NEWS & NOTES
March 2020 El Al begins ORD Service
El Al begins service to ORD from Tel Aviv on March 22, 2020. The flight is scheduled to arrive at ORD at 4:30pm, and departs back to Tel Aviv at 6:50pm. It's scheduled to be here 4 days a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
The first week of service will be 787-8s all 4 days. Beginning the following week, March 29, 2020, the flight will be a 787-9 3 days a week, and the 4th day will be a 787-8, and remain that way permanently.
The Thursday flight will be a 787-8, the other 3 remaining days will be with the 787-9.
Air New Zealand increases ORD service
On December 9, 2019, Air New Zealand increases ORD service to 5 times a week for the winter travel season. The flight will arrive at 4:05pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Proud of our OAW members featured on WGN Channel 9
Proud of our members featured on WGN Channel 9 this morning who talked about our passion and mission. It was fun hanging out with WGN’s Sarah Jindra as well as OAW member AND WGNs Ben Bradley
February 2020 Meeting Notes
ORD Airport Watch Meeting Minutes
ORD Airport Watch Meeting Minutes - February 4, 2020
Board Present: Pete Wagner, Bill Gaston, Dan Marinellie, Chuck Belanger, Eva Kozlowski, Kelly Roller, Dan McInerney
Board Absent: None
Meeting was called to order by Dan McInerney at 7:00pm.
Agenda:
Approval of January 2020 minutes – moved by Dan Marinellie, seconded by Chuck Belanger
Treasurer's report – current bank balance is $2606.24.
The next on-field tour will be in May, pending approval by airport authorities.
Spotting Site Reports:
a. ORD Hill - Chuck reports no major changes since the last meeting. Be cautious, the roads are in poor condition due to the weather. There was an incident where a member (with badge and vest) was asked to leave by a private security firm. We have notified CPD of the incident. The Life Source garage is accessible, spotting is ok from the top floor. Watch traffic for baseball/softball games.
b. PWK – no updates on closing of runway 24.
c. General – the NBA All-Star game is this coming weekend. Expect to see more private traffic, especially at MDW and possibley PWK.
d. MDW – Midway likes our pics posted to media sites. Be sure to tag them. Also, the 55th St. garage is good for spotting.
Chuck Belanger will be speaking at the EAA Illinois Valley Airport group in March or April. He has been asked to give a presentation on our group.
We will try to have a cookout around the airport this summer. We want to attract younger spotters that might not otherwise be able to join the group.
Illinois Valley Airport (Peru, IL) is looking for volunteers to assist with their Avenger repair activities. Please contact Brad Deckert through his Facebook contact.
General Comments – Our web site needs some tweaking. John Meneely noted the the ski plane fly-in in Oshkosh is scheduled for Feb.22, weather permitting.
The next meeting will be March 3, 2020, 7:00 pm at the Bensenville Police Station.
Meeting motion to adjourn by Bill Gaston at 7:28 pm; second by Chuck Belanger
Respectfully submitted by Bill Gaston