Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is a passionate community of more than 200,000 aviators. “Experimental” is what the Federal Aviation Administration calls planes built by individuals rather than in factories. It’s their mission to grow participation in aviation. Whatever your interests or aviation goals, EAA can help steer you in the right direction.
EEA was founded in 1953 by a group of individuals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who were interested in building their own airplanes. It is the only association that offers the fun and camaraderie of participating in the flying, building, and restoring of recreational aircraft.
As the organization grew, it attracted new members with a wide range of aviation interests, including antiques, classics, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, ultralights, helicopters, and contemporary manufactured aircraft. EAA has grown into an international organization representing the entire spectrum of recreational aviation. Membership in EAA enables participants to share the spirit of aviation.
EAA in Washington State
EAA’s chapters are about bringing people together in a community who are interested in learning about and sharing aviation knowledge. Chapter members plan a variety of social and educational activities including fly-ins and seminars.
In Washington State, EAA chapters are located throughout the Puget Sound region and across the state, from the Washington Coast and across the Yakima Valley to Spokane. Each chapter has its own personality that is reflected in its members and local culture, but all chapters have one thing in common: a passion for aviation!
Map of EAA Chapters in Washington State
Learn to Fly with EAA
If you have always wanted to learn to pilot aircraft (or recently got the urge to try it out), EAA offers the tools and training. There are three basic pathways to becoming a pilot in the U.S.:
- train to be a Private Pilot
- become a Sport Pilot (faster and cheaper than becoming a Private Pikot)
- fly on your own as an Ultralight Pilot
If you’re not sure of your interests (or courage?) because you’ve never been up in a small airplane, you can try it out through EAA. Best of all, your EAA trial flight can be free of charge.
During the free introductory flight experience, you’ll fly with a licensed EAA member pilot from take-off to landing. The session includes visually inspecting the airplane and navigating the sky. During your flight, you’ll have the opportunity to follow along at the controls as your pilot shows you how to make gentle climbs, turns, and descents. After your flight, he or she can answer any questions you may have about flying, or the next steps you can take on your journey to becoming a pilot.
For more information, visit: EAA Learn to Fly.
EAA Young Eagles Program
Learning to fly is not just for adults.
Young Eagles is a special project of the EAA “Learn to Fly” program. Young Eagles gives kids ages 8 through 17 a chance to experience the excitement of aviation by taking a free small airplane ride with a volunteer pilot.
People volunteer in EAA’s Young Eagles program for a variety of reasons. Some see it as a chance to payback the kindness of those who inspired them to pursue flying. Others enjoy the opportunity to share their interest in aviation with young people. Many simply enjoy flying.
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