Like to keep a little more active. Best Regards to all, Dick Woodsum>.

Jeff Wills over at the seaplane repair station sold his Eindecker and is now saving money. Too bad we didn't hear how it flew or how that Culver engine/prop worked out.. Keith Lawhorn reported he is doing well over at Piper's Vero location. Looks like the Ray Mallette/Warren Krabbe team have purchased a Corvair engine for their 601, previously started up at William Wynne's. Thanks to Joe Perrucci for the engineering help on their 601.

Glad to see that Steve Megil is up and around after his recent heart attack. His old Piet has had a large door cut into it to facilitate entry I would guess. Dick Wilbers was last heard as still flying his sold 601 as it undergoes panel modifications requested by new owner in Arizona. Dennis Kochan was seen riding his recumbent two wheeler bicycle. Tony Lewis was seen working on his Titian leg gear. Understand  the new project is nearing inspection.  Jim Campbell's wife, Ronnie, took time off from baking cookies for a short stay in the hospital. Welcome back. Jack Doke still has his Baby Ace for sale and also a Garmin 196 ($375). Dave Sampson still has his Stinson for sale. Bud Davidson sez the lake water level might be high enough to relocate his amphib from the GIF tiedown area.