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June 10, 2010 Volume
11, Number 24
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INSPIRE
A CHILD TO FLY SATURDAY ON INTERNATIONAL YOUNG EAGLES DAY
 Thousands
of young people will take to the sky on Saturday, June 11, as EAA
volunteers continue an outstanding aviation tradition - International
Young Eagles Day. The annual event brings together kids and pilots as
part of the EAA Young Eagles program, the largest youth aviation
education program ever created. Nearly 150 events are planned by local
EAA chapters during this weekend, not counting the many individual EAA
members who will fly Young Eagles independently.
Read more and see a message from Sully Sullenberger | Flying
the next generation of aviators
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BURT
RUTAN WOWS SPOKANE CROWD
Felts Field celebrates grand weekend of flight
 Felts
Field in Spokane, Washington, home airport to EAA Chapter 79, is one of
the coolest airports around and last weekend proved why. A veritable
"candy store" for aviation enthusiasts included an open hangar
event that drew 10,000 people, a Grassroots Pilots Tour stop with EAA
President/CEO Rod Hightower, EAA's B-17 tour with Aluminum Overcast,
and lots of great vintage airplanes, flying and on display. Read
more and see the photo gallery
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ADS-B
HAS A MISSING LINK
 The
FAA's ADS-B requirement moves the bulk of air traffic control
hardware and technology from the ground and puts it into the
airplane. Instead of using a radar network on the ground to
locate the position of aircraft, ADS-B relies on equipment in
each airplane to broadcast its location, altitude, and
movements.
But the FAA has taken this
concept of every airplane broadcasting its location to every
other airplane and to the controllers and divided the sky in
half. The ADS-B equipment in some airplanes can communicate with
other cockpits, but other pilots will not be able to receive
this information even though they have fully functioning
certified ADS-B equipment installed.
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FRASCA FLY-IN: SPECIAL
INVITE FROM PAUL POBEREZNY
EAA’s Founder Paul Poberezny asked that we send this reminder along:
Rudy Frasca once again invites all aviation friends to the annual Frasca
Fly-In, which will be held Friday, June 10, through Sunday, June 12, at
Frasca Field (C16) in Urbana, Illinois. The fly-in, which features
homebuilt, GA, vintage, warbird, and ultralight aircraft, will also host
EAA President/CEO Rod Hightower and his Grassroots Pilot Tour on
Saturday, June 11. Read
more
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HUNDREDS
PAY FINAL TRIBUTE TO AMANDA FRANKLIN
 Hundreds
of colleagues, friends, and family members of Amanda Younkin Franklin
gathered at First Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 7, in Fayetteville,
Arkansas, to celebrate her life, which ended far too soon at the age of
25 following her 10-week struggle to recover from severe injuries
sustained in a March plane crash at the Air Fiesta air show in
Brownsville, Texas. Read
more
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EAA, NBAA, AOPA, PLANNING
LEGAL CHALLENGE TO DOT'S MOVE TO DISMANTLE BARR
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), National Business Aviation
Association (NBAA), and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
today announced that they will mount a legal challenge to the decision
by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to dismantle the Block
Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. The three associations
will seek an injunction to prevent the decision from taking effect and
will ask the courts to invalidate the new policy altogether. Read
more
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'MIRACLE
ON THE HUDSON' AIRLINER GETS STUCK ON WAY TO MUSEUM
 The
main fuselage of the Airbus A320 that landed in the Hudson River in
January 2009 got stuck while trying to make a sharp turn on the main
street in Moorestown, New Jersey, while being transported to a museum in
North Carolina. Town officials had to lower traffic lights and uproot a
fence before the caravan could continue. Read
more
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MICKEY WHITTENBURG
TO RECEIVE 2011 TONY BINGELIS AWARD
 Mickey
Whittenburg of Kiln, Mississippi, will receive EAA's 2011 Tony
Bingelis Award in recognition of his contributions to EAA and the
aviation community. Ever since completing his first solo flight at
age 17 in 1947, Whittenburg (EAA Lifetime 415) has been deeply
rooted in the aviation community, encouraging builders and their
projects as well as promoting aviation safety. He joined EAA in
1955, becoming one of the first 500 members of the organization
that had formed two years earlier. This award honors the late Tony
Bingelis, a homebuilding authority and EAA Sport Aviation
columnist. Read
more
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ELECTRIC
LAZAIR ENTERED IN EAA ELECTRIC FLIGHT CONTEST
 One
entry in the EAA's $60,000 Electric Flight Prize during
AirVenture comes from a well-established design, the Electric
Lazair, based on an ultralight designed more than 30 years ago
by Dale Kramer, EAA 145132. Between 1979 and 1985, his company,
Ultraflight, produced about 1,200 kits. Calling the twin-engine
Lazair "an ideal vehicle for electric conversion,"
Kramer wrote that he has dabbled in trying to
"electrify" one several times. Read
more
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NEXT
WEDNESDAY IS DEADLINE FOR PRE-AIRVENTURE TICKET DISCOUNTS
 You
can save $5 per weekly adult ticket and $2 per daily adult
ticket when you purchase your admission to AirVenture Oshkosh
2011 in advance. But the deadline for the pre-purchase discount
is next Wednesday, June 15, so get your tickets today at the
AirVenture website.
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SIGN UP FOR
THE RUNWAY 5K
 Grab
your sneakers! Running and walking enthusiasts can navigate a
unique, aircraft-lined course by competing in the fifth annual EAA
Runway 5K, scheduled for Saturday, July 30, at 7 a.m. during
AirVenture. The 3.1-mile run/walk will benefit the Boys &
Girls Club of Oshkosh, YMCA Strong Kids Fund, and Cerebral Palsy
of Mideast Wisconsin. Read
more
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EAA YOUNG EAGLES GOLF CLASSIC IS JULY 27
 The
Young Eagles Celebrity Golf Classic, held at the historic Oshkosh
Country Club on Wednesday, July 27, is a unique opportunity to
bring together golf and aviation enthusiasts in support of EAA
Young Eagles - the most dynamic aviation youth program in the
world. Since the program teed off in 1992, Young Eagles has
inspired 1.6 million young people to explore the world of flight.
You'll be inspired too, when you tee up with celebrities like
perennial all star Ken Griffey Jr., Pro Football Hall of Famer
Thurman Thomas, aerobatic legend Sean Tucker, and many others. Register
online today or call 800-236-1025 for more information.
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EXPERIENCE
AIRVENTURE IN A NEW WAY AT THE AVIATORS CLUB
 Experience
AirVenture in a new, "cooler" way in 2011. The EAA
Aviators Club presented by Shell Aviation is a place to unwind,
replenish, and watch the air shows from the best seats around.
Open Monday, July 25, through Saturday, July 30, the
air-conditioned oasis is the perfect place for individuals,
families, or large groups to meet and share their AirVenture
stories. Daily and weekly passes are available to purchase. Read
more
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MORE
THAN JUST KID STUFF
Teens build an RV-12
 A
group of aviation enthusiasts in Oregon recently celebrated completion
of an airplane project built by a group of teenagers over the previous
year and a half. Project Teen Flight, a 16-month effort, organized a
dozen youths to assemble an RV-12 light-sport aircraft that flew for the
first time a little more than a month ago. The idea for the building
project was an answer to the increasing concern by local aviators who
wanted to find a way to get kids interested in aviation. Read
more
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CONGRESSIONAL
CONCERN EXPRESSED OVER FCC'S LIGHTSQUARED WAIVER
Recent tests show wireless towers jam GPS signals
Sixty-seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives have
written a letter to the Federal Communications Commission expressing
concern over the "conditional" waiver it granted to
LightSquared to proceed with development of its nationwide wireless
system without thorough testing first. Preliminary results of recent
tests in New Mexico show that GPS signals were jammed by the wireless
towers "within 3 to 5 miles on the ground and within 12 miles in
the air," according to General William Shelton, U.S. Air Force
Space Command, who was quoted in the letter. Congressional members want
the FCC to allow for additional public comment and to only approve the
waiver if LightSquared can "indisputably prove" that there
will be no GPS interference.
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ON
ORBIT: THE ISS AND ENDEAVOUR PORTRAIT
 As
three decades of NASA's shuttle program comes to a close, an
unprecedented series of photographs was recently snapped by
International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 27 crew member Palo Nespoli
from Russia's departing Soyuz TM-20 spacecraft. The photos show the
shuttle Endeavour docked for the last time at the station during
the shuttle's final flight into space. Read
more
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THE
AVIATORS SELECTS WITTMAN AS OFFICIAL HOME AIRPORT
 The
Aviators television show announced it has made Wittman Regional
Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh its new official home airport. "The
Aviators" airs on PBS stations across the United States and on
other major networks around the world. Executive Producer Anthony Nalli
notes Wittman is the home of EAA AirVenture, as well as Basler Turbo
Conversions, Fox Valley Technical College's aviation programs, Oshkosh
Corporation, and Sonex Aircraft LLC. Read
more
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RECORD
CLAIMED IN NEVADA SAILPLANE FLIGHT
 Sailplane
pilot Gordon Boettger, of Minden, Nevada, broke his own Northern
Hemisphere soaring record on May 31 by flying a total distance of 1,401
miles in his Kestrel sailplane in 13 hours, 17 minutes. He and Hugh
Bennett set the previous distance record of 1,367 miles on April 20. The
flight was keyed by strong winds as high as 80 mph along his route on
the east slope of the Sierra Nevada. His average speed was clocked at
110 mph. Read
more
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GOLDEN
WEST FLY-IN IS THIS WEEKEND
 The
2011 Golden West Regional Fly-In is this weekend, running from Friday
through Sunday, June 10-12, at the Yuba County Airport (MYV) in
Marysville, California. The theme for this year's event is "Keeping
the Spirit Alive - Commemorating America's entry to World War II."
Highlights for this year's fly-in include pancake breakfasts every day,
Kid's Day on Friday, daily air shows, a rib cook-off, and a hangar dance
Saturday night, plus the 8th annual Contact! Magazine Alternative
Engine Round-Up. For arrival and departure procedures, forum and
workshop schedules, and everything else you need to know about Golden
West, click here.
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 When
it comes to flying fantasies, it seems that many of you favor luxury
over adventure, with 62 percent saying that you'd rather pilot a
Zeppelin versus a jetpack.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION takes us back
to the early days of aviation history. With last weekend's first flight
of EAA's 1909 Bleriot XI replica and, shortly before that, our
acquisition of a flyable 1911 Wright Flyer Model B replica, we're
wondering, which one would you rather see fly? Vote
now!
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WEBINARS: BRINGING
YOUR PLANE TO AIRVENTURE? WATCH THIS WEBINAR!
More than 10,000 aircraft visit AirVenture
Oshkosh each year. While they don't all come at once, flying in with
thousands of other aircraft at the same time can be challenging and
intimidating. However, EAA and the FAA have worked hard over the years
to make it as straightforward as possible. Join Fred Stadler, the
"King of the AirVenture NOTAM," for an informative webinar on
how to make your flights to and from AirVenture an enjoyable experience.
All webinars begin at 7 p.m. CDT unless
otherwise noted. 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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ENROLL
NOW FOR THE EAA MILITARY TRAINER FANTASY FLIGHT CAMP
 Sign
up today for the Military Trainer Fantasy Flight Camp scheduled for
September 9-11, 2011, in Oshkosh. Participants have a rare opportunity
to fly in the only remaining airworthy PT-3, plus take a second flight
in the famed "pilot maker," the North American T-6. Flights
include a pre-flight briefing on the aircraft and its controls. EAA's
own pilots and instructors will perform the takeoff and demonstrate in
the air how the controls work - and then it's your turn! Click
here to sign up.
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ALUMINUM
OVERCAST IN DENVER, HEADING FOR THE MIDWEST
 EAA's
B-17 Aluminum Overcast has a big weekend planned June 9-12 in
Denver at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. Along with
B-17 tours and flights, visitors can attend a Hangar Dance (June 10),
view warbird static displays, participate in youth activities, see
military re-enactors, and more, all to honor our veterans. Click
here to learn more about this tour stop.
After its stay in Denver, EAA's bomber
will fly on to Ankeny, Iowa, hosted by EAA Chapter 135 June 14-15. For
more information including the full tour schedule and to book flights, click
here.
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: MEMBERS-EXCLUSIVE OVERSTOCK BLOWOUT - SAVE MORE THAN
40 PERCENT FOR A LIMITED TIME
 The
1932 and 1933 editions of the EAA Flying and Glider Manual are
only $3.95 for a limited time. Regularly $6.95 - save $3 or 43 percent.
Offer good through June 30, 2011. Click
here to find out how you can save on these collectible historic
publications.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: GEAR UP FOR AIRVENTURE 2011 - THIS YEAR'S STYLES
AVAILABLE NOW
 Click
here to check out our new assortment of AirVenture 2011 merchandise.
When you shop at the EAA online store, you support EAA programs that
help grow participation in aviation. Order online or by calling
toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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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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'Smart Dust' Improves Avionics Capability |
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Advances in nanotechnology, energy harvesting, and wireless communications are leading to extremely small sensors embedded throughout aircraft designed in the 2020s. Technology analysts are using the term “smart dust” to describe these tiny sensors, which will help achieve improved safety and lower fuel burn. |
eXtreme Capacitors Extend Electric Flight |
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Supercapacitors have two advantages compared to traditional batteries, a lifetime of 1 million discharge-recharge cycles, and fast recharging. The eXtreme Capacitors, as described in the 2011 CAFÉ Electric Aircraft Symposium, incorporate a unique lightweight form of carbon nanotubes. These light but powerful energy sources are proposed for use in the Electric Eagle, an air taxi concept designed for 300 mph and a 500-mile range. |
Is Comfort a Priority When Designing Airline Seats? |
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Flying has become a commodity item rather than a luxury, while fuel costs and other expenses of operating a commercial airline have skyrocketed. The intersection of these two factors has resulted in airline seats that are, for the most part, designed to be lightweight, low cost, and the minimum size possible. Although most airline passengers would rate their seating experience as uncomfortable or worse, there are occasional pleasant surprises with well-designed and comfortable plane seats. |
New Wings and Engine for A350-1000 |
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The Airbus A350-1000 is being redesigned to better compete with the range and weight capacity of the Boeing 777-300ER. These A350 performance improvements are expected to come from larger wings and an upgraded Rolls-Royce engine with an increased thrust of 98,000 pounds. |
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The final pre-production Hawker 200 made its first flight last week. The Hawker Beechcraft entry-level bizjet “will be used for systems certification, functional and reliability testing, and interiors certification.” |
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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: SEALING
PLEXIGLAS WINDSHIELDS WITH BUTYL TAPE
 Jack
Dueck demonstrates how to seal Plexiglas windshields using butyl tape.
Jack is a Technical Counselor, a SportAir Workshop Instructor and
Chairman of the EAA Canadian Council. Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF AVIATION: CLIFFORD
GAMBLE
 Clifford
Gamble signed up for the Army Air Corps’ Aviation Cadet program prior
to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but he wasn’t called up for
service until June 1942. He originally signed up to go to bombardier
school, but was switched to pilot training after arriving at the
Aviation Cadet Center in San Antonio, Texas. Clifford became a P-47
Thunderbolt pilot and joined the original cadre of men that made up the
395th Fighter Squadron of the 368th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. The
group sailed for England in late December 1943 and began flying bomber
escort missions under the tutelage of the 56th Fighter Group. After a
short while the group began its primary mission - the destruction of the
German ground forces. After D-Day, the group moved to an improvised air
strip in France and began flying two to three missions a day striking
German targets. As a flight leader, Clifford led missions against rail
yards, troop emplacements, tanks, bridges, and other ground targets. It
was dangerous work, and numerous 368th pilots were lost in action.
Clifford survived 98 combat missions, finishing his tour in October
1944. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 209
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'm
planning to attend AirVenture this year to enjoy the
Centennial of Naval Aviation celebration. In my
mind, no naval aviation celebration would be
complete without the Blue Angels. Why can't they
perform in Oshkosh?
Answer: e-Hotline
posed this frequently asked question to AirVenture’s
Director of Flight Operations Joe Schumacher, who answered:
We just do not have
the FAA-required clear area to do a military jet
team. The aerobatic box has to be at least 3,000
feet wide and 12,000 feet long. To accomplish this
we would have to move a large number of people out
of their homes and businesses on the north and east
sides of the airfield. And even if we could do that,
if one person decided not to move out at the last
minute, it would stop the show. More and more air
shows are having this issue as people move closer to
the airports in this country. The military teams
need to recognize this and develop performances that
fit in places like Oshkosh. I'm working on that.
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
June
2011
The Navy's premiere fighter during World War II, the
Corsair, will be among the aircraft celebrated this
year at AirVenture during Centennial of Naval
Aviation activities. This month's calendar image is
of a Goodyear FG-1D, shot by Lee Ann Abrams in 2003.
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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LSA
FLIGHT SCHOOL FIRST TO EXCEED 10,000 HOURS
Chesapeake Sport Pilot has become the first light-sport flight school in the nation to exceed 10,000 flight hours on its LSA fleet. Started in early 2007 as a one-plane operation, Chesapeake Sport Pilot has grown to include seven airplanes, more than a dozen qualified instructors, and approximately 60 students in training at any given time. For more information on Chesapeake Sport Pilot, call (410) 604-1717, e-mail, or click here.
DYNON PLANS OPEN HOUSE DURING ARLINGTON
FLY-IN
Dynon Avionics will host an open house on Saturday, July 9 during the annual Arlington Fly-In. The open house will feature a factory tour to show the facilities where the SkyView system, EFIS/EMS products, and autopilot products are manufactured. Free BBQ will be available during the Open House and visitors will have a chance to talk to Dynon employees. Pilots can even fly SkyView on one of two simulators, and door prizes will include $500 Dynon gift certificates, Dynon DX15 handheld radios, and a free hat to the first 50 guests who make a reservation and attend. For more information, click here.
ECLIPSE IFMS UPGRADE SELLS OUT
Eclipse Aerospace Inc. announced the sold out success of the Avio IFMS completion program. More than 100 customers have placed firm, non-refundable deposits to participate in the program, which is now sold out through March 2012. This program installs the fully integrated Avio flight management system in the Eclipse Jet, completing the most advanced glass cockpit in GA, the company said. For more information on the Avio IFMS completion program, or to find out more about availability of the Total Eclipse twin-engine jet, click here.
ZENAIR OPEN HANGAR DAY THIS WEEKEND
Fans of the popular Chris Heintz designs are invited to the Zenair Open Hangar Day and Builder Gathering scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2011, at Huronia Airport in Midland, Ontario, Canada. Visitors are invited to fly or drive in to visit "the original" Zenair Ltd. light aircraft factory, which designer Heintz founded in 1974. This is an informal grassroots fly-in gathering open to all builders, fliers, and aviation enthusiasts, and owners of Heintz designs are encouraged to fly in for the activities and to show off their completed projects. For more information, call Anita at Zenair at 705-526-2871, or for directions to the airport, click here.
BACK ISSUES OF SPORTSMAN PILOT MAGAZINE AVAILABLE
Sportsman Pilot Magazine ceased publication when Editor Jack Cox passed away. However, back issues of Jack and Golda Cox’s 30-year-old quarterly publication are still available. Though some issues have limited availability, most back issues can still be purchased. Copies of Jack’s detailed history of homebuilts, antiques, and classics can be ordered by writing Golda Cox, Sportsman Pilot, P.O. Box 400, Asheboro, NC 27204-0400, or by clicking here.
NEW JERSEY AIRPORT CHALLENGE, JULY 1–SEPTEMBER 17
The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Coalition (MAAC), an active GA advocacy organization based in New Jersey, has found a way to get more aircraft out of the hangars and into the air. They call it the “New Jersey Airport Challenge.” There are 46 GA airports in New Jersey. The object of the challenge is to establish a competition to get pilots to fly to as many participating airports as possible. The competition will run from July 1 to September 17 when a fly-in picnic will be held at Somerset Airport, where winners will receive prizes. For more information, click here.
CESSNA SKYCATCHER MAKES EUROPEAN DEBUT AT
CANNES
Cessna Aircraft Company debuted its Model 162 Skycatcher LSA in Europe. The introduction took place at the Cannes (France) AirShow 2011, which runs through June 11. From Cannes, the Skycatcher will make appearances at air shows throughout Europe, including Tannkosh 2011 (Germany, August 26-28) and the Air Expo Zell (Austria, September 3-4). Cessna has received orders for more than 1,000 Skycatchers, 300 of which are from European customers. For more information on the Skycatcher, click here.
NEW INSTALLATION KITS FROM KANNAD AVIATION
A range of retro-fit installation kits is now available from Kannad Aviation. The kits make retrofitting its range of ELTs in place of redundant 121.5MHz ELTs convenient and cost-effective. The retro-fit installation kits are designed for simpler, solderless installation of the Kannad Compact ELT and for the new Integra 406 GPS ELT, both of which are ideal for customers looking to upgrade from the old ACK or Ameri-King Legacy 121.5MHz ELTs, since this frequency is no longer used for satellite alerts. For more information,
click here.
VITATOE AVIATION STC TURBONORMALIZES CESSNA 210’S
Vitatoe Aviation LLC received an STC to install Teledyne Continental IO550P engines in Cessna P210Ns, Cessna T210Ls, M’s, and N’s. Vitatoe retains the original turbocharger allowing for increased performance over the original TSIO520 and the naturally aspirated IO550 engines. For questions or information on how to schedule a conversion, contact Larry Vitatoe at (740) 773-2425, ext. 106, or by e-mail.
FAA APPROVES WAG-AERO T-CRAFT BC12D
PARTS
The Wag-Aero Group announced the FAA approved new parts to go into
production for the Taylorcraft BC12D. The parts include various flying
wire sizes, tie rod fuselage straps, end inserts, fin straps, stabilizer
straps, and more. The parts are fabricated to current aviation material
standards using new rigid fixturing to maintain drawing specifications.
For more information, including ordering, call 1-800-558-6868 or click
here. |
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