Garth Jernigan from West Virginia graciously gave us a batch of pictures from the 2016 Pietenpol/Hatz Fly-In. Check them out at the link below.
https://www.eaa431.org/photogallery/index.php?/category/163
The weather during the fly-in ranged from oppressive heat to torrential downpours, which kept the numbers down a bit, but we still had a great time with our visitors from around the world. Thanks to everybody who attended.
For anybody looking for lodging in Brodhead during the Pietenpol/Hatz fly-in or the September Grassroots fly-in, the old Earth Rider Hotel in downtown Brodhead has re-opened on a limited basis. All bookings are done through AirBnB.com.
Visit the updated “Brodhead Area Lodging” page with all the links you need to find a place to stay.
Those planning to attend the 2016 Pietenpol/Hatz Fly-In at Brodhead Airport on July 21-24, please read our Information Page to familiarize yourself with camping, parking, meals and everything else you’ll need to know. Click the link below.
https://www.eaa431.org/2016-pietenpolhatz-fly-in-information/
The following news release was distributed to local area media this week concerning a large scale Emergency Management exercise to be held at Brodhead Airport on Wednesday, June 29. Local pilots should be aware of possible runway closures and Fire/EMS equipment on the runways.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION
SUBMITTED BY: TERESA WITHEE
TRAINING EXERCISE TO BE HELD AT BRODHEAD AIRPORT
June 17, 2016
On Wednesday, June 29, 2016 a training exercise will be conducted at the Brodhead Airport and just outside of the city on the North West side. Twenty two emergency response agencies have been invited to participate along with Brodhead Fire, EMS and the Police Department during this exercise. Approximately 125 people will be participating in this exercise. Other volunteers will also be participating as role players as injured victims and they will have special makeup, called moulage applied to look as though they have been severely injured. Residents in these areas may notice increased traffic and response vehicles coming and going.
Tanna McKeon, director of the Green County Emergency Management office received Homeland Security Grants to provide a series of exercises that tested the plans and coordination of multiple agencies responding to a large emergency involving dozens of injured person’s. The prior exercises were classroom based and the full scale exercise is a hands on exercise in which first responders will use their emergency equipment and perform as if they were in an actual situation. The core capabilities that will be tested are Incident Command, communications, mass search and rescue, medical services and public information.
Our first responders are very well trained to respond to daily, small incidents. Large incidents may not happen often but when they do we need to ensure that everyone knows their roles and how to correctly handle larger, more complex situations. Full scale exercises are very valuable to expose us to these situations and identify further training or resources that may be needed.
We are very appreciative of Tanna McKeon of Green County Emergency Management, Kevin Wernet of WI Emergency Management, Brodhead Fire District, Brodhead Area EMS, and Brodhead Police Department for undertaking this series of training exercises. Their commitment, as well as the participating agencies, should be commended for their increased efforts ensuring safety and wellbeing of their communities.
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EAA Chapter 431 is now offering a “Buy-a-Brick program for the apron around the Beacon Tower Memorial. Bricks are available in two formats and can be customized with a personal message or with the name of a person you wish to memorialize. You can view samples and the order form by clicking here:
https://www.eaa431.org/memorial-brick-donation/
Bricks are $150 each, $100 of which is tax deductible as a donation to Cheeseland Chapter EAA 431.
Memorial bricks near the beacon tower memorial
The latest version of the Brodhead Airport shirt is ready! The design celebrates the 70th anniversary of Brodhead Airport and features Bill Knight’s 1946 Taylorcraft, which has spent it’s entire life at Brodhead. The design is available on heather grey T-shirts ($15), sweatshirts ($20) and hoodies ($25).
Order online HERE or pick one up at the next chapter meeting or fly-in.
First, a little perspective on our Community Pancake Breakfast.
The event has been steadily growing over the past few several years and has turned into a popular local event and kick off to the summer fly-in season. Last year (2015), we had a tremendous crowd despite marginal flying weather and served a record breaking 502 people.
A Waco UPF-7 is an early arrival. Photo courtesy of Doug Tomas.
This year, we knew the weather was going to be perfect, plus we had great publicity in the weeks beforehand. The Green County Veterans’ Huey was confirmed, MedFlight was confirmed, we had good advance registration for Young Eagles, the two original aircraft from Bill’s Air Park were confirmed and the Kelch Aviation Museum display would be big. We had a long radio interview a few days before and good local newspaper coverage. Fliers went out to all airports in a 100 mile radius. We were braced for a record crowd once again and bought enough food for 750 people. With all the prep work, we figured we would be in good shape for the day.
University Hospital’s MedFlight helicopter lands for display. Photo courtesy of Doug Tomas.
Then the figurative flood gates opened.
Airplanes were landing at 6:30 a.m., 30 minutes before we opened. By 7:30, our usual aircraft parking area was overflowing and a few of our Aviation Explorer Scouts were pressed into emergency parking duty. By 9:00 a.m., it was clear we wouldn’t have enough food. The folks at EAA Chapter 22 at Cottonwood Airport flew in food supplies leftover from their pancake breakfast the previous week. (Try getting frozen sausage delivered by air anywhere else!) By 9:30, the line for food stretched to the parking lot gate. We kept the line moving steadily and for the most part, we handled the massive crowd, but it was clear we had entered a new era in pancake breakfasts.
A Piper Super Cub on amphibious floats lands in the grass at Brodhead Airport. Photo courtesy of Doug Tomas.
The final tally…872 people served.
Of course, we had our celebration of the 70th anniversary of Brodhead Airport as well, with a Taylorcraft BC-12D and an Ercoupe 415-C on hand that were both sold new on the airport in 1946 by Bill Earleywine. Many from the Earleywine family were on hand to reminisce Bill’s Air Park, the original name for Brodhead Airport.
Darren Spiegel and son Dylan with their 1946 Ercoupe, flown in from Schaumburg, Illinois. This airplane was sold new at Brodhead Airport in 1946.
Debbie, Brady and Scott Bruns with their 1946 Taylorcraft. This airplane was also sold new at Brodhead Airport in 1946 and has remained on the field almost its entire life.
A very rare 1932 Franklin Sport biplane (back) and a 1928 Stearman C3B on display at the temporary home of the Kelch Aviation Museum at Brodhead Airport. Photo courtesy of Doug Tomas.
So, a big thank you goes out to all who came out to our big event, especially those who waited in the long food line. We are already planning how to make next year better. Thanks also to the UW MedFlight crew, Green County Veterans Memorial Park, Todd Arnsmeier Trucking, Darren Spiegel, and all of the Chapter 431 volunteers!
EAA Chapter 431 will host the annual Community Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the airport from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Brodhead Airport, which was founded in 1946 by Bill Earleywine and called “Bill’s Air Park.” Two aircraft that were sold new by Mr. Earleywine’s Taylorcraft and Ercoupe dealerships in 1946 will be in attendance at the Pancake Breakfast to mark the occasion.
UW Meflight Helicopter at the 2014 Community Pancake Breakfast.
UW Hospital’s MedFlight helicopter will be on display, arriving at 8:30 a.m., weather and duty requirements permitting. Also, the Green County Veterans Memorial Park group will display their newly acquired Vietnam-era UH-1M “Huey” helicopter. Young Eagle rides will be available to kids age 8-17, weather permitting, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is required for Young Eagle rides; e-mail events431@eaa431.org.
The community is invited to Brodhead Airport on May 22 to experience “Grassroots Aviation” and enjoy breakfast served by Chapter 431 volunteers. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids under 10. The airport is located 1 mile south of Brodhead at N2443 Airport Road.
For scenes from past Pancake Breakfasts, click here.
A big thanks goes out to the 29 members of the Brodhead Fire Department, Police Dept. and EMS service who came out to Brodhead Airport last night for our Aircraft and Airport Familiarization training. We did another hour long slide show with details on the airport and all the activities put on throughout the year by EAA Chapter 431. Then, several local pilots volunteered their airplanes for “show and tell” to describe the fuel and electrical systems in different types of aircraft.
We hope to never see you guys when the red lights are flashing, but thank you for all you do to keep us safe and stop out any time to play airplanes with us.
The guest speaker at our regular members meeting on Tuesday, May 3rd will be Greg Heckman, who will give demonstration on hand propping techniques and safety. Greg is an A&P Mechanic instructor at Rock Valley College and gives this seminar each year at EAA Oshkosh at the Vintage Aircraft headquarters.
Anybody involved with hand propping airplanes will want to attend to get instruction or a brush up. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. at the chapter 431 clubhouse at Brodhead Airport.
UPDATE: We had a great turnout of 32 people for the seminar. Thanks Greg and Cindy!
