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.  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.

Latest Chapter News

Chaper Video
September Update
In this month’s Chapter Video Magazine, Charlie Becker gets you up to date on EAA happenings: AirVenture Recap, MOSAIC - EAA.org/MOSAIC, Young Eagles Update.

Camperships
Three camperships awarded for 2026 Air Academy

On the strength of a more successful than expected pancake breakfast, the  Chapter 54 Board of Directors voted Thursday night (8/28) to award three camperships for the 2026 Air Academy sessions. The board voted to award $1,100 each to Ben Rehnelt, David (Echo) Phernetton, and Blake Karnuth, all of whom are hoping to launch aviation careers. The three will be contacted by President Marlon Gunderson to confirm they will be able to cover any difference between the full cost and the Chapter 54 award. Three three were the only applicants for financial assistance. The next step is for each to apply directly to the EAA for entrance into one of the 2026 sessions. The date for applying for admission has not yet been announced by EAA, but it is usually early September, possibly as early as September 2. More information and a link to the application is available on our Air Academy page.
Related:  September Board of Directors meeting minutes

Pancake breakfast fly-in
It was a hit!

 Nearly 50 volunteers worked tirelessly to pull off the only major fundraiser for Chapter 54.  And the communities in our area responded with outstanding attendance and demanding appetites. Among the highlights was the arrival of the Huey helicopter - always a big hit - and a large increase in the number of airplanes flying in to our event.  The support of the communities makes possible Chapter 54's mission to provide scholarships, camperships and opportunities in aviation. We hope you were able to meet some of our outstanding recipients.

For those whose aircraft participated in judging, the winners will be announced here in the coming days, and plaques will be mailed to the N-number address on file with the FAA.

Pictures from the event will be posted upon the return from vacation of our web editor.

It's not too early to plan for next year's breakfast on August 9, 2026!

Related:  See photos of the event (36 photos)

Former EAA Chapter 54 member Mark Holliday has been named an inductee of the EAA Sport Aviation Hall of Fame, the EAA has announced. Holliday, whose father, Ward, was a founding member of the chapter in 1957, will join four other nominees in the Hall of Fame. the class includes Vic Syracuse, Rob Holland, Darrel Berry, Holliday, and Dave Cronk. Holliday is the chief pilot of the Vintage Aero Flying Museum in Colorado. The induction ceremony will take place on November 12 in Oshkosh.

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