Hello EAA Chapter 187 members and aviation friends,

"Wind, sleet, freezing temperature and nice warm sunshine"... what weather we have gone through. It is about time to bring in the spring-appropriate weather so that we can fly…or get motivated to finish our project planes, maybe.

Not only the miserable winter weather, even though we appreciate the moisture very much, but also unsettling situations at GTU have been keeping us on edge. The new GTU airport manager selection, hangar rental raise without any improvements on the rental facilities and the problematic lease renewal are on the mind of all who are involved at GTU. At least, the renewal contract will be rewritten so that all the builders can stay and keep building aircraft. We will invite the GTU Tower manager, Mr. Jeff Wilson and the newly hired GTU airport manager, Mr. Russ Volk from Cedar City, Utah to our April meeting so that we can get to know them well. You can ask about their future plan and dreams for airport improvements.

Our Chapter Presidency met in February for 2015 activities. We have lined up super speakers for our monthly meetings, who can share their lives, experiences and aviation jobs that might inspire and intrigue your aviation spirit. We might invite Ford Tri-Motor for the AirFest at GTU in November, but we need to consider a few things before we decide.

For every Tour of Ford Tri-Motor we sponsor, EAA requires us to raise $4000 worth sponsorship to cover the weekend tour cost, hotel accommodation, fuel, hangar, crew car, food and supply that the crew and the aircraft needs. Once this requirement is met, we can start getting our profit of 5% of the whole ticket sales. Lack of sponsorship will result less profit to none. I managed to receive a little over $3000 sponsorship last year mainly from the airport and the Longhorn Jet Center, but none of the six Ford dealers in Austin/Georgetown area participated. We could not even put the posters in the stores.The dealers received all the materials from EAA HQ including the photos and history of the aircraft but they didn’t want anything to do with the Ford Tri-Motor. The tours of B-17 and Ford Tri-Motor are great fun for us to work together and feel the close-knit camaraderie, however unless the whole chapter works for finding the donors, it may not be worth to have it as a fund raiser. Something to think about...

Our Chapter newsletter, "Tale Winds" has been in hibernation for several months since we don’t have any volunteers to make it happen. We all enjoy newsletters, don’t we? We have had several members who moved away and still requesting to receive the newsletter. EAA founder, Paul Poberezny always emphasized that the power of success comes from volunteerism. Spirit of Aviation is the people who willingly put their time, talents and energy in the aviation activities. Find your place in the Chapter 187 and have ownership of our Chapter! The more, the merrier! Volunteer your time and be a part of the community! The more you put it, the more you can get out of it - and that’s the truth. We have many positions open if you are interested. Please let the presidency know your interest, however big or small. We can accommodate you!

See you at the meeting on Thursday, March 12 at 6:45p.m.!

Haruko Reese
EAA Chapter 187 President