Hello Chapter Members and Aviation Friends,

It was great to see so many members at our annual banquet at the Mexican grill, "Morelia"! It is a great feeling when you know you are supported! The EAA Chapter renewal is done and we are waiting for a few more member’s dues.

As the new year has started, the first Chapter meeting will be held on February 13 at 10:00a.m. at Georgetown Municipal Airport terminal which is going to be our official airport. The Chapter Tech advisors, Seth Hancock, Deene Ogden and William Bennett are setting up hands on workshop at a few hangars where we can participate and learn some techniques to build our own. They are hammering down the details. It is nice to have our meetings where workshop facilities are available!

On Dec. 15, the full Senate has passed the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2, which will now go to the House for consideration. The Senate passed the bill, which includes third class medical reform, by unanimous consent less than a week after it was reported out by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The House must also pass the bill before it can go to the president for a signature. Under the medical reforms of the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2, most pilots who have held a valid third class medical, either regular or special issuance, within 10 years of the legislation’s enactment would never need to get another FAA medical exam. The rule would apply to pilots flying VFR or IFR in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds and carrying up to five passengers at altitudes below 18,000 feet and speeds up to 250 knots. (AOPA)

EAA member, Larry James, M.D. is scheduled to present "Aviation Medical" on March 17, touching on this Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 and transition from Private to Light Sports. Bring any medical questions you have to our Chapter meeting including special issuance cases. Larry is an experienced pilot and volunteers his time at Commemorative Air Force restoring old war birds. Many Chapter 187 members know him as their AME.

On a personal note, I just passed my 10th year medical and wondered where those 10 years went. It seemed like just yesterday when I stepped in to DA 20, my very first trainer, and turned on the engine for the first time. It was very scary hearing that much engine noise and didn’t know anything about flying. One thing I knew was the experience from my very first flying adventure thirty years earlier. My friend’s father took me up with two others in his Cessna in Provo, Utah. He handed me the control with no instructions and as I flew the field underneath started very gradually coming up the window. I was so fascinated in this experience that I didn’t know the plane was tilting. He gently reminded me that the plane was heading to the ground.

Have a great month enjoying the good weather, perfect flying season! Those who want to fly with other members, please let us know. We will plan our Chapter fly-out this year if enough people are interested.

Blue skies and tail winds!

Haruko Reese
EAA Chapter 187 President