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November 19, 2010 Volume
10, Number 53
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LOOK
FOR 'EAA YOUNG EAGLES' ON NEMECHEK'S #87 CAR THIS WEEKEND
 The
EAA Young Eagles program, which is already the largest youth aviation
education program in history, is reaching an even higher profile this
weekend as a featured sponsor on Joe Nemechek's NEMCO Motorsports race
cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races at Homestead
Motor Speedway near Miami. The sponsorship was donated by Nemechek for
the annual "Gathering of Eagles" fundraiser auction at
AirVenture last July, and Florida businessman and EAA supporter Bill
Bachschmidt won the bidding and donated the race sponsorship to Young
Eagles. Read
more
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PROPOSED
POLICY CHANGE FOR PART TIME INSPECTORS RAISES ALARMS
Public comments on proposal welcomed through December 6
 EAA
and the Vintage Aircraft Association this week quickly moved for FAA
clarification on a policy proposal that is causing confusion among
maintenance professionals and owner/operators who rely on a part-time
Airplane and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic with an Inspection
Authorization. A number of members have contacted EAA and two of its
special interest divisions, the Vintage Aircraft Association (VAA) and
EAA Warbirds of America, fearing that the proposal could mean the end of
Inspection Authorizations for part-time mechanics. Read
more
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CRI-CRI
SETS ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT SPEED RECORD
 A
twin-engine electric Cri-Cri has eclipsed the speed record set by a
single engine electric aircraft earlier this year. Using 25-hp
Electravia brushed motors and bigger propellers gave it a speed
advantage and a world record of 162.44 mph - easily topping the Italian
ENFICA-FC's 83.7 mph. Electravia claims that optimization of motors and
propellers made it possible to establish the speed record with only 25
hp per motor, less than 75 percent of each motor's maximum capacity.
They tout a 46-percent reduction in drag over the internal
combustion-powered craft. This is a different electric Cri-Cri than the
four-motor aircraft unveiled
by EADS earlier this year. Read
the story
Thierry Pouille, EAA 9030412, contributed to this report
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EAAER
FLIES CURTISS PUSHER REPLICA IN NAVY CENTENNIAL CEREMONY
 On
November 14, 1910, barnstorming pilot Eugene Ely made what's recognized
as the first takeoff from a ship, the USS Birmingham, near what is now
Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. Nearly 100 years later to the day,
last Friday, November 12, retired Naval Commander Bob Coolbaugh, who
built a replica of the plane Ely flew that day, was at NAS
Norfolk to take part in a commemorative ceremony for that occasion. Read
more
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FLIGHT
TRAINING SHORTCOMINGS, STRENGTHS DISCUSSED AT SUMMIT
 The
clock is ticking. The United States pilot population has declined 25
percent in the past 30 years. If the slide continues unchecked, in the
not too distant future general aviation in the U.S. could resemble GA in
Europe - expensive and virtually nonexistent. That harsh reality
prompted AOPA to undertake a major market research project to understand
the high dropout rate among student pilots taking flight training. Read
more
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YOUNG
EAGLE FLIGHT SPARKS FAMILY'S PASSION TO FLY
 This
past Sunday, November 15, was a big day for Justin McBurney, of Apple
Valley, California. He turned 16, which meant he was able to make his
first solo flight as allowed by the FAA regulations. Make that flights.
Justin flew five different airplanes that day, starting with a 1946
Aeronca Champ and followed by his family's Cessna 172, a C-152 and 150,
and a Piper Warrior. Read
more
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TERRAFUGIA
SEEKS STREET LEGAL EXEMPTIONS
 This
week, with the publication of Terrafugia's request for four exemptions
from the federal motor vehicle code, their Transition model, a roadable
aircraft, moves one step closer to your garage. In fact, if all goes
well, their first production flying car will leave the factory in just
13 months. Cofounder Carl Dietrich, while demonstrating their original
car/Light Sport Aircraft at the Palo Alto Airport in Palo Alto,
California, said the "general public is fascinated with the idea
that there could be a practical flying car. It's intoxicating." Read
more
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LATE
BID CREATES FINANCIAL HEADACHE FOR U.S. AEROBATIC TEAM
 Before
last weekend's FAI Aerobatics Commission's (CIVA) annual meeting in
Oberhausen, Germany, the Slovenian and German teams withdrew their bids
to host the 2011 World Aerobatic Championships next summer. That
seemingly left the United States Aerobatic Team in the driver's seat
with the sole remaining bid to hold the competition in Denison, Texas.
That is, until a last-minute bid was submitted by Italy's Aero Club of
Rovigo to host the 2011 WAC in Ravenna, Italy, August 31-September 11. Read
more
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ORDER
TICKETS TO EAA WRIGHT BROTHERS MEMORIAL DINNER ONLINE
 On
December 17, EAA will celebrate the 107th anniversary of the first
successful powered flight at the 8th annual Wright Brothers Memorial
Dinner. The evening's keynote speaker is most famous for making perhaps
the most incredible unpowered flight; Joe Kittinger, Jr. Read
more and listen to an EAA Radio interview with Joe Kittinger
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GRAVES,
BARROW TO CO-CHAIR HOUSE GA CAUCUS
 Congressman
Sam Graves (R-Mo.), EAA 619761/Warbirds of America 554648, will become
co-chairman of the House General Aviation Caucus when co-chairman and
founder Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.), EAA 685118, retires at the end of the
current congressional term, January 3, 2011. Ehlers and Rep. Allen Boyd
(D-Fla.) formed the House GA Caucus in April 2009 and it has since grown
to more than 130 members - about a third of the House plus 29 senators. Read
more
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FROM
WARBIRDS BRIEFING: HARPOON RESCUE
 Ever
wonder who’s restoring what? Taigh Ramey and Vintage Aircraft have
been up to a lot. This isn’t exactly a Mustang in a barn - more like a
Harpoon in a field. The Lockheed PV-2D Harpoon, one of 35 D-model
Harpoons built, was on land that had been sold, and the aircraft needed
to go as the new land owners didn’t like old aircraft like we do. The
old warbird had been sitting since 1994 and was buried in the ground
past its axles, the belly tank resting squarely on the ground – a sad
sight indeed. From Warbirds Briefing e-newsletter, learn the story of a
lovable derelict that would eventually become a cloud dancer once again.
Read more and watch it fly again after 16 years
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PHOTOS
ON PILOT CERTIFICATES ONE STEP CLOSER
The FAA announced today (November 17) it is proposing that all pilot
certificates include photos of the certificate holder. The proposal
calls for all new airman certificates and flight instructor certificates
to include a photograph. Existing private, recreational, or sport pilot
certificate holders would have five years to comply with the new
requirement. Existing pilots with a current commercial pilot certificate
would have four years to comply, while a pilot with an airline transport
pilot rating would have three years to obtain a new certificate with a
photo. The new pilot certificate would cost $22. Read
more
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 Last
week, 62 percent of you decided that the mysterious smoke plume
sighted off the coast of Los Angeles was a missile of some kind,
suggesting that the government was up to something.
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: If you're
picked for supplemental screening next time you fly commercial, which
will you choose? Vote
now!
You might also want to see what Sully
has to say on the subject.
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ADVANCE
AIRVENTURE ADMISSIONS, CAMPING, FLIGHTS PURCHASE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Advance purchase camping now available for all arrival dates
 Advance
purchase of AirVenture 2011 admission and camping is now available on
the AirVenture website, and this year you can pre-purchase camping at
AirVenture's Camp Scholler for all arrival dates. The 59th AirVenture
takes place July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. With
rates remaining the same as last year, EAA members and non-members can
make pre-purchases via a secure website, allowing ticket holders to
speed through the admissions process.
Read more
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FUTURIST
PREDICTS ELECTRIC PLANES WILL ONE DAY DOMINATE SKY
 “Twenty
years from now, it’s going to be mostly an all-electric world,”
including airplanes, said futurist and private pilot John Petersen at
last week’s AOPA Aviation Summit in Long Beach, California. Petersen,
who was recently hired by NASA to provide a future vision of aviation,
shared his insights at a keynote address streamed live on the Internet. Read
more
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WEBINARS:
FLYING BEFORE THE WRIGHT BROS. GOT IT RIGHT
EAA Homebuilder's Community Manager Joe Norris will give the quick
overview of what you need to know to stay on the FAA's good side.
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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ATTENTION
EDUCATORS: EAA SPACE WEEK REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Educators have the opportunity to introduce students in grades 3-8 to
the wonders of space exploration during EAA Space Week from Nov. 29
through Dec. 3 at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh. Exciting and
educational activities take place each day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
including Pop Rocket, Rocket Car, and Star Gazer Exploration. For more
information and to make class reservations, call 920-426-6880 or e-mail museum@eaa.org.
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GOT
A GREAT T-SHIRT IDEA? LET US KNOW AND YOU COULD WIN!
Got an original idea for a new t-shirt slogan or design for AirVenture
2011? Let us know about it on this
Oshkosh 365 forum thread and you could be the lucky winner of a $50
EAA merchandise gift card! While you're welcome to submit pictures to
help illustrate your idea, a simple text description is just fine and
we'll take it from there. We’ve extended the entry period through
Sunday, November 21, so post your ideas and the gift card drawing will
be held next week.
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B-17
WRAPS UP 2010 TOUR, EAA'S FLYING SEASON
 When
EAA Vintage 10 hosts EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast 2010 tour this
weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma, November 19-21, it will bring an end to
another great flying season for EAA's vintage fleet. This year more than
12,000 people got the chance to fly in one of EAA's classic aircraft,
including the B-17, Ford Tri-Motor, and Bell 47 helicopter, as well as
the vintage planes at Pioneer Airport - the 1929 Travel Air E-4000 and
the 1927 Swallow. And we're already busy working to finalize 2011 flight
ops and tours, so stay tuned.
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: SAVE $10 ON WAG-AERO PANEL-MOUNT COMPASSES
 Take
$10 off new non-TSO'd, 2-1/4-inch panel-mount compasses that are ideal
for light-sport and experimental aircraft. Choose from Unlighted
A-027-100, originally $74.50, now $64.50; and Lighted A-085-100,
originally $89.95, now $79.95. Click
here to find out how you can save $10 on these Wag-Aero compasses.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: SAVE UP TO 50% ON SELECT KIDS CLOTHING
 Save
up to 50% when you outfit your kids in cozy EAA clothing this winter.
Choose from items like this toddler EAA sweatshirt. Regular price $18.99
- sale price $9.50. Get it
now online or by calling toll-free 800-564-6322. Check out more
kids' clothing on sale at EAA's
web store.
 SAVE
UP TO 40% ON SELECT JEWELRY
Save up to 40% on select aviation
themed jewelry like this silver VFR Necklace with Oshkosh VFR map on
from and inscription on back that reads: "If you're not where you
want to be, go there. Geography is Destiny." Regular price 45.99 -
sale price $27.59. Get
it now online or by calling toll-free 800-564-6322. Check out more
jewelry on sale at EAA's web store.
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EAA Sport Aviation
Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions!
Post of the Week!
That plume of "smoke" in
Southern California - was it a missile or not? We posed that question in
e-Hotline last week, and 62 percent of the respondents thought it
was a missile versus 38 percent who were sure it was just a contrail.
Oshkosh365 stalwart John McGinnis shares
some interesting additional information that might just sway your
opinion in this issue's "post of the week!"
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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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Turbine Helicopter at Half the Price of an R-22 |
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By combining a modern turbine engine with the design from a helicopter patent that had lapsed, a New Zealand entrepreneur developed an ultralight turbine helicopter that is about half the cost of an R-22. The 160-hp turbine powers the two-seater to 170 km/hr with a ceiling of 10,000 feet. |
Photo-Taking Paper Spaceglider Starts at 80,000 feet, Goes 100 Miles |
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compete in EAA paper airplane competitions. The Vulture 1 went up to 80,000 feet, took pictures of space, then glided 100 miles, landing with only a small hole in one wing. |
Swirl Tubes
Reduce Airliner Noise |
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MIT researchers have developed swirl tubes that provide the temporary drag needed to land a plane but don’t cause the same high levels of noise when flaps and spoilers are used. The swirl tubes also “siphon power off of natural vortices corkscrewing off the end of the wings, improving fuel efficiency.” |
Electric Motor Stuffs 163 hp Into 26 Pounds |
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The ThinGap model 14090 electric motor specs list an amazing amount of short-duration peak power in a lightweight package: 163 hp in 25.6 pounds. As pointed out in one of the comments on this article, this is peak power rather than continuous, but technological innovation continues to bring us new options in high-power density motors. ThinGap 14090 |
LaunchPoint Motors
| Oxford YASA Motors |
| New Material Repels Ice Before It Forms |
| Engineers from Harvard University have designed and demonstrated ice-free nanostructured materials that literally repel water droplets before they even have the chance to freeze. The finding could lead to a new way to keep airplane wings free of ice during the worst winter weather, integrating anti-ice technology right into a material is more efficient and sustainable than conventional solutions like chemical sprays, salt, and heating. |
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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: WEIGHT
AND BALANCE
 Brian
Carpenter of Rainbow Aviation Services demonstrates how to perform a
weight and balance on an airplane. Brian is an A&P aircraft mechanic
with an Inspection Authorization rating (IA), a DAR for light sport and
amateur built, a Sport Pilot Instructor Examiner, an FAA Certified
Flight Instructor, and an EAA Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF
AVIATION: RON HERRON
 Ron
Herron was always interested in aviation growing up, but it wasn’t
until he was in his early 20s in 1975 that he moved from dreaming to
doing. He purchased a Bensen B-8M gyrocopter kit, put it together and
taught himself how to fly it. Ron began hanging around the local airport
and after pestering an FBO there he landed a job as an apprentice to an
aircraft mechanic. Over time he earned his A&P license with
inspection authorization and became the chief mechanic at the FBO. Ron
left the company and started his own maintenance facility called Little
Wing Aviation at North Little Rock, Arkansas airport. During this time
he went back to his rotorcraft roots and began thinking about how to
develop a “bunt proof” gyroplane. Using a wrecked Piper fuselage and
a Continental O-200, Ron made a prototype called the LW-1 (Little Wing
1) using a tractor-style configuration. The design flew well, but it
took some wrangling with the FAA to get it certified as an experimental.
Ron decided to start from scratch and built his next tractor design, the
LW-2. Looking very much like a scaled down Piper Cub replacing the wing
with a rotor mast and 2-bladed rotor, the LW-2 was true ultralight and
flew exceptionally well. Ron has continued development of the Little
Wing line with the LW-3, LW-4, and LW-5 autogyros and sells plans for
each. An LW-5 built by Ron and flown by EAA member Andy Keech holds 29
world flight records for speed, time to climb, altitude, and distance,
and is now part of the permanent collection at the EAA AirVenture
Museum. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 28
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: What
is the proper annual condition inspection checklist
for an E-LSA, single-engine airplane?
Answer: If
you look in the aircraft's Operating Limitations
document, you'll note a paragraph that gives
guidance on condition inspections, with wording like
"I certify that this aircraft has been
inspected on (insert date) in accordance with the
scope and detail of appendix D to part 43 or the
manufacturer's inspection procedures, and was found
to be in a condition for safe operation."
If you have
manufacturer's inspection procedures, you can follow
them, or just click
here for a checklist that will comply with
"the scope and detail of appendix D to part
43."
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
November
2010
Gene Soucy’s Showcat
biplane lights the ramp during the night air show at
Oshkosh 2010. Photo by Spencer 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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REMOS SPONSORS INAUGURAL
BAHAMAS LSA FLY-IN
REMOS Aircraft has become an official sponsor for the inaugural International Bahamas LSA Fly-In, scheduled for December 10-12. Participating pilots will gather at Banyan Air Services at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) for a 10 a.m. departure on December 10. All LSAs will land at the Grand Bahamas International Airport. The Radisson Our Lucaya Resort has rooms available at $99 per night. The group will depart for the return flight at 11 a.m. on December 12. For more information on the fly-in, click here.
WORLD’S FIRST INDOOR BALLOONING ATTRACTION
One Giant Leap LLC, the innovator of the Parabounce ballooning technology, announced the development of the world’s first indoor ballooning attraction in Las Vegas – Parabounce Vegas, an air-inflated, 100,000-square-foot “bubble style” dome where up to 20 flyers can simultaneously float, soar, and bounce in individual, 22-foot Parabounce helium balloons. For more information, click here.
TOOL TESTING LAB OFFERS DIGITAL TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE
Tool Testing Lab has added a digital, full-range (0-300 psi) tire pressure gauge to its line of tool for professional mechanics and technicians. The backlit digital gauge reads in psi, InHg, ounces/square inch, inches or feet/H2O, kilograms/square centimeter, Kpa, and Bar, with .5-percent tolerance and as fine as 0.1 psi resolution. It also holds peak readings, and features a built-in bleeder valve. The TTL-300-DTG-K also comes in a protective fitted rubber “skin” and retails for $295. For more information, click here.
TECNAM P2006T TWIN ACHIEVES FAA CERTIFICATION
The FAA issued type certificate number A62CE for the Tecnam P2006T twin, enabling U.S. customers to purchase and operate the four-seat, light piston twin aircraft. The company said it’s looking next to certify the aircraft in Canada. For more information on the Tecnam P2006T twin, click here.
CUBCRAFTERS ANNOUNCES TWO CERTIFIED BUILD CENTERS
CubCrafters has added two Certified Build Centers: Zero Gravity Builders Studio, of Richland, Washington, and The CubWorks, of Lewistown, Montana, to their Certified Build Center network. These facilities provide workspace, tools, and assistance to individuals involved in building CubCrafter’s Carbon Cub EX experimental aircraft kit. As a CubCrafters Certified Sales Center they are also qualified to sell and repair all CubCrafters models. For more information, click here.
SHIRT TAIL FRAMES FROM SPORTY’S
Sporty’s now offers custom frames to preserve a pilot’s shirt tail after it’s been cut off after their first solo flight. Each shirt tail is mounted on a sturdy background, then matted and framed for presentation. All framing is done by Sporty’s in-house frame shop, and turnaround time is five business days. Both small and large frames are available. For more information, click here.
STC FOR THREE-PLACE STEARMAN NOW AVAILABLE
Model 75 of the Stearman aircraft is now eligible for the two-place bench seat in the front cockpit. FAA approved the operation with a Standard Airworthiness Certificate. For more information contact
John J. Lumley or call 561-499-1115.
PIPER CONTROL YOKE TAPER PIN TOOL FROM AIRCRAFT SPRUCE
The M-4 Piper Control Yoke Taper Pin Tool is a tool designed to counter the frustration of removing the Piper control wheel taper pin per the recent AD. With the aid of the M-4 tool, taper pins can be removed without vibration or stress being induced on the aircraft or the surrounding delicate instruments and avionics. The tool is self-indexing, locking the taper pin in position and securing itself in place for easy pin removal. For more information, click here.
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