EAA Chapter 838

Tomorrow, Thursday December 18 will be the final Gathering of 2025. In the name of tradition, we will be having pizza from Infusino’s – Probably an Aircraft Carrier or two. There will be beverages, and someone will probably bring cookies – feel free to bring something if you’d like. As always, a donation is requested to defray the cost of the groceries. It will be the last time in 2025 for us to spend a relaxing evening surrounded by our clubhouse and are favorite aviation family and friends. Take a moment to savor it all.

Most of you have probably figured out that we are not having a banquet this year. That was partly due to the expense of that event, and partly due to the fact that, despite two years’ notice and repeated pleadings, there were no volunteers stepping up to help organize the event. One lone volunteer contacted us, and there is no way one person could do that job. So no banquet.

Let’s move into 2026 with a fresh energy and commitment to the health of Chapter 838.

Happy holidays to all who celebrate

There will be one more Young Eagles Rally this year, on November 8 if the weather permits. If you are between the ages of 8-17 or know someone who is, they can register here for the Rally. As always, we will have ground school, the simulators in the Library will be available and youth will be offered a ride in a small plane. Registration is open until November 6. If you are a pilot and are interested in introducing young people to aviation, please contact me so we can get you properly registered as a Young Eagles pilot. Additional information can be found at www.youngeagles.org.

It is the time of year again when we have the responsibility to elect (or boot out) Officers and Board Members for Chapter 838. According to our Chapter Bylaws, the Board will present a slate of candidates to the Chapter members. That does not, however, need to be exclusive; if you are also interested in serving on the Board of your Chapter, you can put yourself up for a spot or you can nominate someone.

Two of our Chapter Officer positions are up for election this year – President and Treasurer. Absent any additional nominations, the candidates for both of these positions are the uncontested incumbents, Roger Callewaert as President and Lee Wishau as Treasurer. Additionally, we have the second year of the two-year term for Vice President that has been vacant for the past year; Phil Rush is nominated to fill that position for 2026. (After that, we should be back on the pattern where only half of our officers are up for election each year.)

For the position of Board Directors, Tom Cox has agreed, if elected, to remain on the Board for another two-year term. The majority of the Board will come up for re-election next year.

If you are interested in serving on the Chapter Board, or know someone who would be great, please drop a line to info@eaa838.org.

Voting will take place at the November Chapter Gathering. Only those present will be allowed to vote.

Last week’s Chapter Gathering was an Open House and updates on our Ray Aviation Scholarship winners. The Open House was a lot of fun, with some new faces spotted in the crowd. And the Walking Tacos seemed to be a hit as well! Who knew Doritos could be a legitimate part of dinner?

As for our current Scholarship Students, Alex Eyman is preparing to Solo in the near future and is flying as much as he can to prepare. Jim Billman (pictured here) completed his Private Pilot license in record time, We were able to learn a little bit about Jim, his interesting background and his plans for the future. 

We wish both of these young men the best of luck, and will continue to follow their progress going forward. Both of them have exciting times ahead of them!

The monthly Chapter Gathering this Thursday October 16 will be an Open House. This will allow many of our newer members to learn more about the activities here at the Chapter, but will also allow for any interested community members to come in and meet us and learn about us.

Every Chapter member should try to being another non-member to this event. Grab a friend. Grab a neighbor. Grab that guy at church who always asks you how that plane of yours is coming along. Bring someone to our clubhouse to meet your aviation family. Once they meet us and find out how amazing we are, they will certainly join and become our newest Chapter members.

We will, as always have dinner around 6 p.m., with free-range wandering around the building. There will be members posted in different areas to explain what strangers are seeing. It is a chance to ask the questions you haven’t known who to ask, and there are no stupid questions.

If you have any questions, you can email info@eaa838.org or ask any Board Member.