Gathering Minutes: May 27, 2023

Date: May 27, 2023

• Meeting social and sign-in 0930.
• Chapter President Ray Ballantyne called the Membership Gathering to order at 1012 at Sequim Valley Airport, Hangar 15
• Ray led The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag with 34 members and 7 guests attending
• Guest(s): Norm and Nathan Nelson, Shinji Maeda and son, Jay De Maio, Sidney Gross, Sid Vandiver, John McMahon
• April Gathering minutes were approved as written.
• Correspondence: Ray touched on contacts with EAA HQ, EAA Chapter 406 and Olympic Silent Flyers.
• Old Business

Flying Start had 9 Eagle candidates, some coming from as far away as Tacoma. One attendee saw the sign posted at Sequim Valley Airport and was persuaded to come. Young Eagles kicked off the season with a Sunday rally at Port Angeles Wm. R. Fairchild Intl. Airport that flew 33 kids, thanks to the generosity of 7 pilots and their aircraft. Ground support volunteers made the event come together brilliantly.

Rick Vaux reported on the chapter Build N Fly program at the Maker Lab facility provided by Sequim Museum. There have been 6-7 kids plus parents at the build sessions. The LT-40 model airplane is framed and ready for covering. Everyone seems to be having fun and coming back for more. A flying site has been secured, thanks to efforts by Robert Ball of the Olympic Silent Flyers, our local AMA sanctioned electric radio controlled (R/C) model club. Two R/C flying simulators are available, one was recently donated by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), thanks to an outreach by Rick Vaux. The simulators will be coming into play as the kids discover their wings and prepare for a mid-July start of flying their creation.

For anyone interested in possibly joining the Olympic Silent Flyers, please visit https://www.modelaircraft.org/club/olympic-silent-flyers

Ray related the financial condition of the chapter - general fund $3800, scholarship $10200 and building fund $459.

Young Eagles credits have been used to purchase a second LT-40 kit for our next Build N Fly program effort.

Ray reported chapter membership at 93, with 11 new members.

Barry Halsted reported on flyout activity, the latest being to Skagit Regional Airport. As usual, an enthusiastic group of flyers attended for a nice lunch at the Skagit Landing Restaurant. A few folks from EAA Chapter 406 and the Puget Sound area flew in too. A couple of flyers also took the opportunity to visit the Heritage Flight Museum. Tacoma Narrows looks to be the destination for June.

Barry previewed the Poker Run in July - August. First place prize will be ½ of the proceeds, the balance to benefit the chapter 430 scholarship fund. Entry fee $20. Costco has stepped up with the donation of a $50 gift certificate. Ray called on the membership to rally community businesses to sponsor prizes as well.

• New Business:

Ray showed off the new banner he arranged to have made that reflects recognition of EAA 430 as a Gold Chapter for 2022.

Our next Young Eagles rally event is Saturday June 17, 1100 at Sequim Valley Airport (W28)

EAA 430 is looking for someone to take over and provide a home for the chapter Tool Crib. Please contact any member of the board if you would be willing to take on this valuable role.

Ray led a brief discussion about emails to chapter membership - too many, too few, content, quality, etc.

Ray, Scott F. and others acknowledged that there was an issue with the distribution of the April newsletter which has been analyzed, understood and corrected.

There will be no Air Affaire at Sequim Valley Airport this year, due to potential conflicts with anticipated construction activities.

Runway resurfacing is scheduled to commence on July 10 at Port Angeles Fairchild Airport. The construction will happen in phases, over about 3 months. Pilots - check Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMS) for impacts to the airport and runway(s) status.

Chapter member Gordon Tubesing invited everyone to Diamond Point Airport Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 12, 1000-1500. (visit https://2wa1.org/airport-day/)

• Project Reports

Harry Cook - Sonex Waiex B, control surfaces done, left wing done

James Russell - Cozy Mk. IV (plans built), talked about his work with composites and interesting technology developments he’s exploring with help from Norm Nelson and Norm’s son Nathan.

Collette Miller - Continuing work on her Sonex while helping others with various projects.

Richard Howell - Sling 2, final preparations for airworthiness certification.

Barry Halsted has been helping to get the Jacobs 350 HP radial engine running smoothly for Richard Humphreys’ 1929 Waco taperwing biplane.

• Ray adjourned the business portion of the gathering at 1045.
• Erik Petersen introduced his friend Shinji Maeda to share his remarkable life story and his 2021 Earthrounder Mission. (visit https://www.aerozypangu.com/earthrounder-mission)
• Thanks to everyone that helped to host our Burger Bash.

Respectfully submitted, Richard Howell, EAA 430 Secretary