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January 14, 2010 Volume
11, Number 2
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PIPER
ANNOUNCES END OF THE PIPERSPORT LSA
 Citing
differences in business philosophies, Piper Aircraft Inc. announced
Wednesday it would terminate its business relationship with Czech Sport
Aircraft, which produced a light-sport aircraft (LSA) that Piper
marketed as the PiperSport and introduced at last year’s U.S. Sport
Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida. Read
more
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STANDING
ROOM ONLY FOR INAUGURAL GRASSROOTS PILOT TOUR EVENT
 A
standing room-only crowd of more than 200 EAA members and aviation
enthusiasts greeted EAA President/CEO Rod Hightower on Tuesday, January
11, for his first Grassroots Pilot Tour event held at Poplar Grove
Airport in Poplar Grove, Illinois. The enthusiastic audience enjoyed a
social gathering to kick off the evening, followed by Hightower's
presentation on the many ways EAA is engaged in growing participation in
aviation, how EAA works with other organizations, and the key issues of
the day such as amateur-built safety and fuels. Read
more
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URGE
YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO JOIN THE GENERAL AVIATION CAUCUS
U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and John Barrow (D-GA) have
re-established a General Aviation Caucus in the U.S. House of
Representatives. The General Aviation Caucus is open to all members of
the U.S. House of Representatives regardless of party affiliation and
committee assignments. In the previous Congress, the caucus had more
than 135 members. It is the goal of Reps. Graves and Barrow, the caucus
co-chairmen, along with general aviation industry groups to ensure that
the caucus has a large membership to draw upon to highlight important
issues facing the general aviation industry. Read
more
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THE
FAA'S HEALTH GUARANTEE
 Next
time you visit your regular physician ask him or her if they
will guarantee that you will remain in good health for the next
two years. After they stop laughing, they may venture something
like "Your chances seem pretty good," or
"Everything looks okay now, but you never know."
That's as close to a warranty for two year's of good health as I
can imagine from any doctor.
But when you leave your FAA
designated medical examiner's (AME's) office with that new
medical of any class, you are guaranteed to remain in excellent
health for at least two years, even three years if you are a
younger pilot. How can the FAA do that when the medical
establishment won't even guarantee that you'll live to see
tomorrow? Read more and subscribe to Mac's Blog |
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CHINESE
J-20 STEALTH AIRCRAFT TAKES TO THE AIR
 As
photos of the new Chinese stealth aircraft, the J-20 "Black
Eagle," made the rounds last week, China was already moving on to
the flight test phase. On Tuesday (January 11) the prototype made its
first flight from an airfield in Chengdu. The flight briefly raised
geo-political eyebrows because U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates
visited China Tuesday to cool military tensions between the two
countries. China's President Hu Jintao denied the flight was pre-planned
and not timed to coincide with Secretary Gates' visit. Watch
the video
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ALL-STAR
CAST WILL LIGHT UP THE SKY AT AIRVENTURE NIGHT AIR SHOW
 Fresh
off last year's extremely popular debut, the night air show and
fireworks with the "Wall of Fire" return on Saturday, July 30,
to light up the sky on the final evening at EAA AirVenture 2011. Start
time is approximately 8:45 p.m., with fireworks to follow at 9:30 p.m.
The inaugural night air show at EAA AirVenture 2010 drew tens of
thousands to the flightline, where they were dazzled by a stunning
display of precision aerobatics and pyrotechnics from many of the
world's top air show performers. Read
more and watch a video
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2011
B-17 TOUR SET TO TAKE OFF APRIL 1 IN ARIZONA
 EAA’s
restored B-17 bomber Aluminum Overcast returns to the sky on Friday,
April 1, as EAA Warbird Squadron 20 hosts the first stop of the 2011
national tour in Deer Valley, Arizona. The tour’s spring segment
includes 20 stops in seven states, and online
booking for flights are now available.
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FCC
PULLS ORDER TO PROHIBIT 121.5 MHZ ELTS
Citing a request by the FAA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
issued a final
rule on Tuesday, January 11, removing its earlier prohibition of
121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) in the United States.
Last June the FCC published a change to 47 CFR Part 87 calling for
"prohibiting the certification, manufacture, importation, sale, or
use of 121.5 MHz ELTs other than the Breitling Emergency Watch ELT,"
due to the fact that satellite monitoring of 121.5 MHz units terminated
in 2009. Read
more
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ANOTHER
GULFSTREAM INNOVATION
 Gulfstream
is the first business jet manufacturer to fly using electric-powered
primary flight controls. The successful tests were conducted in the
ultra-long-range G650 that is in developmental flight testing with FAA
certification expected later this year. Other jets use multiple
hydraulic systems to move the control surfaces, but Gulfstream is the
first to add electrically actuated controls on top of dual independent
hydraulic systems. Read
more
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NTSB
RECOMMENDS FAA REQUIRE AIRBAGS ON GA AIRCRAFT
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Tuesday adopted a study
that found airbag-equipped general aviation airplanes provide an
additional protection in accidents involving survivable forward impacts.
The five-member board held a public hearing in Washington, D.C., on the
study, which also concludes that correctly installed shoulder
harness/lap belt combinations provide significantly greater protection
in GA accidents than a lap belt alone. Read
more
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PIONEERING
AEROBATIC TRI-MOTOR PILOT PASSES AWAY
 Harold
Johnson, a Tri-Motor pilot who performed aerobatic routines at the
National Air Races prior to World War II, died Wednesday (January 12) in
Florida at the age of 100. Johnson once completed 17 loops, his favorite
maneuver, before an air show crowd, breaking his previous record of 16.
Having even performed his Tri-Motor routine for Henry Ford, Johnson was
inducted into the International Council of Airshows Hall of Fame last
month (December 2010) and was one of the inspirations for a Tri-Motor
restoration by Greg Herrick, who seeks to perform aerobatics in a 1928
Tri-Motor 4-AT-B. Watch
Harold Johnson's incredible performance
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HOUSE
MEMBERS URGED TO REITERATE OPPOSITION TO USER FEES
The chairman and ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation in
the 111th Congress are asking fellow congressional representatives to
urge the Obama Administration not to include aviation user fees in the
Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposal. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) and Jerry Costello
(D-Ill.) have sent a
"Dear Colleague" letter to fellow members asking them to
sign a bipartisan letter to President Obama reiterating the anti-user
fee position. In 2010, 118 members signed a similar letter. Read
more
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HANDS
ACROSS THE (FROZEN) WATER
 George
Weller, EAA 185481, of Stanstead, Quebec/Derby Line, Vermont, is
organizing a unique skiplane event next month that invites Canadian and
American pilots to fly in and land on a frozen lake situated in both
Vermont and Quebec. "We have permission to hold our third annual
Ski Fly Meet on Lake Memphremagog on February 19, where we fly onto the
ice on our respective sides of the border and meet at the line,"
Weller wrote in an e-mail to EAA. Read
more
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EAA
SKIPLANE FLY-IN JANUARY 22
 The
annual EAA Skiplane Fly-In will be held on Saturday, January 22, at
EAA's Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh. In past years, more than 25 skiplanes
have participated, showcasing this unique segment of flight that is
quite popular throughout many parts of North America. The majority of
skiplanes will arrive (weather and runway conditions permitting)
mid-morning and will stay until mid-afternoon. In the event weather or
snow conditions do not permit aircraft arrivals at Pioneer Airport,
several other activities will continue as planned, including
complimentary chili and cake celebrating the birthday of EAA's
matriarch, Audrey Poberezny, served beginning at 10:30 a.m. Read
more
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 According
to last week's poll, a lot of you are pretty skeptical about China's
newly revealed stealth fighter. When asked for your early opinion on the
Chengdu J-20, only 35 percent considered it "a real
contender."
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION potentially
hits a lot closer to home. As we've reported, the NTSB has adopted a
study on airbags and restraint systems in general aviation accidents. Of
the six recommendations they're now directing to the FAA, one of them
would potentially affect the entire GA fleet - the requirement that all
GA aircraft be equipped with shoulder harnesses, to be retrofitted if
need be. What do you think?
• Should the FAA accept the NTSB's recommendation and require
shoulder harnesses to be retrofitted on all GA aircraft that
don't have them already? Vote
now!
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CONGRATULATIONS 2011
CHAPTER LEADERS!
EAA extends our congratulations to those who have been elected as
chapter leaders in 2011. For many, you are continuing a leadership role
in your chapter; others are assuming leadership roles for the first
time. No matter your circumstances, the EAA Chapter office is a resource
for all chapter-related questions or concerns. We are here to help your
chapter succeed. Read
more
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WEBINARS: WANT
A PLANE WITH FOLDING WINGS? WATCH THIS WEBINAR!
A plane with folding wings isn't just for the Navy; now you may have the
chance to build one yourself. Join Sonex Aircraft's Jeremy Monnett as he
talks about the Onex kit, which includes, you guessed it, folding wings!
All webinars begin at 7 p.m. CST. 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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ENTER
2011 EAA QUILT BLOCK CONTEST
 Entries
are now being accepted for the annual 2011 EAA Aviation Quilt Block
Contest, which showcases the colorful, artistic creativity of quilters
from across the country and throughout the world. Winning quilt blocks
are framed and displayed in the EAA AirVenture Museum during AirVenture
2011 and for the next 12 months. Each entry must be accompanied by a
separate entry form. (Click
here to download.) Entries for the 2011 contest must be received no
later than June 1, 2011, and be no larger than 12 inches square, bound
or unbound. If you have any questions, send
an e-mail to Carol Stadler, contest chairperson. Don't delay - start
your project now to ensure you make the June 1 deadline. This could be
your year to win first place at AirVenture!
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2011
EAA AIR ACADEMY OPEN ENROLLMENT
Sign up now for EAA's annual aviation camp that explores the exciting
world of aviation for all experience levels. Participants spend a week
completely immersed in aviation at the EAA Air Academy Lodge. There is
simply no better place to experience aviation than in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin! Choose from: EAA Young Eagles Camp - Ages 12 and 13 Session
1: June 13-17; Session 2: July 12-16
EAA Basic Air Academy - Ages 14 and 15
Session 1: June 19-24; Session 2: June 26 - July 1; Session 3: July 5-10
Find
out more
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SHARE
YOUR PASSION FOR FLIGHT - GET A FRIEND OFF THE GROUND
 EAA
and Sporty's have partnered to put together a complete "get started
in flying" package called Flight Experience. It's a great way to
share your passion for flying and inspire a friend to start his or her
journey. The package comes with a flight lesson gift certificate that's
redeemable at most flight schools, a six-month EAA membership, a flight
training DVD, and much more - all for only $139. Click
here to find out how you can share the gift of flight or call
800-564-6322.
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MEMORIAL
WALL DEDICATIONS DUE APRIL 12
The Memorial Wall, located on EAA grounds, is dedicated to honoring the
memories of individuals whose passion for aviation positively impacted
the lives of those around them. Your contribution of $350 lets us
inscribe a two-line tribute on the engraved plaque and gets you
admission to the AirVenture dedication ceremony and a keepsake DVD of
the event. Deadline for inclusion in the 2011 Memorial Wall tribute is
April 12, 2011. Click here
for more information on dedicating a plaque to someone special. You can
also call 920-426-6507 or 1-800-236-1025, or e-mail
Pat Heyer.
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: SAVE 20% ON THE 2011 FAR/AIM
 You
know you need the FAR/AIM, so why not save 20% on it? The 2011 FAR/AIM
book contains complete and up-to-date information pertinent to general
aviation, sport pilots, and flight instructors. You'll also receive a
free email subscription service that updates you on information as it is
released by the FAA. Click
here to find out how you can save 20% on the 2011 FAR/AIM.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: SAVE 20% ON TOP TEN NON-FICTION BOOKS
 When
the weather's not great for flying, it's certainly perfect for a great
book. Check out our top
ten reads for a day inside and save 20% on every one of them. And
don't forget to take a look at the books that received Honorable
Mention, and our top
selling children's books. Order
online at EAA's web store or by calling 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 brings a time capsule
from the early days of aviation history: complete issues of The
American Magazine of Aeronautics beginning with Volume 1, No. 1. The
advertisements, news, and technical articles all provide fascinating
glimpses into the state of aviation as it was more than 100 years ago. Check
out the two issues we've shared, and follow the links in the post
for more!
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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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EADS Astrium Still in the Race to Space |
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The European Union is still in the race to space tourism with the EADS Astrium. This hybrid-propulsion concept spaceplane will use jet engines to carry it to 12 km, then ignite its rocket engine to zoom to 100 km, giving its passengers several minutes of spectacular views and weightlessness. |
DOT Uses Drone Strikes in Snoqualmie Pass |
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Aircraft are not standard equipment for maintaining safe, clear roads, but the Washington state Dept of Transportation is using autonomous UAVs to reduce avalanche accidents and road closures. Recent experiments in avalanche-prone Snoqualmie Pass have proven the effectiveness of drones dropping explosives based on terrain and snowpack surveillance by those UAVs. |
New U.S. Weather Map Displays Instant Airport Conditions |
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NOAA is leveraging the power of the Internet to bring aviators instant access to airport weather across the U.S. A new online map lets you quickly and visually find the airport you’re interested in, then a click or two brings you a plethora of aviation-related weather data. |
Developing a Smart Wing for Smooth Flight |
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A laminar “smart” wing being designed by a European consortium is targeted to reduce aircraft drag by 10 percent. Innovative researchers and engineers at Airbus and Saab are creating a lighter, smoother wing with “much less sweep, a thinner and shorter leading edge, and a smaller radius to its curvature” to enable laminar flow across a larger area of the wing. |
| Hydrogen-Powered
UAV has 7-Day Endurance |
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AeroVironment
has successfully flown its Global Observer unmanned aircraft, powered
by a hydrogen-fueled propulsion system, for the first time. A
liquid-hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine drives a generator
that powers the four propellers as well as batteries and operational
payloads. With a wingspan of 175 feet, the Global Observer is a
long-endurance UAV that, according to the company, could stay aloft up
to a week at a time. |
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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: GEAR
BOX SERVICING FOR A ROTAX ENGINE
 Brian
Carpenter of Rainbow Aviation Services demonstrates how to service the
gearbox on a Rotax engine. 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: JACK BENTON
 After
he had graduated from high school, Jack Benton went to Fayetteville,
Arkansas intending to go to college. A Navy recruiter there convinced
him to enlist instead. After a barrage of tests, Jack was accepted into
the Navy’s V-5 Aviation Cadet program for flight training. He was
commissioned as a Marine on May 23, 1943 and was sent to dive bomber
school where he learned dive bombing techniques in the Vought SB2U
Vindicator. After only a 30-minute training flight in the Douglas SBD
Dauntless, Jack was shipped to the Pacific Theater of Operations, where
he joined Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 151 at Wallis Island. Jack would
fly forty-nine combat missions in the SBD in 1944, including submarine
patrols and dive bombing attacks against fortified Japanese positions. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 15
fly-ins and events over
the next two weekends in the EAA
Events Calendar. Find one near you or add your event! |
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Q
& A: I
want to determine if the aircraft I am considering
is a "safe" airplane. Where on the FAA
website can I go to find out if there have been any
accidents of a particular aircraft design?
Answer:
The FAA doesn't investigate accidents, so you won't
find the information you are looking for on its
website. Aircraft incidents and accidents are
investigated by the National Transportation and
Safety Board (NTSB), and if you wish to search for
specific aircraft accident reports, just go to the NTSB
database. Just enter the search parameters you
wish, and you can view the current information on
past and current accident investigations for a
specific design.
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
January
2011
Michael Monreal's
Aeronca Sedan takes off as an Aeronca Chief taxis
into position at the 2009 EAA Skiplane Fly-In. This
year’s event is January 22 at EAA’s Pioneer
Airport, Oshkosh. Photo by H.G. Frautschy.
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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CUBCRAFTERS AWARDED
STC FOR EXTENDED LANDING GEAR
CubCrafters has been awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its 3X3 landing gear, available as a modification for all PA-18 Super Cubs. The new design moves the wheels 3 inches forward and 3 inches lower than stock gear and increases the strength of the gear system as a whole. The gusseted axles are machined from solid 4130 steel, and welded to larger diameter, thicker walled main tubes extending from the fuselage attach points. The new gear increases prop clearance and takeoff performance while allowing pilots to brake harder and therefore land in a shorter distance. For more information, click here.
WICKS RECEIVES SHIPMENT OF AIRCRAFT-GRADE
SITKA SPRUCE
Wicks Aircraft Supply received a new shipment of aircraft-grade Sitka spruce, suitable for spars, cap strips, and T-stringers. They are now able to offer spars up to 1.25 inches thick by 9 inches wide with lengths up to 20 feet. Most common spar orders can be shipped in a week or less.
For those who need spars with tapers, bevels, routing, or all three adjustments, Wicks Aircraft Supply can customize any piece of aircraft-grade Sitka spruce to a homebuilder’s specs for a fee. For more information, click here.
CUSTOMIZABLE SPORTY’S FLIGHT GEAR BAG
Sporty’s Flight Gear Mission Bag is a new design that can be customized with snap-on accessories. With the modular design, the bag’s size can be adjusted and accessories can be attached to the bag or used separately with the included belt attachment. The bag, which is available for $62.95, features a hard rubber handle and shoulder strap. Sporty’s will embroider up to three initials on the bag. For more information, click here.
BOB HOOVER'S AILERON UP FOR AUCTION
If you collect aviation memorabilia, this is your opportunity to bid on a rare aileron that came off celebrated aviator Bob Hoover's P-51, Ol Yeller. This aileron flew every air show, air race, and flight that Mr. Hoover and Ol Yeller flew from 1971 to 1980. In June of 1980, the aileron received slight damage from a (no kidding) Port-O-Potty truck at Art Scholl's air show in Rialto, California. It was removed and replaced by another and Bob flew his performance that same day. Judy Scholl (wife of the late Art Scholl) kept this aileron until late 2010, when she graciously donated it to the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) Foundation to be sold at the ICAS Foundation annual auction. The aileron is now autographed by Mr. Hoover and mounted on a beautiful walnut display board with Ol Yeller's N-number etched into the plaque underneath the aileron. To bid, click here.
PIPER AIRCRAFT NAMES NEW AIRCRAFT DEALER
Piper Aircraft Inc. selected Western Aircraft as Piper’s dealer for new aircraft sales in Alaska, northern California, Oregon, and Washington, the company announced. The appointment is effective immediately. “As Piper strengthens its global dealer network, we are delighted to be able to add a Greenwich AeroGroup company and the terrific sales team at Western Aircraft to represent the company’s product line in this important strategic region of the Americas,” said Randy Groom, Piper’s executive vice president. For more information, click here.
NEW EDITION OF DEFINITIVE CHART GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE
An updated 9th Edition of the Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide by the FAA’s National Aeronautical Navigation Services (formerly NACO) is now available from ASA. This guide is a learning aid and reference document for understanding how to read and interpret all FAA aviation charts and chart navigation publications. The new edition includes updated information on changes and additions to chart symbology, updates to Flight Restricted Zones (FRZ) relating to National Security, updates to Special Use Airspace areas, and more. For additional information, click here.
SKYVISION XTREME RELEASES ADS-B DISPLAY
SkyVision Xtreme LLC announced the availability of its new ADS-B traffic and weather display, with 3-D traffic, subscription-free weather, and control inputs for the UAT (Universal Access Transceiver). The “Xtreme Vision” display system can collect and display all information provided by the ADS-B system (through connection with an ADS-B UAT). The Xtreme Vision ADS-B display is available today from SkyVision Xtreme, NavWorx, or authorized avionics installers. For more information, click here. |
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