EAA Chapter 430From the Left Seat
Open the PDF at page 1 See the whole January 2022 issue
We closed out 2021 in great fashion with the annual holiday party at The Cedars at Dungeness. Thanks goes out to all those who helped make that such a great party.
I am honored to be elected as president of this great chapter. My career involved 34 years in all three options of ATC. I’m an EAA lifetime member; I’ve been a 430 member since moving here in 2010. I served as secretary for four years and started facilitating the VMC club over three years ago.
I’m really excited about the coming year for our chapter. We’ve had some last minute changes to the Board of Directors as Jim Bess has resigned as treasurer, and Tracy Halsted has graciously offered to take over that position. I have asked Richard Howell to serve as our new secretary, and he has accepted the position. Thanks to Harry Cook for taking the lead for VMC club. We’re lucky to have such an experienced airman leading the discussions. He may explore alternating the IMC club with the current VMC club. If you haven’t been to a VMC meeting, you might want to give it a try. It can be a really fun hour.
Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s time to think and plan our flying season for this year. Of course, Barry Halsted has been doing a fabulous job of offering places to fly every month. He may be thinking of another poker run, and even an overnight trip. Our first Young Eagles event will be on May 21st at Fairchild international Airport in Port Angeles. During the open house, we will also be soliciting participants for our first “You Can Fly” program which will be conducted the following weekend. Sometime in the spring, when warm breezes make you look up, we plan to have a para-motor fly-in breakfast and invite the community. Adding these events to our regular Young Eagle rallies and Air Affaire should make the coming year full and fun. Please consider becoming involved in one or more of these events that interest you.
As I write this column, my wife Lisa and I are still in Delaware providing care for my brother John. Being 2500 miles away means I have to rely on others to help keep the chapter moving. Thank you to those who are stepping up. I was planning to host a Ballantyne’s Valentine Party at my hangar on February 14, but COVID concerns have overcome my best efforts. Maybe we’ll do it next year.
Speaking of COVID, the Board has worked hard to find a warm comfortable venue for the January Gathering to no avail. We tried the conference room at KCLM, KONP radio station conference room, and private hangars. Therefore, our January Gathering will be held on ZOOM starting at 0930 on Saturday January 29, 2022, with the business meeting starting at 1000. I hope it is the only one of the year.
I will also report that there have been conversations with Sequim Valley Airport about construction of a new hangar that can serve as our meeting facility. More information to come as specifics come to light.
There will be the 2nd annual EAA Homebuilders Week for 5 days between January 24-28, 2022. There will be 6 webinars each day, and you can pick and choose what’s interesting whether you’re getting started or want to learn more. The webinars will be recorded and members will be able to replay them from EAA.org.
Keep your airplane flying this winter, and invite someone to go fly with you!
Mike Patey says:
For all you young aviators, get into aviation. It is so fun, and it’s one giant, happy family. It’s a wonderful place and I promise you the first time you get your aircraft two inches off the ground—it’s going to be fun that time—and 10,000 hours later, too.” “Flying is unreal. Go do it.”