EAA's e-HOT LINE

EAA · AirVenture · Homebuilts · Ultralights · Sport Pilot · Aerobatics · NAFI · Vintage Aircraft · Warbirds

Departure:
Destination:

Upcoming
Aviation Events

Young Eagles Rallies

EAA AirVenture
Museum Events

EAA'S B-17 Tour Continues In Florida

EAA's Road to Kitty Hawk B-17 tour is at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) through November 2, then heads over to Vero Beach Municipal Airport (VRB) Nov. 4-5. You can see the magnificent "Aluminum Overcast" aircraft Nov. 7-9 at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) before it flies on to New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport (EVB) Nov. 11-12.

Time is running down, so don't miss this piece of flying history. Reserve your seat at www.b17.org.

Q & A: Question of the Week
Question for EAA Aviation Information Services: Your recent answer about the “regular” experimental 51 percent muddies the waters again and seems in conflict with other information from EAA about the meaning of the 51 percent rule:

“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.”

This implies that a single person must perform 51 percent, while other statements from EAA say that the only requirement is that 51 percent be amateur-built and may be completed by multiple builders.

The statement quoted above will be read by potential builders and interpreted as meaning that they cannot buy and complete an existing project, and get it certified as amateur-built.

Answer:
You make a good point. We didn’t word the response carefully enough, and should have indicated that the person presenting the aircraft for certification must be able to document that the major portion was fabricated and constructed by amateur builders. You are correct that multiple builders are allowed, either working together or in succession. The sum total of all their work is counted toward the major portion (51%) requirement, rather than the work of any one individual builder.

Thanks for catching our poor choice of words.

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?

November 22-23
Corona (LA area), CA
Topics: Sheet Metal Basics, Composite Construction, Fabric Covering, Electrical Systems and Avionics, and What's Involved in Kitbuilding?

November 2003
EAA Desktop Calendar


Our November desktop image features a turbine-powered Air Tractor model AT-802 on floats taken from near the seaplane base at last summer’s EAA AirVenture convention. Insert a dramatic water drop on your desktop by visiting the EAA website.

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

THE COUNT TOWARD 1 MILLION YOUNG EAGLES: 994,958!

October 31, 2003 Volume 3, Number 52

News You Can Use ---

Park-Airport Plan Proposed For Meigs Site

The Friends of Meigs Field unveiled late Thursday its comprehensive proposal to not only rebuild and reopen an improved Chicago lakefront airport, but to recast the site to also include ample park space, an aviation museum, and many other public amenities. FOM claims its vision, which it would call Bessie Coleman Park, can be funded without Chicago taxpayer contributions by obtaining funds through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
(read more)

Travolta To Emcee December 17 "First Flight" Program

Actor and pilot John Travolta will serve as master of ceremonies for the December 17 First Flight Centennial Celebration program in December at Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. A licensed jet pilot who serves as Australian-based Qantas’ Airline’s Ambassador-at-Large, will also fly his Boeing 707 as part of the day’s ceremonial fly-over. He has logged close to 5,000 hours since earning his wings in 1974. “I was thrilled to kick-off the national celebration last December,” Travolta said. “It is an even bigger honor to be asked to participate in the activities of the day 100 years later on the very ground where it all began.” Tickets for December 17 are sold out, but can still be purchased for December 13-16 at $10 per day. Visit www.wrightbrothers.reserveworld.com, or call 800/973-7327 (301/722-1257 outside of the United States) between 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (ET).
(read more)

AB-DAR Information on EAA Website
Contact information about EAA-nominated candidates to become FAA Amateur-Built Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR) is now on the Government Relations section of the EAA members website. The volunteer AB-DARs listed in the directory are not currently authorized to inspect and certify aircraft; however, once they successfully complete course work conducted by the FAA/Transportation Safety Institute (TSI), they’ll be authorized to perform inspections. The first course at the FAA Academy, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is scheduled for January 27-29, 2004, followed by another on June 8-10. EAA expects FAA authorization of the first AB-DARs to occur no later than January 31, 2004.

EAA Support For Beleaguered Florida Airport Hits Full Stride on Eve of Referendum

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is intensifying its support of groups aiming to keep historic Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Fla., open and operating, as voters in that city decide on crucial questions regarding the facility on November 4. The citywide referendum asks voters three specific questions: Whether the airport should remain open; whether St. Petersburg should accept airport improvement grants from the state and federal government; and whether the city should use half of the airport property as a park, thereby effectively closing the airport. EAA Chapters and members in the St. Petersburg area have been extremely active in supporting the airport's continued operation as a primary general-aviation reliever for the Tampa/St. Petersburg metropolitan area.
(read more)

EAA Backs FAA Reauthorization Bills

EAA joined several other aviation organizations at a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, October 29, to lend its strong support for passage of the 2004 FAA reauthorization bill known as the Centennial of Flight Aviation Authorization Act (Flight-100). Appearing were FAA Administrator Marion Blakey; Senate Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS); Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Sen. John McCain (R-AZ); and House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Rep. John Mica (R-FL).
(read more)

Proposed Air Tour/Charitable Airlift Rule Released
EAA Young Eagles Flights Not Affected

The FAA recently (October 22) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at improving national air tour safety. The proposed rule, while having adverse effects on commercial sightseeing flight operations and some charitable fundraising flight operations, would not affect the EAA Young Eagles program. The proposal allows for continued charity flights by entities such as EAA Chapters under similar restrictions to the current EAA drug-testing exemption.
(read more)

Trial Relief At Some ADIZ Fringe Airports Starts Nov. 1

Pilots who operate at several airports located just inside the perimeter of the Washington D.C. air defense identification zone (ADIZ) will get a measure of relief beginning November 1 as the FAA begins a 60-day ADIZ ingress-egress test period for two airports—Maryland’s Bay Bridge (W29) and Kentmoor (3W3)—and an egress only test period for 12 others—Virginia’s Airlie (2VA9); Harris (VA97); Meadows (3VA1); and Upperville (2VG2), and Maryland’s Albrecht (MD48); Martin (MD90); Martin State (MTN); Mylander (MD92); Stewart (MD64); St. John (4MD9); Tilghman Whipp (7MD9); and Wolf (1W5).
(read more)

EAA Members Site Now Powered by Google

The EAA Member's Only site now includes a Google-powered search engine to greatly enhance your ability to find specific EAA information. To reach the members site, visit http://members.eaa.org, enter your last name and EAA number. A search field appears at the center of the page, plus a variable search page can be accessed within the site. Users can search from within the entire site, or enter a Google search for the World Wide Web.

EAA Centennial Homebuilt of the Week

Like many homebuilders, Richard F. Scaller, EAA 259131, Avondale, Arizona, purchased his project while attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Scaller bought his Progressive Aerodyne Searey kit at the 1998 convention and, after about 800 hours of building time, has his very own Centennial homebuilt. N94322 is powered by a Rotax 912S engine with a two-blade, ground-adjustable Ivo Prop. The Searey is Scaller’s second completed project. Read more about the project. EAA now has well over 200 registered centennial homebuilts featured on the EAA website. To read all about them and the program, visit www.eaa.org/homebuilders/centennial.asp.

On The Flight Line ---

CAF Temporarily Suspends Flight Operations
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) board of directors temporarily suspended all flight operations through November 24, 2003, for its fleet of over 150 restored WWII aircraft as a result of two crashes during the 2003 air show season. On July 10, CAF’s He 111 German bomber was lost and, more recently (October 18), its FM-2 Wildcat went down. During the temporary suspension, CAF will review its flight operations and maintenance procedures and all 336 CAF pilots will participate in a formal safety review. CAF airplanes under appearance contracts and special flights will continue as scheduled, as approved by the CAF’s director of operations and maintenance. “This prudent measure will serve to ensure the safety of CAF crewmembers and the preservation of the CAF’s fleet of aircraft,” said CAF president Bob Rice. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.

Incursion Prevention, Icing Prevention Discussed at Safety Seminar
All pilots are welcome to attend an aviation safety program will be held on November 22 at the Roben-Hood Airport (RQB), Big Rapids, Michigan. Two subjects on the agenda are: “Icing for General Aviation Pilots” and “Airport Signs and Markings” - a guide to avoiding a runway incursion. Sponsored by the FAA, Grand Rapids Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), River’s Bluf Aviation FBO and the Big Rapids Flying Club. The program fulfills the safety meeting requirement for the FAA Wings. It’s scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. For more information, call River Bluff Aviation at 231-296-5600.

Piston Deliveries Stable During Third Quarter, GAMA Says
Worldwide deliveries of certificated general aviation airplanes dipped 9.3 percent during the first nine months of 2003, reports the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). That equated to a 24.4 percent decrease in total billings for that period. Shipments totaled 1,602 units, down from 1,767, while billings dropped from $8.5 billion to $ $6.43 billion. However, piston-engine aircraft held flat, actually increased shipments 0.2 percent, from 1,099 to 1,101 deliveries, while turboprops fell 4.1 percent. The big hit came in the corporate jet sector, where shipments fell from 498 to 338, or 32.1 percent. Figuring U.S.-only shipments: a 21.6 percent overall decrease in GA aircraft billings, a .02 percent increase in pistons, a 12.7 drop in turboprops, and a 31.1 percent decrease in business jets. GAMA President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “This is the third straight quarter in which piston deliveries have been in positive territory, and we hope that is a harbinger of better days for the entire industry. The piston numbers, a strengthening economy, and the bonus depreciation are generating cautious optimism among manufacturers.”
For more on the report, visit www.gama.aero.

Diamond Adds Storage, Interior Options For DA40-180
Diamond Aircraft announced the addition of a new premium interior and a 4-way baggage compartment system to go with its new Garmin G1000-equipped DA40-180 Diamond Star. The new interior has over a dozen detail enhancements including grey tinted canopy and windows, large capacity leather covered carbon fiber storage pockets, leather padded armrests, padded glareshield, perforated leather seating surfaces, dual cup holders, improved removeable interior panels, upgraded materials and more. The new baggage system adds 90 percent more storage space, while the maximum allowable baggage capacity has been increased 50% to 100 lbs. This increases the usefulness of the aircraft as a practical cross country airplane, says John Gauch, Diamond's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. For more information, visit www.diamondair.com or call 888/359-3220.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you searching for an Aircraft STC? You can look it up on www.airweb.faa.gov/stc.

Are you searching for an Aircraft AD? Look for it here.

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.