EAA Italian Chapter 1581 Stands Up

December 2015 - Italian pilot, RV-8 builder, and EAA member Luca Perazzolli is a founder and the new president of Chapter 1581 based at Trento, Italy (LIDT).

Luca started flying in 1988, earning his private certificate in 1989, with TEA (Radiotelephony) endorsement.

As the years passed he improved his skills, adding glider towing, taildragger, mountain flying bush rating for snowy and icy surfaces, and aerobatic training. In 1993 Luca earned a light-sport aircraft (LSA) flight instructor rating. He obtained his U.S. FAA pilot certificate in 2010.

Luca has traveled many times to America with his family to attend aviation events such as Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Florida and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. He remembered in 1988 when the Italian magazine Volare published an article about the Van’s Aircraft RV-3. Luca searched for the constructor’s address and asked for a fax about the available kits. Luca said, “Such a project was unthinkable for me at the time, but it clearly made an impression on my mind.”

In 1997 Luca had the opportunity to fly an RV-4 at the Pompano, Florida, airport and later at Sun ’n Fun he spoke with Dick VanGrunsven, asking for building advice. “My first thought was to go for the RV-4, but when I was ready to order, they (Van’s) discontinued the Quick-Build. So I selected the RV-8 taildragger. I loved the design, it’s a sport aircraft with acro-capability, great range, speed, short-field performance, and she has a terrific P-51D style canopy,” Luca reflected.

Luca started building his RV-8 from a Quick-Build kit in 2005, and after about five years and approximately 2,000 labor hours of work, he performed the first test flight in August 9, 2010.

Luca went on to win the Italian Best Homebuilt Award, given by Club Aviazione Popolare during its 2012 annual meeting. The Italian Best Homebuilt Prize Trophy is named “Gianfranco Rotondi” Award, honoring the Italian University professor who was a pioneer in the experimental aircraft in the Italian world.

Luca has extensive flying experience and more than 1,000 hours logged as pilot in command flying Morane MS-880; Cessna 150, 172/180, and 210; Diamond DA20; Robin DR-400/180; Maule M7-235C; Piper J-3, PA-18, and PA-5/; Aviat Husky A1; CAP-10B/C; Socata Tampico TB-9 and Trinidad TB-20; Stinson L-5; Extra 300; YAK-52; Falco FL-8; Van’s RV-6 and of course his own RV-8.

As a designated airworthiness representative (DAR) and EAA technical counselor (IST) in Italy, Luca is currently involved in four different experimental aircraft building projects: RV-8, RV-4, RV-7, RV-14, and also is participating in two complete restorations of a 1942 Piper L4-H and a PT-17 Stearman. With Club Aviazione Popolare Luca presents annual courses for sheet metal, electrical systems, and experimental aircraft flying test procedures.

I believe that EAA Chapter 1581 is in good hands, with Luca providing a leadership role. They have their chapter get-togethers the first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. Stop by and visit them at LIDT Airport - Hangar North.