President's Message
As you know, this has been a tremendously difficult week for all of us. Please continue to keep Chris Adams and her family in your thoughts.
As you also know, I have been named by your Board of Directors as the new RPA President. These are incredibly big shoes to fill, and I want to thank our previous RPA President, Gil LiPaz for his 5 years of dedicated service to all of us as members. He without a doubt made the organization better and we all benefit from his hard work. Ryder Adams was selected to replace Gil, but was tragically unable to fulfill that role.
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and list some of the goals I have stepping into this role. My flying background spans the last 43 years, with the first 20 years being in the USAF. I am a F-16 Fighter Weapons School graduate, served as an operational test pilot, and was fortunate to have been a Fighter Squadron Commander and a Deputy Group Commander. The next 23 years were spent at Southwest Airlines, with the last 9 as a Check Airman and as assistant manager of flight test programs. Currently, I teach contract pilot training in the L-39, and I am an engineer and test pilot on the EMB-312 and Shorts T.Mk.1 Tucano. Since 2006, I've been part owner of a Nanchang CJ-6, and have been a RPA National Director since 2010.
My vision for the RPA is three fold:
- First and foremost is to promote safe flying of our warbirds. The emphasis on knowing your aircraft, solid flying skills, and a robust Standards program will be my highest priority.
- Second is to promote our aircraft to the world, and keeping our aging warbirds flying. We have done this through the RPA reputation in the warbird community and the establishment of the RPA Parts Store. We will continue to enhance both these items.
- Lastly, we cannot thrive as an organization without recruiting new members. Gil did a tremendous job adding to our ranks, and I want that to continue. Recruit a friend, brag about your airplane, and display your RPA professionalism.
None of these priorities can be realized without the support of you, the members. We need your feedback and ideas. Your Board of Directors is an experienced group of airmen here to serve you. While many think the priority of the RPA is in Formation Flying, it is in reality supporting all members, including the majority that do not fly formation. You'll continue to see communications from me and the BOD, as well as thoughtful articles in Red Alert that will reinforce these goals.
Finally, I want to encourage you to attend the Route 66 Formation Clinic on October 10-13 in Kingman, AZ. Ryder Adams was the clinic organizer and we are planning to continue and dedicate this clinic in his memory. Thanks to the hard work of several volunteers who have stepped up to complete the work started by Ryder, we are planning a great weekend of education, flying and camaraderie. The signup is open, and we hope to see you there.
Fly Safe and thank you for your dedication to the RPA,
Mike "Beav" Carter
RPA President