Aviation Explorers an Excellent Outlet to Engage Youth
Many EAA chapters have expressed a desire for a program that will engage youth in a more ongoing fashion. A program that can be started at your chapter today is Aviation Explorers. Read more

• Help Behind the Scenes: Bring Your Chapter to a ‘Weekend Work Party’
• Comment Period Open for Medical Exemption Request
• Special Invite to Frasca Fly-In From EAA Founder Paul Poberezny

First Eagle Flights Coming at EAA AirVenture!
We announced last week that the inaugural Eagle Flights will take place during AirVenture 2012. This new aviation orientation program for adults is based on elements of the very successful EAA Young Eagles program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has flown more than 1.6 million young people. Eagle Flights will focus on one-to-one flight experiences and pathways that help adults toward discovering more about flying and eventual pilot certification. More details on the program and its launch will be forthcoming soon.

Around the Grounds at Sun 'n Fun
Last week was full of activities for EAA staff at the Sun ’n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida. The EAA Welcome Center was an inviting location for members and other visitors, featuring a Piper J-3 Cub in front, similar to the airplane that is the grand prize in this year’s EAA Sweepstakes. We also had a presence at the Sun ’n Fun main gate, as well as a flightline hospitality pavilion last Tuesday and Wednesday. AOPA President Craig Fuller and I participated in the announcement of the finalists for the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation’s Pilot’s Choice Awards, and EAA staff members were involved in forums and key industry meetings throughout the week.

Longtime VAA President Passes
We were saddened to learn of the death of longtime Vintage Aircraft Association President Butch Joyce at age 68. Butch originally was elected president of what was then the EAA Antique/Classic Division in 1988, after serving as a division advisor for seven years. He was re-elected as president annually until he stepped down in 2004, a 16-year period when he also chaired the vintage aircraft activities at AirVenture. Butch was named an EAA Director Emeritus after his retirement in recognition to his service to the organization. Butch’s funeral services took place last Friday in Mayodan, N.C., with current VAA President Geoff Robison and VAA directors Bob Lumley and Steve Nesse attending.

A Little 'Spring Cleaning' Goes a Long Way
Looking for a way to build good relations with your airport and plan an activity to bring your chapter together? Why not volunteer to help with a "spring cleaning" at your airport? It can be as easy as picking up the trash along the fence line, fixing up the benches outside the fixed base operator, or helping repaint the compass rose. Offering your chapter's "people power" can help remind your airport of the value of having an EAA chapter based at the field. Throw in a cookout after the workday and you'll have an activity the whole family can enjoy.

Next issue of ChapterGram will be delivered on Tuesday, April 17.