Welcome to Your Chapter, EAA Chapter 1702!

We are EAA nationally recognized GOLD chapter for 2024, our very first year.

Whether you fly, build, restore or simply enjoy airplanes and aviation, you are welcome to attend our YOUR events and join our YOUR Chapter.

We are a group of aviation enthusiasts, aircraft builders, and pilots who get together with like minded people to share ideas, exchange information, encourage safety, serve the local aviation community and have a lot of fun doing so. Please come to our next gathering, event, or business meeting as our guest.

Membership Information:

• Did you receive or see our sticker and want to learn more about our chapter with no commitment, please fill out this contact form:  CONTACT FORM
• If you are interested in joining our chapter, please fill out our online google form application: ONLINE APPLICATION
• Membership fees due annually; $20 for individual, $30 for family, students (K-12) are free.  Please pay securely through our link on Zeffy: DIGITAL DUES - ZEFFY

Chapter Announcements [Updated March 30 2025]:

• Birdies for Charity has started!!!  Please consider donating to the chapter via Birdies.  For every donation, John Deere contributes a bonus based upon participation.  This increases your donation without you having to do anything.  Money contributed during Birdies will allow us to provide more scholarships in our area!  Please be as generous as your means allow.  Birdies Donation Link - Birdies #2414
• Adult Learn-to-Fly Week - May 13-15. EAA.org is hosting their annual Learn-to-Fly week of webinars May 13th - 15th.  Expert flight instructors and aviation professionals will be hosting engaging interactive sessions designed to kick-start your flight training journey.  For more info: https://www.eaa.org/ltfweek

The event wraps up with our chapter hosting a Flying Start event on May 17, 2025, where aspiring pilots can learn, connect and discover their path to flight training at nearby airports. Don't miss out on the FREE introductory Eagle Flight to cap off the experience!  Registration for the May 17th event opens on May 3rd.  CLICK TO REGISTER

Topics include:  

• How to begin your flight training
• Tips for saving time and money
• Leveraging flight simulation
• Preparing for the FAA written exam
• Examiner advice for acing the check ride
• And much more!
• Pancake Breakfast - June 7th. We are going to have our first pancake breakfast and we need flippers!!! If you can volunteer your time for a couple of hours to flip pancakes, we'd love to have you!!!!  You can sign up using this link:  Pancake Flipper
• Youth Fly for Free! We've updated our chapter's Young Eagles page to list all our upcoming public Young Eagles Rallies and Workshops.  Once the event is created, we'll add a link and list when the registration opens.  This creates a one-stop-shop for your interest in our youth events!  So click HERE to visit the page and bookmark for future reference
  • Next Young Eagles Rally - June 14th.  Our next Young Eagles Rally will be Saturday, June 14th at QC Aero with time slots beginning at 8am.  Registration will open on June 8th at 2pm.  Please sign up using the following link:  June 8th Young Eagles Rally Registration
• Chapter Newsletter.  If you aren't on our membership email list (ahem...so please fill out the contact form above), you may not be aware that we have a monthly chapter newsletter.  Please visit our Newsletter Link on the left or menu "burger" on mobile to see our archived editions.
• Volunteers Needed.  As our chapter grows and conducts more public events, our need for volunteers is growing.  Here is just a small list of areas we could use your help.  If anything below interests you, email us at chapter@eaa1702.org with the specific roles you want to fill.
  • Quad Cities Airshow Booth.  We also have 5 spots left for airshow volunteers.  These volunteers will be working on our "two day wonder," a build and fly RC.  Training is required.  Although children can come with adult volunteers, this sign up is for adults only (but let us know if you are bringing your kids) - Airshow Volunteer
  • Young Eagle Pilots - We're looking for pilots to commit to ~ 3 hours of flying per rally.  We schedule :45 min time block per youth, which means you'll fly at least 4 youth in that 3 hour block.  For every youth flown, our chapter gets $5 of Young Eagles "Credits" from EAA for use on a variety of items.  Our chapter flew just over 100 youth last year.  Will you help us surpass that goal this year?  
  • Young Eagle Rally Volunteer - We're seeking excited and energetic members to help check in youth and their families, assign youth to pilots, and then help ensure all post-flight paperwork is prepared following the Young Eagle Flight.  This job doesn't need a commitment for the entire duration of a Rally, however we appreciate those that can.  
  • Chapter Hospitality Team - Do you like to cook?  Are you available to help set up for our events?  Do you want to be the welcoming face for all newcomers to our chapter events?  Our hospitality team does all that and more!  As part of this team, you'll make sure every person at our event has the BEST DAY ever by welcoming them, providing name tag (if they don't have one already), and introducing them to the event of the day.  Additionally, you can be part of this team if you want to help prepare and cook at our events on our Blackstone Griddle.  
  • Young Eagle Educator - Does teaching others bring you joy?  Are you wanting to get involved with aviation, but don't feel you know enough to help?  Well this might be your calling.  We will hold Young Eagle Workshops periodically this year.  In fact, our first one is coming up in March during Spring Break.  Our youth education activities come from EAA's AeroEducate program, which provides all the detailed instructions you need to facilitate their learning.  All we need is your heart to teach, excitement, and positive energy.  I guarantee that volunteering for this role will make you feel like a kid again!!
• Monthly VMC Club.  EAA 1702 hosts a monthly VMC Club on the 3rd Tuesdays at 6pm at QC Aero.  This learning event is open to anyone and everyone who wants to challenge themselves to be a better pilot through scenario based discussions.  Our goal is to create an environment where pilots of all skill levels can share their experiences to mentor and encourage one another.  No requirement to be an EAA or Chapter member to attend.  Individuals curious about learning to fly are welcomed!  Click HERE for more information.
• Monthly IMC Club.  EAA 1702 hosts a monthly IMC Club on the 3rd Tuesdays at 6:45pm at QC Aero.  Our intent is to provide an environment for pilots who are interested in learning more about IFR training or low-time / rusty IFR pilots looking to challenge themselves to improve their proficiency.  We look to introduce ground training concepts as well as share best practices and techniques through scenario based discussion.  If you're a seasoned IFR pilot, or someone looking for group accountability to get you to your rating, this is the group for you.  No requirement to be an EAA or Chapter member to attend. 
• Chapter Official Apparel.  EAA 1702 Spirit Shop is OPEN!  Check out our store on bonfire for our Official Merchandise.  All items are at cost to allow the lowest prices available for our members.  Please check out all the different options, both colors and designs.  https://www.bonfire.com/store/eaa-1702-spirit-shop/

Upcoming Events:

Click HERE for Chapter Events Calendar Page

Future Chapter Gathering Topics (First Saturday at 11:30am, QC Aero):

• May:  Moline Airport Safety & Operations Tour - Cinco de Mayo Potluck Theme
• June:  Chapter Member Aircraft "Show & Tell"; KMLI Pattern Day - Pancake Breakfast Food Theme
• July:  Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic Career Path - Americana (Burgers and Hotdogs) Potluck Theme

Where We Meet:

We are pleased to announce that we'll be partnering with Quad Cities Aero to host our chapter events.  QC Aero is located just to the left of the I-74 access road to the Quad Cities Airport Terminal.  As you enter the access road, turn left at the sign that directs you to "CAP" (Civil Air Patrol).  Thank you Summer and QC Aero for hosting EAA Chapter 1702 Gatherings, VMC Club, and Young Eagle Rallies...with more to come!!

Local Quad Cities EAA members founded EAA Chapter 1702 on the following principles: 

• Diversity & Inclusion is paramount, as the love for aviation knows no boundaries

• Foster an aviation focused, family friendly, welcoming chapter

• Inspire youth & adults to pursue their passion for aviation through Eagle & Young Eagle experiences - follow up with chapter mentorship

• Provide aviation opportunities to marginalized populations

• Develop and administer scholarships to remove barriers for those with the greatest passion for aviation

• Promote and host aviation educational programs in support of STEM

• Encourage cooperation of all members to support one another's aviation goals

EAA Chapter 1702 is a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Non-Profit Charity organization (99-1740388) committed to the advancement of aviation education.   Donations to EAA Chapter 1702 are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.