Ernest,
I would like to give an input here. I found the latest versions of Sport Aviation less likeable as well. I went so far as to e-mail up the chain to find out what was going on. (As a chapter Officer I had some direct e-mail addresses) When I got a call from the the EAA I was told that there was an intentional change to make the magazine more "readable". I asked if that meant it was getting "dumbed down". The amazing answer was YES, WE ARE INCLUDING ARTICLES THAT SHOULD ONLY REQUIRE AN 8TH GRADE EDUCATION TO UNDERSTAND! After I recovered from the shock, I was told that we would not be printing any of the CAFE articles anymore, and any tech articles would need to be able to fit in 1 issue. What BULL BLEEP! When I mentioned that this was an internal magazine and not being sold to the public, they didn't even appologise and said that was the way it would be "for now". I understand that many of the members don't want full pages of math, but some do! The magazine should do some of both. While I haven't yet given up my membership, if a more "homebuilt friendly" organization started and made it I would be ready to jump ship, sadly, but I would. FWIW
Bill Jepson
Well, that does it for me. I've had it. I'm Tired of sending these idiots any of my hard earned cash. I never have time to make it to the local chapter meetings anyway. The internet is a better support group. For about 3 or four years now I have been on the fence. I've written letters. I hardly read the magazine, and when I do it takes me about 5 min. SA isn't fit for toilet paper.
I am afraid that EAA is turning into a "Foundation". The foundation world is filled with a bunch of liberal/socialist leaning folks, who get jobs doing things with other peoples money. They usually redirect it and use it for things the people who originally formed the organization never would approve of. I have gotten more and more upset With EAA for a long time now. The last time I was at Oshkosh part of the "patriotic" Rah Rah speech over the PA said "America where we cherish our freedoms.....(insert list of American ideals).......Freedom from want....SCREEEEECH" Wait a minute what was that crap. FREEDOM FROM WANT!!! Strait out of the Communist Manifesto. If I hadn't read that disgusting document the prior week, it probably would have sailed right over my head as background chatter. Then I started thinking about the Unionized movers you have to pay if you are a vendor, the way they keep raising the prices for small vendors.....etc, etc, etc.
Then I called one of their "experts" to ask about some FAA rules. He was clueless, I don't mean a little, I mean completely utterly clueless about something he was supposed to be representing us about. The FAA guy was actually far more knowledgeable and helpful. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT!!???
I can see where this is going........
Next thing you know they are going to start pushing for a new tax on Experimental Aircraft to promote immigrant/female/disabled/gay/retards to build airplanes. Kofi Anan will run the new Planes for the disadvantaged program. Perhaps SA could be published in a graphic novel format so that people who can't read will not be discriminated against. All Experimental aircraft will have to be redesigned so that obese people in wheel chairs who are blind and have no limbs can operate them. If they can't your registration will be denied. Also we must have means testing for builder assistance.
Rosy O'Donnell will be the new EAA spokesperson and she will start the new rainbow eagles for African aids relief program. They will fly over Africa and drop leaflets and condoms. But the name must be changed because Experimental sounds too dangerous and the word Airplane makes people sad that they can't ever afford one since they now cost $1 billon each to cover all the new programs and regulations.
Eventually the Egalitarian Ambassadors Association will publish the graphic art coloring book Social Awareness.
I guess I'll be sending my money to AOPA.
Monty