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September
2, 2011 Volume 11,
Number 43 |
STRONGER TOGETHER: GA RALLIES THE TROOPS IN SOUTH DAKOTA
 There are a total of 72 airports throughout the entire state of South Dakota, with only six providing commercial passenger service. “Now that’s a state that appreciates the value of GA,” said EAA President/CEO Rod Hightower at the GAMA South Dakota General Aviation Rally this week, at the Pierre Regional Airport (PIR). Hightower and other GA organization leaders appeared at the event organized by GAMA, not only to send a message to the public that GA is crucial to the economy by creating jobs and generating millions of dollars of economic impact, but also for health care, agriculture, politics, and law enforcement. Read more
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PILOT SKILLS DEGRADED BY AUTOPILOTS: MAX TRESCOTT REACTS TO AP REPORT
 EAA and Sport Aviation contributor Max Trescott gives his GA-centered take on an FAA study showing piloting skills are eroding in the wake of increasing automation on the flight deck. A story this week by the Associated Press reported that loss of control accidents in which aircraft stall or were in positions from which pilots were unable to recover are now the most common type of airline accident. According to Max, automated systems are good and bad news for airline passengers. The same is true for pilots flying GA aircraft with modern avionics. Read more
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 MAKING
SENSE OF SMALL AIRPLANE CERTIFICATION RULES
The FAA rules that govern certification of “small”
airplanes are a mess. Finally, the FAA is trying to change FAR
Part 23 so that all aircraft manufacturers, both piston- and
turbine-powered, can know what to expect when seeking
certification. Not long after the end of World War II, airplane
certification standards were established with the dividing line
between large and small at 12,500 pounds takeoff weight.
As far as I know, there was no
landmark airplane at that weight that would have provided a
historic reason to pick 12,500. I’ve often heard that the
DC-3, which was certified before the CAR 3 and 4 standards were
established, had something to do with the weight break, but the
DC-3 can weigh double the 12,500 pounds so that makes no sense.
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FLYING: THE 9/11 EFFECT - A CALL TO READERS
 As we look back 10 years to the attacks of September 11, 2011 we see the events of that day had impacts on every corner of society. Due to the mode of the attacks, aviation has been uniquely affected and each aviation professional, enthusiast, and recreational pilot has a personal story to tell about that day. EAA would like to know how the attacks on 9/11 have affected your flying in the past decade and how the perception of recreational aviation among the non-aviation people around you has changed. We ask you to leave your comments at the following link and we’ll publish selected responses in next week’s issue of e-Hotline. Leave your comment
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DREAMLINER
RECEIVES FAA TYPE, PRODUCTION CERTIFICATES
 Less
than a month after its grand public debut at AirVenture Oshkosh 2011,
Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner aircraft received official authorization to
begin commercial production on Friday, August 26. FAA Administrator
Randy Babbitt presented Boeing executives with type and production
certificates at a special event also attended by U.S. Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood. Read
more
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CHINESE FARMER BUILDS 'FLYING SAUCER'
 Shu Mansheng, a 46-year-old Chinese farmer, is bound and determined to fly. The aspiring aviator has reportedly designed and built a total of eight aircraft – none of them successful. But he keeps trying. His latest effort is a saucer-shaped aircraft that sort of “elevated” last month. The homebuilder Mansheng came up with the contraption at his home in Dashu village in central China's Hubei province. Read more
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FAA ISSUES REVISED FLIGHT TRAINING RULES
In a Federal Register document published Wednesday, August 31, the FAA issued sweeping changes to flight training rules that will effectively reduce many of the burdens facing pilots today. EAA believes the FAA felt short of the ultimate goal of allowing pilots who receive instrument flight training in an aircraft with a throw-over control wheel to also take their instrument practical test in that same aircraft. While the practical test restriction remains unchanged (see 61.45), the change that did occur expands the types of airplanes available to pilots who seek instrument training. Read more
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BETTY SKELTON, ‘FIRST LADY OF AEROBATICS’, PASSES
 Aerobatics legend and International Aerobatics Club Hall of Fame member Betty Skelton - the “First Lady of Aerobatics” - died at her home in Winter Park, Florida, at the age of 85. Skelton was a pioneer as a female aerobatic competitor and air show performer, winning the U.S. National Female Aerobatic Championships for three straight years. She also made the Pitts Special airplane famous, as her performances in her Lil Stinker created a market for the biplane designed by Curtis Pitts. That airplane is now part of the National Air and Space Museum collection. Read more
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BURGLARS CAUGHT RED-HANDED BY AIRBORNE HOMEOWNER
 There are some dumb criminals who get caught because they leave their driver’s license or cellphone at the scene of the crime. But two burglars in Arkansas were caught in the act in a way they never imagined. Steven Lynn, of Craighead, Arkansas, was out flying with friends Friday when he asked the pilot to fly over his house. But as they flew over, Lynn saw two men taking his belongings out of his house and loading them onto a truck. Read
more |
FUELVENTURE 200/400 PREPARES FOR FOURTH ANNUAL COMPETITION
 Entries
are now being sought for the fourth annual FuelVenture 200/400, billed
as “a competition for the most fuel efficient aircraft on the planet,”
and occurring October 21-22, during the Copperstate Regional Fly-In at
Casa Grande Airport, Arizona. The event’s moniker reveals an expansion
to the competition this year: A 200-mile, lower-speed course is being
added for aircraft flying 60 to 119 mph. The 400-mile course continues
for planes flying in excess of 120 mph. . Read more
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WISCONSIN
AVIATION HOF TO INDUCT FIVE IN OCTOBER
 The
Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame will induct five new members at its
ceremony next month at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh. They
include Daniel Donovan, Bill Rewey, Dennis Sullivan, and, posthumously,
Marc Mitscher and Steve Shalbreck. Read more
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FROM EXPERIMENTER: MIDGET MUSTANGS PLAY DOUBLES AT AIRVENTURE
 You can be excused if you think you may be seeing double, but these two Midget Mustangs are stunning examples of attention to detail and have been built by the father and son team of John and Brad Errington. They meticulously constructed two textbook-perfect versions of the Midget Mustang and while identical in virtually every aspect, Brad needed to one-up his father and opted to install a modified O-200, besting Dad by 15 mph. Read more in the August issue of Experimenter
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HELP
CELEBRATE PAUL'S 90TH BIRTHDAY SEPTEMBER 11
 On
Sunday, September 11, EAA will honor its own living legend in a
day-long celebration of Founder Paul H. Poberezny's 90th birthday!
EAA members are invited to Oshkosh to help celebrate - we've even
arranged for ConocoPhillips Plaza to be open for aircraft wishing
to fly in. Planned activities include an AirVenture Museum open
house throughout the day, Founders' Wing tours (Paul and Audrey
will greet visitors in the Founders' Wing Library beginning at 1
p.m.), and much more. Be there at 3 p.m. for birthday cake
and to join in singing "Happy Birthday" to Paul. For
more information, call 800-236-1025. |
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FROM LIGHT PLANE WORLD: FLORIDA TO AIRVENTURE IN A TRIKE
 Wes and Marsha Frey had a fun trip, including lots of unique experiences, flying from Florida to Oshkosh. The extreme heat made for too much sweating on the ground and longer takeoffs. The support RV trailer for them and three other trikes broke down near Zephyrhills in Florida, so cameras, computers, and lots of other gear had to be left behind. The flight began in Florida and, after stops in seven different states and 1,180 miles including a 150-mile leg, they all arrived in Oshkosh. Read about their journey and other great stories in the August issue of Light Plane World
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PIONEER
AIRPORT SUMMER HOURS END THIS WEEKEND
 The
upcoming Labor Day weekend signals the end to summer hours at EAA's
Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh. Fall hours operations, including flights in
EAA's vintage collection and Young Eagles flights, will be Saturdays,
10 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Sundays, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., through October 8. |
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WEBINARS: CURIOUS ABOUT EAA'S NEW
CHAPTER WEBSITES? WATCH THIS WEBINAR!
The new EAA Chapter Websites have been created. Okay, now what? How do
you begin taking your chapter's website to the next level? Join EAA's
Hal Bryan as he takes you through a tour of the websites and explains
some of the quick steps you can take to customize your chapter's site.
Mark your calendars for this upcoming webinar and be one of the first to
launch your chapter's website with the brand new look!
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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 Apparently,
a majority of you have a thing for speed, as last week 71 percent of
you said you'd love a chance to fly the pylons at Reno. That was nearly
the same percentage that chose the SubSonex jet over the electric
Pipistrel the week prior.
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION came up
when we read about an FAA study that found that modern airline pilots
are suffering from "automation addiction" and are relying on
technology to the point that they've "forgotten how to fly."
With the pervasiveness of glass avionics, synthetic vision, tablet
computers, and even GPS for those of us old enough to have flown without
it, is this affecting the GA world as well?
Are modern GA pilots at risk of
becoming “addicted” to technology? Vote
now!
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IRENE CUTS SHORT JERSEY STOP, B-17 BACK IN MIDWEST FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND
 Hurricane Irene forced EAA’s B-17 tour to alter its schedule last weekend as EAA’s Aluminum Overcast had to bug out early from its planned stop at Essex County Airport (CDW) in Caldwell, New Jersey – two days earlier than planned. Flights for between 80 and 90 people were canceled, said Sean Elliott, EAA director of flight operations and vice president of industry and regulatory affairs, but the tour marches on this Labor Day weekend at Lewis University Airport (LOT) in Romeoville, Illinois (Chicago area), hosted by EAA Warbirds Squadron 4. EAA Vintage Chapter 37 welcomes the tour to Auburn, Indiana, next weekend, September 6-7. For complete details on tour stops, or to make a flight reservation, click here.
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DEAL
OF THE WEEK: SAVE 50 PERCENT ON AN AVIATOR’S MOST IMPORTANT LOGBOOKS
 Choose from our Engine Logbook, Experimental Logbook, Pilot Logbook, or Propeller Logbook. Through September 8, 2011, each EAA Logbook is now 50 percent off. Click here to find out how you can save on your choice of official EAA logbooks.
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EAA MERCHANDISE: HOMEBUILDERS: SAVE 20
PERCENT ON THE HOW-TO RESOURCES YOU NEED
 September
is Homebuilders Month. Through September 30, we're celebrating with 20
percent discounts on select merchandise for homebuilders. 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.
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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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| LoPresti 'Never-Flat' Tires Need No Inflation |
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LoPresti Aviation Engineering developed no-inflation tires for Humvee military vehicles several years ago, but those tires couldn’t meet the severe impact and acceleration requirements for aircraft. Advances in carbon fiber technology over the past year have now allowed creation of the “Never Flat” tire, which LoPresti is rolling out for business jets. |
| Quiet Runways With ‘Designer Gravel’ |
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Loud aircraft engines at airports generate huge volumes of acoustic energy, which does little more than annoy people. Researchers have developed “designer gravel,” which could be used to make concrete runways that collect part of that acoustic energy and turn it into electricity. The shape of designer gravel particles channels and harvests the energy, which can then be sent to a central storage point. |
| Jackal Grass Keeps Birds Away From Airports |
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Jackal grass is a special variety developed in New Zealand to contain an endophyte - a natural fungus that birds and insects dislike eating. Christchurch Airport has successfully tested the grass, and other airports in New Zealand are now planting Jackal grass to minimize bird strike problems. |
| Falcon HTV-2 Flies at Mach 20 |
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The Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2) was the fastest aircraft ever made, reaching Mach 20 shortly before it crashed into the Pacific Ocean last month. Designed to zip along at 13,000 mph, the Falcon is a U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) aircraft series being used for figuring out hypersonic aerodynamic flight, an emerging field of aeronautical design. |
| What Comes After Gas Turbine Engines? |
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It has been said that advances in propulsion are one of the primary drivers of aviation innovation. Improvements will still be made to the gas turbine engine for aircraft, but commercial aviation engine manufacturers are working hard on the next generation propulsion systems to power aircraft with amazing new capabilities. Two NextGen propulsion technologies being investigated are pulse detonation engines and hybrid turboelectric systems. |
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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. |
HINTS
FOR HOMEBUILDERS: ANTENNA INSTALLATION
 In
this video, Dick and Bob Koehler discuss how to install an antenna. 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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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 148
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 in the process of earning my powerplant authorization and wondered if you offer your Hints for Homebuilders videos on DVD. I’m interested in a format related to A&P training, such as a DVD each for general, airframe, and powerplant.
Answer: EAA does offer DVDs for learning some essential skills in homebuilding, and offers some of the Hints for Homebuilders as well. The selection can be found in our EAA Web store by clicking here. While not geared specifically toward training for your A&P, they are valuable for the clear presentation of each subject.
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
September
2011
Jo Hunter, EAA
854773, captured this image of a JN-4 Canuck at the
Old Kingsbury Aerodrome in Kingsbury, Texas, during
the spring fly-in. Pioneer Flight Museum, located at
the Aerodrome, specializes in World War I-era
aircraft and vehicles; in this photo, volunteers use
a Ford Model T truck to tow the Canuck to the end of
the runway.
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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IFLIGHTPLANNER.COM TO SUPPORT ASPEN’S CONNECTED PANEL
IFlightPlanner.com announced it will be working with Aspen Avionics as a Connected Panel partner to enable connectivity between its soon to be released iPad application, iFlightPlanner for iPad presented by Sennheiser, and the Aspen Avionics Connected Panel. At AirVenture 2011, iFlightPlanner.com and Sennheiser Aviation introduced their integrated iPad application that allows for flight details such as the route, weather, navigation log, VFR and IFR charts, approach plates, and a pilot’s digital logbook that can be downloaded and viewed on the iPad while in flight and without a data connection. For more information on the application, click here.
JOHN FRASCA NAMED PRESIDENT/CEO OF FRASCA INTERNATIONAL
John Frasca was appointed president and CEO of Frasca International Inc. following the announcement that founder Rudy Frasca retired from the active management of the company. Frasca International manufactures flight training equipment for airlines, flight schools, universities, and military organizations worldwide. John Frasca has served as the company’s vice president since 2003 and has gradually taken over more of his father’s duties in recent years as Rudy enjoyed semi-retirement and spending time with his wife and their grandchildren. Rudy will continue to serve as chairman of the board of directors. For more information, click here. NEW GLEIM INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION COURSE ANNOUNCED
Gleim added a new Inspection Authorization Training Course (IATC) to its training curriculum for aviation maintenance. The purpose of this course is to provide aviation maintenance technicians (AMT) a guide to one of the most difficult tests in aviation: the inspection authorization knowledge test. The online course guides AMTs through the requirements of obtaining an IA and provides thorough preparation on all topics necessary for certification through extensive reference material, audiovisual presentation, and interactive testing features. For more information on the course, click here. AIRCRAFT SPRUCE STOCKS PROPPASTIE SPINNER COVER
PropPastie is a new style spinner cover designed to minimize snow, ice, and water that stays on your propeller hub and bearings and freezes inside your spinner. Designed to fit all light aircraft and withstand all but the most extreme temperatures, PropPastie remains in place even during strong wind gusts through the use of Velcro. For more information, contact Aircraft Spruce at 1-877-477-7823 and reference part number 13-10282, or visit online. ASA’S 2012 FAR/AIM SERIES NOW AVAILABLE
ASA announced that the 2012 editions of its Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) books are now available. FAR/AIM, FAR for Flight Crew, and FAR for Aviation Maintenance Technicians include the most current regulations, the Aeronautical Information Manual (including Change 3 effective August 2011), and TSA rules affecting the aviation industry, compiled throughout the year and available at the time of printing. ASA consolidates the FAA regulations and procedures into these three reference books with information pertinent to pilots, flight crew, and aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs). For more information, click here. HANDS-FREE IPAD USE WITH MYCLIP
More and more pilots are incorporating the Apple iPad into their flying. Unfortunately, finding a spot to secure the tablet is troublesome during long or cross-country flights. MyClip turns tablet devices into a kneeboard, allowing for hands-free operation while airborne. The unit incorporates a strap that is secured to one’s leg to provide a safe and secure surface while operating a tablet. It is also designed to work with the HP Slate, Galaxy Tab, XOOM, and Acer Tablet. Wicks Aircraft Supply sells the MyClip accessory for $39.95. For more information or to order, click here. |
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Experimental Aircraft
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