Boy, talk about a stirred up hornets nest!

[Brantel]

Well Chad, you sure found yourself right in the middle of a bunch of pissed off hornets.....

Hope all that mess turns out well!

[Spike]

'eh? What are you referring to?

Spike

[smittysrv]

This:

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s ... light=race

[Spike]

Ahhh. Interesting read...

So here is the disclaimer: I generally encourage us rb'ers talking about the flying, EAB, and especially the RV communities. I do ask though that we don't focus too much on the fish-bowl of unnecessary divisiveness that 'vansairforce' can be. That's not who we are. The one thing I will be specifically clear about though is that this conversation won't become a place where Chad shall be put into a defensive posture. Open conversations and productive dialogue are absolutely encouraged, but we aren't going to 'eat our own' here. And no, neither Smitty nor Brantel have done this, I am just sending the reminder up front.

With that said, a comment about the RV community in general is that its getting too big for its britches. If 400 RV's didnt show up at AirVenture the attendees and the EAA would take notice. Though I would venture that 35% or more of the other 9600 pilots who fly in would be somewhat relieved. Really people, these planes are great, but the people who build / fly them are no better or worse than any other pilot / builder who flies a Cherokee 140 or builds a Pietenpol. EAA is trying to balance budgets, agendas, ideas, and the realities of an ageing pilot population that is much bigger than those of us who have bought parts from Mr. VanGrunsven. There are a million perspectives out there and none of them are completely correct. We as a population aren't any more correct than the others that they are working with.

[cjensen]

Hey RBer's...yep, this morning has been a doozy. I think we are reaching a resolution, but it was slow to come about since we've been fighting a PR storm since my private email was released to the masses last night.

Here is EAA's official stance on it, and we hope the race can continue...



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


EAA STATEMENT REGARDING AIRVENTURE CUP RACE

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (May 11, 2012) — EAA is stating the following in regards to the annual AirVenture Cup race, which has been the matter of some public discussion concerning the race’s future:
• EAA did not cancel the AirVenture Cup race.

• The AirVenture Cup organizers opted to cancel this year’s race.

• A group of EAA volunteers founded and have organized the race for more than a decade. The race completes its competition outside Oshkosh, with the competitors then flying together for a mass arrival during AirVenture.

• As part of the race, EAA does assist race organizers with volunteer benefits and exhibit space.

• Since last year, there have been discussions with race organizers on better defining the event and its relationship to EAA, including clarifying name and branding elements.

• EAA encouraged organizers to continue the race and will continue to offer race organizers volunteer benefits.
.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebrationâ€￾ and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at http://www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit http://www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at http://www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.
-30-

[Brantel]

Amen Spike!

Yes...no way was my post intended as an attack on Chad. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite. I am very sick to see that Chad has been basically tared and feathered and burned on a stake by a few others. Those guys are like a pit bull turning on it's owner. It is sad that some people have no loyalty and when stuff does not go their way how willing they are to throw good people like Chad aside and start a death chant......

Chad is and always has been one of us. I will defend him!

Ahhh. Interesting read...

So here is the disclaimer: I generally encourage us rb'ers talking about the flying, EAB, and especially the RV communities. I do ask though that we don't focus too much on the fish-bowl of unnecessary divisiveness that 'vansairforce' can be. That's not who we are. The one thing I will be specifically clear about though is that this conversation won't become a place where Chad shall be put into a defensive posture. Open conversations and productive dialogue are absolutely encouraged, but we aren't going to 'eat our own' here. And no, neither Smitty nor Brantel have done this, I am just sending the reminder up front.

With that said, a comment about the RV community in general is that its getting too big for its britches. If 400 RV's didnt show up at AirVenture the attendees and the EAA would take notice. Though I would venture that 35% or more of the other 9600 pilots who fly in would be somewhat relieved. Really people, these planes are great, but the people who build / fly them are no better or worse than any other pilot / builder who flies a Cherokee 140 or builds a Pietenpol. EAA is trying to balance budgets, agendas, ideas, and the realities of an ageing pilot population that is much bigger than those of us who have bought parts from Mr. VanGrunsven. There are a million perspectives out there and none of them are completely correct. We as a population aren't any more correct than the others that they are working with.

[Bob Barrett]

Chad is a fine person even if he drinks fruity beer! I think Vansaircraft is a great organization and I have deep respect for it and their products. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about the so called Van"s Airforce website that you have to pay to belong to. Spike and Patti run a great free website that is helpful to builders and pilots. We are expected act civilly and treat each other with respect! We need more of this in our Country and this World! Now I hope razz Chad about his fruity beer for a number of years the Good Lord Willing but I hope to meet with Chad again sometime and buy him a fruity beer

[hydroguy2]

I relayed my feelings to Chad this morning. I will always support EAA. EAA is a business and needs to make decisions to keep that business afloat. Am I happy about loosing another race or a hit on General Aviation?...you can bet I am not. BUT the EAA is the voice of homebuilding.

on a sidenote: Sport Air Racing is trying to step up and help keep AirVenture Cup on the calendar. Still too early to know if this will work out but talks are in progress with insurance companies and volunteers. GO SARL!

also I consider Chad a friend. He has our back and I have his. Do your best for us Chad and I will follow.

[JimmyH]

I have to say it seems unfortunate that the EAA and Chad seem to be getting attacked on other forums almost like piranhas . I am not to suprised at how fast people pass judgement without knowing the whole story . I am about as new as you can get as far as getting into aviation . I am only a couple of weeks away from my solo so I guess I don't have as much skin in the game I guess .

I don't see what the big deal is if the race is cancelled ( although it still might run ) at least you still get to fly and some are lucky enough to have your own plane . I am just glad to see there is an organization(EAA) willing to stick its neck out so others like myself have a chance to fly. It seems all to often people complain about what they don't have and not greatful enough for what they do.

I don't know if I will ever build an RV but I really like the atmosphere on this message board . There is a lot more civility over here and that is why I keep comming back.

I think spike had some great points too.

[DaAV8R]

I have to. I have a cool EAA number

I see EAA expanding their business. Like any expanding business, the trick is to get new customers but not loose any of the old customers. Otherwise, you just have different customers and didn't expand.

I think EAA needs to go out of their way to keep the old school crowd. Need to do something to make these folks feel special. After all, the experimental movement is about the only sector of aviation that seems to be "working". If they loose those folks, where will EAA be 20 years down the road?

Robert

PS: Chad, you have a tough job. Hang in there

[cjensen]

Thanks fella's! Long day today, but I think we'll get to a point where the race can go on. I hope so anyway...

There's a reason RB is the best!

[lancef53]

Keep up the great work, Chad!!

[johnk]

... a comment about the RV community in general is that its getting too big for its britches...

I'm not so sure, I think it's just the same dozen or so posters over at VAF that think they speak for everyone. It's hard to imagine much of a boycott of Oshkosh just because EAA won't let the race use their name.

John

[Brantel]

I think John is on the right track....

[lancef53]

Yes, johnk is on the right track. It is the same mentality you get from the old guard when they scoff at a kit plane--because in the old days, they made them from plans. It seems like some feel the fact of starting a plansbuilt aircraft in the 60s or 70s and never finishing it is more of an accomplishment than building and flying a kit.

At some point, some of the older folks are going to need to accept new people into "their" EAA chapter as aircraft enthusiasts, instead of treating them as punks who don't remember the old days. Strength in numbers!!

Off my soapbox

[Spike]

Here is another read. I know Dave, the AOPA author, he is a great guy and I do get where he was going with the article.

Van's comments are, uh, interesting.

Spike

[1:1_Scale]

I can't believe I successfully ignored that thread up until now, and just spent a good portion of my morning reading/scanning through it. Sure came across as a "vocal minority" situation to me. I know that I would still plan to attend AV even if someone called for a boycott, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It wouldn't even make a scratch, let alone a dent in attendance. I also found is somewhat insulting that anyone that anyone that doesn't fly in is just a wuffo looking for the next carnival. REALLY??

As for BA, he's always rubbed me the wrong way, but I'm interested in his speed/efficiency mods, so I haven't put him on my ignore list