Does Your Chapter Need a Winter Project?

October 2015

Pedal Planes:

Every chapter needs a project to fund their activities. Some have pancake breakfasts and barbecues, other chapters rent out space in chapter hangars or hold raffles. For example, Chapter 1095 in Gaylord Michigan, is the Official Supplier of name tags to EAA. Order your chapter name tags now.

Another option is for chapters to build and sell a product. Picnic benches are a great, but heavy, option. Your chapter might consider kids pedal planes as EAA chapters 1121 (Greenfield, Indiana) and 1387 (Troy, Missouri) have discovered.

Chapter 1121’s design revolved around a plywood-based fuselage and wing that is suspiciously reminiscent of a Pietenpol Air Camper Parasol! Phil Jones led the project that has resulted in beautifully detailed pedal planes that are highly sought after.

However, as we all know there is an ongoing raging debate at many chapters regarding which design is better—high-wing or low, and what is the best material to construct airplanes out of.

EAA Chapter 1387, led by president Jerry Folkerts, upped the ante by designing and building their own low-wing all-metal pedal plane. Based on the number of seats, it looks like an RV-3.

Both designs can be as simple or as complex as your heart desires. Custom paint or matching liveries are possible. What can your chapter do?

Chapter Rack Card Displays:

Another simple project that involves bending of aluminum, riveting and working with Plexiglas is a chapter “Rack Card Display” (see attached pictures). These displays are great tools to advertise your chapter and can be used at any event such as a pancake breakfast, fly-in, or they can be deployed at an FBO to advertise and help create awareness of your chapter.

Start with your chapter’s existing rack card, trifold brochure, or a flyer, and sketch up a drawing of the rack, then detail it out. If designing and drafting is new, roll the design portion of the project into a chapter presentation, as this is a great skill to have for any pilot, builder, or restorer. Include dimensions, add some tolerances, and a write up a bill of materials so you know what to order for parts.

Try and make at least one for your chapter. A chapter group build would be great!

More info from Chapter 1121.

Contact Phil Jones at chapter 1121: PJones5674@msn.com

Here is more info and how to order plans from Chapter 1387.