If you ask anyone in the aviation world what aviation means to them, you’re likely to hear something along the lines of how important the aviation community is to them. You may hear how their fellow pilots or aviation enthusiasts are like family. Heck, we even refer to AirVenture as the aviation’s annual family reunion.
We all know that community is at the heart of EAA, and for EAA Chapter 509, as well as the Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin-area aviation community, this means coming together to support their fellow aviators when they are down.
Doug Apland, EAA 245964, is known as one of those guys “that can turn a wristwatch into a refrigerator,” as Mike Pope, former Chapter 509 president, put it. Doug has been a major part of the aviation community for decades; he’s volunteered at AirVenture for nearly 40 years and has served his local aviators as a volunteer technical counselor, helping fellow builders put 19 aircraft into the air, as well as two of his own aircraft builds.
“He’s our go-to guy in our chapter for anything technical, whether it’s riveting or painting or fabric work or anything, he’s the guy,” Mike said. “Doug was a pilot before I got my license, and he’s been an inspiration for me. And a lot of the other members, as far as flying to pancake breakfasts and just getting out and using the airplanes. So, he’s been a big, big part of the local community in the aviation world.”
In August, Doug suffered a devastating accident while repairing a leak in the roof of his motor home after returning from AirVenture. He broke 19 ribs and four vertebrae, effectively paralyzing him from the waist down. Having served his aviation community for many years, his aviation community is returning the favor by coming together to get him back to doing the things he loves most.
“There’s a lot of support; a lot of emotional support, a lot of guys willing to drive him to therapy,” Mike said. “We’re trying to raise some money to help do some remodeling in his house and his shop, so he can still be able to function as much as possible. […] We did pass a hat for him at the last meeting and raised $800 just from passing the hat. And Rosenbaum Field, our flying field that he’s part of, is holding a fundraiser in November.”
If you’d like to contribute to the fundraising efforts to support Doug in this difficult time, visit the GoFundMe page.
As EAA Founder Paul Poberezny once put it, “We are a family – a family brought together by aviation.” All these years later, it is inspiring to see the EAA community still holds family values high on the list and are willing to come together for their fellow aviators.