So; Half A Year Into The Job... How's He Doing... What's He Think?

We don't have to tell you that the landscape of aviation has changed dramatically in the last few years... especially in terms of the "leadership" that supposedly guides the world of aviation through the many storms we face (on a seemingly daily basis). With the AOPA's transition from Boyer to Fuller now looking more and more like a crushing disappointment (and the tenor of that organization morphing from something impressive to something somewhat embarrassing), the EAA transition takes on even more critical tones. 

We talked with Rod Hightower a few weeks ago during his Grass Roots Tour through the South and during the interview with ANN, we sensed a fair amount of optimism... but not a lot of reason for it. Further; we'd like to see a more realistic response to the question of aviation's true state... but we suggest you check out the extended interview in this two part series and see what impressions you gather from EAA's new and still transitioning leader.

Named Poberezny's successor at Oshkosh 2010, Hightower noted that he has been a flyer since the age of 16, and has had a lifelong involvement in aviation, and over the course of 5 years, rebuilt the Boeing Stearman that he flies currently. When selected,  Hightower was a native of Missouri and a director of the National Stearman Foundation. A businessman of 25 years, he led companies both domestic and international with as many as 2,300 employees and annual budgets of up to $470 million.

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