June 26, 2025
This is the semimonthly email newsletter from the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 54 of Lake Elmo, Minn. If you have difficulty reading this information, view it on the chapter website. Unless otherwise noted, all events occur at the Chapter House, at the south entrance of Lake Elmo Airport off Manning Avenue. Find fly-in and drive-in information here.
National Oshkosh Awards
Vicky Moore honored as Young Eagles ground volunteer of the year
Chapter 54's Vicky Moore will be honored at AirVenture in July as the EAA Young Eagles program ground volunteer of the year. Moore, the former chairperson of the chapter's Young Eagle programs, has specialized in calmly and efficiently herding cats on YE Saturdays.
"Vicky’s years of hard work to contribute to the success of EAA Chapter 54’s Young Eagles program, commitment to the local aviation community, and years of dedication made this recognition a clear decision. Vicky is truly deserving of this award," David Leiting, EAA's director of programs, said n making the announcement. "On behalf of the entire Young Eagles’ team here at EAA in Oshkosh, I congratulate the entire chapter and thank you for the nomination." Please feel free to contact me by phone or email with any questions.
When she stepped down as chairperson of the program, she continued to handle check-in and registration duties, including working with EAA's new registration program.
John Ostrem
Anyone know how to move a B17?
There is a small group of a dozen volunteers at AirVenture that are entrusted with moving these rare, priceless, huge warbirds and there is a connection right here in Minnesota at EAA Chapter # 237 from the Anoka County Airport. Veteran EAA members Alex Weinandt, Chuck Jasicki and Greg Crow have been with the group for nearly a decade. While there are 6,000 volunteers needed to pull off the week-long air show, this specially trained group is at work long before the show starts in late July and they stay late to finish the task. They are experienced and accomplished in the process and have graduated from the EAA training classes on tug operation, wing walking, and tail watching. Read more >
Events
Small crowd for annual picnic. but great program!
The weather conditions conspired against one of EAA 54's signature annual events on June 9 with about two dozen chapter members showing up for the annual picnic at the chapter house. Nonetheless the attendees were provided a robust meal and desserts prior to hearing from the night's guest speaker. Originally, the picnic was planned for outdoors with the traditional BBQ and an invitation for family and friends to join chapter members. But the plans had to be scrapped when the weather turned rainy and sometimes raw and windy, with a members' dinner substituted for the annual affair.
Our speaker for June, Dan Johnson, originally from Isle, MN, now living in Menomonie, WI, is a retired Internal Medicine Doctor who worked in the Mayo Medical system and was an AME. He speaks widely and has done many Oshkosh and other seminars on Pilot Physiology. He's a pilot and Mooney owner, has done a LOT of glider flying, and has written many columns on pilot physiological effects (temperature, altitude, medication, etc) for a glider organization and publication. He is the medical advisor for the Perlan Project, a record altitude sailplane project operating in the Argentine Andes, where physiologic effects and mitigation is a limiting factor. Dan shared observations on numerous recent or memorable aircraft incidents where pilot physiological impairments were likely the major contributing factors to the unhappy results. He also shared a few humorous anecdotes about poor flight decisions he has made that led to exciting, not in a good way, results. Dan discussed the effect of altitude on decision making and shared his advice and practise on the use of supplemental Oxygen, which he uses whenever flying over 5000 feet. He recommended the Mountain High Oxygen system based on its efficient use of oxygen and the tactile feedback system it has for indicating proper operation. He admonished pilots to stay away from Benadryl, which has a 36 hour half life and causes significant cognitive impairment. He addressed numerous questions from the audience on the effect of specific medications. His columns are available online at tinyurl.com/DrDansColumns -- they are a really fantastic resource. Check them out! - Marlon Gunderson
Hangar Tour 2025
Farnsworth students get aviation up-close
Thanks to the efforts of Chapter 54 volunteers and under the direction of education coordinators Jeff Dale and Gregg Adler, students from St. Paul's Farnsworth school got a chance to experience aviation up close with their annual hangar tour at Lake Elmo Airport. Farnsworth and Chapter 54 have had a close relationship for years. The students met at the chapter house for an introduction to their morning, toured several members' hangars, and got a look at how MAC help keeps an airport running. See more pictures courtesy of Gregg Adler and Vicky Moore.
Anniversaries in July
Bruce Olson (15 years)
Mike Schutt (15 years)
Trent Redmann (5 years)
Alvaro Domenighi (2 years)
Mike Graczyk (1 year)
Anniversary dates are also membership renewal dates. Renew your membership here
Next gathering: July 14. Note new time!
The next membership gathering will be held on Monday July 14 at 6:30 pm (note new time) with a presentation by Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame inductee John Mohr.John Mohr was born in Virginia, MN. He grew up in the Crane Lake area and took his first airplane ride in a J-3 Cub on floats with his father as a one-year old. He soloed at age fourteen and received his Private license in 1970 and other licenses followed.See complete details along with directions.
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Who's Who in Chapter 54 President: Marlon Gunderson president@eaa54.org |
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