There’s a Lot Happening at Chapter 509!

If it feels like Chapter 509 has been busy lately, you’re right!

Over the past several weeks, our members have been flying, volunteering, mentoring youth, sharing their aviation experiences, supporting our local communities, and finding plenty of reasons to get together along the way.

From helping Scouts earn their Aviation Merit Badge and celebrating a first solo, to volunteering at a recreational airstrip, awarding scholarships, flying over local football games, and welcoming another incredible speaker to our monthly gathering, there is a lot to catch up on.

Here’s a look at what Chapter 509 has been up to and what’s coming next!

Ray Scholar Rohan Banjara Goes Solo!

A huge congratulations to 2026 Ray Aviation Scholar Rohan Banjara, who recently completed his first solo flight!

Reaching this milestone takes a lot of hard work, preparation, and commitment. Rohan has been putting in the time both in the airplane and on the ground, steadily building his skills and working toward this moment.

A first solo is an accomplishment a pilot never forgets, and we are incredibly proud of Rohan and the progress he has made. Congratulations, Rohan!

Aviation Merit Badge + Young Eagles

Chapter 509 recently teamed up with Scouting America to help 59 local Scouts work toward earning their Aviation Merit Badge!

Volunteers from Chapter 509, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Civil Air Patrol, and Ascension Wisconsin Aviation worked together to teach Scouts about aircraft, flight, aviation careers, and more. Scouts also had the opportunity to experience aviation firsthand by taking to the skies on Young Eagles flights.

It was a great day of learning, hands on experiences, and flying. A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, taught, flew, and helped make this experience possible for 59 youth!

Investing in the Next Generation

At our September Gathering, Chapter 509 was proud to award three scholarships to local youth pursuing their aviation goals.

These scholarships were made possible through generous donations to Chapter 509’s scholarship fund, allowing us to directly support young people as they take their next steps in aviation.

A special thank you to those who have contributed to the fund and helped make these awards possible. Our scholarship fund remains open for donations, with every contribution helping us create more opportunities to support youth in aviation in the future.

September Gathering: Lt. Col. Tyler Shaver

Our September Gathering featured an incredible presentation by Lt. Col. Tyler Shaver, an F-35 pilot with the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

Tyler shared insight into military flight operations, special use airspace, and Mid-Air Collision Avoidance (MACA) before sharing the remarkable firsthand story of his 2022 ejection from an F-35B following an engine failure during a hovering acceptance flight.

A huge thank you to Tyler for sharing his knowledge, experiences, and unforgettable story with Chapter 509!

Chapter 509 Takes to the Skies

You may have spotted some familiar airplanes overhead at local high school football games recently!

Several Chapter 509 members participated in flyovers for area schools, bringing a little extra aviation excitement to Friday night football.

In appreciation, the schools made donations to Chapter 509. We are grateful for their support and for another fun opportunity to connect general aviation with our local communities.

And thank you to our pilots who represented Chapter 509 from above!

Chapter Members Give Back at Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge

Aviation can take us to some pretty special places, but keeping those places accessible takes work.

Several Chapter 509 members who are also involved with the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) recently spent a weekend at Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge, helping with cleanup, maintenance, and improvement projects around the property and airstrip.

The RAF works to preserve, improve, and create airstrips for recreational access, and Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge is one of its Wisconsin projects. Annual work parties help maintain and improve the property for pilots who fly in to enjoy this unique destination.

It was a weekend of aviation, hard work, camaraderie, and giving back to a place that helps make recreational flying special.

Learn more about the Recreational Aviation Foundation

Franck Dumont’s aviation experience spans more than four decades and includes gliders, experimental aircraft, historic airplanes, aerospace engineering, and commercial airline flying.

It started in France when Franck began flying gliders at age 14. He soloed on his 15th birthday and earned his glider pilot certificate on his 16th birthday, becoming the youngest certified glider pilot in France at the time.

From Engineering to the Airline Cockpit

Franck went on to build a career that has kept him closely connected to aviation from both an engineering and flying perspective.

He spent 20 years with Safran Aircraft Engines, working on jet engine development and flight test programs. After years in aerospace engineering, Franck transitioned to professional flying and is now a commercial airline pilot flying the Embraer E170/190.

Building His Own Airplanes

For EAA members, one of the most interesting parts of Franck’s aviation background may be his experience as an aircraft builder.

Franck has built two airplanes, including a particularly unique Bébé Jodel F-PYYL. Franck modified the aircraft with authorization from Jean Délémontez, the original designer of the Jodel, making it a truly one-of-a-kind airplane.

He also owns and flies a Bushby Mustang II, N61RF, powered by a Lycoming O-360. His involvement with experimental aviation continues with a 2001 Glastar, where he has been involved in restoration and upgrades, including work to equip the aircraft and its panel for IFR flying.

For Franck, working on airplanes has been a constant alongside flying them, bringing together his engineering background, hands-on building skills, and experience as a pilot.

A Different Kind of Aircraft Project

Franck has also had the opportunity to work on something considerably larger than a homebuilt.

He helped restore and operate DC-3/C-47 F-AZOX, an experience that eventually led to earning his French DC-3 type rating. It added historic aircraft restoration and flying to an already varied aviation background.

Bringing That Experience to Chapter 509

Today, Franck continues to fly professionally while remaining active in general and experimental aviation. He also serves as an EAA Technical Counselor, where his engineering background and years of aircraft building experience allow him to help other builders with their own projects.

From beginning in gliders as a teenager in France to engineering jet engines, building airplanes, restoring a DC-3, and now flying commercially, Franck has experienced aviation from a lot of different angles.

We’re glad to have Franck Dumont as part of Chapter 509!

NEW! Youth Aviation Gatherings

We’re excited to launch a new monthly gathering created especially for youth!

Youth Aviation Gatherings will give young people a place to connect with others who share their interest in aviation, learn from pilots and aviation professionals, try hands on projects, explore aviation careers, and discover new opportunities.

Each month will be a little different, with activities and experiences designed to help youth explore aviation while becoming more connected with Chapter 509.

November 9 | Pizza + Aviation

We’re kicking things off with a casual evening to meet other youth interested in aviation, enjoy some pizza, talk about aviation goals and interests, and help shape what future Youth Aviation Gatherings will look like.

6:00–8:00 PM

December 14 | Build a Riveted Metal Picture Frame

Get hands on with aircraft building skills! Youth will learn the basics of working with sheet metal and rivets while creating their own metal picture frame to take home.

Ages 12–17 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Space is limited. Advance registration is required. Register Here

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH CHAPTER OFFERINGS

October 8 | October Monthly Gathering
John Cesnik returns with more stories of real world flying in the 1960s and 70s, including bush flying in Alaska and Canada and the unique challenges of navigating near the Arctic Circle.

November 12 | November Monthly Gathering
Join us for our Annual Chili Cook Off, a brief Annual Meeting, and a FAASTeam Safety Seminar presented by Jurg Grossenbacher.

December 10 | December Monthly Gathering
Air Traffic Controller Derek Smith will lead a discussion on runway incursions and surface safety as Chapter 509 hosts the annual Runway Safety Action Team meeting..

Want to Get More Involved?

As Chapter 509 continues to grow, so do the opportunities for members to get involved.

We know everyone has different schedules and commitments, and volunteering with the chapter does not have to mean taking on a major role. Sometimes we simply need an extra set of hands for an event, someone willing to help with food, a few people to work with youth, or someone with a particular skill or interest.

• If you would be interested in helping from time to time, send us a quick email at connect@eaachapter509.com

We’ll add you to our volunteer list and reach out when opportunities come up. You can always decide whether a particular opportunity works for you.

And if you have an idea for something you think Chapter 509 should try, we want to hear that too! A new activity, gathering idea, youth project, workshop, fly-out, social event, or something completely different is always worth sharing. We are especially excited when someone has an idea they would like to help take the lead on.

Some of the best things happening in our chapter start with a member saying, “What if we tried this?”

Thank You for Being Part of Chapter 509

From first solos and scholarships to Young Eagles flights, volunteer projects, member adventures, and monthly gatherings, Chapter 509 continues to be a place where people can experience aviation, share aviation, and help create opportunities for the next generation.

Thank you to everyone who flies, volunteers, teaches, organizes, donates, attends, and simply shows up. All of it helps make Chapter 509 what it is.

Our Commitment
EAA Chapter 509 is committed to providing a welcoming and positive experience for all members and guests. Our Non-Discrimination Policy is available on our website.

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