Tangier Island, Virginia Flight
Members met at the hangar this morning for a most popular flight to Tangier Island, Virginia. Sadly we have more members than seats and, for the first time, we left members on the ground. Sorry, hopefully we can meet all needs for future flights. Four aircraft formed the EAA240 flight, as we headed south on the 50 minute flight to Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay. It was a really hot day and on landing we were all looking for combinations of shade, ice cream or ice-cold soda’s. After ambling down the High Street and visiting some stores, trying to avoid adding to our t-shirt collections, we lunched at the famous Mrs Crockets. Opinions varied as the value and quality of the “family-style” meal, and I feel Mrs Crocketts will see less of us next visit. Oh well, there are many very good alternatives on the island. After lunch many of us took the customary island tour, all of 15 minutes, on a golf cart, with a local lady providing interesting and topical narration, nice, quaint. The Cirrus team were dropped off to explore the Tangier Beach, which was really nice sand, and warm ocean. We walked the beach back all the way back to the airport, then departing for our chapter base at N57. A fun and memorable day, a unique location. We are so lucky to have such fascinating places within reach! Read More →
It Says A Lot…..
…..that on a day with weather like we saw today (continuous, and sometimes very heavy rain) we still had a great turn-out for our Summer Pancake Breakfast. One hundred and fourteen braved the rain to join us at the Chapter Hangar this morning, enjoying a great breakfast, and even better company. Sadly we had to postpone the Young Eagles program for the day. Hopefully we can reschedule this. Congratulations and thanks to the Chapter 240 Breakfast Crew for the work in making the event a success, from those who shopped for the foods, those helped set-up on Friday, to those who cooked/served/clean-up Saturday. A great team event, with many giggles and much mirth. Special thanks to Shaw Siglin, our Eggspert. This was his last Pancake Breakfast with us, as he and Beth are leaving the area at the end of the month. Shaw has been a key member of the team and his hard work in getting the cooking area ready, and then putting it all ‘in storage’ between events plus his unique cooking style have been a major feature of the success we’ve enjoyed in recent years. Best wishes and thanks Shaw. Hopefully, when you’ve complete the airplane build you’ll become one of our regular fly-in pilots. There will always be a spatula waiting for you! Mike Read More →
Air Show & Pancake Breakfast
In-spite of appallingly inaccurate weather forecasting for both days of the Air Show that likely kept some people away attendance and interest levels were strong, particularly on Saturday. The atmosphere from the visiting public was supportive and positive and great fun was had by all. The many aerial performers and extensive static displays, kids entertainment plus some great foods kept all engaged throughout the afternoon. The combination (and contrast) of the B-17 and the B-2 was stunning, and having either as part of the weekend was a major accomplishment, never mind both! PancakeBreakfast2010″] (Photo’s by MP and Scott Fichter) Full credit to Jon Martin, EAA240 member and Airport Manager, who’s imagination and resolve brought the event together with such a strong set of performers, entertainment and fun! His personal efforts and drive in both planning and execution were key to the many successes of this major regional event. The Chapter had a great weekend, serving over 500 of our ‘Increasingly Famous’ Pancake Breakfasts, and attracting a good deal of compliments for our food, our hangar and facility and also for New Garden Flying Field. In addition we completed our goal, via peddle plane raffle tickets, to fully fund our $1,000 Flight Training Scholarship for the current year. As a result one more lucky youth will take to the skies over Garden Flying Field, courtesy of EAA Chapter 240 and our many supporters, hopefully the start of an another aviation career. Congratulations to all who worked to make the weekend such a success. Read More →
Membership Meeting Notes - June 2010
Opening comments – Mike Parry · Guest speaker “Helen” not available this evening. Was scheduled to discuss the Chesapeake Bay LSA activities. Offered to schedule at a later date. · Query for more feature articles to be included in the monthly newsletter. One offer for a story on the Piper Museum and the Piper Sentimental Journey event. · Review of and lessons learned from our last breakfast. Will speak later on the coming weekend big bash. · Young Eagles - Pilots and Ground Crew credited with YE success during the May 15th breakfast: Dan, Roger, Dan, Bill and Dave; Bill, John and Nate. · Re-enforced events like learn to fly day and luring the next generation to flight. Pilot numbers are dwindling. · The group from the Polytech High School missed the event, but promise to re-surface later in the year. New Visitor/Members Introductions – Tim Klein and his wife (Soneri Builders), Reggie Thompson (No aircraft, likes to help in hangar), Gary Micellie (New Sundowner owner – based in Wilmington), Craig Bucherel – friend of Jeff Geist. Air Show Information for June 12/13– John Martin · Memphis Belle to arrive 10 am Friday · At least 6 T-6s will be on hand. · Tom Duffy to show with his Corsair · Expect the B-2 to fly over about 1300. Coming from ME on the way to Illinois. · Push for Aviator’s summer camp. 20 campers signed thus far. · Antique cars and their passengers get in free. · Volunteers will be provided a free pass. The airport will host a work party after the show on Saturday. · TFR in force Friday (2-4 PM) and Sat-Sun 12-5 PM. · Air show practice on Friday from 2-4 pm. · Airplane rides on Saturday from 8 am to start of show. · Volunteers get a special bracelet. EAA 240 Big Breakfast · Same schedule – Both days. · Workers – Be on site by 7 am and ready to server by 8 am. Some will arrive starting at 6 am. · Friday – move airplanes, clean kitchen, bathroom and secure tools etc. · Sat/Sun – move airplanes, last minute cleaning. Get cooking. · Clean up about 12 so folks can watch the show. · Expect 400+ diners both days. · John/Nate and volunteers to man EAA 240 booth. Finances – Geoff · $9200 in the bank. · Largest bills are paid for 2010. · $600 in the kitty for the pedal plane and scholarship. Need another $900 by the weekend. Will announce at the air show. · Airplane project expense. At or close to 6k for 2010. No major assemblies needed, just labor right now. Break for coffee and 50/50. Entertainment – John, Mike (Roger absent) · Describe and display their experiences restoring a 47’ Piper Cub. · History of project, great pictures and discussion. Mike Parry – Closing words. Pat Lopez has rejoined us after recovery from serious injuries. Welcome Pat! Our last meeting before the summer break, meetings resume in September! Read More →
Celebrating the Life of Phil Lopez
Pat, who continues to make a strong recovery from her injuries, has asked me to advise you of the planned Gathering to Celebrate the Life of Phil, our good friend and Chapter 240 Member. The Gathering will be held at the McCrery Memorial Chapel this Thursday, May 20th, between 6pm and 8pm. The address is: McCrery Memorial Chapel (302.478.2204) 3710 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE 19808 Route 2-East and Duncan Road (across from Panera Bread). Click for map and driving directions. Chapter members are invited to attend, to meet with Pat and her family, and to celebrate Phil’s life, accomplishments and his and Pat’s love of aviation. Read More →
Twenty-seven, about Twenty Five, and just-short-of Two Hundred!
The Chapters first Pancake Breakfast and Young Eagles flights were a great success today, thanks to the efforts of our Membership. Through the combined volunteer efforts both on Friday (for the set-up) and today we served a little shy of 200 Breakfasts to a combination of our loyal local fans plus the crews of about twenty five fly-in aircraft (many RV’s). In addition we flew twenty seven Young Eagles, all of whom had a fine time despite the blustery conditions. We’ve posted some of the photo’s at the Chapter Photo Album, and included some below. Congratulations to all that helped with the Breakfast, and thanks also to our Young Eagles pilots and ground crew, it was a lot of fun - it’s great to part of this 240 Team! Read More →
Membership Meeting Notes - May 2010
EAA Chapter 240 Membership Meeting Minutes May 3, 2010 Guests: - Jeff Vaughan introduced his friend Glen Vokac from Chapter 95 in Morris, Illinois. Glen is a fellow RV builder. - Kyle McCane - the winner of this year’s Fred Kacena Flight Training $1000 scholarship (see below) - along with his parents Clayton and Donna. Hangar Report - John Leslie provided an update on the hangar insulation project: o Complete on schedule and under budget o Great participation from members - A big thanks to those who joined the work parties to clean up and improve the hangar. A lot of “old junk” has been hauled away, and the bathrooms and kitchen have received a number of improvements, including painting. Pancake Breakfast plans - May 15th - Friday afternoon cleanup Young Eagles - John Leslie - May 15th at New Garden - May 22nd at Delaware Air Park Member News - Mike Macario - DC3 Project o Still on jacks o One more engine to install o All hoses are being replaced o May be ready to fly to Oshkosh o It cruises at 170 mph and consumes 100 gallons per hour. - Bill Fili o Building a model B-24 Liberator o Will be a keynote speaker at the Reading Air Show, June 4th ,5th and 6th o This year there will be 4 B-17s at the show Scholarship - Nate Hauser - Nate introduced Kyle McCane, this year’s winner. He is a Junior at UD. He grew up under the flight path for runway 9 Right at PHL. Every time he saw an aircraft overhead he thought about some day being able to fly one. He has started training with John Martin and already has 18 hours. Flyouts - Carl Spirito - Next Saturday to Flying W (weather permitting). Meet at the hangar at 8:30 - 9:00. Finance Report - Jeff Woodard - We have spent about $3000 on hangar improvements - but this was covered by donations. - During the colder months we are spending about $500 per month on propane for heating - this should be reduced due to insulation - We have about $8850 in cash. Major expense last year was the Tri-Pacer project. No major expenditures planned for the rest of the year. New Garden Air Show - Volunteers to help with the air show should sign up. There is a Friday night party for the volunteers. Read More →
Productive Day at the Hangar!
Second weekend of the the Hangar Insulation Effort, and a very productive day today. Thanks again to all those who helped out. We completed a lot, and the new partially-completed hangar ceiling look fabulous! We’ll be there again tomorrow - come join the fun, and help us get this important piece of Chapter work done! Many Hands = Light Work! Read More →
Membership Meeting Notes - April 2010
EAA 240 Membership Meeting minutes April 5th 2010 - Friends of Bellanca Hangar, Wilmington Guests · William Getty introduced himself. He is planning to build an aircraft. William joined Chapter 240 at the meeting. · Phyllis Sawyer – John’s wife, Recent Tragedy – by Mike Parry We are all saddened by the loss of our chapter member and good friend Phil Lopez. His wife Pat is in guarded condition. Phil was enthusiastic for just about everything the Chapter was involved him, and for anything-aviation. We’ll miss Phil and his loss leaves a big gap, in our hearts and in our Chapter. We wish Pat, our “Social Director”, a speedy and full recovery. She has actively taken part and contributed to each and every aspect of the Chapters activities. She has driven many social happenings at our hangar, with impromptu lunches, cook-outs, crab-fests. She and Phil have been generous with their time and contributions to make these weekend activities a success and a big draw for our membership. Hangar Report – Mike Parry/John Leslie - Painting is under way o The kitchen has been completed o Glenn’s father (Joe) has replaced much of the trim - Next big task will be to insulate. Weekend work parties are being formed. o First weekend will be April 16, 17, 18 o 3 weekends will be needed, generally 2-4 on Friday and 8-4 on Saturday and Sunday. o Volunteers should sign up John Leslie Flyouts / Outings – Carl Spirito - Flyout to Cambridge, MD planned for Saturday April 10th - Glenn is arranging a tower visit to McGuire AFB for April 25th at 1:00 p.m. o There is a limit of 12 people o A tour of the base is included Scholarship - Nate Hauser – The deadline for applications has been extended by 10 days Pedal Plane – Jeff Vaughan - We have collected enough to cover the cost - There will be a big push for ticket sales at the airs how Next Meeting - At the chapter hangar – Monday May 3rd. Tonight’s Speaker - Friends of Bellanca - Mike Parry introduced Frank Ianni - Major General Francis A. Ianni, Army National Guard of the United States (Retired), Former Adjutant General, State of Delaware. Former professor at Goldey Beacom College) as the speaker for this evening. Bellanca Airfield – Frank Ianni o 2 important individuals in the history of Bellanca Airfield passed away recently: § Augie Bellanca, son of GM Bellanca, passed away recently at the age of 93. See: http://miva.delawareonline.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?obits.mv+89977 § Elinor Smith passed away recently at the age of 98. She was aviatrix of the year in 1930 at the age of 19. At the age of 18 she flew under all 4 bridges on the East River in New York. See: http://womanpilot.com/?p=49 o This airfield was created in 1928 because HB Dupont wanted a public use airfield (he already had his own). The hangar (in which we met) was build in 1936 o The property extended to the river and included a sea plane base o Giuseppe Mario Bellanca was an aeronautical genius. Some of his many significant achievements: § His plane Columbia washttp://www.friendsofbellanca.org/Miss_Veedol.htm Charles Lindbergh’s first choice for a Trans-Atlantic crossing. Lindbergh was unable to secure the plane, but 2 weeks after that first Trans-Atlantic flight Columbia was flown non-stop from New York to Berlin (3,911 miles). § In 1931, Bellanca’s Miss Veedol was the first plane to fly non-stop across the Pacific from Japan to Washington State (4,500 miles) setting an endurance record of 84 hours. § By July 1931, six Bellancas had crossed the Atlantic, including a flight to Istanbul – a record 5,012 miles. o He taught himself how to fly o He was featured on the cover of Time Magazine shortly after Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight. o GM Bellanca retired in 1954 and sold the company to Piasecki. o He was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1959 and died the following year. Geoff Woodard, EAA240 Treasurer) presented Mr. Ianni with a check from Chapter 240 to support the “Friends of Bellanca Airfield”. The meeting adjourned. Read More →
April Newsletter - A Must Read!
Our April Newsletter is posted to the web site, available here. In this issue we recall the visit of War Birds to the airport, a welcome site after weeks of snow and gusting winds. Our Fly-Out to York is described and A BearHawk Patrol home-building project is started by an EAA240 member….plus lots more. Past versions of our Newsletter can also be viewed and downloaded. We’re always looking for new topics, new articles and your project updates. You can send these to Newsletter@eaa240.org please. Thanks! Read More →