Great Discussion - Everyone!
Now, for the real kicker ... reality. For the majority of the EAA crowd, aviation is about passion, but for the OEMs, it's about finances ... yes, one has to make a profit or the business closes. Olive Ann Beech was once asked (a long time into her career), "What do you think is the biggest change in aviation has been since you started?". The "reporter" was looking for ... composite materials, new avionics, new radios, new... Her answer was simple and elegant. There is no difference. We started the business to make money, and that is still our goal today.
On a great note, both the "visionaries" and the OEMs are seriously looking at electric airplanes. There IS a future.