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May
22, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 21 |
HOUSE GENERAL AVIATION
CAUCUS HEARS FROM GA ORGANIZATIONS
Today, EAA and other general aviation organizations briefed the newly
formed House General Aviation Caucus about the importance of general
aviation and highlighted issues of concern such as user fees,
congressional oversight of FAA, air traffic modernization, and the
severe impact of TSA security regulations and directives on GA. More
than 50 attended the session including co-chairs Ehlers (R-MI) and Boyd
(D-FL), Representatives Graves (R-MO), Boswell (D-IA), Coble (R-NC),
Tiahrt (R-KS), Moran (R-KS), Salazar (D-CO) and Cohen (D-TN), various
staff members of the other caucus members, and representatives from
AOPA, NBAA, NATA and GAMA. The principals from these organizations
presented the importance of general aviation to the national economy and
fabric of the nation as well as issues of concern and interest to this
newly established general aviation caucus. Read
more
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EAA SAYS 'NO' TO
INCREASED ETHANOL BLENDING IN AUTO FUEL
EAA is strongly opposing a petition (EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211) to the EPA
from the ethanol producers trade group, Growth Energy, and 54 other
ethanol producers to increase the percentage of ethanol that can be
blended with automobile gasoline, from 10 percent to 15 percent. EAA and
its members have been fighting for the right to obtain auto fuel
gasoline that is free of ethanol for several years. Read
more
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FLY FOR LIFE: PROFILES IN
CARING
 "Fly
For Life" at EAA AirVenture 2009 will recognize and celebrate the
breadth and depth of good works by those who offer aviation services for
the benefit of their fellow citizens of the world. Public Benefit
Aviation (PBA) - volunteer pilots and aviation enthusiasts who
dedicate their time, skills, and resources to help people; and Mission
Aviation (MA) - Christians working to bring the transforming message
of Jesus Christ to people living in remote, difficult-to-access places;
provide vital humanitarian and spiritual support that would otherwise go
unserved.
 Beginning
this week through the start of AirVenture, e-Hotline will profile
some of the special people who have fused their twin passions - helping
others in need and aviation. A group of EAA volunteers is working to
design the weeklong program at Oshkosh this year. Activities planned
include a major display adjacent to AeroShell Square; aircraft displays;
numerous forums and presentations; an evening program on Monday, July
27; and other events. For more information, visit www.Fly4Life.org.
See the first profile: Gracia
Burnham.
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EAA PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR
UNDERSTANDING NEW BORDER-CROSSING RULES
 EAA
is providing assistance to general aviation pilots affected by new
federal rules for U.S. border crossing that took effect Monday. Tools
available to general aviation pilots entering the U.S., departing the
U.S., or otherwise crossing the U.S. border by air include an
overview document for sorting out the various and complex
requirements, and a downloadable
kneeboard fact sheet for quick reference.
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GA GROUPS URGE WITHDRAWAL
OF TSA AIRPORT SECURITY DIRECTIVE
In a letter to
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano this
week, EAA Chairman/President Tom Poberezny joined the heads of four
other general aviation groups asking the agency to remove a
controversial airport security directive issued December 10 by the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Instead the groups urge
that the rulemaking process be initiated so that industry input can be
included and mitigate the already occurring problems with the directive
(1542-04-08F), which changed procedures for the issuance of airport ID
media and increased the number of general aviation pilots and aircraft
owners required to have authorized IDs at airports served by commercial
carriers. Read
more
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FAA ADMINISTRATOR
NOMINATION TAKES NEXT STEP
 President
Obama's nominee for FAA Administrator, Randy Babbitt, has cleared the
first hurdle toward confirmation. On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce,
Science and Transportation Committee unanimously voted to forward his
nomination for full Senate confirmation. This final confirmation is the
last step before Babbitt can begin serving the administration.
"As a member of the FAA Advisory
Board, Randy's knowledge of recreational aviation will allow him to have
immediate impact," said Earl Lawrence, EAA vice president of
industry and regulatory affairs. "EAA and its members are eager to
hear Randy's perspective on general aviation issues such as air traffic
modernization, the FAA funding plan, user fees and safety at AirVenture
this year."
Babbitt, formerly president of the Air
Line Pilots Association, is currently an aviation consultant. A Senate
confirmation date has yet to be announced.
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THESE 3 EASY TIPS MAKE
INFLIGHT WEATHER A BREEZE
 Earlier
this spring, while on a cross-country flight in his A36 Bonanza, an EAA
member had a problem using his XM Satellite Weather service. He had
received a detailed weather briefing before departing, but en route to
his destination he began to approach a developing weather system. He
asked his wife to grab his portable GPS unit from his flight bag so he
could get more weather information. When he turned the unit on, he could
not receive a signal for the XM Weather service. After landing and
calling XM Weather, he learned that he needed to refresh his unit
because he hadn't used it in some time. EAA contacted XM Weather, and
they provided some information about keeping your XM Satellite Weather
system active. Read
more
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EARNING HIS WINGS
Short, Soft Field Landings
 Some
lessons are fun and exciting; others are challenging. This one was
challenging.
Jason introduced me to short and soft
field landings. I've been feeling good about my landings lately, but
flying my approach 5-10 mph slower
was all it took to make them feel awkward.
As you'll see in the video, I tried hard
but never was able to touch down on the numbers. I left the lesson
feeling frustrated with myself because I know I can do it. Jason tells
me this is the most commonly failed portion of a checkride. Makes sense.
It's going to take some practice, but I'm going to land on those
numbers.
On a positive note, the takeoffs were a blast. Climbing out at Vx (best
angle of climb) in the Remos is an incredible ride!
I'd love to hear your advice and feedback
on the blog.
- Brady
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'PAPA GOOSE' MAKES FIRST
FLIGHT
 A
Zenith CH 601XL builder who EAA helped clarify an inspection
misunderstanding made the first flight in his new airplane on May 15.
"Exactly three years and two months after receiving the huge crate
full of airplane parts, N4568G, the
'Papa Goose' took to the air at 3R2, aka Legros Memorial Airport and
Gentlemen's Benevolent Association," wrote Edward Moody II, of
Rayne, Louisiana. Moody said the plane "flew as it should, with no
bad habits, no heavy wing, needed a bit of nose up trim, needs a fair
amount of right rudder at high power settings (to control all the torque
of the massive Jabiru 3300) and as we all know (or should by now), the
roll response is slower than the pitch response.
"Despite 15-20 mph of 30 degree
crosswind, both landings this afternoon were 'keepers' and I can't wait
to get up early tomorrow and go do it again," Moody wrote.
"Thank you for your help."
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ENROLL NOW FOR EAA'S
WOMEN SOAR YOU SOAR 2009
 Young
women in grades 9-12 are eligible to enroll in EAA's Women Soar You Soar
2009 program. Now in its fifth year, Women Soar introduces enrollees to
more than 20 outstanding female mentors, from engineers to fighter
pilots, working in a variety of aviation and aerospace fields. The
three-day event, July 26-28, 2009, will include activities such as
flight simulation, workshops, career exploration, and mentor sessions -
aimed at engaging, inspiring, and educating young women to pursue their
dreams in aviation and beyond. The enrollment deadline is July 10, 2009,
or until all spaces are filled. Find out more about Women Soar You Soar
2009 at www.airventure.org/womensoar
or call 800-236-1025.
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HOMEBUILDING HINTS OF THE
WEEK: RIBSTITCHING - FINISH KNOT
 In
the third and final video of the "knot" series, Carah Durell
shows you how to wrap up your rib stitching by demonstrating the final
knot you need to know: the finish knot. Carah is a former Chapter 1 Young Eagle
that works for Poly-Fiber. Watch
now.
Now available - DVD, Hints for
Homebuilders - Sheet Metal - Volume 1 - now you can view 19 helpful
hints from experienced builders anywhere-on a big-screen TV, at chapter
meetings, or on a computer with a DVD drive. They're available for a
members' special price of $9.95 through
the EAA online store or by calling 800-564-6322.
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EAA'S B-17 STATIONED IN
SEATTLE FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
 EAA's
B-17 national tour featuring Aluminum Overcast is in Seattle,
Washington, this week visiting EAA Warbird Squadron 2. The historic
bomber will remain there through Memorial Day until it departs for
Ogden, Utah, for a tour stop hosted by EAA Chapter 23, May 29-31. The
Wings Over the Rockies Museum welcomes the tour June 3-9 in Denver,
Colorado, offering historic flight experiences and ground tours. You can
book your reservation for an unforgettable flight or find a list of
future events at www.B17.org, or call
800-359-6217 for more information. Watch
video.
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DO YOU HAVE THE INSURANCE
PROTECTION YOU THINK YOU HAVE?
By Bob Mackey, Representative for
the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan, Administered by Falcon Insurance Agency
 Face
it, we cannot be experts and know everything about the products and
services we buy. For example, we know tires are round, black, and they
hold air; but what do we know about the compounds the tire is made of or
the performance capabilities of the tread design? Same goes for your
airplane insurance. That's where the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan
administered by Falcon Insurance Agency can help. Read
more
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EAA AIR ACADEMY BASIC
CAMP NEARS CAPACITY
 Only
a few spots remain in the aviation experience of a lifetime! EAA Air
Academy Basic Camp offers students ages 14-15 intermediate aviation
experiences through small group activities and close counselor
relationships. Aviation material is presented with a unique combination
of fun and discovery in a science camp format. For more information,
visit www.airacademy.org.
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
 EAA
Chapter 1077 Fly-In Pancake Breakfast, New Philadelphia, Ohio
(Monday, May 25, 2009) Join EAA Chapter 1077 at Harry Clever Field
for a Memorial Day breakfast that includes three delicious pancakes, a
sausage patty, scrambled eggs, and coffee. Breakfast is served all day.
Hot dogs will be served around lunchtime. The Midwest Navioneers are
also meeting during the weekend and should be here until Sunday morning.
The festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at noon. For more
information call Dave Gray at 330-260-8574.
EAA Chapter 1115 Memorial Day Fly- In,
Woodward, Oklahoma
(Monday, May 25, 2009) Join EAA Chapter 1115 this Memorial Day for a
fly-in! Featuring free Young Eagles rides (ages 8-18) from 8 a.m. to
noon (weather permitting), guests will enjoy breakfast while checking
out ultralights, experimentals, and certified aircraft, as well as an
EMS helicopter. Pilots and passengers are invited to come in the
afternoon of the 24th to join the set-up party followed by an evening
hamburger cook out. Camping is available on the field. For more
information contact Joe Schneider at 580-254-3566.
To learn more about calendar events, or
to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org.
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': RICHARD "DICK" STOUFFER
 During
World War II, Richard "Dick" Stouffer (1923-2003) enlisted in
the Aviation Cadet Program and was trained as a B-17 copilot. Once
overseas he was assigned to the 7th Bomb Squadron of the 34th Bomb
Group, 8th Air Force in England. Dick flew 35 combat missions during the
war. In 1952 he began flying for United Airlines and continued flying
the friendly skies until retirement in 1983. An avid aviation
aficionado, Dick was a long-time EAA member and volunteer photographer,
as well as serving on the EAA Board of Directors. He passed away on
November 4, 2003. Watch
the video.
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GEAR UP FOR AIRVENTURE -
2009 MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE NOW!
 Tell
everyone you're headed to AirVenture with this "I'm Headed to
Oshkosh" t-shirt, sporting the 2009 AirVenture logo on the back.
The F-22 Raptor, Trike, P-51 Mustang, and Stearman bi-plane complete
this collectable t-shirt. Made of 100% Gildan Ultra pre-shrunk cotton in
White, available in SM-3X. EAA members can get theirs for only
$12.99-16.99 - a savings of $4 off the regular price. Or, get this Air
Show Collage t-shirt, complete with 2009 air show aircraft including the
Trike, Velocity, Extra 300, RV-8, P-40 Warhawk, and Waco UPF-7, for
$15.99-17.99. Looking for something to top it off? Get an AirVenture
Oshkosh 2009 cap, available in Stone for $14.99, or EAA members save $3
on the Olive cap, only $13.99. Order
online or call toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
My
partner and I own an E-LSA (experimental
light-sport aircraft). Can we both receive the
training and be issued the Repairman Certificate
Light-Sport Aircraft - Inspection Rating for our
E-LSA aircraft?
Answer:
Yes you can. The E-LSA Repairman, Inspection Rating
course is the qualifying 16-hour FAA course you need
to take to become eligible to apply for the
certificate. We recommend that you register for the
course through either the EAA
Sport Air Workshops or Rainbow
Aviation.
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.
May
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
Our featured
calendar image for May is Tom Wathen's beautiful
replica of the Rider R-4 Schoenfelt Firecracker, a
plane that won many races during the Golden Age of
air racing. The plane is also featured in EAA's
World of Flight 2009 Calendar. (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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VIRGINIA REGIONAL
FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT NEXT WEEKEND!
Preparations are nearly complete for the 12th Annual Virginia Regional
Festival of Flight May 30-31 at the Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ). A
record number of exhibitors, vendors, and forums are scheduled.
"This year we have 35 forum presentations," said Judy
Sparks, Fly-In manager. "We are especially excited to have the FAA
Charting Office present two-hour VFR and IFR map forums on Saturday.
Many pilots have no idea how much they don't know about aeronautical
charts until they attend these forums."
The Festival of Flight planning committee
reports that homebuilders will be flying in from as far away as
Missouri, Florida, and New York, and that they expect a wide selection
of homebuilts and restored aircraft to be on display. In addition,
hundreds of antiques, classics, warbirds, ultralights, and light-sport
aircraft should fill the show plane area.
The family-friendly event includes
radio-controlled flight demonstrations and hands-on activities for kids,
such as model rocket launches and a presentation by NASA scientists.
Pancakes will be served from at 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day, and
several food vendors will be on site.
To see forum schedules and learn more, visit the fly-in website www.VirginiaFlyIn.org.
Pilots are urged to visit the website to learn of special approach
procedures for ultralights and other general aviation aircraft.
ASA SUPPORTS YOUNG
EAGLES/AVIATION SAFETY
Customers making purchases from ASA's website, www.asa2fly.com,
can help ASA help general aviation grow. ASA is now donating 5 percent
of an individual's total order to either the EAA
Young Eagles program or the AOPA
Air Safety Foundation. Customers may choose which organization to
support.
The process couldn't be simpler: During
checkout, shoppers will be prompted to select which organization will
receive a donation, which is completely voluntary. This action does not
add to the cost of the order. Customers may also choose to bypass the
selection entirely.
ASA Vice President Mike Lorden says, "ASA is a proud supporter of
these fine organizations that are making a difference for general
aviation, now and into the future."
WICKS AIRCRAFT
REFOCUSES ON 35TH ANNIVERSARY
Wicks Aircraft, started in 1974 by Martin Wick, has seen steady growth
since opening its doors 35 years ago. Expect to see some changes in the
next 35. "Wicks Aircraft Supplies is going to be setting up a
number of builders' workshops for people who want to learn about the
skills required for building an aircraft," said Scott Wick,
Martin's son, who now runs the company. "We're going to be
developing homebuilder tool kits and starter kits for people who want to
experience their own introduction to composites, welding, or working
with aluminum, wood, or fabric."
Wicks will also feature aircraft completed by its customers on its
website, and set up a chat room exclusively for builders. The company is
"eager to draw new and younger people into the world of homebuilt
aircraft," Scott added. Call 800-221-9425 or visit www.WicksAircraft.com
for more information.
EASA's 1ST STC FOR
ASPEN EFD1000 PFD ON CESSNA 206 A/C
Aspen Avionics, Inc., maker of the Evolution Flight Display system,
announced this week that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has
issued the first European Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Aspen
products. This new STC authorizes installation of the EFD1000 Primary
Flight Display (PFD) into Cessna 206 series aircraft. "The European
market continues to be very important to Aspen," said Doug Cayne,
Aspen Avionics VP of Marketing. "We are actively working with our
European dealers and EASA-certified Design Organizations to assure
prompt availability of a broad range of STCs for our customers in EASA-member
countries." EASA STCs for several other aircraft makes/models are
currently under development.
Updates to the STCs will be available here.
FAA ISSUES AD FOR
CESSNA LC-MODELS
On May 11, the FAA adopted a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Cessna
Aircraft models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes (type
certificate previously held by Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing). The AD
was adopted to detect and correct damage in the rudder hinges and the
rudder hinge brackets, which could result in failure of the rudder and
potential loss of control. It results from reports that cracked lower
rudder hinge brackets were found on two of the affected airplanes. The
AD requires repetitive inspection of the rudder hinges and the rudder
hinge brackets for damage, i.e., cracking, deformation, and
discoloration, and replacement of the damaged rudder hinge and/or rudder
hinge bracket if damage is found. Learn
more here.
FAA ON RISK MANAGEMENT
The new FAA Risk Management Handbook features information and resources
that pilots can use to assess risk. This handbook presents methods to
manage the workloads associated with each phase of flight, resulting in
a safer, more enjoyable and less stressful experience for both
themselves and their passengers. Subjects covered include human
behavior, identifying and mitigating risk, aeronautical decision-making,
single-pilot resource management, automation, and risk management
training. Appendices contain a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)
checklist and sample risk management scenarios to aid in setting
personal minimums. Order the soft cover, 112 page handbook at www.ASA2Fly.com.
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