EAA issues with homebuilts

[pat]

This thread is Pauls idea and is meant for constructive thought and dialogue concerning "homebuilt" aircraft and it's current and future place in EAA. Notice I didnt say experimental. Like many of you, i have had the pleasure of restoring, repairing and currently building both certified and homebuilt aircraft. Nothing experimental about my repairs, building techniques, materials, flying or design build (8-A). Which brings me to my point.
The use of the terms "homebuilt" and "experimental". I understand the legacy and legality of "experimental" but the term "homebuilt" doesn't convey, to the public, what we do or what we have contributed to the advancement of air and space aviation. If you ask anyone outside our community or even many certified drivers about homebuilts they think your talking about the construction trades. I believe it's time we clearly define who we are and what we represent and to me it is "Sport Aircraft" (or something similar). I would like to hear other thoughts on this idea or other ideas of where we fit in with EAA.

[Ron Lee]

Both "experimental" and "homebuilt" can have negative connotations.

Call aircraft like RVs "Custom"

[John Clark]

Experimental is a very broad term, including things like 787s while undergoing certification. Homebuilt is a little more to the point of what we are doing, but it has always sounded a little "flakey" to the public. My feeling is that "kit built" is closer to what is going on with RVs. So, I am stuck with calling my '8' an experimental when the FAA is listening, a homebuilt around the EAA, and a kit bulit when explaining it to someone at a cocktail party.

John Clark ATP, CFI
FAAST Team Representative
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA

[RV8R999]

my "Kit" RV-8, built at home, is the platform for which I conduct a great deal of experiments.

[roadrunner20]

IMHO...
Maybe we should educate the public on the safety record of experimental and homebuilt aircraft as compared to certified aircraft.

I guess I don't like the idea of changing the name because it has negative connotations. That what politicians do.

I always try to educate non-aviation people as to the differences, especially related to the maintenance & the vested interest of the pilot in providing a safe aircraft.

[Bob Axsom]

Just because most of the EABs are RVs I do not think the masses should take away the oportunity and freedom that is encoded into the current rules. That is what will happen and maybe that's what you want to happen. I already see the shift in our ranks toward control and stiffling creativity and I'm sorry folks I'm not with you on this march to submission.

Experimental Aircraft Association forever!

Bob Axsom

[Ron Lee]

Originally Posted by DanLandry

IMHO...
Maybe we should educate the public on the safety record of experimental and homebuilt aircraft as compared to certified aircraft.

I believe that you would make things worse since custom aircraft have a far worse safety record than certified aircraft:

From the Nall report as listed on RVFlightSafety.org

"According to the 2010 Joseph T. Nall Report

“Accidents in amateur-built aircraft remain a major contributor to the overall non-commercial accident rates. In 2009, the accident rate among amateur-built aircraft was just under four times the rate for type-certificated aircraft, and their fatal accident rate was more than six and a half times higher.” (Source: 2010 Nall Report, page 37)"

[N355DW]

More than anything, the focus of the EAA should be preserving and protecting the rights of individuals to build and fly their own aircraft. I don't really care what's in the magazine, I can read it or not as I choose. They can market themselves to a wider audience than builders, as long they don't forget the "prime directive". I don't see any necessary conflict in this. I will continue to support the EAA as long as I feel they are advocating for us and our right to build and enjoy our aircraft.

Plus, if they can count a wider group of aviators than just builders, it gives them more clout to advocate in the political arena. The more people and money in a group, the more seriously a group is taken.

Just my 2c

Damon

[RV8R999]

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

Just because most of the EABs are RVs I do not think the masses should take away the oportunity and freedom that is encoded into the current rules. That is what will happen and maybe that's what you want to happen. I already see the shift in our ranks toward control and stiffling creativity and I'm sorry folks I'm not with you on this march to submission.

Experimental Aircraft Association forever!

Bob Axsom

Concur! No bubble wrap and knitting needles for me !!!

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by N355DW

More than anything, the focus of the EAA should be preserving and protecting the rights of individuals to build and fly their own aircraft. I don't really care what's in the magazine, I can read it or not as I choose. They can market themselves to a wider audience than builders, as long they don't forget the "prime directive". I don't see any necessary conflict in this. I will continue to support the EAA as long as I feel they are advocating for us and our right to build and enjoy our aircraft.

Plus, if they can count a wider group of aviators than just builders, it gives them more clout to advocate in the political arena. The more people and money in a group, the more seriously a group is taken.

Just my 2c

Damon

WELL said. Without a larger number of members, the EAA's voice will not have as much clout.

Remember Warbirds and racers are EXPERIMENTAL just like us KIT BUILT or home-builders.

All the other types that EAA has attempted to recruit are the same type of aviators that fly Experimental kit built or home built aircraft. We are all SPORT AVIATORS much like the title of the magazine Sport Aviation.

I am not second guessing what EAA HQ is doing. I believe that there are good people running EAA. Yes good people do make errors and at some time in the future be able to say that but right now without more facts, I do not believe that errors are taking place that will make OUR ORGANIZATION worse off.

EAA LIFETIME Member