04.01.05 Special Edition: EAA Founder Paul Poberezny surprised the aviation world with the announcement that he has retaken the Presidency of EAA.

Leaving retirement, the Senior Poberezny cited "the renewed need for basic grassroots support to see the Sport Pilot program through to a proper conclusion, the experience I have with the true rank and file of sport aviation, and the fact that I am bored out of my skull with retirement," for the reason that he sought and claimed the Presidency once again.

Flanked by troops comprised of some of the more militant members of the Antique/Classic division and a smattering of warbird flyers, Poberezny set upon EAA HQ shortly before the opening of business, changed the locks, and let selected staff members through after signing a loyalty pledge promising allegiance to the Association's founder. Over the course of the day, a majority of staffers jumped ship (minus a number of the marketing folks) and pledged their loyalty to Paul, as well... leaving EAA running a "little leaner and a lot less meaner" than before, according to Paul.

Former President Tom Poberezny was nowhere to be seen. Repeated questions were met with silence until one unnamed spokesperson noted that, "Tommy's been sent to his room..."

EAA Spokesman Dick Knapinski said the power transfer happened, "...swiftly and with surprisingly little bloodshed." Knapinski also noted that the Senior Poberezny is making big plans for a "new EAA" that includes lower admission prices for the annual Oshkosh airshow, a renewed emphasis on cost-effective and affordable aviation, and strong support for the Sport Pilot initiative regardless of who gets the credit for it, or who profits from it.

Poberezny, in a short interview with ANN added that, "Aviation is taking some hard knocks from the government, an unfriendly media, and a world that has lost much of its fascination with flight. We're going to get back to basics, we're going to support the grassroots of aviation, and we'll grow slowly from there. If aviation can rediscover its roots, maybe we can get the rest of the world interested, again, in aviation."

FMI: www.grassroots-eaa.com