Organization
EAA Chapter 91 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Greater Kansas City Chapter,
was chartered in 1960. Currently there are about 100-110 members each year.
Many chapter members have built or are in the process of building all types of private
aircraft. There is someone who knows something about any question a homebuilder
might have. Membership is on a calendar year basis with renewal each January.
Currently dues are $24 per year.
Activities
Regular Chapter 91 meetings take place the third Monday of each month with the exception
of February. Meetings usually host a speaker on an aviation related topic
and may or not be technical in nature. More "hands-on" programs are in the
planning.
During February the traditional "Sweetheart Banquet" is held when members may bring
a spouse, sweetheart, good friend, or come solo. The enjoyable social evening
typically includes a nice dinner and program suitable to entertain pilots or their
guest who may not enjoy discussions dealing with strictly technical aspects of aviation.
Other activities include an annual fly-in (usually June), several pancake breakfasts
usually including Young Eagle rallies, and hosting other aviation activities/groups
such as the EAA B-17, Aluminum Overcast or the Lee's Summit Public
Works Expo. Chapter 91 has traditionally been very active in the Aviation
Expo held at Downtown Kansas City Airport annually.
History
In its early days, beginning in 1960, Chapter 91 met at a bank in Downtown Kansas
City. Meetings moved to different locations including several years at Bennington
Chapel. When meetings moved to the basement of Lee's Summit Airport in 1991,
the Chapter had found a home.
A dream began to develop in a few of the members - to have our own facility.
Soon money-making efforts started with a target amount needed to get started.
Many members made pledges and made financial donations. There were raffles
and other fund raisers. Then in the spring of 1998 a ground breaking took
place and we worked weekends and some weekdays and slowly watched our dream become
a reality. As you look around, you'll see why we are proud of it and treated
it kindly.
In May, 2000, 40 years after the chapter was chartered, the EAA Chapter 91 hangar
was dedicated. The hangar is home to several homebuilt aircraft as well as
a meeting room area. The second hangar was completed in 2005 and the third
in 2007. Chapter 91 now houses about 20 aircraft, mostly homebuilt.