Ray Scholarship
In January 2026, Chapter 186 will apply to EAA to administer a 2026 Ray Foundation Aviation 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. Our current 2025 Ray Scholar, Cliff Storey, flew his first solo (powered) flight in October. He is training at Aviation Adventures at Manassas. Our 2022 Ray Scholar, Juliette Burton, graduated from University of Maryland last May and was commissioned into the Air Force in June. She reported to Laughlin AFB in Texas and has spent 10 weeks in academics and simulator training.
Young Eagles EAA Air Academy from Bob Prange
EAA Air Academy 2026 Registration Parents: Information (dates, course content, ages, tuition costs) and on-line registration for the June and July 2026 camps are now available at https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/eaa aviation-and-flight-summer-camps. There are two separate camps: Explore Aviation Camp and Navigating Horizons Camp for either of two age groups, 14 to 15 and 16 to 18. Once you are registered and accepted for a camp, you can apply directly to the EAA for an EAA campership which may help pay for the tuition. EAA Ch 186 has also provided tuition assistance in the past couple years. If you are already registered for an Air Academy camp, let us know and we may be able to help with tuition assistance. If you are
Young Eagles from Bob Prange
We flew 41 kids in October at Warrenton and 38 in November at Manassas. Our next Young Eagles Rallies are: Dec 13 – Manassas at 1100Jan 10 – Manassas at 1100Feb 14 – Manassas at 1100 Young Eagles flights are available to kids between ages 8 and 17. We normally hold our rallies on the second Saturday each month. Parents can register at events.eaachapters.org beginning at 8:00 AM on the 1st of each month. Chapter 186 Young Eagles CoordinatorsDavid RichardsBob Prange
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 our facilitators for these meetings
Chapter Build and Fly from Sam Bingham
After four years on display in the Chapter House, the Build & Fly airplane has been brought back to life. The project started with some Young Eagles just before COVID in 2019 and was completed at the end of 2020 by Mike Walpole and Bob Prange. Videos of the building progress can be seen on YouTube at “skigolfmike”. The plane survived its first test flight with issues and adjustments were made by Mike. However, he moved away and we never got to show any of the contributing Eagles their project in flight. I hadn’t been in the RC flying hobby in over ten years and didn’t feel comfortable taking over as chief pilot. That changed this year when a friend
Chili Cook-off 2025 Results!
EAA Chapter 186 Chili Cook-Off Heats Up withFun, Flavor, and Friendly Competition! At the Chapter House on October 25, there was no shortage of spice, smiles, and spirited competition at this year’s Chili Cook-Off! No fewer than 40 members gathered for an event filled with simmering crock pots and secret recipes as our talented chili chefs battled it out for top honors. After much tasting, our esteemed judges (Meredith Richards, Jack McCombs, Tim Lewis, Curtis Smith and Jim Stone) crowned the champions: Best Overall: Barry Toole with his “Star MacAdam” chiliHottest/Spiciest: David Richards with his “HolySmoke Chili”Best Presentation/Most Attractive: George Philipps with his “Sailor Chili Delight”Most Creative/Unusual: Eric WhitesideMildest/Subtle: Cathy Carey with her “White Chicken Chili” A huge thank you
Movie Night this Friday, 11/7!!!
Come join your EAA 186 crew for movie night this Friday, 11/7 at 7pm at the Chapter House to watch Airplane! Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring treats to share! See you there!