• Take User Fee Opposition Right to the Top
• Request Promotional Materials Through Online Form
• E-MAG Grass Roots Project Benefits EAA Chapters
• Spend a Weekend, Build Your Dream: Attend EAA SportAir Workshops
• B-17, Tri-Motor Tour Stop Applications Due October 15

EAA, AOPA to Ask for Medical Certification Exemption
I joined AOPA president Craig Fuller on stage at AOPA Summit in Hartford, Connecticut, recently to announce a joint initiative that can keep more people flying in familiar aircraft. The joint EAA/AOPA proposal is to allow pilots who fly recreationally under certain parameters to use their driver's license medical certification instead of a third-class medical certificate. This has been something continually requested by EAA members over the past 25 years. The sport pilot category, which uses driver's license medical certification, has further proven that medical issues are not a significant factor in accidents. The request for the exemption, expected to be formally submitted to the FAA in early 2012, can actually enhance safety because of a provision that requires pilots to pass an online education course on aeromedical factors and self-certification to receive the exemption. The exemption would save millions of dollars for pilots and the FAA. The EAA and AOPA government relations staffs are continuing to finalize the exact language of the exemption request, but the feedback was overwhelmingly positive at AOPA Summit following the announcement. Those staffing our exhibit at the event reported a number of new EAA memberships because of the initiative and the unity of EAA and AOPA on the issue.

Paul Receives Honorary UFO Membership
In an event related to AOPA Summit, the United Flying Octogenarians presented Paul Poberezny with its first honorary membership. EAA Vice President of Marketing Rick Larsen was at the event to receive the honor on Paul's behalf, and a video message from Paul was also played for the UFO group during their annual meeting. The UFOs are pilots or former pilots age 80 and above, many of whom still fly actively. We congratulate Paul on this latest honor.

Lots of New Video Action
Videos that were added to the EAA website this week included a Hints for Homebuilders session with Jack Dueck on cutting large diameter holes in aluminum, a Timeless Voices segment with World War II B-29 pilot Doug Millin, and a photo gallery from the visit of the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost car club to the AirVenture Museum last week. About two dozen of these vintage automobiles were in Oshkosh as part of the national group making a driving tour around Lake Michigan. Visit the EAA Video website

Love Is in the Air, Literally
EAA Chapter 1426 (Hillsville, Virginia) had the joy of helping host the wedding reception of two of its members on September 10. Read more

Next issue of ChapterGram will be delivered on Tuesday, October 18.