EAA Chapter 15

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EAA Chapter 15 Our mission: to share and educate current and future pilots, while having fun. Join us.

Located at Lewis Airport in Illinois, we are Chapter 15 (Un-officially known as the ‘Just-Wing-It’ and the ‘Cookout’ Chapter) of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOU WERE LIVING IN A TV SERIES?You know how a show ends, the hero walks off into the sunset, the...
10/14/2026

HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE YOU WERE LIVING IN A TV SERIES?

You know how a show ends, the hero walks off into the sunset, the credits roll, and everybody thinks that’s it? Then, just when you think it’s all over… SURPRISE! They come back for another season!

Remember Magnum, P.I.? Season 7 ended with Magnum walking off into the clouds, and everybody thought the series was finished. But then came Season 8!

Well, apparently, our cookouts are following the same script.

We had our season finale on October 7, packed up the grills, and figured that was a wrap until next year.
BUT Nooooo… Mother Nature seems to be working on a Season 8!
The forecast for Wednesday, October 21, is looking pretty darn good, so there’s a chance we could have ONE MORE COOKOUT!
Nothing is official yet. We’re waiting to see if the weather cooperates before making the call.
Will the grills return? Will the fries and cheese sticks get another shot at stardom? Will Bozo ride off into the sunset pushing his trusty griddle… only to turn around and come back for one more episode?
STAY TUNED!
EAA Chapter 15 — apparently, we don’t know how to end a season!

P.S. Want to know what’s funny??? Almost everyone under the age of 50 will have no clue about this reference.

What a great day for two Ray Aviation scholars to go flying. Former Ray scholar recipient AND CFI, Jimmy Duffy, who hap...
10/13/2026

What a great day for two Ray Aviation scholars to go flying. Former Ray scholar recipient AND CFI, Jimmy Duffy, who happened to be Klaudia T-k’s instructor, finally did some fun flying together today in Dorothy. What was originally scheduled to be some small hops to a couple airports out East where Klaudia will be visiting throughout the year, like Lansing, where they have great food at Laney cues, they had an added bonus: the lakefront tour. We’re positive she’ll be doing that a few more times before she before she graduates from high school.

Speaking of being a Ray Scholar, she more than earned her time in Dorothy, by setting the bar really high for those that will follow in her footsteps. She did an incredible job by cramming in all her training and getting her ticket in about three months. Jimmy gave you a set of keys to her, don’t lose them!!

BREAKING NEWS: MANAGEMENT CONSIDERS CROSSING THE CAKE LINE!Negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Bakers, Ca...
10/12/2026

BREAKING NEWS: MANAGEMENT CONSIDERS CROSSING THE CAKE LINE!

Negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Bakers, Cake & Pastry Workers — Local 15½ have hit another snag, and EAA Chapter 15 management is reportedly entertaining bids from the shady, nonunion outfit known as BACK ALLEY BAKES.

Their specialty? The infamous Ghetto Cake and other suspiciously affordable confections.

Meanwhile, questions are swirling about the cakes appearing at our weekly cookouts. Rumors suggest they may actually be purchased at a local grocery store, but this allegation remains completely unconfirmed.

Makenzie herself has reportedly stated, “There is NO WAY they can decorate a cake like that on their own!”

Management has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations, although someone was seen leaving the grocery store with a cake box.

If Local 15½ doesn’t come to an agreement before the Annual Christmas Party, Back Alley Bakes could be brought in as a replacement — a move the union would undoubtedly consider a major act of culinary betrayal.

Stay tuned. The stakes are high, the frosting is questionable, and the negotiations are getting sweeter by the minute!

FRIDAY UPDATE: PASTRY LABOR NEGOTIATIONS!As we head into the weekend, negotiations between EAA Chapter 15 management and...
10/09/2026

FRIDAY UPDATE: PASTRY LABOR NEGOTIATIONS!

As we head into the weekend, negotiations between EAA Chapter 15 management and the International Brotherhood of Bakers, Cake & Pastry Workers — Local 15½ continue to deteriorate.

Sources close to the negotiations report that talks are officially GOING TO THE DOGS! 🐕😂

Neither side is willing to roll over, and a sweet deal before the Annual Christmas Party remains uncertain.

Stay tuned… this labor dispute is getting ruff! 🎂🐾

BREAKING NEWS FROM EAA CHAPTER 15We have learned that hard bargaining is currently underway with the newly formed and st...
10/08/2026

BREAKING NEWS FROM EAA CHAPTER 15

We have learned that hard bargaining is currently underway with the newly formed and striking:

International Brotherhood of Bakers, Cake & Pastry Workers — Local 15½

Negotiations have reportedly become tense over several critical issues, including cupcake production, frosting levels, cake allocation, and the proper distribution of sprinkles.

Among the union members is Mackenzie, who sources describe as a hard-core union supporter and a particularly tough negotiator.

Insiders say Makenzie has repeatedly told management:

“NO CONTRACT, NO CUPCAKES.”

Chapter 15 has reportedly countered with an offer of verbal compliments, empty cupcake, wrappers, and unlimited requests for “ those bedazzled cookies.”

So far, neither side is willing to budge.

The good news is that both parties remain hopeful that the strike can be resolved before the Annual Christmas Party.

The bad news? If negotiations break down, Chapter 15 could face its first-ever:

NATIONWIDE PASTRY EMERGENCY

Members are being advised to remain calm, stock up on cookies, and DO NOT ANTAGONIZE THE BAKERS.

We will continue to provide updates as this developing labor dispute unfolds.

EAA Chapter 15 — Keeping Aviation Flying and Labor Relations Frosted.

We would like to take this time and thank each and every person that attended our cookouts throughout 2026. Whether you...
10/08/2026

We would like to take this time and thank each and every person that attended our cookouts throughout 2026. Whether you flew in or drove in, you marked each week on your calendar to hang out with family and friends. Who would’ve thought that the idea of holding, what were small cookouts of about 8 to 10 people, would actually turn into a joyous gathering for dozens of people.

You would think, after doing this a few years, it would be an organized and well oiled machine. But behind the scenes, we call it ‘semi-organized chaos’. Most of the work is done on Monday and Tuesday, running around and gathering all of the food and drinks so we could treat everyone too freshly cooked meals. Our intention is to have a place for everyone together with others to enjoy the atmosphere while putting a smile on everyone’s face. Quoting one of our members, Steve Targosz, “We’re making memories”. Steve couldn’t have nailed it on the head any more perfect. But we have to question Steve about his memory skills. Why? Because, if he has such a good memory, then why is he running around taking pictures all the time? Thank God we are so advanced in technology that we no longer need to use 35 mm film. Otherwise, Steve would be spending about $200 a week getting his film developed. But on a positive note, a lot of those pictures will be displayed at our annual Christmas/holiday party coming up in a couple months.

Again, a huge thank you to everyone that came out every week. As we stated, this isn’t done for us…this is done for you.

Come on boys, grab the mics …

And now, the end is here
And so we faced the final cookout
Our friends, we say it clear
We state our case, of which we’ve tapped out
We ate and now we’re full
We’ve traveled each and every skyway
Oh, and more, much more than this
We did it our way.

Update: we have some shocking news about a potential strike that may impact future gatherings. We will have an update later this morning. Stay tuned.

10/08/2026

Do we know how the end the Cookout year or what ? Seems like a tradition that we have somebody come out and play for our final Cookout. Thank you Tim for graciously coming out and playing for everyone. We’re telling everyone to wait until the end of the evening to get autographs, we have to feed our star.

Huge congratulations to St. Rita High School junior Evin Espinoza on being awarded the prestigious $12,000 EAA Ray Aviat...
10/06/2026

Huge congratulations to St. Rita High School junior Evin Espinoza on being awarded the prestigious $12,000 EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship!
This grant covers the full cost of Evin's flight training at Lewis University Airport as he works toward earning his Private Pilot Certificate. Evin has been a standout leader in restarting the St. Rita Aviation Club and a dedicated volunteer on our Sonex Waiex airplane build. We are so proud to support one of St. Rita's own as his aviation career takes flight!

Pictured here: Scholarship recipient Evin Espinoza, EAA Chapter 15 President Darren Lilja, St. Rita Aviation Program Director Todd Kuska, Evin’s father, Erik, and the hardworking students from the Chapter 15 airplane build crew.

Ding, ding, ding, ding... Last Call. PLEASE READ THE WHOLE POST.Sadly, it's here. Yes... we are calling this the last 'O...
10/03/2026

Ding, ding, ding, ding... Last Call. PLEASE READ THE WHOLE POST.
Sadly, it's here. Yes... we are calling this the last 'Official' cookout of the season. They're calling for mid to high 70's and there's no better day to wrap up the cookout season. So...

Menu: Who knows PLUS Fries
When: Wednesday October 7th 6:00pm
Where: KLOT (Northside hangars)
Donation: $10 (Blue Box)

If you have anything to add, such as desserts, feel free to bring something.

As of this post, we do not know what we are having. Maybe a little of this and a little of that. Remember, it's not about the food, it's about... (you fill in the blank).

PLEASE, if you grab a second round of food or drinks, PLEASE WAIT until everyone has had a chance to get their food and ALSO add some more $$$ to the blue box. Remember: This is NOT an all you can eat buffet, and we discourage taking home doggie bags. We don't see a sign outside of the gate saying GOLDEN CORAL THIS WAY => Also, please take only the amount of food that you will finish. Unfortunately, we had a few people throw out complete sandwiches at the last cookout, not even one bite taken from them. If you plan to do that again, please stay home. It's not cool to waste food. AND... we had a few people who didn't donate to the blue box but still took advantage of our great offerings. We guess some people do not understand the spirit of the cookouts and think we wave a magic wand that makes the food appear for free.

If flying in, let the tower know you’re heading to the north side. If driving, access off of Airport Road via Route 53, follow the signs and park north of the hangars in the grass area.
Again... NO PARKING on the side facing the runway. We REPEAT, NO PARKING on the side facing the runway. ONLY tenants with planes facing runway 9-27 may park there, NO EXCEPTIONS! YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE IF YOU CAN NOT FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. You may drop people off but must park in the grass on the north. Please park far enough back from the blacktop to leave room for planes to taxi by. It's a privilege to do this, please don't ruin it.

With that said, lets make this last one a good one.

Due to the rain, we will not be having a cookout this week. Also, no cookout this weekend (Oct 3rd).Will we have another...
09/30/2026

Due to the rain, we will not be having a cookout this week. Also, no cookout this weekend (Oct 3rd).
Will we have another one? Good question. Next Wednesday looks promising, calling for low 70's. So, as of now... we can safely say, it will be out last 'official' cookout of the season. We may have another sneak in before the end of the month but we'll call this our last official one. Menu??? We'll let you know this weekend. Suggestions??

Address

1 George J Michas Drive
Romeoville, IL
60446

Telephone

(815) 838-9497 Ext 322

Website

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