September 2002
It was really good to see everyone at the August meeting where we had good attendance for
Harry Pujji's program. As a Designated Pilot Examiner, Harry discussed what he is looking for on his check rides.
As you would hope, they were very practical and common sense items. Harry also pays as much attention to the
pilot's attitude as he does to the mechanics of flight taking into account the applicant's nervousness. Many instructors
and a few pilots up for check rides were in attendance and listened closely.. As a member of Gateway Chapter,
Harry might be interested in speaking to other chapters if you want to call him at 314-795-4943.
The committee recently appointed to investigate a tribute to Jim Byrnes is currently reviewing several suggestions
and no decisions have been made yet according to Rick Albrecht who spoke for the group.
Gateway members that helped win the Mo-Kan Trophy all gathered around it to have their picture taken at the August
meeting. The trophy is visiting all the chapters again this year since Missouri Pilots beat out their Kansas brethren
for a second consecutive year. Congratulations to all pilots that participated in WINGS and to all non-pilots
that attended a FAA safety seminar!
No progress was made on a Fall chapter picnic, but plans for a Silent Auction and a Trivia Night for fund raising
are beginning to formulate. The convention fund raisers will probably be held in January. Please contact Flo
Wyatt (314-839-9788) if you could donate any items for the Silent Auction. The items do not need to be aviation
oriented.
The last fly-out to Jeff City was again hampered by bad weather. This seems to be a rough summer for Gateway
fly-outs. The next chapter fly-out is to Sikeston and to Lamberts on September 15. We are hoping for good weather
and a good turnout. It would be really great to have more members involved in chapter activities including fly-outs.
If you would like to join us on a trip, please call our fly-out chairman and VP, Brian Brinker (314-647-1138).
We would also like to have more non-pilots join us. Brian can usually find an empty seat in someone's plane for
you.
Speaking of fly-outs, don't forget the MPA State Air Derby
on September 28. This year's Derby will again be a poker run starting at Sedalia and going to Columbia, Lebanon,
Bolivar and back to Sedalia. They will depart around 10:00 and have lunch at Lebanon (compliments of the Lebanon
FBO). There are three awards for the best hand, two awards for the flower drop and one award for the closest estimated
tach time. There is a $20 entry fee for each participant with the proceeds going to the MPA Educational Endowment
Fund. Contact Ron Wade, 816-233-4525, or Carolyn Morris, 573-348-5614.
The 2003 Convention committee is making good progress and has made some of the important decisions. The next
convention meeting will be on Thursday, October 3, at 7:00 PM at Bob Kraemer's hangar at St. Charles Muni.
I really need the Board of Directors, Officers and any interested members to attend since we want your input and
we need everyone's help. We will discuss the convention agenda and format. If you have to arrive late, that is
better than not attending. Many members have volunteered their services and I want to thank them! That really
takes the load off the ones that are helping. We are still looking for donations of money and prizes if you can
help out. Remember, the donations are tax deductible!
Please join us for the September 11, Gateway meeting at The Columns beginning at 6:00 PM. Our wondering vagabond
members, Tom and Louise Butler will be back in town and will tell us about and show a video about Tom's unusual
attitude recovery course using a Beech T-34 Mentor. Having flown in a T-34 years ago, I can tell you it is a
sweet airplane to fly and a good airplane for mild aerobatics. Tom has also been renting airplanes all over the
West since 9-11 and can tell us about how the business has been affected since then. It will be nice to visit
our old friends again!
Also at the meeting, we will announce the winner of the "Name the Theme" contest for the 2003 State Convention. The winner will receive two free dinner passes to future
Gateway meetings and honorable mention at the convention.
Please join us at The Columns in St. Charles. The dinner menu will consist of: tossed
salad, beef barley soup, BBQ beef brisket, baked cod, O'Brien potatoes, peas and carrots, rolls and chocolate cake. Dinner is still $13 per person. Social time begins at 6:00 PM, the serving line opens at 6:30
and the program begins at 7:30. Dinner reservations are required and can be easily made by calling Jean Murry at 314-469-3541 by Monday evening, September 9, or better yet, call now - before you put this newsletter down. Please come and bring your friends for the food, fellowship,
hangar flying and to watch Tom work his way out of unusual attitudes.
Gateway Chapter's calendar of events
...is now on it's own page.
Click on the above link.
Chuck Maggart
Gateway President
(314) 731-0199
Click an envelope to send an e-mail to the Gateway Chapter
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