We received word this week that Kent Joranlien, one of the founding members of EAA Chapter 431 passed away unexpectedly at his home in Bellaire Beach, Florida. Kent’s full obituary is here.

Kent was one of a handful of area pilots who had a vision and took the initiative to purchase Brodhead Airport back in 1973, when it was just a couple of old hangars and an overgrown grass strip. They chartered EAA Chapter 431 and began an era of improvements and expansions that formed the jewel of grassroots aviation that is now known around the world.

Kent owned a beautiful 1946 Taylocraft BC-12D along with Ed Disch and his good friend Bill Knight. Fully restored by Kent and Bill in the early 70s, it won so many “Best of Type” awards at the annual EAA Convention in Oshkosh that they quit taking it to give others a chance. Kent and his son Ric flew it often.

Kent’s Taylorcraft under restoration in the early 1970s at Brodhead Airport.

Kent Joranlien is on the far right in this 1980 newspaper clipping, showing off five straight years of Best of Type awards from the EAA Convention in Oshkosh.

In later years, Kent and Sandra were frequent volunteers at the summer fly-ins put on by EAA Chapter 431. If you ever bought an evening meal ticket for our pork chop roast, chances are good that Kent sold you the ticket. He was very proud of the airport that he helped build and was always there to pitch in when needed.

Some of the founding members of EAA Chapter 431, including Kent Joranlien at far left. Early 2000s.

Our sincere thanks go out in Kent’s memory and our deep sympathies to his wife Sandra and children Ric, Robin and Chad. His kindness and generosity will be greatly missed.

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.

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!

EAA Chapter 431 once again kicks off the fly-in season with our Community Pancake Breakfast. This year’s fly-in, drive-in, bike-in, walk-in is on Sunday, May 17th, 2015 and includes all you can eat pancakes, two sausages, scrambled eggs and choice of beverage. Serving time is 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Served up on our own airplane mechanic-designed professional pancake griddles by expert pilot/chefs, our pancake breakfast is a great way to spend a Sunday morning. There is outdoor seating under the pavilion as well as heated indoor seating in case of inclement weather.

Adults, $6.00; Children under 10, $4.00

UW MedFlight Helicopter on display! One of the UW MedFlight helicopters is scheduled to land and be open for display, subject to weather and duty restrictions.

A Young Eagles rally will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Young Eagles program gives ground instruction and an airplane ride to kids aged 8-17. Registration is required. Please contact us at events431@eaa431.org for more details or to register.

If you’re flying in, set a course for Brodhead Airport (C37). Unicom is 122.9. There is plenty of parking so bring a wingman and start out the season with great flight to a wonderful grass airport. Driver-inners can head for Brodhead Airport Road, which is just south of the city limits off Highway 11. If you need a street address for your GPS, use N2439 Brodhead Airport Road. Otherwise, just look for the airplanes.

Download a printable flyer HERE (PDF)

EAA Chapter 431’s annual Groundhog Chili Ski Fly-In is set for Saturday, February 7, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Brodhead Airport. As always, fly in, drive in or walk in for a mid-winter break and join us for some winter flying. Chili and all the fixins’ will be available in the Chapter Building for a free-will donation.

Chapter 431 has long hosted an annual skiplane fly-in in the middle of the long, cold Wisconsin winters to get local pilots out of their hibernation and join us for some homemade chili and hangar flying, and for those properly dressed, some chatting and commiseration around the fire pit. The event usually falls around Groundhog Day, so the name has sort of stuck.

A field condition report will be posted here as the event nears. Let’s hope for a little more snow!

2013 Groundhog Chili Ski Fly-In

2013 Groundhog Chili Ski Fly-In

2013 Groundhog Chili Ski Fly-In