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
any reason. These are our friends flying in airplanes they built, and we want them to be safe. This year our number one priority is to address the recent NTSB E-AB Safety Study. We have done this by addressing the NTSB's recommendations to the EAA and FAA. I'll provide detailed information about this in future articles, but suffice to say we are working on improving the Flight Advisor and Technical Counselor programs as well as addressing and developing specific safety education programs. We don't believe any new rules or requirements will be as effective as creating better builder and pilot educational initiatives. Certification issues always arise as FAA policy and individual FAA inspectors, DARs, and we aircraft builders interpret rules. Obviously, the FAA can't address every possible question in advance. Thus, we attempt to help the agency by continuing to work with them as partners; in attempting to clarify the right way to go about solving the problems. The HAC is constantly working to stay on top of this incredibly dynamic area. Delta Dyke designer John Dyke describes his airplane during one of the Homebuilts in Review program during AirVenture. Another of the HAC's more visible programs is AirVenture. The homebuilt aircraft area is just one of many thematic areas that requires constant attention and resources to improve the member experience. We work this through a process fondly referred to as the Planning and Zoning Committee. This is where the HAC must become more corporate in coming to solutions. I think most of us will agree that the new air-conditioned, clean, and modern restrooms have added much to enhance Homebuilders Headquarters. The food and beverage concessions are always being addressed to reflect what the visitors tell us they like to have. This is an ongoing challenge. More AirVenture changes unique to the homebuilt aircraft community are coming, and they will do much to enhance the experience of your visit to AirVenture, whether for a day or the entire week, and whether you camp under your wing or at Camp Scholler, or even stay off-site. We will address these changes in future articles. Change is in the air; and it's good! tunity to every builder. We intend to export this knowledge using every means possible and especially by using our chapter network led by EAA Vice President Jeff Skiles. We are hopeful we can reach everyone who intends to make that first flight or a pilot transitioning into an unfamiliar preowned aircraft. Our goal is to provide you with increased resources and the opportunity to acquire more knowledge so that your first and subsequent flights are a safe and enjoyable experience. There are many more projects on the drawing board, and we will describe them to you throughout the coming year. I hope this brief overview has provided some insight into who and what the HAC is. In closing, we would also like to thank the EAA staff, particularly our Homebuilt Community Manager Chad Jensen, for all the hard work and time they put into supporting all of us. Fly safely! We are working on new and exciting opportunities for members by enhancing our educational programs to address the first flight in your new aircraft, or if you are buying a pre-owned experimental aircraft, as a subsequent owner. We are working with Charlie Precourt, a former astronaut, homebuilder, test pilot, and EAA Board member, to help us develop the tools and resources needed to bring this oppor- Photography by Mike Steineke Rick Weiss, EAA Lifetime 214428, is the chairman of the Homebuilt Aircraft Council and a member of the EAA Board of Directors. He built a Kitfox Model V and now is working on an RV-7A. EAA EXPERIM ENTER 49