If this group is to be successful, it needs to be a full fledged type club:
1) Member education 2) Advocacy 3) Insurance Industry Liason 4) Technical
Advisors 5) Accident Investigation 6) First Flight support and prep.
 
Much of our "tribal knowledge" is out there, in this listserv, as well as on
the ACRE site, and the "best practices" page. Some of the material out there
is proprietary, such as Tracy's manuals for stuff he has, as well as his
conversion manual. Many of us already own copies of it anyways. Ensuring
that knowledge (and experience developed by our members) is eaasily
available to other members would be a prime goal.

Preflight and Phase One support would be an important safety tool. There are
"cheap" water brake "dynos" out there that can be used to vary loads on the
engine to break it in (AND program its ECU) properly from the safety of the
ground. Price is in the small thousands, and "leases" are available for
around $100/month. Without inferring speculation against the recent
accident, can you fathom the benefit of using such a device to determine IF
and WHEN your engine will vaporlock? Or to determine EXACTLY how much HP you
are making, so you can size the prop for it? Or so you can adequately
determine your BSFC and efficiency? Or to know how much heat you really are
generating, so you know how much you have to dissipate? Such a device could
be loaned/rented to members (or even NON-members for a premium... still
cheaper than Dyno time in a race shop)
 
Such a program would undoubtedly give us a better chance at obtaining
insurance during testing, and normal ops, by being able to document engine
performance PRIOR to the first flight. Not  to mention the "Piece of Mind"
(TM) of knowing your engine has already been shaken down long before you
take to the sky.
 
I see no reason why such a program could not be incorporated into an
existing chapter of the EAA if the membership chose to do so, if such would
ease the hassles of incorporating a new organization. There likewise is no
requirement for chapter members to have to live near each other.. Hell, we
could even FORM a chapter of the EAA and provide the technical and flight
advisor support through it, and conduct business by internet video
conference. I do not expect EAA National to actually DO anything FOR us..
but they would be a good resource for us to help ourselves.
 
Dave Staten

Todd Bartrim wrote: