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 over came 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.
