GAPS Gordonsville Airport Preservation Society
News Letter August 4,
GAPS Friends and Supporters of the Gordonsville Municipal airport:
It is hard to believe a year has gone by and we have not updated you on KGVE. This has been overdue but we hope you will find it interesting.
The non-profit status for GAPS is still in limbo. We have re-applied and hopefully it will not take another 2 years. We are a corporation however and in that form we are official. Qualifications were amended to include the following educational purposes listed below.
- Providing free first flights
- Basic awareness of airport operations
- Basic awareness of flight controls and systems of flight
- Informal forums and discussions about the newest developments to aviation rules and regulations
- Informal forums and discussions on experimental and restoration of aircraft
Once the paper work is signed, sent to Richmond, and, - to the IRS we hope everything will be final.
GAPS continues to expand its educational out-reach program by providing items for young people to enjoy while visiting the airport and offering introductory lessons through the two flight instructors on our field, Skippy Degan http://www.tailwheelbasics.com and Dan Rogers at http://flyacro.us/acro.html. Pending weather, there is always a GAPS member willing to take a first-timer for a ride.
The FAA’s flight check Lear jet was spotted and photographed doing an approach at KGVE Monday July 25. This is a sure sign that we will soon have an RNAV/GPS approach. Caleb Glick checked and we are officially on the Federal Registry. This is a sure sign that we will soon have an RNAV/GPS approach; however the exact date is unknown.
Gary Edgecomb, of Edgecomb Motors (hyperlink "Edgecomb Motors"), has donated a courtesy car to Gordonsville Muni. Gary owns an experimental and is a frequent flier to KGVE. He is best known for sharing his love of aviation by giving free rides to as many people as he possibly can. More details will be announced when the car and paper work are officially in place
Mats around lights on runway and taxi way: Mike Colburn painted EVERY weed-barrier mat that is currently around the runway and taxi lights. It was a lot of work and took a lot of paint and primer but the project finally finished. These mats make mowing around the lights much easier. Several GAPS members contributed to purchasing the mats and we thank everyone for their donations. Efforts like these contribute to the well-groomed appearance of the airport.
Mike Colburn is also responsible for setting up our miniature in-house weather system (for better Unicom/traffic advisories) and for setting up our camera security system. Mike also often donates his time mowing grass or doing other chores as needed around the airport and giving free airplane rides almost every weekend. Mike is a ham radio operator is also available to discuss HAM opportunities at KGVE. Thanks Mike!
Dan Rogers and Skippy Degan have been purchasing and supplying items for the repair of runway lights and beacon tower light. Thanks guys, for keeping the lights burning at KGVE!
John Bosque donated enough weed-killer for the runway and other ramp areas. Faith Olen-Glick applied the weed killer to fences, runway, ramp and other areas. This will help keep the grass from continuing to create bigger gaps and cracks in the runway and ramp. John is also one of our ambassadors and good neighbor liaisons. He greets new comers to the airport and helps direct them to our available services and available information. Thanks John!
"The Glicks continue to provide lunch, often including homemade ice cream, for free or for a small donation, most weekends.
Dennis Harbin often donates his award winning chili (the base for our famous “Runway Chili” mostly served during the cooler months of the year). He is also responsible for assisting in our educational out-reach by providing banners and stands with pictures about the history of the airport. The pictures were supplied by the late Richard Whitmore family. These pictures are instrumental in establishing the validity of the airport’s history as well as a spring board for aviation history discussions and education and as a memorial to past airport operators. Dennis is also available for information about the restoration of aircraft. You can view his blog at http://n140tw.blogspot.com and his webpage at http://www.ragbag.com .
Caleb Glick and Faith Olen-Glick have been mowing the grass for the last 2-3 years with a Kubota mower (kindly and generously donated by Dennis Horton of Horton (an avid aviation enthusiast) of Horton Vineyards, http://hortonwine.com ). The Glicks have made sure the mower is maintained with new blades, oil and other regular maintenance as well as supplying diesel fuel for all mowing. Recently however the mower developed a problem with the hydraulic pump for the steering. This is a known issue with this particular model. Once fixed, the mower will again continue to give good service and has no other known issues for this model. The cost to fix it however is $1,850 dollars for the part and $400.00 for the installation. This cost is beyond the ability for the Glicks to pay. We realize that we do not have official non-profit status and cannot give tax breaks for donations and therefore we have not asked for any contributions in the past. But this huge expense has prompted us to appeal for help regardless of GAPS official status. If you wish to help with financing this project, please call one of the Glicks or stop by the Bluebird hangar at KGVE on the weekends.
Side Note on Bluebird Aerodrome News:
Skippy Degan and Caleb Glick have been volunteering their time to get the Bluebird (Cessna 150) flying and it is almost finished. We have the money for insurance but now it is finding time to add finishing touches to the airplane. It is the plan to rent this airplane for little or no profit at $45.00/hr plus fuel (due to the high cost of fuel). We will have a Bluebird calendar set up through Google when it is officially on line. It is the goal to encourage those who would not normally be able to afford the high cost of rentals (such as young students) to enjoy flying. It will also be considered a pre-trainer for those seeking a Light Sport certification. It will be less expensive and more practical to get basic pre-solo time and build time in a certificated aircraft before transitioning to a LSA.
Also Bluebird Aerodrome now has a roof on the new/old terminal building at KGVE. We hope to have this available and open 24/7 for pilots flying in to KGVE. This building will be a respite for pilots and educational/historical information about KGVE and general aviation.
It has been a busy year as KGVE continues to be an active participant of our local community. GAPS cannot survive without the time and assistance of everyone working together. We want to thank everyone again for your help, your trust, and financial support over the years as we share our love of aviation with the general public and other aviation enthusiast.
Thanks to all.
Faith and Caleb Glick, Gordonsville Airport Preservation Society; filling in the GAPS for general aviation and Gordonsville Municipal Airport.
