XP Newsletter

The Pony Express Chapter of the MPA met at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at Rosecrans Airport Café. Twenty-two members and guests were present.

After dinner President Bill Bird called the business meeting to order. Ron Wade made a motion to accept the minutes as published. Les Nelson seconded the motion. Motion passed. Ray Kerns presented the treasurer's report showing income of $395.00 and expenses of $504.97 for a balance of $5,338.16.

There were no Wings or Fly Out reports. Ron Wade made a Membership report asking members to contact any names on the list of people whose membership was about to expire.

Airport manager Mike Hurst reported on the following items. There are some security changes for larger planes. He recently sent a newsletter to all tenants of the airport outlining activities and accomplishments. Rob Holmes is trying to get more interest in the Civil Air Patrol at Rosecrans. The parallel taxiway remains a priority. The Air Guard received the first phase of money for their new fire house. He is encouraging the new EAA chapter and the MPA chapter to work together to sponsor events. Preliminary plans are being made for an air show in May or July of 2010. Col. Cotter's replacement has not yet been named.

Ron Wade suggested that each active member encourage at least one other member to attend the next meeting. Rosecrans Café has agreed to provide a choice of two entrees for $10.50 plus tax for the dinner meetings if we guarantee 25 meals. If we do not have 25 paying people, the chapter will make up the difference.

Ted Pierce asked for suggestions for the Web Page.

It was announced that the MPA State Convention will be held in Branson from May 8 to 10, 2009, in conjunction with the opening of the new Branson Airport. There are lots of exciting plans being made. More information will be available soon on the MPA web site (www.mopilots.org).

Billy Ray introduced our speaker Rich Adkisson from Garmin. He gave us an update on Garmin GPS equipment including the G600 and some portable models.

Garmin's G600 incorporates two individual displays -- a PFD and MFD -- in a customized package designed for easy retrofit installation. The G600 is designed to communicate and integrate with Garmin's panel mount products, and provides essential information such as attitude, air data, weather, terrain, and traffic.

The G600 lets owners of existing aircraft upgrade their avionics panel from steam gauges to a modern glass cockpit. With its outstanding features, easy operation, and the finest situational awareness, the G600 makes a glass cockpit an affordable option for thousands of aircraft owners."

Building on the virtues of the G1000 integrated avionics suite, the G600 has multiple features and functions that dramatically reduce pilot workload. The G600 combines critical flight data and displays it in a digital format on dual LCD displays. This user-friendly presentation allows pilots to quickly and efficiently scan the data so that they can stay ahead of the aircraft during all phases of flight.

The G600 replaces traditional mechanical gyroscopic flight instruments with a solid state Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) for superior reliability and accuracy. Garmin's AHRS features rapid alignment while moving, including in-flight dynamic restarts.

The bezel framing the G600's PFD and MFD (10"w x 6.7"h) allows for easy installation into the existing instrument panel in most aircraft. The system is designed to take the space that is currently occupied by the instrument six-pack (attitude, airspeed, altitude, vertical rate, turn coordinator and directional gyro).

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Cameron, secretary

Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 6:30 p.m.