June 6th

June 6 Meeting will be a BBQ at Kilroy's which is located at Smartt Field (SET). The menu will be pork steaks, brats, chicken, slaw, beans, potato salad and soft drinks. There will be a cash bar if you are driving. Fly-ins are most welcome at SET. Social at 6PM, BBQ at 7PM. Reservations are required. Please call Donna at 314-382-3923 or Ron Hyken at 636-530-7651 by noon on Monday June 4th. The Annual Election of Officers and Board Members will take place at this meeting. We are still looking for a Secretary and another Board Member.

June 23rd

June 23 Fly-Out to Meigs Field. Gather Jetcorp 8:30 depart by 9:00. As the newsletter is being prepared there are no specific activities planned. When you call Jaime Dant at 314-352-3983 to let him know you will be going he would appreciate your suggestions.

June 30th

June 30 MPA at the Ballpark!
Only this time it will be to see the River City Rascals at their ballpark in O'Fallon MO. We have 40 reserved seat tickets. The game starts at 7:05PM. Tickets are only $4.50 so they should go quickly. Contact Barb Lane to purchase your tickets. You can reach her at 636-391-2668 or elane01@earthlink.net. You can also purchase your tickets at the June Meeting. Directions: Take Interstate 70 (I-70) west to the Highways K & M exit. Take a right (north) from the off-ramp and continue on for approximately one mile to Tom Ginnever Avenue. Take a right (east) on Tom Ginnever Avenue and continue on for approximately one-half mile. T.R. Hughes Ballpark is on the right-hand side at the corner of Tom Ginnever Avenue and Ozzie Smith Drive.

Looking for something special for Father's Day? You are on line so you must shop on line, right? Well, how would you like to order something right now and help out your chapter? How? Click on the Amazon Link below. If you decide to order something after clicking on their logo your chapter will receive part of the proceeds. How much? Five to fifteen percent of what you spend. But in order for us to receive a fee from Amazon you must go to their website through our website. If you like what they have to offer do not bookmark their web page! You must use your chapter's link to Amazon for us to receive any funds. Thank you.

Annual Convention

Annual Convention hosted by the Kansas City Chapter was a success in spite of the weather, which was not the best for flying - too bad since Lee's Summit has a great airport run by an MPA member who welcomes members with open arms. There was nothing wanting in the Hospitality Suite although a lot of folks saved their appetite for a super $15 Lobster Special on Friday night.

Saturday was kicked off by the Color Guard from Lee's Summit High School JROTC followed by warm welcomes from Mayor Karen Messerli and Airport Manager John Ohrazda. State Representative Denny Meridith gave a presentation about the workings of the State House of Representatives and the State Senate. He also brought us up to date on the status of the Missouri Airport Protection Act (tall towers near airports) which he introduced to the House. Brian Weiler, Director of the Missouri Aviation Department, gave us an update on airport projects in progress and planned all over the state. Ed Duckworth from KC's FSDO's office gave a seminar about the history of the government's involvement in aviation safety from the first flight to the present time.

At Saturday's Luncheon Chris Erkmann was given an Aviation Award for his involvement with the SUS Airport Support Group. Richard Baricko received an award for the work his has done on the MPA website. On Saturday afternoon we journeyed to the Kansas City Downtown airport (MKC) to visit the "Save-a-Connie" museum. Their display included an airworthy Lockheed Constellation and a Martin 404. A 1941 TWA DC-3 (NC1945) is currently being restored.

There were some 125 folks at the banquet dinner with about 10% being from our chapter. Missouri Pilots reclaimed the MoKan Trophy from Kansas for the best attendance at Wing's Seminars. Bob Crandell, Wing's Chairman, presented the Trophy to MPA's President, Jerry McClure. Jerry, along with Larry Harmon received the Blackford Trophy for their work as directors of MPA. Jim Burnett, a past chairman of NTSB, was the evening's speaker. His jokes were funny but his comments on safety were dead serious.

On Sunday morning we were given the royal sendoff at EAA's Hangar at Lee's Summit airport with a pancake breakfast that included eggs, bacon & sausage. Cessna flew in a brand new C-172 and C-182 for our viewing pleasure. Everyone departed a winner of one of the many great prizes that were given to all who came. Thank you members of the Kansas City Chapter. And how do you like their new logo? Haven't seen it? Click Here

Youth Aviation Day at SUS on May 12th was a big success. Thanks to the MPA Volunteers who helped make this first time event a big success. Using 24 aircraft EAA flew 224 kids, and as the day went on they probably flew 30 or 40 parents. We understand that the tower staff are now qualified to work at Oshkosh after the great work they did. Nine trips were made to the Flight Service Station taking 60 kids and adults. The van drivers reported that the only words they overheard from the parents were positive comments about the airport, the airplane rides and Flight Service. The Gliders donated by EAA were big hit as were the Future Pilot Stickers from AOPA. Their "Airplanes" booklet should reinforce what the kids and parents heard at "Ground School". The kids should also have fun with AOPA's "Connect-the-Dot" Puzzles booklet. The free hot dogs & soda hit the spot on a perfect Saturday. The Young Eagles and their parents and friends had a great day thanks to you. Here are snippets from e-mails from EAA32 organizers:

"I have worked several Young Eagles events in the past, and this one was by
far the best and easiest for me. The volunteers made my day!" Jim B.
"[regarding]…the Mo Pilots who helped with the registration.
Our guys said they were great!" Phil K.