First homebuilt aircraft by chapter member Vern Kraemer.  First licensed homebuilt in South Dakota.  The American Tri-Wing was completed in 1952.

As South Dakota’s first chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association the Black Hills Chapter, based at Rapid City Regional Airport, has been encouraging people to enjoy flying and building their own aircraft since 1963.

We have monthly meetings at our hangar clubhouse at Rapid City Regional Airport, flying events, and people who can help you choose the homebuilt of your dreams and offer the technical expertise to make them reality. 

We offer a monthly newsletter to highlight members’ activities, aircraft and share in the joys of flying.

Members range in age from 24 to 91 and fly ultralights to B-1 bombers.  We have wannabee pilots and aircraft builders to people who make their living flying.  No matter what our backgrounds we all love flying!