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July
3, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 27 |
CELEBRATE YOUR FREEDOM TO
FLY
As part of their "GA Serves
America" campaign, AOPA is asking pilots to get out and fly this
Fourth of July holiday weekend and invite a friend, family member, or
neighbor along for the adventure, preferably someone who hasn't
experienced the freedom of flight yet. The flights will celebrate
American's ability to fly almost anywhere they want whenever they want.
After the flight, visit www.AOPA.org/freedom2fly/
to share the story of your celebration flight and help populate an
interactive map showing all of the locations where pilots celebrated
their freedom to fly.
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FAA ISSUES NEW ADVISORY
CIRCULAR FOR VINTAGE AIRCRAFT
In a move intended to help keep vintage aircraft safely maintained,
restored and flying, the FAA has issued new Advisory
Circular AC 23-27, Parts and Materials Substitution for Vintage Aircraft,
dated May 18, 2009. The AC, created by the FAA’s Small Airplane
Directorate in Kansas City, Missouri, was a joint effort by the FAA in
consultation with industry representatives including EAA and EAA’s
Vintage Aircraft Association. Read
more
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YOUTH PROGRAMS MANAGER
EAA has an exciting new opportunity for an aviation enthusiast to help
promote EAA's mission to share the spirit of aviation through developing
and managing programs designed to encourage young people to learn to
fly. The Youth Programs Manager will be responsible for planning,
implementation and ongoing management of EAA programs targeted for young
people, play a leading role in the development of new programs or
program enhancements, and to develop and maintain relationships with
other youth based organizations with the goal of recruiting young people
into EAA's programs. Read
more
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HISTORIC KLEMM AND COMPER
SWIFT AIRCRAFT ARRIVE IN OSHKOSH
 Two
historic aircraft arrived in Oshkosh late last week to be on display
during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. The Klemm L25 D2 Swallow holds the
distinction as the oldest continuously registered civil airplane in
Australia, and the Comper Swift is one of only three still in existence and
has been continuously registered in Australia since 1939. Read
more
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RARE WARBIRDS REGISTERED
FOR EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2009
P-38 Lightning and P-40
Warhawk Confirmed
 EAA
Warbirds of America has confirmed several very unique and rare warbirds
will be attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. Owner Ron Fagen of
Granite Falls, Minnesota, has registered a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, along with a North American P-51 Mustang. The P-38
and P-40 are considered very rare these days, with only a few examples
of each type flying in the United States. Read
more
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FREE TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS
DURING AIRVENTURE
 You
can sign up to receive text message alerts right to your mobile phone.
Keep up with all the events and activities that you don't want to miss
during a busy Oshkosh week. Be among the first to discover late-breaking
news and receive announcements. Whether you're attending the event or
not this year, you can follow what's going on at the World's Greatest
Aviation Celebration right on your cell phone. Read
more
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AEROMART MOVES TO NEW
LOCATION IN 2009
 Call
it a swap meet, consignment sale, or clean-out-the-hangar sale; EAA's
Aeromart provides one of the best places for individuals to sell all
those extra aircraft parts or other aviation-related items. EAA members
with unused or extra parts can turn them into cash while helping others
complete their projects.
Read more
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LEAVE YOUR MARK AT THE
BROWN ARCH
 Since
the annual EAA fly-in arrived in Oshkosh in 1970, the Brown Arch has
been the traditional entryway to the Oshkosh flightline. Millions of
people have walked under the span to discover innovation, imagination,
and craftsmanship within the thousands of airplanes beyond it,
epitomizing the "Oshkosh experience."
Along with the renovation of EAA's
convention grounds, the Brown Arch is being transformed. A special
tribute area consisting of nearly 3,000 brick pavers has been designed
to allow members from around the world to leave their mark on Oshkosh.
Read more
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T-6 PEDAL PLANE
SWEEPSTAKES TO BENEFIT THE ALAN HENLEY FAMILY
 A sweepstakes has been organized to help
former AeroShell Aerobatic Team Lead Alan Henley and his family pay for
medical bills and daily living expenses. Henley became paralyzed last year
after a fall while playing with his children at his home in Birmingham,
Alabama. Tickets are being sold for a chance to win a pedal plane modeled
after his AeroShell T-6 Texan. Read
more
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FOREIGN AIRCRAFT ARRIVING
AND DEPARTING OSH FOR AIRVENTURE 2009
If you will be flying from
outside the United States to attend AirVenture 2009, you're flight
planning should start now. Your border crossing documents must be filled
at least 30 days prior to departure to ensure timely arrival. Read
more
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EARNING HIS WINGS
Practicing Short, Soft Field Landings
 I
am on the homestretch of my training, so I am now focusing on areas
where I need a little more practice.
Short field landings have been difficult
for me to execute consistently, but the more I practice, the better I'm
getting. The FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) say a  sport
pilot must be able to touch down at or within 200 feet beyond a
specified point. That sounds like a lot of distance, but it's amazing
how quick it can go by.
Your tips and advice on the
blog have really helped me and I'm sure they're helping other
student pilots, so keep 'em coming-especially now that I'm gearing up
and preparing for the checkride.
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This week EAA is introducing a new weekly
EAA e-Hotline column, AeroInnovations, to highlight the latest in
aviation technology and innovation. Each week column editor Bob Waldron
will summarize several “aeroinnovations”, and provide links to more
information on the web. Bob aims to keep EAA members informed on
cutting-edge new products, technology discoveries and more. He would
also be delighted to receive suggestions and submissions from the
community of EAA Members, at aeroinnovations@eaa.org.
Carbon-fiber
Belite Aircraft Has First Flight
The Belite carbon-fiber aircraft had its first flight on June 25, 2009,
at the Jabara airport in Kansas. Its weight was 240 pounds, including
fuel and ballast. The plane is scheduled to be in Oshkosh for EAA
AirVenture 2009.
Natural
Composites For Aircraft Textiles
Barktex Plus-Latex059 is designed to provide the strength and
flexibility required for aircraft materials. Aerospace companies and
enthusiasts who are interested in sustainability and green technology
should look at whether this new textile can be used in their
applications. Barkcloth Europe produces this new material from bark of
the fig tree and coats it with latex from a rubber tree, so both
materials are from renewable resources.
Biofuel
Reduces Jet Environmental Impact
A new type of biofuel can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from jets
by more than 80 percent. Camelina is a non-food crop which can be
processed into a "drop-in" replacement for oil-based jet fuel.
The plant can be grown on soil which is not usable for most food crops
and requires little water or fertilizer.
Strong,
Lightweight Carbon Nanotube Mats for Aerospace Applications
Nanocomp Technologies now has the ability to produce 4-foot by 8-foot
sheets of carbon nanotube material. It has also delivered 10 kilometers
of carbon nanotube yarn to a Fortune 100 aerospace customer. These high
tech materials will help build lighter and stronger aircraft. The carbon
nanotubes are also very resistant to harsh operating environments and
can help with electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic interference
shielding for aviation applications.
Smarter
UAVs to Help With Disasters, Fly Inside Buildings
Current UAV technology (unmanned aerial vehicles) focuses mostly on
operation at higher altitudes with limited maneuvering capabilities. A
European project team led by AirRobot of Germany is developing UAVs to
operate at lower levels. These aircraft are designed to avoid objects in
their flight path, and even be able to operate inside buildings.
Lighter
Planes and Climate Change
Saving costs and improving the environmental impact of aviation were two
themes highlighted at the recent Paris Air Show. One way to combine
lower fuel costs and reduce air emissions is to build lighter aircraft.
Issoire Aviation had a Paris Air Show display with a four-seater that
uses composite materials to achieve an empty weight of only 500
kilograms. For more information about their construction techniques,
check out the APM
20 Lionceau (in French).
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STILL TIME TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
FOR NEW FAA ADMINISTRATOR
 We're
interested in learning what questions EAA members have for the newly
appointed FAA administrator, Randy Babbitt, for the traditional
"Meet the Administrator" Q&A session held annually at
AirVenture. Babbitt, confirmed by the Senate as FAA Administrator late
last month, has been invited to AirVenture and is expected to appear at
the on annual forum on Thursday, July 30, 11:30 a.m. at the Honda Pavilion.
To get an idea of what's on the minds of EAAers, we're asking that
questions be pre-submitted via email to asktheadministrator@eaa.org.
(Questions will also be taken from the floor as time permits.) Please
submit your questions no later than July 10, 2009.
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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. For more information, visit www.Fly4Life.org.
This week we feature mission aviator Jack
D. Sluiter, working with the South America Mission and IAMA. Sluiter
has been working in mission aviation since shortly after college. "We
are incredibly thankful to the EAA AirVenture and the Fly4Life program,
as it allows these stories to be told." Read
more
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QUILTERS TO GATHER AT EAA
AIRVENTURE 2009
Oshkosh's Lakeside Quilters Guild will host the 21st annual EAA Quilters
Gathering during EAA on Thursday, July 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Senior
Center North Building, located at 234 North Campbell Road. The event,
which attracts convention attendees from all over the world, will
include a quilt show, door prizes, quilt raffle, bed turning of vintage
quilts, demonstrations, show and share, quilters marketplace, and quilt
items for sale. Lunch is available. Free admission and free parking. For
further information please e-mail quiltoshkosh@live.com
or call 920-235-9129.
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HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
WORKING THEIR WAY TO AIRVENTURE
Seventeen students from Wathen Aviation High School in Riverside,
California, decided to travel to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. By holding
bake sales, car washes, and other fundraisers, they are raising the
money they need to get there. Oshkosh's EAA Chapter 252 has volunteered
sleeping bags, tents, and camping space at Camp Scholler. Read
more
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EAA AIRVENTURE MAKES
WISHES COME TRUE
Dreams of aviation will come true
at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 when it hosts five Make-A-Wish children
and their families on Saturday, August 1. The day begins with the
families flying in EAA's Bell 47 helicopter at Pioneer Airport, followed
by a personal tour of Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo. All children
involved, plus their siblings, will then be given an opportunity to earn
their EAA Young Eagle wings after flying in EAA's 1929 Ford
Tri-Motor. Read
more
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HOMEBUILDING HINT OF THE
WEEK: CUTTING ALUMINUM ON A BANDSAW
 In
this segment, Sam James shares a couple of tips for cutting aluminum on
a bandsaw. Sam is the owner of James Aircraft. Watch
the video.
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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INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
OF AVIATION
Recently, Chapter 723 awarded $20,000 in scholarship money to 13 young
men and women who are furthering their educations in the sciences.
"EAA has to look to the future, and education is the future,"
said Steve Kivo, scholarship chair of EAA Chapter 723 in Camarillo,
California. Money has been raised through proceeds from donations,
including $10,000 from the Gene Haas Foundation, and the chapter's air
show, Wings Over Camarillo. Read
more
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'FLY THE FORD'
TOUR
 EAA's
beautifully restored example of the world's first mass-produced
airliner, the Ford Tri-Motor, is in Sandusky, Ohio, through the weekend
in the latest stop of the Fly the Ford mini tour. Take advantage of the
chance to fly in an aircraft from aviation's "Golden Age," and
get an up-close look at the aircraft seen in the new movie Public
Enemies. To learn more, or to book a flight, visit www.FlytheFord.org.
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'ALUMINUM OVERCAST' FLIES
OVER MINNEAPOLIS THIS WEEKEND
 EAA's
B-17 Aluminum Overcast will be at Janes Field at the Anoka
County-Blaine Airport in Minneapolis, MN, this weekend for a tour-stop hosted by EAA Chapter
237. Here's
your opportunity to experience once-in-a-lifetime flight in one of
history's most important airplanes, the Flying Fortress. To book a
reservation, or to see the list of future tour destinations, visit www.B17.org, or call 800-359-6217 for more information. Watch
video.
Become a fan of EAA's B-17 Aluminum
Overcast Facebook
page!
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FANTASY FLIGHT CAMP
EXPLORES EAA'S B-17
 It
may only be the end of June, but EAA is accepting reservations for its
B-17 Fantasy Flight Camp, scheduled for December 18-20, 2009, in Oshkosh.
The weekend ground school is led by experts at the EAA Aviation Center.
They'll fully explore one of America's most famous military airplanes
and immerse program participants in the history of the B-17. They'll
also meet B-17 veterans and receive a 20-minute flight experience in
EAA's Aluminum Overcast one of the world's few remaining flying
"Flying Fortresses." The flight allows participants to walk
about the aircraft and visit the various compartments experiencing what
it may have been like for the crew in WWII. To learn more about this and
other EAA's Fantasy Flight Camps, visit www.fantasyflightcamp.org.
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
 46th
Annual Jayhawk Chapter 88 Fly-In
Newton City-County Airport, Newton, KS
Pot luck dinner shared on Friday July 3, 2009. Pancake Breakfast
Saturday 7:30 a.m. Aircraft Judging, Flight Events, Young Eagle Flights,
Awards Banquet. Contact Doug Moler at 316-207-8331 or send
an e-mail.
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': GEORGE APPLEBAY
 After
high school George Applebay enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and
spent most of his wartime service based at MacDill Field, near Tampa,
Florida, where he worked on B-17s and later B-29s. After the war George
used the G.I. Bill to earn his A&P license and commercial pilot
certificate. He worked briefly as a commercial pilot before taking a job
with Boeing as a mechanic on B-47s, and then as an inspector on the B-52
line. George then took a job in Cessna's experimental department as a
mechanic and fabricator on the T-37. From there he went to work as an
aeronautical engineer for defense contractor EG&G, where he
developed aircraft instruments for detecting airborne nuclear particles.
In the mid-1980s he left EG&G and with the financial backing of some
EG&G employees, founded Aero Tek, Inc. to manufacture and sell his
Zuni sailplane design. A fatal crash resulted in the closing of the
company, but undeterred George started a new company called Applebay
Sailplanes and continued to produce the Zuni design. In 1990 he founded
the U.S. Southwest Soaring Museum in Moriarty, New Mexico, and today at
age 84 serves as president of the museum and still runs his own glider
repair shop. Watch
the video.
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GET YOUR FLIGHT LINE
RADIO IN TIME FOR AIRVENTURE
 Flight
Line Radio is a service that allows visitors at AirVenture to listen to
the air show announcers, the tower and EAA Radio anywhere on the grounds
including the campground or the museum. Flight Line Radios can be used
at other air shows and future AirVenture events. Quantities are limited,
so be sure to order yours today. Order before July 15 for only $15 and
you’ll receive it in time for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. Order online
or by calling toll-free, 1-800-564-6322.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
I know that
somewhere on the EAA website I saw a list of
aircraft that are manufactured in the LSA/E-SLA/S-SLA
categories. However I can't find it.
Answer:
The listing of various aircraft that are LSA
eligible can be found here: http://www.SportPilot.org.
Roll your cursor over the word "Aircraft"
in the menu at the left side of the page, and a
pop-up menu will appear where you can choose which
kind of LSA you wish to look at.
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.
July
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
Jack
Tiffany's and Jim Hammond's Pitcairn PT-18 Autogiro, photographed by EAA's
Bonnie Kratz, is the world's only flying example of
the aircraft. It was flown from Ohio to Oshkosh in
late June and will be on display during AirVenture
in the Vintage area.
Download
this wallpaper image at the EAA
website, where you can choose among several different
resolutions to suit
your screen - including three wide-screen
sizes...or select an image from the archive.
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NEW WACO MODEL; YMF-5D
The WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation has announced the evolution of its
YMF-5C, a classic sport biplane: The new YMF-5D. The new aircraft will
deliver greater performance than its predecessors, according to a WACO
news release, with more horsepower and less weight due to design
improvements and the use of lightweight materials. Upgrades include an
updated oil filtration system with chip detector, front cockpit brakes
now standard, lightweight carbon fiber wheel pants and wheel pant
fairings, and a redesigned instrument panel. First deliveries are
expected by October 2009, pending FAA approval. Visit www.WACOClassic.com
or call 269-565-1000 to learn more.
BLACKHAWK P&W
CARAVAN ENGINE UPGRADE
Blackhawk Modifications, a provider of engine upgrades for turbine
powered aircraft, has launched a new engine upgrade for the Cessna 208
Caravan series. "The XP42A gives the Caravan operator significantly
improved takeoff, climb and cruise performance even with our 4 percent
increase in takeoff weight. The engines boast a minimum 20 percent
improved takeoff performance and a minimum 15 percent increase in cruise
speed - even more for hot and high conditions," said Corey Eckhart,
Director of Engineering. Certification is expected in the fourth quarter
of 2009. Call 254-755-6711 or visit www.Blackhawk.aero.
WHOOPING CRANES ARRIVE
AT NECEDAH WILDLIFE REFUGE
Eight whooping crane chicks arrived June 25 at Necedah National Wildlife
Refuge in central Wisconsin to begin preparation for their fall
migration behind ultralight aircraft. The eight chicks are members of
the Class of 2009, which will be the ninth group of endangered whooping
cranes to take part in a project conducted by the Whooping Crane Eastern
Partnership (WCEP), a coalition of public and private organizations that
is reintroducing a migratory flock of whooping cranes in eastern North
America, part of their historic range.
A field team from Operation Migration,
Inc. and the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center will spend the summer
strengthening the social cohesion of the flock and teaching them to fly
behind the ultralights. This fall, Operation Migration will use
ultralights to guide the young cranes on their first southward migration
to Florida, the cranes' winter home.
For more information on the project, its partners, and how you can help,
visit www.BringBacktheCranes.org.
HAMP SAFESTART STARTER
SYSTEM EARNS STC
As reported in the April 2009 issue of EAA Sport Aviation, Harold Hamp,
EAA 300857, has produced an alternative to the requirement for
hand-propping many of the light planes built prior to 1950. The
self-contained system, built around the high-torque capabilities of a
battery-powered cordless drill motor, allows the engine to be started
from within the cockpit, and does not require the installation of an
external electrical system. It offers is straightforward installation;
the most complex part is the installation of a ring gear behind the
propeller.
Now STCd, the self-contained starter can
be used for many aircraft built by Aeronca, Luscombe, Piper, and
Taylorcraft. For more information contact Hamp Aircraft Service at
989-463-1762.
AIRFIELD LIGHTING IN A
CASE
Tektite Industries now offers portable landing strip lighting with its
Landing Strip Light and Runway Kit. The kit includes 40 of Tektite's
LED-powered Landing Strip/Runway Lights, enough to illuminate up to a
4000-foot runway, in a wheeled, heavy-duty case. Mounted on
spring-loaded, weighted bases to keep them upright in high winds and
strong propeller wash, these LED boundary lights provide operators with
light in the remote and infrastructure-poor areas. Bulb life is rated at
more than 10,000 hours will operate for more than 20 hours on common
alkaline batteries included with the equipment. See it at booth 4027 in
Hangar D at AirVenture, visit www.EZ-LZ.com,
or call 609-656-0600.
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