The Vigilante Hangar, Helena, MT. had its first meeting of the year on March 18, 2003. We conducted the meeting at 6:30 pm at Vetter Aviation, in their pilots/public hospitality area. Thanks to Vetter Aviation for allowing us the use of the facility.

Hangar president, Nigel Davis, invited Mike Korn of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to be the guest speaker at the meeting.

Mike's presentation was very interesting. He discussed the history of aviation within the Department and provided many interesting pictures of Department airplanes and helicopters and how they have used them over the past 60-70 years. He had pictures of Ford Tri-Motors hauling equipment into the backcountry and dropping salt blocks, of Cessna 180's and Super Cubs stocking fish in mountain lakes as well as helicopters game surveying. Mike also discussed the Department's role in being involved with the Recreational/Backcountry Airstrip committee of the MPA. He discussed the progress and possibilities associated with developing an airstrip on Department land along Tongue River Reservoir. Mike's presentation lasted about and hour and was well received by the group. We gave mike a big thank you for his presentation as well as his involvement with the R/B Airstrip Committee.

Other items discussed at the meeting included combining/involving the local EAA Chapter and the local Ultralight Flyers Chapter in our meetings. There were some EAA members and Ultralight members present and each felt this would be beneficial to all associations.

We also discussed summer hangar fly out activities, hosting a fly in at Helena, and organizing work sessions to the Missouri Breaks airstrips. We will keep all informed of these activities.

Another important topic that was discussed was how to become more involved with other group organizations that could become needed allies when dealing with aviation issues such as restrictions imposed at airports, security issues and recreational airstrips.

Debbie Alke, Director, Montana Aeronautics Division, who is also a Vigilante Hangar member, attended the meeting. Debbie is very involved with all aviation issues in Montana as well as the Vigilante Hangar.

The next meeting was scheduled tentatively for April 14, 2003. We are planning on conducting a membership drive/get involved with MPA at this meeting and will be providing pizza for all.