Tom Poberezny Asks For Secretary's, Administrator's Personal Intervention on Sport Pilot

EAA President and AirVenture Chairman Tom Poberezny made personal appeals to both Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, and FAA Administrator Jane Garvey to help keep the sport pilot NPRM moving forward.
(read more)
  

Weather, Fatigue End Steve Fossett’s Record Balloon Flight

After a record 12,615 miles flown over the past 12 days, 10 hours, EAAer and member of the EAA President’s Council Steve Fossett aborted his attempt to fly solo, non-stop, around the world in the hot-air balloon "Solo Spirit" early Friday morning. "There comes a point, when even by ' round-the-world balloonist standards, the risks just seem too high, and I think as Steve looked out at three solid days hanging in balloon flying through a front over the Atlantic, he just decided that point had come," said Joe Ritchie, Solo Spirit mission control director. "I think if a 'round- the- world balloonist decides the risks are too high, then us normal mortals would surely agree."
(read more)
 

Chapter Leadership Workshop Scheduled at EAA Headquarters on Oct. 6

Would you like to gain some terrific pointers on how to improve your Chapter? The EAA Chapter Leadership Workshop slated for October 6 at EAA headquarters will provide invaluable information for Chapter leaders and others.
(read more)
 

Noted Designer/Author/Forum Presenter Seeks Help From EAA Homebuilders

Dan Raymer, author of Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach and a regular AirVenture Forums presenter, is looking for information regarding the weight of aircraft components, so he’s appealing to the source: EAA Homebuilders.
(read more)

 
On The Flight Line ---

Champion Launches New Igniter
Champion Aerospace, Inc., manufacturers and marketers of Champion aviation ignition systems and components, has released its new CFM56 igniter—the CH31900-6 (CFM P/N 1374M13P11). This new igniter features several design improvements that allow the igniter terminal to run cooler, including: a reversed telescope insulator design directs hot air away from the terminal area and toward the firing end tip; the P3 air vent hole is downsized to .035", so the reducing hot air volume by more than half; and the igniter's electrode material is now made of Kovar, a nickel and iron alloy with reduced thermal conductivity. The firing end tip has Champion’s patented six iridium pin ground electrodes, as well as an iridium center electrode. Both insulators remain the only aviation grade ceramic insulators available today. The new igniters are available through authorized Champion Air Transport distributors.
http://www.transdigm.com/
 
GAMA Criticizes Judge's Decision
A decision last week by a U.S. District Court Judge in Ft. Myers, Florida dismissed a lawsuit brought by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) against the City of Naples Airport Authority. The lawsuit concerned a ban on the operation of smaller Stage 2 jet aircraft at the Naples Municipal Airport. 
Despite the judge’s ruling, the FAA could still pursue administrative remedies against the airport. The agency had previously communicated its concern to the airport that federal grant assurances and other requirements might be violated by the airport’s Stage 2 ban.
“The court’s decision could mean the airport will be closed to an entire class of users,” said GAMA President Ed Bolen. “At a time when runway capacity is front-page news, we ought to be working together to expand the nation’s aviation capacity, not restrict it.”
www.generalaviation.org

Production of F-22 Raptors Approved By Pentagon
The Pentagon said Wednesday it has given the Air Force the go-ahead to begin the first production run of F-22 Raptors, the stealth fighter meant to replace the F-15. The decision, which had been in doubt for months, includes an Air Force pledge to put an additional $5.4 billion into the program, reflecting projected cost increases, Defense Department officials said. 
The total F-22 program cost is about $60 billion for 295 planes. The Air Force had planned to build 339 of the planes, including several test aircraft, but under a revised plan it will build fewer unless it can show during the initial phase of production that the per-plane cost is lower than the Pentagon's estimate.

Friends of Crested Butte Airport Plan Safety Seminar
A Fly-in and Safety Seminar will be held at the Crested Butte (Colorado) Airport (3V6) on Saturday, August 25, sponsored by the Friends Of The Crested Butte Airport, Inc. A public use airport built in 1975, the majority of the flights operating there are medical evacuations.
The “Friends” was formed after the county announced plans to shorten the runway by approximately 500 feet to “improve flight safety.” The Gunnison County Commissioners also decided to restrict the usage of the airport to a maximum of fifteen local pilots.
Because of the high airport elevation of almost 9000 feet (above Mean Sea Level), and the thin air, any shortening of the runway would instead greatly decrease flight safety and create a constant safety hazard. Several pilots filed a complaint against County decisions.
The Friends Of The Crested Butte Airport is promoting flight safety and community awareness with youth programs. The group also conducted an AirVenture forum this past year, “Saving a Mt. Airport From Closure.” Crested Butte is a small resort town between Gunnison and Aspen Colorado. For more information, e-mail avionclub@hotmail.com.
  

Q & A: Question of the Week

EAA Divisions and Affiliates

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