Oshkosh North Aircraft Display

[jdmcbean]

We think we finally have an ear at EAA and have been offered to rename the North Aircraft Display to something that might be more appropriate and actually get it in the literature and finally on the map. Before you ask, EAA doesn't really like the North Aircraft Display as a name.. mainly because it doesn't reflect what is displayed... although some don't like the term Experimental or Homebuilt for the image that it portray's to the uninitiated...

Now be kind.. but we would like to solicit the groups ideas for a good name.

Looking forward to your responses...

[efwd]

What do we have so far? Warbirds, Ultralights, Seaplane and ? Did the EAA not start referring to "homebuilts" as Custom Built years ago since homebuilt had that questionable connotation?. How's Airborne Customs?

[Esser]

"The Bicycle Shop" as a homage to Wilbur and Orville creating in the space they had just as many of us do. In retrospect, I think that may just end up confusing people...

How about Kitplane Corner? Lots of people are used to the idea of Kit Cars and 99% of the manufacturers mostly sell kits instead of plans. Sounds more reputable than experimental or amateur built...

[DesertFox4]

" Dreamland".

[Av8r3400]

"So far away you need a golf cart to get there"

[Av8r_Sed]

I'd call it Builder's Central.

[David47]

Constructors Road or Constructors Alley.

[Clark in AZ]

"Experimentals"

[Flybyjim]

I think this is great that John has put this question out there for all of us to consider. I am on a couple other kit plane forums and this has not appeared in any of those. Thanks John.

I do believe this could be the first step in a transition of some different view points of National EAA. I was at a leadership conference a while back at Oshkosh representing chapter presidents/leaders and the subject of the word Expermental was very much in the for-front of discussion. In Pauls early days this term expermental had a mystery and a true meaning and was embraced (as it should still) however with changes in peoples perspective and much more awarness of aviation in general I (my own personal thoughts here) think we will see the word expermental fade away in my life time. To make a point we had a Young Eagle rally today and the question came up from one of the parents about the difference between expermental or home built planes as to certified airplanes. As we explained the general differences we stressed the expermental is as good or better and safe or even safer than the certified plane as the builder knows ever part, piece of the plane he/she has built.
The parent understood the explaniation and accepted our statement but she still had a problem with her child in a plane classified as expermental. I have been flying for many years and have seen this shift slowly happening in the general public in my area. I live in central Pa. I may be all wrong here but I think I'm correct.

Anyway, thanks John for the oppertunity to chime in on the name changes, I am still pondering the question but will have a response in a few days.

Jim

[DesertFox6]

Ooh, this is a good one; I've experienced the same grasping-to-grok stare at the word "Experimental" gracing the struts of my Speedster from some Young Eagles' parents at one time or another. I carefully grounded my answer around the disclaimer statement on the panel that says, "...This aircraft does not meet the construction criteria set for 'certified' aircraft...IT EXCEEDS THEM!" (Take THAT spam-canners!)

I have to agree with Flybyjim's very astute observation that the word "experimental" may be trending a tad toxic to our cause in the eye of the general public with the NTSB's widely broadcast concerns for GA's flight safety record. With the current touchy-feely trend in political correctness favoring assuaging "public perceptions" by using pre-chewed pablum to soften the news, we might want to dip in that direction a bit to assuage their collective fear of a garage-built aircraft falling on their backyard bar-be-ques. The general press hasn't been helping us with half-baked torts of misinformation designed to curry headlines instead of rational thought either.

While I think DF4's suggestion of "Dreamland" really sets my hair on fire (remind me to tell you about the real "Dreamland, aka R-4808 N, in the middle of Nevada some time...) I'm thinking more along Danzer1's lines by stressing the "custom" aspect over anything "experimental" that the non-flying public (the poor sensitive dears) might feel uncomfortable with.

Emphasizing the academic/educational aspects of our vocation/avocation (the difference lies between the McBeans and the rest of us! ) would seem to garner a more sophisticated stance in the public's eye. To that end I would add "Custom Campus" to Danzer1's list. Either that or name the area in question the "Developmental Division."

And the rest of us can just wink and call it "Dreamland" anyway!

"E.T."