Solo Cross Country Memories Come Flooding Back
I recently had the opportunity to fly down to Chapter 838 in Racine, Wisconsin, with Brian O’Lena (manager of EAA Young Eagles and youth pathways) for its Young Eagles rally. Landing at Racine brought back many fond memories of my first solo cross country, when I flew from Racine to Janesville to Rockford and back to Racine. Read more

• Updates Made to Chapter Request for Insurance Form
• Chapter 91 Comes to Aid of AirVenture Aviator
• Chapter 240 Member to Receive Delaware Youth Achievement Award

First Chapter Eagle Flight Completed
On August 2, Duane Huff of EAA Chapter 690 in Lawrenceville, Georgia, became the first EAA chapter member to fly a potential aviator as part of the Eagle Flights program introduced at AirVenture 2012. Duane’s passenger was 20-year-old Harry Saint-Germain, who has a lifelong interest in aviation and becoming a pilot. Duane, who has flown 670 Young Eagles in his 1947 Aeronca Chief, brought back Eagle Flights information from Oshkosh when the program was introduced here and coordinated with Harry on that first flight. This is the first of what we hope are thousands of Eagle Flights that will inspire adults interested in aviation.

Chapter 105 Hosts First Eagle Flights Rally
On the heels of the first chapter Eagle Flight, EAA Chapter 105 (Hillsboro, Oregon) hosted the first Eagle Flights flight rally on August 11 in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Twin Oaks Airpark (7S3). The collaboration between chapter Eagle Flights coordinator Jan Novak, her team, and the airpark owners resulted in the Pacific Northwest's first 19 Eagle Flights since the program's introduction at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012.

Louie Andrew Retires as EAA Board Chairman
Louie Andrew, who has been part of the EAA board of directors for the past 26 years including the last year as chairman of the board, announced his retirement from the board on August 3. Louie had been chairman of the board's executive committee for the past 10 years. He has participated in aviation since age 14 and originally became involved with EAA as a member of the committee that organized the International Aerobatic Club competition that took place in Fond du Lac for many years immediately following the EAA fly-in convention. Board member Dan Schwinn, who chairs the board's governance committee, will lead the comprehensive process of selecting a new chairman at the fall board meetings in November. We thank Louie for all his service to EAA and wish him the best of times with his new grandchildren.

Air Academy Wraps Up Successful Summer
EAA's Air Academy wrapped up its 2012 summer sessions last week in Oshkosh, with a record 378 young people participating in the various week-long sessions for those ages 12-18. Thanks to those chapters who encouraged and sponsored youths to be a part of this rewarding and inspiring experience. We’ll be reviewing this year’s operations to make improvements in 2013, which will feature an additional advanced camp to be scheduled in August.

History of EAA, History of Your Chapter
Here in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of your organization. Many EAA chapters are celebrating 50-plus years along with us. EAA Founder Paul Poberezny has kept an amazing collection of EAA and aviation mementos over the past 60 years. I’m amazed each time I visit the Founders’ Wing Library to see all of the items that he has collected over the years. Read more

Next issue of ChapterGram will be delivered on Tuesday, September 4.