Once again, our friend Allan Blunt sent in a wonderful gallery of the aircraft that flew in to our “Grassroots” fly-in a few weeks ago. Enjoy at the link below.
2017 MAAC “Grassroots” Information Page
It’s that time of year again, time to make plans to attend the 2017 Midwest Antique Airplane Club’s “Grassroots” Fly-In at Brodhead Airport. EAA Chapter 431 is host for this event, now in its 37th year (or so).
All attendees please read the Information Page linked below. It contains useful information on flying, driving and camping on the field. Even if you have attended in the past, please take the time to read this:
https://www.eaa431.org/2017-maac-grassroots-fly-in-information/
As always, the MAAC Grassroots Fly-In is a private event. You must be a member of MAAC, EAA Chapter 431 or a shareholder at Brodhead Airport to attend. ***Everyone is welcome to attend this Fly-in event and sign up and become an EAA Chapter 431 or MAAC member when you arrive***
2017 Pietenpol/Hatz Fly-In
July at Brodhead Airport can mean only one thing, our annual Pietenpol/Hatz Fly-in. This year’s event is officially July 20-23. Regular attendees will know that most of the action is Friday & Saturday, July 21-22.
If you are planning to attend this year’s event, please take the time to read our Information Page in full, even if you have been to Brodhead a hundred times. Things do change and everything works well when everybody knows what to do.
For those looking to help volunteer, there is always plenty of work in the days leading up to the event as well as during the festivities. Please attend our next chapter meeting on July 11 or e-mail us at webmaster@eaa431.org.
https://www.eaa431.org/2017-pietenpolhatz-fly-in-information/
2017 Brodhead Airport T-Shirts
The latest addition to our collection of Brodhead Airport t-shirts is here. The 2017 EAA Chapter 431 artwork features Dan Wegmueller’s Fairchild 24R on a red background.
As in recent years, we printed the name of recently departed chapter members on the left sleeve of the t-shirt.
Available as a 100% cotton t-shirt or 50/50 cotton/polyester sweatshirt or hooded sweatshirt. Shop online by clicking HERE or save shipping costs by picking one up at the next chapter gathering or fly-in.
Community Pancake Breakfast is Sunday May 21
Update May 20: Lots of people asking if our Community Pancake Breakfast is still on for tomorrow. Of course it is! Rain or shine, we will be serving our full pancake breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to noon with Young Eagle rides from 9:00 to noon. It looks to stop raining soon and the grounds at Brodhead Airport drain well so the runway should be in good shape. We had a great work day today and everything is all set, including our new indoor seating area.
Spring weather in southern Wisconsin can only mean one thing; its time for EAA Chapter 431’s annual Community Pancake Breakfast. Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 21 from 7:00 a.m. to noon at Brodhead Airport.
Last year we broke all the records and served nearly 900 people and had well over 100 airplanes fly in. This year, we are prepared for the crowds and promise a fun time for the family. Kids age 8-17 can take a Young Eagles airplane ride and the everybody can watch the airplanes land on our grass runways.
Rockford’s REACT medical helicopter will be flying in mid-morning and be open for display, weather a duty permitting.
All you can eat pancakes are $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids under 10. The breakfast includes scrambled eggs, two sausages and choice of beverage. See you all on the 21st!
Airport Mural in Brodhead
The City of Brodhead unveiled the latest in their series of wall murals in town representing periods in the city’s history. This one features Brodhead Airport and is mounted on the front wall of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store right on Main Street.
Check it out the next time you drive through town.
Building Updates at Chapter 431
EAA Chapter 431 has been moving ahead on several planned building updates the past few months, including a completely new heating and air conditioning system in the kitchen and bathrooms. Joe Snow, John Bernstein and Bill Bell also painted the interior of the chapter building and are re-decorating with all the accumulated hangar art.
Electrical upgrades, new refrigerators and several other items are all expected to be completed in the next few weeks. All of this will enhance the meetings and events we have on the airport.
New siding on the underside of the chapter building awning will keep birds out.
Bill Bell and Joe Snow painting the chapter building.
Bill Bell and Joe Snow painting the chapter building.
Johnny B painting the chapter building.
Kent Joranlien
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.
Gene Calkins’ Wheel Penetrating Skis
Here’s a short video we put together featuring Gene Calkins’ wheel penetrating skis that he designed with Greg Klemp for his Kitfox. Take a look.
Field Condition Report for Groundhog Chili Ski Fly-In.
Field Condition Report for Groundhog Chili Ski Fly-In on Feb. 4, 2017.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 1, Brodhead Airport runways are free of all snow and only a very small amount of ice remains in low spots. The forecast is for below freezing temps through Saturday so all areas should be firm for wheeled aircraft.
Come on out for some chili, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.
