Chapter Banquet with Former SR-71 Pilot Huge Success!

Last Tursday evening Chapter 838 members, families and guests turned out en masse to celebrate our successes over the past year and to look towards the future - while enjoying some great food as well! To the background of guitar music and lively conversation, more than 120 guests filled our hangar to socialize with each other, present our annual awards and this year to hear and see a presentation by Jerry Glasser, former SR-71 pilot.

Jerry related his experiences in learning about the plane, exploring its limits and having fun all the while. The passion in his voice was evident, and he was able to convey the significance of and strategic importance of this legendary aircraft. He followed his presentation with a short, energetic video to provide inspiration to all present. We thank Jerry for taking the time to visit us and tell us his story.

For those who would like more, here is a different presentation by Jerry Glasser on the SR-71 engine!

The 2024 Founder’s Award winner was Ken Sack for everything he has done. From being Treasurer for many, many years to leading the Explorer Base Camp at Airventure to pulling together the Pancake Breakfast for many years to just always stepping in to coordinate volunteers for Chapter events as well as always selling something for the Chapter ($20 anyone?).

Our heartfelt thanks and congratulations go out to both of them as well as to all those who were recognized for their contributions.

Weekly Shop Night

Have you ever wanted to learn how to pull a rivet? Are you mechanically inclined but have no space at home to build things? Are you interested in just seeing the internal workings of an airplane?

If any of these apply to you, or if you are just curious, join our intrepid Monday Night Mechanics each Monday from 7:00 pm until folks get tired.

We recently rebuilt an engine and completing an aircraft begun by one of our members who unfortunately passed before the plane was finished. The aircraft will eventually hang in our museum in memory of the late, great Roy Stuart.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Glen Malkmus, our Shop Coordinator.

Under 18? Please make sure to bring a responsible adult with you.

Blue Skies, Dave

It is with sorrow that I inform the many of you who don't know of the passing of our own David Finstad.

Dave was many things to many people. On the aviation side of his life, Dave was the owner/operator of Centurion Aviation, the largest flight school on our airport.

Dave was a long-time Chapter member, and volunteered his time freely. He was on the Chapter 838 Board of Directors for many years, he could be seen flipping pancakes when needed, and he was just generally all-around helpful and cheerful. Most of the time, Dave was in a good mood, but when he was upset about some injustice or some legislative hassle for pilots, he could get up a good head of steam.

Most of all, Dave was a friend. Saturday mornings at his hangar could always be counted on for a cup of coffee, a doughnut and some good old hangar flying.

For information about honoring Dave's life, you can click on this link to the funeral home.