Tank Prep - Restoration Project
A productive day at the Chapter Hangar as membership group got down to preparing the two wing tanks, stripping them ready for a light coating of primer. Bob also made great progress on the door panel. Steady progress all-round, and good team-work - a Chapter 240 hallmark! Tank Team in-action! ] Done! Door Panel being stripped Read More →
Future Aviators Summer Camp - EAA240 Support
‘Open Letter’ from Court Dunn, EAA Chapter 240 member and co-organiser of the Future Aviators Summer Camp held at the EAA Chapter 240 Hangar and Clubroom for a week in July. This unique Camp, assembled and presented by Jon Martin and Court (aided by a team of camp helpers during the week) was a huge success, with 28 ‘future aviators’ participating. Several chapter members assisted in the camp during the week, and in the set-up and clean-up. We also flew several of the campers in our weekend Young Eagles event, timed to follow the camp. Appreciation for your efforts and the spirit of support from all EAA Chapter 240 members is reflected in Court’s letter: July 18, 2009 To all the members of EAA Chapter 240, As a teacher for the last 36 years, and as a self-proclaimed ‘aviation nut’, I think it a responsibility of those able, to introduce and expose those younger to the many rewarding aspects of flight and flying. I was struck by a comment Jon Martin made to me a few years ago. He said, “Ten years ago, I was the youngest airplane owner on the field. Today (several years ago), I am still the youngest airplane owner on the field.” While this may have changed during the past few years, the conception of ‘aging’ pilots (I speak for myself), hanging out at the airfield, without many young, interested, future aviators joining in the fun, has not. It followed naturally, that Jon and I would begin discussing the possibility of starting and running an aviation camp. The discussions began over a year ago. It just seemed right, that the camp start this summer. Last week, July 10-14, the Future Aviators Summer Camp, made its first run. With 29 initial ‘future aviators’ enrolled, ages 7-14, we now know there is a need to bring aviation to the youth and a real desire on the part of our youth to take part in such an activity. Both Jon and I feel that, for the initial run, it was a great success. The ‘aviators’ built gliders, rockets, and Space Derby cars. They designed and built parachutes to drop eggs safely to the ground. They constructed ‘shoebox’ protection for eggs being tossed from Roger’s Cub. They launched their rockets, raced their Space Derby cars, and were even treated to a couple of ‘rocket’ powered cars at the end of the week. Campers were exposed to and learned about gliders, thanks to the BSA. They saw gyrocopters fly, powered parachutes fly, and a personalized aerobatic demonstration and Air Show routine by Matt Chapman, complete with explanations, by Matt, on aerodynamics and forces acting on airplanes, to the campers via radio. They all had a chance to spend time on our simulators, both ‘real’ airplanes and R/C airplanes and helicopters in the Chapter meeting room. Many even had the chance to spend time with Jon, actually flying the camp’s R/C airplanes by the EAA hangar. One of the best parts though, had to be the actual flight time that all campers had with one of three flight instructors in one of three airplanes. At the end of their flight, they were all presented with a logbook with their initial flight time logged. This brings me to the reason for this ‘open’ letter. None of this would have been possible without the help and support of the members of Chapter 240. That we inconvenienced you and your daily routines in the hangar is probably a gross understatement. That you not only offered us the use of your space, but that you ‘rolled with the punches’ all week long, was a testament to your collective good nature and your belief in the goals of EAA, in particular Chapter 240. Jon and I were both excited to see so much support from so many members throughout the week. Many just hung out to talk to the campers, showing their own enthusiasm for flying. Many pitched in and helped from the ‘kickoff’, helping with runny noses, lunches, kitchen clean up, humor, setting up for the big, blowout BBQ on Thursday night, and cleaning up afterward. No one asked. It was simply good people helping out when they saw a need. Jon and I couldn’t have been any luckier. A wise man once told me, “The secret to success is to surround yourself with good people.” If there was something we did right during the week, we surrounded ourselves with very, very good ‘people’. It is doubtful that we would have enjoyed the success we did, without the vision of the Chapter leadership and the enthusiasm of the membership. We are all, all of us who’d like to pass our love of aviation on to those younger, deeply grateful for your involvement and belief in all that we tried to accomplish this week. A simple thank you just doesn’t seem to do justice to all your efforts, but we do want to offer our thanks anyway. Thank YOU! I was so proud to be a member of such a great organization where good people did good things for the good of all. When the interests of the young are not cultivated,... [Read More...]
Tangier Island - Chapter Fly-Out
Four aircraft, with 12 members and guests took the 120 mile southerly flight Tangier Island, Virginia this morning. Wheels-up from our N57 base was at 10.30 (taking advantage of the Reduced-Price-Fuel-Weekend offered by New Garden Flying Field management. From the Cirrus cockpit it was a very smooth flight down, we opted to avoid the ADIZ and MOA restrictions, flying N57-ENO-SBY-KTGI. It was VFR weather, with light smatterings of clouds enroute. Beautiful. The new runway at Tangier is a most welcome upgrade from the previous (thank you FAA!), and the expanded and partly resurface ramp space made for easy taxi-ing and parking, despite TGI being a popular destination this morning with may planes on the ramp! All planes safetly chocked we assembled for the obligatory photo-op: We toured the center of the island (Bill took the full Island tour by golf cart!), taking in the homes, workplaces, gift shops that are so characteristic of this unique community. Reached only by boat or airplane the locals welcome visitors - and the income they (we!) bring. At Carl’s recommendation we lunched at the Chesapeake House, family-style dining, all you can eat, and all delicious. Seafood of course!, with crab-cakes and clam-fritters top of the list. The 55 Cirrus minute return flight was bumpy, with the afternoon builds underway. Bill Fili kept Charlie and I busy, testing our aviation history - we failed miserably! A great chapter summer event. EAA240 in action! More about Tangier Island here Mike Read More →
Chapter in Action! Pancakes and Eaglets!!
Another great day for the Chapter with 180+ Breakfasts served to a very appreciative mix of regular locals, visitors and fly-ins. We also flew 21 Young Eagles. Much aviation was spoken and demonstrated, a further great team effort by the Chapter membership - pilots and breakfast-eers alike. Nice way to spend a Saturday! (Photo’s by Harv & Mike) Read More →
Chapter Event : Golden Age Air Museum
After Saturday’s Pancake Breakfast (July 11th) we have the opportunity of a Chapter Fly-Out to The Golden Age Air Museum at Grimes Airport 8N1 (grass strip) , where a Wings and Wheels event is happening. Just 30–40 flying minutes away this is a great airport and museum, worth a visit anytime, but particularly when they fly their vintage airplanes (about 3-4pm), plus antique cars, plus a flea market! If you are interested and need a ride, meet with pilots at the Breakfast and arrange your seats! Wheels up at about 1pm. More details of the event (which runs into Sunday too), and the vintage aircraft at the field here Mike & Bill Read More →
Future Aviators
Jon Martin and his team had a very successful first day in their Future Aviators Camp, held in the EAA240 Club Room at our hangar, at New Garden Flying Field. Read More →
Hangar Happenings - Holiday Weekend
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday and today’s beautiful flying weather. We had a big crowd at the Hangar this holiday afternoon, with an impromptu cook-out, an amazing amount of food brought in by members and attracting many airport regulars including Matt Chapman just back from an air show in NY. Good food, excellent company, relaxed atmosphere - wonderful! This followed a very productive Saturday working on the PA22 Restoration Project. The first wing is coming together well and, with the close close oversight of Chuck and John, we completed the trammeling (wing alignment - very tricky!) on Saturday. With our experience of rebuilding this wing, the second wing rebuild will go much easier! Mike & John making space for the cross-wires Chuck & John measuring the wings dimensions under the close scrutiny of Roger! If you visit the hangar this week you will see lots of activity as we host the Future Aviators Summer Camp in the members club room. And what a week is in-store for the 28 local future aviators attending the camp. Egg-drops, RC aircraft, Flight Simulators, Rockets, airplane kits, aviation instruction (how airplanes fly), airplane rides, glider rides, and the airport is closed (NOTAM issued) for around noon on Thursday when Matt Chapman will give the lucky 28 kids an air-show performance of their very own, followed by meeting with Matt, autographs etc etc!! John Martin and Court Dunne have put this program together, and I’m sure all their hard-work will result in kids and parents knowing a lot more about aviation - just what we need! Read More →