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November
6, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 52 |
NORTH LAS VEGAS
STAKEHOLDERS CREATE WIN-WIN FOR PILOTS, RESIDENTS
EAA, AOPA, local users involved in collaborative solution
 A
group of North Las Vegas Airport stakeholders, formed at the urging of
the Nevada State Senate, issued its comprehensive report on November 1
that includes recommendations to improve safety at and surrounding the
airport. Senate Joint Resolution Group 3 (SJR3), organized by the FAA
and the Clark County Department of Aviation (CCDA), was formed in May
2009 to address concerns that emerged following two August 2008 fatal
aircraft accidents in the vicinity of North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT).
Initial reaction by some local officials called for a ban on certain
operations, including experimental aircraft and flight training. Read
more
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EAA DENOUNCES USA TODAY’S
LATEST AIRPORT FUNDING STORY
In a letter to the newspaper’s editors, Earl Lawrence, EAA vice
president of industry and regulatory affairs, said Thomas Frank’s
stories again failed to accurately portray the contributions of
general-aviation users to both the funding of airport improvements and
the nation’s transportation infrastructure. Other aviation groups,
including AOPA and NBAA, have also criticized USA Today’s reporting as
unbalanced and missing an important element of the total airport-funding
picture. Read
the letter.
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MISS THE 'SAVOR' LAST
WEEK?
 We had an early glitch in the link to last
week’s story featuring the all-new Savor homebuilt that bowled over
attendees at the Copperstate Regional Fly-In October 22-24. In case you
missed it - or even if you saw it - click
here for a closer look at this new airplane, including a photo
gallery and some inside information about the aircraft from its creator,
Chris Christiansen.
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TWO-STEP PROCESS NOW
AVAILABLE FOR E-LSA TRAINERS
There’s good news for experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA) owners
and operators who use their aircraft for primary training. The FAA has
provided a method to Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) that will
allow them to issue a Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) for E-LSA
that have already had their airworthiness certificates amended. This
two-step process provides a way for E-LSA to continue flying and for
some operators to continue offering flight training if desired. Read
more
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FAA
AVIATION NEWS FOCUSES ON WINTER FLYING SAFETY
 The
new (November/December 2009) issue of FAA Aviation News is out
and the focus is appropriately on winter flying safety. Featured topics
include icing avoidance strategies, safe operations on icy runways,
avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning in the cockpit, snow/frost
contamination, and proper winter storage for aircraft. To view the
issue, download from the
FAA website (PDF, 4.58 MB).
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ENTER EAA
SPORT AVIATION PHOTO CONTEST AT OSHKOSH365!
As you may have heard, we're re-launching EAA Sport Aviation
magazine in January with a larger format, a new look-and-feel, and a
number of new features. One of those new features is a page devoted to
the best member-submitted photo we receive each month. Submissions for
the January issue are being accepted now, so if you have a great photo
that you think captures the "Spirit of Aviation," log
onto Oshkosh365 to submit it. NOTE: The deadline for submissions
to the January 2010 issue is next Tuesday, November 10, 2009, so enter
today!
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HOMEBUILDING HINT OF THE
WEEK: AEROQUIP 816 HOSE FITTING INSTALLATION
 Brian
Carpenter of Rainbow Aviation Services demonstrates how to install an
Aeroquip 816 hose fitting. Brian wears many aviation hats; he’s an
airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic with an Inspection
Authorization rating (IA), a designated airworthiness representative
(DAR) for both light-sport and amateur-built aircraft, a Sport Pilot
Instructor Examiner, an FAA Certified Flight Instructor, plus serves as
an EAA Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor.
Watch
the video.
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CANADIAN
PLANE THIEF GETS TWO YEARS
Adam Dylan Leon, 31, the Canadian student pilot who back
on April 6, 2009, stole a Cessna 172 and flew across the U.S. border
hoping to get shot down by U.S. military aircraft, was sentenced to two
years in prison Tuesday in St. Louis federal court. That's a longer
sentence than the 12 to 18 months called for by the federal guideline,
which was deemed too lenient by U.S. District Judge Charles Shaw. Read
more
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': BEE HAYDU
 Bernice
“Bee” Falk graduated from high school in 1938. Being the younger of
two children in the Falk family, Bee’s parents could not afford to
send her to college, so she took various secretarial jobs to earn a
living. Bee went to night school for an aviation engineering course,
which was essentially a ground school program for flight training. She
then began taking flight lessons until in 1943 Bee was accepted into the
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) program at Avenger Field in
Sweetwater, Texas for flight training in the Army Air Force. Bee
graduated with WASP Class 44-7 and was assigned to the Training Command
based at Pecos, Texas, where she served as an engineering test pilot for
five months until the WASPs were disbanded in December 1944. After the
war, Bee continued her flying career as a freelance flight instructor,
and then started a ferry business that grew into a Cessna dealership and
a flight school. In 1951 she married Joe Haydu, known in the New Jersey
area at the time for his banner towing business advertising Haydu
Hotdogs. Together they owned and flew a number of aircraft well into
their 70s. Watch
the video.
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EAA
MEMBERS SAVE ON THESE NEW PUZZLES
 Brian
Hart was the pilot of Fuddy Duddy, a 447th Bomb Group B-17 that
flew 93 missions before being lost in a midair collision over Germany in
December 1944. The Last Embrace puzzle captures one last embrace
with his girl before another dangerous bombing run. The Raid on China
Coast puzzle, manufactured exclusively for Historic Aviation,
features Lady Lil of the 345th Bomb Group "Air Apaches"
attacking Japanese shipping off the coast of China in April 1945. These
1000-piece puzzles can be yours for only $16.99 each - that’s a
savings of $2 off the regular, non-member price. Makes the perfect gift
for the aviation enthusiast in your life. Order
online or call toll-free, 800-564-6322.
CALL 800-564-6322 TO
RECEIVE OUR NEW FALL CATALOG OR DOWNLOAD
NOW.
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| EAA
Sport Aviation Magazine Photo Contest!
Can you help?
Join the Discussions
Post of the Week!
Oshkosh365 user Don Morrissey shares a
great tool for doing weight-and-balance calculations. A "simple"
spreadsheet, but the sort of thing that will no doubt save a lot of
other builders hours of work. Our thanks to Don for a great
contribution!
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If you have a suggestions and/or submission for EAA’s weekly AeroInnovations column, please send to
AeroInnovations editor Bob Waldron at aeroinnovations@eaa.org.
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| AeroInnovations aims to highlight developments that have potential to impact the future of aviation. EAA does not necessarily endorse the ideas, products, services or views contained therein. |
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ALUMINUM
OVERCAST LANDS IN TEXAS
 In
Texas, you could call the rest of November "B-17 Month," as Aluminum
Overcast, EAA's Flying Fortress, is on tour throughout the Lone Star
State starting this weekend through the end of the month and into
December. EAA Chapter 34 hosts the aircraft in Arlington, Texas,
November 6-8, then it's on to Waco and EAA Chapter 59 November 10-11,
then Georgetown November 13-15, hosted by EAA Chapter 187. Book
a flight or get more tour information at www.B17.org,
or call 800-359-6217.
Visit EAA's
Fly the Fortress multimedia gallery.
Become a fan of EAA's B-17 Aluminum
Overcast Facebook
page!
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NOT
TOO LATE TO SIGN UP FOR B-17 FANTASY CAMP
At the weekend B-17 Fantasy Flight Camp (December 18-20),
you'll get up close and personal with one of the most famous airplanes
of World War II - including a 20-minute flight experience! Space is
limited, so secure your spot today at www.fantasyflightcamp.org.
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
 EAA
Chapter 635 Fly-In Camp Out, Deland, Florida
The chapter is sponsoring a free Fly-in Camp-Out this weekend,
November 6-8, at the chapter's hangar facilities at Deland Municipal
Airport. Numerous activities are planned including static displays,
food, entertainment, and more. Bring your own tie downs and tents.
Non-campers are welcome and reasonable, convenient lodging is close
by. For more information contact Marsh Smith, 386-74-1504.
EAA Chapter 1467 Fall Fly-In, Gaston
Airport, South Carolina
This will be a very relaxed and informal fly-in. Come join the fun and
enjoy the day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with fellow pilots and EAA members. We
plan to serve a chicken bog lunch and conduct several aviation seminars.
Please contact us on 122.9 for traffic advisories upon arrival. Although
the main event will be on Saturday, some of us plan to camp there
overnight, so bring a tent and camp by your aircraft (Sun 'n Fun style)
if you wish. For more information, visit http://eaa1467.org,
or contact Randy Berry, 803-59-3886.
To learn more about calendar events, or
to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org. |
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
Why were the light-sport aircraft (LSA) criteria of
maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds and maximum
speed of 138 mph chosen? Is there something special
about those numbers?
Answer: While
there is nothing inherently "special"
about the numbers other than the fact that they are
the ones chosen by the FAA to define LSA, these
numbers do force a LSA to have certain design and
flight characteristics that the FAA considered
desirable for operation by a sport pilot.
Initially, both the
gross weight and maximum full power level flight
speed numbers were considerably lower than what was
finally published, and as a result the higher
numbers that currently define a light-sport aircraft
allow a much wider range of aircraft to qualify.
The FAA determined
all of the criteria that define LSA as published in
FAR 1.1 during a normal rulemaking process that
included years of consideration, proposal,
modification, and public comment.
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.
November
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
The Gilmore Red Lion should look familiar to
many of you, especially readers of Sport Aviation.
The aircraft, a Marquart Charger built by Mark
Gilmore of Muncie, Indiana, won the Grand Champion
Plans Built - Gold Lindy award at AirVenture this
year and graced the cover of our October issue. The
air-to-air photo was taken by EAA's Bonnie Kratz.
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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NEW
‘AERA’ HANDHELDS FROM GARMIN
Garmin unveiled its newest aviation handheld series called aera, which
feature touchscreen and multi-mode so that it can transition between
aviation to automotive mode with one touch. The aera series includes
four different models – the 500, 510, 550 , and 560 – and they’re
on display and available for purchase for the first time at the AOPA
Summit in Tampa, Florida this week. Each in the series has a 4.3 inch
QVGA sunlight-readable touchscreen display with large, finger-touchable
icons. Aviation mode includes intuitive pictures and labels to indicate
map, weather, terrain, direct to, HSI/panel, active FPL, numbers,
nearest, WPT info, position, XM radio, and tools functions. Road-mode
features the same “Where to?” and “View map” interface found on
Garmin nüvi and zumo products. To learn more, visit www.garmin.com.
LIMITED
TIME ENGINE SALE FROM TCM
Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) has announced a limited time special
offer on engines purchased between Monday, November 2, 2009 and Sunday,
November 8. While the order period is brief, anyone in the market for a
factory-new or factory-rebuilt TCM engine can take advantage of the
special offer. Depending on the model purchased, buyers can save from
$2,000 to $2,500. Visit www.GenuineContinental.aero
or call 866-883-1589 to order. Or, talk with TCM representatives at AOPA
Summit in Tampa, Florida, during the dates listed above.
PIPER PRESIDENT TO
STEP DOWN
Piper Aircraft President John Becker will leave the company on December
1, 2009, it was learned this week. The website www.tcpalm.com
reported that employees received letters Monday saying Becker was
leaving to "explore other career opportunities." Becker was
promoted to president in June following the May 2009 departure of former
CEO Jim Bass. Becker, a longtime Piper employee, previously was vice
president of engineering.
iPHONE APP OFFERS TEST
PREP ON THE GO
ASA's new iPhone app, Prepware Private Pilot, is a comprehensive
preparation, study, and test tool for the Private Pilot FAA Knowledge
Exam. With more than 1,000 questions, answers, and explanations, the app
features a user-friendly interface with test question figures accessible
by a simple tap of the screen. Compatible with the Apple iPhone and iPod
Touch mobile digital devices, it's available in the iTunes App Store for
$9.99. Visit www.ASA2Fly.com or the
iTunes Store to learn more.
FAA ISSUES TWO
AIRWORTHINESS INFO BULLETINS
The FAA has recently issued two Special Airworthiness Information
Bulletins (SAIB). The first, NE-10-07, Reciprocating Engine Cylinder:
Identification Information for Superior Air Parts, PMA Cylinder Heads
for Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-520, TSIO-520, and IO-550
Series Engines is applicable to TCM series engines with certain Superior
Air Parts, Inc. investment cast cylinder assemblies. The second,
NE-09-51R1, Propeller Blade Section, is in regard to Avia Propeller Ltd.
V410, V500A, V503, V503A, V503AP, V503P, V506, and V520 propellers, and
Avia's Service Bulletin Number 6, Issue F that specifies inspection of
these propeller's blades for fatigue cracks that may be initiated by an
impact on the blade surface. Learn more at www.FAA.gov/Aircraft/Safety/Alerts/SAIB.
SKY-TEC OFFERS NEW
ENGINE STARTER FOR CONTINENTALS
Sky-Tec now offers its newest Continental engine starters, the
ST5-series, the result of a clean-slate engineering approach to
addressing customers' specific needs for a powerful, lightweight
starter. Safe for use on all Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) starter
adapters, they're available from Sky-Tec dealers in both 12-volt and
24-volt models. List prices range from $735 (12V) to $785 (24V). Visit www.SkyTecAir.com
to learn more.
ASA's INSTRUMENT
GROUND SCHOOL GETS HD VIDEO MAKEOVER
ASA's Instrument Pilot Virtual Test Prep course is the first instrument
ground school to be offered in widescreen format and includes both
standard definition DVD and high-def Blu-ray discs. Completely updated,
the course includes more than 10 hours of all-new, true HD video footage
and uses the latest production technology, making explanations come to
life with in-flight demonstrations, 3D-animated graphics, instructor
discussions, and more. Visit www.ASA2Fly.com
for more information.
THE AVIATORS
SERIES PREVIEW RELEASED
The producers of The Aviators, the new television series that has
been creating a buzz throughout North America, have officially released
the first preview of the show at www.TheAviators.TV.
The preview features footage obtained at EAA's AirVenture, including the
A380, a segment on Icon Aircraft's A5, and an interview with EAA's Dick
Knapinski. The production team has accelerated its schedule and the show
will now launch in the U.S. three months sooner than expected, with
distributions to public broadcasting stations in June 2010. It will air
in Canada and other countries shortly thereafter. For more information
and to view a series preview, visit www.TheAviators.TV.
DYNON'S SKYVIEW
PRICING ANNOUNCED
Dynon Avionics has announced pricing for its SkyView System and
shipments are scheduled to begin in December 2009. SkyView is a new
generation of glass panel from Dynon and offers synthetic vision, fully
redundant systems, incredibly bright screens, design flexibility, and
future upgradability. A SkyView EFIS System starts as low as $3,900 for
a 7-inch display plus ADAHRS (air data attitude/heading reference
system) module. Additional pricing information can be found at www.DynonAvionics.com.
TRAINING PROGRAM
FOR ASPEN EVOLUTION FROM SPORTY'S
Aspen Evolution Primary Flight Displays (PFD) and Multifunction Flight
Displays (MFD) make retrofit glass cockpits possible. More than 2,000
aircraft owners have purchased Evolutions since their introduction three
years ago, but no specific training video has been available - until
now. Flying the Aspen Evolution from Sporty's takes users from basic
setup and menus to handy shortcuts and advanced functions. See the PFD
in action, and learn how to customize the display. The viewer can also
watch the photo-quality MFD in action, with terrain, traffic and weather
overlays. A full ILS approach to the Reno-Tahoe Airport is flown to show
every feature of the PFD and MFD in real-world use, complete with knob
twisting and button pushing. They’re available in both DVD format and
as a download for $29.95 at www.sportys.com
or by calling 800-SPORTYS. Merchandise ordered by Wednesday, December
23, 2009, can be delivered in time for Christmas.
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