President's Message
Chris Ulibarri
As you can see from our newsletter there has been quite a few things going on in our chapter since last we met. We were able to accomplish a huge and successful Young Eagles fly-in at Albany, Texas where we flew 82 Young Eagles. That was great and quite a few members joined us by participating and supporting as you all do so well.
Then there was the Dyess Big Country Appreciation Day (BCAD) 2004 Airshow, which proved to be well worth the flight there even as windy as it was.
There has been quite a lot going on and I have been busy doing your business as President. It has been tough and I have been learning lots the easy way and the hard way. I appreciate those of you who are giving me strength and encouragement by jumping in when I needed help. You’re the reason we’re such a great chapter.
Keep up the good work everyone and I look forward to seeing at breakfast on June 12th. ~ Chris ~
We recently participated in the Dyess Big Country Appreciation Day Airshow. Greg Wilhite in his Mooney M20F and myself in my Piper Cherokee flew over to Dyess the day prior on Friday the 21st of May. We had to fill out three DD Forms 2400, 2401, and 2402 in order to participate. DD Form 2400 is done by your insurance company and mailed directly to you or the Pentagon. I recommend they mail it to you for quicker processing. The DD Form 2400 has to be original from your insurance company so having them send a fax copy may or may not work depending on who’s receiving it at the base. The other two forms are done by you and only take about five minutes to do. Overall the process was easy and simple. I would recommend more of you fly to Dyess next year, as it was a lot of fun.
We were greeted by the Air Force who gave us a tour of the Dyess flight line even out
to the main runway across the grassy area across from the viewing stand. We checked in at the old alert facility where we were given passes and info on the Airshow. They also fed us sandwiches and fruit salads and all the drinks we wanted. With our passes we were able to get access to the VIP tent and enjoy the show from there. If you like special treatment we got it.
It was very windy Friday and Saturday to say the least but the show went on. There was something going on all the time with awesome aerial demonstrations. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) out of Midland, Texas put on a their fantastic show of the reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Then there was the jet powered Chevy truck with its huge smoke clouds and loud explosions.
My wife Debbie and Greg’s wife Mary, son, and daughter were at our EAA table handing out info on the EAA, Young Eagles, and Airfest. It was very windy and they all did an excellent job helping out. Thank you very much for being there to support us.
After the show we waited until the ramp was cleared and was safe for us to start engines but not before we got free fuel from the Air Force for flying in. That was a nice surprise so Greg and I topped off along with all the other participants who flew in for the event. Overall, it was a great experience and hope to see you all there next year.
Standing in for David Marten
As you all know by now David is on deployment in the Middle East doing great things for our wonderful country and us. He called me a couple of days before his deployment and asked if I would take over the Albany Young Eagles for him and I said I would be happy to. He handed me a CD and several handouts including the YE briefing, route to fly, and contacts there. He did a terrific job getting it all together and preparing not knowing if he would deploy or not. All we did was execute his plan and it was flawless. Everyone worked well together. We flew 82 Young Eagles, a huge success and our first for Albany.
Saturday, May the 8th was our monthly meeting date we used for the Albany Young Eagles and it went great. There were 10 YE pilot's and airplanes and even a big twin engine Cessna 310 flown by Seymour
we could see the kids were already gathering for their rides. We knew it was going to be busy and we were. Everyone worked the pattern and taxi procedures excellently with a lot of courtesy and professional airmanship. Those of you who missed this event missed an excellent opportunity to see us in action as a cohesive aviation unit. It was enough to water your eyes.
I would like to pass on our appreciation to the City of Albany, Texas working with our chapter to make this all happen. I would especially like to thank Don Koch and Chuck Senter of the Albany Chamber of Commerce for their excellent support and for the terrific lunch they gave us after the flights at the Albany Ice House restaurant. They make the best Texas Chicken Fried Steak around and the Bread Pudding Desert is something to write home about. They invited us back next year as an annual event and I said yes to this terrific city. Please see the letter the Albany Chamber of Commerce sent our chapter.
EAA Chapter 471 Officers
President ~ Chris Ulibarri Vice-President ~ Sam Evans Secretary ~ Larry Chapman Treasurer ~ Dick Humphrey Director ~ Charlotte Rhodes Director ~ Lew Jones Director ~ Dave Marten Director ~ Willie Walker Director ~ Bobby Nichols Past President ~ Gray Bridwell
cooking mesquite-smoked hamburgers, with all the fixins'. Teresa will have the drink station set up like last time and we should have everything needed. Just look for it and it will not be far....And yes, the indoor plumbing will not be far from the campsite.
In review, Flying, Food, Fun, and Fellowship....The keys to a successful EAA event!
~ Gray ~
Outdoor Events Scheduled for June
Campout at Ray's on
June 12th
You are invited to Ray & Shirley Parrish's Ranch Party
5942 FM 126
Merkel, Texas 325/846-4678
10 miles south of Merkel in beautiful Mulberry Canyon! 3:00 P.M. til' whenever…? Enjoy music, chuck wagon supper and lots of fun. Bring your favorite beverage and if you wish to spend the night, bring you motor home, travel trailer, tent, sleeping bag, etc. We have plenty of space. Contact Ray at:325/846-4678 Leave name and number of guests.
DIRECTIONS TAKE FIRST MERKLE EXIT BLINK LIGHT X RR TRACK GO 10 MILES THEN GO SOUTH ON FM 126 TIL YOU SEE TOWER ON LEFT, TURN RIGHT NEXT DIRT ROAD - APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE
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Campout at Gray's on June 19th
Plan to fly in and camp out. Gray has a North/South 17/35, and a East/West 09/27 both about 2,500 feet long and both with power lines and trees at each end. There will be plenty of parking for planes and cars if you just have to drive. Bring chairs, tent, and bedding. The most important thing will be the food. Gray will be
EAA
Chapter 471
It's always good to hear how we're doing as a chapter and every once in awhile it's good to hear about the successes of our members so much we like to share it. I'm a little bias here because I'm writing about my son Aaron Ulibarri and his wife Jen. He has working very hard at his craft of being a pilot for a career. He is also one of our own Young Eagles from over ten years ago and has accomplished quite a bit since then. This year he was able to fly via airliner to Arlington, Texas to attend ALL ATPS Flight School. In less than two shorts weeks he completed his multi-engine training and flight evaluation, ATP simulator training, ATP written, and ATP flight evaluation in the Piper Seminole II.
Aaron and his wife Jen are way up in Juneau, Alaska along with their Alaskan three-legged dog
"Tracks", and longtime family cat "Shindig". Jen is the Office Manager/Chief Dispatcher for LAB Flying Services Inc. She runs the office and makes sure LAB pilot's stay busy flying and keeps passengers and cargo on the move through southern Alaska. They would be lost without her expertise. They are having a wonderful time there enjoying the beauty and rugged charm of Alaska.
Aaron is flying for LAB out of the Juneau (JNU) airport flying Piper Cherokee six's, Archers, and now with his ATP/multi-engine ratings he is also flying
the Piper Seneca's and Navajo Chieftan's. He also recently got his FAA flight evaluation in the Piper Chieftan to fly it for LAB. Along with his flying job at LAB he is also busy as a CFI and has several students he trains at Juneau. One of his students got his Private Pilot's license last month. To learn more about LAB go to www.labflying.com and you will see the areas he flies to as a bush pilot. Aaron has over 3,200 hours total time and flies over 1,000 hours a year at about 100 hours a month. Now that's staying busy.
If you couldn't tell I am very proud of Aaron and Jen because what they have accomplished together. You can contact them at Tomahawk3at@aol.com and wish them well.
Congratulations to Gary Potter* for High Young Eagles Time Flyer and First Time YE Flyer Greg Wilhite**.
June 2004
radio keeping everyone apprised of where each of us was in the pattern and the route.
The weather cooperated with cool temperatures and cloudy skies for our departure from Abilene. We departed Abilene at 0800 and on arrival to Albany
Beitscher. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our members such as Bobby Nichols, Harold Cannon, David Arrighi and Ted Paup whom all worked registration and general control of the flight line. Hobby Stevens was our acting airport controller on his hand held