IT IS WITH FOND MEMORIES of my experiences at EAA and great excitement for my next endeavor that I write my last Sport Aviation commentary as an EAA staff member. I am leaving EAA to lead the FAA Small Airplane Directorate in Kansas City, Missouri. It is truly an honor to have been selected for this position, which will allow me to serve the general aviation community in a new and expanded role.

I have been an active EAA member since
1986 and joined the EAA staff in April 1994,
My time working for you has been a privilege. I have worked on
some interesting projects, starting with my first assignment to help
end an FAA moratorium on the certification of warbirds. That effort
led to a long series of initiatives related to experimental aircraft
operating limitations and certification policies.

I have represented members on a wide range of issues including
MY LAST COLUMN

By Earl Lawrence, EAA Vice President of Industry and Regulatory Affairs

the security threats to personal aviation after 9/11, multiple amateur-
built safety and regulatory issues, numerous regulatory rewrites, and
the writing of entirely new regulations like the recreational pilot and
sport pilot certificates and the light-sport aircraft regulations.

I have worked directly with many wonderful members including the EAA Ultralight & Light-Sport Aircraft, Canadian, Homebuilt Aircraft, Legal Advisory, and Aeromedical Advisory councils; flight advisors and technical counselors; convention aircraft parking chairmen; aircraft tour volunteer pilots; mechanics and tour coordinators; the convention air show operations group; and the West Ramp Rats.

My goal in working for you has always been to spend your dues
wisely, work hard to reduce the barriers to participation, and find
ways to help you through the regulatory process.

I leave you with a top-notch advocacy staff with Doug Macnair as vice president of government relations in Washington, D.C., Randy Hansen as government relations director, and David Oord as a government relations specialist in Oshkosh. And they have great support from Sean Elliott, director of aircraft operations, and all of the executive directors at EAA.