Our chapter holds meetings on the third Monday of the month at 6 PM. Generally meetings are held at the FBO at Billard airport. Occasionally we hold meetings at other locations, so reach out if you're interested in attending.
Upcoming Events:
August 18, 2025
Chapter monthly gathering at Billard FBO 6 PM - Will make plans for the pancake feed & FAA forum in Sept.
Sept. 6, 2025 Pancake Breakfast and FAA Controller/pilot forum
The FAA FAASTeam has asked us to help coordinate a controller pilot forum for Topeka. This will be at TAC hangar 26.
The chapter will hold a pancake breakfast starting at 8 AM and the forum will begin at 9:30.
FAA will have controllers from both Billard and Forbes so we can all learn from each other, discuss procedures, best practices,
and how we can help each other be safe in the airspace.
Previous Events:
June 21, 2025 Pancake Breakfast
We held the first pancake breakfast for the new Topeka chapter. Mother nature gave us a very windy day, but we had several folks fly in from around the area.
Many thanks to all who helped make it a success and to TAC for letting us use their hangar.
June 16, 2025
We held our monthly gathering at the FBO and enjoyed chips and dip courtesy of Ken. Kermit gave a great briefing on arrival procedures into Oshkosh for 2025.
May 19, 2025
We met at Guy Giroux's hangar and he gave a great talk about the AirCam he built. Afterwards we grilled hamburgers...barely getting them done before the downpour!
May 17, 2025 - EAA Young Eagles Rally!
The chapter held its first Young Eagles Rally! Pictures are on our Young Eagles page: Chapter 1693 Young Eagles
April 21, 2025 - Monthly Chapter Gathering & Pancake Dinner!
We held a pancake dinner this month as a test run for our first pancake fly in breakfast coming up in June. Thanks to Melvin, the past Topeka EAA Chapter 313's rotary pancake cooker has been refurbished. Mike entertained us with many stories from the previous chapter's days.
Nearly Normal Norm's Rotary Pancake Cooker - Courtesy of Topeka's former EAA chapter #313
March 17th 2025 at Billard Airport Hangar 41
The club met at Russ' hangar to celebrate the first flight of his Rans and enjoy some sloppy joes courtesy of Ken.
February 17, 2025
Meeting held at Billard FBO. 13 members present.
Thanks to Ken for bringing Glory Day's Pizza for everyone!
Discussion topics:
Treasurer reports bank account changeover done, has received his first statement. No new income/memberships. Hope to get Venmo setup soon to make it easier for some people to pay dues.
Looking for volunteers for Aviation day at the capital March 3rd. Chapter will have a table, Ken has ordered pamphlets from EAA.
Several planning to attend Oshkosh this year, more discussion in future meetings as we get closer
Russ has an airworthiness certificate for his Rans! There was a good bit of discussion as he described his building process and working through the paperwork with the FAA for registration. Also discussed property tax issues related to owning an experimental aircraft.
Pancake Feed: We've picked the date of June 21st for our first pancake feed. We want to give Billard restaurant a heads up on this. Tim to work on getting the rotating griddle from the previous EAA chapter. Plan to store this in Ken's hangar.
Coffee Meetups: Suggestion to start having meetups for coffee at the Billard restaurant. Possibly Saturday mornings...may grab the conference room or a few tables for airplane nuts to gather, drink coffee, talk airplanes and tell lies.
Podcasts: Ken asked people to suggest aviation podcasts or you tube channels they enjoy. Lots of people threw out suggestions. Below is a partial list:
- I Learned About Flying From That (podcast)
- David Wyckoff (you tube - flys a Kitfox out of Pittsburg KS)
- Ask The A&Ps (podcast) Mike Busch, Paul New and Colleen Sterling
- History of WWII
- The Green Dot (EAA podcast)
- Pilot Debrief (you tube)
- Simple Flying (podcast)
- Mentour Pilot (you tube)
- Aviation News Talk (podcast - Max Trescott)
- Glen's Hangar (you tube)
- Seth Lake (you tube) - check out "5 Weird maneuvers that will make you a better pilot"
- Opposing Bases (podcast)
January 20, 2025
Meeting held at Billard FBO. 13 members present.
Discussion topics:
Opportunities for growing chapter membership
Currently have 15 paid up members for 2025.
Fundraisers - Ken Stiles to lead a working group for plans - Volunteers needed
Report from Ken on Billard's plans for new fuel tanks with self serve capability
Discussed options to start Eagle Flight program
Discussed having a display/table for KAA Aviation Day at the Capitol 2025 on March 3rd
Discussed possible field trips for some future meetings. Suggestions of Forbes Air National Guard refueling wing, Kansas City Center, Garmin, DOC B-29
Suggestion of having volunteers do "book reports" on a favorite aviation podcast or you tube channel
December 16, 2024
Dinner at Viking's Grille in North Topeka
The chapter held a fun Christmas dinner and elected new chapter leadership.
New Chapter Officers:
President Ken Mishler
Vice President Kenny Stiles
Secretary Corey Wills
Treasurer Thomas Trull
