Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The March Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
Tuesday, March 21st
At the Maintenance Facility, Double Eagle II

Join us – in person!     Visitors Welcome!

5:30 PM —  Rudi’s BBQ Dinner Provided (donations accepted)
6:15 PM — Program:  EAA 179’s 2023 Scholarship Presentations
Mark Sturm, Scholarship Coordinator

Meet recipients of Chapter 179 scholarship awards! Always inspiring, join us to meet students and learn about their aviation goals. Expect to meet parents and let’s see what we may do to help these youth move forward along their aviation journeys.

This year, we present two $2000 flight training scholarships, one in hon-or of “Doc” Weaver* and the ongoing Jay Schmitt Memorial Scholarship. Two students will be awarded full tuition to attend EAA’s Air Academy in Oshkosh this summer. In addition, four recipients will be awarded $1000 each for various flight training pursuits.

Our program supports youth up to age 25 pursuing aviation education. Thanks to our generous donors, Chapter 179 has awarded over $60,000 in scholarships over the past 5 years.

These monthly Chapter Gatherings offer time to network with programs centered on exchanging experiences and ideas about aviation – air-planes, flying, and flying activities – rather than the chapter business which is addressed in bimonthly Board meetings.

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport, next to the Control Tower; 7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd NW; Al-buquerque

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 turn-ing left to the main airport parking lot, DON’T TURN LEFT. Proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tow-er. Park in front of the 1st building on the left, marked 7401A. We’ll be in the south maintenance bay. Look for EAA signs.

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The February 2023 Chapter Gathering
is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21st
At M’tuccis Moderno Restaurant

Join us – in person!     Visitors Welcome!

5:30 PM — No Host Dinner
6:15 PM — Program – Speaker Mark Chappell
GIS Analyst/Remote Sensing Coordinator
NM Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

The Program:  Mark Chappell (23) first gained his interest in aviation at the first Double Eagle Aviation Adventure in 2014. Mark continued his interest in aviation when he joined the New Mexico Civil Air Patrol as a cadet. Through his CAP career, Mark rose to the rank of Cadet Major while serving as the wing Director of Training for Unmanned Aircraft.

Mark was deployed to Puerto Rico in January 2020 as part of an interdisciplinary team of UAS (unmanned aerial systems – drone) operators with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to major earthquakes. Mark graduated with his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Emergency Management from Eastern New Mexico University.

In March of 2022, he joined the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management as an Operations Officer. During the 2022 New Mexico Wildfire Season, the worst in New Mexican history, Mark served as the Director of the State Emergency Operations Center, coordinating the state’s response to the wildfires. In June 2022, President Biden visited the New Mexico Emergency Operations Center, where Mark briefed him on the current status of the wildfires and what the state was doing in response to them.

During “blue skies” Mark used geographic information systems (GIS) to maintain statewide situational awareness, creating maps, apps, and dashboards to track what is happening around the state. He also manages the agency’s public safety UAS Program and satellite imagery and intelligence program.

Each month, these “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..

Where:        M’tucci’s Moderno  Restaurant   (Preview MENU here)
1908 Wellspring Ave SE, Rio Rancho  (Wellspring and Unser)

Directions:   From I-25, take Paseo del Norte westbound to Unser Blvd.
Turn right (North) on Unser Blvd, then LEFT on Wellspring Ave SE
                          (Located in shopping center just west of Presbyterian Rust Hospital)

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The November Chapter Gathering and Membership Meeting
is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15th
At the Maintenance Facility, Double Eagle II

Join us – in person!     Visitors Welcome!

5:30 PM — Doors Open
5:45 PM — Potluck – Bring your own drink and a side dish to share
6:15 PM — Program – Annual Membership Meeting
………………………………………. Operation El Dorado Canyon
……………………………………Presented by Tony Sobol

The Membership Meeting:  Voting will be conducted for Officers and Board Members; check the November Newsletter for the slate of candidates (Newsletter will be published on Nov 6th).

The Program: In 1984 Tony Sobol was Operations Officer for the 494 Fighter Squadron (FS) in the Royal Air Force in Lakenheath, England.  He will share his story of flying Operation El Dorado Canyon, a controversial but highly successful mission shocking Muammar Qaddafi and reducing Libyan sponsored terrorist activity.

Tony graduated in 1970 as a distinguished Air Force ROTC Graduate from Univ of Connecticut. After pilot training at Columbus AFB, he was assigned the F-111 at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV.  In September 1972 the Wing deployed to Takhli, Thailand to fly in Linebacker I and II, the Christmas bombing of Hanoi. Tony flew a total of 77 combat missions over North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.  Later, returning to the states, he commanded the 522 FS at Cannon AFB. Upon promotion to Colonel, he was assigned to JUSMAGTHAI, Bangkok, Thailand as Chief of the Air Force Division.  The Royal Thai Air Force invited him to be an Honorary Pilot in the Royal Thai Air Force. After AF retirement, his work at Boeing brought him to Albuquerque as Director of Field Marketing.

From 2012 – 2016,Tony built a Van’s RV-8A.  He flies the RV and his Bellanca Super Viking regularly.

Each month, these “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..

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport

Directions: The City of Albuquerque maintenance facility at Double Eagle II Airport is next to the Control Tower. At the last stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, DON’T TURN LEFT. Proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Look for EAA signs. Park in front of the city building.

Driving to Double Eagle II: Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte west to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs. (7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd).

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The September Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
Tuesday, September 20th
At the Maintenance Facility, Double Eagle II

Join us – in person!     Visitors Welcome!

5:30 PM — Doors Open
5:45 PM — Potluck Bring your own drink and a dish to share
6:30 PM — Program:  Bob Waters – Beware the Central New Mexico Salt Flat Trap

Salt Flat “Landings”, by Bob Waters
This summer, two planes have attempted landings on the salt flats 20NM south of Moriarty and near Estancia, NM. Both ended with the planes inverted. Details are sketchy. Not surprisingly, pilots are reluctant to talk about their experiences. When the rains come, the evidence of the event is quickly erased. The trap is reset.

New Mexico Pilots Association has taken the initiative to increase awareness among the regional pilots of this salt flat trap. Bob will talk about those efforts to spread the word.

Bob, is a long time chapter member, past President, and now serves as the Safety and Education Director for the New Mexico Pilots Association.

LOEFI Preparations, by The LOEFI Committee

Milio (the city Double Eagle Airport manager) and other leads will discuss the setup schedule and remaining volunteer needs.  If you would like an assignment but don’t have one, this is a good opportunity to learn what is needed and sign up.

If you can’t make it to the gathering, no worries!
eMail us at loefi@eaa179.org OR ..
Just show up at Double Eagle II Airport Friday or Saturday, Sep 23-24, and ask how you can help.

Each month, these “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..

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport

Directions: The City of Albuquerque maintenance facility at Double Eagle II Airport is next to the Control Tower. At the last stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Look for EAA signs. Park in front of the city building.

Driving to Double Eagle II: Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte west to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs. (7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd).

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The August Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
Tuesday, August 16th
At the Maintenance Facility, Double Eagle II

Join us – in person!     Visitors Welcome!

5:30 PM — Doors Open
5:45 PM — Potluck
6:30 PM — Program:  DEAA: What’s All the Excitement About? (Jim Kessler, DEAA Chairman)

This month’s Gathering presentation will be about DEAA, the Double Eagle Aviation Academy.  This will be a visual presentation about the aviation academy week hosted by Chapter 179 since 2013. Jim Kessler has served as “DEAA Principal” since 2019, bringing the program to a whole new level.

Bring your questions and suggestions.

POTLUCK! Bring something to share, drinks provided.

Each month, these “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..

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport

Directions: The City of Albuquerque maintenance facility at Double Eagle II Airport is next to the Control Tower. At the last stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Look for EAA signs. Park in front of the city building.

Driving to Double Eagle II: Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte west to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs. (7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd).

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The July Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
Tuesday, July 19th
At the Maintenance Facility, Double Eagle II

Join us – in person!

5:30 PM — Doors Open
5:45 PM — Pizza & drinks provided (no Potluck)
6:30 PM — Program: Developing NM Aviation Tourism
Joyce woods, New Mexico Airstrip Network

New Mexico has so much to offer the recreational aviation visitor.  Besides great flying weather, there is a multitude of historical and cultural destinations, backcountry flying, dark skies, and beautiful landscapes to explore.

Joyce Woods leads a Tourism work group in support of the New Mexico Airstrip Network (NMAN).  NMAN is a coalition of state and federal agencies and aviation organizations with a shared goal to increase public aviation access to promote NM tourism and economic development. EAA, AOPA, and the New Mexico Pilots Association (NMPA) are all members.

She will review available aviation resources and show how you can support the effort. NMPA has created an information hub at flynewmexico.org, tied to the state’s “New Mexico True” community websites.  In addition, efforts are underway to improve the info found in a Google Search. Anyone can contribute to help improve the visitor experience to NM airports and promote aviation tourism which especially supports statewide rural airports and communities.

Each month, these “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.

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport

Directions: The City of Albuquerque maintenance facility at Double Eagle II Airport is next to the Control Tower. At the last stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Look for EAA signs. Park in front of the city building.

Driving to Double Eagle II: Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte west to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs. (7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd).

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The June Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
Tuesday, June 21st
At the Maintenance Facility, Double Eagle II

Join us – in person!

5:30 PM — Doors Open
6:00 PM — Potluck Dinner/Social Time
6:30 PM — Program: On Becoming an A&P  (Bob Waters, A&P)

Join us to hear Bob Waters talk about his journey to certification as an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic (A&P)! He will show the FAA requirements and how he met them. He says there will also be practice quizzes for the audience to test your mechanical knowledge!

Bob, a long time chapter member, served as Chapter President from 2011-2013 and was instrumental in shaping many of the chapter’s activities that continue today. Under his leadership, our chapter moved LOEFI from Moriarty to Double Eagle II increasing community involvement. We also launched our very successful DEAA and expanded our scholarship program for young people.

Bob is an active Young Eagles pilot who recently flew his 500th mission in his Piper Comanche. He serves as the Safety and Education Director for the New Mexico Pilots Association. He has restored a ’46 Taylorcraft BC-12D, a ’68 VW bug and is currently restoring Sandy’s late-’50s Cushman scooter.

It will surely be an entertaining and informative presentation from a true voice of experience.  I base this on how he introduces weather to our aviation academy students, starting simple with a “weather rock”.

Each month, these “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.

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport

Directions: The City of Albuquerque maintenance facility at Double Eagle II Airport is next to the Control Tower. At the last stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Look for EAA signs. Park in front of the city building.

Driving to Double Eagle II: Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte west to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs. (7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd).

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The May Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 17th
At the Maintenance Facility, Double Eagle II

Join us – in person!

5:30 PM — Doors Open
6:00 PM — Potluck Dinner/Social Time
6:30 PM — Program: Exactly Where I’m Supposed to Be
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  Luke Vaughn, EAA 179 Ray Scholar

Luke Vaughn, a graduating senior from Volcano Vista High School has been volunteering alongside adult chapter members since he was selected for a scholarship in March 2021.

Heading off to the Air Force Academy already in June, he asked to present at this gathering.  Join us to hear Luke’s message to our chapter.

Luke soloed in an Air Force sponsored flight training program last summer.  Since then, he received our Chapter’s EAA Ray Scholarship to finish off his private certificate with Bode Aviation instruction. Encountering many delays as unfortunately is typical for flight students, Luke is now preparing for his checkride which should occur before he leaves for the Academy.

Each month, these “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.

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport

Directions: The City of Albuquerque maintenance facility at Double Eagle II Airport is next to the Control Tower. At the last stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Look for EAA signs. Park in front of the city building.

Driving to Double Eagle II: Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte west to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs. (7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd).

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The April Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
Tuesday, April 16th
At the Maintenance Facility, Double Eagle II

Join us – in person!

5:30 PM — Doors Open
6:00 PM — Potluck Dinner/Social Time
6:30 PM — Program: SAMS Academy Aeronautics
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . Luke Vaughn, EAA 179 Ray Scholar

Luke Vaughn, a graduating senior from Volcano Vista High School has been volunteering alongside adult chapter members since he was selected for a scholarship in March 2021.

Heading off to the Air Force Academy already in June, he asked to present at this gathering.  Join us to hear Luke’s message to our chapter.

Luke soloed in an Air Force sponsored flight training program last summer.  Since then, he received our Chapter’s EAA Ray Scholarship to finish off his private certificate with Bode Aviation instruction. Encountering many delays as unfortunately is typical for flight students, Luke is now preparing for his checkride which should occur before he leaves for the Academy.

Each month, these “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.

Where: City Maintenance Facility at Double Eagle II Airport

Directions: The City of Albuquerque maintenance facility at Double Eagle II Airport is next to the Control Tower. At the last stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Look for EAA signs. Park in front of the city building.

Driving to Double Eagle II: Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte west to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs. (7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd).

Hello EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!

The February Chapter Gathering is scheduled for
February 15th at the Double Eagle II Airport

Join us – in person!

Program:  Building a Murphy Rebel

Join us to hear Dennis Kirby share his builder/pilot story.  He and his son Michael are nearly finished building a Murphy Rebel.  In case you need a memory jog, Dennis frequented our meetings at Copper Canyon before COVID and is building at Edgewood. Or you may have crossed paths with him at AirVenture.  Here’s a preview from Dennis:

“I purchased this partially-completed kit airplane a few years ago because it appeared “mostly finished” and I thought it would be a quick effort to get it finished.  Boy was I misled!

This is my second homebuilt airplane – I had previously built a Kolb Mark-3 light sport (Rotax-912 powered) and flew it for 14 years.  I flew it to several of the NMPA Gila backcountry fly-ins, many places in New Mexico, and to destinations in Arizona and Utah.  Although it performed very well as a one-person camping airplane, I decided I wanted a larger aircraft that I could actually take TWO persons – and a fair-sized load of camping gear – into the backcountry.  I needed a Lycoming-powered airplane of some sort to do this.  I hope this Rebel fills that requirement!

Where:  City Maintenance Facility at  Double Eagle II Airport

Directions:  The City of Albuquerque maintenance facility at Double Eagle II Airport is next to the Control Tower. At the last stop sign before turning left to the main airport parking lot, proceed straight through the gate towards the Control Tower. Look for EAA signs. Park in front of the city building.

Driving to Double Eagle II:  Take I-40 or Paseo del Norte west to Atrisco Vista Blvd and follow airport signs. (7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd)