From the Left Seat

EAA430 is a strong and vibrant chapter providing youth centered, educational and aviation activities. We have made a huge impact in young lives. Recent examples of this include Madeline Patterson, who received financial help from us, and will soon graduate the University of North Dakota and realize her goal of flying Coast Guard aircraft. Gunner Rogers, about to graduate Forks High School, came to us at two Young Eagle events last year and decided he was going to be an airline captain. Scholarship chairman David Miller applied for the chapter and was approved to administer the Ray foundation scholarship. As our first candidate, Gunner’s application was approved this month to the tune of $6600! He is already flying cross-country by himself!

The biggest obstacle we face in increasing our youth outreach is a centralized location – a place of our own. Also, we need a nice, warm, convenient meeting place. The good men and women of EAA430 have been wandering from place to place for 50 years. It’s time to enter the promised land. Things have come together to provide us that opportunity if we step out boldly. With the donated monies we’ve received recently, we have found a location on Sequim Valley airport, decided on a design, and think we can actually start building this year!

The building committee evaluated many of the options available and came to the conclusion that an R & M steel building 50 x 40‘ wide with a one piece 45 x 12‘ lift door would give us plenty of room and allow the option of having an aircraft in the building. The committee has contacted two contractors for estimates and are waiting for a response. We expect the estimates will be in excess of $150,000. Here are some drawings of what the building could look like:

It’s evident that more funds will be required. Depending on the amenities we might be able to choose, an additional $70,000 could be expected. The board has never considered taking a loan. If we can’t pay for it we’ll wait for it.

We’re hoping you will see the value of having an organization that keeps aviation alive and active and that you want to help build our clubhouse. Francis Lyon and an anonymous donor have provided us dollars to start our dream. The vision of our own meeting place is now very close to being realized. We want everyone to join in at whatever level they can to bring this project to life and now is the time.

Will you help us build our home? Top Gun foundation builders $10,000 and over Maverick monster door builders $5000-$10,000. Goose wall builders $2500-$5,000.

Top cover builders $1000 to 2500 Supporters $500 Contributors $100. This is an opportunity to leave a legacy on the Olympic Peninsula and to our aviation community. Please join us to make our dream a reality.

Ray