President's Message

Sam Evans

First of all, I need to provide a little explanation ahead of time for my absence from the upcoming AirFest.  Most of you will understand how priorities change.  As it turns out, I will need to attend the wedding of my step son on the same day as the Airfest.  Early-on, I thought I was going to be able to "dodge" the conflict as there was some talk of an October Airfest.  However, that didn't mature.  I will certainly miss being at Airfest.  It looks to be a great show this year.  A big "Thanks" to everyone that make it possible.

***

Chapter 471 has entered a new era.  On Saturday, August 13, Chapter members met at Hangar 3 to vote on whether to proceed with its acquisition and subsequent restoration.  After a presentation, the members voted in a near-unanimous decision to proceed.

Gray Bridwell has been working with Dan Weber and the City in settling on a lease contract.  We'll keep you tuned-in as details are worked out.

Hangar 3 Update

By Gray Bridwell

 I for one am certainly glad that we are proceeding with the Hangar #3 project.  As all know, we have been seeking a chapter hangar for a very long time.  Now we will have a place to call our "home".  I foresee many of us out "bonding" while painting, cleaning, and telling lies about plane experiences. "I was 2 feet off the ground going 200 miles and hour, inverted".... So there are many fun days ahead.

Let me give a quick review of the next step.  Dan Webber will prepare the lease as an addition to the "T" hangar lease.  The terms will be the same as the "T" hangar lease as he agreed when Sam and I met with him.  I have emailed him everyday this past week and he finally realized I was not going away.  He is a very busy man and the squeaky wheel gets the grease in his book.  Dan indicated that October would be a reasonable time frame to expect results.  The lease will be pursued and obtained while all the members get ready to watch the roof be replaced!  Don Bledsoe will cook popcorn for us while we watch the work from our chairs.  Then it will be our turn to labor....

Hangar 3

Cleanup Day Scheduled

The Chapter has an opportunity to get to work on Hangar 3.  A roll-off dumpster will be delivered to the airport primarily for use at Airfest.  Gray Bridwell said that it would be available to discard trash, etc. from in and around the hangar.  You can help with the cleanup beginning at 9:00AM Saturday, Sept. 17^th. 

Pitch-in and make a difference!

~ Sam ~

 The Big Country Airfest is just around the corner.  The Airfest board of directors has been busy making all the final preparations.  All they need now is YOUR help.  If you have helped with Airfest in past years, then your experience is needed again.  If you haven't helped out before, then here's your chance to get on-board.  Contact Gray Bridwell at

gray1@jefflutherconstruction.com

or Charlotte Rhodes at

charlotterhodes@hotmail.com

YOUNG EAGLE PILOTS

STILL NEEDED

Wes Hays has been busy rounding-up youngsters to fly Young Eagles and pilots to fly them.  We still need more pilots to pitch in for this worthy cause.  Remember, the Young Eagles program "sows the seeds" for the growth of our Chapter.  If you are interested, contact Wes at 325-754-1912 or email at whays@wtxs.net

 A big thanks to Wes for his efforts.  

~ Sam ~