About — Volunteer State Flight 105

Our Purpose

Why We Fly

Mission Statement

Volunteer State Flight 105 exists to promote, preserve, and advance the art and science of flight in East Tennessee — building community among aviators, inspiring the next generation, and serving our neighbors through the unique power of aviation.

Vision Statement

A Tennessee where every person who looks up at the sky sees possibility — and where our chapter is the bridge that turns that curiosity into a lifelong connection with aviation.

How It Began

A Passion for Flight, Rooted in Tennessee Soil

Volunteer State Flight 105 was born from a simple, powerful idea: that the love of flying is better when shared. A small group of East Tennessee aviators — neighbors, mechanics, dreamers, and pilots — gathered in Lenoir City with the conviction that their community deserved an aviation chapter that reflected its spirit.

Meeting in hangars, around kitchen tables, and at local fly-ins, the founding members pooled their skills, their time, and their passion to build something lasting. They chose the name "Volunteer State Flight 105" to honor Tennessee's legacy of service and sacrifice — the same spirit that has always defined the Volunteer State.

From those early days, the chapter has grown into one of the most active aviation communities in the region, hosting Young Eagles events that have introduced hundreds of local children to the miracle of flight, and standing as a gathering place for pilots from across East Tennessee.

Milestones

A Chapter Timeline

From our first gathering to today, here are the moments that shaped Volunteer State Flight 105.

Founded

Chapter Established

A dedicated group of East Tennessee pilots and aviation enthusiasts formally establishes Volunteer State Flight 105 in Lenoir City, Tennessee — planting the flag for general aviation in the region.

Year 2

First Young Eagles Rally

VSF105 hosts its inaugural Young Eagles event, giving 48 local children their first-ever airplane rides. The event becomes a cornerstone of the chapter's community outreach and has grown every year since.

Year 3

Home Base at Lenoir City

The chapter establishes its permanent home at 507 Millstone Lane in Lenoir City — a hub for meetings, workshops, and the beginning of our chapter's build and restoration projects.

Year 5

Annual Fly-In Launched

VSF105 launches its annual summer fly-in, drawing pilots and aviation enthusiasts from across the Southeast for a day of flights, food, and fellowship. The event quickly becomes a regional favorite.

Year 8

100 Young Eagles Milestone

The chapter celebrates flying its 100th Young Eagle — a landmark moment marked with a special ceremony and renewed commitment to inspiring the next generation of Tennessee aviators.

Today

A Growing Community

With over 100 active members and a full calendar of events, VSF105 continues to expand its reach — welcoming new pilots, supporting student aviators, and celebrating the enduring joy of flight across East Tennessee.

What Guides Us

Core Values

Everything we do — every flight, every event, every conversation — is grounded in these principles.

✈

Safety First

Every decision begins and ends with safety. We promote rigorous standards, continuous learning, and a culture where no flight is worth a compromise on safety.

🏠

Community

Aviation is better shared. We welcome pilots of all skill levels, families, students, and dreamers — building genuine relationships that go beyond the hangar.

🎓

Education

We believe in lifelong learning. From ground school to advanced ratings, we support knowledge and skill development at every stage of an aviator's journey.

🌏

Service

We use aviation as a tool for good — transporting supplies, supporting search and rescue networks, and giving back to the communities that support us.

☆

Excellence

We hold ourselves to high standards in airmanship, conduct, and stewardship. Every flight is a chance to represent our chapter and community with pride.

💡

Inspiration

We actively work to ignite a passion for aviation in youth and newcomers through Young Eagles flights, mentorship, and visible presence in our community.

Our Commitment

Built for East Tennessee Aviators

Volunteer State Flight 105 is proud to call Lenoir City, Tennessee home. Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee Valley, we operate where the Smoky Mountains meet the sky — some of the most scenic flying in the entire Southeast.

Our chapter is affiliated with EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) principles and embraces a broad community of homebuilders, sport pilots, certificated pilots, and aviation enthusiasts who share a love for everything that flies.

We are self-funded, volunteer-run, and entirely member-supported. That means every dollar and every hour goes directly back into programs, events, and resources that benefit our aviators and our community.

Join Our Chapter

Our Home Skies

Flying in East Tennessee

From the ridgelines of the Smokies to the Tennessee Valley below, our skies offer some of the most breathtaking scenery in the South.

Small aircraft in flight over green hills

About Us