Sure, it's hearty. Sure, it's delicious. Sure, it's a great way to start a day.

But for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), it's a vehicle, a means to an end, a propellor to take flight.

EAA Chapter 540, which is hangared at Smoketown Airport, is hosting another one of its popular breakfasts. Not only are the breakfasts fundraisers, but they're also the association's only money makers, which make them vitally important to the organization's cause.

"We want people to come join us for breakfast," said Doug McGinnis, president of EAA Chapter 540. "The breakfast is primarily a fundraiser, but it could also be seen as a way to get the community aware of our activities. We want people to be aware of who we are. A lot of people are interested in aviation but aren't aware of our chapter. We also engage our youth to become part of our program."

EAA Chapter 540's Amish-style French toast all-you-can-eat breakfast will be served on Saturday, June 22, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Smoketown Airport, 311 Airport Drive, Smoketown. Including the scrumptious headliner, the breakfast will also feature pancakes, eggs, sausage, potatoes, orange juice and coffee.

"We don't have a huge budget," said McGinnis. "We probably need $3,000 or $4,000 a year to stay afloat. All the funds are used for chapter operations, things like hangar rental, buying parts for the restoration project, our scholarship work. We'd like to get into additional projects."

Typically, 150 to 200 people show up for the breakfasts, a total which could realize about $1,800 for EAA Chapter 540.

"Our mission is for like-minded people to learn about aviation, how to build airplanes and aviation safety," said McGinnis, who's been a licensed pilot for two years. "It's to bring aviation enthusiasts together and to enjoy aviation activities. You don't have to be a pilot to join, but we do have pilots in the organization."

Based in Oshkosh, Wis., EAA is a national organization whose mission is to promote aviation, airplanes and everything flight related. The Smoketown chapter consists of 50 members.

"We come from all walks of life, doctors, blue-collar workers, retired people, young people," said McGinnis. "The common thread is a passion for aviation. It's a pretty broad cross-section brought together by our interest and a desire to learn. We want to learn from what other people have done. We want to be a community."

In addition to its fundraising efforts and scholarship work, EAA sponsors a Young Eagles program designed to get youths interested in aviation. It is also currently working on the complete restoration of a 1947 Aeronca Chief four-seater plane.

"Building an airplane is a massive undertaking," said McGinnis. "It was donated by a member, and we disassembled it to the bare bones. We're now putting it back together. We've been working on it for about a year and a half, and we probably have another year to complete it."

The Smoketown chapter of EAA has been in existence for about 10 years now.

"When a plane is taking off down the runway, we all go look at it," said McGinnis of the EAA membership. "There's something about an airplane taking flight and leaving the ground. What you see when you're flying is just amazing. You're separated from the ground."

For additional information about the Smoketown chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, go to https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa540.