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.
MAY GATHERING |
 The next membership gathering will be held on Monday May 12 when Sebastien Heintz of Mexico, Missouri, known worldwide as the owner and president of Zenith Aircraft Co., a leading aircraft kit manufacturer, joins us. He was honored by the Experimental Aircraft Association on October 16, 2024 with his induction to the EAA Homebuilders Hall of Fame. Zenith has continuously grown in popularity amongst homebuilt aircraft enthusiasts. The company also hosts monthly workshops to introduce new aviators to the world of homebuilt aircraft. Heintz was the 2017 recipient of EAA’s Freedom of Flight Award for his contributions to aviation and the recipient of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association’s 2017 President’s Award. He continues to be an active sport pilot and enjoys sharing the joys of homebuilt aircraft. A social period begins at 7 and the program starts at 7:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend. More information > |
Flying Start Day
Learn about learning to fly
Are you looking in the skies, curious about learning to fly?
Join us on May 17 for an exhilarating Flying Eagle event, hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Chapter 54, in Lake Elmo Airport (21D) as part of Flying Start Week. Join us to celebrate the spirit of aviation and embark on a journey that will leave you soaring high above the clouds. Read more >>
April 15 Meeting
Nondestructive inspection and testing of aircraft explained
Carl has close to 50 years continuous experience working as an aircraft mechanic including 38 years as an IA. In addition to GA, over 38 years of airline experience with Northwest and most recently with Delta, finishing his last 13 years of airline service as an aircraft inspector. Has owned a PA28 Challenger, Alon Aircoupe and presently Cessna 172N. (Download file of links from the presentation)
Among the more impressive demonstrations Carl gave was one of particular interest to aircraft owners of composite aircraft or parts. He demonstrated how a bump might appear to cause little damage to a fiberglass surface, but underneath is likely multiple places where the fiberglass has become delaminated, the layers of glass pulled apart from each other.
In the business portion of the meeting, President Marlon Gunderson welcomed newer members, including Joe Connolly, Jon Pierce-Ruhland, and Mustafa Mustafa. He announced the chapter has once again been awarded Gold Status by EAA; and announced that WoonYi Hanson has now received a chapter scholarship to attend the Air Academy this summer after being on EAA's waiting list. Chapter 54 is involved this year in three people attending the summer program. Gunderson again urged volunteers to renew their Youth Protection Program certification before the first Young Eagles Day of our season on May 10 (you can find out how to do so here). He also urged people to sign up for volunteer roles for the August fly-in breakfast as the number of volunteers so far is far below last year's level and we need to decide soon whether to proceed. You can sign up here. The president also noted that there are three critical roles needing to be filled for the continuation of the chapter: vice president, facilities director, and newsletter/web editor. Contact him to learn more. Young Eagles coordinator Dale Seitzer outlined the upcoming Young Eagles Day. He said young people are already signing up, and he needs pilot volunteers. "Just fly once," he said, indicating most volunteers realize the good feeling that helping a young person see their world from a different perspective provides.
Air Academy Scholarships
Chapter providing help with aviation dreams
At the same time, Chapter 54 is improving and streamlining its aviation scholarship process. Under the plan approved by the Board of Directors, the chapter will be reaching out to young people, primarily through the chapter's Young Eagles What's Next program, to encourage them to apply for chapter scholarships, worth about $1,200. By mid-summer, the board will decide how many scholarships to provide, based on the results of its major fundraising initiative, the August pancake breakfast fly-in.
Young people interested in attending the summer 2026 Air Academy, would need to either apply directly to EAA by September or apply for a "slot" that Chapter 54 would reserve. Would-be recipients would be required to contact the chapter first in order to be eligible for its financial assistance. The Chapter is in the process of setting up a section on its website to facilitate not only Air Academy assistance, but other aviation-related youth activities.
The more successful the August pancake breakfast is, the more we can help young people achieve their aviation dreams. That's why it's important for chapter members (you!) to sign up to volunteer on August 10. We do not yet have the minimum number of volunteers to hold the fundraiser and we must make a go/no-go decision soon. Please take a moment to answer the call by signing up here.
