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/378679
EAA Experimenter 7 WHILE THOUSANDS OF EAAers annually give of their time to make the Young Eagles program soar, a few are honored each year for their extraordinary ef orts. This year's Young Eagles awards were presented to Betty Darst, Chapter Coordinator award; Brian Beauvais and family, Ground Support Volunteer award; and Bob Brown on behalf of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), Horizon Award. Betty credits her fellow chapter members for her success as Chapter 48 Young Eagles coordinator. "Try to involve as many people in the whole program as possible," she said. "It's a big job so things don't come together without a lot of planning. But you also need to network so you know aviation resources." Brian and Sabrina Beauvais, of Naples, Florida, and their children were recognized for their ef orts at EAA Chapter 1067 fl ight rallies. The entire family also pitches in for special events and the monthly EAA pancake breakfasts. EAA and the AMA have a free dual youth mem- bership that has all the benefi ts, including scholar- ship eligibility, Brown said. "The cross promotion helps create awareness of AMA and EAA, and as both face various govern- mental issues, we support those issues as a total entity." EAA Chairman Jack J. Pelton presented the association's high- est honor, the Freedom of Flight Award, to Audrey Poberezny, at the beginning of the annual meeting on July 29 in Oshkosh. Pelton said there is nobody more deserving and who has done more over a lifetime to support EAA and personal avia- tion than Audrey. She declined to go to the microphone, but whispered to Jack on stage that "she is not the speaker in the family. And I love you all very much." The Chairman's Award for service was presented to Earl Lawrence, former EAA vice president who now heads up the FAA Small Airplane Directorate. Lawrence was instrumental in guiding the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft initiative through the complex federal bureaucracy to its approval in 2004. Troy Woodland, co-founder of Just Aircraft LLC, received the 2014 August Raspet Award from EAA's Charlie Becker recognizing Woodland's SuperSTOL design. The award recog- nizes a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of light aircraft design. "My design approach tries to continually make runways unnecessary," he said. Ann Hamilton, whose passion for people has driven her to volunteer for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh's Operation Thirst for the past 16 years, received the 2014 Dorothy Hilbert Award, which is given annually to recognize a woman who exhibits the same passion, dedication, and devotion for volunteerism as did the late Dorothy Hilbert. EAA Awards Presented at AirVenture THE AIRCRAFT KIT Industry Association (AKIA) elected new of cers for the com- ing year during its meeting at Oshkosh 2014. Jeremy Monnett will serve as presi- dent, Dick VanGrunsven as vice president, and John McBean as the new secretary/treasurer. Mark Giron of the FAA addressed the group regarding the FAA's inter- est in improving transition training by simplifying the letter of devia- tion authorization (LODA) process, which allows for training in homebuilt aircraft. This would allow builders an opportunity to purchase instruction in an aircraft that is identical or similar to the one they are ready to complete. The FAA is also looking at allowing a second pilot to participate in Phase 1 flight testing of homebuilts to enhance safety. Since most homebuilt aircraft accidents occur within the first 10 hours, as a result of pilot error, the FAA believes a pilot qualified in type could be an invaluable asset in early flight testing. Charlie Becker, EAA Homebuilt Community Manager, spoke about the organization's future plans for accom- modating homebuilts at AirVenture. All of the AKIA members expressed strong support for EAA's hosting of the One Week Wonder project at this year's event. For more information on AKIA visit www.AKIA.aero . AKIA Elects New Offi cers Photography by Mary Jones EAA Homebuilding Community Manager Charlie Becker (left) presents the August Raspet award to Troy Woodland of Just Aircraft.