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MAY Business Meeting Wednesday, May 7, 2008, Auburn-Lewiston Airport (LEW) Auburn, ME, 6:30-8:30 |
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Links Section
Chapter Events & Seminars
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2007 Katahdin Wings Chapter 2007 Highlights: Informative seminars, successful fundraisers, Air Race timing, scholarships, Poker Runs and four new members
A Safety Seminar
January’s meeting highlight was the awarding of the Katahdin Wings Internal Scholarship. This year’s lucky recipient was Jenny Jorgensen. Februray was another Saturday morning fly-to meeting at Augusta State Airport, though the weather was not cooperative, as winds howled to 25+ mph. Details of the March Safety Seminar were finalized: it would be led by Mary Build, entitled “Working Together With In-Flight Emergencies,” be co-sponsored with Twin Cities Air and the FAA, and held at Auburn-Lewiston Airport. It was to be an interactive evening of safety discussion and lessons using scenario-based training — a great opportunity to learn how to handle in-flight emergencies, exercise aeronautical decision-making, crew resource management and situational awareness while learning from others based on their responses to the in-flight emergency scenarios.
The March 1st seminar was well-attended, with about 40 people present. New Future Woman Pilot member Christy Hemenway was introduced to the Katahdin Wings members and the pilot community on this evening as well. All members contributed munchies so the refreshment table offered a bountiful variety. Membership Chair Marsha Taylor noted that many of The 99 and Katahdin Wings flyers she brought were picked up and taken.
April lived up to its “cruelest month” reputation as a string of strong storms started on the night of April meeting. The meeting was cancelled, but members continued working behind the scenes. Earlier in the day the Ace Camp Committee, led by Debbie Lymneos and including Jacki Rogers and Twyla Rogers, met and finalized their promotion plans, application process, and deadline. Also in April, Sophie Strout joined the chapter, and membership information was sent to an interested party who had attended the Daniel-Webster Aviation Expo.
Outreach Continues
In early May, Claire Holmblad and Lori Plourd visited a six grade science class in Freeport, where they shared their aviation knowledge and experiences, and some history of The 99s.
The May meeting was another fly-to Saturday meeting at Biddeford Airport. Details of the June 9th Seaplane Safety Expo were be finalized: this will be a day-long event featuring seminars on Aging Pilots; Finding Downed Pilots presented by Civil Air Patrol; Loss of Control; and Survival Equipment Scenarios led by Mary Build, who will provide senarios of survival after a crash. This is always an outstanding opportunity for Katahdin Wings to get exposure in the pilot community and raise funds with the sale of raffle tickets (top prize is a David Clark headset) and collect donations for a barbeque hamburger and hot dog lunch. New member Sophie Strout had an opportunity to attend this meeting and be introduced to the chapter.
In June, the Katahdin Wings celebrated their 14th Anniversary. A dinner at the Saltwater Grille in South Portland was very well-attended. The following weekend the Annual New England Seaplane Safety Expo took place, under a blanket of gray skies. That didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm and attendance was good, with approximately 80 attendees. A hamburger and hot dog lunch was provided by Katahdin Wings’ cooks Sophie Strout, Brenda Thibodeau and volunteer Denise Doremus. All Katahdin Wing members present had a responsibility that each took seriously, and too that end, the event took place without any squawks. Raffle tickets for a beautiful handmade quilt featuring blocks of photos of airplanes were a very popular sale item that day. The raffle tickets for a plethora of donated items including a Dave Clark headset and other aviation related products were very popular as well. The Katahdin Wings teamwork made for a smooth and successful operation, making the expo once again an efficient and well-done event.
Later in June, the Air Race Classic made Bangor, Maine one of it’s required stops in the transcontinental race that started in Oklahoma City and ended in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. The fly-over timing line was actually at another nearby airport in Pittsfield, Maine and several Katahdin Wings members traveled to the center of the state to volunteer their time at the timing line. Lori Plourd and Christy Hemenway took timing duties on the first day of the race, and unfortunately, damp weather enroute slowed the race progress and no planes flew over. Mary Build and Claire Holmblad had the next day’s timing duties and they also had better weather, affording them each a flight into Pittsfield and an opportunity to time 18 aircraft that “screamed overhead” at 250 feet above the airport. Later in week, as all the racers gathered in St. John, Mary Build flew in to join them, reuniting with the many friends she made the year before when she and Jenny Jorgensen flew in the Air Race Classic.
Helping fulfill a dream
The July meeting was highlighted by the awarding the two $250 Ace Camp scholarships. This year three young people applied, and it was agreed that the two girls who applied were best qualified. Erin Suprenant and Megan Weymouth submitted their applications on time — and with attention to detail and well-written essays, they were awarded the scholarships.
In August, the long-awaited day of the Section Poker Run got dealt the dreaded three H’s: hazy, hot and humid. While a better weather decision could have been made, the run poker ensued, flown by some hearty souls, including Connecticut Chapter members Peggy Loeffler, Glenna Blackwell, and Leila Baroody, with Mary Build flying in to deliver cards and prizes. Stops at Parlin, Augusta, Bethel and Eastern Slopes airports, all staffed by Katahdin Wings and No. NE Chapter members, experienced light business but the terminus at Emerson Aviation’s North Hangar at Laconia Airport was busy with many more KW, CT, NNE and ENE Chapter members preparing the prize table and sandwich lunch buffet. There was plenty of lunch and many prizes to go around for the good sports that choose to participate. It wasn’t the highest grossing event, but it was a fantastic opportunity to include Northern New England members and get together with old friends and new from the other chapters. Thanks to a call made by Jean Batchelder of the NNE chapter, the Poker Run even got some publicity in the local newspaper when a reporter and photographer arrived to interview the 99s members.
Summer hung on throughout September, and the Greenville International Seaplane Fly-in was enjoyed a late summer heat wave. Mary Build and Debbie Lymneos flying in Mary’s seaplane, and Twyla and Jacki Rogers, flying in Jacki’s seaplane endured another hazy, hot and humid Poker Run over the mountains and lakes of northern Maine. Lori Plourd and Lisa Reece enjoyed an early morning cruise over the town of Greenville in Lisa’s beautiful yellow Cub, complete with a bright red rising sun as a backdrop. Saturday brought many KW members together to watch the seaplane flying events and help staff the KW informational/merchandise booth. The booth was busy on and off throughout the day, and many items including the embroidered seaplane belts, stained glass seaplane ornaments, t-shirts and small aviation toys sold well. Raffle tickets were once again on sale for the handcrafted quilt, and once again proved very popular. This annual event always proves to be a great fund raiser for the KW treasury, and it is also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with chapter members, and enjoy some fun flying.
Two more new members
Fall afforded some time to slow down a relax a bit before another busy year begins. A combined Sept/Oct meeting was held, and plans for hosting the Spring New England Section meeting began, with a committee headed by Jenny Jorgensen with Mary Build and Lori Plourd formed to get things rolling. A date of April 25/26 was set and research into Portsmouth NH area accommodations has begun. In November, new member Lee Ann Baggott, who flies out of Augusta Airport, was introduced to the chapter. The December Saturday fly-to meeting was set for Augusta State Airport and yet again proved to be a “blow-out” with howling winds and blowing snow from the previous day’s early season snowstorm. That didn’t stop the membership from hoppin’ in their four-wheelers and convening in Augusta’s well-appointed meeting room. Special guests that morning included Ace Camp Scholarship recipients Erin Suprenant and Megan Weymouth, and Megan’s mom Diane. Megan and her mom were excited to share with the chapter Megan’s dream of becoming a professional pilot and were happy that she was able to get a good feel for aviation careers available, through the Ace Camp experience. Erin has attended Ace Camp for three years and always has a very enjoyable time. The December meeting also welcomed yet another new member Sheila Carter.
Plans for a great 2008 include, besides the Spring Section Meeting, a chili cook-off safety seminar in March, more fly-outs, outreach and fundraising activities.
The Katadhin Wings 2006 Year in Review
The Katahdin Wings Chapter spent the cold New England winter months planning for our springtime activities, which included the Annual Seaplane Safety Expo, a visit with a VFW chapter, and awarding Ace Camp scholarships. The Seaplane Safety Expo, held on May 20, 2006 at member Mary Build’s seaplane base on Brandy Pond in Naples, Maine, was a huge success. It featured an interactive speaker’s panel with experts from many aspects of aviation. There were also presentations on flying into Canada, as well as mountain flying, and using the performance charts in your POH. There were approximately 108 people in attendance, where once again the teamwork and co-ordination of the Katahdin Wings served up a barbeque hamburger and hotdog lunch in about 20 minutes. The raffle and merchandise table saw a brisk business, and the early morning donuts and coffee where much appreciated. It was our most successful Seaplane Safety Expo to date.
In June, members Claire Holmblad and Lori Plourd visited with a group of Veterans of Foreign Wars to inform them about who and what The 99s are. They were interested helping us spread the word about The 99s, to generate interest in aviation for women. Also in June, one Ace Camp scholarship was awarded, and one was donated to a deserving participant at this year’s Ace Camp. In July, Dustin Fleck, recipient of the scholarship, was a guest at our July 12 business meeting. Dustin enthusiastically shared some of the souvenirs and experiences he gathered while attending the Bangor International Airport-based Ace Camp. His favorite activities were the ride in a Blackhawk helicopter, and the ride-along in the KC-135 Stratotanker while several pilots practiced refueling with the refueling boom at 30,000 feet. Dustin also received the Most Improved award, which garnered him 30 minutes of flight time at Maine Instrument Flight. Dustin looks forward to attending again next year, and eventually becoming a junior counselor in the following years. See more information on this exceptional aviation program for teens.
Also in June, Mary Build and Jenny Jorgensen announced their intentions to fly the 2006 Air Race Classic, June 20-23. The Katahdin Wings proudly supported their efforts. Everyone was kept up-to-date with their progress as they submitted a log of their adventures every few days. Read about their entire trans-continental flight at Mary and Jenny's race log. They were flying a C-182 on amphibs, the first time this type of aircraft has been flown in the Air Race Classic. Yet for being first-time racers, they fared exceptionally well in the race — placing an outstanding fifth! Mary and Jenny were a great team, and extremely excited to meet so many other women pilots and veteran racers.
In August, Brenda Thibodeau and her husband Donnie generously opened their Fryeburg home for a poolside hamburger and hotdog BBQ. Also in attendance were Twyla and her husband Jimmy, Mary and Lori. Twyla and Jimmy took advantage of Brenda’s grass landing strip across the road from her house and flew in their J-3 Cub. It was perfect summer afternoon for socializing, eating, swimming, and flying.
Each September brings the Greenville International Seaplane Fly-In, which is always a great reunion for all pilots and Katahdin Wings members as well. Lori Plourd, Mary Build, Jenny Jorgensen, Jacki Rogers, Twyla Rogers, Lisa Reece, Michelle Guerrette and Debbie Lymneos all attended the festivities and spent time staffing the Katahdin Wings booth, which saw a good amount of activity, offering information about The 99s, and the Katahdin Wings, and merchandise such as the new-this-year seaplane belts, seaplane and vintage aircraft T-shirts, small aviation-related toys and various other items. This is always a great fund-raising activity. The end of the September also gave an opportunity for community out-reach as the Katahdin Wings had a booth at the Fryeburg Airport Day Open House.
It was the Katahdin Wings turn in the rotation of New England Section Chapters to host the Fall Section Meeting. Rockland, Maine was chosen as the location, as it has a nicely appointed county airport and a transportation and aviation museum located ajacent to it. Go to "New England Section Events" for photos and a recap from this event, as well as the joint Spring Section Meeting held in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.
The Katahdin Wings Chapter spent the cold New England winter months planning for our spring/summer activities, which included a Safety Seminar in March, a fly-out to Parlin Airport in N.H. in April, a visit with to a middle school classroom in May, the Annual Seaplane Safety Expo in June, and awarding Ace Camp scholarships.
In November, we were blessed with a clear, cold, (albeit a tad breezy) fly-to Saturday meeting at Eastern Slopes Airport, in Fryeburg. We had outstanding attendance, and four aircraft flew in, piloted by Mary Build, Jacki Rogers (with co-pilot Twyla Rogers), Claire Holmblad, and Michele Guerrette. Planning for the March Safety Seminar began, and it was voted to employ a new stained glass artist to make our exclusive stained glass seaplane ornaments. Another fundraising effort was unfolded as a quilter was assigned a throw-sized aviation-themed quilt project, which will be raffled off in the future. Also we welcomed guest Barbara Walsh, who decided to join and became a Future Woman Pilot member the following month.
December’s business meeting highlight was in keeping with the spirit of the giving season and it was voted to donate to The 99s Endowment Fund, The 99s Museum of Women Pilots and The 99s Headquarters Building Fund. The rest of business meeting was quickly concluded and a Holiday Celebration ensued, featuring delicious munchies and a Yankee Swap.
The Katahdin Wings Remain Busy with Outreach Activities Throughout 2005
In January and March, member and Aviation Safety Counselor, Mary Build, presented two safety seminars. The first was on the topic of the FAA's Industry Training Standards and the second was on Effective Communication at Non-Towered Airports. In May, many members gathered at the Brandy Pond Seaplane Base to present the 3rd Annual Seaplane Safety Expo, a day-long event featuring several speakers, demonstrations and raffle prizes. Katahdin Wings members prepared a barbeque hamburger and hot dog lunch for 150 attendees.
In June, a few members were on hand to staff a booth at Eastern Slopes Airport's Community Airport Day. Information about the 99s was distributed and merchandise was sold for the chapter's scholarship fund. In September, another annual fund-raising activity, the Greenville International Seaplane Fly-In was well-attended by members and fellow pilots alike. It was a very busy day at the Katahdin Wings booth, with merchandise such as seaplane emblazoned T-shirts, stained glass seaplane ornaments, airplane erasers, super balls, magnets, key chains and whirly-gigs flying off the table. It was still a very successful weekend, taking into account the direct competition of a Blue Angels Airshow at the Brunswick Naval Air Base. Member Claire Holmblad was on hand at the Base to distribute 99s information in conjunction with a local FBO.
The outreach continued in October, with the Katahdin Wings sponsoring another safety seminar, Tailwheel Techniques, which was an interactive evening with many tailwheel pilots sharing their ideas and experiences about tailwheel flying.
Back-to-Back Aviation Event Weekends for the Katahdin Wings
The late summer flying activities in Maine got off to a great start, beginning on Sept. 11/12, 2004, at the Greenville Seaplane Fly-In. The weather and turn-out were exceptional, as several Katahdin Wing members gathered to take turns with booth-staffing duties. The information and merchandise booth were well received and business was brisk. This year the merchandise table offered the ever popular airplane photo magnets, and small aviation related trinkets that the kids love. Playing on the seaplane theme of the weekend, beautiful hand-made stained glass seaplane suncatchers were a big hit.
When members weren’t busy at the info booth, they were off enjoying the beautiful late summer weather, watching the seaplanes compete in various flying contests, watching fly-overs of the numerous examples of land and sea craft, or participating in a Poker Run. On Saturday evening there was an awards banquet, where members gathered to cheer on as Mary Build’s husband, Jim, received the Orville Wright Master Pilot award, presented by the Department of Transportation and the FAA.
The following weekend saw a down-turn in weather, as members converged at the Portland Jetport Aeronautical Exposition. But the rainy Saturday and windy Sunday didn’t keep the devoted fans of aviation away, and again the information/merchandise booth enjoyed healthy business on both days. For this event, adult’s and children’s T-shirts designed with warbirds emblazoned on the front were offered, and they immediately flew off the table. The Expo also proved to be an excellent opportunity to promote the Fly for Breast Cancer Cure, as a local TV news reporter was on hand to capture Saturday’s events. The reporter and cameraman stopped by the booth and extensively interviewed Lori Plourd. The interview, which focused on this 99s fund raising event, was on that evening’s news program.
June 12th, 2004 Proves to be a Very Busy Day for Katahdin Wings
June 12 dawned to be a beautiful late spring flying day, and Katahdin Wings members got to play host to seasoned and prospective new pilots alike. In Naples, Maine, several Katahdin Wings 99s gathered to help member Mary Build host a day-long Seaplane Safety Expo at Brandy Pond Seaplane Base (5ME). A little further "downeast" member Lisa Reece participated in a Young Eagles Day held at Knox County Regional Airport in Rockland.
The 2nd Annual Seaplane Safety Expo was sponsored by The Seaplane Pilots Association, the FAA, Naples Flying Service, LLC, Naples Seaplane Service, Inc. the Katahdin Wings, David Clark, Lake-Air, Inc., and Wipaire Inc., with generous contributions from Tony’s Foodland, Dunkin Donuts of Brunswick, and Poland Springs.
75 pilots were in attendance and 25 seaplanes flew in.
The attendees listened while John Wood (ASC manager of the Portland FSDO) presented his seminar on Seaplane Safety, then they enjoyed a DVD of the beautiful scenery of flying in Ketchikan.
A hearty hamburger and hot dog lunch followed, served up quickly and efficiently by Katahdin Wings members.
This left plenty of time to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings of the Brandy Pond Seaplane Base.
The afternoon presentations included "On the Water Operations" by Mary Build and a slide presentation from Telford Allen on his most recent trip to Greenland in his Caravan on Amphib floats. Between presentations many lucky pilots who purchased raffle tickets went home with a variety of aviation-related prizes.
Meanwhile, up the coast in Rockland, the Young Eagles Day was enjoying a healthy turn-out with 60 kids taking flights. Lisa and two other women pilots participated in the flying activities. Lisa was able to fly five Young Eagles (three of them girls) in her J-3 Cub, before afternoon breezes made it too bumpy for comfortable flights. This Young Eagles Day was especially focused on women in aviation, with local Girl Scout troops in attendance. We were very fortunate that Lisa could participate, flying her Cub and offering information about The Ninety-Nines and the Katahdin Wings.
This successful day wrapped up with many a pilot flying away with just a little more seaplane safety knowledge, and a Young Eagle or two gaining more excitement about becoming a pilot themselves.
Katahdin Wings Co-host Successful Seaplane Fly-In & Safety Seminar
In an shining example of teamwork and coordination, the Naples Seaplane base and the Katahdin Wings Chapter of the New England Section 99s co-hosted a very successful day-long Seaplane Fly-In & Safety Seminar on May 10th, 2003 in Naples, Maine. Speakers and topics informing the group of 135 pilots included Don Lagace on seaplane courtesy; John Wood with a safety seminar on human factors; Katahdin Wings member Mary Build on seaplane operations on the water; Telford Allen with a slide presentation on trips to Greenland, the Northwest Passage and the Aleutian Islands; Dr. Paul Tessier spoke on “Preparing for Your Flight Physical” and Keith Strange on buying a used float plane and repairing floats.
Back Row: Lisa Reece, Jenny Jorgensen, Lori Plourd, Mary Build, Jacki Rogers
Front Row: Claire Holmblad, Twyla Rogers, Debbie Lymneous
Left: NAPLES SEAPLANE BASE, Naples, Maine
Right: The crowd was hungry,
so our cooks were very busy
At lunchtime everyone pulled together and served a satisfying meal of barbequed hamburgers and hotdogs. Remarkably everyone was fed and ready for the second half of the presentation in one hour. During the break, raffle tickets were sold for donated prizes including a Wipaire jacket, various handy aircraft supplies, books and Swiss Army Knives. Exhibitors also participating were Wipaire, Inc., Maine Aviation with new Cessna info and GPS display, PK Floats, Warrior (Aero–Marine) with progress report on the new Centaur amphibious plane, Boater's World with emergency safety equipment, and “AVIATION DIGEST” representatives. Twenty-two seaplanes flew to the base to participate. They were professionally handled and parked by the Naples Seaplane Base crew including Mary Tait, Jim Build and Stephan Lind.
Check the Calendar to the left for upcoming FAA sponsored Safety Seminars
