Airplanes Don't Kill People, People Do

Chapter 541 Barnstormers

Meeting 02.06.2010

Present:  Lenora Krielow, Allen Daigle, Clyde Newmiller, Gregory Lyon, John Romero, Glenn Carter, Charles Moore, Patsy Moore, Daniel Roche’, Steve Alexander, Scott J. Pias, S.J. Gomez

At the meeting held at Riceland Aviation pilot lounge, we discussed the upcoming May 15 State-Wide Fly-in.  The follow topics were discussed:

Name of the event will be “Barnstormers’ Air Festival”

GROUND ACTIVITES:

Music will be provided for a short period during the day.  As to whether we will hire a D.J. or if Trey’s band could play is still in the works.  Clyde will let us know.   Scott Pias will contact the military and get a confirmation of an aircraft presence.  If any are able to do a demonstration or flyby that would be great.  Charles Moore will be helping us find a Radio Controlled Aircraft  vendor to man a booth and put on a possible RC exhibit.   Since they will put on a show, we should not ask for a booth fee.  Patsy will be working on creating some type of give away bag for all pilots flying in.  Lenora will work with the list of professional food providers and gather information.  Lenora will also order prop cards for the aircraft as they register their planes.  The DOTD will be bringing their simulator and we will need to find the volunteers to main the children’s tent.  The City of Jennings will provide a 20X20 tent and Daniel Roche’ will also provide a tent.  Danny will also call about a Fun Jump that he believes Pat Hanley has connections.   A few suggested we find some aircraft vendors that may want to display and have a booth, Lenora will research and make request.

AIR ACTIVITIES:

We had several conversations about different air activities.  We decided since the fly-in would become a public majority, less effort t should be spent on air activities.  In the spirit of the “Learn to Fly” day, the chapter would stress Young Eagles and Adult Orientation Flights.  The Chapter also decided as a whole, they would try to get as many really “cool” airplanes in the airport and organize a flyby at that time.  After a time schedule has been prepared, we can revisit the Ultra-Light and Pilot Proficiency activities.

OPERATING PLANS:

Lenora and S.J. will work together to promote the festival.  Charles will lead the charge on designing the poster.  Steve Alexander will head the safety services, including the inspection of the facilities for obvious safety hazards.  Lenora will ask the Fire Department and have an Ambulance stand by during the event.  I believe I heard Glenn Carter say he was going to be in charge of locating port a potty’s.  S.J. will be in charge of locating the restricted areas and will need help securing restricted areas.  Since Steve Alexander is heading Safety, SJ and Steve may want to work together on this.  Patsy suggested a handwritten protocol to pass out at the gate.  This should say things like “do not climb on aircraft”.  Looks like Patsy has volunteered to draft one for the group.  Since Ed Krielow was the “Air Boss” for the 2003 festival, he was volunteered to serve this year.  We will also need a “Follow Me” vehicle and Steve has two (2) four wheelers.  We will need at least (2) more.  Ed will contact Jennings Civil Air Patrol and ask what they could provide in the way of volunteers and a booth or demo.  Car and camper parking is another area that needs attention.  We did not spend much time talking about it and Greg Lyon, Allen Daigle and John Romero can lead coordinate.  This is part of the crowd control that will need a lot of attention and more volunteers as we get closer to event day.  When we get an event plan layout, we can meet about this area.  We are working with Polly Henry with the City of Jennings; she will be available to ensure that all government permits are in place.  Lenora will check with the Tourist Commission and the City of Jennings for a PA system and any radios / chargers they can provide.  We will also need a cell phone list of all leaders for the field contacts.  Lenora will handle the administrative work such as EAA event notice and a budget that the Tourist Commission will need to help funding.

We accomplished a lot in a little time.  Talk is great, but we need follow through.  SJ has volunteered to handle the leader’s communications through the website.  This will help keep everyone informed and no duplication of efforts.  Just send him an email when you want to share information with the group.

We have roughly 70 pilots on our master rooster.  That is a huge volunteer pool of people and their spouses.  This is going to be a great fly-in and a lot of fun.

Thanks to all

Lenora Krielow

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Aviators:::

According to Jim Riviere, we have 10 state-wide flyins signed up.  Pineville will of course have their 2 and New Iberia is having an airshow the first part of May.   May 15 is EAA's national "Learn to Fly" day and we are good to go!   Don't forget the leadership meeting Saturday after breakfast at the Jennings Airport.  If you've seen something you liked at another fly-in, bring the idea.  We want this to be a success for Chapter 541 and for general aviation.  

Pineville Spring is April 9-11
Reserve is April 24 
New Iberia is May 1-2
Vidalia is May 8
Jennings is May 15
Farmerville is Sept. 11
Pineville Fall is October 8-10
Houma is October 16 
Tallulah is October 30
DeRidder is November 6

Dear  Friends,

This week President Obama announced his intention to  terminate NASA’s Constellation Program intended to replace the space shuttle.  The president’s budget calls for NASA to instead rely solely on so-called “commercial”  space launch systems to take our astronauts into space.

Besides being bad for our nation’s space program, the president’s decision is particularly bad for  Louisiana and the dedicated workers at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans  who have been so integral to NASA since the days of the Apollo Program.   If Constellation is completely abandoned as the president  wishes, the effect on Michoud’s employees and the local economy would be  disastrous.

This decision would effectively end 50 years of NASA’s  pioneering achievements in human space flight and exploration, as well as the  United States’ position as the world’s leader in space exploration.  To  date no “commercial” provider has even launched a test flight, and there is no  firm estimate on when a safe human-rated commercial launch system may be  available – perhaps not until the end of this decade – leaving the United  States without the ability to launch astronauts into space for several years.

But I am prepared to fight the president’s decision and to fight for the continuance of a  robust space program for our nation and for the jobs of the workers at Michoud  and other NASA centers around the country that will be negatively impacted by  this decision.  I and several of my colleagues are preparing to introduce  legislation that would continue and accelerate Constellation’s development and  extend the life of the space shuttle until the Constellation systems are ready  to replace it.

Rest assured I will continue to fight to save America’s  space program from taking a giant leap backward and that I will always fight to  protect the livelihoods of the hard-working people at Michoud, Stennis, and the  other NASA facilities who make our space program the pride of our nation.

Sincerely,

David Vitter
U.S.  Senator

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