An Overview of the CSA

The following is a bit of the history of CSA and explains some of the features of the organization so you may be better informed about our support organization.

Over fifteen years ago it became necessary for RAF (Rutan Aircraft Factory) to discontinue plans sales leaving the future support of canard aircraft unsure. At that time, a group of EZ people headed by Arnie Ash at Oshkosh '85, decided to organize the self help organization, Central States Association. The goals, which remain essentially unchanged today, were:

1. The coordination of annual Spring and Fall events for members.
2. The development of a membership "hot line" the purpose of which is to provide immediate communication to all members should a safety situation ever occur for which such action would be appropriate.
3. The development of a regularly issued technical newsletter, the primary purpose of which is to serve as a communication tool for the Central States Association members.
4. To promote an "Esprit de Corps" among those builders of RAF designs who reside in the Central United States. (This has now grown to intercontinental scope and includes Rutan-derivative designs such as the Cozy, Aerocanard, Velocity, Berkut, and EZ-Racer.)

In support of those goals we have established an emergency phone tree. If it ever becomes necessary to notify all members of a catastrophic failure effecting many aircraft, we have a method in place. Essentially the problem is communicated to Terry Schubert and he calls/E-mails all the state representatives. They, in turn, make contact with the members in their respective states.

To support greater pilot proficiency we organize several fly-in activities throughout the year. The spring fly-in is a traveling event. In recent years it has been held at the Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Williamsburg restored village in Virginia, EAA Museum in Oshkosh, Kitty Hawk in North Carolina, the Indy 500 race in Indianapolis, Indiana, Boston, Massachusetts, and at the tip of Long Island at Montauk Point, New York, scenic Niagara Falls, New York, Fort Worth, Texas, historic Sheridan Wyoming, former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois, and old cattle drive railhead center, Ellsworth, Kansas.

Mid-summer activity centers around the Oshkosh convention. The EZ Mass Arrival, Glass Overcast, and Hot Dog roast were CSA sponsored events at previous Oshkosh (AirVenture) conventions. In late August a fly-in camp-out was added at Beaver Island, Michigan as well as a fall foilage experience in western Pennsylvania.

VFR flights to Alaska during the first three weeks of July have been periodically organized to help canard enthusiasts explore a whole new world yet have the security of flying with others.

The last event of the year is the fall fly-in at Rough River, Kentucky. If you ever have the urge to take a private walk in the cool woods or ride a paddle wheel boat and see beautiful fall colors on trees, this is the event for you. It has become a CSA favorite and draws EZ drivers from both coasts.

Efforts are made to accommodate canard traveler needs via the Canard Travel Club and the new EZ Taxi service. The first is a travelers aid type service offering while the later is a safety oriented effort. The EZ Taxi has been organized to provide easy access to canard airplanes that have to be abandoned due to weather or mechanical problems. It is hoped pilots will land rather than push bad weather.

About the CSA Logo

The CSA logo started out as something Terry Schubert threw together in 1987 simply because CSA needed one. It was a Long-EZ superimposed over the center of a USA map. The design was too busy and no longer represented the rapidly expanding geographical limits of Central States Association membership. A better design was called for.

Arnie Ash, Central States Association founder and then newsletter editor, requested membership input for an alternate design. In the spring of 1989, 15 year old Leslie Yake, daughter of Terry and Maggie Yake who started the KCGIG fly-ins submitted the winning design. Leslie has gone on to be the "official" CSA artist. Her efforts produced the CSA shoulder patch, the decal, the 1000 hour patch and, most recently, the Glass Overcast patch.