This is the semimonthly email newsletter from the Experimental Aircraft Association of Lake Elmo, MN. If you have difficulty reading this information, view it on the chapter website.
The last quarterly newsletter
"With the advent last year of the EAA SiteCore based Chapter 54 website, brought to you by the amazing, talented, national website award winning, RV-12 building, Bob Collins, with its new web pages and semi-monthly eBeacons bringing frequent news of chapter meetings, board meetings, activities, and other airport news, the quarterly Beacon 'newsletter' has become even more of an anachronism, and conveniently so because your newsletter editor is now the chapter president and wishes not to wear both those hats. The only content from prior Beacon Newsletters that is not now covered by semi- monthly eBeacon dispatches is the president's column, but Bob has enabled SiteCore's 'president's page' on the website to let me place that content there. So here's your last Beacon, and/or inaugural website based President's Column. I'll be posting a president's column at least quarterly, if not more frequently. May the Beacon Rest In Peace, or explode into a continuous Roman Candle of eBeacons, however you want to think about it. [ed. note: eBeacon will now be known simply as "The Beacon"]
As alluded to in my brief State of the Chapter segment of the January Member meeting, the Board took up the topic of the chapter's ongoing budget deficit for covering the fixed, mostly clubhouse related, chapter expenses, and in March the Board approved a resolution to increase chapter annual membership dues, effective June 1st, from $25/year to $40/year for individual memberships. Student/family memberships will increase from $10/$30 to $20/$50 per year, respectively. The last dues increase coincided with the acquisition and completion of the chapter clubhouse over 20 years ago which ushered in the fixed expenses of building lease, insurance, heat, and electric costs that needed to be covered by membership dues. These costs, unlike our dues, have not stayed constant for 20 years, particularly in the recent inflationary years, plus we've also added the recurring cost of internet service to enable hybrid meetings and webinars and other internet content at the clubhouse. Our fixed costs are currently a bit over $4000/year and we've been running near 100 chapter members; this has informed our choice of dues amount." - Marlon Gunderson
Preliminary report issued in Moore/Zahler crash
The NTSB issued its preliminary findings in the crash of Pat Moore's Globe Swift on March 2 in Afton. The crash claimed the life of Moore and Mitch Zahler, both members of Chapter 54. As with all preliminary reports, the NTSB did not provide any cause of the crash, although a reader might find details to lead to speculation. In the report, the NTSB noted that its inspection that the #2 and #4 top spark plugs were both carbon fouled, but damage prevented any compression testing. This link downloads the report to your device.
Meanwhile, Chapter 54 volunteers helped clean out Moore's hangar at Lake Elmo Airport on Saturday March 23. See photos.
Nominate a volunteer
Major Achievement Award — Many EAA members go above and beyond the call of their chapter member duty. To recognize these select individuals, EAA awards members with a Chapter Major Achievement Award. Winners are selected for their EAA and chapter dedication, service to the aviation community, and their personal achievement. Submit a Nomination
Newsletter Editor — Newsletters are one of the main communication links for chapters. Composing a monthly chapter newsletter that is informative, easy to read, and interesting is a daunting task for the newsletter editor. Newsletters are judged on consistency, appearance, layout, and content. Submit a Nomination
Web Editor — Many EAA chapters have embraced the internet to communicate and connect with fellow aviators, allowing them to better serve the local members and the aviation community at large. Websites are judged on ease of use, appearance, layout, and content. Submit a Nomination. Young Eagles volunteers are also eligible for awards. Do you know a deserving volunteer? Submit your nomination today! All nominations are due no later than May 31, 2024.
April Chapter Video Posted
In this month’s Chapter Video Magazine, Charlie Becker gets you up to date on EAA happenings:
1.) Learn to Fly Week May 13- May 18th
2.) Young Eagles
3.) EAA Weekend Work Parties
4.) Aeromart
5.) Chapter Award Nominations
Chapter 54 event culminates Learn to Fly Week
Once again, EAA Chapter 54 has earned Gold Chapter status from Oshkosh. There are comparatively few chapters that earn the designation. The email from Oshkosh follows:
Dear Marlon,
Congratulations to your chapter in successfully reaching the GOLD level status recognition level for the 2023 year. EAA is happy to present you with a chapter recognition banner to proudly display where your chapter meets. Your level also will be displayed online at EAA.org/FindAChapter with a specially designed emblem. You are encouraged to use your emblem on your website, newsletter, and other promotional materials; your chapter emblem is attached in this email.
This program was developed and measured in partnership with EAA’s Chapter Advisory Council and is based on 10 criteria that are consistently found in active and highly engaged chapters. An additional 11th criteria point was included to enable chapters to bring forward a chapter event or program which enhances their chapter by bringing more people to engage with their chapter. Each is worth a point, and there are three levels of recognition: bronze (7 out of 11), silver (8 out of 11), and gold (at least 9 out of 11).
Below are the qualifying Chapter Recognition criteria, along with your chapter’s points. A one (1) indicates that your chapter earned credit for the associated criteria. Note: All points based on calendar year 2023.
- Attends a chapter leadership training session: 1
- Growing or steady membership: 0
- Offers IMC or VMC Club programs: 0
- Participates in Young Eagle or Flying Start programs: 1
- Has EAA-approved Flight Advisor or Technical Counselor: 1
- Participates in EAA's Annual Chapter Member survey: 1
- Participates in Young Eagles Build and Fly, Young Eagles Workshops, Ray Aviation Scholarship program, or sends a youth to EAA’s Air Academy: 1
- Requests an EAA ChapterBlast email: 1
- Hosts at least two public events each year: 1
- Owns/leases a facility: 1
- Extra credit activity, such as a chapter build project, youth build project, chapter scholarship, a chapter tool crib, IAC competition, etc.: 1
EAA Chapter 54, Inc.’s 2023 Chapter Recognition total is 9 out of 11.
The Next Meeting: Monday April 9
Cinema 54 begins at 4:15 pm with a showing of "Top Gun: Maverick".
The E-Beacon is a semimonthly newsletter highlighting news items from Chapter 54. If you no longer wish to receive the email, you can unsubscribe by sending an mail to facilities@eaa54.org.