The Beacon - September 24, 2025

September 24, 2025

This is the semimonthly email newsletter from the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 54 of Lake Elmo, Minn.  If you have difficulty reading this information, view it on the chapter website. Unless otherwise noted, all events occur at the Chapter House, at the south entrance of Lake Elmo Airport off Manning Avenue. Find fly-in and drive-in information here.

President's Message
From the Flight Deck: Something here
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Young Eagles
Eight pilots = 30+ happy kids

The summer of 2025 has been a difficult one for the chapter's Young Eagles program as smoke and weather has made it difficult to get off the ground. That streak ended on Saturday (9/13) as the day dawn perfect for flying.  About 30 young people experienced the joy of flight thanks to Chapter 54's volunteer pilots and ground personnel.   We've got the pictures to prove it! Find them all here.

Safety Brief
If you fly to Fleming Field, you're probably doing it wrong

Over the last few months, a few local members of the FAA Safety Team (including chapter member Bob Collins) have been working with Keith Thompson of the St. Paul Tower Team to try to eliminate the close calls that are happening between inbound planes and jets to St. Paul Downtown and flights in and out of South St. Paul's Fleming Field. Most of these seem to involve transient aircraft.  A year or so ago, Thompson led a meeting at KSGS to try to call attention to the problem.

On that occasion, he discussed aircraft into Fleming (1720' traffic pattern) interfering with the inbound St. Paul (1910' traffic pattern). Since then there have been some startling conflicts.

Many pilots choose to use the Cottage Grove refinery as a waypoint to then enter the KSGS traffic pattern for Runway 16 at a 45-degree angle, or to then fly a midfield entry for the left downwind for Runway 32. But that presents too much opportunity for conflict, and, unfortunately, that's what too many flight schools are teaching their students. Thompson suggested an entry a little farther sought but it working with the FAASTeam, we discovered a much better entry and exit to Fleming Field. Thompson flew with one of the FAASTeam members so the St. Paul Tower could have a better idea of what KSGS traffic is doing.

"Generally what we did after departing was flew south until the big bend in the Mississippi as it turns towards Hastings, and that seemed to keep us well out of the way of STP’s final. It also gave us plenty of time to look for traffic inbound to SGS from the south. Coming in, we aimed for the 'toilet paper rolls' and then just stayed between HWY 61 and the river until we could join the pattern," he said. 

Visually, it's an easy entry to spot. The "toilet paper rolls". They're a group of oil tanks on the left as you approach, and the Cottage Grove shopping center on the right. By splitting these two landmarks, you're set up perfectly for a 45 degree left downwind for runway 16, or, once in the pattern, a midfield crosswind entry to 32. The approach gives you a good view of other KSGS traffic and, more importantly, keeps you farther away from the downtown airport.

This will likely be established as the FAA sanctioned approach to the airport in the near future. In the meantime, Thompson will be hosting a meeting - both in person and virtual - tomorrow (Thursday 9/25) at 7 p.m. in the KSGS community room. It will also be streamed live. Attendees will also receive Wings credit by registering here for the in-person event, or here for the webinar.

Events
Gary Powers Jr. speaks to EAA 54 on December 1

The son of the famous U-2 pilot shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960 while flying a CIA spy mission will be speaking at the 54 Chapter House on Monday December 1.  Gary Powers Jr., has written a book about his dad, Francis Gary Powers.  He has lectured on the Cold War, U-2 Incident and the need to honor Cold War veterans, preserve Cold War history, and educate future generations about this time period for over 35 years. His book Spy Pilot: Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy, is intended to "set the record straight in regard to the fake news that surround the U-2 Incident and tarnished my father’s reputation," he told member Jeff Hove, who is arranging the presentation. "It gives an overview of what it was like to grow up in the shadow of a famous Cold War figure, my search for the truth after my father’s 1977 death in a helicopter when I was 12 years old, and how my research led to the USAF and CIA posthumously awarding my father the POW Medal / Director’s Medal and Silver Star in 2000 and 2012."

The event is not the December chapter program and is being funded at Hove's expense, so a donation is being requested by Hove from attendees. The presentation is expected to last one hour.

"My 1-hour program consists of showing a few short video clips and a PowerPoint presentation from a flash drive. During my talk I discuss the Cold War, U-2 Incident and what it was like to be a consultant on Spielberg’s 2015 Cold War thriller, /Bridge of Spies/, that depicts my father’s shootdown and eventual exchange with Pryor for Soviet spy Rudolph Able in 1962 at the Glienicker Bridge in Potsdam, Germany."

While registration is not required, doing so will aid in planning the evening. Please register here.

Saturday Open House
Wings program returning to Saturday mornings

Now that the St. Paul Saints season is over, Chapter 54 is once again opening the Chapter House for coffee, doughnuts (maybe), aviation talk, and a safety seminar. The Saturday Open House starts around 9 a.m. and we'll watch the live webinar from Laura Hermann. Attendees will be eligible for FAA Wings credit if they have a Wings account (set up your account).  The organizer, Bob Collins, is undergoing knee replacement surgery at some point in November so dates around then are tentative.  Why not get to know a few chapter members and become a safer pilot at the same time?

The program returns on Saturday September 27. Here is the current schedule:

Saturday 9/27 - Jurg Grossenbacher, ATP, CFI-I, FAASTeam Program Manager, Milwaukee FSDO, talks with us about the choices we have for our recurrent training requirements as pilots.  He'll present the traditional flight review, and how to use the FAA WINGS program to become an even safer, more proficient pilot.

Saturday 10/4 -  If it can happen to another pilot it can happen to you!  Utility and HAA helicopter pilot Jessica Meiris will present several scenarios based on the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS).  In these mostly non-fatal helicopter incidents and accidents, the pilot lived to tell the tale, and we can all learn from them!  Studying real-world scenarios is an excellent way to practice and refine your ADM skills.  While the reports are helicopter specific, fixed wing pilots are encouraged to join!

Saturday 10/11 - Young Eagles Day. No Open House.

Saturday 10/18 - The VOR Minimum Operational Network Is Coming To An Airport Near You.  Vince Massimini, ATP, CFI-I, FAASTeam Rep, Rick Niles, ATP, CFI, FAASTeam Rep,  discuss the use of GPS for aircraft navigation.  It's decreased the need for ground-based navigation aids for most flights under instrument flight rules.  Many aviation users no longer use VORs for navigation and can navigate only using GPS.  The FAA could potentially remove all or nearly all VORs. The risk of disruptions of GPS systems is well known.  The FAA is planning to maintain backup navigation capability to provide service in case of a GPS disruption.  The complimentary navigation systems will be the VOR Minimum Operational Network and the NextGen Distance Measuring Equipment. This presentation will discuss details of the VOR MON and Nex Gen DME programs and the necessity for pilots to be prepared to use them in case of a GPS disruption. 

Saturday 11/8 (tentative) -  IFR Chart Clinic Part 2. Gain Valuable Insights Into Reading IFR Charts. Chris Baur, ATP, CFI-I, Flight Engineer, Dispatcher and colleagues talk with us about IFR charting that will deepen your understanding of instrument charts, vital for safe navigation in the skies.  Our chart clinic will guide you through the complexities of IFR charting.  Learn about nomenclature, symbology and the standardization of charting conventions.  We will break down how information is organized, presented, and derived to characterize the Instrument Flight Procedures you will encounter. 

Chapter House
Ostrems take over landscaping duties

Now that they've moved to Stillwater, John and Nancy Ostrem are spending more time at Lake Elmo Airport and looking to further beautify the treasure that is the Chapter 54 Chapter House. Accomplished gardeners, they've offered to landscape the area after a failed attempt by the facilities director this year to do it. A weedkiller application around the airport wiped out newly-planted perennials.  Under the Ostrem plan, they will make a financial donation to the chapter, which in turn will be used exclusively for upgrading the exterior appearance. The two have already cleared the south side of debris in anticipation of providing a more healthy soil.  The biggest challenge has been watering new and established plants because there's no running water at the Chapter House. The plan is to install rain barrels on the southwest and southeast downspout locations to capture water.

Around New Richmond
Miracle at KRNH
Chapter member Doug Weiler, who has run the Twin Cities RV Builders Group since the Wright Brothers were only making bicycles, has the incredible story behind this summer's incident at New Richmond, when highly regarded local RVer Nancy Burkholder landed on the turf runway and then slid into a pond, the RV flipping upside down in the water.

As she tells it in Doug's excellent quarterly newsletter:

"I cleared some trees and brush before landing in the lake. When the wheels entered the water Athena flipped on her back. One second I'm seeing sky and lake, and the next water. I remember seeing water squirting into the cockpit from every crack. The instrument panel displays were still lit. I remember thinking I could die here. I reached down to unlatch the canopy and tried to push the canopy open and but could not open it. Then I un
buckled my 4-point harness and the next thing I remember was being right side up, my feet resting on the canopy and my head above the water with Athena above me. I knew the canopy wouldn't open until the water pressure equalized on both sides. Athena sank a few more inches and I felt my feet push the canopy open." 

It could have been so much worse. Visit Doug's website for more.

Pancake Breakfast
Chapter fundraiser's success unexpected but nobody's complaining
A few hours into the August pancake breakfast fly-in, it sure had the feeling of a bust. Fog refused to burn off at its assigned time and the field remained IFR to midmorning. And here we were sitting on enough food to feed 800 people, according to the plan.  Eventually, of course, the sun did its job and a few planes were able to fly in, but nothing approaching our goal.  So, it was a bit of surprise when chapter treasurer Emma Hanson released the final financial results, showing a net profit of over $3,000. The Board of Directors subsequently funded EAA Air Academy scholarships for three young people (Beacon - September 1) .

According to the treasurer's report, the event resulted in a total income of $5691.95 with expenses totaling $2181.30. That's a substantial increase over the 2024 pancake breakfast fly-in which grossed $3218.62 with expenses of $2107.18.

Hanson reported that about 550 people were served: 443 adult meals were served,  54 half-priced kids meals were served, and 40 kids under 5 ate free as did 25 pilots in command and 19 volunteers.

One key to the financial success was the chapter's ability to sell left-over ingredients to an EAA Chapter in Mankato, as well as Marlon Gunderson getting refunds on purchased ingredients from area stores. The chapter also received several generous donations.

Meanwhile, the chapter is already investing in next year's event. Chef Bruce Olson has purchased two 36" Blackstone grills for preparing the scrambled eggs, replacing the smaller grills used in August. They will be stored in the "shed" at the Chapter House as unused deck chairs stored there have been discarded.

It appears certain there will be a similar event next August if planning coordinator(s) can be found. Of the 19 volunteers who responded to a survey (you can still take it), almost all said the event should be held again and only one said he would not volunteer in 2026.

Chapter elections
All about elections

There will be no changes to the administration of EAA Chapter 54 going into November's Chapter Elections. The four positions EAA considers as chapter officers - President Marlon Gunderson, Vice President Jay Schranker, Treasurer Emma Hanson, and Secretary Ed Trudeau - are all running unopposed at the Nov. 10.  But two members of the Board of Directors will be elected.  Bob Collins and Scott Hanson are completing their terms and are not running for re-election. While the coordinator positions and membership on the Board of Directors are not technically "linked" according to our bylaws, chapter tradition is that the Facilities Director and Membership Coordinator serve on the Board. While the coordinators are not elected positions, the Board positions are.  Dan Theis has been named the next Facilities Director, and Mark Shanahan has been selected as the next membership coordinator, so they will appear on the November ballot as Board of Directors candidates. There are no other candidates for the two positions, however.

The only other item on the ballot are changes to the Chapter Bylaws, which have not been updated since 2019. November features a full program in addition to the business of chapter elections, so anyone with concerns or questions on the bylaw changes should start a thread via Google Groups in order to save time at the November meeting.

During the transition period, outgoing coordinators should turn over their eaa54.org email accounts to the incoming coordinators. This is best done by changing any password back to an original or easily remembered password, delete any forwarding of eaa54.org email that is occurring to the personal email accounts of the outgoing account holder, and then, after logging in, the new coordinator should change the password and set up any mail forwarding using the instructions at the preceding link.

We hope to see you at the November meeting.

VMC Club
Question of the Month

You’re a non-instrument rated pilot and have contacted ATC in an emergency situation and have been given vectors to an airport where you can make an emergency landing. What should you do if it appears the vector may take you into IMC?

Pilots in such a situation should notify ATC that they are not instrument rated and the vector provided will take them into IMC. According to AIM 6-2-1.b, “Experience has shown that many pilots who are not qualified for instrument flight cannot maintain control of their aircraft when they encounter clouds or other reduced visibility conditions. In many cases, the controller will not know whether flight into instrument conditions will result from ATC instructions. To avoid possible hazards resulting from being vectored into IFR conditions, a pilot in difficulty should keep the controller advised of the current weather conditions being encountered and the weather along the course ahead and observe the following:

1. If a course of action is available which will permit flight and a safe landing in VFR weather conditions, noninstrument rated pilots should choose the VFR condition rather than requesting a vector or approach that will take them into IFR weather conditions; or
2. If continued flight in VFR conditions is not possible, the noninstrument rated pilot should so advise the controller and indicating the lack of an instrument rating, declare a distress condition.”

NOTE: According to the AIM, if a distress condition is declared, Search and Rescue coordinators will take steps to intercept and escort an aircraft. The pilot has discretion to not accept the intercept and escort services.

October chapter video magazine
Something here

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October gathering
The next membership gathering will be held on Monday October 13 at 6:30 pm (social hour, program starts at 7). Our three scholarship recipients will talk about their experiences at the EAA Air Academy in Oshkosh over the summer. Then member Jim Pearsall will talk about the Light Sport Repairman Certificate and the impact of MOSAIC 2.0.  Details and directions

October anniversaries
A reminder that your membership anniversary is also your membership renewal date. You can renew your membership here.

Scott Hutchinson (28 years)
Bob Collins (26 years*)
Barry Dayton (22 years)
Paul Rankin (22 years)
Dan Bathke (1 year)
Joe Connolly (1 year)
Drew Lindquist (1 year)
John Ostrem (1 year)

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