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/96284
Hangar Debrief from others you know of the many issues that rose to the top this year. The annual membership meeting on AirVenture Saturday was the culminating highlight for many of us that week. It was there that volunteer after volunteer told us what they thought. At this point, we on the HAC (and the Board of Directors) can honestly say we listened to you, we heard you, and we have acted to correct many of the deficiencies that were discussed that morning. Clearly, there will be no chalets on the flightline at AirVenture 2013, but more importantly, we all need to reflect on what our founder, Paul Poberezny, has said over and over again. EAA and AirVenture are not about the airplanes; it's about the people. I believe that the HAC believes that and your Board of Directors believes that. I'm certain you will notice (or have noticed) a midcourse correction of the organization. While I'm on the subject of AirVenture, let me address one or two other issues that were discussed on the Internet forums. Even with a staff of about 130 of the most dedicated and hardworking individuals ever assembled, AirVenture could not happen without the additional support and dedication of the nearly 5,000 volunteers who turn out every year to make it successful. The HAC, the board, and the staff all recognize and believe this. Thank you, volunteers! There was a lot of discussion on those forums about how the board has no representation from the homebuilt community. In my honest opinion, this is an incorrect percep- 48 NO. 4/ DECEMBE R 2012 tion. Half of the people on the board are homebuilders, a few also own businesses that are directly related to supporting our passion, and all are aviators who have a passion for all facets of aviation. They care and it shows in their deliberations and discussions. Ours is an inclusive organization. All people, from every walk of life, every country in the world, are welcome to be members of EAA. Builders, restorers, aviators, interested hobbyists, government folks, and private sector people are all at AirVenture because they love aviation and everything about it. Folks can be hanging out at Aces Café or the Theater in the Woods, have a great conversation about aviation, and not know that one owns a G-V and the other a Baby Ace until hours have passed. What a great social equalizer! Well, off the soapbox and onto some insight into what the HAC does. The week of November 12, we met for two full days to discuss many issues related to flying or building aircraft. The HAC believes our freedom to fly is always under the microscope, not because some think the FAA wants to regulate us out of existence, but it does have to meet its obligation to protect and serve the public. It's our job to educate and help the FAA as it strives to find that delicate balance that meets everyone's needs. Not by confrontation, but by being proactive and working with the FAA to improve our safety. To the FAA, it may seem like a numbers game—reduce accidents by 10 percent, do this or write that—but to the HAC, it's personal. Not a one of us wants to see our friends die in an airplane accident for Photography by Michael S. Kelly