Syracuse Takes Leadership of EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (November 15, 2017) — Vic Syracuse, a longtime Experimental Aircraft Association member and aircraft builder from Locust Grove, Georgia, has been named chairman of the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council. He succeeds Rick Weiss, whose term as chairman ended this month.
EAA’s Homebuilt Aircraft Council ensures the organization’s continued focus on vital programs of benefit to current and future homebuilders of aircraft. This council of EAA volunteer leaders represents homebuilders and provides direction for programs, services, and activities that add value for members who are dreaming of, building, buying, and flying homebuilt aircraft.
“I thank Rick for his dedicated service and leadership over the last nine years,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and chairman of the board. “Under Rick’s leadership, the council has been an important asset to EAA and to the entire homebuilt community. Vic’s expertise and experience will continue to give the association excellent direction to support homebuilders.”
Syracuse has a long history with EAA, not to mention extensive aircraft building experience, having completed 11 aircraft projects including a Just Aircraft SuperSTOL, a Prescott Pusher, two Kitfoxes, and multiple Van’s RVs. He is the East Coast representative for Van’s Aircraft, an FAA designated airworthiness representative (DAR) for amateur-built aircraft and an EAA technical counselor and flight advisor, and a Young Eagles pilot, as well as owner and operator of Base Leg Aviation.
Syracuse is excited about his new role, which includes a seat on the EAA board of directors. His personal goals for the council include trying to get more people involved in homebuilding.
“Not everyone who is interested in aviation necessarily has aviation as a career goal,” he said. “That's why we call it sport aviation, and we need to enable that group through various entry points, such as aircraft building, flying clubs, and others. Sport aviation has been so successful over the decades because of the grass roots enthusiasm. We need to continue watering that grass!”
EAA embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 200,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.