EAA 99 Historical Timeline
The Experimental Aircraft Association is a worldwide, diverse and growing non-profit organization of members with a wide range of aviation backgrounds and interests. You don´t have to be a pilot to join the EAA, just love flying or anything about airplanes. Whether you are interested in building, buying or owning an airplane, dream about flying, or just enjoy being around airplanes, this organization is the place for you.
EAA was founded in 1953. Paul Poberezny, the leader of a small group of aviation enthusiasts who had been assembling at his home on an irregular basis, founds the Experimental Aircraft Association and is elected as its first President. On January 26, 1953, Poberezny calls the first official meeting of EAA at Curtiss-Wright (now Timmerman) Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The group originally gathered together to aid and assist amateur aircraft builders. However, its purposes quickly encompassed the promotion of all facets of recreational aviation and the promotion of aviation safety.
Chapter 99
Formed early in EAA´s history, Chapter 99 of Vero Beach is one of the oldest chapters of the over 1000 local chapters in existence today.
Early 1961
Application for Chapter status was initiated and received. However it appears the members did not file for incorporation until 1966.
Apr 7, 1961
Earliest written records of the Chapter acknowledging receipt of stationery from EAA headquarters.
Feb 4, 1963
Chapter decides to disband since interest was low.
The 1950's and Fred Weick
Fred Weick, one of the United States earliest aviation pioneers, was a lifetime member of EAA and a member of Chapter 99 until he passed away in 1993. In the late fifties Fred Weick started the Piper Development Center in Vero Beach (the winter home of the Piper family). Fred Ernest Weick was an American airmail pilot, research engineer, and aircraft designer. Working at the NACA, he won the 1929 Collier Trophy for his design of the NACA cowling for radial air-cooled engines. Weick's aircraft designs include the Ercoupe, Piper PA-25 Pawnee, and Cherokee.
The 1960's
In the early sixties Fred Weick started the development of the Piper Cherokee. At that time the manufacturing facility was started in Vero Beach to build the Cherokee. This was an exciting time that brought members, a 1965 J-3 Piper Cub and a Flying Club. The Chapter reorganized with Landis K. and Bill K. being part of the driving force. Incorporation was filed on 11/30/66. In those years, Chapter 99 had about 20 members.
July 14, 1966
Chapter 99 had been reinstated.
1974
The Chapter adopted it's first logo.
1986
Interest in the Chapter waned, some diehards persisted.
1995
Fred Weick passed away in 1993. With the help of the Weick family, the Chapter donated more than 61 items, among them Fred´s original drafting instruments, his flight bag, books, countless photographs, awards, medals and certificates to the Air Museum at Lakeland, FL. The exhibit was on display until 2009, when it was returned to Vero Beach.
2002
Chapter 99 revived with renting a hangar and moving into a permanent home and has been increasingly active since then. To read the details about the time starting 1966 until 2003 you can download Landis´ article in the Sport Aviation Magazine from Feb. 2003.
READ SPORT AVIATION ARTICLE ABOUT CHAPTER 99 HERE
The Chapter designed its current logo:
2003
Aviation Day, held by the Vero Beach Airport since 1985, was a popular event among aviators and residents. In 2003, Chapter 99 took on the event, attracting between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors every year.
2007
Membership had grown to about 60 members. On Feb. 20, 2007, Chapter 99 received a proclamation from the City Council of Vero Beach for promoting and supporting aviation, vounteering to educate Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, encouraging community awareness of aviation, and supporting the Vero Beach Municipal Airport.
June 2008
Due to liability reasons, Chapter 99 decided not to offer Young Eagles Flights any more as an organization. Instead, the event was modified into a "Learn To Fly Saturday", offering exposure to aviation not limited only to the youngsters, but to aviation enthusiasts of all ages. Membership count: 72
May 2011
Chapter 99 donated the Fred Weick memorabilia, which has been in the care of the chapter since 2009, to the Piper Museum in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Representatives of the museum were thrilled at being given the opportunity to recognize Fred Weick´s important contributions to general aviation, and to Piper Aircraft.
October 2013
Vero Beach Air Show was organized and held by the three local Exchange Clubs. A second big Air Show was lined up for May 2014 right after the show in October. Since Vero Beach Airport can only support one big aviation event per year, Chapter 99 had no other choice than cancelling Aviation Day 2014. Membership count: 35
2015
Chapter 99 organized Aviation Day 2015 and successfully combined the event with a visit of EAA´s B-17. Under new leadership, the Chapter eased back into offering Young Eagles Flights.
2019
Chapter 99 is proud of being awarded the EAA Gold Status 2019 after being ranked in the top 98th percentile of chapters (as measured by the programs and activities that our chapter takes part in). Membership count: 39. The Chapter 99 monthly newsletter, Airspeed, published by Alex Walters, received the Chapter Newsletter Editor Award from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) for excellence in newsletter creation and member communication.
2025
Chapter 99 hit the "1000 Young Eagles Flown" landmark. In 2025 the chapter become a 501(c)3 corporation. 2 aircraft were donated to the chapter that year. Youth activities were expanded with a high school out reach program, free ground school course, flight simulator sessions. The chapter started a Student membership class. Many students began taking flight lessons. The chapter also achieved GOLD status again in the EAA chapter network. The chapter also started an annual Pancake FlyIn at New Hibiscus Airport.
2026
The chapter was awarded its first Ray Scholarship from the EAA/Ray Foundation. This is a scholarship awarded to local student that pays for their flight training towards the Private Pilots License.
