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August
12, 2011 Volume 11,
Number 40 |
PIPISTREL'S
OSHKOSH TEST HOPS
First flight imminent for NASA Green Flight Challenge entrant
 The
Pipistrel Taurus G4 is one step closer to its first flight after making
four test hops at Wittman Field in Oshkosh Thursday. The twin-fuselage
aircraft was a clear Dead Grass Award winner during AirVenture 2011 and
Pipistrel is aiming this one-off design for NASA's Green Flight
Challenge (GFC) that will take place in September. The aircraft has
already made some test hops in Europe but its first flight and aircraft
certification will take place in Oshkosh and one other location in the
United States before the competition. The G4 is really two stock Taurus
G2 aircraft joined together by a mid-wing that also supports the single
motor, can carry four, and, according to Pipistrel, is the biggest,
heaviest most powerful electric aircraft to date. Read
more and watch the video
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CARPLANE
DEVELOPERS CRITICIZE BIPOD…
…and Burt responds
 In
response to our story in AirVenture Today about Scaled Composites
Model 367 BiPod, a German government-sponsored aviation firm, Carplane
GmbH, provided its analysis of the latest Burt Rutan design. The
Carplane is a competing roadable aircraft being developed at the
Research Airport in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany. Read
more
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FOR YOUNG EAGLES WHICH WINS,
NEW OR OLD?
 We
have a lot of data on the more than 1.6 million young people who
have taken an airplane ride in the hugely successful EAA Young
Eagles program. But I have a question about Young Eagles that I
don’t believe the data answers: What kind of airplane made the
greatest impression, new or old?
EAA members have flown Young
Eagles in every conceivable type of airplane from the most basic
to some of the most advanced. EAA members fly the kids in their
favorite airplane and that means almost every conceivable type
of general aviation aircraft has taken a Young Eagle flying.
Continue
reading | Subscribe to Mac's Blog
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ELECTRIC FIREFLY FLIES WITH NEW MOTOR
 Luxembourg
Special Aerotechnics (LSA) announced the first flights of its model
MC30E Firefly electric airplane powered by a new E-Motor electric
propulsion system from Electravia. The flights took place August 1-2
with LSA founder/manager/test pilot Jean-Luc Soullier at the controls.
The airplane is a converted MC-30 Luciole design by Michel Colomban of
Cri-Cri fame. The Luciole was originally powered by a two-cylinder
internal combustion engine. Read
more
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LONGTIME
EAAER REGRETS TFR INCURSION
 Several
times a week, Myrt Rose, EAA 810977/Vintage 719607, flies her
award-winning vintage 1941 Piper J-3 Cub low and slow around the patch
near her South Barrington, Illinois, home. But the flight she took on
August 3 is one she never should have made. Myrt, who had just returned
from her annual journey to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, had not flown her Cub
in a week. She usually checks the NOTAMS online before flying, but this
day she said she couldn't log on. Read
more
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SKYCATCHER
SWEEPSTAKES WINNER: 'A PRETTY GOOD DAY'
 On
Sunday afternoon, July 31, David Henry, EAA 166701, was at home in
Perry, Oklahoma, which is more than 900 miles away from Oshkosh. But at
about 2 p.m. he became the center of attention at AirVenture 2011 when
he received a phone call informing him that he had just won a brand new
Cessna 162 Skycatcher light-sport aircraft, the grand prize in the 2011
EAA Share the Spirit Sweepstakes. Read
more
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FAA
MAKES EAA-BACKED CHANGES TO NEW IA POLICY
The FAA this week issued its final revised inspection authority (IA)
renewal policy, which included a broader interpretation of
"actively engaged" than the agency originally proposed in
2010. EAA, the Vintage Aircraft Association, and Warbirds of America
opposed the original proposed definition because it threatened the
renewal of valued part-time IAs. So the groups provided suggested
language changes, and the FAA essentially agreed with them. Read
more | View
final policy
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OUR
FAVORITE AIRVENTURE PHOTOS
 Our
staff photographers and videographers spent all week in ditches,
airplanes, high above the ground in lifts, and other odd places to
capture the best angles of AirVenture 2011. This week we take a look at
photos by EAA Chief Photographer Jim Koepnick, who in his over 27 years
with the organization has seen the best of the fly-in. This year Jim
spent a lot of time up in the air during AirVenture and his efforts
yielded some stunning photos. View
the gallery
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HELP
US 'CROWDSOURCE' OSHKOSH PHOTOS
 Needless
to say, we took an awful lot of photos at Oshkosh this year. Among the
estimated 100,000-plus taken by EAA staff and volunteers are more than
1,300 images showing arriving and departing aircraft, shot from
Saturday, July 23, through Sunday, July 31. We don't have the resources
to organize and publish them all, so we've decided to "crowdsource"
the project. That's where you come in. Read
more
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SOLAR
FLARES COULD AFFECT GPS SYSTEMS
Major solar flares that occurred late last week may have caused
disruptions with GPS satellites and other communications over the
weekend, according to NOAA's Space
Weather Prediction Center. After three major solar flares erupted
from sunspot 1261, the sun propelled a large burst of electromagnetic
energy in Earth's direction large enough to affect GPS equipment,
according to Joseph Kunches, a space weather scientist at the center. Read
more |
CAP
PERFORMS PRECAUTIONARY SAR DURING AIRVENTURE
 The
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) performed successful precautionary search and
rescue (SAR) missions throughout EAA AirVenture 2011, giving pilots who
flew into Wittman Regional Airport and other facilities some extra peace
of mind. EAA's annual convention brought in more than 10,000 aircraft
into Oshkosh and surrounding airports this year, giving CAP a lot to
look after, but they handled it well. The SAR mission included 31
searches for overdue aircraft, down slightly from last year. Read
more |
TINY
UAV
TRANSPONDER MAY HOLD PROMISE
 Sagetech,
a maker of electronics for unpiloted air vehicles (UAV), has built what
is believed to be the world's smallest transponder. The XP transponder
from Sagetech is about the size of a business card and weighs just 105
grams. The tiny unit even contains an altitude encoder. And the company
is nearing production of an XP transponder with Mode S extended squitter
(ES) that could potentially meet the rules for ADS-B out. Read
more
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LIMITED
SPACE LEFT IN SPORTAIR TIG WELDING COURSE
 There's
still room left in the EAA SportAir Workshops TIG Welding course being
held in Griffin, Georgia, set for next weekend, August 20-21, presented
in conjunction with Lincoln Electric and the Alexander Technical Center.
Students learn in a state-of-the-art welding workshop with 12
professional welding booths using Lincoln Precision TIG 225 welding
units for instruction. Also included is classroom time learning welding
basics. Tuition for EAA members is $359 and includes all materials. Register
online here or call 800-967-5746. And you can pay class fees in
three easy installments with EZ Pay. To learn more about this affordable
option, call 800-967-5746 and speak with an EAA member representative.
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FOREFLIGHT
PROVIDES SUBSCRIPTIONS, SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EAA YOUNG EAGLES PROGRAM
 ForeFlight,
a leader in producing intelligent aviation software for pilots, is
supporting EAA and the Young Eagles program by offering complimentary
subscriptions to ForeFlight Mobile as well as providing financial
support for select individuals to the EAA Air Academy. Young Eagles
participants who achieve certain milestones along the EAA Young Eagles
Flight Plan, which takes young pilots from first flight to certificated
pilot, will receive free access to ForeFlight Mobile for iPad, iPhone,
and iPod Touch. ForeFlight will also annually provide scholarships
sufficient to send four kids to the EAA Air Academy, a camp designed to
introduce students to aviation. Read
more |
WEBINARS: LEARN BASIC AEROBATIC
FLIGHT SKILLS
Explore adverse yaw, gyroscoping effects, slipstream and torque,
accelerated stalls (upright or inverted), and stability - all the
standard aerodynamic principles extended into the world of aerobatic
flight in this upcoming webinar.
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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 Last
time around, we asked you which of two up-and-coming roadable
aircraft designs you’d choose, if you were in the market: Burt Rutan’s
just-announced Bipod, or Terrafugia’s Transition. It was fairly close,
but 55% of you went with the Bipod.
THIS
WEEK'S QUESTION comes up based on the reported
violation of a presidential TFR near Chicago by a pilot in a 70
year-old Piper Cub named Winston. NORAD scrambled two F-16s to
intercept, and the pilot faces potential FAA sanctions. What do you
think should happen next?
Should
Winston’s pilot be penalized for violating the TFR? Vote
now!
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ONLY
A FEW SPOTS REMAIN 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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FLYING
FORTRESS CONTINUES EAST COAST SWING
 Fresh
off its visit to the Pittsburgh
area with EAA Chapter 45, EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast lands in
Oxford, Connecticut, this weekend, August 12-14, where EAA Chapter 1443
will host a tour stop at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC). From there, the
tour heads to Allentown, Pennsylvania, August 16-17 with EAA Chapter 70,
then it's on to Leesburg, Virginia, August 19-21, with Chapter 186. For
more information on bookings and a full tour schedule, click
here.
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'TIN
GOOSE' RETURNS TO FORMER HOME OF EAA CONVENTION
 In
a couple of weeks EAA's Ford Tri-Motor revisits the past when it kicks off
a mini-tour in Rockford, Illinois, on August 25. Rockford hosted the EAA
Convention and Fly-In for 10 years in the 1960s before the event moved to
Oshkosh in 1970. Rockford is the first of four stops for this historic
aircraft, also including Burlington and Iowa City, Iowa, and Lee's Summit,
Missouri. Click
here for complete details and to book your flight.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: LAST
CHANCE FOR FREE SHIPPING ON AIRVENTURE 2011 DVD - RESERVE YOUR COPY TODAY!
Pre-order
your AirVenture 2011 DVD today and shipping is on us (domestic orders
only).
 International
shipping is $3 for the first DVD and $1 for each additional DVD purchased.
Offer good through August 18, 2011. Order
online or by calling toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: AIRVENTURE 2000-2009 DVD 10-PACK FOR $74.95
Save 50 percent when you buy all 10!
 It's
a great deal on a decade of AirVenture action! Relive 10 years of The
World's Greatest Aviation Celebration for one low price. Offer good
through August 18, 2011. Click
here to find out how you can save on your AirVenture DVD 10-pack.
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Monthly Photo Contest
Can You Help?
Ongoing 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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Amazing Flying Mechanical Gull
(New Video) |
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In this “must-see” video, a large mechanical gull uses biomimicry and ultralight construction materials to achieve autonomous bird-like flight, flapping its wings to create the propulsion. The robotic bird has articulated wings that present a large surface area on the downstroke to maximize the lift, then folds and twists the wings on the upstroke to minimize drag while getting in position for the next downstroke. Man has finally been able to build an aircraft that flies like a bird! |
Even Paper Airplanes Are Going Electric |
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Advances in energy capacity of lightweight capacitors has brought electric flight to even the humble paper airplane. You can now buy an electric power kit - which includes a capacitor, motor, shaft, and propeller - for a paper airplane. Three AA batteries charge up the capacitor in 20 seconds to give you a 90-second flight time. |
Instant Robotic Landing Pads Made With True GRITS |
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As the robots take over, scientists at the Georgia Robotics and Intelligent Systems (GRITS) lab have used an emerging field of research, swarm robotics, to create an instant landing field. Following orders from their lead robot, a group of flat-topped mobile robots move into position and form a landing pad for a quadrotor aircraft. (Watch video) |
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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: CARBURETOR
INLET SCREEN CLEANING
 Dick
and Bob Koehler show how to remove and clean the screen on a Marvel-Schebler
MA-3 and MA4-5 carburetor. Dick and Bob are both Technical Counselors,
A&P aircraft mechanics with Inspection Authorization (IA), and
SportAir Workshop instructors.
Watch
the video
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TIMELESS VOICES OF AVIATION: JOHN
MCGINNIS
 John
McGinnis is the brainchild behind the radical new aircraft design called
Synergy, a competitor in the CAFE Foundation's 2011 Green Flight
Challenge. Inspired by Burt Rutan, John decided to design
his own airplane. Life got in the way, but the dream never died, and
over the past 35 years John researched as much as he could about
aerodynamics and drag. His “eureka” moment came after reading a
paper on viscous induced drag by George Green of NASA Langley.
Everything John has learned has come together in the Synergy design and
he shared the story of its development during AirVenture 2011. Watch
the video
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 135
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 planning to build a Pietenpol Air Camper and have
questions about different wood species used in
homebuilding. Is there any information or anyone to
contact about completed/current projects using a
wood species other than Sitka Spruce? I am trying to
find a wood species that would be cheaper and more
commonly available than Sitka, yet still safe to
use. I read that at one time some planes were built
with ash, which I like working with for furniture,
cabinets, etc., so any information about using ash
wood would be especially appreciated.
Answer: Many
aircraft have been built using wood other than Sitka
spruce, most commonly white pine and Douglas fir,
but there are others that may be suitable as well.
When substituting, be sure you grade the wood
properly for knots, pitch pockets, and grain
run-out, and make appropriate calculations to
compensate for differences in strength compared to
Sitka spruce.
For example, ash is
commonly used in high-stress areas like landing gear
and motor bearers (as in the Piet), but it's far too
heavy to be used for the whole airframe, if used in
the same dimensions as Sitka spruce. I would
recommend you read the paper "Non-Certified
Wood Testing and Selection" by Drew Fidoe
to learn more about various species of
aircraft-worthy wood.
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
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 was 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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BELITE AIRVENTURE SPECIALS GOOD THROUGH AUGUST 31
Belite Aircraft is running its AirVenture specials through August 31, which include $2,000 off a new, ready to fly aircraft, $500 off aluminum and steel kits, and a $20 rebate on Belite Electronics. In addition, Belite announced it has a limited supply of overstock steel fuselages that it’s discounting, both for ready to fly aircraft and as kits. For more information, click here.
ASPEN AVIONICS’ GETS CANADIAN STC FOR ROBINSON R44
Aspen Avionics and Western Avionics announced the Transport Canada approval for installation of Aspen’s H-Series primary flight displays (PFDs) and multi-function flight displays (MFDs) into the Robinson R44 and R44 II model helicopters. Western Avionics also submitted for FAA and EASA validation of the STC to make it available to U.S. and European operators. Approval for the R22 model is also underway. For more information, click here.
JABIRU USA HOSTS NORTHEAST ENGINE SEMINAR
Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC will host a Jabiru Engine Installation and Maintenance Seminar in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, September 16-18, 2011. The seminar is open to anyone with an interest in Jabiru aircraft engines, including homebuilders, mechanics, and owners of Jabiru-powered aircraft. Topics discussed will include engine parts and systems, installation, general maintenance, and overhaul. The “hands-on” class will take a Jabiru 3300 through the 1,000-hour top overhaul procedure. The cost of the seminar is $300 and seating is limited to 25. For more information, click here or call
931-680-2800.
GAMA REPORTS SHARP DECREASES IN GA DELIVERIES
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) eports that in the first six months of 2011, total GA airplane shipments worldwide fell 15.5 percent, from 936 in 2010 to 791. Total billings were $7.3 billion, down 22.3 percent from a year ago. Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 387 units compared to 424 in the first six months of 2010, an 8.7 percent decrease. Turboprops declined 8.9 percent to 143 deliveries in 2011, compared to 157 in 2010. Business jet shipments totaled 261 units, a 26.5 percent decrease as compared to the 355 units delivered in the first six months of 2010.
See the complete report
here.
BREEZER E-LSA KITS NOW AVAILABLE IN U.S.
Following recent success with sales of the first Breezer E-LSA kits in the U.S., Breezer Aircraft USA announced it has in stock starter kits for the quick-build, all-aluminum, bubble-canopied LSA. The kits, which are priced at $2,495, arrive in a riveted aluminum box, with all the parts for the tail assembly packed inside, making it the ultimate “kit to go.” For more information, call Breezer Aircraft at 813-474-1337, or click here.
ASA’S 2012 CATALOG NOW AVAILABLE
Aviation Supplies & Academics Inc. (ASA) announced the release of its 2012 catalog. ASA’s annual catalog is the company’s primary tool to inform the aviation community of product descriptions, part numbers, and price for its complete product line. This product line consists of textbooks for pilots and aviation maintenance technicians, test preparation books and software, FAA handbooks, pilot supplies, flight simulation and tutorial software, eBooks, mobile device apps, and more - more than 400 products published or manufactured by ASA. To request a printed catalog or to download a PDF version, click here.
REMOS EXPANDS DEALER NETWORK
REMOS Aircraft added new dealerships in Russia and India. The company plans to continue expansion into other markets with pending agreements in Madagascar and Brazil. They are also exploring dealer sites in China and Australia. Since 2006, REMOS Aircraft has been steadily developing its dealer network in the United States. Most recently, the company introduced its new GXNXT model at AirVenture Oshkosh 2011. For more information, click here.
LOPRESTI, LOCKWOOD TO HOLD ROTAX TRAINING COURSES
LoPresti and Lockwood have teamed up to offer two classes to help educate people on the Rotax Engine. The Engine Operation and Service Course will be held on October 6-7 and will cover engine system basics, operational issues, routine service, and inspection, including the 100-hour or annual condition inspection. The Engine In-Depth Maintenance Course will be held on October 11-12 and will offer an advanced understanding of engine systems and installation issues, troubleshooting, and major component disassembly. Both classes will be held at the LoPresti Aviation Facility in Sebastian, Florida. For more information on the courses, call 772-562-4757.
CAP 70-YEAR CELEBRATION STARTS IN LOUISVILLE
More than 600 Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members are taking flight to Louisville, Kentucky, this month as the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force Auxiliary begins its observance of 70 years of service to America. CAP officially celebrates its 70th anniversary on December 1 of this year, but will get started early at the 2011 Annual Conference and National Board meeting August 17-20 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. The conference will include 60-plus training seminars, an awards ceremony, and an evening banquet. For more information on the CAP, click here
SPORTY’S TAKES DELIVERY OF 2012 SWEEPSTAKES AIRPLANE
Sporty’s Sweepstakes airplane for 2012 is a brand-new Cessna Skycatcher – but this one is just a little more special. That’s because Sporty’s Sweepstakes Skycatcher is serial No. 100. “We are thrilled that Cessna reserved this milestone Skycatcher for Sporty’s Sweepstakes,” says Sporty’s President and CEO Michael Wolf. “It’s such a fun and popular airplane – in fact, Sporty’s owns another Skycatcher as part of our training fleet.” The Sweepstakes Skycatcher will be awarded on Saturday, May 19, 2012, as part of the festivities of Sporty’s annual fly-in. Any purchase from Sporty’s Pilot Shop qualifies a customer for a chance to win this airplane. For more information on the sweepstakes, click here.
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