Rod Hightower and EAA

[Chad Jensen]

Sorry Chad but I am clueless about any conspiracy theorists. All that I am pointing out is that the magazine featured the Rod over the individuals about which a piece relates to or is written about.

Hehe...wasn't pointing to you as a conspiracy theorist...it was mentioned in jest is all.

No there is no problem with owning a T-6 and it's nice that Rod can afford it. It does make me think that in times when many are facing job loss, foreclosure etc., EAA should focus less on flying club dinners and rides in T-6s and more on ways for the little guy to get up in the air. Lets face it, aviation is a rich man's sport that by necessity excludes way too many of us.

That's exactly what the EAA employee flying club is about...getting more people at EAA involved in flying...on the cheap. The employee flying club was established to make a model and consider it as a repeatable action on the chapter level to have a flying club. It's as cheap a flying as one can do, and we hope to make it a success so it can be utilized to get more people flying.

BTW...the flying club "dinner" was generic hot dogs and chips, a staple of any cost-conscious flying club (we have our own budget and operating account outside of EAA).

Ok, perhaps I do need to re-read that column. It is good to hear that someone was acting as a safety pilot, but Chad, you too ought to re-read this entire thread and listen rather than re-act.

I have read the entire thread...I'm just trying to clarify. Didn't mean to sound reactive, and listening to my community is the only way I'll be successful. I want to serve you all as best I can to ensure the EAB community continues to grow.

So why is there animosity toward EAA leadership? Perhaps EAA leadership is not listening. Anyway, we can argue all day to no avail unless we make a conscious effort to open our minds and listen constructively to one another's view points. As I said before, I expected to be blasted for this post. It is instructive but disappointing to know that the criticism that came, with some amount of furry I might add, is from EAA staff rather than community members.

Agreed 100%. Fury was not my intent...my apologies.