FAA IN OSHKOSH TO REVIEW GLASTAR EFFORT
On Wednesday we welcomed a number of FAA representatives from Washington, D.C. and the agency's Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J.  That group and EAA Washington Representative Rick Weiss were at the Aviation Center to review this year's operational plan with the EAA/FAA GlaStar.  That airplane was loaned to FAA by EAA in 1997 for testing on future avionics and instrumentation to help general aviation pilots.

AVENGER ENGINE LOANED TO EAA COLLECTION
A very unique artifact arrived at the AirVenture Museum this week.  We received an engine from a Navy Avenger torpedo bomber that had been restored after spending more than 30 years in Lake Michigan following a training accident.  The engine, a 1,500-horsepower, 14-cylinder Wright Cyclone engine was restored, despite heavy corrosion of its magnesium
areas.  The piston chambers and valve guides have been cut away, allowing a look inside this powerplant.  The engine is also hooked up to a small electric motor, which allows people to see the operation of the engine at slow speeds.  This rare artifact has been loaned to the museum by Paul Knutson of Glenview, Ill., and will eventually be put on display.

CHAPTER ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETS
Last weekend we welcomed the members of the Chapter Advisory Council to the Aviation Center.  The productive meeting included a review of the strategic plan for the Chapter Office as well as scheduling Chapter Leadership workshops in 2000.  Those workshops, designed for Chapter officers and other EAA members, will be held in Lakeland, Fla. (March 4); Chattanooga, Tenn. (April 1); Minneapolis, Minn. (May 6); and Cleveland, Ohio (June 3).

VISITORS TO EAA
This week we welcomed Gordon Schimmel, AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) Education Committee Chair and a Superintendent of Schools in Connecticut, and video producer George Colburn to the Aviation Center.  Jon Sheehy provided both with a tour of our video facilities.  They also met with Lee Siudzinski to study ways aviation museums may collaborate in the
celebration of the 2003 anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight....  Pat Hiebel and Todd Browning of Harvey Watt & Co. visited EAA Headquarters this week for discussions on the EAA life insurance coverage to members  ... This week, AeroCrafter editor Don Purdy was at EAA to meet with several staff members regarding editorial content and production of the
seventh edition of homebuilt aircraft guide ... On Thursday, we welcomed eight new reporters currently studying at the Thomson Newspapers "Reader Inc." training lab in Oshkosh.  As part of their final exam, they were asked to develop a news or feature story at EAA.  Several EAA staff members met with these reporters and provided interviews and background information.  Dick Knapinski coordinated the visit, which helps young reporters better understand aviation and EAA when they return to their newspapers throughout the country.

CROSBY RESTORATION
Museum restoration crews continue their efforts on the 1938 Crosby CR-4 racing airplane donated to the collection by EAA Aviation Foundation Director Morton Lester.  Bruce Jovaag of EAA's Cessna Restoration Center staff is currently repainting this airplane, which participated in the 1938 National Air Races in Cleveland.

SECOND  B-17 GROUND SCHOOL THIS WEEKEND
Today we welcome the second group of aviation enthusiasts attending the B-17 Ground School at the Aviation Center.  Last weekend, nearly 20 people enjoyed a weekend of discovering more about the "Flying Fortress" through sessions similar to those used by EAA's volunteer B-17 pilots.  Hal Weekley and Don Taylor led the participants in the session, which included
orientation flights.  This weekend, Hal will be joined by Larry New for the sessions and flights. The group also utilized the Air Academy Lodge and new Staff Lodge and had high praise for the accommodations.  The next major education function will be the Dream It ... Do It workshops for girls in fourth through sixth grade who have displayed aptitude in
science, math and technology, along with their parents.

YOUNG EAGLES '99 HEADING TOWARD 100,000
Steve Buss reports if current goals are met for the final two months of 1999, Young Eagles flown will again top 100,000 this year.  Some bad weather earlier this year washed out several major flight rallies, but decent fall weather in many parts of the country gives us a good
opportunity to fly young people yet this fall.  If you have an opportunity to fly some Young Eagles this fall, we heartily encourage you to do so - especially of you haven't yet reached the "10 for '99" level.

MASTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR RENEWALS UNDERWAY
NAFI's Master Instructor program, which has drawn dozens of flight instructors and recognized many of them as the "cream of the crop" among this group, is beginning renewals for those CFIs who first received the designation in late 1997.  The Master Instructor designation is good for two years, but is renewable if an instructor continues to demonstrate
professional growth and development in the field.  We congratulate these instructors would have shown themselves to be the best in this profession.

PHP IS HOLIDAY PARADE GRAND MARSHAL
Congratulations to Paul Poberezny, who has been named Grand Marshal of the 1999 Oshkosh Holiday Parade.  That parade, which annually features more than 70 bands, floats and other units, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. through downtown Oshkosh.

CONGRATS!
Congratulations to Sue Anderson-Smerling of EAA's Marketing Dept. and her husband, Larry, on the birth of their second daughter.  Larryn Baxter Smerling checked in at nine pounds and 21 inches long last Saturday morning. Mom and baby are doing fine.

EAA UNITED WAY DRIVE TOTALS UP
EAA's two-week United Way campaign was very successful, as total contributions were up 20 percent to over $10,000.  Thanks to everyone who participated by filling out a pledge card or in the other activities scheduled around the campaign.

STAFF CHANGES
This week we welcome Roger Jaynes to EAA as our new Vice President of Corporate Communications.  As mentioned in FridayGram a few weeks ago, Roger is the former director of public relations at Road America in Elkhart Lake.  In other news, today is the last day at EAA for Kathy Huberty of the Finance Dept.  Kathy, who joined EAA in January, has accepted a job in Fond du Lac.  We wish her the best in her future endeavors.

NOVEMBER EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES
This month we thank and congratulate EAA staff members celebrating employment anniversaries in November: Karen Feldner (19 years); Pat Brown (10 years); Livy Phillip (nine years); Rick Hanneman and Gary Doehling (seven years); David Hunter and Tom Nevers (four years); Rick Weiss (three years); Colin Hildebrandt and Pierre Kotze (two years); Rick McCoy and Meridith Vaughan (one year).

COMING EVENTS
Nov. 19-21: "Dream It...Do It" Science-Math-Technology conference for girls/parents, Leadership Center.  Dec. 13:  Christmas in the Air, AirVenture Museum, 2:30-8:30 p.m..

Sincerely,

Tom Poberezny
President