Hightower Resigns as EAA President/CEO

[Bill]

But its not, as it looks that everyone wants to chase the "elitists" out, not that I'm not sure who they are. I would say that by definition, anyone who flies is an elitist.

Are they going to chase themselves out? By your definition, "everyone" is a member of the "elitist" set. If they chase them out, the result is the null set.

[Jim Hann]

I live in St. Louis and I know where the Hightower kids go to school. I sat next to them at our Chapter Christmas banquet in 2010. I'm guessing that they couldn't find a school of similar pedigree any closer than Milwaukee or Madison. I also know that Rod told us he had sold a business, so I don't think money was any sort of obstacle for him. In other words he could just go home and be a housedad.

My $0.02, YMMV.

[Jim Clark]

Our founder did more to define our mission years ago when he said "We're not about airplanes, we're about people". Our chapter uses that as our motto just to remind us we're a social organization whose members share an interest in all things aviation.

[dewi8095]

I had decided to let my membership lapse at the end of the year. Might need to renew now to see which way the organization will go.

Don De Witt

[BBARTONB]

Maybe it's a new begining,for the EAA.Maybe we can get more in line with the original mission,people not airplanes.Of course both go hand in hand.

[Bob Collins]

My (extremely good) source says Mr. Hightower was escorted from the building yesterday. People don't quit their jobs on Monday. I think one sign that things are changing at EAA is if these sorts of news releases treat us like something other than children needing a cover story to protect us from mom and dad's divorce.

Now, then, now that he's gone, what's the plan. And, "let's make it 1970 again" isn't a workable solution.

[kjb]

I for one am glad to see a direction change. EAA needs to find a path that looks to the affordable average guy aviation. While IFR flying, formation flying, and turboprop aircraft are interesting they are way to far out of reach for 90% of the organization. Therefore 90% of the effort of the organization should be concentrated on us in the real world. That includes building aircraft, maintaining older aircraft, stick and rudder skills and recruiting friends and family to enjoy the world of aviation with us. The more unaffordable we make things seem with Airventure and with SportAviation the more we chase many people away. Rod may not have been the right fit, I wish him well, and I hope that EAA finds a direction that can benifit the Experimental and Recreational aviation most effectively.

[Mike Switzer]

And, "let's make it 1970 again" isn't a workable solution.

I'd be happy with 1990 or even 2000. I have been reading back issues of the magazine from the web site - it can be very enlightening.

[Rick Rademacher]

Oh how I wish that Springfield, Ohio had been chosen as the home for the EAA rather than Oshkosh when they moved from Rockford. As I live only 15 miles from Springfield, I would have enjoyed participating at EAA at a higher level. The President of EAA has to be a part of the Oshkosh community. To reside in another state can’t work for anyone!

[rv9av8tr]

Like everything else; education, cars, houses, etc, hobbies like flying
have become disproportionately expensive. I got my PPL in 1971 for $660
as a high school student working a summer job. I was able to pay for
an entire year of college working a summer job. Try that today!! The
result is an incredible economic force that has changed the face of how
most of us knew the world "back then".

I joined EAA in 1981, attended my first Oshkosh in 1982 and built my
first airplane (Long-EZ) from 82-85. EAA then was about homebuilts,
antiques, classics and a little bit about warbirds. I drool over a
beautiful Fairchild or Staggerwing as much (or more so) than a
homebuilt. For me, that is the core of EAA, promoting innovation in our
garages and keeping our aviation heritage alive. These economic forces
have clearly made that much more difficult than in 70's-80's, but that
is what draws me to EAA. AOPA has a different mission and place, and
just as important as EAA in it's own right, but I think they have been
blurring their missions. I think EAA & AOPA can work synergistically to
help all corners of aviation, but lets focus on our missions.

Long live EAA & AOPA... in their own camps and together.