Experimenter

December 2013

Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.

Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/234576

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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

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