This is pretty much what happened although it leaves out the conversations I had with the EAA months previous that set up a KR only flyby. We even had conversations about a possible missing man formation to honor Ken. When we arrived at Oshkosh were not on the schedule. I did a lot of talking and at the last minute in place of one of the mornings general flybys we were told we could fly which really did make it a last minute thing. Whether this did or didn't have anything to do with Herb, we will never know. However, I still carry this with me because I'm also the one who set everything up and witnessed the crash. I can say that it did put a bad taste in everyone's mouth and none of us went back until 97 when I called a number of the pilots and said let's put it behind us and go again. It was tough to fly in that year. Of course everyone knows we did the same thing in 2002 and several of us went last year too. Quite frankly, I have lots of fun at Oshkosh but it is just a matter of time off and choosing priorities. I make it an absolute priority for the KR Gathering.
Today, I think it is more an issue that there isn't a promotion for the KR at Oshkosh, other than what Mark and I have done. I believe that people want to be part of something and if you go to Oshkosh, what are you part of with the KR? Who do you talk to and ask questions of? If you go to the Gathering, you are definitely part of a great event and you can talk to "like minded people." These are people who love aviation, want a responsive airplane and love the idea of being able to own an affordable aircraft. Is there truth that we were shunned? I don't know, there is truth that they promised me certain things then didn't schedule it and had to rush around to deliver something that wasn't what we were promised. Do we carry a grudge? I've put it behind me and I think other issues are more prominent today for KR people as outlined above. Will I go back? If I'm still flying in 2007, you bet I'll be there and try to organize the 35th anniversary. See you at the Gathering. Jim Faughn -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dan Heath Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 6:55 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: KR> Oshkosh Attendance RE: I've been around KR's for a lot of years and hear this every Oshkosh year. What I have never heard are the particulars. Was the KR actually slighted or was it just perceived? Dan, do you know the issues? I was there that year. Bob Muse and I tried to get out of Atlanta, but the weather formed a solid wall from around Chatanooga, so I flew back home and got in the car and drove to be at the dinner for the 20th anniversary. There was a fly by planned and the KRs were not told untill the last minute that they were to go. They were being squeezed in, between all the big money planes. We got there in time to hear the announcement that Herb Bull, the person who did the painting for Jeanette, had crashed of a heart attack during the fly by. He had to haul his plane in a hurry to get it to where they had to take off. Maybe he knew he should not fly or not. Maybe all the extra induced stress because the EAA forgot where there roots are, brought it on, who knows. The bottom line, as I understood it at the time, is that the EAA was too busy showing off the big money planes, to allow the KR to participate in an organized fly by as was planned by the KR people. This in NOT an excuse, and, on my life's list of things to do, is still to fly my own plane to Oshkosh. I will fly this plane to Oshkosh and every other place that I can. Marty and Dan Diehl were there along with a lot of the other old timers. I don't know how many KRs were there, but I do know that they all were very dissappointed in the EAA and that has stuck with me for over 10 years and until EAA does something to show that they remember where they came from, it will never go away. If you want to see KRs come to the Gathering. As many as can get there, get there. That should tell you something. "There is a time for building and a time for GOING TO THE GATHERING, and the time for building has long since expired." See you in Mt. Vernon - 2004 - KR Gathering http://KRGathering.org See N64KR at http://KR-Builder.org - Then click on the pics Daniel R. Heath - Columbia, SC _______________________________________ to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to [email protected] please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
