EAA To Celebrate Steve Wittman’s Birthday April 5

On April 5, the 101st anniversary of aviation legend Steve Wittman’s birth, EAA hosts a special program celebrating his life and the enormous impact he had on the history of Oshkosh, EAA, and the world of aviation. Dr. Aaron King, who has researched Wittman for more than 30 years, will give a presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Vette Theater.

Dr. King is author of the definitive biography-an extensive article entitled “Steve Wittman-World's Greatest Race Pilot,” contained in the book The Golden Age of Air Racing. Dr. King is currently working on a full-length book about Wittman.

No advance reservations are required and admission is free to the public.


  

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EAA AirVenture Oshkosh News Ever-popular Harrier Jet Returns to EAA AirVenture The U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B “Harrier II” jump jet, the unique fighter aircraft that features vertical takeoff ability, will return to Oshkosh to appear at EAA AirVenture 2005. The Harrier is scheduled to appear for several days during EAA AirVenture and fly its popular demonstrations during the afternoon air shows on Friday, July 29,  through Sunday, July 31. (read more) Quilters To Gather at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Oshkosh’s Lakeside Quilters will host the annual EAA Quilter’s Gathering during EAA AirVenture on Thursday, July 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church gymnasium, located at 505 Knapp St. The event, which attracts convention attendees from all over the world, will include a quilt show, door prizes, a raffle quilt, silent auction, demonstrations, and a market place. For more information, contact Mary Lark, gardeningtwin@aol.com. AirVenture.org Poll Visit www.airventure.org and participate in the latest weekly EAA AirVenture poll question. This week: How many EAA conventions have you have attended? Post your answer today. Last week's results: Our first poll asked the question, "What specific aircraft coming to EAA AirVenture 2005 are you anticipating the most?" Total responses: 522. Top response: I come for all of 'em - 237 (45.5%). Second: White Knight/SpaceShipOne, 179 (34.29)%. Third: B-29 "Fifi," 54 (10.34%). Whether you're looking for a ride to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh or wish to offer one to another aviation enthusiast, visit EAA's RideShare on the EAA AirVenture website.

NY Times Story Ignores GA Security Efforts Since 9/11
EAA pointedly disagrees with much of a New York Times story published earlier this week (Monday, March 14), that states a new government report indicates general aviation might be vulnerable to use by terrorists, despite huge investments in aviation security. “The story seems to overstate the actual threat of general aviation, which has on many occasions been determined not to be a significant security risk by the same federal agencies quoted in the report,” said Doug Macnair, EAA vice president of government relations.
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TSA Agrees With NAFI Request to Streamline Alien Fingerprinting Process
The Transportation Security Administration, recognizing that its rules regarding the fingerprinting of alien flight students could deter some students from seeking training in the United States, has authorized the National Air Transportation Association Compliance Services (NATACS) to collect and certify fingerprints for alien flight training candidates. The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) suggested the change and applauds its implementation.
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Four More NAFI Sport Pilot Symposiums Scheduled
Dates set for Missouri, California, Pennsylvania, Kentucky
As expected, Sebring, Florida’s successful sport pilot symposium, conducted in October 2004 by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), has prompted several similar events in the coming months. NAFI has confirmed it will hold at least four more sport pilot symposiums this year beginning with a May 21 event in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Last Week to Enter EAA Art Contests
One final reminder that the EAA art contest entry deadlines are next week, Friday, March 25. Those planning to enter the 29th Annual Sport Aviation Art Competition (age 18 and older) and the EAA Youth Art Competition (ages through 17) must submit their work postmarked no later than Friday, March 25, 2005. For more information visit www.airventuremuseum.org/art, or contact Mary McKeown at 920/426-6880.

Hear Julie Clark's Amazing Story Here Saturday
When Julie Clark was eight years old, a gunman entered the cockpit of the passenger airplane her father was flying and killed him. She became determined to follow in her father's footsteps, and as soon as she was able, Julie learned to fly. One of the world’s most dazzling air show performers, Julie Clark will speak at a special EAA AirVenture Museum presentation Saturday, March 19, at 1 p.m. Her program celebrates National Women’s History Month is included with museum admission and is free of charge for EAA members.
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New Look, Feel for Vintage Online Store
It’s now a little easier for Vintage Aircraft Association members and enthusiasts to shop online through the VAA section of EAA’s Aeronautica website. Now you can go directly to http://shop.eaa.org/index_vintage.html to see the new-look VAA online store.

Van’s Working on a Light-Sport Aircraft
Van’s Aircraft, the world’s leading kitplane maker, revealed late last week it has a light-sport aircraft on the drawing board. The Aurora, Oregon, manufacturer is building an all-new proof of concept aircraft rather than a redesign or variation of a previous RV. A few specs noted include: Rotax 912S (80 or 100 hp); low-wing, two-place side by side; initially an experimental amateur-built; tricycle gear; and first availability in late 2006/early 2007. Van’s Tom Green writes on the website, “A new light sport aircraft is on our windscreen but it will be some time before we can provide actual design data or information.” First progress reports are due in the upcoming RVator newsletter.
www.vansaircraft.com

Adam Aircraft Plans New Utah Plant
Adam Aircraft announced plans this week to open a manufacturing and assembly operation at Kemp Ogden Airport Gateway Center in Ogden, Utah. Adam says it will build its A500 centerline twin piston and the A700 AdamJet aircraft in a 22.000 square feet facility within the newly completed Kemp Jet Services terminal. The Utah facility, along with ongoing business in Englewood, Colorado, gives Adam more than 100,000 square feet of facilities. The company employs 430 people. Adam claims customer deliveries of the AdamJet will begin in 2006. For more information, visit www.adamaircraft.com.

Embry Riddle Hosts Advanced Systems Symposium
The rapid introduction of glass-paneled cockpits in general-aviation airplanes is forcing universities, colleges, and airport fixed-base operations (FBOs) to reexamine the equipment they use to train pilots. Next week Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University convenes a National Training Aircraft Symposium where it will explore new training tools for advanced cockpit systems in the latest aircraft. The symposium is Monday, March 21, through Thursday, March 24 at ERAU’s Daytona Beach campus. "Universities, colleges, and FBOs can and should have a voice in defining the airplanes, simulation, and support equipment for educating pilots," said Tim Brady, dean of the university's College of Aviation, which is hosting the event. "Together we can envision the ideal suite of equipment, and individually we can define how to migrate from our current inventory toward that ideal."

Happy Lancair Customers Take Factory to Lunch
On March 9, the morning crew at Schlotzsky’s Deli in Bend, Oregon, was expecting a normal Wednesday lunchtime rush…that is, until they received a call from the Lancair factory. Lancair customers Doug Bernard and Becky Larson of New Iberia, Louisiana, were in town to pick up their new turbocharged Lancair Columbia 400 and were so happy to be getting their airplane decided to show their appreciation to Lancair’s 450 employees. So they bought all of them lunch -and placed their order for 450 sandwiches over the phone. “The airplane is nothing but quality,” Doug said. “She’s a beautiful airplane and we just wanted to thank the people who built her for us.” For more about Lancair, visit www.lancair.com.

Wag Aero Buys Safe Air Repair
John Roscoe confirms that he and his wife, Sandy, have sold the aviation parts division of their company, Safe Air Repair, to the Wag Aero Group on Thursday, March 10. Wag Aero is already taking phone calls and orders for Safe Air parts at their Lyons, Wisconsin, facility, and they expected to be producing parts starting this week. None of Safe Air Repair's operations will remain in Albert Lea, Minnesota. A message at the Safe Air website reads, “Our Aviation Parts Division is now under the ownership of Bill Read and Mary Myers and is now a Division of The Wag-Aero Group. We will continue to produce the same quality Aeronca parts that you are accustomed to.” Orders can be placed at 800/558-6868. The customer service line is 262/763-9586.

First SMA-Powered Twin Flies
A Vulcanaire prototype P68 I-DJET successfully completed its maiden flight on February 24, powered by two SMA SR305-230 diesel engines. It was the first twin application for the new engine, whose features include reduced fuel consumption and high performance using Jet A fuel. Adverse weather kept the aircraft down around 4,000 feet near the Vulcanair headquarters and production facility in Napoli, Italy. Vulcanaire is impressed by the aircraft handling, performance, and especially the shorter take-off distance. The P68 is the sixth aircraft type-equipped and flying with the SMA SR305-230 engine. To learn more, visit www.smaengines.com.