Date: September 10, 2026
Location: Cactus Aviation, Henderson Executive Airport
Attendance: 26 total — 19 members and 7 guests
Attendance
Members
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Josh Sinclair
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Tim Dura
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Sebastian “Seb” Trost
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Darlene Trost
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Jan Greenberg
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Kathleen Boyd Jones
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Robert Jones
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Jeffrey Hausaman
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Pete Fata
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Sean Dahlberg
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Fred Maupertuis
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Kathryn Brach
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Joseph Kim
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Brian Eldredge
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Raymond “Ray” Brach
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Inbal Lawrence
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Ethan Lawrence
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Jeff Pogue
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Alan Zwick
Guests
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Kambiz Taleghani
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Gene Puffer
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Alexis “Lexi” Richmond
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Emerson Zapotosky
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Ryan Kim
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Minyoung Kim
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August Schellhase
Welcome and Introductions
The chapter welcomed several first-time attendees, experienced pilots returning to aviation, and young people interested in learning to fly. Visitors introduced themselves and briefly described their aviation interests and backgrounds.
Announcements
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The October chapter meeting will be a barbecue at a member’s hangar. The address and additional details will be distributed by email and posted in the chapter newsletter, on the website, and on Facebook.
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Members discussed adding a seasonal activity or entertainment to the October gathering.
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A 50/50 raffle was held during the meeting.
Young Eagles
Upcoming Young Eagles events were discussed:
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The Pahrump Young Eagles Rally is scheduled for October 3 and needs volunteer pilots and ground-support personnel.
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The Overton Young Eagles Rally is scheduled for October 17.
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Another event is tentatively planned for November 7.
Members discussed event scheduling, check-in procedures, and pilot safety. Organizers will coordinate schedules that allow volunteer pilots sufficient time to return home before dark.
The chapter plans to improve event flow by establishing a clearer outdoor location where participants can meet their assigned pilots.
Parents were reminded that the adult who registers a child should also bring the child to the event. Otherwise, additional authorization paperwork may be required and could delay the flight.
Program: Building and Using a Home Flight Simulator
Josh Sinclair presented his RV-14 home flight simulator and discussed how simulators can help pilots:
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Learn modern glass-panel avionics.
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Develop familiarity with switches, knobs, menus, and touchscreen controls.
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Practice IFR procedures and instrument approaches.
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Preview unfamiliar airports and routes.
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Practice radio communications through PilotEdge.
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Connect simulated flights with ForeFlight.
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Regain procedural proficiency after time away from flying.
Josh explained that simulators are valuable for procedures and avionics familiarity but do not accurately reproduce the physical feel of flying.
His configuration uses Microsoft Flight Simulator, an RV-14 aircraft model, RealSimGear Garmin-style avionics, flight controls, rudder pedals, and a throttle. The demonstrated system cost approximately $4,500, although a useful simulator can be built for substantially less.
Members were invited to operate the simulator after the formal meeting.
Previous Minutes and Treasurer’s Report
The previous meeting minutes were available through the chapter website.
The treasurer presented the chapter’s financial activity, including meeting-related income and refreshment expenses. No questions or objections were raised.
Upcoming Chapter Activities
The chapter is planning or exploring:
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A control-tower tour, likely limited to ten participants per group.
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A Thunderbirds-related tour at Nellis Air Force Base in November.
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A possible visit to Creech Air Force Base in December.
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RC aircraft activities for young members.
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Continued outreach to Civil Air Patrol and local school aviation programs.
The Creech visit may require advance visitor information and security screening. Requirements will be distributed once confirmed.
Light-Sport Inspection Course
The chapter is attempting to arrange a two-day Light-Sport Repairman–Inspection course in Las Vegas.
Approximately 16 participants are required to bring the course to the area, and roughly six people had already expressed interest. Members interested in light-sport aircraft ownership, construction, maintenance, or inspection were encouraged to register.
November Elections
Chapter elections will take place in November. Candidates and volunteers are needed for:
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Vice president
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Treasurer
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Board of directors
Interested members were asked to contact a chapter officer. A strong turnout will be needed at the November meeting to conduct the election.
Chapter Volunteer Positions
Leadership emphasized that too much of the chapter’s work is currently being performed by a small number of people. Members were encouraged to volunteer and learn chapter operations.
Priority needs include:
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Young Eagles coordination and succession training
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Website and technical support
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Newsletter and publicity assistance
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IMC/VMC program leadership, preferably involving a current CFI
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Marketing and advertising
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Flight-safety programming
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Youth activities and school outreach
The chapter would also like to publish meeting agendas in advance and explore recording meetings for members unable to attend.
Youth Outreach
The chapter discussed the importance of attracting young people to aviation, aircraft construction, and aircraft maintenance. Potential outreach opportunities include:
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Local schools and aviation programs
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Rancho High School
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Civil Air Patrol
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RC aircraft activities
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Young Eagles rallies
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Chapter building and technical programs
Members were encouraged to invite interested young people and their families to chapter meetings and activities.
Other Business
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A volunteer pilot may be needed to provide aerial support for the Silver State road race.
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A Girls in Aviation event was announced for September 19 at the MGM private aviation facility.
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A member suggested pursuing corporate sponsors and donations as a long-term path toward obtaining a permanent chapter hangar and meeting facility.
Adjournment
The formal meeting was adjourned. Members remained afterward for refreshments, conversation, and hands-on demonstrations of the RV-14 simulator
