The annual Chapter 186 Officer election process will proceed at the Nov 23 Membership Gathering. At that meeting we will ask the members present to vote yea or nay to the proposed candidates. Any Chapter 186 member who would like to consider filling an officer position should let one of the Chapter 186 Board Members know before that date. The current President, Vice President and Secretary (Bob Prange, Jim Stone and Dan Botzer, respectively) have indicated a willingness to serve in their positions again for 2025. We thank Brian Lester for serving as our Treasurer for the past two years. Brian has indicated he would still like to help in other areas but will step down from the Treasurer position. Member Michael Iachini has expressed interest in fulfilling the Treasurer position. Michael works in finance, has a C- 182RG and flies Young Eagles.

Most of the 2025 Air Academy sessions are full and accepting a waitlist registration but Chapter 186 has three reserved spots for those interested in attending. We’ll pay a portion of the tuition. The two age groups are 14-15 and 16-18. See more info in the Air Academy article if you are interested.

In October we participated with three other EAA chapters in what we called “October Skies,” a joint-chapter Young Eagles mini-workshop plus a one-on-one flight for each participant. See the write-up herein.

The party season continues! We enjoyed some very good chili concoctions and other dishes and desserts at the Chili Cook-Off last month. Please plan to attend the Holiday Party on Sunday Dec 8 at 12:00 Noon. See the announcement and info about bringing dishes in the next couple pages.

Bob Prange

Bring your family to our Chapter House Holiday Party on Sunday,
December 8 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 pm. We’ll provide baked ham, roast
turkey, and drinks. Please bring a side dish, perhaps your family’s favorite
vegetable, salad, casserole, pie, cake or cookies. Awards and certificate
presentations to follow. We’ll also be collecting for “TOYS FOR TOTS” so
please bring a new unwrapped toy to be given to the less fortunate in our
area by the Marine Corps.

PLEASE RSVP, and either respond on line by
going to EAA186.org and click on PARTICIPATE, and then HOLIDAY
PARTY or contact Judy Sparks,
jhsparks@comcast.net or 703-581-7667.

*** Sign up ASAP on this website under “Participate”***

Wanted: Chili Cooks

EAA Chapter 186 2

3rd ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF!

(No Membership Meeting at 10:00) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

October 26 at High Noon

There will be four category awards and one main grand prize! Entries can be classic recipes, meatless, no beans, white bean, or even have surprise ingredients. Chili entries will be judged by the following categories:

• Hottest/Spiciest
• Most Creative/Unusual
• Mildest/Wimpiest
• Best Presentation/Most Attractive
• Grand Prize – Best Over All

We need cornbread, side dishes, and desserts!

We also need Chili Judges!

We need FIVE judges, so get in on the fun and put your taste buds to the ultimate test!

RULES:

The signup for Chili Cooks and Chili Judges begins on September 23. Go to EAA186.org and click on PARTICIPATE, and then CHILI COOK OFF. All Chili entries must be at the Chapter House by 11:30 AM on October 26.

Chili entries must be prepared at home and brought to the Chapter House in a slow cooker.

• Be sure to name your chili with a sign!
• Your entry and décor/signage must fit within a 2 ft x 2 ft space.
• Deadline to enter Chili Cook-off is October 23.
• Judging starts at high noon on October 26.
• Please bring cornbread, side dishes

*** Sign up ASAP on this website under “Participate”***

Wanted: Chili Cooks

EAA Chapter 186 2

3rd ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF!

(No Membership Meeting at 10:00) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

October 26 at High Noon

There will be four category awards and one main grand prize! Entries can be classic recipes, meatless, no beans, white bean, or even have surprise ingredients. Chili entries will be judged by the following categories:

• Hottest/Spiciest
• Most Creative/Unusual
• Mildest/Wimpiest
• Best Presentation/Most Attractive
• Grand Prize – Best Over All

We need cornbread, side dishes, and desserts!

We also need Chili Judges!

We need FIVE judges, so get in on the fun and put your taste buds to the ultimate test!

RULES:

The signup for Chili Cooks and Chili Judges begins on September 23. Go to EAA186.org and click on PARTICIPATE, and then CHILI COOK OFF. All Chili entries must be at the Chapter House by 11:30 AM on October 26.

Chili entries must be prepared at home and brought to the Chapter House in a slow cooker.

• Be sure to name your chili with a sign!
• Your entry and décor/signage must fit within a 2 ft x 2 ft space.
• Deadline to enter Chili Cook-off is October 23.
• Judging starts at high noon on October 26.
• Please bring cornbread, side dishes

Wanted: Chili Cooks

EAA Chapter 186 2

3rd ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF!

(No Membership Meeting at 10:00) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

October 26 at High Noon

There will be four category awards and one main grand prize! Entries can be classic recipes, meatless, no beans, white bean, or even have surprise ingredients. Chili entries will be judged by the following categories:

• Hottest/Spiciest
• Most Creative/Unusual
• Mildest/Wimpiest
• Best Presentation/Most Attractive
• Grand Prize – Best Over All

We need cornbread, side dishes, and desserts!

We also need Chili Judges!

We need FIVE judges, so get in on the fun and put your taste buds to the ultimate test!

RULES:

The signup for Chili Cooks and Chili Judges begins on September 23. Go to EAA186.org and click on PARTICIPATE, and then CHILI COOK OFF. All Chili entries must be at the Chapter House by 11:30 AM on October 26.

Chili entries must be prepared at home and brought to the Chapter House in a slow cooker.

• Be sure to name your chili with a sign!
• Your entry and décor/signage must fit within a 2 ft x 2 ft space.
• Deadline to enter Chili Cook-off is October 23.
• Judging starts at high noon on October 26.
• Please bring cornbread, side dishes

ONLINE APPLICATIONS 

EAA 186 Membership: click here.

Name Tag Order Form: click here

CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP FEES

$30 Jan–Dec Single Member Dues

$35 Jan-Dec Family Member Dues

$10 for Name Tag and postage $10 – hard copy of Newsletter (printing & mailing)

$10 – hard copy of Directory (printing & mailing) $1 surcharge if paying by PayPal

Contact Judy Sparks for Membership info: jhsparks@comcast.net

DID YOU CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL? Please advise Judy Sparks, 703-581-7667 or jhsparks@comcast.net if any of your membership directory information changes. Thanks!

Young Eagles EAA Air Academy

by Bob Prange

Registration is available and EAA has announced the 2025 dates, prices and changes to the course content for the EAA Air Academy, 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.

Explore Aviation Camp is equivalent to the previous Basic (14-15) and Advanced (16-18) Air Academy Camps.

All sessions offered are the same camp.

*Session 1 (ages 14-15) – June 20 – 25, 2025 – $1,300

Session 2 (ages 14-15) – June 28 – July 3, 2025 – $1,300

*Session 3 (ages 16-18) – July 15 – 23, 2025 – $1,650

Session 4 (ages 16-18) – July 25 – August 2, 2025 – $1,650

Discover Camp

All sessions offered are the same camp.

Session 1 (ages 14-15) – June 12 – 17, 2025 – $1,300

Session 2 (ages 16-18) – July 7 – 12, 2025 – $1,300

Parents interested in Air Academy camps can click here for additional information on course content, lodge accommodations and registration. Contact president@eaa186.org if you have any questions.

*Chapter 186 is prepared to help pay for part of the camper tuition for one camper in Session 3 of Explore Aviation Camp (Age 16-18) and two campers in Session 1 of Explore Aviation Camp (Age 14-15). Please contact Bob Prange if interested.

Young Eagles EAA Air Academy

by Bob Prange

Registration is available and EAA has announced the 2025 dates, prices and changes to the course content for the EAA Air Academy, 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.

Explore Aviation Camp is equivalent to the previous Basic (14-15) and Advanced (16-18) Air Academy Camps.

All sessions offered are the same camp.

*Session 1 (ages 14-15) – June 20 – 25, 2025 – $1,300

Session 2 (ages 14-15) – June 28 – July 3, 2025 – $1,300

*Session 3 (ages 16-18) – July 15 – 23, 2025 – $1,650

Session 4 (ages 16-18) – July 25 – August 2, 2025 – $1,650

Discover Camp

All sessions offered are the same camp.

Session 1 (ages 14-15) – June 12 – 17, 2025 – $1,300

Session 2 (ages 16-18) – July 7 – 12, 2025 – $1,300

Parents interested in Air Academy camps can click here for additional information on course content, lodge accommodations and registration. Contact president@eaa186.org if you have any questions.

*Chapter 186 is prepared to help pay for part of the camper tuition for one camper in Session 3 of Explore Aviation Camp (Age 16-18) and two campers in Session 1 of Explore Aviation Camp (Age 14-15). Please contact Bob Prange if interested.