A lot of FAA employees have spent time at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this week—from nearly every branch and every level of the agency. They come to talk, to listen, to learn, and to work collaboratively, not just with EAA but also with a host of organizations, companies, and individuals—the grassroots of aviation. Relationships get built here that continue year-round, to support the interests of general aviation and, especially, sport aviation.

For many of us who have been around flying things for more than a few years, it’s a welcome change from the "us versus them" attitudes that once seemed to prevail on both sides of the table. That change didn’t just happen. The EAA Government Affairs staff works long and hard to maintain that open communication with the FAA and other government agencies, to represent the needs and views of grassroots aviation. AirVenture provides a place and a spirit that, like no other, weaves together all the divergent threads of aviation, to celebrate the dream and to work together to build the future of flight.

Technical experts and other officials from EAA, FAA, ASTM International, and the aircraft industry met Friday afternoon to explore the possibilities for developing and certifying electric motors for powering light aircraft. "EAA led the way to light-sport aircraft," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "Electric motors are a natural evolutionary step, to reduce dependence on petroleum-based fuels, to develop more efficient and lower-cost powerplants, and ultimately to make the dream of flight achievable for more people. This meeting is a first step—to assess the industry’s interest in electric powered flight and to identify potential resources for bringing an electric airplane to market."

Some officials at the National Transportation Safety Board are concerned light-sport aircraft (LSA) manufacturers are not fully complying with ASTM manufacturing and production standards for LSA. Some NTSB officials also say that using ASTM standards might not be adequate to assure the safety of light-sport aircraft and pilots.

EAA officials and members of the ASTM standards committee for LSA met yesterday with NTSB representatives to answer those concerns. "Anytime you try something new, like adopting ASTM consensus standards for the manufacture of aircraft, there are going to be questions," said EAA Vice President Earl Lawrence, who chairs the ASTM/LSA committee. "We are confident that ASTM is a more-than-adequate approach, and FAA officials are in support of the use of ASTM standards."

EAA’s Aeromedical Advisory Council, Legal Advisory Council, and Pilot Advocate Council, held separate meetings at AirVenture yesterday. These three EAA councils work throughout the year to address legal and medical concerns and to assist EAA members with individual legal or medical issues involving aviation. Among their accomplishments, the Aeromedical Advisory Council has helped push through reductions in the waiting period for aeromedical certificates and special issuances; the Legal Advisory Council educates EAA members about their rights, privileges, and options under FAA rules; and the Pilot Advocate Council, made up of aeromedical examiners, helps individual pilots with aeromedical issues.

When Paul Poberezny and a small group of aviation enthusiasts founded the EAA in 1953, their purpose was to foster and promote recreational aviation. From the very first, government advocacy was an important part of their mission.

They worked tirelessly in support of new laws, regulations, and government policies that supported and expanded recreational flying, at the local, state, and federal levels. From the start, Paul was determined to deal with the government not as an adversary, but as a partner committed to finding solutions. That philosophy has served EAA members—and all aviation enthusiasts—very well.

• We depend on your support. Your EAA membership, and contributions from EAA members like you, support EAA’s government advocacy. You are an essential part of these efforts.

• We need your participation. EAA members are often asked to participate in making our collective voice heard to keep the skies free and to keep regulations from becoming burdensome or costly. Through EAA, your voice does make a difference.

Learn more about EAA government advocacy programs and activities, and about the issues affecting you, at www.EAA.org/govt/.