Newsletter NOVEMBER 2024
On November 2 at KRDG, Reading, PA, we had about 15 people at our annual meeting to make plans for 2025. I had to drive in as my airplane was in the final stages of getting painted. I have since gotten it back and the paint shop did a very nice job; I couldn’t have asked for better.
As my 1965 Debonair has 8300 hours on it (most of them by me), I decided to have the paint shop replace all of the bearings, bushings, and rod ends that needed to be removed anyway as part of removing all control surfaces for painting. A few of the bushings were flagged by the mechanic as “I wouldn’t have re-installed those anyway”.
As this is our annual meeting, we elected our officers again.
The current officers are:
- Mike McNamara, President (myself)
- Aram Basmadjian, Secretary
- Brian Seltzer, Treasurer
- Paul Stavrides, Web master.
- Mike Shehl who handles our Facebook page.
The slate of officers above was elected to serve for another year.
Brian Seltzer created a financial report which I presented.
None of the officers are reimbursed for their efforts. We owe them all a “Thanks”.
As for me, I have been doing this for 15 or 20 years and welcome anyone who wants to step up with new ideas and have a fresh attitude.
CALENDAR – 2025
Dominican Republic – April 8 to 11 (really 6th to 13 depending).
This is organized by Caribbean Flying Adventures. It leaves Florida April 8, 2 days after Sun-N-Fun ends. Michael Madigan and I have already put our deposits down. Slots fill up fast so sign up if you are interested. Michael Madigan & I went on a prior trip with this same group to Guatemala and enjoyed it immensely.
Martinsburg AirVenture Formation Clinic – May 15 – 18 (tentative)
Join us at KMRB for John Zazworsky’s B2OSH Formation Clinic, one of the few East Coast clinics designed for pilots planning to fly to AirVenture. This well-run event provides essential formation flying training and is required to participate in the B2OSH event at Oshkosh.
For more details and updates, please visit the B2OSH website.
Frederick, MD, KFDK – May 17
Tom Haines has graciously agreed to organize a great event at AOPA.
- Arrive 9:30. Park at AOPA ramp. Tour of AOPA offices.
- 10AM – Adrian Eichorn flew around the world and over the poles in his V Tail Bonanza and will give a talk about his trips.
- 11:30 – Walk over to the restaurant for lunch.
I am looking forward to being there. I have heard Adrian’s talk before and enjoyed it.
Canada – Dates TBD. Our week long trips to Canada are always a success and we’ll do that again. An idea was suggested to spend 3 days in the Picton, Ontario region on the lake and 3 days in St. Catherines, Ontario area. Picton is known for world-class wineries, sandy beaches, and boutique accommodations. St. Catherines is a historic town in the well-known Niagara on the Lake region of Ontario. I have been to neither of these areas and am looking forward to it.
My schedule for 2025 is filling up so we should set this date soon. I will canvas the people who have attended prior Canada trips to ask (1) Are they interested in doing it again and (2) Are you interested in these destinations and (3) what are good dates? Feel free to give me input.
Jimmy Stewart Airport and Museum – October 4. Steve Weintraub volunteered to organize a trip to Indiana, PA (KIDI). There is an on-site café and self-serve fuel. Put this on your calendar.
Let me know if you have any other ideas, I am always open to help organizing events.
mikemcnamara88@aol.com
Mike McNamara
610-220-3140