Minutes of August 2024 Gathering

Date: Aug 31, 2024

• Meeting social and sign-in 0930.
• Chapter President Ray Ballantyne called the Membership Gathering to order at 1000 at Sequim Valley Airport, hangar #15.
• Ray led The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag with 41 members and 7 guests attending.
• Guest(s): Dwight Ford (FAA Seattle FSDO) and others.
• July Gathering Minutes, recorded and submitted by Harry Cook, were approved as written.
• Correspondence:
• Ray Ballantyne reported chapter leaders have been receiving email requests from foreign countries, requesting financial “assistance”. No action being taken. o 7 Cedars has donated a “Stay and Play” package for 2, for our poker run scholarship fundraiser.

Old Business:

• Our financial picture shows approximately $6k for scholarship, $148k for building and $6k for operating funds.
• Fly-out, Barry Halsted reported that the Chehalis event was fun and attended by 19 folks.
• The Clubhouse/Building Committee has been working to establish building design and airport property lease details. We can expect a full report within a couple of months.
• The tetrahedron is working! Our project at Sequim Valley Airport is completed.
• Erik Petersen reported that paid chapter membership stands at 107, with +1 pending.
• Madeline Patterson completed her CFII rating and has been accepted to the USCG Officer Candidate Program
• Gunner Rogers has arrived at University of North Dakota (UND) New Business:
• Aidan Lara successfully completed his checkride and has received his Private Pilot Certificate. Ray Ballantyne thoughtfully selected a befitting challenge coin while he was attending AirVenture and presented it to Aidan to commemorate the significance of Aidan’s accomplishment.
• Emily Wescott reported that, despite the weather, Air Affaire was a success!
• Gordon Tubesing reported that, despite a marine layer until 1400, Diamond Point Airport Day came out “plus”.
• Our next Young Eagles event is Saturday, Sep 7 - Bud Davies encouraged the membership to volunteer as pilots. (members thanked Bud for his chapter service and generosity in sharing his aircraft hangar for our gatherings).

Projects:

• Dave Gardner is rejuvenating his Kitfox III, having completed recent taxi tests
• Rick Stoffel (Ray) has been working on his RV-10 fuel tanks and sealing them
• Harry Cook has been making progress with center fuselage and seat formers on his Waiex-B and ordered his AeroVee Turbo 100 engine kit from Sonex
• James Russell worked on Ken Brown’s RV-7 fiberglass nose gear fairing
• Erik Petersen has been working on the canard for his Cozy MK IV, with assistance from James Announcements:
• Dave Boerighter has a Stratus III and a Dynon Pocket Panel he’d like sell
• (Ray) Jay Pearlman is offering padded sawhorses (for supporting wings) and also an engine stand - will donate proceeds to the chapter
• Ray reminded us that our next Board meeting is September 20th and that chapter members are always invited to attend
• Norm Nelson has offered to assist members who would like help with creation of 3D (project) drawings
• The business portion of the meeting was adjourned
• Jeff Smith received his Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award presented by Dwight Ford, after a presentation about Jeff’s impressive 50 plus years of piloting accomplishments
• Richard Howell made a photo presentation about his adventures and experiences flying round-trip in his Sling 2, attending his first ever AirVenture at Oshkosh, this year.
• Once again members were treated to a delightful Burger Bash and other treats
• Tracy Halsted did her usual fantastic job of conducting the poker games for our Poker Run participants.

○ Donated prizes included the $250 Stay and Play package from 7 Cedars, a $50 gift certificate from Tedesco’s restaurant, $50 from Ace Hardware and $50 from A-1 Auto Parts. Thank you for your support!!

○ There were 13 participants. Winners included Aidan Lara (1st) and Jim Pedlar (2nd) in the first round. Richard Howell (1st) and Jeanne Hanson (2nd) in the second round.

○ A total of $430 was raised for our scholarship funds!

Respectfully submitted, Richard Howell, EAA 430 Secretary