From breakfast flights to Chapter 1116
EAA Chapter 1116, known as Palm Springs Wings, grew from an informal circle of Coachella Valley aviators who met for weekend “Breakfast Flights” from Palm Springs, Bermuda Dunes, and Thermal. Those fly-outs became a regular place to talk about airplanes, building, and ways to share aviation with the community.
According to a chapter history written by Betty Davidow, Neil Klein introduced the group to EAA and helped organize Chapter 1116, serving as its first president. Contemporary chapter filings record regular meetings beginning in April 1995, and California records show that EAA Chapter 1116, Inc. was incorporated as a nonprofit public benefit corporation on September 28, 1995. Early meetings were held upstairs at Bermuda Dunes Airport.
Young Eagles and the pancake tradition
Community service was part of the chapter from the beginning. Its 1995 filing records Young Eagles activities and pancake breakfasts beginning in October 1995. Members contributed their aircraft, time, ground instruction, cooking, and event support.
A former Lions Club food trailer was moved from Palm Springs to Thermal and rebuilt by chapter volunteers into a traveling cook trailer. It went on to support Young Eagles rallies, pancake breakfasts, and aviation events around Southern California.
Across the desert
Chapter memories describe Young Eagles rallies at Bermuda Dunes, Desert Center, El Centro, Yucca Valley, and Blythe. Historical photographs preserve early rallies, recruitment displays, chapter meals, the traveling cook trailer, and the Palm Springs Wings name.
Today, that same volunteer spirit continues at Thermal. Chapter 1116 brings together pilots, builders, mechanics, students, families, and aviation enthusiasts through meetings, youth flights, scholarships, safety education, and community events.
From the archive: The 2023 EAA Ford Tri-Motor visit
This event has concluded and is preserved here as part of Chapter 1116 history.
From October 6–8, 2023, Chapter 1116 joined Desert Jet Center and Thermal Aviation to host the EAA Ford Tri-Motor at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport. Visitors could see the historic aircraft and take rides, while the event helped support chapter youth, scholarship, and education programs.
