The Experimental Aircraft Association is a nationally incorporated non-profit organization founded in 1953 to promote the “Spirit of Aviation.” As local chapters were established in communities across the nation, they were numbered sequentially. Chapter 20 was founded in 1956 and has served the aviation community continuously for 65 years.
Located at the San Carlos Airport in the San Francisco Bay Area, EAA Chapter 20 is a vibrant organization with more than 200 active members, including 60 students. One of our events is a monthly chapter meeting with an average attendance of 50 individuals, representing a mixture of active and retired aviation professionals, aviation enthusiasts, and students.
The mission of EAA is to grow the aviation community by promoting the "Spirit of Aviation." Chapter 20 is particularly dedicated to inspiring students to learn about aviation and fostering their engagement through a range of programs. We help students enroll in and take advantage of all the benefits of free membership in the EAA national organization (free for age 8–18). EAA student members receive free admission to more than 400 science and technology museums under the ASTC Travel Passport Program and access to a free ground school online course. We intentionally strive to identify and nurture students interested in becoming aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, and other aviation professionals. We support their career journey by connecting them to the national organization, participating in Young Eagles, and offering youth programs like our Youth Aircraft Build Program.
Chapter 20 pilots have provided 9,380 Young Eagles airplane rides to youths since the program launched in 1992. Additionally, through a competitive selection process, EAA National has chosen Chapter 20 to award the prestigious Ray Scholarship of $10,000 toward a local student’s flight training each year since the scholarship program began in 2019. Chapter 20 also awards scholarships to local students between the ages of 12 and 17, allowing them to attend the national EAA summer Air Academy in Oshkosh, WI.
In 2017, EAA Chapter 20’s Board of Directors took a serious look at the projected pilot shortage and set an ambitious goal to help recruit the next generation of aviation professionals, especially pilots, by inviting high school students to collaboratively build a Van’s RV-12 kit airplane. Under the guidance of a team of skilled chapter members, student builders assembled a fully functional aircraft. The completed aircraft took its' first flight in September of 2020. Since then, the plane has flown nearly 1,000 hours and has successfully assisted six former student builders earn their private pilot's license.
