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February
24, 2012 Volume 12,
Number 8 |
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TOP FAA OFFICIALS VISIT
OSHKOSH FOR ANNUAL EAA/FAA RECREATIONAL AVIATION SUMMIT
 The
leaders of the FAA's Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification
divisions and Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention traveled
to Oshkosh for their annual conference with EAA's leaders and staff this
week. Safety, how to measure it, and how to improve it was, of course,
the lead topic on the agenda. Much of the discussion focused on
amateur-built aircraft operations and how the FAA and EAA can continue
to work together to enhance safety without needlessly restricting the
freedom to innovate that is key to amateur-built aircraft. The safety
record of AB flying is at worst stable, but by several measures is
improving. How to track safety trends in a reliable way, and show
positive improvement in the record, is a primary objective for both the
FAA and EAA in the coming year. Read
more
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EAA, AOPA: NOAA
OVERSTEPPED LINE OVER PACIFIC MARINE SANCTUARIES AIRSPACE
Final rule leads to confusion, possible
unintended violations for pilots
A new rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
usurps the FAA's authority to regulate airspace and could leave pilots
unintentionally violating a restricted zone that does not appear on any
current aeronautical charts. In response, EAA and AOPA have jointly sent
a letter to the two federal agencies urging no enforcement action will
be taken until proper coordination and education with the aviation
community is completed. Read
more
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HOMEBUILDERS AND ELECTRONIC
FLIGHT CONTROL ADVANCEMENT
I believe the new
frontier for light airplanes is fly-by-wire, or more likely,
electronic enhancement of flying qualities and envelope
protection, and homebuilders are the people in a perfect
position to pioneer those advances. Light airplane design and
technology is very mature. People have been working to improve
the speed, efficiency, and safety of airplanes flying from 150
to 300 knots for more than 80 years. As an industry we know how
to make good airplanes in that performance range and future
improvements will be incremental, a few percentage points at a
time, at best.
But electronic technology is
still exploding. Nobody can predict what will be possible, and
practical, using electronics in the coming years. And it is
electronics applied to how airplanes fly that can advance the
performance and safety of light airplanes more than any change
in design or materials.
Continue
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WORLD
GREEN FLIGHT MARKS MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
 As
Slovenian Matevz Lenarcic continues his around-the-world flight in a
modified Pipistrel Virus SW 914 Turbo, he's stacked together some
significant milestones over the past week. On Tuesday, he completed the
single longest leg of the flight - 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) over
the Pacific Ocean - from Concepcion, Chile, to Easter Island. On
February 16, Lenarcic landed in Antarctica, marking the lightest
aircraft ever to land on the ice-covered continent. Read more
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FOG
ON THE FLIGHT DECK LED TO F-16 OVERRUN AT AIRVENTURE 2011
 Tuesday,
February 21, 2012 - Extreme fogging on the flight deck of an F-16C led
to a 300-foot runway over-run that caused $5.4 million in damage to the
aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011, according to an Air Force
investigation released today. The F-16's pilot was unharmed during the
accident, but the aircraft's nose wheel broke off as it hit soft soil,
breaking both the nose and avionics bay. Read
more
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NEW
IMAX 3D FILM ON RENO RACES
 Air
Racers 3D, a new IMAX 3D movie focusing on the Reno National
Championship Air Races, will begin running at two IMAX theaters in early
April, and could find its way to wider release around the country.
Creators 3D Entertainment Distribution had unprecedented access at the
2009 and 2010 Reno races and tells its story through the eyes of Steve
Hinton Jr., who as a rookie in 2009 won the Unlimited class in Bill
Destefani's modified P-51 Mustang Strega. The 40-minute movie will open
at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia, and the Naval
Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, beginning April 5. Read
more
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NEW
SCALED VIDEO FEATURING HISTORIC AIRCRAFT AIMS TO DRAW RECRUITS
 It's
no secret that Scaled Composites in Mojave, California - with numerous
high-priority projects in queue like Paul Allen's Stratolaunch project
and Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo - is in a serious hiring mode. This
week the company augmented its recruiting efforts with a new video
showing off many of the iconic aircraft that have emerged from its
factory over the years. Scaled is especially looking for engineers, said
Elliot Seguin, project engineer and flight test engineer. Read
more
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CLASSIC
J-3 CUB, EAA 2012 AIRCRAFT SWEEPSTAKES GRAND PRIZE
Giveaway part of Cub's 75th anniversary celebration at AirVenture
 There's
nothing like flying 500 feet AGL - low and slow - admiring the landscape
below. When you enter the 2012 EAA "Win the Cub" Sweepstakes,
you'll have the opportunity to do just that, with the one lucky winner
becoming the rightful owner of a beautifully restored 1940 Piper J-3
Cub, TrickAir Sport 1500 Snow Skis included. Not a pilot? No problem. In
addition to the Cub, the grand prize package includes the option to take
$2,500 worth of flight training. All prizes will be awarded in random
drawings at EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh at 5 p.m. on September 10,
2012. Enter now.
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EAA
SEEKS MEMBER SERVICES EXPERT
Are you an EAA member who is energetic and enthusiastic about building a
career in aviation? Do you have excellent written and spoken
communication skills? If so, you might be the right person for the
Member Services Expert position at EAA.
The Member Services Expert is responsible
for providing outstanding membership service to EAA members, answering
frontline questions over the phone, through e-mail, or face to face. The
successful candidate will demonstrate an eagerness to apply his or her
aviation knowledge to serve our members' needs and will have earned a
bachelor's degree in an aviation program or have a combination of
college education and relevant experience. A pilot certificate and
experience with EAA activities are strongly preferred. To read the full
job description, click here.
Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to hr@eaa.org.
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EAA
SPORTAIR WORKSHOPS COMING TO WATSONVILLE MARCH 24-25
 EAA
SportAir Workshops are returning to Watsonville, California, March
24-25, for a two-day weekend of hands-on training with aircraft building
skills and techniques. Courses available include composite construction,
electrical systems and avionics, fabric covering, and sheet metal
basics. In addition, a Saturday evening seminar called "What's
Involved in Kit Building" is offered, covering the basics of
selecting an aircraft, setting up workspace, registration,
certification, test flying, and much more. For more information, or to
register for a workshop, click here.
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LIMITED
NUMBER OF TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR EAA HOPS & PROPS 2012
 EAA
Hops & Props 2012 is a little more than a week away, but there's
still time to get your tickets for this popular beer and food tasting
event held March 3 from 6:30-10 p.m. at the EAA AirVenture Museum in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Come taste some of the world's finest microbrewed
beers while you enjoy delicious food and live music amid a world-class
collection of aircraft. A special VIP pre-event dining and beer pairing
experience is also offered for those who want to learn about the process
of brewing specialty beer. You must be 21 years old to attend. Prices
are $60 for general admission, $55 for EAA members, or $100 for the VIP
experience. Order
tickets online or call 800-236-1025.
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KICK
OFF 'DAUGHTER DAY' AT WAI WITH FREE BREAKFAST, NOTABLE AVIATORS
 As
part of this year's Women In Aviation Conference in Dallas, Texas, a
special "Bring Your Daughter to the Conference Day" on
Saturday, March 10, will introduce girls to the excitement and career
opportunities available in aviation. If you're planning on attending,
kick off this memorable day with EAA President/CEO Rod Hightower, his
family, and key figures in the aviation world with a free breakfast
hosted by EAA in the Madrid Room at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
Thanks to support from American Airlines,
this breakfast is complimentary for girls and their chaperone. Please
RSVP for the breakfast by Wednesday, March 7, through Mindy Pearson at
920-426-6820 or via e-mail. Read
more
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BID
ON A VERY SPECIAL BREITLING WATCH THAT'S BEEN PLACES
 Breitling
developed a limited edition Airwolf timepiece (500) in honor of the
Centennial of Naval Aviation for 2011. Watch No. 1has flown with Capt.
Mark Kelly on the Space Shuttle, with the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds,
and a host of aviation legends. It is being auctioned online with
proceeds going to NFA (National Flight Academy) to build a scholarship
fund that will enable youth to attend the in-resident AIR program at
Ambition in Pensacola. It you are interested in reviewing the offer or
bidding, click
here.
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WEBINARS: THE
HISTORY AND RESTORATION OF THE ORIGINAL RV-1
Join us for a presentation on the history and restoration of the
original RV, the RV-1. Louise Hose, Paul Dye, and Ernie Butcher will
give a look at how the RV story began and how the RV-1 came about, and
we will welcome a very special guest, Dick VanGrunsven. The RV-1 is now
owned by Friends of the RV-1, currently undergoing a full restoration
for a 2012 flying tour before being presented to the EAA Museum at
AirVenture 2012.
All webinars begin at 7 p.m. CST unless
otherwise noted, and they require registration. 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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EAA
MERCHANDISE: SAVE UP TO 50 PERCENT ON EAA MERCHANDISE
 Right
now at ShopEAA.com you can save up to 50 percent on everything from
jackets and hats to books and DVDs, with many of our popular items now
on clearance. Wear your EAA colors proudly and save big while you're
doing it. Plus, your purchase will make a difference, because all
profits directly support EAA programs that strengthen the aviation
community and inspire the next generation of aviators. Shop
online or by calling toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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DEAL OF THE WEEK: PRE-ORDER YOUR AIRVENTURE
2012 COLLECTOR MUG AND SAVE
 The
AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 Collector Series Mug is the perfect way to
celebrate aviation's annual homecoming. Each mug is handcrafted by master
skilled potters in Dale, Wisconsin, and each one features subtle
variations in color and ripple marks that were left behind from the
potter's fingers. The mug holds up to 16 ounces and is safe for all foods,
dishwasher safe, microwave safe, oven safe, and lead free. Pre-order your
mug before March 31, 2012, to receive the special pricing of $19.95.
(Price will increase after March 31. Pre-ordered mugs will be shipped in
May 2012.) Order
online or call toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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Monthly Photo Contest
Enter your pictures now for the May 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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Bell's
Big 525 Is Relentless |
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The
525 Relentless is the largest civil helicopter Bell has ever launched,
a 16-passenger, 150-knot aircraft with a range of more than 400
nautical miles. The Awareness-React-Control (ARC) flight deck with
fly-by-wire (FBW) controls makes the Relentless easier and safer to
pilot. The four-blade tailrotor and unique tailboom design result in
"higher hover out of ground effect altitude than conventional
designs," according to Bell. |
Civilian
Aviation Getting VTOL Advanced Tech |
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Cool
VTOL advanced technology is coming to the civilian aviation world. The
AgustaWestland AW609 is somewhat like a mini V-22 Osprey, with two
tilt-rotors. The AW609 top speed is 275 knots with a range of 800
miles. A pressurized cabin will let the aircraft fly significantly
higher than the Osprey. |
Aluminum
Greek 'Jet' Homebuilt From Scratch |
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This
"jet" is a lightweight homebuilt aircraft designed and built
from aero aluminum by a Greek aviation enthusiast who also happens to
be a policeman. Although the airframe exterior is modeled after a
modern fighter jet, the aircraft is propeller driven, as you'll
discover in the video. |
A
New Aerial Shooting Platform UAV |
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An
ambitious, new project aims to serve as an aerial shooting platform
for your digital camera. The eye3 hexacopter has six 350-watt motors,
is made of carbon-fiber, and navigates using a combination of Google
Maps and open-source code to create a "compact yet powerful"
autopilot experience. It has a 5- to 10-pound payload, plenty to carry
a DSLR and moderately sized lens. |
Eurocopter
X4: 30 Percent More Efficient, 70 Percent Quieter |
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The
simply named Eurocopter X4, a replacement for the EC155 and AS365
medium twin helicopters, will "improve noise by 70 percent and
reduce fuel consumption by 30 percent" compared to conventional
helicopters in the same class, according to the company. The next-gen
X4 will incorporate some of the features being developed and tested on
its futuristic X3, especially "a radically different flight
deck." |
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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: GAS WELDING SAFETY EQUIPMENT
 Dr.
Joe Maj, long-time AirVenture volunteer in the gas welding workshops and
forums, and SportAir Workshop instructor, shows us the type of personal
safety equipment we need before starting the gas welding process. Watch
the video.
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TIMELESS
VOICES OF AVIATION: JEAN MCCREERY
 Jean
McCreery was a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during World War II.
She graduated in WASP Class 44-W-10, which was the last class of women
to train with the U.S. Army Air Forces at Avenger Field in Sweetwater,
Texas. Upon graduating, Jean served for 10 days as a WASP at Randolph
Field, Texas, before the entire program was canceled on December 20,
1944. Watch the video.
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Where
Are You Flying This Weekend?
There are 42
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: This
winter I installed a transponder in my Acro Sport
II. I know I need to have it tested and certified by
an approved avionics shop, which will be done in the
spring; however, I also understand that I will need
to have an FCC radio station permit or license for
the aircraft when a transponder is operating in it.
Can you point me to the regs regarding license
requirements for transponder use in aircraft?
Answer: There
are no regulations or other specifics on FCC radio
station permits or licenses as far as your
transponder is concerned. The radio station license
is only applicable to the use of the radio
transceiver installed in the aircraft that you
verbally transmit and receive on. The FAA removed
the requirement for the radio station license for
operations in aircraft in the U.S. many years ago,
but if you fly outside the U.S. you may be required
to have one.
To remember the
documents required in your aircraft during flight,
remember AROW: Airworthiness
certificate, Registration certificate, Operating
limitations or Owners' manual, and Weight and
balance sheet.
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
February 2012
Ed
"Turbo" D’Arcy, EAA 603274, took this
photo of a Kitfox Model IV during a pontoon boat
tour of the AirVenture Seaplane Base in 2004. Ed and
his father, who recently passed away, took the tour
together; besides sharing a love of aviation, they
loved the water and sailed more than 30,000 miles
together.
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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GAMA: GA SHIPMENTS, BILLINGS MIXED IN
2011
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported that GA
industry shipments in 2011 were relatively flat, although total billings
were up a fraction of a percent. At year's end, worldwide shipments of
GA airplanes totaled 1,865 units, as compared to 1,932 airplanes
delivered in 2010. This represents a 3.5 percent decline. Worldwide
billings grew by 0.4 percent in 2011 to $19.1 billion as compared to the
previous year.
The piston airplane segment shipped a
total of 860 units in 2011, compared to 873 units in 2010, a 1.5 percent
decline. The turboprop sector was down 2.4 percent, shipping 324 units
in 2011, compared to 332 units the previous year. The business jet
sector declined 6.3 percent with 681 airplanes shipped, compared to 727
jets in 2010. For more information, click
here.
ASA TO PRESIDENT: LET'S PARTNER TO
ADVANCE AEROSPACE
The Aerospace States Association (ASA) wrote President Obama to seek
a stronger recognition of the states' roles in the success of national
aerospace policies and strategies. Partnership suggestions included
aerospace leadership, facility development, STEM education, and
aerospace research, development, and test infrastructure. ASA is a
bipartisan organization representing the grass roots of American
aerospace and aviation. For more information, click
here.
WICKS SUPPLIES HARDWARE KIT FOR ONEX
Wicks Aircraft Supply has reached an agreement with Oshkosh-based Sonex
Aircraft to supply the hardware kits for the Onex. Wicks, serving
aircraft builders and maintainers since 1974 from its headquarters in
Highland, Illinois, provides tools, finishes, instruments, and
maintenance items to builders on an a la carte basis. For more
information, click here.
SPORTY'S SETS DATE FOR ANNUAL FLY-IN
AND SWEEPSTAKES
Sporty's annual fly-in will be held on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to
3 p.m. at the Clermont County/Sporty's Airport. At this year's fly-in,
the winner of Sporty's 2012 Skycatcher Sweepstakes will be announced.
The Sporty's Fly-In provides an opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to
spend a day immersed in aviation. Exhibitors include Cessna Aircraft,
Aspen Avionics, Garmin, Bose, Lightspeed, SkyOx, ForeFlight, Sigtronics,
and others. Representatives will be on hand to demonstrate their
products and answer questions. There will also be a static display
featuring new Cessna Aircraft. For more information, click
here.
PIPER ENDS 2011 WITH HIGHER REVENUE,
TOP-END DELIVERIES
Piper Aircraft Inc. ended 2011 with increased revenue from new aircraft
sales of $131.2 million, up more than 9 percent from $120.2 million in
2010. The increase was fueled primarily by a mix of Piper's flagship
single-engine Meridian turboprop deliveries in 2011. Piper delivered 32
new top-end Meridians in 2011 compared to 25 in 2010. Quarterly revenue
during the year grew from $26 million first quarter to $38 million in
the fourth. For more information, click
here.
USAF DIAMOND DA20S COMPLETE 100,000
SORTIES
The Diamond DA20-C1 has completed 100,000 sorties at the U.S. Air Force
Initial Flight Screening (IFS) program, operated by DOSS Aviation, in
Pueblo, Colorado. The DA20, the aircraft of choice for the Gateway to
Air Force Aviation IFS program, has a high useful load, utility and spin
certification, and available glass panel, making it ideal for military
and civilian flight training, according to Diamond CEO Peter Maurer. For
more information on Diamond Aircraft, click
here. For more on the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training
Command, click here.
WATHEN FOUNDATION NOW 'TOM WATHEN
CENTER'
The Thomas W. Wathen Foundation has changed its name to the Tom Wathen
Center to affirm its role as a provider of aviation-related educational
programs. At its home on historic Flabob Airport in Riverside,
California, the Tom Wathen Center offers more than two dozen educational
activities. Programs include air academies, restoration and building,
school visitations, Young Eagles enrichment activities, and more. It
also hosts an aviation-themed charter secondary school, for which it is
planning expanded facilities. For more information, click
here.
ROMANIA DELIVERS FIRST FESTIVAL R40S
WITH GLASS PANEL
ROMANIA, the manufacturer of the FESTIVAL R40S light-sport aircraft,
delivered the first FESTIVAL aircraft equipped with a glass panel. The
new version, named FESTIVAL R40S-GC, is equipped with two Dynon SkyView
primary flight display systems, the D-1000 and D-700. The D-1000 is used
for flight instruments, GPS, and Mode S transponder. The D-700 PFD is
used as an engine management system. For more information, click
here.
AIRCRAFT SPRUCE HAS INREACH FOR
ANDROID PHONES
The inReach satellite communicator from Aircraft Spruce allows pilots to
stay connected with pre-loaded text messages, delivery confirmation,
SOS, and remote tracking. Paired with an Android phone, users can send
and receive messages up to 160 characters to and from e-mail contacts,
cell phones, and emergency response centers. With a phone, inReach
allows users to send descriptive text messages so responders can come
properly prepared. A subscription is required. For more information, click
here.
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Experimental Aircraft
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