EAA CHAPTER 153 Preserving The Freedom of Flight The Official Newsletter of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 153 - March 2013 February 8 Meeting: Annual Valentine's and Chapter Awards Dinner at Pilot Pete's EAA 153 held its annual Valentine's and Chapter Awards Dinner at Pilot Pete's at Schaumburg Airport (06C). It was a fun social time and many members brought their spouses/significant others. (pic by Greg Karris): Next Meeting: Friday, March 8, 7:30pm Schaumburg Fire Department: First Aid and CPR Demo At the next meeting, our guest will be a representative from the Schaumburg Fire Department, who will give a presentation on First Aid and a demonstration of CPR. It will be extremely informative and will increase your knowledge of safety and how to help save someone in case the need arises. After the dinner, Chapter Awards from the EAA were given to members who served in office during the past year. (pic by Mike McCabe) (continued on Page 2) * * * EAA Chapter 153 meetings are held at 7:30 pm on the second Friday of each month at Schaumburg Airport (06C), Wright Boulevard at Irving Park Road in Schaumburg - please see map on page 5. Contents 1 - February and March Meetings 2 - Door Prizes 2 - Young Eagles Program 2 - Members Special Report 4 - Hangar Visits 4 - Chapter Updates 5 - Map to EAA Chapter 153 Meetings 5 - EAA Chapter 153 Calendar 6 - Members' Classifieds 6 - EAA Chapter 153 Information EAA 153 Newsletter Page 1
(Dinner - from Page 1) Thanks to those on the board for their service the past year and to the entire membership for making EAA Chapter 153 a great place for those interested in Aviation. Door Prizes There were no door prizes in February. They will resume in March. Thanks to all for donating towards the prizes! panel. I had a real nice Garmin GNC 250XL. This is a moving map VFR GPS that had a Comm built into it. I also had a Narco Comm 810, Narco Nav 825 with a Narco ID-825 VOR/LOC/GS indicator, along with a King KT-76 transponder. (see photo) Young Eagles Program We look forward to flying Young Eagles as individual members and as a chapter in 2013 Members Special Report Avionics Upgrade - by Gregg Erickson Like many of you I've drooled at all the new avionics that keep coming on the market. When the Aspen units first came out I thought that would be the ticket to get some modern avionics in my 1978 Tiger. I really liked the electronic, digital displays with the AHARS unit driving them. No more vacuum pump worries. I also liked the fact the wind direction and speed was always shown. Aspen advertised their units would work with all traditional auto pilots. That was good as it would save having to upgrade to a new digital autopilot. The Garmin G500 & G600 units came out shortly after the Aspen's and these were really nice units also, but needed an IFR GPS to drive them. They were also a little more expensive than the Aspen units. Well being the procrastinator that I am I waited, and waited while continuing to follow the development of each, and the Avidyne units. Now five or so years later I was still eyeing the Aspen units, but as I got really serious and started looking into the little details I found installing just one unit, and getting it hooked up to my old Century IIB was going to be more than I really wanted to spend. My biggest problem however, was I did not have an IFR, WAAS GPS in my plane, so I would need to purchase one of these also. What to do? First let me tell you what I had installed in my This set up served me well for nearly 14 yrs, and in fact was working just fine. However, without an IFR/WAAS GPS it was only marginal for IFR flying. Having retired a little over a year ago, Mary Lou (also an instrument pilot) and I were wanting to start taking longer trips and getting back into the IFR environment would help keep trips on schedule. Another issue was getting traffic warnings. We had a Monroy ATD-300 Traffic Watch in the Tiger panel. This was a really nice unit. It would notify you with a woman's voice when traffic was within 5 nm or you and when traffic was within 1 nm she would say "Traffic Nearby". We'd then look outside and at the display that gave a distance and how many feet above or below the traffic was. It would also track several planes at the same time. The one drawback to this unit and several others like it, it did not give you a direction to look. So, what to do? At EAA AirVenture last Summer, Garmin was introducing their new GDL-88. This was to be an ADS-B In and Out unit. As usual it was hard to get near the Garmin salesmen that knew something about the unit. I picked up some of their info. sheets and took them home and read them later. Wow!!, this was a really neat unit. (continued on Page 3) EAA 153 Newsletter Page 2
(Avionics Upgrade from Page 2) With this unit I would never have to purchase an expensive Mode S transponder to be compliant with the upcoming 2020 FAA NextGen requirements. Even better, since this GDL-88 was an ADS-B In and Out device I would get all the weather information I'd been paying almost $40.00/month for an XM subscription. Plus I could get rid of all the wires running everywhere in my cockpit. At the AOPA Summit last Oct. in Palm Springs, CA I was able to spend lots of time talking to the Garmin folks. If you've never been to an AOPA Summit, try to get to one. Next year it will be in Ft. Worth, TX in Oct. All the major exhibitors are there just like at AirVenture. Big difference is there is very little of the nonflying public. As a result the exhibitor booths are not super busy like they are at AirVenture and the exhibitors can spend allot more time with pilots. If all that wasn't enough, I would now be able to get traffic displayed on my WAAS GPS. When I say traffic, I mean traffic. There are several portable ADS-B In receivers being sold that will work with the various Garmin portable GPS units and ipads that will show the free weather and some traffic. However, unless you already have an expensive Mode S transponder that has been updated to the Extended Squitter to send out ADS-B data, the only traffic you will see is other Mode S transponder aircraft that have had the transponder modified or other ADS-B Out units, like the GDL-88. With the GDL-88 I see all traffic, Mode S, Mode C and anyone with an ADS-B Out unit. Even better yet, I'll see other Mode S and ADS-B Out traffic, even in non-radar areas, as the ADS-B In and Out units will talk directly from aircraft to aircraft, by-passing the ground stations. So, what did I decide to do? My original plan was to install a used Garmin 430W to get the WAAS navigation features and a new transponder, along with the GDL-88. After looking into what all the GDL-88 was going to display on the 430W screen I decided the screen was going to be a little too small for my aging eyes. A Garmin 530W was what I really needed, so that's what I decided to go with. Then I found the Garmin 530W's were really in demand and short supply. Having been a longtime customer of JA Air I went to them to discuss what I wanted to do and get a quote. Since they have customers coming in all the time to upgrade to the Aspen and new Garmin 650 & 750 units (there is still money out there), they have used 430W & 530W's coming in. Here's what I did. I had the two Narco units and indicator, along with the King KT-76 taken out. I kept my old KMA- 24 audio panel and marker beacon receiver, had the Garmin GNC-250XL moved down and had an Garmin 530W installed just below the audio panel. (see photo) JA Air had a nice used Garmin 327 transponder, so I bought it. This is a newer digital (no tubes) unit with lots of other neat features. It works just perfect with the GDL- 88. The GDL-88 is tied into the transponder and the 530W GPS. If you do not have a WAAS GPS you can get a version of the GDL-88 that has a WAAS GPS built into it so the ADS-B Out signal coming from your transponder has the required more accurate position, which is required for the upcoming 2020 NextGen rules. Not sure if I mentioned, but the GDL-88 unit is not mounted in the panel, rather it can be mounted almost anywhere there is space. Mine is mounted under the hat rack at the back of my baggage area. (continued on Page 4) EAA 153 Newsletter Page 3
(Avionics Upgrade from Page 3) JA Air was really easy to work with and they are the largest (by volume) Garmin dealer and installer in the U.S. I'm still getting used to all these new features. My GDL-88 is actually the second one JA Air has installed, so they too are interested in how it works. I'll try to have an update on how it works in the next newsletter. Hangar Visits Saturday, February 16, Dave and Patty Watermann hosted a Hangar Visit at The Landings (82IS). (pics by Mike McCabe) Thanks to Dave and Patty for hosting a wonderful visit! Chapter Updates Hangar/Shop Visits - If you're interested in having a group over to your shop or hangar to see how your project is going or just show others your aircraft, please feel free to contact us (anyone on page 5). We will add it to the schedule and announce it. It's a great way to meet other chapter members and bring guests who may be interested in building, restoring, or just Aviation. Tools - EAA 153 has tools to lend out. We have a Tensiometer, Endoscope, Labeler, and an Oil Changing Kit. See or contact Dan Walton (847-923-1647, akrodano@gmail.com) if you are interested in borrowing them. It was a great chance to get to know them and their aircraft as well as other members and guests. There were also great food and refreshments! EAA Trial Memberships - Do you know anyone who would like to join EAA or hasn't renewed for a long time? A free 6 month trial membership through a chapter is available to new members or previous EAA members who have not renewed for at least 3 years. The trial membership also includes a membership to the chapter. Go to: secure.eaa.org/eaajoin/chaptertrial.html or ask for a form at our meetings. EAA 153 Newsletter Page 4
2013----------2013----------2013----------2013----------2013----------2013----------2013 - March 8, Friday - Chapter 153 Membership Meeting, 7:30 pm at Schaumburg Airport (06C). Program: First Aid & CPR Demonstration, by the Schaumburg Fire Department. - March 11, Monday - EAA Grassroots Pilot Tour with Jeff Skiles, Falcon Room - Hilton Garden Inn, 4070 E. Main St., St. Charles. Social 6pm, Program 7pm. RSVP at eaa.org - March 16, Saturday - Coffee & Pastries & FAA Wings Safety Seminar, 8:30 am to before Noon, at Schaumburg Airport (06C). Sponsored by Northwest Flyers FBO. Program: Aeronautical Decision Making. Starts at around 9am. Free. Sign up at www.faasafety.gov - March 28, Thursday - Chapter 153 Board Meeting, 7:15 pm at Schaumburg Airport (06C). - April 12, Friday - Chapter 153 Membership Meeting, 7:30 pm at Schaumburg Airport (06C). Program: True Confessions. - April 20, Saturday - Coffee & Pastries & FAA Wings Safety Seminar, 8:30 am to before Noon, at Schaumburg Airport (06C). Sponsored by Northwest Flyers FBO. Program: TBD. Starts at around 9am. Free. Sign up at www.faasafety.gov - April 25, Thursday - Chapter 153 Board Meeting, 7:15 pm at Schaumburg Airport (06C). - May 10, Friday - Chapter 153 Membership Meeting, 7:30 pm at Schaumburg Airport (06C). Program: Speaker, Nick Selig, Stinson Aircraft and afterwards talk about his new book, Lost Airports of Chicago, and book signing to follow. - May 18, Saturday - Aviation Universe Flying Season Kick-Off, 10 am - 6pm, 13 W. Main St., Bensenville, IL. Speakers, food, special sales, and meet the local flying organizations. - May 23, Thursday - Chapter 153 Board Meeting, 7:15 pm at Schaumburg Airport (06C). - June 14, Friday - Chapter 153 Membership Meeting, 7:30 pm at Schaumburg Airport (06C). Program: Speaker, Bob Bejna, Aircraft Hoses. - June 16, Sunday - 8am - Noon, Annual EAA 153 Father's Day Pancake Breakfast, Schaumburg Airport (06C). Setup starts at 6am. Save the dates: - July 29, Monday to August 4, Sunday - EAA AirVenture 2013, Oshkosh Airport (KOSH), Wi. - Aug 10, Sat - Annual EAA Chapter 153 BBQ, Brookeridge Airpark (LL22), Downers Grove. EAA 153 Newsletter Page 5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Members' Classifieds Gregg Erikson has the following for sale: Narco Comm 810 TSO (with tray) $200.00 Narco Nav 825 TSO (with tray) $250.00 Narco ID-825 indicator VOR/LOC/GS $650.00 King KT-76 transponder (with tray) $300.00 Monroy Traffic Watch ATD-300 $300.00 Baron Mobil Link with WxWork receiver $350.00 & antenna to put XM weather on your ipad or Android device Please contact him if you are interested. Pics available. Gregg Erikson, 630-513-0641 or 777tiger@sbcglobal.net * * * * * Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 153 exists to assist and support growth and innovation in general aviation, promotion of aviation safety, individual participation in amateur aviation, and transference of knowledge and skills of aircraft construction. Annual dues are $20, payable at the beginning of each calendar year. Meetings and Membership is open to ANYONE interested in Aviation. All Chapter 153 Members must be Members of EAA. President: John Tatro, 630-728-1124, john@johntatro.com Vice President: Bob Brandt, 847-274-3193, cessna1801954@yahoo.com Treasurer: Scott Taylor, 630-999-1372, taylorsr@core.com Secretary: Mike McCabe, 630-834-5314, mmike51@rocketmail.com Director: Al Dubiak, 630-830-1353, djdubiak@hotmail.com Director, Tech Counselor: Joe Lienau, 630-985-8244, jelienau@sbcglobal.net Director, Flight Advisor, Dan Walton, 847-923-1647, akrodano@gmail.com Director: Cissy Rawlings, 847-934-4027, wonderplane@sbcglobal.net Flight Advisor: Gregg Erikson, 630-513-0641, 777tiger@sbcglobal.net Director, Newsletter Editor, Web: Greg Karris, 630-290-4359, greg.karris@yahoo.com Director: Bob Meyers, 312-666-2032, bobmeyers@meyersfamily.org Director: Brian Norquist, 630-225-2226, brian@roboticocorp.com Director: Jim Fall, 847-439-4768, JTFall@att.net Website: www.eaa153.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/eaa153 Twitter: www.twitter.com/eaa153 Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/eaa153 Greg Karris Director & Newsletter/Web Editor EAA Chapter 153 EAA 153 Newsletter Page 6