EAA Chapter 430 Newsletter, March 2026

During the last Gathering, I was lamenting the loss of the doctor at Jamestown Clinic who did BasicMed examinations. With the help of the membership, I found Dr. Jess Panza on 8th St in Port Angeles. She does a variety of physicals from sports to commercial drivers and was very receptive to BasicMed. You can fi nd her information on the EAA430 website. Now I’m good until 2030! For me, one of the most important things to come out of the recent MOSAIC changes was the ability for an owner of an E/AB that he/she didn’t build to learn how to be a Light Sport Repairman Inspector- Airplane (LSRI-A). Once certi fi ed by the FAA, that individual can inspect and certify the safe operation of (only) their own aircraft. Ken Brown and I recently attended the training for LSRI-A, and I gained a greater appreciation for all the regulations, best practices, and serious business every A&P mechanic must deal with (not to mention the paperwork). Generally speaking, the class was well-organized, on-point, and accomplished the end result of everyone passing the fi nal exam with very high marks (94% here!) I mu ff ed 3 of the 50 questions 😗 ). The course covered a bit of aerodynamics, with a big focus on balanced fl ying surfaces, weight and balance, fl ight control systems, corrosion, engines and props - as well as all the regulations associated with possessing the LSRI certi fi cation. The only hands-on exercises were a demonstration on compression testing and safety wiring multiple bolts. The 16-hour two-day class EAA Chapter 430 Serving Northern Olympic Peninsula March 2026 - Newsletter From the Left Seat with President Ray Ballantyne

March 2026 EAA Chapter 430 - Newsletter was held in Buckley, WA at a Rainbow Aviation instructor’s personal hangar. It was a long two days, and even the return trip was not without adventure with car issues. The next steps involve presenting my certi fi cate of completion in person to the SEA FSDO to request my airman LSRI-A license. Then I must request a change to the Operating Limitations of my aircraft to allow a LSRI-A (me) to certify the annual condition inspection from the FSDO. I’ll let you know how long that takes. I have no delusions that I suddenly became an expert mechanic, and I have no intentions of not hiring an A&P to inspect my airplane every year. But now I can assume the liability for certifying the inspection. That should make it easier to fi nd people to help. We have some exciting presentations coming up in the next couple of months. Harry Cook will give a talk about his Alaska Frontier Flying, and George Steed from EAA 406 will give us the history and status of their new electric Sonex trainer. March 28 will be our last Gathering at KCLM for the winter, and we return to Bud’s hangar in April. I hope the Spring wind doesn’t blow us away! Upcoming Events Board of Directors Meeting Mar 20 - 9:00am Mariner Cafe Membership Gathering Mar 28 - 10:00 am Wm. R. Fairchild Intl. Airport Terminal Conference Room (social time - come early) VMC/IMC Club Apr 8 - 7:00pm (social time - come early) Mariner Cafe In This Issue • From the Left Seat - Ray Ballantyne • Upcoming Events • February Gathering Presentation Recap • EAA Chapter 430 - In the News • Are You Ready? - Ken “Brownie” Brown • Program Announcements • February Gathering Minutes - Rob Stephens A Quick Note We are fortunate to have a bunch of new chapter members. Everyone - please take the opportunity to introduce yourselves. Let’s get to know one another and make all feel welcome and included.

March 2026 EAA Chapter 430 - Newsletter Chapter member John Meyers shared some of his personal memories about Bob Nagy, along with a remarkable audio-visual presentation. John, with help from Mike Payne (Port Townsend Aero Museum) were able to work closely with Bob, very shortly before he passed away, to capture Bob’s own narration for this fascinating and beautifully produced record of his career. ❉ Bob Nagy’s Aviation Biography February Gathering Presentation Aviation Career Biography

March 2026 EAA Chapter 430 - Newsletter EAA 430 In the News Stepping into Leadership The March issue of EAA Sport Aviation included an inspiring article (here), written by Aiden Lara and Ray Ballantyne, about one of our chapter fl y-outs. The depiction of the event is fi rst rate, but the key takeaway is the signi fi cance of a young chapter member stepping up to a meaningful leadership opportunity and doing a marvelous job. ❉

March 2026 EAA Chapter 430 - Newsletter I discovered, to my chagrin, that while I thought I was ready for most situations, it turns out I was not. The events which lead me to this conclusion was a simple local day fl y-out with our 430 group. Once a month, we gather to fl y to a restaurant, normally within up to 100 miles. This event was no di ff erent. Beautiful severe VFR, temps in the low 50’s and smooth air. Uneventful. Tra ffi c and landing done in accordance with all the proper etiquette. We enjoyed lunch with about 20 pilots. After lunch, we decided to fuel the airplane with cheaper gas than at our home airport. While fueling, a fellow pilot asked me if I noticed the nose wheel was going fl at, which was visible as we watched. I had completed a pre fl ight before taxing it to the fuel pumps, so this was a surprise. I walked to the FBO and asked if they could come out and help, which they did. They fi lled the tire with air, only to watch it de fl ate very quickly. Rather than go into all the details of what happened, a tube was available at Tacoma Narrows. I have a daughter living close by, so she picked up the tube and brought it to us. Daylight at this time of year has a sunset at 1731, with evening civil twilight at 1802. As we watched the clock tick forward, our window for departure was shrinking. The tire arrived, the A&P had the tire prepped for the new inner tube, but the clock was still progressing. Tire assembled, checked for leaks and replaced on the nose of the RV9-A. As I continued to look at the clock the time was not standing still. Can I legally takeo ff ? Yes. Will I make back to my home airport? Most likely. Will it be legal? Barely, but will it be safe and is this a good decision? Lots of GO/NO-GO decisions. My decision was a NO-GO. Get-home-itis was not going to be a factor. We secured the plane and when to our daughter’s home. In the morning, we were faced with temp and dew point the same; 200’ overcast, ¾ mile visibility, and mist. We arrived back at the airport about 1100. Clearing was very gradual, and at 1400, we were able to launch. We fl ew home in only 22 minutes ON-TOP to our home airport which was clear below 12000. Are You Ready? By “Brownie”

March 2026 EAA Chapter 430 - Newsletter Now that you have the background, here is the question: ARE YOU READY? We discovered we were not. We were unprepared to not be home the same day we left. We had appointments which needed to be cancelled, we did not have our prescriptions, or in my case, a charging system for hearing aids, or cords for our electronics, phones, and tablets. Having a toothbrush is nice to have as well. A small GO-TO bag is now one of the things to have with us at all times, for the airplane, as well as the car. It takes very little space with almost no weight added and worth having -JUST IN CASE! WE ARE READY…now! ❉ get-there-itis /gĕt-ᴛʜâr-ī′tĭs/ English Etymology From get there + -itis. Noun get-there-itis (uncountable)

1. (aviation) The determination of a pilot to reach a destination even when conditions for fl ying may likely be dangerous. Related get-home-itis, continuation bias

March 2026 EAA Chapter 430 - Newsletter “Frontier Flying - Alaska” Harry Cook - DC-6 Flight Deck EAA 430 - Monthly Membership Gathering A Presentation by Harry Cook - March 28, 2026

March 2026 EAA Chapter 430 - Newsletter FASCINATING PRESENTATION EAA 430 Membership Gathering Sequim Valley Airport, Hangar #15 10am - arrive early! George Steed of EAA Chapter 406 and Bremerton Aviation Center for Education (BACE) will captivate your imagination with his account of their magni fi cent Xenos electric motor-glider project 25 APRIL

March 2026 EAA Chapter 430 - Newsletter EAA Chapter 430 – General Membership Meeting Date: February 28, 2026 10:20am call to order 41 members and 1 guests present • Minutes approved from January 2026 • Correspondence o None Old Business • Treasurer/Membership o $6333 in Scholarship, $2474 Checking, $233,500 Building. o 117 Current members • CAP continues Richard, Ray, Linda and Eric participating • February flyout Bremerton, 16 people ~10 planes, March Flyout not identified, stay tuned • Building Committee, identifying opportunities, nothing immediate. • Recognition Plaza, cleanup work party organized for 3/1. New Business • Members encouraged to identify physicians for all medical certificates and send to Richard for posting on website • New CFI CFII available at Sequim Vally, Sarah Frelly Dungeness Aircraft Service, 360-351-4556 • Ray scholarship, matching funds scholarship was awarded to chapter 430, recipient will be identified over the next few months. • New aviators gave update of their respective progress • Holiday Party, new venue being BOD to make announcement in next 2 months. Dec 19th 2026 • Richard Howell making steady progress updating EAA430 website • Ray shared experience of O2 Chamber at NW Conference and trade show • Alan Bernard donation for sale to members • Buckeye (AZ) flyin report from Ernie • March 3-4 EAA Virtual boot camp, see Ray if interested. Project Reports • Multiple reports from those builders in attendance Meeting adjourned 11:05. Presentation about Bob Nagy by John Meyers Important March 2026 Dates ● March 11th @ 7 pm VMC/IMC Club, Mariner Café ● March 20th @ 9am BOD, Mariners Café ● March 28th General gathering KCLM conference room Respectfully submitted, Robert Stephens, EAA 430 Secretary