News

From the President by Bob Prange   At the end of 2024 we awarded members either for a position they held in the Chapter or for something extra they did to further the Chapter’s purpose. In the December newsletter I discussed the George Lutz Awards given to Brian Lester and Judy Sparks. Last month I highlighted the Chapter accomplishments for 2024 but did not mention names since so many people help in so many ways, there will always be names left out when we start listing awards and giving thanks. Here’s a list of the certificates and plaques given out at the Dec 2024 Holiday Dinner: George Lutz Award – Brian Lester George Lutz Award – Judy Sparks The following

URL for Membership: https://nds.qgi.mybluehost.me/events/eaa-chapter-186-membership-online-application-2025/ URL for Nametag orders: 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 $12 for Directory Contact Judy Sparks if you have changed any of your membership information. [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.EAA186.org

Ray Aviation Scholarship from Bob Prange In January 2025, Chapter 186 will apply to EAA to administer a 2025 Ray Scholarship for a $12,000 flight training scholarship. If we are selected to give another Ray Scholarship, we will begin a search in March for a motivated youth aged 16 ½ to 19 who would like to participate in a concentrated one-year effort to acquire his/her Private Pilot License. The selection process will begin with reviewing questionnaire responses from scholar candidates. 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 accomplishments toward flight training preparation. Possession of an FAA

EAA Air Academy  from Bob Prange If your child has already been accepted to any 2025 Air Academy session, either Explore Camp or Discover Camp, please let us know. We may be able to help with your tuition expense. If you would like your child to go to one of the sessions we have already reserved and partially paid for (see below), please let us know. 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

Young Eagles We had several aircraft and over 50 kids registered for Jan 11 but cancelled for high winds and icy ramps and have also had to cancel the February rally.   Our next Young Eagles Rallies are: March 8 – 1200 Noon at Manassas April 12 – 1200 Noon at Warrenton May 10 – 0900 AM at Manassas We are now using the EAA’s new website for event management for our Young Eagles Rallies. To become a Young Eagles volunteer, ground or pilot, proceed to events.eaachapters.org and use the “sign-up” feature using your eaa.org login info. That just gets you on the list of possible volunteers. Let Bob know you have signed up so we can send you an

IMC and VMC Meetings with special note from TR and Chuck   Jon us for our monthly IMC and VMC Meeting today starting at 7:00 pm! Optional informal dinner at 5:30 at Panera at Bristow Center. 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

Our speaker this month will be Chapter member John Fontaine sharing the journey of building his RV-12iS.  John grew up in an aviation family with a father and uncle as  airline pilots and helped his father build a Varieze in 1977.  He now has a son flying for Delta Air Lines.  John retired from a 33-year career with United Airlines two years ago and first flew his RV-12 in December 2023. Join us at 10:00 AM for the meeting and 9:20 AM for coffee and doughnuts. Bob Prange

The February 8th Young Eagles rally has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Please join us for the March 8th Young Eagles Rally.

Movie Night at the Chapter House!!! The first movie night at the chapter house for 2025 will be this Friday, January 31st at 7:00 pm. Popcorn and soda will be available. Feel free to bring treats to share.  Movie will be a 1980s aviation classic!  

Joint Chapter Young Eagles Workshop by Ann Toole OctoberSkies was a great joint chapter experiment. It was a gathering of talent and resources with the aim of providing a deeper and more involved aviation experience for high school students interested in aviation. When four Virginia EAA chapters — 186 National Capital-Manassas, 231 Richmond, 1099 Shannon, and 1563 Gordonsville — that value education and enjoy sharing their knowledge with our youths joined forces with Luke Curtis and his daughter, Kristen of Shannon Airport, Kim Anderson and the Virginia Department of Aviation with the Icon seaplane and a flight simulator, and Jeremy from Appalachian State University, magic and synergies happened.     This was the brain child of Judy Sparks of EAA