EAA Chapter 430 Membership Gathering Minutes: March 2024

Date: Mar 30, 2024

• Meeting breakfast social and sign-in 0930.
• Chapter President Ray Ballantyne called the Membership Gathering to order at 1012 at Wm. R. Fairchild Airport, terminal conference room and led a round of cheers and thanks to the Tracys for putting up another Breakfast Feast! Thanks to Bud Davies who airlifted coffee and equipment, and to others who contributed their time and prepared wonderful treats.
• Ray led The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag with 42 members and 4 guests attending.
• Guest(s): Tim Alentiev, Mel Messineo, John Lynch and Dana Terrill.
• January Gathering Minutes were approved as written. There were no minutes from February as the NW Aviation Conference and Trade Show substituted for our regular gathering.
• Ray announced that member Jim Bettcher brought some surplus items today for members to browse and acquire with proceeds to be donated to the chapter building fund.
• Correspondence:
• Ray reported that our chapter application to the EAA Ray Scholarship Foundation was approved, thanks especially to the efforts of our Scholarship Chair - Dave Miller. Our chapter scholar is Gunner Rogers and he has already progressed in his training to accomplish solo flight.
• EAA Leadership Bootcamp - Ray Ballantyne, Tracy and Barry Halsted and Richard Howell attended the one day event at Harvey Field (S43), sponsored by EAA Chapter 84. It was a long day, but informative and enjoyable.
• Reports:
• Ray reported that the chapter treasury has $130700 in the building fund, $8000 in scholarship and $3 to $4k in the general fund.
• Membership - Erik Petersen reported that the chapter has 88 (and today 89) paid members, 18 are lapsed and the “new” member sliding window is at 15.
• Flyouts - Barry Halsted reported that the March flyout was to Tacoma Narrows (KTIW) and that the April flyout is expected to be on a Saturday, with 2 stops - Bremerton (KPWT) for breakfast/lunch and Olympia (KOLM) to tour the Olympic Flight Museum.
• Old Business:
• Our ground school discussion group is ongoing and regularly attended by 5 - 8 people.

Another session is being held here, just after today’s gathering.

• New Business:
• Sequim Valley Airport - Air Affaire - will be on August 24, a week earlier than it has traditionally been. That leaves the following weekend open for a regular EAA 430 Chapter Gathering, also in August.
• Ray announced that arraignments are being made for the purchase of a brass plaque to commemorate our Recognition Plaza at Sequim Valley Airport. More details about the design will be forthcoming.
• Wind Tetrahedron - Ray is organizing a work party on April 2nd at 1000 to begin the process of replacing the old one at Sequim Valley Airport and is calling for volunteers.
• Flying Start - an event is planned for 1300 May 18 at Port Angeles Fairchild Airport. This event will provide information and introductory flights for adults who are interested in learning to fly. Ray called for pilots to volunteer and register on the EAA flyingstart.org website.
• Our chapter is planning three Young Eagles rallies this year, starting with Sequim Valley (W28) on June 1st, Port Angeles (KCLM) on July 13th and Port Townsend (0S9) on September 7th. Bud Davies invited pilots to volunteer and to register on the EAA yeday.org website. Pilots - please be sure to complete all Youth Protection Program requirements on the EAA website - EAA Youth Protection Program.
• Our next meeting (April) will once again return to Sequim Valley Airport at Bud Davies’

hangar #15.

• Harry Cook reminded us about VMC/IMC Club - 2nd Wednesday every month at Mariner’s Cafe in Sequim, 7:00 pm.
• EAA Chapter 430 Building Plan - Ray Ballantyne made an exciting presentation about plans to build a facility for our home at Sequim Valley Airport - a 40 x 50 foot metal building, with a hydroswing door system and amenities such as a large meeting area, bathrooms, kitchen and storage. Ray discussed our chapter’s current financial condition and a bit about how we’ll go about funding and maintaining the facility.
• Project Reports.
• Harry Cook - Sonex Waiex B, making progress on the fuselage.
• Colette Miller - Sonex, organizing airplanes and finished tail components in her shop prior to committing her order for factory built wing spar assemblies. She will be looking for a “rotisserie” setup for her wing build.
• The business portion of the gathering was adjourned.
• Our featured presenter was Barry Halsted and he took us through his challenges and accomplishments to bring his magnificent Piper PA-11 Cub Special to its present day condition. The aircraft was parked just outside so everyone could see it close up. Respectfully submitted, Richard Howell, EAA 430 Secretary