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October
24, 2008 Volume 8,
Number 55 |
EAA HALLS OF FAME
INDUCTING SEVEN FRIDAY
 Seven
individuals will be recognized for their contributions to aviation
during the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this evening
(Friday, October 24) in the AirVenture Museum's Eagle Hangar. Inductees
are Bill
Pancake, Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame; John
W. Dyke, Homebuilders Hall of Fame; William
B. "Bill" Finagin, International Aerobatic Club Hall of
Fame; Mike
Loehle, Ultralight Hall of Fame; Connie
Bowlin, Warbirds of America Hall of Fame; and Joan
E. Mace and Charles
"Don" Fairbanks, National Association of Flight
Instructors Hall of Fame. Visit the EAA
website over the weekend for coverage of the induction ceremonies,
along with special video introductions of the new inductees.
EAA HEADQUARTERS
WELCOMES BOARD MEMBERS, COUNCILS
The annual HOF induction
ceremonies are held in conjunction with the EAA Fall Board Meetings,
occurring this week at EAA headquarters. Along with EAA board of
directors, EAA Warbirds of America, Vintage Aircraft Association, and
the National Association of Flight Instructors boards are also meeting,
along with EAA’s Homebuilt Aircraft and Ultralight councils.
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COPPERSTATE, SOUTHEAST
REGIONAL FLY-INS THIS WEEK
The final two regional fly-in
events of 2008 take place this weekend - the 36th annual Copperstate
Regional Fly-In is under way and runs through October 26 at Casa Grande
Municipal Airport (CGZ), midway between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; and
the 18th Southeast Regional Fly-In (SERFI) runs October 24-26 at
Middleton Field (GZH) just west of Evergreen, Alabama.
 Copperstate
features more than 60 exhibitors, a full slate of forums and workshops,
aircraft judging, "Showcase" flights, a Fly Mart, kid's
activities, and more. EAA's Ron Wagner, manager of filed operations,
will be on hand to present several forums on topics such as Affordable
Flying and Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft. Wagner will also
occasionally be on Copperstate's "Front Porch," where builder
"newbies" and "wannabes" can go to ask questions in
a relaxed, informal setting. For more information, visit www.copperstate.org.
 SERFI's
theme for 2008 is "Three Days of Friendly Folks and Flying
Fun." Along with many forums and workshops, highlights scheduled
include open-cockpit aircraft and helicopter flights; Fly-Market on site
with vendors; and plenty of grassroots aviation camaraderie and fun. For
more information about SERFI, including admission prices, accommodations
and schedule information as confirmed, is available at www.serfi.org.
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EAA CONTINUES TO
PARTICIPATE IN FAR PART 23 REVIEW
Last revised in the early 1980s, the FAA is
preparing to make changes to Part 23, Airworthiness Standards: Normal,
Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category airplanes. The early part of
that process is to gather recommendations from within the FAA and from
industry members. The Part 23 Certification Process Study group met
October 15-16 to continue their work compiling suggestions that will be
submitted to the FAA for consideration. Read
more
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HOMEBUILDING HINTS OF THE
WEEK
Blue-Lining a Rib For Installation
 Kerry
Fores of Sonex Aircraft, who recently conducted a six-part feature,
"Making a Sheet Metal Rib From Scratch," demonstrates the
handy technique of using a "blue line" mark to make installing
the rib very easy. Watch
the video.
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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ADS-B COMMENT DEADLINE
APPROACHES
 Just
a reminder for those intending to comment on the FAA's proposed ADS-B
(Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) implementation plan have
about 10 days to do so. The FAA reopened the docket for comments
through November 3, 2008, to allow the public to weigh in on 36
recommendations from an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) that
reviewed the (ADS-B) process. EAA broadly supports the ARC
recommendations, but has several areas of emphasis.
Read more
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EAA SEEKS INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY LEADER
 EAA's
culture and offerings foster a community in which members help members
accomplish more - both individually and collectively - within an
environment of inspiration, innovation, encouragement, and support.
That's the spirit of aviation. As a membership association, EAA simply
helps to facilitate this sharing by connecting this community and
providing resources.
In that same spirit, EAA has a unique
opportunity for a talented professional and capable leader with a
passion for technology and broad-based knowledge of best practices for
all aspects of the information technology (IT) environment to serve the
organization as the head of information technology. This position will
play a key role in driving EAA's IT strategy into an exciting new future
for the organization to increase member value and operational
capabilities.
For more details about the position,
visit www.EAA.org/Careers.
EAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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INSURANCE TIP: POWERED PARACHUTES AND TRIKES
 At
the 2007 Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan launched an
exclusive EAA member insurance plan for powered parachutes and
weight-shift control trikes. Initially this new plan was limited to just
a few makes and models of aircraft, but today the EAA plan offers
coverage for 25 different trike models made by seven manufacturers and
33 powered parachute models from nine manufacturers. Click here for a
list of the manufacturers that have currently insurable aircraft. Read
more
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'KEEP IT FLYING' TOUR
HEADS TO THE LONE STAR STATE
 Aviation
enthusiasts are invited to come see one of the finest examples of flying
history as EAA Chapter 34 of Dallas, Texas, hosts EAA's B-17 Aluminum
Overcast from October 24-26, at Arlington Municipal Airport. From there,
the "Keep it Flying" tour heads south to Houston's Ellington
Field October 28-29, hosted by EAA Chapter 12, then wraps up its visit
to the Lone Star State at Georgetown's Municipal Airport and EAA Chapter
187, October 31-November 1.
To book flights please call 800-359-6217
or go to www.b17.org. Pre-book prices
are $359 for EAA members and $399 for non-EAA members. Walk-up prices
are $385 for EAA members and $425 for non-EAA members.
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LOOKING FOR A FEATURED
AIRPLANE FROM THE PAST?
 EAA
Sport Aviation Online Makes Searches Simple
We received a request this week for information on a particular
airplane featured in an early 1960s edition of Sport Aviation.
The writer wanted a copy of an article about a Stits Playboy, N86669,
that she said was "going into our local museum, and we are looking
for information and history related to it." She guessed the article
in question appeared in a 1963 edition, calling the airplane
"Buttercup." Using the N-number as a starting point, we
searched the Sport Aviation online archive and in no time found the
requested article (it was actually in the August 1964 edition).
Headlined, "Butter Fly," it was written by the builder, Jack
F. Roberts, of Oxnard, California. No mention of Buttercup, though.
(Anyway, wouldn't that be a Steve Wittman design?)
To do your own archive searches, or
browse through a back issue (from 1953-2006), visit http://members.eaa.org
(log-in required). The Sport Aviation online archive
is easy to use. Just log in with
your user name and password. If you don't have a user name and
password for access to the EAA Members Only website, click
here.
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND? (Chili, anyone?)
 EAA
Chapter 1246 Chili Cookoff
Collin County Regional Airport, McKinney, Texas
Come taste the best Chili in Texas! Everyone is welcome. Prizes for the
best chili. Lunch starts at 11 a.m., rain or shine. Event will be at
Pete Huff's hangar at taxiway Charlie, northwest corner of the airport,
behind the fire station. For more information visit www.eaa1246.org,
or contact Russ Henson, 972-335-0516, or send
an e-mail.
EAA Chapter 1272 3rd Annual Chili
Fly-In
Sandusky County Regional Airport, Fremont/Clyde, Ohio
Chili, corn bread and drinks. $5 donation. EAA T-Hangar west of main
ramp. Parking on the main ramp, or around the T-hangars. Contact Mark
Reineck at 419-355-3904, or send
an e-mail.
And for more information about these events,
or to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org.
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': BOB KUEHNER
 In
1942 Bob Kuehner enlisted in the Army Air Corps to avoid being drafted
into the Infantry. Accepted into the Aviation Cadet program, Bob had
about 90 minutes of flight time left in his Advanced Flight Training to
earn his wings, but a ground loop on landing washed him out of pilot
training. Bob had the option of navigator or bombardier training, but
after spending three months pulling kitchen patrol and guard duty at
Bakersfield, California, waiting for a training slot, he volunteered for
gunnery training and became a B-17 tail gunner with the 366th Bomb
Squadron of the 305th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. Bob was credited with
shooting down three enemy aircraft during the course of his 35-mission
combat tour. After his tour Bob was assigned to a special B-17 crew that
flew military VIPs around England and over the beaches during the
invasion of Normandy. Watch
the video.
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'ROSIE
THE RIVETER' BOOKENDS-DARE TO REPAIR HANDBOOK COMBO SPECIAL
 Designed
by Chris Collicott, these eight-inch resin bookends have a timeless
machine age-art deco touch. Rosie's Dare To Repair Handbook provides
even the most mechanically challenged women with the ability to
successfully fix things around the home. 253 pages. Get the set of
bookends with the Dare To Repair Handbook, regular price of $50.94, on
sale through October 31 for $39.99. Or get a single bookend with the
book, regularly $33.94 on sale for $27.99. Order
online or call 800-564-6322. Free shipping through October 31 on
domestic orders of $50 or more for EAA members!
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
Who
specifically can perform inspections on a
light-sport aircraft?
Answer:
It
depends on what category the LSA is certificated in.
For a factory-built special LSA (S-LSA), such
as the Tecnam, CT, or Legend Cub, etc., the
condition inspection each year must be performed by
a person who holds either an LSA Repairman
Certificate with a Maintenance rating, or an A&P
mechanic. The inspection may also be accomplished by
an authorized repair station.
For experimental
LSA (E-LSA), those mentioned above above may
perform the inspection, as can the owner of the
aircraft if that person holds a LSA Repairman
certificate with an inspection rating that
specifically lists that individual aircraft on the
certificate.
For experimental
amateur-built aircraft that meet the LSA definition,
the inspection can be performed by the original
builder if that person holds the repairman
certificate, an A&P mechanic, or authorized
repair station.
Finally,
for standard category aircraft that meet the LSA
definition, an A&P who holds and Inspection
Authorization (IA) or an authorized repair station
must perform the annual inspection.
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.
October
2008
EAA
Desktop Calendar
Brett Brock captured this beautiful Cessna 182 on floats
at the AirVenture Seaplane Base this year.
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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DAA OFFERS LSA
COMPARISONS
Downing Aviation Associates
(DAA), which specializes in providing consulting and contract services
for business, general aviation, and regional aircraft clients, is
offering compilations of manufacturers' data and tailored analyses of
light-sport aircraft (LSA). The study results are designed to assist
OEMs, individuals, training schools, and businesses seeking impartial
comparative information on the broad list of LSA. To learn more, visit www.DowningAviationAssociates.com
(LSA Store).
NASA'S 'NAME THE
HABITAT CONTEST' FOR STUDENTS
Now through
November 20, NASA and the Challenger Center for Space Education are
organizing and conducting the "Name that Habitat" competition
for students in 6th through 12th grades. The contest seeks to find a
name for an astronaut habitat that someday may be used on the moon. The
lightweight, durable, inflatable habitat is now undergoing testing at
the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Learn
more
WAI CONFERENCE
SPEAKER: JESSICA COX
Jessica Cox, who last week made news as the first person born without
arms to earn a Sport-Pilot Certificate, will speak at the 20th Annual
Women in Aviation, International's (WAI) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia,
February 26-28, 2009. Cox earned her certificate on October 10, 2008,
taking her checkride in a 1945 Ercoupe 415C. In addition to relating her
experiences about learning to fly, her presentation, "Disarming the
Impossible" will explore how to turn the seemingly impossible into
accomplishment. Register online at www.wai.org/09conference.
Discounted conference registration is available through December 5,
2008. A discounted conference rate is available at the Atlanta Hyatt
Regency through February 2, 2009.
"BUILD AND
SOAR" STUDENTS COMPLETE ZODIAC
Sixty high school students participating in aviator Barrington Irving's
"Build and Soar" program built a Zodiac 601XL, and watched
Irving make the first test flight on October 15. Students and supporters
gathered at Miami's Opa-Locka Executive Airport (OPF) to witness the
event. Just before take-off, Irving told the crowd, "I'm not
nervous about flying this aircraft because I believe in our
students." The plane is a two-seat kit-built plane manufactured by
the Zenith Aircraft Company of Mexico, Missouri.
The 10-week summer program gives students exposure to the field of
aviation. Learn more at http://experienceaviation.org/.
AIRCRAFT SPRUCE
CARRIES NEW P-ELT LINE
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty now carries a new line of Personal
Emergency Locater Transmitters (P-ELTs), the Ameri-King AK-451 PLB,
featuring three frequencies instead of just one: 406 MHz Satellite, 243
MHz Military, and 121.5 MHz Civilian. In a distress situation the
signals will alert NOAA Satellite Operations and the U.S. Air Force AFSR
Ground Operation, as well as civilian search and rescue teams. The
Ak-451 P-ELT is Cospas-Sarsat & FAA approved and tested per FAA TSO
C-126 & RTCM Requirements. Order at www.AircraftSpruce.com
or call 877-477-7823.
HELICOPTER TRAINING AT
K-STATE
Kansas State University Aviation has begun a helicopter pilot training
program. In its first year, 11 pilots have trained on K-State's
Schweizer 300CBi, specifically developed for the commercial helicopter
training market. K-State Aviation has put 350 flight hours on the
helicopter, training university flight students, law enforcement
personnel, and private aviators. Learn more about the program at www.sal.ksu.edu/aviation/helicopter.htm.
FORMER DAYJET ECLIPSES
FOR SALE
Eclipse Aviation launched the sale of 28 former aircraft this week.
Eclipse is the exclusive broker of the Eclipse 500 Jets that will be
sold as is. Each aircraft has accumulated less than 450 flight hours.
More information on the aircraft can be found at www.EclipseAviation.com/specialSale
or contact Eclipse Aviation sales at 877-375-7978 or sales@eclipseaviation.com.
MGL AVIONICS EFIS
INTEGRATES WITH TRIO SERVOS
MGL Avionics EFIS systems are now integrated directly with Trio Avionics
Gold Standard servos. This announcement coincides with the release of
the 8.4-inch MGL Avionics Voyager EFIS, a smaller version of the popular
Odyssey, and one that will fit into almost any experimental aircraft or
LSA panel. Voyager shipments have begun in North America in October
2008. What the MGL/Trio integration means is that MGL Avionics customers
can have full two-axis autopilot functionality for the additional cost
of two Trio Gold Standard servos and a harness. For more information,
contact www.mglavionics.com.
NEW INSTRUMENTS FROM
UMA
UMA Instruments has introduced a new model to its electronics line, the
3-in-1 Electronic. The 3-in-1 combines any three electronic instruments
into a 3-1/8-inch case, saving panel space and allowing customization to
fit each pilot's needs. UMA has also introduced its new single scale 2
1/4-inch airspeed indicator. Learn more at www.UMAInstruments.com
or call 800-842-5578.
VG KITS FOR AERONCA
SEDAN
The FAA has granted an STC to Micro AeroDynamics, allowing the sale of
vortex generator kits for the Aeronca Sedan 15AC and S15AC. The company
says primary benefits to Sedan pilots are an 8 percent reduction in
stall speed, improved aileron authority, and better flight
characteristics in slow flight. The kits consist of 88 VGs, made of
1-inch pieces of 6063-T6 aluminum that are curved and bonded to the
upper wing surface, just aft of the leading edge. Another 38 VGs are
attached to the vertical stabilizer, and 48 are glued to the underside
of the horizontal stabilizer. Included in the kits are illustrated
instructions, templates, tools, spares, and adhesive. For more
information, visit www.microaero.com
or call 360-293-8082.
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The
U-2 at AirVenture 
