Vol. 10, No. 3 - March 21, 2008

We've changed the layout and design to make your e-newsletter more accessible. The changes mirror some of the changes we've made here at EAA headquarters in Oshkosh. If you read the Chapters article in the January issue of EAA Sport Aviation, you know that EAA has re-organized some staff roles to better serve members. Included in the re-organization was an expanded role for the EAA Publications Department, which now includes delivering print, web and e-newsletter content to members. The change has allowed us to improve your magazines and web sites, and more fully support EAA's Warbirds, International Aerobatic, and Vintage divisions, and our affiliate the National Association of Flight Instructors. It has also helped us launch several new electronic initiatives, including a Learn to Fly e-newsletter (go to www.eaa.org/newsletters for more information). It's also helping us take a more integrated view of the world of EAA to better support other groups, such as Chapters.

Chapter Administrator Brenda Anderson has done a great job through the years producing ChapterGram, and her hard work will continue to be at the heart of your newsletter and will help to guide our hands as we produce it for you. Our first step was to give the newsletter a new look and some additional features. In coming months, you'll see other features added to help provide you with the tools you need to keep your Chapter strong.

But Chapter E-Gram is more than a newsletter that brings you information from Oshkosh, it is more meaningfully a mechanism for Chapters to share your successes, ideas, challenges and questions with each other. This is your newsletter, so help us help you use it. Have a question? We'll get an answer. Keep us in mind, take pictures at your next event, jot down a few words and drop us a line. Tell us what works. Share the tips that make your Chapter a success. Or let us know what you tried that didn't work as well as expected.

As part of the redesign, we introduce a new feature we hope to share as often as possible. It's called "From the Newsletters." Among the many Chapter newsletters that cross the staff's desks each month, there are a number of articles that would appeal to the entire Chapter family. We will collect them and your Chapter may download each one and use it in your newsletter or on your web site. If you come across an interesting item for From the Newsletters, please share it by sending it to us at Chapters@EAA.org. This month, we thank Paul Fiebich, EAA 577724, for his contribution: A Toggle Switch Lock.

And before I introduce the Chapters team, let me also thank you for all you do as EAAers.

David Hipschman, EAA Director of Publications - dhipschman@EAA.org
EAA Lifetime Member 572693
  

Steve Buss - Director, EAA Chapters and Young Eagles
EAA#317080
Most people know Steve in his role as director of the Young Eagles program, a position he has held since 1995. Prior to that he was part of EAA's Marketing and Communications Department, serving several PR and marketing roles. He joined the staff in 1988.

The success of Young Eagles has been in large part due to the tremendous support the program has enjoyed from EAA's Chapters. While well-versed on Young Eagles, Steve says he is looking forward to broadening his knowledge of Chapters and seeking new ways to support local activities. "Chapters are the foundation on which much of EAA's success was built. And strong, successful Chapters will support the organization in the future."

Since soloing a Piper Cub off grass, he has logged more than 600 hours and flown more than 200 Young Eagles. Steve is also the vice president of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Alumni Association.

Brenda Anderson - Chapter Administrator - banderson@EAA.org
EAA 650581
Brenda has been a part of the EAA Chapter Office since 1999. She and her husband, Eric, own a hot air balloon and enjoy participating in balloon rallies throughout the summer. "One of the biggest pleasures in working with Chapters is to have the privilege of connecting with all of the wonderful members around the country and the world. Through working with so many Chapter members and leaders over the last eight years, I have been able to see the incredible passion and dedication that they devote to their local Chapters and EAA. I'm fortunate to have a job that allows me to work so closely with such wonderful people."

Michelle Kunes - Young Eagles Program Administrator - mkunes@EAA.org
EAA 624787
When Michelle graduated from college in 1994 with a degree in Elementary Education, she joined EAA for what she thought would be a summer job assisting the EAA Chapter Office. When the "teaching job" didn't materialize that fall, she continued working part time at EAA and substitute teaching. In October of 1995, she accepted a full-time position with the Young Eagles office.

"I took the position thinking I would keep looking for that teaching job, she said. "Now 13 years later, I am happy to say I feel we have touched far more young people's lives in a positive way than I would have in a classroom. I have met people from all over the world and many of them have become dear friends. I feel like I have come full circle and look forward to becoming part of the EAA Chapter Team".

Ron Wagner - Manager, EAA Field Relations - rwagner@EAA.org
EAA 30248
Ron has been a proud EAA member since 1967 - even before he skipped his last final exam in college to attend the EAA Fly-In in Rockford, Illinois. Since that time, he has been an active EAA and chapter member, currently belonging to EAA Chapter 252 in Oshkosh.

"My first career was as a high school teacher in Pennsylvania, where I got involved with EAA Chapter 161, serving as president and fly-in manager. I've enjoyed my involvement in several building and restoration projects including a Long-EZ, two Schweizer Gliders, a Piper Colt, and an Aeronca Champ." Additionally, Ron ran an FBO for several years, and during this time, also started a glider operation.

Ron joined the EAA staff in 2000 as the Program Marketing Manager. Currently, his role keeps him traveling on behalf of EAA representing the organization at major aviation events all over the country. If you have been following the sport pilot movement, chances are you've attended one of Ron's forums on the subject!

Leslie Kochie - Administrative Assistant - EAA Member and Chapter Relations Office
EAA 656260
Leslie began working for EAA in 2000 and aids in the support of Chapter leaders, members, and the Chapter Office staff. You will often find Leslie as the first point of contact on the Chapter phone line, assisting members in finding a local Chapter.

  
LuAnn Check - Young Eagles Data Entry Specialist
EAA 849099
LuAnn joined the staff in 2005 and is responsible for entering all the Young Eagle flight registration information into the World's Largest Logbook.

“No person may flight test an aircraft except over open water, or sparsely populated areas, having light air traffic.”

The ruling forces several EAAers who are nearing completion of their projects to make their first flights elsewhere, potentially adding more expense - and certainly complexity - to finishing their airplanes.  Read more

The package includes an award overview, nominating instructions, and nomination forms. The awards include:

• EAA Major Achievement Award
• EAA Newsletter Editor Award
• EAA Web Editor Award
• EAA Young Eagles Awards

Nominations are due May 31, 2008.

Please note that the Newsletter Editor Award nomination requires copies of the March, April, and May newsletters to be submitted along with the nomination form. The forms can also be downloaded from the web at: http://www.eaa.org/chapters/programs/awards.asp.

2007 Chapter Award Recipients
2007 Young Eagle Award Recipients

So don't wait, get your Chapter's nominations in today!

Take part in 'EAA Day' on Wednesday, April 9, featuring special offers at EAA Member Village. EAA Founder Paul Poberezny is scheduled to speak at the Sun 'n Fun Museum that afternoon. Later, EAA members are invited to attend a special program entitled "Catch the Spirit," an evening presentation featuring Tom and Paul Poberezny. The program will begin at 7:45 p.m. at the Sun 'n Fun Pavilion, located near the museum.

In addition, Steve Buss, Chapter and Young Eagles Director, will host two forums.

EAA Young Eagles Forum
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 9 a.m.
Location: Tent #4

EAA Chapter Leadership Forum
Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 9 a.m.
Location: Tent #3

EAA volunteer experts and staff will present forums on homebuilding, sport pilot, insurance, ultralights and more. Check the Sun 'n Fun forum schedule for complete details.

You are invited to stop by EAA Member Village, where you can purchase advance tickets for EAA AirVenture 2008 (receive a free copy of Oshkosh: The Spirit of Aviation DVD when you buy your tickets at Sun 'n Fun); see the new EAA Calendar of Events in action; receive free online aircraft insurance quotes; enter the Share the Spirit Sweepstakes for a chance to win the Grand Prize Cirrus SR-20 or second prize RotorWay International's A600 Talon kit; and check out exclusive EAA merchandise.

If you can't be there in person, the EAA Publications staff will be filing daily reports - including daily editions of e-Hotline - from the fly-in, so visit www.EAA.org throughout the week.

For more Sun 'n Fun information, visit www.sun-n-fun.org.

If your Chapter earned credits, but has not yet received the package, please contact the Young Eagles Office, yeagles@eaa.org or 877-806-8902.

If your Chapter will not be sending someone to an Academy session, check with the Chapters around you to see if they need credits for an Academy attendee. You may also return the credits to the Air Academy office where they will be used for a general scholarship pool.

Need more information on the Air Academy? Visit www.airacademy.org

By the way, the EAA Air Academy celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Watch for details on an anniversary celebration at AirVenture.