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September 3, 2010 Volume 10, Number
42
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ASTM
STANDARDS FOR S-LSA DON'T INCLUDE INSTRUMENT WEATHER OPERATIONS
Discussions center on consumer notification
EAA has received a number of calls and e-mails regarding an AVWeb
story on Thursday (since clarified) that may have caused some confusion
about the limits of special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) operations in
instrument weather conditions. A subcommittee for ASTM International,
which administers the consensus standards for light-sport aircraft, has
taken action that would provide better notification to LSA buyers and
owners regarding use of the aircraft in instrument conditions. It
requires consumer notification that S-LSA do not comply with any design
standard for instrument flight operations. Read
more
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KINGS
SEEK LEARNING OPPORTUNITY IN SECURITY BLUNDER
 Last weekend’s
incident in which the Santa Barbara Police Department detained and
handcuffed John and Martha King at gunpoint revealed a number of
shortcomings within the system that John, commenting in his blog, said
need to be fixed before a tragedy occurs. As was previously reported,
John and Martha were placed in custody upon landing after the airplane
they were flying, a leased Cessna 172 Skyhawk from Cessna Aircraft Co.,
was wrongfully identified by the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) as
stolen because it carried the very N-number - N50545 - of a C-150
stolen eight years ago from McKinney, Texas. Read
more
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THE
FAA DIDN'T KNOW THE KINGS WERE FLYING
Pilots believe that because they have entered their name, address, phone
number, the number of people on board and so on into an IFR flight plan
that the FAA controllers have all of that information. That isn't the
way the FAA's system works. So when local police, acting on an
inaccurate tip from a group within the TSA that an airplane had been
stolen, detained famous instructors John and Martha King last weekend,
the FAA and controllers didn't know who was flying the airplane - even
though it was on an IFR clearance. Read
more
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FAA:
EXISTING TTF AGREEMENTS MAY BE ALLOWED, BUT NOT NEW ONES
 People
with existing residential through-the-fence agreements at public-use
airports will be allowed to continue with those agreements…provided
they meet certain requirements, the FAA announced at a meeting in
Washington, D.C., Wednesday, September 1. At the meeting, attended by
EAA’s Randy Hansen and Doug Macnair and other association
representatives, the FAA said it expects to publish a new TTF policy in
the coming days, but revealed that current agreements can continue
provided they meet safety, airport revenue, airspace, and land use
criteria. Read
more | Listen
to EAA’s Randy Hansen on the FAA’s upcoming revised policy on
Through The Fence Agreements
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SEE
GIANT-SCALE RC AIRCRAFT FLY AT OSHKOSH SEPTEMBER 11
 Giant-scale
radio controlled (RC) model aircraft will take to the skies normally
occupied by their much-larger brethren during the inaugural "Big
Birds Over EAA" on Saturday, September 11, at Wittman Regional
Airport in Oshkosh. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between
the Main Gate and AeroShell Square on the EAA AirVenture grounds.
Concessions will be available and EAA AirVenture Museum admission will
be free all day on Saturday, September 11. Read
more
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GET
YOUR COMPLIMENTARY AIRVENTURE 2010 SOUVENIR PROGRAM - DIGITAL EDITION!
 EAA
members can now view the digital edition of the EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh 2010 Commemorative Souvenir Program. See 194 pages of
exclusive features and stunning photography, including the DC-3, B-17,
electric aircraft, the history of AirVenture, and much more! To view the
AirVenture 2010 program now, click
here.
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SPITFIRE
CRASH MARS 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Rare Spitfire flips on landing in Norway killing pilot
 A
Mk XVIII Spitfire flipped on landing last month at Tynset Airfield in
Norway, killing the pilot. Bertil Gerhardt was arriving in advance of a
weekend air show when the accident occurred. Photos of the crash show
the aircraft was mostly undamaged except for the nose, vertical tail,
and cockpit windscreen. Read
more
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TWO
HOMEBUILTS VIE TO BREAK LONDON-CAPE TOWN RECORD
 Seventy
years ago Alex Henshaw set a record for flying a Percival Mew Gull
racing aircraft from London, England, to Cape Town, South Africa, and
back in 4 days, 10 hours, and 6 minutes. In 2009, Charles "Chalkie"
Stobbart, a South African Airways pilot, broke Henshaw's record by
flying an Osprey GP 4 from Cape Town to London and back in 3 days, 15
hours, 17 minutes. Suddenly pilots are seemingly lining up to try and
break this record: At this writing, Steve Noujaim is en route in an
attempt to beat Stobbart's time and a fourth pilot will have a go next
year. Read
more
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EAA
CHAPTERS ENJOY NEW AIRVENTURE MORNING SESSIONS
 Chapter
leaders and volunteers joined together daily in a new setting at EAA
AirVenture 2010 that proved to be very popular. Each morning featured
more than 50 participants enjoying a light breakfast among friends as
they explored a topic important to local chapters. Topics included
membership recruitment, social networking, chapter newsletters, and
websites. Read
more
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OSA'S
ARK MAKES FIRST SUCCESSFUL S-38 ATLANTIC CROSSING
 Osa's
Ark, a reproduction of the Sikorsky S-38, has successfully crossed
the Atlantic, the first time this aircraft type has accomplished this feat. Tom
Schrade, EAA 386077, departed Anoka, Minnesota, on a quest to fly to
Berlin, Germany, for charity. Schrade left on Saturday, August 21; he
says there have been three previous attempts to cross the Atlantic in an
S-38, but none were successful. According to the SPOT GPS tracking of his route, he crossed
Canada, Greenland, and Iceland on his way. Currently Schrade is near
Dortmund, Germany, west of Berlin. His itinerary
shows he will eventually end up in Zurich, Switzerland.
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RUTAN:
RETIREMENT REPORT 'SPECULATION'
 Reports
this week of the imminent retirement of EAA member and aviation icon
Burt Rutan are somewhat exaggerated, according to Rutan himself. The
website parabolicarc.com
reported that sources in Mojave indicated he and his wife, Tonya, were
putting their Mojave home on the market and moving to a spread in Idaho.
"Yes, but not quite yet," Rutan replied in an e-mail.
"The story was not released by me, in fact it was speculation, and
I still do not know when I will retire. I think it will be in 2011, but
I definitely plan to work for at least the next 6 months."
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FAA
MAY HAVE SOLVED DULUTH AIRPORT APPROACH DISPUTE
 A
dispute over how to comply with an FAA directive to remove or top off
large, old-growth trees that are encroaching on the approach of Duluth,
Minnesota’s Sky Harbor Airport (DYT) may have been solved last week
when the FAA announced that rather than cutting down nearly 1,200 trees
near the runway - anathema to environmental interests - the airport
could instead put up obstruction lights to warn pilots of the trees. Read
more
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GULFSTREAM
G650 REACHES .995 MACH
 Gulfstream's
new G650 recently achieved a speed of Mach 0.995 during flutter testing
in its 1,800-hour flight-test program, the company reported this week.
Gulfstream experimental test pilots Tom Horne and Gary Freeman along
with flight test engineer Bill Osborne took S/N 6001 into a dive,
pitching the aircraft's nose 16 to 18 degrees below the horizon. Because
the FAA requires aircraft demonstrate the capability to fly .07 Mach
above the target Maximum Mach Operating speed (MMO), and the G650's
planned MMO is .925 Mach, that would make it the world's fastest civil
aircraft, eclipsing the .920 Mach MMO of Cessna's Citation X.
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SPORTAIR
WORKSHOP IN NEW HAMPSHIRE SEPTEMBER 18-19
 Thinking
about building an aircraft but not sure how to take the first step?
Daniel Webster College’s Aviation Department in Nashua, New Hampshire,
will host SportAir’s weekend workshop program on September 18-19 with
a series of workshops aimed at teaching you the fundamentals of aircraft
construction. An intensive two-day “boot camp” includes courses on
Composite Construction, Sheet Metal, Electrical Systems and Avionics,
and Fabric Covering. You’ll work on individual and class projects, and
learn the ins and outs of homebuilt aircraft construction. At the end of
the weekend, you’ll leave with a great feeling of accomplishment and
the confidence to take the next step; joining over 30,000 other
individuals in building your own airplane. Read
more
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ALUMINUM
OVERCAST AND TRI-MOTOR CONTINUE TOURS
 EAA's
restored B-17 Aluminum Overcast continues its tour throughout the
United States, hosted by EAA Chapter 73 in Caldwell, New Jersey,
September 3-5. The Flying Fortress then moves on to Trenton, New Jersey,
September 7-8, hosted by EAA Chapter 78. At all tour stops, visitors
have the opportunity to tour the B-17 and even take a flight on the
bomber.
 Also
continuing its tour and offering rides, EAA's 1929 Ford Tri-Motor will
be in North Little Rock, Arkansas, until September 6. Afterward,
visitors can see the "Tin Goose," No. 146 off the assembly
line, at the West Memphis Municipal Airport in West Memphis, Arkansas,
September 9-12.
For more information on the tours and to
book tickets, visit www.B17.org or www.FlytheFord.org.
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RESERVE
YOUR SPOT FOR EAA'S B-17 FANTASY FLIGHT CAMP - NOW 3 DAYS!
 At
the weekend B-17 Fantasy Flight Camp (December 2-5, 2010), you will get
up close and personal for three days with one of the most famous
airplanes of World War II - including a 20-minute flight experience!
Schedule - Thursday: Arrival and Tour of B-17. Friday: Maintenance and
Fireside Chat. Saturday: History, Systems, Ground School, and Ball
Turret Demo. Saturday: Fly! Space is limited - secure your spot today. Click
here for more information.
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: SAVE 50% ON BARON QUIKLINK AVIATION SUBSCRIPTIONS
 Get
the latest aviation weather information through a quick and easy
internet service - Baron QuikLink. Choose from Wings $14.99, Wings Plus
$24.99, and Wings Elite $49.99. It's great for preflight planning and
enhanced situational awareness - plus it's brought to you by the weather
data company behind XM WX Satellite Weather. Click
here to find out how you can save 50% on one of three Baron
QuikLink aviation subscriptions.
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EAA MERCHANDISE:
 ONE
WEEK ONLY! HUGE SAVINGS ON TONY BINGELIS BOOKS
Through September 7, get master builder Tony Bingelis' four-piece
aircraft construction library - Bingelis on Engines, Firewall
Forward, Sportplane Builder, and Sportplane Construction -
and save $20! Or save $5 on individually purchased books, containing
valuable information for all aircraft builders, restorers, and
mechanics. Order
your Bingelis books online or call 800-564-6322.
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EAA Sport Aviation
Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions!
Post of the Week!
Last Friday, EAA Chief Photographer Jim
Koepnick did an air-to-air photo shoot of a Supermarine Seafire Mk.
XV. You'll have to wait for a future issue of EAA Sport Aviation
magazine to see the results of his efforts, but there are some
behind-the-scenes photos from the flight that we thought were worth
sharing. This
one is our favorite - there's just something about Jim's manic
enthusiasm for his job that is both infectious and vaguely
disturbing: See the rest of the photos here
and here.
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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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Drag-Free Vortex Generators |
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Among GE’s corporate research projects is one for incorporating drag-free vortex generators into aircraft wings. Fixed mechanical vortex generators help during take-off but cause extra drag during cruise mode, so GE is making piezo electric actuators for vortex generators which integrate smoothly into the wings. |
Global Observer Maiden Flight: Batteries Included |
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The electric-powered Global Observer communications and sensor UAV made its maiden flight in August. Batteries supplied power for its first flight, but the long-term plan is to use liquid hydrogen as the energy source and fly for 5 to 7 days at an altitude of 55,000 to 65,000 feet. |
Flying Damaged Drones To Improve Aviation Safety |
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Rockwell Collins has developed computer fly-by-wire systems which not only control normal flight but also make it possible to fly even when the aircraft is severely damaged. Test flights with drones have shown successful flight control with half of one wing and only one rudder, and they are even testing conditions where 80 percent of one wing is gone. |
| Zelopter is Part Car, Part Helicopter |
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Flyingtronix, a company founded by Rakesh Sharmah plans to build a vehicle topped by four small propellers controlled by the company’s advanced technology. The Zelopter would be available with two, four or 16 seats and would have a 400-mile range, and be highly automated using avionics designed and created by Flyingtronix engineers. |
| Variable Canard System for Reentry |
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The canard control system can automatically adjust the position and flow conditions of the re-entry vehicle – in the same way that the control surfaces on a plane can be angled to change its attitude. However, the conditions at altitudes of 100–200 kilometers – where the steering fin system is active – are quite different. Above 100 kilometers, there is not an absolute vacuum, but the air there is so thin that aerodynamic forces cannot affect the attitude of the vehicle. |
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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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TRANSITIONING FROM GA TO
LSA?
Watch This Webinar!
Brian and Carol Carpenter will
cover what the typical general
aviation pilot needs to know in
order to safely transition to a
light sport aircraft. Brian and
Carol are the owners of Rainbow
Aviation, specializing in Sport
Aviation since 1991.
To
find out more about upcoming EAA
Webinars and to register, visit the webinars
page.
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HINTS FOR HOMEBUILDERS: MACHINE
TURNING
 Do
you love the look of a machine-turned finish? John Brecher shows you how
easy it is to obtain it for your project. John is an EAA SportAir
Workshop instructor, an A&P mechanic with Inspection Authorization
(IA), and a homebuilder. Watch
the video.
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TIMELESS VOICES OF
AVIATION: DANNY RUSSELL
 Danny
Russell enlisted in the Air Force in 1966. After basic training at
Lackland Air Force Base, he was sent to Keesler Air Force Base and
trained in Morse Code as a Morse Radio Intercept Operator. Danny spent
two years in Japan before joining the 6994th Security Squadron based at
Pleiku Air Base in South Vietnam. The 6994th worked in conjunction with
the 360th, 361st, and 362nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons flying
EC-47s and using Airborne Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) equipment to
detect and locate Viet Cong and North Vietnamese radio transmitters on
the Ho Chi Minh Trail. As a Morse Radio Intercept Operator, or “Ditty-Bop,”
Danny flew in the back of the airplane listening for Morse Code signals.
On April 22, 1970, Danny’s airplane was hit by anti-aircraft fire
while on a combat mission near Laos. The plane crashed near A Loui
Airfield in South Vietnam. The pilot and Danny’s best friend, Radio
Operator Michael R. Conner, were killed in the crash. Danny and the
remaining five crewmembers, although wounded, were rescued by
helicopter. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 47
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
Re: annual condition inspections for experimental
amateur-built aircraft. The requirement for a
condition inspection within the last 12 months is in
the Phase II section. My aircraft is still in Phase
I. I have not endorsed the aircraft log to move it
into Phase II. In this situation, what is the
requirement, if any, for a condition inspection from
a regulatory, not practical, perspective?
Answer: While
the inspection requirement paragraph may happen to
be located in an area of the Operating Limitations
document that you describe as "Phase II,"
that does not mean it does not apply during the
testing phase. In fact, there are many other
paragraphs that apply to ALL operations of the
aircraft from initial certification was well, such
as the prohibition against glider and banner towing,
the requirement for the pilot to have the
appropriate category/class rating, pilot certificate
or instructor endorsement, placards, etc.
The only operating
limitations that do not apply for the entire service
life of the aircraft are those found that apply to Phase
1 testing only. All the rest apply from the date
of issuance.
Also, you need to
check the endorsement made by the DAR/FAA inspector
who signed the aircraft records at the completion of
the airworthiness inspection. The entry should
include a statement that the aircraft be inspected
at the end of the initial 12-month period, which
carries the same weight as the operating
limitations.
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
September
2010
The Viper, Modified Pitts S2S, flown by Jason
Newburg at AirVenture 2010. Photo by DeKevin
Thornton.
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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AEROLEDS
UPGRADES SUNSPOT36X LANDING AND TAXI LIGHT
AeroLEDs has replaced its SunSpot36X landing light with two new models.
The new SunSpot36HX will draw 45 watts of power and produce 60,000
candelas, have integrated wig-wag feature (no external flash box
required), and is available with either landing lens or taxi lens
configuration. The new SunSpot 36LX draws 30 watts, producing 40,000
candelas, does not have integrated wig-wag feature, and is available
with either a landing or taxi lens configuration. For more information, click
here.
NEW EDITION OF
ASA INSTRUMENT FLYING TEXTBOOK AVAILABLE
The Sixth Edition of The Pilots Manual: Instrument Flying and
the Fourth Edition of The Pilots Manual: Instrument Rating Syllabus are
now available from ASA. Instrument Flying provides full color
illustrations and photographs to help simplify the aeronautical
knowledge and practical skills needed to earn an instrument rating and
operate under IFR conditions. Instrument Rating Syllabus can be used in
coordination with the textbook or adapted to any study program. For more
information, click
here.
INDUS PLAN TO
MAKE THORPEDOS IN CHINA PROGRESSES
Dallas-based IndUS Aviation continues to make progress to
move production of the Thorpedo light-sport aircraft to the new LuYangHu
General Aviation Development Zone in Weinan, China. Parts and support
for the Thorpedo S-LSA will continue to be provided from the US
headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Under the new partnership, IndUS USA will
be responsible for all research and development, modifications, and
technical updates in the USA, with requisite FAA and international
aviation agency approvals. The Thorpedo S-LSA is derived from the FAR
23-type certified Thorp T-211 SkySkooter. For more information, click
here.
AMERICAN LEGEND
OFFERS GARMIN G3X
American Legend, which outfits the Legend Cub with avionics,
is now offering the Garmin G3X large-screen display with full primary
flight display functions, including weather, terrain, METARs, NOTAMs,
PIREPs, traffic, and more. The Garmin G3X comes with
attitude/directional guidance, electronic engine monitoring, moving-map,
airport diagrams, and synthetic vision features. For more information,
visit click here.
NEW IPHONE GAME
FEATURES FANTASY OF FLIGHT'S GEE BEE
RACER
Using Fantasy of Flight Founder Kermit Weeks' book All
of Life is a School, KWIP Inc. developed, "Gee Bee the Little Racer
and Friends," an airplane flying game available for Apple's iPod
Touch, iPhone, and iPad. In the game, players fly the animated "Gee
Bee Zee" monoplane and five airplane friends through various
levels, dodging birds and blimps, racing to deliver packages, and more.
The game is available for $1.99. Click
here to learn more.
YINGLING
AVIATION ADDS SKYCATCHER REPAIR AUTHORITY
Yingling Aviation has been approved by the FAA to maintain, inspect, and
alter the Cessna 162 Skycatcher S-LSA aircraft. "This means we can
not only perform maintenance on the airplanes, we are approved to sign
off on the repairs and return them to service," said Yingling's
Vice President of Repair Station Operations Bob Gallop. Along with being
the first to receive FAA approval, Yingling is also the only active
Skycatcher assembly site. Customers can monitor their airplane's
assembly via webcam on Yingling's website. To learn more, click
here.
ACE AIRCRAFT
ANNOUNCES JUNIOR ACE KIT PRICING
Ace Aircraft Inc. announced that Experimental Amateur-Built
kits for the updated Junior Ace Model E will be offered at $20,950. Kits
for the updated Junior Ace Model 6 will be slightly higher. Prices are
for taildragger configurations and don't include taxes, crating, or
shipping charges. Kits will be firewall aft and include a pre-welded
fuselage, wing materials and fuel tanks, tires, wheels, brakes, seats
and seatbelts, windscreen, turtledeck, and covering material. Special
and Experimental Light Sport prices are still being evaluated. For more
information, click here.
WICKS AIRCRAFT
TO HOST FIRST ANNUAL FORUM
On Saturday, October 9, Wicks Aircraft Supply will host a
one-day forum at its facilities. Speakers include EAA's new president
Rod Hightower, Sport Aviation editor Mary Jones, John Monnett, Ron
Wagner, and more. Before and after the program, Wicks will provide tours
of its facilities. The event is free to pilots and all EAA members, but
reservations are required. For more information, e-mail
Scott Wick or call 800-221-9425.
"THE
AVIATORS" BROADCAST PREMIERE THIS SATURDAY
The television series, "The Aviators," will
premiere on Canadian network television this Saturday, September 4, at
11:30 and will also be broadcast in the United States on Public
Broadcasting Stations starting as soon as next week in some markets
(viewers should check with their local PBS stations). Episode one
features segments on the Tiger Moth biplane, the U.S. Air Force's
mammoth C5M, an interview with Miracle on the Hudson hero Jeff Skiles, a
flat spin survivor, and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. To preview the show click
here.
DYNON ROLLS OUT
VERSION 5.4 FOR D10/D100/D180 SERIES
Dynon Avionics has introduced software version 5.4 for their EFIS-D10A,
EFIS-D100, and FlightDEK-D180 units. The upgrade features enhanced
autopilot pitch control, as well as user-adjustable parameters to
optimize autopilot performance for each aircraft. These improvements are
said to offer passenger comfort and expand support to a wider range of
airframes. For more information, click
here.
FREE NASA HD APP
FOR IPAD AVAILABLE
ASA has unveiled NASA App HD, a new free mobile application
for the Apple iPad. The app features live streaming video from NASA
Television, an interactive map with links to all the agency's field
centers, quick links to feature stories and launch schedules, a
scrolling "alerts banner," and a "NASA Featured"
link. The app's landing page features the solar system, where users can
learn more about our neighborhood, the universe, and NASA missions. Get
the app by clicking here.
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