News

If you would like to attend any GOPA board Zoom meetings please state your intentions to exec@grummanpilots.org

The planned schedule is-
Sept. 9, 2024 @ the Port Clinton Convention
Dec. 11, 2024 @1700 UTC
March 12, 2025 @1700 UTC
June 11, 2025 @1700 UTC Board Orientation + Board Meeting

Further info will be available at GOPA2024@grummanpilots.org, in the International Grumman Star and on our website- https://grummanpilots.org/Coming-Events.

Some tourist information is here.

At a recent Board meeting a number of name/title changes were instituted to try and help with the differences in duties. Previously the Regional Director was also a Board member, under the new governance policy the Board position has been separated from the RD position and the RD is now a Regional Coordinator. A Regional Coordinator can also be elected as a Director at Large to sit on the Board.

The Program Directors are now Program Managers.

These changes are a result of the GOPA applying for tax exempt status and all that ensues to fit the mold required by the US federal laws. There have been a couple of Star articles outlining this process and no doubt there will be future articles also.

Congratulations to two recently elected Board members. Jack Maher, Director at Large and Jon Faulkner, International Director. The International Director is a new position created with the recent governance restructuring. 

Jack Maher is also the Coordinator for Europe. 

16 – 19 May, 2024, in Oban, Scotland

Meeting details here.

Registration details here.

At the Board meeting today in Palm Springs it was announced that Ann Marie Radel has been elected as VP. Congratulations, and thanks for volunteering Anne Marie.

At the March 15 Board meeting two new Regional Directors were elected. Bill Derksen is replacing Doug Reetz as the Region 4, Central, Director. Thank you Doug for your service.

Mike Berck is replacing Tom Dyer as the Region 6, Pacific, Director. Thank you Tom for yours service.

There will be an introduction article in the next Star. These gentlemen can be reached at central@grummanpilots.org and pacific@grummanpilots.org.

Thank you gentlemen for volunteering.

The online registration- https://grummanpilots.org/event-4940705/Registration,  for the GOPA Convention in Palm Springs is now open. Information regarding the convention is available in the Coming Events area- https://grummanpilots.org/event-4940705

Our May convention is at the Hollywood Celebs Favorite Desert Playground, Palm Springs!! As promised, here are links to a small portion of the fantastic things to do in the area:
Here are three of our favorite websites for all areas of the Coachella Valley:
https://www.playinlaquinta.com
https://www.Palmspringslife.com
https://www.gpsgetaway.com
Here are a couple of our favorites:
Agua Caliente Casino, https://www.aguacalientecasinos.com
The Living Desert Zoo/Gardens,  https://www.livingdesert.org
Red Jeep Adventures, https://www.red-jeep.com
Joshua Tree National Park, https://www.nps.gov/jotr
El Paseo California Artist Gallery,  https://www.melissamorganfineart.com
Modern Celebrity & Architecture Tours, https://www.moderntourspalmsprings.com
Here are the websites to our convention tours:
Palm Springs Air Museum, https://www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, https://www.pstramway.com
Also, for those who may want to stay in the area before or after our convention and explore cool places that are close (by Grumman flight), here are some distances from KUDD airport (Bermuda Dunes). If anyone needs guidance through any of the airspace around the area, or would like to know about other airports, please feel free to contact me.
Las Vegas (KLAS), 150.4 nautical miles
Catalina Island (KAVX), 109 nautical miles
Santa Barbara (KSBA), 181.8 nautical miles
San Diego (KSAN), 76.3 nautical miles
Van Nuys (KVNY), For those who saw the movie “16 Right”, 113.6 nautical miles
Mohave Air and Spaceport (KMHV), 121.7 nautical miles
Fullerton (KFUL) close to Disneyland, 85.3 nautical miles
Harris Ranch & Hotel (308) For delicious steaks, 338 nautical miles
Let’s have some fun and see some things!!!!
Cheers, Anne Marie and Mike Radel, GOPA2023@grummanpilots.org, Cell 818-429-8663

Garmin GFC500 autopilot ALERT (May not apply to our planes)

 Garmin has found a problem with the optional GAD28 auto-trim for the GFC500 autopilot which could cause runaway nose-up trim.  This does NOT affect the basic GFC500 without the optional autotrim.  If you have auto-trim, you must immediately disable the autopilot by pulling and collaring the c/b and placarding the autopilot inop.  You can then take it to your Garmin shop to have the auto-trim disabled after which you can resume using the autopilot, manually trimming as needed when you get a TRIM light.  For more information, see the documents below or contact your Garmin dealer.

Service Alert 22109 Rev A is available at:

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/faq/mZwVwMogJ09ZLIPJgWTBJA

The recommended Service Bulletin 22110 Rev A is available at:

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/faq/s7SeFk9oh96I8qVfjtNbV8