WIX Archives
Re: I don't speak for the EAA, but...
Posted by David M Jameson on Mon Jun 17, 2002 11:31:49 PM
In reply top I don't speak for the EAA, but... posted by bdk on Mon Jun 17, 2002 10:07:06 PM
: I don't see them shunning anything. Who stood up for our c
: ollective rights with the demilitarization bill? What abou
: t the ramifications from 9/11?
:
: Obviously the EAA has changed from what it was 25 years ag
: o when I joined. Some changes I like, others I don't.
:
: When I had a question about importing an aircraft, the pre
: sident of the Warbirds of America gave me his phone number
: so I could call him personally to discuss my issue. Despi
: te the size of the EAA, they stood up to help me when I ne
: eded an answer to a specific question.
:
: Why do you think the EAA needs to be involved in this issu
: e? What specific principles are being shunned? The EAA is
: a huge organization (of mostly homebuilts by the way). We
: are fortunate that Warbirds get the attention they do. The
: y could easily have been overshadowed if not for the fores
: ight of the founders.
:
: Maybe you should go to Oshkosh and ask one of the Warbird
: judges what they think, or maybe even become a judge? This
: is a positive step you could take to influence YOUR organ
: ization in the way you see fit. Are you a member of the EA
: A?
:
: I thought the real goal (long term and short term) was to
: build and restore aircraft- to fly and to educate the gene
: ral public. To me the EAA is an organization to promote av
: iation (of all types) more than I can as an individual. On
: e of their more important functions lately has been to lob
: by to protect my aviation priveleges.
:
: BK
:
: : My point on this, is that the EAA was founded on these p
: ri
: : ncipals, for which they now shun. What a shame what mon
: ey
: : does sometimes. Both good and bad come from it.
: :
: : Sometimes we loose sight our the real goals for the shor
: t
: : term success or bragging rights. Everyone looses when t
: hi
: : s happens.
: :
: : David
With respects BK;
I am a member of the EAA and the Warbirds. Further, I do make the trek to Oshkosh. Will be there again this year.
You are right though, that is what they stood for. The Warbirds division was created as to better address these aircrafts. Times do change.
I do not agree with you though, the Warbirds appear to be the headliner at Oshkosh.
It was the original thought that a seperate division was needed for the preservation of these warbird aircraft.
As I stated earlier in this discussion, and to reply to Mr. Coggan topic of today, the EAA does look out for these types of things. They inform their membership well too.
But, this is a political hot potato for them, and it appears to me that saying nothing is better than anything. I can understand why, to a certain extent, but utimately, doing nothing caries greater harm.
As I have said before, the real shame is to stand by and not do anything.
I am not asking for the EAA's blessing, or criticism. But as a sanctioning body such as the EAA, with their wisdom and influence, take a stand and talk about it. I speculate that the general masses do look for some possible general guidance and or position from them too. Are we not entitled to that?
I think we can all agree that everyone can not be appeased all the time, myself included. But, this does not discourage me either. I will renew my memership each year, just the same. At some point in time, all tough issues need to be addressed. Some will be happy, others not. That is the price of progress though.
The stakes can be high, but I believe doing nothing is a greater risk.
David