March Meeting, Gilbert International Airpark, 3/20/22, 12pm-4pm

John & Joyce Pipkin are shown holding John's "Master Pilot Award" presented to him recently by the FAA.
Click this photo to see more March photos.

      As usual, chapter members began arriving around 12:00 noon and began to socialize. Around 1:00pm, we enjoyed a lunch featuring Saint Patrick's Day oriented foods, desserts, and beverages. Although we ran out of food in February, TTF members "stepped to the plate" and brought plenty of food for today's lunch. Thanks to all who brought food and those who made donations. Let's keep it up in the future!

     The business/information portion of our meeting began on time at 2:00pm EST.  President, Randy Berry, had minor facial surgery in March, so Vice-President, Eddie Brennan, conducted today's meeting. Eddie welcomed several guests and new members, Kenny and June Hardee. Secretary, Debbie Philbin, garnered member approval for the 2-20-22 meeting minutes, and Treasurer, Libby Berry, gave a brief treasurer's report. Ray Scholarship Coodinator, Larry Philbin, gave us a report on Justin's progress. Justin has about 30 hours of training now and wil hopefully receive his Private Pilot License soon. We then viewed the March EAA video magazine featuring EAA President/CEO, Jack Pelton. Next, Don Schmotzer, spoke on and showed us a YOUTUBE video on transitioning to another aircraft and demonstrating the potential hazards of not receiving proper instruction in that other aircraft.

     Eddie then asked John and Joyce Pipkin to come  forward to the front of the room, where he highlighted John's extensive aviation background. John's latest achievement/honor was receiving a "Wright Brothers'  Master Pilot Award' personally presented to him by the FAA. Congratulations John! Click on the above photo to see this photo plus a closeup of John's award, along with other March meeting photos.

     Eddie then gave us an interesting personal presentation, His career background includes working with NASA, where he worked in Space Shuttle and other space related programs. He was there when the STS-107 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster (click to learn more) happened in 2003, which broke up over Texas, thus killing all 7 astronauts. He actually knew two of the astronauts who lost their lives during that mission. Afterwards, a special commission assessed that event, in which he participated, regarding "what went wrong" and whether anything might have been done differently to have avoided it. As it was, that event pretty much brought the USA's space shuttle program to an end.

     For further details, chapter members may visit the MINUTES page in the MEMBERS ONLY area of our chapter website and view the minutes for 3-20-2022, but you'll need a user ID and password to do so. Click the photo above for more photos taken by chapter photographer, Steve Preston.

February Meeting, Gilbert International Airpark, 2/20/22, 12pm-4pm

Larry Maner departing after the meeting in his nice Cessna 172.

      Chapter members began arriving around 12:00 noon and began to socialize. Around 1:00pm, we enjoyed a lunch featuring various soups and sandwiches, "Super Bowl munchies", desserts, and beverages. For the first time in a long time, we actually ran out of food today. Thanks to all who brought food and those who made donations. However, we'd like to have more food contributors in the future.

     President, Randy Berry, began the business/information portion of our meeting began on at around 2:00pm EST. We welcomed several guests and new members, Ed Johnson. Phil Barnes, and John Gardner. We approved the 1-23-22 meeting minutes, had a brief treasurer's report, and got a update from Ray Scholarship recipient, Justin Hibpshman. We then viewed the February EAA video magazine featuring EAA Chapter Coordinator, Charlie Becker. Safety Adviosr, Don Schmotzer, showed us a YOUTUBE video highlighting "Dangerous Radio Calls At Non-Towered Airports".

     For further details, chapter members may visit to the MINUTES page in the MEMBERS ONLY area of our chapter website and view the minutes for 2-20-2022, but you'll need a user ID and password to do so. Click the photo above for more photos taken by chapter photographer, Steve Preston.

January Meeting, Gilbert International Airpark, 1/23/22, 12pm-4pm

Ron Angerman & Angela Collins received 2021 Service Awards and a "MVP" pin for graciously hosting our meetings at their home/hangar in 2021

      Chapter members started arriving around 12:00 noon and began to socialize. Around 1:00pm, we enjoyed a chili luncheon featuring 7 varieties of chili and various supporting items, desserts, and beverages. We had a "chili cook-off" and offered a prize of a 1 year chapter membership or extension to an existing member, which was won by Debbie Hardy. Thanks to all who brought food and those who made donations.

     The business/information portion of our meeting began on time at 2:00pm EST. We welcomed several guests. We approved the 11-21-21 meeting minutes, had a brief treasurer's report, and got a Ray Scholarship update from coordinator, Larry Phibin. We then viewed an EAA video featuring EAA CEO, Jack Pelton. Safety Advisor, Don Schmotzer, gave us some safety tips on "engine failure emergencies' featuring a YOUTUBE video. We had a discussion about whether or not to have two separate chapter functions each month, (1) a social gathering and (2) a separate business meeting. It was decided that we'd have only ONE meeting with limited business reports and activities.

     For further details, chapter members may visit to the MINUTES page in the MEMBERS ONLY area of our chapter website and view the minutes for 1-23-2022, Click the photo above for more photos taken by chapter photographer, Steve Preston.