My experience here in New Zealand has been much the same (our national group is called SAANZ). For me, when I was building my RV-6, it was the RV-list that provided the help and support. I notice that some, larger, chapters seem to have a very active membership, with regular meetings and fly-ins and chapter projects. Other chapters seem to be less active. I did help get a chapter started in my area, but must admit that the demands of construction meant that I didn't actually put much effort into it.=20
So I think that EAA chapters are actually run and organised by homebuilt fliers, rather than homebuilders. And of course, once you've got a great plane to fly, that's where your interest will lie. I think the lack of interest may also be partly because plane-builders tend to be individualists. If you were a social groupie people-person, you probably wouldn't be able to stand 100s of hours working by yourself.=20 I have also found that meeting with individual RV-builders, especially those working in a similar area to of the plane to you, is very helpful. Through the EAA chapter, find out who's building a KR in your area, and invite yourself round to have a look at what he's doing and/or what he did on the part you're working on. Most builders love to talk about what they're doing, and are generous with advice and suggestions. I used to regularly drive to another town a couple of hundred miles away, and on the way back I'd drop in on an RV builder. We'd get talking, and it would yet another 2am return home. Frank -----Original Message----- From: Russ Fenlason [mailto:asir...@702com.net]=20 I also have been disappointed with the EAA groups in my area. They seem to exist as a social-party entity.When I talk about building something their response is generally something like " we can't be bothered with something like that. That takes time, we want to fly." While I admit they do some good things, Young Eagles etc., I sure haven't gotten any help or even encouragement towards building an airplane. You guys on KRnet ( and the gathering) have been much more of an inspiration than I've ever gotten from EAA. I've actually gotten back to working on my plane and it might fly by next year if I can get all the little things I know little about past the FAA inspector. ____________________________________________________ Learn real skills for the real world - Apply online at http://www.ucol.ac.nz or call 0800 GO UCOL (0800 46 8265) or txt free 3388 for more information and make a good move to UCOL =96 Universal College of Learning. Enrol with a public institute and be certain of your future ____________________________________________________
