Wednesday, July 26, 2017
THE OFFICIAL DAILY NEWSPAPER OF EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH
www.EAA.org/airventure
PHOTO BY SAM OLESON
EAA CEO and Chairman Jack J. Pelton was joined by Pete Bunce of GAMA, Ed Bolen of NBAA, and Mark Baker of AOPA on stage Monday at Theater in the Woods for a town-hall style rally to discuss the pitfalls of the House 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2997). The industry leaders urged EAA members and AirVenture attendees to contact their representatives during the week of the convention via www.ATCnotforsale.com to make their voices heard.
Dick Koehler Named Chairman’s Award Recipient Retired U.S. Navy captain, professor recognized for his work helping homebuilders
50th Anniversary of Ann Pellegreno’s Earhart Flight BY MEGAN ESAU
BY TI WINDISCH
DICK KOEHLER, retired U.S. Navy captain and professor at University of the District of Columbia, has been named the recipient of the 2017 Chairman’s Award. The Chairman’s Award honors an individual whose participation and contributions in aviation represent the essence of EAA.
PHOTO BY ANDREW ZABACK
“Through his 100-plus Hints for Homebuilders videos, his monthly Koehler’s Korner column, his work as a technical counselor, his role as a workshop instructor, or his own homebuilding, there is no question that Dick is a perfect fit for the Chairman’s Award,” Jack said. “His help, both in person and through videos and articles, has helped an untold number of homebuilders and others involved with aviation.” There’s no doubt he’s helped many other EAA members in his volunteering, but Dick has simpler motivations for why he continues to be so involved in the aviation community. “It’s fun, of course,” he said. “It’s been my lifelong hobby, playing with airplanes, and I’m very fortunate to continue doing it now that I’m retired. I enjoy it.” In addition to having fun, Dick has helped countless EAA members in his 30-plus years of volunteering, both at home with Chapter 186, and on the road.
PIONEER FOR WOMEN AVIATORS, Ann Holtgren Pellegreno, EAA Lifetime 11853, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of her round-the-world flight that retraced Amelia Earhart’s path at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017. Ann made her successful flight in July 1967, passing over Howland Island in the Pacific 30 years to the day after Amelia Earhart disappeared, before continuing on to fly the remainder of Amelia’s planned route. Though Ann’s name is recognized in the public spotlight, she said the flight was a team effort involving Lee Koepke, owner and restorer of the Lockheed 10 Electra Ann flew; Bill Polhemus, Ann’s navigator; and Ann’s copilot, Air Force Col. Bill Payne.
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