EAA's 'Salute to Veterans' B-17 Tour Wraps up This Weekend
November 18-21 marks the end of EAA's "Salute to Veterans" fall B-17 tour as the airplane Fuddy Duddy makes its final stop at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport's Sun 'n Fun grounds. This is the 27th and final stop on the tour's fall leg.

Limited spaces are available for flight missions in this historic World War II classic. Call 800/359-6217 for more information. 

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Sport Pilot News . . .  Sport Pilot Student Certificates Available, But… Individuals wishing to obtain a student pilot certificate to begin sport pilot training may apply as of November 15. To do so, an applicant must complete form 8710-1, which is available on the FAA website. Once completed, submit the application to a local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) inspector or to a designated pilot examiner (DPE). After the FAA authorizes sport pilot examiners (SPEs), applications may be submitted to them as well. However, FAA has not yet completed the policy documents explaining the process to its inspectors and examiners. (read more) FAA Releases Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook The new Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook (FAA Order 8710.7) is now available on the FAA website. The handbook provides guidance and procedures for sport pilot designated pilot examiners (SPEs) and outlines the privileges, responsibilities, and limitations of examiner designations and authorizations. (read more)

EAA Reaching New Heights; 1.1 Millionth Young Eagle Registered
Nearly one year to the day after it reached 1 million Young Eagles flown, EAA entered Young Eagle No. 1.1 million as the world’s most popular youth aviation program continues to reach new heights. On November 6, Kevin McCue, EAA 678364, of Tucson, Arizona, piloted his 1947 Luscombe 8E with 16-year-old Rebecca Flynn of Sahuarita, Arizona, on board. Five days later, Rebecca, a Navy ROTC Cadet, was entered into the world’s largest logbook as Young Eagle No. 1.1 million.
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EAA, Make-A-Wish Celebrate First International 'Wish' Come True
EAA received a special visit from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin on Wednesday to mark the state's first international wish that was granted this past summer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Raviv Yalosky, an 18-year-old cancer patient, and his family received red carpet treatment here last summer after they traveled from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Oshkosh. His original wish-to learn how to fly-was not possible because of his illness, so after hearing from a nurse about EAA AirVenture, Raviv said, "I want this Oshkosh"
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EAA Offers B-17 Flights In Oshkosh on December 5
EAA is offering a rare opportunity for local residents to fly in a historic World War II bomber on Sunday, December 5, when the Boeing B-17 “Fuddy Duddy” will host flight experiences from Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The flights, held in conjunction with EAA’s annual B-17 Fantasy Flight Camp, are the only local opportunities for B-17 missions this year outside of the annual EAA AirVenture fly-in. These opportunities are the same as those offered during EAA’s national B-17 tours each year, where thousands of people have experienced air travel in this aircraft, one of only about a dozen of the more than 12,000 B-17s built that are still airworthy.
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EAA Objects to Direct Air Carrier Subsidies by Airports
EAA strongly disagrees with a suggestion that would allow airport revenues to provide direct subsidies to commercial air carriers, saying such a move would create additional economic discrimination at all airports. The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) made the recommendation in its comments to the FAA’s proposed Airport Improvement Program Grant Assurances order, citing the need to create a more competitive environment between carriers and to attract additional carriers to airports.
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NASA X-43A Scramjet Achieves Mach 10
NASA's X-43A unmanned scramjet aircraft reached nearly 7,000 miles per hour, or Mach 9.8, on Tuesday afternoon to set an unofficial all-time speed record for an aircraft powered by an air-breathing engine. The research vehicle flew at an altitude of approximately 111,000 feet on its third and final flight, which took place off the coast of California over the Pacific test range. The aircraft, mated to a modified Pegasus booster rocket, launched from NASA's B-52B at about 47,000 feet. Engine burn was about 10 seconds, after which it dropped into the ocean.
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Bohannon Sets Two More Records…But Can't Reach Ultimate Goal
Bruce Bohannon set two more records in the Exxon Flyin' Tiger on Saturday, November 13, but the one he really wanted once again eluded him. Flying out of his home airport in Angleton, Texas, Bohannon piloted his highly modified RV-4 higher than it's ever been before-47,530 feet. But that was about 380 feet lower than the all-time U.S. piston altitude record of 47,910 set in 1946 by a U.S. Air Force B-29, and about 1,800 feet shy of what's required to exceed the mark by 3 percent.
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Correction
Last week we reported that Joe Gauthier performed the first known inspection by an EAA volunteer amateur-built designated airworthiness representative (AB-DAR). At the time, that was accurate; however, this week we learned that Edgar Carris of Jupiter, Florida, performed the first AB-DAR twin-engine aircraft inspection on July 22, 2004. Ed writes, "I inspected and issued an airworthiness certificate for an Air Cam, N40EE, built by John L Shaw of Wellington, Florida. Both engines ran good and John said it flew just fine.” Thanks for the information, Ed.
  

Eclipse, United Partner For 500 Training
Eclipse and United Airlines have partnered to develop the comprehensive Eclipse 500 Jet training program. Eclipse customers will receive both their initial flight skills assessment and their type rating transition training at the United Flight Training Center (UFTC) in Denver, Colorado. They’ll use full motion simulators and curriculum jointly developed by Eclipse and United. All pilots will receive an initial flight skills assessment at the United Flight Training Center in Denver that will evaluate the pilot's current skill level. If necessary, the pilot will also complete supplemental training. In addition, pilots will complete unexpected situation hands-on training including upset training in the Eclipse Aviation L-39 jet and high altitude physiology training to teach the effects of hypoxia. (read more)
Also announced: AIG Aviation will underwrite hull and liability insurance for the Eclipse 500 jet. AIG Aviation and broker Willis Global Aviation join underwriter Global Aerospace, which announced in 2002 it would offer insurance to Eclipse pilots who successfully complete Eclipse's training program. Visit the Eclipse website for more information.

Software Tracks Your Project On Line
ExperCraft’s Simple Log is a powerful, easy-to-use system allowing homebuilders to create and maintain their project logbooks and websites. No programming or html coding is required. As a project progresses, the system provides real-time summaries of a project’s time and expense. This unique web-based logging system has two main components: the member area, a password-protected website where an aircraft builder can enter, view and edit project notes and images; and the Web log - a view-only website that presents the builder's log information at a publicly accessible site. Simple Log is being offered free through December 31, 2004 to current builders or anyone starting an aircraft project. For more information, a self-guided demonstration, or to sign up and begin using Simple Log, visit www.expercraft.com.

Jeppesen Relocates Atlanta Office To New Alteon Training Facility
Jeppesen has moved its Atlanta office to Alteon’s Atlanta Training Center, allowing the two Boeing subsidiaries to operate more efficiently. Jeppesen’s Atlanta team designs technologically advanced RNAV and standard VOR, ILS and NDB procedures around the globe, plus offers efficient and cost-effective Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) production and compliance management for countries around the world; and complete airspace design services. By using the Alteon simulators, they can design and evaluate procedures in a realistic test environment. “Alteon’s cutting-edge simulators give us a big advantage over our competitors. We are now able to see exactly how the procedure coding will interact with the avionics system. This saves us time and produces a better end product for our customers.” For more information, visit www.Jeppesen.com.

New Radial Engine Planned for Homebuilts
Gesoco Industries of Swanton, Vermont, and S.C. Motorstar of Bacau, Romania, have developed a new radial engine design for experimental homebuilt aircraft. The five-cylinder R-263 is planned for three different variants, 125-, 150- or 180-horsepower. The basic engine will be a naturally aspirated five-cylinder radial weighing in at about 220 lbs with accessories. The 33-inch diameter, 27-inch long air-cooled engine will feature electric start, a 35-amp alternator, a throttle body injection system and dual ignition. Designer Viorel Andries is the chief designer at S.C. Motorstar, producers of the M-14P engine. Plans are to have a display engine at Sun ’n Fun 2005, with a flying example at Oshkosh. Projected price is about $18,000 including the accessories and warranty. For more information, visit www.gesoco.com, or call 802-868-5633.