Chapters Banding Together Shows Potential
The Northeast Texas EAA Chapter Officers Conference concept strikes me as a fantastic way to energize chapters in regions. Read more

• New FAA Online Medical System Featured in Tonight's Webinar
• Limited Openings Remain for EAA Air Academy Sessions
• Kick Off 'Daughter Day' at WAI With Free Breakfast, Notable Aviators
• Clarification on AirVenture Group Camping

Work on FAA Reauthorization Bill Pays Off
There's good news regarding the long effort to get a long-term FAA reauthorization bill through Congress, which would fund the agency for several years. House and Senate conferees worked out differences and finalized language in the bill, leading to both the House and Senate have passed the bill in recent days. The bill is now on to the White House for President Obama's signature. This will end the string of 23 short-term funding extensions that kept the FAA operating since 2007 and allow the agency to plan and implement some of its key projects and initiatives. EAA Vice President of Government Relations Doug Macnair reports that the final bill is very good news for GA in other areas, too. EAA and other aviation groups have worked hard to have language included that benefits GA in a variety of areas, including no user fees or aviation fuel tax increases, funding for airport improvement projects and the NextGen air traffic control system, as well as progress for vintage aircraft data and airport through-the-fence agreements. This effort toward a full FAA reauthorization bill was the result of GA groups being stronger together to represent our members and all aviators.

Three Welcomed as New Board Members
Last Thursday, we publicly announced that Jack Pelton, Stuart Auerbach, and Darren Pleasance have been elected to the EAA board of directors for one-year terms. All three men bring extensive aviation, EAA, and business backgrounds, and all of them are passionate aviators and EAA members. Jack, Stuart, and Darren will bring their individual strengths to the board and make us even more effective on behalf of our members and all aviators. They are Class III Directors who, according to the organization’s bylaws, are elected by the EAA board. The majority of the directors are elected by the EAA membership during elections held at the annual meeting during AirVenture.

Earning Kudos From NTSB
EAA recently received praise from the National Transportation Safety Board, which announced it had completed its data collection on amateur-built aircraft. NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman – who visited AirVenture last year and is planning to return to Oshkosh this summer – said in the agency's news release that "the cooperation we received from EAA and the (experimental/amateur-built) community has been tremendous." EAA's ability to reach the homebuilt aircraft community played a major role in the success of the survey, as more than 5,000 builders and owners responded.

Total Membership on the Rise
EAA's total membership continues to rise, as the organization has now reached 176,000 members worldwide. This is excellent news as we work on growing participation in aviation and inspiring the next generation of aviators. We will continue to provide value to our members in areas they tell us are most important: AirVenture, chapters, publications, advocacy, youth education, and knowledge and information. Please use this updated number when communicating our membership total or answering questions about it.

Attend a SportAir Workshop Near You
Two weekends ago, EAA hosted 120 aviation enthusiasts for a large SportAir Workshop at the Aviation Center. Sessions were held on many aircraft building and repair skills, including sheet metal fabricating, welding, fabric covering, composite work, test flying, and repair and inspection of light-sport aircraft. Visit the SportAir Workshops website to learn more and register for a workshop near you.

Chapter 282 Members Finish, Fly Piper Cub for Dying Comrade
Walter Crosby spent years refurbishing a classic Piper Cub he bought in rough shape five decades ago. As his valiant battle with cancer approached the end, fellow members and friends from Chapter 282 (Clearwater, Florida) came together to make sure Walter got to see his project take flight. Read more

Next issue of ChapterGram will be delivered on Tuesday, February 21.