Chapter Chatter

Here we are already in October. Next month we will have our annual business meeting (virtual) with the election of the board (mail-in ballots). We have two positons where we do not have anyone who has stepped up to be Vice President or Program Coordinator. Both of these positions need willing volunteers. As you know, the Program Coordinator is a vital link to the success of the chapter. The Vice President is a major supportive role to the overall management of the chapter.

This month I want to address the status of our chapter. Where we are, where we want to be, how do we get there and what we are working on during this time of being “socially distanced.”

It has been very difficult for the chapter to maintain it’s normal “head of steam” during this summer. Without the normal fun of monthly gatherings and good social time plus food, we have lost the momentum that normally keeps things humming.

Barry Halstead has done a wonderful job finding and organizing a fly-out program for the pilots. We have visited airports not normally on the everyday agenda.

The VMC meetings had normally 17 attendees but we have seen that number slide as the zoom meetings have had to take the place of actual in-person togetherness. I hope that as Fall descends, the interest and attendance in the VMC program will increase.

For years our chapter has made a valiant effort to provide the local youth with a taste of aviation with Young Eagle rallies. So far, Chapter 430 members have given 3618 Young Eagles flights. We have participated in the Air Affaire and KCLM airport days to encourage the youth to become interested in aviation. I believe we have been successful in our efforts.

We have assisted those attending aviation-related colleges with scholarship funds to individuals who have sought after a career in aviation. I would like to expand this program to provide scholarship funds for A&P training.

This year and next, we will be starting two new programs geared toward the more interested youths in our community: a Young Eagle Workshop as a prerequisite for joining the Build-n-Fly program. Both programs focus on those individuals who have a sincere interest in aviation, not just a free airplane ride at the Young Eagle rallies.

I believe these programs will have a lasting impact on the individuals who attend. Our job is to make sure we find the right candidates for the programs.

We are going to need your help with various parts of the programs. We will need presenters for workshop segments. I know you have experiences that can be incorporated in the program to interest the youth. Learning about aviation, the forces that make it work, along with the technology, will need to be introduced in small bites but also be interesting. There is nothing worse than sitting in a ground school (workshop) where all you get are data-filled hours of “stuff” without any practical application.

I hope as you read this message, you will find an interest to be part of the moving parts that make this chapter so special. We have opportunities to serve and be a part of growing/teaching the next generation of fliers and mechanics. We need your expertise to make this all happen.

Ken