EAA Sport Aviation - October 2011

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I VOTE FOR NOMEX!

ROD IS RIGHT ABOUT NOMEX SUITS AND SAFETY. By rights, we should all wear them, even when flying small certified aircraft, let alone experimentals. Our physical proximity to highly inflammable materials, many under pressure, is only inches, if that. I personally know of a VariEze pilot who could have survived a takeoff crash if he had worn one, but he died a few days later. All pilots—not just “warbirdians”—could benefit from them.

However, the journalistic point that might have been missed by comments made elsewhere about the “Nomex crowd” (and specifically by the lobby pilots at KBMI) is not so much about safety. It’s about “attitude.” Pilots, ramp people, and air show crew members donning Nomex suits replete with patches, and ever-present at displays and booths, do tend to put on that supercilious “attitude” that seems so unnecessary—especially amongst their pilot brethren.

I have many EAA friends who have Nomex suits who aren’t like that, but for the majority of warbirdians with the “attitude,” some humility might lessen the sneers aimed at the undeserving good guys.

M.K. Chatterji, EAA 735695 Terre Haute, Indiana

Videos Worth 1,000 Words

I THINK THE HINTS FOR HOMEBUILDERS (video) series is the most significant thing that EAA has done to advance the art of homebuilding since Tony Bingelis stopped writing for Sport Aviation.

Certainly Tony’s writings are just as significant today
as they were back in the ’90s when I was learning how
to build an airplane. Even so, there were so many details
that weren’t covered. Also, there are many things that
can be demonstrated on video so much more effectively
than just words in a book. …
Even though I have mounted aircraft tires and cut
open oil filters before, recently I reviewed the Hints
for Homebuilders videos on those subjects as a review
before doing the task.

I’m not just guessing that this program has made a difference—it’s made a difference for me, and I’m not even in the target audience (i.e., new builders).

At the end of each video you should include information on how members can suggest subjects that they would like to see covered. As it is now, there is not even any contact information for whom to contact.

Russell E. Erb, EAA 349454

EAA Chapter 1000 Newsletter Editor and Webmeister

For a direct link to EAA’s Hints for Homebuilders website, visit www.SportAviation.org. And Tony was awesome!—Eds

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