Well Maybe We'll Get a Flavour of AirVenture

June 2020 – As you'll see in Jeff Seaborn's article, there are plans afoot to simulate the AirVenture experience, at least as far as presentations are concerned. This is early in the process but imagine the pent up energy from all those presenters. Let's hope that, as it fleshes out, we'll be able to plan our end of July with a lot of time spent enjoying the upcoming content. Without the camping, flying, and expense of making the trip, we should be able to figure out alternative uses for the money we would have spent. Both EAA and EAA Canada have lots of opportunities for paying it forward and encouraging young aviators. Imagine their aspirations to be newly minted commercial pilots in these challenging times, perhaps part way through an expensive career development training course. Go ahead, check out the ways you could give whatever you think you can afford.

It's also a good time to be thinking about goods in-kind donations. Perhaps you have an aircraft that you have been planning to restore, or maybe you're not finding the time to complete that homebuilt project. Your local chapter can show you how to convert that non-moving object into funds that can be used to develop aviation education. John Mader's article about our charitable wing, EAA Canada, is a great place to check out how to donate to our Canadian registered charity, and receive a tax deductible receipt.

We celebrate a second chapter profile this month. Thanks to Ron Wood we have a really nice article about Chapter 154, Regina and South Saskatchewan. Look forward to future articles about other great Canadian chapters.

As I write this, I have just witnessed the SpaceX launch and recalled seeing the Dragon space capsule at AirVenture. Isn't this the supreme example of "homebuilt, or experimental aircraft," though no homebuilder I know of expects to fly a supersonic rocket into space. Maybe there is a certain moment you can remember when you took that first flight, that would ring a few bells regarding the NASA broadcast of the first manned trip from U.S. soil carrying Robert Behncken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station.

Mike Davenport sent us not one, but three articles this month and stalwart Bill Evans let us in on his Sonerai cowling revamp. Thanks Mike and Bill. We just appreciate every article you send in for your fellow Canadian EAA members.

For a great description of what's in the development funnel for the alternative to AirVenture, have a look at Jeff Seaborn's article. We'll have more on what to expect next month, in the July newsletter that will come out just before the event itself.

For now, we hope you enjoy this month's content. We're lucky that at least most of us can still go flying. What better way to do some social distancing than being a few thousand feet above the ground? Stay safe, and healthy.