Type Club Coalition Welcomes Sonex CEO

August 29, 2013 - EAA is pleased to announce that Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett is joining American Bonanza Society President Tom Turner as co-chair of the Type Club Coalition (TCC).

The TCC brings type clubs, owners, and operators of experimental and certificated aircraft together to share best practices, exchange information, and improve safety.

"I recognize that for years there has been a perception that E-AB safety does not match the record of the GA fleet," Monnett said. "My main goals in co-leading the TCC are twofold: to increase fleet safety in general, and to counter the incorrect assumption that E-AB aircraft are not as inherently safe as type-certificated aircraft.

"I hope to build on Sonex's recent transition training experience and bring a workable program of safety enhancements to TCC members."

The TCC is leading the effort to unite individual type clubs, E-AB owners and builders groups, and other aviation communities. The coalition will help its members establish checklists and standard operating procedure documents, create networks of CFI LODA holders available for transition training, and encourage pilot proficiency for all types. The TCC expects to publish its first example and guidance materials in September.

"We are very excited to have Jeremy Monnet join the leadership of the TCC," said Sean Elliott, EAA vice president of advocacy and safety. "Jeremy has a high level of experience in the E-AB kit industry and a wealth of aviation knowledge. Pairing him with Tom Turner brings a needed dynamic that will enhance our efforts in improving aviation safety.

"There are real safety and operational benefits to be gained from sharing successful approaches to safety across all types, and uniting the type clubs is an ideal way to promote that information exchange."

EAA encourages all type clubs - or groups of owners of types that do not have a club - to be a part of the TCC. Interested parties may apply by e-mailing govt@eaa.org or by calling EAA advocacy and safety at 920-426-6522.