About Us

Our Story

The nucleus of E.A.A. Chapter 124 started its growth in the early sixties when a few enthusiasts who were aware of the Experimental Aircraft Association got together and probed the possibilities of forming their own Chapter. This became a reality when in 1962 the group was awarded a Charter as Chapter 124, and it has been moving onward and upward ever since.

Mike Murphy’s Cougar was the first homebuilt to fly in 1962, followed by Rex Cantrel’s Pitts Special a few years later, and Bob Boehm’s Starduster Too shortly thereafter. Since then, Chapter 124 has fledged a whole bevy of homebuilts, including a couple of Oshkosh Grand Champions and a Reno Racer that is almost a homebuilt.

In April of 1972, Chapter 124 was able to obtain a long-term lease of some land at the Sonoma County Airport on which the Chapter financed and built its own hangars and tie-downs. The first structure to be erected was Lloyd Hamilton’s hangar. Lloyd agreed that if members would supply the labor to construct it, he would purchase a hangar and have a well drilled. A year later the need for an on-site guard and security became necessary due to airplanes being vandalized. Once again, members joined together and with the help of Art Beer and his construction equipment, set up what we now know as our Facilities Chairman’s house. Chapter 124 is also home to our latest addition… the CAFE Test Facility for the purpose of testing general aviation aircraft for performance and efficiency. Construction was completed in April of 1993 and dedicated on Aviation Day, May 8, 1993.

Our Chapter plays host to many activities during the year, such as our Annual Dinner / Dance, a barbeque, flyouts, and any other reason our members can think to get together and have a good time.