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/401344
6 Vol.3 No.10 / October 2014 NEWS FROM HQ EAA CHAIRMAN Jack J. Pelton opened the annual meeting of the membership on Wednesday morning, July 30, at Theater in the Woods by presenting the associa- tion's two highest honors. The Chairman's Award for service— formerly named the President's Award— was presented to Earl Lawrence. Earl heads up the FAA Small Airplane Direc- torate and is a major force in helping to modify and streamline certifi cation rules, particularly for installing safety devices such as angle of attack indicators. Earl had been a member of the EAA staf for several years before going to the FAA post in Kansas City. The Freedom of Flight Award, created in 1986, is EAA's highest honor and is pre- sented for a lifetime of service to aviation. Steve Wittman was the fi rst recipient. In presenting the award Chair- man Pelton said there is nobody more deserving and who has done more over a lifetime to support EAA and personal aviation than Audrey Poberezny. Audrey declined to go to the micro- phone but whispered to Jack on stage that "she is not the speaker in the family. And I love you all very much." It was a moving moment for everyone. In his chairman's report, Pelton had a long list of good news. Membership is growing, more than 1,000 new lifetime members joined in the past year, and the crucial EAA volunteer core actually increased in number by several hundred. He noted that EAA's annual conven- tion and fl y-in is of to a great start. The One Week Wonder project to build an airplane during AirVenture is a roaring success, new workshops have been built, EAA is in the second year of a successful program to of er a greater variety of food choices, more water fountains have been installed, more trams are running, the homebuilt aircraft area has been ex- panded, and a list of other improvements were made on-site. Jack also said EAA is emphasizing chapters and their importance this year. One part of that ef ort is a new plan to help chapters form a companion fl ying club if they wish. And Jack promised that EAA will continue its strong advocacy ef orts, par- ticularly on the issue of third-class medi- cal reform. He said EAA will not relent, and if the FAA does not of er a solution, we will pursue the legislative route with support from Congress. EAA Treasurer Stuart Auerbach reported that the audited fi nancial statement for the past year was very positive. Membership grew to 189,000, total income set a record, the value of net assets grew by 10 percent overall, expenses were up only 2 percent, and spending was down on general and administrative costs. There were more than 28,400 mem- bers voting either in person or by proxy. Pelton summed up the past year's re- sults by saying, "EAA is strong and con- tinues to represent all of those involved in GA and recreational aviation." Directors elected to three-year terms on the board were: Marc Ausman, Richard Beattie, Richard Beebe, Mike Goulian, Keith Kocourek, Dan Majka, and Charlie Precourt. For the minutes of the annual meet- ing, visit www.SportAviation.org . EAA Annual Meeting of the Membership EAA ANNOUNCED ITS NEW Finance Solutions program partner- ship with National Aircraft Finance Co. (NAFCO) at AirVenture 2014. Some of the exclusive benefi ts available to EAA members under the program include discounted industry rates, fi nancing new aircraft, and expanding educational resources. The new program is in response to EAA members request- ing a fi nance benefi t more responsive to their needs. NAFCO fi nances a wide range of aircraft, including war- birds, custom high-performance aircraft, vintage planes, and kits and homebuilts, whether completed or under construction. EAA Announces Finance Solutions Program Photography by Jason Toney Jack Pelton and Audrey Poberezny