Membership Feels Flight Path Still On The Center Line

By John Ylinen

EAA held its annual membership meeting on Wednesday, at 08:30 on 30 July 2014 at Oshkosh, WI. in the Theater of the Woods. In attendance were 100 members. The secretary received over 28,000 proxies.

EAA Chairman Jack Pelton provided the Chairman’s report. He discussed the new website, formation of a Volunteer Advisory Committee and a new mobile application for Air Venture that was developed and will be maintained by EAA rather than a sponsor. He also indicated that membership had increased over the year and over 1000 members had signed up for Lifetime Memberships. He told the members to looks for communication of a new initiative for EAA Flying Clubs.

Mr. Stuart Auerbach, Treasurer, provided a report on finances. In summary, EAA is in a strong financial position and ready for the future he said. Revenue was up and so were expenses mostly due to construction of new facilities on the field and of course the payment the FAA for ATC services.

Mr. Pelton then opened the meeting to member Q/A. Questions were centered on updates to the field facilities. Homebuilt, Vintage, and Ultralight all expressed their need for upgraded camping and ultralights said the grass runway was now a safety issue. Only one member brought up the payment to FAA and volunteered to assist the board in developing a plan to stop their “extortion” as he called it. All members thanked Mr. Pelton for his volunteer service and leadership. There were no questions or concerns with how volunteers were being treated or any mention of the Thunderbirds.

Directors elected to three-year terms on the board were Marc Ausman, Richard Beattie, Richard Beebe, Mike Goulian, Keith Kocourek, Dan Majka, and Charlie Precourt.

FMI: www.eaa.org