Eight scholarships were awarded to selected high school and university students preparing for careers in aeronautics or aerospace-related fields during the Aero Club’s meeting on Nov. 17.

Scholarship Committee chairman John Durant introduced six of the students to members during the dinner meeting at the Flight Path Museum & Learning Center. He said the committee found the selection especially challenging this year because many of the more than two dozen applicants had grade point averages at or near 4.0.

The six who attended are shown in the attached photo. From left, they are Travis Kingsley, Corwin Hoagland, Nick Stover, Mason Schupp, Steven Ewing and Alex Lemke. Two others were unable to attend the meeting because of their school schedules.

More than 60 embers and guests saw an illustrated presentation by ACSC director Ramona “Skychick” Cox (right with Nissen Davis) about her adventures flying her Cessna TU206 to wilderness areas of the western U.S. She described flying into short, unpaved landing strips in canyons and mountainous regions where she often sets up a camp using solar cells to power her computer, satellite phone and other office equipment.

Cox said in some remote locations the presence of moose and bears requires a careful vigil for safety’s sake. But the most dangerous animals near some of the dirt strips are among the smallest: “Gophers dig a log of holes, which could badly damage your landing gear,” she said. She is now making arrangements for a group to tour southern and eastern Africa next year aboard a vintage DC-3 to be flown by a veteran airline captain.

At the meeting, members elected Arthur McAllister Jr. to the board of directors. They also re-elected board members Rowena Ake, Nissen Davis, John Durant, Seymour Kahn and Ray Wolfe to three-year terms.

Board members elected three officers for one-year terms in 2010. Nissen Davis and Jim Ragsdale were re-elected president and vice president, and Alan Wayne was elected secretary. A treasurer will be elected in early 2010 to replace Richard Moon, who has resigned.