Chapter 865 of the Experimental Aircraft Association has been chartered since 1986. We are dedicated to the preservation of Sport Aviation and it?s history, the promotion of safety and the mentoring of young people in aviation. Our Chapter Hangar is located on the Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport, in Niles Michigan. We use the slogan ?Home of the Heath?, because The Heath Airplane Co., founded by Ed Heath, a pioneer of the Home Built Airplane Kit, was located in Niles from 1931 to 1934.
We are a non-profit organization, formed to promote and encourage the sport and hobby of recreational aviation; to cooperate with and assist governmental agencies in the development of programs relating to aviation activities; to promote and encourage aviation safety in the design, construction, and operation of all types of aircraft; to encourage and engage in research for the improvement and better understanding of aviation and the science of aeronautics; and to promote and encourage grass roots efforts relating to aviation research and development.
Many of our memberts have, or are building airplanes, among them are the Dyke Delta, Fisher Horizon, Bede 4, RV-6A, VP-1, Acro Sport, Hatz, Europa, and Veri-Eze.