Notes from EAA 309 board meeting, 10.10.06 by John Wigney

Those present:- Dale Ensing, Don Sink, Bob Thayer, Kevin Cromie, Sara Forrest, John Wigney. Guest : Ronnie Brown

Hangar Alternatives

Following items were reviewed.

1. Discussions with CHAC

Bob Thayer and John Wigney met with Mark Schroeder at CHAC. CHAC has steel for a new large hangar. Cost of this project is $1.8 million and they have no timing for completion of fund raising and construction. Present exhibits will be moved into new hangar and existing hangar will be used for restoration/repair work. Possibility of EAA 309 using space in old hangar was discussed and appeared OK but would be similar to old arrangement. Dedicated walled off space for EAA 309 did not appear feasible. Conclusion was that this was not attractive.

2. Other options at Gastonia

Sam Stewart has been in discussion with FBO staff at Gastonia with regard to possible availability of old bow roof maintenance hangar to right of original concrete slab. No information available on this.

3. Butch Stevens proposal at Lake Norman Airpark

Details of proposed space to be made available in new hangar at Lake Norman Airpark (14A) were discussed. Outline details are :-

• Location of hangar will be at the commercial end of the airpark. It will be between the large FBO hangar and a smaller hangar owned by Peter Daetwyler.
• The lot is about 1 acre and is in the possession of an estate. A purchase proposal was submitted by Butch Stevens some time ago and awaited resolution of the estate’s affairs. The sale has not been closed but is now in progress.
• Butch Stevens is an aviation enthusiast and is an EAA member. He is a business man with NASCAR activities.
• Butch has a structure available from another project for an 80 ft wide by 120 ft deep hangar building. He intends to erect this building on the lot and add a further section at the rear of 80 ft wide by 60 ft deep. This extra 4,800 sq ft space will be made available to EAA 309. The cost to EAA 309 will be $1.00 per year for 10 years for Butch’s tax accounting reasons which take account of our 501 (c) 3 status. After 10 years, a lease deal will be arranged.
• Butch has asked that the activities in the EAA 309 section shall be for meetings, storage, workshop and kit building/restoration type work only. The owner does not wish that the space is used for storage or service of active aircraft.
• Separate access from the outside will be provided to the EAA 309 area. Bathroom facilities will be provided.
• It is assumed that EAA 309 will upfit the chapter area as necessary at their expense.
• Movement of completed projects and components will be through the main hangar via a 20 ft garage type door.
• Outline project timing is for the building to be complete in the 2nd quarter (May?) of 2007. A decision from EAA 309 should be provided within a timely fashion or the opportunity may not remain available.

After discussion, the consensus was that this was a very attractive proposal and that the decision to proceed with this idea should be made by the chapter members at the next dinner meeting at Sam Stewart’s house on 10.16.06.

Upcoming events

• Lincoln County fly-in on 11.4.06. JRW will attend meeting with Jeff Lynn on 10.12.06 to settle details. Ronnie Brown advised that Howard Cochrane has mentioned 3 plane judging plaques at the cost of $180. This appears high. JRW will contact Howard to reduce cost. (Done.)
• 11.20.06, dinner meeting at Gastonia Aero Club.
• 12.11.06, Christmas party at Acropolis, Cornelius. JRW to confirm. (Done.)

Request for use of trailer by Lake Norman Airpark Association for Fly-in

A request had been made for use of the trailer at no cost. After discussion a vote was taken to approve this. Discussion was that this was a goodwill gesture to possible new neighbors. The vote was 3 in favor, 1 against and 2 abstentions. (Late Flash: It has been pointed out to the Pres. since the meeting that it is inappropriate to charge members for use of the trailer and provide it to non-members for free. It appears that a firm policy statement needs to be declared. Future topic for board meeting.)

EAA Ford Trimotor event in 2007

Sam Stewart has advised EAA HQ that EAA 309 would be prepared to host a Trimotor visit next year. Concern was expressed that the effort/benefits balance on these events was not good and that our chapter makes some money for a lot of effort and that EAA HQ gains a lot of money. This topic will be revisited at the next board meeting for resolution.

John Wigney

President

Chapter 309 of the Experimental Aircraft Association Inc.