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.
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.
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, read about past programs, and find many articles about flying. Find all the details here.
MARCH MEETING |
 Jay Schrankler, Chapter 54's vice president, will guide you through the process of selecting the right avionics for your aircraft and your personal mission. He currently is the owner of a 1965 Beechcraft Debonaire and is the co-founder of Perceptive Avionics Inc, an avionics sales and installation business located at the New Richmond (WI) Airport (KRNH). Jay is a private pilot; instrument rated and holds a gyroplane endorsement. In addition, he is an FAA certified repairman for transponder and pitot static system recertification. After spending nearly 25 years with Honeywell’s aerospace business in various global assignments, Jay started an aviation consulting business called Aero1217 and still does that work today. The Cinema 54 showing of "Up" begins at 5 p.m. More information > |
Oshkosh group camping reservation sells out quickly
Also at Monday's meeting, members were given quite a treat with an hour of Al Kupferschmidt stories. He's been a member for more than 40 years. He's flown over 600 Young Eagles. He helped build the Chapter House, and then he was critical in construction of the addition. In his 80s, he still flies his beloved airplane. He never misses a meeting. He never misses an event, particularly those that need volunteer help.
During the hour-long session, he discussed his aviation career, including more than 30 years flying his Citabria (he once was involved in a mid-air collision with a horse trailer), his work in the Navy and National Guard, his history with the chapter, his role in the rescue effort of Flight 232 in Sioux City in 1989, and his wife, Rae, who was brain dead for a week before waking up. It was a compelling evening from a chapter pioneer.
Prior to the program, President Marlon Gunderson made several announcements including his solicitation of potential members to the chapter's Board of Directors, which requires no heavy lifting but does need the occasional exercise of neurons. Why not "attend" (the board meets virtually at 7pm on the first Monday of the month) and see if it's right for you. Contact Marlon for more information and to receive the Google Meet link.
And Marlon announced that Elija Redmann is the potential recipient of the Ray Scholarship, which would pay for his flight training. The chapter should hear soon whether it has been selected to receive the scholarship money. Meanwhile, Gunderson said, Drew Lindquist of Bloomington, the other scholarship applicant, was able to receive one from Chapter 237, which funds additional scholarship opportunities. Credit for that happy ending goes to the chapter Ray Scholarship coordinator Bruce Olson.
Ostrem: Keeping 21D Safe and Looking Smart
While Lake Elmo Airport briefly served the Army Air Corps in the early 1940s, it officially opened to the public in 1951. Today, it is part of the seven-airport system operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). With 41,854 operations in 2024 alone, this bustling general aviation hub spans approximately 640 acres—about one square mile—where around 200 acres are leased for agricultural use, leaving 440 acres dedicated to aviation. These 440 acres house roughly 130 hangars, and each one needs careful attention when it comes to mowing and snow removal.
At the helm of Lake Elmo Airport’s day-to-day field operations is Senior Maintenance Worker, Matthew Schroer, supported by longtime Field Maintenance Worker Arthur Hemmingson. Schroer brings a wealth of experience from multiple MAC airports, including Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, St. Paul Downtown Airport, Anoka County–Blaine Airport, and Crystal Airport. His background in maintaining runways for large commercial aircraft has given him a broad perspective on field operations, but he finds the reliever airport setting uniquely rewarding.
“At the reliever airports, our teams have to be cohesive,” Schroer explains. “Improvisation, quick action, and concise communication— within our field team, and with pilots—is essential to ensuring safe, smooth operations.” Read more >
VMC Club Question of the Month: Using cellphones in flight
Answer: No, it is not permissible. According to AC 91.21-1D, paragraph 9.1, Restricting Airborne Cellular Telephone Use, “The FCC prohibits cellular telephone operation while airborne, as noted in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (47 CFR) part 22, § 22.925. This restriction is valid for all aircraft without technical provisions that enable control of onboard mobile devices to eliminate interference between ground-based cellular stations and airborne cellular devices. If technical provisions are installed, compliant with, or exempt from 47 CFR § 22.925, then usage of cellular-enabled PEDs is acceptable.”
The Chapter 54 website this month unveiled a new section serving as a memorial to present and former members who have died. The list is by no means complete, but it is extensive. On that note, we didn't recognize the death of a prominent member last spring. Al Amsden died in April at 1998. The chapter's archived newsletter section is named after both Al and Rosemary Frank, who are primarily responsible for keeping the chapter's history alive. Rosemary organized much of the history that's documented here, an Al saved all of the newsletters during his membership, allowing us to preserve them in a digital format. Like so many Chapter 54 pioneers, Al was a 3Mer. He built a Midget Mustang airplane, finished it in 1973 and flew it for 30 years. He then rebuilt a 1948 Cessna 140 in a hangar he built at the Lake Elmo Airport. He spent his winters in Texas and he and his wife spent years traveling the country in their motor home. His wife died in 2007 and since then he had spent his summers in Roseville.
