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August
28, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 42 |
NTSB
ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HUDSON RIVER CORRIDOR
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Thursday issued five
safety recommendations to the FAA resulting from its ongoing
investigation of the August 8 midair collision over the Hudson River
that killed nine people. Read
more |
ROCKY
MOUNTAIN REGIONAL FLY-IN DEBUTS AT NEW AIRPORT
 The
Colorado Sport International Air Show & Rocky Mountain Regional
Fly-In was described by organizers as a success in its inaugural
appearance at the Rocky Mountain Airport August 15-16. Warm, clear
weather - “ideal for an air show” - helped swell attendance to about
18,000 - a 20 percent increase over the most recent version of the
event, 2007’s RMRFI at Front Range Airport. Read
more |
CONOCO-PHILLIPS
YOUNG EAGLES FUEL REBATE NOW $2 PER GALLON
Just a reminder to volunteer Young Eagles pilots that the Conoco-Phillips
fuel rebate is now doubled to $2 per gallon through December 31, 2009.
Rod Palmer, general manager of Phillips 66 Aviation, made the
announcement during AirVenture this year, and Phillips, presenting
sponsor of Young Eagles, has been supporting the fuel rebate program
since 1994. The rebate to volunteer pilots helped the program achieve
its original goal of one million flights. More than 4,000 pilots have
taken advantage, introducing more than 350,000 kids to the wonders of
flight. For complete details, visit www.YoungEagles.org/volunteers
and click on Phillips Rebate program. |
SPACE
AVAILABLE AT SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER EAA CHAPTER LEADERS ACADEMIES
 The
EAA Chapter Leaders Academy is a two-day conference at EAA's Oshkosh
headquarters where chapter representatives learn about a wide range of
activities designed to bolster their local efforts. The purpose of the
workshops and smaller group sessions is to help leaders strengthen their
chapters and provide tools to assist with recruitment, volunteer
involvement and program development. Other topics of discussion are
determined by input from participants. Past sessions have covered youth
engagement, hangars/clubhouses, dealing with the media and fundraising.
Preparations are under way for this year's fall sessions scheduled for
September 18-20 and October 23-25. Those interested should promptly
contact EAA Chapters at chapters@EAA.org,
or 888-322-4636, ext. 4876. |
EAA
GOOD OL' DAYS CELEBRATES PIONEER AIRPORT'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY
 Aviation's
early days come back to life at EAA's Pioneer Airport this weekend,
August 29-30, as EAA presents the 9th annual Good Ol' Days of Aviation.
The nostalgic weekend will also celebrate Pioneer's 25th anniversary,
marking the quarter-century since the opening of the historic aerodrome
that recreates aviation's Golden Age of the 1920s-30s.
Open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days,
visitors can see vintage airplanes, participate in activities from the
age, and experience what airports were like during those early
barnstorming days. A large family activity center offers games and
competitions, like a pie eating contest. Enjoy up close inspection
opportunities of EAA's historical collection of aircraft, or take a ride
in one of EAA's vintage airplanes like the 1929 Travel Air, a 1927
Swallow biplane or a Bell 47 Helicopter, and other vehicles.
Also on schedule are musical
performances, the opening of a recently discovered 1930s time capsule,
and staff members and volunteers appearing in period dress throughout
the weekend. All Good Ol' Days activities are included with regular
museum admission. As always, admission is waived for EAA members.
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2010
EAA WORLD OF FLIGHT CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE
 EAA's
2010 World of Flight Calendar features stunning aircraft photographed in
the famous EAA style by Jim Koepnick and Bonnie Kratz, EAA’s
award-winning photographers. This calendar highlights some of the
world's finest aviation photography and is the perfect size for
recording your appointments. Makes a great gift idea, and you can order
yours in plenty of time for the holidays! Order
online, or call toll-free 1-800-564-6322. |
EARNING
HIS WINGS
Flying with my first passenger
 There's
an interesting balance of emotions the first time you fly as a
certificated pilot with a passenger. It's a balance of extreme
responsibility and enjoyment. All my training was worth it when we
lifted off the runway, I glanced over and saw the smile on my wife's
face.
 Watch
the video on the blog to see our
flight. It didn't go quite as I planned, but it was still an awesome
flight.
It soon became clear to me that I'm still
learning even though my training is complete.
In a couple weeks, I'll be flying my
first real across-the-country cross country (Oshkosh - Arkansas) and welcome
any advice and tips you have for me as I begin to plan. |
SPORTAIR
WORKSHOPS COMING TO DENVER AREA
 EAA
SportAir Workshops returns to the Denver area (Redstone College,
Broomfield) the weekend of September 12-13 with a full slate of two-day
courses designed to teach the skills required to build your own
aircraft. Space is still available in the following workshops: Composite
Construction; Electrical
Systems and Avionics; and Fabric
Covering. Those who want to learn more about the process of building
an aircraft can sign up for the Saturday evening (September 12) What's
Involved in Kitbuilding course.
There is also limited space is available
in the E-LSA
Repairman Inspection Certification course offered September 11-13 at
the same location. This special, FAA approved workshop, authorizes those
who successfully complete the course to perform the annual condition
inspection on their experimental light-sport airplane.
Tuition Discounts are offered to EAA
members, family members, and SportAir Alumni (excluding the E-LSA
course). To learn more about these and other workshops, or to enroll,
visit www.sportair.com or call
800-967-5746. |
| Can you
help?
Join the Discussions
Post of the Week!
Member Ed Brown posted a video shot by
his daughter from the cockpit of their Piper PA-15 Vagabond arriving at
AirVenture. She's 12 years old, it was her first trip to AirVenture, and
her name is … Piper! This week's award* goes out to the whole Brown
family. Watch
the video.
* - Yes, we know this was first posted
more than 2 weeks ago. We're making up the rules as we go along!
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If you have a suggestions and/or submission for EAA’s weekly AeroInnovations column, please send to editor Bob Waldron at aeroinnovations@eaa.org.
FalxAir To Develop Full-Scale Prototype Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
FalxAir Ltd has developed the technology for a hybrid-electric VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) platform to the stage where they are seeking the funding for a full-scale prototype. The target price for this personal aircraft is $150,000, with a designed range of 800km (497 miles). One potential use for this type of aircraft that may have the most initial success is for military stealth applications.
Imitating Life: Designing Aircraft Wings That Morph In Flight
Some of the earliest aircraft designs had wings and propulsion systems that imitated birds and other flying creatures. Wings that morph in flight, changing their shape to make flight possible at slow speeds, would have several advantages. They would make possible aircraft that are more efficient, more agile and stealthier. Although these morphing wings are currently in the advance research stage for special flying applications, EAAers may one day be bringing their electric-powered ultra-modern ornithopters to Oshkosh.
DLR Hypersonic Airliner Research Funded by EC
The European Commission (EC) awarded research funds to DLR for a hypersonic rocketplane, which can fly from Germany to Australia in 90 minutes. DLR is the German equivalent of NASA. The aircraft will be designed to carry 50 passengers and will provide several minutes of weightlessness for those aboard. This article looks at challenges involved with hypersonic flight and designing this ‘airplane of the future’ for Europe’s FAST 20XX project. FAST is an acronym for “Future High-Altitude High-Speed Transport”, and 20XX represents the uncertainty as to if or when this plane will actually be possible to manufacture. The real benefit to aviation will likely be innovations which result from designing this futuristic aircraft and are used in real world design and manufacturing.
New Production Method For Carbon Nanotubes May Allow
Carbon nanotube research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology funded by Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed and others should result in much stronger carbon composite materials. The Airbus A380 only has about 40 percent composites because currently available composites aren’t strong enough for construction of the rest of the aircraft. Using carbon nanotubes produced with this new technology could allow a much higher percentage of the plane to be built with composites, which should reduce production and operating costs.
Teeth: Design Source For Advanced Composites in Aircraft
Mechanical engineers are applying research done on extracted teeth to develop advanced composites for use in aircraft and other structures that need to deal with frequent stresses. The material that your teeth are made from develops micro-cracks, which diffuse stress and are self-healing. Other materials researchers are designing several types of self-healing compounds which may also lead to airplane advanced composites that are lightweight, can handle high stresses, and self-repair the micro-cracks that occur when handling those stresses. |
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SIGN UP FOR B-17 FANTASY
FLIGHT CAMP IN DECEMBER
 This
weekend ground school at the EAA Aviation Center explores one of
America's most famous military airplanes, the B-17. Program participants
will be immersed in the history of the aircraft and also meet B-17
veterans in this expert-led program. Included in the camp is a 20-minute
flight experience in EAA's Aluminum Overcast, one of only a handful of
B-17s left flying in the world. The flight allows participants to walk
about the aircraft and visit the various compartments to experience what
it may have been like for the crew in World War II. To learn more about
this and other EAA's Fantasy Flight Camps, visit www.fantasyflightcamp.org. |
NO
LETTING UP FOR EAA B-17 TOUR
 People
living in the Leesburg, Virginia, area are in for a special treat this
weekend (August 28-30) as Aluminum Overcast, EAA's B-17G bomber, makes a
tour stop at Leesburg Executive Airport, hosted by EAA Chapter 186. Next
week the tour visits the cradle of aviation, Dayton, Ohio, September 1-2
for an event hosted by EAA Chapter 382 at the Dayton-Wright Brothers
Airport, then over the Labor Day weekend (September 4-6) Warbird
Squadron 4 welcomes the aircraft to Lewis University Airport. Don't miss
your chance to fly in one of the only remaining Flying Fortresses still
flying. To
book a flight, or for more information, visit http://www.B17.org, or
call 800-359-6217. See videos, photos, articles and more at EAA's
Fly the Fortress multimedia gallery.
Become a fan of EAA's B-17 Aluminum
Overcast Facebook
page! |
CHAPTER
135 PULLS OUT ALL STOPS FOR TRI-MOTOR TOUR
 Thanks
to the hard work and efforts of EAA Chapter 135, last weekend's EAA Ford
Tri-Motor tour stop at Des Moines, Iowa, was extremely successful. All
told there were 63 mostly full flights over the weekend at Ankeny
Regional Airport - a tremendous turnout according to EAA Director of
Aircraft Operation Sean Elliott. "The chapter did a phenomenal
job," he said. "It was a great event for everyone, and many
people from the area were exposed to EAA and the local chapter."
This week the tour, featuring EAA's
pristine example of the world's first mass-produced airliner, is in Lincoln,
Nebraska, through August 30 before heading off to Ottawa, Kansas
Municipal Airport September 1-2; and Kansas City, Missouri's
Lee's Summit Municipal Airport September 3-7. To learn more about
the airplane or to book a flight, visit www.FlytheFord.org. |
HOMEBUILDING HINT OF THE
WEEK: CLOSING ALUMINUM ANGLE
 Occasionally
there are areas where you need to close an aluminum angle down from 90
degrees. Kerry Fores shows two ways to do so by bending the aluminum
angle. Kerry built an AirVenture award-winning Sonex and works at Sonex
Aircraft where he provides technical assistance. Watch
the video.
Now available - DVD, Hints for
Homebuilders - Sheet Metal - Volume 1
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. |
AVIATORS MARKETPLACE, EAA'S NEW
SEARCHABLE ONLINE DIRECTORY
 EAA,
in partnership with MultiView Inc., recently launched the Aviators
Marketplace, a unique online search tool that gives EAA members quick
access to an extensive directory of aviation-specific products and
services. It's a one-of-a-kind tool specifically geared to aviators and
their online search needs.
The Aviators Marketplace is accessible at
www.aviatorsmarketplace.com
or from www.eaa.org. Within the
Aviators Marketplace, users can easily locate products and services
unique to the aviation industry - without the clutter of a general
Internet search engine. Read
more |
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
 Smartt
Field Open House - Young Eagles Rally, Aviation Resource Center,
Portage de Sioux, Missouri
Join EAA Chapter 32 for the annual Smartt Field Open House,
Saturday and Sunday, August 29-30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Young
Eagle rides will be available for kids age 8-17 with registration
beginning at 9 a.m. Boy Scout aviation merit badge, Stomp Rockets, and
paper airplane contests are a few of the activities planned. Please
see our website for details and times. For more information, visit www.eaa32.org,
or contact Jim Bower, 314-286-9932.
To learn more about calendar events, or
to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org. |
EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': WAYNE ISON
 Wayne
Ison grew up on a farm in Michigan in the 1920s and 30s. As a kid he
built model airplanes, and his interest in aviation continued to grow as
he grew up. At the outbreak of World War II, his eyesight prevented him
from becoming a military pilot, but Wayne enlisted in the Army Air Corps
and became a C-47 radio operator with the 100th Troop Carrier Squadron
of the 441st Troop Carrier Group. Wayne participated in the airborne and
glider drops on June, 6, 1944-D-Day, and continued to fly until the end
of the war. After holding various jobs after the war, he and four others
started the TEAM Aircraft company, with Wayne serving as president, CEO,
and chief designer. Wayne designed the entire line of TEAM aircraft,
including the Mini-Max, Hi-MAX, Z-MAX, EROS, V-MAX, AirBike and Tandem
Airbike. In 2000 Wayne was inducted into the EAA Ultralight Hall of
Fame. Watch
the video.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
Can vortex generators be installed prior to Phase I
flight testing to enhance the probability of legally
meeting LSA stall performance limitations?
Answer:
As a matter of fact, anything that is fixed and does
not require any input from the pilot that is used to
reduce the stall speed of an aircraft will not
jeopardize the LSA status of the aircraft. Vortex
generators, fixed slats, dimple tape that is affixed
to the airfoil, and any other fixed, non-deployable
aid can be used. Whether these aids actually work or
not is determined during Phase 1 testing. If they do
not result in a stall speed of 45 knots (52 mph) or
lower, then the aircraft is not LSA compliant. The
key factor is pilot input, which is why extending
flaps is not allowed to meet the stall speed
criteria – the pilot must do something to make the
flaps extend, which adds to the pilot’s workload
during a critical phase of flight.
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.
September
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
While
on a sunset air-to-air mission during AirVenture
Oshkosh 2009, EAA Chief Photographer Jim Koepnick
caught this picturesque view of ICON's new A5 over
Lake Winnebago. If you look carefully you can see
Wittman Regional Airport's Runway 9/27 in the lower
left corner.
Download
this wallpaper image from 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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RENO
AIR RACES TO BE BROADCAST LIVE FOR 1ST TIME
The annual Reno National Championship Air Races will be broadcast live
for the first time this year on Sunday, September 20. The broadcast,
provided via a pay-per-view feed by LiveAirShowTV, will cover the
championship races in all classes, a performance by the United States
Navy Blue Angels, other top air show acts, and the National Aviation
Heritage Invitational competition. Live worldwide Internet coverage will
begin at 9 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (1700 GMT) and continue until
racing ends at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time. Catch the racing
action in each of the classes with multiple cameras from the grandstand
area, the backside of the course, select in-cockpit cameras, and
possibly shots from the pylons. Jeff Lee, president of LiveAirShowTV,
stated, "The only way we can pull off this ambitious broadcast is
to make this a pay per view event." A significant portion of the
proceeds are being returned to Reno Air Racing "to help insure this
unique event can continue forever," he added. The price until
September 13 is $19.95. On September 14, the price increases to $24.95.
For more broadcast information or to order, visit www.LiveAirshowTV.com.
The annual races run September 16-20. For more information, visit www.airrace.org.
FAA GRANTS PIPER
TC-ODA
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has awarded Piper Aircraft,
Inc. with Type Certificate Organization Designation Authorization (TC-ODA),
which gives Piper the authority to act on behalf of the FAA in the
approval of airplane designs and certification to FAA standards of
airworthiness. "TC-ODA is one of the most important authorizations
that the FAA awards aircraft manufacturers," said Piper President
John D. Becker. "This authorization affirms the FAA's confidence in
Piper's ability to design, develop and certify aircraft." TC-ODA is
similar to the previous FAA standard, Delegation Option Authorization
(DOA) that Piper held.
BOEING EXPECTS
DREAMLINER FIRST FLIGHT THIS YEAR
The Boeing Company on Thursday announced that first flight of its 787
Dreamliner is expected by the end of 2009, which would lead to a first
delivery in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company projects ramping up
to a production rate of 10 Dreamliners per month by late 2013. For more
information, visit www.boeing.com.
B-25D TRIBUTE FLIGHT
ACROSS ATLANTIC STARTS SATURDAY
The Historic Flight Foundation of Seattle will fly a B-25D Mitchell
bomber from Duxford, UK, to Paine Field in Everett, Washington,
beginning this weekend, August 29, retracing the path of lend-lease
deliveries and carrying an RAF commemorative Wilkinson sword honoring
flight crews unable to complete their missions. The flight will take
approximately six days, weather permitting, via Ireland, Iceland,
Greenland and the Baffin and Hudson Bays. A stop is scheduled in Western
Canada on the way into Montana. This B25D, named "Grumpy," was
originally delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1943 and
served until 1960. It will join the HFF collection, flying at summer air
shows and displayed throughout the year at Kilo 6, Paine Field. Learn
more at www.historicflight.org.
SAN DIEGO AIR &
SPACE MUSEUM EVENT HONORS ASTRONAUTS
The San Diego Air & Space Museum and the USS Midway Museum have
partnered to pay tribute to the 40th anniversary of America's lunar
exploration on September 4th and 5th with Race to the Moon: A
Celebration with Space Legends. The weekend events honor the
achievements of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs that took
America into space. Fourteen astronauts currently plan to attend this
momentous occasion, including Buzz Aldrin, Gene Cernan, and Alan Bean.
Ticket prices and additional information can be found at www.RaceToTheMoonsD.org.
TEMPEST INTRODUCES
DASH II OIL FILTER
In response to customer demand for a shorter version of the Tempest oil
filter, Tempest has introduced its Dash II oil filter. The new filter
has all the features of its original oil filter, including the magnetic
secondary filtration system, the by-pass valve PC housing, and higher
burst pressure. The Dash II is 5/16" shorter than other filters,
making it the shortest oil filter on the market. The Dash II oil filter
is available from Tempest's network of distributors listed at www.TempestPlus.com.
LINCOLN ELECTRIC TO
PRESENT WELDING SEMINAR
Designed specifically for welding
instructors, Lincoln Electric Automation will host a Welding Education
Seminar focusing on the latest technology and advancements in welding
education. The seminar takes place on September 22 at Lincoln Electric's
Automation Division in Cleveland, Ohio. Topics include robotic welding
education, weld fume control solutions for schools, virtual reality
welding training, and more. To make reservations for this free event,
contact Lisa Murphy at 216-383-8497.
AMERICAN LEGEND OFFERS
AMPHIBIOUS FLOATCUB
American Legend Aircraft Company now offers the Amphibious Legend
FloatCub. This new aircraft is configured with floats from supplier
Baumann Floats, LLC, of New Richmond, Wisconsin. Available for $159,000,
the Amphibious Legend FloatCub is a certified light-sport aircraft that
meets the requirements of 1,430 maximum gross weight and a simple,
repositionable landing gear. For more information, call
903-885-7000 or visit www.Legend.aero.
FORWARD VISION
EVS-100/600 CERTIFIED FOR CESSNA CARAVAN
Forward Vision Systems has announced the availability of an FAA-approved
STC kit for installation of the EVS-100 and -600 Enhanced Vision Systems
(EVS) on the Cessna Caravan (models 208, 208B). The STC was designed and
developed by Cary Foster and Sharmaine Vestal, co-owners of One Sky
Aviation, an aviation maintenance facility based in Anchorage, Alaska.
The EVS-100/600 is a single LRU unit, weighs less than 1.5 pounds, and
mounts like any external antenna. EVS units and installation kits are
available through Forward Vision directly or through one of their
authorized dealers/installers. Visit www.forward-vision.net
to learn more.
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