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July
25, 2011 Volume 11,
Number 32 |
SUPER
CHUB IS TALL, BUT NOT CHUBBY
 Piper’s
Super Cub is a pillar of bush flying around the globe and nicely sized -
at least, for pilots of average stature. But Piper never
anticipated the six foot, five inch likes of Brandon Jewett, of
Brighton, Colorado. His highly modified Super Chub is turning heads. The
Super Chub is a conglomeration of parts from a number of different
aircraft types: engine cooling baffles and exhaust system intended for
an RV-7, a flap handle from a Piper Tri-Pacer, wheels and brakes from a
wrecked bush plane, a constant speed propeller off a plane receiving an
upgrade, control sticks from an Aeronca Chief, and a salvage yard
engine. Read
more
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SPITFIRE
KIT BUILDER MOVES TO U.S.
 Michael
O'Sullivan is no stranger to EAAers. The founder of Supermarine
Aircraft, one of his spectacular 90-percent-scale Spitfire replica kit
planes was on the cover of a past issue of EAA Sport Aviation, with a
comprehensive story by Budd Davisson. But Michael has been on the move,
relocating his company to Cisco, Texas, from Brisbane, Australia, about
eight months ago. The last Spitfire replica he assembled in Australia is
here at AirVenture, appropriately liveried with the star-and-bar of the
U.S. Army Air Forces 8th Photo Group and painted in the original bright
blue of the photo recon unit. Read
more |
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KEEPING YOUR HEAD UP - HUD
AVIONICS HELP
 With
each new advance in avionics technology traditionalist among us
worry that we are all flying around with our heads down and
locked - inside the cockpit. They do have a point.
The most crucial information on
your actual flight trajectory is found on displays in the
cockpit, not out the windshield. I don’t know any pilot, for
example, who can hold altitude within 100 feet while flying at
cruise altitude, particularly at altitudes of many thousands of
feet. But it’s not only traditionalists who worry about the
“head down” problem.
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EXTREME
MAKEOVER: BONANZA EDITION'
 Call
it "Extreme Makeover: Bonanza Edition." Hawker Beechcraft
chose AirVenture 2011 to showcase a factory-upgrade program for Bonanzas
that can transform a Model 33, 35, or 36 into what the company calls a
Bonanza Extra. Sunday the company showed off the rejuvenating powers of
the restoration to AirVenture Today in a brief local flight in
its demo aircraft, N3236V, a 1985 A36. The Bonanza Extra program offers
owners an a la carte menu of upgrades: avionics, interior appointments,
powerplant and propeller, environmental systems, and additional fuel
capacity. Read
more |
PRESIDENT'S
AWARDS TO HONOR HAL SHEVERS AND CRAIG WILLAN
 The
founder and chairman of Sporty's, whose online flight training course is
offered free to Young Eagles, and the president of Omega Research Inc.,
who has donated money for EAA and AirVenture improvements, will be
awarded the highest honor EAA bestows to its members. Hal Shevers and
Craig Willan will each receive the President's Award Tuesday night at
Theater in the Woods. The President's awards provide Rod Hightower an
opportunity to personally acknowledge members whose participation and
contributions represent the essence of EAA. Read
more |
CHRIS
HEINTZ RECEIVES HIS DUE
 Monday
was Chris Heintz Day at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and Zenith builders came
in droves from all points to honor the aircraft designer, who has
introduced more than a dozen successful kit aircraft designs. A Salute
to Zenith Designs took place Monday morning on ConocoPhillips Plaza
where Chris, surrounded by gleaming Zenith designs, answered questions
from the crowd, but stayed mum on any new projects. Chris' son,
Sebastien, said they pulled Chris out of retirement to come to
AirVenture this year. Read
more |
AIR
SHOW PERFORMER GREG POE DIES
 Air
show performer Greg Poe died Sunday from an apparent heart attack near
Boise, Idaho, according to a post on the Greg Poe Airshows’ Facebook
page. “This is a great shock and certainly a very sad day for his
family, our team and the air show family he dearly loved,” posted Greg
Gibson, team coordinator, Greg Poe Airshows. “Greg was at the top of
his game and rising, and he will be greatly missed.” Read
more |
JIM
WARREN EARNS PILOT CERTIFICATE AT 87
 "Just
do it" is one of advertising history's most-famous and easily
recognizable slogans. Nike may have made it famous, but Jim Warren made
it his mantra. A former Tuskegee Airman, Warren spent many of his
younger years flying in the back seat of planes as a navigator during
World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In fact, he had hoped
to become a military pilot but was eliminated from pilot training at
Tuskegee. When he retired in 1978 as an Air Force lieutenant, Warren
said he gave up the idea of ever flying. Instead, he focused on
encouraging and helping others to fly. Read
more |
EYE
OF THE EXPERIMENTER: INSIDE THE PIPISTREL TAURUS 4
 So
what's under that huge nacelle located between the twin fuselages that
make up the Pipistrel Taurus 4? A lot! The ship, as delivered to
AirVenture, is intended to be solely operated by the starboard passenger
compartment, with passengers only in the port side, similar to the way
that those sitting in the back seat of a four-seater don't have access
to controlling the plane. Experimenter Editor Pat Panzera takes a closer
look at the unique powerplant set-up of the Pipistrel. Read
more |
SALUTE
TO QUICKSILVER
 Mike
Ostrander expects to pass a significant milestone at EAA AirVenture
2011: his 1,000th landing in his 1984 Quicksilver MX Sprint ultralight.
A longtime EAA AirVenture attendee and past president of Ultralight
Chapter 30 in Rantoul, Illinois, Ostrander is but one of the owners and
pilots flying the 15,000 examples of Quicksilver aircraft built since
conception of the original design. Recognized as the most popular
ultralight aircraft ever, Quicksilvers of all shapes, sizes, and colors
are expected here at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 as part of a special
salute. Read
more |
'FAMILY'
KEEPS VOLUNTEER COMING BACK FOR 35 YEARS
 Sandy
Marsh said she was shy and quiet while attending her first EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh in 1975. But that changed the following year when she
decided to get involved. Marsh is celebrating 35 years of volunteering
at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 and will be recognized with the Dorothy
Hilbert Volunteer Award on Tuesday at the Theater in the Woods. The
award recognizes a female EAA volunteer who exhibits the same passion,
dedication, and devotion for volunteerism as did the late Dorothy
Hilbert. Read
more |
AVIDYNE
UNVEILS TOUCH-SCREEN IFD540
New all-in-one is a plug-and-play replacement for the GNS 530
 Avidyne's
first plug-and-play replacement/upgrade was the DFC90 series of
autopilots that replace the existing autopilot computers in Cirrus
aircraft. The DFC90 brought so much new capability for such a small
installation cost and hassle that Cirrus owners have made the switch in
big numbers. On Monday at AirVenture Avidyne announced it will soon do
the same with its new IFD540 combination GPS navigator, VHF comm, and
VHF nav designed to plug-and-play replace Garmin's extremely popular
Garmin GNS 530s. Read
more |
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PLANE
CRASH INTO WINNEBAGO CLAIMS TWO
A man and a woman died after the 1940 Piper Cub they were flying in
crashed into Lake Winnebago a quarter-mile off-shore from Wendt’s on
the Lake restaurant, about 10 miles north of Fond du Lac, according to
the Fond du Lac County Sherriff’s Department.
Dive team members pulled two people from
the plane within about 45 minutes after the accident, but both were
pronounced dead at the scene, said Fond du Lac County Sheriff Mick Fink.
About 12:40 p.m. a woman was pulled from
the water by the dive team, according to scanner reports. A second
person was pulled from the water about 12:45 p.m. Dive team members from
the Fond du Lac and Winnebago county sheriff’s departments were called
to the accident scene.
FAA and NTSB are investigating the
accident. |
FLYING
AROUND THE COUNTRY AT 17
 Taylor
De Ley's summer vacation plans don't look like those of most new high
school graduates; it may still involve plenty of sunscreen-but there are
also loads of sectionals and avgas involved. De Ley, 17, of Yorba Linda,
California, is about one-third of the way through a solo flight around
the perimeter of the United States flying the RV-4 he built with his
dad, Luc, a private pilot. His trip includes stops in the nations four
corners-Friday Harbor, Washington; northern Maine; Key West, Florida;
and back to Los Angeles. Read
more
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DOWNLOAD
SPORTY'S FREE AIRVENTURE APP
 Sporty's
free app for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 is available for both Apple
devices and Android devices and includes everything show-goers need,
from maps, to guides, schedules, and even late-breaking news. With the
AirVenture app you can get up-to-the-minute announcements via the live
news and Twitter feeds. There's also a complete AirVenture NOTAM for
arrival and departure procedures as well as VFR route planning, aerial
images, and much more information for pilots. Read
more
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HOMEBUILDER'S
COUNCIL MEETS WITH NTSB ON E-AB SAFETY
The safety record of experimental amateur-built, or homebuilt, aircraft
is getting attention in Washington at the National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) as well as at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011. Earlier in July
the NTSB announced the launch of a study examining this dynamic, growing
general-aviation segment and EAA is working with the board to help it
collect data. To update each organization on the project's status, NTSB
staff met Monday with EAA's Homebuilt Aircraft Council (HAC). Read
more
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EAA
RADIO SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY, JULY 26
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 Tuesday, July 26, on EAA
Radio.
- 8:15 a.m. - Former NFL MVP Thurman
Thomas
- 9 a.m. - Navy Centennial Freshwater
Carriers
- 9:15 a.m. - Craig Fuller: AOPA
- 9:45 a.m. - Live Zeppelin Remote
Broadcast
- 10 a.m. - Mary Jones: Editor, EAA
Sport Aviation
- 11 a.m. - EAA Radio Live: Aviation
Journalist's Round Table
- 1 p.m. - EAA Radio on the Fly! Live
From the IAC Pavilion
Enjoy all these great interviews plus
live coverage of the daily showcase flights, air show, and Theater in
the Woods programs.
Note: Due to technical difficulties EAA
Radio programming will be available only on 93.3 FM and on
the web.
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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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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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BYE
IS NOW BEYOND AVIATION
Bye Energy has changed its name to Beyond Aviation, the company
announced last week. Beyond Aviation is working on the Green Flight
Program, a collaborative effort to develop an electric propulsion system
for a Cessna 172 airplane.
The company is led by Charlie Johnson,
who has more than 40 years of aviation and aerospace leadership
experience, including Cessna president and CEO from 1997-2003.
Beyond Aviation is headquartered in
Englewood, Colorado, with an additional facility at Rocky Mountain Metro
Airport in Broomfield, Colorado.
A SPARK OF INNOVATION: ELECTROAIR STCS
NEW ELECTRONIC IGNITION
Electroair's President Michael Kobylik and staff showed their stamina in
earning a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for a pure-electronic
general aviation piston engine ignition system-believed to be only the
second option approved for certificated aircraft to provide an
alternative to the venerable mechanical magneto.
According to the company, the STC'd
system is the first pure-electronic option and leverages the more than
2,500 systems in use on experimental-category aircraft-the product of
their imagination and innovation that evolved into the approved system.
Electroair's electronic ignition replaces
one magneto, typically the right one, with the following: an RPM
measurement device, a manifold pressure sensor, and a high output coil.
All are controlled by a sophisticated and versatile controller to
advance timing according to altitude and provide a significantly hotter,
longer duration spark than previously available. Aircraft spark plugs
are approved.
Benefits of this variable timing control
include reduced fuel consumption, cleaner combustion and higher power.
By comparison, the fixed timing of a mechanical magneto is optimal only
at one setting, usually cruise power, but otherwise a compromise that
wastes fuel and reduces power. Learn
more here.
ICON LOWERS DEPOSIT DURING AIRVENTURE,
DONATES TO YOUNG EAGLES
ICON, maker of the amphibious A5 LSA, has temporarily reduced the
required purchase deposit from $5,000 to $2,000 for any order placed in
person or remotely, from July 25 to July 31.
In addition, ICON will donate $200 (10
percent) of each $2,000 deposit to the EAA Young Eagles program during
the week of AirVenture.
Visit ICON
online and click on the Buy Your Icon for more information.
2011-2012 WORLD DIRECTORY OF LEISURE
AVIATION NOW ON SALE
The 2011-2012 edition of World Directory of Leisure Aviation (WDLA),
which claims to be the world's most authoritative guide to leisure
aviation aircraft, is now available at all EAA outlets. The 270-page
directory is available in English, French, and German-and this year for
the first time also in a Chinese language. Sold worldwide for well over
a decade, WDLA strives to detail every aircraft that flies for fun, as
well as comprehensive coverage of engines, accessories, training,
aviation organizations, and more. The directory is available at all
AirVenture merchandise outlets as well as the EAA
website. The price is $16.99, with a $2 discount for EAA members to
$14.99. Learn more. |
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