The meeting was called to order at 7:06.

Secretary Minutes – The minutes of the January and February meetings were approved as published in the latest Newsletter.

Treasurer Report – After accounting for the December party expenses and the money coming in from membership and donations, the current balance amounts to $3,513.14. This balance has not been reconciled with the bank since the account information is not yet accessible online. The balance also includes the membership fee for Pete Kallander. The report has been approved.

Membership Report – The chapter is growing and almost everybody has paid the membership dues. One member (Jack Harris) deposited twice the yearly fee ($30). It is not clear if he meant to sign up somebody else besides himself.

Young Eagles Report –12-14 Young Eagles signed up to fly Saturday, with Sunday as the rain date. Increased participation is expected for the spring and summer. More help will be needed from all available pilots and also from anybody who can assist on the ground.

Newsletter Report – Kudos to Christine for another outstanding job on the latest issue. Next one coming up in May. Christine asked for photos and stories about our late fellow chapter member Pete Kallander who recently passed away to put together as a tribute from the chapter in the next issue. Professional Pilot Series – The session held last Saturday in the trailer on emergency landings went very well. Next one will happen in May on the Saturday prior to the chapter meeting and will be on Spring/Summertime weather flying.

Guests – We had a new guest tonight. His name is Michael Gordon. He owns a C182RG and has been a pilot for 22 years. He is a member of EAA and decided to join our chapter. Welcome!

Mail In – A seminar on Radio Communication will be held on March 21 in Bedford News from 9B1 – Our fellow member Pete Kallander sadly passed away last Tuesday and a memorial service for him is planned for sometime this spring. Bob Stetson reported that the AMA day on the Hill event went very well. A special thank-you goes to all who contacted their representatives to inform them of the event. Ken Sherman secured the interest and participation of rep. George Peterson. As a result at least 50 representatives attended and 4 bills have been designed that will benefit GA and airports like Marlboro if passed. Initiatives like these do work!

Angela, a reporter from the Community Advocate joined the meeting as an observer.

I learned about flying from that – Jim: AIM 4-1-9 G1 states that the phrase “Traffic in the area please advise”, is not a recognized self-announce position and/or intention and should not be used in any circumstance. One may argue that at non controlled airports whenever it is not possible to contact anybody on the ground and especially in some adverse weather conditions, asking the traffic in the area what runway is being used would indeed be useful and improve safety. On the other hand this type of communication may lead to confusion and increase chatter unnecessarily, also considering that several airports share the same CTAF frequency. Perhaps the seminar in Bedford on the 21st will help shed more light.

Rich learned that there is never a good reason for pilots to rush their preflight procedures because this inevitably brings to skip important things and make mistakes. Take your time.

Ken learned that one should always listen very carefully to the ATIS when approaching a controlled field because ATC can give confusing if not wrong instructions sometimes. He once was approaching an airport from the east and received instructions to report right base. Not having paid attention to the ATIS he assumed that the controller was setting him up for runway 2 and not 20. The active was really 20 so while he was established on final to runway 2 the tower asked him to report his intentions. Eventually he was cleared to land and nothing serious happened.

Old Business – Who has not done so yet please report any address changes to Rich.

New Business – Still no date has been set for the Board meeting which will be likely held this month. Date to be announced.

The insurance has been renewed with an increased liability due to the use of the trailer.

50/50 Raffle. Mr. Weigel won and split 12$ with the chapter.

Sunday breakfast fly-out destination – Undetermined. Sunday is supposed to be nice, so just show up.

Speaker tonight was Mr. Monty Basbas, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and retired captain of the US Air Force, who shared with us his stories about his fascinating life as a pilot in the service during World War II.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:47PM.