 |
|
|
November
11, 2011 Volume 11,
Number 53 |
EAA
GRATEFUL FOR OUR NATION'S VETERANS
 On
Veterans Day, November 11, 2011, EAA expresses its sincere gratitude to
all veterans for their service and sacrifice to preserve the freedoms we
all cherish in the United States of America. One veteran who has
triumphed over injuries sustained in Iraq is Chris Gschwendtner, who
suffered two traumatic brain injuries from a rocket attack in the space
of six weeks. Thanks to an Able Flight Career Training Scholarship, he's
now working in an aircraft maintenance shop in Maryland. Read
more
|
'AMERICAN
PATRIOT' CESSNA MUSTANG DESIGNATED FOR VET AIRLIFT COMMAND MISSIONS
 The
special Citation Mustang American Patriot unveiled by Cessna at
last month's NBAA convention makes its first Veterans Airlift Command
this week when it flies two veterans from San Antonio, Texas, to and
from VAC's annual fundraiser in Pinehurst, North Carolina, for Veterans
Day on Friday. VAC provides free medical and compassionate
transportation for wounded veterans and their families through a
national network of aircraft owners and pilots, and none appears to be
as unique and purpose-built as American Patriot. Read
more
|
 |
|
ARE COMPOSITE STRUCTURES TOO
TOUGH?
 Using
composite materials to build an airplane has many advantages.
Composites - particularly advanced materials such as carbon
fiber - can weigh significantly less than aluminum. Composites
can be shaped to meet any designer's whim, and the finished
surface can be extremely smooth and free of lap joints and rivet
heads. But, can composite materials be too tough for their own
good?
The answer is maybe.
Continue
reading | Subscribe to Mac's Blog
| Recent posts |
POBEREZNY
INDUCTED INTO THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIR & SPACE HALL OF FAME
 Congratulations
to EAA Chairman Emeritus Tom Poberezny, who last weekend was inducted
into the San Diego International Air & Space Hall of Fame. Tom was
honored for his leadership of EAA, his 25-year air show career, and the
creation of EAA's Young Eagles program. He was presented for induction
by actor Harrison Ford, former chairman of the EAA Young Eagles program.
Read
more
|
SAVE OUR
GPS COALITION URGES FCC TO KEEP SPECTRUM FREE OF INTERFERENCE
The Save Our GPS Coalition, a broad alliance of aviation, military, law
enforcement, agricultural, and other GPS users that includes EAA, has
asked the Federal Communications Commission to "promptly rule"
that the upper mobile satellite spectrum (MSS) band be permanently
protected from high-powered terrestrial operations in order to preserve
safety and usability of millions of GPS units. Read
more
|
DECLINE
SLOWS IN GA DELIVERIES
Worldwide GA airplane deliveries are still down - they dropped 9.8
percent after three quarters as compared to the same period last year -
but the rate of decline has slowed from earlier this year according to
figures released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
this week. In the first nine months of 2011 deliveries totaled 1,227
units compared to 1,362 in 2010, and billings fell from $13.5 billion to
$12.1 billion over the same period, or 10.2 percent. Read
more
|
|
EAA
STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBER SERVICES MANAGER
Are you a passionate EAA member who is actively engaged in general
aviation? Do you have a background in customer service? EAA has a unique
opportunity for you to combine your avocation and talents to provide
customer service to our diverse and knowledgeable membership.
EAA is seeking a full-time manager for
our membership services department at our headquarters in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. This person will help transform EAA's Member Services team
into a first-class group who can provide knowledge, expertise, and
exceptional service to create meaningful experiences for our members. Read
more
|
CALIFORNIA
POWER SYSTEMS ACQUIRED BY IRWIN INTERNATIONAL, MOVED TO CORONA
 Irwin
International Inc., owner of Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, has
acquired Rotax engine dealer and service center California Power Systems
and relocated CPS operations from San Leandro to Corona, California.
Irwin International Inc., which also owns Aircraft Spruce &
Specialty Co., will operate Aircraft Spruce and CPS as separate
divisions in the same 62,000-square-foot warehouse in Corona. Read
more
|
INTRODUCING
THE EAA 'SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS' ONLINE AUCTION
 It's
better to give than to receive, and now you can give twice this season
with EAA's "Spirit of the Holidays" Online Auction. We've
assembled a unique collection of auction items that includes
once-in-a-lifetime experiences and aviation gifts: be among the first to
see George Lucas' new movie, Red Tails, at its 2012 world premiere; get
that B-17 type rating you've always wanted; see more at AirVenture 2012
with week-long access to a golf cart; and much more. Best of all, it's a
win-win situation, because revenue generated from the auction directly
supports EAA programs that preserve our aviation heritage. The auction
ends December, 10, 2011, so find your favorite item and start
bidding today.
|
SHARPEN
YOUR HOMEBUILDING SKILLS IN HOUSTON, DECEMBER 10-11
 If
you've ever dreamed of building your own aircraft, or are currently in
the process and want to perfect the techniques before applying them to
your own project, don't miss your chance to sign up for the upcoming EAA
SportAir Workshops in Houston, Texas, December 10-11. These two-day
workshops cover a variety of aircraft building skills and techniques.
Master the basics of aircraft sheet metal, find out how to properly
cover an airplane with fabric, become confident with composites, excel
in electrical systems, and more. Best of all, we provide the place, the
expertise, and all the tools and materials. For more information on the
workshops offered in Houston, or to register for a course, click
here.
|
CLUSTER
BALLOON FLIGHT PLANNED IN IRAQ
In July 2008, Kent "The Balloon Man" Couch made headlines
around the world when he attached 150 helium balloons to a lawn chair
and floated some 235 miles from his gas station in Bend, Oregon, to
Cambridge, Idaho. Next week Couch will attempt to set a Guinness World
Record for cluster ballooning by flying in tandem (two lawn chairs) over
Iraq with self-described Iraqi extreme sports enthusiast/daredevil
Fareed Lafta. Read more
|
FAA
ADVISES GA PILOTS TO CHECK FOR FUEL CONTAMINATION
With winter beckoning (it's snowing in Oshkosh at this writing!), the
FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB)
stressing the hazards of water contamination of fuel tank systems to GA
pilots, owners, operators, and maintenance and service personnel. The
fuel tank system consists of all tanks, components, lines, fittings,
etc. - from the fuel tank to the engine. Read
more
|
GRASSLEY
VOWS TO BLOCK FCC NOMINEES OVER REQUESTED LIGHTSQUARED INFO
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he will block the pending nominations of
two FCC commissioners when they reach the Senate floor unless he
receives information from the agency on its dealings with LightSquared -
a company that plans to build hundreds of broadcast stations to cover
the U.S. with 4G broadband service. Grassley stated in a
news release last week that the sought-after information would shed
light into the process of the agency's fast-tracking of the LightSquared
broadband project, which critics claim could interfere with current GPS
technology and impact millions of small businesses, including
aviation-based operations. Read
more
|
ENROLLMENT
NOW OPEN FOR 2012 EAA AIR ACADEMY CAMPS
 While
summer 2012 feels like a long way off, it's never too early to sign up
for EAA Air Academy, with spots at the summer aviation camp always
filling up fast. The EAA Air Academy immerses youth ages 12-18 in
aviation through classroom discussions, hands-on workshops, tours of the
EAA facilities and museum, actual flight instruction in a Cessna 162
SkyCatcher, and a flight in a Bell 47 helicopter. The registration fee
includes all instruction, materials, meals, and lodging in the beautiful
EAA Air Academy Lodge, located at Pioneer Airport on the grounds of the
EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. To find out more, or to
register for a summer session, click
here.
|
FAA
STRONGLY ENCOURAGING LIGHT-SPORT INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABILITY
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) committee F37 on
light-sport aircraft held its biannual meeting in Tampa, Florida,
earlier this month. Earl Lawrence, manager of the FAA Small Airplane
Directorate and former chairman of F37, gave a presentation to the
committee articulating some concerns the agency has regarding
light-sport aircraft. Read
more
|
BE
AWARE: TFRS SUBJECT TO RAPID CHANGE
EAA works for better alert system
As the beginnings of the 2012 campaign season are stirring, it's an
excellent time to remind ourselves that temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)
will become more numerous in the coming months because of national
campaign activity. Read
more
|
FAA
SEEKS WILDLIFE STRIKE REPORTS FROM GA COMMUNITY
 The
FAA has launched an outreach campaign for the GA community - pilots,
airport sponsors, mechanics, engine manufacturers, students at aviation
schools, and aviation organizations - to increase wildlife strike
reporting. The agency has for the last 50 years worked to reduce
wildlife strikes at airports and periodically conducts studies to gauge
the effectiveness of its program. The latest study shows that the GA
population accounts for only 6 percent of the total strikes reported,
which is more than 100,000 reports. Through increased and concentrated
educational outreach, the FAA hopes to close the reporting gap between
the more than 2,000 GA airports and certificated airports that operate
with an increased level of safety and oversight. Read
more
|
REVISED
GUIDANCE SHOULD BROADEN E-AB/LSA DAR RANKS
The FAA has issued long-awaited revised guidance to the sport pilot
regulations that should help increase the ranks of designated
airworthiness representatives available for both experimental
amateur-built and light-sport aircraft. Effective October 28, persons
who have earned an experimental amateur-built repairman certificate can
apply to become an E-AB DAR and those who have completed the LSA
Repairman course and achieved a maintenance rating can apply to become
an LSA DAR. Read
more
|
|
 Last
week, we asked whether or not you'd like to try flying something
like the German Multicopter as featured in that issue of e-Hotline.
While just over a third of you said you'd pass on the chance, a solid 66
percent told us you thought it looked like fun.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION was inspired
by one posted in our forums. A member is building an airplane of his own
design, and is considering parachute options for the flight-testing
phase. He started an interesting discussion about whether to focus on a
BRS-style installation for the airframe and/or a personal chute for the
pilot (him). While this is obviously a very serious and in-depth
question with a lot of variables to consider, we're curious about your
from-the-hip reaction:
If you were testing a new aircraft,
which would you rather have - a parachute for the whole airplane or one
just for you? Vote
now!
|
WEBINARS: FIRST
FLIGHT
The first flight of your homebuilt aircraft is a milestone, and this
webinar will help you make sure it goes smoothly. Join John White as he
gives maintenance information, plus advice, recommendations, and
precautions for preparing for the first flight in your homebuilt
aircraft.
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.
|
B-17 ALUMINUM OVERCAST TOUR
CONTINUES IN TEXAS
 EAA's
restored B-17 Aluminum Overcast continues its stay in Texas this
week, first at Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU) near Austin November
11-13 hosted by EAA Chapter 187. The Flying Fortress will then move on
to Louis Schreiner Field (ERV) in Kerrville on November 15-16, hosted by
Chapter 747.
Self-guided ground tours of the B-17 are
available daily from 2-5 p.m. Tours cost $5 per adult, $15 per family,
and active military or veterans can tour free of charge. Visitors can
also book a flight on Aluminum Overcast; you can save by
pre-booking, but walk-ups are always welcome. For more information,
including the full tour schedule, or to pre-book a flight, click
here.
|
EAA MERCHANDISE: FREE SHIPPING ON
ORDERS OF $30 OR MORE
 With
the holiday season just around the corner, it's time to start gift
shopping for that special pilot or aviation enthusiast in your life. To
help you in your hunt (and budget), EAA is offering free shipping on
orders of $30 or more at the EAA Aeronautica online store. Just enter the
coupon code FREESHIP30 when you check out. Start
shopping now or call toll-free, 800-564-6322.
(Offer is good through November 16, 2011,
and applies to standard domestic orders only. Orders must be $30 or more
before taxes or shipping. International orders will receive 30 percent off
quoted shipping price when the coupon code is entered. Offer excludes wood
propellers and express orders.)
|
DEAL OF THE WEEK: SAVE BIG ON
EAA MEMBER MERCHANDISE
 Show
the world you're proud to be an EAAer with our exclusive member
merchandise. The EAA Aeronautica online store offers everything from golf
shirts and hats to zip-up jackets and sweatshirts, all with the words
"EAA Member" prominently displayed. It's a fashionable way to
show your colors, and it won't break the bank, because now through
November 17, 2011, you can save up to 40 percent on items from this
collection. Shop
online or call toll-free, 800-564-6322. And while you're at the store,
don't forget to request your free EAA 2011 Fall/Winter Merchandise
Catalog.
|
|
|
Monthly Photo Contest
Enter
your photos now for the January Photo Contest!
Can You Help?
Ongoing Discussions
|
 |
|
If you have suggestions or submissions
for EAA’s weekly AeroInnovations column, please send them to
AeroInnovations editor Bob Waldron.
|
| Jedi Training Japanese Flying Sphere |
 |
Although the cool new Japanese flying sphere does not yet have the flight capabilities of a Star Wars Jedi training ball, it’s still an innovative aircraft concept. The sphere’s gyros and outer frame help it survive midair collisions, and it can land in pretty much any orientation. The 16-inch-diameter aircraft can do stationary hovers and zooms along at 37 mph. |
| Thinking Different for Fighting Fires |
 |
Boeing’s Precision Container Aerial Delivery System (PCADS) is a new airborne method for fighting forest fires. PCADS uses containerized 250-gallon “water balloons” to enable precision delivery of water from higher-than-normal firefighting altitudes using standard cargo aircraft that are capable of handling the palletized containers. The new firefighting system enables safer, quicker, and less expensive forest fire response than is possible using only specialized tanker planes. |
| The Go-To Man for Jet Pack Flight School |
 |
Jet packs are cool, yet very few people pilot them because of their high cost and limited applications. But if you’d like to learn how to fly one, you’ll want to get in touch with Eric “Rocketman” Scott, founder of the Jet Pack School.
|
Greening of the Mountain Sailplane |
 |
The Alpaero sailplane motorglider has a proven design, but was recently updated with quieter and more efficient engine options. One model has a four-stroke Briggs and Stratton engine with more power than the plane’s original two-stroke engine, but the Briggs sips only 4 liters per hour. The even-quieter electric propulsion model uses lithium-iron phosphate batteries instead of the higher-energy density lithium polymer batteries because they are less expensive and safer.
|
| Ion Engine Test Chamber Spacecraft |
 |
The German Aerospace Center recently completed construction of a vacuum chamber for testing spacecraft ion engines. Improperly designed or operating ion engines can damage the spacecraft they’re propelling. The new ion engine test chamber allows development of ion propulsion systems that are more efficient and cause less damage to the spacecraft.
|
|
| 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: DRILLING ACRYLICS
 Dick
and Bob Koehler show how to drill holes in acrylic used for canopies
using specialized bits for the application. Dick and Bob are both
Technical Counselors, A&P Mechanics with Inspection Authorization
(IA), and SportAir Workshop instructors. Watch
the video
|
TIMELESS
VOICES: KEN LAKE
 After
his father died when Ken was 7, Ken began taking whatever jobs he could
find to help out his family and put food on the table. He was always
impressed by the Army sergeant who lived in town because the man had a
stable job and a steady paycheck throughout the Depression years. With
that in mind, Ken enlisted in the service as soon as he was of age. The
Navy V-5 Aviation Cadet program had no college requirements, so Ken
joined the Navy and was trained as an F6F Hellcat pilot. He shipped out
in spring 1944 and joined Fighting Squadron VF-2 on the USS Hornet. On
his first mission over Guam, Ken's Hellcat was hit repeatedly by a
Japanese Zero. He managed to land his crippled fighter on the Hornet's
deck and was back flying his second mission that afternoon. Ken finished
the war with six confirmed victories, making him an ace. As we celebrate
Veterans Day this November 11, we thank Ken for his service, and to all
EAA members who have served - thank you! Watch
the video
|
 |
|
|
Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 83
fly-ins and events over
the next two weekends in the EAA
Events Calendar. Find one near you or add your event! |
|
|
Q &
A: Please
tell me, is it possible for a non-U.S. citizen to
earn a sport pilot certificate in the U.S.?
Answer: Yes,
a non-U.S. citizen can earn a sport pilot
certificate as long as age and English language
requirements are met. A person will also need a
state-issued driver's license in place of a medical
certificate, or a government-issued photo ID and
medical certificate, to operate as a sport pilot.
Learn more about the sport pilot regulations in FAR
61.301 here, or visit EAA's sport
pilot website.
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. |
|
|
EAA
Desktop Calendar
November
2011
James
Glass, EAA 657771 of Alborn, Minnesota, was enjoying
an air show along with his father-in-law when he
took this picture of four T-6s/SNJs roaring overhead
in a diamond formation. For James, seeing and
hearing the vintage North American trainers was
exhilarating, and to those who restore and fly them
he simply said, “Thank you all.”
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.
|
|
|
 |
NREG FOR IPHONE GIVES YOU FAA AIRCRAFT REGISTRY
With NReg, Australian iPhone developer Wavefront Technology’s new iPhone app, users can obtain aircraft information for all registered aircraft the U.S., sourced from a hierarchical database pulled from data published weekly by the FAA. NReg allows users to find details of an aircraft owner, as well as details of all aircraft owned by a particular owner. The app also allows, for example, a search for information about the engine in a specific aircraft, and then finds all aircraft that have that same engine.
NReg also interfaces with Google to fetch everything listed on the Internet about a particular item. For example, after finding details about an aircraft or owner from the NReg database, the information gets forwarded to Google, which returns a general Internet search result.
The app costs $2.99 and can be purchased through Apple’s App Store. For more product information, customer support, and a full user manual, click here.
LAST CALL TO APPLY FOR 2012 WAI SCHOLARSHIPS
Just a few days remain to apply for one of 68 individual scholarships to be awarded next year by Women in Aviation International (WAI). The scholarships, valued at $470,431, will be awarded at the 23rd annual WAI Conference scheduled March 8-10, 2012, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. Deadline for submission is next Monday, November 14, and you have to be a WAI member to qualify. Click here for membership information, as well as detailed descriptions of each scholarship, qualifications, an application, and tips and pointers to increase your chances of winning.
2011 AIR SHOW HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED
Air show legends Jim and Ernie Moser, Julie Clark, and Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver will be inducted into the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) Foundation Hall of Fame on December 7, 2011, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas during the annual ICAS Chairman’s Banquet. The ICAS Foundation Hall of Fame was created in 1995 to honor those who have made a significant impact to the North American air show industry and, in turn, educate about noteworthy aviation history. For more information, click here.
REMOS DESIGN ACCEPTED IN INDIA,
BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICA
The Remos GX has earned design approval in India and Brazil, along with a type certificate in South Africa. This assures that India and Brazil, which have not yet established LSA certification, will grant airworthiness certificates in reciprocal recognition of the European Aviation Safety Agency LSA type certificates. In South Africa, the government has developed LSA type certification standards. For more information, click here.
BERINGER ANNOUNCES NEW 29-OUNCE TAIL WHEEL
Beringer Wheels & Brakes has announced a new, lightweight tail wheel assembly for the Pipistrel Sinus, with applications for other aircraft. The two-piece anodized aluminum wheel with sealed ball bearings and its six-ply 200-by-50 tire and tube, assembled, weighs 29 ounces. It rides on the 8-millimeter-diameter Sinus axle; no aircraft modifications are required. For more information, click here.
FANTASY OF FLIGHT ANNOUNCES FIFTH ANNUAL ROAR ’N SOAR
Fantasy of Flight is having its fifth annual Roar ’n Soar, a two-day racing event showcasing classic racing machines built for land, sea, or air, November 12-13. The event includes aerial demonstrations, classic car slalom competitions, exhibition fly-bys from vintage race boats, an aerial “dog fight” by powered paragliders, and a sports showcase featuring motocross riders, along with classic boat and car shows. Roar ’n Soar takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (gates open at 9 a.m.) in Polk County, Florida. For more information, click here.
NEW FAA-PMA OIL COOLERS FOR DHC-2 BEAVER
Aero-Classics Heat Transfer Products Inc. has received FAA-PMA for its factory-new replacement DHC-2 Beaver oil coolers. Aero’s new P/N 8001628 oil cooler is a replacement for DHC-2 Beavers that use the aluminum P/N 60680 oil cooler, while Aero’s new P/N 8001241 oil cooler is a replacement for Beavers that use the 7-inch brass oil cooler. Both of these new Aero-Classics oil coolers feature vacuum-brazed aluminum bar and plate cores, enclosed in a round aluminum housing that exactly replicates the original. For more information, click here.
INVENTIVE PRODUCTS OFFERS RITE-SYSTEM
KIT FOR TECHNICIANS
Inventive Products LLC announced the availability of the new Rite-System kit, which provides technicians with two precision tools in one package. The Mag-Rite tool is a magneto timing indicator that uses a digital indicator, which is accurate within .01 degrees. The Fly-Rite tool utilizes the same digital indicator to help set the proper deflection angle of flight control surfaces and propeller pitch angles. The kit comes in an aluminum case and includes the Mag-Rite and Fly-Rite tools, digital angle indicator, TDC locator pin, three adjustable bungees, instructions, and warranty registration information. The deluxe kit also includes a Deluxe Dual Magneto Synchronizer from Action Air Parts. For more information, click here. |
|
Send
me the text version instead
| Change
my e-mail address
To ensure that you continue to
receive EAA e-Hotline, please add mmreturn@magnetdev.com
to your e-mail address book, personal white list, or buddy list
today.
We welcome your
comments and suggestions.
© Copyright
2011
Experimental Aircraft
Association, Inc.
3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh , WI
54902
800-236-4800 :: 920-426-4800
e-mail
us | visit our site
|
e-hotline
archive | privacy
statement
|
|
