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January 21, 2010 Volume
11, Number 3
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MAINE
MAY REPEAL AIRCRAFT USE TAX
 If
you are a non-resident aircraft owner and never paid sales tax on the
purchase of your aircraft, you could be subject to a hefty tax bill if
you fly it to Maine. Several years of negative publicity and the
emergence of a new aircraft manufacturer in the state have pushed two
senators to submit separate bills to the Maine state legislature to seek
repeal the tax for aircraft weighing less than 6,000 pounds. Currently,
visiting aircraft that remain longer than 20 days in the state can be
charged up to 5 percent of the aircraft's value. Read
more
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WACO CLASSIC RESURRECTS
GREAT LAKES AEROBATIC BIPLANE
 Waco
Classic announced the return to production of the Great Lakes Model
2T-1A-1/2, a fully aerobatic 180-hp aircraft. The aircraft was most
recently produced in 1980, and is type certificated in the aerobatic
category. Read
more
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AIRBAGS,
SHOULDER HARNESSES, AND THE NTSB
 About
three years ago I got a call from a fellow who wanted to talk
about his experience as a student pilot. Actually, he wanted my
advice on whether he should continue his training. The student
was pretty far along in his training and was receiving
instruction in night landings. During a lesson he and his
instructor had already made a couple of successful approaches
and landings to the same runway, but this time they got to low
on approach. We all know that is very easy to do on a dark night
with nothing but runway edge lighting for guidance. As we talked
I learned that this student pilot was part of a very small group
because he had survived a serious crash with no injuries in part
because the airplane was equipped with an airbag. Read more and subscribe to Mac's Blog
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STUNNING PHOTO SERIES
SHOWS ABANDONED RUSSIAN SHUTTLE LAUNCH SITE
 The
Buran (which means snowstorm or blizzard in Russian) spacecraft was the
Soviet version of the U.S. Space Shuttle. Its only flight was an
unmanned flight into Earth's orbit in 1988. After two circles of the
Earth it returned to a runway at the Baikanour Cosmosdrome, where it was
launched. The project was canceled in 1993, and the Buran was crushed in
a hangar collapse in 2002. We discovered a series of photographs of the
now crumbling Buran launch facility that show the monolithic grandeur of
the Soviet and Russian space programs. View
the photos
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GROEN
BROTHERS SPARROWHAWKS TO BE BUILT IN CHINA BY NEW JOINT VENTURE
 Groen
Brothers Aviation Inc. announced this week that its wholly owned
subsidiary, Groen Brothers Aviation International LLC, and China's
Guangzhou Suntrans Aviation Science and Technology Co. Ltd. will produce
light gyroplanes in China based upon the SparrowHawk design. The new
company, Foshan Suntrans-Groen Aviation Co. Ltd. (FSG Aviation), is a
cooperative joint venture (CJV) and will be located in China. Read
more
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SEBRING LSA EXPO UNDER
WAY
The first aviation event of 2011, the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, runs
this weekend through Sunday, January 23, at Florida's Sebring Regional
Airport. Now in its seventh year, Sebring attendees experience the
latest product offerings in the growing light-sport aircraft industry
from leading manufacturers of fixed-wing airplanes, weight-shift trikes,
powered parachutes, motor-gliders, and gyroplanes. (Demonstration
flights are also available.) Among the 140 exhibitors are dealers and
manufacturers of aircraft, avionics, electronics, aircraft parts and
supplies, and pilot supplies, along with insurance agencies, financial
institutions, training organizations, and nearly every aspect of
recreational aviation. Read
more
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LONGTIME EAA VP
DICK MATT PASSES AWAY
Former Hollywood film producer created EAA video department
 Dick
Matt, who was EAA's first director and vice president of the marketing
and communications departments, died on Sunday at Winter Haven, Florida.
He was 84. Dick, EAA 18259, had been an EAA volunteer since 1963 and
joined the staff in 1983 as the organization was moving its offices from
the Milwaukee area to Oshkosh. He created EAA's first video department
in the 1980s, signing programming agreements with such outlets as ESPN,
Discovery, and others. Read
more
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ORLANDO
FSDO JUMPS THE GUN ON IA RENEWAL POLICY
During the past couple of days, airframe and powerplant mechanics who
hold an inspection authorization (A&P-IA) and who operate within the
area administered by the Orlando Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
received a letter from the FSDO that attempted to implement the recently
proposed revision to the FAA national policy regarding the renewal and
initial application of an Inspection Authorization. That proposed
language has not been adopted by the FAA, and the FSDO made an error in
attempting to put it in place at this time. FAA headquarters was quick
to request a correction be mailed by the FSDO to the affected mechanics.
While we have no reports of other FSDOs
attempting to implement the proposed policy, we would ask that if any
other members received letters from their local FSDO that vary
significantly in content from a previous year's renewal letter, please
notify EAA via e-mail at govt@eaa.org.
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JOIN EAA'S VOLUNTEERS CORPS AT SUN 'N FUN 2011
 The
year's first major fly-in of 2011, the 37th annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at
Lakeland, Florida, is just around the corner - March 29-April 3 - and
EAA staff is again making preparations to help usher in the start of the
flying season. As is the case every year, EAA is looking for volunteers
to help out with the many tasks and activities planned at Lakeland. Read
more
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LASER-AIRCRAFT
EVENTS DOUBLED IN 2010
 In
2010 there was a near two-fold increase in reports in the United States
of lasers pointed at airplanes from the previous year, the FAA reported
this week. Figures released showed more than 2,800 nationwide reports,
the highest number of laser events recorded since the FAA began keeping
track in 2005. That year there were 300 reports, soaring to 1,527
reports by 2009. Read
more
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SAIB
STEMMING FROM AIRLINE CRASH APPLIES TO EVERYONE
The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB)
on the subject of maneuvering speed and abrupt control inputs. The SAIB
(CE-11-17) comes out of the investigation of a 2001 accident in which an
airliner lost its vertical tail and crashed shortly after takeoff in
turbulent weather, but the FAA says it's relevant to all Part 23
airplanes as well as any special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA),
experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA), and experimental
amateur-built airplanes. Read
more
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LSA-LED
CRANE MIGRATION ENDS WITH LESS DRAMA
 The
2010 Whooping Crane migration that uses light-sport aircraft
weight-shift trikes to help the young birds find their way south for
winter concluded over the weekend (January 16) at their Florida nesting
grounds in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. The 73-day,
1,200-mile journey began in October in Wisconsin and was led by aircraft
operated by Operation Migration (OM), which has assisted the Eastern
Migration (one of two major routes by cranes in the U.S.) for the past
10 years. While the trip for OM's cranes went fairly smoothly, a sister
organization assisting a free-release migration suffered tragedy when
three cranes were found shot in Georgia. Read
more
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CONDITIONS
EXCELLENT FOR EAA SKIPLANE FLY-IN
 The
snow conditions are excellent for this Saturday's (January 22) annual
EAA Skiplane Fly-In at EAA's Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, and according
to Sean Elliott, director of flight operations, calls continue to pour
in from pilots interested in participating. "We have well over 40
skiplanes planning to attend," he said. The weather remains a
question, however, with possible scattered snow showers forecast. Pilots
will call for their final briefing the morning of January 22. "It
could be great, or could be IFR," Elliot said. If weather
conditions permit, the majority of skiplanes will arrive mid-morning and
stay until mid-afternoon. Skiplane pilots who wish to participate must
receive approval and a flight briefing prior to landing at Pioneer
Airport. Contact Sean Elliott at 920-426-4886 or via e-mail
for more information. In the event the weather does not cooperate,
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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START
MAKING PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL LEARN TO FLY DAY MAY 21
 Last
May, EAA members, chapters, and other aviation groups and enthusiasts
introduced the wonder of flight to more than 40,000 people at 450 local
events during the first International Learn to Fly Day. Mark your
calendars and start making plans for the second annual event, set for
Saturday, May 21, 2011. Read
more
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 Last
week's poll brought us another 65/35 split: It turns out that a
majority of you disagreed with the NTSB and don't want the FAA to tell
you that you have to put shoulder harnesses in your airplane if it
doesn't already have them.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION was inspired
by the recent webinar we hosted about owning and flying the classic
Piper J-3 Cub. While pilots train in any number of different aircraft,
if you get a decent-sized (and age-diverse) group of them together, you
will undoubtedly find that many of them first learned to fly in a Cub,
while many of the rest cut their teeth on the venerable Cessna 150.
If we were to give you one of these two
airplanes (note: we are NOT going to do this), which would you rather
have for your own personal use? Vote
now!
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INTRODUCING 5-STEP
PROGRAM FOR FUTURE AVIATORS
 The Young Eagles introductory flight is now Step 1 in a
five-step journey we call the Young Eagles Flight Plan. The plan
includes programs that encourage young people to keep flying after their
initial ride and pursue aviation careers. Step 2 is a free EAA Student
Membership providing the tools for a successful aviation journey. Step 3
is the Sporty's Complete Flight Training Course, a free two-part ground
school that preps students for flight training. Once students complete
part 1 of the ground school, they can take their First Flight Lesson,
step 4 of the program. More than just a ride, this free introductory
lesson puts the student at the controls. If students decide a career in
flying is for them, Step 5 offers flight training scholarships to
support their professional dreams. Click
here to find out more about EAA Student Membership and the Young
Eagles Flight Plan
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WEBINARS: AERODROME
OF DEMOCRACY: HOW CANADA TRAINED ALLIED PILOTS
One of the greatest military and industrial achievements of the World
War II took place in Canada. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
(BCATP) was a massive exercise in planning, construction, and community
involvement that, in a few short years, trained hundreds of thousands of
airmen from Canada, the British Commonwealth, and the United States.
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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SPORTAIR
WORKSHOPS COMING TO PHOENIX IN FEBRUARY
 EAA's
SportAir Workshops makes its first visit to Phoenix, Arizona, the
weekend of February 19-20, where it will team with Chandler Gilbert
Community College's Williams Campus Aviation Center in Mesa for four
two-day aircraft building and restoration workshops. Courses will
include Fabric Covering, Sheet Metal Construction, Electrical Systems
and Avionics, and Composite Construction. Space in most of the courses
is still available. Read
more
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SAVE
UP TO $40 ON HERTZ AIRPORT RENTALS THROUGH FEBRUARY 13
 EAAers,
save up to $40 on your weekly or weekend car rental at the airport when
you include PC#151034 in your reservation of an economy or higher class
car. This offer is valid for pickup through February 13, 2011, at
participating airport locations in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and
Mexico. Click
here for more information.
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PARTNERSHIP
WITH FORD SAVES EAA MEMBERS MONEY
As an EAA member, you are eligible for special pricing on Ford Motor
Company vehicles through Ford's Partner Recognition Program, a unique
opportunity that has already meant substantial savings for more than
30,000 EAA-member vehicle purchasers. This exclusive opportunity also
allows EAA members be among the first to know about special deals and
new product announcements, such as this sneak peek at the all-new 2012
Ford Focus. Read
more
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: FREE SHIPPING ON PEDAL PLANE PLANS
 Save
$6.50 on shipping when you purchase pedal plane plans. Future aviators
can pedal around with their very own miniature airplane. Build it
together and you might have a future homebuilder on your hands.
Choose from 12 different plane plans. Click
here to find out how you can get free shipping on pedal plane plans.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: END OF SEASON CLEARANCE SALE ON OUTERWEAR
 Save
up to 40% on EAA outerwear while supplies last. Keep warm the way
fighter pilots did in our Leather Bomber Jacket. Once spring arrives,
change over to our EAA Denim Jacket, ideal for crisp nights. Thanks for
showing your EAA colors proudly and building the future of aviation,
because when you purchase anything from the EAA online store, you're
supporting EAA programs that help grow participation in aviation. Shop
online now or by calling 800-564-6322.
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EAA Sport Aviation
Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions!
Post of the Week!
We all talk a lot, and rightfully so,
about encouraging people to get started in aviation, and there's a
steadily increasing emphasis on improving the completion rate for
student pilots. But what about those people who did finish, and, for one
reason or another, wandered away from aviation and need a hand getting
back? Lawrence Bird fits that description, and, in this
week's featured post, raises some questions about where to begin
when you've been away for a while - in his case, 17 years.
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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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Hybrid Cross-Country Flight With Range Extender Pod |
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electric aircraft. By adding the hybrid propulsion removable pod to a lengthened-wing Twister, the aircraft should now be capable of three hours of cruising flight at 80 mph. |
Airliners ‘in the Year 2025’ |
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Three strange-looking futuristic aircraft designs are being developed by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing to meet NASA’s design requirements for airliners in the year 2025. The commercial aircraft of the future is targeted for a 7,000-mile range at 85 percent of the speed of sound and a payload capability of up to 100,000 pounds. |
TaxiBot Lets Pilot Drive Tug From Plane |
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Although it can’t do everything shown in the “Transformers” movie, the TaxiBot does allow a jet airliner pilot to taxi from the gate to the runway and vice versa without using the aircraft’s jet engines. The pilot controls the TaxiBot from the cockpit using his normal tiller and braking pedals, enabling airport taxiing with reduced fuel cost, noise, and CO2 emissions. |
Device Alerts Sleepy Pilots |
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It’s unsafe to drive your car or pilot your plane if you’re too tired, but part of the problem is knowing how tired you really are. The Anti Sleep Pilot is a reasonable cost fatigue monitor that is individualized for each person and uses 26 different inputs to continuously measure and display your fatigue level. |
Wireless Engine Monitoring System With iPhone/iPad |
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The iMonitor EMS system with a TS-83 Wi-Fi/USB Module from TruTrak Flight Systems gives you wireless monitoring of aircraft engine performance and provides cost-effective “black box” capabilities to general aviation. Wireless monitoring of the engine allows easier maintenance, and, according to the company, the “black box” recording feature stores the last 15 hours of flight information. |
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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: HOMEMADE
PREPREG FOR COMPOSITES
 Mark
Forss of EAA’s SportAir Workshops demonstrates a quick, easy, and
cost-effective way to make a composite prepreg using basic tools and
materials. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF
AVIATION: FRED WEICK
 As
a young boy, Fred Weick (1899-1993) convinced his parents to take him to
an air meet held in Grant Park of Chicago, where he became completely
fascinated by airplanes. He began making stick and tissue models and
learning about aircraft structures. Fred graduated from the University
of Illinois with a degree in engineering in 1922 and went to work for
the U.S. Mail Service establishing emergency landing fields for air mail
pilots. He then took a job for a short time with the Navy Department’s
Bureau of Aeronautics designing propellers for Naval aircraft before
joining the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at its
Langley Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Virginia in 1925. Fred’s
work there covered many different aspects, including wind tunnel testing
and propeller design. His biggest contribution to aviation at that time
was the development of a streamlined engine cowling for radial engines,
now referred to as a NACA cowling. Fred was awarded the Collier Trophy
for this work in 1929. He left NACA in 1936 and went to work for ERCO as
chief designer, where he was responsible for the design and development
of a safe, spin-proof airplane that would become the classic Ercoupe.
After World War II, Fred was involved in the design of some agricultural
crop-dusting aircraft and eventually took a job with Piper, where he
co-designed the Piper Cherokee with Karl Bergey and John Thorp. Fred
continued with Piper until retiring at age 70 in 1969. He remained
active in aviation circles until his death in 1993. Fred shared these
experiences with EAA Antique-Classic division volunteers during the 1986
Oshkosh convention. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 7
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
am considering the purchase of a Long EZ but have
concerns about the cockpit size. I would like to
find someone who has one within a reasonable
distance from my home so I can check it out. Do you
have a database aircraft that can be searched by
locality?
Answer: EAA
does not have such a database, but there are a
couple of options we can recommend. First, the FAA
registration database contains name and address
information of aircraft owners that you can search
by Make/Model. Here
are the results of a search for Long EZs.
The other option is
to join the canard-aviators
Yahoo group and post your question on a forum
board. It is very active, with more than 2,200
members, and you will surely get a response from
someone nearby.
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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LINCOLN ELECTRIC ROLLS OUT
NEW WEBSITE
Lincoln Electric unveiled a new website that features increased product detail and a new navigation system. The site now features “categories of interest,” ranging from equipment to sports sponsorships, at the top of the homepage. Also new to the site is a login function that allows users to register for a customized user experience, including a personalized product wish list that they can save for future reference. To view Lincoln Electric’s new site, click here.
HARTZELL'S NEW TWO-BLADED PROP FOR
PIPER AZTEC
Hartzell Propeller Inc. has developed a two-bladed Top Prop propeller conversion kit for Piper PA-23-250 Aztec twin-engine aircraft. The new 77-inch-diameter propeller uses blade-mounted counter-weights to provide redundant assistance to the propeller pitch control and feathering system versus the original configuration that relies heavily on an air pressure charge for these functions. The new props are available for C to F models, serial numbers 27-2505 through to 27-8154030, installed with Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 or TIO-540-C1A engines. They replace Hartzell’s two-blade aluminum non-counter-weighted prop normally installed on these aircraft. For more information, click here.
AERO FABRICATORS TO MAKE TAYLORCRAFT
VERTICAL FINS
Aero Fabricators, the manufacturing division of the Wag-Aero Group, has earned FAA approval to manufacture the Taylorcraft Vertical Fin for BC12-D aircraft. This fin is a direct replacement for OEM P/N D-A40. The company is also waiting for FAA approval to manufacture the Taylorcraft Stabilizer OEM P/N D-A419, Elevator OEM P/N D-A420 RH, OEM P/N D-A411 LH, and Rudder OEM P/N D-A410. For information on ordering Wag-Aero products, click here.
YINGLING LAUNCHES 'AVIATOR'S ATTIC'
ONLINE STORE
Yingling Aviation has announced “The Aviator’s Attic,” an expanded and redesigned online store. The Aviator’s Attic includes pilot supplies, headsets, flight planning and cockpit tools, apparel, GPSs, radios and scanners, aircraft supplies, flashlights, flight cases, and charts from a variety of leading providers. For more information, click here.
FLIGHT DESIGNS EARNS EASA APPROVAL
Flight Design earned Design Organization Approval (DOA) from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to pursue Type Certification of Aircraft with EASA for non-complex aircraft up to 1.200 kilograms (2,640 pounds) MTOW. With EASA approval Flight Design may now conduct the type investigation for a new aircraft certification without further checking by EASA; the agency can accept the compliance findings of the company. Flight Design is also approved to make major and minor changes to the airframe, and to approve minor changes without direct EASA involvement. For more information, click here.
AEROGRAPHS IPHONE APP NOW AVAILABLE
Aviation photographer John Slemp announced the release of his free Aerographs iPhone app, which is now available in the Apple App Store. The app was developed to share John’s aviation artwork with potential clients, fans, and photography aficionados. The app features blog and news updates, speaking engagements (with built-in links to Google Maps), and automatic updates with new images. For more information, click here.
CESSNA RECEIVES 60 SKYCATCHER LSA
Cessna Aircraft Company announced at the annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, that it has received more than 60 Skycatcher light-sport aircraft from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. In conjunction with its reassembly site at Yingling Aviation in Wichita, Kansas, Cessna has delivered more than 30 Skycatchers. The company is on track to deliver 150 Skycatchers in 2011, including the first models featuring the McCauley two-blade, fixed-pitch composite propeller. For more information, click here.
TSO CERTIFICATION FOR NEW MID-CONTINENT INSTRUMENTS
Mid-Continent Instruments announced the TSO certification and delivery of the MD15 2-inch altimeter and the MD25 2-inch airspeed indicator. The MD15 is a 2-inch, three-pointer altimeter offered in a 20,000-feet model, with a 35,000-feet model to follow. Options include a barometric scale in inches of mercury or millibars and a left- or right-hand baro set knob. The MD25 2-inch airspeed indicator is offered in multiple ranges: 160, 200, 260, 300, 350, and 400 knots. Range markings can be added to meet specific aircraft requirements. For more information, click here.
BELITE INTRODUCES UK VERSION SSDR
Belite Aircraft is introducing a Single Seat Deregulated Sub-115kg Microlight for the UK market. Due to the stringent weight loading requirements, UK SSDR rules are substantially tougher than U.S. ultralight regulations. Belite’s conventional aircraft was too heavy at 250 pounds, and the wing was too small with an area of about 100 square feet. A UK SSDR-compliant aircraft, the weight is a little less than 223 pounds (101KG). The wings are built from carbon fiber and aluminum and the fuselage is constructed from welded 4130 Chromaloy steel. For more information on Belite Aircraft, click here.
WIRELESS IN-FLIGHT ENGINE DATA NOW
AVAILABLE FOR ICUB
SportairUSA completed installation and flight testing of the iMonitor EMS system by TruTrak Flight Systems in the new Savage iCub bush plane. The system accepts engine performance information from engine sensors to an Engine Data Module (EDM) and then transmits each line of data through an onboard wireless network to any iPad or iPhone running the TruTrak iMonitor software. The iMonitor Engine Monitoring program is a wireless iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch application available in the Apple iTunes app store for $0.99. For more information, click here.
IFLIGHTPLANNER.COM’S ROUTE RUBBERBANDING
AND CUSTOM WAYPOINTS
iFlightPlanner LLC released an upgrade to iFlightPlanner.com this week with the introduction of route rubberbanding and the ability for users to create, save, and use custom waypoints in their flight planning. These latest features build on the existing functionality of iFlightPlanner.com’s sectional and IFR charts in the Google Maps interface by giving pilots the ability to interactively point, click, and drag their routes around weather and airspace or to any number of custom locations. iFlightPlanner.com has also upgraded its Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) by adding graphical and color-coded facility type and usage identifiers to each listing. For more information, click here.
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