The first talk of an association started with Ellett Lawrence, P-538 when we (Jim and Marge Gorman) were at Duke School in Wichita, KS prior to taking delivery of N410G P-596 on April 10, 1983.
We procrastinated until we met Bill Passey at Mesa, AZ airport. Like a lot of us he noticed our landing and came over to see another Duke. Over dinner that evening we thought it might be worth a try to form some sort of a loose organization with the purpose of helping each other fly and maintain this great airplane.
Upon returning home an owners list was secured from AOPA and a first mailing went out in June 1988. 80 people replied in the affirmative and with dues of $25.00 we were on our way. By the time of our first fly-in at Mansfield, OH we had 165 members and $3,400 in the bank. 22 Dukes arrived for that first fly-in.
Ellett Lawrence our first President designed our letterhead and membership cards (both still in use). Bill Passey, Vice President; Marge Gorman, Secretary and Treasurer; Jim Gorman, Newsletter were also elected. Interesting enough both Ellett and Bill later bought King Airs. We have issued over 1000 memberships and average over 300 members on a yearly basis. Of the first 100 members, 20 are still members 23 years later.