Over 50 Chapter members, volunteers and guests enjoyed a great meal and presentation at the Chapter’s annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on January 11th.

Pinocchio’s put on a great buffet dinner for us with huge slabs of prime rib, steak, pasta salad and excellent bread pudding. Not a single person complained about not having enough to eat.

After eating the evening’s moderator, Chapter President Tracy Rhodes, recognized the various groups of volunteers and thanked them for their continued support of the Chapter through their volunteer efforts. Several groups were recognized, including the individuals who worked for the Reno Air Racing Association operating the people-mover-trams, Young Eagles ground and flight volunteers, members who worked at the EAA Trimotor Tour stop event, those who worked at the Chapter pancake breakfast that the chapter was selected to host at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. and others who supported the Chapter throughout the year.

The next group to be recognized were the current Chapter committee members, club coordinators and officers and directors. Each received a certificate of appreciation and a recognition pin for their efforts.

The MVP award for outstanding support of the Chapter’s activities in 2019 was presented to Jack Buchold who was present and working at every event the Chapter conducted throughout the year while also serving as the Chapter Treasurer and one of the Young Eagles Coordinators.

After the volunteer segment the dinner attendees were treated to an excellent presentation by Jim and Jackie Payne on the Perlan II project. Jim is the Chief Pilot and Jackie is their Director of Logistics. Both are members of the Board of Directors of the Perlan Project.

Jackie’s segment related the long involved process of getting the Perlan II aircraft to southern Argentina where it conducts its flights. The process includes a two legs on a container ship followed by a 2000 mi trek by truck.

Jim’s presentation discussed the Perlan II glider and it’s development and the process used to accomplish its missions into the upper atmosphere. He had several beautiful photos and video clips of some of the missions, including their record-setting flight to 76,000 ft.

The team will start their fourth trip to Argentina in April of this year with the goal of reaching their target altitude of 90,000 ft.

You can learn more about the Perlan Project at their website. There is also a link to their Virtual Cockpit so that you can join them for the flight if they are in the air.