E-mail: Membership@EAA.org
Phone: 800-564-6322 (800-JOIN EAA)
Online: www.EAA.org
FROM THE DESK OF...
CHARLIE BECKER, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER PROGRAMS
Name: Bill Fischer, EAA 9001812,
Warbirds 549571
Position: Executive Director,
EAA Warbirds of America
BY NOW YOU’VE NOTICED the new column called Member Tested. When we looked at revamping the magazine content and layout, one area we felt could be improved was new product information. We’ve always been telling you about aviation products, but this time we’re giving you a chance to
review products. The concept is simple: get stuff into our members’ hands,
let you decide if it’s any good, and share those results with the membership.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read about some new product
and thought, “If it really does that, I want one.” But I rarely follow
through on the purchase since I just don’t have any objective proof (I’m
from Missouri; you’ve got to “show me.”). I put a lot of faith in what
another EAA member says is worth buying. I hope this column will give
you valuable insight into what gear and gadgets are worth your attention.
If you have a product that you would like to see reviewed, send me an
e-mail at cbecker@EAA.org.
Oh, and if you test something, you get to keep it!
WHO’S WHO AT HQ
Job description: I manage the day-to-day operations of the Warbirds
home office.
What aircraft do you own? I
owned a Cessna 172. I flew it for
several years, mostly local or trips to
northern Wisconsin, but my dad and
I did make a couple of trips out west
to go trout fishing.
Introduction to aviation: Watching
a 1960s TV show called 12 O’Clock
High that featured a B- 17 group based
in England. It inspired me to start
building model airplanes and reading
aviation books.
Unique airplane you’ve flown in:
P-51D. To quote the character in
the movie Empire of the Sun: “P-51:
Cadillac of the sky!”
If you could fly any airplane, it
would be: A de Havilland Mosquito
because of the rarity—very few remain
airworthy today. And having a Rolls-Royce Merlin turning on both sides
of the cockpit would look, sound, and
feel incredible.
Don’t Know Much About... EAA WARBIRDS OF AMERICA
Did you know that as an EAA member, you are qualified to be a member of Warbirds of America?
Members of EAA Warbirds of America are owners, pilots, and enthusiasts of “warbirds,” or ex-mili-
tary aircraft, domestic and foreign, who want to “keep ’em flying.”
As a Warbirds of America member, you have the option to join a local Warbirds squadron, similar to an EAA chapter. Members
also receive Warbirds magazine, which features stories about warbird aircraft, articles of historical interest, news, and superb color
photography, as well as the official Warbirds e-newsletter, Briefing.
Other aviation hobbies: I’ve painted
some nose art on flight jackets and
squadron patches. I also buy, sell,
trade, and collect aviation/military
memorabilia, and set up World War
II military aviation historical displays
at fly-ins.
To find out more about Warbirds of America, visit www.Warbirds-EAA.org or call 800-843-3612.
During AirVenture you are: In the
Warbirds area, on foot or behind the
wheel of a 1945 Willys Army jeep. I also
spend time in the World War II Living
History Encampment, a great place
to “suit up” and help re-create what a
forward air base would have looked like.
