January 3rd 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
January 13th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
January 23rd 2024 - Tuesday 5:00 PM
January Meeting - Chris Gill's Smith/BBI SuperCub Build
Chris Gill hosted our January meeting in his garage ... er ... SuperCub Factory, complete with a great custom-made edge roller. Chris and Lisa were great hosts, providing water and sweet snacks. And heat!
Chris' plane review included a 6-page handout of notes and "deets" (i.e., details). Chris has the wide-body kit from BBI Aviation (Nick Smith Jr. & Sr.) out of Thorndale, Ontario. He has the seaplane package, including left door. Chris just hung an Aero Sport O-375 (195 hp) and will use the Catto 84x43 prop. He covered details about project history & goals, build issues & helpful resources, build log organization & dating photos, fuel system, instruments ("Don't buy early"), covering plan, etc.
An organized, very informative meeting, indeed, for both homebuilders and all of 10 of us present!
January 23rd 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting
Where: Chris Gill's Garage, 1701 Roger's Park Ct, Anchorage
Come check out Chris' progress on building a his wide body Super Cub kit from BBI Aviation. It includes the sea plane pkg with gull wing doors, weld-on float fittings, etc.
See you there!
February 7th 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
February 10th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
February 27th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting
Where: Alaska Airmen's Association Bldg, 4200 Floatplane Dr, on Lake Hood
Our own Bob Edison will present, "A Lifetime of Flying Adventures," in Bob-Max 3D (i.e., Dashing, Dazzling, Dynamic)! Bob has over half a century of flying circles around mountains, oceans, and apparently pickles. Ratings include ATP/MEL, Comm.Inst/SEL & SES, CFI, CFI-I, CFI-ME.
Chuck Hosack will bring some cool items for a drawing, including a survival kit and an Icom handheld transceiver.
We will also recognize and thank last year's volunteers.
See you there for tales of unique experiences of a great pilot who's "seen and done a thing or two!"
February 27th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
February Meeting - Bob Edison
Our own Bob Edison shared stories with photos and video of his experiences flying charter flights in the Philippines and around Denali. All 18 of us really enjoyed Bob's great, entertaining presentation!
Chuck Hosack brought a survival kit and an Icom handheld transceiver for our drawing. Winners were Anson Moxness and Jim Moss, respectively.
We recognized and thanked several Chapter 42 officers & volunteers who were present, handing out EAA certificates and service pins:
- Chuck Hosack - former Secretary. Current Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor for many years. Meeting host at Alaska Aviation Museum for Huey and Norseman tours
- Chris Gill - current Secretary, emcee, meeting planner, and meeting host
- Ed White - current Treasurer since 2015. Young Eagles Coordinator and Eagle Flight Coordinator for many years. Chapter asset storage. Meeting host at his Birchwood hangar.
We also recognized Walter Yankauskas for building our wonderful website containing all sorts of info about our Chapter, from upcoming events to past events with photos; a repository for Board minutes and Chapter documents, an inventory check-in/check-out system for our assets (scales, engine hoist, chapter trailer, grill, banners); Chapter member profiles (planes, projects, skills), and Young Eagle volunteer status. Thanks, Walter!
We'll follow suite for other officers and volunteers, as well as for Young Eagle pilots & ground crew, at subsequent meetings.
[click here for] Denali video
YouTube video of flying through "747 Pass"
March 6th 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
March 6th 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
March Board Meeting
March 9th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
March 26th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting
Where: Alaska Airmen's Association Bldg, Lake Hood
Dave Gillespie (former USCG flight engineer) will present, “Surviving a C-130 Prop Separation.”
March 26th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
March Meeting - Dave Gillespie
Dave Gillespie was superb, sharing lots of Herc teckie details. One attendee later responded: "Great show last night! Gonna be tough to top that. Or even equal it."
There were 16 in attendance.
April 3rd 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
April 13th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
If you are available after breakfast, the trailer we use to haul our BBQ, tents, and other chapter assets is in need of some maintenance. Ed White has the trailer stored at his hanger in Birchwood, and would like to pull the trailer tires and pack the bearings this Saturday, April 13th, after the chapter breakfast at Kavas.
If you can spare an couple of hours this Saturday, please give Ed a call at 907-230-6332 and he will coordinate the effort. Ed is looking for at least 3 volunteers.
April 13th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
April Breakfast
10 of us enjoyed another fine breakfast @ Kava's! Not in pic: Tim, Andrew, and Scott.
April 20th 2024 - Saturday 12:00 PM
Chapter Trailer Repair - Help Needed!
Where: Birchwood Airport - Ed's hangar
Chapter 42 Members,
The trailer we use to haul our BBQ, tents, and other chapter assets is in need of some maintenance. Ed White has the trailer stored at his hanger in Birchwood, and would like to pull the trailer tires and pack the bearings this Saturday, April 13th, after the chapter breakfast at Kavas.
If you can spare an couple of hours this Saturday, please give Ed a call at 907-230-6332 and he will coordinate the effort. Ed is looking for at least 3 volunteers.
Thanks,
Chris Gill
EAA Chapter 42 Secretary
csgillak@gmail.com
907-227-9352 (cell)
April 20th 2024 - Saturday 12:00 PM
Trailer Maintenance Day
6 of us met at Ed White's hangar in Birchwood four about an hour & a half to check tires & bearings, inventory BBQ grill & supplies, inventory banners, and clean the trailer inside & out.
The trailer is roadworthy. We need NOT buy any more cups, plates, napkins, forks, spoons, or knives for at least 1, if not 2 years.
Thanks to all who helped!
April 20th 2024 - Saturday 12:00 PM
EAA Chapter Trailer Maintenance
Thanks to all who showed up to perform maintenance on the clubs trailer this past weekend. Bearings were packed, contents were inventoried, trailer was washed inside and out, and we’re ready for our next adventure! All this was done under Spring sunshine at Ed’s hanger in Birchwood.
Chris Gill
April 23rd 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting
Where: Lake Hood SimCenter, 3610 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage
Daniel Mendez--CEO of the newly opened Lake Hood SimCenter--will host our April Chapter meeting, inviting us to fly any of his flight simulators:
- RedBird FMX 1000, full-motion (C172 or PA-44, with Garmin G530/430, KLN 94, &G1000)
- Precision Flight Controls SuperCub (bush wheels or floats)
- Precision Flight Controls DCX Max (30+ piston & turboprop aircraft types, single & twin)
- Platinum Simulators Professional Helicopter Sim (PHS), full-motion (9 piston & turbine types)
- Robinson 22 Recreational Sim (virtual reality)
To find the SimCenter, drive North along the Lake Hood Strip, cross the taxiway with the electric sliding gates. As the road turns to the left, the SimCenter is in the first hanger on the right. Same hanger as Acme Cub.
Visit aksimcenter.com
April 23rd 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
April Meeting @ Lake Hood SimCenter
18 of us enjoyed a marvelous time at the Lake Hood SimCenter. Daniel Mendez (CEO) was a great host, sharing about his background, his formation of the SimCenter & sourcing the sims, expounding on services provided by the new SimCenter, and serving a tasty array of snacks and beverages. If you missed it, check out the SimCenter at www.aksimcenter.com
April 27th 2024 - Saturday 1:00 PM
Willis Welding Workshop
Where: South Sylvan Road, Meadow Lakes - Call for directions
Bernie Willis has graciously offered to conduct a gas/MIG/TIG welding workshop for up to 6 folks at his home/shop west of Wasilla. The workshop will be on Saturday, April 27th, from 1p to 5p, and free of charge. He will supply the welders, materials, gloves & helmets, & water. Please bring your own snacks or soft drinks.
Bernie lives on South Sylvan Road, Meadow Lakes. He'll provide directions when you call to reserve your spot.
Please RSVP to Bernie at (907) 301-2666 before the 27th. Bring your own helmet, if you'd like; otherwise, Bernie has helmets for your use.
May 1st 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
May 4th 2024 - Saturday 9:00 AM
2024 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering
Where: Alaska State Fairgrounds and Palmer Municipal Airport
Saturday, May 4th, 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, May 5th, 10 AM to 5 PM
Pilots wanted for EAA Chapter 42 Youth Education Stations, Young Eagles signup, & Membership Recruiting.
4-hr shifts: Sat 9a-1p | Sat 1p-5p | Sun 10a-1p | Sun 1p-5p
Youth Activity Stations Last Year
- Aerodynamics – Tom & 4 others
- Airframe & Riveting – Chad Hansen & 6 others
- PowerPlant & Key Ring – Ed White & 2 others
- Instruments – Mark Frischkorn, Wes Erb, Al George & 3 others
- Airport Ops (ATC) – Seeking help from Mark Ranson & FAA
- Preflight – Seeking help from 99’s & WAI
Sunday May 5th 2024
May 10th 2024 - Friday 8:00 AM
2024 Valdez Fly-in and STOL Competition
Where: Valdez Pioneer Field Airport (PAVD)
https://www.facebook.com/valdezflyin/
Sunday May 12th 2024
May 11th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
May 28th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting
Where: Domke's Hangar @ Merrill Field, Slipstream Hangar A-2, 1812 E 5th Ave, Anchorage
Slipstream Hangar A-2, near Lake and Pen Air. Turn off E 5th Ave onto Wilbur Cir. For Gate access instructions contact an officer or board member. (See 5/24 email from Chris.)
Agenda:
- Welcome, Intros & Projects
- Chapter Elections - Nominees:
- President - Chris Gill
- Co-VPs - Scott McEwen & Anson Moxness
- Secretary - Mark Frischkorn
- Treasurer - Ed White
- Director 1 - Lars Gleitsmann
- Director 2 - Vickie Domke
- Director 3 - Chuck Hosack
- Vickie and Dan Domke will provide a tour of their hangar and aircraft projects
May 28th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
May Meeting - Domke Hangar
Vickie and Daniel Domke hosted the Chapter 42 May meeting at their hanger on Merrill Field. Daniel provided great entertainment with his tales of living and running a business in Fairbanks Alaska. Daniel also gave the club a tour of the hanger and his and Vickie’s current project. Thanks for the hospitality, and thanks to all who attended.
June 1st 2024 - Saturday
Fly-in/Drive-in to Quartz Creek (JLA) - CANCELED
Where: Quartz Creek Cove
June 5th 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
June 8th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
June 22nd 2024 - Saturday 1:00 PM
Chapter Meeting and BBQ
Where: Bernie's Hangar, South Sylvan Road, Meadow Lakes
The Chapter will provide the meat, buns, condiments.
Bring a side dish or dessert to share, beverage of choice, & chair(s). Get-together starts about 1:00, BBQ to start at 5:30.
Address: 1501 S. Sylvan Rd Wasilla, AK 99654, about 1 hour from Merrill Field, but well worth the drive! From the Parks Highway take Sylvan Rd. south at the intersection with Pittman Rd. (which goes north). Scroll down for maps to his home.
Maps forthcoming ...
June 22nd 2024 - Saturday 5:30 PM
Chapter BBQ at Bernie's
Chapter 42’s annual BBQ at Bernie’s was a great success. Attendance was good under the blue skies and sunshine. 19 of us enjoyed barbecued burgers and hot dogs along with a nice selection of salads and side dishes. A big thank you to Bernie, Jeanette and their family for hosting this event. We even got the landing gear, engine, and propellor mounted on Bernie’s Hatz biplane!
June 29th 2024 - Saturday 9:00 AM
Young Eagles Rally
Where: Birchwood Airport
Come join us for our annual June Young Eagles Rally @ Birchwood Airport. We'll have a great time giving kids their first small airplane experience. The smiles are an amazing reward for the time invested!
Pilots and ground crew arrive at 9:00 AM. Meet at the Pilot Shack, next to the CAP building.
Kids arrive at 10:00.
June 29th 2024 - Saturday 12:00 PM
Young Eagles (YE) Rally @ Birchwood
Our annual YE Rally @ Birchwood was great. We flew 9 youth, all returning with great smiles. Thanks to Burke, Ed, Pete, and Wally for flying; thanks to Chuck, Mark, Tom, and Chris for great ground support.
Our next YE Rally will be at Merrill Field, Saturday, August 3rd.
July 3rd 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting - Canceled
Our July Board Meeting has been canceled due to the July 4th holiday. Our next Board Meeting will be on August 7th.
July 13th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
July 14th 2024 - Sunday 10:00 AM
Fly-by Festival
Where: Alaska Aviation Museum
Fly-by Festival starting at 10 AM at the Alaska Aviation Museum on Lake Hood
July 20th 2024 - Saturday 9:00 AM
Arctic Thunder - Thunderbirds
Where: JBER
JBER to welcome Thunderbirds, Joint Forces Demo at Arctic Thunder Open House
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will host the biannual Arctic Thunder Open House July 20 and 21, 2024, with:
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds' F-16 Fighting Falcons, a multi-role fighter jet, will perform formation flying and solo routines. They have been one of the top draws to air shows throughout the U.S. and around the world since 1953.
The U.S. Army Parachute Demonstration Team, the Golden Knights,
The U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Team,
based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, performs precision aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the world's premier fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
The Pacific Air Forces F-16 Viper Demonstration Team,
based at Misawa Air Base, Japan, performs precise aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities of one of the Air Force's premier multi-role fighters -- the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The Joint Forces demonstration.
Active- duty Army and Air Force and Army and Air National Guard personnel will demonstrate capabilities in a simulated combat environment. Airborne troops, rescue forces and pyrotechnics round out this 30-minute show of Alaska based military forces.
"Something unique to our event is our hosting of the largest military air- and land-power demonstration in North America," said Morgan. "The Alaska Joint Forces Demonstration will consist of one or more of nearly every type of combat aircraft we have stationed in Alaska, to include both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.”
In addition to more flying acts to be announced, aircraft, vehicles and equipment from the Army, Air Force, and other U.S. as well as foreign services will be on display. Personnel will be nearby to tell the public about the displays and how they help accomplish the units’ missions.
Sunday July 21st 2024
July 21st 2024 - Sunday 1:00 PM
Tom Lawhorn's GlaStar receives its wings
Congratulations to Tom Lawhorn for getting the wings installed on his GlaStar today!
Beautiful workmanship Tom!
July 22nd 2024 - Monday 8:00 AM
AirVenture
Where: Oshkosh, WI
AirVenture 2024 is July 22-28.
https://www.eaa.org/airventure
Sunday July 28th 2024
July 23rd 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting
Where: No Meeting in July
There will be no Chapter meeting in July due to AirVenture Oshkosh at the same time, and our participation in the 2024 Merrill Field Hangar Party on Saturday, July 27th.
July 27th 2024 - Saturday
EAA 42 at Merrill Field Hangar Party
Thanks to Paul Rupple and John Nealon for representing Chapter 42 with vigor, knowledge, wisdom, and smiles! This event kicks off an annual open house at MRI, leading to the Field's Centennial Celebration in 2030. Vickie Domke came out, as well.
In the second picture, below, Suellyn Novak and Shawn Miller (Commemorative Air Force, Mike Hunt Alaska Wing) at the far left and right, respectively, join John, Paul, and new Merrill Field Airport Director, Earl Malpass, in front of the CAF's Harvard MK IV.
July 27th 2024 - Saturday 10:00 AM
Merrill Field Hangar Party
Where: UAA Aviation Technology Hangar & Ramp, 2811 Merrill Field Drive, Anchorage
Our Chapter will host a booth from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM during this resurrected, annual event. Come out to join the fun and support GA at Merrill Field!
August 3rd 2024 - Saturday
Young Eagles (YE) Rally @ Merrill Field
Our annual YE Rally @ Merrill Field was outstanding! We flew 37 youth, all returning with great smiles. Thanks to Al, Burke, Jim, and Pete for flying. Thanks to Tom, Cliff, Dave B., Mark F., Heather & Issac (son), and Andrew, for great ground support.
August 7th 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
August 10th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast Get-Together
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast get-together is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
August 27th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting
Where: Matt Freeman's Hangar - Birchwood
Our August Chapter Meeting will be to visit Tom Lawhorn's GlaStar at Matt Freeman's hangar at Birchwood. Tom is finishing up the final items in preparation for its first flight. Be prepared to see Tom's excellent workmanship!
Members who attended Oshkosh AirVenture will also share their stories and experiences.
Matt's hangar is near the southeast corner of Birchwood airport. As you enter the airport make an immediate left onto the access road along the east side of the airport to the area depicted.
August 27th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
August Meeting - Tom Lawhorn's GlaStar
At tonight's August meeting we enjoyed seeing Tom Lawhorn's beautiful GlaStar. Its engine was run today and it is now ready for the final inspection for its airworthiness tomorrow.
September 4th 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
September 14th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast Get-Together
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast get-together is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
September 14th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
September Breakfast
We had a good turn out at our Chapter breakfast this morning.
Vickie Domke, Ed White, Cliff Belleau, Tom Lawhorn, Andrew Merrill, Mark Frischkorn, Chris Gill, Chuck Hosack, Rick Henry, Bob Lee, Laura Lee
September 24th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting - Tom Buttenob's Highlander
Where: Ton Buttonob
Tom Buttenob welcomes the Chapter to meet at his place for a Just Highlander walk-around. The aircraft is finished & flying. Since Tom is still a student pilot, John Nealon has flown 12 of the 40 minimum test phase hours so far.
Tom's Highlander has the 3-cyl 2007 Yamaha Apex 998 non turbo engine (3 cyl, 10K RPM) with Skytrax 3.41:1 reduction gearbox (must be the Nytro). He has added wing fences, 7-gal header tank, highly modified windows of the Steve Henry variety.
Tom says John recently mounted a Yamaha Apex on his Highlander, as well.
Drive or Fly: Tom & Highlander live at 4506 N. Gunflint Trl., Wasilla, on Wolf Track Airport (9AK8): AirNav link
Below are some images to depict the location:
September 24th 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Tom Buttenob's Just Highlander
Tom Buttenob and John Nealon hosted Chapter 42’s September meeting in Meadow Lakes. Tom displayed his beautiful Highlander covered in Oratex. The plane is in the 40 hour test flight period and John reports all is going well with the flight testing. Thanks to all who attended last night, and thanks to Tom and John for hosting the meeting!
Tom's Highlander has the 3-cyl 2007 Yamaha Apex 998 non turbo engine (3 cyl, 10K RPM) with Skytrax 3.41:1 reduction gearbox (must be the Nytro). He has added wing fences, 7-gal header tank, highly modified windows of the Steve Henry variety.
Tom says John recently mounted a Yamaha Apex on his Highlander, as well.
October 2nd 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
October 12th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast Get-Together
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast get-together is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
October 12th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
October Breakfast
Today we had Bob E, Vickie, Cliff, Ed, Chris, Tim, Chuck, Trice & Scott. And I forgot to take a pic ... rats! --Scott
October 22nd 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
Chapter Meeting
Where: Alaska Airmen's Association Bldg, 4200 Floatplane Dr, on Lake Hood
"Carrier Night" with Dave McKay and Allen Thornhill. We'll return to the historic events below (and others) for first-person accounts.
- Allen was aboard the Antietam (CVS-36) during the Oct 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis/Blockade.
- Dave flew A-4's off the Ticonderoga (CVA-14) in 2 Aug 1964 Tonkin Gulf incident during Vietnam.
Take a moment to read up on these two events before the meeting to refresh your memory.
October 22nd 2024 - Tuesday 7:00 PM
October Meeting
25 of us enjoyed "Carrier Night," featuring Allen Thornhill and Dave McKay.
Allen served in the Navy from 1960-1964. He was a fireman (and later, boiler tech) in the Boiler Division on the aircraft carrier, USS Antietam II (CV-36), a Naval Aviation Training carrier based at the Naval Air Station (NAS) in Pensacola. Allen highlighted several experiences aboard the Antietam:
- Spring 1961: Strato-Lab manned test flights, followed by the Prather/Ross flight on 4 May, setting world-wide record of absolute altitude for a manned flight of 113,740 ft (21.5 miles) via balloon.
- Fall 1961: Providing humanitarian aid (medical supplies & personnel) to the Texas coast in the wake of hurricane Carla and to British Honduras after hurricane Hattie.
- Oct 16-28, 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis/Blockade, when the US stopped the deployment of Soviet nuclear-armed medium and intermediate range ballistic missiles--capable of destroying US cities and military bases in most of the continental US.
- 1963: became a star heavy weight boxer, affording him the leave he needed to marry his wife, Judy.
Allen also explained the process of generating steam via the ship's 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers to drive the 4 Westinghouse turbine and reduction gear powerplants, typical of Essex-class carriers. These could power the 27K-ton-displacement ship at 34 knots for aircraft launch and recovery.
Later in life (1983), Allen and wife, Judy, founded and operated CWM Industries, providing welding & metal fabrication all over Alaska and noted for their specialty in repairing large cranes. They sold the business this year, after 41 years of excellent service.
Dave served in the Navy from 1961-1974, first as an enlisted man; he was a Douglas A4 plane captain on the aircraft carrier, USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident (Aug 2, 1964). Upon reaching 21 years of age, he transitioned to a commissioned officer, trained, and became a Douglas A4 Skyhawk pilot. Assigned to the 7th Fleet, VA-55 ("Warhorses"), he returned to the South China Sea aboard the USS Constellation (CVA-64) flying the A4D-2N and, later, the A4E. He elaborated on numerous experiences flying combat missions in the very capable Skyhawk, and one gut-wrenching return to the Constellation in a shot-up, crippled A4. Dave shared insights about how the Vietnam war might have turned out quite differently in the days following the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
Dave is a 36,000-hour pilot, having flown a multitude of aircraft types. He was with Northwestern Arctic Air Inc for over a decade, becoming President.
In addition to being being in close proximity in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Dave and Allen talked about other history-making events when their paths crossed (unknowingly to either of them at the time), including work during the initial months of the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup (1989) and more recent work in Turnagain Arm.
Members Wally & Sarah Parks brought Leo Holler (& son) to the evening's meeting. It was a bonus for Leo to share his A4 combat experiences as well, as a land-based pilot in Vietnam.
Thus, we had a fascinating and marvelous evening, celebrating our veterans. And Allen, Dave, Leo, Chuck, and others ... thank you for keeping us safe and free on your watch! Far left in brown chairs: Dave McKay and Allen Thornhill; Leo Holler next to Allen
November 6th 2024 - Wednesday 7:00 PM
Board Meeting
Where: Las Margaritas
Join us at Las Margaritas Mexican & Italian Restaurant at 541 W Dimond Blvd (on the north side of Dimond between Arctic and C Streets). When you walk in, turn left into the front room that is separated from the main dining area and we'll be on the right. So come, get your margarita and nachos and we will talk about aviation and maybe do some Chapter business. As always, all Chapter 42 members are invited and encouraged to attend.
November 9th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Chapter Breakfast Get-Together
Where: Kava’s Pancake House
Our monthly Saturday breakfast get-together is at Kava’s Pancake House at 100 Muldoon Rd. Great food and great conversation. See you there!
November 9th 2024 - Saturday 9:30 AM
Saturday Breakfast
The chapter had a great breakfast at Kava’s. Lot’s of good airplane talk, and a few tall tales! We’d love to see you next month if you missed this one.