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 hold a gathering on the second Monday of each month at the Chapter House at Lake Elmo Airport (21D) to talk aviation and socialize. On most Saturdays, we're open for coffee and doughnuts and a Wings safety seminar to help members be safer pilots. 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 gathering as our guest. Let us know you're coming so you can be properly greeted and introduced to the chapter.

JUNE GATHERING

The next membership gathering will be held on Monday June 9 at 6pm. The evening includes a presentation by Dr Dan Johnson on  “How to Crash Confidently” about pilot physiology.  Please note the earlier starting time for this gathering.

Latest Chapter News

AirVenture
Oshkosh Notice now available

The free 32-page booklet is an absolute must if you're flying an aircraft to Oshkosh. It outlines all arrival/departure procedures, radio frequencies, Wittman Regional Airport details, and much more. Although many of the procedures are similar to previous years, there are updates in nearly every area to enhance safety, efficiency, and convenience for the thousands of airplanes expected at the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration®.The EAA AirVenture flight procedures Notice is required reading and should be part of a pilot's pre-flight preparation. Graphic TFR NOTAMs: When flying in the U.S., EAA strongly encourages you to check NOTAMs and Notices for current temporary flight restrictions (TFR) that may affect your flight route. Get yours! >>

John Ostrem
Bicycles and Airplanes
What do bicycles and airplanes have to do with aviation history?  Well, if you miss that one, Marlon will revoke your pilots license and triple your Chapter dues!  Of course the answer is the Wright Brothers who were bicycle designers, builders and repairmen in Dayton, Ohio from 1892-1904.  They used their profits to build gliders and airplanes. In fact they estimated it cost $1,000 to build the first plane and engine (which would be $36,000 today.)  They made two bicycle models the “Van Cleve” named after their Great -Great-Grandmother Catharine Van Cleve Thompson, sold for $65 and the St Clair, named after the first Governor the Ohio Territory, sold for $40.  In total they made 180 bikes and today there are only 5 priceless survivors, located in museums. Typical of what you would expect from these brilliant designers there were many innovations incorporated into the bikes.  They had wooden wheel rims and wooden handlebars that would act as shock absorbers to combat the terrible street potholes in Dayton.  They were the first to use left-handed threads on the left pedal so it wouldn’t unwind on the road, and they incorporated a coaster brake on the rear wheel.  Their bikes did not look like the traditional bikes of the period and remarkably resemble the racers of today. Read more >>

Flying Start
Chapter holds Flying Start event

Nearly a dozen would-be aviators attended the Chapter 54 annual Flying Start event on Saturday May 17. Led by coordinator Evangelos Savvas, those interested in learning to fly heard details about the process and the commitment to make it happen. It was the second year for the program under Savvas. The EAA organized Flying Start as a "chapter-hosted program which welcomes, inspires, and educates aspiring aviators about their pathway to becoming a pilot." The program consists of an EAA-prepared PowerPoint presentation, which the hosting chapter customizes with information about their local chapter and flight training resources.

Young Eagles
A perfect day to fly
Volunteer pilots and ground crews provided an unforgettable experience for several young people in our community on Saturday May 10 with our first Young Eagles Day of the season (Looking for the image of your Young Eagle? Find them all here). The Young Eagles program provides free flights over the St. Croix Valley, thanks to the dedication of Chapter 54 members. We hold a Young Eagles Day on the second Saturday of every month from May to October, weather permitting. Our next Young Eagles Day is Saturday June 14. See you there? Read more about the program >>

Pancake breakfast planning
Good to go!

Interested members of Chapter 54 met on May 14 to further plan the August pancake breakfast fly-in. Although we are short of volunteers, we are moving ahead by shuffling a few assignments. The kitchen team is still short a few people. We need a sausage preparation person, primarily, after some arm twisting netted one additional volunteer for egg preparation. Bruce Olson has finished the flyer, which is to the printer. And Marlon Gunderson prepared a list of airports where the flyer should be posted. The list is at the chapter house. When you go flying, check the list, drop in to the airports of your choosing, and post the flyer on the bulletin board there (be sure to check off the airport!). A stack of flyers will be left at the chapter house. Find the latest planning information here.

All chapter news and stories >>