Our September Chapter Meeting kicked off with a Tech Talk by Gil Lipaz, who taught us about Formation Flying. Gil is a FAST lead pilot who flies a ’66 Nanchang CJ6A. He is a member of the Tiger Squadron out of Torrance and Vice President of the RedStar Pilots Association. Armed with photos, videos and mini demonstration planes, he explained the benefits, dangers and basics of a few formation positions and maneuvers. As with everything in aviation, there are specific protocols and standards that ensure safety. We learned the correct angle positions, hand signals and procedures for a turn, cross under, and break, etc. Our Chapter Vice Chair, Vanessa, aptly called it sky dancing and I quite agree. It’s certainly something which takes skill and practice to look so beautifully coordinated!

Our meeting continued with regular business – highlights included new Committee Chair appointments and great progress updates from our Air Race and Compass Rose/Air Marking Chairs.

Special Thanks to Gil Lipaz for teaching us all about formation flying. Thanks to Janie Thomas for picking up snacks, and Benedikta Unter Ecker for providing La Croix flavored sparkling water (many of us had never tried it before) which led to a discussion over the correct pronunciation. The Midwest drink is incorrectly pronounced ‘La Croy’, rhymes with joy.