Minutes of March 2025 Gathering

Date: Mar 29, 2025

• Chapter President Date: Mar 29, 2025
• Chapter President Ray Ballantyne called the Membership Gathering to order at 1018 in the Terminal Conference Room, Wm. R. Fairchild Intl. Airport (KCLM), while Chapter 430 members and guests were finishing off the wonderful breakfast prepared and presented by our hospitality directors and volunteers.
• Ray led The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag with 41 members and 6 guests attending.
• Ray led thank-you’s and applause to our hospitality directors - Charlene and Kevin Tracy and our other volunteers.
• Ray announced that 50/50 raffle tickets, to benefit our chapter scholarship fund, are available for sale today and the winning ticket will be drawn before the conclusion of today’s gathering.
• Welcome guest(s): Charlie Parker, Brenda S., Norma Nelson, Maureen Griggs, Debbie vanden Heuvel, and Ted Boothroyd
• January Gathering Minutes were approved as written. (No February gathering or minutes, in lieu of NW Aviation Trade Show and Conference)
• Ray acknowledged miscellaneous correspondence with EAA HQ and representatives of Sequim Valley Airport. Old Business:
• Treasury - Our financial picture reflects funds of approximately $4600 for scholarship, $162k for building fund and $3500 in the operating accounts.
• Membership Tracy Halsted - now stands at about 100.
• Fly-out Barry Halsted - David Miller headed up the effort for a March Flyout to Arlington (KAWO), but the weather was not cooperative. The event was converted to a pleasant drive-out for lunch at the Big Elk Restaurant in Sequim - attended by 6 people. February’s flyout to Bremerton (KPWT) drew 20 folks and a bunch of airplanes.
• 2 ultralight projects, donated by Chapter VP Rick Vaux are receiving inquiries. Ernie Hansen has taken on the selling of the Kitfox Lite and Dream Classic machines, including engines.
• Clubhouse/Hangar - Ray reported that we are trying to work out ways to address challenges with county zoning, water and septic requirements.
• Build and Fly Richard Howell - Spring weather is improving and that will make it easier to have a couple of focused events for kids and their parents to participate in workshops to do some model aircraft building and flying. Details to be announced.
• VMC/IMC Club - Harry Cook reminds us that we have regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. Turnout has been great. We share and learn about real world flying for VFR and IFR. Next meeting is April 9th.
• Young Eagles Bud Davies - The June 14th event is scheduled at Sequim Valley Airport (W28). We need pilots and planes. Please take the opportunity to participate in this effort. Look for inspiring articles in upcoming chapter newsletters that share how valuable and rewarding Young Eagles can be. Other events this year - July 19 Port Angeles (KCLM) and Aug 23 Sequim Valley (W28).

New Business:

• Merchandise - EAA 430 Chapter logo items are available for sale today - hats $20, shirts $25.
• Website hosting and email services have been moved to new servers. Thanks and applause to Ken Brown, Erik Petersen and Andy Sallee.
• Scholarship Dave Miller - At the moment, the chapter has funding for about 1.5 years.
• Our Chapter’s application to administer an EAA Ray Foundation Aviation Scholarship for 2025 has been approved. Jazmin Stamper is our candidate.
• Raise the Roof Pledge Dinner - now scheduled for Wed May 14th.
• Ground School Discussion Group - Ray discussed briefly about starting another series of bi-weekly sessions, suggesting that Saturdays 9:30 to 12:00 at KCLM terminal conference room works well. David Miller has stepped up to be the point of contact.
• Flying Start Harry Cook - Harry is hosting a program which welcomes, inspires, and educates aspiring aviators about their pathway to becoming a pilot. A few volunteers are needed to help with various tasks at the Saturday May 17th 10:00 am event. Pilots - please consider offering a flight to a potential new aviator. See Harry for publicity items, including cards and bulletin board pin ups. A press release is also available.
• Ted Boothroyd offered that he is accomplished at organizing car show events for fundraisers and is available if something like that would be of interest to the chapter.
• Aviation Swap Meet - Ray has been working with folks at Harvey, Bremerton and Chehalis to organize an event. Stay tuned for more.
• Hangar Liquidation Sale - Saturday April 5, 9:00 am -12:00 pm, Bellingham (KBLI) - “E” hangar
• Projects
• Ernie Hansen - Experimental Super Cub, fitting a new Catto 86” non-planar propeller
• Harry Cook - Sonex Waiex B, tail on, landing gear on, brake lines charged.
• Rick Stoffell - RV-10, completing extended-range fuel tanks.
• Doug Medena, RV-10, IO-540 and windows.
• Erik Petersen - has come up with a $100 dry-bot solution for engine bay
• James Russell - Firewall and longeron work on Cenk Özer’s RV-4.
• Business portion of the gathering was adjourned at 1119.
• Program - Pilot and mechanic Jerry Weiler’s fascinating presentation about life and flying on The Peninsula and landing on glaciers of the Olympic Mountains. Respectfully submitted, Richard Howell, EAA 430 Secretary