July Meeting, Gilbert International Airpark, 7/11/21, 12pm-4pm

We always have great food at our luncheons. Here's the proof.

      Last month, tropical storm Claudette paid us a visit. This month, the remnants of Hurricane Else came through our state. Consequently, we had two rain soaked meetings, but nonetheless, we were able to meet in Ron Angerman's nice and dry hangar both months. Thank you again Ron and Angela for your hospitality. We enjoyed a great lunch from approximately 1:00pm until 2:00pm.

      We had a business meeting starting around 2:00pm EDT. Randy thanked Ron and Angela for use of their hangar. He also complimented those who brought food for the meeting, further commenting that we always enjoy a "veritable feast" at our meetings. He also thanked those who made donations for the luncheon and noted that it all goes toward reimbursement for the food we have at our meetings. Any overages go into our chapter treasury. The minutes from the June 20th meeting were approved as written. Chapter Treasurer, Libby Berry, gave us an finance update, which indicates our chapter is financiall strong. Two new members joined at today's meeting: Zoli Nemeth from Dolitle Airpark and George Fogle from Lexington. George has CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings. We welcome both to our chapter.

     We had a special guest at our meeting today, Mr. David Anderson, who is the Airport Commission from the 2nd Congressional District with the S.C. Aeronautics Commission. David spoke to the group about Lexington County Airport (6J0) noting that there had been a noise complaint from that area. He mentioned the prospect of changing the airport traffic pattern to a RIGHT pattern for runway 36 to help alleviate that problem, while maintaining the LEFT pattern for 18. He also mentioned that he expects that the Lexington County Airport runway will be extended soon to over 5,000 feet of runway, which opens the way for jet aircraft traffic there. When that  happens, the airport is likely to grow sustantially and probably quickly. He feels that at some point an airport manager will be needed there. Also, Don Schmotzer gave us a safety presentation on "inoperative equipment". Ray Scholarship Coordinator, Larry Philbin, and Justin Hibpshman gave us an update on the Ray Scholarship program. Justin has been awarded an EAA Ray Scholarship through our chapter, and is currently undergoing flight training.

    The meeting adjourned around 3:00pm EDT. Unfortunately, we don't have photos from that meeting, but will hopefully have some later.

June Meeting, Gilbert International Airpark, 6/20/21, 12pm-4pm

John & Joyce Pipkin in snow covered Alaska; click to see photos of today's meeting

      Tropical storm Claudette paid us a visit this weekend, but she couldn't dampen our spirits. Although nobody was able to fly in, we still had lots of fun. Members brought another great feast of burgers, hotdogs, baked beans, chips, various salads, delicious desserts, and tea and other beverages. Although it was difficult to get a completely accurate count, we estimate around 70. In fact, nearly all the tables and chairs that Ron had set up were filled at lunch time. Eddie and Kim Brennan grilled the burgers and hotdogs under a tent Ron had set up outside. It's good thing too because it rained hard at times. In fact, they cooked up 40 burgers and 50 hotdogs at first, but later had to cook another 20 burgers with help from Ron Angerman and Debbie Philbin due to the large crowd. Thank you all for coming and making our meeting a huge success today.

      Before the meeting and during lunch, the recently ordered chapter shirts and caps were laid out on the front tables. It seems the orders were correct, everyone seemed well pleased, and no issues or complaints were heard. Incidentally, we still have a number of caps available in various colors, so if you want one, let us know.

     Randy started the business/information meeting promptly at 2:00pm. He again thanked Ron Angerman and Angela Collins for hosting our meeting at their very nice hangar. We really appreciate their generosity and even setting up the tables and chairs. Although it rained hard at times, we were nice and cozy inside. Randy also thanked all those who brought food items today. He commended members for rolling out yet another great feast today. Nobody went away hungry. He also thanked those who donated money, which goes directly toward the food costs. He then showed the EAA June video magazine which was about 7 minutes long.

     Don Schmotzer then gave us a safety tip regarding always checking your fuel sumps after EVERY fueling. He related a story about an incident involving a number of planes which had forced landings due to water in the fuel.. It turned out that all the planes had gotten fuel at the same fueling location. Many of the planes were damaged and, as he recalled, one pilot was killed. So, check those fuel sumps after EVERY fueling ... on LEVEL ground!

     Larry Philbin gave us a report on the Ray Scholarship program, which our chapter was proud to have been selected for this year due to the efforts of Albert Hibpshman and Larry Philbin. Back in May, we unanimously chose Justin Hibpschman as our Ray Scholarship nominee for 2021. Justin submitted an application to EAA, and Larry reported that Justin's application was approved by EAA, so the chapter will be receiving $10,000 in increments for Justin's training, which he has already begun with his mother, Jeanette, as his instructor. She is a CFII and FAA representative, so he's in good hands. Congratulations, Justin!!

     Next, we held a rather lengthy discussion on the prospect of having a chapter fly-in this year. The Gilbert International Airpark Association (GIA) had met the previous Sunday. GIA Association president, Dave Hardy, reported that the GIA membership voted they'd like to have a fly-in there this year, provided our EAA chapter is willing to do it. After much discussion, both pro and con, chapter members unaninously voted to have a chapter fly-in at SC45 on Saturday, November 6th, with an alternate bad weather date of November 13th. More details will be forthcoming as we near that date.

     Then, John and Joyce Pipkin (see photo above) gave us a very interesting presentation on their adventures around Mount Denali, previously Mount McKinley, as well as other locations in Alaska. They showed us several interesting videos of flying there, including beautiful Alaskan scenery. John asked questions of the group and gave us a basic knowledge of flying techniques when landing on snow, streams, and river bars there. He also mentioned the prospect of your being able to have your own Alaskan adventure there for which they could pave the way a bit. Thank you John and Joyce for taking your time and Sunday afternoon to relate your experiences to our chapter.

     For photos of today's meeting taken by Cindy Aulbach, click on the photo above. Great photos, Cindy. Thanks for taking them.

May Meeting, Gilbert International Airpark, 5/16/21, 12pm-4pm

Justin Hibpschman, our selected candidate for EAA consideration for a Ray Scholarship.

      We finally had a good flying day with nearly perfect flying conditions today. Jim Streeter provided some scrumptious BBQ and hash for our lunch, Other members provided side dishes, desserts, and beverages. Randy again thanked Ron Angerman and Angela Collins for hosting our meeting today, as they have so many times in the past. He also commended all those who brought food and those who donated funds for that cause. Two new members joined our chapter today: Edward and Kimberly Brennan, who are originally from Florida, but moved recently to Whiteplains Airpark. Interestingly, Edward is a retired NASA engineer who worked on several space projects.

     After lunch, Randy convened the business/information meeting. He showed us the EAA May video magazine which mentioned a Flight Outfitters contest which some lucky EAA member may win by submitting a 500-1000 word account of one of their most memorable flying experiences. All entries must be in by June 1st, 2021. He also discussed the vote we took on 4/11/21 in which members approved the Board spending up to $750 per year without needing prior chapter approval. Although the measure was approved, we did not have quite enough votes at that meeting to amend our bylaws, which requires a 2/3s member majority, so he circulated a petition for members to sign, if they agreed.

     Jim Streeter spoke briefly on his and Dave Gardner's trip to Pittsburg recently and expressed his thanks to Dave for flying him there and for his friendship. Then, Don Schmotzer gave us a safety tip on carburetor icing and stressed that carburetor heat is intended as a "preventive" measure more than a "curative" measure, so applying carb heat too late may actually cause the engine to stop due to ice ingestion. So, always apply carb heat early if you suspect ice formation and during low power operations. Due to the fact that Albert Hibpschman could not be here today, Jeanette Hibpschman spoke on his behalf about his recent activities as our flight advisor and his involvement in the Ray Scholarship program.

     Our chapter applied for and was granted the opportunity through EAA to sponsor a young person for a Ray Scholarship. A major priority for today's meeting was the selection of our scholarship candidate. Ray Scholarship Coordinator, Larry Philbin, mentioned that we had several inquiries, but he felt that only one applicant met the criteria for a scholarship at this point, His name is Justin Hibpschman. Justin is a 16 year-old high school student with a straight A average, plays the cello, and has created several unique projects, among other accomplishments. Justin then spoke to the membership, gave his reasons for wanting the Ray scholarhip, indicated why he felt that he is well qualified, and answered member questions. Larry plans to mentor some of the other candidates for possible consideration in future years, if we have that opportunity. He then made a motion that we appoint Justin Hibpschman as our chapter's selected candidate. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved by the membership. Justin must now write an essay to be considered by EAA for a Ray scholarhip. We wish Justin the best of luck and feel that he will be accepted and will succeed.

     Randy then mentioned that he'd like to restart our Young Eagles program and recommended a "committee approach", since it's a very involved process. New member, Eddie Brennan, who recently moved here from Florida, pointed out that another chapter of which he has been a member for years in Titusville, Florida had experienced a serious crash at one of their events, resulting in a number of lawsuits. Therefore, he cautioned us about sponsoring Young Eagles and how we conduct chapter fly-ins and other chapter activities. Randy indicated that we'll be discussing this further at a future meeting. The meeting ended around 3:00pm.

     Thanks to Cindy Aulbach for taking photos today. You can view them by clicking on the photo of Justin above.