Thoughts From Susan for Vintage Chapters

March 2022 –

As I write this, we are a mere 165 days away from EAA AirVenture 2022. Activities in the Vintage office in Oshkosh are really picking up. I call March “all heck breaks loose month” or something similar to that. I am sure that this holds true for all of the Vintage chapters who are busy organizing their events for the upcoming flying season. There are the events like cook-outs or maybe flying out to meet the group for that infamous but now elusive $100 hamburger. These events are always a lot of fun but every now and then I remind myself about the crucial role of the typical VAA chapter.

The membership in VAA chapters holds a wealth of knowledge about vintage aircraft and the technical expertise necessary to maintain and operate these aircraft. So much of this technical “know how” is passed down from generation to generation through personal contacts and through organizations such as your local VAA chapter. Of course, there are always mesmerizing discussions at chapter meetings about the historical component of these airplanes. Anyway, enjoy whatever events that you may have planned for 2022. Remember that VAA Executive Assistant Amy Lemke serves as your liaison to the Vintage office in Oshkosh. Amy is there to assist you with any chapter issue that may arise and can be reached by phone at 920-426-6110 or via email at alemke@eaa.org Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

The Leadership Academy will be held in Oshkosh on April 22-24. The VAA board of directors meeting will be held in Oshkosh on April 21 and will be immediately followed by a Vintage Volunteer Work Party on April 22-23. This will be the first of three work parties for the year. Work typically done includes the annual touch-up painting plus any building repairs. This year we will be nearing the completion of Phase I of our five-year master plan. Phase I is basically concerned with infrastructure. Please feel free to drop by the Vintage area on Wittman Field during your stay in Oshkosh while attending the Leadership Academy. I will be there (when I am not in meetings!) as will some of our directors and volunteers. This would be a great time to share your thoughts about Vintage and your chapters and to take a glimpse at what goes on behind the scenes! We hope to see you in April and if not in April we look forward to seeing you in July at EAA AirVenture 2022.

Blue Skies!
Susan