<VV> CORSA membership Isues

[Dave Thompson]

Dave,
 
A few days ago I wrote a post here. I copied it at the bottom. I received
the following response from William Wynne of Flycorvair.com. He asked me to
forward it for him. I think he makes some interesting points.

Dave Thompson
Westminster, CA
*********************************
William Wynne wrote:

Dave,

Please forward this to Land based friends:
 
On Line, there is occasionally some heat about the perceived differences
between people who fly and people who drive Corvairs. Having been in both
camps for years I'd like to say that the friction doesn't exist in person.
For a look at a cooperative event, look at the photos near the bottom of
this link to my webpage: http://www.flycorvair.com/cc9c.html.
One of the photos has four Corvairs and six Corvair powered planes in it.
 
Aircraft builders offer an obvious benefit to the world of Corvairs by each
purchasing sets of bearings, gaskets, pistons, rings, valves, etc., as every
aircraft gets a very complete engine rebuild. I encourage my customers to
make these purchases through the same businesses that we car owners want to
see stay healthy. The effect is larger than many people realize because
people who buy parts for planes often keep their plans to themselves because
many corporations in the US will not sell parts to airplane builders. 
 
Often overlooked, aircraft builders represent a gold mine of possible CORSA
members. While I know more than a dozen people who went on to buy or restore
a Corvair after their plane was done, it is a missed opportunity to think of
aircraft builders as people who should be welcomed into CORSA only after
getting a car. Choosing to fly behind a Corvair should be credentials enough
to be considered devoted member of the tribe.
 
By and large, to build a plane you need good planning, hard work, the
willingness to learn new skills, and the self assurance to steadily work on
a project for several years while every third person feels obligated to tell
you it will never fly. These people make up the 56 year old, 135,000 member,
Experimental Aircraft Association.  CORSA, or any other grass roots
organization, would do well to welcome these people. 
 
We recently held Corvair College #13 in Livermore California. I was
pleasantly surprised to have Seth Emerson on hand. Car people are always
welcome and well received at my events. Rick Lindstrom, the Host of Corvair
College #13, has an award winning Corvair powered aircraft that has been
featured in Kitplanes magazine, a publication with a monthly circulation of
more than 100,000. Corvair builder Mark Langford has flown 750 hours in the
last few years. At 160mph, this is five trips around the world. These
pilots, and many others, are a positive force for Corvairs.  I would like to
see a 'Wings and Wheels page appear in CORSA, and have more local joint
gatherings. Small airports in America welcome such events. I have been
contacted about organizing a field trip to an airport for the next
convention. All good ideas and all possible when we are aware of how much
both groups have in common.' 
 
William & Grace Ellen Wynne
1966 Corsa convertible
1965 Greenbriar deluxe
Corvair powered Wittman Buttercup under construction.
http://FlyCorvair.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Thompson [mailto:dave.thompson at verizon.net] 
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:12 PM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org; WilliamTCA at aol.com
Subject: <VV> CORSA membership Isues

I spent four years researching to build an airplane. My airframe of choice
happened to be a perfect match for the Corvair engine. While researching the
Corvair engine, I fell in love with the car. Eventually, I realized that
building an airplane was beyond my budget. Looking for a new hobby, I
purchased a 63 Spyder convertible and joined my local chapter and national
CORSA about this time last year. 

 

I wonder if we should try to get the Aircraft guys involved in CORSA. Find
out when and where they are having a fly-in and have the local CORSA chapter
also have a show & shine at the airport. I know of several guys that after
building their Corvair aircraft engine have purchased a Corvair car.  All I
am saying is that the flight guys are an untapped resource for new members.
I haven’t met a homebuilt aircraft builder that doesn’t also appreciate a
vintage car. Perhaps CORSA could print a bumper sticker that says “My other
Corvair has wings”. Award the sticker only to the people that have both.
Make it a status symbol. Maybe someone could write an article for the
Communiqué about a homebuilt aircraft builder who uses a Corvair engine as a
flight power plant.

 

I have heard that many Corvair car guys are angry that the airplane guys are
taking our engines. I live in Southern California. I have been to California
Corvairs, Larry’s Corvair Parts and am currently working at LS Corvair
Parts. I have seen HUNDREDS of 110 engines that are compatible with flight.
I’d bet that many of the other venders that I haven’t been able to visit
have a similar stock.  I don’t see that the flight guys are making an
appreciable dent on our supply.  Besides, most, if not all of them purchase
parts from our venders thus helping them to stay in business. William Wynne
of Flycorvair.com, among other people, has done a great deal of development
on our engine; some of which is translatable to our road cars & trucks.
William has several Corvairs that he drives every day and is a CORSA member
(last I heard).

 

Just thinking out loud, Flame on

 

Dave Thompson

Westminster, CA

Corsa Member

Vintage Corsa Member