By Aidan Lara and Ray Ballantyne, EAA 808555, EAA Chapter 430 President
“By 2100z on Sunday, Oct. 26th, the TAFs were looking good for the flyout to Roche Harbor for Monday, Oct. 27th, so I sent out the ‘flyout is on’ announcement. By this time, I had 16 confirmed to attend,” reported Aidan Lara, EAA 1130884, the designated flyout chair (DFC).
The Clallam County Pilots Association (CCPA), a chapter of the Washington Pilots Association, has joined EAA Chapter 430 in these flyouts for many years. EAA 430 is the farthest Northwest chapter of the EAA in the continental U.S., as the Olympic Peninsula extends out west of Seattle. Regular flyouts have been a highlight of this gold-recognized chapter. Barry Halsted, EAA Lifetime 38317, has been coordinating the monthly flights for EAA430 since 2020. He is continually looking for good locations to have lunch, watches the weather, researches all the aeronautical information, and keeps everyone informed. You can imagine his delight when young Aidan stepped up and offered to be the DFC for October.
Aidan just recently turned 21 and came into aviation by way of the local radio control model club. Supported by not only his parents but his grandfather and great-grandfather, he went on to learn to fly and received his private pilot certificate at Sequim Valley Airport just last year. He and his entire family joined EAA 430 in April. Taking this young man under her wing, chapter member Emily Westcott, EAA 732138, gave Aidan the opportunity to fly her Cessna 172 to build hours and experience. The annual poker run identified 15 different airports for the five cards needed. Emily and Aidan flew to all 15 airports — because they could. He is now closing in on 100 hours.
Wanting to “stretch his wings,” Aidan led a group of three aircraft over the Cascade Mountains to Yakima, Washington, to visit the CubCrafters factory last month. And now he has stepped up to lead a chapter flyout.
So, here is the rest of Aidan’s report of the flyout:
On Monday morning, there were clear skies and calm winds over the peninsula and broken clouds at 1800 feet over Friday Harbor. Victoria was clear, and so was Orcas, so I decided that the flyout was still on. It was a beautiful, smooth flight over to San Juan Island, and it was visible that Roche was clear of clouds. Upon arrival, there was a group of aviators waiting with a few arriving shortly after. Myself, Sondra Pedlar (my mom), and Linda Priddle (Emily’s C172M), Bud Davies (C152), Scott Alair (Lancair Legacy), Richard Howell and Sid Vandiver (Richard’s Sling 2), Rob Stephens and Ernie Hansen (Rob’s VL3), Ray and Lisa Ballantyne, and Wells and Evangeline Hutchins (Ray and Lisa’s Sportsman), Cenk Özer and friend Scott (Linda’s C150J), and Barry and Tracy Halsted (their C172M). 17 people and eight airplanes in total.
After we took our group picture, we ventured down into town. The walk was a nice downhill stroll with great views of the harbor and the original Hotel De Haro. There were even a couple of people who called the hotel/resort to request a golf cart to meet us at the airport to be driven into town. After pushing a few tables together, it was great to get to socialize with everyone at lunch. It was also a treat to try the café’s homemade doughnuts and explore the original lime kilns.
If you haven’t made it up there, it is worth it, especially this time of the year during the off-season. Don’t forget to explore the mausoleum. The flight home was smooth with clear skies and light winds. This was also one of our largest flyout turnouts for 2025 and my first time acting as flyout coordinator. Thank you to all who attended!
Clear skies and tailwinds,
Aidan Lara
It truly is exciting to see the next generation step into leadership roles in our aviation organizations. It’s also fun to help and mentor them in the magic of flying their own aircraft.