EAA Chapter 551

St. Cloud, MN

Welcome to EAA Chapter 551

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Membership Dues:

EAA Chapter 551 begins collecting dues for the upcoming year in November of the current year. For example, dues will be accepted for 2024 starting in November 2023.

Dues: 

STARTING JANUARY 1 2024 DUES ARE

$30 FOR ADULT MEMEMBERSHIPS AND

$40 FOR A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

$10 FOR STUDENT

Adults:  $30.00

Family: $40.00

Student:  $10.00

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR RENEW

  

We will dearly miss you Al (click for more info)

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EAA invited to Model Airplane Club Picnic

at Al Warzecha's Field near Holdingford

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SPECIAL PROGRAM TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
                      6:00 FOOD .....  6:30 pm CDT Program 

KEN TUVMAN TELLS THE TRUE WWII STORY OF HIS DAD AS A WAIST GUNNER AND POW IN GERMANY

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Ken grew up in Los Angeles and graduated with a business and marketing degree from San Francisco State University. 

He got married in 1985 and the same year formed a promotional advertising company in 1985 and for 30 years worked as a preferred supplier to Texaco and Shell.  Seeking better schools for his two boys, he moved to the Midwest, where Annie, his wife, was raised.

As a youngster, Ken's father would take him and his brother to Air Shows at Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station near Oxnard, CA. Dad exposed us to the various WW2 airplanes that flew at these Air Shows.

On his 10th birthday, Dad took Ken for an airplane ride in a Cessna 195 - it was a memorable flight that resulted in him catching airplane fever. 

Summers were spent biking to Santa Monica Airport and spending the day sitting on the sky deck, listening to communications between the air traffic controllers and private pilots. Ken built model u-control planes and flew them as often as possible - and still does! 

Ken learned to fly in 1975 and flew Cessna’s, Pipers, and Grumman’s. His brother Paul became a flight instructor and eventually enjoyed a successful flying career with Delta Airlines. He took a break from flying to run his business and raise his family but his interest in airplanes never disappeared. In 2020, Ken acquired a 1948 Aeronca Super Chief.  When faced with low oil pressure issues after a professional overhaul by a licensed AP, Ken found a AP closer to home and was closely involved with a proper engine overhaul. When bemoaning the escalating costs. his flight instructor explained how one makes a small fortune in aviation . . . (start with a large one!). Three years later, Ken now has his tailwheel endorsement.

As a civilian, Dad went skeet shooting on the weekends. He’d carry around his tattered brown memory book from his 20 months at Stalag’s VIIA in Mooseburg, Germany and Stalag XVIIB, in Krems, Austria.  As he’d share stories with people he met at the shooting range, Ken heard about Dad flying on a B17 but didn’t realize the peril he faced every time he left on a mission, especially when he was shot down, bailed out, and was captured by the German Army. 

The Story: Mission 91: The Bombing Raid 

Dad wanted to be a pilot and got as far as flight training but was the last in his class to wash out. Not wanting to sit out the war on the ground, Dad completed gunnery school and was assigned as a left waist gunner to a B17-F Flying Fortress. He was sent to the 388th Group of the Eighth Army Air Force in Knettishall England. He participated in one historical mission and another that didn't make the headlines - but should have.

The first noteworthy mission was the Regensburg / Schweinfurt Shuttle Mission to bomb the SKF ball bearing plant in Schweinfurt and a Messerschmitt fighter factory plant in Regensburg. Dad's group flew to Regensburg, led by Colonel LeMay and instead of returning to England, the forts diverted to North Africa near Libya.  The Regensburg-Schweinfurt mission was historic as it marked the deepest penetration into Germany. 

Dad's sixth and last mission was Mission 91 to bomb a Bosch Ball Bearing plant in Stuttgart. This was to be his last mission as his plane was shot down over France on their way back to England. He was captured, interrogated, and spent 20 months in captivity at Stalags VIIA in Mooseburg Germany and Stalag XVIIB in Krems Austria.

Fasten your seatbelts for a detailed story of Staff Sergeant Bernard M. Tuvman from enlistment to liberation. Part of this presentation is to "put you inside the cockpit" while on a bombing mission.

 

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Ken and his Dad, August 15, 2009

 

 

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FLIGHT SIMULATOR AVAILABLE TO TRY BEFORE THE MEETING

 

EAA 551 YOUNG EAGLES FLIGHT SIMULATOR

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EAA Chapter 551 has assembled a new flight simulator for Young Eagle Events and member use.
It runs the newest very excellent X-Plane 12 with three monitors, yoke, throttle quadrant, joystick, and instructor station.

The simulator is available to all EAA 551 current members (dues paid) in the Aero Club Hangar at KSTC.

Come early to the next program meeting and try it out. The simulator will be available starting at 5:00 pm, Food at 6:00 pm, and Program at 6:30 pm.

Thanks to Chip Sauers and the others who spearheaded this project.

SPECIAL PROGRAM TUESDAY MAY 16, 2023  --  WINGS CREDIT
                      6:00 FOOD .....  6:30 pm CDT Program 

"You Can Call Me Bravo Buster"

Topic: Adventures In And Around Our National Airspace System
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 18:30 Central Daylight Time

Speaker: Laura Herrmann, P/ASEL-IR, AGI, Remote Pilot, Lead FAASTeam Representative

Location:
Aero Club Hangar
St. Cloud Airport
1550 45th Ave SE
Saint Cloud, MN 56304

Select Number: GL15121600

Description:

"I have a phone number for you to call when you are on the ground.  Advise when ready to copy".  Those are words no pilot wants to hear!  Join Laura as she describes her inadvertent foray into O'Hare's Class Bravo and the events that followed.

She'll also talk about her flight around the DC SFRA, what kind of training is involved, and answers the questions What's the Fluky Gate?,  Why is the Leesburg airport special?, and How are P56 and R-6608A different?.  

Join us for a tour around some challenging and difficult airspace!

 

About Laura:

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Laura is a 1500hr instrument rated private pilot with high performance , complex and tailwheel endorsements who learned to fly in 2000 after completing a graduate program in nurse anesthesia . She is also an Advanced Ground Instructor and is adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota Mankato , Department of Aviation. 

One of her aviation goals is to land a Cessna in all fifty states . All she has left is Idaho and Hawaii ! 
Idaho will happen in June and Hawaii at some point in the near future. 
Laura flies a Cessna 182 and is based at Flying Cloud Airport. 

Laura’s other aviation passion besides flying for the $200 hamburger is to rescue animals from overcrowded shelters and fly them to foster homes or forever families . She has flown over 200 dogs , one cat and 2 goats . One flight involved two Great Danes in the back of her 182 !

Laura is a Lead FAASTeam Representative and was named 2022 National FAA Safety Team Representative of the year . She is also the 2022 Flying Cloud Operator of the Year . Along with volunteering for the FAASTeam , Laura is a member of the Minnesota 99s ( women pilots ) , MSP Airport Watch and EAA Chapter 878. 

 

 

 

SPECIAL PROGRAM TUESDAY APRIL 18, 2023  --  WINGS CREDIT
                      6:00 FOOD .....  6:30 pm CDT program 

IS THIS SAFE?

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FIND OUT HERE!

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 If you are unable to attend in person we will be broadcasting this program via ZOOM.

Title:
Survival in the Pattern
Topic:
Best Safety Practices at Pilot Controlled Airports
Date and Time:
Tuesday, April 18, 2023, starting at 18:30 Central Daylight Time (16:30 PDT; 17:30 MDT; 19:30 EDT; 13:30 HST; 15:30 AKDT; 16:30 Arizona; 23:30 GMT)
Speaker(s):
Harold Green CFII
Brief Description:
 

This webinar is based on regulations and good practices when operating in non-towered airport environments. Operations at pilot controlled airports are discussed with reference to Advisory Circular 90-66B and appropriate portions of CFR PART 91. 

Discussion centers around practical actions which pilots can take to minimize risks in such environments. There is no single rule which will cover every eventually so all are encouraged to present viewpoints.

Select Number:
GL13121189
Webinar Information
 

Join Zoom Meeting by copying the link below and do not forget you will need to use meeting ID and Passcode to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89206315065?pwd=dm40R29BWUVkbEpVT0Nybk1MSXN2UT09

Meeting ID: 892 0631 5065

Passcode: 355103

 

It is with great sorrow that EAA Chapter 551 recognizes the passing of local aviation legend Bob Leaders.


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ROBERT O. “BOB” LEADERS
February 10, 1933 – January 9, 2023

Bob served his country in the United States Army as a paratrooper. He obtained his pilot’s license and attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. Bob then obtained an aircraft and power plant license. He worked for and managed the St. Cloud Airport for many years. In 1969 he purchased a farm and built an airfield, which became Leaders Flying Service. The airport became a landmark to local airmen who needed a home for their aircraft, necessary repairs such as engine overhauls, float changeovers, hot coffee and airplane talk. He became a successful Cessna dealer as well. Leaders Airport is the home of EAA Chapter 551 and the local skydiving center. Leaders continued to the end with repairs, annual inspections, and rebuilding worn-out airplanes. Clear Lake is a well-known mecca of local aviation.

Bob was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in 2018. Bob cherished “shop talk” with his customers. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Bob will be remembered for being a humble, honest, and generous man. “If Bob Leaders can’t fix it or fly it…forget it.”

 

PROGRAM MONDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2022

  'MODEL AIRCRAFT - LARGE AND SMALL'
presented by Paul Hulls

Food served at 6:00 - Program at 6:30

 EAAEAA

 

 

  We had a very exciting program on Monday, June 21, 2021
by the Minnesota Afterburners at Leaders Airport.

  Check it out here:  Minnesota Afterburners at Leaders Airport 

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Whether you fly, build, restore or simply enjoy airplanes and aviation, you are welcome to attend our events and join our Chapter.

We are a group of aviation enthusiasts, aircraft builders, and pilots who get together with like minded people to share ideas, exchange information, encourage safety, serve the local aviation community and have a lot of fun doing so. Please come to our next meeting or event as our guest.  The Monthly Program Meetings are a great way to connect with others and socialize before and after the meetings (held the Third Monday evening of the month).

EAA Chapter 551 focuses on good monthly programming, organizing annually typically three Young Eagle Rallies (two at the St. Cloud Regional Airport and one at the Little Falls Municipal Airport). and  bi-annually plans Aviation-based Community Education classes geared toward high school students. 

The Chapter has recently started a Scholarship and Fundriaisng Program to support local scholarships for flight training, aviatiion maintenenance technology, and a for a future building dedicated to local Aviation education and EAA Chapter 551.

EAAOur Chapter focuses on getting youth (ages 14+) involved in the Chapter.  Youth are encouraged to take on leadership roles to gain skills and knowledge to be used in life. Some ways youth have stepped up are to organize a fundraising breakfast, Program meeting setup and tear down, Program meeting greeters, volunteer for Young Eagle Rallies, Chapter Board Vice President (in advisory capacity), Chapter Board President, Photographer/Videographer, and Young Eagles Co-Coordinator.

Some members organize breakfast fly-outs to local airports. In the winter, breakfast flyouts have been organized to local lakes for where unofficial ice runways have been created. Since EAA AirVenture is only six hours away (road time --- less if flying in), many members plan this trip to be able to spend time together.

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