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Loren Hodge EAA Chapter 274 is headquartered at the Decatur Airport and is the local chapter of the world-wide Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). The Chapter was founded in 1968 and incorporated on May2, 1969 as a not-for-profit Illinois corporation. The charter members of the Chapter were:

Earl Atkisson, Tuscola
Wiley Calfus, Decatur
Elsworth (Danny) Dansby, Decatur
Bill Grolliker, Decatur
Charles Hermanek, Decatur
Frank Hummel, Decatur
Pat Patterson, Decatur
Leroy Ritter, Decatur
George Ruff, Hammond
Bob Simonson, Decatur
Gene Townsend, Decatur

Elsworth Dansby was a Tuskegee Airman. The chapter's name honors Loren Hodge. Loren Hodge was a pioneer aircraft mechanic and pilot. In 1910 Loren worked for the Wright Brothers as pilot and mechanic. His first solo took place at Hammonsport, NY, June 15, 1910. Loren was taught to fly by Glen Curtis in Curtis's aircraft. Loren was the mechanic for Decatur's first pilot, Charles Willard. Loren prepared the Curtis aircraft flown by Willard on the historic first flight from Decatur that took place on July 4, 1910 from Downing Racetrack, which is now Hess Park. It is interesting to note that the first home-built aircraft to fly in Decatur was built by, and flown by August Hendrian in July 1911 from Downing Racetrack. Harry Youtz of Decatur also built a monoplane and flew it from the Racetrack in 1913.

Chapter membership has grown to over 100 members who are from Decatur and the surrounding area, including Arcola, Bethany, Blue Mound, Cerro Gordo, Champaign, Charleston, Chatham, Clinton, Dalton City, Dewey, Findlay, Hammond, Lovington, Macon, Springfield, Taylorville and Tuscola. Members include city employees, school teachers, high school students, corporate pilots, utilities employees, manufacturing firm employees, hourly wage employees, a couple of doctors, business people, farmers and people who are retired - a cross section of our population. All are involved because they are aviation enthusiasts. Many are pilots and a lot are wannabes working on their certifications. Well over half of the membership is involved singly or in groups in over twenty hands-on projects building and/or restoring airplanes. Through the years our members have rebuilt antique, classic and modern certified aircraft. They have also built experimental aircraft designs from the 1930's, such as the Pietenpol, to the present sophisticated Glasair. An interesting example was the restoration in 1970 of a 1949 Piper P-15 Vagabond originally a two-place trainer. In addition to restoration, this classic aircraft was equipped with modern communications and navigation equipment so that the chapter members could obtain their private pilot license.

Young Eagles Rallies are among a more recent activity sponsored by the EAA and carried out several times each year by the Loren Hodge EAA Chapter 274. Youngsters from 8 through 17 years of age, with their parent's permission, can learn about aircraft and experience flight in our members' experimental and certified aircraft. There is no cost to participants for this ground and flight experience which we support to encourage interest in aviation as an avocation, hobby, and profession.

Membership is open to any person provided the prospective member also joins the Experimental Aircraft Association. Membership is for a calendar year beginning January 1. Members must renew their membership at the annual rate before April 1. New membership fees are prorated by the quarter.

The purposes of this non-profit and educational organization are:

To foster, promote and engage in aviation education.
To promote and encourage the sport and hobby of recreational aviation.
To foster closer fellowship among its members through the exchange of ideas of mutual interest.
To promote and encourage grass roots efforts relating to the development of aviation.
To operate as a local Chapter of E.A.A.
To cooperate with and assist the E.A.A. in carrying out its goals and purposes within the geographic area served by the Chapter.

Meetings of the Chapter are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. in Hangar 102A, Decatur Airport (south hangar area - ask a meeting attendee for gate entry assistance.)