Welcome to EAA Chapter 54. We speak aviation!

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 meet on the second Monday of each month at the Chapter House at Lake Elmo Airport (21D) for informative programs and hangar talk. On Saturdays, we're open for coffee and doughnuts and a Wings safety seminar. We provide Young Eagles rides and aviation scholarships. We help people who are building airplanes.  But you don't need to be a pilot to participate in our activities. Please come to our next meeting or event as our guest. Let us know you're coming so you can be properly greeted and introduced to the chapter. In the meantime, please explore this site to learn about the many programs and benefits we offer. Select the dropdown menu to the left to learn our history, find out how young people can get a free flight, and the latest chapter news. You can also find flight planning and airplane-watching tools. Find all the details here.

JANUARY MEETING   Our next meeting will be held on Monday January 13. Scott Hanson will conduct a program on using Foreflght. The presentation is eligible for FAA Wings Credit. The meeting starts with a social half-hour at 7 pm. The Cinema 54 presentation is "Living in the Age of Airplanes." Showtime is 6:10 pm. Popcorn will be served. Guests are welcome!  Details >>

Latest Chapter News

Collision avoidance in the traffic pattern

There's a lot to take in when entering a busy traffic pattern as more pilots flying in the East Metro can attest. Lake Elmo and South St. Paul, both with active flight schools, often find full patterns. And downtown St. Paul has plenty of corporate traffic. So the Saturday January 4, 2025 session of the Chapter 54 Saturday Open House and Wings seminar was (comparatively speaking) pretty well attended. On the first Saturday of each month, we feature an expanded program thanks to the resurrection of the so-called "VMC Club," provided by EAA Oshkosh. It's a 4- or 5-minute "what if" video followed by a short discussion (I'd eventually like to have a CFI lead these discussions. Volunteers?), and then an expanded EAA webinar from its archives. The "What If" video doesn't provide an answer. That's up those attending. In this month's scenario, a student pilot is heading back to home base, encountering a busy pattern, an overworked controller, and another plane in the windshield.  What would you do? Read more >>

John Ostrem: Aviation by the Numbers
Pilots often say we “fly by the numbers. " Here are some interesting numbers about our industry, especially general aviation. With 680,000 pilots, and 1.1 million jobs generating $246 billion annually, we are an economic powerhouse creating a driving force in the economy. Aviation is especially suited to promote the movement of people, freight, ambulance, search-and-rescue, traffic monitoring, firefighting, and law enforcement. In fact,  one of five law-enforcement agencies have one or more fixed-wing or rotorcraft aircraft as part of their fleet, and there are over 1,500 aerial applicators in the agricultural industry. The medical industry benefits with fixed-wing aircraft moving 150,000 patients annually, and helicopters transporting an amazing 400,000 patients. These medical flights employ 4,400 pilots, 600 doctors, 5,500 nurses, 5,300 paramedics and EMTs. Read more >>

Schanks takes on calendar duties

Bill Schanks Jr., has agreed to assume the role of fly-in calendar coordinator for the chapter. The EAA 54 website provides two calendars: one is for chapter business and one is for regional fly-ins that might be of interest to pilots. Both calendars can be found under the "Events and Program" tab on the website, although the fly-in calendar is usually only visible around fly-in season.  Members and other area pilots who have events and fly-ins they'd like to add to the calendar should send details to Bill at events@eaa54.org.  The chapter is deeply indebted to Paul Hove, who started and maintained the service.

New frequency for Airlake

There's an effort underway to get a dedicated CTAF frequency for 21D to reduce the radio chatter in the pattern. But Airlake Airport in Lakeville is going first. The FAA has announced that as of February 20, 2025, the CTAF frequency at KLVN will change to 122.975 from the present 123.0.   The move will eliminate chatter and confusion from KULM, KAEL, and KMCW.  It's also a good time to remind pilots of best-practice guidelines for radio work at non-towered airports. In addition to beginning a call with the airport you're referring to, wait a beat after your message and repeat the airport name at the conclusion.

Chapter Board of Directors in lightning round

Perhaps owing to the bare achievement of a quorum, the EAA Chapter 54 Board of Directors completed January's work in quick fashion on January 6. Board members Marlon Gunderson, Jay Schrankler, Emma Hanson, Ed Trudeau, Scott Hanson, Bruce Olson, and Bill Schanks attended the session. There was little new business to discuss. Treasurer Emma Hanson announced a slight shortfall for the month and indicated donations for the holiday party almost matched expenses. The anticipated shortfall reflected the $656 renewal of our EAA charter with headquarters, which is paid every December.  Membership renewals have been strong, and the chapter now lists about 100 active members. Her report for the full year was equally encouraging. With $2,200 still to be paid out with the Ray Scholarship funds, the chapter ended the year at about $85 to the good. The treasurer's year-end report has been added to the meeting minutes. The Board was also advised that the possibility of hosting the Ford Tri-motor in 2025 has been dashed. EAA is taking it to Saint Cloud. Maybe next year.  Read more >>