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September 17, 2010 Volume 10, Number
44
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RENO 2010: RELENTLESS
LOSES PROP IN FLIGHT
 "Unexpected"
may become the watchword for the 2010 Reno Air Races, especially in the
Super Sport Class. Qualifying runs and heat races began Wednesday,
September 15, with racing running through Sunday, September 19, at Reno,
Nevada's Stead Airport. The first indication came when John Parker's
Blue Thunder II (Super Sport Class) was spotted last Sunday in the
hangar, cowl off, puddles of fluids under her, and the engine
half-removed. Then on Tuesday, Kevin Eldredge's Nemesis NXT Relentless
lost its propeller in flight forcing him from the field. With perennial
contenders Jon Sharp and Darryl Greenameyer both absent this year, Super
Sport looks wide open. Read
more
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SPORT
AVIATION ARCHIVE: EAA CONNECTIONS AT RENO RUN DEEP
 The
National Championship Races at Reno is one of those events where
creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation are rewarded. It's also is a
place where the EAA spirit is alive as competitors work hard to gain an
edge but also are quick to help when a racer experiences mechanical
setbacks. This year the propeller on the Nemesis NXT separated in
flight, which brings back memories of 2004 when the same aircraft
experienced mechanical misfortune. EAA Sport Aviation profiled
the strong ties between EAA and the Reno races, proclaiming the event
had a little bit of "Oshkosh." Read
the article
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RUTAN DEFIANT: BURT SENDS
HOME MOVIE TO EAA
 In
the 1970s Burt Rutan designed the Defiant, a push-pull light twin that
would be safe and easy to fly, even during an engine failure. The first
prototype flew in 1978 and the Rutan Aircraft Factory announced in 1979
that it would proceed with certification. During the development, a
video was made to showcase the design process at the Rutan Aircraft
Factory (RAF). It features a young Burt Rutan at a drawing board
sketching out the design as glimpses of the finished airplane are
interspersed with Beethoven-infused flying sequences-but we'll let Burt
introduce the video. Watch
the video
For the real old-timers, this one is
sure to bring back some memories. The old video shows how RAF did
aircraft design in the '70s, and includes some fun beating up the hills
west of Mojave. Enjoy!
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ANOTHER DEFIANT YOU MAY
NOT HAVE HEARD OF
Battle of Britain Turret Fighter Doomed by Rapidly Evolving Tactics
 Last
week (September 10) we told you the story of a Dornier 17 that was
discovered at the bottom of the English Channel 70 years after being
shot down by a Boulton Paul Defiant “turret fighter” in August 1940.
As it turns out for the Defiants, that engagement would essentially mark
their end as a frontline fighter in the Battle of Britain. The 290-mph
Defiant was obsolete and vulnerable almost before it was deployed in May
1940. The aircraft was designed to attack unescorted bombers by flying
in large formations while the “turret gunners” used a dorsal mounted
turret to fire at incoming bombers with four 7.7-mm Browning machine
guns. Read
more
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FAA
READY TO ISSUE FLIGHT TRAINING LODAS FOR EXPERIMENTALS
The long-awaited guidance for LODAs or Letter of Deviation Authority has
finally been published by the FAA, but the guidance does very little to
improve training availability for E-LSA aircraft. The various FAA
branches have been debating for quite some time the final guidelines
that Flight Standards offices would use to issue these authorizations.
As part of a new push by the FAA to encourage transition training for
experimental aircraft, the new guidance facilitates this aim by
permitting flight training for compensation through the LODA process.
The new LODA procedures, however, appear to increase barriers to
training for E-LSA aircraft by limiting LODAs to areas where certified
LSA are not available and by not allowing the use of E-LSA trainers for
the purpose of attaining ratings, certificates, or other flying
privileges. Read
more
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JEFF
SKILES CONCERNED NEW PILOT FATIGUE RULES FALL SHORT OF SAFETY GOAL
 Last
week (September 10) the FAA released the long-awaited proposed rules
controlling duty and rest cycles of airline pilots. The notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) grew out of a new focus on pilot fatigue by
the NTSB and the FAA following the Colgan Air Crash in 2009.  The
new rules, if adopted, would affect scheduled airlines including cargo
operations, but FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt says similar rules will
likely extend to air taxi operators as well. EAA Radio's Fareed Guyot
talked with Jeff Skiles of the Coalition of Airline Pilot Associations
(Jeff is also co-chairman of the EAA Young Eagles program) about whether
the new rules will really fix the problem and how general aviation
pilots guard against fatigue. Listen
to the interview
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NTSB
PARTLY BLAMES 'SEE AND AVOID' FOR 2009 HUDSON RIVER MID-AIR
 The
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) blamed the "inherent
limitations" of the FAA's visual "See and Avoid" traffic
avoidance concept, along with pilot error and a distracted air traffic
controller talking on his cell phone, as probable causes of the Augut
2009 mid-air collision over the Hudson River in New York City that
caused the deaths of nine people. This may be the first time the NTSB
has cited the FAA's official technique for visual traffic avoidance, and
called for increased use of electronic traffic alert systems in
helicopters. The finding is a noticeable shift since the NTSB has
usually placed blame on the pilots in these types of accidents for not
properly adhering to "See and Avoid." EAA Radio's Fareed Guyot
talked with Sport Aviation technology columnist Max Trescott about
whether the NTSB may push for onboard traffic systems in all aircraft. Listen
to the interview
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BOEING
TO DEMOLISH HOME OF THE B-17
 The
aircraft factory that helped transform Seattle into a high-tech
industrial giant is slated to be torn down. Boeing's Plant 2 gave birth
to some of the most significant aircraft of World War II, introduced
women into industrial jobs on a large scale (known as Rosie the
Riveters), and even participated in some large-scale subterfuge. Plant 2
played a significant role in the war effort and the launch of many
successful aircraft models that have been key in Boeing's dominance in
both military and commercial markets. During World War II the plant
produced 6,500 B-17s and launched the career of the "Father of the
B-17." Read
more
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COUPLE
EMBARKS ON AROUND-THE-WORLD VACATION
 Patrick
and Linda Walker, of Surrey, England, are off on a vacation many of us
would love to take: flying around the world in their Long-EZ.
"Nothing more, nothing less," Patrick wrote in an e-mail
describing their journey this week. "We shall go as far as we can,
and if we happen to make it all the way around, then great; if not,
then, hey, we had a good time anyway." Read
more
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OPRAH
ENLISTS JOHN TRAVOLTA TO FLY STUDIO AUDIENCE TO AUSTRALIA
 In
a dramatic beginning to the 25th and final season of the daytime talk
show Oprah, host Oprah Winfrey surprised the 300-person studio audience
when she announced they were going to travel with her to Australia in
December. As the audience screamed with delight, a loosely-based mock-up of a Qantas
747 fuselage slid onto the stage and John Travolta stepped out in full
Qantas uniform. (Travolta works part time for the airline as a goodwill ambassador.) Read
more
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CANADIAN
NATIONAL EAA CONVENTION IS THIS WEEKEND
 The
inaugural Wings over Gatineau/Canadian EAA Convention/Fly-In is here and
members from throughout Canada are converging on the Ottawa/Gatineau
Airport (CYND). This airport serves as headquarters of the Vintage Wings
of Canada and its collection of airworthy vintage and warbird aircraft.
Stop in at EAA's Membership Center and visit with Adam Smith and Ron
Wagner from EAA headquarters in Oshkosh, as well as Jack Dueck of the
EAA Canadian Council. Be a part of this inaugural event and help it grow
for the future! Click here for complete information on the weekend's
activities, and look for a full report next week. Read
more
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ARTIFACTS
FROM HUGHES XF-11 CRASH FOR SALE
 A
control yoke and various documents are part of a private sale of items
that relate to the 1946 crash of the XF-11, a reconnaissance prototype
that was being developed by Hughes Aircraft Company. Howard Hughes was
flying the aircraft when an oil leak caused the right propeller to slam
into reverse. Hughes tried to reach the Los Angeles Country Club golf
course but crashed short, slamming into a Beverly Hills, California
home. The fiery crash was horrific and Hughes was lucky to survive,
thanks in part to Marine Sergeant William Durkin, who was nearby and
pulled him from the wreckage. As gratitude for saving his life, Howard
Hughes gave Durkin the control yoke from the plane. Six months after the
crash he also wrote a letter of thanks to Durkin, who was stationed in
China at that time. In the letter Hughes asks Durkin about his future
plans and, as indicated by the items up for sale, plans for a restaurant
had been started. Also available is the two-page narrative of the crash
from the perspective of Durkin. Read
more
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BOEING
TO ENTER SPACE TOURISM BUSINESS
 Boeing
announced this week it will launch a space taxi system with Space
Adventures Ltd. of Vienna, Virginia, in which passengers would fly in
low-Earth orbit on a new seven-person spaceship Boeing is developing.
According to a
report in the Chicago Tribune, Space Adventures will sell
passenger seats aboard the spaceship dubbed Crew Space
Transportation-100, expected to be ready by 2015 and designed to fly
atop a variety of launch vehicles. The spaceship is in the running for
NASA's vehicle to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space
Station after the space shuttle program ends next year. If NASA chooses
Boeing, the plan is for Space Adventures to sell the open seats on those
ISS flights, the paper reported. See
a video animation of what Boeing envisions what a typical
spaceflight might look like.
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CALL YOUR LOCAL PBS
STATION AND ASK FOR THE AVIATORS
 Anxious
to see the television series, The Aviators, on your local public
broadcasting channel? The show, which premiered at AirVenture this year
and commenced regular broadcasts on Canadian television earlier this
month, is a new weekly magazine-style TV series featuring interesting
people, the latest aircraft, cool technology, and the best fly-in
destinations. If you want to see it locally, we encourage you to call
your local PBS station. To preview the show click
here.
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SPORTAIR
WORKSHOPS HEADS TO THE NORTHWEST AND OSHKOSH
 After
a successful Denver session, EAA SportAir Workshops is on the road to
Prineville, Oregon, for a series of workshops October 9-10, hosted by
EAA Chapter 617. "This will be the first time we've been to Oregon,
and we're looking forward to teaming with Chapter 617 to present our
most popular workshops," said Mark Forss program coordinator.
Featured workshops include Fabric Covering, Composite Construction,
Sheet Metal, and Electrical Systems. Read
more
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WANT TO LAND ON THE WHITE
HOUSE LAWN? WATCH THIS WEBINAR
Landing a helicopter on the South Lawn of
the White House is a feat that few pilots have accomplished. Lt. Col.
Lindy Kirkland, USMC (Ret), will take you for an inside look at Marine
Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) and the pilots who fly the President of
the United States.
All
webinars begin at 7 p.m. CDT. To
find out more about upcoming EAA
Webinars and to register, visit the webinars
page.
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EAA'S
B-17 AND FORD TRI-MOTOR CONTINUE U.S. TREK
 EAA's
restored B-17 Aluminum Overcast is in Romeoville, Illinois, this
weekend, September 17-19, hosted by EAA Warbird Squadron 4. After a
little break, the Flying Fortress will move on to Cincinnati, Ohio,
October 1-3, hosted by EAA Warbird Squadron 18. The B-17's tour will
continue throughout the eastern United States through November, so click
here for flights and the complete schedule.
 Wrapping
up its tour, EAA's 1929 Ford Tri-Motor will spend September 16-19 in
Atlanta, Georgia, at the Gwinnett County Airport - Briscoe Field. Then
the "Tin Goose" will make its final stop in Knoxville,
Tennessee, September 23-26, at the Knoxville Downtown Island Airport.
For more information, click here.
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RESERVE
YOUR B-17 FANTASY FLIGHT CAMP SPOT, USE E-Z PAY
 Experience
the Flying Fortress for as little as four easy payments when you use E-Z
Pay. 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. And don't forget to take advantage of E-Z pay. Get
more details on the B-17 Fantasy Camp and E-Z Pay
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: SAVE 10% ON POLYURETHANE PAINT KITS AND GET A FREE
QUART OF TOPCOAT
 Products
Techniques Inc. is offering 10% off on its Polyurethane Paint Kit
through Aircraft Spruce. This kit provides all the materials needed to
paint any RV or similar size aircraft. The kit includes green acid etch
primer & reducer, yellow epoxy primer, catalyst & reducer,
polyurethane white topcoat with catalyst & reducer, and a free quart
of polyurethane single stage topcoat in any color! Suggested retail is
$865 - but you get 10% off the kit plus a free quart of polyurethane top
coat in any color. A $65 - $115 value! Click
here to find out how you can save 10% a Polyurethane Paint Kit and
get a FREE quart of topcoat.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: SAVE 20% ON EAA'S WELDING BOOK AND WELDING/CORROSION
DVD COMBO
 DVD:
Take the mystery out of aircraft welding! Join host Gregg Ewert and
instructor Bill Roerig as they take you step by step through the process
of oxyacetylene welding. Book: Aircraft Welding Techniques is a
collection of articles from EAA and several military guide books on the
art of aircraft welding techniques. Compiled and prepared by Wes Schmid
and EAA founder Paul Poberezny. Order
this welding combo at EAA's web store or by calling toll-free
800-564-6322.
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EAA Sport Aviation
Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions!
Post of the Week!
 This
week's post was actually posted last week, but it's gotten a lot of
replies this week so we decided to make it post of the week this week.
Got it? Anyway…Chuck Rosenfeld of EAA Chapter 617 in Prineville,
Oregon, is an ex-Army recon pilot and has spent more than 30 years
teaching aerial photo interpretation at Oregon State University. As
you'd expect, he knows a thing or thirty about aerial photography, and
he kicked off a great discussion by posting a picture and asking if
anyone else out there might share his interest. The thread is full of
spectacular photos and useful information, and shows no signs of slowing
down. If you've got something to share or, like many of us, would simply
love to learn more, check
it out!
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If you have suggestions or
submissions for EAA’s weekly AeroInnovations column, please send them to
AeroInnovations editor Bob Waldron at aeroinnovations@eaa.org.
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Dr. Land Speed Gifts Supersonic Jet Concept |
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Waldo
Stakes, aka Dr. Land Speed, has made a name for himself by building
Land Speed Research Vehicles. However, the man is full of ideas and
says his “W” Wave Executive Jet Concept blends the very best in
aerodynamic properties from other well-known aircraft such as the
blended wing and the lifting body. The concept also brings in
faceting, which in the Stealth F-117 deflected radar beams, but in
this case is used to control shockwave direction to prevent sonic
booms. But Stakes is too busy with his land vehicles to pursue the
concept any further and has offered it up to an individual or group
who would like to continue its development. |
Multi-fuel Engine Provides Choice at the Pump |
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The Adept 320T engine will fly on low-lead standard aviation fuel, normal unleaded auto gas, and biofuel. This multi-fuel 120-degree V6 engine puts out 320 hp, is liquid cooled, and weighs 158 kg. |
Fish Have Same Gliding Talents as Birds |
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By testing flying fish in a wind tunnel, Korean researchers found out that these amazing ocean creatures glide “better than insects and as well as birds such as petrels and wood ducks.” Wind tunnel tests showed the lift-to-drag ratio was highest for the flying fish when they are parallel to the ocean surface, which is how they normally travel when out of the water. |
NASA Perfecting Auto-Land for UAVs in Rough Areas |
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LIDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, sensors are used by NASA researchers to allow aero-vehicles to safely land in autonomous control mode. One device detects three-dimensional hazardous terrain, another checks your velocity and altitude, and the third monitors altitude to correct flight trajectory for the final approach to the landing area. |
Synergy: Explaining Rutan’s Aerodynamic Genius With Science |
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Only two current manned aircraft even come close to approaching the Gabrielli-von Kármán limit on the full-power lift-to-drag ratio versus speed chart—and they are both Burt Rutan designs. The six aerodynamic principles incorporated into the aircraft concept called Synergy help explain the science behind Burt’s GA aircraft design genius. For more information on this topic, consider reading the thread on Oshkosh365. |
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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: TORQUE
WRENCH BASICS
Joe Norris reviews the different types of torque wrenches available and
how to use them. Joe is the EAA Homebuilders’ Community Manager as
well as a DAR, A&P aircraft mechanic with Inspection Authorization
(IA), and a EAA Technical Counselor. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF
AVIATION: MICHAEL COMBS
 In
2003, Michael Combs suffered two heart failures within a three-day span.
Left with less than 50% capacity in his heart, Michael’s recovery was
long and hard. Coming so close to death, Michael vowed to begin living
life to its fullest with no regrets. One of his childhood dreams was to
learn to fly. Michael achieved the goal by earning a Sport Pilot
certificate, and then began planning on how he could use his experience
to inspire others to follow their dreams. The result was the Flight for
the Human Spirit. Using a Remos GX, Michael is flying over 22,000 miles
in all 50 states with speaking engagements along the way to talk about
learning to fly, the Sport Pilot rule, and following one’s dreams. The
official mission of the flight is to, “To kindle the flames of the
dreams of 20 million people and to encourage them to do the same with
five others that they know.” Michael began his journey on April 8,
2010 after lifting off from Salina, Kansas. He made his 100th stop on
the flight in Oshkosh during AirVenture, where he shared his story. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 90
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 would like to get my
Sport Pilot Certificate and have a lot of questions
about the training requirements. But first, I have
an opportunity to purchase a Luscombe 8E. Can a
sport pilot fly this airplane?
Answer: Congratulations
on your goal to become a sport pilot! But don't buy
the Luscombe 8E - although other Luscombe models do
qualify as LSA-ready, the 8E was originally
certificated at a gross weight of 1,400 lbs and the
weight limit for an LSA is 1,320 lbs, (1,430 lbs for
seaplanes). Other aircraft requirements can be found
here.
For more information about becoming a sport pilot,
visit EAA's sport
pilot website.
Have a question?
To ask a question regarding government issues,
e-mail EAA Government Relations.
For questions about registration, airmen, aircraft
and medical certification, safety records,
performance, or any other matter, e-mail EAA
Member Services.
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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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AIRCRAFT SPRUCE WEST ANNUAL SUPER SALE AND FLY-IN
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty West will host its annual Super Sale & Fly-In on Saturday, October 9, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Representatives from a number of leading companies will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss their aviation products. Companies represented will include Concorde Battery, Lightspeed, Scheyden, Kelly Aerospace, Sennheiser, Flightcom, Tempest, Bose, Mid-Continent, Skytronics, Pilot USA, and more. During this one-day sale, an assortment of aviation products will be specially priced for those who visit the facility. As in the past, free hot dogs and beverages will be provided. For more information, contact Aircraft Spruce at 877-477-7823 or 951-372-9555.
ZENITH AIRCRAFT OPEN HOUSE IS THIS WEEKEND
Zenith Aircraft Company's 19th annual Open Hangar Day and Builder Fly-In Gathering takes place this weekend at the company’s kit aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri. Numerous seminars will take place throughout the day on Friday, September 17, while Saturday features an open house at the Zenith factory from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. For all the details, click here.
SENNHEISER HME 95 HEADSET AVAILABLE AT AIRCRAFT SPRUCE
The Sennheiser HME 95 features a noise-compensating boom microphone with a flexible arm, Peak-Level-Protection to safeguard your ears from volume peaks more than 110 dB, and a collapsible design. The headset, which is available at Aircraft Spruce, includes a carrying bag, a cable clip, two wind and pop screens, an audio-in cable, and a cell phone adapter cable. There is also an audio-input facility for external audio sources (mobile phones and MP3 players). The Sennheiser HME 95 is available for $245. For more information click here.
POLYFIX PLASTIC REPAIR KITS AVAILABLE AT AIRCRAFT SPRUCE
Polyfix Thermal Fusion is a three-part system that uses chemical reaction to heat the repair to 142 degrees Fahrenheit, fusing it to the parent part while preventing shrinkage. This system repairs ABS, royalite, graphite, lexan, polycarbon, Kevlar, plexiglass, fiberglass, and many other materials. The Polyfix plastic repair kits may be used on speed fairings, wing tips, cowlings, glare shields, and more. For more information click here.
HAL WEEKLEY TO ATTEND 2011 U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO
The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo announced that Colonel Harold D. (Hal) Weekley, USAF (Ret.) will attend and participate in the 2011 Expo, scheduled for January 20-23, 2011 at Sebring Regional Airport, Sebring, Florida. Hal, a well-known B-17 pilot and author, trained in 1943 at Hendricks Field, now Sebring Regional Airport. Hal will be present on Friday and Saturday during the show, in addition to presenting one or more forums on his experience as a B-17 pilot during WWII. He will conduct signings of the book “The Last of the Combat B-17 Drivers,” written with James Zazas, which highlights Hal’s life and focuses on his time as “Flying Fortress” pilot. For more information click here.
SIKORSKY X2 ECLIPSES 250 KTS
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation reported Wednesday that its X2 Technology demonstrator achieved an unofficial speed record for a helicopter - 250 knots true air speed in level flight - during a test flight at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to the company, 250 knots represents the program’s “ultimate speed milestone.” The X2 counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter also reached 260 knots in a very shallow dive during the flight, the company reported. For more information, click here.
HARTZELL’S NEW THREE-BLADE PROP FOR C-180/185 AND EARLY 210/205
Hartzell Propeller Inc. has developed a new three-bladed Top Prop performance conversion for Cessna 180 and 185, as well as early 210 and 205 aircraft. This is the first time Hartzell has offered a propeller for Cessna 185 owners with a TCM IO-470 engine, and the first three-bladed prop to be offered for use on early Cessna 210 and 205 models. This propeller is also compatible with a range of power plant modifications common to these aircraft. For more information, click here.
FANTASY OF FLIGHT ANNOUNCES FALL AVIATION CAMPOREE
Fantasy of Flight is launching a new Fall Aviation Camporee September 24-26. The three-day, two-night trip will offer attendees the chance to visit real working aircraft maintenance and restoration areas, as well as the opportunity to talk with aviation mechanics, restoration specialists, and pilots. Cost of the Camporee’s weekend is $30 per person, plus tax. The $30 rate includes unlimited weekend admission to Fantasy of Flight, specially tailored tours, merit station activities, a campsite, and lunch on Saturday. Reservations are required and admission is limited. To book, call Stephanie Conner, 863-984-3500 ext. 220, or
e-mail. For more information about Fantasy of Flight, click here.
TIET ANNOUNCES MYCLIP THIGH IPAD ACCESSORY
TIET announced the production of the MyClip Thigh, an accessory that allows pilots to strap an iPad to their thigh using a faux suede leg strap. A clip allows the iPad to be positioned in either portrait or landscape mode, and stabilizing straps allow for two-handed typing. The MyClip Thigh retails for $39.95 with deliveries expected in October. For more information, click here. |
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