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September 24, 2010 Volume 10, Number
45
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EAA MOURNS THE LOSS OF HAL
WEEKLEY
 EAA
is mourning the loss of Col. Harold "Hal" Weekley (Ret.), EAA
169329 and Warbirds of America 2651, who died Wednesday, September 22,
at Wellstar Cobb Hospital, Austell, Georgia. He was 89. Hal, a U.S. Army
Air Forces B-17 pilot during World War II, flew many missions over
Germany before being shot down over occupied France. He evaded capture
for three weeks thanks to local French people, and eventually returned
to friendly lines. Hal is perhaps best remembered by EAAers as one of
the association's volunteer B-17 pilots. He flew Aluminum Overcast for
23 years (1979-2001), first with then-owner Dr. Bill Harrison, past
president of EAA Warbirds of America and EAA director, and later, after
Harrison donated the airplane to EAA. Read
more
Obituary
| 2010
Oshkosh Key to the City Presentation (EAA Radio)
EAA
Radio Live Interview, AirVenture 2010 | Watch
Hal Weekley's Timeless Voices Interview
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GRAD
STUDENT CLAIMS FIRST HUMAN-POWERED ORNITHOPTER FLIGHT
 Todd
Reichert, a PhD student at the University of Toronto, announced
Wednesday that he had completed the first continuous flight of a
human-powered ornithopter, the mythical aircraft with birdlike flapping
wings first envisioned by Leonardo da Vinci in 1485, The Toronto Star
reported. Reichert said his flight, launched by a towline attached to an
automobile, sustaining both altitude and airspeed for 19.3 seconds over
145 meters (475 feet) at a top speed of 25 kph (approximately 16 mph). Read
more [Video]
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MAC MCCLELLAN JOINS EAA
 J.
Mac McClellan, former editor-in-chief of FLYING Magazine and one of
aviation’s most-respected journalists, is joining EAA and will share
his insights through EAA’s publications and electronic communications
beginning in October.
McClellan, an extremely active general
aviation pilot, will provide his aviation expertise to EAA with his
popular “Left Seat” column and other features for Sport Aviation
magazine. He will also contribute to EAA’s e-publications and
websites. His focus will be on EAA’s pilot community, encompassing
flying experiences, flying techniques, weather, technology, and aircraft
ownership. Read
more
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EAA
BLERIOT GETS PAINT, WILL FLY SOON
 Today
marks the exact 99th anniversary of the first official airmail flight in
the USA, and in preparation for the 100th anniversary celebrations next
year, the 1911 paint scheme used by Earle L. Ovington has recently been
added to EAA's Type XI Bleriot reproduction. EAA's chief mechanic John
Hopkins reports that the aircraft should fly within the next month. Read
more | See
the photo gallery
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SULLENBERGER:
PROPOSED FATIGUE RULES ARE STEP BACKWARD IN KEY AREA
 In
winter 2009, two airline accidents with vastly different outcomes thrust
into the spotlight several issues that acutely affect the airline
industry but have ramifications for all of aviation. Captain Chesley
Sullenberger (Sullenberger also is Co-Chairman with Jeff Skiles of the
EAA Young Eagles program), who was already a noted aviation safety
consultant before he and Jeff Skiles landed on the Hudson River, is
speaking out about the FAA-proposed rules to fight fatigue in the
professional pilot ranks. Sullenberger contends some of the provisions
seem contrary to what has been learned about fatigue in the past 30
years. He also notes that pilot professionalism is not just for flyers
who collect a paycheck. Read
more
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WELL-ATTENDED
FIRST EAA CANADIAN FLY-IN
 Nearly
15,000 EAA members, flying enthusiasts, and local residents attended the
inaugural Wings Over Gatineau/Canadian EAA Convention/Fly-In in Gatineau,
Ontario, last weekend (September 17-19). The event was part EAA fly-in,
part air show, and part commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the
Battle of Britain. One hundred aircraft attended over the weekend,
although fog did prevent an additional 50 from arriving. Read
more | See
the photo gallery
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U.S.
NATIONAL AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS CONCLUDE SATURDAY
 The
U.S. National Aerobatic
Championships are underway in Denison, Texas, through Saturday
(September 25). Pilots are competing in seven categories, from glider to
unlimited. Jeff Boerboon has already won the Unlimited Power Free
category in the Extra 330SC with a score of 9575.21. Bill Denton won the
Intermediate Power category in Extra 300LP and Mikhael Ponso won the
Intermediate Glider in a Salto H-101.
The IAC invites you to follow the action
live on Twitter and Facebook.
For those of you who have text messaging, you can receive updates via
Twitter - account not required. Send "Follow USNAcro" to the
number 40404.
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HOUSE
COMMITTEE OPEN TO COMPROMISE ON FUTURE OF RESIDENTIAL TTF AGREEMENTS
Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
appeared receptive to EAA's proposed compromise
regarding the future of residential through the fence (TTF) agreements
on public-use airports at a hearing Wednesday, September 22. Residential
TTF agreements are made between an airport sponsor (city, county, or
municipality) and an individual who owns land adjacent to an airport,
providing the landowner and his/her aircraft access to the airport.
Those opposing TTF agreements, including the FAA, claim they create
incompatible land use near airports that can constrain future airport
development. Read
more
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SPOTS
STILL AVAILABLE FOR WICKS AIRCRAFT FORUM
 Wicks
Aircraft's first "Wicks Forum," an educational/entertaining
social event, is set for Saturday, October 9 from 9:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.,
at its headquarters in Highland, Illinois. Scheduled to appear are new
EAA President Rod Hightower; Ron Wagner, EAA manager of field
operations; Sonex Aircraft Founder John Monnett; Paul Lupton, director
of the West Bend EAA chapter's Summer Aviation Academy; and Robert
Hamilton, Dynon Avionics director of marketing. Wicks has extended
invitations to every EAA member within 300 miles of Highland, but they
can only accommodate 250 people. Latest report is that about 100 seats
remain, so those wishing to attend should RSVP.
Just write "I'll be there" in the subject line with your
contact information and please tell us if you are bringing a guest.
Include your name and the name of any guest you would like to bring. The
event is free and includes a box lunch.
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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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EARN
E-LSA INSPECTION CERTIFICATE AT MANASSAS
Learn Building Techniques at
Historic Flabob
 The
EAA SportAir workshop E-LSA Repairman Inspection course being presented
October 15-17 at the Manassas, Virginia Regional Airport will allow you
to earn inspection credentials to perform the annual condition
inspection on your E-LSA airplane. This includes airplanes that made the
transition to E-LSA certification, and newly constructed airplanes like
the Van's RV-12. The FAA-approved course combines lecture and hands-on
inspection practice to ensure you're qualified to receive the
certification. The 16-hour course is limited to 16 students and is
hosted by EAA Chapter 186. Read
more
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B-17
TAKES BREAK AS TRI-MOTOR WRAPS UP TOUR
 Before
moving on to the fall leg of its tour, EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast
is taking a break for maintenance. Per the maintenance program for the
restored bomber, stops are to be made after every 120 hours of flying, a
schedule that is built into the tour. After the short hiatus, the Flying
Fortress will be hosted by EAA Warbird Squadron 18 October 1-3 in
Cincinnati, Ohio. Click here for more
information.
While the B-17 cools off, EAA's restored
1929 Ford Tri-Motor heats up in
its tour finale at Knoxville, Tennessee's Downtown Island Airport
through Sunday, September 26.
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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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COLORS OF THE SEASON AND
HISTORY COME ALIVE THROUGH EAA’S FALL COLOR FLIGHTS
 One
of the most unique and popular autumn color tours in Wisconsin returns
Oct. 9-10 as the EAA AirVenture Museum hosts its annual Fall Color
Flights based at the museum’s Pioneer Airport. The extended 25-minute
aerial tours in EAA’s historic 1929 Ford Tri-Motor will include the
scenic Lake Winnebago area and east-central Wisconsin countryside, which
traditionally reaches its peak color in mid-October. The Ford Tri-Motor,
nicknamed “The Tin Goose,” was the first mass-produced airliner in
the world. The Ford Motor Company built 199 Tri-Motors from 1926 to
1933. Read
more
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: SAVE 20% ON RELIEFBAND MOTION SICKNESS TREATMENT
 The
ReliefBand® offers the most effective relief for nausea and vomiting
due to motion sickness. It's perfect for passengers who are afraid to
fly due to motion sickness or for student/aerobatic pilots. Get yours
for only $129.95. FDA approved and FAA-legal for pilot use. Click
here to save 20% on ReliefBand® motion sickness treatment or call
888-362-7123. Use Coupon Code EAA2010.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: SAVE 10% ON NEW YOUNG EAGLES MERCHANDISE
 Check
out the new line of Young Eagles merchandise featuring clothing for all
ages. You'll find new men's, women's, and kid's designs. Plus - new
backpacks, sweatshirts, t-shirts, dress shirts, and much more! Order
Young Eagles merchandise 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!
Dead-stick takeoff! When we choose our
"post of the week," sometimes we choose one that's spurred
some debate, or even a bit of controversy. Other times, there's an
encouraging or even inspiring story about a pilot or a project. This
week, though, it's a bit simpler - Wayne Bressler posted a video that's
just really cool. Click
through to watch footage of Steve Henry in his Highlander rolling
down a mountain and into the sky.
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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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NASA to Use Magnets to
Launch Spacecraft |
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NASA is moving ahead on development of a rail launching system for spacecraft using magnetic levitation or a combination of advancements in other existing technologies. The concept of a rail launcher is to reduce the amount of “fuel” carried onboard the spacecraft by imparting a lot of energy to the vehicle before it leaves the ground. |
SolarEagle Vulture
to Stay Aloft for Five Years |
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The Boeing SolarEagle to be developed under the DARPA Vulture program will be designed to fly continuously for five years in the stratosphere running on solar-electric power. Boeing received an $89 million phase II contract to build a full-scale demonstrator for “communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions from altitudes above 60,000 feet.” |
HELIOS Hybrid Gives In-Flight Propulsion Choice |
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The HELIOS hybrid power system allows aircraft to seamlessly switch between an internal combustion engine for takeoff and climbing to an electric motor for cruising. The HELIOS system lets the pilot choose either engine or both, depending on how much torque and power are needed for various stages of flight. |
Zeppelins: Hot Business or Hot Air? |
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An aviation innovation that may catch on with well-heeled customers looking for a unique experience or a short vacation is the zeppelin cruise ship with an open-air pool, cocktails on the roof, and dancing as you travel jet lag-free across the Atlantic Ocean. How about an EAA-organized “Future of Aviation” conference on a zeppelin from Chicago to Paris and back? |
Composite Versus Steel Landing Gear Braces |
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Composite braces on the main landing gear of the Boeing 787 are designed to give safer landings through improved reliability and longer time between overhauls for the landing gear. The lighter weight of this first-ever commercial application for composites landing gear will also contribute overall efforts to improve fuel efficiency. |
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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:  WING
FITTING ALIGNMENT JIG FOR DRILLING FOR A SPAR
Earl Luce shows a great way to make sure the holes in your spar are
perfectly aligned. Earl is an EAA SportAir Workshop instructor and a
volunteer EAA Technical Counselor. He also offers plan sets for the
Wittman Buttercup. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF
AVIATION: JAMES HALL
 James
Hall was a student at Penn State University when the U.S. entered World
War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was trained as a P-47
Thunderbolt pilot. James was sent overseas to France where he joined the
356th Fighter Squadron of the 358th Fighter Group, a 9th Air Force unit
known as the “Orange Tails” for their brightly painted aircraft. The
group followed closely behind the front lines flying off of temporary
pierced steel planking runways and using their aircraft to dive bomb and
strafe enemy targets on the ground. James flew 101 combat missions
through the end of the war, experiencing intense enemy ground fire, some
dogfights, and even some ground fighting as a forward air controller
attached to a tank unit. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 68
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 am a new SEL (single
engine-land) certified pilot and putting in time in
both Warriors/Archers (day and night VFR) and my
Challenger. I had strobe lights, navigation lights
and landing lights put on my Challenger before the
final transfer. Can I legally fly my E-LSA
Challenger II at night using my SEL certification?
Answer: Your
SEL pilot license, along with your current medical
certificate, will allow you to fly the Challenger at
night, as long as it is properly equipped for night
flight, and you follow the operating limitations
issued for the Challenger and all applicable FARs.
The there should be a
paragraph in the OLs that require the aircraft to be
equipped as in FAR 91.205. Another applicable FAR
you should be aware of is FAR 91.209, especially
(b), which requires you to have the anti-collision
lights (strobe) lit at all times, unless it is a
safety of flight issue.
Click
here for the Part 91 FARs.
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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Correction: In
last week's story about John Travolta flying 300 Oprah
show audience members to Australia, we fumbled the
spelling of the down under country's oldest airline.
Qantas is actually an acronym for Queensland
and Northern Territory Aerial Services.
An additional clarification: It was widely reported
that Travolta will fly the group himself. Qantas
announced that the group would fly on an Airbus
A380; Travolta is only type-rated on the Qantas
747-400. Starstruck passengers will have to settle
for "Danny Zuko" roaming the aisles in his
usual role as Qantas Goodwill Ambassador.
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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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1,000 RV-8S
AND COUNTING
On September 17, the “Hobbs Meter” on Van’s Aircraft’s website registered the 1,000th RV-8 to fly, which represents an average of a new RV-8 or tricycle gear RV-8A in the air every five days since the design was introduced in 1996. There are approximately 2,000 of the aircraft under construction, and Van’s expects the 7,000th RV to fly sometime in November. For more information, click here.
ECLIPSE AEROSPACE ANNOUNCES ENHANCED WINDSHIELD
Eclipse Aerospace Inc. completed enhanced windshield and aircraft design changes for operation up to 41,000 feet, addressing the existing FAA Airworthiness Directive that restricts flight to 37,000 feet. EAI is actively testing the modifications and has completed the final design, with final certification expected before the end of the year. After installation, these modifications will permit the EA500 to return to 41,000 feet. For more information, click here.
MAF RECEIVES GRANT TO FUND NEW AIRCRAFT
Mission Aviation Fellowship, a nonprofit organization that brings aid to people in remote regions of the world, received a $1.7 million challenge grant to fund the purchase of a Quest KODIAK. The donor is providing the grant with the condition that another donor commits to a grant of the same amount by the end of the year. MAF has also received a grant for up to $750,000 toward a sixth KODIAK. According to MAF President and CEO John Boyd, the organization deployed one of its new KODIAKs to Haiti in response to the earthquake disaster. Boyd said MAF needs to acquire seven more KODIAKs during the next two years. For more information, click here.
THUNDER MUSTANG KITS AVAILABLE SOON
After reaching an agreement with the Thunder Builders Group, Dean Holt Construction of Mount Vernon, Washington, reports it has purchased the Thunder Mustang molds and intellectual property and will begin production of the P-51 replica kit soon. After gaining experience from the builders of the 17 flying Thunder Mustangs, the company said the time required to restart operations and deliver a quality kit will be reduced significantly. The Thunder Builders Group will continue to work with Holt, who has followed the development of the Thunder Mustang since 1997. For more information, e-mail or call Dean Holt at 360-202-6271.
NEW FEATURES ON SPORTY’S DELUXE TIMER
Based on customer feedback, Sporty’s has added a dedicated zero button to avoid fumbling to get the timer back to zero and a new auto-reset function. Other features include two independent timers that count up or down, each with a unique alarm; a clock with 12-hour, 24-hour, and Zulu time; a backlit screen; lighted buttons; and more. The Deluxe Flight Timer is available for $26.95 and can be purchased online or by calling 800-SPORTYS.
DOCUMENTARY ON PSA FLIGHT 182 ON DVD
In October 2010, “Return to Dwight and Nile: The Crash of PSA Flight 182” will be released on DVD. On September 25, 1978, PSA Flight 182, a Boeing 727 jet with 135 people on board collided with a Cessna on final landing approach to Lindbergh Field in San Diego, California. Thousands of residents witnessed the collision and watched the jetliner crash into the North Park section of the city. This incident provided the impetus for the now standard technology known as TCAS (terminal collision avoidance system). For more information, click here.
BRS TO PROVIDE AIRFRAME PARACHUTES FOR INDIAN
AIR FORCE
BRS (Ballistic Recovery Systems) Aerospace announced it has been contracted to provide its parachute recovery systems for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited HPT-32 basic training aircraft used by the Indian Air Force. Once BRS completes the installation design, the company will work with the aircraft’s manufacturer and the Indian Air Force to test and certify the whole-airframe parachute system. The BRS system employs solid rocket fuel technology, and when activated by the pilot, the onboard rocket helps deploy a parachute to return the entire aircraft and pilot safely to the ground. For more information, click here. |
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