Gathering Minutes: Aug 26, 2023

Date: Aug 26, 2023

• Meeting social and sign-in 0930.
• Chapter President Ray Ballantyne called the Membership Gathering to order at 0958 at Sequim Valley Airport, Hangar 15
• Barry Halsted led The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag with 44 members and 4 guests attending
• Guest(s): Herb Taylor, Raymond Warriner and son, Richard Pearlman
• July Gathering minutes were approved as written.
• Correspondence: Steve Backe offered a Croix CX-9 Turbine paint sprayer to the tool crib. All remaining surplus items are available today, for free take away. Last chance.
• Old Business
• Vice President Rick Vaux reported on our chapter Build and Fly program.
• We’ve had 4 kids and at least one and often both parents in regular attendance.
• There are 2 sessions left - the R/C LT-40 Kadet plane is done, except for final adjustments.
• Simulation training is going smoothly.
• The kids and the plane will take to the air in the first half of September.
• Rick thanked the program volunteers - Mike Niewarowicz, Kevin Tracy and Richard Howell. Many thanks to Tracy Halsted for managing the details of the required paperwork and accounting.
• Ray summarized our successful Young Eagles season - 139 kids flown, by 25 pilots and the dedicated ground crews. Special thanks to the pilots who shared their beloved aircraft and covered their own expenses to make the flights possible. Remarkable. Ray especially acknowledged and thanked Bud Davies and Tracy Halsted for their tremendous contributions of time and effort to coordinate the events.
• Ray reported that the treasury has $4142 in the general fund, $10522 for scholarship and $484 in the building fund.
• Membership Director Erik Petersen heralded 5 new members, for a total of 99. New members in attendance included: Norm Nelson and son Nathan, Sid Vandiver, Melissa Laird.
• Scholarship Director Dave Miller reported that Daniel Weaver has graduated and was an award winner for his aircraft engineering-related project. Port Angeles airport runway construction continues.
• Fly Out Director Barry Halsted reported the August destination - Chehalis (KCLS) - was somewhat more lightly attended than the original expectation, but still a good time was had by 9 folks and was a bonus destination for the chapter Poker Run.
• Choice of the September destination is pending.
• Note that the Hood River Fly-In (and WAAAM) is (Sep 9 - 10), Reno (Sep 13 - 17)
• New Business:
• First responders event and Diamond Point Airport Appreciated Day were well received.
• No Air Affaire this month - but next year…
• Ray reported that all Class I directors have offered to continue for another 2-year term. This means that a nominating committee will not be needed, but he invited any eligible chapter member who may be interested in serving in one of the Class I director positions - President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary - please contact Vice President Rick Vaux (or any other BOD member) at your earliest opportunity.
• Reminder - Chapter 430 logo patches are available (at the gatherings) for $5 each. Copy Cat Graphics has the chapter logo and can add that to apparel and merchandise you may wish to purchase on your own.
• A ground school prep class get-together, for those interested, is coming soon.
• Member James Russell is working to identify (and establish) a remote emergency landing zone in the vicinity of Old Gardiner Rd. If you have interest or ideas, please contact him.
• Dave Miller is on the verge of taking delivery of a brand new Legend Cub and has offered his half-ownership of a beautiful Piper J3 Cub (Wag Aero experimental) for sale - $20k.
• Project Reports
• Harry Cook - Sonex Waiex B, wingtips, finger injury (ouch!).
• Richard Howell - Sling 2, phase 1 flight testing.
• Dave Moffitt - RV-12, airworthiness certificate in-hand!! It’s an airplane!!! What now?!
• The business portion of the meeting was adjourned.
• Bud Davies shared his experiences and photos from this year’s Air Venture. Of particular interest was a pilot who, after exhaustive preparation and planning, intentionally landed his airplane without power - AT NIGHT!!!
• Participants in the Chapter Poker Run gathered around a table to play their hands. (Expect a complete report at our next gathering)
• Once again, our Burger Bash was a hit. Kevin and Charlie Tracy, Joan Miller, Linda Runion and others hosted coffee, treats, condiments and other wonderful goodness. Dave Miller and Todd Taylor teamed up at the grill. Thank you all!! Respectfully submitted, Richard Howell, EAA 430 Secretary