Membership
ONLINE APPLICATIONS https://eaa186.org/events/eaa-chapter-186-membership-online-application-2025/ NAME TAG https://eaa186.org/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$15 for Name Tag and postage$12 – hard copy of Directory (printing & mailing)$2 surcharge if paying by PayPalDID YOU CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL?Please advise Meredith Martin-Richards, 703-594-1281 or [email protected] if any of your membership directory information changes.Thanks!
VAHS Invitation to EAA186!
You may remember the meeting last year when Dick Genaille from the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society gave us an overview presentation of his multi-part Aviation Firsts Along the Potomac River. He has spent years researching and now presents his findings on several topics including hot-air balloons in the Civil War, Samuel Langley’spioneering feats near Quantico, the Wright Brothers. and others at Fort Myer and Hanes Point, the first military dirigible, the early airports in the area and much more. The VAHS has five chapters statewide including a Warrenton Chapter. The VAHS is committed to preserving aviation history and educating the public of the many contributions Virginia has made and is making to the development of aviation and aerospace. Dick Genaille
Young Eagles EAA Air Academy from Bob Prange
For the 2026 Air Academy we have spent our credits available to help with the tuition for two campers that are going in June and July. One is going to the Explore Camp Session 1 in late June and one is going to Session 2 in early July. The EAA Air Academy offers away-from-homeaviation themed camps. 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 https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/eaa-aviation-and-flight-summer-camps and the info for the 2027 camps and on-line registration will be posted there in September 2026. Once registered and accepted
Young Eagles from Bob Prange
We had 50 kids and 9 aircraft registered for the March 14 rally. Unfortunately, this was cancelled due to high winds. Pilots: In an effort to push the total of Young Eagles flown to 2.5 million kids, EAA has announced Mission 2.5 where Young Eagle Pilots have an incentive to fly 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 Feb 2026 for each Young Eagles pilot:Chris Berg 9Dan Botzer 26Matthew Friedman 4Joseph Fry 3Michael Iachini 8Allan Osborn 12Grant Peterson 2Bob Prange 23Brian Roy
Young Eagle Rally 3/14 Cancelled!!!
We regret we have to cancel tomorrow’s March 14 Young Eagles Rally. The surface winds will be a crosswind with gusts to 18 knots and the winds aloft will cause turbulence at our planned altitude. These would be unpleasant flight conditions for our young aviators. The April 11 Young Eagles Rally will be held at Warrenton Airport from 1100 to 1500. The on-line registration for that event will be at eaachapters.org beginning at 8:00 AM on April 1. Thank you for your patience. Blue Skies, Bob Prange
Member Gathering and Breakfast This Saturday, 2/28!!!
Saturday February 28Breakfast and Member Gathering0900 Breakfast1000 Guest Speaker Join us this Saturday for a pancake and sausage breakfast before the meeting. We will cook and eat from 0900 to 1000 and plan for our guest speaker at 1000. If you can help mix batter or flip pancakes let us know, please call Judy Sparks at 703-581-9667. Our guest speaker will be Captain Benjamin Ayivorh, US Air Force. Many of you remember his Dad, the late Niiben Ayivorh based at Manassas Airport. Captain Ayivorh has a great story to tell. He began his Air Force career maintaining the F-16 with assignments including the USAF 16th Weapons School and the Thunderbirds Demonstration Team. He then went on to earn his Officer
From the President, Bob Prange
By the end of February, we will hear from EAA if we get to award a Ray Foundation Flight Training Scholarship again for the eighth year in a row. Chapter 186 has helped create a new Private Pilot each year since the program began in 2019. The Ray Scholarship now pays up to $12,000 for a scholar working on the Private Pilot- Airplane certificate. It can be given instead for a Sport Pilot certificate ($9,000) or a Glider certificate ($6,000) but we have always preferred to award the largest amount. The program is intensive, requiring the scholarto commit to completing flight training from beginning to checkride in one year. EAA gives the chapter an initial payment of $4,800. We reimburse
Membership Application
The 2026 Membership drive is well underway. If you have not done so already, please complete your application and payment soon! For questions, contact Meredith Martin-Richards [email protected] or 703-594-1281.
IMC/VMC Club Pilot Safety Meetings Today!!! 2/24
Tuesday February 24 IMC Club Meeting at 7:00 PMVMC 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 flying”