From Dan Benkert
From Jim Logajan
Two years ago a friend and I created the aviation forum https://flyersforum.org/ which is an ad-free non-profit site. Today I decided to create a Regional Forums category on it and added a Black Hills regional forum: https://flyersforum.org/forums/black-hills-of-south-dakota-and-wyoming.41/You are all invited to follow it and only need to create an account if you wish to post.
From Darrel Sauder
In recognition of its support, EAA Chapter 39 earned $215 in Young Eagles Credits. Your chapter may begin redeeming these credits on March 1, 2024. Expenses eligible for Young Eagles credit reimbursement must be incurred by December 31, 2024, and submitted to EAA by January 21, 2025. Young Eagles credit balances will be updated monthly at EAA.org/YECredits.
Continuing this year, EAA is accepting digital reimbursement forms to improve ease and efficiency. Even if your chapter has already submitted an ACH wire transfer form, EAA encourages all chapters to submit ACH wire transfer forms, so that reimbursements can be directly deposited the correct chapter bank account, and that EAA has the correct treasurer email address on file.
Young Eagles Credit Reimbursement Policy Full Updated
EAA has published new guidance on the Young Eagles credit program. This includes a comprehensive listing of approved expenditures that can be reimbursed for using Young Eagles credits. This guidance can be found at EAA.org/YECredits.
Updates to EAA Air Academy Camp Reservations
EAA will be moving to a digital reservation system for Air Academy Camp slots. The 2025 Air Academy schedule and reservations will be made available Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
If your chapter plans to use your current Young Eagles credits for a 2024 Air Academy camper’s tuition, please notify the camp team at airacademy@eaa.org. As a reminder, longtime camp director, Scott Cameron retired from EAA in 2023. More than $460,000 of Young Eagles credits were earned in 2023 – Congratulations on all your chapter’s accomplishment and thank you for your continued support of the EAA Young Eagles program.
Hello...I live in southwest North Dakota and don’t have a local EAA. I purchased an RV-7A kit that is mostly done but I’m finding it’s taking too much of my free time and not getting any flying in. I just thought I’d check around to see if there are any builders looking for something to do on the side and might be looking for one to work on. I’m just curious what it would cost to get it finished rather than me taking 5 years. Thanks....
EAA Supports MOSAIC Proposal to Increase Opportunities for Pilots, New Recreational Aircraft | EAA
National Park Service Completes Mount Rushmore National Memorial Air Tour Management Plan
KEYSTONE, S.D. – The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Mount Rushmore National Memorial on November 17, 2023. The plan will prohibit commercial air tours over the park and within one-half mile of the boundary of the park to protect the park’s natural and cultural resources, Tribal sacred sites and ceremonial areas, and visitor experience within the ATMP boundary. The plan’s operating parameters will be effective within 180 days from the date of signature.
The newly completed plan was developed in cooperation with stakeholders representing a variety of interests, including Tribal Nations, other land management agencies, the public, and recreation groups. The plan addresses and responds to concerns identified during these consultations and through public comment.
“We appreciate the engagement of the many stakeholders that worked with us on the development of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Air Tour Management Plan. Prohibiting commercial air tours will protect the cultural and spiritual significance of these lands to Tribes and will provide a peaceful setting for visitors to enjoy and experience,” said Michelle Wheatley, the park’s superintendent.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the parks in the National Park System for which the agencies are developing an air tour management plan or voluntary agreement. Each air tour management plan is developed to manage commercial air tours in a way that is consistent with the NPS’s mission, the individual park’s purposes, and the FAA’s authority to ensure aviation safety.
The plans meet the requirements from the National Parks Air Tour Management Act to reduce or prevent significant adverse impacts from commercial air tours on the park and meet NPS’s obligation to protect the park's natural and cultural resources, wildlife, and provide for the enjoyment of visitors.
The final air tour management plan is available at the Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website. Please visit NPS Air Tours and FAA’s Air Tour Management Plan site for more detailed information about air tour management plans.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s more than 400 national park units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Earl Perez-Foust, he/him
Program Manager
Interpretation and Education
Office: 605-574-3115
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
It is recommended that when certificating potentially affected aircraft, an assessment is made as to whether there are any affected parts in the build.
I was wondering who in this group is into off airport flying and/or just getting together on a nice weekend day to go do some fun flying. We came down for the Black Hills Fly In and had a blast and would like to connect with some more people. Thanks.
Aero Educate Program
For anyone interested, AeroEducate is a free online program filled with age-based learning activities and STEM projects, where K-12 students can explore and develop their aviation curiosity into a lifelong career. Parents, teachers, and EAA chapters can also utilize AeroEducate to further youths' interests in science, technology, engineering, and math with free vetted activities. You can visit AeroEducate.org to learn more.
