Frank Ross In England

Dear Joanne,

Please remove my name from the MAILING LABEL LIST. The
Electronic version is Wonderful.

Will miss the one from 'Big Dave' but I'm sure he is
already using the time to do other great stuff.
Give my regards to Norris, also please and a big hug
to yourself!

We are settled in here at Lakenheath RAF, Brandon,
Suffolk, England and enjoying it very much.
Yesterday Terry W. and I went to Rougham Airfield for
an airshow and then to Duxford Imperial Air Museum.
Had a great time. So far the Brits have been very
cordial and pleasant and it has been a wonderful
experience. Will send photos as soon as I get my
computer photo program sorted out.
Our best to you all and all of EAA 35.

Frank Ross

Dave Talley

September 30th brought perfect weather in the Lone Star State to host a morning education event at the chapter house.

St. Philip’s College needed some help with a “hands on” workshop for a class project. The FAA Part 147 approved program needed some outside support.

St. Philip’s College instructor, John Haral, requested a plane and a place to do a hands-on weight and balance (W&B). Norris Warner, EAA 35 president gladly opened the doors to help the college out.

EAA 35 member, Mark Moscrip, donated his plane to be the “guinea pig” and his hanger for the place. The “chapter shack” was the starting and ending place for the day. The students and instructor arrived and prepared to weigh the plane with what else? The “paperwork”! After review, four teams were established (remember, there’s no “I” in T-E-A-M!) and off went team one to the hanger. Team one had their work cut out for them because they had to set everything up and level the plane for the first time. While they were working away, the remaining teams remained at the “shack” and reviewed the techniques for a proper W&B. With all of their numbers, the first team “undid” their set-up and moved out of the way for team two. This process continued until all teams had their chance at the hands-on phase of the W&B.

The students and teacher then returned to the “shack” to begin their calculations. With time running short, they cleaned up and departed the grounds and headed back to the campus for their afternoon class.

All in all, the day was a real learning experience for the students. Most have little or no exposure to light aircraft or the EAA. Comments from the group were unanimously joyous of the opportunity that EAA Chapter 35 gave them.

They hope that in the future the college and TEAM EAA 35 can again assist in the educational needs of the students.
Dave Talley

By “Big Dave” Talley

After a few tums, a couple of di-gells, the added bonus of a gaviscon, things are getting back to normal after the 1st Annual EAA Chapter 35 Chili-Cook-Off!

This year’s event brought out five “chefs” to bid for the honor of being the first “Chili Champ”. However, one must remember the beginning of such an event. As EVERYONE remembers (why is this) two LONG YEARS ago, David Talley, along with his almost willing wife, volunteered, yes folks, volunteered to prepare the January meal. Since the folks at San Geronimo hold a chili fest every January 1st, Dave thought it would be a good idea to make some chili for the chapter. After all, it hadn’t been done before. The Carlsons agreed to kick it up a notch and help. Three big tubs of chili were prepared to perfection. However, it seems that some in the chapter hold a different standard than that of Chef Dave. It seems that somehow, the beans were a little (with emphasis on little) hard for their chewing ability.

Then, a YEAR later and with the same “kitchen krew” (sans Miriam) the chapter members were at it once again with comments about some stinkin’ little bean. The comments grew into a roar. As folks lined up to get the best darn chili in Texas, the krew had one up their sleeve. Big Dave had cooked the beans up (from scratch) the night before. The chili was a hit; however, some folks can’t let bygones be bygones. So Skip Barchfled stood-up and challenged Big Dave to a chili cook-off. It seems that he thinks he’s better in the kitchen than Dave.

Now here we are nine months later. In preparation, the chapter was canvassed and three other additional members threw their names into the hat; Lori McIrvin, Ute Tobias and Steve Antonelli. The right to be recognized as the Chili Champ was on.

So, here we are at the October Meeting. Each chef has prepared their best chili. Skip had arranged for five independent judges to taste the kitchen kreations. They were; Betty Day, John Killian, Richard Grambling, Al Almond, Judy Walker. Additionally, Skip created a judging standards list. On it were, consistency, color, texture, smell (aroma) and taste . These categories were ranked one to five. They were then added up and averaged. The chili with the highest average would be the best. The judges “tallied” up their numbers for the following results: Consistency – Dave Talley, Color- Ute Tobias, Texture-Skip Barchfeld, Smell (Aroma)-Lori McIrvin, Taste- Dave Talley.

The 1st Annual EAA 35 Chili Champ is Big Dave Talley, with his “Big Dave’s Texas Talley homemade wonder chili.” Dave “You are da man”!

When it was said and done, believe it or not, Dave Talley was humbled when his chili was titled Best of the Bunch for 2003. Vindication?! Don’t count on it! It seems that the chapters members are a “hard” bunch to satisfy and will never let Dave “Chili Champ” live down that one cold January night, oh so many years ago…all of this over some stinkin’ little bean…

Thanks to all who participated in this first ever event. It was a blast! For everyone else; Get your favorite recipe card dusted off and get ready for next year. Big Dave will continue the challenge. Let’s see…who can dethrone this year’s “Chili Champ”?

By Norris Warner

Chapter 35 members took a great leap forward when 33 of them invested in a set of electronic scales a couple of months ago. By now, at least six of these members have weighed their airplanes easily, and very, very precisely.

All EAA members in our area were invited to become share holders in this beautiful set, and they may use them on any airplane they own, or own a share of. And any EAA member who did not take advantage of the $35 ownership fee can use the scales under the sponsorship of a coop member—but only after donating $70 to EAA Chapter 35 (and that is still a great deal!).

If you need to use this state-of-the-art set, contact Don Wood ham at 210.688.3052 or e-mail Don at dhw.2@juno.com The scales must be returned to Don’s keeping immediately after use.

The great thing about computer software is the fact that it is constantly being improved. When a software company updates it’s current software it is called a “build number” or a “patch.” When they come out with a whole new package it is usually called a “version” with a number, acronym or name. Software companies almost always put the version number and build under the Help drop down menu at the top of the screen. Look for “About” or “About this ‘software.”

Did you know that Microsoft posts on it’s Website around 5 critical updates to it’s software every month? To update your Windows operating system, select Windows Update from the Start menu, it should be near the top. You have to be online for this to work. It will advise you on what updates are available and how long it will take to download and install them. You don’t have to worry about installing them, MS does it for you, it’s almost all automatic and it’s free. After the first time you update your software, MS will notify you automatically when new updates are available on your taskbar at the lower right side of your screen. MS never uses email to notify you of new updates. kgn

By Miriam S. Talley

Well here it was, the 4th weekend in October. That means only one thing …we were Reklaw bound!! For those of you not in the know, Reklaw is the best little fly-in in Texas. It was started a number of years ago by Dave Mason and his now deceased wife.

In the midst of the beautiful piney woods of east Texas they carved out the Flying M Ranch. He has continued the tradition with his new wife of one year, Marcia. With a double wide 4000+ foot grass runway, hiking trails and a lake, the site is simply gorgeous. Put in several hundred little airplanes and the site is simply spectacular. The fly-in is open to all aviators. Fly-in, drive in, camp, bring a camper or stay at local hotels. Children and dogs are welcome. In fact, dogs are given a special fly-in bandana. The atmosphere is extremely relaxed. The only planned events are meals and a fishing derby for the kids. A small control tower has a volunteer with a base station and a spare hand held to help guide folks flying in. Regulars know to bring their camp chairs and blankets to set up along the runway to watch the hundreds of planes coming and going. Everyone is invited to make a low high speed pass or show off their piloting skills. Everyone is very safety conscious and no FAA anywhere to be seen. Meals are prepared and served in a large hangar by local EAA chapters and the 99’s. The whole idea is to hang out, meet old friends, make new ones, check out all the airplanes and talk airplane.

David and I drove up since all planes we have access to are hangar queens. Other EAA 35 Chapter members also made a showing. Showing up on a beautiful sunny Friday afternoon, the place was already packed with airplanes. We passed Bob Cabe’s pretty RV, he was camping by the plane. Don and Norma Staats were making the rounds, Lew and Nancy Mason drove up via visiting with their son at College Station, Brad Marcum flew in with his IFR student in a C172. The Carlson clan, Steve, Lee and Jillian, drove up on Saturday.

Some airplane standouts were a pristine Ryan PT-22, two Skybolts wowed the crowd with some superb formation flying and aerobatics, a Steerman did some great show off flybys, a T-6 and RV did some phenomenal formation flying that looked like big momma with little bird tightly tucked under her wing. Of course every variety of airplane did their owned fly by…from ultralights on up, several Piper Cubs amazed us with their precision landings, slipping the little Cubs so that they were perpendicular to the runway, whipping them around at the last second and coming to a complete stop just several feet later. On Friday night, (like very dark night) at the end of dinner, people’s radios had a voice coming through that a C 170 was going to land. (This is not a lighted runway.) Fortunately, along the eastern edge of the runway, the lights coming from campers acted light runway lights on one side, Dave and another fella jumped on their go carts and headed to the west side and pointed their lights down the runway. Out of the dark flew a C-170 that made a picture perfect landing just past the hangar….that pilot had more nerve than Dick Tracy. As Saturday dawn brought a new day to the event it also brought light to the weather. In rolled the clouds and things got damp as thunderstorms danced across the area…but spirits were high. Folks either crowded into the huge hangar and made new friends or donned rain gear and headed out toward the planes. Fly bys in the rain continued.

On Sunday after another great breakfast, good byes were said, addresses and numbers were exchanged. David and I along with the Carlsons headed toward the Rusk vintage train depot for a round trip to Palestine in a vintage train…an awesome ending to a perfect weekend. So remember, next year, 4th weekend of October…Reklaw!!

If you would like to get on the Mason’s e-mail list for next years fly-in, send your e-mail to eaa35@satx.rr.com and David will forward it to the Masons for inclusion in next year’s email list.

Don Staats emailed and said that indeed Harlan is the only surviving Charter member of Chapter 35. Runway 35 is in it’s 45th year so that is quite a feat. When Harlan and others started the chapter Eisenhower was president and space flight was not quite yet a reality. Computers took up whole rooms TV was in black and white, and Elvis Presley was singing on the airwaves. kgn