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February 18, 2010 Volume
11, Number 7
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EAA, FAA MEET IN OSHKOSH
 Several
high-ranking FAA officials were at Oshkosh this week for the EAA/FAA
2011 Recreational Aviation Summit, an annual meeting with EAA to address
key issues of importance for GA pilots and aircraft owners. Leading this
year's FAA delegation were John Allen, director of FAA Flight Standards
Service; Dorenda Baker, director of Aircraft Certification; and Tony
Fazio, director of Accident Investigation and Prevention. Other areas
represented included the General and Commercial Aviation Division; Small
Airplane Directorate; GA Maintenance Branch; Regulatory Support
Division; and Airworthiness Certification Branch. Read
more
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RUTAN'S PYRAMID ON THE
MARKET
 Aviation
legend Burt Rutan, who last year announced he would retire in April
2011, is moving within weeks to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and now he and his
wife, Tonya, have their home, "The Rutan Pyramid," up for sale
in Mojave, California. What better home for an EAAer? The Rutan Pyramid
is only five minutes away (by car or helicopter - it has a heliport)
from the Mojave Air & Space Port. The unique home, in which myriad
innovative flying machines and other inventions were inspired, is on the
market with the asking price of $1 million. Read
more
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FAA BILLS BEING DRAFTED
IN SENATE, HOUSE
The FAA Reauthorization bills currently being drafted in both the House
of Representatives and Senate will, once approved, authorize the FAA’s
revenue collection and activities over the next several years.
Legislative initiatives as large and seemingly impersonal as the
reauthorization bill represent significant efforts. Ultimately, these
initiatives have a direct effect on you, your flying freedoms, and the
aviation community. EAA is currently working on many issues within the
proposed FAA reauthorization bill. Read
more
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EAA LISTS CONCERNS ON
PILOT CERTIFICATE PHOTO PROPOSAL
 In
response to a 2004 congressional mandate, the FAA has proposed a new
form of pilot certificate that would include a photo. The requirements
from Congress includes security measures including resistance to
tampering and a unique identifier such as a digital photo or biometric
id. EAA and other industry groups argue that the new requirements
increase costs to certificate holders and are unnecessary since the
current rules require pilots to carry a photo ID. Also, that new ID may
still not conform to Department of Homeland Security standards, which
means in the future certificate holders would have to replace their IDs
a second time. Read
more
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THE
REALLY BIG RISK FOR COMPOSITE AIRPLANES
 Imagine
that you are an established airplane manufacturer planning your
next all-new airplane design. The project will cost many
millions if you are going to build a light airplane, to many
hundreds of millions or even billions if it’s a jet. The big
question is what to do about using composite materials to build
most or all of the new design? Read more and subscribe to Mac's Blog
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SEVEN ENTRIES FOR EAA'S
ELECTRIC FLIGHT PRIZE
 There
is a buzz in the air surrounding the $60,000 Electric Flight Prize at
EAA AirVenture 2011. Initial applications are filtering in from
innovators ready to showcase their advancements in electric flight at
"The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration." AirVenture 2011
attendees will have an opportunity to witness the future of electric
flight on display and in action through this contest, which will
highlight an amazing array of new powerplant and airframe designs. Read
more
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MORE AIRCRAFT CONFIRMED
FOR AIRVENTURE
 We're
only 157 days away from EAA AirVenture (but who's counting, right?). Take
a peek at the latest list of aircraft already confirmed for 2011,
and watch it grow with your favorites over the coming months by checking
back periodically.
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MINI-CLINICS SCHEDULED
FOR CHEROKEES 2 OSH
 Cherokees
to Oshkosh is gearing up for its mass arrival to the World's Greatest
Aviation Celebration, and mini-clinics are scheduled to take place in
March and April. If you are thinking of joining Cherokees 2 Osh this
summer, please consider making a decision soon. "Our ability to
plan the clinics to accommodate all of our participants depends on early
registration," said Terry Hocking, Cherokee Lead. "We have
some slots open at this point." For more information on Cherokees 2
Osh, click here.
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PHASE 1 FLIGHT TESTING
COMPLETE FOR HFF MIG-29
 The
Historic Flight Foundation (HFF) reports its 1989 MiG-29UB, the second
privately owned of its type to fly, completed the FAA-required five-hour
Phase 1 flight test program on February 9. The aircraft (N29UB) is now
certificated for normal flight operations after successfully
demonstrating rolls, loops, dives and climbs, afterburner takeoffs, and
high-altitude flight. Read
more and watch the video
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WARM WEATHER THREATENS
LAKE MEMPHREMAGOG INTERNATIONAL FLY-IN
 Organizers
for this weekend's international Ski Fly Meet on Lake Memphremagog along
the border of Vermont and Quebec, Canada, are watching the weather
closely in hopes that conditions are safe for the third annual event to
take place Sunday, February 20. It had originally been set for Saturday,
but George Weller, EAA 185481, of Stanstead, Quebec/Derby Line, Vermont,
told EAA the weather forecast is for warm and rain on Friday, February
18, creating slushy and unsafe conditions on the lake. Read
more
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WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE
MARTIN JETPACK?
 The
Martin Jetpack has had an inertia all its own since its debut in 2008.
In an update to customers Martin Aircraft CEO Richard Lauder talks about
who has stopped by to visit the facility, including the Discovery
Channel, Indian TV, and TIME magazine, which named the Martin Jetpack
one of its top 50 inventions. The jet pack was even referred to in the
"Ignition" episode of the CBS drama NCIS. There has been some
other fiction out about the jet pack out there, including the erroneous
rumor that the Los Angeles police ordered 10,000 units. Glenn Martin
addresses all the news, real and imagined, in Martin Aircraft's latest
newsletter. Read
more
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EXECUTIVE JET APPROVED TO
REPLACE PAPER CHARTS WITH IPAD
 The
iPad, along with a mobile application provided by Jeppesen, has won
approval by the FAA to be used in lieu of paper charts on Executive Jet
Management aircraft, a subsidiary of NetJets Inc. The approval to use
the iPad as the sole reference for electronic charts in all phases of
flight is the first of its kind. Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) have been
approved for use for several years but the iPad is by far the most
compact tablet computer employed to date as an EFB. Read
more
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MORE HELP FOR BALLOONISTS
SUED BY OLIVE FARM FOR OVERFLIGHTS
 Balloonists
in the southern desert of California near Palm Springs are receiving
even more help in their legal battle against JCM Farming, which is suing
them for overflying its extensive olive farm, in the form of a
fundraiser with Hollywood star power. JCM has filed complaints with the
FAA as far back as 2009 regarding low flights by balloon operators and
one pest control operation. Though the FAA has never found any
wrongdoing, JCM has managed through lawsuits to elicit signed promises
from several balloonists not to fly over its property. EAA Radio's
Fareed Guyot talked with reporter Keith Matheny from The Desert Sun
newspaper about why JCM's lawsuits against the balloonists have been so
successful. Read
the story and hear the interview
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PAUL POBEREZNY HONORED ON
WICKS 2011 CATALOG COVER
 Wicks
Aircraft Supply has dedicated its 2011 catalog to EAA Founder Paul H.
Poberezny. The free catalog will be available at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In,
which begins March 28th. Paul will be at the Wicks booth each day to
sign catalogs. Dramatically expanded this year, the catalog features
tools, materials, new products, and instructional media for
homebuilders, restorers, and GA aircraft owners. Read
more
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SAD
BUT TRUE - INSURANCE MISTAKES
Most stories about flying have happy endings. This is not one of them.
I'll use no names and avoid references that might embarrass those who
were involved. As they say, we can all learn from our mistakes, and my
hope is that airplane owners can avoid making these mistakes. Read
more
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CONCORDE
BATTERY, LIGHTSPEED SUPPORT EAA'S TOURING, FLIGHT OPERATIONS
Concorde Battery and Lightspeed Aviation have each made generous
donations in support of EAA's touring aircraft as they gear up for the
2011 flying season.
Lightspeed Aviation has provided Zulu
Headsets for the Ford Tri-Motor tour, while Concorde has donated
batteries for the B-17 Aluminum Overcast and 1929 Ford Tri-Motor tours
as well as other fleet aircraft, including those at Pioneer Airport.
"We thank Concorde Battery and
Lightspeed Aviation for their generous support of EAA's historic
aircraft," said Sean Elliott, EAA director of flight operations.
"Contributions like these go a long way in ensuring that iconic
aircraft are preserved for current and future generations to experience
up close and in action."
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 Last
week's poll, featuring video of a Cub's short-water landing, became
the first to break into the Top 5 clicked-on items for e-Hotline.
Overall 72 percent of you indicated the pilot who performed the landing
in a backyard pond was skilled and not just lucky.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Do you favor
the FAA's proposed new pilot certificate requiring a photo? Vote
now!
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WEBINARS: SPITFIRE,
HURRICANE, BF-109: WHICH IS BEST? WATCH THIS WEBINAR!
One of the greatest military and industrial achievements of 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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SPRING/SUMMER
EAA FORD TRI-MOTOR TOUR ANNOUNCED
 EAA's
1929 Ford Tri-Motor heads back on tour in late spring, providing 12
cities in five Midwestern states an up-close look at a classic aircraft
from the early days of commercial air travel. It begins in Racine,
Wisconsin, on May 26, then continues through July 10 with additional
stops in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan. Read
more
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B-17
TOUR 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 Phoenix, Arizona. The tour's spring segment
includes 20 stops in seven states. Online booking for flights is now
available. Special pre-book rates on flights are available for EAA
members and non-members, and group ground tour rates are available for
schools or other large groups. To reserve your spot or see the full 2011
spring schedule, click here or call
EAA's B-17 Tour Office at 800-359-6217.
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WHAT
ARE YOU DOING ON INTERNATIONAL LEARN TO FLY DAY 2011?
 The
second annual International Learn to Fly Day is May 21, 2011. This event
is organized by EAA to raise interest in flying and encourage current
pilots to get others involved in aviation. How can you get involved?
Invite a friend to go flying that day, sign your spouse up for a lesson,
put a sign up at work inviting colleagues to your hangar, organize a
chapter Learn to Fly event, or, if you're not yet at pilot, take your
first lesson on May 21! To find out what others are doing, click
here.
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: FREE SHIPPING ON SELECT MERCHANDISE
 Check
out the EAA online store for select items that qualify for free
shipping. Choose from models, books, signs, caps, and much more. Click
here to find out how you can receive free shipping on EAA
merchandise.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: LAST CHANCE CLEARANCE SALE
 It's
your last chance to save up to 65 percent on select EAA merchandise.
Choose from clothing, toys, home and office décor, and much more.
Thanks for proudly showing your EAA colors and helping to build 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 toll-free, 800-564-6322
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EAA Sport Aviation
Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions!
Post of the Week!
A couple of weeks ago, Greg Schultz
posted that he was interested in building his first airplane and asked
the Oshkosh365 community for some suggestions, and they've steadily
poured in. So much so, in fact, that this thread has evolved from a
discussion into something of a reference library. The next time
somebody asks the same question, we'll definitely point
them here.
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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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Grob Turboprop
is Hottest NextGen Trainer |
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The Grob G120TP is a NextGen trainer with a unique combination of engine, propeller, airframe, and avionics that provides an unmatched range of performance and versatility. The turboprop engine runs on jet fuel, is capable of 380 shp at maximum continuous power and gives a VMO of 245 knots at 0 – 10,800 feet. Carbon-fiber construction means the aircraft is lightweight and strong and has a service life of 15,000 flying hours. Digitized cockpit avionics allow the pilot access to all flight data, enable mission simulations such as ground-to-air radar threats, and provide computerized mission debriefing. |
Hydrogen as a Solid for Aircraft Fuel Cells |
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Glasgow University researchers are collaborating with EADS to store hydrogen in a solid state for safe and efficient fuel cells, which will contribute to a goal of reducing emissions from aircraft by 50 percent by 2020. Professor Duncan Gregory says this work with fuel cell hydrogen will “pave the way for its industrial-scale use as a clean alternative to hydrocarbon-based fuels in aeroplanes.” |
| Tiny Satellites Sail Through Space on Solar Winds |
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Solar sails are an emerging form of propulsion technology for travel through space that uses photons from the sun in the same way a sailboat uses wind on a lake or ocean. The NanoSail-D2 satellite is NASA’s first successful deployment of a solar sail in low-Earth orbit, with a 100-square-foot sail being unfurled from a satellite that is only 12 by 3.9 by 3.9 inches. |
EasyJet Slip-Slides to Higher Fuel Efficiency |
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EasyJet is the first commercial application of the tripleO “nano-scale acrylic polymer” aircraft coating, designed to reduce drag by as much as 40 percent and give fuel savings of 1-2 percent. Extremely small tripleO particles fill in all the pores and cracks of conventional coatings or paint on the aircraft to help it slip through the air while adding only 4 ounces to the plane’s weight. |
Learjet 85 First in Class to Use Mostly Composites |
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platform in 10 years, the Learjet 85 has 70 percent fewer parts and fasteners than conventionally built business aircraft. The cost savings from this enabled the addition of features such as auto-throttle and nosewheel steering. Although it flies at 49,000 feet, the Learjet 85 cabin altitude equivalent is kept down to 6,000 feet so passengers are much more comfortable on long flights. |
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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: TIRE
ASSEMBLY
 Dick
and Bob Koehler show the proper way to assemble an aircraft tire on a
split rim. Dick and Bob are both Technical Counselors, A&P aircraft
mechanics with Inspection Authorization (IA), and SportAir Workshop
instructors. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF
AVIATION: LOU STOLP
 Lou
Stolp began hanging out at Mount Hawley Airport as a boy growing up in
Peoria, Illinois in the 1930s. When he graduated from high school in
1937, Lou began working for Leroy Murphy as a mechanic at Murphy’s
airplane repair shop in Springfield, Illinois. Lou continued to work as
an airplane mechanic in Illinois and California before joining the war
effort. Trained as a B-17 tail gunner, Lou was sent to Italy where he
joined the 429th Bomb Squadron of the 2nd Bomb Group. The war ended
before he could fly any combat missions, but Lou remained in Europe with
the Allied occupation forces until coming home in 1946. He moved to
California and started an aircraft repair station with George Adams,
which they ran together for a number of years. Lou built a Stits Playboy
in 1965. That experience led to Lou designing his own airplane, the
original single-place Starduster biplane. Lou formed the Stolp
Starduster Corporation to sell plans of his design. Then came the
two-place Starduster II, the Starlet parasol, the V-Star biplane,
AcroDuster II biplane, and the Super Starduster biplane. He later sold
the company to Bill Clouse, but remained active in aviation for a number
of years, building a total of twelve airplanes and running an airplane
parts company before retiring from the business altogether. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 21
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: Already
Re-Registered but Got FINAL NOTICE from FAA
Question:
About 45 days ago I submitted my aircraft
registration form and payment as required by the new
FAA re-registration policy. I also received my new
registration form showing my revised aircraft
registration date. However, I just received a FINAL
NOTICE aircraft re-registration letter in the mail
today. What's happening?
Answer: This
also occurred at EAA regarding the re-registration
of its numerous aircraft, including the B-17 Aluminum
Overcast. FINAL NOTICES were received even
though forms and payments were submitted well ahead
of the prescribed deadline, so EAA called the FAA
Aircraft Registration office to get the details.
Bottom line: The aircraft registration office is
several weeks behind processing the renewal
paperwork due to the high demand caused by the new
regulation. The person who we spoke with assured us
that they are working as fast as possible to process
registration renewals and also confirmed that we did
not need to re-register our aircraft again. If you
have any questions, call the Aircraft Registration
office toll-free at 866-762-9434 or at 405-954-3131.
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
February
2011
Using a mounted, remote control camera, EAA Chief
Photographer Jim Koepnick captured an in-flight shot
of Dave Scott in his Pitts S-1S over the Shawano
Airport, Wisconsin. Read about Scott, who runs the
country’s only full-time R/C aircraft flight
school, in the February edition of Sport
Aviation.
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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SLOW GROWTH FORECAST FOR GA
According to the FAA, which held its 36th Annual Aviation Forecast Conference Tuesday, February 15, the GA fleet will increase from 224,172 aircraft in 2010 to 270,920 in 2031, growing an average of 0.9 percent a year. In that total, fixed-wing turbine aircraft will grow at a rate of 3.1 percent per year; fixed-wing piston aircraft, 0.2 percent; and rotorcraft, 2.6 percent.
Led by fixed-wing turbines, predicted to grow 4 percent per year, GA hours flown are forecast to increase from 24.1 million in 2010 to 37.8 million in 2031, or an average of 2.2 percent annually. During the same time period piston
hours flown are forecast to grow 0.7 percent year to year, and rotorcraft 3 percent. For the full forecast fact sheet, click here.
ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT TO MAKE A STRONG APPEARANCE AT AERO
Electric aircraft will once again be a prominent attraction at AERO 2011 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, as part of the e-flight expo. The e flight-expo will include a high-profile meeting of some of the descendants of important aviation pioneers seeking to move the field forward. The highlight of the exhibition will be the awarding of the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize (LEAP), which will be presented by Erik Lindbergh, grandson of Charles Lindbergh. The prize is given for outstanding achievements in the development of electric flight. For more information, click here.
NEW TAYLORCRAFT ELEVATOR AND RUDDER IN
PRODUCTION
Aero Fabricators, the manufacturing division of The Wag-Aero Group, has gained FAA approval to manufacture two new Taylorcraft parts: the RH Elevator DA420 and Rudder DA410, both for the Taylorcraft BC12D. The parts will be fabricated to current aviation material standards using new rigid fixturing to maintain drawing specifications. For information on ordering,
click here.
LINCOLN ELECTRIC LAUNCHES WELDING APPAREL
LINE
Lincoln Electric now offers Red Line apparel, including gloves, jackets, caps, and safety glasses. The line includes five types of welding gloves, four jacket options, and an assortment of do-rags, beanies, and caps for wearing under a welding helmet. For more information, click here.
AIRCRAFT SPRUCE OFFERS TRUE-LOCK
FASTENER SYSTEMS
Aircraft Spruce now offers True-Lock aviation fastener systems. True-Lock is the only patented aviation wheel fastener system that has been awarded a supplemental type certificate by the FAA for axle nut technology. True-Lock aviation fastener systems reduce premature wear on your wheel end assembly parts (brakes, bearings, and axles, including tires and wheels). These systems will eliminate the conventional axle nut system’s inherent adverse torque setting characteristics imposed by the castle nut and cotter pin (endplay). For more information, click here.
GOODYEAR UPDATES AIRCRAFT TIRE &
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Goodyear’s Tire Care & Maintenance Manual has been updated to help aircraft owners and other individuals responsible for tire maintenance to get the optimum performance from its bias or radial aircraft tires. The manual contains information on how to properly operate and maintain aircraft tires and then demonstrates why these techniques and procedures are necessary. The Tire Care & Maintenance Manual is available for download on Goodyear's aviation website.
WIN $100 TOWARD A FLIGHT LESSON
Women in Aviation Worldwide is offering several contests that will help aspiring women pay for their first flight lesson. The Karlene Petitt Writing Contest will award $100 to the participant who writes the best poem or essay (maximum 500 words) in English that explains “Why I Want to Fly.” The deadline for the writing contest is March 13, 2011, at midnight. Girls and women 8 years of age or older are also invited to draw, paint, or illustrate their “first flights” – how it felt if they have already flown or how they imagine it would feel if they have not. Any media including digital (no photos) are allowed. The deadline for the art contest is March 17, 2011, at midnight. For more information on other contests, click here.
GOOGLE LUNAR X PRIZE ANNOUNCES
COMPETITORS
The X PRIZE Foundation announced the official roster of 29
registered teams competing for the $30 million Google Lunar X PRIZE, an
unprecedented competition to send a robot to the Moon that travels at
least 500 meters and transmits video, images, and data back to the
Earth. The group of teams includes a huge variety of groups ranging from
non-profits to university consortia to billion dollar businesses
representing 17 nations on four continents. The global competition, the
largest in history, was announced in September 2007, with a winner
projected by 2015. To learn more about the registered teams, competition
details, and other information, click
here. |
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