So I've been mulling over this for as long as the thread runs...
I still like AirVenture: yes, it's a "tradeshow", but there's still "grassroots" there. There's a bunch of (mostly BiplaneForum, Gimp
) folks that I like to meet there that are so widespread over the country that I wouldn't see in one place otherwise..
There are a lot of new folks not involved in "politics" (I was one of them just in 2013; and Airventure had a lot of value for me then (I learned welding and met all the welding shop guys: now it's my "homebase" for airventure... I looked at a bunch of biplanes and talked to some of them... Attended some really good seminars by Lycoming guys, Budd D., and a few others, etc etc etc yada yada: just a sheer concentration of aviating folks makes it easier to connect to information / people you are seeking)..
So, I still want to go to Oshkosh...
Buying a ticket to AirVenture basically gives you automatic EAA membership unless you already have one..
Our Chapter is still okay-ish.. Some really interesting folks I met thru being in a chapter. Some really interesting folks that came on by searching "Austin EAA Chapter". (being it's webmaster helps
).
I think there's probably still value in being an EAA member, though in a funny ways: not via an overall value you receive from the HQ; but rather being under the "umbrella of a keyword" if that makes sense....
Participating in background checks CYA BS? Thanks; but no: there, I am 100% with you.