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April 1, 2010 Volume
11, Number 13
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EAA
INPUT ON NEW HOMEBUILT ADVISORY CIRCULAR HELPS PREVENT NEW REGULATIONS
Dispute Remains Over Use of Accident-per-Hours Measurement
EAA's input to a new FAA Advisory Circular (AC) that urges
transition training for those moving to amateur-built aircraft helped
address major areas to improve safety without resorting to additional
burdensome regulations. That
AC was released by the FAA this week and is the result of a
committee co-chaired by Sean Elliott, EAA vice president of regulatory
and industry affairs. Read
more
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LANE
WALLACE NOW CONTRIBUTOR TO EAA PUBLICATIONS
Popular writer/pilot to have monthly
column in Sport Aviation
 Lane
Wallace, an internationally known aviation columnist, will be supplying
her unique viewpoints to flying and an adventurous life in EAA Sport
Aviation magazine beginning in the May 2011 issue. The addition of
Wallace, who most recently was a columnist for FLYING Magazine,
was announced by EAA President/CEO Rod Hightower during a news
conference at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida. The move
continues the expanding breadth and depth of content within Sport
Aviation since its award-winning redesign was launched in January
2010.
Read
more
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SUN
'N FUN AND THE CONFEDERATE FRONT
 No
GA pilot has spent more time studying the weather than Richard
Collins. And Richard’s meteorological research and observation
didn’t happen in a classroom – unless you, as I do, know
that 20,000 hours of cross-country flying in a GA airplane is
nature’s very best classroom.
Richard is also a student of the
Civil War and has visited most of the important battlefields. He
has also located the markers that commemorate where many of his
ancestors engaged the Yankees in what he and others sometimes
call the “War of Northern Aggression.”
Continue
reading | Subscribe to Mac's Blog
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GERMAN
'ELEKTRA ONE' AIRCRAFT MAKES FIRST FLIGHTS
 The
Elektra One, a single-seat, electric-powered aircraft from German
company PC-Aero, made its first flight on March 19 at the Airport
Augsburg, Germany, then flew an extended, 30-minute flight around the
patch four days later, March 23. PC-Aero claims the aircraft will
provide more than three hours flight endurance with a range of more than
400 kilometers (about 250 miles). Read
more
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CESSNA REVEALS ADVANCED
COCKPIT IN NEW CORVALIS TTX
 Cessna
took the wraps off a new version of its Model 400 Corvalis composite
piston single at Sun 'n Fun, revealing the most comprehensive avionics
system yet in a piston single. In fact, the company made up a new name to
describe the Garmin G2000 system - it's the Intrinzic.The headline is
that the Garmin G2000 system in the Corvalis TTX has touchscreen control
like the systems Garmin has designed for the Citation Ten and the
HondaJet, among other turbine airplanes. But the Intrinzic system also
includes huge 14-inch-wide flat glass displays and, like the jets, it has
the capability to manage a number of aircraft systems, not just avionics
functions. Read
more
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BAUMANN FLOATS CEASES
OPERATIONS
Unfortunate economic conditions have caused the current owner of Baumann
Floats LLC, of New Richmond, Wisconsin, to discontinue production of all
float models, according to Joe Birkemeyer, general manager. In a
letter addressed "To all of my customers, friends, and
colleagues in the aircraft float industry," Birkemeyer announced the
company assets, including equipment, design data, STCs, and inventory,
are in the process of being relocated to Basler Turbo Conversions LLC,
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Read
more
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MORE
THAN 450 YOUNG EAGLES FLY DURING SKYCATCHER TOUR
Jeff Skiles flies son of Flight 1549 passenger as Young Eagle
 Young
Eagles Co-Chairman Jeff Skiles and EAA Chapters in four communities
opened the world of flight to young people over the past two weekends,
as more than 450 kids were flown during EAA’s Young Eagles Skycatcher
Tour that wrapped up Sunday at Spruce Creek, Florida. Read
more
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NAPPING CONTROLLER SPURS
NEW ATC PROCEDURES
In the wake of the air traffic control supervisor who admitted to falling
asleep on duty with planes about to land at Reagan-Washington National
Airport early Wednesday, March 23, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has
ordered new communications procedures for air traffic controllers while
the agency reviews overnight staffing levels at selected U.S. airports. Read
more
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EAA MOURNS PASSING OF BEN
MORROW
 Benjamin
H. Morrow, who served on the EAA Ultralight Council for 10 years and led
the development of much of EAA's ultralight training program, passed away
suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday, March 25, in Lee's Summit, Missouri.
He was 70. Ben, of Liberty, Missouri, was extremely dedicated to EAA and
the ultralight community. He and his wife, Joyce, dedicated many hours
volunteering to train ultralight instructors and traveled around the
country conducting ultralight flight instructor refresher courses. Ben
also developed an online refresher training course for ultralight flight
instructors and was a frequent contributor to EAA publications. Read
more
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CONTROLLER
REQUESTS 737 CREW INTERCEPT CIRRUS, SUSPENSIONS RESULT
 An
air traffic control supervisor and the flight crew of a Southwest
Airlines 737 were suspended following an incident over Florida on March
27. The controller, who works at Central Florida TRACON, had lost radio
contact with a Cirrus SR22 for over an hour. He asked the nearby
Southwest crew flying at 12,000 feet if they would be willing to
intercept the flight and check on the Cirrus, which was flying at 11,000
feet. The Southwest crew agreed and was vectored toward the aircraft,
which was on course for Kissimmee, Florida, and upon intercept reported
seeing two people inside. Read
more
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COUNTRY
STAR AARON TIPPIN, NIGHT AIR SHOW HEADLINE 'SUPER SATURDAY' AT
AIRVENTURE
 Country
star Aaron Tippin will appear in concert on Saturday, July 30, as part
of Commemorative Air Force's "Red, White & Loud Tour."
(photo courtesy of CAF/Shoot2Sell) From sunrise to well past sunset, a
"Super Saturday" filled with must-see features, attractions,
and activities awaits attendees on July 30 at EAA AirVenture 2011,
including country star Aaron Tippin in concert followed by the widely
popular Night Air Show and Daher-Socata Fireworks. Read
more
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OSHKOSH
TRAVEL OPTION: RIDESHARE YOUR WAY TO AIRVENTURE
 Are
you looking for a ride to AirVenture this summer or a way to reduce
costs for your annual pilgrimage to Oshkosh? Whether you're looking for
a ride or have a spare seat available, RideShare can match
pilots/drivers with passengers for the journey to the World's Greatest
Aviation Celebration. Last year hundreds of people took advantage of the
service and there are already 50 registered requests on the website for
2011. Sign up here
today.
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 Well,
it wasn't a landslide, but last week's poll made it clear that most
(64 percent) of you think that a controlled airport with no controllers
isn't really controlled anymore.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: As we
reported, there was an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Bill
proposed this week to remove the "permanent TFRs" from large
sports stadiums and Disney theme parks. EAA supports such an amendment,
but we'd like to know what you think: Should these "permanent TFRs"
be removed? Vote
now!
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WEBINARS: WANT TO
HOLD A YOUNG EAGLES RALLY? WATCH THIS WEBINAR!
A Young Eagles rally can be fun
and rewarding for everyone, but it can be stressful if not properly
planned. EAA wants to make the experience fun while still taking care of
all the details. Join Michelle Kunes, Young Eagles program
administrator, as she gives you strategies to make your next Young
Eagles event memorable, fun, and stress-free.
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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NEW
PRODUCT SHOWCASE: FEATHER WEIGHT INSTRUMENT PANELS FROM BELITE
 Belite
Electronics is showing off a new line of avionics and instrumentation
for ultralights and homebuilt aircraft. The compact instrument pack can
fit two, and sometimes three, instruments in a two and a quarter-inch
space. The new panels weigh just one pound and feature a round dial
shape instrument with vertical tape-style indication. Each panel can
hold up to six round instruments and two horizontal digital displays. Watch
the video
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FAMILY
FLIGHT FEST BACK APRIL 2-3, 2011
Discover the exciting world of aviation with an interactive,
educational family experience at the EAA Family Flight Fest at the EAA
AirVenture Museum April 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Experience
the thrill of flight simulators, parachute an egg safely to the ground,
and build your own paper airplane and enter it in contests. Plus,
explore the museum in the Stamp Scavenger Hunt, watch kid-friendly
movies in the SkyScape Theater, view radio-controlled flying and
model-making demonstrations, assemble and fly a free glider, and more!
EAA members get free admission to the museum as usual. Click
here for more details or call 920-426-6135 for more information.
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DOES
SPRING FEVER HAVE YOU WISHING YOU OWNED YOUR OWN PLANE?
 Enter
the 2011 EAA Share the Spirit Sweepstakes for your chance to win
a Cessna 162 Skycatcher with fuel for the year courtesy of Shell
Aviation, along with other great prizes. And never before have the other
prizes been this big! Every donation to the EAA Sweepstakes directly
supports EAA programs, which allow members to share the spirit of
aviation among fellow enthusiasts and the next generation of aviators. Click
here for more details or to enter online. No donation necessary to
enter by mail. A donation will not improve your chances of winning.
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STUDENTS
GET THEIR ROCKETS CHECKED AT EAA
 The
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium hosted its annual spring safety review
meeting Saturday at EAA's AirVenture Museum, where teams of college
students had their rocket projects inspected. The consortium, of which
EAA is a member, involves 14 teams and more than 50 students and its
grant program helps fund EAA's annual Space Week and Women Soar
programs. Read
more
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SIGN
UP NOW FOR EAA AIR ACADEMY BASIC CAMP
The EAA Air Academy Basic Camp is a hands-on camp designed to
interest and challenge kids ages 14-15 with the fascinating world of
aviation. They'll discover aviation in a science camp format, with small
group activities and close counselor relationships. Activities include
designing, building, and flying a hot-air balloon model, building and
flying a model rocket kit, learning about aviation history and flight,
and experiencing flight in an airplane and helicopter. Sessions for
2011: Session 1, June 19-24; Session 2, June 26-July 1; Session 3, July
5-10. Limited space is filling up fast. Find
out more
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: SAVE UP TO 24 PERCENT ON YOUNG EAGLES MERCHANDISE
 Choose
from men's, women's, and kids' apparel, hats, backpacks, and more. Click
here to find out how you can save 24 percent on Young Eagles
merchandise.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: CHECK OUT THE FIRST AIRVENTURE 2011 CLOTHING ITEMS
 It's
officially fly-in season! Get in the spirit with AirVenture 2011
merchandise. When you purchase anything from the EAA online store,
you're supporting EAA programs that help grow participation in aviation.
Order your
AirVenture 2011 items online or by calling 800-564-6322.
Attention Homebuilders: Today is
the last day for great deals on homebuilder merchandise. Shop
homebuilder deals now
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REMEMBER TO RESUBSCRIBE
TO CHAPTERGRAM
 In
February, the EAA ChapterGram e-newsletter relaunched and switched from
a monthly to a bi-weekly publication schedule. To ensure that you want
to receive ChapterGram every other Tuesday, we are asking recipients to
resubscribe. If you haven't already, please do so and avoid missing next
Tuesday's edition. Since ChapterGram features important news and program
updates, chapter leaders will continue to receive ChapterGram (unless
they choose unsubscribe manually). Click
here to resubscribe.
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EAA Sport Aviation
Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions!
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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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NASA Orion: Taxi to Deep Space |
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The Orion spacecraft may well write the next chapter in man’s voyages beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This spacecraft is the first long-duration, multiple-mission manned vehicle designed to take humans into deep space on trips lasting up to six months. |
Gulfstream Simulator Center Troubleshoots Live In-Flight Problems |
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Gulfstream Aerospace flight deck graphical flight simulators at their in-flight support center are designed to help technicians more effectively respond to the 60,000 calls per month received by Gulfstream's customer service call center. The simulators have 10-12 LCD touchscreen monitors and include “warning indicator sounds and flight displays that change as inputs are made.” |
Artificial Clouds to Shade 2012 World Cup in Qatar |
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Qatar University engineers have proposed using the shadow from artificial clouds for keeping soccer fans and players cool at the 2022 World Cup. Lightweight carbon materials will be used to build the helium-filled clouds at an estimated cost of $500,000 each, and four solar-powered engines will move each “cloud” to the correct location in the sky and keep them in place. |
Blimps Used for Psy-Ops in Afghanistan Theater |
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Blimps, or aerostats, have been successful for cost-effective aerial surveillance to protect U.S. troops in Afghanistan. In an innovation combination of surveillance and psychology, the U.S. Army has proposed deploying additional lower-cost blimps under the Aerostat Deception Program. The program will give small Army units blimps to “deceive insurgents with the appearance of enhanced capabilities.” |
| Going Bananas Over Stronger Sustainable Plastics |
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Nanocellulosic plastic from bananas and other plants may soon be used to build aircraft and other vehicles. Brazilian scientists have developed bioplastics that are 30 percent lighter and three to four times stronger than petroleum-based plastics, as well as being more sustainable and more resistant to heat, water, and gasoline. |
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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: EAA'S
AMATEUR-BUILT CERTIFICATION KIT
 Joe
Norris, an FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative, reviews the
EAA's amateur-built certification kit and explains why it will help you
overcome the paperwork part of certifying your aircraft. Joe is the EAA
Homebuilders’ Community Manager as well as a DAR, an A&P aircraft
mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA), and an EAA Technical
Counselor. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF
AVIATION: JIM TWARDOWSKI AND J.T. HILL
 Jim
Twardowski and J.T. Hill are two of the members of the Liberty Parachute
Team. They have been performing demonstration parachute jumps together
for more than twenty-five years, and are some of the most experienced
air show jumpers in the business today. As performers they’ve had a
unique perspective on life in the air show circuit, and they shared some
of those experiences with Timeless Voices during AirVenture 2007. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 23
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:
Recently I heard
that the STC authorizing auto gas use in an aircraft
now allows up to 10 percent ethanol fuel. Can you
confirm or deny that statement?
Answer: There
is absolutely no movement by the FAA to allow
ethanol-blended autofuel/gasoline as an approved
fuel that holders of an EAA or Petersen Aviation
autofuel STC can use. The current position of the
FAA remains the same as stated in FAA
SAIB CE-07-06. EAA realizes that finding
ethanol-free autofuel is difficult in many parts of
the country and we encourage you to work with your
airport to establish an ethanol-free premium grade
autofuel self-service fueling station. There are
many ways to accomplish this; one common method that
is available on several airports is an aviation
fuel club that uses self-service systems
provided by U-Fuel.
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
April
2011
This month we
reach back to 2004 for Jim Koepnick's shot of
Stephen Beert's Long-EZ N26SB, an excellent example
of Burt Rutan's most popular homebuilt design. Rutan
is featured in the current (April 2011) issue of Sport
Aviation, written by longtime editor Jack Cox,
who passed away March 6. Rutan, who officially
retires this month, will be honored at AirVenture
this year.
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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LOCKWOOD TO END
NEW LSA SALES, FOCUS ON PARTS, MAINTENANCE
Lockwood Aviation Supply, Lockwood Aviation Repair, and Sebring Aviation will sharpen their focus on core capabilities of parts and service for all Rotax-powered aircraft end to new LSA sales, owner Phil Lockwood announced this week. Lockwood said the business would shift resources from new aircraft sales to expand the parts and service business. Sister company Sebring Aviation will continue to support the aircraft it has sold – including Tecnam, Flight Design, and Air Creation - but will no longer be a new aircraft dealer, instead focusing on quality used LSA. In addition Lockwood Repair, one of the largest LSA service centers in the USA, will continue to be a Flight Design service center. To learn more, click here.
MIDWEST LSA EXPO PARTNERS WITH PLANE & PILOT
The Midwest LSA Expo announced its collaboration with Plane & Pilot Magazine as the promotional partner for the sport aviation expo. Now called the Plane & Pilot Midwest LSA Expo, the event is slated for September 9-11, 2011, at the Mt. Vernon Outland Airport (KMVN). For more information, click here, or call (618) 315-5462.
ASA ATP ORAL EXAM GUIDE UPDATED
The second edition of ASA’s Airline Transport Pilot Oral Exam Guide by Michael Hayes has been updated to reflect the latest regulations and procedures, including the proposed new regulations dealing with crew fatigue (Part 117). This study guide helps applicants prepare for the checkride by listing the most frequently asked questions by FAA examiners during the oral portion of the practical test, supported with succinct responses. The guide includes chapters dedicated to turbine aircraft theory, performance and limitations, airline operational procedures, aeronautical decision-making (ADM), crew resource management (CRM), regulations, and instrument procedures. For more information, click here.
PADDED PANEL SYSTEM PROTECTS HORIZONTAL SURFACES
Trisoft Covers Inc. introduced Trisoft Panels, a padded panel system that covers wings and horizontal stabilizers to protect them from dropped tools, flashlights, spray cans, and all the other hazards that can fall onto thin metal and painted surfaces. The XLPE foam the panels are made of is resistant to sunlight, heat, and cold, and its closed-cell structure is chemical resistant and will not absorb water. Sized in two-foot squares and packed four to a case, the interlocking squares have a natural resistance to sliding on the surface. For information on ordering, click here.
USAG EXPANDING LIGHT SPORT SERVICE IN
MIDWEST
US Aviation Services, a division of US Aviation Group, is taking steps to become a national/regional factory authorized service center for the maintenance and repair of the majority of light-sport aircraft models. The company says they already have Rotax- and Jabiru-qualified A&P mechanics on staff and factory authorizations from the majority of light-sport aircraft manufacturers. For more information on LSA maintenance, contact US Aviation Services at 866-383-2400, or click here.
BATTERY PARASTIC LOAD TESTER FROM CONCORDE
Concorde Battery Corporation released a new parasitic load tester (PLT) to measure the parasitic load/drain on aircraft batteries when the master switch is off and the aircraft is inactive. The tester is designed to mate with an MS3509-style quick disconnect receptacle. This PLT was conceived and engineered in response to concerns in the aviation community about the effect of parasitic loads/drains on battery capacity, state of charge, airworthiness, and battery life. For more information, including instructions on how to measure parasitic load and calculate time to battery completion, click here.
CORBEN SUPER ACE PLANS AVAILABLE FOR
PURCHASE
Ace Aircraft Inc. announced it is now selling reproductions of the original Corben Super Ace plans from 1935. As these 1935 plans have not been modernized for current aviation safety and certification standards, these plans are intended for “historical reference purposes only.” The Super Ace plans are 12 sheets total and are 18 inches by 24 inches in size. They can be purchased for $150 plus shipping and handling by calling Ace Aircraft Inc. For more information, click here.
DYNON AND JEPPESEN TEAM TO PROVIDE NAVIGATION
DATA
Dynon Avionics and Jeppesen have entered into an agreement to provide Jeppesen NavData and obstacle services for the Dynon SkyView glass panel products. The avionics data offering for Dynon Avionics allows light-sport and experimental aircraft pilots anywhere in the world to enjoy Jeppesen navigation data. As part of this agreement, Jeppesen is offering 50 percent off the regular annual subscription price for NavData and obstacle data for Dynon customers until midnight MDT May 15, 2011, with promotion code DY50N011. For more information on Jeppesen, click here. For more information on Dynon, click here.
BYE ENERGY, GARMIN SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNER AGREEMENT
Bye Energy signed a preliminary strategic partner agreement with Garmin International Inc. to collaborate on system optimization and a display for the new electric Cessna 172 program. Energy systems displays, including battery unit “state-of-charge” and range displays similar to advanced electric ground vehicles, are in consideration for the electric Cessna 172. For more information on Bye Energy, click here.
BELITE OFFERS $999 WING SPECIAL, UNVEILS
NEW AVIONICS
Belite Aircraft is offering its wing kit at a reduced price of $999 (regularly $1,430) through Monday, April 4. The wing kit includes everything needed to build two wings, with the exception of glue, fabric, flaperons, and tools. Price does not include crating or shipping. The Wing Kit is an ideal starting point for customers who want step into aircraft kit construction without committing to the entire project upfront. It includes aluminum spars and stamped aluminum ribs. Crating is $150 and truck delivery will be quoted. For more information, click here.
MAF RECEIVES TWO NEW KODIAK AIRCRAFT THROUGH DONATIONS
Through the generosity of two donors, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), a faith-based, nonprofit ministry that brings aid and assistance to needy people in remote places around the world, will soon take delivery of a pair of new Kodiak airplanes. Last year, an anonymous donor provided a $1.7 million grant to purchase a Kodiak, with the condition that another donor commits to a grant in the same amount. Just recently a second anonymous donor stepped forward with the funds for the second new plane. For information on how to contribute to MAF, click here.
AMERICAN LEGEND INTRODUCES THE SUPER LEGEND
American Legend Aircraft Company announced the introduction of the Super Legend, an addition to the Legend Cub two-place sport aircraft lineup. The Super Legend sports the Lycoming 233 Series lightweight engine as well as other performance enhancements. Features of the Super Legend include a Super Cub-style pressure cowling and classic Super Cub paint scheme (custom paint options are also available). In addition, the Super Legend uses the same power-to-weight ratio as the 150-hp Super Cub (base weight will be around 845 pounds). For more information, click here.
POPULAR ROTORCRAFT ASSOCIATION INTRODUCES ROTORCRAFT E-ZINE
The Popular Rotorcraft Association (PRA) has brought back production of its member magazine, Rotorcraft, exclusively in digital format. Due to the lower costs of digital magazine production compared to its printed counterpart, the PRA has been able to lower the price of dues, launch an online live ground school, start a certified instructor scholarship program to produce more instructors, and provide insurance discounts for personal rotorcraft. To learn more about the PRA or to sign up for the free Rotorcraft e-zine, click here. |
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