N e w s Fr o m H Q
EAA, AKIA Focus on Homebuilt Issues
Transition training and support for "orphan" homebuilt
designs were among the leading topics for leaders of
EAA and the Aircraft Kit Industry Association (AKIA)
during a meeting at the EAA Aviation Center on Tuesday,
November 12.
AKIA President Dick VanGrunsven of Van's Aircraft, along
with John and Jeremy Monnett of Sonex Aircraft, met with
EAA Chairman of the Board Jack Pelton, Vice President of
Marketing Rick Larsen, Vice President of Advocacy and
Safety Sean Elliott, and Homebuilt Community Manager
Charlie Becker. Although there are continual discussions
between airplane kit industry leaders and EAA officials,
this meeting was the first to formally review mutual interests and goals since AKIA was formed during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012.
"It is essential that EAA, as the organization for those who
build, restore, and fly aircraft, and the homebuilt kit manufacturers represented by AKIA jointly focus on issues of importance for the homebuilt aircraft community," Pelton said.
The importance of transition training for pilots flying homebuilt aircraft, including increasing the awareness and use
of angle of attack indicators, was among the top safety
issues discussed. EAA and AKIA representatives also
reviewed how to support orphan designs for which the
kit manufacturer no longer exists, as well as the potential
available in type clubs and within "teen flight" aircraft
building projects.
VanGrunsven called the meeting productive and suggested
an annual meeting between the groups might be beneficial.
Mark Forss Returns to EAA Staff
Mark Forss returned to the EAA
staff in late September to again manage EAA's SportAir Workshops as well
as the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
presentations and workshops. He
returned after a one-year "sabbatical"
6
Vol.2 No.12 / December 2013
to pursue his passion of assisting his fellow members and
homebuilders in achieving their dreams of building and
flying their own aircraft.
Mark can be reached via e-mail at mforss@eaa.org or by
phone at 920-426-6588.
Photography by Jason Toney