Even before Eric Clutton moved to Tennessee he had already jointed the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in the United States.  Many other associations around the world including Britain’s Light Aviation Association (LAA) (formerly the Popular Flying Association (PFA)) and France’s Reseau du Sport de l’Air (RSA) have had a significant impact on aircraft homebuilding worldwide.  Nonetheless, the sheer size and scope of EAA activities and the relative freedom enjoyed by U.S. aviation enthusiasts have made the EAA a beacon for aircraft homebuilders around the world.

Recently, I have been pleased to see the EAA take steps to return to its roots and, while still encouraging emerging commercial ventures, put new emphasis on the grassroots and relatively low-cost homebuilding which gave birth to the association.  I was gratified when, in a recent exchange with Mary Jones, the editor of EAA’s magazine Sport Aviation, she said that Eric Clutton’s FRED had been the subject of a recent discussion and plans were afoot to consult Eric on a new article on propeller making.  The new look to Sport Aviation magazine, which now integrates material from several separate magazines, is also a step in the right direction.  When the February issue included a nice little article on how to make a slip/skid indicator for $5 then I new things had changed for the better.

EAA has granted permission to feature two Sport Aviation articles on this site and here is the best one:  ”An Aeroplane called FRED?” by none other than Eric Clutton himself!

An Aeroplane Called FRED? - Sport Aviation - June 1977

Article:  Courtesy of EAA.