Hello – EAA Chapter 179 Members and Friends – Join us!
January 2026 Chapter 179 Gathering
Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Join us – in person! Visitors Welcome
5:00 PM — “No Host” Dinner at BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse
6:15 PM — Introductions and Program
Arrive anytime from 5:00 and dinner is not required.
Program: “Over New Mexico and the Southwest” with Jeff Gilkey
Jeff Gilkey has been involved in aviation most of his life. He flew hang gliders in Calif and NM in the 80’s and 90’s, including over 200 flights from the Sandia Crest. He studied aerospace engineering in college, and worked on navigation, guidance and control systems at Sandia Labs, retiring in 2016. Since 2004, he’s flown his experimental light sport weight-shift control aircraft or “trike”, logging more than 2500 hours on cross country trips into nearly every corner of New Mexico and surrounding states. For Jeff, the trike is the perfect flying machine, combining the intuitive natural wing controls of a hang glider, and the long distance, low speed cruise capability of an efficient engine with a large gas tank.
Jeff serves as Secretary of the Board of the New Mexico Pilots Association (NMPA). He writes an “Obscure and Scenic New Mexico” column for their newsletter. Jeff enjoys the pilot camaraderie met through the NMPA and believes it is a great way to create a network of friendly flying contacts across the state.
Jeff has been happily married to his wife Amy for 46 years, with 2 amazing adult daughters, Nyssa and Lindsay. Jeff has also raised a series of golden retrievers. He always wanted to fly with his dog in the back seat, but knowing that would terrify them, he opted for a life-sized toy dog.
Where: BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse at Cottonwood Mall 10000 Coors Blvd, Albuquerque.
Directions: Head North or South bound on Coors Blvd to Cottonwood Mall, Take the Cottonwood Loop around to the south end of the parking lot. BJ’s is in a building of its own.
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!
Last Updated on January 11, 2026 by Main Administrator