October
21-25 Manassas, Virginia
Manassas Regional/Harry P. Davis Field (HEF)
October 25-28 Richmond, Virginia
Richmond International (RIC)
October 28-November 1 Newport News, Virginia
Newport News/Williamsburg International (PHF)
John Deere Enhances Partner Program
One of the money-saving benefits of EAA membership is the discounts members can use to purchase John Deere equipment. Since the program's inception last year, EAA members have already saved over $100,000 using this important member benefit. And beginning, November 1, EAA members can enjoy two new additions to the program: John Deere has added the LTR 180 riding mower to the equipment lineup, plus the coupon offer will increase on the popular GT and X series riding mowers.
For more information or to obtain your EAA member savings coupon visit http://members.eaa.org
and click on Benefits/Partner Programs or call EAA Member Services at 800/JOIN-EAA
(800/564-6322)
'Fall Color Flights' This Weekend
EAA’s popular Fall Color Flights return this weekend, October 23-24, offering an opportunity to get an aerial view of Oshkosh and the surrounding area ablaze in the colors of the season in EAA’s 1929 Ford Tri-Motor. The cost for a 25-minute flight is just $50 for adults and $40 for children ages 17 and under.
Flights depart every 30 minutes throughout the day from EAA AirVenture Museum’s Pioneer Airport, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Pre-bookings are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 920/426-6880, or on-line at
www.flytheford.org. Pioneer Airport gift certificates are valid for Fall Color Flights.
Don’t miss a
single issue
of EAA Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft magazine. Add
it to your membership today!
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.
October
2004
EAA Desktop Calendar
William L. Skliar’s Explorer PG-1 Aqua Glider, or
Bayou Bird as it was nicknamed, first appeared in the May 1961 EAA Sport Aviation. The designer described the aircraft as a “boat-towed, two-winged, primary-class, water-ski seaplane glider.” Bayou Bird retired to EAA in 1970, where it was displayed at the museum. It now shares a cozy spot in EAA’s Attic, next to another rare bird—a 1930 Peel Glider Boat.
Visit the
EAA website and choose one of five different resolutions to best suit your screen.
Young Eagles Volunteers To Rally For
'Make A Difference Day'
On Saturday, October 23, hundreds of EAA Young Eagles volunteers will participate in the annual
Make A Difference Day doing what they do all year long: help young aviation enthusiasts discover the wonder of flight. Throughout the day across the country, about 40 local Young Eagles flight rallies will take place, including one at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
Make A Difference Day was created by USA Weekend magazine 13 years ago to encourage people to help others through volunteerism. It’s sponsored by the Paul Newman Foundation. (read more)
Young Eagles Raffle Winner Claims Prize Jeff Morris, EAA member from Wisconsin Dells, Wis., has attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for many years, and he always makes a point to enter the Jaguar Young Eagles raffle. That persistence paid off this year as his was the lucky ticket drawn to win a brand new, top-of-the-line Range Rover valued at approximately $80,000. Morris and his wife, Marci, who together own and operate a Caribbean-themed restaurant in the bustling Wisconsin Dells tourism area, traveled north to Bergstrom Premier Motorcars in Appleton, Wisconsin, where their prize was waiting. (read more)
Poberezny Underscores
GA's Importance To President Bush
The Republican Party’s rental of two EAA exhibition hangars for a political rally on Friday, October 15, provided the association a rare opportunity to have a direct communication with the President of the United States. “Because the campaign conducted its event on our grounds, I was part of a greeting party to welcome the President to Oshkosh,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA president. “President Bush spent a brief moment with each of us, and I used the opportunity to stress the importance of general aviation and EAA’s role in it. I characterized our location as the site of the world’s greatest annual aviation celebration and the spawning ground for major breakthroughs and innovations in aviation,” he said. “I was pleased to have had an opportunity to reinforce to the President EAA’s important role in the aviation community, and to have received the President’s acknowledgement of who we are and the significance of our annual event,” Poberezny said.
EAA Founder Named to Wisconsin Business HOF
Congratulations to EAA Founder and Chairman Paul Poberezny, who has been selected as a 2005 inductee to the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame. This honor, sponsored by Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, recognizes contributions to the state's business community as well as leadership of young people who represent Wisconsin’s future business and civic leadership.
Paul will receive his award at a special April 5 event in Milwaukee. Others receiving the award include Alberta Kimball of Miles Kimball Co. of Oshkosh; Michael Grebe of the Foley & Lardner law firm; and Richard Stack of Air Wisconsin.
Plane Crash Claims 2004 EAA Grand Champion, Steven Caldwell Steven Caldwell, winner of the Gold Lindy-Grand Champion Kitbuilt award at this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, died on Thursday morning, October 14, when the award-winning Glasair II-RG (N706C) he was piloting crashed at Hermiston Municipal Airport (S22), Oregon. He was 61. (read more)
Copperstate Marks Successful 32nd Year About 8,000 people attended the final EAA regional fly-in of the season, the 32nd annual Copperstate EAA Regional Fly-In, held October 7-10 at the Phoenix Regional Grand Valley Airport (A39). Like all the other events this year, sport pilot/light-sport aircraft was front and center, as Ron Wagner, manager of EAA field relations and SP/LSA authority, conducted seven well-attended sport pilot forums. He also spoke with many EAAers at the EAA membership tent throughout the weekend. (read more)
Fall DreamLaunch Tour in Full Swing The fall segment of the National DreamLaunch Tour is well under way, including several tour stops by Jamail Larkins, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student and EAA Young Eagles pilot & spokesman. Earlier this year, Larkins visited 18 cities in an airplane provided by Cirrus Design. His goal is to encourage middle and high school student along the way thinking about careers in aviation. He also provides several EAA Young Eagles flights along the way. (Several reports from Larkins’ journeys can be found on the EAA Young Eagles website.) (read more)
B-17 Fantasy Flight Camp Slated December 3-5 Limited openings remain for EAA’s B-17 Fantasy Flight Camp scheduled for December 3-5 in Oshkosh. Participants will have the opportunity to learn all about the famous World War II bomber with two examples on hand: the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center’s Fuddy Duddy EAA is using for the Salute to Veterans tour, and EAA’s own Aluminum Overcast, which is in restoration following last May’s gear collapse landing in California.
After being immersed in the great airplane’s history for two days, a 45-minute flight mission in Fuddy Duddy caps off the unique learning experience. For details, prices, and booking arrangements, visit
www.fantasyflightcamp.org
or call 920-426-6820.
John Moody Hurt in Air Show Mishap
John K. Moody, who launched the ultralight movement at the 1976 EAA Oshkosh Convention and
Fly-In (see photo, left), is in fair condition at a Georgia hospital after his powered glider went down hard during the 12th annual Boshears Skyfest in Augusta, Georgia on October 17. Moody, 61, apparently stalled his powered glider unintentionally as it was coming in to land at Daniel Field. Instead, it entered a low spin “like a helicopter,” according to one witness, and impacted the ground. Moody, EAA’s inaugural inductee into the EAA Ultralight Hall of Fame in 1999, introduced his Icarus II, a hang glider powered by a McCullough engine, at Oshkosh 1976. Moody’s demonstration flights that week are recognized as the first ultralight operations at EAA’s annual gathering.
Sonex Expansion Nears Completion
Sonex, ltd is nearing completion of a new 5,600 square foot facility at its Oshkosh headquarters, which will be used for parts inventory and prototype aircraft storage. The new space will also allow for continued expansion of the Sonex and AeroConversion product lines. The light-sport aircraft maker, maker of the Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos kit aircraft, expects to have it completed by the second week of November, says General Manager Jeremy Monnett. Sonex was prominently featured in the October 18 edition of Forbes magazine in an article titled, “Skyward!” about sport pilot/light-sport aircraft. For more information, visit
www.sonex-ltd.com.
JP Instruments, Vision Microsystems Announce Merger
Two aviation technology companies, JP Instruments (JPI) and Vision Microsystems, merged on October 1. Vision Microsystems, designer/manufacturer of advanced engine-monitoring systems, will continue operating out of Bellingham, Washington, as a division of JP Instruments. Vision’s products include the popular VM1000 and EC100—for experimental and certified aircraft. JPI, Costa Mesa, California, designs and produces high quality light aircraft avionics systems. JPI’s product line includes the EDM-700; EDM-800; EDM Twin 760; EDM-9cyl series of engine data management systems; the Fuel Scan 450 fuel monitoring instrument; and the Nav-2000 line of GPS moving map navigation systems that support law enforcement and rescue agencies.
Lance Turk, Vision Microsystems founder and president, will retain responsibility for product design, sales, customer support, and dealer network. “This merger is more of a joint effort,” he said. “We contribute our expertise and respect in the experimental aircraft market, and JPI contributes a very strong production capability.”
JP Instruments Founder and President Joe Polizzotto adds, “Vision Microsystems expands our marketplace by adding a respected product line with a proven record of success in both the experimental and certified aircraft markets. By combining our strengths, we can better meet the consumer’s needs with a more diverse product selection and improved customer satisfaction and support.” For more information, visit
www.jpinstruments.com and www.visionmicrosystems.com.
Rotax Maintenance Training Sessions Slated in Canada
Aero Propulsion Technologies, authorized Rotax Aircraft Engines Service Center for Eastern Canada, invites recreational aircraft pilots to attend one of several one-day maintenance training sessions. Participants will have a chance to familiarize themselves with the operation, maintenance, repair and adjustment of their two- or four-stroke Rotax engines. The classes at Saint-Lazare Airport (west of Montreal, Quebec, Canada) include:
November 13, 2004 (routine maintenance, 2-stroke air cooled)
November 27, 2004 (routine maintenance, 2-stroke liquid cooled)
February 12, 2005 (advanced maintenance, all 2-strokes)
February 26, 2005 (routine maintenance, all 4-strokes)
February 27, 2005 (advanced maintenance, all 4-strokes)
Cost is $180 (Canadian, plus tax) for each day and includes a meal and all documentation. Pilots from Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States are welcome to attend.
For more information, visit www.rotaxservice.com/training; e-mail
training@rotaxservice.com; or call 450/510-1551.
Aircraft Spruce Offers GA Aircraft Wheel Jack
A new, portable wheel jack for GA do-it-yourselfers will be featured in the upcoming Aircraft Spruce & Specialty 2005 catalog, but it’s
available
now on-line. The 4.5-pound scissors-type jack is designed to be portable and stored in GA aircraft, making it easy to raise an aircraft gear for tire replacement. At $94.50 it takes up very little space in the baggage compartment or the hangar. Aircraft Spruce carries an extensive inventory of more than 35,000 aircraft products, all of which are described in its free 650-page catalog. Aircraft Spruce also offers a free pilot supplies catalog. To order yours, call 877/4-SPRUCE.
Planetools.com Now Offers Klein Tools Aviation Products
Isham’s Planetools.com of Valley Center, Kansas, has added precision quality Klein Tools aviation products to its product line. Isham’s specializes in RV tool kits and carries a full line of pneumatic and hand tools for experimental and homebuilt aircraft construction. To learn more, visit
www.planetools.com or www.kleintools.com.
Kuwaiti Investment Company Buys 75% of Liberty Aerospace
Investment bank Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain) has purchased a 75 percent stake in Liberty Aerospace Inc., maker of the FAA-certified Liberty XL2 aircraft. KFH Bahrain, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House, acquired 75% of the stock of Liberty’s parent company through a combination of stock purchases from existing stockholders and a working capital investment. Liberty’s management and staff will remain unchanged.
Liberty’s co-founder and President, Anthony Tiarks, remarked, “Our customers already knew we had a terrific aircraft, but by securing KFH Bahrain as an investor assures present and future customers that we will be there for them in the long term.
“The history, commitment and global positioning of Kuwait Finance House, Bahrain, is absolutely ideal, allowing Liberty to bring its XL2 aircraft to the international marketplace, and to support it for many years to come.” For more information, visit
www.libertyaircraft.com.
Correction
In last week’s edition, we reported that Aviat Aircraft was “the first GA aircraft manufacturer to receive FAA approval to offer seat belt shoulder harnesses equipped with inflatable airbag restraint systems.” In reality, that honor went to Aircraft Manufacturing & Development (AMD), Eastman Georgia, which received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) on April 26 for installation of the AMSAFE Aviation Inflatable Restraint (AAIR) on the Alarus model.
Setting it straight: The dedication air show for christening the new Jackie Cochrane Airport in Thermal, California, will be held on Saturday, November 6.
e-hotline was previously provided with a different date.
To ensure that you continue to receive EAA e-hotline, please add ehotline@eaa.org
On Saturday, October 23, hundreds of EAA Young Eagles volunteers will participate in the annual
Congratulations to EAA Founder and Chairman Paul Poberezny, who has been selected as a 2005 inductee to the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame. This honor, sponsored by Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, recognizes contributions to the state's business community as well as leadership of young people who represent Wisconsin’s future business and civic leadership.
John K. Moody, who launched the ultralight movement at the 1976 EAA Oshkosh Convention and
Fly-In (see photo, left), is in fair condition at a Georgia hospital after his powered glider went down hard during the 12th annual Boshears Skyfest in Augusta, Georgia on October 17. Moody, 61, apparently stalled his powered glider unintentionally as it was coming in to land at Daniel Field. Instead, it entered a low spin “like a helicopter,” according to one witness, and impacted the ground. Moody, EAA’s inaugural inductee into the EAA Ultralight Hall of Fame in 1999, introduced his Icarus II, a hang glider powered by a McCullough engine, at Oshkosh 1976. Moody’s demonstration flights that week are recognized as the first ultralight operations at EAA’s annual gathering.
