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February
26, 2010 Volume 10, Number 8 |
LEGENDARY 'CHICAGO' TO
PLAY AIRVENTURE OPENING DAY
Ford Motor Company presenting July 26 performance on AeroShell Square
 After
a full opening day of flying on Monday, July 26, at EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh 2010, AeroShell Square will feel the power of more than
aircraft, as the legendary band Chicago takes the stage that evening,
courtesy of Ford Motor Company. The performance, free of charge to all
AirVenture guests that day, will be held adjacent to the Ford Motor
Company Hangar on AeroShell Square, immediately following the afternoon
air show. Read more
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OBJECTIONS OVER RULE
EAA critical of TSA repair station plan
EAA's raised several objections to the Transportation Security
Administration's proposed Aircraft Repair Station Security Program in
comments submitted to the TSA's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on
Friday, February 19. The new rule would require 4,227 FAA-certificated
repair stations in the U.S. as well as 694 foreign shops to implement
strict access controls, provide security awareness training, and allow
for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspections. Read
more
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EAA LAUNCHES WEBINAR
PROGRAM
Beginning March 3, EAA will offer a regular series of “webinars”
(short for “web-based seminars”) as a new service to members. A
webinar is a multimedia presentation transmitted live over the internet,
viewed on a computer. The presenter can use slides, audio, and video as
part of their presentation, while audience members can ask questions,
chat, or be polled for their opinion. Sign
up for the webinar here. Read
the story
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'HAWK
ONE' SABRE COMING TO AIRVENTURE
Vintage Wings of Canada bringing Sabre 5, Lysander to Oshkosh
 A
Canadair Sabre 5 fighter jet owned by Vintage Wings of Canada will
return to one of its many former homes this summer - Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- where it will be a featured warbird attraction at EAA AirVenture 2010.
The aircraft, Hawk One, has one of the most spectacular paint schemes
ever to grace the Sabre - that of the Royal Canadian Air Force Golden
Hawks precision aerobatic team. The aircraft traveled throughout Canada
in 2009 to help celebrate the country's Centennial of Aviation. The
Golden Hawks team was created in 1959 to honor the RCAF's 35th
anniversary along with Canada's golden (50th) anniversary of flight. Read
more
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OSHKOSH SITE CHANGES FOR
2010 MEAN MORE EASE, LESS DUST
AirVenture 2009 introduced some of the most significant site changes in
the fly-in's history. The good news for those coming to Oshkosh in 2010
is that there are more changes on the way that will add convenience and
comfort for EAA members and others at the event. Read
more
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GONE WEST: LONGTIME
VOLUNTEER MARGUERITE LAWRENCE PASSES AWAY
 EAA
is mourning the death of Marguerite Lawrence, who was an Admissions Gate
volunteer at the EAA convention for 30 years. She died on February 16 at
the age of 93 in Wichita, Kansas. Her last visit to AirVenture Oshkosh
was in 2006, and that year her family traveled to Oshkosh to celebrate
her 90th birthday. They held the party at Admissions Gate 346 (the
Warbirds gate), where she volunteered for many years. Read
more
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WOMEN IN AVIATION
CONFERENCE KICKS OFF 21ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
 The
21st Annual Women in Aviation, International conference kicked off in
Orlando Thursday, featuring over 184 exhibit booths and close to 3,000
attendees from various parts of the aviation industry and locations
around the world. The conference, based at Disney’s Coronado Springs
Resort, is themed “Aviation: It’s a Small World” and runs through
Sunday, February 28. Read
more
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SLING
LSA PROTOTYPE LOST DURING SPIN TESTING
 The
Airplane Factory, based in South Africa, reported in a press release on
its website that the second prototype Sling LSA aircraft crashed in the
ocean off the South African coast during spin testing on February 13.
Crewmembers were able to bail out of the aircraft and successfully
deploy their parachutes. AirVenture 2009 attendees may recall seeing the
aircraft, ZU-TAF, when it
visited Oshkosh during its global circumnavigation flight by company
owners Mike Blyth and James Pitman. Read
more
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NEED
FOR GA ONGOING IN HAITI
As reports of the devastating earthquake in Haiti seemingly slip further
away from the public consciousness, great needs persist there and will
endure for the foreseeable future. One organization, Bahamas Habitat, a
U.S.-based Christian nonprofit organization supporting housing and
disaster relief work in the Bahamas, is continuing to organize relief
flights in and out of seven airports, including Jacmel, Les Cayes, Cap
Haitien, Jeremy, La Gonave, Port-au-Prince, and Pignon. More than 110
pilots have volunteered, delivering in excess of 250,000 lbs medical
supplies, food, and 100 medical staff and humanitarian personnel. There
is still a need for pilots who would like to donate their skills and
aircraft to the effort. Visit www.bahamashabitat.org
to learn how.
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GROUP
VOWS TO RETURN CONCORDE TO FLIGHT
 An
organization aiming to make the Concorde an aircraft again recently
received encouraging news for their long-shot effort. UK-based Save
Concorde Group (SCG) reports that its French counterpart, "Olympus
593" - after the Rolls Royce turbojet that powered Concorde - has
received permission from the Le Bourget Air Museum, Paris, to start
working on the Air France Concorde "Sierra Delta," which is
based there. Read
more
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EMBRY-RIDDLE
TO TEST SWIFT FUEL IN FLEET
 Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University announced plans this week to phase in lead-free
biofuel produced by Swift Enterprises for use in its training aircraft,
the nation's largest (95 aircraft) collegiate fleet. Swift fuel is a
renewable biofuel synthesized from sorghum that has been successfully
tested by the FAA Technical Center. Read
more
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EAAER
CLAIMS ROUND-TRIP, COAST-TO-COAST SPEED RECORD IN AN RV-6A
 Dr.
Jeremiah (Jerry) Jackson, EAA 279116, recently set a new unofficial
"round-trip transcontinental speed record for piston engine
airplanes" in his RV-6A (N214MJ). Jackson, an engineer from Del
Mar, California, flew coast-to-coast and back in just over a day (24
hours, 10 minutes), totaling nearly 4,200 miles at an average speed of
174 mph. On January 30, he departed from Montgomery Field, San Diego, at
6:11 a.m., landed in Jacksonville, Florida, that evening then arrived
back in San Diego at 6:21 a.m. on January 31, shattering the old record
by three days. According to the Carmel Valley News, the old
record was set two years ago by a plane that flew to San Diego, then
waited two days for ideal weather before returning to the East Coast.
Each leg set a record, but the total round trip took four days due to
the two-day delay. Read the story about Jackson's journey here.
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EAA
WELCOMES FAA AIRPORTS DIVISION
 Officials
from the FAA's Airports Division were in Oshkosh Tuesday as first-time
participants in the EAA/FAA Winter Summit. EAA's government advocacy
team welcomed Randy Fiertz, director of airport certification and field
operations, and Deandra Brooks, airport compliance specialist, for
discussions on a variety of general aviation airport issues that affect
participation and the health of general aviation. Read
more
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EAA
MERCHANDISE: SAVE 20% ON ALL HOW-TO DVD'S & VHS TAPES
 This
week only, EAA members save 20 percent on all how-to DVDs and VHS tapes.
That includes the complete 13-episode series, From the Ground Up,
produced by EAA TV in conjunction with Discovery Channel International.
TV's first how-to aviation program, From the Ground Up introduces
the exciting world of airplane homebuilding and restoration with
behind-the-scenes tips and pointer during the construction of an RV-8
kit. From uncrating to first flight, it's a great introduction to
homebuilding and restoration, offering a taste of the many needed
skill-sets. Offer ends March 3, 2010. Order
online or by calling toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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DEAL OF THE WEEK: EAA
MEMBERS SAVE MORE THAN $110 ON WHEELED FLIGHT ORGANIZER
 This
rolling airline approved-size carry-on holds your office and two days of
clothing. Measures 19" x 14-1/4" x 7-3/4" and retractable
handle system extends and locks to 39". Removable padded laptop
sleeve fits standard 15" models Click
here to find out how you can save more than $110 on EAA’s Kingport
Leather Wheeled Flight Organizer.
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SIGN-UP FOR FIRST EAA
WEBINAR - SPACE IS LIMITED
Be one of the first 1,000 people to watch EAA's inaugural Webinar:
Design and Development of the B-17 presented by Sean Elliot, director of
EAA aircraft operations. The online presentation is Wednesday March 3,
2010 at 7 PM Central U.S. time. Sign-up
now
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EAA Sport Aviation Magazine
Volunteer Product Testers Needed
Can you help?
Join the Discussions
Post of the Week!
- It's no surprise that the biggest GA
news story of the past week would spark a spirited and timely
discussion on Oshkosh365. Within an hour of the news breaking about
the crash in Austin, Texas, Oshkosh365 user Paul Dowgewicz kicked
off a forum thread to share his thoughts and invite others to do the
same. Like all of us aviation community, one of Paul's immediate
concerns was the potential for this incident to have a negative
impact on GA. He put it very succinctly when he titled his post
"We don't need this." What
are your thoughts on this event and its aftermath?
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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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Unmanned Carrier Landings |
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The X-47-B flying wing program has begun real-world flight testing of the control systems designed to allow the unmanned aircraft to do aircraft carrier auto takeoffs and landings. Initial testing is being done with digital messages from shipboard controllers sent to a manned surrogate aircraft. Effective autonomous takeoff and landing could translate to safer manned aviation. |
One-Size-Fits-All Military UAVs |
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The USA Armed Forces are developing an adaptable, unified platform approach to military UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). The goal is to have a medium-to-large aircraft with easily changed modular payloads for a wide range of purposes, from surveillance and communications to aerial refueling and electronic attack. |
Unmanned Helicopter for Battlefield Resupply |
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Lockheed Martin and Kaman Aerospace demonstrated their K-MAX helicopter, designed to deliver supplies to battlefield troops without using ground vehicles or manned helicopters. The K-MAX is designed to operate autonomously or be controlled by remote pilots. |
Squeeze Then Freeze Process for Heat-Resistant Materials |
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A tough, heat-resistant composite material of ceramic and metal is made with a process similar to squeezing toothpaste out of a tube, then freeze-dried and sintered. Missouri University of Science and Technology researchers are working with Boeing to make components that can be used in hypersonic aircraft. |
Formula 1 Hybrid Propulsion System for Aircraft |
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Hybrid propulsion systems to improve mileage and give an extra burst of power to Formula 1 racecars and luxury sports cars are being developed and tested. Some aircraft may benefit from short boosts of power that these kinetic energy recovery flywheel systems offer. |
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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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WHY YOU CAN'T GET
INSURANCE
By Bob Mackey, representative for the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan,
Administered by Falcon Insurance Agency
 In
the 1960s movie Catch 22, a scared B-25 bombardier sees the
horrors of war and tries desperately to get the base doctor to declare
him insane so he can go home. He soon, however, discovers the catch: If
the bombardier would not care about flying dangerous missions, he'd be
insane. Therefore, because he realizes the missions are so dangerous, he
must be sane. Read
more
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HINTS FOR HOMEBUILDERS:
VIBRATING CUTTING AND SANDING TOOL
 Mark
Forss demonstrates a vibrating cutting and sanding tool that would be a
good acquisition for many aircraft builders. Mark is an EAA staff member
who coordinates the EAA SportAir Workshops. Watch
the video
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': JEFF SKILES
 Jeff
Skiles, a native of the small town of Oregon, Wisconsin, grew up in an
aviation family. His father was a pilot and owned a Piper Tri Pacer and
later a Cessna 182, and his mother learned to fly in the 1960s. Jeff
learned to fly while he was in high school, and went on to become a
flight instructor at the local airport in Madison and then took a job
flying the mail for Combs Freight Air as a first officer on Convair 340
and 440s. After a short stint as chief pilot where he learned to fly,
Jeff took a job with Mid-State Airlines flying Swearingen Metroliners.
In 1986 he went to work for US Airways, starting out on Boeing 727s,
then the DC-9, Fokker 100, Boeing 737, and finally the Airbus 320. On
January 15, 2009, Jeff was on the final leg of his first trip out on the
line in the 320. He was at the controls with Captain Chesley “Sully”
Sullenberger on his left, when the airplane collided with a flock of
Canadian geese after taking off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
Their resulting water landing in the Hudson River has since become known
as The Miracle on the Hudson. Watch
the video.
You can also
listen to an EAA Radio interview with Jeff Skiles as he talks about
Young Eagles, the Colgan Air crash, and pilot work rules.
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
 Hangar
Dance - Antique Air, Marathon, Florida
This Saturday night (February 27, 6:30-10:30 p.m.), EAA Chapter 1241
invites all to dine and dance the night away to the big band/swing
sounds of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Harry James, and more at the
hangar dance. Music provided by the Barry Mann Orchestra of Miami.
Delicious Catering by Cristiano's of Marathon featuring hors
d'oeuvres, carving station, pasta station, salads, breads, assorted
desserts, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. (Wine and beer available for
additional charge.) Semi formal - "Keys style" - and WWII
period dress welcome. Donation is $60 per person, and a limited number
of tickets will be sold, available at the Air Museum, Marathon Jet
Center, and Marathon General Aviation. Sponsored by the EAA Chapter
1241 (Tickets discounts available - $500/table of 10 or $55 each.) For
more information, visit www.eaamarathon.com,
or contact Ed Waldorf, 305-731-3176.
Mid-winter Chili Cook-off - EAA
Chapter 517 Hanger, Stevensville, Montana
Attend the chapter's annual mid-winter "chili tasting"
event at the hanger on Saturday, February 27. Chili served from 12
Noon-2 p.m., $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Learn more at www.eaa517.org,
or contact Sherry Rossiter, 406-544-6182.
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
With the new LED manufacturers making a sealed
strobe/nav/position for wing tips, what is really
the FAA requirement for night time VFR lighting on
say a RV9A?
Answer: The
origin and manufacture of lights is not an issue,
and the criteria for position, color, intensity, and
coverage have not changed. As long as they meet the
criteria, they can be used.
Guidance for aircraft
lighting can be found in FAA advisory circular AC
20-30B, Aircraft
Position Light and Anticollision Light Installation.
You can also find
specific info about intensity requirements in AC
20-74, Aircraft
Position and Anticollision Light Measurements.
Where to locate the
lights on the aircraft are graphically
represented here.
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.
March
2010
EAA
Desktop Calendar
Spencer Air
Car
The March 2010 issue of EAA Sport Aviation
features a story by Budd Davisson on Doug Palmer’s
beautiful Spencer Air Car, seen here flying past the
Golden Gate Bridge. The air-to-air photo was shot by
Tom Seawell. See a photo
gallery of the Spencer Air Car.
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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FAA
CONDUCTING NOTAM SURVEY
The FAA System Operations Safety Management Safety Assurance Group (SAG)
is conducting an assessment of the United States NOTAM System. Purpose
of the assessment is to identify operational issues that may have
resulted from the conversion of Local (L) NOTAMs to Distant (D) and the
addition of key words at the beginning of the free text of each NOTAM.
Participation is voluntary and all responses are anonymous. Click
here to access the survey.
LOBO TRAINING WINS
CHARTIS INSURANCE ACCEPTANCE
The Lancair Owners & Builders Organization (LOBO) has achieved a
milestone in helping Lancair owners obtain aircraft insurance. Following
a careful review, Chartis Aerospace Insurance Services has accepted
LOBO-developed Initial and Recurrent flight training programs to meet
its insurance requirements for all models of the Lancair kit plane.
"The LOBO team designed custom Lancair flight training syllabi as
part of our larger goal to promote Lancair safety through education and
training," said LOBO President, Jeff Edwards. "Working with
the FAA and a team of highly-qualified, highly-skilled professional
flight instructors intimately familiar with Lancair aircraft, we created
and published Initial and Recurrent training programs for Lancair
aircraft including the popular Legacy and IV."
All of LOBO's training curricula are
based on FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS) criteria. FITS is a
partnership between the FAA and aviation industry training experts
designed to improve and enhance flight training in the general aviation
community. FITS encourages scenario-based flight training focused on
aeronautical decision making, risk management and single-pilot resource
management skills. For more information visit www.LancairOwners.com.
GARMIN NEWS FOR
HELICOPTERS
Garmin International introduced the G500H,
an all-glass avionics system designed for the VFR Part 27 helicopter
market. The G500H is optimized for rotorcraft, offering features like
helicopter synthetic vision technology, helicopter-specific databases
with over 7,000 heliports and nearly 30,000 additional low-altitude
obstacles, XM WX Satellite Weather with NEXRAD, and the ability to
display video from a forward looking infrared camera. Garmin also
announced a new Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS)
for the GNS 430W/530W series navigators. HTAWS is available as an option
on newly purchased systems or as a field upgrade for current owners.
When added to the GNS 430W/530W navigators, operators will receive
graphical and audible alerts of potential terrain and obstacle conflicts
along the flight path.
ASPEN AVIONICS
RECEIVES BELL HELICOPTER STC
Aspen Avionics, Inc.,
manufacturer of the Evolution Flight Display System, has received
approval of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation of
the Aspen EFD1000H into the Bell 206 and Bell 407 model helicopters.
This STC was developed in partnership with Keystone Helicopters. Aspen's
EFD1000H enables rotorcraft operators to replace their legacy mechanical
flight instruments with state-of-the-art electronic displays with little
to no modification of the existing panel.
NEW INSTRUCTIONAL
VIDEO FROM ROTAX
Rotax-Owner.com has released
another addition to its series of e-Learning Technical Videos, this one
covering the proper procedures for performing a differential or
"leak down" compression test. It's recommended for anyone who
was trained on a direct drive aircraft engine, and has been using that
procedure to perform a differential compression test on a Rotax.
AEROCONVERSIONS
UNVEILS NEW AEROINJECTOR
Sonex Aircraft, LLC has added to its AeroConversions AeroCarb product
line with the introduction of the lighter and more compact AeroInjector.
Saving approximately 9 ounces and several cubic inches of engine
compartment space vs. the AeroCarb, the new AeroInjector is being
introduced first in the 32mm and 35mm sizes, and have become standard
equipment on all new AeroVee Engine Kits. Visit www.SonexAircraft.com
and www.AeroConversions.comfor
more information.
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