Chapter Newsletter Nov/Dec 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
No meeting this month
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Our annual Christmas party will once again be hosted by Alejandra and Tony Babb. Saturday Dec. 13 at 1pm
LOCATION
3135 Thomas Grade, Morgan Hill
DIRECTIONS
From Hwy 101 – East on East Dunne to the top of the hill and left on Thomas Grade (3rd or 4th house on R) (You can also take Thomas Grade up the hill if you like crooked roads) RSVP 408-835-9500.
Bring finger foods or a bottle of your favorite wine or other beverage.
Car pool if possible – parking is tight. Mark your calendar – the Babb’s always put on a fabulous party!!!
AIRPORT NEWS
The City Council has established the position of Airport Director and appointed Mike Chambless to this position. In less than a year Mike has accomplished more than was done in the previous three years. Hollister Airport is now in good hands and the city manager should let the director run the airport as a fully independent entity.
Our AWOS is now internet accessible at www.anyawos.com/kcvh) Deane Judd assisted in getting this service, thanks Deane.
HAA CHRISTMAS PARTY The Hollister Airmen’s annual Christmas party will be held at:
Paines Rest.
421 East St.
Hollister
Sunday, December 7. No host drinks at 5:30, chicken buffet 6:30. Bring a wrapped $10 gift to participate in the gift drawing. Cost: $22 per person. Mail to Ruth Erickson, 1430 Albright Dr. Hollister 95023 before Nov. 30 .
Everyone is invited, always a good turn-out!
YOUR PRESIDENT IS STEPPING DOWN.
By my count I have been president five or six of the nine years since we started the chapter and the time has come to appoint a new president.
The EAA has a guide to assist chapters in setting goals and it begins with an assessment of the chapters’ weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and challenges. At the top of the list I would put old and tired leadership as our number one weakness. It is up to the membership to change this and to make the chapter better and stronger by sharing the work and getting new leadership. Our membership has been constant and the number of active pilots and builders has also been steady even though the amount of flying is down due to the high fuel prices and other economic factors.
Second on the list of weaknesses I would put not having a home base – a meeting place on the airport.
One of our main strengths is in having affordable hangar space and rules that allow us to repair, maintain and build our planes. The new management has recognized the role of sport aviation at our airport, and the do-it-yourself nature of EAA.
Hollister continues to have more flying and non-flying activity than any other small airport around, even as general aviation continues its decline. But what makes Hollister such an active airport hasn’t necessarily been good for our chapter because the war birds, vintage, gliders and ultralights all have their own EAA organizations. At other airports most sport aviation pilots would be in one EAA chapter, and with a meeting facility on the airport we may be able to attract more members from these other groups.
There is still a place for a regular chapter here at Hollister – who else would fly the Young Eagles, or sanction and insure an event, or have as many hangar parties? We have our weaknesses but we also have a lot going for us, and if we can look at the challenges as opportunities and find new leadership, we can build on what we have. Ed.