News

Dear Chapter 186 Members and Friends, This week we learned of the devastating loss of a legendary aviation ambassador, Chuck Tippett.  If you ever met Chuck, you found a new good friend and so did he.  Words here can not describe the life he led and the impact he made around him.  His infectious energy and passion either pulled you in or wore you out just watching him live.  Chuck Tippett stories will go on.  Chuck has pulled up to join his beloved Vicky. Arrangements are being planned.  More info at this link. https://welchfuneralhomeva.com/book-of-memories/5734693/Tippett-Charles/service-details.php With deep regret, Chapter 186 Boardmembers

Experimental Aircraft AssociationChapter 186National Capital Chapter10629 Aviator WayManassas, VA  20110                                                        Friday July 317:00 PMMovie Night at the Chapter House Join us this Friday night to watch: The Big Lift  (1950)  starring Montgomery Clift, Paul Douglas and Cornell Borchers. From IMBD:  Experiences of two Air Force sergeants during the 1948 Berlin Airlift.  In 1948, the Soviet Union blockades the Allied sectors of Berlin to bring the entire city under their control. A semi-documentary about the resulting Berlin Airlift gives way to stories of two fictitious U.S. Air Force participants: Sgt. Hank Kowalski, whose hatred

Leading up to the 4th of July, I am reminded of the freedom we have in General Aviation in the U.S. Except for my plane being in the shop and the temperatures being close to 100°F, I can get in my plane and fly in a vast majority of US airspace with little or no restriction. There is GA in other parts of the world, but I would guess here it is less bureaucratic and more efficient. What allows me to do this so freely? Fortunately, we have organizations that speak up for the “little guy.” If not for the voice of the membership of EAA, AOPA and similar organizations, the flying freedoms we enjoy would erode over time. The

TONIGHT!!!   Tuesday July 28 IMC Club Meeting at 7:00 PM VMC Club Meeting at 8:00 PM Join us Tuesday night for one or both of our monthly safety meetings.  IMC Club and VMC Club meetings are usually on the fourth Tuesday of the month.  Attendees receive one FAA WINGS credit for each session. Optional 5:30 PM dinner (Dutch treat) at Panera Bread on Bristow Center Drive.  Near the fountains visible from Route 28. IMC Club meeting topic:The IMC Club’s purpose is to promote instrument flying, proficiency, and safety. The intent is to create a community of pilots willing to share information, provide recognition, foster communications, promote safety, and build proficiency in instrument flying. VMC Club meeting topic:EAA/VMC Club provides organized “hangar

Rori Ross our 2026 Ray Scholar is taking flight instruction at Elevation Aviation on the east side of the field at Manassas. She graduated this June and plans to attend Oklahoma State University’s aviation program. The Ray Scholarship pays $12,000 toward the flight training costs of obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate. Note that total costs will most likely exceed $12,000. It is funded in three installments: $4,800 up front, $4,800 after first solo and $2,400 after written exam completion. The required milestones are: -First solo flight within three months, -Pass the private pilot written exam within sixmonths, -Pass the Private Pilot check ride within one yearof receiving the initial funds. The EAA asks fortwo hours per month of volunteer time

The EAA Air Academy offers away-from-home aviation themed camps at the Academy Lodge on the EAA grounds at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This year Ch 186 has helped with tuition assistance for two kids to attend. One is going to Explore camp in late June and one in early July. Parents: Plan NOW for 2027!!! Info for the 2027 camps and on-line registration will be posted at https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/eaa-aviation-and-flight-summer-camps in early September 2026. Camper slots fill up quickly! For 2026 there were two separate camps: Explore Aviation Camp and Navigating Horizons Camp for either of two age groups, 14 to 15 and 16 to 18. The information (dates, course content, ages, tuition costs) for the 2026 camps is available at the above website.

Our July 11 rally is planned for Warrenton- Fauquier Airport at 0900. We have about 8 aircraft and 60 kids scheduled. Pilots: To push the total number of Young Eagles flown to 2.5 million kids, EAA has announced Mission 2.5 where Young Eagle Pilots have an incentive to fly at least 25 kids between 10/1/2025 to 7/31/2026. Any volunteer pilot that rises to the challenge and flies 25 Young Eagles or more from October 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026, will be issued a limited-edition commemorative hat courtesy of Sporty’s. Below are our current totals through June 13, 2026for each Young Eagles pilot:Chris Berg 27Dan Botzer 38Matthew Friedman 12Joseph Fry 3Dave Huss 6Michael Iachini 14Allan Osborn 27Michael Osmers 12Grant Peterson

We meet on the 4th Tuesday each month. IMC Club at 7 PM. VMC Club at 8 PM. Come for one or both sessions; we usually meet beforehand at 5:30 PM for informal dinner at the Panera Bread at Bristow Center. The IMC Club’s purpose is to promote instrument flying proficiency, safety and education through a community of pilots sharing information and fostering communications. You don’t have to be instrument rated to come to the IMC Club. The VMC Club, for pilots wishing to improve their VFR flying proficiency, is modeled after the popular IMC Club providing organized “hangar flying” with a focus on VFR procedures, regulations and publications. TR Proven and Chuck Kyle are our facilitators for these meetings

Our July 11 Young Eagles Rally is re-scheduled for Warrenton Airport from 9:00 AMto 1:00 PM.

Thank you to our volunteerswho helped staff the Women Can Build workstation where participants learned the basics of filing, drilling, deburring, clecoing, bending and riveting while making a cellphone stand. This is always a very rewarding experience for those who help with this activity. We helped about 50 people build a cellphone stand. One young girl got back in line three times. By the third one, she could have taught the whole process! While this is not a Chapter 186 event, per se, it gives us visibility when our 186 members are there helping the GA community show itself off to the public. Sarah Patten says they gave 215 rides! Speaking of volunteering, Chapter 186 has just been named once