By Chris Riedener, EAA 1143673
In October 2018 a group of EAA Chapter 105 members began building an RV-12iS in a hangar near Hillsboro, Oregon. Eventually, they hope to form a flying club.
Chapter member Dick “Van” VanGrunsven, EAA Lifetime 3204, had the idea to begin a group airplane-building project. The concept will be similar to the process followed by another local group called TeenFlight. That program, which operates as part of the Portland area nonprofit Airway Science for Kids, provides teenagers an opportunity to build an RV-12 from beginning to end. They’ve completed five airplanes so far. The Chapter 105 board generously offered to seed our group’s build by acquiring an RV-12 tail kit. Our group (notably not teenagers) will eventually buy the entire kit — including the empennage.
Just because the Van’s factory is located in nearby Aurora doesn’t mean this opportunity comes up every day. Chapter 105 is famous for its monthly pancake breakfasts and fly-outs, but it has never tried to form a flying club. Like many established chapters, and general aviation as a whole, the chapter is searching for ways to extend its membership. Chapter 105 has a wonderful facility including two hangars, one of which includes a pseudo clubhouse. However, the facilities hadn’t been used to their full potential for some time.
Everyone was surprised when 20 builders and five mentors showed up to help build the RV-12iS. More than a dozen new people joined EAA and/or the chapter — including me. There’s clearly a latent demand for building airplanes. After a few weeks, we stopped taking newcomers and started a wait list. We needed time to train and begin working on the project.
This is the first time most of us have built an airplane. Each of the new builders had to buy some personal tools, complete a small skill-building practice project called the OP-51, and then build the Van’s toolbox kit. This is the same hands-on training used in TeenFlight. We’re building the RV’s tail cone and empennage now. The fuselage kit has been ordered.
The project seems to have attracted three age groups: young adults, all of whom are interested in flying and some who are already working on their pilot certificate; the 30-55 group, several of whom have pilot certificates and flying experience; and the third group that is enjoying retirement and is too busy for “real” jobs. Collectively, we bring a variety of life experience and skills to the project.
I joined after doing the math: I fly about 50 hours per year. I’ve rented for several years, and I’m a member of two flying clubs. I’ve crunched the numbers on ownership. I figured I’d have to fly more than 50 hours per year to justify owning my own airplane. It’s the storage, insurance, and annual inspection that gets you — not just the price of an airplane. I’m a believer in the concept of a sharing economy — hence the flying club approach!
I’d been looking for a project or a fractional ownership for some time. Reading Trade-A-Plane had become a regular pastime. I figured I’d know it if the right opportunity came along. However, I didn’t exactly jump at the idea of building the RV-12iS. I’m not sure why. Perhaps I was waiting for my dream plane. The RV idea grew on me as I realized what a unique opportunity this is. It’s not often that you meet 25 enthusiastic airplane builders and have the tools and space to build one. Some of the best chapter benefits!
The Chapter 105 hangar is located at Twin Oaks Airpark (7S3), about 20 miles southwest of Portland. Our chapter is providing work space, shared tools, and experience. The mentors include RV builders and TeenFlight and EAA One Week Wonder veterans. We have a project manager, and another team member coordinates new builders.
The history of Chapter 105 isn’t lost on me. A picture of George Bogardus hangs on the clubhouse wall. George flew his homebuilt airplane to Washington, D.C., in the late 1940s to make the point that experimental aviation could be done safely. That flight changed history. It’s as if he is looking over our shoulders. I’m also a patron at the nearby Cedar Hills Shopping Center — the former location of Bernard’s Airfield. Bernard’s was home to a group of folks known as the Oregon Outlaws, who in the 1930s refused to stop building and flying their own airplanes when the federal government made it illegal.
I volunteered to help organize the co-owners and look into forming the flying club. So, in addition to learning to squeeze rivets, I’m learning how to form a small business. EAA’s flying club resources have been helpful, but there’s a lot to learn. I’d like to give a shout out to Dave Doherty, EAA Lifetime 119064, at EAA Chapter 32, which built an RV-12 and created a flying club around it. Dave provided a great summary of the project. They’ve exemplified the EAA culture.
It seems we’ve found part of the solution to increasing chapter membership. While I feel the EAA Young Eagles program is making an impact, I also think the not-so-young eagles are somewhat overlooked. We need more opportunities like this. My generation spends too much time sitting in front of computers, working in the virtual world. Learning from the mentors has been humbling, and using my hands to create something in the physical world has been satisfying. In my opinion, we need both the young and the not-so-young who bring a combination of ideals, enthusiasm, experience, and wisdom. One generation can’t build an airplane or an organization without the others.