Author: pstav@adelie.net

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From the President NOVEMBER 2024

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

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From the President October 2024

Mike

Newsletter OCTOBER 2024

We are set to meet on Saturday, November 2 at KRDG, Reading, PA.

The airport has graciously again allowed us to meet in the main terminal and use their audio-visual equipment.

As this is our annual meeting, we are required to elect 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.

Brian Seltzer has created a financial report which will be presented. Brian will not be in attendance due to recovering from some health issues.

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

Reading, PA November 2, 2024 – our annual planning meeting. I’ll be there. Arrive at 9:30AM, meet 10AM, lunch around 11:30 or noon.

2024

It has been a busy year for me as I transition slowly towards partial retirement and working less and traveling more. Aside from the Bonanza trips my wife and I have been traveling around the east towing our Airstream travel trailer and we also flew to Sweden to attend the wedding of Michael Madigan (ABS past president) and Bella.

Michael Madigan and I also took my Airstream to EAA Airventure. It was a 3 day drive each way although one of the days was on the ferry crossing Lake Michigan. Attending Airventure by living in Camp Scholler was great.

In May, a few of us went to Westfield, MA to the museum. We should go back and get more people. The people there were very gracious, and the aircraft were interesting. Thanks to Mike Shehl for organizing.

In late June, 4 couples in 4 airplanes spent a week in Newfoundland. Three days in Twillingate and 3 days in Gros Morne National Park. Both locations were great, and the trip was fantastic. In attendance were Michael Madigan and Bella, Brent and Jeanne Hippert, Dave Harnitchek and Cathy, and my wife, Ginny & I. I missed some of the best hiking because I severely injured my knee skiing last February which has since fully recovered.

In August we had 8 of us fly to the great museum at Schenectady, NY. We learned a lot about GE aviation and the various airplanes GE engines went into. They had the F14, F15, C130 and numerous other aircraft. The state is supporting the museum.

It’s October now and my airplane is in for a paint project. I rode with Michael Madigan to Tullahoma, always a great time.

2025

We should start thinking about next year. 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.

Steve Weintraub volunteered to organize a trip to Indiana, PA (KIDI) and visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum. There is an on-site café and self-serve fuel. We will definitely do that next year.

Let me know if you have any other ideas, I am always open to help organizing events.

Mike McNamara
610-220-3140

mikemcnamara88@aol.com

 

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From the President September 2024

Mike


In September the cool nights always surprise me. In August my airplane went right from the annual to the paint shop so I am not flying much. I expect it back mid October.

SCHENECTADY

The Empire State Aerosciences Museum we visited on August 24 was great. It is at the site of the former General Electric Flight Test Center.

The Museum had a surprising collection of aircraft including F14, F16, several C130s including one that we could walk through and sit in the cockp[it. They started up a little Honda generator and powered up everything in the cockpit while we were sitting there. The airplane was taken out of service only 2 years ago.

The presentations and exhibits were very educational. We parked right at the museum. There were about 8 of us in 4 aircraft and spending time with other Bonanza pilots is always enjoyable.

I flew up with Steve Weintraub in his V tail. It is always interesting to see how other people fly their aircraft. Thanks to Michael Shehl for organizing this.

CALENDAR

We have the remaining events on out calendar:

— Basin Harbor, VT, September 21. My airplane will not be available; if I get a ride and others are interested I’ll go.

— York, PA Harley Davidson factory tour, October 19. I think I’ll cancel this unless I hear otherwise. I have not done any planning for this. This conflicts with the Beech party in Tullahoma and I will be there in Tullahoma.

— Reading, PA November 2 – our annual planning meeting. I’ll be there.

2025

We should start thinking about next year. Our week long trips to Canada are always a success and we’ll do that again.

Steve Weintraub volunteered to organize a trip to Indiana, PA (KIDI) and visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum. There is an on-site café and self-serve fuel. We will definitely do that next year.

Let me know if you have any other ideas, I am always open to help organizing events.

Mike McNamara
610-220-3140
mikemcnamara88@aol.com