From its beginnings in the late '50s, Chapter 54 of the Experimental Aircraft Association has served aviation enthusiasts, dreamers, aircraft builders, pilots, would-be pilots, and individuals interested in helping young people become aviators in the East Metro of Minnesota's Twin Cities.
We hold a gathering on the second Monday of each month at the Chapter House at Lake Elmo Airport (21D) to talk aviation and socialize. We provide Young Eagles rides and aviation scholarships. We help people who are building airplanes.
Please come to our next gathering as our guest. Let us know you're coming so you can be properly greeted and introduced to the chapter.
OCTOBER GATHERING |
| Join us at the next regular meeting of Chapter 54 on Monday October 12, 2026. Our guest speaker will be member Dave Harvey, who has done his share of flying to the Bahamas. He was the subject of the March 6. 2026 issue of The Beacon, our newsletter. Join us for a social "hour" at 6:30 pm, with the program starting at 7 at the EAA 54 headquarters at the base of the airport beacon at Lake Elmo Airport. Take the southernmost entrance off Manning Avenue. Read more >> |
Holiday Party date changed
Write it down! Monday December 21 6pm. That's the new date for the annual Chapter holiday party. Usually the party replaces the monthly chapter gathering, but in accommodating schedules, the Board of Directors has announced that the party will be pushed back two weeks. There will be no regular chapter meeting in December.
Chapter election on tap
Chapter 54's elections are rarely high drama and the one scheduled for the next chapter meeting on November 9. When Evan Savaas moved to California earlier this year, his spot on the Board was not filled. That left us with two active Class II Directors (Class II directors are elected in even-numbered years to two-year terms), one short of the required minimum of three.
There'll be no drama at the November meeting, either, in all liklihood. This year, three Class II directors are up for re-election -- Bruce Olson and Bill Schanks Jr. -- and a third Class II director will likely be a current Class III director. Young Eagles coordinator Dale Seitzer will shift from Class III director (elected in odd-numbered years) to Class II. It also asked that he take on Savvas' role as Flying Start coordinator. Technically, the two aren't linked as chairpersons aren't automatically added to the board, but that is the de facto process.
Nominations will also be taken from the floor and although it rarely happens that people put forth their own names anymore, there's nothing stopping someone from nominating another member. Take the hint.
At the same time, the Board discussed next year's election of chapter officers (Chapter officers are president, vice president, secretary and treasurer). It is anxious to avoid a repeat of 2023 when the chapter came dangerously close to having no president before Marlon Gunderson stepped up. Gunderson, a two-term president, suggested last year he didn't want a third term but announced this month "I think I've got one more term in me."
In other Board actions, Treasurer Emma Hanson reported the final totals from the August pancake breakfast. The event grossed $7046 with expenses of $2308, leaving a $4738 profit. Much of that is funding scholarships to the 2027 Air Academy at Oshkosh.
Facilities Manager Dan Theis reported he's reinstalling the plastic film over windows and air conditioners that saved the chapter hundreds of dollars last winter. He's also planning a work day to install railings on the back steps.
Chapter video magazine - October
In this month’s Chapter Video Magazine, Charlie Becker gets you up to date on EAA happenings: AirVenture 2027 Plans, Chapters Update, Air Academy Changes for 2027, Volunteer of the Year Awards, and EAA Aviation Museum Update.
