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August
2, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 38 |
ALREADY?!
AIRVENTURE WRAPS UP A BIG ONE
Time flies when you’re having fun with flying. At EAA AirVenture, it
seems like time flies at Mach 2.
AirVenture 2009 brought it on, from some
of the world’s tiniest flying machines, weighing less than 300 pounds,
to the world’s largest airliner at 1.2 million pounds takeoff weight. The
fly-in attracted something of everything in the way of aeronautical
conveyances, from the very old to the very new.
From the low-and-slow set to a machine
designed for high-altitude space-vehicle launches, AirVenture had the
spectrum covered from the ground up. The fly-in witnessed
anniversaries— the 100th anniversary of aviation in Canada, the 80th
birthday of the Pietenpol, the 60th for the T-28, the 50th for the
Cessna 150, for example— and reunions of old friends and passengers on
past Concorde flights. AirVenture 2009 even witnessed a wedding proposal
by one AirVenture volunteer to another. Read
more
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WHAT'S
NEW IN PRODUCTION AIRCRAFT
 New
models, new options, even new display locations: Original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) of certificated production aircraft have plenty of
news to share with AirVenture visitors. All of these exhibitors have
lots to talk about, so stop by their display areas to see for yourself.
On Monday, AirVenture Today profiled the personal jets from some of
these manufacturers. Here are some highlights of their piston aircraft
news. Read
more |
EAAER
ED SWEENEY PURCHASES THE FIRST TECNAM P2006T TWIN
 It's
an unlikely path to ownership, but Ed Sweeney contends that it makes
perfect sense. A pioneer in electric remote control aircraft in the late
1960s, Ed always had a fascination for things that fly. In 1970, he made
his first trip to the annual EAA Fly-In Convention and was an early
adopter of hang gliders and what was to become the ultralight movement.
His twin-engine Hummingbird was a hit and with its panoramic view, Ed's
next airplane was really no surprise: a twin-engine Partenavia P68
Observer-the model where the nose doubles as a windscreen. Read
more |
EAA
MEMBERS PAY THEIR RESPECTS AT MEMORIAL WALL CEREMONY
 Tangible feelings of love, sorrow,
enlightenment, respect, and healing filled the air at Sunday morning's EAA
Memorial Wall ceremony as attendees sought comfort and healing for the
loss of their loved ones. Read
more |
PLANE
IS A STAND-IN; PILOT IS THE REAL DEAL
 When
a pilot needs an X-15 in a hurry and none is available, a glossy black
supersonic T-38 makes a fine stand-in. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen.
Joe Engle enthusiastically described his experiences in the hypersonic
X-15 while using a T-38 as a stand-in during Friday afternoon’s
Warbirds in Review session. Read
more |
RED
TAIL MUSTANG RETURNS
 A
special P-51C Mustang fighter displayed at AeroShell Square this year
has just tested its wings after five years of reconstruction following a
fatal crash. The Red Tail Project P-51 is painted to represent Tuskegee
Airmen who fought color barriers in World War II to fly as fighter
pilots in combat. Read
more |
AIRVENTURE
ATTENDEES WILD ABOUT JEFF DUNHAM
 Although
there isn't an official count yet, preliminary estimates had attendance
at comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's show Saturday night presented by
RotorWay International exceeding last year's 10,000. If that is the
case, it will be the single most well-attended event ever at Theater in
the Woods. Read
more |
TWINS
FLEW MUSTANGS TOGETHER IN COMBAT
 Buck
and Bill Pattillo served together throughout World War II, thanks to the
alphabet. The twin brothers took the flying cadet entrance examination
on the same date. They were called up together. Before
joining the Army Air Forces, the civilian Pattillo twins occasionally
played identity tricks on people. “When we were growing up we used to
switch girlfriends,” Buck says. Or is it Bill… Read
more |
7,400-MILE
LSA TRIP A GOOD WAY TO END AIRVENTURE
 At
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, we’ve seen feats of engineering, heard
what’s new in the world of aviation, and witnessed aerobatics few
people in the world could pull off. In addition to the more
awe-inspiring things professionals at AirVenture have accomplished,
general aviation pilots are also accomplishing remarkable feats. Read
more |
A
WIN FOR WARBIRDS
Earlier this week, leaders from EAA Warbirds of America and other
warbird groups met with officials from several FAA branches to help
shape the regulations that govern warbird operations. EAA Warbirds
Executive Director Bill Fischer said discussions here between the FAA
and the warbird community covered a number of issues. Two of the most
notable were a review of operating limitations for
experimental/exhibition category aircraft (which includes many warbirds)
and the creation of a standardized schedule and specifications for
aircraft inspection programs for some warbird types. Read
more |
AFTER
35 YEARS, WICKS GOES BACK TO ITS ROOTS
 Scott
Wick, president of the 35-yearold, family-owned Wicks Aircraft Supply,
says the company is returning to its roots. “The aircraft kits are
what got us going, and that’s what we’re focusing on,” Wick says.
To carry that out, the company has expanded its inventory of Sitka
spruce and plywood, along with parts for composite, metal, and tube and
fabric airplanes. Read
more
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AROUND
THE FIELD: THE BAMBOO BOMBER FROM MINNESOTA, AND DAVID AND HIS BOYS ARE
BUILDING A BACKYARD AIRPORT
 Paul
Rankin is enjoying Saturday morning sitting in the Vintage campground
beneath the wing of a big old twin. He’s
been coming to the fly-in since 1984 and enjoys seeing the “more
unique” planes. This year’s memories include the A380 and
WhiteKnightTwo; from past years he remembers the Voyager and Concorde
visits fondly. Read
more |
NOT
JUST HOT AIR: HOMEBUILT BALLOONING ON THE RISE
 Jeff
Wagoner says he was not a balloon guy; at least, he says, he wasn’t
yet. Other than one short ride in a tethered balloon, he had not
had any involvement with lighter-than-air aviation. Now…well, you
could say he’s something of an expert in building a relative rarity in
light aviation - the ultralight-category balloon. Read
more |
AFTER
AEROBATIC FLIGHT, REPORTER HOOKED
 An
invitation earlier this week to fly with Major John Klatt of the Air
National Guard’s “Guarding America, Defending Freedom” aerobatic
team in his Extra 300L gave me a few days to think about the coming
experience. After the reality sank in of what was coming - and my
breathing resumed - questions started racing through my mind. Read
more |
ICE
PROTECTION MARKET HEATS UP
It could be the product with the ultimate “cool factor” at
AirVenture: anti-icing equipment. General
aviation systems today go beyond rubber pneumatic boots, including
fluid- and thermal-based solutions. And pilots may need this equipment
more than they realize. Read
more |
TSA
PROPOSALS AND USER FEES DOMINATE CONGRESSIONAL FORUM
 Security
regulations and user-fee issues dominated the Congressional Forum
Saturday afternoon at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Congressmen
Tom Petri (R-WI), Leonard Boswell (D-IA), and Sam Graves (R-MO)
responded to questions from EAA members and members of the GA community.
(Jerry Costello [D-IL], and Vern Ehlers [R-MI], were unable to attend.)
Petri is the ranking member of the House Aviation subcommittee; Boswell
and Graves, are both certificated pilots and members of the 66-member
bipartisan General Aviation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Read
more |
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PURCHASE THE PICTURE BOX
AVIATION DVD OR BLU-RAY AND GET THE EAA MUSEUM GUIDEBOOK FREE
 Picturebox
HD presents “HD Aviation - 100 Years of Flight,” a collection of
some of the most fascinating aircraft of the last 100 years. HD Aviation
showcases the renowned collection of aircraft from the EAA Museum. The
video includes an optional music track with selections ranging from
period music to patriotic and new age. From antique and classic
airplanes to historical military warbirds and innovative space
explorers, HD Aviation is an awe-inspiring sample of aircraft sure to
leave aviation enthusiasts with a sense of wonder about these airplanes
from the golden era and beyond. Enjoy the history of aviation, captured
as moving art for your television. Picturebox HD introduces a stunning
series of brilliant DVDs with the amazing clarity and color of high
definition. Display a piece of moving art while showing off the newest
technology in your home or office. With a Picturebox HD video, your
television is transformed into a moving canvas of high definition art.
With beautiful real-life images that change each minute, your television
can set a mood and create an atmosphere. Captured in breathtaking high
definition, the Picturebox HD video series turns your television into a
colorful canvas in motion. Available for only $34.99 Blu-ray, $24.99
DVD. Place your order by August 5 and you’ll receive the EAA Museum
Guidebook absolutely FREE. Order
online or by calling 800-564-6322.
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August
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
WhiteKnightTwo
Mother Ship 'Eve' floats over EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh 2009. Check out the detail on the ground -
you can see buildings, planes, and an empty space on
AeroShell Square just waiting for Eve! 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 wide-screen
sizes...or select an image from the archive. |
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NEW
FLIR OPTIONS
FLIR, or forward looking infra red, can
improve safety by allowing the pilot to see through darkness, smoke,
haze, and even some fog and light rain. The purpose of the system is to
enhance a pilot’s situational awareness, and ability to see and avoid
weather.
Cost has been a continuing hurdle with
new avionics, and FLIR is no exception.
That said, it is encouraging to see two
new lower-cost FLIR systems at AirVenture for experimental
aircraft.
Both of these new systems use sensors
provided by the FLIR Corporation to drive their displays. While it was
not possible to test this gear in adverse conditions, the sensor
provider and the demonstrations indicate that this lower cost technology
can do the job.
The Helios Thermal Imaging System
($6,950) includes their Thermal Imager module housed in a carbon fiber
aero pod, the mount, a 7-inch, high-resolution monitor, and
double-shielded cabling. The unit features automatic gain and
calibration, while weighing in at a mere 22 ounces.
For more information, visit www.datatoys.com,
call 414-294-8017.
The Foresight Enhanced Vision System
($7,500) includes their camera module contained in a streamlined surface
mount fairing, a high contrast LCD monitor with mounting bracket, power
and video cables and adapters, as well as mounting shims and caulk to
seal the installation.
For details, visit www.foresightaero.com,
call 888-FLY-SLSA.
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