A MESSAGE FROM
EAA FOUNDER, PAUL POBEREZNY
********************************
I guess as Willie Nelson would say in
his song, we are "on the road again."
A new beginning for some newly-elected
Chapter presidents and officers as well
as old (and we don't mean of age). But
I guess old is a nice experience as we
learn more about our fellow human beings.
As mentioned by EAA Headquarters in a
recent e-mail, I offered to be of help to
our Chapter Program and share some of the
articles I came across while reading Chapter
newsletters (which over the years has been
thousands). I know of no other aviation
organization that has accomplished so much
for the good of aviation with our 950+
EAA Chapters - maybe they should be called
"churches" with many denominations of varied
interests of aviation.
For me, it is difficult to realize how
quickly my life has passed by for it was
more than half of a century ago when
Ray Stits of Riverside, California stated
that he would like to form the first EAA
Chapter (1953). Others followed; some
failed along the way maybe due to a lack
of enthusiasm, leadership or not enough
local interest. But then some encouraging
leadership appeared and the chapter
was reborn.
Many years ago some members objected to
their aircraft being called "experimental."
It was felt that "experimental" was a
word degrading their handy work. I
suggested the word "custom-built" (I
even mentioned it to FAA on one of my
many visits to Washington). My FAA friends
told me it would be difficult to change,
dollar-wise and any forthcoming regulation
could conceivably be more restrictive
than what we were enjoying at the time.
The issue was brought to the membership.
The word "experimental" was the word of
choice and as we can see today, has had
no negative impact on this wonderful movement,
working with hand and mind, to be creative,
and to explore through the freedoms we as
aircraft homebuilders have earned by its
safety record and quality of workmanship.
One only has to look at what you/we - the
experimenters, far-reaching thinkers,
craftsmen and women have accomplished:
non-stop flights, non-refueled around
the world, flights into space and thousands
of designs operating with a very reasonable
safety record. The many aviation companies,
large and small, supplying kits, hardware,
engines, propellers etc.
Some times I have wondered who are we? I
know what the letters E.A.A. stand for -
Experimental Aircraft Association - but
what is it that brings us together? It
came to me while reading Chapter newsletters
and attending fly-ins or Chapter meetings.
We are an aeronautical, educational and social
group. Each of these elements bring us
together and if we take one of these elements
away, I don't think we would be the wonderful
family we are and aviation is richer for it.
That large growing family now extends around
the world. We will continue to read your
Chapter newsletters and will share with you
and your Chapter newsletter editor some of the
fine articles we read in other newsletters.
Maybe we can reduce the ever-increasing plea
of newsletter editors to their own Chapter
members stating "I can't print anything if
you don't send in anything."
EAA Chapters represent a lifeline of
communication between its members and EAA
Headquarters. Let's keep the lines of
communication open and rest assured we're
reading your Chapter newsletters.
Sincerely,
Paul H. Poberezny
Founder and Chairman of the Board