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April 8, 2010 Volume
11, Number 14
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SUN
'N FUN FLY-IN WRAP-UP: WHAT YOU MISSED IN LAKELAND
 You
may have heard about the tornado, or the big crowds over the weekend.
Maybe you heard about the new products or aircraft that were on display.
The news out of Sun 'n Fun this year was exciting, tragic, and hopeful,
all in one week. Read
more |
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THE
FREE LIFT OF SPRING
 I
was flying home to Michigan after all the thunderstorm and
tornado excitement of Sun 'n Fun. The severe weather,
thunderstorms, and springtime snow blast had moved away, leaving
a windy high pressure system in its wake. High pressure usually
means good flying weather in terms of good visibility and
absence of low cloud cover, but it can also be among the most
miserable flying conditions ever.
On a brilliant spring day with a
bright blue sky filled with scattered puffy white clouds after
the bad weather has moved on, a non-pilot looks up and says,
"What a great day to go flying." Little do they know
what the air is really doing on a day like that. But we do.
Continue
reading | Subscribe to Mac's Blog
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65-DAY
FLIGHT IN AN AIRPLANE
 Imagine
flying in your airplane once a day for 65 straight days. Now visualize
one continuous flight, remaining aloft for 65 days - 1,558 consecutive
hours. Refueling will be done air-to-air, oil changes on the fly,
while two occupants eat, sleep - and perform other necessary functions -
in a small plane for more than two months. That's what Matt Pipkin and
his father, Chet, are hoping to do sometime in the summer of 2012. Read
more |
IF
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN…
If the federal government were to shut down at midnight Friday, April 8
- when the current continuing resolution is set to expire - hundreds of
thousands of federal employees would essentially be furloughed until
Congress passes new funding legislation. Not only does that mean the
closing of national parks, museums, and monuments, but also passport
applications, social security checks, and many other everyday functions
would be put on hold. A federal shutdown would also have a significant
effect on agencies that oversee aviation, including the FAA and the NTSB.
Read more |
SMOKE, ELECTRIC POWER LOSS
COMPLICATE UNITED A320 LANDING
 A
United Airlines Airbus A320 made an emergency landing in New Orleans (KMSY)
just minutes after departing the airport Wednesday. United 497 was bound
for San Francisco (KSFO) with 109 passengers and crew when the pilots
noticed smoke in the flight deck as the aircraft climbed through 4,000
feet. An electrical failure soon followed and all avionics displays went
blank. Read
more |
HOUSE PASSES FAA
AUTHORIZATION BILL
Rules Committee eliminates provision to repeal Disney, pro sports TFRs
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the FAA
Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 today, setting up conference
negotiations to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions
of the legislation that would fund and direct FAA activities including
airspace system modernization. Read
more |
PILOT
WHO LANDED ON NEW YORK BEACH INSPIRED BY TV SHOW
 A
pilot and his two passengers were unhurt Monday evening when their Piper
PA-28 made an off-field emergency landing at Rockaway Beach, New York,
according to a report in the New York Post. But the incident
seems a bit fishy - and not just because of the landing location,
reported as about three miles due south of New York’s Kennedy Airport.
The pilot reportedly told police he landed on the beach because he saw
it done often in the Discovery Channel show Flying Wild Alaska. Read
more |
HIGHTOWER
WINDS WAY BACK TOWARD OSHKOSH
 EAA
President Rod Hightower made the most of his journey back home this week
following the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In with several stops to meet and talk with
EAA members. First stop was Kissimmee, Florida, and Lee Lauderback's
Stallion 51 operation for a tour of the Stallion 51 offices and hangars,
plus the opportunity to sit in its L-39 that will be used in unusual
attitude training for corporate pilots.
Read more |
SWA
812 OR GA: WHICH HYPOXIA EVENT IS MORE DANGEROUS?
 The
recent rapid depressurization of Southwest Airlines Flight 812 earlier
this month reminds us that flight physiology is important. In the case
of Southwest Airlines the onset of hypoxia is quite rapid. For most
recreational flyers hypoxia will creep up slowly. EAA Radio's Fareed
Guyot talked with EAA Aeromedical Advisory Council member Dr. Gregory
Pinnell about hypoxia, how it typically affects GA pilots, and what the
first few seconds feel like when a rapid decompression occurs. Listen
to the interview |
FAA
CONTINUES REVIEW OF INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION POLICY CHANGE COMMENTS
Last November, when the FAA
published a proposal in the Federal Register to clarify the
existing A&P inspection authorization (IA) renewal requirements and
process, many EAA, Vintage Aircraft Association, and Warbirds of America
members feared the proposal could mean the end of part-time,
specialized, and supervisory IAs. The FAA was quick to respond to an
inquiry by H.G. Frautschy, VAA executive director, that the proposed
change was simply a proposal under consideration and would not affect
the current IA renewal period (which ended on March 31, 2011). VAA also quickly
responded to reports that some FSDOs began implementing it as a
completed action. Read
more
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'CHEROKEES TO OSHKOSH'
SCHEDULES MINI CLINICS
 In
preparation for its mass arrival to AirVenture 2011, Cherokees to Oshkosh
has scheduled several mini-clinics, the first on April 23 at Sumner
County Regional Airport in Gallatin, Tennessee. To see other locations
and dates, click here,
then click the "View Cherokees to OSH Mini Clinics in a larger
map" link below the map. Even those pilots not planning to join the
group at Waupaca or Oshkosh this summer are invited to attend a clinic.
Please contact the host of the clinic you would like to attend and advise
them you would prefer to observe our training only. You'll meet some
great pilots, and may even decide to register and fly the group arrival
to AirVenture 2011, scheduled for Friday, July 22, at 1 p.m. There is
still room and you can sign
up here. |
GULFSTREAM G650 PROTOTYPE
LOST IN FLIGHT TEST ACCIDENT
 A
Gulfstream G650 prototype crashed at Roswell, New Mexico (KROM), on
Saturday morning, killing both test pilots and two flight test engineers,
all employees of Gulfstream. The crew was conducting takeoff performance
testing when the accident happened. The NTSB confirmed Wednesday (April
6) that the crew was performing simulated “single-engine failure on
takeoff” testing when a wing struck the ground resulting in the crash. Read
more |
FAA
ISSUES PROPOSED AD ON AERONCA SEDAN WING SPARS
 The FAA has issued a proposed Airworthiness Directive
(2010-CE-033-AD) to alert Aeronca (Rodgers) 15AC and 15ACS Sedan owners
of potential corrosion of the aircraft’s wing spar caps. EAA has
requested the comment deadline be extended 90 days, from May 19, 2011,
to August 19, 2011, to allow adequate time for owners and operators to
respond. Read
more |
VAN
NUYS B-17 STOP TO HOST THE FIRST EAA 'AVIATION EXPERIENCE 2011'
Includes Grassroots Pilot Tour, Young
Eagles flights, Sully Sullenberger appearance
 EAA's
2011 B-17 tour, which launches April 1-3 in Phoenix, Arizona, will also
feature a new kind of aviation event at several other selected tour
stops sites throughout the country. Aluminum Overcast's visit to
Southern California's Van Nuys Airport April 15-17 marks EAA's inaugural
"Aviation Experience 2011," an expanded offering of aviation
activities centered on selected B-17 tour stops. Along with the B-17
appearance, flights, and ground tours will be Young Eagles flights and
unique aircraft exhibits. The Van Nuys stop will also feature EAA
President/CEO Rod Hightower's Grassroots Pilot Tour presentation and a
special appearance by EAA Young Eagles Co-Chairman Sully Sullenberger. Read
more |
MORE AIRCRAFT CONFIRMED
FOR AIRVENTURE
We're only 108 days away from EAA AirVenture (but who's counting,
right?). Take
a peek at the latest list of aircraft confirmed for 2011, including
the world's only airworthy B-29 Superfortress, FIFI, plus Burt
Rutan's Boomerang and Catbird. Watch the list grow with your favorites
over the coming months by checking back periodically. |
AIRVENTURE
CONCERT BAND WELCOMES NEW PERFORMERS
 Planning
for the AirVenture Concert Band is well under way, and conductor Elton
Eisle is again looking for EAA members who play a musical instrument to
perform in the ensemble's fifth annual concert during AirVenture 2011.
Here's your chance to become part of the world's only air show concert
band! Read more |
 Just
as we predicted, almost all of you who responded to last week's
question support the idea of removing the "permanent TFRs" from
sporting events and Disney theme parks. Of more than 700 votes, only 50,
or 7 percent, thought they should stay.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION deals with
something we've all been talking about: That guy who landed his Cherokee
on the beach in New York, claiming a "teensy" bit of engine
trouble and a sick passenger to boot (no pun intended). Once you've read
the story and, especially, listened to the recording of the ATC audio, we
want you to play Monday morning copilot and tell us what you think.
Based on what you know, was this pilot
justified in landing on the beach? Vote
now! |
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. |
WOMEN
SOAR YOU SOAR EXPANDED TO FOUR DAYS
Young women in grades 9-12 can enroll now in the EAA Women
Soar You Soar 2011 program. This unique program will be held July
28-31, 2011 - expanded to four days! More than 90 young women will meet
20-plus outstanding women in the aviation field, from engineers to
fighter pilots. Women Soar activities include flight simulation,
workshops, career exploration, and mentor sessions - with an overall
mission to engage, inspire, and educate young women to pursue their
dreams in aviation and beyond. The enrollment deadline is July 10, 2011,
or until all spaces are filled. Click
here to find out more about Women Soar You Soar 2011 or call
800-236-1025. |
INCLUDE
YOUR LOVED ONE ON THE EAA MEMORIAL WALL
Located on the edge of Pioneer Airport near the Fergus Chapel, EAA's
Memorial Wall is a solemn destination providing a place of dignity for
members to honor departed loved ones whose support and passion for
aviation positively impacted the lives of others. EAA honors new
inductees at the annual dedication service held during AirVenture. If
you would like to have your loved one included in this year's ceremony
(11 a.m., Sunday, July 31), your order must be received by Tuesday,
April 12, 2011. Click
here, e-mail, or call
800-236-1025 to learn more. |
ALUMINUM
OVERCAST TOURS THE WEST COAST
 EAA's
restored B-17 Aluminum Overcast heads to the West Coast for its
spring tour, stopping in Torrance, California, April 8-10, hosted by the
Torrance Air Fair Association. The Flying Fortress then continues its
month in California with a stop in San Diego April 12-13, hosted by EAA
Chapter 14, before heading to Van Nuys April 15-17, hosted by Chapter
40, for the big EAA
Aviation Experience event. At all tour stops, visitors have the
opportunity to tour the B-17 and even take a flight on the bomber. For
more information on the tour and to book tickets, click
here. |
DEAL
OF THE WEEK: UP TO HALF OFF SELECT EDUCATIONAL KITS AND YOUNG EAGLE
CLOTHING
 Help
ignite the spirit of aviation in the next generation with our
educational kits and Young Eagles clothing for youth and adults. Click
here to find out how you can save up to 50 percent on kits and Young
Eagles clothing. |
EAA MERCHANDISE: FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF $25 THROUGH SUNDAY ONLY
 It's
easy - just enter coupon code THANKU on page two of checkout.
International orders receive 40 percent off shipping using coupon code
THANKU, but are charged a handling fee. Offer excludes propellers and is
valid on Web orders only. When you purchase anything from the EAA online
store, you're supporting EAA programs that help grow participation in
aviation. But hurry - free shipping offer only valid through this
Sunday, April 10, 2011. Order online
or by calling 800-564-6322. |
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EAA Sport Aviation
Magazine
Can you help?
Join the Discussions!
Post of the Week
Everyone is talking about that guy that
landed on the beach in New York. Check out what people are saying
about the story on our Facebook
page.
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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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New Big Rocket to Make Big Lifts to Moon, Mars |
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SpaceX just announced the Falcon Heavy, a new private venture rocket designed to operate for only one-tenth to one-third of the current cost to launch a space mission into low earth orbit, such as to the International Space Station. The 227-foot rocket will have twice the lift capacity of the space shuttle and might even be used for missions to the moon or Mars. |
LEDs Give Wingtip Lighting to Helicopters |
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EMTEQ has developed a rotorcraft LED lighting system with the lights on the rotor tips. This new system makes rotorcraft more visible to other aircraft in flight and is safer for ground crews because they’ll easily see the rotor tip path at night. |
Solar Eagle Seeks Five-Year Endurance With Electric Motors |
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The Boeing SolarEagle is being designed to fly continuously for five years, propelled by electric motors running on solar energy. Newcastle University and Qinetiq are developing electric motors that will be up to 98 percent efficient for the SolarEagle, which will operate at 60,000 feet at temperatures below -60 degrees Celsius. |
Boeing Clean-Sheets NextGen Ultra-Efficient Airliners |
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Boeing is doing a clean-sheet design on its next generation of airliners with a target of 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency. Two of the primary changes to improve the aircraft efficiency are wings with adaptive trailing edge technology and engines with ceramic exhaust nozzles, which burn fuel more quietly and at higher temperatures. |
Built-In Airliner Crack Detectors |
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New aircraft fasteners from Alcoa are being designed to both hold the plane together and to detect structural cracks by applying a small electrical current to a sensor film on the fastener. This new type of fastener should help prevent incidents like the roof panel opening up on the recent Southwest flight by giving early indication that a crack is beginning to form. |
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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
DIMPLING TOOL
 John
Monnett shares how to make a homemade, simple dimpling tool that works
great in tight places. John Monnett is the founder of Sonex Aircraft, is
an aircraft designer & builder and is an inductee in the EAA
Homebuilders’ Hall of Fame. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF
AVIATION: HAROLD ROUSE
 Harold
Rouse grew up in the Depression Era and ran away from home at a young
age to work as a cowboy on a cattle ranch in California. When he was 16,
he moved down to Oakland and began working on landing craft as a rigger
in a shipyard. Harold later had a run in with the law after leading a
policeman on motorcycle chase. To keep from getting in further trouble,
he enlisted in the Army Air Force. Trained as a fighter pilot, Harold
joined the 58th Fighter Squadron of the 33rd Fighter Group flying P-47
Thunderbolts. Initially based in India, the group escorted transports
over the Himalayan Mountains into Allied bases in China. From there they
moved into China and flew primarily ground attack missions in support of
the campaign in Burma, switching to P-38 Lightnings along the way.
Harold survived numerous close calls during his World War II experience.
Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 39
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 interested in
purchasing a Rans S6S that is already built by
another from a kit and certificated as experimental.
I will fly this plane as an LSA. Can I attend a
16-hour training course to enable me to do
maintenance and inspections? How about a 120 hour
course? I am a current CFI and have a repairman's
certificate for my RV-8A.
Answer: If
the Rans S6S has an Experimental Amateur-Built
Airworthiness certificate (like your RV-8A), you
will not be able to get the repairman's certificate
since you are not the original builder, and taking
the 16- or the 120 -hour courses will not help
either. You CAN do any maintenance, repair,
alteration, or modification, but the annual
condition inspection would have to be performed by a
current A&P.
If it has an
experimental light-sport airworthiness certificate
(E-LSA), then the 16- hour course would allow you to
perform the annual condition inspection on any ELSA
that you personally own (no one else's though) after
obtaining the Repairman certificate from your FSDO
by presenting the certificate of completion of the
ELSA Inspection course. Also, if it has the E-LSA
airworthiness certificate, you can do all
maintenance on the aircraft as well, without taking
any course work at all, just like the experimental
amateur-built above.
Completing the
120-hour course would allow you to be able to do
work and inspections on E-LSA and S-LSA aircraft
that are owned by yourself or others, similar to an
A&P license for other aircraft.
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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AVIATION'S
FIRST FAMILIES TO SUPPORT ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
Erik Lindbergh, the grandson of flight pioneers Charles and Anne
Morrow Lindbergh, announced at Sun 'n Fun support for electric aircraft
development by some of aviation's "first families," including
members of the Wright, Zeppelin, Piccard, Dornier, Sikorsky, and
Lindbergh families, along with HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. Members
of the pioneering aviation families will come together with Prince
Albert on opening day during a forum at the AERO general aviation show
in Friedrichshafen, Germany, which takes place April 13-16. The forum
will be presented by LEAP, a nonprofit organization founded by Erik
Lindbergh and the grantor of the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize,
which will be awarded at AERO. For more information, contact Chris
Nelson by e-mail
or at 206-940-1605.
FLIGHT DESIGN TO UNVEIL "C4"
MOCK-UP AT AERO
Flight Design announced it would showcase a mock-up of its C4
four-seat aircraft at AERO 2011 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, April
13-16. The C4 will be the first four-seater in the company's portfolio.
Flight Design officials were sparse on details concerning the plane's
powerplant, but noted the possibility of diesel power. The company plans
to certify the C4 and is also working on full type certificates for its
CTLS and MC. For more information on Flight Design, click
here.
CESSNA TAKES 30 ORDERS FOR AIRCRAFT AT
SUN 'N FUN
Cessna Aircraft Company reported that it secured orders for 30
aircraft at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo that
concluded Sunday in Lakeland, Florida. "The opening days of Sun 'n
Fun were very positive, and while the storm on Thursday interrupted that
mood somewhat, the exhibitors and the crowds bounced back to finish the
show strong," said Mark Paolucci, Cessna's senior vice president of
sales and marketing. The company took 16 orders for the new Corvalis TTX,
13 orders for high-wing single-engine pistons, and one order for a Grand
Caravan. Launched on the first day of Sun 'n Fun, the Corvalis TTX
features new standard and optional equipment, all-new interior and paint
scheme options, and the Intrinzic flight deck powered by the Garmin
G2000 - which is the first commercially available touch
screen-controlled glass flight deck designed for a piston aircraft
offered to the general public. For more information, click
here.
WISCONSIN GOVERNOR VISITS DELTAHAWK
FACILITY
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was on hand at the DeltaHawk Engines
facility in Racine today to formally announce the financial commitment
of the State of Wisconsin to help DeltaHawk improve its production plant
and create new jobs. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce is providing a
$720,000 low-interest loan to DeltaHawk, which will be used to aid in
the company's plans to manufacture a family of 2- to 12-cylinder engines
for the GA industry. DeltaHawk expects to create 100 new jobs over the
next three years. DeltaHawk Engines has also received a $1.2 million
low-interest loan from City of Racine, which will be provided in
$400,000 increments over the next three years. The loan was formally
approved by the city council in February. For more information, click
here.
SEAWIND 300C COMPLETES FLIGHT TESTING
Seawind's amphibious 300C aircraft, progressing through certification,
completed flutter testing on March 25, the company announced this week.
Seawind engineers also recently completed the installation of a stall
and spin prevention system. With 50 orders already placed, Seawind is
looking to acquire funding to start assembling the pre-production
aircraft at their factory in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada.
For more information, click here. |
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