Memorial Day weekend is here, which means there are just about two months before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004 is here. Preparations continue throughout the weeks and weekends leading to July 27-August 2, when the area surrounding Wittman Regional Airport becomes the center of the aviation world. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has always been the home of innovation, new announcements, and looking forward to what’s on the horizon. That’s why this year’s theme, “Launching the Next Century of Flight,” takes on even more meaning.

By definition, any discussion about launching the next century of flight has to include NASA. At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004 Wednesday (July 28), Theater in the Woods hosts a special NASA evening presentation that will highlight several of the agency’s projects, most notably the X-43 Hyper X aircraft and its successful Mach 7 mission over the Pacific Ocean on March 27 this year. The X-43 was the first airborne test of a supersonic combustion ramjet engine (scramjet) and is scheduled to attempt a Mach 10 flight in the fall.

Maj. Ed Hamill will bring the United States Air Force Reserve Living The Dream air show to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004. Hamill’s sparkling Aviat Pitts S-2C, The Dream Machine, is a far cry from the other airplane he’s mastered, the F-16 Fighting Falcon. “Pure stick and rudder,” he says of the unmodified factory biplane. Hamill spent 10 years in the Air Force flying more than 2,500 hours in Fighting Falcons, including 80 hours of combat time in Bosnia and Iraq. In 1998, Hamill began his aerobatic career. In just a year’s time he performed in his first air show, and wound up competing in three U.S. National Aerobatic Championships. In 2002 Hamill qualified for the U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team.

Summer Dreams Take Flight With Big Schedule of EAA Events In Oshkosh
There’s no better time than summer to let flights of fancy grab your imagination and this summer, there’s no better place to enjoy the world of flight than the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh. From the world-famous EAA AirVenture fly-in to a multitude of events at the EAA AirVenture Museum, the wonders and excitement of aviation is readily available to all visitors.

EAA leads industry-wide efforts to create consensus standards
The ASTM International committee that is developing consensus standards for light-sport aircraft under the upcoming sport pilot/light-sport aircraft rule continued its success last week, as government, industry and aviation user groups gathered in Salt Lake City. The committee, chaired by Earl Lawrence, EAA vice president of government and industry relations, approved additional aircraft standards and also began work on other infrastructure areas for successful light-sport aircraft development.

Plan Is to Ferry Warbird Back to Oshkosh
EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast was towed to a hangar today at Van Nuys Airport, California, where it has been undergoing damage assessment since a gear collapse incident on May 5. “The engines and props have been removed, some more detailed damage assessment has been done, and the airplane is now properly stored in a hangar,” said EAA Aircraft Operations Director Sean Elliott. “There the necessary work will be done to allow us to ferry the airplane back to Oshkosh.”

Samuel C. Johnson, the chairman emeritus of SC Johnson Wax who helped launch the EAA Young Eagles program, died of cancer at his Racine, Wisconsin, home Saturday, May 22, at the age of 76. During his 34-year tenure, Johnson, EAA 160935, led his family's company to become a multibillion-dollar worldwide conglomerate. 
His passion for aviation brought him to another Wisconsin organization - EAA. He was a "longtime friend, a great supporter of aviation and EAA," said EAA Founder and Chairman Paul Poberezny. "He contributed to EAA in many ways. He believed in aviation and people and in the standards we set as an organization"

Allen Rothenberg, Rockville, Maryland, is marking his 75 years on this planet by flying above it for several weeks in a 1949 Ercoupe G nicknamed “Little Deuce Coupe.” By the time he’s through he plans to fly over the lower 48 states in the classic 90-hp aircraft, which reportedly was once property of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Sometime during the first week of June, Rothenberg will visit EAA headquarters in Oshkosh. “I want to just land at Oshkosh; it's sort of a pilgrimage,” he said.

EAA celebrates the 75th anniversary of its 1929 Ford Tri-Motor with two mini-tours, the first launching on June 25 at Oakland County International Airport in Pontiac, Michigan. the first les runs through July 18 and will also make stops at Port Clinton and Columbus, Ohio; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Aurora, Illinois. We’re still putting the final touches on the tour’s second leg, which will take place in the fall. To book passage on the Ford, visit www.flytheford.org. Book your flight on line and save $10. Learn more about the tour.

EAA Mid-Missouri Chapter 1225 recently received an award for Flying in Mid-Missouri, Audrain County and Beyond, a book compiled last year in honor of the centennial of powered flight. The book covered flight history of the area from 1908-2003, including various events, milestones, personal stories, and photographs. The award was presented to Chapter members through the Mexico, Missouri, Salute to Literacy tribute to individuals and groups who have promoted literacy in the area. On hand to accept the award were P.J. Hornbeck, book coordinator; and Chapter officers Doug Balsar, president; Mike McGaha, vice president; and Glenn Riley, secretary-treasurer. Congratulations!

Six Wisconsin Wild Blue Wonders teams and another from Minnesota squared off in regional competition last weekend at the EAA Aviation Center, Oshkosh. When all the points were tallied, Oshkosh’s own Carl Traeger Middle School Timberwolves Blue team earned the title with 2,493 points. Team members include Zachary Benzaid, Nicholas Guterriez, Ryan Wussow, Heidi Klein, and Max Wesenberg. Traeger school’s other entry, Timberwolves Silver, took second place (2,146) followed by Stealth Bombers (2,144).

New Piper Grounds Several Aircraft
This past week, New Piper Aircraft issued Service Bulletin SB1151, “Notification of Immediate Grounding of Effected (sic) Aircraft” to warn customers that the raw sheet steel from which critical parts are fabricated may not have been properly normalized prior to shipment to Piper. The affected steel may not possess the appropriate strength requirement for safe operation. Aircraft are grounded until further notice include:

• PA-28-161 Warrior, serial numbers (SNs) 2842204-2842211
• PA-28-181 Archer, SNs 2843589-2843596
• PA-28R-201 Arrow, SNs 2844105-2844111
• PA32-301FT Piper 6X, SNs 3232014-3232025
• PA-32-301XTC Piper 6XT, SNs 3255015-3255021
• PA-32R301 Saratoga II HP, SNs 3246218-3246219
• PA-32R301 Saratoga II TC, SNs 3257339-3257349
• PA-34-220T Seneca V, SNs 3449302-3249305
• PA-44-180 Seminole, SNs 4496181-4496184
• PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage, SNs 4636349-4636351
• PA-46-500TP Meridian, SNs 4697174-4697183

New Piper says it is working to identify the critical parts and provide a resolution to the problem. Owners can call 877/879-0275, #3-ext. 2273 with questions and concerns. The company will post regular updates on its website, www.newpiper.com.

Air Taxi Service Orders $150 Million Worth of  Adam A700s
A start-up air taxi company headed by notable aviation figures Donald Burr and Robert Crandall recently placed a $150 million order for 75 Adam Aircraft A700 AdamJets. The company, which has the working title of The Burr/Crandall Air Taxi Company, plans an on-demand, point-to-point air transportation service to broaden travel options for frequent travelers. Burr, founder of low-cost airliner People Express, said “Our business model is dependent on innovative designers and manufacturers like Adam making the promise of next-generation, highly efficient personal jets a reality, and we are well on our way to delivering on this promise with a fleet of A700s." Crandall is former CEO of American Airlines. The A700 made its inaugural flight in July 2003 and soon after appeared at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The aircraft has accumulated over 150 hours of flight time. Adam forecast FAA certification and first delivery of the A700 in the first quarter of 2005. For more information, visit www.adamaircraft.com.

UAA Collegiate Aviation Guide Now Available
The third edition of the University Aviation Association’s Collegiate Aviation Guide is now available. The directory lists 114 postsecondary institutions that offer aviation programs in the United States and Canada. Comprehensive listings include information on the institutional contact, program and degree offerings, tuition, enrollment, certification and transfer credit, and much more. UAA members can order a copy for $24.95, plus $5 S&H (non-members: $29.95, plus $5) by calling (334) 844-2434. Or order on the web at www.uaa.aero.
   
New CADCOR Chanute Coming to AirVenture Oshkosh
The Chanute, a new, high performance, two-place, carbon fiber, aerobatic prototype from Cascade Aircraft Development Company of Oregon (CADCOR), made its first flight on April 23 as well as 50 subsequent flights. CADCOR says initial flight-testing shows the aircraft achieving a roll rate in excess of 360 degrees per second; more than ten seconds of vertical penetration; a thrust-to-weight ratio less than 4.5 lbs/hp, excellent ground handling, and superior control. The innovative variable chord, constant hinge point, spadeless aileron uses a LEAF (Leading Edge Alteration Form) to tailor the control feel to personal preferences. Its “Cool Face” cowling, disc-damped tailwheel, and Oregon Aero/Paraphernalia/Acrobelt seating system are other features. Power comes from by a LY-CON AEIO 540 with a 3-blade MT prop. CADCOR plans to build more airframes for sale in the experimental category later this year. The Chanute will be on display at AirVenture 2004 in Oshkosh, WI July 27-August 2. For more information, visit www.cadcor.com.
   
Chelton’s Pratt Tabbed Executive of the Year
Chelton Flight Systems’ President Gordon Pratt is the 2004 Aerospace and Defense Executive of the Year, awarded by independent industry analyst and market research firm Frost & Sullivan. Chelton, of Boise, Idaho, is a leading innovator in flight display, guidance, and control technology. Pratt co-founded Sierra Flight Systems in 1997, which was acquired by Chelton. The company developed and gained FAA certification of the world’s only synthetic vision flight display system that enables pilots to “see” through foul weather and darkness. It also pioneered the “highway in the sky” technology. “I’ve always valued the opinions of Frost analysts and I’m flattered by their recognition,” Pratt said, “but the honor really goes to our employees for making it happen. Our technology will save lives and it could have never been completed and certified without the vision, support, and tireless efforts of the FAA and its Capstone Program,” he added. For more on the award, visit www.frost.com. Chelton’s website is www.cheltonflightsystems.com.
   
Sennheiser Names Pacific Coast Avionics and Sporty's Top Dealers
Pacific Coast Avionics and Sporty's Pilot Shop were recently named Sennheiser's Aviation Dealers of the year, and Aero Phoenix was recognized as Distributor of the Year. Pacific Coast Avionics, located in Aurora, Oregon, offers the full Sennheiser headset line as well as an extensive selection of pilot supplies and avionics in their showroom and online at www.pca.aero. Sporty's Pilot Shop, serving pilots since 1961, has a complete line of pilot supplies online at www.sportys.com as well as numerous aircraft maintenance and aviation support services at their Batavia, Ohio location. Aviation distributor Aero Phoenix, located in the Phoenix Arizona region, was also recognized by Sennheiser as Distributor of the Year.
   
Navigation Instrument Trainer Helps Student Pilots Learn Fundamentals
The Navigation Instrument Trainer, available from Sporty’s Pilot Shop, is a hands-on trainer that illustrates the fundamentals of a complicated subject: VOR, ADF, and RMI navigation. Free-spinning plastic needles show instrument orientation while moveable vinyl airplanes represent the aircraft position around an attached tracking station. Simple to use for flight instructors, notes can be made with dry-erase markers directly on the laminated surface. It’s available now for $49.95 and a set of four Dry-Erase Markers is $9.95. Get both at www.sportys.com or by calling 800/SPORTYS.