EAA e-Hotline Electronic Newsletter

EAA Establishes Disaster Relief Page
EAA has created a special section on its website that collects information related to EAA/aviation's Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The new page includes disaster relief news of interest to EAA members and chapters; links to other aviation organizations' relief efforts; fund-raising activities and ideas; airspace restrictions through EAA's Flight Planner; and volunteer opportunities. Another page provides information for affected EAA members whose aircraft are insured through the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan. A link to the special relief section is provided on the EAA website, or can be accessed directly at http://www.eaa.org/disasterrelief/.

Chapter 614 Pitches in to Boost Relief Efforts
Jim Moody, president of EAA Chapter 614 (Pineville, La.), reports that the chapter raised more than $1,000 at a pancake breakfast on Sept. 3, with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina disaster relief. In addition, the employer of a Chapter 614 member matched the chapter’s total, so $2,000 went to the Red Cross.
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Miss Champion to Arrive at EAA Friday

An exceptionally rare aircraft originally slated to appear at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2005 will arrive at EAA headquarters on Friday, September 9, then fly for one last time late next week after it’s reassembled. Miss Champion, a Pitcairn PCA-2 autogiro built in 1931, is being transported from Trenton-Robbinsville Airport, New Jersey, to Oshkosh where it will be donated to the EAA AirVenture Museum collection.
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November Sport Pilot Tour Stop in Louisiana Canceled
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the massive cleanup and relief operations there have forced the cancellation of the EAA Sport Pilot Tour stop that was scheduled for Reserve, Louisiana, in November. EAA is looking to replace the New Orleans-area stop with another southern location either late in 2005 or early in 2006. The Sport Pilot Tour stop at Camarillo, California, hosted by EAA Chapter 723, is still scheduled for December 3.

Canada Celebrates 50 Years of Homebuilts

In October 1955, Keith ‘Hoppy’ Hopkinson marked an important milestone in Canadian aviation history when he became the first to fly a Canadian-made homebuilt airplane, a modified version of the Stits Playboy he called L’il Hokey. The flight took place in Goderich, Ontario, known as the “Prettiest Town in Canada.” Working very closely with Paul Poberezny, then president of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), “Hoppy” Hopkinson worked tirelessly to convince the Department of Transport to allow amateur built aircraft to fly in Canada.
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MERFI Holds Annual Fly-In

The EAA Mid-Eastern Fly-In (MERFI) was held August 26-28 at the Marion (Ohio) Municipal Airport (MNN). While unfavorable weather affected Saturday’s turnout, the fly-in rebounded Sunday with sunny skies for EAAers and aviation enthusiasts from throughout the area (about 40 miles north of Columbus, Ohio). EAA’s Ron Wagner held a very well attended sport pilot forum on Saturday morning, and also met with several Ohio EAA Chapter leaders. Other activities included forums and workshops, aircraft judging, and Young Eagle flights. The 2006 MERFI is tentatively scheduled for August 25-27.

EAA WOA, NATA Report on T-6/SNJ Issue
Note: The following correspondence was sent to EAA Warbirds of America (WOA) headquarters. We applaud the efforts of Rick Siegfried, WOA Safety Chairman, in helping coordinate the response to the T-6 Airworthiness Directive.

To All North American T-6/SNJ/Harvard Owners:
The following timeline outlines what NATA and EAA Warbirds of America (WOA) have been doing on your behalf, dealing with the recent AD concerning our aircraft. This will help outline what got us here, where we have been, and where we are going.
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EAA Warbirds of America Helps Fund T-34 Engineering Study
Critical data could lead to fewer restrictions

EAA Warbirds of America is helping to fund a T-34 Association engineering study of the T-34 aircraft that will yield critical data to the FAA that could help keep them flying safely, with fewer restrictions, for years to come. The board approved a $1,000 contribution at its summer meeting. Many T-34 owners have also provided individual contributions to the fund.
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Attention Chapters, Squadrons:
2006 EAA B-17 Tour Forming
With several weeks remaining on EAA’s “Allied Victory B-17 Tour” organizers are busy planning next year’s tour locations. If your EAA Chapter or Warbirds of America Squadron is interested in hosting a 2006 tour stop, we need to hear from you. Please call Sue Strehlow, 920/426-6840 or sstrehlow@eaa.org to indicate your interest. You can also go online at www.b17.org/tour/chapters.asp, download the application form, and mail to EAA. Whichever method you choose, please contact EAA headquarters no later than October 1, 2005, to be considered for the 2006 schedule.

EAA Insurance Tip --
No Pre-Flight? Nobody’s That Good!
By Bob Mackey
Falcon Insurance Agency, Inc.
I took 95 percent of my flight training while attending Southern Illinois University. Southern was a great pace to go to college and their flight training programs were, and still are, outstanding. One day, while I was working on my commercial license, I asked my best friend, who was working on his flight instructor rating, if he wanted to go flying. For the most part I was just building time while practicing chandelles, lazy-8s, and other commercial maneuvers. He said sure and we headed out to the airport.
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Eclipse 500 #4 Lands Gear-Up
Pilot error is being blamed for a gear-up landing of Eclipse’s fourth conforming flight test aircraft 500 on September 4 at the Albuquerque International Sunport. Neither the pilot nor co-pilot on the test flight was injured. N505EA, Eclipse’s fourth FAA-conforming flight test aircraft, was one of two 500s that appeared and performed flight demonstrations at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2005. The incident occurred just 11 days after Eclipse announced that its fifth test aircraft, N506EA, was up and flying. Eclipse says no mechanical or electrical problems contributed to the accident based on its investigation, and that the aircraft will be repaired. “We are very thankful that no one was hurt and pleased that the aircraft will fly again,” said Eclipse president and CEO Vern Raburn. “We are evaluating the damage to the aircraft, but are confident that we will demonstrate how easily a friction stir welded structure can be fixed.” For more information, visit www.eclipseaviation.com.

FAA Determines Meigs Closure Illegal, Imposes Maximum Fine
Nearly 2 1/2 years after the fact, the FAA has determined that Mayor Richard Daley violated federal law when he ordered bulldozers to carve large “X’s” into the runway at Chicago’s lakefront jewel, Merrill C. Meigs Field, after midnight March 30, 2003. As a result, the FAA has levied a $33,000 fine, the maximum allowed by law, on the city. “This vindicates what we’ve said all along,” said Steve Whitney, president of the Friends of Meigs Field. “Mayor Daley’s midnight massacre of Meigs was illegal. Good government doesn’t happen in the secret of night.” The group calls on Daley himself to pay the fine. “The Mayor of Chicago knew when he did this that it was illegal and would incur fines,” said Whitney. “Taxpayers should be outraged if they are made to pay for such blatant abuse of power.” The FAA is also investigating whether the city improperly used over $2.8 million in restricted federal aviation funds designated for airport improvement. According to documents filed by the City of Chicago in December, $2,887,462 in airport funds was spent to demolish Meigs and make way for a nature park. If found in violation, the city may incur additional fines of $8 million or more. For more information, visit www.friendsofmeigs.org.

NTSB Requests Better Weather Training Requirements for Pilots
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has asked the FAA to require general aviation pilots who do not otherwise receive recurrent instrument training to receive specific weather-related recurrent training during biennial flight reviews. This would improve the GA safety record for weather-related accidents, NTSB said in a study published this week. The board also asked that the FAA identify and provide additional support for pilots whose performance indicates an increased risk, and that it improve its pre-flight weather services. The results of the NTSB study suggest that a pilot’s performance history is associated with an increased risk of being involved in weather-related GA accidents, while those who receive their first pilot certificates earlier in life are at a lower risk. About two-thirds of all GA accidents that occur in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) are fatal, according to the report.

E-Tickets Now Available for Countdown to the X Prize Cup
E-Tickets for the Countdown to the X Prize Cup are now available online.
The event will take place during New Mexico’s Personal Spaceflight Expo, October 6-9, at the Las Cruces International Airport, New Mexico. The Expo will be the world's first space show where the entire family can come watch the next generation of space vehicles actually fly. Attendees can see the vehicles up close, learn about the technology, build their own model rockets, operate robots, and even talk to astronauts. For more information visit www.xpcup.com.

WSI Introduces FAA Flight Plan Submission Service
WSI has released a new integrated FAA Flight Plan Submission capability for its Pilotbrief Pro product line. Pilots will now be able to plot a flight route, evaluate the impact of weather on their flight, and file their flight plan for FAA approval—all through the WSI system. All current WSI Pilotbrief Pro and Pro Online customers can upgrade to this expanded functionality for free. “With the addition of flight plan submission, pilots can quickly turn a route briefing into a filed flight plan—a great convenience and time-saver,” said Arlo Gambell, WSI director of aviation services. For more information visit www.wsi.com.

Aircraft Spruce Offers New Aircraft Security Lock
Aircraft Spruce has expanded its offerings in aircraft security locks to include the Chok-Lok Aircraft Security Lock. The versatile lock design allows it to be used on the wide variety of wheel assemblies. The tight chocking assembly prevents accidental damage to the aircraft if taxiing is attempted with the lock in place. The Chok-Lok package includes a caliper, chock assembly, quality padlock, and a storage bag. It is available for 5” and 6” wheels and will work on everything from a J-3 to a Metroliner; however, it cannot be used with wheel pants in place. The price varies from $289 to $319, depending on wheel size. For more information or to place an order, visit www.aircraftspruce.com, or call 877-4-SPRUCE.

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