• Happy Holidays From Paul & Audrey!
• Chapter Renewals Mailing Soon
• Census Now Part of Chapter Renewal Process
• Chapter Name Tags Now Available
• Attend First Chapter Leaders Academy of 2012
• Pilots Sought for EAA Tri-Motor Tour
• NBAA, AOPA, EAA Welcome FAA's Decision to Fully Restore BARR Availability

ICAS Convention Visit Sets Stage for 2012 Oshkosh Air Shows
Last week, Vice President of Industry and Regulatory Affairs Sean Elliott, Vice President - AirVenture Adam Smith, AirVenture Director of Flight Operations Joe Schumacher, and I were at the annual International Council of Air Shows convention in Las Vegas. Warbirds of America president Rick Siegfried also joined us. The primary annual purpose of the visit is to confirm the core of the following year's air shows at AirVenture, and we received commitments from many top performers who will fly at Oshkosh. In addition, we met with a number of air show groups who would be possible participants in EAA's salute to "The Greatest Generation" next summer. We are also seeking to upgrade our air show activities with even more balance in the daily schedule, and we made good progress on that. While we were at the convention, ICAS president John Cudahy organized a focus group with other leading air show officials. It was a great opportunity to get the perspective of other air shows, and how much of the air show community looks at AirVenture as a crown jewel in the industry and a potential leader to develop the air show industry even more.

Student Members Nearing 15,000
Director of Membership Marketing Barry Elk reports that the number of EAA student members has risen to nearly 15,000, with many of those young people becoming EAA members via the pathway beginning with Young Eagles and through the Sporty's online pilot training courses. Welcoming and encouraging people of all ages to participate in aviation are a major focus of EAA's mission, so we will be working to increase these numbers even more in future years.

Nearly 10,000 People Attend EAA Webinars
Director of Member Programs Charlie Becker reports that nearly 10,000 people have participated in EAA's webinars so far this year, making them a valuable resource for interaction with EAA members and other aviators. There have been 45 webinars so far this year, with an average of more than 200 participants per session. Those sessions have included everything from stall-spin awareness and building a Bleriot to EAA chapter recordkeeping and dealing with the media. Some webinars are also available for FAA WINGS program and AMT credits, such as the monthly maintenance webinar with Mike Busch. IAC has also begun a monthly webinar on aerobatic flying, and we also hosted our first Canadian-focused webinar with Jack Dueck. Upcoming webinars are listed on the side of this newsletter or visit the EAA webinars website for a complete schedule.

Happiest of Holidays to All of Our Great Chapters!
With the Christmas and New Year holidays coming, the next edition of ChapterGram will be coming your way on January 10, 2012. I truly appreciate all the chapters for their tireless efforts in spreading and supporting EAA's mission. It's been an absolute pleasure to meet many of you during my first 16 months as part of the Grassroots Pilot Tour, and I'm looking forward to meeting many more in the years to come. For now, however, my wife Maura and I, along with our family, wish you and yours a very joyous holiday season!

Complete Your Chapter Function With EAA Speakers Bureau
Is your chapter looking for a guest speaker for an upcoming chapter meeting? A speaker fluent in discussing a wide variety of aviation topics like safety, aircraft construction, aviation innovations, history, aeromedical concerns, or other topics? Then you should check out the EAA Speakers Bureau, an online directory located on the EAA website. Here you'll find a wide variety of speakers by name, topic, and state. Your chapter may then contact the individual and invite them to speak at one of your chapter's upcoming meetings. More information

Next issue of ChapterGram will be delivered on Tuesday, January 10.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!