Updates & Breaking News

 General Aviation Space Group is giddy with delight to announce that  GASG has been granted approval for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.   This means that any donations received from YOU are tax  deductible.  Just as importantly, this will give us the opportunity to  apply for various grants that will provide the funding we need to  accomplish our mission(s).

 We greatly appreciate everyone who has believed in us through the  IRS application process and who continue to stand by us. 

 Visit the GASG online store--new items are being added regularly  until Christmas, and remember, free shipping within the United States through December 24, 2008.

Challenge

updated November 2, 2008

Amelia Earhart (general aviation pioneer) said:  Women must try to do things as men have tried.  When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to do other.

Toddlers struggle and climb up onto a bed or chair and then are overwhelmed with pride when they announce, "I doed it."

Our cat is welcome on the bed and can easily jump onto it.  Instead she climbs up boxes and over bags to leap to the bed because it's a bigger challenge.

President Kennedy said that we must try to go to the moon not because it is easy but because it is hard.

Doing things that are a challenge is important to the quality of life of all humans, perhaps all living creatures.

This is part of the human endeavor--challenge, achievement, pride of accomplishment.  Creating GASG was a challenge; achieving each goal is an achievement; everyone is proud of successes.

The spring and summer of 2008 have been a challenge for GASG.  We looked with great optimism to Steelville, Missouri, who was enthusiastic about the prospect of forming an alliance between the Chamber of Commerce and GASG for a public event rocket launch on October 4, the anniversary of Sputnik's kick start of the space race.  The after a presentation to the Chamber by several GASG board members, the CofC had no follow up and didn't return phone calls attempting to follow up.  The site we had chosen for a launch site of the Aurora Rocket was repeatedly flooded and was too much of a chance to count on for a launch.  Our FAA liaison fell victim to the economy and not only moved several states away but was working long and dangerous hours which left no time for communicating with the FAA.  After months of preparing an application that was over an inch thick to send to the IRS for 501(c)3 status, we are still in limbo.  We were  told to expect approval within 60 days unless we were told in that time to send additional information.  We are in the process of providing additional information nearly 180 days after our application was received.  This has put us in a holding pattern from seeking grant money and engaging in serious fundraising efforts.

It has been a challenging and frustrating year.

But our resistance to these frustrations makes us work harder at the challenges we face.  We face the challenge of making the organization known to general aviation as well as the general public.  We face the challenge of raising funds to support our goals.  We face the challenge of building a rocket, at all phases, and accomplishing the goals set forth.

To paraphrase General Patton and as Kris Kristofferson sang, "Don't let the bastards get you down."  We don't plan to let that happen.

GASG has realized many positive aspects in 2008.  The Executive Director and Assistant Director spent several days presenting at a career fair for local middle school students, opening their eyes to the possibilities of aviation but to what is beyond, even space.  Streeter & Earhart were invited speakers at the annual conference of the American Design and Drafting Association (ADDA).  Streeter & Earhart had positive reaction from and brilliant interaction with chapter leaders and national staff of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) at the headquarters in Oshkosh.  GASG will be featured in the local Santa Parade on the day after Thanksgiving with a float and vehicle, teaming up with an inner-city high school for a student project to build the float and participate in the parade.  The IRS is awaiting only one more piece of information from the state and therefore, we anticipate 501(c)(3) status by the end of the year.  GASG has several exciting fundraisers in progress.

Currently we are experimenting with a cleaner burning fuel, which is the focus of the Rocket I project.  The new fuel will be organic and cleaner.  The byproducts of combustion will be far more environmentally friendly.

People and organizations, and even our pet, can be challenged and serve a function to improve the quality of life, or rest on their laurels and do nothing.  We believe in doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do.  Without challenge and goals, whether accomplished successfully or not, some may stand at the pearly gates and try to explain to St. Peter why they did nothing with the life they had.