Airplanes R Us: EAA, Then and Now (Chapter Two)

From the February 2019 newsletter, by John Meyers, page 4

Open the PDF at page 4 See the whole February 2019 issue

Now… I continue my story which relates my EAA experience from youth to present day. I was fortunate to convert my college and aviation training into a useful job when I was age 21… in the summer of 1966. As an airline pilot (flight engineer really), I eventually had some disposable time and income to devote to general aviation, which remained a passion. I bought seaplane and multi-engine ratings on my own. The EAA seemed to have a presence everywhere I went though I didn’t actually join until 1971. For me, the “experimental” part of EAA didn’t ring true to my interests… until I noticed that my heroes and role models were members… and it was really a “sport” flying aggregation anyway. I began to hang out with some creative engineering friends. This was Seattle in the early 1970s. The main creative friend was Mr. Barry Halsted, with whom I can fast-forward to the present day & year, 2019 ! We have shared a few adventures along the way.

So… my first OSHKOSH was summer 1974. I flew a Starduster Too from the SEA area to the big show. That ownership was shared with the previously mentioned Barry Halsted.

I had become interested in aerobatics, so the IAC division was particularly attractive. My first chapter attachment was with an IAC chapter in Medina Ohio, near where I resided in the late 1970’s. To save words and shorten the story, I will submit that I attended OSH in 1974, 1978, and 1991. That last one was particularly interesting since Barry Halsted showed up with his Saffire self-designed airplane, one-of a-kind. It was a pleasure to attend OSH in 2011 with Barry (again) to present Saffire on its 20th anniversary. Perhaps we can let him tell the story of that airplane’s existence and accolades.

So, … in 2011, I had retired to Sequim and was attached to Chapter 430, finding many kindred spirits. For myself, I have found pleasure in participating with the Young Eagles program. It was rewarding to serve as YE coordinator for 3 years… and now it is time to pass that baton!