July 12, 2012 – The Vintage Aircraft Association has announced that H.G. Frautschy, who has been VAA executive director for the past 22 years, is stepping down from that position and moving to the East Coast.
Frautschy, who also served as editor of VAA’s Vintage Airplane magazine over that span, will join his wife, Brenda, on the East Coast where she works in the medical field and serves on the faculty of Yale University. He will formally depart his current role on August 31.
“It has been a true pleasure to work with H.G. over the past 22 years,” VAA president Geoff Robison said. “We will miss his expertise, his attention to detail and his valued counsel. We wish him the very best in the future.”
Robison added that Frautschy’s departure will also present an opportunity to shape the future direction of VAA, the vintage aircraft special-interest group that operates as an autonomous unit within the Experimental Aircraft Association. Those future plans will include the administration and operation of VAA, as well as addressing upcoming opportunities and challenges to vintage aircraft.
Theresa Books will handle day-to-day operations of the VAA organization, while Jim Busha -- who currently is editor of WARBIRDS magazine for the EAA Warbirds of America – will be editor for Vintage Airplane.
“VAA’s mission remains unchanged – to support and promote the preservation and operation of vintage aircraft,” Robison said. “We have the finest organization in the world for those who enjoy antique, classic and contemporary aircraft, a world-class venue at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to showcase these aircraft, and wonderful volunteers throughout the organization. We look forward to the future of VAA and the vintage aircraft community.”
