News

From the President I’m going to ramble here about aviation safety. Our speaker last month from AOPA, Adam Rarey, presented an accident scenario that I had already seen but was shocked again at the outcome. Basically, two pilots were close to home finishing a long cross-country trip in their new Carbon Cub. They made various decisions as the scenario unfolded and flew VFR into IMC and ended up spiraling into the ground just a few miles from their home destination. Of course, after the fact we can easily identify contributing factors and the subtle mistakes made along the way causing the situation to gradually deteriorate but at some point, before the accident, why didn’t they notice the danger? How did

Young Eagles from Bob Prange   We have had to cancel for three months in a row. Winds on March 8 were too strong and gusty for orientation flights. Our next Young Eagles Rallies are: April 12 – CANCELLED May 10 – 0900 AM at Warrenton June 14 – 0900 AM at Manassas To thank Warrenton Airport for inviting us to operate there on April 12 we allowed pre-registration for kids from Fauquier County area schools during March. We had about 45 kids registered. Ground and Pilot Volunteers: About two/three weeks prior to a Young Eagles Rally, we prompt the events.eaachapters.org system to send an email to everyone in our Young Eagles volunteer database, inviting you to click on “confirm”

NASM New Galleries Coming by Mary Dominiac   Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or are new to the DC area!), you already know that the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on the Mall has been totally rebuilt on its original footprint, and is gradually opening new, fully reimagined display galleries. While no precise date has been announced yet, new signs in the South Lobby (Independence Avenue entrance) now promise Summer 2025 as the next stage opening, and the recent removal of construction curtains teases current visitors with veiled glimpses of treats to come. The next stage will include the Boeing Milestones of Flight gallery, with the gorgeous new portico entrance on the mall; the Barron Hilton Pioneers

ONLINE APPLICATIONS https://nds.qgi.mybluehost.me/events/eaa-chapter-186- membership-online-application-2025/ To order a nametag, go to https://nds.qgi.mybluehost.me/ events/eaa-chapter-186-name-tag-order-form- paypal-only/. CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP FEES $30 Jan–Dec Single Member Dues $35 Jan-Dec Family Member Dues $12 for Name Tag and postage $12 – hard copy of Directory (printing & mailing) $2 surcharge if paying by PayPal

Farewell from the Membership Chair, Judy Sparks   I would like to share that after more than 25 wonderful years I am retiring as your Membership Chair – no kidding, really, I am. It has been a true honor and privilege to serve Chapter 186, and I thank you for your support in this role. One of the greatest joys has been welcoming newmmembers and getting to know so many of you over the years. The friendships, stories, and shared passion for aviation have made this journey incredibly rewarding. With my retirement, the Membership Chair position is now open, and I encourage those of you who would like to contribute to the Chapter to consider taking the role. I wouldn’t

Ray Aviation Scholarship by Bob Prange Chapter 186 has been approved by EAA to grant a $12,000 Ray Aviation Foundation Scholarship for 2025. This is the 7th consecutive year we have been approved. We are reviewing the questionnaire answers submitted in March by our scholar hopefuls and will complete the selection process in April. We look at a candidate’s motivation, participation level in Chapter activities, level of completion in the Sporty’s Learn-to-Fly video series, participation in Young Eagles flights and Oshkosh Air Academy and any accomplishment toward flight training preparation. Possession of an FAA medical certificate is required for scholarship consideration. The Ray Scholarship pays $12,000 toward the flight training costs of obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate. Note that total

Young Eagles Air Academy by Bob Prange Chapter 186 is using credits we earned from flying Young Eagles to assist with tuition costs for three kids to attend this June and July. Two kids are going to the age 14-15 Discover Camp on June 12 and one to the age 16-18 Explore Camp on July 15. EAA Air Academy is a series of camps designed to introduce young people ages 14-18 to the aviation world. Kids stay at the EAA Air Academy Lodge in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Experienced aviation instructors help them delve into flight through studies, hands-on demonstrations, flight simulation, and other exciting activities. Campers will receive a ride in a Cessna Skycatcher or Skyhawk or a helicopter, weather permitting.

IMC & VMV Meetings  from TR & Chuck Folks, at this time TR and Chuck are sort of a single point of failure for IMC/VMC Clubn activities. We have found on occasion that we each have activities that conflict with Club meetings. Sofar other activities have been optional and Club meetings proceed as usual, but this may not always be the case. Having a third Club Coordinator as backup would be very helpful to us. If you would like to help out by becoming IMC/VMC Club Coordinator and (optionally) an FAA Safety Team representative, please give Chuck Kyle a call at 703 439 0836 or email to [email protected]. It’s a great way to be more involved with the Chapter and

Udvar-Hazy WWII Anniversay by Mary Dominiac   Mark your calendars: the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s annual Innovations Day fly-in  display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center this year will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. On Saturday, June 14, 2025, over 50 aircraft, including multiple still-flying WWII planes as well as modern aircraft, will be parked for public display on the ramp at the north end of the museum’s aviation hangar from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The event is still in its planning phase, so while it has been posted on the museum’s online calendar, specific visiting aircraft haven’t been announced yet. If you’re interested in exhibiting your aircraft at the event, you

Young Eagles Rally for 4/12 Cancelled Due to unfavorable flight ceilings, our 4/12 Young Eagles Rally at Warrenton has been cancelled. Please join us for our next scheduled YE Rally on Saturday, May 10 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Warrenton-Farquier Airport.