Secretary's minutes – Accepted as published in newsletter.

Treasurer’s report – Accepted as published in newsletter.

Upcoming speakers – Tonight’s speaker is Carl Dietrich from Terrafugia. January’s speaker tentatively is Massachusetts state representative Stephen LeDuc.

Membership report – Dues are due!

Young Eagles report – Very few kids scheduled this Saturday – maybe 4, maybe only one.

Newsletter report – Bob Hanlon is next article writer. Editor will miss the Toys for Tots and holiday dinner due to travel, so asks that someone else volunteer to take photos at those events.

Professional pilot series – No members showed up the past two months, and the heater died, so no programs are planned until the heater is repaired or warmer weather occurs. Will ask Jim Grenier for paperwork since heater is probably still under warranty. Soda has been moved to Richard Dupée’s house so it won’t freeze.

Members/guests – Sherry Grobstein’s son Sam. Also Al Dean from Fitchburg, who flies a Glastar.

News Around 9B1: Tanner Hiller Airport (8B5, Barre, MA) is up for sale. The current operators are trying to form a cooperative to rejuvenate the airport and keep it going. Bob Stetson made calls and got the district's state representative, Anne Gobi, involved. She supports the airport and has also introduced legislation requiring that if any public airport is offered for sale, the state will get first right of refusal. The state will also make more of an effort to keep public airports open. This illustrates why it is so important to communicate with your state and local representatives. Reach out – they represent us and need to know our views.

I Learned About Flying From That: Bob Stetson suggests that everyone should work to become more proficient – learn the FAR/AIM, practice, and get the most out of your BFR. Too many mistakes are being made. For example, a transient pilot flew a right-hand pattern into 9B1, didn’t know that the default is left-hand or where to have looked for info on an airport’s traffic patterns. ...... Bart Bartelsman recommends never accepting an intersection takeoff from ATC. During his latest trans-Atlantic trip, the tower offered and he refused. On the takeoff roll at V1, 1/3 down the runway, the nose cargo doors popped open. He aborted the takeoff and stopped safely. If he had taken the intersection departure, he might not have had time and space to stop. Bart also notes that Hampton Airfield (NH) has cleared 800 feet of trees from the north end of the runway...... Dudley Darling witnessed a Taylorcraft approach 9B1 near sunset. The plane didn’t land but a neighbor called about an airplane coming in after dark. Follow the rules so we don’t annoy the neighbors!

Old Business: No work on trailer windows until the heater is fixed. Doug Stone won the air rallye.

Toys for Tots is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 9. Beverly handed out flyers. If few or no people come again, this is the last year we will hold it due to all the time and work entailed. Only scheduled this year because of the letter from Paul Poberezny requesting we do it again. Members noted that many places do Toys for Tots now, so it’s harder to get people to attend.

New Business: Beverly needs help with the holiday dinner mailing since she will be on travel. Shirlee Purcell folded flyers and Christine Pulliam volunteered to print labels and send out the mailing. She will consult with Deb and Richard to reach lapsed members. The chapter will cover the party costs for Bob and Sandy Stetson, Bob and Estelle Stetson, and Ellie and Don LaCouture...... Please solicit raffle items – Beverly will be gone much of the time that she would normally work on this.

50/50 Raffle won by Jim Noone, who donated his $6.50 to the chapter.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm for presentation by Carl Dietrich.