February 2025 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes for February 4, 2025

Board Present: Laura Hayden, Dave Blocher, Jackson Skelly, Gerri Nowoczynski, Jeff DeWolf, Mike Neben.

Board Absent: Jackin Jain.

Note: The Executive Board and General meetings were held via Zoom.

Meeting was called to order by Dan McInerney at 6:30 pm CT.

1)    Treasurer's report: current bank balance is $5,332.43. December and January credits were $918.12 and December and January debits were $307.45.

2)    Secretary’s report:

·      For all new members and renewals, please send the application and your US government issued id or passport to Dave Blocher at daveoawboard@gmail.com.

·      All applications and ids sent to Dave Blocher must be ina pdf file format. The Bensenville Police Department will not accept any other file format.

·      Do not call the Bensenville Police Department asking questions about the club. They will simply direct the call back to O’Hare Airport Watch. Email questions to daveoawboard@gmail.com.

3)     Guest Speaker: Bill Mullane from the Chicago Department of Aviation

·       Bill Mullane from CDA Security discussed concerns about live streaming at the airport.

·       Live streaming on airport property no longer allowed due to security concerns.

·       Request for informed compliance, not strict policing.

·       Discussion about potentially approving certain individuals for live streaming in the future.

4)    Guest Speaker: John Muscarello a retired United Airlines Captain on the 787.

·       Detailed career path from military to commercial aviation.

·       Flew various aircraft types (727, 757/767, DC10, 737, A319/320, 777, 787).

·       Insights into different airports and their unique challenges.

·       Discussion of favorite and challenging airports (Jackson Hole, Orange County, San Diego, LaGuardia, Washington Reagan).

·       Detailed explanation of O'Hare operations and air traffic control.

·       Insights into crosswind landings and runway references Overview of technological improvements in aviation (TCAS, EGPWS, Predictive Wind Shear).

·       Explanation of CRM training and quality assurance programs.

·       Discussion of simulator training advancements.

·       Experience during 9/11 and COVID-19 pandemic.

·       Technical explanation of aircraft lift and high-lift devices.

·       Discussion of various aircraft types and their characteristics.

·       Questions: favorite liveries, memorable flights, and pilot perspectives on plane spotters.

·       Discussion about maintaining hand-flying skills in the age of automation.

·       Reflections on rewarding aspects of the career and handling challenging situations.

5)    Future topics and events coming up with O’Hare Airport Watch

·       Feature series on minors in the club once a month on our website.

·       Reach out to a ORD air traffic controller as a guest speaker.

6)    Upcoming 2025 events in aviation:

•       Gary Air Show with Air Force Thunderbirds August 9th-10th

•       Chicago Air and Water Show with Air Force Thunderbirds August 16th and 17th

•       EAA Air Venture Oshkosh July 21st – 27th

Next O’Hare Airport Watch members meeting is on Tuesday April 1, 2025, at 7:00pm CT.

Meeting was closed at 8:33pm.

Respectfully submitted by: Dave Blocher