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EAA AirVenture
Museum Events

Chemistry Day at EAA AirVenture Museum on Oct. 25
Young people and everyone in the family can discover more about the fascinating worlds of chemistry and aviation as the EAA AirVenture Museum hosts “Chemistry Day at EAA” from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 25.
The event will be held in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh and the American Chemical Society, in conjunction with National Chemistry Week (October 19-25). The event will highlight how the worlds of flight and chemistry are very closely related, and how chemistry is an essential part of aviation.
(read more)

'Road to Kitty Hawk' Tour enters its Final Month

For those of you in Florida, you still have a chance to reserve a spot on EAA's B-17 bomber Aluminum Overcast, as the 2003 Road to Kitty Hawk tour winds down. This weekend (October 18-19), the aircraft tour hits St. Petersburg - Clearwater International Airport (PIE) before flying to Sarasota/Bradenton Int'l Airport (SRQ) for an October 21-22 tour stop. To view the remaining tour schedule, visit www.b17.org.

Q & A: Question of the Week
Question for EAA Aviation Information Services: In a recent e-HOT LINE, you state, “A person who wants to certificate an aircraft in the amateur-built category will still need to document that he/she has done the major portion (e.g., 51 percent or more) of the fabrication and assembly tasks.” To my understanding the 51 percent rule only applies if a person plans to obtain a repairman’s certificate for that aircraft. If a person plans to hire out the maintenance or if he holds an A & P, the 51 percent rule isn’t really an issue. A person could buy partially completed pieces from different sources or purchase a nearly completed project have it inspected and certified. He should only have to prove he performed 51 percent of the work to have the repairman’s certificate issued. Am I wrong in this assumption?

Answer:
Your assumption about the 51 percent rule is 100 wrong. The only way an aircraft can be certificated as an experimental, amateur-built aircraft is if the owner/builders can prove that they built (at least) 51 percent of the aircraft. That is the basic qualifier for an amateur-built aircraft. Any given experimental amateur-built aircraft may go through several different builders through its building process - but the total cumulative build must be 51% owner(s)/builder(s).

On the other hand, the amateur-built aircraft repairman’s certificate is only issued to the original builder (e.g., the last owner/builder in the chain) who actually got the aircraft certificated. In the case of a group of builders on a project, the group must select one person to receive that certificate. The qualifiers for the builders’ repairman’s certificate is you must be the builder and, during the final airworthiness inspection process interview, you must be able to prove to the FAA inspector that you can maintain the aircraft to ensure its safe operation per FAR 91.319 - the 51 percent rule plays no role in this certificate.

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.

Upcoming Workshops

November 7-9
Griffin (Atlanta area), GA
Topics: TIG Welding

November 8
Griffin (Atlanta area), GA
Topic: Test Flying Your Project

November 8-9
Griffin (Atlanta area), GA
Topic: Fabric Covering, Finishing and Spray Painting, Gas Welding, and What's Involved in Kitbuilding?

October 2003
EAA Desktop Calendar


Take a 1940s SNJ, insert a 1960s OSH VOR in the background and mix in the fact this photo was taken at the 21st Century AirVenture Oshkosh and you have a photo for the ages. You can put this on your desktop in no time - just visit the EAA website.

EAA's Official Electronic Newsletter
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004 July 27-August 2

THE COUNT TOWARD 1 MILLION YOUNG EAGLES: 986,520!

October 17, 2003 Volume 3, Number 50

News You Can Use ---

1903 Wright Engine Reproduction Analyzed in Dearborn

At Ford Motor Company’s Dynamometer Laboratory in Dearborn, Michigan, the company recently conducted controlled tests of the engine that will power EAA’s authentic reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer which will re-enact the Wrights’ first flight this December at the First Flight Centennial celebration in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. A team of a dozen Ford engineers, technicians, and supervisors worked with brothers Steve and Jim Hay, who built the reproduction 1903 Wright engine, to test and analyze its crude design and determine its power and efficiency.
(read more)

Eight To Be Inducted Into EAA Halls of Fame October 24

Eight people who contributed greatly to the world of flight are being honored as the newest members of the EAA-affiliated Halls of Fame at the October 24 induction ceremonies at the EAA Aviation Center, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Those being enshrined include:
Barry Schiff, NAFI Flight Instructor Hall of Fame; Lloyd Parker Nolen and Chuck Doyle, EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame; Don Taylor, International Aerobatic Club (IAC) Hall of Fame; William Chana, EAA Homebuilders’ Hall of Fame; Nick Rezich and Al Kelch, Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame; and Michael Jacober, EAA Ultralight Hall of Fame. (read more)

First AB-DAR Training Course in December
The FAA/Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) will hold the prototype amateur-built designated airworthiness representative (AB-DAR) training course at the FAA Academy, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on December 16-18, 2003. After fine-tuning the program, the first course for AB-DAR nominees will take place January 27-29, 2004, followed by another on June 8-10. EAA and FAA created the AB-DAR program to deal with the backlog of inspection requests for new amateur-built aircraft. Nearly 60 AB-DAR candidates, most of whom have come through EAA’s recruiting efforts, must complete the course before they can perform field inspections.
(read more)

Homebuilt Aircraft Now Total More Than 25,000 In U.S.
EAA Sees More Growth Ahead

While the general aviation industry has had its ups and downs over the past 25 years, the homebuilt aircraft segment has shown steady growth and now comprises more than 15 percent of the single-engine piston-powered general aviation fleet. EAA, which has provided support and activities for aircraft builders for more than 50 years, sees this trend continuing as the total number of homebuilts registered has surpassed 25,000 in the United States alone.
(read more)

Third Flock of Whooping Cranes Heads South
Operation Migration’s third ultralight-led whooping crane migration began Thursday morning at 7:44 local time when 15 juvenile whooping cranes took off on the first leg of their 1,228-mile journey south from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

in Wisconsin to their wintering habitat at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, along Florida’s Gulf coast.
(read more)
UPS Loans Radio Base Stations to Operation Migration
Last week EAA put out the word that the Operation Migration (OM) team, which is poised to begin another ultralight-led migration of whooping cranes from Wisconsin to Florida, was in need of aircraft radios to help with ground-to-air communication along their journey. We’re happy to report that someone (United Parcel Service) has come through for them.
(read more)

Yak-52 FOD Accidents Are a Warning to All

EAA Founder and Chairman Paul Poberezny recently received a letter from National Transportation Safety Board Senior Air Safety Inspector Arnold W. Scott telling about a spate of accidents around the world where foreign object damage (FOD) has impaired or jammed the controls of the Yak-52. The design is prone to this problem because the fuselage is open behind the rear seat and the elevator control mechanism is close to the fuselage “floor.” Many of the accidents have involved fatalities, and aerobatics didn’t seem to play a part in control jamming caused by everything from an errant nut to an airsick bag and a set of locking pliers. Scott urges Yak-52 owners to install some form of barrier to protect the elevator bell crank from FOD jamming or to install Plexiglas skin panels so they can inspect the mechanism before flight.

Paul said the Yak should stand as an example for all pilots and aircraft owners regardless of what they fly, because no aircraft is immune to the controls being jammed by FOD.

Sport Pilot Seminar/Fly-In This Weekend at Sun ’n Fun Grounds

Just a reminder that EAA Chapter 454 and Sun ’n Fun, Inc., will conduct hold a free sport pilot/light-sport aircraft (SP/LSA) seminar and fly-in on Saturday, October 18, on the Sun ’n Fun grounds at Lakeland (Florida) Linder Regional Airport’s FAA Safety Center. EAA’s sport pilot expert Ron Wagner, host at EAA Sport Pilot Centers at numerous events and fly-ins across the country, will keynote the seminar with a morning briefing along with representatives from FAA other organizations. The afternoon will feature a roundtable Q&A period. For more information, call Greg Harbaugh at 863/644-2431.

EAA Centennial Homebuilt of the Week

John Belknap, EAA 700882, Boca Raton, Florida, made his decision to build a Titan Tornado S after performing in-depth research at AirVenture 2002. “I was drawn to the sleek lines of the Titan,” he said. “It was just a matter of time before I purchased one and began the quest of building an experimental aircraft.” N92687 is powered by a Jabiru 2200 with a Sensenich prop and cruises 115 mph with a 1,000 fpm climb rate. Read more about the project. EAA now has about 200 registered centennial homebuilts featured on the EAA website. To read all about them and the program, visit www.eaa.org/homebuilders/centennial.asp.

Timeless Voice of the Week
Violet “Vi” Cowden, Huntington Beach, California, grew up in South Dakota wanting to fly like the birds. When she could afford it, the schoolteacher took flight lessons in the morning before work and ground school at night. When WWII broke out, Vi volunteered as a Women Airforce Service Pilot, (WASP), and was eventually assigned to the Air Transport Command, which was responsible for ferrying aircraft, transporting personnel, transporting materiel and mail, and maintaining air route facilities. Read more about Vi's intriguing story on the Timeless Voices website, www.timelessvoices.org.

On The Flight Line ---

King’s Course Earns Wings Credits
Pilots now receive FAA Wings credit, including a Ground Training Completion Certificate, when they take King Schools’ Practical Risk Management For Pilots. Pilots may substitute a completed Wings Program Phase for a biennial Flight Review. The FAA distributed 200 courses to their Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs), as well as other FAA offices. “Pilots have already reported that the Practical Risk Management For Pilots course has saved lives. We encourage all pilots to become familiar with its content. It’s a great addition to the popular Wings program,” said John King. King’s Airport Signs, Marking & Procedures is also approved for use in the FAA’s Wings Pilot Proficiency Award Program. Each course is available on CD-ROM for $49 and can be ordered toll-free at 800/854-1001 or www.kingschools.com. For more Wings program information, visit the FAA website.

Sculpture Planned For Wright Brothers Memorial
A life-size bronze-and-stainless steel sculpture depicting man’s first powered flight will be erected at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, site of the First Flight Centennial Celebration in December. The sculpture, created by North Carolina artist Stephen Smith, features the 1903 Wright Flyer with Orville Wright on board as it started to leave the ground at 10:35 a.m. on December 17, 1903. Also included are Wilbur Wright, running alongside the plane, and photographer John Daniels, who snapped a picture of the plane as it became airborne. The sculpture will be completed by November 20 and installed on the south side of the Wright Monument by December 1.

ERAU Students Claim Aerobatics Title
Three Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students took first- and third-place trophies at the school's first-ever participation at the U.S. National Aerobatics Championships held in Texas. Senior Nathan Hanford placed first in the primary category, junior Gregory Bruyn won the sportsman category, while Senior Devon Pym took home third in the primary. A total of eight members of ERAU's Sport Aviation Club competed, flying in the school's Pitts Special S-2B. For more information, visit www.erausportaviation.org.

Florida Air Museum Named ‘Official Aviation Museum And Education Center’
Sun ’n Fun’s Florida Air Museum, Lakeland, has been designated that state’s official aviation museum and education center by the legislature and Gov. Jeb Bush. “Sun ’n Fun is very proud to be recognized in this significant way,” said SNF President John Burton. “We believe Sun ‘n Fun is becoming recognized as one of the world’s premier aviation venues. We’re proud to call Lakeland and Polk County our home and will continue to expand our programs and seek other world–class events and activities to bring to our facilities.” Along with the annual spring fly-in this year, Sun ’n Fun also played host to the World Aerobatics Championships (WAC), and has numerous other programs, seminars, and events occurring throughout the year. This weekend’s Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft seminar is one example. To learn more, visit www.sun-n-fun.org.

Saratoga VG Kits From Micro Aerodynamics
Micro AeroDynamics received supplemental type certificates (STCs) for vortex generators on Piper Saratoga models PA-32R-301 (SP); PA-32R-301 (HP); PA-32R-301T; PA-32-301; and PA-32-301T. Installation includes 86 VGs along the full wingspan, just aft of the leading edge. Another 24 VGs are glued to the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer and 44 go under the leading edge of the stabilator. Kits, available for $1,450, also include comprehensive installation instructions, templates for positioning, spares and Loctite Depend adhesive. The VGs are made of alodined 6063-T6 aluminum and ready for painting. Customers can choose to have them painted to match the base color of the aircraft for an additional $100. To order, call 800/677-2370, e-mail micro@microaero.com, or visit www.microaero.com.
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