Well, after wading through all pages of both quoted threads, I came to some conclusions that I would like to share:
1) I am surprised at the degree of acrimony expressed toward RVs and RV builders/pilots on both threads
2) I am
very surprised that the AOPA board is apparently not very well monitored
3) I am saddened to accept some of the derogatory comments directed toward our community as accurate reflections of the actions and attitudes of a few (although I have yet to meet any or witness their brazen actions)
4) I am VERY thankful for Doug's pit bull-esque editorial discipline on VAF, although I always resent it whenever he edits MY posts
5) I now know that, because I have a military paint scheme on Smokey AND have continued that theme to the cockpit, there are other pilots out there who are not only NOT impressed, but have already condemned me as being a wannabe and therefore part of the problem
6) I accept the challenge to elevate my aviating skills and go the extra yard to avoid being part of the perceived problem among the GA population
I could probably come up with more, but I'm always a bit verbose anyway, so I will spare my friends from my ramblings. However, the threads took me aback a bit.
Yeah,
Smokey is my little fighter. I love the speed, the agility and the responsiveness, but I don't do low passes or buzz jobs, I fly normal pattern entries and think of myself as a courteous, conscientious pilot. I like doing what little aerobatics I do and would like to do more. I used to enjoy flying simple formations in my Yankee, and thought I might like doing RV formations. If I screw up when flying, I hope somebody takes the time to pull me aside and have a little chat with me about it.
At our little airport, there are only 3 RVs. Low passes and hangar buzz jobs are few and far between, and never by the RVs (that I've ever witnessed). Hanging around this forum, I see nothing but concern for safety and a general commitment to improvement of flying skills, thus it is very disappointing for me to read such condemnation from fellow aircraft owners and pilots.
I'll let others join those forums and defend our community. I think I'll just work on being the safest RV driver I can be while still enjoying the art of flying.
Thanks for posting those links.