Experimental Aircraft Association
Chapter 431 - Brodhead, Wisconsin
Promoting Aviation in the Brodhead Area

Chapter 431 Remembers Longtime EAA Member Denny Trone

Early EAA pioneer Dennis Trone, of Petersburg, Illinois, flew west unexpectedly on Monday afternoon, May 5th, 2008.  He was 77.

Although well known as a riverboat pilot and ship designer, he spent much of his time at Brodhead Airport with one of his passions – antique airplanes.

The Brodhead Airport family knew him as an aviation historian of the 1910s, 20s, and 30s era. He restored rare antique airplanes, many of which were one-of-a kind. Many of his restorations won awards and all were beautiful as well as historically and technically accurate.

A pilot nearly all his life, he was experienced in many types of aircraft and well known in the antique airplane community.

Denny entertained many with his music and storytelling during his days and nights on the river and he carried that talent to the antique airplane fly-ins and hangar talk. The life of Dennis Trone would make a rich biography. He will be missed.

Here are several newspaper articles about Dennis Trone:

Springfield Journal-Register:
http://www.sj-r.com/News/stories/29900.asp

Dubuque Telegraph-Herald:
http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=200805

Quad-City Times:
http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/05/07/news/local/doc48213a4ab0bfe727739728.txt

A Memorial for Dennis Trone will be held Saturday, May 10th at 2:30 p.m.

First Christian Church
210 S. 8th St.
Petersburg, Illinois

If you have pictures or stories of Denny or his airplanes that you would like ot share, please send them to the webmaster.

Work Day is May 10th, 9:00 - noon.  Food and Drink Provided. 

As you undertake your spring cleaning, please keep in mind the Chapter will have a rummage sale in the chapter pavilion. The “HANGAR SALE” will be held Friday and Saturday morning May 16th and 17th. Proceeds go toward the new building. If you would like to donate any usable items, you can bring them on the Work Day. Donations are not tax deductible.  Any leftovers will be picked-up by St. Vincent DePaul Saturday afternoon. Volunteers will be needed. More info at the monthly meeting May 3rd.

EAA Chapter 431 will have their annual Community Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 18th at the Brodhead Airport. Serving will start at 7:00 a.m. and continue until 12:00 noon. Come and go before or after your Sunday morning activities. The menu will include pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, milk and coffee. Young Eagle flights will start about 8:00 a.m., weather permitting.

Chapter member volunteers will be needed. Please sign-up for an early or late morning shift. Sign-up at the meeting Saturday May 3rd or contact Mike Weeden or the webmaster. Posters will be available for distribution at the meeting or you may print this one:

	RESTORING BASKET CASES The Double Standard at the Get 'er Done Shop One D-25 is expected to be painted, on gear, and engine mounted by the end of the month The 2008 Air Tour in June is the goal. www.americanbarnstormerstour.com

The Monroe Times wrote a story featuring the Smith Family Cub.  Read it here.

Watch a video of EAA's Ski Fly-In at Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh featuring Chapter 431's own Bill Weber here:

Shirts and cookbooks for sale.
 
Collared Shirts= $25 - T-shirts = $10 - Cookbooks = $10
Get them at the airport or see Dick Weeden.

2008 Calendar of Events in printable PDF format can be downloaded here.