From the President, Bob Prange
We are at that time where we conduct the annual Chapter Officer election process. The current President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary are Bob Prange, Jim Stone, Michael Iachini and Dan Botzer, respectively. Even if the current officers wish to continue, Chapter 186 entertains nominations from any member who wishes to run. Any Chapter 186 member who would like to consider filling an officer position should let one of the Chapter 186 Boardm Members know. Terms are for one year. Members present at the November member gathering will vote on the four officer’s positions. Thanks to all who helped Chapter 186 sell food and spread the word about the Chapter at the Culpeper Air Fest on October 11. This was
Membership
ONLINE APPLICATIONShttps://eaa186.org/events/eaa-chapter-186-membership-online-application-2025/ To order a nametag, go to: 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$12 for Name Tag and postage$12 – hard copy of Directory (printing & mailing)$2 surcharge if paying by PayPalContact Jerry Stueve for Membership info:[email protected] DID YOU CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL?Please advise Jerry Stueve, 703-624-0781 [email protected] if any of your membershipdirectory information changes. Thanks.
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 These camps will fill up quickly. 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
Young Eagles from Bob Prange
We flew 48 kids on September 13 and have over 50 kids registered for October 18 at Warrenton. Our next Young Eagles Rallies are:Oct 18 – Warrenton at 1200Nov 8 – Manassas at 1200Dec 13 – Manassas at 1200 Young Eagles flights are available to kids between ages 8 and 17. We normally hold our rallies on the second Saturday each month. Notice the Warrenton rally in October is the 3rd Saturday. 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
Virginia’s Top Eagles Pilots Honored at VAB Meeting from Virginia Department of Aviation
Virginia’s Top Eagles Pilots Honored at VAB Meeting The Virginia Department of Aviation honored Virginia’s three “Top Eagles” who have flown the most Young Eagles in the Commonwealth over the past 12 months at the Virginia Aviation Board meeting at the Hotel Roanoke on August 15, 2025. The EAA Young Eagles program is designed to match pilots with children to give them their first ride in an airplane. Nationally since 1992, the Young Eagles program has flown 2.5 million young people – all of them for free. These flights are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers. Three Virginians went above and beyond the calling of this program. They gave their time and skills to help introduce and
Member Gathering Tomorrow 9/27!!!
September 27 Member Gathering Chapter 186 Member Glenn Shields will lead a panel consisting of a cross-section of our membership discussing aging and flying and figuring out how and when to call it quits. This promises to be a vibrant discussion. From Glenn: When Is It Time to Hang Up the Airplane Keys?There comes a time in each pilot’s life when it is time to leave the flying to someone else. Sometimes it is a decision reached due to a medical condition in which case the choice is made made by the FARs. Sometimes it is based on finances. And there is a more challenging situation that every pilot will experience if they stay active for the long haul –
From the President
The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) held their annual three-day conference at the Hotel Roanoke in August. This large-scale event for Virginia’s aviation industry serves as a meeting point for industry professionals to discuss educational programs, industry developments, and more. Since 1976, the DOAV has administered the Virginia Aviation Awards and recognized individuals across the Commonwealth who have made significant contributions to Virginia’s $26 billion aviation industry. At the banquet ceremony, Virginia Aviation Board Director Greg Campbell honored three Virginians with 2025 Virginia Aviation Awards: Airport Manager of the Year, Aviation Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement. For her never-ending dedication to aviation in Virginia, our own Judy Sparks was Aviation Person of the Year for 2025. The DOAV
Young Eagles from Bob Prange
We flew 40 kids on Aug 9 and have 50 kids registered for Sept 13. Our next Young Eagles Rallies are: Sept 13 – Manassas at 0900 Oct 18 – Warrenton at 1200 Nov 8 – Manassas at 1200 Dec 13 – Manassas at 1200 Young Eagles flights are available to kids between ages 8 and 17. We normally hold our rallies on the second Saturday each month. Notice the Warrenton rally in October is the 3rd Saturday. Parents can register at events.eaachapters.org beginning at 8:00 AM on the 1st of each month.