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April
3, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 13 |
AERO 2009 NOW OPEN
 AERO
2009 opened today in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with more than 620
exhibitors filling 11 trade show halls to capacity. The largest general
aviation exposition in Europe, AERO will run through Sunday, April 5. As
a partner with AERO, EAA is exhibiting at the event, and EAA members
will receive free admission. EAA Chairman of the Board and President Tom
Poberezny offered the keynote address to the event during an opening
reception on Wednesday afternoon. Read
more
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FAA FUNDING RECEIVES
ANOTHER EXTENSION
For the past three years, funding
for the FAA and the management of national airspace has been provided
via continuation funding bills, a Congressional stop-gap whereby a
federal agency is allowed to continue operations when no annual budget
has been approved for that agency. As a result of the battle against
user fees and other impediments, Congress failed to pass the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2007, thus leaving the FAA without a formal
budget. As the extension of this bill expired at the end of March,
Congress recently approved legislation extending the programs and
funding of this bill through September 30, 2009. Read
more
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FORUMS, EVENING PROGRAM
HIGHLIGHT CONCORDE REUNION
 Nearly
a quarter century ago, British Airways’ supersonic Concorde passenger
jet made a historic landing at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. That
appearance, the first of five at Oshkosh for Concorde, was a turning
point for the aircraft and for EAA’s annual fly-in convention. The
Concordes are now retired and no longer flying, but the memories of
those trips to Oshkosh are still vivid for many people. At EAA
AirVenture 2009 on July 27-August 2, those recollections and stories
will once again take center stage in “Concorde Reunion”
activities. Read
more
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PRE-ORDER YOUR 2009
AIRVENTURE NOTAM
 Want
to get a jump on preparations for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009? You can
by pre-ordering the 2009 EAA AirVenture Notice to Airman (NOTAM) today.
The 32-page booklet is an absolute must if you're flying an aircraft to
Oshkosh this year. It outlines all arrival/departure procedures, radio
frequencies, Wittman Regional Airport details and much more. Although
many of the procedures are similar to previous years, there are updates
in nearly every area to enhance safety, efficiency and convenience for
the thousands of airplanes expected at the World's Greatest Aviation
Celebration. The EAA AirVenture NOTAM is required reading and should be
part of a pilot's preflight preparation. The booklets are expected to be
printed and available in May, along with an online version. Order
today!
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FORMER ALPA PRESIDENT
NOMINATED TO LEAD FAA
 On
March 27, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate J.
Randolph (Randy) Babbitt as Federal Aviation Administration
Administrator . Babbitt, currently a consultant at Oliver Wyman, Inc.
and former president of the Air Line Pilots Association, must be
confirmed by the Senate. "We congratulate Randy on his nomination.
As a member of the FAA Advisory Board, his attendance at AirVenture 2006
enhanced his awareness of recreational aviation," said Tom
Poberezny, EAA chairman and president. "EAA and its members are
excited to learn how he will address such critical issues such as air
traffic modernization, the FAA funding plan, user fees and general
aviation safety. We look forward to again hosting Randy at AirVenture
and working with the new administrator once confirmed."
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GEORGE
'POP' RUTAN!
 Next
Tuesday, April 7, marks the 93rd birthday of longtime member George
"Pop" Rutan, EAA 65901, and father of aviation icons Burt and
Dick. By one estimate, 'Pop,' of Lancaster, California, has shaken hands
with at least half of the EAA membership! So Pop, on behalf of your
fellow members, have a terrific birthday next week! (Picture taken at
Mojave, California, Ansari X Prize flights in October 2004.)
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WHITEKNIGHTTWO FLIES
HIGHER, FASTER
 Virgin
Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) space launch vehicle is coming to
Oshkosh this summer, and last week it flew higher and faster than before
at the Mojave Air and Spaceport, California. On a two-and-a-half hour
test flight (WK2's third flight), the twin-fuselage aircraft flew 140
knots at an altitude exceeding 18,000 ft MSL. The four-engine jet,
nicknamed "Eve" after company founder Richard Branson's
mother, is scheduled to fly to aviation innovation's main stage, EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh, and make its first public flight
demonstrations. Read
more
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HOMEBUILDING HINTS OF THE
WEEK: RELAYS
 In
this
segment, Kas Osterbuhr discusses relays and demonstrates how they
work, as well as applications relays can have in your aircraft project.
Kas is an EAA SportAir Workshop instructor for the Electrical Systems,
Wiring and Avionics course.
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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EARNING HIS WINGS
Back in the Air
 After
two months of being on the ground, I finally got back in the air today
and I can't tell you how good it felt. There's no doubt the aviation bug
has bit me.
I was surprised with how natural
everything felt in the plane after a two-month furlough. I wasn't
expecting this, but I guess all those mental exercises on the ground
really do work. All the controls felt just like I remembered.  We
did steep turns, s-turns across a road, turns around a point and
everything felt like I had never left-until it came time to land. Then
it was obvious I had been out of the cockpit too long.
It will take a few more flights to help
smooth out my landings again, but it'll happen. I learned a lot about
the importance of currency. Without a CFI in the right seat, my landings
today would've been ugly.
All in all, it was a great flight and I'm
glad to be back in the air. (The video from the flight will be posted to
the blog soon and I look forward to your comments and feedback.) -
Brady
Brady
Lane, EAA multimedia journalist, is taking flight lessons in pursuit of
his sport pilot certificate, and he's sharing the experience in real
time on EAA's website, "Earning
My Wings: A Video Blog About Learning to Fly."
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UPDATED FOR 2009:
OSHKOSH: THE SPIRIT OF AVIATION
 Many
of you have seen the Oshkosh: The Spirit of Aviation video that
was released last year, but here's a reason to give it another look. We’ve
freshened up this classic production with new shots and unique points of
view. Only one caveat: The video has a tendency to tax one's patience in
anticipation of AirVenture 2009! To see the updated version now, visit www.EAA.org/spiritmovie.
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LAST OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN
EAA AIRVENTURE BAND
 We're
right at the deadline for EAA musician-members to sign up for the
World's Greatest Aviation Celebration's official musical ensemble - the
EAA AirVenture Concert Band. Conductor Elton Eisele notes the final day
to sign up has been extended from April 1 to April 14. This year's
tentative schedule will be similar to last year: Band members will
rehearse at 8 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, at the Nature Center Pavilion,
then perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, to open the evening program
at Theater in the Woods. Players will receive the sheet music ahead of
time so they can learn the music. All instrument players are still
welcome to register online. For more information, contact Elton at elteis@niles-hs.k12.il.us.
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NEED A LIFT TO
AIRVENTURE? CHECK OUT 'RIDESHARE'
 Maximize
your annual trek to EAA AirVenture by using RideShare, a free, online
service that pairs people looking for transportation to Oshkosh with
those who may have a spare seat available. At www.airventure.org/rideshare,
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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TIME TO SUBMIT TYPE CLUB
MEETING INFORMATION
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the
annual gathering place for aviation enthusiasts, and that goes for type
clubs, too. They hold special events, dinners, and meetings in and
around Oshkosh throughout the week, and EAA provides a listing of the
events on the AirVenture website. If your type club plans to meet here,
visit https://secure.eaa.org/airventure/type_clubs.html,
complete the online form. The deadline to submit information is July 14.
Call 888-322-4636, extension 6112, or e-mail ssedlachek@EAA.org
for more information.2009.
SEND US YOUR AIRVENTURE
WAYPOINTS, FUEL STOPS
 Airport
facilities who provide special offers to EAAers traveling to and from
AirVenture Oshkosh are invited to send us their information so we can
share with AirVenture travelers. If you have a landing facility and
would like to be on the list, send an e-mail to webmaster@eaa.org
and include the name of the business, airport, phone number, e-mail
address, and any special offers you'd like to announce. We'll be
continuously updating the
online list in the days, weeks, and months leading up to the World's
Greatest Aviation Celebration.
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FOUNDERS WING SEEKS CHAPTER ITEMS FOR EXHIBIT
 A
new phase has begun in the progress of the Founder's Wing project in the
EAA AirVenture Museum. The museum staff have finished designing and
started the construction of the exhibits that will be part of the new
space. An important section of the new exhibits will be devoted to EAA
Chapters, and this is where the museum needs the help of all EAA
chapters. The exhibit will feature chapter patches, chapter logos, or
chapter pins. (Duplicates are okay.) EAA has put out the call to
chapters for these items, which will be considered for display in the
exhibit. Anything not immediately displayed will become a part of the
museum's permanent collection. Please send your contributions to Ron
Twellman, EAA AirVenture Museum, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, WI 54902.
If you have questions please contact Ron at rtwellman@eaa.org.
Deadline for submissions is June 1,
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING
THIS WEEKEND?
 EAA
Chapter 59 Pancake Breakfast and Information Exchange
Saturday, April 4, EAA Hanger McGregor Airport, Waco, Texas - 8-10:30
a.m.
Delicious blueberry pancakes, fly market, demonstrations, Wag Aero Cub
project, interesting aviation videos, fun - lots of it! A poker run will
be flown after the main event. For more information, visit www.eaa59.org,
or contact Kenny Grisham, 254-749-5490, (Send
an e-mail.)
EAA Chapter 252Steve Wittman Birthday
Party Fly-In
Saturday, April 4, 7:30-11 a.m., Wittman Terminal, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Come help celebrate Steve Wittman's 105th birthday! Pancake breakfast
fly-in and car show, R/C demos, Young Eagle rides, and special
appearance by Miss Oshkosh. All you can eat pancake breakfast for $6.
For more information visit www.eaa252.org,
or contact Charlie Becker, 920-426-1854. (Send
an e-mail.)
To learn more about calendar events, or
to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org.
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FORMER ASTRONAUT WINSTON
SCOTT TO APPEAR AT SUN 'N FUN
 Capt
Winston Scott, former astronaut and current dean of the College of
Aeronautics at Florida Institute of Technology, will appear at the
Florida Tech exhibit on Saturday, April 25, during the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In
at Lakeland, Florida. Capt. Scott served as a mission specialist on
STS-72 in 1996 and STS-87 in 1997, and has logged a total of 24 days, 14
hours and 34 minutes in space, including three space walks totaling 19
hours and 26 minutes. EAA chapter presidents, Young Eagles, families and
anyone interested in aviation and aerospace education are invited to
meet Capt. Scott from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Free goodie bag for
all visiting youths. Florida Tech's exhibit is in spaces 45, 46, 53
& 54.
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HELICOPTER FLIGHT
EXPERIENCE AT BELL 47 FANTASY CAMP
 Thoroughly
explore the Bell 47 helicopter, one of the more recognizable rotorcraft
ever built, at EAA's Bell 47 Fantasy Flight Camp September 11-13. The
Bell 47 has been a major part of our history and popular culture, thanks
to TV shows Whirlybirds and M*A*S*H. This weekend ground
school will explore the unique aircraft with segments on rotorcraft
aerodynamics, Bell 47 systems, utility helicopter operations, and a Bell
47 flight experience. To learn more about this and other EAA Fantasy
Flight Camps, visit www.fantasyflightcamp.org.
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': KAREN FULLER TRIBBETT
 Karen
Fuller Tribbett joined the United States Marine Corps after graduating
from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1994. In 1993 women were
allowed into combat aviation roles for the first time in U.S. history.
Karen took advantage of the rule change to be trained as an FA-18 Hornet
pilot – the first women to ever become a USMC fighter pilot. Karen
served in two Hornet squadrons and finished her 13-year military service
flying VIPs on Gulfstream G550s. Today she is a demonstration pilot for
Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, Georgia. Watch
now.
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EAA MEMBERS: SAVE 25% ON
SOFT SHELL FLIGHT JACKET
 Functional
enough for the slopes and stylish enough for around town, this flight
jacket is one of the most comfortable soft shell jackets you'll ever
wear. The 3-layer construction consists of a stretch windproof/water
resistant outer shell (88/12 polyester/spandex) bonded to an 8.1 oz.
anti-pilling micro fleece lining, with a breathable laminated film
insert in between. Features chest and front zippered pockets with zipper
garage and fleece-lined chin guard, open bottom and elastic-bound cuffs.
Available in SM-XL for only $67.49 ($70.49 for 2X) now through April 8
– a savings of 25 percent off the regular, non-member price. Order
online or call toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
If I register
my homebuilt as a normal experimental aircraft but
it qualifies for the light-sport category, can it be
flown by a sport pilot or does it first have to be
registered as an experimental light-sport (E-LSA)?
Answer:
A light-sport aircraft is defined by performance and
configuration parameters, not make/model, or
construction methods or even certification. In the
FAR definition, no mention is made of whether the
aircraft is S-LSA, E-LSA, Experimental Amateur
Built, or Standard Type Certificated, even though
aircraft in all of these areas will qualify as an
LSA if they meet the performance and configuration
criteria as listed.
As
long as an aircraft meets all of the criteria
specified by the FAR 1.1 definition of Light Sport
Aircraft, and has met those criteria since its
initial airworthiness certification, it can be
operated by a person exercising sport pilot
privileges with a Sport Pilot certificate or higher.
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.
April
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
An immaculate - and unique - P-51D restoration, the Quick
Silver,
is owned by Paul Hunter and Bill Yoak and piloted by
Scott Yoak. This month's featured calendar aircraft
also appears as the April airplane in EAA's World of
Flight 2009 Calendar, which can be ordered through EAA's
online store. Photo by EAA
Chief Photographer Jim Koepnick.
Download
this wallpaper image at the EAA
website, where you can choose among several different
resolutions to suit
your screen - including three new wide-screen
sizes...or select an image from the archive.
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CUBCRAFTERS ANNOUNCES
NEW SUPER SPORT CUB
CubCrafters unveiled its Super Sport Cub
this week, what the company calls its "most powerful
aircraft." Available immediately, the LSA-certified Super Sport Cub
is a stronger and more powerful version of its Sport Cub S2. The
two-place Super Sport Cub boasts the largest engine in the LSA industry,
a 340 cubic inch engine producing up to 180 HP for takeoff and climb,
and a continuous 80 HP at altitudes up to 12,000 feet. This two-place
taildragger can be delivered with tundra tires, floats, or skis. Learn
more at www.cubcrafters.com.
TEAM TANGO ANNOUNCES
SUN 'N FUN PRICING
Team Tango, manufacturer of amateur built
aircraft kits, offers a new Sun 'n Fun price structure. Designed to get
new builders airborne as quickly and economically as possible, the
two-place, 212 mph, 1,400-mile range, Tango quick build kit is reduced
from $29,750 to $24,750 and the four-place, 230 mph, 1,800-mile range
Foxtrot quick build kit is reduced from $45,995 to $40,750. Sun 'n Fun
pricing began March 30 and will continue for 90 days. Any Tango or
Foxtrot contract for order position during that period qualifies; Sun 'n
Fun attendance is not required. For more information call 352-528-0982,
or visit www.teamtango.com.
FAA SAYS AVIATION
ACTIVITY TO RESUME GROWTH
The FAA's annual aviation forecast released
this week predicts a return to growth for air travel in the long term,
underscoring the need for vital aviation infrastructure and
environmental improvements contained in the FAA's comprehensive Next
Generation Air Transportation System plan.
U.S. aircraft operations are predicted to
experience a 5.7 percent decrease in 2009 from 2008 levels. Beginning in
2010, the agency expects operations to grow at an average annual rate of
1.5 percent for the remainder of the forecast period. For additional
details on the forecast, including information on general aviation,
cargo demand, landing and takeoff operations at airports and FAA
facilities visit the
FAA website.
EXPECT GARMIN AVIONICS
ON CIRRUS PERSONAL JET
Cirrus Aircraft has selected Garmin as its
avionics provider for production models of the Vision SF50 personal jet.
The current Vision flying test aircraft, V1, will have the Cirrus
Perspective by Garmin avionics system installed in early April - the same
as is currently available on the SR-series of piston aircraft by
Cirrus-and continue its rigorous flight test schedule.
"Cirrus Aircraft and Garmin share a philosophy of technical
innovation and continual product improvement in General Aviation,"
said Brent Wouters, Cirrus Aircraft president and CEO. "With the
selection of Garmin for the Vision personal jet, we provide great
benefit to all Cirrus customers as we now have Garmin's depth and
breadth of avionics' leadership across the entire Cirrus product
line."
The Vision development program continues
to make measured progress in many other areas as well. V1 is averaging
five flight tests per week through the winter in Duluth and now has
completed more than 200 engine run hours and nearly 140 actual flight
test hours. Significant flight test milestones near the end of 1Q'09
include finalizing power on and power off stall tests; establishing the
full CG range; assessing anti-ice system characteristics; further
refining aircraft stability and control for V1; and evaluating wing root
vortex generators. Learn more at www.CirrusAircraft.com.
NASA HONORS JAMES
LOVELL
NASA will honor astronaut James
"Jim" Lovell, Jr., with the presentation of an Ambassador of
Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program.
During a ceremony Friday, April 3, Lovell will accept the award at the
Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, Maryland, and present
it to the museum for display.
NASA is giving the Ambassador of
Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury,
Gemini, and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going
to the moon. The award is a moon rock encased in Lucite, mounted for
public display. The rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples
collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972.
PLASTEK: NEW AVEX
PARTNER
Plastek, LLC has signed a joint partnership
agreement with New Avex Corp to provide repair, restoration, and
detailing services of aircraft. "This partnership brings two
companies that are eager to bring value and customer satisfaction to our
clients," said Gus Ordonez, CEO of Plastek LLC. "Plastek will
provide the portfolio of 14 different products and proprietary processes
for restoration of acrylics and polycarbonates and detailing of
multifunction displays, and New Avex brings its world class fixed base
operation with a one-stop solution for corporate and private aircraft.
Learn more at www.PlastekLLC.com.
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