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Happy Holidays From EAA!

EAA President Tom PobereznyWe are about to wrap up another interesting and exciting year for aviation and EAA. There were many new innovations and advancements, while at the same time important issues that must be addressed on behalf of the aviation community.Happy Holidays From EAA

During this holiday season, it's not only a time to look back, but also a time to look to the future. 2008 will bring many opportunities to engage more and more people in aviation. EAA will be an active leader in promoting flight for the many varied interests within the EAA membership.

I'm proud of what the organization has accomplished through the efforts of active members. On behalf on my wife, Sharon, my daughter, Lesley, and the entire EAA Headquarters staff, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Tom Poberezny
Tom Poberezny, President
Experimental Aircraft Association

EAA's Oshkosh offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 24-25, as well as on Tuesday, January 1.
The EAA AirVenture Museum will close at 3 p.m. on December 24 and all day on December 25 and January 1.
The next issue of e-Hotline will be January 3, 2008.

Ultralights
The above photo illustration shows a fixed-wing and powered parachute from the perspective of a weight-shift trike.
Top Story
EAA Files Exemption For E-LSA Conversion Rule
EAA submitted an exemption request this week that, if approved by the FAA, would allow owners of two-place, or "fat" ultralight trainers the opportunity to complete the airworthiness certification process of their vehicles to the experimental-light-sport aircraft (E-LSA) category after the January 31, 2008, deadline. In the request, EAA asks that owners who have submitted their aircraft registration (n-number) application packet to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch and it has been entered into the FAA system on or before January 31, 2008, be allowed to complete the process, including issuance of an airworthiness certificate, beyond the deadline.  Read more

Homebuilding in Alaska
VideoHomebuilding in Alaska
EAA Chapter 42 member Dick Reeve, EAA 677426, of Anchorage is featured in our second installment highlighting homebuilders in Alaska. Reeve recently completed his Lancair Legacy and met with EAA's award-winning photographer Bonnie Kratz, who was in Anchorage last September to address a Women in Aviation regional conference.

Also check out the previous slide show from Alaska featuring Mike Ice and his RV-9 project.

And see other multimedia offerings that illustrate the spirit of EAA - our members, the aircraft they build and fly, chapter activities, and gems from our archives.

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News & Views from EAA December 21, 2007    Volume 7, Number 59
UPDATE ON EAA AND MAJOR FLY-INS
EAA - The Spirit of AviationFor the past several months, representatives of the major fly-ins throughout the nation commonly known as "regional fly-ins" have been discussing with EAA staff the structure and relationships between EAA and these large events that have carried the EAA name. Some of these events have existed for many years. These are not and have never been EAA-owned or -operated events, but rather grew from the efforts of local EAA members, chapters and aviation enthusiasts seeking to create a community that shares EAA's mission of promoting the spirit of aviation.   Read more
EAA AIRVENTURE CONCERT BAND TO FORM, PERFORM AGAIN
EAA AIRVENTURE CONCERT BAND TO FORM, PERFORM AGAINOne of the more memorable moments of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2007 was the wonderful performance by EAA's first-ever AirVenture Concert Band, a collection of volunteer members who opened the Wednesday evening program at Theater in the Woods. (See their performance.) Conductor Elton Eisele, EAA 216273, who is the band director at Niles North High School in suburban Chicago, was the driving force behind putting the band together, and he's volunteered to do it again for AirVenture 2008.  Read more
TOP AIR SHOW PERFORMERS CONFIRM EARLY FOR EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2008
EAA AirVenture OshkoshMany of the world's top air show performers have given early confirmations to participate at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," on July 28-August 3 at Wittman Regional Airport. Among the early confirmations are world champion aerobatic competitors such as three-time world champion Nikolai Timofeev and yearly favorites such as Sean D. Tucker, Patty Wagstaff, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team and the Warbird Spectaculars.  Read more
BRIAN BINNIE FASCINATES FELLOW EAAERS AT ANNUAL WRIGHT DINNER
Brian BinnieEarly morning, October 4, 2004, was the day Brian Binnie got his dream back high over the Mojave Desert in California. At the controls for SpaceShipOne's second Ansari X Prize flight that morning, he soared to a record height of 367,442 feet (112 kilometers/69 miles), exceeding Mach 3 to clinch the $10 million bounty and become the world's 434th astronaut, as well as the first Scotsman, to reach space. Binnie gave a riveting speech recounting the X-Prize project at Friday evening's fifth annual EAA Wright Brothers Memorial Dinner in the AirVenture Museum's Eagle Hangar. He wasn't even supposed to be in Oshkosh-the scheduled speaker, SS1 designer Burt Rutan, was unable to attend due to illness, and Binnie was able to attend in his stead.   Read more
EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF THE WEEK' - BILL BRENNAND
Timeless Voices of AviationIn 1943, Bill Brennand went to work for famous air racing legend Steve Wittman in Timeless Voices of AviationOshkosh, Wisconsin. With Wittman as his flight instructor, Brennand was soon learning how to wrangle airplanes around pylons himself. Bill began racing in 1947 and quickly became an air racing legend in his own right. He left Wittman Flying Service in 1950 and opened his own small FBO near Neenah, Wisconsin in 1953. Bill ran the FBO at Brennand Airport until his retirement in 1993. In this Timeless Voice segment, Bill recalls some of his air racing adventures.
FOURTH 'REACH FOR THE SKY' ISSUE COMING THIS WEEK
 Reach for the SkyThe  fourth  edition (December 2007) of EAA's Reach for the Sky e-newsletter is ready to roll off the virtual press to more than 5,000 subscribers this week. This month's issue includes the next installment of editor Steve Krog's series on beginning flight instruction, along with pointers on finding the right instructor/flight school, more glossary terms to build your aviation vocabulary, Q&A, and the poll of the month.  Learn more about Reach For the Sky, or subscribe here.
GONE WEST: NORBERT C. RUFF
NORBERT C. RUFFEAA Warbirds of America is saddened to learn that Norbert C. Ruff, Bloomer, Wisconsin, passed away on November 28, at the age of 88. Norbert, a WWII fighter pilot, attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2007 where he participated in the Warbirds in Review program to share his experiences flying the Lockheed P-38 lightning in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. It was a special day, as the Ruff family joined hundreds of AirVenture attendees to watch the nose art being applied by hand to Ron Fagen's newly restored P-38. The P-38 was appropriately named Ruff Stuff in Norbert's honor.  Read more
LADIES' CAP AND SCARF COMBO
EAA MerchandiseOn those cold, winter days, wrap up with this fashionable EAA cap and scarf combo on your way out the door. They're made of a 97 percent polyester and 3 percent acrylic blend, with the EAA Logo in blue on the butter crème cap and scarf. Originally priced at $30.99, get both on sale for $22.99. Order online or call 800-564-6322.
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EAA Flight Planner

Q & A: 
Question of the Week
I am building a Safari helicopter. Does the FAA require a written log of all fabrication and assembly operations? I'm taking lots of pictures including some with me cutting metal to prove I'm doing the work, but is keeping a daily log necessary?

Answer:
The regulation only requires that you have “construction records” to verify that amateur builders have performed the major portion (51 percent) of the fabrication and assembly tasks on the project. These records can be in any form and format, and usually consist of both photographs and written records. A daily log is not required, but it wouldn’t hurt to take some notes occasionally to record when certain tasks were completed, when an EAA Technical Counselor visited the project, and other pertinent details. A totally photographic record is acceptable, but the inspector may need to spend more time interviewing you so as to get a better feel for the details of the project.

Have a question?
To ask a question regarding government issues, e-mail govt@eaa.org. For questions about registration, airmen, aircraft and medical certification, safety records, performance, or any other matter, e-mail infoserv@eaa.org.

January 2008
EAA Desktop Calendar
EAA Desktop Wallpaper
Start out the New Year with a little winter flying, courtesy of a previous EAA Skiplane Fly-In. This year's event is right around the corner, on January 26, and you can download this visual reminder for your computer desktop at the EAA website. Choose among four resolutions to suit your screen, or select an image from the archive.
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On the Flightline - General Aviation News

DICK RUTAN COUNTS HIS BLESSINGS
Dick RutanWorld record-setting pilot Dick Rutan (EAA 94971) had a scare this week when he was reportedly forced to make an emergency landing in his Cessna 150M while en route from Mojave, California, to attend a memorial service for a friend in Palm Springs. The airplane had engine troubles shortly after takeoff on December 18, causing Rutan to land on a small road in the desert city of Victorville early that morning. He escaped the incident with no serious injuries.  Read more

NATIONAL AVIATION HALL OF FAME REVEALS 2008 INDUCTEES
The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) will induct a diverse group of aviation legends at a ceremony to be held on July 19 in Dayton, Ohio. The 2008 slate of inductees are: Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson, USAF (Ret.), veteran WWII triple ace and experimental test pilot; Herbert D. Kelleher, co-founder, former CEO, and Executive Chairman of Southwest Airlines; the late William A. Moffett, architect of naval military aviation; and Sean D. Tucker, champion aerobatic air show performer and instructor. For advance reservations for the NAHF's 47th Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony on July 19, 2008, call 937-256-0944, ext.10. Seats are $150 per person and a portion of each seat purchased is deductible as allowed by law. For more information, visit www.nationalaviation.org.

BRS GROWTH LEADS TO MANAGEMENT CHANGES
Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS), manufacturer of whole-airframe parachute systems, is realigning its senior management to respond to recent company growth. Chief Financial Officer Don Hedquist is stepping aside to make room for a new finance team. Gary Moore has taken the reins as vice president of sales and marketing; David E. Blanchard is now the general manager; and Norman Girdwood takes over General Manager responsibilities at the new BRS Fabrication division facility in Pinebluff, North Carolina. In the last 12 months, BRS announced that its parachute system would appear in seven new airframes. For more information, visit www.brsparachutes.com.

ASPEN EXPECTS EFD1000 CERTIFICATION IN MARCH 2008
In an open letter to its customers, Aspen Avionics announced that certification and delivery of the new Evolution Fight Display system (the EFD1000) has moved from year-end 2007 to the end of March 2008. The statement states that the company is confident of its availability to meet the new schedule. Installations should begin in April 2008.

SUN FLIGHT PUBLISHING'S NEW TRAINING WEBSITE
Sun Flight Publishing, Inc. announced a new website exclusively focused on avionics training for pilots and technicians. The Sun Flight Avionics Training website gathers avionics training products from the industry, allowing comparison-shopping from a single web location.
Visitors can choose from books, videos/DVDs, downloadable simulators, cockpit checklists, and computer-based training courses. More than 100 avionics training products are available. For more information, and the complete online catalog, visit: www.SunFlightAvionics.com.

NEW ROTAX STANDARDIZED TRAINING AND iRMT PROGRAMS
The official factory authorized Information-Education-Support website for Rotax aircraft engines has introduced new global Rotax training and Independent Rotax Maintenance Technician Programs (iRMT). These new factory programs are designed to establish a global standard for Rotax Aircraft Engine training, resulting in a new class of independent Rotax Maintenance Technicians (iRMT) being made available worldwide to service Rotax products. Through the program, individual training organizations can  become "authorized" via the local Rotax distributor to offer standardized Rotax aircraft engine training, leading to the issuance of iRMT certificates. Beginning January 1, 2008, all "Authorized Training Organizations" will have to meet the new minimum standards established by BRP-Rotax to adequately qualify an iRMT and issue the appropriate certificates listing each individual's specific rating. For more information, visit www.Rotax-Owner.com.

AEROTHERM DEUCE OFFERS TWICE THE POWER
Sporty's now offers the AeroTherm Deuce, designed to double the heating power of its original AeroTherm Engine Pre-Heater. Rather than using propane, the AeroTherm Deuce uses two 800-watt heating elements with a thermostat that maintains the desired temperature. The Deuce can be kept plugged in all winter to keep the engine warm or can be used as a traditional pre-heater. It's available for $499. Order at www.sportys.com or call 800-776-7897.

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