EAA Chapter 59 Young Eagles Oct. 25th 2003

Well another Young Eagles event is in the history books.

Our unofficial count stands at 183. A new record for chapter 59.

Despite the fact that mother nature nearly scuttle this event by sending us a cold front from the northwest and several pilots who normally help out opted to sit this one out. When I left Groesbeck at around 07:00 the skies were a nasty shade of gray with ceilings below 1500 feet and visibility under 3 miles.

I opted for the F150 instead of the C-150, (pickup truck instead of Cessna). The fifty mile drive toward Waco increasingly convinced me that my decision was a good one. By the time I got to McGregor the skies over Waco were closer to black than gray. But the intrepid pilots and ground crew of Chapter 59 was not about to let a minor thing like a little gray overcast stop them, especially with a potential of 300 kids beginning to line up at the registration desk.

By 09:00 the registration tent was fully assembled (with the help of the Connelly ROTC bunch) and the pilots had attended to briefing, the skies began to clear enough so the decission was to go, (as if there had ever been any question). By 10:30 the overcast conditions had cleared completely and I was wishing I had flown the airplane over. At least it would have been available if needed.

As it turned out we had 12 pilots and 21 seats. Many thanks to those pilots who did manage to get in and provide the rides for so many new Young Eagles.

Jim Skinner, Jim Hail, Mike Majors, Orlan Scott, Dan Mckee, Jerry Benson, Dick Wales, Tony Sorrentino, James Livingston, Ken Stafford, Charles Wright, and Joel New.

A special thanks and congratulations to Mr.James Kivingston from down around Temple way. James reached his 600th Young Eagles mark today. No small accomplishment.

The shortage of planes and the sheer number of young people wanting rides resulted in some extended waiting times but none of the kids seemed to mind too much. To many of them it was just a good opportunity to get together with others and do something different and fun.

#12

Emmette and the ROTC crew getting set up.

 

#10

The ROTC bunch managed to go first.

#9

And then the fun began.

#7

And then another buss load showed up.

 

#6

Reaching the 600 YE mark

Congratulations.

#5

And then he kept going.

#4

Dick Wales must have flown 60 kids by himself.

 #8

#2

Chapter 59 and Young Eagles members got rides in both the helicopter and Jim Hails RV-6A

#1

These two young Chapter members worked all day helping out in several different areas. So I guess I can't complain too much about them getting my turn in the RV-6.

#13

Registrations tent

#14

 

#15

groups of kids

#16

and more kids

#17

and still more kids

#18

and then some more kids.

#19

The Air-Boss was on hand to make sure everything went well.

#20

EAA Chapter 59 member and YE Tabitha (Taby) Williams provided candy bars to the kids after departure.

 

Just in case anyone has any doubts about what this is all about, I managed to take a minute to ask one of the Region 12 teachers that went to the CAP seminars if she thought the programs were getting a good response from her students and if she thought it was ever going to make a difference.

That simple little question resulted in a five minute dissertation on how well the materials were being received in the classroom, and how several students had already began relating what she was teaching in the classroom to what was going on out here. The connections between math/science and the real world of aviation were being made eminently visible and understandable to her students once they had an opportunity to get a ride in a real airplane.

Just thought you'd like to know.

From The President of Chapter 59, Emmette Craver.

To all members of Chapter 59

What a blessed day for flying. The weather was forecastto be bad. All week the terrible weekend was forecast
and as late as this morning the weather man was calling for gusty winds and rain.
We had a low thin ceiling when I got to the airport at about 8 AM. By the time the pilots finished there
briefing and went to the airplanes at about 9:30 the weather was beginning to break. It turned into a beautiful blue sky day. The wind stayed down until the flying was all done and then it started to kick up about 4:30 PM. Our October 25 Young Eagle Rally is the best one we have ever had. Weather was perfect and number of youngsters flown is the biggest number we have ever had.
Our buses arrived on time and we had a lot of walk-ins. When the dust settled, we had flown 183 Young Eagles.
MY HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WORKING TODAY. THIS EVENT WENT OFF JUST AS PLANNED AND ALL CHAPTER 59 MEMBERS AT THE AIRPORT PULLED THEIR SHARE OF THE LOAD.

I have to compliment the Connally ROTC group. They showed up about 8:30 and jumped right in helping to set up and get things ready. It was like a swarm of hungry ants on a dead grasshopper. The tables and chairs were off the trailer and set up in minutes.

The tent went up the best it has ever been erected. This ROTC group is a real bunch of workers and their leader offered to help us with our events. Guys we need to invite this group to our meetings and get them into our activities. I have never seen such a great bunch of willing hands.


I guess Phil Grisham has not lost his touch with getting good weather for the events he is "Flying Boss" for. Thanks Phil. I know it tired you out pretty bad being with us today. But, it was nice to see you and your presence at every event is always good.


Emmette E. Craver
EAA Chater 59 President