Chapter History

On August 2nd, 1967, a group of aviation enthusiasts met at Ken Elwoods home in Albany to discuss the formation of an EAA Chapter. As quoted in the first newsletter "Thirty home built aircraft bugs converged on the Elwood house to hangar-fly and look-over Ken's Baby-Ace".

They began the process of founding a chapter which required a minimum of ten "paid up" members of EAA National. Their research into incorporation revealed they could "self-file" for ten dollars.

This group wasn't letting any moss grow, by October they had completed the articles of Incorporation with the state and been chartered as "Salem-Willamette Valley EAA Chapter 292".

Original directors for the chapter were:

The chapter grew over the years, meeting in a member's house, a local business, or at one of the airports in the area depending on the agenda for the month. In 1980, the new chapter officers decided they wanted a new newsletter. They christened it the "Taledragger" and someone penned this creative logo.

One of the original goals for the chapter was to locate a permanent facility for chapter meetings. During the 1980-81 time period the chapter was talking with ODA about gaining the use of the old FBO office at the Lebanon airport. In August of 1981 ODA responded to an inquiry by the chapter with the news they had decided to reject the proposal and demolish the building. So the chapter continued meeting at various hangars and frequently at the Pacific Power Building in Albany.

The chapter continued to seek a home and proposed construction of a hangar at the Albany airport in 1985. As consideration continued more sites were considered due to the difficulty in finding a low cost solution with good access for all members. Independence was proposed and in July of 1987 and the members voted to approve Independence as the best site for the "chapter home"!

The August 1987 meeting was the picnic at Bob Schwarzler's ranch and the members present voted to begin construction of the "chapter home"! The membership selected a 35X42 metal kit building that would be constructed on a slab.

The September meeting saw the planning mostly completed and the membership laying out the building lot and preparing to dig holes for the framing poles. The project moved quickly with the building being framed, roofed and the slab poured prior to the November meeting.

By December the focus was on finish work and the hangar was being rented for aircraft storage in the first quarter of 1988. Lights were installed and working by the end of April and with the improving weather the May meeting was scheduled for the hangar!

In July the Chapter hosted the Oregon EAA-SAA annual meeting and fly-in. Part of the three day event was a ribbon cutting and open house for the new "Chapter Hangar"! The festivities included a spaghetti dinner hosted by the EAA on Saturday night and OPA's pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. The event was a great success and a good time was had by all.

Use of the hanger continued into the fall and the chapter purchased a furnace and had it installed by in time for the December meeting. Hangar use increased throughout 1989 and was celebrated in December with the "burning of the mortgage"!

The hangar upgraded in 1990 by relocating the furnace, installing ducting, and insulating the building. Work on this project was completed on November 10, 1990. Now the chapter had a meeting place that was comfortable during the winter months and allowed the furnace to operate quietly during the meetings!

Over the next few years the chapter continued to grow and the hangar was a great asset to the membership.

In March of 1996 the Board began researching options for a lease on the east side of the airport to allow of expansion to a new chapter hangar. By April 25th the Board had secured the option for the lease and was reviewing options for construction of a new hangar. Membership was now nearly 100 and meetings in the original hangar were getting tight, to say the least.

In May Board had a basic proposal for the new hangar of 105 x 51 feet, featuring three hangars, meeting space, two restrooms, kitchen, etc. The project went thru the normal growing pains as utilities were discovered crossing the lot.

In November a new set of construction plans were presented to the members and Bob Schwarzler was busy putting together cost estimates. Bill McMichael was negotiating with the utility companies for routing of those pesky utilities.

In Feburary of 1997, the plans were ready and a vote of the membership was scheduled for March. The vote was conducted by mail in ballot and passed. Five members donated $1000 to the project with another twenty pledging $100 per year for ten years.

The final lease for the new hangar came in at $1050 per year and the executive committee authorized it provided the prohibited activities of "welding and painting" were removed. The lease was executed and a new set of plans for a simplified pole-barn project were being finalized in September.

As 1997 came to a close, construction on the new hangar was progressing nicely, the Chapter's non-profit status was granted by the IRS on December 5!

The Chapter launched it's website in February thru the efforts of John Ousterhout.

Early 1998 focused on completion of the new hangar and as the project neared completion the old "Chapter Home" was sold at auction on April 9, 1998.

As June came to a close, work on the hangar was concentrated on finishing work. The south hangar was rented. The Board reviewed expected operating expenses and elected to raise dues to $48 per year.

July 31 brought the Certificate of Occupancy for the new hangar! The board scheduled an
"Open House" for August 29th, let the celebration begin!