The Loren Hodge Chapter of the
Experimental Aircraft Association, Decatur Chapter 274, was founded
in 1968 and is headquartered at the Decatur Municipal Airport
in Decatur, a central Illinois chapter of the worldwide Experimental
Aircraft Association (EAA). It is named in honor of Loren Hodge,
a pioneer aircraft mechanic and pilot who, in 1910 worked for
the Wright Brothers.
This bustling chapter of one hundred plus membership, comprised
of aviation enthusiasts from Decatur and surrounding areas,
meets the third Tuesday of each month at their hangar at the
Decatur Airport. It is from this setting that much of Chapter
274's activities originate. The chapter openly welcomes visitors.
Chapter 274 has a successful operating scholarship
program, Train-A-Pilot, designed
to help young men and women earn their Private Pilot Certificates.
The goal of this program, to sponsor and guide deserving young
people to earn a private pilot license as a beginning step
in their achievement in the field of aviation. It is the intention
of Chapter 274 to eventually be joined in this venture by corporate
sponsorship, which will ensure the continuing promotion of
aviation and its opportunities to the youth of our country.
The scholar pays for the medical exam and books, the Chapter
pays the remainder of the expenses. Our first scholar passed
his flight check ride and was licensed in November, 2000. If
you would like to donate to this worthy endeavor, please contact
us at :
Train-A-Pilot Foundation
Hangar
102A
Decatur Municipal Airport
Decatur, IL 62521
