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June
20, 2008 Volume 8,
Number 31 |
EAA, WOA FIGHT POTENTIAL
WARBIRD NOISE RESTRICTION IN STALLED SENATE BILL
A proposed noise restriction on jet Warbirds
contained in the U.S. Senate's FAA reauthorization bill will not likely
see passage into law anytime soon, according to Washington sources, but
EAA and the Warbirds of America are nonetheless working behind the
scenes to make sure it's removed. The proposed new restriction in the
FAA Reauthorization Bill S.B.1300, currently stalled in the Senate,
would tighten noise restrictions on privately owned jets and could
ground many warbird jets. Read
more
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TRAVEL SPECIALS CONTINUE
TO EXPAND FOR OSHKOSH-BOUND
 The
list of landing facilities and FBOs providing special offers and fuel
discounts to EAA members flying to Oshkosh continues to grow as we get
closer to AirVenture 2008 Opening Day. To date more than 70 facilities
are listed on the AirVenture
website.
Among the latest facilities to post information is SilverWest Airport
(C08) of Westcliffe, Colorado. SilverWest is offering a special, one-day
only fuel price of $4.59 on 100LL for anyone flying to Oshkosh on
Saturday, July 26. They're also offering free camping to
AirVenture-bound pilots.
EAA encourages those flying to Oshkosh to take advantage of the special
offers being offered across the country, making your flight to
AirVenture 2008 more affordable. If you'd like your FBO or facility
listed, please email the information to webmaster@eaa.org,
and we'll continue to update the website as we receive more submissions.
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LEGISLATORS AND
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FLOCK TO AIRVENTURE
 AirVenture
Oshkosh is the place - the only place - where legislators and aviation
administrators, technicians, and field agents from all levels of
government come to talk with and listen to the grass-roots aviation
community - from weekend pilots and amateur builders to the top
executives of the leading aviation manufacturers. Only in Oshkosh can
these officials see and interact with the people who make up the spirit
of aviation, and the individuals and groups that lead the industry
forward. Read
more
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DESTINATION: OSHKOSH
Able Flight announces Barnstorming Tour
to AirVenture
 Brad
Jones and Sean O'Donnell, Able Flight's first scholarship winners who
earned their Sport Pilot Certificates, will embark on a seven-day,
1,000-mile barnstorming tour in Atlanta on July 21, heading for Oshkosh
and an opening day arrival ceremony at AeroShell Square at AirVenture.
Both pilots are wheelchair-bound due to spinal cord injuries suffered in
vehicle accidents and they'll be flying a matched set of specially
equipped Sky Arrow 600 special light-sport aircraft. Read
more
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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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HEADS UP:
WIND TURBINES IN VICINITY OF AIRVENTURE FLY-IN ROUTES
 As
the world adjusts to a new energy reality, renewable energy resources
have come to play an increasingly important role. Those of you who have
flown to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh from the south in the past decade will
recall the two 1448 MSL tall wind turbines located south of Fond du Lac,
along U.S. 41. That pair of turbines constructed by Wisconsin Public
Service has become a handy navigational landmark. Now, that tall twosome
has plenty of company.
To the west of those
original twin turbines is an entirely new crop of 86 General Electric
wind turbines. Taking advantage of a naturally windy area of the state,
the white, 3-bladed, wind-driven generators sprout from the rural fields
of southern Fond du Lac and northern Dodge counties, between U.S. 41 on
the east and the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge on the west. Each
turbine tower stands 262 feet tall, with a rotor diameter of 289 feet,
for a combined height above the ground of nearly 570 feet. Pilots should
be aware that the obstruction height can reach as high as 1528 MSL, as
noted on current Sectional Charts. Read
more
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VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF
FLIGHT DEBUTS IN NEW LOCATION
 The
Virginia Regional Festival of Flight held its inaugural fly-in at the
Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ) last weekend, and organizers were
pleased with the event's success and prospects for the future. Sunny
weather, a gracious welcome from the City of Suffolk and the airport
manager, and an excellent volunteer turnout helped introduce the Greater
Hampton Roads community to personal aviation. Read
more
EAA, VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT SIGN SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
The Virginia Aviation Council, which
operates the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight, reached a sponsorship
agreement with EAA just before the event was held late last week. The
new working agreement brings higher visibility to the annual event and
clearly defines EAA's role in the Virginia Festival of Flight, which
debuted at Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ) June 14-15. The agreement
also underscores the shared missions of the two organizations. Read
more
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PILOT
TAKES OFF ON CROSS-COUNTRY TRIBUTE FLIGHT
 This
past Sunday, J.W. French (EAA 226844) departed Fort Myers, Florida, to
begin his flight to re-create the late Sam Burgess' 1974 journey around
the lower 48 states in an open-cockpit Acro Sport. EAA first reported
French's flight in Chapter Hopping, from the June 2008 issue of EAA
Sport Aviation (page 86). As a result of that story, French received an
enormous response from EAA chapters and members located along his route,
many of whom provided open invitations of hangar space and a place to
stay. With encouragement from EAA Founder and Chairman Paul Poberezny
and EAA chapters throughout the country, French not only aims to
re-create Burgess' historic flight, but also make a stop at Wittman
Regional Airport during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008. Read
more
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THEATER IN THE WOODS, EAA
FLY-IN THEATER SCHEDULES AVAILABLE
The 2008 Theater in the Woods schedule,
featuring a list of presentations, award ceremonies, aviation legends,
and much more, is now available online.
Among this year's special performers are comedian/ventriloquist Jeff
Dunham on Wednesday night, and actor Gary
Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band, which takes to the stage on Friday. All
programs at the Theater in the Woods are included with all AirVenture
admissions.
The grounds adjacent to EAA's Camp
Scholler camping area will once again illuminate at night as Ford Motor
Company and Eclipse Aviation bring back the widely popular EAA Fly-In
Theater. Celebrity presenters include actor and EAA Young Eagles
chairman, Harrison Ford, pilot and actor John Travolta, Oscar-winning
producer Ben Shedd, pilot and actor David Ellison, and many more. To
view a complete list of movies and celebrity presenters, click
here.
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HOMEBUILDING HINT OF
THE WEEK
"Rod End Bearing Installation"
 Rod
end bearings are used extensively in aircraft control systems. In this
video, Jack Dueck shows the proper way to attach a rod end bearing
to a control lever. Jack is a Technical Counselor, SportAir Workshop
Instructor, and member of both the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council and
Canadian Council. He also is editor of the new e-Newsletter for Canada, Bits
and Pieces.
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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LEARN TO FLY DISCOVERY
CENTER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
 Volunteers
are sought help share their knowledge and passion for flight with
attendees at EAA AirVenture's Learn to Fly Discovery Center. If you're a
CFI or a pilot, we'd like to hear from you. Share a few hours during the
World's Greatest Aviation Celebration at this exciting new venue aimed
at helping others discover the joy of flying. The center will be located
directly south of the EAA Welcome Center at the corner of Knapp St. Road
and the main taxiway west of AeroShell Square. Featured will be
exhibits, seminars, flight simulators, and more, plus EAA will be
providing free sport pilot student pilot certificates to EAA members. If
you're interested, please contact Mark Forss at mforss@eaa.org.
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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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EAA AIRVENTURE VOLUNTEER
SPOTLIGHT: DAN & PATTI BENNETT, FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN
 Why
would anyone take a vacation to come to EAA AirVenture and scrub floors
or dig holes? Patti Bennett says it's because of the way people treat
you in Oshkosh. "It's what keeps you coming back." There
aren't many jobs that Patti and Dan Bennett, of Farmington Hills,
Michigan, haven't done over the years. The Bennetts come early to
AirVenture to get a camping spot in the shade. And since they're here
early, they help out. Read
more
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EAA LAUNCHES 'BITS AND
PIECES' E-NEWSLETTER FOR CANADA
 This
week saw the launch of EAA’s Bits and Pieces, a new e-newsletter and
monthly information digest for builders and fliers in Canada. The
newsletter aims to highlight issues of interests to Canadian aviation
enthusiasts, plus honor the people and the places where amateur-built
aircraft found a home in Canada. Jack Dueck, a longtime EAA member from
Calgary, is the editor. Dueck serves on the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft
Council, is a Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor, a member of the
EAA Canadian Council, and founding president of EAA Chapter 1410 in High
River. He also instructs at EAA’s SportAir Workshops and appears on
several Hints for Homebuilders episodes, available on the EAA
website. Read
more
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EAA B-17 CEDAR RAPIDS
TOUR STOP CANCELED DUE TO FLOODS
 EAA's
Salute to Veteran's Tour featuring the B-17 Aluminum Overcast has
canceled its stop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, scheduled for June 20-22 due to
severe flooding in that area of the state. "We've been in contact
with EAA Chapter 33 and we both agree that bringing the B-17 to Cedar
Rapids is not a viable option," said Sean Elliot, EAA's director of
aircraft operations. "Citizens in this area are focused on their
own security right now."
In addition, the next tour stop scheduled
for Ankeny, Iowa, has been reduced to one day only, June 25, because of
area flooding. Read
more
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'WINGS ON STRINGS' KITE
FESTIVAL PLANNED THIS WEEKEND
 One
of the earliest flying machines will be celebrated this Saturday, June
21, at the annual Wings on Strings Kite Festival at from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
held at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh on Pioneer Airport. The
free event features a series of world-class
performers staging kite-flying displays throughout the day to musical
accompaniment, kite-making clinics, and lots of room to launch your own
kite! Event sponsors include the Kite Society of Wisconsin &
Illinois, Milwaukee's Gift of Wings kite store, and WROE Radio. For more
information visit AirVenture
Museum website.
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
EAA Chapter 22's 2nd Annual You CAN Fly!
Open House
 EAA
Chapter 22 presents the 2nd Annual You CAN Fly! Open House (featured
in the March 2008 issue of EAA Sport Aviation) to highlight
Light-Sport Aircraft and Sport Pilot. LSA on display and in the air.
Talk with Sport pilots and instructors, guided airport tours, LSA
manufacturers and exhibitors. Official events 10A-3P. Flying activity
begins at Sunrise and encouraged til Sunset in honor of the Summer
Solstice. Visit green grass beautiful Cottonwood Airport on summer's
longest flying day!
Find other events, or submit your own at www.eaacalendar.org.
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EAA'S 1929 FORD
TRI-MOTOR FLIES IN OHIO
 EAA's
1929 Ford Tri-Motor mini-tour descends on Ohio this week with stops
scheduled for Cincinnati Municipal Airport-Lunken Field (June 19-22) and
the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport, June 26-29. If you're in the area,
you're cordially invited to fly in this fine example of the world's
first mass-produced airliner. For more information on the Ford Tri-Motor
tour, including information on booking a flight, visit www.FlytheFord.org.
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IAC ANNOUNCES NEW SPORT
AEROBATICS EDITOR
 Suzanne
Chance, of Aurora, Colorado, (Greater Metro Denver area) is the new
editor of Sport Aerobatics magazine, official publication of the
International Aerobatic Club (IAC). She comes to the IAC with experience
in aviation technical writing and editing, as well as a recently found
love for aerobatic flight. Chance has been flying for almost two years,
and has been bitten by the aviation bug. By her own admission, she now
has an insatiable appetite for flying and anything aviation-related.
"The greatest thrill of my life was to solo on my 50th
birthday," she said. Read
more
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK':
STEVE RITCHIE
 With
no real interest in aviation, in 1960 Richard Stephen "Steve"
Ritchie decided to attend the United States Air Force Academy to play
football. Graduating from the Academy in 1964, he was sent to pilot
training where he graduated first in his class. After choosing an F-104
assignment with Flight Test Operations at Eglin AFB, Florida, Ritchie
transitioned into the F-4 Phantom II and was assigned to the 480th
Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang
Air Base, South Vietnam and flew 195 combat missions between 1968 and
1969. In 1972, he volunteered for a second combat tour in Vietnam and
was assigned to the 555th "Triple Nickel" Tactical Fighter
Squadron of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udon Royal Thai
AFB, Thailand. That year Ritchie would make history by becoming the only
USAF pilot ace of the Vietnam War, shooting down five MiG-21s between
May and August 1972. This is his
story.
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FLYING
AND GLIDER MANUALS - BUY NOW AND SAVE!
 No
library is complete without a set of the Flying and Glider Manuals
(1929-1933), available exclusively at EAA's Aeronautica online store.
EAA members can get all five manuals for only $19.99 (non-member price
is $29.95), or get a single manual for $4.99 each ($6.95 each for
non-members). But, you better hurry - this Member's Special is only valid
from now through June 26, 2008. Order
online or call our toll-free number, 800-564-6322.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
My
local flight school where I wish to get my BFR has
told me that since I don’t have a medical they
have to append my endorsement with “but is
restricted to flying in the Light Sport
classification” (or something similar). Where does
it say this in the regs? Can’t I get my rec pilot
BFR without a physical?
Answer:
There is absolutely NO requirement to give a special
endorsement for a flight review in any circumstance.
It is the pilot in command’s responsibility to fly
within his/her own privileges and limitations. Ask
your flight school this question:
“If
a commercial pilot came in for a flight review
holding only a 3rd class FAA medical certificate,
would you state in his flight review endorsement
that he is limited to only private pilot privileges?”
The
answer of course is NO, because that pilot could go
get a 2nd class medical the next day and fly as a
commercial pilot. The limitation on the flight
review endorsement would be improper. The same can
be said of your own situation. You hold a
recreational pilot certificate, and if you were to
go get a 3rd class medical the week after your
flight review you could revert to rec pilot
privileges at that time. A limitation in your flight
review endorsement would not be proper. Your
instructor should give you a standard flight review
endorsement without additional limitations.
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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MOONEY LAYS OFF 80
WORKERS
Mooney Airplane
Company reduced employment by approximately 80 employees this week,
citing a soft market in GA piston airplanes, which are down 28% compared
to the same period last year, according to GAMA. "In light of our
current order levels, we have decided to slow our production rate from
eight aircraft to five per month for the remainder of 2008," said
CEO Dennis Ferguson. The company said it would provide a severance
package and career transition support to those affected. www.mooney.com.
ERA TRAINING CENTER
LLC CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING
Era Training Center LLC
announced the Grand Opening of its new 7,694 square-foot facility
located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, near its Era Helicopters
headquarters. The training center features two new state-of-the-art
flight-training devices, cutting-edge classrooms, custom briefing areas,
and administrative offices. The Era Training Center will be used by
professionals from Louisiana and around the world and will offer a
diverse array of training programs for corporate aircraft owners,
medical flight services, airborne law enforcement personnel, and other
rotorcraft professionals. The Training Center's Grand Opening coincides
with Era Helicopter's 60th Anniversary in 2008. To learn more visit www.eratrainingcenter.com.
AVIAT AIRCRAFT
REDESIGNS WEBSITE
Aviat Aircraft has
completely revised its website, featuring slide shows with new images of
the popular Husky, Pitts Special, and Eagle aircraft. The site is easier
to navigate and contains far more information and has a complete list of
current dealers for the Husky and Pitts. "It's an electronic
brochure that allows interested pilots to choose the aircraft they want
to learn about and goes into more detail than we've ever laid out in
hardcopy," said Stu Horn, president. See it at www.AviatAircraft.com.
A.R.E. MANOMETERS FOR
TWO- AND FOUR-CYCLE ENGINES
A.R.E. Manometers will
balance combustion air for any two-cycle or four-cycle engine having two
or more carburetors or multiple port fuel injection. The manometer is
easy to use and provides the information necessary to make precise
adjustments to the engines combustion air for increase power,
performance and reliability. The device will be available at EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2008 at the following booths: Tacoma Company, Fly
Market Area, Space 872 and Hirth Engines, Ultralight/RotorCraft Area,
Lot 575. For more information, call 360-370-5670.
SENSENICH PROP OPTION
FOR AMERICAN LEGEND CUB
American Legend Aircraft
Company and Texas Sport Aircraft Company now offer a 72-inch Sensenich
propeller for the Legend Cub certified light-sport aircraft and Texas
Sport kit aircraft. The new propeller option increases aircraft
performance by as much as 10 mph, according to the company, and is
ground adjustable, providing a convenient way for Legend Cub and Texas
Sport owners to enhance the performance as well as tune their aircraft
for comfort and safe operation. For more information, visit www www.legend.aero
or www.txsport.aero.
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The
Oldest Flying Boeing
