After completing my errand, I continued on across the river into
Portland, and kept the radio on. The half-hour and top-hour news
reports made mention of the crash and the traffic problem and were
sure to point out that the airplane was "experimental" without
explaining what that means, and that the airplane had a non-certified
engine modification, without pointing out for the first two hours that
the mod was legally done.


The media has a way of describing kitbuilt planes in the MOST negative
context possible. I almost wish the FAA would allow us to change the term
EXPERIMENTAL to KITBUILT or HOMEBUILT after the test flying is done. We
pilots know what experimental planes are...but to the public it sounds as if
this guy was doing some sort of wild flight testing right there over
downtown!