Election Time in the Ozarks!
In October each year, the slate of officers for the next calendar year is presented to the members for a vote. It’s that time again. The names that will be presented to the members are as follows:

• Clint Allen for President.
• James Wiley for Vice President.
• Ron Wade for Secretary.
• Gene Pascoe for Treasurer.

Of course nominations will be taken from the floor. Thanks to Clint, James, Ron and Gene for their willingness to work for the Chapter in the upcoming year.

Promoting Youth in Aviation
Speaking of next year, it is anticipated that you will see an increase in activity for our Young Eagles. By the the time the new slate of officers takes over, a radio-controlled model may be available, one or more Young Eagles will have soloed a powered parachute, and the ongoing dialogue with science teachers will prove to be of benefit for those students wishing to have their science classes be more interesting and relevant.

When the weather cools, and the density altitude makes the Gainesville strip more usable, a "Fly-a-Teacher" day will be scheduled.

October Meeting Date Change!!
Mark your calendars--the October meeting will be the Monday rather than the second Monday of the month. So, plan to meet on the 18th vs. the 11th. On October the 18th, be sure to attend the Aviation Safety Seminar to be conducted by Mr. Ed Duckworth. Ed is from the Kansas City FSDO and will present a most interesting and what will be a most informative program:

• A/C modification by owners.
• Aviation insurance.
• Accident history of ultralight A/C.

So, if you are planning on putting that neat "thing" on your factory built bird, you need to attend. For those interested in ultralight flying, get yourself informed as to what kind of accidents are occurring so that you can be better prepared to prevent them. Are you sure you know all you need to about aviation insurance? Better check this out as well!

Remember, this Seminar qualifies as one portion of the "Wings" program. Let’s keep our skills honed and minds informed!!!

Help Needed!
Flight Advisors are EAA member volunteers who are there to help you evaluate your own flying skills when you begin to take your bird aloft. Chapter 1218 is currently without a Flight Advisor, and we are encouraging those members with significant skill in flying a number of different aircraft and homebuilts to step forward and allow us to submit your name as a candidate to EAA for that position in the Chapter. (Caveat: If you don’t come to us, we’re going to come to you!)

Congratulations to Mary Dryer for Completing a "Pinch Hitter" Course!!!!!
Mary recently completed her right seat talk, climb, turn, descend, fly straight and level, do climbing turns, descending turns, accomplish airspeed ana configuration changes, and demonstrate traffic pattern work. Then she made some assisted landings and in a short time made two unassisted landings. On the following day, she completed three unassisted nice, safe landings!
Nice going, Mary! You did great!

Yeah, Sure!
HERE IS A RECAP OF AN E-MAIL I RECEIVED THAT YOU MAY ENJOY. It’s authenticity has not been checked!

A young pilot was flying low over the desert and, running low on fuel, happened upon what is referred to as "Area 51," an Air Force Base that does not exist. He slipped in for a stealthy landing in his trusty C-172, and was surrounded by a horde of weapon-carrying, grim-faced security people. After having been questioned, background checked, threatened, and found to be stupid rather than hostile, he was kept overnight. The next morning he was again threatened and told, "You were not here, this place does not exist, and if you tell anyone about this, you may spend the rest of your life in prison." He was given a full tank of fuel, told to fly a given heading which would put him in the vicinity of Las Vegas.

Later that afternoon, sure enough, the same stealthy C-172 landed at the base that does not exist. This time there were two people in the airplane! As the security squad again surrounded the plane with weapons drawn, sirens wailing, lights flashing, the harmless pilot with vacuum between his ears shouted, with arms raised, "This is my wife, you have to tell her I was here all last night!"

Late News Flash!!!!
This word just in: Jennifer Dryer flew solo in a powered parachute this week! Jennifer is the first Young Eagle in Chapter #1218 to accomplish such a feat. Congratulations Jennifer!! First mom pinch hits, then daughter solos--as they say, "like mother, like daughter". Nice going ladies!!

For those of you who are most perceptive, you will no doubt notice that this edition of On Top! is much shorter than usual. There is, as always, a reason for this. Jean and I have decided to give up a month of our sedentary lives to see how many golf courses we can play out there in the Great Northwest. Yes it is tough work, but someone has to do it. Should there be other breaking news prior to the normal time of mailing, President Jerry Luna will make that available to you. See you in October.