December 2002

Gateway's guest and speaker for November was Col. Jon Kelk, the Operations Group Commander for the 131st Fighter Wing based at Lambert Field. Col. Kelk showed video tape of the F-15 Eagle and some of the situational awareness displays in his cockpit. He also talked about the use of MOA's and how they try to avoid civilian planes that pass through them when they are in use. Their equipment capable of detecting our mode C transmissions, however when in a practice area, their equipment may not be set in that mode therefore they have to rely on primary radar returns. He assured us that their radar will pick up fabric covered and composite airplanes. When not flying for the Air Guard, Jon is a first officer for American Airlines flying MD-80's and began his flying career in light planes, so he is no stranger to our type of flying. We really appreciate Col. Kelk taking the time to give us such an informative talk.

Our December 11 Meeting at The Columns will be our annual Christmas party! Bob Kraemer has invited two friends, Jim Hostler and Larry Snyder, to provide live guitar and banjo music and to lead us in a sing along during the festivities. Bob Kraemer and Libby Younger will also be hosting the Chinese Gift Exchange this year. If you would like to participate in the exchange, please bring a wrapped gift worth approximately ten dollars, and place it under the Christmas tree before the meeting. Before the night is over, you will learn who your friends are! This has become a fun event the past few years and one to look forward to!

According to our usual custom, everyone is invited to bring a dozen of their favorite cookies, brownies, rum balls, a cake or any other dessert to share with the group. A table will be set up in the room for you to put them on and a guard will be assigned to insure that Harry Schulz and I don't eat them before dinner!

Gateway's December fly-out / drive-out will be held on December 15, at high noon at Kilroy's Restaurant on Smartt Field. I really hope you will join us for the last scheduled gathering of the season. The food and fellowship are great! Our fly-out chairman and VP, Brian Brinker, is looking for suggestions for next seasons trips. Please let him know where you would like to fly to! We are also looking for suggestions for a backup plan for rain-outs. As you remember, this past season had only one or two successful fly-outs due to the weather.

Our Safety Tip of the Month comes to us from the Greater St. Louis Flight Instructors Association and concerns the shorter days. This time of year has the earliest sunsets, but that doesn't mean your flying has to decrease.Flying after dark can be very enjoyable with the pretty lights and smooth, calm air. Because night flying can be similar to instrument flying at times, it is a good idea to get with your flight instructor and brush up on those night skills. Get reacquainted with the gauges and practice some landings at lighted, rural airports where there is little light to provide a horizon. Oh yes, don't forget to carry spare batteries for your flashlights.

Please mark the date of the next convention meeting on your calendar: it is January 9, 7 PM at Chuck & Lana's home in Hazelwood. That is a long time from now, so please remember it!

The Silent Auction will be held at Gateway's January 8, meeting. The auction is important to our chapter as a fundraiser for the 2003 State MPA Convention that we are hosting. Flo Wyatt needs many more donations to make the auction a success, so please call her at 314-839-9788 (home), 314-878-8453 (work) or e-mail her at flowyatt@hotmail.com. If transportation is a problem, we can work something out.

Please join us for our Christmas party, December 11, at The Columns in St. Charles. The dinner menu will consist of: Waldorf salad, clam chowder, prime rib, baked red snapper, baked potato, green beans almondine and rolls. Dinner is still $13 per person. Social time begins at 6:00 PM, the serving line opens at 6:30 and the Chinese Gift Exchange begins at 7:30. Dinner reservations are required and can be easily made by calling Jean Murry at 314-469-3541 by Monday evening, December 9, or better yet, call now - before you put this newsletter down. Please come and bring your friends for the food, fellowship and a little hangar flying

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Chuck Maggart
Gateway President
(314) 731-0199

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