by Darren Coomler

Welcome Chapter 1541 Members and Friends,

Happy New year to all of you, I hope you had a great holiday season. Your EAA 1541 chapter is looking forward to another year of quality programs, education, food and fellowship. Unfortunately, we start the year not able to meet in person. Stay tuned and we will notify you when we have a warm day so we can hold the in-person meetings outdoors.

The chapter will continue with the virtual member meeting and IMC/VMC meeting. If you didn’t get a chance to attend the last IMC/VMC meeting you missed another lively educational gathering with over 40 attendees. Scott Thompson provided a tutorial on how the FAA intends to maintain a “Minimum Operational Network” (MON) of VORs in case of GPS outages, combined with designated airports that will be used by the MON; all were surprised that KLHM is one of those preferred airports! Then attendees had to figure out what they would do if they inadvertently flew into a snowstorm at night and then their comm radios stopped working!

Other things the chapter will continue with whenever we can are our Young Eagles program, breakfasts, scholarships, and possible a Airport Fun Day. The chapter Board will be working to create programs and activities related to the younger members, and this will include more use of social media to keep these members informed.

New for this year, each month is going to have a theme. This month’s theme is “What’s New”. February’s theme will be “Airport Safety”, I’m sure many of you could share a story related to this topic.

What’s New? Let’s start with existing members renewing their membership, please renew this month. If you’re considering becoming a new member, please sign up online at the chapter’s website (eaa1541.org) click on the Join Us tab on the home page. This month’s member meeting program will be “Electric Aircraft”, I’m looking forward to be presenting this program as I see this a big new upcoming change in aviation.

Something new to me that you may enjoy is a pod cast from AOPA called “Ask the A&P”, there are 18 episodes that Mike Busch, Paul New, and Colleen Sterling host. The hosts answer pilot’s questions related to aircraft mechanical systems.
This year we will continue with our hangar purchase fundraising activities. Last year we got off to a great start and we plan to continue the momentum to our goal. Lastly, I’ve noticed a lot on new faces at our Saturday breakfasts, so when we able to meet again please reach out and introduce yourself to these new attendees.

Until we meet again, continue to follow the chapter e-mails and eaa1541.org website for notification on events, and again have a Happy New Year.