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July
24, 2011 Volume 11,
Number 31 |
AS
DESIGNED, RUTAN'S BOOMERANG RETURNS TO OSH
 VariEze.
Starship. Voyager. SpaceShipOne…the names of Burt Rutan's
revolutionary aircraft are legion. Ask Rutan himself which he regards
among his most important designs, and you'll quickly hear the name:
"Boomerang," a seemingly unflyable asymmetric twin-engine
airplane he built in 1996. The story of the Boomerang's resurrection
begins just a few months ago as Rutan was preparing for retirement and
clearing his things out of storage at Scaled Composites. Read
more
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REMOS
NXT: TINKERING IN THE RIGHT WAYS
 One
often wonders what could possibly improve an already successful,
well-engineered product. Such is the case with the popular REMOS GX
light-sport aircraft. But here at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 the German
manufacturer is showing the possible with its all-new NXT model.
Creature comfort is a key theme for the NXT upgrade. Relocation of a few
controls allowed the center pedestal to be narrowed. More legroom is the
result and, in particular, more room for the knees. Wing root vents cool
things down on a hot day, and standard articulated visors, for both the
left and right seats, tone down any sun coming through the expansive
windshield. Read
more |
AIRVENTURE
OPERATIONS NOT AFFECTED BY FAA FURLOUGHS
All air traffic and safety areas fully staffed and operating
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt personally contacted EAA
President/CEO Rod Hightower on Friday morning and briefed him on the
impact that funding expiration will have on the FAA's presence at EAA
AirVenture. A continuing resolution by Congress would have temporarily
funded the agency while work continues on the FAA Reauthorization bill
that is currently in conference committee. Read
more |
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CAN THE FAA AFFORD TO COME TO
OSHKOSH?
 As
of yesterday, the FAA is broke. Now it looks like the FAA
leaders may not even have the money to come to Oshkosh. What a
crazy system.
The FAA has been operating on a
long string of very short-term funding authorizations passed by
Congress for the past few years. On last Friday night, the
existing authorization expired and the FAA had no money to
operate on Saturday morning.
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EXTRA'S
330LT: GO FAST, FLY HARD
 One
of the things some aerobatic pilots may have been missing is an airplane
capable of going as fast as it looks. Thanks to Walter Extra's new Extra
330LT "Speed Demon," they now can have it: better
cross-country capability with world-class aerobatic performance. Read
more |
NAVAL
AVIATION: COMPRESSING A CENTURY OF FLIGHT INTO ONE YEAR
 A
hundred years ago this month a Curtiss pusher, designated A-1, piloted
by Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson, inaugurated U.S. naval aviation with two
solo sorties on July 1, 1911, propelling the Navy into the air age. From
then forward the story of naval aviation is laced with innovation and
advances by Navy pilots and the makers of their aircraft. When Ellyson
graduated from the Curtiss Flying School he became Naval Aviator No. 1,
the first in an ongoing stream of gold-winged fliers who continue to
apply a nautical twist to their aircraft. Read
more |
RECORD-SETTING
SIKORSKY X2, PROJECT FIREFLY ON DISPLAY
Firefly demonstrators this week
 The
X2 and Project Firefly will be on display during EAA AirVenture at
Sikorsky's exhibit near ConocoPhillips Plaza. Sikorsky is part of a
growing participation from the rotorcraft community in AirVenture's new
Heli Center, a dedicated pavilion for the international helicopter
community established in conjunction with the Helicopter Association
International. Read
more |
RESTORED
HUEY FOUGHT IN 'BROWN WATER NAVY'
 Lean
in for a close look and you can see battle damage repairs on the nose of
a UH-1B Huey helicopter parked on the grass in the Warbirds area. This
is no ordinary Huey, if there is such a thing. This is a veteran of Navy
combat in South Vietnam, and it has been lovingly restored by Overseas
Aircraft Support in Arizona as a tribute to those who served in the
Navy's short-lived HA(L)-3 Seawolves unit from 1966-1972. This Huey
fought for the Army and the Navy, coming back to life in several
rebuilds following battle damage during the war in Southeast Asia. Read
more |
NEW
HELI CENTER CREATED FOR AIRVENTURE'S HELICOPTER COMMUNITY
 For
the first time at Oshkosh, rotorcraft enthusiasts have a place to call
their own. A new, dedicated "Heli Center" has been created for
the international helicopter community by the Helicopter Association
International and EAA. The pavilion will feature helicopter-related
exhibitors highlighting their products and services to attendees, aiming
to re-introduce many fixed-wing fans to the helicopter. Read
more |
CHEROKEES
MAKE A BIG ENTRANCE
 My
guess is the only time most people have seen Piper Cherokees fly
formation was in the James Bond movie Goldfinger where five Cherokees of
Pussy Galore's Flying Circus spray gas over Fort Knox to knock out the
soldiers. Unless you were at Wittman Field Friday afternoon when 23
Cherokees and a rogue Cessna arrived en masse. Read
more |
ZENITH
AIRCRAFT OWNERS GATHER TO HONOR FOUNDER
 More
than 50 Zenith aircraft and many more Zenith owners and builders will
convene at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 to celebrate the company's
airplanes and honor the man who created them. Chris Heintz, founder and
chief engineer of Zenair Ltd., has designed and developed more than 12
aircraft models that have been marketed as kit aircraft around the
world. Read
more |
RUTAN,
HEINTZ TRIBUTES COULD SPELL RECORD YEAR FOR HOMEBUILTS
Homebuilding is at the core of EAA, and planned tributes to two esteemed
pioneers in the movement-Burt Rutan and Chris Heintz-may push 2011 to
the biggest ever for homebuilt participation. Already expected are more
than 100 aircraft of various Rutan designs and 50 from Heintz.. Read
more |
SEE
BUGATTI 100P REPRODUCTION PROJECT AT EAA WELCOME CENTER
 AirVenture
attendees will have an opportunity to see the significant progress
that's been made on the incredible Bugatti Model 100P Racer reproduction
project. Just head over to the EAA Welcome Center, located just west of
ConocoPhillips Plaza, where it's on display throughout the week. Read
more |
'SPLOSHKOSH'
NO MORE: AIRVENTURE GROUNDS EXPECTED TO STAY DRY
Extensive efforts create drier campgrounds
 We
all remember "Sploshkosh 2010," when a record 10 inches of
rain in the 24 days prior to opening day turned much of Camp Scholler
into a quagmire. So we went to work. In the weeks and months following
the 2010 convention, extensive storm water movement projects were done
on the AirVenture grounds. Read
more |
KIDVENTURE
CONTINUES TO GET BIGGER AND BETTER
 KidVenture
is back better than ever for its 13th year at AirVenture, featuring
expanded activities and new featured attractions. The interactive
experience allows young people to receive loggable flight instruction on
a simulator, earn FAA credit toward an A&P certificate through
hands-on building projects, learn how to fly a radio-controlled
airplane, and even see what it's like to land on Mars-making it an
out-of-this-world experience! Read
more
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EAA
BLERIOT VOLUNTEERS RECOGNIZED
 Several
years ago, EAA decided to construct a true replica of Louis Bleriot's
Model XI monoplane. The project had a very limited budget, leaving the
expertise and time of EAA volunteers as the only option. Saturday, a
team of those volunteers were recognized in front of the recently
completed and recently flown reproduction Bleriot XI. Read
more
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BONANZAS
LEAD GROUP ARRIVALS BACK TO OSH
 Maybe
it took their absence last year, wrought by the Deluge of '10, to remind
us what a thing of beauty, of passion, commitment, and sheer logistical
ingenuity their annual group arrivals represent to AirVenture. But when
the 22nd edition of Bonanzas to Oshkosh landed Saturday, followed by the
Mooney Caravan and Cessnas to Oshkosh, the excitement of their
migrations came home. Read
more
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WANT
TO FLY? VISIT THE LEARN TO FLY CENTER
 Is
learning to fly on your bucket list? Have you driven by the airport
thinking you'd stop someday but never have? Or perhaps you started
flight training but did not finish? If so, then EAA's Learn to Fly
Discovery Center should be among your must-see destinations during EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2011. The center will feature flight simulators, and
flight instructors will be available to answer questions and guide you
in discussions about flight training. Read
more
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AIRVENTURE
HAS OUTSTANDING WEEKEND LINEUP PLANNED
 From
sunup to well past sundown, airplanes, fireworks, and entertainment will
make for a spectacular finish during the final weekend at EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh 2011. Click
here to check out the weekend's lineup, featuring everything from
the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to the Rockwell Collins Night Air Show.
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LAUNCH YOURSELF OFF A CARRIER AT THE FORD
HANGAR
 No
visit to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is complete without a stop at the Ford
Hangar, located on the northwest corner of ConocoPhillips Plaza. Whether
it's shiny cars, live music, or the traditional Ford AirVenture cowboy
hat that you're looking for, Ford has it all. Docked outside the hangar
is the USS Henry Ford where you can pretend to ride the carrier catapult
right off the deck, complete with the deafening sound effects. Read
more
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AIR
MAIL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATED IN VINTAGE AREA
 The
term "via air mail" was literally invented 100 years ago this
year, and EAA's Vintage Aircraft Association will celebrate the occasion
in the Vintage area, just south of ConocoPhillips Plaza. The Air Mail
Centennial will feature a display of aircraft that were used to fly
mail, and there will also be a replica air mail station where you can
send a letter and exhibits relating to early years of air mail delivery
in the United States. Read
more |
FIND
WHAT YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR AT AEROMART
 Call
it a swap meet, consignment sale, or clean-out-the-hangar sale, Aeromart
provides one of the best places for individuals to sell their extra
aircraft parts and other aviation-related items. On the other side of
the ledger, buyers can find some real bargains. Last year more than
21,000 visitors came to the Aeromart tent, which had more than 6,000
items consigned by 400 different vendors. Read
more
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AROUND
THE FIELD: THE EARLY ARRIVERS
 AirVenture
Today "Around the Field" columnist Jack Hodgson went on
the sunny and warm Friday before the start of AirVenture Oshkosh 2011,
and though the official opening is tomorrow, he began to see the usual
stream of early arrivers setting up camp. Read
more |
VETERANS,
ACTIVE MILITARY RECEIVE FREE HAT, COMMEMORATIVE PIN
 Throughout
this week, we encourage all attendees to participate in the numerous
activities that will honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and
active military personnel who put their lives on the line defending
freedom. Read
more |
EAA
RADIO SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, JULY 25
EAA Radio is still one of the best live sources for AirVenture
information and entertainment. You can hear EAA Radio on the AirVenture
grounds on 93.3 FM or online. Here
are just some of the people you will hear Monday, July 25, on EAA Radio.
- 8 a.m. - Ken Griffey Jr.
- 8:15 a.m. - Kevin Keling: Ford - REO
Speedwagon Opening Day Concert
- 9 a.m. - Capt. Richard Dann: Century
of Naval Aviation
- 9:15 a.m. - Doreen Welsh: Lead Flight
Attendant, Flight 1549
- 11:30 a.m. - EAA President/CEO Rod
Hightower Live From the Welcome Center
- 1 p.m. - EAA Radio On The Fly! Live
from the Vintage Red Barn
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READ
TODAY'S ISSUE OF AIRVENTURE TODAY ONLINE
 The
official newspaper of EAA AirVenture, as found around the grounds. Check
the highlights of the day with this interactive
online edition. |
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: RESERVE YOUR COPY OF THE OFFICIAL EAA AIRVENTURE 2011
DVD AND RECEIVE FREE SHIPPING
 Pre-order
your AirVenture 2011 DVD today and get free shipping (domestic orders
only). International shipping is $3 for the first DVD and $1 for each
additional DVD purchased. Offer good through August 18, 2011. Click
here to find out how you can save on shipping when you order your
AirVenture 2011 DVD.
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EAA MERCHANDISE:
THE EAA HERITAGE COLLECTION. MERCHANDISE THAT HONORS THE HISTORY OF EAA
AND OUR FOUNDER
 Check
out our selection of apparel and collectibles with the cool retro look
that's more popular than ever. And remember, when you shop at the EAA
online store, you support EAA programs that help grow participation in
aviation. Order
online or call us toll-free at 800-564-6322. Going to AirVenture? Stop
by the EAA Wearhouse to see our collection for yourself. And don't forget
to visit Authors' Corner, also at the EAA Wearhouse.
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| Photo of the Day |
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The Farmers Airship,
docked at Pioneer Airport, with a beautiful sunset as the
background. Click
to see more Airship photos. |
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Highlights
for Monday, July 25, 2011 |
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Rod Hightower interview and
Q&A at the Welcome Center (11:30 a.m.) |
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Warbirds in Review featuring
Doug Matthews and Tom Hudner with Corsair (1:00 p.m.) |
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Afternoon Air Show, presented
by Rockwell Collins, 3:30 p.m. |
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Opening Day Concert,
presented by Ford Motor Company: REO Speedwagon, 5:30 p.m. |
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Theater in the Woods: Air
mail centennial (8:15 p.m.) |
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Fly-In Theater feature film: Top
Gun introduced by Tom Huff, commander, U.S. Navy Test Pilot
School (8:30 p.m.) |
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EAA
Desktop Calendar
August
2011
This
Curtiss-Ely Pusher replica, built by Bob Coolbaugh
(EAA 307903/Vintage 15150) of New Market, Va., with
assistance from Andrew King (EAA 275985/Vintage
10739) of Vienna, Va., resembles the one that made
the first carrier landing on the deck of the U.S.
Navy’s USS Pennsylvania in the San Francisco Bay
on January 18, 1911 - beginning the era of naval
aviation. It will be on
display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
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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AIR
GRAPHICS MAKES STRIPING YOUR AIRPLANE A CUT-AND-PASTE AFFAIR
Deciding your new airplane's striping and colors can be both
expensive and nerve-racking. After spending all that money, can you live
with the final design for as long as you own it? What if you want to
change your N number? If you use vinyl appliqués instead of paint, not
only can you personalize your airplane almost at will, you might also
save some money and weight in the bargain.
Air Graphics, producers of custom designs
for companies as diverse as Cirrus, Cessna, Van's, Diamond, Liberty,
Gobosh, Evektor and Piper, among others, now offers customers the
opportunity to customize their aircraft's appearance online. It renders
the results in vinyl costing as little as $1,000, according to the
company.
Once an owner settles on a new striping
design, the company can perform the installation at its facility in
Middleton, Wisconsin, or ship it to you with an installation kit and
detailed instructions. According to the company, using vinyl instead of
paint allows owners to save weight-as well as change their mind.
Learn
more about Air Graphics or view its online design capabilities.
CHILL OUT WITH AIRWOLF'S NEW OIL
FILTER HEAT SINK
It's summertime ... and the flying is hot-so hot, in fact, that
keeping aircraft engines in their recommended temperature range can be a
challenge.
Airwolf Filter Corp. offers some help:
the Oil Chiller, a finned heat sink designed to clamp around spin-on oil
filters. The simple design includes a fan-shaped array of anodized
aluminum fins band-clamped around the filter.
Airwolf's Oil Chiller is modeled after
the multi-finned heat sinks used to cool modern computer chips and works
similarly: by increasing the filter's surface area to enhance heat
dissipation.
The company tested the concept on a
Bellanca Scout glider-tow aircraft, which commonly experienced
250-degree Fahrenheit oil temperatures-until the Oil Chiller on
Airwolf's firewall-mounted oil filter system lowered temperatures more
than 60 degrees to the 185-degree range.
Airwolf's Oil Chiller heat sink is being
launched at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 at $100. The company says it
fits all aviation oil filters-and it requires no STC. Visit Airwolf.com
BLACKHAWK'S NEW ENGINE PACKAGE PUMPS
UP CESSNA'S CARAVAN
As it nears 30 years in service Cessna's Model 208 Caravan remains
one of the most flexible and often-modified products in the company's
lineup. Now, Blackhawk Modifications, perhaps best known for its engine
upgrades for Beech's venerable King Air models, has a new STC to upgrade
the Caravan with its XP42A performance engine upgrade.
Blackhawk's program exchanges the
Caravan's standard engine-the Pratt & Whitney Canada (PW&C)
675-shp PT6A-114A-for a more powerful 850-shp PT6A-42A factory-new
powerplant.
The STC includes a new composite cowling
to accommodate the larger engine, as well as other enhancements, such as
two new Frakes exhaust stacks and a Hartzell four-blade propeller.
Blackhawk also provides its lifetime customer support guarantee.
According to the company, the XP42A
upgrade program significantly expands Caravan performance. Enhancements
include effectively doubling the aircraft's rate of climb, a 4 percent
takeoff weight increase, faster cruise speeds, and improved takeoff
performance.
The company says it already has made 17
XP42A upgrade sales, with work underway at the company's Waco, Texas,
facilities. The first delivery is scheduled for August.
To learn more about Blackhawk's upgrades
for the Caravan and other turboprops, visit
its website.
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