VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1

January 11, 2015

Inside this issue: Our Chili Dinner Pg. 2 Winging It Pg. 3 Dave Thoeni’s Story Pg. 4 Next Program Pg. 4 Minutes Pg. 5 Last Month’s Program Pg.6 Visit our Advertisers Pg. 8 Special points of interest: • Our next meeting will be on Monday, January 19th at 7:00 p.m. Make your plans now! •It’s the perfect time to tell Chris St. Germain of any interested groups for Young Eagles, and remember that you can fly individuals also •Remember that Charles Gosselin is always looking for good ideas for programs!

EAA Chapter 91, Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport (KLXT) Lee’s Summit, Missouri

OUR NEWEST PRIVATE PILOT

President: Larry Young Vice President and Young Eagles Coordinator: Chris St. Germain Secretary/Treasurer: Pam Ratliff Board: Chuck Gosselin (also programs chair); Bob Gurski; Mike McKinzey, Paul Rodriguez Tech advisor: Mark Burrow Resident DAR: Chuck Morris Maintenance: Bill Herrold Newsletter: Bruce Hood Web Editor: James Perkins Hospitality: Jack Gress

Page 1

Our own Dave Thoeni succeeded in

passing his private pilot checkride

Wednesday, December 17th and has

now joined the ranks of Chapter 91

aviators. We’ve all been a part of

Dave’s journey and many helped with

encouragement and advice along the

way. We’re all proud to have him on

our team! Congratulations, Dave!

(More on Page 4)

Page 2

OUR ANNUAL CHILI DINNER, DECEMBER 15, 2014

Page 3

As most of you know, my wife Marty had open-heart surgery December 2nd,

2014; a quadruple bypass. According to the doctor, she is doing very well. The very

beautiful and much appreciated poinsettia the chapter sent to her continues to

brighten her days.

For me, it has been a learning experience. I have learned how to operate the

stove, including the oven as well as the dishwasher. I have even learned how to load

the dishwasher with all utensils segregated for easy unloading. Guys, did you know

there are multiple settings for the clothes washing machine? Not only are there

settings for different size loads, but also settings for different water temperatures,

washer speeds for delicate clothes and all kinds of good stuff! The same goes for the

dryer. And get this: Our carpet sweeper is self-propelled, both forward and reverse!

I can even prepare some meals, if you use the term loosely!

As I do some of this, I think back to when I was a kid watching my mother do this

stuff. When I was very young, she cooked on a wood stove. Her washing machine

was two #3 wash tubs and a wash board. A carpet sweeper was unheard of.

Housekeeping is much easier now, but still can be a lot of work. So I guess with the

new year, I will resolve to do more of it. Because thinking about what I have to work

with, it really is a happy new year!

By the way, don't forget about our annual Chapter 91 banquet. It is scheduled

February 14th for the Hilton Garden Inn at I-70 & Little Blue Parkway. We are still

seeking a speaker, so if you have any ideas, please call Pam at 816 350-2289.

Also, if you have not submitted your chapter renewal application and 2015

membership dues, please do so post haste and I'll see you at the January 19 meeting.

Blue skies and tailwinds,

Page 4

JANUARY’S PROGRAM

DAVE THOENI’S OWN WORDS

I want to thank everyone that has helped along the way to get my license. It all started with helping at the Young Eagles events last year. After all the kids were flown, Nancy offered me a ride in her Skipper, and Bob Gurski offered me a ride in his RV. That piqued my interest in flying. Then the weekend breakfast runs started with Nancy, Colonel Mike, Jack, Bob Gurski, John Clayton, Chuck and Larry. Rob Schmitt said, "Sorry, you won't fit in the KR2." He continued to encourage me anyway. Nancy was a great inspiration and taught me a lot in the mighty Skipper. John Clayton said I was doing well, but needed to maintain altitude a little better. So on the return trip I tried real hard and thought I did all right. When I asked if that was better, he responded, "Yes, but we will see what happens next time when I turn off the automatic altitude hold." The breakfast runs taught me a great lesson about situational awareness. While taking the checkride, Ron had me under the hood for quite some time and kept giving me new compass headings to follow. He then pulled the throttle and said I had just lost my engine, so I’d better take the hood off and land. First thing I saw when I removed the hood was the grain elevator at Miami County. He laughed when I recognized it and said, "You been down here too many times." I set us up for glide and started to turn. Ron asked what I was going to do so I told him I knew of a perfect place to land, and I know we could make it from here. Everything was fun, but challenging. Also want to thank my instructor, Woody Woodward. He’s a great instructor and very patient guy.

Pilots love speed. Maybe those custom ’57 Chevies, souped-up ’49

Fords or the tricked out dune buggies inspired many of us to push the

speed limit by taking to the air. Even slower planes go faster than

cars, but flashing past the pylons at Reno’s air races in your own

Lancair has to be the ultimate rush. What’s it like? How do we get

there? Inquiring minds will find out at our next meeting, January 14th

when Tom McNerney will tell us how he does it. Maybe you can do it,

too. Want to find out? Then be there! Conveniently scheduled for

7:00 p.m.

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EAA CHAPTER 91

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

December 15, 2014

The meeting of EAA Chapter 91 was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by President Larry

Young in the chapter meeting room at Lee's Summit Airport. Following the Pledge

of Allegiance to the flag and a blessing provided by Jack Gress, Larry got the

evening started with the 13th Annual Chili Dinner.

Following dinner, Larry Young announced his wife Marty had quadruple bypass

surgery December 2 and was currently home and recuperating well; Gus Schlegel's

lady friend, MarBel had a pacemaker put in and was also home and recuperating.

He thanked various members who had helped with the chili dinner event including

the Gurskis – cleaning bathrooms; several members who had helped clean and set up

the hangar as well as provided heaters; and Pam for preparing and serving the meal.

The minutes of the November 17, 2014 meeting were approved as printed in the

December newsletter.

The next meeting was scheduled January 19. The program will be presented by

Tom McNerney on his participation in the Reno Air Races. The next board meeting

was scheduled January 5 at 7 P.M. Larry said the schedule for 2015 chapter

activities would be basically the same as for 2014 other than there would be an

Aviation Expo at MKC in August, 2015 during which Chapter 91 would likely be

asked to again organize Young Eagles activities.

Chris St. Germain, Young Eagles Coordinator, said EAA headquarters had, indeed,

recognized Chapter 91 for 10,000 Young Eagles as of the October, 2014 rally as

well as John Clayton for his 1,000th Young Eagles flight. Chris introduced Abbie

Lavin to the group. She was a senior at Shawnee Mission West High School who

was sponsored to EAA Air Academy in 2014. She provided a presentation on her

experience as well as shared her recent acceptance to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

A brief computer presentation on The Candy Bomber was shown. Ed Gabriel had

provided a video of “Oshkosh 2014” which was shown during dinner.

The meeting adjourned 8:15 P.M. with members and guests pitching in to clean and

straighten up the hangar and meeting room.

Page 6

DECEMBER’S PROGRAM

When you know what you want to do with your life – particularly while

you’re still in high school – you’re probably going to be successful. That

was the impression everyone had when Abbie Lavin spoke at our

annual chili dinner December 15th. Abbie was one of the young folks

the chapter sponsored for Air Academy at Oshkosh last summer and

made it clear we are helping her achieve her life’s dreams. Abbie spoke

of the challenges and fun she had at the camp while thanking the

members for contributing to her goals. Abbie wants to fly and has been

accepted to the Air Force Academy after she graduates from Shawnee

Mission West later this year. Ultimately, she wants to fly for a

missionary organization and we do not doubt that’s exactly what she’ll

be able to do. Good luck to you, Abbie. We’re honored we could help!

Those who joined us for our annual chili dinner last month had a special treat; a brief

but inspiring video about an American Air Force pilot who became known as “die

Rosinanbomber” – the Candy Bomber. The story of “Uncle Wiggly Wings” continues

to inspire. Here’s why.

Gail Halverson was 27 when the Berlin blockade forced the allies to supply the East

German city of Berlin by air. At one point, Halverson saw German children, obviously

deprived and hungry, watching airplanes take off and land at the Berlin Airport. He

had two sticks of gum and gave them to the children who selflessly split them among

all the kids there. He promised he would provide candy and chewing gum and they

would recognize his plane when he would wiggle its wings. The next day, Halverson’s

C54 wiggled its wings and dropped the treats by handkerchief parachutes.

Halverson’s selfless example inspired other crews to duplicate the feat and American

candy makers shipped boxcar loads of candy and chewing gum for the East German

children. By the September 1949 end of the Berlin airlift, Operation Little Vittles had

dropped more than 23 tons of sweet confections to the deprived children.

Today retired Air Force Col. Gail Halverson is in his mid-90s but his story continues

inspiring millions around the world. Gail Halverson is the epitome of what America is

all about. His legacy stirs the spirit of freedom and generosity for which America is

known. His story proves all it takes is one individual willing to step outside himself to

help others and make lives just a little better.

While today’s tumultuous and confusing world seems overwhelming to us, we can

look a few years back to see how what had to have been equally confusing conditions

were handled with style and class. We have Col. Gail Halverson to thank for his rich

example, but we can top that with something even more unselfish. I don’t have the

answer, but possibly you do. Maybe Col. Halverson’s fabulous example will prove the

needs of others are easily within our grasp. We need more heroes like Gail Halverson.

THE CANDY BOMBER

2751 NE Douglas St. Lee’s Summit, MO 64064 THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: EAA CHAPTER 91 January 11, 2015