Fokker Fly-in's

I am thinking of or about starting a club, of sorts that is for people interested in flying/restoring Fokker aircraft of WW1. I'm not sure wether to have it deal with the Southwestern states ( AZ, NM, TX, CA) or only in AZ. What do you guys think??? I'd like to do all Fokker fly in's and different airports once maybe twice a year. It'd be something to see... Any ideas?? Thanks!!

[Brad]

Why ONLY Fokkers? And do you mean only full scale replicas, or those who are building 75% or 87% replicas too?

Brad

I dont mean to be rude and exclude people that aren't building Fokker's. It isn't my intent. I would like to include both 75 & 87% replicas/kits as well. I should appologize and say that I am not trying to alienate anyone, its just a specific interest. Perhaps I should change my view of the club and do an all ww1 thing... hmmm... ideas?

Perhaps something like a "Central Powers Aircraft Replica Association" would have a broader appeal. A nationwide club with a newsletter and/or website would be a handy resource for those of us building replicas

Good idea... can i use that name? Hmm... what about registering that name or something... hmmm... ideas?

[PeterL]

Hey! If you're going to spend umpteen thousand dollars on building a replica then you can call your association whatever you jolly well like. And more power to you.

[Brad]

Hmmm... I'm up for it. How about this though...

"Great War Replica Aviation Association" That would cover both scouts and 2-seaters, on BOTH sides of the war. (Or anything else! Anyone wanna build a Zeppelin?) There are already scads of 7/8 Nieports and quite a few of Baslee's 3/4 Fokker replicas flying or soon to be flying.

There is already a "replica fighters association" but they are primarily WWII focused.

Sooo... what do you gents (and ladies, if any of you are reading this thread) think?

Brad

A group specifically geared toward WW I replica builders sounds like a great idea to me.

I do like the idea of a whole WW1 replica Association... one that covers the whole spectrum of A/C from both sides of the war. Sounds great to me.. id join. I think something like that would really go far as a starting point for others who have been thinking about doing a WW1 project but don't know where to get information and support. Just as long as I get to be one of the brass... Any further ideas of how to get something like this off the ground??

[Brad]

Well, actually, yes, sort of.

First, I would suggest that all members be EAA members. (There's strength in numbers!) I would also say we should suggest that they join the local chapter if one is available... but that neither shouldn be required. Perhaps require EAA membership of officers... I dunno.

Both of these are factors toward keeping members motivated.

A newsletter would be nice... but to do one, we would have to have membership dues. The question is, is it worth it? Of course we could simply do an electronic one (a website) at no cost to the members... that might work. (Not everyone has internet access though.)

Keep in mind that there are other organizations geared toward WWI aviation. Not to my knowledge that are replica specific though. (well, there is the Nieuport builders list, etc. but those are more geared toward one specific kit than toward the general field of WWI aviation)

Why don't we simply start it HERE and go from there?

I would also suggest that we invite folks like Robert Baslee and Graham Lee, and the KC Dawn Patrol guys, to join us.

Brad