Let's Buy a Kid a Kit, Not Doug... - Page 3

RBD · #21 10-19-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye7A

.....but youth is what we need to keep this (the world's greatest hobby) alive! I'm with ya, pal!

Which is why a $50 donation would be put to much better use by burning some fuel through your bird at the next Young Eagles event in your area. Like several others have mentioned, buying a "kid" a kit is a very nice gesture, but not a practical way to promote aviation to our youth.

The fact that Glen had a place (this forum) to make his well-intended suggestion, underscores the very reason that Reiley made the "let's buy Doug a kit" suggestion in the first place.

osxuser · #22 10-19-2008, 09:57 PM

Oh oh oh... i'm a 'kid'...

Like iwannarv said though, it's not a whole bunch of practical for anyone my age... (I'm all of 23 now) to actually own and operate and RV class airplane. As much as we want to think of a RV (2 seater) as economical, the second you have a low cylinder at condition inspection time, is the same second I'd have to be lookin for a buyer or a ton of downtime.

Now thats not to say I don't enjoy the projects i've been blessed to run across, the -7 I bought with my hard earned $$$ or the -4 wing/tail that I ran across here on the boards for next to nothing.

I'm training for my new job out here in bea-u-ti-ful Oklahoma City right now, and should be back in Socal before thanksgiving, raring to get working on the -4 wings. Once I get home I'll be paying off debt and saving for the inevitable engine I'll be needing. Probably a run-out IO-320

.

I hate to say it, but having a few flight hours, a few years of wrenching, and (quite) a bit of experience with experimentals, I know that this won't be cheap, and I'd kinda feel like I was cheating myself if I didn't 'experience' the whole build including coming up with all the funding to make all my own decisions.

If you want to sponser a young adult in aviation, pay for their A&P classes... a gift that keeps on giving...

joeboisselle · #23 10-19-2008, 11:38 PM

Can someone please delete this thread? If I were Doug, I'd decline the gifted -3 after reading the mess it's creating.

LifeofReiley · #24 10-20-2008, 09:10 AM

Morning Glenn,

Ready... set... go... run with your idea, sounds great! But, please allow Doug to enjoy his gift.

N62XS · #25 10-20-2008, 07:08 PM

Why not raise funds to purchase a kit or sub kits, along with enough $$ to pay for time and build assistance from someone like Jay. Partner with a local youth group(Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.) to have the type of build days or meetings via the VAF Education Foundation Paul mentioned and when complete, sell $50 to $100 raffle tickets(more than invested) to win the finished kit. Versions of this type of program have been used for years to raffle houses and cars, with the proceeds donated to charity. With a tweak or two, this could provide the seed money for the formation of a VAF Education Foundation. While I totally agree with Paul on the 3 for Doug, I think Glenn is spot on with the general premise. No need to delete the thread because of a simple either/or statement. Why not both?

BTW: If memory serves me correct, did the group not donate money to ship a free sub kit to a younger builder? I remember two years ago, at LOE, Todd and I trying to convince anyone winning the Vans tail kit to give it to Moose to get his project started. Not a new concept, but a better approach.

Your turn to rip it up!

rv6ejguy · #26 10-20-2008, 07:44 PM

I think the original idea to honor and repay Doug for all his RV support with VAF Doug with the -3 kit is a great idea. Others don't need to contribute if you have "better" ways to spend a bit of dough.

Personally, I can't think of anyone else who deserves this so much.

N62XS · #27 10-20-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rv6ejguy

I think the original idea to honor and repay Doug for all his RV support with VAF Doug with the -3 kit is a great idea. Others don't need to contribute if you have "better" ways to spend a bit of dough.

Personally, I can't think of anyone else who deserves this so much.

This has nothing to do with the 3 for Doug. I agree with your last statement and I'm in for that too, but unless you want experimental GA to die, you've got to pay it forward. Constructive ideas are needed to make this one work. Not either/or means BOTH!

rickmellor · #28 10-20-2008, 09:49 PM

Back in high school (13 yrs ago) they had one of those drawings where they give out a free car to one of the seniors (blue base model Camaro) and some guy from my class won it. This guy was a good kid and was on his way to the University of Oklahoma and already had all of his financial aid worked out ... his family didn't have much money so he needed all the help he could get.

It turns out that the gifted car created enough taxable income for the guy that he lost his financial aid and had to spend a couple years at the local junior college before actually heading off to the university. Talk about your unintended consequences!

$0.02...

-Rick

N62XS · #29 10-20-2008, 10:02 PM

Carry the torch and let me know when I can help. I have $100 for the Youth project/foundation/ when it becomes feasable.

SteelMike · #30 10-20-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hard Knox

This has nothing to do with the 3 for Doug. I agree with your last statement and I'm in for that too, but unless you want experimental GA to die, you've got to pay it forward. Constructive ideas are needed to make this one work. Not either/or means BOTH!

I just want to point out that Robby's really on to something here. This is worth a whole 'nother thread, but general aviation is dying. I mean, hello! It's too expensive for, really, all but the uber wealthy and those that are willing to make more-or-less unreasonable sacrifices (myself included, like, um, spending three years of my life building an airplane, perhaps?).

Anyone else agree with this?