Upcoming Events
Monthly Gathering
Wings, Wonders, and Wisconsin: Your Passport to the Extraordinary
You’ve got the plane and the passport—now discover the stories that make each stop unforgettable. Join EAA Chapter 509 for a journey across Wisconsin with the authors of Secret Wisconsin: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure and Historic Wisconsin Roadsides: Towns Off the Beaten Path in the Badger State. Learn how to turn a simple airport passport stamp into a richer travel experience—one filled with quirky finds, local history, and unforgettable roadside discoveries.
Freelance travel writers Tom Manus and Kristi Flick Manus are members of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and the Midwest Travel Network. A Madison-area native, Kristi pairs local insight with Tom’s adopted love of the state.
Together, they specialize in uncovering the stories found along backroads, small towns, and overlooked destinations. Whether exploring internationally or traveling closer to home, their passion lies in connecting people to places through pop culture, history, and curiosity. Having visited 48 states (with only Hawaii and the elusive Rhode Island left on their list), they bring a lifetime of exploration—and storytelling—to every presentation.
6:00 Pre-Flight Social: Eat, Chat, Connect
7:00 Presentation
Monthly Business Meeting
Our monthly board meeting is where the behind-the-scenes work of EAA Chapter 509 happens. We discuss upcoming events, youth programs, outreach efforts, finances, and new ideas that help move the chapter forward.
If you’re curious about what’s in the works, want to better understand how the chapter operates, or are interested in getting more involved, this is a great place to start. These meetings are open to all members and guests — we welcome your interest, your questions, and your ideas.
Come listen in, learn what’s ahead, and see how you can be part of what we’re building together.
Pancake Breakfast & Fly-In
Join us for a morning of aviation fun at the Pancake Breakfast and Fly In at the Ascension Hangar at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (KEAU).
Guests can enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast while exploring an array of airplanes on display and participating in fun activities for kids. Free Young Eagle airplane rides will also be offered for youth ages 8 to 17, providing a chance for young people to experience their first flight with a volunteer pilot (parental consent and weather permitting).
Bring your family, meet fellow aviation enthusiasts, and enjoy a great morning at the airport. Proceeds from the event support EAA Chapter 509 and the Eau Claire Civil Air Patrol Squadron. The event will be held rain or shine.
Monthly Gathering
Boyceville Hot Air Ballooning – Presentation and Balloon Glow
Back by popular demand, Boyceville Hot Air Ballooning returns for a special evening dedicated to the magic of ballooning. Our guest presenters will give us a close up look at how these giants of the sky come to life. From the setup process and ground crew coordination to the powerful burners that light up the evening sky, you will gain a new appreciation for this unique form of aviation.
Weather permitting, there may even be an opportunity to see the balloon lift off. The evening will conclude with a beautiful balloon glow, creating a memorable experience for all ages.
***Please note this event will not be held at the clubhouse. We will gather at Rosenbaum Airfield.
Bring your family and friends for this one of a kind demonstration. It will be a beautiful evening of aviation, community, and unforgettable views.
6:00 Preflight Social: Eat, Chat, Connect
7:00 Presentation
Monthly Business Meeting
Our monthly board meeting is where the behind-the-scenes work of EAA Chapter 509 happens. We discuss upcoming events, youth programs, outreach efforts, finances, and new ideas that help move the chapter forward.
If you’re curious about what’s in the works, want to better understand how the chapter operates, or are interested in getting more involved, this is a great place to start. These meetings are open to all members and guests — we welcome your interest, your questions, and your ideas.
Come listen in, learn what’s ahead, and see how you can be part of what we’re building together.
Young Eagle Rally - Boyceville, WI
EAA Chapter 509 is excited to host Young Eagle Rallies, giving youth the chance to experience the excitement of flight. During a Young Eagle flight, volunteer pilots take children on a short introductory airplane ride and introduce them to the world of aviation.
These flights are available for youth ages 8 to 17 and are conducted by experienced volunteer pilots who love sharing their passion for aviation while prioritizing safety and education.
To help the event run smoothly and ensure a great experience for every participant, walk-ins will not be available. Each child must register in advance and select a time slot before the event.
We will update this page when registration opens and provide the sign up link at that time.
We look forward to welcoming the next generation of aviators.
Monthly Business Meeting
Our monthly board meeting is where the behind-the-scenes work of EAA Chapter 509 happens. We discuss upcoming events, youth programs, outreach efforts, finances, and new ideas that help move the chapter forward.
If you’re curious about what’s in the works, want to better understand how the chapter operates, or are interested in getting more involved, this is a great place to start. These meetings are open to all members and guests — we welcome your interest, your questions, and your ideas.
Come listen in, learn what’s ahead, and see how you can be part of what we’re building together.
Young Eagle Rally - Strum, WI
EAA Chapter 509 is excited to host a Young Eagle Rally in conjunction with the local airport’s pancake breakfast, making it a great morning for families to enjoy aviation, meet pilots, and experience the airport community.
Young Eagle Rallies give youth the chance to experience the excitement of flight. During a Young Eagle flight, volunteer pilots take children on a short introductory airplane ride and introduce them to the world of aviation.
These flights are available for youth ages 8 to 17 and are conducted by experienced volunteer pilots who love sharing their passion for aviation while prioritizing safety and education.
To help the event run smoothly and ensure a great experience for every participant, walk ins will not be available. Each child must register in advance and select a time slot before the event.
We will update this page when registration opens and provide the sign up link at that time.
We look forward to welcoming the next generation of aviators.
Monthly Gathering
With EAA AirVenture just around the corner, our July gathering will focus on helping members make the most of the world’s largest aviation event in nearby Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Many of our members have attended AirVenture many times, while others may be preparing for their very first visit. This evening is designed for everyone. We will talk about what to expect at AirVenture, share tips and tricks for attending, and discuss considerations for both driving and flying in.
We will also feature a presentation on aircraft recognition from the ground, helping attendees learn how to better identify the wide variety of aircraft they may see flying overhead during AirVenture week.
Whether you are a seasoned AirVenture attendee or planning your first trip, this gathering will help you feel prepared and excited for the week ahead.
Monthly Business Meeting
Our monthly board meeting is where the behind-the-scenes work of EAA Chapter 509 happens. We discuss upcoming events, youth programs, outreach efforts, finances, and new ideas that help move the chapter forward.
If you’re curious about what’s in the works, want to better understand how the chapter operates, or are interested in getting more involved, this is a great place to start. These meetings are open to all members and guests — we welcome your interest, your questions, and your ideas.
Come listen in, learn what’s ahead, and see how you can be part of what we’re building together.
Young Eagle Rally - Rosenbaum Field, Chippewa Falls, WI
EAA Chapter 509 is excited to host Young Eagle Rallies, giving youth the chance to experience the excitement of flight. During a Young Eagle flight, volunteer pilots take children on a short introductory airplane ride and introduce them to the world of aviation.
These flights are available for youth ages 8 to 17 and are conducted by experienced volunteer pilots who love sharing their passion for aviation while prioritizing safety and education.
To help the event run smoothly and ensure a great experience for every participant, walk ins will not be available. Each child must register in advance and select a time slot before the event.
We will update this page when registration opens and provide the sign up link at that time.
We look forward to welcoming the next generation of aviators.
Monthly Business Meeting
Our monthly board meeting is where the behind-the-scenes work of EAA Chapter 509 happens. We discuss upcoming events, youth programs, outreach efforts, finances, and new ideas that help move the chapter forward.
If you’re curious about what’s in the works, want to better understand how the chapter operates, or are interested in getting more involved, this is a great place to start. These meetings are open to all members and guests — we welcome your interest, your questions, and your ideas.
Come listen in, learn what’s ahead, and see how you can be part of what we’re building together.
Monthly Gathering
John Cesnik Bush Pilot
John brings a remarkable and diverse aviation background shaped by his time as a bush pilot with First Air. Flying tundra tire aircraft into remote terrain and operating on skis across glaciers and the polar ice pack, John gained firsthand experience in some of the most demanding flying conditions in the world. His stories offer a rare glimpse into the skill, judgment, and adaptability required in true backcountry and Arctic operations.
In addition to sharing insights from those adventures, John will also discuss the BRS Whole Aircraft Rescue Parachute System and its evolving role in aviation safety. He’ll explore how the system works, where it fits into modern aircraft design, and the impact it has had on pilot decision-making and survivability.
6:00 Pre-Flight Social: Eat, Chat, Connect
7:00 Presentation
STEAM Leaders in the Chippewa Valley
EAA Chapter 509 will have a booth at the STEAM Leaders in the Chippewa Valley event, hosted at Chippewa Falls Senior High School. This event focuses on helping students explore potential career paths and better understand the opportunities available to them in a variety of industries.
At our booth, students will meet representatives from different career paths within aviation, offering real world insight into the many ways to be involved in the field. From maintenance and technical skills to broader aviation roles, we will highlight how Chapter 509 is a community of aviation enthusiasts with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
We will still offer hands on activities, including creating riveted keychains with mechanics demonstrating proper riveting techniques, and paper airplane challenges using our 3D printed crossbow airplane launchers. These interactive elements allow students to try practical skills while learning about the careers connected to them.
We are excited to be part of an event that helps students see what is possible and to showcase the many pathways aviation can offer.
Monthly Business Meeting
Our monthly board meeting is where the behind-the-scenes work of EAA Chapter 509 happens. We discuss upcoming events, youth programs, outreach efforts, finances, and new ideas that help move the chapter forward.
If you’re curious about what’s in the works, want to better understand how the chapter operates, or are interested in getting more involved, this is a great place to start. These meetings are open to all members and guests — we welcome your interest, your questions, and your ideas.
Come listen in, learn what’s ahead, and see how you can be part of what we’re building together.
Monthly Gathering
Dan Bass: The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide in Flight
Join us for our February monthly gathering as Dan Bass presents on the dangers of carbon monoxide in flight. Carbon monoxide exposure is a serious and often underestimated risk in aviation. Dan will share important information on how carbon monoxide affects the body, how to recognize the warning signs, and practical steps pilots and aircraft owners can take to improve safety in the cockpit.
This is an important topic for pilots, builders, and anyone who flies. We hope you’ll join us for an informative and engaging evening.
6:00 Pre-Flight Social: Eat, Chat, Connect
7:00 Presentation