Chapter 54 welcomes these individuals to the EAA family. We look forward to seeing all of you at an upcoming meeting. Interested in joining Chapter 54? Here's how.
Drew Lindquist
I’m a senior at Spring Lake Park High School, where I’m also taking PSEO classes at Anoka Ramsey Community College. I’m actively involved in the National Honor Society and serve as the captain of my school’s hockey team. Over the past year, I discovered a strong interest in aviation, inspired in part by flying with a friend who holds a Private Pilot License. My long-term goal is to play college hockey and eventually become a commercial pilot. In October, I took key steps toward this goal by obtaining my first-class medical certificate, choosing Lake Elmo Aero for my flight training, and beginning Sporty’s Ground School.
Q: Do you currently own or rent an airplane?
I rent a plane for my training through Lake Elmo Aero
Q: What was your all-time favorite flight in an airplane (if applicable)?
My first flight lesson was my favorite all-time flight.
Q: What first attracted you to Chapter 54?
I first learned about the local EAA chapters when I took a Young Eagles flight in September. I was particularly drawn to Chapter 54 because of its proximity to where I’ll be doing my flight training. Being part of a nearby chapter will make it easier to connect with other aviation enthusiasts and resources as I pursue my goals.
Q: What can the Chapter do to make your membership more meaningful? What would you most hope to get out of your membership?
To make my membership more meaningful, I'd appreciate opportunities to connect with mentors and experienced pilots who can offer guidance and share insights from their own journeys. Financial support options, such as scholarships or sponsored training programs, would also be invaluable as I work toward my goals. Additionally, hands-on workshops or events that build technical skills and aviation knowledge would be helpful. Overall, I’m hoping to gain a strong network of support, practical experience, and financial resources to support my path toward becoming a commercial pilot.
Joe Connolly
Born and raised in western Minnesota farm country, near Benson.
My father had a Piper Comanche at Benson airport.
Recently retired software engineer.
Q: Do you currently own or rent an airplane?
Building a RV 14a in a hangar at Lake Elmo airport.
Q: What was your all-time favorite flight in an airplane (if applicable)?
Flew to Red Lake Ontario in my dad's plane.
Q: What first attracted you to Chapter 54?
Wanted to see what was going on in the experimental world at Lake Elmo airport.
Q: What can the Chapter do to make your membership more meaningful? What would you most hope to get out of your membership?
Meet people with plane building knowledge or actively building a plane.
John and Nancy Ostrem
Nancy and I are both pilots and both are EAA National members. We have a lake home in Cumberland, Wisc., and have recently purchased a condominium in downtown Stillwater to be closer to family. We have a hangar in Cumberland (KUBE) but were fortunately able to purchase a hangar from #54 Member John Renwick at 21D. We are learning about his wonderful contributions and friendships with Chapter 54 over the years. With the help of several in the Chapter we were able to make the purchase, navigate through the mysteries (miseries) of MAC. We moved our Cessna 150 to the hangar for the winter months.
Our interest in aviation dates back over 50 years. I went to Navy flight school in Pensacola at the close of the Vietnam War and became a civilian “mid-training” as the War ended. After returning to Minnesota, I completed an Instrument rating, and we kept our C150 at 21D. Nancy has her Private Pilot's License and enjoys our flights.
Nancy was a HS Math teacher in Hastings for a full career and I was the Deputy Chancellor in the Minnesota State College and University System (now Minnesota State). I was able to fly to College and University towns in Minnesota using my instrument rating to get home nights. I flew the Chancellor and Board members to institutions and meetings which was a nice benefit and actually cost effective.
Aviation has always been a part of our lives, and we continue today with a very nice C150 we purchased about 5 years ago. We use the Cessna for 1 - 2 hour flights in the area, mostly to visit restaurants, hamburger socials, and pancake breakfasts. A flight that was not a “favorite” but certainly memorable was a mid-air collision with a white tail deer in our Cherokee Arrow. We had just lifted off when a deer hit the right fuel tank and was decapitated on the runway with our gear door! We flew back to Cumberland, left the gear alone, and landed safely. Phew ! Easily could have made deer sausage with the prop and made the front page !
We have always been big EAA supporters and Chapter 54 is an excellent and well-organized group! I am a YE qualified pilot and Chapter #631 has given 11,500 YE rides, successfully managed 7 Ray Scholars and also are the managers of a private trust fund for scholarships. We have several ideas to review and compare with Dale.
We haven’t fully moved to Stillwater and that process has been taking most of our energy but will have more time to be involved as we become part of the aviation community.
