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June
27, 2008 Volume 8,
Number 32 |
ROCKET RACING LEAGUE TO
UNVEIL COMPETITION AIRCRAFT, MORE AT AIRVENTURE
Several flight demonstrations planned
throughout week
 The
Rocket Racing League is moving ahead with its plans to have a major
presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, "The World's Greatest Aviation
Celebration," with the unveiling of its competition aircraft,
flight demonstrations and special presentations during the weeklong
event.
The RRL team has been working overtime to
meet its goals for demonstration flights planned for three days during
the convention. The flights, planned for July 29, August 1 and August 2,
use aircraft based on Velocity Aircraft homebuilt canard designs. It
marks the first public flights of these aircraft, which were first
introduced in April. Read
more
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RESEARCH, NOT RECORD,
MOTIVATED KITTINGER 48 YEARS AGO
 Joe
Kittinger Jr's major claim to aviation fame came not from flying, but
from falling - almost 20 miles straight down. On August 16, 1960, then-U.S.
Air Force Capt. Joseph Kittinger rode a helium balloon to 102,800 feet
above the earth and proceeded to literally jump into the record books.
His achievement: the highest parachute jump in history, which stands to
this day.
Kittinger will make two appearances at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year.
On Thursday, July 31, he'll present, "The Sky Is My Office -
Skydive from Space" from 1-2 p.m. at the Honda Aircraft Pavilion.
Kittinger will also appear on Saturday night, August 2, at Theater in
the Woods during David Hartman's Aviation Legends program. Read
more
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CONGRESS EXTENDS FAA
BUDGET TO SEPTEMBER 30
General Aviation User Fees and ATC
Modernization Still Up in the Air
With the FAA budget reauthorization bill stalled in the Senate, both
houses of Congress this week passed a continuing resolution to fund the
FAA through the end of September 2008. The House passed legislation on
Tuesday, while the Senate voted for the extension on Thursday to extend
the agency's existing budget through September 30, 2008. 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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LAST OF A GENERATION -
JOHN MILLER, 102, PASSES AWAY
 Aviation
lost one of its cherished elder statesmen Monday when John Miller (EAA
37635) passed away in his native Poughkeepsie, New York, at the age of
102. Miller witnessed and participated in aviation history - he saw
Glenn Curtiss' noteworthy flight in 1910 down the Hudson River;
witnessed Charles Lindbergh's departure to Paris in 1927; and made the
first autogiro flight landing on a building in 1939. "He is the
last of a generation," said H.G. Frautschy, executive director of
the EAA's Vintage Aircraft Association. Read
more
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FOLLOWING
THE JOURNEY OF J.W. FRENCH
 With
the support of EAA chapters and individuals across the country, J.W.
French (EAA 226844) has continued to make steady progress in his quest
to re-create the late Sam Burgess' 1974 flight around the lower 48
states in an open-cockpit Acro Sport. For the past week he has been
making his way through the mountainous terrain of the southwestern
United States, visiting several EAA chapters from Texas to Arizona and
meeting some of the most interesting people in aviation. To view a
weekly-updated progress report on J.W. French's flight, visit the AirVenture
website.
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EAA SHARE THE SPIRIT
SWEEPSTAKES - ROTORWAY TALON BUILDING PROJECT VIDEO
 This
year, one lucky winner will receive a brand new Rotorway A600 Talon
helicopter kit, provided by Rotorway International, in this year's EAA's
2008 Share the Spirit Sweepstakes. See the
third installment of Rotorway's series of short videos showing a
Talon being built, "from first bolt to liftoff." To learn more
about the sweepstakes, visit www.airventure.org/sweepstakes,
or to enter, click
here. All proceeds benefit the EAA Young Eagles Program.
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GA
REPRESENTATIVES VISIT EAA AVIATION CENTER
Throughout the year, people from the
recreational and general aviation industry visit EAA headquarters, and
this week EAA welcomed Rorie Ainbinder, senior marketing manager for
Piper Aircraft; and Brad Hayden, director of marketing for Aspen
Avionics. Both company representatives echoed similar messages about the
economy and fuel prices: Although there are concerns, their metrics
point to strong product demand.
 Piper's
Ainbinder was in town to inspect the new site plan and layout scheduled
for next year's EAA AirVenture, as well as make plans for the
fast-approaching 2008 event. "We'll have our new Malibu Matrix here
as well as a mock up of the new Piper Jet, along with a Meridian and a
Seminole on display," she said. Ainbinder also noted that Piper is
sold out for 2008, and prospects for 2009 look promising.
"Obviously, fuel prices are a concern, but our dealer network
(including about 25 internationally) does a tremendous job. We're
looking forward to a great Oshkosh this year!" Look for Piper in
exhibit spaces 72-75 and 79-82.
 Aspen
Avionics' Hayden stopped in Tuesday to meet with EAA officials and
look over the convention site. This year, the company is sponsoring the
North 40 aircraft parking area, and will have an airplane (type to be
determined) parked near the North 40 entrance (near the bus turnaround)
equipped with an Aspen Evolution EFD 1000. The company will also operate
a hospitality center, as well as its full products exhibit located in
booth 2126 in Hangar B. "Demand has been very high for our
products," he said. "We have not seen a drop-off. Our price
points make sense economically as aircraft owners decide to replace
older units with Aspen products."
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HOMEBUILDING HINT OF
THE WEEK
"Cutting Inside Holes"
 Sometimes
you will need to cut a hole in the middle of a piece of sheet metal. In this
video, Jack Dueck shows how a step drill, hole saw, fly cutter, and
nibbler can be used to accomplish the task. 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: JAN TURKE, WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN
 Jan
Turke says she always wanted to volunteer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, but
didn't know how to go about it. Good thing she had friends who did. She
said Dave Lau and others were instrumental in finding the perfect fit
for her first AirVenture job- volunteering at The Pavilion, located just
off the flight line at the intersection of Wittman and Waukau streets.
Turke, of Watertown, Wisconsin, says the job includes a little bit of
everything, and that's what she likes best about it. "I'm a
jack-of-all-trades." Read
more
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SKINNY-DIPPING IS OKAY…BUT
DON'T GO NAKED!
 Have
you ever heard a airplane owner brag about not buying aircraft
insurance? Usually it goes something like this: "Heck no, I don't
waste my money on insurance! Why should I?" You know, it's up to
you if you want to go without physical damage (hull) insurance on your
aircraft or maybe just go with ground-only hull insurance. But, whatever
you do, don't go "naked" - that is, without liability
insurance. There are two very important reasons you should, if nothing
else, buy liability insurance.
First, with liability insurance you
receive legal defense in the event of a loss. (If you've ever had to
hire an attorney you already know how much that can cost!) Second, with
liability insurance you have the insurance company as your partner when
it comes to paying your legal obligations for a covered loss. If you
have questions about buying aircraft insurance you can get answers from
Falcon Insurance Agency the Official Administrator for the EAA Aircraft
Insurance Plan at 1-866-637-4EAA (4322). If you are looking for a free
no-obligation quote you can call or you can go online to submit a quote
request at www.eaainsurance.org.
EAA Insurance Plan Forums at
AirVenture Oshkosh
 If
you're planning to come to Oshkosh, make sure you check out the hundreds
of educational forums and workshops offered. If you've got questions
about aircraft insurance, make sure to attend one of the EAA Aircraft
Insurance Plan forums scheduled throughout the week:
Tuesday, July 29, 2:30 p.m. - EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan for
Experimental Aircraft
Wednesday, July 30, 10 a.m. - Powered Parachute and WSC Trike
Insurance Plan
Thursday, July 31, 8:30 a.m. - Insurance Plan for Light Sport
Aircraft and Sport Pilots; 1 p.m. - Powered Parachute and WSC Trike
Insurance Plan (Ultralight forums area)
Friday, August 1. 8:30 a.m. - Insurance for Sport Pilot Training
and LSA Dealers
Check for these and other forums at www.airventure.org/forums.
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EAA'S FORD TRI-MOTOR IN
THE BUCKEYE STATE
 EAA's
1929 Ford Tri-Motor is in Dayton, Ohio, this weekend (June 26-29) at
Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport, where it will offer the chance to fly in
the world's first mass-produced airliner. Advance bookings have ended,
but if you're in the area you can still catch a ride on one of many open
flights available. The following week the tour heads to Port Clinton,
Ohio, where it will remain for the July 4 weekend (July 1-6) at Carl R
Keller Field Airport. Advance booking is still
available. For more information on the Ford Tri-Motor tour,
including information on booking a flight, visit www.FlytheFord.org.
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PLANES, MANES &
AUTOMOBILES THIS WEEKEND AT PIONEER AIRPORT
 Two
American icons, the P-51 Mustang and the Ford Mustang, come together
during EAA's 5th annual "Planes, Manes & Automobiles!"
this Saturday at EAA's Pioneer Airport. Guests can enter their own Ford
Mustang, or other Ford-powered vehicles, into the car show featuring
more than 24 trophy classes ranging from classics, customs and replicas.
Event registration is $20 per car and its occupants. Registration
includes museum admission, and will be held from 8-11 a.m. Participants
will also have the chance to 'pony up' to a P-51 for a picture of their
car and the Warbird. Also included: a P-51fly-by, plane rides,
caricature drawings, and music by DJ Dan. Kodiak Jack's Steak and
Seafood will provide food service and continue the celebration with a
car cruise to the restaurant after the show with VIP parking and great
door prizes. This event is available to all EAA guests as part of
regular Museum admission. For more information, contact Mike Jabber at
920-251-9299 or nflspike@ameritech.net,
or visit www.airventuremuseum.org.
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': DR. JAY APT
 As
a NASA astronaut, Dr. Jay Apt (EAA 251825) has logged 847 hours (35
days) in space over the course of four Space Shuttle flights, including
10 hours and 49 minutes on two separate space walks. A graduate of MIT
with a doctorate in physics, Dr. Apt joined the Earth and Space Sciences
Division of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1980. In 1981, he became
the Director of NASA's Table Mountain Observatory, and from 1982-1985
served as the flight controller responsible for Space Shuttle payload
operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Dr. Apt qualified as a NASA
astronaut in 1986, and flew on four Space Shuttle flights: before
retiring from NASA in May 1997. This is his
story.
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FOR
YOUNGER PILOTS: EAA MEMBERS SAVE $5 THIS WEEK ONLY
 A
wonderful ride-on toy for toddlers, the Light and Flight Airplane is
specially priced for EAA members...but for this week only (June 26-July
3, 2008). Children will love the soft, spinning propeller, the changing
light patterns, and the revving sounds of the engine. Other sounds
include the captain's voice, realistic take-off-and-landing sounds, and
familiar tunes. There's even storage space under the seat, and the rear
handle is excellent for beginning walkers. Ages 1 & up. The special
EAA member price is $60.99, a savings of $5 off the regular, non-member
price. Order
online today or call toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
I just bought an ultralight. Do I log my flights in
my log book along with my regular flying time in
other AC?
Answer:
There is no regulation that would prohibit you from
logging ultralight flight time in the same logbook
as your aircraft flight time. However, regulations
regarding currency and requirements for pilot
ratings do not allow you to use ultralight flight
experience to meet these regulatory requirements.
That said, you should not include ultralight
experience when reporting flight experience to the
FAA for any reason. That's why most pilots who fly
ultralights as well as FAA-certificated aircraft
keep separate pilot logbooks for each activity.
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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FIRST FLIGHT OF THE
TL-3000 SIRIUS
TL-Ultralight s.r.o.
recently completed the first series of test flights of the high-wing
TL-3000 Sirius in the Czech Republic. The Sirius, like the low-wing
TL-2000 Sting, is a two-place, carbon fiber fixed-wing airplane powered
by the 100 hp Rotax 912ULS engine. It will be manufactured in versions
for distribution in the United States and Europe as a special light-
sport aircraft (S-LSA). SportairUSA, LLC, will distribute the airplane
in North America. For more information, visit www.sting.aero
or www.sportair.aero.
GET 2009 AIRCRAFT
SPRUCE CATALOG AT AIRVENTURE
Aircraft Spruce &
Specialty will begin distributing hard copies of its 2009 catalog at EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2008. Now approaching 800 pages with hundreds of new
products, the Aircraft Spruce catalog is helpful to homebuilders,
restorers, and aircraft owners. Catalogs are free and also available
online. To order a hard copy, call 877-477-7823; international call
1-951-372-9555, or visit www.AircraftSpruce.com.
GAMA; CESSNA ESTABLISH
ENVIRONMENTAL BOARDS
The General Aviation
Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently established an environment
committee to represent the general aviation manufacturing industry's
environmental policy and coordinate with other aerospace industry
stakeholders and government entities. The committee is charged with
ensuring that GAMA's members are full and active participants in the
discussions and policy decisions about GA's environmental impact and
initiatives. It will also work to build support for more research and
technology to improve upon its track record of reducing aviation's
carbon footprint. Learn more at www.GAMA.aero.
ECLIPSE 500 RECEIVES
ICING CERTIFICATION
The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has granted Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI)
certification for the Eclipse 500. With this certification, the Eclipse
500 can now operate in conditions in which ice is known to be present.
Eclipse conducted its first test flight with an artificial ice shape in
August of 2007. Since then, more than 300 flight hours on three test
aircraft have been recorded, including more than 60 hours conducted in
natural icing conditions throughout the United States and Canada.
The de-icing system on
the Eclipse 500 includes pneumatic de-ice boots on the wings and
horizontal stabilizer leading edges, electrically heated windshield and
air data probes, and bleed air heated anti-ice engine inlets. Learn more
at www.EclipseAviation.com.
SEE NEW COMP AIR 9 AND
12 AT AIRVENTURE 2008
Ron Lueck, president and CEO
of Comp Air and his team will display the company's new aircraft, the
Comp Air 9 and Comp Air 12 at AirVenture. Lueck will provide details on
the all carbon composite, high-wing turboprop Comp Air 9 and updates on
the certification progress of the Comp Air 12. See the aircraft at Booth
230 - 231. Learn more at www.compairaviation.com.
CESSNA PRESENTS
PLATINUM AWARD TO NORTHWAY AVIATION
Cessna Aircraft Company
awarded its Platinum Award to Northway Aviation for exceptional
performance in the Cessna Pilot Center (CPC) network. Jim Pitman, Cessna
CPC Western Regional Manager, presented the award to Jim and Jill Grant,
owners of Northway Aviation, while at the Cessna Pilot Center Seminar
recently in San Luis Obispo, California.
Located at Paine Field
Airport in Everett, Washington, Northway Aviation has a fleet of 13
Cessna aircraft, including a new Cessna 400, and three 162 SkyCatchers
on order. Visit the Northway Aviation website at www.seanet.com/~northway/index.htm.
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MYSTERY
UNFOLDING?
