 |
 |
 |
March
5, 2010 Volume 10, Number 9 |
FINAL
AIRLINE FLIGHT FOR SULLY SULLENBERGER
 Sully
Sullenberger has been in demand since the moment he and Jeff Skiles
landed their airliner in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. EAA
Radio's Fareed Guyot reports that for a few hours Wednesday Sullenberger
and Skiles were able take one last flight together prior to
Sullenberger's retirement from the airline. It started with a proper
salute from Fort Lauderdale tower where Sullenberger called for the
takeoff one final time. Listen
to the story
|
DC-3 75TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION AT OSHKOSH TAKING SHAPE
Mass fly-in arrival to highlight opening day air show
 Possibly
the largest gatherings of DC-3 aircraft since the 1940s are committed to
the 75th anniversary commemoration of the model during EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh, July 26-August 1, at Wittman Regional Airport. That celebration
includes what could be a 40-airplane mass arrival at Oshkosh on opening
day Monday, July 26. Aircraft and DC-3 enthusiasts from around the world
have already committed to participate in the event, including many
aircraft that have never before been seen at Oshkosh. In all, as many as
50 or more DC-3s could be at the event. Read
more
|
AIRCRAFT GROUPS PREPARE
FOR MASS ARRIVALS AT OSHKOSH
 One
of the unique aspects of AirVenture Oshkosh is the annual migration of
various aircraft groups to Oshkosh, where they land together and create
their own communities along the flight line. This year several groups
are in various stages of preparation, including the Beech Bonanzas
(Bonanzas to Oshkosh); Cessnas (Cessnas 2 Oshkosh); Mooneys (Mooney
Caravan); Piper Cherokees, in honor of the airplane's 50th anniversary;
Piper Comanches; Stinsons; and DC-3s, honoring that airplane's 75th
anniversary. In addition, various warbirds groups are scheduled to
arrive during the afternoon air show on opening day Monday, July 26. Read
more
|
LOOK FOR MARCH 2010 SPORT
AVIATION THIS WEEK
 Featured
in the March issue of EAA Sport Aviation that hit mailboxes this
week: The thrill of flying a plane on skis; the EAA Sweepstakes grand
prize Aviat Husky; the beautiful Spencer Air Car; the venerable T-28;
and the history of the Ford Tri-Motor. EAA Sport Aviation is also
available in digital form. View
it here.
|
FIVE
NEW EAA WEBINARS ANNOUNCED
After a successful launch to its new webinar series this past Wednesday
night, EAA has five more of the interactive, online programs lined up in
the coming weeks. The debut webinar ("web-based seminar")
focused on the B-17 bomber and drew more than 150 people. Host Sean
Elliott, EAA director of flight ops, commented that was far more than
have attended similar forums he's given at AirVenture Oshkosh. Read
more
|
WOMEN
IN AVIATION, INTERNATIONAL 2010 CONFERENCE WRAP-UP
 Nearly
3,000 women and men, including more than double the number of past
international participants, attended the 21st Annual International Women
in Aviation (WAI) Conference held last week in Orlando, Florida. The
annual conference, themed this year “Aviation: It's a Small World,”
included sessions on the military, airlines, corporate aviation,
history, maintenance, research, academics, engineering, and more. There
were also 125 exhibitors representing the diverse aviation community. Read
more
|
HAWAII CAP CESSNAS HELPED
SPREAD TSUNAMI WARNING
 The
13th Air Force in support of the state of Hawaii Civil Defense launched
planes from Civil Air Patrol’s Hawaii Wing early last Saturday
(February 27) for statewide tsunami warnings following the 8.8 magnitude
earthquake in Chile.
“Eighty percent of the shoreline in
Hawaii does not have a fixed base siren,” said Hawaii Wing Commander
Col. Roger Caires. “CAP aircraft are the only resource for issuing
tsunami warnings, via a speaker system attached to the outside lower
portion of their plane’s fuselage.” Read more
|
HAWAII
GA GROUP WANTS COMPENSATION FOR LOST BUSINESS DURING PRESIDENT'S VISIT
Owners of more than 20 general aviation businesses in Hawaii are looking
to be compensated for lost caused by airspace restrictions during
President Obama's two-week holiday visit to Oahu in
December 2009 and January 2010. As EAA reported in December 2009, a
temporary flight restriction (TFR) during that time created a no-fly
zone that essentially grounded air tours companies, flight instruction,
and damaged other GA operations in the affected area. The Oahu Aviation
Initiative this week estimated lost revenues at $200,000.
Seaplane business owner Pat Magie, Island
Seaplane Service Inc. said estimated losses at $24,000 over the 12-days
the president was in town, according to the Honolulu
Advertiser.
|
HELP
SEND THE WASP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Women Airforce Service Pilots will receive the Congressional Gold
Medal in Washington, D.C., on March 10, 2010, and a fundraising effort
is underway to help honor them. As it was announced at last week's Women
in Aviation International Conference, 100 percent of the funds raised
will go toward the cost of the WASP individual medals, the cost of
meals, transportation, and other logistical support. The effort received
a great boost when at the WAI closing banquet, AirTran announced it
would donate two airline tickets for each of the 300 recipients. To make
a tax-deductible donation, visit www.flygirls.org.
|
MARCH
ISSUE OF EAA BITS AND PIECES NOW AVAILABLE
 Canadian
flyers are looking toward spring and in this month's new issue of Bits
and Pieces e-newsletter, one Sonex owner shares some of his test
flight data as he eagerly anticipates the first day he can take to the
sky. Also this month, an enthusiast shares his feelings as he takes his
first ride in a radial engine-powered airplane in EAA Canadian Council
member Mike "Skidmk" Bourget's Nanchang CJ-6A.
|
REALITY
TV SHOW MAY FULFILL ROCKET MAN DREAMS
 Bob
Maddox is known for some rather exiting hobbies, like skydiving and
strapping pulse jet engines to whatever he can find. That would include
bikes, boats, his body, whatever. Now, according to Autopia,
Bob may get his own reality television show to encourage his jet-powered
dreams, which include becoming a modern-day "rocketeer."
|
EAA
MERCHANDISE: SAVE 20% to 50% ON SELECT SIGNS!
 From
vintage to whimsical, these aviation signs are great for the home or the
hangar, and for a limited time they’re on sale through EAA’s online
store, Aeronautica. View all the signs on sale and order
here. But hurry - offer ends March 10, so order yours today at the
website or by calling toll-free, 800-564-6322.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
EAA Sport Aviation Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions
Post of the Week!
Sometimes, simple pleasures are the best.
This week, as winter starts to recede and the days grow slowly but
visibly longer, a spirited and helpful discussion about camping at
AirVenture is just the thing we needed to remind us that "the big
week" is on the way with only 144 days and counting. Thanks to all
who contributed to this
thread - see you in July!
|
 |
|
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.
|
Hypersonic Waverider Shoots for Mach 6 |
 |
This month the US Air Force is scheduled to fly the first US hypersonic flight in six years. The X-51 Waverider will be fastened beneath the wing of a B-52, released over the Pacific Ocean, accelerated to just under Mach 5 by a rocket motor, then boosted up to Mach 6 by its Pratt & Whitney scramjet engine. |
Winged Hovercraft Hybrid
for Sale |
 |
For a unique alternative to the Jet Ski at your summer cottage on the lake, how about a flying hovercraft from New Zealand? The WIG (Wing in Ground effect) aircraft has been flown at up to three meters AGL and cruises at 90 kph. |
First
'Short' Landing for Harrier Supersonic Successor |
 |
This month test pilots made the first short landings with the F-35B, the world’s first supersonic stealth STOL (short takeoff and landing) jet. On the video, the unusual look of an F-35B during the short landing is due to the “fliptop lid,” covering the central lift-fan shaft, being up for this maneuver. |
Vertical Flight Studied for Airliners |
 |
NASA’s Fundamental Aeronautics program is conducting subsonic rotary-wing research which may result in VTOL regional commercial aircraft. These proposed large civil tilt rotor, second generation (LCTR2) planes with a 600-900 nm range are designed to cruise at 300 kts with 90 passengers and land ‘quietly’ at city center airports. |
Hexacopter Provides Stable GPS-Guided Aerial Photography |
 |
Six rotors, a GPS unit and a high definition camera on the Hexacopter make it a stable platform for aerial photography along a pre-programmed route, for environmental monitoring and for potential military applications. The flight time of this 1.2 kg “microcopter” is 36 minutes, and it can carry a payload of 1 kg. Lessons learned from this small remote-controlled unit may someday translate into a highly-stable, easy-to-fly manned helicopter. |
|
| 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. |
|
CHANGE IS GOOD ... MAYBE
By Bob Mackey, representative for the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan,
Administered by Falcon Insurance Agency
 These
days there's a lot of talk about change and how change is good, but
sometimes ramifications to change are not so good - especially with your
airplane insurance. When your insurance company originally did the
underwriting on your airplane insurance, it established the terms,
conditions, and price based on information you provided, like pilot
experience, airplane, uses, etc. If something changes when your policy
is in force, it might not impact the insurance on your airplane at all.
However, that is not always the case. Read
more
|
HINTS FOR HOMEBUILDERS:
QUICK JIGGING: BRAD NAIL GUN
 Mark
Forss shows how to use a brad nail gun to quickly create a temporary
jig fixture. Mark is an EAA staff member who coordinates the EAA
SportAir Workshops.
Watch
the video
|
EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': LYNDA MEEKS
 Lynda
Meeks joined the U.S. Army in 1992 after graduating from college, and in
1993 began training as a helicopter pilot. She served three and a half
years flying dignitaries and VIPs in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft
with the 207th Aviation Company based in Heidelberg, Germany before
joining an aerial reconnaissance unit flying C-12 Hurons (Super King
Air) on counter-drug missions out of Ft. Bliss, Texas. After leaving the
service in 1999, Lynda joined Air Midwest flying Beech 1900s as a
regional airline pilot. She then took a job with the fractional airline
Flight Options flying Citation Vs, and currently flies as a Citation X
captain for NetJets. In 2005, Lynda founded “Girls With Wings,” an
organization dedicated to introducing young girls to aviation role
models and encouraging them to pursue aviation-related careers and
hobbies. Watch
the video.
|
|
|
|
WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
 Pancake
Breakfast and Information exchange - McGregor Executive Airport, Waco,
Texas
Saturday, March 6 from 8-10:30 a.m. promises a fun time for families
and delicious blueberry pancakes, coffee, and juice. Demonstrations
include starting the Chapter project airplane. Web oil vendor booth
and planes of all kinds. A good time is guaranteed! Learn more at www.EAA59.org,
or contact Kenny Grisham at 254-749-5490.
First Saturday of the Month Pancakes
and Grits Breakfast - Twin Oaks Airpark, Hillsboro, Oregon
Get your monthly ration of blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, and
sausage this Saturday, March 6, from 8-10 a.m. And don't forget the
grits! For more information visit www.eaa105.org,
or contact Rion Bourgeois at 503-670-1144.
To learn more about calendar events, or
to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org.
|
|
|
|
|
Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
Is there a legal procedure to follow while building
a homebuilt aircraft?
Answer: The
FAA has an Advisory Circular, AC 20-27G, titled Certification
and Operation of Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft
It goes into detail about record-keeping and
inspection of your aircraft during the building
process and when it is completed. You can download
a copy 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.
Correction: In
last week's story about the FAA's report on the
Zodiac 601 XL we misspelled the name of Zenair Vice
President Mathieu Heinz and misstated his title. We
apologize for the error.
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. |
|
|
 |
CAFE
TO HOST 4th ANNUAL ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT SYMPOSIUM
The Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) Foundation's 4th
Annual Electric Aircraft Symposium (EAS IV) will convene a renowned
faculty of experts on electric aircraft technologies on April 23-24 at
the Doubletree Inn in Rohnert Park, California. The networking program
consists of presentations and exhibits on bio-fuel hybrids, advanced
electric motors, solar panels, sailplane technology, fuel cells, future
technology for batteries, battery safety during charging, propeller
noise reduction, autonomous flight controls, drag reduction, vertical
takeoff designs, and NASA's Green Flight Challenge competitions. Click
here for more details.
CESSNA MILESTONE NO.
9000
Cessna Aircraft Company has delivered its 9,000th Independence,
Kansas-produced single-engine piston aircraft. Cessna customer Rob
Logozio took delivery of this milestone aircraft, a 182T Skylane, during
a ceremony at Cessna's Independence facility. Logozio purchased his 2010
Skylane from Cessna Sales Team Authorized Sales Representative Panorama
Flight Service, Inc., located in White Plains, New York, at the
Westchester County Airport. Visit www.Cessna.com
to learn more.
RED PROP PILOT STORE;
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
2H Innovations has launched a pilot store with an important difference:
a full 12-month guarantee on all merchandise, backed by the store
itself. The company promises to "fix or replace anything defective
and no hassles for customers." The online store, www.RedPropPilotStore.com
serves a wide range of aviation enthusiasts from student to professional
pilots, as well as satisfying the general public's interest in
aviation-related gear.
WISCONSIN'S LIGHT
AVIATION SAFETY SEMINAR IS NEXT SATURDAY
The Wisconsin Ultralight/Light Aviation Advisory Counsel's 17th Annual
Light Aviation Safety Seminar will be held on Saturday, March 13 at the
EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh. Seminar highlights include discussions
light plane condition inspections and fuel management. Prizes will be
awarded. There is no admission cost and same day registration begins at
8 a.m. Visit www.AV8Safe.org/event.html
to learn more.
ROGERS AVIATION OPENS
AT FLABOB AIRPORT
Dave Rogers, CFII, has moved his flight training operation to Flabob
Airport, bringing several aircraft with him, including a pair of
Skyhawks, a Skylane, Comanche, Apache, and a light-sport
aircraft-eligible 415C Ercoupe. For further information e-mail RogersAircraft@earthlink.net
or call 951-686-2367.
SPORTY'S OFFERS
PORTABLE OXYGEN SYSTEM
Sporty's offers two sizes of Single Place Oxygen Systems. These portable
systems can also serve as a cost-effective backup for built-in systems.
Their small size, light weight, and price make these systems a smart,
economical choice for any airplane. Visit www.Sportys.com
to learn more.
WICKS AIRCRAFT
SHIPPING NEW CATALOGS ... FREE
Wicks Aircraft Supply will begin distributing its new 2010 catalog at
this year's Sun'n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida. For the first time,
the catalog, which is nearly 30 percent larger, is free. With hundreds
of new products and a new welding section, there are numerous items for
aircraft and their pilots. Anyone can order a free Wicks Aircraft Supply
catalog; just e-mail Info@wicksaircraft.com
or order merchandise at www.WicksAircraft.com.
|
|
|
