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June
13, 2008 Volume 8,
Number 30 |
THE FIGHT CONTINUES: GA
USER FEES AND THE FAA FUNDING BILLS
 Funding
for the FAA will expire on June 30 unless Congress takes action to
extend the agency's current budget authorization-already on a 9-month
extension. The House of Representatives passed a new FAA budget bill
(H.R.2881) in September 2007, but the Senate's version of the bill
(S.B.1300) was stalled over general aviation user fees. Read
more
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LAWRENCE SPEAKS ON 51%
RULE AT GOLDEN WEST
 EAA's
Earl Lawrence, vice president of industry and regulatory affairs,
explained EAA's positions and actions regarding FAA's 51% Rule to dozens
of attendees last Saturday during the Golden West Fly In, Marysville,
California. "Your privileges to design, build, and fly your own
aircraft is threatened," Lawrence told attendees, "Not from
the FAA, but from those who want to use your amateur-built category for
their financial gain." As often happens in the United States,
people don't get all too concerned about the actions of other until they
affect them. "That time is now," Lawrence said. Read
more
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ICON A5 UNVEILED AT
PRIVATE EVENT IN LOS ANGELES
Public Unveiling at EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh 2008
 EAA's
Earl Lawrence attended Icon Aircraft's private unveiling event held
Wednesday in Los Angeles for its new amphibious light-sport aircraft,
the Icon A5. The general public will get its first up-close look at the
sleek two-seater next month at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
"The event was very 'Hollywood' - red carpet and everything,"
he said. "This was different - not your traditional aviation
audience," although he noted Dick Rutan and other notable aviation,
Hollywood, and motor sports personalities also in attendance. Read
more See
video
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WAGNER TO SPEAK AT
VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT
Ron Wagner, EAA manager of field operations, will present two forums on
sport pilot/light-sport aircraft during this weekend's inaugural
Virginia Regional Festival of Flight at Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ),
June 14-15. He'll appear on Saturday in Forum Tent 2 from 12:30-1:30
p.m. and on Sunday in Forum Tent 1 from 10-11 a.m. Wagner will also
provide an EAA Headquarters update as well as an AirVenture Oshkosh 2008
preview, and will speak at the fly-in's banquet on Saturday evening. At
other times he'll be available on the grounds to answer questions from
attendees about sport pilot, AirVenture, and other EAA topics.
This is the first Virginia Regional event
away from Dinwiddie County Airport, where the Virginia Regional EAA
Fly-In was held for 10 years. The move allows for an increased number of
fly-in activities, including forums, workshops, aviation vendor
displays, aircraft demonstration flights, activities for young people,
and acres of parking for those either flying or driving in. For complete
information on the fly-in, visit www.VirginiaFlyIn.org. The Virginia
Regional Festival of Flight is under the sole ownership, control and
operation of Virginia Aviation Council and not the Experimental Aircraft
Association, Inc. ("EAA").
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SEND US YOUR TYPE CLUB
MEETING INFORMATION
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the annual
gathering place for aviation enthusiasts, so it's only natural that many
type clubs also hold special events, dinners, and meetings in and around
Oshkosh throughout the week. If your type club plans to meet during EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2008, visit our secure website, complete the online
form, and we'll post the information on the AirVenture
website. Deadline
to submit information is July 14. Call 888-322-4636, extension 6112, or
e-mail ssedlachek@eaa.org for
more information.
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ELECTRIC-POWERED AIRPLANE
FLIES; PLANS AIRVENTURE APPEARANCE
 The
ElectraFlyer-C, an electric-powered, single-seat airplane, recently made
its first flight, reports Randall Fishman, president of Electric
Aircraft Corp. Fishman previously flew an electric-powered weight-shift
trike at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2007, for which he won grand champion
ultralight and outstanding innovation awards. He is now using the same
motor on an all-metal, low-wing airplane. He expects to demonstrate the
ElectraFlyer C at AirVenture Oshkosh 2008. Read
more
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CESSNAS TO OSHKOSH PLANS
LARGEST GROUP ARRIVAL EVER
 Organizers
for the third Cessnas to Oshkosh (C2O) are expecting about 75 aircraft
to take part in the mass arrival at EAA AirVenture 2008. That would
represent the most airplanes participating since the group organized in
2006.
Rodney Swanson, C2O's director of
training and operations, reports that 72 aircraft are signed up, with
many more interested in joining the group. Even with a 10 percent
attrition rate, which always occurs with large group fly-ins, C2O should
easily make its goal of 75 airplanes, he said. Read
more
COMANCHES MARKS 5OTH
ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR
More than 50 Piper Comanches are expected to
arrive en masse at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to help celebrate the 50th
anniversary of Piper's first all-metal aircraft. Zach Grant, who is
coordinating the arrival, said 72 airplanes are signed up to
participate. However, he anticipates the number of planes taking part in
the mass arrival will be about 60 due to inevitable last-minute
cancellations. Read
more
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APPLICATION DEADLINE IS
NOW FOR AIRVENTURE CUP RACE
 The
deadline to apply for the 2008 AirVenture Cup Race is today, June 13,
2008.
This year the race will begin in Mitchell, South Dakota, on Sunday, July
27, the day before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh opening day. The finish line
will be in Dodge County, Wisconsin, south of Oshkosh, with aircraft
gathering at that county's airport in Juneau (UNU) before proceeding on
to Oshkosh later in the day. For more information on the race rules and
classes, or to fill out a race application form, visit www.airventurecup.com.
If you have other questions, e-mail Eric Whyte at ewhyte@wi.rr.com.
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HOMEBUILDING HINTS OF
THE WEEK
"Cutting
Aluminum Using a Band Saw" and "Bolt Nomenclature"
 Hint
#1: Believe it or not, you can use a band saw with a wood cutting
blade to cut aluminum extrusions. In this video, Kerry Fores of Sonex
Aircraft demonstrates
the technique. Hint #2:
Aircraft quality bolts have a particular numbering system. In this
video, Jack Dueck explains what "AN4-7" actually means.
Jack is a Technical Counselor, Flight Advisor, SportAir Workshop
Instructor and member of both the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council and
Canadian Council.
If you have a hint to share with your
fellow EAAers, we'd love to hear from you! Drop us a note at Info@EAA.org,
and please put "Hints" in the subject line.
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SHEVERS VISITS EAA
HEADQUARTERS
Sporty's founder gives sneak preview to
new online pilot courses
 EAA
welcomed a true general aviation stalwart to its Oshkosh headquarters on
Tuesday as Hal Shevers, founder and chairman of Sporty's Pilot Shop,
visited the EAA Aviation Center. Shevers provided the EAA publications
team with a brief overview of Sporty's new Online Pilot Courses, which
was launched this week on Sporty's
website. "We began in 1963 with the carousel projector, then
went to the wireless carousel, to videotape and DVDs," he said.
"Now we're online." Shevers stressed that this new delivery
system does not replace Sporty's popular flight training DVDs, but
provides another option for student pilots. Read
more
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TIME'S ALMOST UP: DISCOUNT ENDS JUNE 15 FOR
ADVANCED AIRVENTURE TICKET PURCHASES
Tickets can be purchased online at any
time, but the discount ends Sunday
 The deadline to take advantage of the discounts available for
advance AirVenture purchases is June 15, but you can still buy your admission
online at any time before or during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008. Take
advantage of the "buy now and save" offer and receive $2
discounts for daily admissions and $5 discounts for weekly admissions.
To buy your advance AirVenture admission, click
here.
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GET YOUR EAA AIRVENTURE NOTAM
BOOKLET TODAY
 Get
your free EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) booklet
today by ordering from EAA Membership Services at 800-564-6322, or order
online here or download
here. The NOTAM contains the Special Flight Procedures in effect for
Wittman Regional Airport and alternate airports from 6 a.m. CDT on
Friday, July 25, to 11:59 p.m. CDT Sunday, August 3, 2008. EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh runs from July 28-August 3. For additional EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2008 information, including advance
ticket purchasing, visit www.airventure.org.
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RIDESHARE PROVIDES
ECONOMICAL OPTION FOR ATTENDING AIRVENTURE
Make your annual trek to EAA AirVenture more affordable by using
RideShare, a free online service that pairs people looking for
transportation to Oshkosh with those who may have a spare seat
available.
Visit www.airventure.org/rideshare/,
where you can view all the rides offered and all the rides requested. Or
use the 'Quick Search' buttons to focus your search your search, or
search by state. If you wish to post your information and have a ride to
offer, or are looking for a ride, click the 'Offer/Request a Ride' link
to fill out a form with your information. Your personal information will
not be shown on these pages. Instead, a link to contact you is provided.
An e-mail will be sent to you from the interested party, and it is your
option to reply or contact that party.
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EAA's EAA'S PPC/WSC
INSURANCE PLAN GROWING, ADDING MORE AIRCRAFT
 The
new EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan for powered parachutes (PPC) and
weight-shift control trikes (WSC) continues to gain momentum, reports
Bob Mackey of Falcon Insurance Agency. The plan, announced at Sun 'n Fun
in April, recently added three more approved aircraft manufacturers: the
PPC designs of Harmeing Powered Parachutes and Soaring Concepts; and the
WSC trike designs of DTA Trikes. "We're thrilled with the response
we've received from the EAA members who have signed up for this new
coverage," Mackey said. Read
more
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BUYING A HOMEBUILT
AIRCRAFT? EAA CAN HELP
 Did
you know that you have two great resources available to you when it
comes to deciding which homebuilt airplane to buy? The EAA Flight
Advisor Program should be your first stop. An EAA Flight Advisor can
help you review the airplane's flight capabilities and whether or not
your pilot skills are a match for the airplane. And if not, a Flight
Advisor can tell you what you might need to do to make a smooth and safe
transition into the airplane of your choice. Your second contact should
be the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan. The professional aviation insurance
agents at Falcon Insurance Agency, official EAA Plan administrator, can
give you guidance as to the availability and cost of insurance. They
will also provide you with insight into the transition requirement, if
any, the insurance company may require. Learn more about EAA's Flight
Advisor Program by contacting EAA Aviation Services at 888-322-4636, or
by visiting the EAA
Members website. (Login required.) For more information on the EAA
Aircraft Insurance Plan, call 866-647-4322 or visit www.eaainsurance.org.
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
17th Annual Northwest RV Fly-In,
Scappoose, Oregon
 Now
in its 17th year for 2008, the Home Wing sponsored "NW RV
Fly-in" has developed a loyal following with RV pilots attending
from as far away as California and Texas. Traditionally held the
Saturday on Father's Day weekend, it's a great chance to get up close
and personal with over 100 RV builders and flyers. Walk the flight line,
take some pictures, have a hamburger lunch, and buy an event t-shirt...
if you're interested in RVs you won't be disappointed.
Find other events, or submit your own at www.eaacalendar.org.
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EAA'S
1929 FORD TRI-MOTOR TOUR HEADS TO HOOSIER STATE
 EAA's
treasured 1929 Ford Tri-Motor is off on a tour of it's own, offering
unique opportunities to fly in the world's first mass-produced airliner.
The airplane is at Terre Haute International Airport - Hulman Field in
Indiana (June 12 and June 15), with a hop over to Putnam County Airport
in Greencastle, Indiana on June 13. Advance bookings for the Terre Haute
stop are over, but there is plenty of room for walk-ups. The Greencastle
stop offers walk-ups only. For more information on the Tri-Motor tour,
including flight times, visit www.flytheford.org.
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK':
JEAN DUECK
 Battles
waged in the air, races around pylons, or rocketing into space, are not
aviation's only stories. Some are about everyday people who yearn to
fly. For many years, Jean Dueck of Calgary, Canada, resembled a number
of folks involved in aviation-a passenger. She married a pilot named
Jack, who has been flying since 1953 and is a long-time member of EAA.
Over the years Jean supported Jack while he built an RV-4 and restored
an Aeronca 11 AC and a Luscombe 8C, but she was never directly involved
in flying other than holding the chart for Jack while riding in the
right seat. Once their children had grown and left the nest, Jean
decided to move from the right seat into the left and began taking
flight lessons. Now Jack has taken on the supporting role and Jean is
building her own RV-9A. Like most general aviation pilots, she's had
some excitement and mishaps along the way. Here
is her story.
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HOMEBUILDERS
SPECIAL! EAAERS SAVE 20 PERCENT
 Purchase
the Amateur-Built Certification Kit, the Homebuilder Pin, and the
Homebuilder Pocket T-shirt by June 19, and receive all three items for
only $28.99 - a 20 percent discount off the regular, non-member price.
EAA's Amateur-Built Aircraft Certification Kit includes everything you
need to register and certificate a new experimental amateur-built
aircraft. Buy now while supplies last! Order
online or call our toll-free number, 800-564-6322..
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
I have a 7AC Champ with no electrical. I was wondering if I
can fly from twilight to twilight or from sunup to
sunset?
Answer:
An aircraft must display lighted navigation lights
between sunset and sunrise (Ref: FAR 91.209). If
your aircraft does not have navigation lights you
cannot fly between sunset and sunrise.
As we noted last
week, night means the time between the end
of evening civil twilight and the beginning of
morning civil twilight, as published in the American
Air Almanac, converted to local time.
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.
June 2008
EAA
Desktop Calendar
Air show
performer Kyle Franklin flew his Super Cub in the
2007 AirVenture air show, but this year look for the
veteran flier in his Waco. This month's calendar
photo was shot by EAA AirVenture photographer
DeKevin Thornton.
Download
this wallpaper image at the EAA
website, where you can choose among several different
resolutions to suit
your screen...or select an image from the archive.
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TECNAM ITALY INVESTS
IN SPAIN'S COMPOSIT AIRCRAFT GROUP
Italy's Costruzioni
Aeronautiche Tecnam, manufacturers of the Tecnam light-sport and
twin-engine aircraft, has become the major investor in Composite
Aircraft Group (CAG) of Spain, manufacturers of the Toxo light-sport
aircraft.
Lynn Birmingham, of Tecnam Aircraft, the U.S. agent for Costruzioni
Aeronautiche Tecnam, reported that in conjunction with this investment
in CAG, Tecnam is developing a new composite and aluminum light-sport
aircraft specifically for the American market. "It'll have a wider
cabin than the current Tecnam aircraft as well as more baggage space and
other requests we received from American customers," Birmingham
said. She added that Tecnam expects to debut the aircraft next spring at
AERO Friedrichshafen (April 2-5, 2009) and at the Sun 'n Fly-In in
Lakeland, Florida (April 21-26, 2009).
TEXAS FLY-IN, INC.
OFFERS THOUSANDS IN SCHOLARSHIPS
The Texas Fly-In, Inc. has
offered more than $24,000 in scholarships for youth aviation education.
These scholarships were made available for tuition to EAA's Air Academy,
Civil Air Patrol summer flight training programs, flight training at
other schools, and university tuition and fees. Any Texas high school or
college student who needs financial assistance to attend an aviation
program or pursue an aviation degree is encouraged to apply for a
scholarship. Additional information about scholarships can be found at www.thetexasflyin.org.
BEARHAWK HAT TRICK:
THREE FLY THE SAME DAY
June 7, 2008, will forever
be etched in the minds of three unrelated Bearhawk builders as the date
they saw daylight under their wheels for the first time. Widely
separated, both in distance and concept, fortune smiled on the three as
they coincidentally made their first flights on the same day. Read
more
WAI SCHOLARSHIPS READY
FOR APPLICANTS
Thousands of dollars of
Women in Aviation's scholarship funds are waiting for applicants.
Because of the number of scholarships offered, applicants are encouraged
to submit beginning July 1, 2008, to get an early start. The deadline
for all scholarship applications remains November 21, 2008. Winners will
be announced during the 20th Anniversary International Women in Aviation
Conference on February 26-28, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta,
Georgia. For more information, visit www.wai.org.
AIRSHARES ELITE
ACQUIRES iFLY
AirShares Elite has
purchased iFly, the world's first exclusive aero club. The acquisition
will extend AirShares Elite's penetration in the Southern California
market while expanding the network of iFly's Los Angeles and San Diego,
California-area members. The company will operate a fleet of Cirrus SR22
G3 Turbo aircraft in the Southern California market, which iFly Chairman
Andrew DeMond believes will provide even greater utility to iFly's
members, who previously flew iFly's fleet of normally aspirated Columbia
(now Cessna) 350s. AirShares Elite will provide access to its transition
training program to iFly's members, enabling them to begin flying its
fleet of Cirrus aircraft within the next few weeks. Learn more at
www.AirSharesElite.com or call 800-482-5411.
TUNDRA TIRE OPTION FOR
LEGEND CUB
American Legend Aircraft
Company now offers a 26-inch Alaskan Bushwheel (tundra tire) option for
its Legend Cub light-sport aircraft. The new tire option offers Legend
Cub owners increased opportunities for landing their aircraft on varying
terrain. The Alaskan Bushwheel 26-inch tire was branded as Airstreak;
the wheel measures 26" x 12" x 6" and is modeled after
the standard Alaskan Bushwheel, but with a lighter finished weight for
light-sport aircraft. Learn more at www.legend.aero.
GARMIN HONORS AIRCRAFT
SPRUCE
Each year Garmin
singles out one dealer for exceptional sales activity. This year, for
the ninth time, Garmin recognized Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for
taking the point position, bestowing another Platinum Award for Elite
Performance. Mike Young of Garmin presented a plaque to Mike Irwin,
purchasing manager for Aircraft Spruce. For more information, visit
www.AircraftSpruce.com or call 877-477-7823.
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Int'l
Young Eagles Day
