EAA e-Hotline Electronic Newsletter

Thomas Kalina Awarded ‘Best of Show’
in EAA Sport Aviation Art Contest

Thomas J. Kalina of Racine, Wisconsin, won the Best of Show award and the top prize of $1,000 in the 2005 EAA Sport Aviation Art Contest. His entry, “South American Glory,” depicts a Douglas DC-7B taking off in the early evening light. Four other category winners took home $250 awards and included Ardell Bourgeois, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada - “James Allen Ward, VC” - Warbirds category; Leon Basler, Bismarck, North Dakota - “Lifting the Spirit” - Sport Aviation; M. Randall Mytar, Sherman Oaks, California - “Fly Fishing” - Vintage; and Ron Hart, Bend, Oregon - “Manned Flight” – Open.
(read more)

SWRFI Finds its New Home in Hondo

Early indications are that attendance of people and aircraft were clearly up at last weekend's Southwest Regional EAA Fly-In (SWRFI). But the real story is that SWRFI officials feel they've finally found a permanent home for the event at Hondo, Texas, Airport (HDO). They had tried three other locations in recent years.
(read more)

Museum's 'DINO-SOAR!' Exhibit Opens This Weekend

While the world of flight begins to see the innovations taking shape in aviation’s second century, the EAA AirVenture Museum is also looking back - way back - to the first flying creatures in a new exhibit that opens on Saturday, May 21. “DINO-SOAR!” digs into the very origins of flight, from the earliest flying insects and reptiles, and connects them to aviation today. The highly interactive exhibit includes artifacts and models ranging from the evolution of dinosaurs into birds that inspired modern-day aviation.
(read more)

NAFI Sport Pilot Symposium Adds Roy Beisswenger

Roy Beisswenger, host of Internet radio program UltraFlight Radio, has been added as a member of the panel of National Association of Flight Instructors experts for the upcoming 2005 NAFI Sport Pilot Symposiums series. A pilot with particular interest and knowledge in powered parachutes, Beisswenger hosts the weekly, two-hour radio program at www.ultraflightradio.com.
(read more)

'Eagle Flight' Goal: Register Over 400 Young Eagles

On May 28, Jared Aicher will climb aboard a Cessna 172 and depart on a trip to 60 cities scattered across the 48 lower United States and the Caribbean. His mission: to give more than 400 kids airplane rides through the EAA Young Eagles program. Local EAA Chapters across the country will welcome Aicher and his "Eagle Flight" project as he travels the country offering free flights to youths aged 8-17 at each stop
(read more)

‘Timeless Voices of Aviation’ DVD Now Available

Now you can have your own copy of EAA’s Timeless Voices of Aviation DVD. This program, same as the one featured at EAA AirVenture Museum’s Wilson Timeless Voices Theater, includes 23 interviews of participants of EAA’s oral history program, Timeless Voices of Aviation. This DVD blends historical archival footage with timeless interviews highlighting stories of the first 100 years of powered flight. Jump into the cockpit with aviators of all backgrounds as they discuss topics ranging from their experiences in WWII, aerobatics, aircraft design, racing, and more.

To learn more, visit the Aeronautica website.

Allegro 2000 Gains S-LSA Certification
The Allegro 2000 received its certification as a special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) on May 19. The Allegro 2000 is manufactured by Fantasy Air of the Czech Republic and imported into the U.S. by B Bar D Aviation Inc. of Whitsett, North Carolina.

Doug Hempstead, vice-president of B Bar D Aviation, said three Allegro 2000s were inspected and all were awarded S-LSA airworthiness certificates. B Bar D Aviation worked closely with Marty Weaver and the staff at FAA's Light-Sport Aviation Branch (AFS-610) and Larry Werth, FAA's light-sport aircraft program manager, to "make sure our ducks were all in a row as far as paperwork was concerned."
(read more)

Cirrus Reports Continued Strong Growth in 1st Quarter
Cirrus Design Corporation, makers of the SRV-G2, SR20-G2, and SR22-G2, continued its upward trend in the first quarter of this year with a 27 percent increase in deliveries over 2004. New purchase orders were also well above projections. The company increased its sales team in recent weeks to help satisfy increased requests for demonstration flights, fleet sales, and new market opportunities. “With the increase in deliveries, Cirrus will continue to add new team members to the sales force, and grow our support staff in the areas of Customer Service and Field Service,” said Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing John M. Bingham. For more information, visit www.cirrusdesign.com.

Kodiak Debuts at Alaska Aviation Trade Show
Quest Aircraft’s Kodiak was officially unveiled at the Alaska State Aviation Trade Show last week in Anchorage after flying in from the company’s headquarters in Sandpoint, Idaho. “We have been extremely pleased with the performance,” said Paul Schaller, Quest president and CEO. “All the performance numbers are coming in as expected and we’re pleased to share them with prospective customers, press, and the public here in Alaska and on our website.” The 10-place aircraft boasts superior STOL performance and high useful load of 3,450 lbs. Powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6 750-hp turbine engine, Kodiak can land on unimproved surfaces, take off in under 700 feet at full gross (6750 lbs) and climb at over 1,700 fpm. Quest is taking orders for the aircraft starting at about $1.1 million. For more information, visit www.questaircraft.com.

Mermaid Amphibian Makes First Flights
Czech Aircraft Works’ Mermaid amphibian aircraft made its first flights from land and sea earlier this month in the Czech Republic. Chip Erwin, president of Czech Aircraft Works and head of the design group, remarked, “We did not rush the Mermaid into production but rather took the time to flight test properly, and then refine and optimize the design. The result is a high-quality aircraft with exceptionally fine flying characteristics, refined systems, and the versatility of an amphibian. We have met our design goals and are now completing the documentation and establishing production.” The Mermaid, which conforms to light-sport aircraft specifications, was first seen as a proof of concept at Sun ’n Fun 2004 and is scheduled to appear at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this summer. For more information, visit www.skyshops.org.

Taylorcraft Relocating to Brownsville; Factory Fly-In Postponed
Taylorcraft Aviation will move its entire operation from LaGrange, Texas, to Brownsville, Texas, on or before June 1, 2005, Harry Ingram, President announced recently. All manufacturing labor will be outsourced to Nova/Link Inc., while Taylorcaft performs quality control and inspection processes to meet FAA standards. This process will be under direct supervision of the FAA San Antonio Manufacturing Inspection District Office. For more information, visit www.taylorcraft.com.

91 Octane Auto Fuel STCs Amended For Piper Models
Petersen Aviation’s auto fuel supplementary type certificate (STC) for the Piper PA-28 series now includes the Cadet, Warrior II and III, and Archer II and III. Newer PA-28s with 12- or 24-volt electrical systems may now take advantage of an STC previously limited to older 12-volt models. The amendment closes the gap between PA-28s built in the 1970s and 1980s and more recently produced airplanes. Once modified, these airplanes may use 91 octane (minimum) automotive gasoline. Modifications include redundant electric fuel pumps and revised fuel system plumbing installs made from steel and stainless steel fittings. 24-volt airplanes also require the installation of voltage converters and accompanying wiring looms. For more details, visit http://autofuelstc.com or call 308/832-2050.

IFR Training Glasses Available from Sporty’s
Instant IFR Training Glasses are frosted to simulate actual instrument flight rules conditions for instrument training. The precision frosting and wrap-around design helps prevent cheating, and they’re small enough so as not to obstruct the safety pilot's view, like many cumbersome hoods. They’re available for $14.95 from www.sportys.com or by calling 800/SPORTYS.

To ensure that you continue to receive EAA e-hotline, please add ehotline@eaa.org to your e-mail address book today.

AOL users, add us to your buddy list!