Our March meeting will be on Wednesday, March17, 2004, at the ClubHouse

Our program will be by Troy Woodlawn of Just Aircraft of Caldwell

Bob Troxell will bring refreshmnents.

Dues are Due! Many of you took care of it at the banquet which we
appreciate, but if you haven't paid your $25.00 yet, please get it to
Cheryl as soon as possible.

Minutes from the Last Meeting:
EAA 837 Minutes of February 21st, 2004, Meeting

Meeting called to order by Vice-President Dorin Daniels.

Attendance: 51 members and Guests.

Cheryl Cruson described the raffle and auction items. The raffle items
were to be won from tickets that were on sale for $1.00 each or six for
$5.00. There was also a silent auction on several items. All of these
items, as well as cast airplane models used as table decorations and
table favors, were provided by Oregon Trail Hobbies.

President Steve Conant made a presentation of 2-lb bags of White Satin
brown sugar to each person present.

President Steve Conant presented the 2003 Officers with Chapter Service
Awards, as follows:

President		Steve Conant
V. President & Flight Advisor		Jerry Waggoner
Treasurer		Bob Troxell
Secretary & Membership		Dick Kyle
Young Eagles Coordinator		Jim Holton
Tech Advisor		Alan Daniels
Newsletter		Linda & Alan Daniels
Website		Ken Simmons

Alan Daniels introduced some members of the Caldwell Kitfox Build
Group. So far there have been eight Kitfox 7's finished.

Dan Moudree and Don Dressen introduced the Banquet Speaker: Bob Patrick
from McCall, Idaho. Bob began his remarks by giving an update on the
struggle by himself and aviation groups such as: Idaho Aviation to retain
the use of backcountry airstrips. Environmental radicals are trying to
ban the use of rafts, boats, vehicles, planes and every mechanical device
in Idaho wilderness areas. Central Idaho, Wilderness Law is under review,
comments and appeals. July 2004 is set for resolution. Bob said Idaho
Aviation needs additional members to help in this effort to keep backcountry
strips open to the public. At present there are 20 strips in the Frank
Church Wilderness Area.

Bob gave an informative presentation on backcountry flying. Some of the
tips that he offered were:

• Be proficient and current in the aircraft.
• Resist peer pressure, know your limitations.
• Avoid flaring too high when trees are in peripheral vision.
• Be aware that the horizon is gone in the mountains.
• Don't overload.
• Landing patterns depend on terrain.
• Make go-around decisions early, ½ mile at 500'. Fly circuit to check wind, stock or wildlife on runway.
• Fly the edge of canyons and drainages; don't cross a ridge at 90 degrees.
• To gain altitude, do a 360-degree climb.
• Plan departure before landing.
• "When in doubt, eat!" If you are in doubt, there is a good reason.

Member Update: Info. on Rod Cowgill & his Mifyter, submitted by Barb Cowgill. Did you know Rod was instrumental in getting the Snake River EAA Chapter started years ago?

He served as chairman of the Airport committee for years...It was his idea, and he was chairman in charge of the 3 Gigantic Ontario Air Shows in the early 80's.

Rod has done, and continues to do a lot for the local aviation community.

Here is some info that might be of inspiring interest to your members.

• Rod's plane made the cover of the June 2003 Kitplanes magazine.
• Rod's plane won "People's Choice" at the Copper State Air Show in October 2003 Mesa, AZ
• It also won Champion, Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and Honorable mention at Oshkosh and Arlington.
• He is continually being asked to do seminars at those air shows.
• He is a member of the Light Plane Manufacturing Association.
• There was a great article about Rod & the Mifyter in the January Experimenter Magazine
• Now Kitplanes is using the June Cover (With Rods Plane) on their Subscription cards in their March magazine.
• He just released a tremendous flying info video on the Mifyter.
• Last year at the air shows, the people talked, he listened and he went to work. Right now Rod is putting all his efforts into designing a brand new version of the Mifyter.
• The new version will be flying this spring and presented to the public in Kit form, for the first time at the airshow circuits this summer.

The purest form of experimental aircraft..."Original Designs"

(Editor's note: We appreciate updates on what our members are doing. Please feel free to send us info anytime to keep us updated.)