EAA Chapter 83 is the largest active pilot's club in the area. We are one of 1500 local chapters of the Experimental
Aircraft Association.
EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT??!!!??! That needs a little interpretation. "Experimental" is a category established by the FAA for certification of certain types of
aircraft and onboard equipment. Usually, the category applies to aircraft that are built by local pilots from rigorously tested designs. They are carefully
inspected by the FAA for adherence to approved construction techniques and airworthiness before being licensed for flight. There is nothing wild or untested about most experimental aircraft.
Many, but not all, of our members are pilots. Some just like flying and hanging around airports. About half our members have their own airplanes and half do not. Some members
own and fly aircraft certified in the experimental category, but most have typical small airplanes manufactured by Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, Mooney, Aeronca,
Grumman, Luscombe, Stinson, Taylorcraft, North American, and others. Presently, we have about 50 members.
We have monthly meetings, usually on the 2nd Saturday of each month. We meet in the morning for a program and, if the weather is good, fly someplace to visit
an attraction, or just to eat lunch. Our meetings are in Terre Haute, but the location rotates among several sites at Hulman Field and Sky King Airport.
We keep our members informed with a weekly email to cover announcements and events that might be of interest at nearby airports, and a great monthly newsletter.
Some of our meetings, especially in the cold-weather months, have programs on topics like flight safety issues, restoration and building techniques and the like.
We host FAA "Wings" courses that can be used as continuing education credits to maintain currency. Of course, all our meetings feature a good bit of "hangar flying," which
happens when a bunch of pilots, ex-pilots, and aviation enthusiasts hang around airplanes and share stories.
If you would like to join, visit as a guest, or receive more information on the EAA or Chapter 83, please contact us HERE.