Successful Homebuilts Foster Community Atmosphere

by ANN Correspondent Matt Russell

The AirVenture experience is already one where strong bonds are formed between complete strangers. (As ANN Managing Editor Rob Finfrock put it, "[At AirVenture] you’re hanging out with 600,000 of your best friends.")

True to the original purpose of EAA, more networking and even tighter bonds may be formed through owner groups and common parking areas for like-types at AirVenture. EAA has identified and accommodated this need and designated adequate parking areas for each type of "high-volume" homebuilt, and the Vans RV-models are perhaps the best example of such a community on the grounds of Wittman Field.

When strolling up to the RV parking area, just west of AirVenture’s Forum Plaza, it is hard to grasp just how many RVs must be present. "Several hundred is an easy guess," says Dave Pohl, an RV-7A owner who flew in from Pontiac, MI.

"There are all types of RVs here," Pohl says, standing next to his spotless N442DP (above). "New ones, old ones, F1 Rocket conversions, you name it!" As he points them out, a formation of almost ten additional RVs flies past behind him, trailing show smoke as part of the afternoon air show. Pohl points to a shining green example a few rows away. "See that one over there? It has around 2000 hours on it," he exclaims.

Pohl flew to AirVenture from Michigan in a flight of two with his friend, Ted Gauthier, who he met through the RV community. Gauthier and Pohl told about the time their weekly Saturday-morning breakfast with other RV builders created a brush with EAA celebrity. "Paul Poberezny was in the Detroit area on business, and we happened to see him and recognize him," recalls Pohl. Gauthier adds, "We invited him to come to the RV breakfast the next morning, and didn’t really expect him to show… but he came to the breakfast and brought his wife along!"

Gauthier (above) is a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) who specializes in new RV builds. After consulting with a technical specialist on their craftwork, RV builders pay Gauthier a fee to inspect their new RV and issue the airworthiness certificate on behalf of the FAA. Gauthier marvels at the number of certificates he has been fortunate to issue... "I’m doing about one or two per week," he says. The oldest new RV owner he has certified so far, Gauthier says, was 85.

Pohl proudly reflects on the camaraderie he discovered during his RV build. "I’ve met so many people since I started this project… people from all over the world; people from different parts of the industry, airline pilots, test pilots… there is a guy right now who used to fly P-3s for the Navy, and he’s building an RV-7." According to Gauthier and Pohl, even one of the Airbus A380 test pilots is an RV owner and test pilot.

As Gauthier and Pohl remove the cover from Gauthier’s gleaming red taildragger, N16TG, Pohl remarks about how each RV owner customizes his or her own plane. "Aside from the paint scheme, the instrument panel is where most of the owner’s tastes can be seen. Sometimes people will advise you to change things on your panel, but as the builder you decide what works for the best," he says.

Pohl explains each RV owner must complete his or her own build to fully appreciate the experience. "We support other builders, but you don’t give them the answers, you let them make their own decisions and you point out the opportunity to them. You don’t want to take the experience from them," he said. "That’s important." Pohl went on to explain how each RV owner has had "that moment" when they align the tail and wings during assembly. "You realize this is going to affect how the plane flies for the rest of its life. That is some real stress, and we’ve all been through it," he says. "It’s really nice to have someone who’s been there to look over your job before you make it permanent."

Perhaps Gauthier sums it up best when he explains the single thing holding such a diverse group together. "We took off in Pontiac [Michigan] and arrived in Oshkosh after a 168-knot cruise for two hours. We burned about 10.5 gallons-per-hour, and did it all using planes we built in our basements!"

FMI: www.vansaircraft.com