When an EAA Chapter Advocates for Their Airports, It Can Pay Dividends

EAA CHAPTERS across the country are leading the way in advocating for their airports as part of EAA’s Grassroots Airport Advocacy (GAA) initiative. This community-driven engagement works to build awareness, relationships, and long-term support for local airports. The GAA initiative reflects EAA’s belief that the spirit of aviation grows stronger when communities are actively involved and connected.

“Chapters across the country are doing commendable advocacy work in their communities,” said Margaret Colwell, government advocacy specialist at EAA. “More importantly, they’re having an impact.”

Airports are strongest when their communities understand and support them. Issues such as urban encroachment, budget pressures, false information, public indifference, or other factors can be the death knell of an airport. With a good GAA strategy, an EAA chapter can demonstrate their airport’s viability to local residents, elected officials, and other community and business stakeholders.

Whether it’s creating an event, building relationships, sharing a story, or taking action, here are some examples of what an EAA chapter can do:

• Host a pancake breakfast, fly-in, open house, or create a youth-focused activity like a Young Eagles rally.
• Invite local elected officials to visit the airport and engage them at city or county council meetings.
• Submit stories or editorials to local media outlets or share events with local social media groups.
• Encourage others to show up and support the airport when needed or help address misconceptions or concerns about the airport.

To generate support for Whiteman Airport (KWHP) in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles, California, EAA Chapter 40 focuses all its energy on a number of programs for the community, including three specifically for youths. With Young Eagles, 50-100 youngsters get to fly every month. Their Youth Build Program has 15 high school students participating each week. The chapter also provides Ray Aviation Scholarships every year. The efforts have been positive and enthusiastically received by the community.

“Providing for our local youth and community has been fantastic,” said Chapter 40 President Clyde Carpenter. “It’s been very effective in helping to showcase the unmatched opportunities available to youth of all ages at Whiteman Airport.”

Lake Elmo Airport (21D), about 15 miles east of St. Paul, Minnesota, has had to deal with urban encroachment plus vocal complaints after a runway was shifted and lengthened. To make sure the airport was not negatively impacted, local EAA Chapter 54 has been active engaging government officials and being included in a local advisory commission. They also did something very clever for their pancake breakfast fly-in this year: They made and placed door hangers inviting the airport’s new residential neighbors to the event.

“We’ve been very pleased with the positive results of our engagement,” said Chapter 54 President Marlon Gunderson. “It’s going to be important for us to continue our work in the community.”

EAA emphasizes that chapters don’t need to do everything, just start somewhere. “A single conversation or small event can spark awareness and start to build lasting support,” said Margaret.