Welcome to the premier issue of Experimenter, EAA’s electronic newsletter for homebuilders. I’m excited to be a part of this effort, and to be bringing it to you under that prestigious title. The first newsletters published by EAA were titled Exerimenter, and I am happy to be a part of continuing that great tradition. 

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Joe Norris, your Homebuilders Community Manager. I’ve been a member of EAA for more than 30 years, and I’m a lifetime member. You can read more about my background here: Joe's Bio. I was introduced to EAA by a friend who was building a Pitts Special. I was infected with his enthusiasm, and I had the desire to build an airplane even before I earned my pilot certificate. I enjoy helping to build that enthusiasm and desire in other EAA members, and I preach the homebuilding gospel to non-members as well. It is my firm belief that anyone who wishes to build or own a homebuilt (or any experimental aircraft) absolutely must be a member of EAA. 

EAA is a diverse organization. This is not really something new! When I joined EAA in the mid 1970s and started coming to the EAA convention in Oshkosh , the warbird, vintage and aerobatic divisions were well established within the organization (and ultralights were already starting to appear as well). These special interest communities had already banded together for the mutual benefit of all. EAA’s ability to protect our privilege to build, maintain, and fly all our aircraft depends on this strength in numbers. I dare say that without EAA we would lose much more than just our ability to build our own aircraft. We would likely have many more restrictions on our ability to fly any type of aircraft at all. I invite you to read Tom Poberezny’s “Position Report” columns in the December, January and February issues of EAA Sport Aviation for more insight into EAA’s future efforts and direction. 

Through all this, though, homebuilding was the founding purpose and the core of EAA. As your Homebuilders Community Manager, I intend to keep homebuilding at the forefront of what EAA is all about. And I’ll need your help. I am always looking for input, ideas, comments, and constructive criticism from my fellow EAA members. Don’t hesitate to contact me whenever you have a question or comment. And don’t hesitate to point out a unique project or builder that you feel would be a good subject for an article in Experimenter. This newsletter belongs to all of us. In the spirit of EAA, I invite you to participate! 

Keep building! 

Joe jnorris@eaa.org