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July
28, 2010 Volume 10,
Number 33 |
CINDERELLA
AT THE ANNIVERSARY BALL
 Call
N74589 the Cinderella of AirVenture's DC-3 Anniversary Ball. Seven and a
half weeks ago the DC-3 was sitting in a field at the Covington
Municipal Airport (9A1) in Georgia-virtually abandoned, a landmark to
area pilots and some residents, and an eyesore to others. The elderly
Douglas lacked engines, and vegetation grew through an airframe exposed
to the elements for a dozen years. Read
more |
'MAVERICK'
ROADABLE AIRCRAFT ON A MISSION
 Glancing
at its spec sheet you'd think it was a high-performance compact sports
car: zero to 60 in 3.9 seconds, a Subaru EJ22 engine, a CVT belt-drive
transmission, and less than 1,000 pounds total weight. And while you'd
be mostly correct, you'd also be shortchanging the vehicle for what it's
fully capable of achieving: transitioning from a road vehicle to an
airborne craft in just a few minutes-and only 300 feet of terra firma. Read
more |
STATEMENT
REGARDING TUESDAY EVENING ACCIDENT AT WITTMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT
 At
approximately 6:15 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, a Beechcraft
Premier business jet registered to Roush Fenway Racing, LLC, was
involved in a landing accident on Runway 18 at Wittman Regional Airport
in Oshkosh. The National Transportation Safety Board and Winnebago
County Sheriff's Department has confirmed the two occupants on board
were Jack Roush of Northville, Mich., and Brenda Strickland of Plymouth,
Mich., who each exited the aircraft following the accident. Both were
transported to local hospitals, with Roush in serious but stable
condition and Strickland with non-life threatening injuries. The NTSB is
leading the investigation into the accident. |
BUILDER
'PLANE-DRIVEN' TO CREATE ROADABLE AIRCRAFT
 Trey
Johnson, of Seattle, Washington, says the inspiration for his roadable
Glasair Sportsman came to him as a child when he saw Molt Taylor's Aerocar
at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. "I enjoyed all of
the airplanes, but I kept coming back to that one," he recalls. Years
later, after building an RV-7 and flying many hours in amphibians, Trey
built a Sportsman GS-2 in Glasair Aviation's Two Weeks to Taxi program
earlier this year and he added a unique innovation: a ground-side drive
system that allows him to "drive" his airplane between airports.
Read
more |
BREAKING IN AN RV-10
BRAZILIAN STYLE
 What's
the first thing you would do if you just took delivery of a brand new
airplane? If you said you were flying it to Oshkosh, no pilot would be
surprised. That is until you mention the flight would cover more than
5,500 nautical miles over the grasslands of Brazil, the Caribbean Ocean,
and the trailing edge of a tropical storm. Well, that is exactly what
Ricardo Stipp did with his RV-10. He is one of eight pilots calling
themselves the Brazilian Airteam that flew three RV-10s from Sao Paolo
to Oshkosh for AirVenture 2010. Read
more |
THE
BUSINESS OF OSHKOSH IS ON SOLID GROUND
 On
Monday, after one of the most unusual days in the 40 years of Oshkosh, I
ran into Hartzell Propeller patriarch Jim Brown. After we made universal
comments about the soggy ground and the thousands of airplanes that
weren't here because they couldn't find a place to park, Jim, without me
asking, said Hartzell had one of the best days ever at its exhibit with
big numbers of airplane owners shopping for new propellers. On Tuesday I
was chatting with Carl Wolf from Garmin and he volunteered that customer
activity at his company's new expanded display was better than
ever. Read
more |
OLDS
SCHOOL: ROBIN OLDS WAS PASSIONATE PATRIOT
 Patriot
with a passion; respectfully rebellious. Definitions that might begin to
frame Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, but would still fall short of the man.
Robin Olds’ daughter Christina shared vignettes of her famous
fighter-pilot father in a Forum session at AirVenture 2010 on Monday. Read
more |
GEARED
DRIVES GIVES RAVIN 500 ECONOMICAL POWER
 The
inspiration for the Ravin 500 kit plane may have been the venerable
Piper Comanche, but the inspiration for the powerplant powering the
Ravin on display here was from Chevrolet. Sporting an all-aluminum
350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) small-block Chevy LS1 crate engine, the Ravin
arrived Monday piloted by the mastermind behind the firewall-forward (FWF)
package, Bud Warren of Geared Drives. Read
more |
ULTRALIGHT/ROTORCRAFT
AREA OFFERS VARIETY
 You
won't find any cows, chickens or goats on this farm. But you will find
an assortment of ultralight and light-sport aircraft at the south end of
the grounds by EAA's Red Barn throughout the annual fly-in and
convention. Flying on The Farm is a longtime tradition at EAA
AirVenture, attracting crowds each morning-the field opens early-and
evening, after the daily air show. Read
more
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GOODYEAR
BLIMP ARRIVES AT PIONEER AIRPORT
 The
Goodyear blimp arrived Tuesday evening at Pioneer Airport and will make
regular flights through the end of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010. On
Friday, July 30, five lucky winners will get to ride in the aircraft as
part of the "I Wanna Blimp Ride" sweepstakes offered by The
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Photographer Stefan Seville caught
the blimp departing on a morning flight Wednesday (July 28) from
Pioneer Airport. |
AMATEUR-BUILT
AIRCRAFT SAFETY: EAA, FAA COLLABORATE ON IMPROVEMENTS
Are amateur-built aircraft operations getting safer? Can industry
identify any trends involving them and take steps to improve their
safety even further? Those are the two main questions members of the
Amateur-Built Joint Safety Committee (AB-JSC) wrestled with Tuesday on
the grounds of EAA AirVenture 2010. And in response to the committee’s
efforts new help is being developed to aid pilots’ understanding of
safety challenges specific to flying amateur-built aircraft. Read
more |
TIPPIN
HITCHES A RIDE TO OSHKOSH WITH YOUNKIN
 Aaron
Tippin was always planning to come to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010. He
just didn't expect to fly in with an air show performer. The country
music star was on the road this week to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for a
performance when his tour bus had engine trouble in Kansas. He was able
to make the show by renting a pickup truck for the gear and a car for
the band. But without the bus he didn't have any way to get to
Oshkosh. Read
more |
E-FLIGHT
PRIZE CHALLENGES EAA COMMUNITY
 EAA
is offering a $60,000 prize to the individual or corporation that can
demonstrate the most promising level of achievement in electric-powered
flight at AirVenture 2011. The prize has been made possible by equal
contributions from AeroLEDs, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Dynon
Avionics, and Wicks Aircraft Supply. Read
more |
ROUNDERS
PLAN THREE YEAR RV-7 TRIP
 For
most Rounders, as those who have crossed every longitude are
known, their trip is over in a relatively short period of time. Not so
for Detlef Heun and Lilliana Tagliamonte. Their rounder plan-which also
includes touching all the latitudes-is expected to take three years. Read
more
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TUSKEGEE
GLIDER CLUB: HELPING YOUTH SOAR INTO THE FUTURE
 Brian
Smith, of the Tuskegee Airmen Glider Club, helped bring decommissioned
Air Force motorized glider trainers to his chapter in Detroit, Michigan.
The Tuskegee Airmen Glider Club from Detroit, Michigan, is introducing
young people to aviation in a very unique way: in a Schweizer SGM 2-37
motorized glider Air Force trainer. The group currently owns three of
them. Read
more |
SEVENTY-FIVE
YEARS OF FLYING FORTRESSES
 It's
been 75 years-that's three-quarters of a century-since the prototype of
the Flying Fortress series took to the skies for the first time over
Seattle, Washington. For so many reasons, the B-17 Flying Fortress became
an American icon. That 75th milestone was reached this week-Wednesday-with
three B-17s in attendance at AirVenture 2010. From the Gulf Coast Wing of
the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), a long-time air show B-17, "Texas
Raiders," shares space on AeroShell Square with other crown jewels of
aviation. Read
more |
FIRST
PILOT TO FLY ONLY WITH FEET CONTINUES TO INSPIRE
 Jessica
Cox said her father never once shed a tear after she was born without
arms. “He never saw me as a victim,” she said, “and that has given
me the strength to be the person I am.” Cox,
a motivational speaker from Tucson, Arizona, is the first pilot
certificated by the FAA to fly with her feet only, with no use of
prosthetic devices or airplane modifications. She spoke Tuesday at EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2010. Read
more
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VARIETY
IS THE THEME AT EAA'S SPIRIT OF AVIATION AUCTION
 Have
you ever dreamed of owning and flying your own Grumman FM-2 Wildcat? How
about taking the controls of a fully restored 1938 Stinson SR-10 that
was flown 140 times by American aviation pioneer Jimmy Doolittle? The
opportunity to bid on both of these magnificent aircraft along with many
others is now possible thanks to the first EAA Spirit of Aviation
Auction at AirVenture this year. Read
more
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FIFI READYING FOR
AIRVENTURE 2011
 Combine
two old air warriors and a modern-day troubadour and the result is a
star-spangled touring event like no other before: the Commemorative Air
Force’s Red, White & Loud Tour starring country music star and pilot
Aaron Tippin and the world’s only flying B-29 - the CAF’s renowned
FiFi. Read
more |
READ
TODAY'S ISSUE OF AIRVENTURE TODAY ONLINE
 The
official newspaper of EAA AirVenture, as found around the grounds. Check
the highlights of the day with this interactive
online edition. |
EAA MERCHANDISE: EAA
SHEET METAL BUILDING BASICS BOOK
 One
week only - purchase the EAA Sheet Metal Building Basics Book for
only $25.00! EAA's "how-to" series of educational materials
for building your own aircraft now includes Sheet Metal Building
Basics, written by longtime builder, SportAir instructor, and sheet
metal construction expert, Jack Dueck. Sheet Metal Building Basics covers
the fundamentals that everyone starting a sheet metal project should
know, plus advanced  material
on stress and fatigue. Regularly $28.95. Now only $25.00! Sale price
good July 25 - August 1. Order
online or call 1-800-564-6322.
PLUS
- be the first to own EAA's World of Flight 2011 Calendar!
Order
online or call 1-800-564-6322.
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| Photo of the Day |
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F-4 and A-4
formation during Wednesday's air show. Courtesy: Roy McMillion |
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Highlights
for Thursday, July 29, 2010 |
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"Old Glory Honor
Flight" to Washington, D.C. (departs 8 a.m., arrives 6
p.m.) |
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Warbirds in Review featuring
Buck & Bill Patillo with 2 P-51s, Sweet & Lovely
and Little Rebel, and USAF Thunderbird No. 7 (10 a.m.) |
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Warbirds in Review featuring
Clyde East with the P-51 Lil Margaret (1 p.m.) |
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Afternoon Air Show featuring
Classic Warbird jets (approx. 3 p.m.) |
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Electric aircraft demonstration
flights at Ultralight area (evening) |
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Gathering of Eagles
fundraiser for aviation youth education (5:30 p.m.) |
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Theater in the Woods: Women
in Aviation (7 p.m.) |
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Theater in the Woods: 75th
Anniversary of the DC-3, Ron Alexander and David Hartman (8 p.m.) |
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Fly-In Theater feature film:
"The Final Countdown" (1980, rated PG), introduced by
Rico Sharqawi – executive producer, "A Pilot’s
Story" (8:30 p.m.) |
EAA
Desktop Calendar
July
2010
The Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team of Bill Gordon and
Billy Segalla celebrate their 20th season as a
two-plane formation aerobatic act this summer in
their Christen Eagle biplanes, including a
performance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010.
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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SPIDERTRACKS
LAUNCHES NEXT-GENERATION AIRCRAFT TRACKING SYSTEM
New Zealand-based aircraft tracking company Spidertracks this week
launched its next-generation aircraft emergency location system,
designed specifically for GA pilots and operators. Spidertracks says its
Aviator service-in conjunction with a new on-board device, the S3-is a
complete aircraft locating solution, with automatic activation and
tracking from takeoff to landing.
The company's aircraft location system
has been paired with a new social networking-based website allowing
pilots to share their flights and their love of flying with other
aviators.
Spidertracks marketing manager Rachel
Donald says Aviator is primarily an emergency location system designed
to improve the survivability of pilots and crew in an accident
situation. "You can't rely on your ELT to survive the crash and
transmit," she said.
The S3 will retail at $995 and
Spidertracks is offering new pricing plans to suit the number of hours
pilots fly. To learn more, visit Spidertracks in booth 3133 during EAA
AirVenture 2010 or online at www.spidertracks.com.
LINCOLN ELECTRIC WANTS
TO UPGRADE YOUR WELDING EQUIPMENT
Looking to upgrade your current welding equipment? Lincoln Electric is
offering special AirVenture 2010 show discount pricing incentives on MIG,
TIG and engine-driven welders, spool guns, plasma cutters and
auto-darkening helmets during show hours.
Take advantage of this opportunity to get
your questions answered by factory technical reps, to sample product
operation at the hands-on demo stations and learn more about equipment
and best welding practices.
Beyond these savings, Lincoln Electric's
Money Matters customer rebate promotion will also be offered at the
show. For a limited time, customers can apply for a manufacturer's
rebate of up to $200 on one of four welding machines including the Power
Mig 140c, Power Mig 180c, Power Mig 216, and Ranger 225.
After purchasing a qualified welder from
a Money Matters participating distributor, customers can submit their
proof of purchase online at www.lincolnelectric.com/moneymatters
and will receive a check in the mail. For more information on these
products, visit www.lincolnelectric.com.
AVIDYNE, JEPPESEN'S
NEW SOFTWARE ALLOWS COCKPIT DISPLAY OF EUROPEAN VFR CHARTS
Avionics maker Avidyne Corporation and charting specialist Jeppesen this
month said they received Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval of
Release 8.1 software for Avidyne's Entegra EX5000 Multi-function
displays (MFD), which adds the ability to display Jeppesen's European
VFR Charts.
"Avidyne and Jeppesen recognize the
situational awareness benefits of electronic charts in the
cockpit," said Thomas Wede, Jeppesen Senior Vice President and
General Manager, Aviation.
"We are pleased to continue that
relationship by offering our mutual customers in Europe access to
electronic versions of these safety-enhancing piloting
tools."
Avidyne's Release 8.1 varies depending on
a customer's installed avionics and software configuration. Learn more
at Avidyne's website www.avidyne.com.
Charting subscription services are available through Jeppesen www.jeppesen.com.
AIR SAFARIS
INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES FRANCE TOUR
Air Safaris International Inc., known for its popular adventure flying
vacations in Australia and Canada, is now offering its first itinerary
in France - a 1,800 NM circumnavigator tour of the French countryside,
away from busy airspaces.
The highlights of this 14-day tour
include stops in Champagne, the French Riviera, a country chateau with a
private airstrip, the medieval walled town of Carcassonne and a trip to
the Normandy beaches. There will be several two-night stops to allow
participants more time to explore with the group or on their own.
This tour is fully escorted with both a
lead pilot and a tour director who together take care of the logistics
so that the participants can relax and focus on enjoying
themselves.
The inaugural tour will launch in June
2011. For more information and to sign up for the tour, check the Air
Safaris International website at www.airsafarisint.com.
CAV AEROSPACE DISPLAYS
300TH BONANZA TKS INSTALLATION
The 300th Beech Bonanza fitted with a TKS "weeping wing" ice
protection system by CAV Aerospace is on display at EAA AirVenture 2010.
The landmark Bonanza is a 1979 V-35B model, one of the last classic
V-tail versions built.
In addition to CAV's TKS installation,
the airplane has been upgraded with an Atlantic Aero engine and cowling
plus a custom avionics suite and a redone interior. It belongs to Randy
Africano, an American Bonanza Society board member.
CAV's TKS systems provide anti-icing
protection by distributing a measured amount of glycol-based ice
protection fluid through precision laser-drilled microscopic holes in
wing leading edges fashioned of titanium. The company also offers a
dispersion mechanism for propellers.
The systems are available for most
high-performance general aviation aircraft. More than 6,000 general
aviation airplanes and unmanned aircraft have flown with the company's
ice protection system. For more information, visit www.weepingwings.com.
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