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Gulp!
I have been caught out.
I never thought LML was broken.......Only the EAA. The comments so far would indicate that the national EAA and the local chapters don't quite meet the needs of modern high-performance aircraft builders/flyers with respect to the exchange of information. Consider this:
AOPA's 1999 Fact card reveals that in 1997, after 905 Single Engine Piston aircraft were produced, by 1998 it is estimated the this fleet component will shrink by 1,600 (140,038 -> 138,372). Experimental aircraft (making the assumption that almost all are SE, non-military) will increase by 2,000 (14,680 -> 16,688). In spite of this, the EAA is not paying proper attention to the experimental amateur-built category. Indeed, it seems that it is explicitly trying to build up membership (consider the way you get in " Air Venture Capital 99"). With the many divisions (War birds, Antiques, etc) and a plane-load of money making schemes under the EAA umbrella, Experimental interests are short-changed. I have been trying to convince some elements of the EAA that it should be like a holding company, with appropriate divisions focusing on their more specific interests. Note that in Feb/Mar, the Experimental Council (weak attempt) was formed but members have not yet been named. The holding company, EAI (Everyman's Aviation Institution) would take care of the numerous money making schemes (T-Shirts, Living Trusts, National Income Producing Show, Insurance, Etc,), Government Relations (FAA, NTSB, ROTC, FBI, CIA, Etc.), Public Service (Eagles, Scholarships, Half-way house, Museum, Etc.), organizational services (Chapters, Printing, Web Site, Chain Gangs, Volunteers, Communications, Etc.) and general management services for the Divisions.
Membership in the EAI organization would be at a nominal fee, open to any anyone regardless of planet of origin. Division membership would be an additional fee to cover Publications, payoffs to the Mother Organization, etc. Finally, chapters (virtual or real) could have a focus and membership is optional. My local chapter is one of the largest in the US and is interested in setting the record for Young Eagles flown, number of slots sold on the B-17 and other things not particularly related to Experimental custom-built aircraft even though we have 2 Quad-City Challengers (soon to be 4), Cozy MK4, E-Racer (with a supercharged IO 540), Super Velocity, Long-E-Z and a lonely Lancair 320 based at the airport. Most of us get our information from each other and some from web sites( such as LML) and newsletters (such as LNN) relative to the specific aircraft. Where was any useful web site when I was building? (Perhaps I started in the wrong decade.)
LML is so immensely valuable, whether you are building or flying, that it should be an example. When like minded individuals use a world-wide network to zip timely information to needful souls, the potential is boundless.
The mix of flying and non-flying engineers, chemists, ATPs, machinists, avionics, and just plain (plane?) clever folks has produced information that has stopped serious mistakes from occurring, introduced thoughtful designs, helped with tips and techniques...etc....... This is as good as any local tech counselor could ever be.
I'm so moved that I think we should all fly down to Marvs' and finish his plane in a week (I'll bring some MEK, sandpaper, a Dremel tool and the Barbeque Sauce.
Anyway, those interested and attending OSHKOSH, lets get together and talk amongst ourselves.
Scott Krueger
N92EX
LML homepage: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
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