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/287214
2 Vol.3 No.4 / April 2014 I HAVE BEEN VERY fortunate to win some awards and be hon- ored by various groups over the years, but I can tell you that nothing has been more gratifying and meaningful for Rose and me than being named EAA Volunteers of the Year last summer at Oshkosh. It was rewarding to us because we are part of such a large group. A group of volunteers so big and so dedicated that EAA, AirVenture, and the work our association does daily to support all types of personal fl ying would not be possible without them. Actually, I should say would not be possible without you, because so many EAA members volunteer in one way or another. April is National Volunteer Month, and the week of April 6 is National Volunteer Week. These celebrations of volunteer- ing date back to 1974 when then President Richard Nixon signed an executive order creating the spotlight on volunteer- ing. Every president since then has acknowledged National Volunteer Week. President George H.W. Bush was perhaps the greatest sup- porter of Americans volunteering for all manner of charitable ef orts. Toward the end of his term President Bush helped to create the Points of Light Foundation to honor volunteers who go over and above in their ef orts. I think of his promotion of volunteering when I'm in EAA's headquarters and see the pho- tos of President Bush's visit to EAA and Oshkosh. He is, of course, a pilot, and his "thousand points of light" speeches were more than just the usual political rhetoric. National Volunteer Month and Week are a means to give special thanks to all volunteers. Recognizing the endless good volunteers do in America is something we should do every week and every month, but that doesn't always happen. The reason is that so many volunteers do their work quietly, not drawing attention to themselves. That is certainly true here at EAA. It would be impossible to host our big annual convention and fl y-in at Oshkosh every summer without the many thou- sands of volunteers who pitch in. And I thank each of you. But volunteering is not just a one-week ef ort for EAA members. Volunteers perform essential tasks year-round. For example, as signs of spring just begin to appear in Oshkosh, groups of volunteers arrive to begin the enormous task of preparing the grounds for the hundreds of thousands who will arrive in July. There is so much to be done to shake of winter wear and tear, and to improve our vast facilities. EAA volunteers work with the staf to form organizations for specifi c tasks, select chairs and other group leaders, and identify what needs to be done and how best to do it. Volunteers bring valuable years' worth of experience to the job and knowledge of how EAA and Oshkosh operate that is irreplaceable. We have subject experts such as our homebuilt technical advisors, medical council, and warbird and antique restoration experts who all volunteer to help keep EAA members and their aircraft fl ying. And we have volunteers who give their time and skills in non-aviation areas such as carpentry, electri- cal work, and so on that are essential to keep AirVenture and EAA functioning. EAA has a volunteer opportunity for every member to use their experience and skills. Over the years many EAA chapters have focused on specifi c volunteer tasks and return year after year to get the job done. We need and appreciate each and every one of you who gives of time and talent. Again, Rose and I want to thank you so much for the very special honor presented to us last year. And on behalf of your board of directors—who also volunteer so many hours to guide EAA through very difficult times in personal aviation— I say thank you, EAA volunteers. April is a time to show volunteer appreciation, but I want all of us at EAA to do that year-round. TOWER FREQUENCY On the cover: Bruce King's BK Flier 1.3 poses in front of the historic Brown Arch. (Photography by Jim Raeder) Thank You, EAA Volunteers BY JACK PELTON Photography by Jason Toney Jack and Rose Pelton E A A E X P _ A p r 1 4 . i n d d 2 EAAEXP_Apr14.indd 2 3 / 3 1 / 1 4 9 : 3 9 A M 3/31/14 9:39 AM