Oshkosh gate admission on Sunday 24th?

In article ,
"RST Engineering" wrote:

John ...

That's a question that I've been mentally rasslin' with for a few years now.
Who **is** the reason for the EAA? Is it JUST Experimentals as the name of
the organization implies? Are the warbirds a part of it only because the
founder of EAA flew warbirds or are they an intrinsic part of it due to the
nature of keeping a beast flying for which there are no readily available
parts?


No need to wrestle with that question. The EAA, like all good
organizations everywhere, has a mission statement:

"EAA - the Experimental Aircraft Association - is dedicated to serving
all of aviation by fostering and encouraging individual participation,
high standards and access to the world of flight in an environment that
promotes freedom, safety, family and personal fulfillment."

"all of aviation" pretty much answers the question.

I'd personally rather have an organization that is restricted to
homebuilding. I joined my local chapter, found it attended by about 50
members, and learned that none of them are building an airplane. I'd
rather sit on a park bench and chat with two actual builders than sit
around listening to WWII stories. But, I wasn't around to vote when EAA
drafted its mission statement.

"Smitty" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"RST Engineering" wrote:

John ...

That's a question that I've been mentally rasslin' with for a few years
now.
Who **is** the reason for the EAA? Is it JUST Experimentals as the name
of
the organization implies? Are the warbirds a part of it only because
the
founder of EAA flew warbirds or are they an intrinsic part of it due to
the
nature of keeping a beast flying for which there are no readily
available
parts?


No need to wrestle with that question. The EAA, like all good
organizations everywhere, has a mission statement:

"EAA - the Experimental Aircraft Association - is dedicated to serving
all of aviation by fostering and encouraging individual participation,
high standards and access to the world of flight in an environment that
promotes freedom, safety, family and personal fulfillment."

"all of aviation" pretty much answers the question.

I'd personally rather have an organization that is restricted to
homebuilding. I joined my local chapter, found it attended by about 50
members, and learned that none of them are building an airplane. I'd
rather sit on a park bench and chat with two actual builders than sit
around listening to WWII stories. But, I wasn't around to vote when EAA
drafted its mission statement.

FWIW: I've been to three different EAA chapters. One had about 20 people
in attendance, and probably 8 planes under construction. Another had
probably 40 people with zero planes under construction. The third had at
least 60 people, and at least 20 planes under construction.

Smitty wrote:

I'd personally rather have an organization that is restricted to
homebuilding. I joined my local chapter, found it attended by about 50
members, and learned that none of them are building an airplane. I'd
rather sit on a park bench and chat with two actual builders than sit
around listening to WWII stories. But, I wasn't around to vote when EAA
drafted its mission statement.


I'm with Smitty. I stopped going to the local chapter meetings. There
just wasn't anything there that would help my project along, and I found
the constant 'oohs' and 'aahs' over expensive commercial planes and big
metal military equipment a little hard to stomach. I haven't noticed
very many other builders there the few times I have gone.

Not to discount Jay's sentiment, but the EAA has become an aviation glee
club, but I want to play ball, not sit on the sidelines. I'd be happy
if the biggest flyins still had only one tent, if that. Small tents
with normal people telling how they create airplanes with limited
resources. The cheering section isn't needed, or desired.

The high-dollar tool vendors with their glitzy overproductions are also
optional. Hell, anybody can create a masterpiece with enough money to
spend on tools. It takes a special type of person to create a perfect
bend with a couple 2x4s and a few door hinges.

The airshows? Distracting and purposeless, except to demonstrate a
building technique or design. As they are...pure useless fluff.

But, heh. That's just me.

--
This is by far the hardest lesson about freedom. It goes against
instinct, and morality, to just sit back and watch people make
mistakes. We want to help them, which means control them and their
decisions, but in doing so we actually hurt them (and ourselves)."

Jay, as a long time lurker, I have to agree with much/most of what you
said. EAA allowed me to live vicariously for many years before I could
afford to start building. I too read every magazine cover to cover.
While I've managed to start a project, regular 2 year moves due to my
career + children have put it on hold. On the other hand, I have
finally reached the point where I can afford to own and fly a plane and
am the proud owner of an experimental that was lovingly created by
someone else. I understand others feelings - let it be for builders
only. That said, I hope they understand that the great mass of us who
have not started/completed a project admire and respect them for their
accomplishment and that the EAA lets us support what we all feel is a
wonderful sport. I'm a big tent proponent and believe that it allows
us to foster and support the dreams of the many and the reality of the
few.
Jeff

Jay Honeck wrote:
That's a question that I've been mentally rasslin' with for a few years
now. Who **is** the reason for the EAA? Is it JUST Experimentals as the
name of the organization implies? Are the warbirds a part of it only
because the founder of EAA flew warbirds or are they an intrinsic part of
it due to the nature of keeping a beast flying for which there are no
readily available parts?

Jim, as you know, I tend to get emotional about EAA. I love the
organization with all my heart, but would gut parts of it with my bare
hands, if I could.

Without EAA it's doubtful that my life would have taken the turn(s) it
has -- all of them good. ...

My children already dream about OSH every winter, Jim, just like we do --
and I want it to be there for them. Please be careful what you do with our
beloved organization. It's a living, breathing thing that could be easily
harmed -- or killed -- by taking the wrong approach.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"