WAA - dedicated to better flying and a better world when you land.
The World Aeronautics Association was founded to answer several needs in the aviation community.
In the summer of 1994, the founder and his team were in the process of planning to set a world record and raise money for a local charity organization by selling souvenirs of the flight.
The founder's area of expertise is in rocket powered aircraft in which he set three records in 1990 and was also included in the Ten Most Memorable Record Flights of 1990. According to the record books, he is the only person to fly a rocket aircraft in the last 30 years.
He contacted a national record keeping organizations to set a new record. Unfortunately, the rules had changed such that:
"the power plant or engine must be fully controllable throughout the flight" and it was explained to him in the same letter that "this is the rule that would prevent you from attempting more records".
If this rule was applied retroactively, it would eliminate Chuck Yeager from breaking the sound barrier in the X-1 since he landed with the engine off. This would also eliminate any X-15 flights.
However, it was the next paragraph that was also rather limiting:
"Basically, the international community feels that modifications made to a vehicle-no matter how unique- should not change the classification of that vehicle. As one of the delegates argued, 'If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...'".
Bottom line, there was no way to set a record with a rocket aircraft the way it had been set historically. Unlike airshow pilot Bob Hoover, who was able to go to Australia and get his pilots license after a bizarre revoking by the FAA ( see the free BOB HOOVER homepage), it appeared that there was nowhere in the world to set a rocket aircraft record . ( The founder's aircraft could have theoretically flown on Mars, however, there were some logistical problems involved.)
If only there was another world aviation association...one that encouraged new ideas and experimentation...one that could possibly make the world a better place...
There is now.
Although the WAA could limit itself to just rocket aircraft, it would be a rather lonely club with only a new record every 20 to 30 years. We think that there are other pilots out there that would like to explore and be creative with their aircraft. Also, we believe that modifications to aircraft should be encouraged if it increases performance or explores a new territory. Therefore, the WAA is open to all types of flying vehicles. If you can get it off the ground, you are eligible to attempt a world record. Prospective record setters can choose a record area that is listed, or, with WAA approval, they can choose an area that has not been explored yet (to go where no human has gone before).
We encourage creativity and fun in the setting of records, but also we encourage record setters to use these achievements to make the world a better place by raising money for local charities through the sale of souvenirs and memorabilia. The record fees are low ($50, 10% of which goes to charity) as an incentive for experimentation. (This is up to $750 less than other world aviation organizations!)
After certification of a record, a World Record Diploma (suitable for framing) will be sent to the pilot. Additional Diplomas are $10 each for each member of the crew. The pilot and crew are inducted into the World Aeronautics Hall of Fame and are listed in the WAA World Record Repository. The pilot also receives a one year membership in the Experimental Test Pilot Club.
An Associate Membership in the WAA is $35 (US) per year which entitles the member to receive the WAA Newsletter.
For a limited time, Internet users are offered an Internet Membership in the WAA at no cost provided that an Internet e-mail address is available for delivery of the WAA Internet Bulletin. (send e-mail with "subscribe" in lower case letters in the SUBJECT header to: waa@meer.net)
Should you attempt a world record? Do you have the "right stuff"?
When the word went out that the founder was going to attempt another rocket flight, Scott Crossfield (legendary X-15 rocket pilot) said to the founder (a not quite as legendary rocket pilot) these immortal words:
"Go for it!".
Zeus has spoken.
****************************************************
Click here to see HOW TO JOIN THE WAA (Associate & Internet)
Click here to see HOW TO SET A WORLD RECORD.
Click here for FORMS TO DOCUMENT A FLIGHT.
Click here to peruse the CATEGORIES AND RECORD AREAS.
Click here to go to the WAA WORLD RECORD REPOSITORY.
Click here to go to the WORLD AERONAUTICS HALL OF FAME.
Click here to enter the Experimental Test Pilots Club - members only (under construction)
OTHER AVIATION SITES
_____________________________________________________
World Aeronautics Association
PO Box 390534
Mountain View, CA 94039
USA
e-mail: waa@meer.net