EAA Florida Warbird Squadron 24

Whether you fly or simply enjoy airplanes and aviation, you are welcome to attend our events and join our Squadron. Please come to our next meeting or event as our guest.

NEW LOCATION: LAKELAND, FL

IMPORTANT:

The February 12 meeting/event has been postponed. Check back for updates.

DUES: If you have not submitted your 2022 dues, please do so to stay a member in good standing. We thank you all for your continued support.

Meetings are Now Fly-In Events Too

In an effort to make meetings more valuable, the Squadron will be combining future meetings with a flying event. While the format is still being formulated, it is anticipated that a combination of a fly-in cookout, formation practice, and coordinating demonstration "hops" in Squadron member aircraft will be part of the mix.

Also, based on our experience with Zoom Meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working to keep them part of the meeting format. We hope this will allow our members from across the State and around the Country the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of Squadron events when they unable to join in person.

Squadron Headquarters Relocation

The Squadron has relocated operations to the EAA Warbird of America Building on the Sun 'n Fun campus in Lakeland. This Central Florida location will make meetings and events accessible to more of the Squadron's statewide membership. The adjacent Warbird ramp also provides plenty of room for aircraft of all sizes for fly-in activities and meetings.

COMMANDER'S MESSAGE

I am pleased with the turnout at the Sun n Fun Holiday Fly In Festival. I want to thank all who attended and for putting on a show of professionalism. To all our ground crew volunteers you did an excellent job. With the new facilities here at KLAL I see a future of growth. As I am only minutes away from the Warbird Building, should members wish to utilize the building for education or just a place to fly to, feel free to call me. The Warbird ramp is rarely used and with seven acres of parking there is never a problem. Fly safe and look for future events for us to all get together. Doug Freeman Commander / President EAA Warbird Squadron24

Squadron Gathering a Success!

December 3rd and 4th saw approximately 25 warbirds gather at the Squadron 24 December Fly-In Gathering and Membership Meeting. The ramp was filled with a wide variety of aircraft including Nanchang CJ-6s, Yak 52s, Beech T-34s, Aero Vodochody L-39s, Scottish Aviation Bulldogs, SOCATATB-30s, North American Navions, Boeing Stearmans and a MiG-17. Static displays included a NOAA Beech King Air, NOAA de Havilland Twin Otter and a US Navy Boeing/BAE T-45 Goshawk.

The Busy Ramp at the Squadron 24 Gathering & Fly-In

Formation flying was coordinated by a number of groups and a great time was had by all. Many thanks to everyone who flew in to enjoy the weekend, our always outstanding marshalling team and the volunteers that kept things moving throughout the weekend.

Welcome New Members!

The Squadron is pleased to welcome the following new members: Jack Eades, Zephyrhills, FL Kenneth Hewes, Tampa, FL Ken Higgins, Lakeland, FL Miroslav Nikolich, Sarasota, FL Tony Remudo, Weston, FL Alex Zaunere, Melbourne Beach, FL Thank you for joining Squadron 24, we look forward to seeing you at upcoming events!

It's Membership Dues Time

It's that time of year again, membership dues for 2022 are due. Checks can be made payable to Florida Warbirds EAA Warbird Sq. 24, Inc. Dues are $25 per person or $35 family. Our new payment address is: Florida Warbirds EAA Warbird Sq. 24, Inc. EAA Warbird Squadron 24, Inc. 4075 James C. Ray Drive Lakeland, FL 33811 Florida Warbirds is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation.

Squadron Officers & Board Members for 2022

At the December Squadron meeting the following Officers and Board Members were elected:

Doug Freeman, President
Matt Lazar, Vice President
Mike Daughtry, Secretary
Steve Ritzi, Treasurer
Gary Donovan, Director
Dennis O'Keefe, Director

New Squadron Membership Chair

New Squadron Member Ken Hewes has volunteered as the Squadron's new Membership Chair. For those of you who don't know Ken, he is based at Tampa Executive Airport (KVDF) and flies N312NM a beautiful 1947 North American Navion. The airplane is painted in a US Navy paint scheme honoring Attack Squadron 23 (VA-23), the Black Knights. Ken will also be assisting with Squadron event planning and coordination. Should you know anyone who is interested in joining the Squadron, Ken may be reached at: kenheweslmt@yahoo.com

Florida Wardbirds Seeks Social Media Editor

If you have an interest in supporting the Squadron through volunteer activities, we have an opening for a Social Media Editor. If you enjoy working with people, have a knack for content creation and experience with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, SnapChat, TikTok, and other social media platforms, we'd like to hear from you! For more information please feel free to contact us at wbsquadron24@gmail.com.

Items for Squadron News?

Do you have any news you'd like to share with the Squadron? Please feel free to email warbird news, photos or stories to steve@ritzi.com.

Support the Squadron with Amazon Smile

If you are an Amazon member, its easy to support the Squadron by shopping at www.smile.amazon.com .A portion of every purchase made will will go to the Squadron when you select Florida Warbirds EAA Warbird Squadron 24, Inc. as your preferred charity!