Category Archives: 2023

September 2023 Chapter Gathering

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!


The September 2023 Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
Tuesday, September 19th
Join us – in person!

5:30 PM — Potluck Dinner at Double Eagle Maintenance Facility
6:15PM — Program:   The “Windmill Plane” by Mark Wilson

Twenty years after the Wright Brothers had their first flight, the Gyrocopter was flying.  Come celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. Join Mark Wilson where he will have his modern two place enclosed Gyrocopter at the meeting for you to learn more.  This aircraft is vastly different from the “Flying Lawnmower” of yesterday and the James Bond movies. Mark will talk about the history of this “grandaddy” of the Helicopter and answer the question, is it really stall proof? He’ll also share a personal story of making the “impossible turn” possible.

 POTLUCK NOTE:  A surprise dessert will be provided –  consider bringing a main course or side dish.

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport, next to the Control Tower. 7401A Atrisco Vista Blvd NW; Albuquerque

Directions: Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte westbound to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs.
Once on the Airport road, there is a stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, DON’T TURN LEFT.
Proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Park in front of the 1st building on the left, marked 7401A. We’ll be in the south maintenance bay.  Look for EAA signs.

Monthly Chapter Gatherings offer time to network, with programs centered on exchanging experiences and ideas about aviation – airplanes, flying, and flying activities – rather than the chapter business which is addressed in bimonthly Board meetings. We hope to see you there!

LOEFI 2023 – Welcome Pilots

Flying into LOEFI Staying Overnight Activities

Join our community of pilots and members of EAA 179 and other New Mexico chapters for a day of checking out other pilots’ airplanes, browsing the exhibit hall and attending seminars, and sharing your passion for flying and aviation with other pilots and the public.

  • Seminars:  Flying the New Mexico Backcountry (0830-0945, WINGS) and How to Communicate w/Confidence and Clarity – Wendy Smith, ABQ Air Traffic Controller (1015-1130, WINGS)  – see schedule.
  • Camping:  Camping for fly-in pilots will be available Friday and Saturday nights, located on the north ramp and in an adjacent grass area on the airfield.  See below for details.  Friday night cookout by EAA 179 on the field for campers.
  • Aircraft Awards: Best Plans Built; Best Kit Built, Contemporary (1971 – present); Classic (prior to 1971); LSA/Trike; Warbird; Most Distant Fly-in, People’s Choice; LOEFI Grand Champion (judge’s choice). Presentation 1230-1300.

Pilots – FLYING IN

  • Check Airport Data (SkyVector) . Note taxiway changes since 2018 which require crossing runway 22/04 from runway 17/35.
    • Inbound: Listen to AWOS on 119.025.
      • On first call, give distance and direction from airport. NOTE: tower controllers now have radar!
      • If arriving just for the Fly-In, after landing tell Double Eagle Ground that you are “going to the Fly In”.  Expect to taxi to parking in the tie-down area on the north ramp. See the airport diagram (.PDF).
    • Parking, fuel, and Fly-in Registration:
      • Camping arrivals – you may park in the grass area (at own risk) just west of North Ramp (see Ramp Map) or in the North Ramp tie down area.
      • Parking in front of Bode FBO is reserved for transient aircraft. Double Eagle II Airport information: Airnav
      • Bode FBO will provide fuel off truck at self serve price. Fuel island will be closed.
      • Tie downs are limited; please bring chocks and ropes.
    • Outbound: Accessing runway 17/35 from the ramp requires crossing runway 22/04. Also, there are new run up areas at both Runway 22 and Runway 17. Contact ground before proceeding FROM runup areas TO the runway unless otherwise instructed.  If you have questions, contact the Tower.

Pilots – STAYING A NIGHT, Friday and/or Saturday?

    • If you are staying over in Albuquerque, ask for special “Bode Aviation” rates at Rio Grande Best Western.  Rental cars ARE available on prior request via Bode Aviation FBO.
    • On-field Camping for Pilots and CrewAirplane camping is available on the field (KAEG) Friday & Saturday nights
      • Upon arrival, tell Ground Control that you are here for LOEFI and camping, for directions to the camping area. See event ramp map.
      • Bring your tent and airplane tie-down stakes and ropes!  Camping area is the grass area adjacent to the north ramp and on the north ramp itself.  See ramp map. 
      • Fly-In Cookout Friday night, hosted by EAA Chapter 179. Grills available Saturday night or Ground Transportation arranged through the FBO or on request.
      • Food trucks open for the Fly-In, 0700-1500
      • Bode’s Bombing Range Café on the field open 0800 – 1400 Fri, Sat, & Sunday
      • If you plan to camp or have questions, please eMail Chet Leach chetleach@msn.com or loefi@eaa179.org

Pilots – ACTIVITIES AT THE FLY-IN!

  • Two general areas will be set up for aircraft displays – a Showcase area for featured aircraft in front of the hangar, and the north ramp for Visiting Aircraft.  See event ramp map.
  • Upon arrival, please stop by the Pilot Registration tent for a goodie bag and if to be judged, specify the award category.
  • Here is the schedule of activities of special interest for pilots (and crewmembers). Note in particular the WINGS Seminars. Check here for the complete Schedule of Activities  and Exhibitors.
    • 0830 – 0945 • WINGS Safety Seminar – “Flying the New Mexico Backcountry” – Ron Keller, NMPA
    • 1015 – 1130  • WINGS Safety Seminar – “How to Communicate w/Confidence and Clarity” – Wendy Smith, ABQ Air Traffic Controller
    • 1100 • Aircraft Judging closes, People’s Choice ballots due
    • 1230 – 1300 • Aircraft Awards Presentation, EAA 179
  • Food trucks on hand for Saturday breakfast and lunch, 0700 – 1500
  • Continuing our tradition, we present awards with winners determined by our panel of judges or voted on by the visiting public.  Categories:
    • For Judging: Best Plans Built, Best Kit Built, Best Contemporary (1971 to present), Best Classic (prior to 1971), Best Warbird
    • Public Voting: People’s Choice (closes at 1130)
    • Special:  Most Distant Fly-In
    • Grand Champion (judge’s choice)
  • Aircraft Judging concludes at 1100, Award presentations 1230-1300

LOEFI 2023 – Raffles

2023 Raffle Winners Announced

Pedal Plane:  Jill Hunter
Southwest Airlines Tix:  Virginia Clark

 

RAFFLE OVER:  THANKS to EVERYONE who participated!  Stay Tuned for next year! 

 
Tickets $10 each or buy six for $50. Drawing after 2pm Sept 23 during LOEFI.  Winners need not be present to win.  Ticket stub(s) can be emailed to you or pick them up onsite at the EAA 179 booth, just inside the entrance. Use PayPal or you can pay by Credit Card by selecting GUEST checkout.

RAFFLE #1:  Homebuilt Pedal Plane

A truly one-of-a-kind prize, designed and built by chapter member Mike Paxson.  This one is a P-51 Mustang.  Positively a work of art, and the pedal “drive shaft” rotates the propeller as it moves forward – so fun!  Depends on weight but typically, the pilot can be up to age 7.



EAA179 Pedal Plane Raffle – Select Quantity


 

 

 

 

 

RAFFLE #2:  Two roundtrip Southwest Airline domestic flights

Two E-Pass domestic certificates valid for any published and scheduled service in the United States, its territories and possessions, including Puerto Rico.  A HUGE THANKS to Southwest Airlines and tireless volunteers, Raymond and Cynthia Alderete who earned these tickets through volunteering with our chapter.



Two Southwest Airlines Tickets – Select Quantity


 

Winners for both raffles shall take prize delivery at Double Eagle II Airport (other arrangements at EAA 179 discretion).  Proceeds benefit EAA Chapter 179 and our charitable purposes, primarily aviation scholarships.