From the Left Seat

Greetings Olympic Peninsula Aviators!

Summer is here! The June Gloom has faded, and the beautiful days will show the Olympic Mountains in all their glory. Now it’s time to aviate to new or treasured locations around our beautiful nation. I’m looking forward to spending time in Idaho this month at some out of my favorite places.

Although the forecast was for possible thunderstorms, the June 6 Young Eagle rally weather turned out better than forecast. You will see the report later on, but suffice it to say it was a fabulous event where many hands (and airplanes) made light work of a big event. It’s great to be part of an organization where so many people see a need and fill it.

We’ve been thinking about our tool crib, and how to improve the process of providing important but seldom used tools for chapter members so they don’t have to be purchased unnecessarily. Vice President Ernie Hansen suggested and is putting together a “loan list” where members can list specialty tools that they would be willing to loan. That way we don’t need to have a place to store them. One of the most used items we have is the aircraft scales. Another tool that would benefit the chapter is a propeller balancer.

We’ve investigated purchasing a first-class balancer and have gotten a 10% discount from the manufacturer. We can apply for a rebate from EAA National for a total savings of over $700. To raise the remaining $3700.00 for the prop balancer, we will have another fun filled Chili Bingo night on July 8 at the KCLM conference room at 5:30 p.m. We anticipate raising the remaining donations needed from those that get their props balanced.

The Olympic Field (WA45) fly-in is Saturday June 20. It will start at 10:00 a.m. with RAF donuts and coffee and a presentation by the RAF President at the south end of the airstrip. Lunch will be served at noon up at the Larrance’s house with live music starting at 1:00 p.m. We can all hope for good weather. Later in the day at 5:00 p.m., there will be a celebration of the life for Keith Kretschmer at Diamond Point Airport. I hope to see you at one or both events.

I’ll miss being at the June Gathering on the 27th as Lisa and I plan to join the annual GlaStar fly-in at Smiley Creek, ID. At over 7000 feet elevation, it quickly reminds you to consider density altitude effects and taking extra socks for the chilly nights! Ernie Hansen will step in as Vice President for the meeting and our own Cecilia Aragon will provide the presentation on flying skills.

Let’s go fly!