Our RV-12 Build Project began in June of 2020 when the Chapter was contacted by EAA Hq in Oskosh, WI, asking if we would be interested in accepting an aircraft donation project from a family near Carrizozo, NM. Lee Otto, who built and flies his RV-10 and his wife Jeri Burzin traveled to Carrizozo and met the family who was anxious to find a good home for an RV-12 kit. The builder, now deceased, had completed the wings, and the fuselage was in it's unopened crate.

We welcomed this opportunity to launch a Chapter project, to build out the RV-12. Konrad Weimer immediately organized people and equipment to retrieve the kit. He borrowed a truck from famed performer Bob Carlton and an enclosed trailer from the New Mexico Pilots Association. Other member builders joined the effort: Gwen Walcott (RV-12), Dan Horschel (???), and Randy Reimer (????) came together with Konrad to fetch it. It was a full day, driving 400 miles, meeting the family, doing heavy lifting, and careful packing, but all was unloaded and borrowed vehicles were back in place by nightfall.

From an article published by EAA:
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">"Both my dad and husband were formerly EAA members," Dena Coelho, Jim's daughter, said. "I am a pilot as well. We are thankful for all the great memories in our different airplanes, so many airshows, and the camaraderie of the pilots and builders! We are just as thrilled that these kit parts will be put to use."</p>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">A 20-year Navy veteran and pilot deployed on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea during the Vietnam War, Jim was decorated with 19 air medals. He was truly an aviator and builder we would have enjoyed knowing.</p>
In July the Chapter launched the project by forming teams focusing on 1) the build, 2)  identify resources (hangar space and financials), and 3) explore formation of a flying club who would purchase the completed airframe. By mid-August hangar space had been allocated by Bode, the core members of the build team were on board, tools and hardware material was being assembled and organized, and work got under way.

<em>If using this version, extend it to a point of transition to Chapter 2.</em>