News

Young Eagles Rally for 1/11 Cancelled! The EAA Chapter 186 Young Eagles Rally at Manassas is cancelled for this Saturday January 11 due to expected adverse weather conditions. Our next Young Eagles Rally is planned at Manassas Airport (HEF) on Saturday February 8 with time slots at 12:00 Noon and 2:00 PM. Registration for parents at events.eaachapters.org begins at 8:00 AM on February 1. Ground and Pilot Volunteers will receive an invitation to volunteer on about January 15. See you at our monthly chapter membership gathering on Saturday January 25 at 10:00 AM, coffee and goodies before. All are welcome! Blue Skies!!!

MEMBERSHIP   The following are the updated prices and links for membership dues, name tags, and the directory; effective immediately: 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 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 1⁄2 to 19 who would like to participate in a concentrated one-year effort to acquire his/her Private Pilot License. The scholarship gives $4,800 to start flight training, then requires soloing within 4 months to receive the next $4,800 and then requires completion of the FAA Knowledge Exam within 4 more months to receive the last $2,400. The Ray Aviation Foundation has partnered with EAA’s chapter structure to find and mentor the scholars with the

Young Eagles EAA Air Academy 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. Most of the sessions are already full and only accepting waitlist registrations however EAA Chapter 186 has three spots reserved for kids that would like to attend. We can pay $500 of your child’s tuition. The child’s family will be responsible for transportation to and from the lodge. Find additional information

Young Eagles We flew 43 kids at the Nov 9 rally at Manassas and plan to fly over 40 at the Dec 14 rally. Our next Young Eagles Rallies are: Jan 11 – 12:00 Noon at Manassas Feb 8 – 12:00 Noon at Manassas March – 12:00 Noon 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. That just gets you on the list of possible volunteers. Let Bob know you have signed up so we can send you an invitation to volunteer for a specific event. If you volunteer without being signed

IMC & VMC Meetings   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

From the President The Chapter 186 Holiday party was a great success. As always, the food was great and the fellowship and conversation were even better. Thank you to Danny Miller and DiDi Crowder for bringing the ham and Ralph and Laura Hoover for bringing the turkey. Members provided a wide variety of delicious side dishes and desserts. Each year a highlight of the party is the opportunity to award the George Lutz Award to a deserving Chapter 186 member. This award is the highest accolade we bestow upon a member for their dedication and endless support to the Chapter. Colonel Lutz was a founding member (1963) and six-term president of National Capital Chapter 186 of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Movie Night at the Chapter House Friday, December 16, 7 pm. Come enjoy a classic movie and bring a snack to share. Popcorn and beverages will be provided.    

Speaker and Election Over a year ago we heard member Joe Bechtold (ATP, CFII, KitFox Amphib) talk about the build of his meticulous Kitfox and flying all around the US in all types of terrain and conditions only to be blown over by an errant corporate jet at Orlando International. This month, Joe will provide lessons learned from his experience and his adventures following the repair. He has been criss-crossing the US again, including flying the 113-airport program in Washington State.