From the Left Seat

Hello chapter members!

There’s been quite a bit of chapter activity recently, but I must start with the sad news that Keith Kretschmer went west on April 30th. Keith had an amazing life, and I hope you got to know him. He learned to fly and got his Pilot license in 1952 – 74 years ago. He then served in Korea as an Army Airborne Ranger where he met Adine and they were married for 66 years. He then had a remarkably successful career as a financial executive. His first airplane was a 1946 Cub, then a VariEze, to a Rolls Royce Silver Eagle. I’ll miss his daily 4:00 p.m. aerobatic routine that he did in his RV-8.

Everyone had a great fly-out to Packwood which you will read about later, except for Dave Gardner. Dave departed Diamond Point on Tuesday May 12th, enroute to Packwood, when he experienced an engine failure just south of Discovery Bay. Not only did a connecting rod come through the case, but that put oil all over the windshield. Then there was thick black smoke in the cabin. Then things got really bad with visible flames. Dave kept his cool, identified a field to land in, and made it happen. He opened his door and stepped out unharmed. Awesome job!

Our Flying Start event will be over by the time you read this, but I want to thank everyone who helped to make it happen. I wonder who will get bit by the flying bug?

I know Bud Davies has put out a call for Young Eagle pilots. The National goal is to reach 2.5 million youth flown. One incentive they’re offering is a $25 credit to the chapter for any first time YE pilots. One of our YE youth fell in love with flying and received a Ray Scholarship. She is days away from getting a Private Pilot License! I hope you will consider flying in our June 6 rally.

I’m looking forward to our presentation this month “The Kodiak and the RAF”, by Rob Wells, former CEO of Quest Kodiak Aviation. I hope you can join us