We would like to ask you to participate with us in a very worthwhile project.
We are taking this highly unusual step of blatantly soliciting support because we believe very deeply in the value and worth of this project.

The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 59 Waco, Texas has been involved in a project to introduce Aerospace education to local school districts, teachers and into their classrooms for the past few years.

We continually need to borrow space from the Fixed Base Operators or from pilots with hangars to register participants and hold these activities. As these programs grow in popularity food preparation and sheltered space for the activity is becoming more difficult each year. We have finally decided to take the plunge and build a suitable Aviation Training Facility for all these activities and others yet undetermined that relate to aviation. We have secured a forty-year lease on a prime piece of property on the McGregor Executive Airport for the sum of one dollar per year as an IRS 501c3 tax-exempt organization.

Our 80-plus member chapter has raised over $50,000 toward this facility plus an additional $15,000 in pledges for equipment once the facility is built. We have the engineering specifications approved by the state of Texas. And we have developed a complete set of construction plans from a professional Architect. We have long range plans for the system to be a self-supporting entity once the building is completed.
Our building will have a large seminar room for meetings as well as a kitchenette and first class restrooms to handle large groups on breaks between classes.
The seminar room will be available to all aviation organizations such as the various chapter fly-in activities, FAA Safety Seminars, 99 women's organization, Civil Air Patrol, school groups interested in airplane projects as well as other chapter 59 activities like the EAA Young Eagles and Wild Blue Wonders programs, the teacher appreciation days and many other aviation related functions.

On a national and business level, The Central Texas area and specifically the Waco area is rapidly becoming the hub of aviation in the southwest. The number of high tech aviation companies in the region is increasing faster than any other part of the country. We want to help make sure that our young people are the best equipped and most knowledgeable workforce possible to help support this industry growth. And at the same time we can help ensure a healthy future for Sport and General aviation.

Once again on a national level, The Ford Motor company has decided to drop their generous sponsorship of the Wild Blue Wonders programs with The EAA National organization. This program designated Chapter 59 as the Southwest Regional WBW sponsors. The region encompasses a seven state area and designates Waco as the hub of these activities. We have been granted authorization by EAA National to continue the WBW programs and we believe this program is far too valuable to allow it to be canceled through a lack of funding.
Over the past four years the interest level and proof of the benefits derived from this program have been well established in our Region-12 school districts.

If you would like to be a part of this great stimulus to student development by introducing them to Aerospace activity, we would like your help. Our planed cost for the building is $300,000.00. Sketches and other information can be found in our web page at http://www.waco-tx-eaa.org.

We request your support to help us build our Aviation Training Facility. All donations are Tax Deductible and gifts over $250.00 will be acknowledged with a letter of appreciation for your records. All donations are welcome and no contribution is too small.

Please be aware that 100% of every dollar donated will go directly towards the development of this great Aviation Training Facility. None of the Chapter 59 members or affiliates are being paid except the architects and building contractors. The members of EAA Chapter 59 are all strictly unpaid volunteers.

For your convenience we have also included a full formal grant application with complete project and goal information.
That grant application can be down loaded here.

Please submit donations to:
Mr. Jon Botsford, Financial Secretary
321 Bowie; Hewitt, Texas Zip: 76643
Tel: 254-749-1853

Sincerely

Emmette E. Craver
EAA Chapter 59 President

The new Chapter 59 hanger is the last one on the row to the left.

Click on any image to see a larger view.

For more information on some of the activities and events that Chapter 59 sponsors please refer to the following links.

Young Eagles.

Wild Blue Wonders.

Additional information about various events can be found on our events page. Scroll down to the lower section on passed events and browse through coverage's of activities.

Click on the scale for a better view

Architectural designs have been professionally completed.

The full sized kitchen will enable banquette meal preparations as well as chapter meetings lunches.

The hanger will be large enough to house 6-8 small experimental airplanes and still have room for training activities.

The dining and conference room will be available for aviation related business and group meetings.

Come join us and help develop this great chapter headquarters and Aviation Training Facility.

Please submit your tax deductible donations to:
Mr. Jon Botsford, Financial Secretary
321 Bowie; Hewitt, Texas Zip: 76643

You can view the sketches and drawings by clicking on this link.

Phase 1 & 2 construction sketches.

For those who would like to see the current progress on our new facility, here is a link to our hanger update photos.