The April 1990 Flight Lines newsletter highlights the Colorado Pilots Association’s diverse activities and volunteer-driven operations. President Vanita Gallo’s message emphasizes that CPA, founded in 1972, operates entirely through volunteer efforts to provide educational seminars, safety programs, fly-in events, and publications for the general aviation community. The newsletter showcases the extensive work accomplished by board members and committee chairs during just a two-week period in late February and early March, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to aviation advocacy, safety, and community service.
Key activities include planning for the 1990 calendar year, which features the popular weekend mountain flying course in June, the Fourteenth Annual Jackpot Air Classic and Poker Fly-In in July, and multiple fly-ins to destinations including Tucson, Ouray, and Deadwood. The board also completed the selection of all standing committee chairpersons and continues work on initiatives including an FAA airspace designation proposal, a mountain flying assistance program for transient pilots, and advocacy regarding proposed prohibited areas over nuclear facilities such as Rocky Flats.
The newsletter emphasizes that all organizational planning, newsletter production, and operations are conducted by volunteers with no paid staff, and encourages members to contribute articles and support upcoming events and initiatives.
Key Topics
- CPA’s mission and history since 1972 providing general aviation advocacy
- Volunteer-based organizational structure with no paid employees
- Educational and safety seminars, fly-in events, and social gatherings
- Easter Food Lift charitable program in partnership with Alpha Eta Rho fraternity
- Airspace committee work on Rocky Flats prohibited area proposal and FAA airspace redesignation comments
- Mountain flying assistance program for transient pilots
- CPA Hotline service (303-265-6886)
Events & Activities
- April: Annual Safety Symposium and Easter Food Lift co-sponsored with Metro State College’s Alpha Eta Rho aviation fraternity
- June: Weekend mountain flying course
- July: Fourteenth Annual Denver-Jackpot Air Classic and Poker Fly-In
- June: United States Pilots Association annual meeting to be hosted by CPA
- Memorial Day: Tucson Fly-In
- Spring/Summer: Multiple fly-ins to Tucson, Ouray, Deadwood, and other destinations
- March 27: Public hearing on Rocky Flats prohibited area proposal at Ramada Hotel in Westminster
Member News
- Robert Henley featured with his beautifully restored and painted bright yellow Sherman Model A75N1 aircraft; serves as Program Chairman coordinating the Search for Amelia Earhart program and volunteering for mountain flying assistance program
- Board members and committee chairs recognized for extensive volunteer work including Vanita Gallo (President), Mark Meyer (Vice President), Tony Miller (Secretary), Don VanderPloeg (Treasurer), Robert Henley (Program Chairman), Norma Ravnsborg (Public Affairs Committee), Frank Gallo (Legislative Chairman), Walt Bell (Airspace Committee Chairman), Vern Foster (Flight Safety Committee Chairman), Terry Barbo (Editor), Dave Burke (Fly-In Events Chairman), Bill Marshall (C-172 Maintenance Workshop Manager), Sonny Elgin (Denver-Jackpot Air Classic Co-Chairman), Bruce Hulley (Air Classic Co-Chairman), Bill Greener (Faculty Advisor to Alpha Eta Rho), and Gretchen Jahn (Easter Food Lift arrangements)
- New appointments: Peter Luce and George McCrillis named co-chairmen of the Aviation Education Committee
