Don’t miss a
single issue
of EAA Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft magazine. Add
it to your membership today!
Bargains Galore at EAA's Aeronautica Online
Store
Christmas is just around the corner, so don’t forget EAA's Aeronautica online catalog for some great last-minute bargain gift ideas. Like AirVenture 2004 t-shirts and caps, which were just drastically reduced from $16.99 to $5.00!
After the holidays, Aeronautica online is the perfect place to spend some of that holiday cash on that present for yourself! Happy holidays from Santa’s Helpers at EAA!
Give the Gift of Membership!
Looking for unique gift idea? How about an EAA membership? EAA members can add a spouse or children with an annual family membership. Or you can provide a gift to a relative, friend, or colleague. To learn how visit the
EAA website!
Q & A:
Question
of the Week
Question for EAA Aviation Services:
If a standard type aircraft that originally qualified as a light-sport aircraft (LSA) was STC’d to a version that had an increased gross weight, can it then be restored to its original configuration and, therefore, qualify as an LSA?
Answer:
The answer is no, and here’s why. The definition of an LSA, as called out in 14 CFR 1.1, specifically requires that an aircraft must have been
originally certificated and continuously operated within the LSA definition in order to be eligible for operation by sport pilots. This being the case, an aircraft that was originally within the definition, but has been modified so as to fall outside the definition, will not be eligible for operation by sport pilots even if it is returned to it's original configuration.
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.
December
2004
EAA Desktop Calendar
EAA Chief Photographer Jim Koepnick photographed this
rare appearance of Northern Lights, from atop Compass Hill at EAA headquarters
in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Place this beautiful image on your desktop by visiting the
EAA website.
We have five different resolutions to best suit your screen.
EAA Members: Tune in to Live Webcast
Featuring Mike Melvill on Friday Night Friday’s sold out
Wright Brothers Memorial
Banquet, featuring pilot and astronaut of SpaceShipOne Mike Melvill will be available to EAA members worldwide through a special webcast on the EAA members website. The webcast comes online from EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at 7:30 p.m. CST. To see either program, log in at
http://members.eaa.org, and follow the link. Either
Windows Media Player or
Real Player is required to view the programs. Archived webcasts will be made available to the public at a later date.
GAO Report Favorable Towards General Aviation A new General Accounting Office (GAO) report to the to the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on balance, reflects well on the GA industry. The report, dated November 2004, is the first completely objective review of GA security since the 9/11 attacks, and EAA feels the outcome was largely positive due to the efforts of EAA and other members of the General Aviation Coalition.
The industry’s cooperation with the federal government was instrumental in assessing security threat levels and proposing solutions, GAO says. In its important role as chair of the GAC following the 9/11 attacks, EAA efforts helped lead to the GAO’s favorable conclusions. (read more)
FAA Seeks Public Input on T-34 Solution In their investigation surrounding what contributed to a fatal accident of a Beech T-34A airplane on December 7, near Montgomery, Texas, FAA has issued an Airworthiness Concern Sheet asking for assistance in finding a long-term airworthiness solution for the
type, which was grounded
by the FAA on December 10. FAA seeks input from industry type club organizations, owners/operators, and the manufacturer for all Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Beech Models 45 (YT-34), A45 (T-34A, B-45), and D45 (T-34B) airplanes, as well as T-34 AMOC holders "to help in the long-term airworthiness solution for the safety and continued airworthiness of these
airplanes." (read more)
EAA's 2005 Youth Art Competition
Has New Twist The EAA Youth Art Competition undergoes a change in 2005. Instead of a competition with submitted works of various media, entrants (ages 9-17) are required to design an original paint scheme for EAA's Young Eagles GlaStar airplane. The winner in each age group will receive a $100 cash prize. The Grand Champion (selected from the three age group winners) will see his/her work come to life on the actual airplane! (read more)
Young Eagles Volunteers Allowed Certain Tax Deductions Tax time is nearly upon us, and EAA has some valuable information for Young Eagles volunteers on potential tax-deductible expenses incurred while participating in the program. The Experimental Aircraft Association is an educational and philanthropic organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, EAA members and others who incur out-of-pocket expenses in connection with volunteer services performed by them on behalf of EAA, may be entitled to deduct all or part of those expenses as a charitable contribution on their personal income tax returns. (read
more)
EAA Accepting Applications for More Than $250,000 in Aviation Scholarships EAA is opening the door for aviation’s next generation by offering its 2005 scholarship awards, valued at more than $250,000. Applications for these scholarships, grants and internship programs are now being accepted through March 30, 2005.
These scholarships are offered to students studying or planning to study in various aviation programs at accredited post-secondary schools. Some scholarships are outright grants, while others include valuable flight time and real-world experience in the aviation field. (read more)
Eclipse Rolls Out First Certification 500 Jet
N503EA, Eclipse Aviation’s first certification flight-test aircraft fitted with the new Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW610F turbofan engines, rolled out
of the company’s headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on December 11. The aircraft is scheduled for its first flight by the end of the calendar year. “Rollout of N503EA is an important symbol of the real progress made in the Eclipse 500 program,” said Vern
Raburn, Eclipse President and CEO. “Over the coming months, we will have five test aircraft flying as well as airframes for static and fatigue testing. The Eclipse 500 remains on track for FAA certification in March, 2006.”
For more information, visit www.eclipseaviation.com.
Ohio University Buys Seven Glass-Equipped Piper Warrior IIIs
Ohio University has purchased seven new Piper Warrior III aircraft equipped with the Avidyne FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck, New Piper Aircraft’s largest single sale of advanced, glass-panel equipped trainers. The school is among the first universities to provide its students with state-of-the-art avionics, complete with full glass-panel cockpit displays similar to what commercial airline pilots use. The FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck recently debuted as optional equipment on all of New Piper’s entry-level PA-28 family of aircraft – the Piper Warrior III, Piper Archer III and Piper Arrow. New Piper also offers the system on the Piper Saratoga II HP, the Piper Saratoga II TC, the Piper 6X and the Piper 6XT. For more information, visit
www.newpiper.com.
CHR Enhances Safari Main Rotor Blades
Canadian Home Rotors has extended the main rotor blades by three inches each on its Safari helicopter
kit, allowing the rotorcraft to lift an additional 43 pounds with no extra
power requirement. An earlier enhancement changed the blades from swept-tip to square-tipped, making tracking the blades easier and adding to its auto-rotation performance. To learn more, visit
www.acehelicopter.com, or call 907/222-2474.
First Two Glass-Equipped DA40s Arrive at ATP
Airline Transport Professionals Inc, (ATP) took delivery of the first of sixteen DA40-180 Diamond Stars, equipped with the Garmin G1000 integrated avionics system on December 9. The airplanes will be used exclusively in ATP’s new Direct Track extension of their Airline Career Pilot Program. Students will benefit from up to 320 hours of glass-cockpit DA40 flight time, preparing them for First Officer positions with regional airlines that fly glass cockpit R-jets. For more information, visit
www.diamondair.com or www.ALLATPS.com.
Warbird Adventures Completes 14-Year B-17G Restoration
On December 8, the thirteenth B-17 to fly in the world took flight again at Warbird Adventures, Inc., Kissimmee, Florida. After a 14-year restoration, the
B-17G Liberty Belle’s first test flight was scheduled for December 7, but electrical issues prevented her from taking off. The aircraft is Don Brooks’ tribute to all the men who flew in World War II and was inspired by his father’s contributions in the 8th Airforce during the war. Syd Jones (conservator for Tom Reilly on the B-17 project) in his T-6 and Thom Richard in Warbird Adventure’s SNJ flew along with
Liberty Belle. The airplane is scheduled to fly another test flight later this month.
Chelton Autopilot Gains Altitude Pre-Select
Less than a year after introducing AP-3C, an innovative, maintenance-free autopilot, Chelton Aviation becomes the first in general aviation to offer altitude pre-select without the addition of extra boxes. Pilots can now scroll in their assigned altitude, establish a rate of climb or descend, and the AP-3C will take the aircraft to that altitude, level off and then hold the altitude. The system upgrade is FAA approved as a TSO minor change. All existing installations can be retrofitted with the new chip for free. Just send the units to the factory for a one-day turnaround time. For more details, visit
www.cheltonaviation.com, or call 940/320-3330.
Ultimate Tie-Down Kits at Aircraft Spruce
An ACS tie-down kit from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty can be a blessing to have on those occasions when your parking options are limited away from your home airport. Position your aircraft on the grass, drive three of the anchor rods through the wheel chocks and then clip the tie-down straps to the chocks and the wings (not intended for Florida). The straps are also useful for tie-down rings or cables. The wheel chocks can be used on any paved surface when parking the aircraft. ACS tie-down kits include nine anchor rods, three wheel chocks, three tie-down straps and a storage bag. The kit is priced at $121.95. For more information, visit
www.aircraftspruce.com, or call 877/4-SPRUCE.
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continue to receive EAA e-hotline, please add ehotline@eaa.org
A new General Accounting Office (GAO) report to the to the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on balance, reflects well on the GA industry. The report, dated November 2004, is the first completely objective review of GA security since the 9/11 attacks, and EAA feels the outcome was largely positive due to the efforts of EAA and other members of the General Aviation Coalition.
Tax time is nearly upon us, and EAA has some valuable information for Young Eagles volunteers on potential tax-deductible expenses incurred while participating in the program. The Experimental Aircraft Association is an educational and philanthropic organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, EAA members and others who incur out-of-pocket expenses in connection with volunteer services performed by them on behalf of EAA, may be entitled to deduct all or part of those expenses as a charitable contribution on their personal income tax returns.
