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May 7, 2010 Volume 10, Number
18
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SULLY,
EAA HELP GMA'S ROBIN ROBERTS LIVE HER DREAM
 Robin
Roberts, ABC's Good Morning America co-anchor, always wanted to follow
in the footsteps of her late father, who was a Tuskegee Airman during
World War II. She got her opportunity recently by flying with one of the
world's most recognized pilots, Capt. Chesley "Sully"
Sullenberger, of US Airways flight 1549 fame, the Miracle on the Hudson
flight of January 15, 2009. Sully and Flight 1549 First Officer Jeff
Skiles are co-chairmen of EAA's Young Eagles program. Read
more
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FLIGHT
1549 CREW HONORED BY NASM
 Chesley
"Sully" Sullenberger, Jeff Skiles, and the US Airways Flight
1549 crew were honored last week by the National Air and Space Museum (NASM)
for their exceptional performance on January 15, 2009, when their Airbus
A320 was forced to ditch in the Hudson River in New York City after a
bird strike knocked out both engines. Read
more
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NEW EAA
SCHOLARSHIP FUND ALLOWS YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE TO THE SKY
Nearly completed "Harrison Ford Challenge" will create
$200,000 in scholarship money
 Fund raising efforts to meet the $100,000 challenge set by EAA
members Jim and Angela Thompson have nearly reached the goal! The
Harrison Ford Challenge was launched last fall by the Thompsons during
the reception honoring outgoing EAA Young Eagles program chairman
Harrison Ford. During that reception in the Los Angeles area, Ford and
EAA chairman/president Tom Poberezny introduced the incoming Young
Eagles co-chairmen - Sully Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles, pilots of the
famed US Airways 1549 "Miracle on the Hudson" landing in
January 2009. Read
more
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EAAER
MAKES $100,000 CHALLENGE GRANT FOR EAA CHAPTERS
 For
many, the aviation bug bites at a young age. For EAA member Peter
Burgher it bit when he was only 6 years old. Peter has owned more than
30 different aircraft and has built several with the help of EAA
Chapters to which he belongs. Burgher's passion for building and flying
has spurred him to improve the chapter system that has been so
beneficial to him through a $100,000 challenge grant to EAA. He spoke to
EAA Radio's Fareed Guyot about flying and how increasing chapter
communication will strengthen the association. Listen
to the interview
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EAA
STAFFER NAMED WISCONSIN AVIATION PERSON OF THE YEAR
 Rose
Dorcey, president of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame and associate
editor of EAA Sport Aviation, was recently honored as
"Aviation Person of the Year" by the Wisconsin Airport
Management Association. Rose was recognized for her organization and
execution of last year's Centennial of Flight celebrations in Wisconsin,
which included a year-long schedule of events across the state
culminating in a re-enactment of the first flight in a working replica
of a Curtiss Pusher. For that and her hard work on behalf of aviation in
the Badger State, we're pleased to offer up our congratulations to one
of our own!
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ILTFD
EVENTS SURPASS 400!
 The
number of events scheduled throughout the nation for next Saturday, May
15's first International Learn To Fly Day has soared past 400! On that
day aviation enthusiasts will help others "live the dream" of
learning to fly at 406 different events, many of which were organized
through PilotJourney.com, a
strong supporter of the ILTFD effort. Pilot Journey has already provided
more than 10,000 free tickets to the hundreds of learn-to-fly events
scheduled. Read
more | Listen to EAA Radio interview with Pilot Journey President Gary
Bradshaw
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WEBINAR
OFFERS TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHAPTER
EAA's
line-up of Webinars (web-based seminars) continues to gain
popularity. The hour-long presentations feature expert
presenters on a variety of aviation topics. Registration is
now open and free of charge for EAA members:
More
Webinars are added frequently. To view a complete and
up-to-date list of all EAA Webinars, visit the webinars
page.
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ELECTION
DAY STUNT BY POLITICIAN ENDS IN PLANE CRASH
 Nigel
Farage, the United Kingdom's Independent Party (UKIP) Prime Minister
candidate, was injured early Thursday (May 6) when the Polish-made Wilga
in which he was a passenger crashed while towing 15-foot election banner
advising people to 'Vote UKIP'. Farage was seeking some last-minute
publicity; however the mission proved difficult as it took seven
attempts to launch the banner. Read
more
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FLORIDA
USE TAX EXEMPTION BILL AWAITS GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE
Beginning July 1, new aircraft owners will be exempted from Florida's
"use" tax if they fly their newly purchased aircraft into
Florida during the first six months of ownership. House Bill 173,
approved by the Florida State Senate last week, exempts visiting
aircraft from the state's onerous use tax and has been sent to Gov.
Charlie Crist's desk for his signature. Read
more
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YOUNG
EAGLES CAN FLY IN VINTAGE AIRPLANES WITH AMERICAN BARNSTORMERS TOUR
 Young
people in seven Midwest cities will have a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to fly in unique vintage aircraft this summer, as the
American Barnstormers Tour will include flight opportunities for
selected young people through the EAA Young Eagles program.
In each city, up to 15 young people will
be selected by local EAA chapters to fly in these vintage aircraft,
which were manufactured in the 1920s and 1930s during what is commonly
known as the “Golden Age of Aviation.” These young people will fly
in conjunction with EAA Young Eagles, which has flown more than 1.5
million young people free of charge since 1992. Read
more
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MAY ISSUE
OF WARBIRDS BRIEFING NOW AVAILABLE
 This
month's issue of Briefing includes a book review of The First
Jet Pilot: The Story of German Test Pilot Erich Warsitz, plus a
video about the massive blimp hangars that have loomed over a small
California town since WWII. The issue also features a video about a new
camera system that records for angles simultaneously, which is
demonstrated on a Yak-52 during a Sun 'n Fun air show routine. Finally,
we present an interview with Norman Bergman who claims to have the only
type-rating in a P-61 Black Widow. Visit the Briefing newsletter
page to read the issue and subscribe.
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F-16S
SCRAMBLED FOR 'YELLOW PLANE' PRACTICING LANDINGS
A plane did not crash in Sumter County, South Carolina on
Wednesday, authorities said, despite initial reports indicating such an
incident might have occurred. Some who heard that noise thought it was
an explosion and, coupled with reports of a plane that was seen
descending, led many to believe a plane had crashed. Read
more at Oshkosh365.
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MOSCOW
AIRPORT WELCOMES PLANE-SPOTTERS
 Avid
plane-spotters - photographers who specialize in taking pictures of
aircraft - recently held their annual spring summit in Moscow's
Domodedovo Airport. One hundred aviation enthusiasts were allowed onto
Domodedovo's runways to photograph what they love most, airplanes. Some
people even flew in from Belgium. Seven hundred aircraft come through
Domodedovo every day, making it the largest airport in Eastern Europe.
It runs plane spotting two to four times a year. Watch
the video on Oshkosh 365.
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BE 'LEAD' ZEPPELIN PILOT
FOR A DAY
 If
you have a pilot certificate and a current medical certificate (and
about three grand) you may wish to join one of the more exclusive clubs
in aviation next week: Zeppelin pilot. In Long Beach, California,
Airship Ventures, operator of Eureka, the world's largest airship (and
the only Zeppelin in the United States), offers a two-day course May
11-12 that puts you in the pilot's seat of the unique dirigible. The
course includes ground school, flight instruction, stick time, logbook
endorsement, and more. Students are guaranteed 30 minutes of stick time
in the left seat - all for $2950/person, plus taxes. To learn more,
contact Randy Kolstad, Pilot Experience Coordinator, at (650) 969-8100
ext. 141.
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 SELLING
YOUR AIRCRAFT IN SPIRIT OF AVIATION AUCTION HAS MANY
ADVANTAGES
There is growing interest in this year's first
"Spirit of Aviation Auction," which will be
held on the AirVenture grounds on Saturday, July 31.
There are always plenty of aircraft for sale at Oshkosh,
but this year sellers can rely on more than handbills,
want ads on the board, and word-of-mouth. Read
more |
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TOP 5 TIPS WHEN
PREPARING FOR AIRVENTURE AIRCRAFT JUDGING
Every year at AirVenture Oshkosh, more than 10,000 aircraft are
flown into Wittman Regional Airport, and typically about 2,500
of them are categorized as showplanes - those inspected by
judges during the week for coveted Oshkosh awards. They compete
in separate homebuilt, vintage, warbird, ultralight, seaplane,
aerobatic, and rotorcraft categories. Read
more
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WINE
COUNTRY WELCOMES FLYING FORTRESS
 Aluminum
Overcast, EAA's restored B-17 bomber, visits Napa, California, this
weekend (May 7-9) for a tour stop hosted by EAA Chapter 167 at Napa
County Airport (APC). Next week EAA Chapter 427 welcomes the tour to
Chico Municipal Airport (CIC) May 11-12, then it's on to the State
Capitol, Sacramento's McClellan Airfield (MCC) the following weekend,
May 14-16, hosted by EAA Chapter 52. For complete tour information, or
to make a flight reservation, visit www.b17.org.
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SPACE IS LIMITED: ENROLL
NOW FOR THE EAA AIR ACADEMY BASIC CAMP
 Spots
are filling up fast for the Air Academy Basic Camp. This camp offers
students ages 14-15 intermediate aviation experiences through small
group activities and close counselor relationships. Aviation material is
presented with a unique combination of fun and discovery in a science
camp format. Session 1: June 26 - July 1, 2010. (This session is Filling
fast, get your applications in now.)
Session 2: July 5 - July
10, 2010. Session 3: July 12 - July 17, 2010. (Sessions 2 and 3 have
plenty of availability.)
For more information,
visit www.airacademy.org.
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EAA MILITARY TRAINER
FANTASY FLIGHT CAMP
 Through
the Military Trainer Fantasy Flight Camp, September 24-26, 2010,
participants have a rare opportunity to fly in the only remaining
airworthy PT-3-plus take a second flight in the famed "pilot
maker," the North American T-6. Flights include a pre-flight
briefing on the aircraft and its controls. EAA's own pilots and
instructors will perform the take-off, demonstrate in the air how the
controls work-and then it's your turn! Sign-up now at www.fantasyflightcamp.org.
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SPRING THAW ... FLYING
SEASON BEGINS!
By Bob Mackey,
representative for the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan,
Administered by Falcon Insurance Agency
 This
time of the year around Oshkosh and other Northern areas, the ice is
long gone, daylight hours are rapidly getting longer, and spring showers
have washed away all the salt and other debris leftover from winter. The
airports are waking up as more and more general aviation airplanes get
back into the air. Are you ready? Is your airplane ready? What about
your insurance protection? Read
more
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EAA MEMBERS DEAL OF THE WEEK
Save $15 on Traveler Convertible Pant Shorts
 A
versatile must for any wardrobe. Turn them into shorts in two quick
zips. Choose from Khaki or Olive. Originally $64.99. Member Sale Price
$49.99. Click here to
find out how you can save $15 on these Traveler Convertible Pant Shorts.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: SAVE $10 ON
AVIATION WEATHERVANES
 Choose
from two legendary aircraft - the Ford Tri-Motor and B-17 Flying
Fortress. These 2-dimensional garden stakes are made of 14-gauge steel
with an antique copper finish coat that protects against UV Rays and
provides durability. Approx. 60" tall. Planes measure approx.
21"L x 8"H. Regularly $59.99. Sale price $49.99. Click
here to order, or call toll-free 800-564-6322. Offer good through
May 31, 2010.
Shop now and save 50% on standard
shipping costs!
Offer applies to standard domestic shipping only, and excludes
orders shipped express and express plus (offer also excludes 4-ft and
6-ft wooden propellers). International orders receive 30 percent off
shipping costs. Visit our web store at www.shopeaa.com
for more information. Offer good through May 15, 2010.
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EAA Sport Aviation
Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions!
Post of the Week!
Another win for Facebook - this time a
photo that wonderfully and literally captures what we clumsily call
"EAA -ness." Member Mary Conklin of Capron, IL, has a unique
way of helping aerial passersby find their way to AirVenture each year.
You really have to see
it for yourself.
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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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| Mach
20 Flight Interrupted |
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The
Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 "achieved controlled
flight within the atmosphere at over Mach 20." That's fast!
Unfortunately for the team that designed and built the aircraft, they
lost contact with the vehicle nine minutes after launch. |
| Flight
Innovations For An Erupting World |
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Billions
of dollars were lost because of flight interruptions caused by
volcanic ash from the recent Icelandic eruption. Airships and adaptive
flight routing are two of the suggestions to minimize economic impact
of future volcanic blasts. |
| Flying
on Sunbeams: Solar-Powered Engine |
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Cloudless
skies in the desert will be the perfect location for the Zero
Pollution Aircraft Engine, a solar-powered concept design. This entry
in the NASA Tech Briefs 'Create the Future' contest envisions a
"rigid, lens-based system for concentrating solar energy and
delivering it" to the ZPAE. |
| Students
Teach NASA About Tilt-Rotors |
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High
school students may have the optimum blend of scientific knowledge and
unbounded creativity. Futuristic designs in a recent NASA tilt-rotor
competition prompted a design review panel member to say, "They
think anything can be done, and that's refreshing." |
| Study
Sees Safer Aircraft With Head Up Displays |
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Head
up displays would have prevented or reduced the impact of 38 percent
of the 1,000 aviation accidents researched in a recent study. HUDs
allow pilots to keep their concentration and maintain a forward view,
especially during take-offs and landings. |
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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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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': MILES WALKER
 Miles
Walker served with the 28th Bomb Squadron of the 19th Bomb Group (Very
Heavy) during World War II. Trained as a B-29 pilot, Miles was shipped
to North Field on Guam in June of 1945. He flew numerous non-combat
flights called “wing dings” around Guam and the Marianas Islands,
but only four combat missions to Japan before the war ended, including
the last B-29 mission of the war on August 14, 1945.
Watch
the video.
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 49
fly-ins and events this weekend in the EAA
Events Calendar. Find one near you or add your event! |
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
Does EAA recommend any company for hull insurance
while building a kit aircraft?
Answer: EAA
recommends the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan,
administrated by the Falcon Insurance Agency. The
professionals at Falcon can match your specific need
to the insurance company best suited to you. You can
give them a call at 866-647-4322, or click
here to learn more or submit a quote request.
You can also gather information for coverage after
completion of your project through the EAA Plan.
Good luck!
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.
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EAA
Desktop Calendar
Pitcairn Mailwing
EAA's restored Pitcairn Mailwing, NC95W, flies over
Wisconsin countryside, taken by EAA photographer
Bonnie Kratz. The biplane is one of EAA’s vintage
aircraft based at Pioneer Airport, which opens for
the summer flying season on May 1.
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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CHEVRON
RESTRUCTURES GENERAL AVIATION DIVISION
Effective June 1, 2010, Chevron's General Aviation business will only
market Chevron- and Texaco-branded aviation fuels in the following
states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. The
planned market withdrawal will be completed by November 15, 2010.
Chevron will continue to be a
manufacturer of jet fuel and aviation gasoline but is changing its
branded distribution channel to reduce costs while continuing to serve
the aviation industry. Chevron will utilize its major distributor,
Hiller/Air Petro, to sell aviation fuel to the general aviation market.
The move is part of its downstream restructuring efforts to adapt to
changing market conditions and to successfully compete in the
marketplace. Learn more at www.ChevronGlobalAviation.com.
FAA LAUNCHES NEW
INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR PILOTS
The Atlantic City International Airport, located at the FAA's Technical
Center, is the first in the national airspace system to deliver digital
notices to airmen (NOTAM). NOTAMs provide computer-generated safety
information to pilots and air traffic controllers about conditions at an
airport such as construction and hazards. "Digital information
management is key to meeting the air traffic system's safety and
efficiency goals," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "This
is yet another step the FAA is taking to modernize the national airspace
system."
Atlantic City started using the new
system on April 20. Other airports will follow: Washington Dulles,
Reagan National, Baltimore-Washington International, Richmond, Norfolk,
Denver, Chicago O'Hare and Midway, Memphis, Fairbanks, and Ft. Wayne,
Indiana. For more information, click
here.
MIDWEST LSA EXPO
IS GROWING
The Midwest LSA Expo, scheduled for September 23-25, 2010 at Mt. Vernon
Outland Airport (KMVN) in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, is shaping up to be
bigger and better than its inaugural event held last fall. Nearly 40
aircraft exhibitor spaces have already been reserved on the flightline
and seminars are being scheduled by the Illinois Department of
Transportation-Division of Aeronautics' Bureau of Aviation Education and
Safety, the Illinois Ultralight Advisory Council, Ultraflight Radio, and
SweeneyCorp. Learn more at www.MidwestLSAShow.com.
ENTER DAD FOR A
CHANCE TO RIDE IN A WWII FIESELER FI-156 STORCH
Fantasy of Flight has set out to find the "World's Greatest
Dad" just in time to give him the thrill of a lifetime this
Father's Day weekend. The museum is asking children and adults to submit
an essay of 50 words or fewer describing why their dad is the
"World's Greatest Dad." The winning dad will receive a
30-minute ride over Central Florida in one of only four Fieseler F1-156
Storch airplanes in the world. Responses are due by 5 pm on June 8 and
may be submitted online at www.FantasyOfFlight.com.
CARTER SIGNS $4
MILLION INCENTIVE AGREEMENT
Carter Aviation Technologies, LLC of Wichita Falls, Texas, has completed
negotiations with the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corporation (WFEDC)
on a multi-million dollar job incentive program. Signed on April 14,
2010, the agreement provides $4 million of operating capital in the form
of a loan to Carter to facilitate increased development activity and
corporate expansion. Carter is ramping-up to meet the requirements of a
new license for its technology. Carter's Slowed Rotor/Compound (SR/C)
Aircraft Technology, a combination of rotorcraft and fixed-wing
aerodynamics, has been licensed by AAI Corporation, an operating unit of
Textron Systems. For more information, visit www.CarterAviationTechnologies.com.
FLIGHT GUIDE APP
FOR PILOTS
Airguide Publications, Inc. announced the release of three new
applications for Apple's iPad for general aviation pilots: Flight Guide
iEFB VFR, IFR and PRO. "We had an overwhelmingly positive response
to the sneak peak of our new applications at Sun 'n Fun's International
Fly-in at Lakeland, Florida in April," said Brenda Garcia,
Publisher, Airguide Publications. "Pilots were amazed at the
high-resolution quality color display of all airport and chart data and
how fast and easy it was to pull up and enlarge all the pertinent
information for each airport." For more information, visit www.FlightGuide.com.
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