March 1st

Show Us The Money!

Missouri's state aviation program is flying a little bit higher, thanks to an additional $5 million being provided annually for state aviation programs through transfer of jet fuel sales tax revenue into the state's Aviation Trust Fund. Prior to the law, annual state funding for airports totaled about $1 million. Brian Weiler, MoDot's Administrator of Aviation, will join us to discuss how this money will be used to improve aviation in the state and Missouri's 113 publicly owned airports.

Since we him last, Brian was also named a member of the state's long-range Transportation Planning Team which will complete an assessment of the state's existing transportation system, develop standards by which the system's condition will be judged in the future and establish ways to identify and prioritize improvements. So join us on March 1 and bring your questions for Brian on flying money, his crystal ball and why hold short instructions for runway 8R/26L have been changed to "FORE."

Join us at the Greenbriar Country Club, 12665 Big Bend Boulevard. Social hour is 6:00 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM and Brian will give his presentation at 8:00 PM. Please call Ron Hyken at 636-519-9721 or Barbara Lane at 636-391-2668 for reservations. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY FEBRUARY 28 AT 12:00 NOON.


WRITE YOUR SENATORS! Air traffic services user fees are again surfacing as House and Senate conferees debate funding the FAA. Please contact your Senators as soon as possible on the matter. The AOPA is recommending support of H.R. 1000; the House FAA Reauthorization bill that would unlock the Aviation Trust Fund as passed by the House. This measure would provide the funding needed. The addresses for your Senators are:

The Honorable John Ashcroft
The United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Christopher Bond
The United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The full text of AOPA's National Pilot Alert can be found at our website - just click on the "Hot" button.

National Pilot Alert (Click Me)

MARCH FLYOUT - Saturday, March 18, we'll fly to Rantoul, Illinois where we'll have lunch and visit the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum located on the field. In 1999 the museum constructed over 11,000 sq. ft. of new exhibits. Visitors can now explore the history of Chanute AFB from 1917-1948. During this year, they will complete a new line of exhibits which will cover the years 1950 to 1993, the year the base was closed, and technical training from 1917-1993.

The museum has over 30 aircraft and missiles on display, including replicas of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Chanute's first aircraft the Curtiss Jenny bi-plane, the USAF's first Cruise Missile and the world's only remaining XB-47. Visitors can view the inside of a B-52 cockpit and C-130 cargo plane and a large collection of Frasca flight simulators.

We'll meet at JetCorp at 8:45 AM for a 9:00 AM departure to Frank Elliot Field. Flo Wyatt is your Flyout Captain and you can call her at 839-9788 for additional information. If the weather doesn't cooperate and we cannot fly to Rantoul, call Flo to find out where the alternate is for that day. We could be doing a shorter flight or we may have a visit to a special place. Either way - participate. Need more info on the Museum? Just click on the picture above.

Here is a shot of some of the members who flew to Mt Vernon on February 20th. If you want to see a really big and clear version that Mike took with his new digital camera just click on the photo (use your back button to return here).

SAFETY/WINGS - One part of our MPA Charter requires the chapter to promote safety and we do this through sponsoring safety seminars and also by encouraging our members to participate in the Wings Program. So far the following members have received their Wings: Richard A. Wilbers (IX), Chris Erkmann (IX), Gary Johnson (I), Arnold Zimmerman, Jr. (XIII), Candace Stewart (V), Ronald Hyken (II), Margaret Nulsen (V), Douglas Rajski (VI), Neal Fiala (14), Your Name???????? Please contact Art Stewart 842-1720 when you receive your Wings so you can be counted.



FEBRUARY MEETING - A special thank you to all the past presidents of the St. Louis Chapter who attended the February meeting. We hope you liked the presentation and your commemorative Past President's pin. For some, it was the first time we met those who helped establish our chapter and we look forward to seeing you at future meetings.



Shirts, Jackets, Caps, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Golf Shirts, etc. are now available with the Chapter's Logo. The quality of the items is top rate and the logo is machine stitched - not printed. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the Chapter's Treasury. Help support and show your pride in our chapter by wearing these destinctive items. Click on the photo on the left to see what is available, prices, etc. Thank you.



Plane Cookin' cookbooks are available. Be sure to purchase at the next meeting as Mother's Day is just around the corner. Cookbooks always make great gifts.



Please remember the hungry and homeless. You may bring canned goods and personal items to the meeting. We will be happy to distribute to the Ladies of Charity in Normandy. They appreciate every donation.



If you did not get a copy of the Brief History of our Chapter at the January Meeting at the 94th Aero Squadron here is a link to it: A Brief History of our Chapter