Chapter News
Pages are in order from newest to oldest
VAA Chapter 16
"Flatland Flyers"
"Dedicated to the Preservation and Maintenance of Vintage Aircraft"
Donate Via Credit Card or Paypal
Join / Renew Vaa 16 membership Now
Oshkosh Award Winner!
8/4/2011
8/4/2011 All of us at Gardner Airport and VAA 16 are blessed to have so many award winning aircraft around us, and in our ranks. This last week at Oshkosh when our own Jerry Gippner joined the ranks of John Swander, Cam Blazer, Mike Foot, and Ken Perkins when Jerry won the Outstanding Limited Production - Outstanding In Type award for his 1959 Silvaire Luscombe 8F, N9942C (Lucile).
Congrats to Jerry and Nancy (and Lucile).
Lucile at Oshkosh 2011
BlakesburgSept 2nd 2011
Sept 2nd 2011It was another great year at Blakesburg for 2011. The weather gods smiled upon us and winds were pretty calm until Sunday. Cam Blazer, John Swander, John Kreckovich, and Bob Gandy were a few of the Gardner gang that showed up this year. If you still have never gone, WHY NOT?
Here are some neat photos from Blakesburg off
the AAA website. Kevin
Fly Baby Update Sept 30th 2011
Sept 30th 2011Well were getting so close now, I can smell the av gas.
Tail feathers are trim coated on bottom side and we will be putting the paint on the tops around Oct 4th. Interior is in the capable hands of Bob Anderson to have leather seat done. Engine is completely done and windshield is mounted for the last time. Brakes are all filled and bled and work like a charm. 5 or 6 more Thursday nights and the fuse will be moved to the airport to meet up with the wings later, once they are painted. IT WILL FLY IN THE SPRING! Click the pics below for large view.
Chapter Christmas Party Dec 5th 2011
Dec 5th 2011This years Christmas party was a another great one. We actuall had almost as many people as chapter 868 did (thats a first). Our Count was 24 registered and theirs was I believe 26. The food was great as usual and the conversation is alway good.
I would like to thank Bob Mika (President 868) and chapter 868 for again doing a joint Christmas Party with us. Without thier leadership the party would not be such a success!
Here is s link to the party pictures on 868's website.
VAA 16 gets a gift Dec 1st 2011
Dec 1st 2011This past week chapter 16 was honored with a fantastic gift from the family of Jack Fries. Jack was a long time member of EAA 200 and a member of the Gardner Airport Bumms. Unfortunately Jack had taken ill and passed away in November. He had been building a Pietenpol Aircamper for the last 5-6 years but did not have it completed at the time of his passing.
Chapter 16, through Marvin Story and Dale Rose, have made it known to Jack's family that we would be interested in obtaining the project and completing it in Jack's memory. Jack's daughter Jenny called last week and she and the rest of the family have decided to donate the project to us. VAA 16 will complete the Piet now named "Gentleman Jack" over the next several months and hopefully fly it in the spring. It is our intention to keep the Piet for members to enjoy for years to come. Thank you so much to the Fries family!
The airplane is located in hangar #58 at Gardner (k34) and we will be working on Saturdays. If you feel like helping, come on out.
Engine is an 0-235 Lyc with starter and alt. Instruments in front and rear holes.
Engine needs plumbed, Cyl eyebrows need to be made and one wing painted.
Looks like it could be fun don't it?
Annual Chili Feed Jan 1st 2012
Jan 1st 2012This e Sunday Jan 1st was the annual "Chili Feed". This event is put on by Dale Rose "The Monk of Gardner" and Micki Shetterly "Fly Girl extraordinary". I don't know how many years this has been taking place but I hope it never stops. The chili was great and the company was even better. It looked to me that there were about 60-70 folks there and at least 3 flew in that I know of, even with really high winds (30-40 mph), and in Luscombs at that. Of course Jerry Cobb and Dick Michael are not your average Luscomb pilots either.
