EAA STORE
March
2009
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Paul's Pick
Learning From History
History can tell one a lot…about successes and failures. Looking back through my editorials of the past, the “Homebuilder’s Corner” that appeared in the March 1963 issue of Sport Aviation relative to the EAA Airplane Design Contest brought great interest in our desire to promote free thinking and innovation that could improve light plane development.
The all-wood Pete Bowers Fly Baby took first place; many were built, and some are still flying, and the process of freedom of thought, with hands and mind, has continued our progress. One only has to look at the variety of creations that mark the grounds at your EAA Oshkosh convention each year.
But more is needed in the development of powerplants for these machines of flight. Can EAA of today lead the effort? When I view the NASCAR races, these earthbound vehicles roaring around the tracks at speeds of 180 to 200 mph for hours with few powerplant failures, I not only admire the drivers, but most importantly the craftsmen who with their skills and knowledge build and craft these powerplants. Their talent would be very valuable to our movement. There is a need for reasonable, reliable powerplants that could enhance aviation and, in particular, our movement. Are EAAers up to the task? - Paul Poberezny
