Starting EAA Chapter - Vancouver B.C Area

[acpilot]

Hello

I am currently working to establish an EAA Chapter based at Pitt Meadows Airport (CYPK), serving the broader Greater Vancouver aviation community. While there is an established chapter in Chilliwack (CYCW), there are currently no EAA chapters in the Vancouver area. I’m also aware of the Recreational Aircraft Association of Canada (RAAC) group at Delta Airpark, though my goal is not to duplicate or compete with existing organizations.
The vision is to create a local EAA chapter that brings together builders, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts from CYPK, CYXX, CYNJ, CYBB, and surrounding airports. The focus would be on sharing knowledge, developing building skills, enhancing flight safety, and inspiring the next generation of general aviation participants.
As someone who has been building a Van’s RV‑14A for several years, I’m continually surprised by how many other experimental aircraft builders I meet in our region. My recent experiences attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh—camping with the Fargo, ND chapter—have shown me the strength of community that an active chapter can create. I believe we can build something equally meaningful here.
To formally establish a chapter, we need a minimum of 10 current EAA members (or individuals interested in joining EAA).
If you’re curious about what EAA chapters offer, I encourage you to explore the EAA website. If you’re interested in being part of this initiative, please send me a direct message with your name, EAA number, and home airport, and I will add you to the list of prospective members.

Thanks, hopefully we can build a vibrant EAA chapter.


Dennis

 

[drinkwater]

Not an EAA member, so not able to directly help, but you have my support and appreciation for the effort. Hoping to start my own -14 build within the next few years.

 

[Pelley]

I wish you success. I’m up in Fort St. John building a -10 right now and support is basically non existent. I needed some help with sections and called every structure shop in bc/Alberta offering to fly a guy in for a couple of days to get me over a bump I was stuck on and no luck. They had less then 0 interest in suporting all citing “too busy”. It really started to sound like “too much liability, I’ll pass”. The people I have met in the RV community have been fantastic, but they are pretty hard to find. I would happily support the build of a EAB community of builders if there was one close by, but unfortunately a 12h drive is a little far!

 

[Snowflake]

I am currently working to establish an EAA Chapter based at Pitt Meadows Airport (CYPK), serving the broader Greater Vancouver aviation community. While there is an established chapter in Chilliwack (CYCW), there are currently no EAA chapters in the Vancouver area. I’m also aware of the Recreational Aircraft Association of Canada (RAAC) group at Delta Airpark, though my goal is not to duplicate or compete with existing organizations.

And yet...

The vision is to create a local EAA chapter that brings together builders, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts from CYPK, CYXX, CYNJ, CYBB, and surrounding airports. The focus would be on sharing knowledge, developing building skills, enhancing flight safety, and inspiring the next generation of general aviation participants.

So... exactly what the RAA chapter at Delta does for builders, and COPA flights at CZBB, CYNJ, and CYPK do for flyers. What will you do differently that will enthuse people to join a new organization?

The EAA tolerates what the Canadian Council does in Canada, but they have zero presence here. As an organization they are not part of any CARAC meetings and do nothing to ensure your continued freedom to fly or build aircraft in Canada. In Canada you need to support COPA and the RAA for that. Why create a group to support an American-focussed organization that is increasingly more focussed on their glossy magazine full of overpriced aircraft than they are on the average builder?

 

[ryane67]

Good luck Dennis!

 

[Tall_Order]

Best of luck standing up the EAA chapter, Dennis.

The EAA tolerates what the Canadian Council does in Canada, but they have zero presence here. As an organization they are not part of any CARAC meetings and do nothing to ensure your continued freedom to fly or build aircraft in Canada.

Is this a structural thing to EAA or simply a lack of volunteers? If the latter, I am fully willing to step up on this one. (EAA Member since 2016)

 

[acpilot]

The EAA tolerates what the Canadian Council does in Canada, but they have zero presence here.

Rob,
Thank you for your feedback.
I am not aware organizational relationship between EAA Canada and EAA in the United States. However, throughout this process, EAA Canada has been consistently supportive and aligned with the broader mission of advancing the construction and operation of experimental aircraft, as well as fostering the next generation of aviation enthusiasts and builders.

As an organization they are not part of any CARAC meetings and do nothing to ensure your continued freedom to fly or build aircraft in Canada.

I am not fully aware of the extent of EAA Canada’s involvement with CARAC to date. However, as EAA Canada continues to grow and solidify its national presence—and with the support and resources available through EAA—there is considerable potential for the organization to play a more active role in supporting and safeguarding the future of experimental aviation in Canada.

A stronger national voice could help ensure that the interests of builders and pilots are well represented in regulatory discussions and long‑term policy development. This is an area where I would be very willing to volunteer my time and contribute to the effort.

If you have insights or perspectives on this topic, I would welcome the opportunity to learn from your experience. Please feel free to contact me directly at your convenience.

So... exactly what the RAA chapter at Delta does for builders, and COPA flights at CZBB, CYNJ, and CYPK do for flyers. What will you do differently that will enthuse people to join a new organization?

I am not looking to compete with any existing aviation organizations; I believe they all serve important and valuable roles. I am a member of the BCGA and the Aero Club of BC, and I plan to join COPA once my aircraft is completed.

What I have observed at CYPK, however, is that while many individuals are actively building aircraft, there is very little in the way of organized builder support or opportunities to share ideas, techniques, and best practices. In contrast, I have greatly appreciated the sense of community within the various EAA Chapters I have visited at Oshkosh, as well as the extensive online resources EAA provides. A good example is the annual Builders Week—free, high‑quality online seminars available to all EAA members.

This type of structured support and shared learning environment is something I believe would be highly beneficial to builders at CYPK.


Dennis