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News You Can Use
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National Threat Level Raised
to ‘Orange’ Pilots: Exercise
Caution
The
United States Government increased the terrorist threat level from
“yellow,” or elevated, to “orange,” or high-risk on February 7 based on
concerns over possible major terrorist attacks as early as next week.
Pilots planning to fly anywhere in U.S. national airspace are strongly
urged to seek out the latest information regarding airspace restrictions
and avoid sensitive areas as outlined in NOTAM 2/5167. Pilots should also
be extra vigilant in and around airports and report any suspicious
activity or people to the TSA’s national General Aviation Security hotline
at 866/GA SECURE (866/427-3287).
A number of government officials
have expressed growing concern to EAA about the security of airspace
within the National Capital Region and there is considerable pressure
within the federal government to increase security measures in the
Washington, DC area or even expand the existing airspace restrictions. EAA
is scheduled to meet with senior Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) and FAA officials on Monday, February 10, to specifically discuss
airspace security in the Washington, D.C. region.
Pilots in the
Hagerstown/Thurmont, Maryland area are reminded that the restricted
airspace surrounding the presidential retreat at Camp David (P-40) is
scheduled to be enlarged from 2 p.m. February 7, through 4 p.m. Sunday,
February 9, per NOTAM
3/0938.
EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan Improves Most Auto Conversions, Non-Type Certificated Aircraft Engines
Now Covered Responding to the ever-diversifying needs of its members,
EAA announced a major enhancement to the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan this
week. Effective immediately, aircraft powered by most auto engine
conversion packages and non-type certificated aircraft engines are
insurable under the plan. (read
more)
Timeless Voices Ready For
Takeoff
It’s full steam ahead for the EAA AirVenture Museum’s
Timeless Voices of Aviation program. First announced at EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh 2002, Timeless Voices is capturing on videotape the personal
recollectIons of the thousands of individuals who have contributed
aviation’s development over its first 100 years. (read
more) Saying 'So Long' To A Close
Friend Paul Poberezny Retires
P-51D Paul I To Eagle Hangar
Framed by a replica of his first aircraft—a Waco primary
glider—and one of his dear favorites—the P-51D Mustang—EAA Founder and
Chairman Paul Poberezny eloquently enshrined the noble warbird, Paul 1, to
the EAA AirVenture Museum at a special event February 5 at Museum’s Eagle
Hangar. (read more)
(You can order your own VHS copy of our February 5
program, “Flying the P-51 With Paul Poberezny, ” by sending an e-mail to
Kate Phillips, kphillips@eaa.org.
Tapes are $9.95 each, which includes postage.)
First AB-DARs Nearing
Appointment in California There’s
encouraging news to report regarding the new Amateur-Built Designated
Airworthiness Representative (AB-DAR) program created by FAA and EAA to
provide volunteer field inspectors to help alleviate the bulky backlog of
pending homebuilt aircraft inspections. EAA received word recently from
the Lakewood, California Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO)
that two candidates are now in the final review process for appointment to
AB-DAR status. They are Allan Purdy, San Marcos, CA (EAA 401009), and Gary
Sobeck, Santa Monica, CA (EAA 630958), who now await approval from the
Manufacturing Inspection Office (MIO) Northwest Mountain Regional
Headquarters in Seattle. (read
more)
PPC Standards First To
Emerge From ASTM Committee
Powered parachute manufacturers are leading the way in
developing the first aircraft standards for the upcoming light-sport
aircraft category, as an industry group has finalized requirements for the
design and manufacturing of those aircraft under the Sport
Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft initiative. The final rule, commonly known as
Sport Pilot, is expected to be released by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) later this year. (read
more)
Ralph Charles, Nation’s
Oldest Pilot, Passes Away
As an aviation enthusiast, Ralph Charles was one of a kind.
The country’s oldest pilot, Ralph, EAA 90150067, passed away Sunday,
February 2, at the age of 103 in Somerset, Ohio. Ralph’s life spanned
three different centuries and all of powered flight’s history. He was born
on November 22, 1899—more than four years before the Wright brothers’ epic
flight at Kitty Hawk—and by age 19 was working as a welder with Orville
and Wilbur Wright at Dayton Wright Field. During his life, Ralph saw a
Lincoln Beachy fly at local fairs and flew the space shuttle simulator at
the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. (read more)
Volunteers Sought in the AirVenture Workshops Area
Homebuilding is at the core of the
Experimental Aircraft Association, and AirVenture’s hands-on workshop area
provides a great way for beginners learn about the various aircraft
construction methods. EAA is looking for volunteers to show aspiring
homebuilders the ropes in the AirVenture hands-on workshops. If you have
expertise in working with composites, sheet metal, woodworking, welding,
or fabric covering, we have just the spot for you. Interested individuals
should contact Workshops Chairman Willard Jeffreys at willardcjeff@aol.com or
256/446-5668. On The
Flight Line ---
Performance Numbers Upgraded For 'New' Eclipse 500
Unnamed Replacement Engine To
Deliver Faster, Heavier, Thirstier and More Expensive
Aircraft Position holders in line to purchase Eclipse 500
jets, along with company investors, learned more about the newly
configured aircraft during an InfoSession held Friday, January 31, at
Eclipse headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They did not learn what
engine would replace the Williams EJ-22, which Eclipse dropped in late
November due to performance concerns. Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn told the
more than 300 people in attendance that a deal with a world-class engine
supplier is “imminent.” (read
more)
Sun 'n Fun Air Race Information On Aircraft Spruce
Website To meet the growing number of e-mail requests for
information about the Sun 100 and Sun 60 Air Races, set for April 3-4 at
the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida, Aircraft Spruce &
Specialty has created a special race page on its website. Interested
pilots can access air race regulations, downloadable entry forms, and
aerial photos of the two turns used in each race. Simply visit http://www.aircraftspruce.com/
and click on Air Races.
NAC Henderson Award
Seeks Nominations The National Aviation Club is accepting
nominations for the Cliff Henderson Award for Achievement, to be presented
at the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) fall awards banquet in fall
2003. Criteria for the award, which was presented to EAA President Tom
Poberezny in 1997: A living individual or group whose vision, leadership
or skill has made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion
and advancement of aviation or space activity. Henderson’s air races
stimulated a generation’s interest along with technical advances during
aviation’s Golden Age. For more information, visit the NAA website,
or e-mail awards@naa-usa.org.
Entry deadline: April 30, 2003.
New Website is All About Residential
Airparks It only stands to reason that the closer you are to
your homebuilt project, the sooner you’ll complete it. That’s the idea
behind residential airparks, and you can find the one best suited for you
at http://www.airporthomes.com/. The
newly updated website includes a map of residential airport locations with
corresponding Realtors specializing in that location. Visit the website
for more information.
Sporty’s Academy
Enjoys Best Year Ever With 130 certificates and ratings
awarded and 44 student pilot endorsements, Sporty's Academy enjoyed its
best year in 2002. The 30 percent increase over 2001 included a 90 percent
retention rate. Sporty’s offers complete flight training modeled after its
award-winning DVD courses through FBO affiliate Eastern Cincinnati
Aviation (ECA). Training, conducted by nearly 30 instructors, ranges from
gliders to recreational pilot through commercial pilot. For more
information, visit http://www.flyeca.com/, or call
513-735-9500.
Sigtronics Receives TSO
Approval For Intercoms Sigtronics Corporation, San Dimas,
California, has received FAA TSO Approval for its SPA-400N and 600N
high-noise environment intercoms. These units are well suited for open
cockpit aircraft, ultralights, warbirds, and helicopters, which often
require intercoms designed for a high-noise environment. The TSO also
streamlines the paperwork required for installation in certified aircraft.
To learn more, visit http://www.sigtronics.com/.
Robinson Announces New Warranty for
Robinson Warranty claims made after February 3 on Robinson
R22 and R44 helicopters will fall under a new two-year/1,000-hour parts
and labor warranty. The warranty only applies to labor performed by the
Robinson dealership that sold and delivered the new aircraft to its
original owner. The previous warranty was for one year/1,000 hours. For
details, visit http://www.robinsonheli.com/.
NATA Formation and Training Clinic March 28-April
1 Right before the Sun ‘n Fun EAA Fly-In at Lakeland,
Florida, NATA (North American Trainer Association) will hold a Formation
and Safety Training (FAST) Clinic at the Sebring, Florida (SEF) airport.
FAST will broaden any pilot’s horizons by improving individual flying
skills, concentration and discipline. The key: practice, practice and more
practice! All military-style aircraft, (bubble canopy, tandem seating and
low wing) are invited to participate. Pilots need to be affiliated with
EAA Warbirds, NATA, Commemorative Air Force, T-34 Association, VAC or the
Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association to participate. Check pilots for
this FAST are among the best in the Warbird community. Visit http://www.warbirdmuseum.com/ for
more information or contact KT Budde
Jones at 407/33-1942 or programs@warbirdmuseum.com.
First Flight for EAC 2000RG Express
Aircraft Company’s (EAC) new Series 2000RG made a successful first flight
on January 17 when EAC President Larry Olson took the 4-place
turbine-powered prototype through its paces for about 48 minutes on the
maiden flight. The high-performance, four-place kit aircraft is also
available with either a Continental TSIO-550 or a Lycoming TSIO-540. The
Series 2000FT is a fixed tricycle gear priced at $48,900, while the 2000RG
is $62,500. EAC claims a 200 mph cruise for the FT and 300mph for the RG.
For more information please visit the Express Aircraft Company website at
http://www.express-aircraft.com/
or call 360/352-0560.
Q & A:
Question of the Week Question for EAA Aviation Information
Services: The question in e-HOT LINE, Vol. 3, No. 5, states: The
OpLims will contain the following or a similarly worded statement: During
the flight-testing phase, no person may be carried in this aircraft during
flight unless that person is essential to the purpose of the
flight.
Okay, that's the letter of the law. Now please outline
what could be considered essential to the flight. I recently flew with a
builder/pilot who has about five hours on his airplane. He has an
electrical problem which only occurs in flight, and it could affect
operational safety of the aircraft. I rode along to monitor instruments
and take notes should the problem occur. It did, and my readings and notes
helped us solve the problem. We considered it necessary to have someone
along to monitor the instrumentation so the pilot/builder could focus on
flying the airplane during the incident. Were we legal? If not, what is
legal?
Answer: If a pilot feels it necessary to
have another individual in the aircraft on a flight during the phase-one
flight test period, this must be approved by the area FAA office, and such
approval must be shown in the aircraft's operating limitations. In other
words, this is not something that can be decided "on the spot" before a
flight, but must be approved in advance by the FAA.
If there is a
situation where the builder or flight-test pilot has a specific need for
additional crew in the aircraft during the fight test period, FAA Advisory
Circular AC 20-27E, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft,
offers the following advice:
“If an additional crew member is
required for a particular test function, that requirement should be
specified in the application program letter for the airworthiness
certificate and listed in the operating limitations by the
FAA.”
The FAA will review each application on a case-by-case basis,
and may allow additional crew if they feel there is sufficient
justification. How can we help you? To ask a
question regarding government issues, e-mail govt@eaa.org. If you have a question about
registration, airmen, aircraft and medical certification, safety records,
performance, or any other matter, e-mail infoserv@eaa.org.
We are pleased to provide this info to EAA members as a membership
benefit. To ensure that this service continues, renew your membership or
join EAA today by calling 800/843-3612 or 920/426-5912.
EAA SportAir
Workshops
Upcoming Workshop
February 21-23, 2003,
Griffin (Atlanta), GA Topic: TIG
Welding
February 22, 2003, Lakeland, FL at Florida Air
Museum at Sun `n Fun Topics: Test
Flying Your Project
February 22-23, 2003, Lakeland, FL at
Florida Air Museum at Sun `n Fun Topics: Sheet
Metal, Composite
Construction, Fabric
Covering, and What's
Involved in Kitbuilding?
See the complete schedule of
upcoming SportAir Workshops.
Are you searching for an
Aircraft STC? You can look it up on http://av-info.faa.gov/stc/. Are
you searching for an Aircraft AD? Look for it at http://av-info.faa.gov/ad/AD.htm.
If you wish to unsubscribe from EAA
e-Hot Line, simply send an e-mail to membership@eaa.org with the word
"unsubscribe" in the subject field.
We welcome your comments and
suggestions to http://www.eaa.org/. All
content, logos and pictures are the property of EAA - Copyright ©
2003
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