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A major effort by members, volunteers and staff of EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation, has helped eliminate language in a military authorization bill that was a major threat to owners of "Warbird" aircraft. The measure, House Resolution 4205, had included a provision that required demilitarization of surplus military equipment, including aircraft, after the Department of Defense disposed of it through sales or donation. There was to be no time limit on that demilitarization authority. Many warbird aircraft owners regard such broad authority as a threat to their aircraft, as military representatives could force aircraft owners to make the airplanes unflyable to comply with the regulation.

This week the bill emerged from a House-Senate conference committee without the demilitarization language and moved on for approval in both houses of Congress. EAA had been working with Congressional representatives, particularly Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), since last summer on removing the harmful provision.

"EAA is very pleased that the threatening language in HR4205 has been eliminated and the potential for abuse to the Warbird community has been removed," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "Although EAA's coordination with Congressional staffers clearly illustrated that destruction of civilian Warbird aircraft was not the intent of the bill, EAA was concerned that the provision's language could lead to overzealous enforcement of the measure. If strictly enforced, this policy could have decimated the airworthiness and historical value of all Warbird aircraft." EAA's Legal Advisory Council and Warbirds of America Division had first noticed the language in HR4205 in late June. EAA became the first aviation organization to begin efforts to alter or eliminate it. In August, as aviation media began publicizing potential problems with the provision, EAA, AOPA and other aviation organizations stepped up public efforts with requests to their memberships to contact Congressional representatives regarding the measure.

As the measure worked its way through the conference committee, Sen. Inhofe and others worked to eliminate the demilitarization language. As originally written, the effort to create federal policy to correct a specific problem granted sweeping authority that could unintentionally cripple the Warbird preservation movement. It would be highly possible that it would force warbird aircraft owners to make their rare airplanes unflyable to meet overzealous enforcement standards.

Congressional offices reported that thousands of Warbird aircraft owners and enthusiasts made their opinions known on the issue. That communication, along with the continuing efforts of EAA and Congressional supporters, allowed the damaging language to be eliminated.

"This truly was a combined effort and one that deserves congratulations," said Earl Lawrence, EAA Vice President of Government Programs. "EAA was joined by the entire aviation community to make the difference in this legislation. It helped save this very important segment of our military and historical aviation heritage."

The lone provision regarding Warbirds that remains in the military authorization bill is a requirement for the Department of Defense to compile a list of surplus items sold each year. This provision has always been a requirement of military surplus sales.

EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation, is an international association with 170,000 members and more than 975 local Chapters. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or explore EAA's World Wide Web site

www.eaa.org