Today we celebrate the 50th birthday of EAA “Cheeseland” Chapter 431 at Brodhead Airport. On January 17, 1973, the official charter from EAA headquarters in Milwaukee was issued to the 19 founding members of the chapter.
Richard Weeden was the first president, Bill Knight was vice president, and Vern Knezel was secretary/treasurer. Our chapter now has nearly 100 members and the airport has expanded to 60 hangars and nearly 100 airplanes.
The original EAA charter with the 19 original members listed. Of those, only Richard Weeden, Donald Wichelt, and Robyn Wichelt are still living, although we can’t find information on Ralph Klassy or Robert Paulik. Can any one help?
One of the earliest projects that the chapter members tackled was restoration on Bob Green’s Waco UPF-7.
Today, the airport hosts major fly-in events each year. Photo by John Machamer.