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October 22, 2010 Volume 10, Number
49
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P-39
RECOVERED FROM RUSSIAN LAKE AFTER SIX DECADES
 A
Bell P-39Q Airacobra, built in a western New York state factory in 1943,
has returned home after resting at the bottom of a Russian lake since
1944. This particular aircraft was sent to the Soviet Union under the
United States' Lend-Lease program, which propped up Allied forces with
war materiel before and after the U.S. entered World War II. Miss
Lend-Lease, as it has been named, served in a frontline Soviet Air Force
squadron along the border with Finland. The discovery is rare since
remains of the pilot along with key artifacts, found with the aircraft,
have provided insights into the mystery of why the aircraft suddenly
broke formation as the squadron repositioned to an airfield closer to
the front 66 years ago. Read
the story and watch the video
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FREE
EAA STUDENT MEMBERSHIP ANSWERS 'WHAT'S NEXT?' FOR YOUNG EAGLES
Free
program also includes Academy of Model Aeronautics membership
Since the Young Eagles program began in 1992, more than 40,000
EAA-member pilots have volunteered their time to bring the joy and
inspiration of flight to nearly 1.6 million young people. We know
thousands of today’s young pilots got their aviation start through a
Young Eagles flight. However, a regular question from the participating
volunteer pilots has been, “What’s next for Young Eagles after their
first flight?” Read
more
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BYE
ENERGY/CESSNA ELECTRIC-POWERED C-172 UPDATE
Might an electric-powered Cessna 172 be in your future? That's the dream
of Bye Energy, which is developing an electric hybrid propulsion system
for a Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Bye Energy hopes to fly an electric-powered,
proof-of-concept Skyhawk demonstrator in the first quarter of 2011. The
collaboration between Bye Energy and the Cessna Aircraft Company was
announced at this week's NBAA convention, with George Bye, CEO of Bye
Energy, and former Cessna president Charlie Johnson fielding questions
at Cessna's booth. Read
more
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SENDING
YOUR IPHONE TO SPACE IN A BALLOON
 A
father and son recently launched a balloon system to the edge of space
and have the pictures and video to prove it. Luke Geissbuhler and his
son Max spent eight months researching the best way to send a balloon
with a capsule containing an iPhone and HD video camera aloft and return
it safely to Earth. The Geissbuhlers are part of a group of friends who
founded the Brooklyn Space Program in Brooklyn, New York, to further
their interests in scientific experiments, engineering, design, and
education. This project is not unique as at least two other teams have
recently accomplished what may be an emerging fad: sending your iPhone
to space and back. Read
more and watch the videos
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BALLOON,
PARAGLIDER COLLIDE AT ARIZONA AIRFEST
 Four
people suffered non-life-threatening injuries when a powered paraglider
collided with a hot air balloon at the start of Cottonwood, Arizona's
Airfest last Saturday, October 16. According to the Verde Independent,
about 12 balloons lifted off the Cottonwood Airport at 7 a.m. and were
soon joined in the air by two powered paragliders. Around 7:30 one of
the paragliders got too close to one of the balloons, became entangled
in the ropes, and tore the balloon fabric, causing it to deflate. Both
aircraft fell about 500 feet from the sky, according to local police. Read
more and see photos
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ALASKA
EAAERS FIGHT PROPOSAL TO DOUBLE LOCAL AIRCRAFT TAX
Aircraft owners in Anchorage, Alaska, which includes many EAA members,
are threatening a lawsuit if the Municipality of Anchorage Assembly
doubles the aircraft tax at its meeting next week, October 26. The
Assembly will reportedly consider raising the tax from a flat $75 on all
single engine aircraft and $125 on twins to $150 and $250, respectively.
The aircraft owners protest that such a tax increase would be
discriminatory as it singles out aircraft as opposed to other motorized
recreational vehicles like ATVs, snowmobiles, RVs, and boats. Read
more
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LARGER
PIPERJET GETS NEW NAME
 Piper
Aircraft's first entry into the very light jet category has a new,
larger round fuselage design as well as a new name - Altaire. Changes to
the aircraft were unveiled at NBAA2010 in Atlanta this week. The
single-engine aircraft's larger, redesigned round fuselage is mounted on
top of an expanded-chord wing, with a shorter vertical empennage located
slightly aft atop an elongated engine nacelle. Read
more
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RARE
PRIVATEER P4Y-2 AN EARLY COPPERSTATE ARRIVAL
 The
world’s only currently flying example of a Consolidated Vultee P4Y-2
Privateer, the United States Navy’s version of the B-24 Liberator
World War II bomber, was an early bird arrival Saturday afternoon at the
Casa Grande Airport in Arizona, October 16 for this week’s COPPERSTATE
Fly-In. The event opens Thursday, October 21, and runs through Saturday,
October 23, and the Privateer will be there throughout the show. Read
more
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PLANEDRIVEN'S
TEST VERSION OF ROADABLE SPORTSMAN
 PlaneDriven
has revealed a new test version of the Roadable Sportsman that delighted
so many at AirVenture 2010. PlaneDriven's Wally Anderson says the major
change is that the center pod located underneath the fuselage on the
PD-1 has been moved. "The new design uses two pods with a lot less
drag," he said. See
the Roadable Sportsman at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010
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SPORTY'S
NEXT STEP PROGRAM ENROLLMENT SURPASSES 5,000
 The
EAA and Sporty's Pilot Shop Next Step program has enrolled more than
5,000 EAA Young Eagles, allowing them to pursue an aviation interest
beyond a first flight experience. Through the Next Step program, those
young people flown through the EAA Young Eagles program now have a clear
pathway to participation in aviation - from a first airplane ride with
volunteer EAA pilots, continuing all the way to a pilot’s license. The
cornerstone of this program is free access to Sporty’s Complete Flight
Training Course online. To date, Sporty’s has donated courses that
have a retail value of more than $1 million. Read
more
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WONDERING
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AVGAS? WATCH THIS WEBINAR!
In talking about the future of sport aviation, it's impossible to ignore
the topic of fuel and the search for a 100LL replacement. On October 27,
you'll have the chance to hear from someone with 20 years of experience
in the move toward unleaded aviation gasoline: EAA's Doug Macnair. This
webinar will give you the latest information on alternative fuels
research, the status of the recently formed avgas coalition, and the
future of unleaded fuel for general aviation.
All
webinars begin at 7 p.m. CDT. To
find out more about upcoming EAA
Webinars and to register, visit the webinars
page.
EAA
gratefully acknowledges the support
of Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Co.
for their generous sponsorship of
our webinar programs.
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EAA
SPORTAIR RETURNS TO INDIANAPOLIS OCTOBER 30-31
 EAA
SportAir Workshops returns to Indianapolis, Indiana, next weekend,
October 30-31, for another in a series of two-day programs on building
and restoring your aircraft. Vincennes University will host the weekend
program at its Aviation Technology Center located at Indianapolis
International Airport. "Vincennes, recognized for state of the art
programs in aviation maintenance and pilot training programs, is an
ideal environment to learn the basics of aircraft construction and
restoration," noted Mark Forss, Coordinator of the SportAir
workshop program. "In addition, Vincennes is one of the few schools
in the country that offers local and regional outreach programs, making
affordable aviation maintenance training accessible." Read
more
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RESERVE
YOUR B-17 FLIGHT CAMP SPOT, USE E-Z PAY
 Experience
the Flying Fortress with four easy payments when you use E-Z Pay. At the
B-17 Flight Camp (December 2-5 , 2010), you will get up close and
personal 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. Sunday: 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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YOU'RE
INVITED: 2010 HALL OF FAME
INDUCTION
Friday, October 29, 2010
 Join
EAA and keynote speaker, renowned aviation writer Mac McClellan, on
Friday, October 29, at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh for the 2010
EAA Sport Aviation Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony. We will
be honoring five inductees for their contributions to EAA and the
aviation community: John Ballantyne, EAA Ultralights Hall of Fame; Jimmy
Franklin, International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame; Morton Lester,
Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame; Harold D. "Hal"
Weekley, Warbirds of America Hall of Fame; and Dean Wilson, EAA
Homebuilders Hall of Fame.
Click
here for more information and to RSVP to the Hall of Fame ceremony
and dinner, e-mail Jo Ann Bauer or
call 800-236-1025.
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AVIATIONAUTOGRAPHS.COM
OFFERS 20 PERCENT DISCOUNT TO EAAERS
 Aviationautographs.com
is offering an exclusive 20 percent discount on all items to EAA
members. Simply enter "EAA" in the Coupon Code field on the
checkout page, click apply, and the 20 percent discount is applied to
all items in your shopping cart. The discount also applies to special
sale items, including signed limited edition numbered prints, such as
Ray Waddy's Double Trouble and Harley Copic's Into the Unknown
and others - in effect providing a 40 percent discount. Click
here to take advantage of this special offer.
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B-17
BEGINS LAST MONTH OF TOUR
 Fresh
off a stop in South Carolina, EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast heads
to Charlotte, North Carolina, hosted by EAA Chapter 309 October 22-24,
kicking off the last month of its US tour. Setting its sights on some
warmer weather, the Flying Fortress will spend October 26-27 in
Talladega, Alabama, hosted by EAA Chapter 152. To see the remaining tour
dates or to book a flight, click here.
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: $100 REBATE ON PLANE-POWER LIGHTWEIGHT ALTERNATORS
 Save
$100 on the lightest weight, best performing, most reliable PMA
replacement aircraft alternators available. Plane-Power's 70-amp
AL24-FS60 lightweight alternator is now approved and available for 28-volt Cessna
aircraft with multi-groove, belt-driven Lycoming engines. It's designed
to far exceed engine TBO, so you can stop changing overhauled OE
alternators. Manufacturer suggested retail price: $979. Plane-Power
retail price: $685, plus a $100 rebate. Click
here to find out how you can save $100 on Plane-Power Lightweight
Alternators.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: JUST RELEASED: TAILWHEEL 201
 Damian
DelGaizo's Tailwheel: 201 goes beyond the tailwheel check out. Advanced
techniques from short field operations, to advanced slips, to
precautionary off-airport landings and ski flying are taught by renowned
tailwheel expert Damian DelGaizo. Like Tailwheel: 101, this DVD includes
ground school and in-flight instruction both inside and outside the
cockpit. Whether you are new to the world of tailwheel flying or a
seasoned aviator, Tailwheel: 201 will help you become a safer pilot.
More than 70 minutes of running time. Order
online or by calling toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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2011
WORLD OF FLIGHT CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
 Full
of stunning air-to-air photography, this calendar showcases 12 months of
remarkable aircraft, including the Douglas C-47, Cessna Skycatcher Model
162, Stinson L-5, and many more! Add this eye-catching piece of artwork
to your home, office, or hangar. Order
online 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!
Of all the posts on the Oshkosh365
forums, be they discussions, debates, or shared photos and videos,
nothing is as satisfying for us to see as someone asking a question and
the community coming forth with answers. It wasn't that long ago that
Chris Durand posted looking for help in removing the wings on a Durand
Mk V biplane prototype, and this week, he posted an update sharing his
success "thanks to the advice I got on these forums." Our
thanks to Chris for the update and especially for reminding us what this
is all about. Click
through to read his post and find a link to a video of the project.
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If you have suggestions or
submissions for EAA’s weekly AeroInnovations column, please send them to
AeroInnovations editor Bob Waldron.
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Only $53,000 for a Ready-To-Fly Cheetah |
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The Cheetah XLS will put you in the air for just $53,000! This LSA cruises at 95 mph with the entry level 85-hp Jabiru engine and allows a 628-pound useful load (477-pound load with a full fuel tank). |
Jets of Air Replace Conventional Control Surfaces |
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The BAE Systems Demon is the first aircraft to fly and maneuver successfully without conventional control surfaces or flaps. Instead of ailerons and elevators to control the aircraft, it uses jets of air, which should give fewer mechanical failures, less maintenance, and a lighter vehicle. |
New Runway Scanning Technology Inspired by Concorde Accident |
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Since the crash of the Concorde 10 years ago, four automatic runway scanning technologies have been developed to minimize the chance of future serious runway incidents. The technologies use millimeter radar or scanning cameras, or a combination of those two foreign object detection (FOD) tools, and meet FAA requirements. |
A Star Trek “Replicator” for Your Aircraft Parts |
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In the not-so-distant future, the additive layer manufacturing (ALM) Replicator will make one-off parts for your aircraft to replace damaged parts or to incorporate an aircraft improvement you want to test. EADS Innovation Works in England recently used ALM to develop a cooling duct for the Airbus A380 in only three months versus the estimated 12 months required for normal development of that type of aircraft part. |
New Pratt & Whitney Engine Technology for Hypersonic Aircraft |
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Pratt & Whitney has a $33.8 million contract to develop an aircraft turbine powered by CVC technology (constant volume combustion). CVC turbines will allow speeds and altitudes current turbine jet engines can’t reach and are targeted to improve fuel efficiency by 20 percent. |
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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: PAPER
TEMPLATE FOR FISHMOUTHING TUBING
 Earl
Luce demonstrates how a simple paper template can help you fit your
steel tubing. 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: ROBERT WINTERS
 Robert
Winters joined the Enlisted Reserves in Dallas, Texas after the attack
on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. After passing some mental and physical
exams, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program and trained as a
fighter pilot in P-47 Thunderbolts. He went over to England on the RMS
Queen Elizabeth and after some operational training at RAF Atcham,
joined the 62nd Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group. Robert flew
sixty-five combat missions between September 1944 and May 1945, and was
credited with two enemy aircraft destroyed in the air, two destroyed on
the ground, one probable in the air, and three damaged. He remained in
the service after the war, finally retiring from a Pentagon staff
position in 1969 as the Chief of the USAF Command and Control Division. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 24
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
If a licensed private
pilot fails a third-class FAA medical due to a
correctable problem, such as high blood pressure,
and subsequently regains his third-class medical
certification, can that pilot later fly as a sport
pilot by letting that third-class medical expire or
do the rules say that a pilot cannot fly as a sport
pilot if he has EVER failed an FAA medical
examination?
Answer: Yes,
you could regain your third-class medical by
receiving a special issuance, then allow it to lapse
and continue flying after it lapses as a sport pilot
in a light-sport aircraft with your current state
driver's license and current pilot certificate. FAR
61.303(b)(3) states: "A person using a U.S.
driver's license to meet the requirements of this
paragraph must not have had his or her most
recently issued medical certificate (if the
person has held a medical certificate) suspended or
revoked or most recent Authorization for a
Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate
withdrawn."
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
October
2010
X marks the spot: Two P-38 Lightings create a
remarkable pattern when captured during a crossover
break at AirVenture 2010 by photographer Jay
Beckman.
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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VERY
FAST JETS FLYING VERY FAR
The
Gulfstream G650 with its promised 7,000 nm range while cruising at Mach
.85 made its first appearance at the NBAA annual Convention in Atlanta,
but that was just the beginning for lots of talk of very fast jets
flying very far. Four G650 jets are in flight testing and Gulfstream
says they are meeting the remarkable performance goals set when the
program was announced. The first G650 prototype recently flew 5,000 nm
at a steady Mach .90 cruise speed, a record flight that transcends
anything even close. The only other civilian airplane that can cruise at
Mach .90 is the Citation X and its maximum range is around 3,400 nm, and
that comes at a slower speed of around Mach .85. Read
more
CESSNA
SOLVES THE MYSTERY OF THE X
Cessna
is tossing the Roman numeral X for the fastest production jet and is
creating the Ten. Cessna boss Jack Pelton vows that the new Ten will
still be the fastest business jet years from now. The use of the Roman
numeral X to name the Citation 10 conformed to the system Cessna was
using when the airplane was introduced, but the X caused no end of
confusion. Many simply called it the "X." And of course people
inside of aviation are accustomed to the letter X being used to
designate an experimental airplane, which the Citation certainly is not.
Read
more
SIKORSKY PLANS TO INVEST IN ECLIPSE
At the National Business Aviation Convention in Atlanta this week
Sikorsky Aircraft, the giant helicopter maker, announced it plans to
make an investment in Eclipse Aerospace, the successor company to the
Eclipse that developed the very light jet. Details are really sparse, no
amounts of money were mentioned, and when the deal may close has not
been revealed. Read
more
SWITCHBLADE GROUND TEST VEHICLE BREAKS 100
MPH
Samson Motor’s Switchblade flying car ground test vehicle recently posted top speeds in excess of 100 mph, tested at the maximum takeoff weight of 1,500 pounds. Earlier efforts produced a top speed of 74 mph. The Switchblade is intended to be a road vehicle with wings that swing out for flight. For more information, click here.
ROTAX RELEASES MANUAL REVISIONS
Rotax has released revisions for the following manuals: 912 Line Maintenance Manual —Edition 2, Revision 1; 914 Line Maintenance Manual —Edition 2, Revision 1; 2 Stroke Operator’s Manual —Edition 2, Revision 0. Click here to see all manuals available for download. Rotax also released a revision to Service Letter SL-912-013 / 914-011 / 2ST-007, which lists all Rotax Aircraft engines that have been reported stolen. To see the service letter, click here.
INTEGRATED FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ECLIPSE
JET
Eclipse Aerospace and Innovative Solutions & Support announced that the AvioNG Integrated Flight Management System will be available for the Eclipse Twin-Engine Jet. The AvioNG Integrated FMS provides coupled LPV approach, Airway/Victor route navigation, RNP (Auto/Manual), holding patterns and procedure turns, parallel offsets, storage for 99 flight plans, user defined waypoints, nearest airports and navigation aids, OBS mode, and present and on-route information. The New Integrated FMS is expected to be released before the end of 2010 and will be standard on all Total Eclipse Twin-Engine Jets thereafter. For more information click here.
HARTZELL PROPELLER RECEIVES TYPE CERTIFICATE
APPROVAL
Hartzell Propeller received FAA Type Certificate (TC) approval for its new advanced-composite ASC-II propeller. The four-blade, 93-inch diameter, ASC-II advanced composite propeller is the company’s first ASC-II propeller developed for turboprop aircraft and will save more than 30 pounds compared to an equivalent metal-bladed propeller, the company says. For more information click here.
IFBO APP OFFERS HANDHELD ACCESS TO FLIGHT
PLANNING
Signature Flight Support launched a free iPhone application that gives users access to a fuel calculator, a locations database, and a favorite places section. iFBO, which can be downloaded from Apple’s iTunes store for the iPhone and iPad, allows users to calculate fuel and handling costs at a particular location; provides detailed FBO information including amenities, services offered, airport map, and local points of interest; and allows users to mark any location and add it to their favorites list for easy access. For more information click here.
KING SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES RNAV COURSE
King Schools, co-chaired by John and Martha King, announced a new “RNAV-1 and -2” online pilot course, providing general information required by AC 90-100A for pilot training and authorization for commercial operators. In addition, King Schools announced an update to its Icing Operations course, including the latest information from the FAA regarding approved anti-icing fluid. The RNAV-1 and -2 course is $199 and the Icing Operations course is $249. For more information, click here.
CHESAPEAKE SPORT PILOT NOW SEAREY DEALER
Chesapeake Sport Pilot has been selected as the Mid-Atlantic regional dealer for SeaRey amphibious aircraft. It will also be the first flight school in the United States offering training on SeaReys. The SeaRey is a two-place flying boat; there are nearly 300 flying in the U.S. and more than 500 sold worldwide. According to the company, kits require an estimated 500 hours of build time and can be completed for less than $70,000. For more information, click here.
WILSON DOORS INTRODUCES CLEAR-MAX
Wilson Doors now offer Clear-Max hangar doors, featuring cold-formed steel tube construction with push-button hydraulic operation. The single-panel door requires only six inches of headroom when fully open and, when closed, two hydraulic cylinders keep the door panel snug against the building. Modular construction allows the door to be bolted together, requiring no frame welding. For more information, click here.
COMPETITION AIRCRAFT OFFERS PROP PROTRACTOR
Competition Aircraft released a new Propeller Protractor for checking, setting, or changing propeller pitch. Powered by a 9-volt battery, the Angle Cube protractor can be used for other angle measuring applications, such as checking wing incidence, setting control surface travel, and measuring rotorcraft blade angles and taildragger ground angles. The Propeller Protractor is priced at $95. For more information,
send an e-mail.
GLEIM RELEASES PART 141 ONLINE RESOURCE
Gleim now offers a free online resource that can make the Part 141 approval process easier for flight schools by completing the appropriate paperwork automatically, checking it for accuracy based on common documentation errors reported by FAA inspectors and partner flight schools. The Gleim Online Part 141 Application Tool guides users through the certification process with a document and action checklist while providing streaming tutorial presentations, sample documents, and FAA documentation. For more information, click here.
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