lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The following was sent to John Petersen and Alan Shackleton (Board Member): < John, I am a 59 year old 1500 HR Comm MEL IFR Pilot who has built two aircraft and am about to start my third (Lancair Legacy 2000). I am a member of the EAA and have recently become Chapter 579s Tech Counselor. I have been to Sun and Fun twice, OSH many times (once I stayed for the whole week - shared rented house) and other major EAA style fly-ins. I was nominated to the weak Homebuilders Council and rejected. The EAA has lost its way and become the Eclectic Aircrass Association. Amateur built aircraft (primarily kit planes) have become a significant part of the future of GA. Experimental registrations in recent years are triple the number of commercially built single engine piston aircraft. The pipeline is full of manufacturers (builders) in the process of construction. Vref (an airplane valuation service) has recently recognized that there is a market in used amateur built airplanes. Vendors have reconsidered policies dealing with experimentals because they are selling advanced avionics, engines, etc. into that market at a higher rate than into the aging GA fleet. Vision Microsystems developed their engine monitor system on the backs of experimental builders and have now certified their system. The list is endless. If we could make lawyers understand, we could become the "beta testers" for new systems and make the certification process shorter and cheaper. We only require equipment to meet TSO specifications, it need not be certified. It's these futures of Experimental Aircraft that the EAA does not see. Otherwise, we would see the EAA holding company with divisions, one of many would be the Experimental Division, another could be the OSH airshow Division. I could go on, but time is short and these thoughts form the basis by which I can reply to your request. Air Venture 2001 should focus on the future of Amateur Built Aircraft as the theme. WWII is over. In order to deal with greater fly-in/fly-out traffic, the airshow should be broken into two segments of perhaps 1.5 hours with an hour for departures midshow. The airshow MUST end earlier so that VFR departures can travel a reasonable distance, safely, before dark. The airshow should be shorter, much shorter. The full-blown airshow should be limited to Saturday and Sunday - the days that the "public" comes. More space should be set aside for the ever increasing fleet of experimentals. EAA should promote more to amateur builders. Any airplane over 20 years old should be considered an antique classic. The price of food and drink is outrageous. Build/rent more suitable bathroom facilities. Scott Krueger N1884M (1973 Antique Cessna Skymaster) N92EX (Lancair 320) N98SK (Quad Cities Challenger II) N? (Legacy 2000, scratch the Skymaster) LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.