EAA Sport Aviation - April 2010

Last year was a special year for EAA Chapter 339, based at Chesapeake Regional Airport in Chesapeake, Virginia. The chapter, 66 members strong, celebrated its 40th anniversary with five homebuilt first flights! Ed and Janie Smith’s Lancair IV-P, Glenn Johnson’s Zenith 601 XL, two Sonexes built CHAPTER 339 CELEBRATES 40 YEARS By Rich Dodson, chapter president

by Pete Pearson and Jim Ballenger, and Tim Ribble’s RV-6A all took to the air. Those five flights capped four productive years during which a total of nine Chapter 339 aircraft first “defied gravity.” Of special significance, the Smith’s Lancair IV-P took home an Outstanding Workmanship award at Sun ’n

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Fun 2009! Several chapter first flights are also planned in 2010, and homebuilts of all types are in various stages of completion— ranging from a Nieuport 17 replica with a radial engine to an RV-8A with a panel that would make an F/A- 18 pilot envious! “Fast glass” is also represented with a Velocity and a Glasair project soon to be flying.

When the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight moved to nearby Suffolk airport in 2008, Chapter 339 took on the responsibility of providing a significant amount of local talent to contribute to the success of the fly-in. Drawing on members from four local airports, as well as pilots from the Newport News area, Chapter 339 led the volunteer charge at the 2009 Festival. As the Festival continues to grow, Chapter 339 will continue its support.

Much of the chapter’s current strength was built on the attitudes and enthusiasm of its founders. One of those founders, FAA Master Pilot and Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame member Joe Mathias, celebrated his 70th year in aviation in 2009. Appropriately for Joe, those 70 years culminated with some air work in his restored vintage Piper Cub. Joe is a true craftsman and pilot in the finest traditions of EAA, and he continues to inspire chapter members.

As Chapter 339 looks toward the future, we are guided by the fellowship of successful homebuilders and friends who surround us. We have already completed our first chapter cookout of 2010 as well as a field trip to the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles airport. Several more gatherings are planned this year. If you live in the Tidewater area, or are visiting, you are welcome to join us at the airport and at our meetings.