Hello, friends!
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If you've been or flown to Sugar Valley in the last couple of months, you may have noticed a new, rebuilt T-hangar, with a bright red roof - a sure landmark for pilots.

We want to thank Kirk Clearly with Clearly's Construction LLC for a fantastic job in breathing new life into the old T-hangar. We have greatly appreciated working with Kirk and his dynamic team! 
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And here is a little glimpse into the transformation journey, captured by our photographers Deborah Leighton and Aaron Lobb. Enjoy!

~ 3/3  Sugar Valley Composite Squadron welcomed   Charles Willard, who talked about the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, near Brevard, NC. This is an old NASA tracking station which has been turned into everything from an astronomical research facility to a stem-based summer camp. This event was open to all.

~ 2/13, FAA Safety Seminar: "When an Annual Inspection Does Not Go Right" 
Topic: Failure to Follow Maintenance Procedures / Manuals Can Sometimes Have Disastrous Consequence
In this Seminar, we looked at several accidents related to maintenance personnel who failed to follow the maintenance manual, standard practice, or the manufacturer procedures. 

Our new crop of Aviation Ground School students is here! Congratulations to all the participants, completing their study  on 1/17/2020! Well wishes to all of you! May success, a sense of adventure and discovery accompany you in your future aviation endeavors!
A special thanks goes to the instructors Sandra Smith and Lee Kosub, who freely share their knowledge, skills and time.

SVA Aviation Ground School is a free training offered twice a year by our amazing volunteers. The next session begins on March 6, 2020. Sign up if you'd like to take advantage of this opportunity and spread the word. Learn more here.

​Donald Sweeper, a teacher at the Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, brought 14 students, 3 chaperones, the principal and the CEO of the school to SVA on 12/6/2019 for an aviation day.

The students rotated through three stations:

1. The Blue Hangar for a presentation on aviation principles by Dick Lewis of the Heart of Carolina Tuskegee Airmen group in Durham.  Mr. Lewis was one of three who came to volunteer from that group. The students then went from theory to practice on the flight simulators with retired American Airlines pilot Gary Garavaglia and Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadet Tanner Kimel guided them on take off’s, landings, and straight and level flight.
2. The Brown Hangar was the next learning station where the students were exposed to aircraft mechanics with Billy Carter and Nick Tuttle. The group received hands on experience in riveting and more.
3. The final station was for Young Eagle flights.  Jana Brown and Jamie Helander from the EAA Chapter 1083 were working their magic organizing the EAA Young Eagle flights. Lt Robert Logan of the Sugar Valley Civil Air Patrol Squadron was the Air Boss, accompanied by 6 CAP cadets on the flight line escorting the students to the planes. There were 7 pilots and a variety of aircraft which made for quite a sight and great photographs. All 14 students got to fly.  

 
The SVA kitchen again worked their magic providing a welcomed hot lunch, and warm and cozy dining room. Susan Garavaglia and Mary Polkey volunteered in the kitchen as their husbands worked with students. Spectrum News, a local news network, sent a reporter out to cover the inspiring activities. A great day for all!

We, volunteers are Sugar Valley Airport, are grateful to have some wonderful neighbors and partners. One of such connections is our friends at Piedmont Soaring Society (PSS), located just about a 10 minute drive from SVA. 

Mid October the volunteers of PSS have generously treated SVA volunteers to a beautiful day of soaring fun, genuine camaraderie, delicious picnic food and loads of inspiration. We all had a delightful time, and would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to PSS!  

PSS is also volunteer run and provides tows and instructional flights to its members, as well as  introductory rides to guests and potential new members in their two-seat sailplanes.

Take a look at some photos from our soaring adventure! 

And now enjoy this video capturing some of the magical moments.

​Congratulations to our Aviation Ground School graduating class of 9/6/2019! We wish all of you much success in your future aviation endeavors!
A special thanks goes to the instructors Sandra Smith and Lee Kosub, who freely share their knowledge, skills and time.

SVA Aviation Ground School is a free training offered twice a year by our amazing volunteers. The next session begins on October 18, 2019. Sign up if you'd like to take advantage of this opportunity and spread the word. Learn more here.

For more information, please check out 
www.aviationsummercamp.net. You might also enjoy reading this post, featuring a note from one of ASCEND participants. ​

On 4/12- 4/14 a large boy scout camporee was held at SVA. Over 100 scouts participated in a variety of aviation related activities, including young eagle flights, which allowed many the opportunity to  earn their aviation merit badge.  A number of EAA-chapter 1083 volunteers, some representatives from CAP, as well as SVA volunteers offered their generous service, creating a memorable experience for all involved.
Please enjoy the below clip that wonderfully captures the spirit, resources and beauty of that event.

Many of us know Sandra Smith — the SVA Aviation Ground School instructor, CAP Sugar Valley Composite Squadron and Young Eagle pilot, from among many other roles we may know and recognize her. Recently Sandra was awarded by The Ninety-Nines International an Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship, specifically the Vicki Cruse Memorial Scholarship for Emergency Maneuver Training. Only one such scholarship is awarded each year to those who apply out of the more than 5,000 members worldwide. The course covers not only “upset recovery,” but also spin training and an introduction to aerobatics, the purpose of which is to enhance piloting skills and safe operations.  

Sandra represents a beautiful example of focus, dedication and persistence, and we are proud to know and have her on our team of volunteers who make Sugar Valley such a flourishing place.

Audrey Floyd (Scholarship Chairman of the Kitty Hawk Chapter of The Ninety-Nines) expressed it this way:  We all know about Sandra’s service and dedication to the 99s, and she is also very committed to promoting aviation to the community in general.  Her hard work and sacrifice has made her extremely deserving of this award.  Please join me in congratulating her on this prestigious award!

​We are indeed joining in celebration of this meaningful accomplishment. Sandra will be an amazing ambassador for women in aviation and as a representative for The Ninety-Nines. There could not be a more lovely ambassador! Congratulations, Sandra!

​~ 10/12  Fall event of the Rowan Aero Modelers Society (RAMS); a Radio Control airplane group came to SVA for their 3rd annual "air show". John Gaskey is the contact for the RAMS club. Please contact him at
John.Gaskey@duke-energy.com for more information.

​The Rowan Aero Modelers Society (RAMS) was chartered in 1968 and is the oldest Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) sanctioned Club in North Carolina.  RAMS leases property in eastern Rowan County for their home flying field.  All members are required to obtain AMA membership.
 Throughout the year, many neighboring clubs host fly-ins at their own home fields and several of RAMS members are regular participants.  RAMS hosts a few fly-ins at locations other than their home field, which includes Sugar Valley during Spring and Fall.  RC flying out of a full-scale airport adds another level of uniqueness to this hobby.
​RAMS welcomes any AMA member to fly with them at any of their off-site events.  Any size and type of RC aircraft are welcome.
Speaking of size and type:  Model aircraft have really blossomed in recent years.  Virtually ANY full-scale aircraft that has ever flown has been represented as a flying model aircraft.  The advent of lithium polymer batteries and brushless motors has made fully-electric model aircraft a reality and with impressive performance.  Gas/glow motors still have a healthy presence and have enjoyed improved performance and reliability.  Real jet engines and electric ducted fans now make model jet aircraft an option for real adrenaline junkies.

~ 9/3 The CAP Sugar Valley Composite Squadron welcomed TC Freeman to share with the squadron and community about opportunities with UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems). Tom works with and understands the FAA’s rules and regulations, and is an invaluable resource for drone pilots in learning the secrets of operating successfully within FAA regulations. TC has a passion for spreading the thrill of aviation to others. He published the Remote Drone Pilot Certification Study Guide to help others earn commercial drone certification.
TC Freeman (tfreeman@ncdot.gov) was taught to fly manned aircraft as a boy by his father, and raised in an aviation family handling the controls of an aircraft before he could qualify for a driver’s license. He earned a BAS from Campbell University, RTP Campus, in addition to FAA certifications; Flight Instructor/Instrument (CFI/I), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic and Remote drone Pilot Certification. 
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This event was open to public.

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​~ 4/12-4/14 SVA hosted a large Boy Scout Camporee. We had over 100 scouts plus their leaders. On Saturday they participated in many aviation ‘stations’ in order to get their aviation merit badge, including young eagle flights. A number of EAA-chapter 1083 volunteers, some representatives from CAP, as well as SVA volunteers offered their generous service, creating a memorable experience for all involved.

~ ​2/23 Safety Meeting. The theme was "HOW TO MAKE FLYING SAFER IN 2019" and covered a variety of topics for young pilots, seasoned (old) pilots, students and pros.  It was open to all pilots in the area and offered a chance to meet other pilots and understand different types of flying. It was an informative and interesting session, held in the large classroom of the Blue Hangar.