EAA Chapter 87 Meeting Minutes - May 11, 2025
The May meeting was held at Brunswick Executive Airport. Vice President David Beemer called the meeting to order at 1905.
The following members were in attendance:
Dave Beemer
Richard DeVito
Seth Gelineau
Russell Keith
Lincoln Benedict
Charlie Gabelmann
Tom Muller
Andrew Constantine
Andy Roberts
John Paynter
Ian Bugler
SECRETARY’S REPORT
The minutes from the meeting of April 2025 were presented and read.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The treasurer reported a total of $5666.43 on hand. Dave Beemer was troubled by the "666" and gave the treasurer $1 to change the number.
There was discussion of moving cash to CDs or other investment accounts. Moved & passed that the treasurer could do so as long as the account was FDIC/NCUA insured.
MEMBERSHIP
Club has 28 members, 26 are current (paid or exempt.)
Visitor John Paynter joined the chapter and paid dues. He has a blue 1958 Skyhawk at KBXM.
Upon John's payment of dues, Dave Beemer asked for his $1 back.
OLD BUSINESS
Banner - Lincoln has added the club logo & Young Eagles logo to the banner. Andy reminded that printing of the banner has already been approved.
Members reviewed assignments for the June Young Eagles event. Pilots & planes expected include Andy, John Paynter, Russ, and Beemer. Lincoln is maintaining the list on a spreadsheet.
Dave will ask Jim Nall about opening the gate.
NEW BUSINESS
Charlie reported that a many-years collection of Sport Aviation magazine is available to donation. The club chooses to pass.
Richard reported the need to file a non-profit with the state. He will work with Ian to get it filed.
There was discussion of potential need for bylaw updates. Tabled until June.
Suggested that we ask EAA for free pens.
GENERAL
It was noted that Scott Royal works on experimental aircraft.
EAA736 (Pittsfield) is having a build day on June 7. There will also be a fundraiser for the Commemorative Air Force on June 28.
There was discussion of Rob Holland's fatal crash. Several members met him at the last airshow at KBXM.
PROJECTS
Dave presented & discussed the L&R 1402 for his RV-14A.
Andrew discussed Craig Wade's Junior Ace. Craig hopes to have his private by AirVenture.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2030
EAA Chapter 87 Meeting Minutes - April 8, 2025
The April meeting was held at Brunswick Executive Airport. Vice President David Beemer called the meeting to order at 1905.
The following members were in attendance:
Dave Beemer
Richard DeVito
Andy Roberts
Lincoln Benedict
Ian Bugler
SECRETARY’S REPORT
The March event was a presentation by Andy Roberts and did not include a formal business meeting. The minutes from the meeting of February 2025 were presented and read. The secretary will work to get reports posted to the club’s website.
TREASURER’S REPORT
In the absence of the treasurer, no report was presented.
OLD BUSINESS
- Andy Robert’s presentation on his flight to Alaska was well received, attracted a number of guests. The club expressed appreciation to Andy.
- Andy discussed the value of EAA membership. He has saved more from travel benefits than he paid in dues.
Ian added that he had saved the cost of dues when visiting the Museum of Science in Boston.
- The club’s new banner was discussed.
NEW BUSINESS
There was a discussion about the club sending Andrew Constantine and David Beemer to EAA Leadership training in Oshkosh (not during AirVenture.) EAA 736 in Pittsfield would share some of the cost, especially for Andrew who is also a member of their chapter.
The trivia question from David Beemer was about a fridge magnet from NASA. He received it for making a recommendation in an ASRS filing that was adopted.
ASRS =Aviation Safety Reporting System
PROJECTS
Dave Beemer shared a rivet gauge that indicates (among other things) “how squished” the rivet is.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1940
EAA Chapter 87 Meeting - March 11, 2025
No business meeting was held. Andrew Roberts gave a presentation "Maine to Alaska in a Sportsman - A Private Pilot Guide for Newcomers"
Topics included routes to Alaska, preparation, Canadian procedures and lessons learned. The meeting was well attended with a number of guests, and the presentation was well received.
EAA Chapter 87 Meeting Minutes - February 11, 2025
The meeting was held at Brunswick Executive Airport. President Leo LeClair called the meeting to order at 19:02.
The following members were in attendance:
Leo LeClair Tom Muller
Dave Beemer Charlie Gabelmann
Richard DeVito Andrew Constantine
Seth Gelineau Ian Bugler
Russell Keith
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Reading of the minutes from the meeting of January 2025 were waived.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The treasurer reported that membership stands at 28 with 18 paid through 2025.
OLD BUSINESS
Leo asked how strong our cash reserves should be and “where is our red line?” Discussion ensued about fundraising events, raffle tickets, and corporate donations. Tom Muller expressed his opinion on fundraising by handing the treasurer a check. There were comments about need for clarity of our vision for the club and the programs it should fund.
Andrew reported that funds are available from EAA to partially reimburse clubs for Young Eagle events. Some EAA communications are sent by “snail mail.” We need to check with Jim Nall at the FBO to receive that mail.
NEW BUSINESS
There was discussion of event scheduling, and recommendations from Lisa Reese (Maine Aeronautics Association) about dates to avoid. Decided dates are:
- March 11 EAA87 meeting w/ presentation by Andrew Roberts on his flight to Alaska
- June 14 Young Eagles Event at KBXM (no rain date)
- July 8 EAA87 meeting at Flight Deck Brewing (instead of at FBO)
- September 9 EAA87 meeting & BBQ at Russ’s hangar at KLEW
- October 4 Young Eagles Event at KIWI (rain date Oct. 5)
GENERAL
- Andrew Constantine was awarded club MVP for 2024 for his work in organizing finances and more.
- Members discussed the possibility of doing a joint riveting workshop with EAA736. The club will work on providing a riveting demonstration in Leo’s trailer at the June Young Eagles event.
- Vice President David Beemer is taking care of the IRS Non-Profit report filing.
- Charlie Gabelmann jumped off a cliff … and provided photos of paragliding at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
- Leo’s Trivia: What does a “Winds Aloft” report of 9900 represent?
Light & variable wind or wind speeds of less than 5 knots.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 20:32
EAA Chapter 87 Meeting Minutes - January 14, 2025
Meeting called to order: 1907
Attendance was light this evening, with no vice president or secretary present. The treasurer recorded the minutes.
Treasurer's Report:
- Checking balance: $1,445.02
- Savings balance: $1,005.20
- 7-month CD: $2,093.90
- Total across all accounts: $4,544.12
- Expenses for December: $452 (chapter dues to national)
- Income for December: $7.85 (interest)
- CD matures on March 15th, likely to be renewed
- Membership: 28 members, 2 have paid for 2025. Several more paid at the meeting, invoices will be going out soon.
- Treasurer's report accepted by vote
Membership Dues:
- $25 for individuals, $30 for families
- PayPal, Venmo, Cash and check are options available for payment
Financial Discussion:
- Concern raised about long-term financial sustainability
- Suggestion to explore additional revenue streams
- Discussion on potential fundraising ideas (raffles, events)
- Comparison made to other EAA chapters' finances, what do we do differently?
- Discussion about chapter credits for Young Eagles
Event Planning
- Motion by Andy Roberts to create a new chapter banner, not to exceed $150. Second by Russ Keith. Motion passed unanimously
- Proposal to host coffee and donuts event at Auburn-Lewiston Airport
- Treasurer to contact Lisa Reese about potential date.
Project updates
- Andrew Constantine shared an update about his ground school progress, no written date has been scheduled but anticipates mid-march
- Craig Wade shared updates about his Junior Ace restoration. He has a set of wings from another aircraft that will work on the ace, they’ve been stripped, some ribs need to be replaced. A rib jig has been made and strips cut.
Trivia question: What time is it at the north pole?
Meeting adjourned 20:15
Action Items:
- Treasurer to investigate chapter finances for 2024 vs. 2025 comparison
- Members encouraged to brainstorm fundraising ideas for next meeting
- Treasurer to contact Lisa Reese about coffee and donuts event dates
