Who is Chapter 838?
Chapter 838 is a part of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). The operation and activities are member driven. The chapter is active in promoting aviation interests and education to the community at large. We are based at Batten Airport (RAC) in Racine, Wisconsin. Currently, we have over 160 members, many with family memberships. We meet once a month and have an active Homebuilder’s Night, Young Eagles Program, the annual Racine Wings & Wheels Weekend, ground school classes, a monthly newsletter, the Southeast Wisconsin Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame, and other events.
Our Mission
EAA Chapter 838 is a non-profit organization established to:
- Foster, promote, and engage in aviation education
- Promote and encourage grass roots efforts relating to aviation research and development
- Encourage and engage in research for the improvement and better understanding of aviation and the science of aeronautics
- Cooperate with and assist governmental agencies in the development of programs relating to aviation activities
- Promote and encourage aviation safety in the design, construction, and operation of all types of aircraft
Our History
A group of aviation enthusiasts, lead by Quinn Rench, organized Chapter 838 in September, 1984. Rench subsequently acted as the chapter’s first president. Initially, Chapter 838 met in various locations around the Racine Area including member’s homes, hangars, and basements. The premier issue of the chapter newsletter Contact went to print in July of 1985.
In December, 1987 838 embarked on an ambitious building project: a permanent home for the chapter. On March 9, 1992, the chapter held a ground-breaking ceremony and began construction of one of the finest chapter facilities in the Experimental Aircraft Association. Also that month, we signed the charter for the Southeast Wisconsin Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame. In 1999, we expanded the chapter building as part of our museum growth. In 2002, 838 member Mary Misheske built our first website.
Content Contributors Include:
- Phil Fountain
- Tom Christensen
- Frank Fonk
- Daryl Lueck
- Seán Dwyer
- Bob Orre
- Willy Christensen
- Jerry Bovitz
- Henry Sollman
- Paul Johns
- Donna Andersen
- Carl Bumpars
- Gene Zabler
- Tim Bass
- Ken Jacobi
- Ken Sack
- Eddy Huffman
- Barbie Rench
