A Giant Step Forward For Sport Pilot/Light Sport Airplane: From DOT To OMB

In what is considered the most significant step yet, the Sport Pilot/Light Sport Airplane proposal has left the Department of Transportation and is now at the Office of Management and Budget. This huge development has fostered speculation that an important announcement for AirVenture may be looming. 
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EAA Plans To “Begin The Countdown” At AirVenture Opening Day

EAA will “Begin The Countdown” for its Countdown To Kitty Hawk Initiative at the newly transformed Countdown To Kitty Hawk Pavilion (the former EAA Action Pavilion) on July 24. Those attending opening day won't want to miss it!
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For Kevin Gustafson, It's All About Giving Something Back

Kevin Gustafson, Seal Beach, California, is on a mission to fly to all 50 states to promote EAA's Young Eagles program. Kevin, 19, received a Young Eagles flight in 1993 that changed his life forever.
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Members Benefit From EAA Chapter Leadership Workshops

Recent EAA Chapter Leadership Workshops held in Seattle, Washington, and Hartford, Connecticut, were unqualified successes according to the Chapter leaders who attended them.
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Camping With Your Homebuilt Airplane At AirVenture

For the first time ever, several rows within Showplane Camping will be designated for homebuilts only. The Homebuilt Aircraft Council is “test-flying” a program where, on a first-come, first-served basis, homebuilt campers will be parked together in a designated area.
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FAA Announces Full Slate Of AirVenture Forums

The Federal Aviation Administration will conduct a wide variety of forums and educational offerings at AirVenture, plus Administrator Jane Garvey holds her annual Meet the Administrator session on Friday, July 27, at 11:30 a.m.
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Oklahoma Aeronautics And Space Commission Supports AsMA Resolution

The State of Oklahoma's Aeronautics and Space Commission agrees with the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) and its resolution calling for more federal resources for clearing the large backlog of medical certification cases.
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On The Flight Line ---

New GlaStar Completes Purchase Of AADI
Thomas Wathen’s New GlaStar LLC completed the purchase of Arlington Aircraft Development Inc's (AADI) GlaStar rights and assets on June 29. A sales price was not disclosed. The new companies (New Glasair LLC and New GlaStar LLC), headquartered in the former AADI facilities in Arlington, Washington, will now focus on getting both Glasair and GlaStar product lines back into production, said President Mikael Via. "Progress was made the last two weeks in a lot of areas, most of which was directly aimed at our goal of being able to ship parts to customers," he said.
In addition, the "New" companies will hold informational open house sessions throughout Arlington’s Northwest EAA Fly-In, set for July 11-15. Session will be held:
July 11-12, 1-4 p.m. 
July 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
July 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Zenith Announces STOL CH 701 Update
Designer Chris Heintz has introduced 4th edition design updates to the popular STOL CH 701 short take-off and landing (STOL) kit aircraft. Gross weight of the two-seat all-metal aircraft has been increased from 960 lbs. to 1,100 lbs. to better accommodate the installation of new engines such as the 100-hp Rotax 912S. New wing tanks (2 x 10 US gal.) are now standard equipment with the design, as well as new top-hinged "swing-up" doors and a formed acrylic windshield. The new 4th edition blueprints are CAD-drawn for maximum clarity and detail.
The high wing STOL CH 701 design features fixed leading edge wing slats to provide excellent short take-off and landing performance and great grass-field (off airport) capability. A typical take-off roll is less than 100 feet.
For more information, contact Zenith Aircraft Company at 573-581-9000 or visit www.zenithair.com/stolch701.

Atlantic Aero Certifies 310 hp Non-Turbo Conversion For Cessna 210s
Atlantic Aero and sister company Aero Modification & Consulting, LLC, Greensboro, North Carolina, received STC approval for their Teledyne Continental IO 550-P on turbocharged Cessna 210 models made from 1970-1984.
The engines, marketed under the name “550 T.I. Engine Conversion,” has significant performance gains below 10,000 feet MSL, reduced fuel consumption and up to a 43 percent increase TBO over the turbocharged airplane.
The conversion incorporates a Tuned Induction System and Atlantic’s six-point, SmoothRide Engine Mount System. The propeller is replaced with a Hartzell Scimitar Propeller.
Cooling requirements of the new engine are significantly reduced and are provided by redesigned engine cowling air inlets. The cowl flaps are also redesigned, reducing the aircraft’s empty weight by over 75 lbs.
“We have thousands of hours of flight experience with this engine and it has performed flawlessly,” said Atlantic Aero’s COO Jim Spindler.
www.atlantic-aero.com/

First-Time Winners in 25th Air Race Classic
Dene Chabot-Fence, Carson City, Nevada, and Gloria May, Kerman, California, won the 25th annual Air Race Classic all women’s cross-country speed race in a Piper PA28-180 (Cherokee). They finished less than a minute ahead of Sophia Payton, Clearwater, Florida and Bernice Barris, Cleveland, Ohio, in a Cessna 182S. This is Chabot-Fence/May’s first win after eight consecutive top-ten finishes since 1994.
The race began on June 26 in San Diego with 31 airplanes and finished on June 29 at Sporty’s Pilot Shop in Batavia, Ohio. Original plans were altered by bad weather, unfortunately, causing the official race to end at Pratt, Kansas. The women flew to Batavia on their own in honor of the race’s silver anniversary.
Airplanes were handicapped based primarily on horsepower and design. Winners were determined by how well they exceeded their handicaps in ground speed (knots). 
The 2002 Air Race Classic will be from Silver City, New Mexico, to Hampton, Virginia. Contact Pauline Glasson, 361/289-1101, or ashoner@aol.com.

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EAA Divisions and Affiliates

Vintage Airplane Association  * * *  Ultralights  * * *  National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI)  * * *  International Aerobatics Club (IAC)  * * * Homebuilders  * * *  Warbirds of America