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May 14, 2010 Volume 10, Number
19
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HOUSE
PASSES INTERNATIONAL LEARN TO FLY DAY RESOLUTION
The U.S. House of Representatives passed via voice vote Wednesday the
"International Learn to Fly Day" resolution (H. Res. 1284) in
which the House "(1) supports the goals and ideals of International
Learn to Fly Day; and (2) recognizes the contributions of flight
instructors, flight schools, aviation groups, and industry in promoting
and teaching the nation's next generation of pilots." The bill was
introduced by Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) and sponsored by Rep. Vern Ehlers
(R-Mich.), who serve as co-chairmen of the House
General Aviation Caucus, which includes 116 members. Read
more
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SPIRIT
OF AVIATION AUCTION UPDATE: FIRST PLANES ON THE BLOCK
 Interest
is heating up in EAA's first "Spirit of Aviation Auction" as a
number of aircraft owners are taking advantage of the unique opportunity
to sell their aircraft at the World's Greatest Aviation Celebration,
AirVenture Oshkosh 2010. Among the first airplanes to register for the
auction include a 1961 Paris Jet MS-760 (N7601R) and a 1993 PZL-104
Wilga 80 (N7080D). Read more
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FOXJET NOW A HISTORIC
LAWN ORNAMENT
 It's
not clear if Lyle Anderson, of Princeton, Minnesota, eschews garden
gnomes, concrete deer or plastic flamingos; but there must be a good
reason why a rare business jet that never flew is parked on his front
lawn. In the late 1970s Tony Fox, a waste compactor manufacturer in
Minneapolis, began to develop the Foxjet 600 in an effort to lower the
cost of private jet travel and open it up to smaller airports including
grass runways. Read
more
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STOL
COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS VALDEZ FLY-IN
 The
legend of the Alaskan bush pilot is infused with feats accomplished in
aircraft that are rarely seen anywhere else. We have all seen the videos
of pilots landing on sand bars and in tight tree-lined mountainous
areas. Each year at the Valdez Fly-In and Air Show they celebrate the
tradition and skill of the bush pilot with the Short Take Off and
Landing (STOL) competition. Read
more
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YOUNG
EAGLE GETS HIS WINGS
 About
10 years ago, Daniel Schick became a Young Eagle when he got his first
airplane ride at EAA's Pioneer Airport. This past week, Daniel - now 22
- earned his private pilot certificate by passing his checkride,
administered by Jason Blair, executive director of the National
Association of Flight Instructors and an FAA designate flight examiner.
The Young Eagles flight was
Schick's first ride in a small airplane and it had a profound effect on
him. "That was really a fun, exciting time for me - the first time
ever in a small plane," he recalled. "Young Eagles was great
for me." Read
more
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EAA
WARBIRDS OF AMERICA PARTICIPATES IN HOMECOMING FOR VIETNAM VETERANS
 EAA
Warbirds of America Squadron 6 will participate in LZ Lambeau, a tribute
to veterans who served in Southeast Asia during the 1960s and 1970s,
scheduled for May 21-23 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Many events are
centered at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, but Squadron 6
will be on hand at Austin Straubel International Airport to meet and
greet the Vietnam veterans and thank them personally for their service. Read
more
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EAA
WARBIRDS OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW PROGRAM LETTER TEMPLATES
 EAA
Warbirds of America frequently receives calls from members seeking
advice on writing their "program letters." Owners of
experimental-exhibition category aircraft including warbirds are
required to submit "program letters" to the FAA, both upon
initial certification and on an annual basis. These program letters
outline how and when the aircraft will be used for exhibition purposes. Read
more
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NEW
WEBINAR! FLYING THE PITCAIRN AUTOGIRO
 Growing
up around Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Andrew King has spent a lifetime
flying old flying machines. But none so odd as the incredible 1932
Pitcairn PA-18 Autogiro that appeared at AirVenture 2009 and was
featured on the cover of EAA Sport Aviation magazine in January 2010. In
this webinar, Andrew will share his practical experiences in
rediscovering the secrets of how to fly a vintage autogiro.
How to Get Started in
Ultralighting
EAA's Timm Bogenhagen will introduce you to the wonderful world of
ultralights. The flying season has begun and many argue ultralights are
the best way to spend a season in the air. Timm will discuss what every
new person should know before flying or buying and ultralight.
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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SEVERAL
POSITIONS OPEN UP IN CHEROKEE 2 OSH
 Cherokees
2 Osh, the mass arrival to AirVenture scheduled for Friday, July 23, has
some openings due to recent cancellations for the group's planned
"50 on the 50th" flight this year. So if you were shut out
earlier, now's your chance to join the group as it commemorates the 50th
anniversary of the Cherokee at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010. The final
registration deadline is June 1, so visit www.cherokees2osh.com
for details.
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EAA SEEKS
SENIOR EDITOR - PUBLICATIONS
EAA has an opportunity for a seasoned journalist to play an integral
role as part of our in-house Publications staff. The senior editor is
responsible for the day-to-day planning and production of significant
parts of EAA's award-winning monthly member publication - EAA Sport
Aviation magazine. Responsibilities include research, writing,
editing, and proofing as well as the management of projects, processes,
staff, and freelance writers and photographers. This individual will
also write articles and features for the magazine and associated
electronic publications as well as respond to member correspondence. Read
more
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VOTE FOR
WRIGHT BROTHERS STATUE
With less than 30 days remaining in the voting, Ohio aviation
enthusiasts and admirers of Orville and Wilbur Wright everywhere can
help in a campaign to select the legendary pioneers of flight to be
immortalized in the U.S. Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. Each state
has two representative statues in the statuary and one of Ohio's is
being removed. So the Ohio National Statuary Collection Study Committee
is putting it to a vote, and Orville and Wilbur comprise one of the 10
selections available. They need every possible vote - the latest count
has the Wrights in sixth place!
For details on the selection
process and to learn how you can cast your vote for the Wright brothers,
click here. But hurry - less
than a month remains and ballots must be received no later than June 12,
2010. Although the selection committee has indicated it will only
"count" ballots from Ohioans, it will "tally"
ballots from outside the state. Cast your vote today!
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BREEZY
PILOT ARNIE ZIMMERMAN TO JOIN ILLINOIS AVIATION HOF
 Congratulations
to Arnold "Arnie" Zimmerman, of Downers Grove, Illinois, who
next Wednesday, May 19, will be inducted into the Illinois Aviation Hall
of Fame. Arnie, EAA 205374, is perhaps best known to EAAers as a pilot
who has provided more than 12,000 rides in his homebuilt Breezy - many
of them at AirVenture Oshkosh over the past 20 years. Among his
passengers were Space Shuttle Endeavor Captain Ron Grave and Russian
Cosmonaut Anatole Artesesky. Arnie also owns a 1946 Aeronca Champ and a
Piper Aztec. Read
more
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SELF-DARKENING
WINDOWS MAKES DREAMS ON DREAMLINER EASY
Current window shades on airliners work pretty well blocking out the
sun; but they also block the view. As Boeing builds hype for its new 787
aircraft in advance of its certification and launch into commercial
service, the company released this video about window shades that can be
darkened while still having the option to see through to the outside. Watch
on Oshkosh365
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 WARBIRDS
IN REVIEW: A DAILY SALUTE TO VETERANS
Warbirds in Review's ninth year at AirVenture takes on
added significance in 2010 as it pulls together many of
the elements comprising one of the convention's major
themes this year: "Salute to Veterans." Read
more |
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DEADLINE
APPROACHES FOR EAA AVIATION QUILT BLOCK CONTEST
 Those
who fancy themselves as quilt artists still have time to enter
the EAA Aviation Quilt Block Contest, held in conjunction with
AirVenture Oshkosh. Winning entries are put on prominent display
at the EAA AirVenture Museum at the start of the convention, and
then they remain on display until the next AirVenture. Winners
are also displayed on a special page of the EAA AirVenture
website. (See
the 2009 winners.) Read
more
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B-17
TOUR IN SACRAMENTO, HEADING FOR OREGON
 Aluminum
Overcast, EAA's restored B-17 bomber, wraps up the California
portion of its spring tour this weekend, May 14-16, in Sacramento at
McClellan Airfield (MCC) with EAA Chapter 52 serving as host. Then it's
on to the Pacific Northwest where the aircraft flies to Klamath Falls,
Oregon, May 18-19, hosted by EAA Chapter 411, and Portland May-21-23,
hosted by EAA Chapter 105. For complete tour information, or to make a
flight reservation, visit www.b17.org.
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EAA MEMBERS DEAL OF THE WEEK
EAA Members Save 20% On Seat Cushions &
Upholstery
 Fly
comfortably this year with Oregon Aero Seat Cushions & Upholstery -
The Ultimate In Flying Comfort™. Oregon Aero products are designed for
maximum comfort and are handmade in Oregon. 100% satisfaction
guaranteed. Click here
to find out how you can save 20% off Oregon Aero experimental seat
cushions and upholstery.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: SAVE UP TO 20% ON
SELECT MEN'S CLOTHING
 Soft
and casual ... denim never goes out of style! 100% cotton distressed
fabric gives this shirt a relaxed look and feel. Choose from long or
short sleeve. Click
here to see all men’s clothing on sale and take advantage of other
great deals! Or, call toll-free 800-564-6322. Offer good through May 31.
Last chance to 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!
Josh Gardner of Homewood, Alabama wants
to learn to fly - great! He also wants to build an airplane - even
better - and he's turned to the Homebuilders Corner forum on Oshkosh365
for some advice. He's looking for kit suggestions, preferably an
all-metal LSA, and, like most of us, he's a bit concerned about price.
Unlike some of us, however, he's actually saved up some cash to get his
dream going, and, unlike just about any of us…Josh is only 14 years
old. These kids today, I swear…! Check
out his post, give him some ideas, and, most importantly, some
encouragement - Josh and people like him (and we know they're out there)
are quite literally the future of EAA!
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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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Sunseeker Solar Aircraft Uses Teetering Propeller |
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The solar-powered Sunseeker II has a number of unusual aviation technologies, one of which is the teetering propeller used to minimize vibration from the propulsion system. The aircraft is fitted with four packs of lithium polymer batteries in the wings. |
Human-Powered Carbon Condor |
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A father-son team in Oregon is building the human-powered Carbon Condor aircraft in an attempt to win the Kremer Sporting Aircraft prize administered by the Royal Aeronautical Society. The Condor has a 78-foot wingspan, will weigh 50 pounds, and be driven by a 6.6-foot propeller at 22 – 28 mph. |
Beam Up the Power, Scotty! |
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LaserMotive plans to soon be beaming endless power to unmanned aircraft. The company recently won the NASA Power Beaming Challenge using a ground-based laser beam to power a robot that climbed a 900 meter cable at 3.9 meters per second. |
Kevlar Pouches to Make Safer Aircraft Fuel Tanks |
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An aircraft fuel tank design using pouches of blastproof acrylic, such as Kevlar, has been submitted to the NASA Tech Briefs “Create the Future” contest. Flame retardant in the pouches is designed to extinguish aircraft fires due to fuel leaks resulting from a crash. |
The Incredible Inflatable Space Hotel |
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Plan your next vacation in a flying hotel – one that is flying around the earth. Bigelow Aerospace acquired this NASA technology and launched its first prototype in 2006. Most people on Bigelow space stations will be corporate and government researchers, but there will undoubtedly be private individuals looking for a unique experience. |
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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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HINTS FOR HOMEBUILDERS: AIR
FILTER CLEANING
 Dick
Koehler reviews the common air filter options and how to maintain them.
Dick is a Technical Counselor for Chapter 186, an A&P aircraft
mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA), and a SportAir Workshop
instructor. Watch
the video.
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': ARNOLD WILLIS
 Arnold
Willis enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1942. Initially sent to
Preflight for pilot training, Arnold failed a vision test because of
color blindness and was sent to gunnery training instead. He was then
assigned to a B-17 crew, where he volunteered to be the crew’s tail
gunner. The crew flew a brand new B-17 to England where they joined the
358th Bomb Squadron of the 303rd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, in August of
1944. Between August, 1944 and January, 1945, Arnold flew 35 combat
missions and survived a number of close calls. Watch
the video.
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 509
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
I'm 72 years old, have Type II diabetes, and take
insulin. I'm concerned about any restrictions flying
with a light-sport rating might bring. I don't have
any medical restrictions on my driver's license
other than I must wear corrective glasses.
Answer: You
do not need a medical certificate to fly under the
Sport Pilot Rule. You cannot have been denied for
your most recent application for a medical, nor can
your medical have been suspended, revoked or
withdrawn. There are many pilots flying with Type II
diabetes who are taking medication for it and who
have a medical certificate; not so many who are on
insulin, although there are some with medical
certificates. If you are going to fly as a sport
pilot, you would be wise to speak to your treating
physician to make sure that he feels you are okay to
fly with your condition and the medicine you are on.
You self-certify every time you go out to fly.
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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FAA'S
NATIONAL KIT EVALUATION TEAM VISITS ZENITH AIRCRAFT
An FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) concluded its visit to Zenith
Aircraft Company in Mexico, Missouri, this week to determine that its
STOL CH 750 aircraft kit will officially meet the major portion (or 51
percent) requirement of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations part 21,
Certification Procedures for Products and Parts.
While it will be several more weeks
before the FAA issues its official determination and adds the kit to its
official "Revised Listing of Amateur-Built Aircraft Kits,"
Zenith officials were pleased with the NKET's visit. "Based on the
FAA's on-site inspections and our discussions, the STOL CH 750 kit will
be added to the FAA list of eligible aircraft kits," said Zenith's
President Sebastien Heintz. To learn more, click
here.
DECLINE IN GA
SHIPMENTS SLOWS IN FIRST QUARTER
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported this week
that in the first quarter of 2010, worldwide general aviation airplane
deliveries totaled 390 units, a 15 percent drop from the same period
last year. However, this is an improvement over the dramatic decline
experienced in first quarter 2009 deliveries as compared to first
quarter 2008. Total industry billings grew 7.1 percent in the first
three months of the year to $4.64 billion due to international
deliveries of large cabin, long-range airplanes where customers rely
less on third-party financing than the remainder of the industry. First
quarter billings in 2010 are still 12.6 percent below this same period
in 2008.
AERO 2011 MOVES TO
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY SCHEDULE
The AERO international aviation event in Friedrichshafen, Germany, is
continuing its shift of emphasis toward a trade show. As part of this
strategy, next year's event will run from Wednesday, April 13, to
Saturday, April 16, instead of a Thursday-Sunday format. AERO 2010, held
in April, attracted nearly 40,000 visitors. Learn more at www.aero-expo.com.
AIRCRAFT SPRUCE SUPER
SALE & FLY-IN SET MAY 22
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty East holds its annual Super Sale &
Fly-In next Saturday, May 22, at its East facility located on Peachtree
City Airport - Falcon Field (FFC), Georgia. Aircraft Spruce is offering
discounts on its most popular products and provides a chance for its
loyal customers to meet the company's vendors. Prize drawings, free
grilled hot dogs, and cold soda will be available. EAA Chapter 486 from
Peachstate Aerodome will be selling raffle tickets to benefit the Young
Eagles program. Doors open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, click
here, call 770-487-2310, or e-mail info@aircraftspruce.com.
FAR/AIM FLASHCARDS AS
AN IPHONE APP
Written by airline pilot instructor and author Ron McElroy, ASA's
Flashcards app for your iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad helps you maintain
your knowledge of the rules, regulations, and procedures. It features an
intuitive interface and contains questions on the latest rules and
operating procedures from 14 CFR Parts 1, 61, 91, and the AIM, including
sport pilot and light-sport aircraft. Look for it in the iTunes App
Store for $9.99. For more information on this and all ASA apps, visit www.asa2fly.com/iphone.
SAIB ISSUED FOR CESSNA
336, 227, F337
The FAA has issued a revised special airworthiness
information bulletin (SAIB) for owners and operators of Cessna
Models 336, 337, and F337 (Reims) series airplanes with wingtip
extensions. This revision is a result of comments received from
individuals and other airworthiness authorities. It corrects a
typographical error, adds to the list of models potentially affected,
and adds to the list of focused inspections. At this time, the
airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant an
airworthiness directive (AD) action.
SPONSOR A WINNER
John Parker, championship-winning pilot and builder of Reno Air Race
contenders Blue Thunder and Blue Thunder II, has opened the door to
several sponsorship levels, even as his planned record attempt in Blue
Thunder II is just a month away at the Golden West Fly-In (Marysville,
California, June 11-13). John's race-built Thunder Mustang will be
shooting for the world 100-kilometer speed record in class C1c,
currently 339.51 mph. Sponsorship opportunities vary; contact John at
775.677.4860, e-mail john@AmericanAirRacing.com;
or visit www.BlueThunderAirRacing.com
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