Who we are
The Gettysburg Barnstormers, EAA Chapter 1041 is a group of aviation enthusiasts. Our members include persons building or restoring aircraft, pilots of all types and ratings, and folks who are just "plane crazy". We have retired and active airline pilots, wanna-be pilots, flight instructors, private and professional flyers, ultralighters, and people who enjoy aviation without being pilots themselves.
Membership is on a calendar year basis, dues are $10.00 per year. The dues are used for several projects, the most visible one being our monthly newsletter, "The Observer". Each member is also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and/or one of its divisions.
The Gettysburg Barnstormers meet regularly the first Monday of the month at 7:30 PM except holidays, December (holiday dinner) and perhaps August (due to Oshkosh). - check newsletter to verify date and location.
Mission:
To encourage sport aviation, support the growth of EAA, safety in aviation, encouragement and education of our youth for the development of an area within aviation dedicated to flying, friendship and fun.
Activities
The Gettysburg Barnstormers meet regularly the first Monday of the month at 7:30 PM except holidays, December (holiday dinner) and perhaps August (due to Oshkosh). - check newsletter to verify date and location. "Meetings" are educational and entertaining with programs on many varied aviation subjects areas. We often have guest speakers whose backgrounds and experiences are told through their stories. Hands-on construction and restoration technique programs are being planned, we like to visit with the members who are building and see their progress.
A weekend in early May and another in late September are traditionally our Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfasts, which are the major fundraisers for the Chapter. Some of our members regularly attend other Chapter Breakfasts, flying to events when the weather permits. Our geographical location makes it popular to visit nearby attractions such as the Smithsonian and their aircraft museums and restoration shop, Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, and many others.
A highlight each year is the annual Christmas Party, running a close second is the Summer Picnic. We encourage family involvement in all our activities.
History
The Barnstormers began as the "Hanover Barnstormers", in the late 1980's. A small group of local pilots and aviation enthusiasts decided to organize a formal club and enjoy their interests together. Meetings and Fly-Ins were held at the Hanover Airport. We were incorporated in 1993 and chartered as an EAA Chapter in 1994.
In 1998 the members accepted an invitation to move our meetings and activities to Gettysburg Airport and Travel Center (W05). Since that time we have been happy to see many improvements to the airport, the most recent being the 2002 construction of a new runway with lights for night operations.
Membership in the Barnstormers has grown over the years, and we always welcome prospective members and enthusiasts. As we grow in the 21st century, we hope to include old friends and many people we have yet to meet.