Good idea. I nominate David Staton for president of the RPFA.

Count me in on this idea.

Having an separate organization that works closely with the EAA is an excellent idea.

This same concept worked perfectly for a drag racing organization that I helped form many years ago. I am the National Technical Director for the National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA). We formed NEDRA to promote electrics in drag racing. We wrote a set of safety rules that were later included in the NHRA rulebook. Now we have no trouble getting insurance for our racing events and our cars can participate in bracket racing on any NHRA track. I should note that NEDRA started on an email discussion list, just like this.

I think the RPFA can work in a similar way with the EAA. It gives the rotary folks a unified voice with the EAA and will help with safety, insurance, technical assistance, and general promotion of rotary engines in aircraft.

The EAA does not dictate how you build your airplane. It also does not demand that you have a tech advisor inspect your airplane. It offers help if you want it. This is the successful model that the RPFA should adopt.

I think that the rotary engine itself is a nearly ideal aircraft engine. Getting the hand-built peripheral systems right is the hard part. I know that a club and rotary tech advisors will help builders avoid common troubles with these peripheral systems.

Bill Dube'
Denver, CO 80207
Working on my RV-7 wings and Renesis Engine.