May 2006 Edition Chapter #407

 

                                                             www.eaa407.org

South East Idaho Officers:

    Austin Moses, President

    Jerry Phillips, Vice President

    John Bakken, Treasurer

    Pete Stewart, Secretary

    Harold Mothersill, Website

    Dale Cresap, Newsletter

------------------------------------------------------------------------

President's Message:

 

Next Meeting:  May 20, 2006, 6:00 p.m. at Idaho Falls (IDA).  Paul Tremblay will give a presentation on radio installation; what to do and what not to do.

 

Last Meeting:  April 22, 2006.  John Bakken gave a presentation on installation of engine heaters.  Thanks John for taking over for us.

 

A special thanks to Dale Cresap for his work in organizing and completing the Young Eagles Flight on May 3, 2006.  With nine airplanes, we flew 50 young deaf and blind people in one of the most significant Young Eagles programs in the history of our Chapter.  The young people and their instructors were so appreciative of our efforts and were very enthusiastic.  As a large group gathered around my Pulsar prior to our departure, I felt we had done something worthwhile that day.  I will cherish the plaque I was given as a reminder that we have a responsibility to share the gift of flight with those who normally would not have that opportunity.

 

Thanks Dale!

 

Austin Moses, President

 

 

Young Eagles

EAA chapter 407 ( Idaho Falls and Pocatello) hosted a Young Eagle Rally for the students of the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind in Gooding on May 3. This is a boarding school serving students from the entire state. The rally was held on a weekday since the students go home on weekends. It was difficult to recruit enough pilots from our own chapter so neighboring chapters in Nampa and Driggs were also involved. There were 10 pilots (one of whom unfortunately had engine trouble on the way and had to leave his plane behind for repairs). We had a good turnout of ground crew members who were ‘fully engaged’ handling forms and certificates, ramp escorts, and everything else. A total of 37 visually-impaired or hearing-impaired Young Eagle students were flown, along with interpreters for the hearing-impaired students, and there were rides for older students and school staff as well. The school was enthusiastic about the rally from the first proposal and provided excellent advance coordination and logistical support. It was severe clear with mild temperatures and wind right down the runway at GNG favoring our preferred flow of traffic, both in the air and on the ground. Each of the EAA chapters provided something unique from their own experience (orange traffic vests for ramp escorts, certificate printing, radio and traffic protocol) to make the rally a complete success. Refreshments were served, and a good time was had by all.

 

(Some of the kids turned out to be over 18. I did not realize this at the time, but I would have given them plane rides anyhow.)

 

I have received a package of notes from the kids thanking their individual pilots and will deliver them to the appropriate people. The school also provided a CD and DVD with 450 photos of superb quality and I will make copies available.

 

The school staff and the students are hoping that we will make this an annual event. I am in favor of that.

 

Dale