Several Members Receive First Flight Awards

By Allan Cross November 21, 2008

The annual EAA Chapter 166 dinner was held at the Chowder Pot Restaurant in Hartford on Friday night. The dinner/meeting was well attended by nearly 40 members and their spouses or significant others.

Featured speaker for the evening was Bruce McGhie, a quadriplegic who overcame huge obstacles to become the first FAA certified pilot with this disability to achieve a glider rating. He also authored a book titled "ASCENT: How One Quadriplegic Fought For A Full Life And Soared."

He spoke about a number of disappointments that he encountered when trying to convince the FAA and instructors of his quest to become a licensed pilot. He presented several slides which displayed a number of modifications that had to be engineered to enable him to control the aircraft with his limiting physical ability.  He then ran a video clip illustrating his considerable flying skills in a glider, including loops and rolls and high altitude flight.

After the featured presentation, several First Flight Awards were then presented by Chapter President, Ken Benson. Tim Dale and Larry Gagnon received an award for construction of an RV-6A. Sandy Brown was presented an award for the restoration of a WACO INF. Dave Armando received his award for construction and first flight of a Rotoway 162F helicopter. Andy Olech, although not present received an award for construction and first flight of an RV-7.