By B.W. Jacobsen, EAA 1060967
As warmer weather settles in throughout the Midwest, EAA chapter and flying activities ramp up. On Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, Bruce Jacobsen, EAA 1060967, of Rockford, Illinois, EAA Chapter 22, enjoyed not one, but two days filled with flying fun. On Saturday, he attended Chapter 22’s Young Eagles rally, and on Sunday supported fellow EAA Chapter 431 in Brodhead, Wisconsin, at their annual fly-in pancake breakfast.
On May 18, Chapter 22 hosted a Young Eagles rally, where 56 youths logged their first official flight, with families coming from as far as the Chicago suburbs.
Rich Pember and his Red Stearman open biplane was one of the airplanes providing an exhilarating first ride experience.
EAA Chapter 431 in Brodhead hosted one of their amazing pancake breakfasts. They had served 400 people by 8:45 a.m. and were stocked and ready to serve 1,000 by the end of the event. Brodhead has abundant parking for aircraft and this event attempts to fill it up as well as the equally abundant, convenient auto parking. They also have an extensive seating capacity that must be envied by other chapters that were attending this EAA Chapter 431 event.
With such ideal clear skies, aircraft were often coming in groups, which occasionally caused a pulse of pancake diners that were quickly processed through. Accompanying the pancakes were scrambled eggs and sausage, and a wide selection of liquid refreshment.
Also during the day’s activities, Young Eagles flights were occurring that also were well prepared for.
