122.75, by J. Rion Bourgeois
Breakfast Report
Attendance was up to 185 at the May breakfast. This is about average for pre-pandemic attendance. We now have 8 regular volunteers for the 7 a.m. shift, and 6 regulars for the 9 a.m. shift, so things run very smoothly, and the line is short. Cliff Gerber’s website and e-mail protocol for filling the volunteer roster is working very well. If you decide to occasionally volunteer for a breakfast, there will be plenty of seasoned hands to guide you, and you will enjoy yourself.
Monthly Chapter Meeting Report
There was a large turnout for the annual chapters meeting at Van’s Aircraft. All three local chapters were represented. I would guesstimate at least 100 attendees. In any event, all 15 family size pizzas provided by Van’s Aircraft were fully consumed. Rian Johnson and Greg Hughes brought us up to date on what’s new at Van’s AC: a larger punch press, huge gantry router and a new paint booth on the factory floor; the pandemic led to a surge of kit orders, so they are up to 140 full time employees, and are looking to hire 4 new tig welders. They are still fine tuning the design of the RV-15. Dick Van Grunsven shared a few words of wisdom, and urged chapter members to become active in chapter activities. He said he is often asked if he is still working. He reported that he is not as active as he was in the past in day to day management, but still comes into the office on occasion. (I later caught him rummaging through the discard bin next to the punch press: no doubt trying to keep the price of kits down.) I inquired of the management team if the RV-16 would be powered by twin engines, a jet, or an electric motor, not to start any rumors, but just to be the first to ask. Rian Johnson deflected the question, so I can honestly report no manner of propulsion has been ruled out at this time. Take that, Avweb and Youtube! You have been scooped! Greg Hughes, Rian Johnson, Brian Hickman and Kelsey Hickman led factory tours and we were allowed to examine the RV-15 prototype up close. I can’t wait to get a test ride in the final iteration factory demonstrator. Sitting on the ramp, it appears ready to leap into the air. Thanks, Van’s Aircraft, for hosting EAA 105 and the other local chapters.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Upcoming events, including the Poker Run (8/27/23), Pie Auction (11/9/23), Holiday Banquet (1/12/24) and the First Saturday of Every Month Pancake and Grits Breakfast are on the chapter website EAA105.org under the “Calendar” tab. I hope to see y’all at the next Saturday breakfast on June 3, 2023 and the next monthly chapter meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2023. There will be Young Eagle Events after the June, July, August and September breakfasts at Twin Oaks. Details are on the website. The Cessna 120 project group meets on Saturdays and the Build and Fly youth program meets on Sundays at the chapter’s project hangar G1 at Twin Oaks. Details and contact information is available on our website.