Father John Flying Club

The Father John Flying Club is a separate non-profit organization that is co-located with Chapter 77. To join you must first become a member of EAA Chapter 77 and of the National EAA. A nominal deposit and low annual dues are also required.

If you have questions or would like more information about our club send email to flyingclub@eaa77.org and we will respond with answers/info.

The club has a fleet of three aircraft and is limited - by insurance - to 20 members per plane so our current membership is capped at 60 members. Rental rates are per tach hour dry; fuel is purchased by the member flying the plane.

To see FAA Registration information on each of our aircraft click on the N-Number.

March 22, 2008: Go to this iCOM link for an Instruction Manual, Brochure and Hi-Res Picture of the new IC-A200 radios.

New - iCOM A200 and PPT switches

1941 Taylor Craft BC-12D - N77FJ

Original aircraft donated by Fr. John in 1962

Meets FAA rules as Light Sport Aircraft

Mode C Trasponder

1953 Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer - N3432A

New iCOM A200 radio and PTT switches have been added by Edwin.

1972 Piper PA-140 Cherokee - N714FL

Equipment list and checklist to follow

All of our aircraft are securely stored clean and dry inside the Chapter 77 hanger.

We obtain 100LL fuel from a pump located at the SW corner of the runway intersection (18/36 & 9/27). This BP fuel is self serve and requires the use of a credit card for purchase at the SARA kiosk.

Fuel_Credit_Card_Reader.JPG (153581 bytes)

In addition to performing our own preventative maintenance we also use the services of Edwin Lorayes from Howell Avionics, LLC. He is based at 116 E. Rollston Road, Linden, MI 48451 and can be reached at 248-535-6141. Edwin is an A&P/IA and brings his equipment to our location; a real convenience and time-saver.

All club planes are scheduled using Schedule Master. This service can be accessed from the internet the link at the left or by using a touchtone phone.

Jeff Fallis	President
Jim Plourde *	Vice President
Gary Hopcraft	Treasurer
Gene Mausolf	Secretary

Father John MacGillivray was priest from the fishing village of Arisaig in Nova Scotia. He became friends with members of Chapter 77 from his involvement with the annual efficiency race sponsored by AC Spark Plug in the 1950’s. This race originated in Flint and ended in Oshkosh. He would visit Michigan twice per year: once for the AC event and once for the annual EAA Chapter 77 Banquet where he would often stay with Ed and Dorris Pruett. On occasion he would celebrate Mass at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. He was the Chaplain for the National EAA and became a member of Chapter 77.

He donated a total of five aircraft in his lifetime: Two are in the National Air Museum in Canada, two went to the national EAA and one – a 1941 Taylorcraft BC-12D - to the Chapter 77 flying club. He purchased the T-Craft as a project, which our chapter rebuilt and recovered. However, when he attempted to return it to Canada they refused to grant him a Canadian certification. So, he brought the plane back to Dalton, leaving there for a about a year at which point he just donated it to the Chapter – the year was 1962.

In 1986 the secretary of EAA77 (Al Lancaster) formed a separate, non-profit flying club and named it Father John in honor of the "flying priest" who had been so generous to the chapter. After about three years the members decided to expand the club so seven members contributed $500 each to purchase a Tri-Pacer. The club later expanded to three airplanes with the purchase of a Cherokee.