From the Left Seat

Summer has finally arrived and the flying season is in full bloom. The clouds parted enough in June so that Lisa and I participated in the Stehekin Airport work day. The State Aviation Department hosted the event with the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF). We cleaned off some of the bigger rocks, trimmed brush, and installed new tie downs. Later in the month we attended the GlaStar fly-in at Smiley Creek, ID. From there we flew into 6 different airfields, staying 4 nights at Wilson Bar.

Speaking of airfields, several chapter members visited Big Andy (after Sam Davies’ great presentation), and I was invited to fly into Olympic airfield by Discovery Bay, which is a great grass strip that may be supported by the RAF. THE Disaster Airlift Response Team (DART) also flew this month with a major training exercise.

Members have also enjoyed Barry Halsted’s fly-out destinations, and he is upping the game with a Poker Run this month that ends at the July Gathering. Check out the locations to get stamps to exchange for cards and see if you win! (and no bluffing). Also coming up this month is EAA Airventure which starts on the 25th. I’m planning on being at Oshkosh, as are several members of the chapter. I know David Orr plans to fly his Zenith 701 all the way to Wisconsin with some friends. Now that’s a cross country! August will see the Arlington Skyfest on the 20th and Air Affaire at Sequim Valley Airport on the 27th.

By the time you read this, the Young Eagle rally at Sequim Valley will be in the books, leaving only the Port Townsend rally on August 20th. Please help if you can. Bud Davies and Tracy Halsted have been doing a fantastic job of introducing aviation to our local youth.

Several members got together recently to complete the Pilot Recognition Plaza at Sequim Valley Airport in front of the big rock at the entrance. Come pick your place on the airplane and see me for an engraved paver. The 4x8”pavers go for $200 and an 8x8” for $400. These funds go into our Scholarship Fund and support young people going to college for aviation careers.

I’ll miss you at the July Gathering as I’ll be at OSH, but Rick Vaux and the board will be there to make sure things go smoothly at Bud’s hangar.

Let’s get out there and turn some Avgas into noise!

Ray