EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Soaring Society of America (SSA) have signed a memorandum of understanding that expands the organizations’ joint efforts to bring the possibilities of flight to more people.
The agreement also includes initiatives ranging from membership growth and communications to advocacy and youth activities.
“There is a common passion for flight that connects SSA and EAA, with our organizations sharing a significant number of members,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA Chairman/CEO. “This memo of understanding sets the stage of the next step of cooperation between our associations, as we must work together to sustain and grow interest in all forms of aviation.”
The new memo of understanding also outlines specific areas where EAA and SSA will work together. That includes web and publications presence, and possibilities of joint activities between EAA chapters and SAA’s local clubs.
It also encompasses visibility at major events, including EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and the SSA convention, as well as through the International Aerobatic Club, EAA’s special interest community for aerobatic flight.
“The SSA and its members are excited to explore a closer partnership with the EAA and begin work on how both organizations will, in a mutual way, promote and increase aviation participation across all age groups,” said Ken Sorenson, SSA Chairman. “We share so many fundamental principles that working together will benefit all our members and recreational aviation overall. We’re excited to build a close relationship with our friends within EAA.”
EAA and SSA will create a joint working group to further explore possibilities for joint activities and programs that could inspire youth and adults to further explore ways to get involved in model aviation or recreational flying. The agreement also provides for increased visibility of each organization in the other’s outreach and communications channels.
Gina,
Perhaps not the FAASTeam, but there was an FAA/EAA summit recently.
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/2015-news/02-10-2015-eaa-faa-focus-on-ga-issues-at-winter-summit
FAASTeam had a recent webinar, ‘Glider Instructor Forum and Online Meeting’ as first in a planned quarterly series with CFI-G’s and at least 200 attended. Quite a good turnout.
SSA was hoping we’d have more progress with the Type Club Coalition, but we haven’t gotten traction there yet. Perhaps the SSA/EAA working group will give this a push in the right direction.
As a long time SSA Member I have been most concerned with the decline in membership over the last 40 years. When I joined SSA there were over 19,000 members. Now there are just over 10,000. The best thing SSA could do to protect its small community from being out-lobbied by vested interests such as those who would privatize ATC is to merge with EAA and become a division within it along with Warbirds, Aerobatics, Homebuilts etc. Sport Aviation should speak with ONE voice
So, I have to ask what the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is doing at out headquarters level to partner with EAA, also. The FAASTeam shares similar goals as the EAA as far as get more people interested in aviation and educate aviation maintenance technicians and pilots.