From the Left Seat

It won’t be long before it will be time to start the flying season! We can whet our appetite for summer adventures at the Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show on February 21, then join the monthly flyout lunches that Barry puts on. We sponsor “Flying Start” on May 16 as an introduction to aviation for the person who always wanted to learn to fly but either had no time or money (or both). If you have a friend that always says they wanted to learn to fly, here’s your answer. Let me know if you would like to be a part of this effort. And we always need Pilots to provide the Eagle flights to each participant.

Which brings up our Young Eagles plan to provide a flight in a light aircraft to local youth. We are planning to have three rallies this year on June 6, July 11, and August 15. I just learned that EAA HQ will credit our chapter $25 for each new YE Pilot. If you’re interested in knowing more about being a YE pilot, get ahold of Bud Davies or any board member.

I’m looking forward to the fly ins, and overnight camping trips this summer. I hope to attend AirVenture 2026, and several group camping events. There will also be day events at local airports and maybe some special EAA430 flyout events!

Until then, check the purity of the fuel, warm the engine if it needs it, and keep flying to avoid rust (and I’m not talking about the engine).

Happy New Year 2026! Lisa and I got to ring in the New Year on the high seas in the Florida Keys on our son’s 40 ft sailboat. It was my first experience with open ocean sailing, and I see the similarities between sailing and flying. It takes a lot of training, preparation, and execution to travel cross-country in either air or water. Our arrival at night to the mooring ball in Marathon was similar to an ILS to minimums. You have to navigate accurately and know how to handle your vehicle. Our Captain Dan nailed it!