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EDITORIAL
In last month's editorial (LSA
Might Not Be the Only Solution to an AWOL Medical Certificate),
I made a case for becoming a motor glider pilot. One of several
reasons for this suggestion was that there is no medical certificate
requirement other than the glider self-endorsement. A few people took
me to task, misunderstanding that I wasn't speaking of sport pilot
requirements, so I'd like to take this opportunity to clear the air a
little. Read
more
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Experimenter
editor Pat Panzera preparing for a checkride in a Schweizer 2-33 at the Central
California Soaring Club. |
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PAUL'S PICK
EAA Thrives Through Members' High Standards
Paul looked out his window in January 1990 and noticed "no
people or airplanes on our convention site - just the swirl of icy
winds. It's cold, certainly, but we are never without the hope of
spring. The inner warmth that sustains us is the certain knowledge that
spring and summer will bring us all together." It was a reflection
on not only the amazing gathering of people and planes each summer, but
also of EAA being propelled by people whose willingness to learn and to
apply [their] knowledge toward obtaining the highest degrees of
craftsmanship, homebuilding, restoration, and flying. Read
Paul's Pick
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TALES FROM THE DAR SIDE
The Limits of Operating Limitations
The FAA uses the term "operating limitations" to mean many
things. On a type-certificated aircraft the operating limitations will
include some combination of approved performance data such as an
approved flight manual or pilot's operating handbook, required placards
and markings, and other information as required by the aircraft's
certification. Pilots learn to look for these operating limitations
during their primary training and are reminded during flight reviews.
The FAA uses the term in a completely different way when talking about
experimental aircraft, and these operating limitations are less well
known and understood. Allow me to shed some light on the subject! Read
more
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Tribute to Burt
Rutan
Major gathering planned for AirVenture 2011
Paying tribute to an aviation legend responsible for many unique
aircraft designs, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 will salute Burt Rutan
with a special day of recognition. In addition to marking the 25th
anniversary of Rutan's Voyager aircraft around-the-world flight,
AirVenture 2011 will include a "Tribute to Burt Rutan" Day on
Thursday, July 28. EAA is working with builders, owners, and type groups
to encourage a major gathering of Rutan-designed aircraft at AirVenture
2011 and will also create a special parking area for them on the flight
line. But this will not be the first such gathering to honor Burt. On
June 28, 2003, friends and family of Dick and Burt Rutan hosted a
"surprise" birthday party for the famous brothers. Dick was
about to turn 65 and Burt turned 60, so the birthdays were celebrated
together. Over 100 canard aircraft were in attendance. Read
more
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RevFlow
Throttle Body
Innovations and improvements
In the November
2010 issue of Experimenter, we presented an exhaustive
article on the 85-hp Revmaster
R-2300 engine. Although we went into excruciating detail on every
feature and system, we glossed over the induction system. With
Experimenter readers crying foul, we present this article on the RevFlow
as a peace offering. Read
more
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R. S.
Hoover (the other Bob Hoover)
The VW engine community loses a guru
The VW engine conversion community mourns the loss of its guru,
Robert S. Hoover (the other Bob Hoover). Known for his level-headed
approach to converting these little engines, Bob (or Mr. Hoover to most
of us) worked tirelessly to advance the safe and realistic use of the VW
engine. In this tribute to Bob, Bruce King (designer of the single-place
all-aluminum BK1
Flyer) helps us say goodbye. Read
more
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MYSTERY
PLANE
AirVenture
2003 had its share of unusual aircraft on display, but none so unusual
as the United States Air Force's version of the Long-EZ. There was
nothing unusual about the airframe, but the powerplant had many of us
scratching our collective heads. Read
more
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Ambitious Plan to Build a Dozen Spits
in the UK
Paul Fowler, owner of the Enstone Flying Club in the UK, is looking
for builders - and lots of them - to participate in his dream to build
12 Supermarine Spitfire Mk26b 90-percent replicas. He wants the aluminum
kitplanes built in time for the 2012 Farnborough Air Show, then to
conduct flying tours around the UK to promote aviation. Read
more
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Student Pilots in Homebuilt
Airplanes
Many people dream of getting their pilot certificates. Some dream of
learning to fly in an airplane they built themselves and others have a
burning desire to buy a homebuilt airplane and learn to fly. Will your
dream come true, or will airplane insurance turn your dream into a
nightmare? Typically if you call an aircraft insurance agent and ask
about coverage for a student pilot in a homebuilt airplane, the agent
will tell you that airplane insurance is not available. For the most
part this is correct - but not always. Read
more
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Q&A
Got a
question? Send it to us at Experimenter@eaa.org.
Whether you're building, restoring, or just an
enthusiast. we want to know what has you
stumped.
Q. I am interested in building an
E-LSA kit aircraft. Does the FAA publish a list of kits that can be
certificated as E-LSA?
A. At the present time the answer
to your question is no. While the FAA publishes a list of kits it has
evaluated and found eligible for amateur-built certification, it does
not publish a similar list for E-LSA kits. I am not aware of any such
list published from any source.
You may want to consult EAA's list of
S-LSA and see if any of these manufacturers are selling E-LSA kits. You
can find the S-LSA list at this
Web page.
Read more Q&As
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AVIATION GLOSSARY
Confused
by a strange aeronautical term? EAA's online
Aviation Glossary can help.
GROUND LOOP - Usually defined
as a rapid rotation of a fixed-wing aircraft in the horizontal plane
while on the ground. In powered aircraft, the ground loop phenomenon is
predominantly associated with aircraft that have conventional landing
gear and is typically blamed on the center of gravity being positioned
behind the main wheels. More
glossary terms
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
Sport
Aviation, July 1986
First Flight Impressions in the Voyager
By Mike Melvill
In the
July 1986 issue of Sport Aviation, future astronaut Mike Melvill
was privileged to become the third person ever to fly in the Voyager. He
said it was an experience that will last forever in his memory. So
inspired, he shared it with the grassroots supporters by way of this
article. Read
the article
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AROUND THE WEB
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 Hang
Gliders and Ultralights Turn and Burn Over Australia
This video, shot at the Forbes 2009 Hang Gliding Competition in
Australia, cannot be played just once. It shows great images of hang
gliders and their ultralight tow planes frolicking to some rockin'
music. View
the video
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 The
Unfortunate HartAero Story
A Missouri aircraft manufacturer was arrested in April 2010 for
theft in what many are calling a Ponzi
scheme. Many who paid deposits or even paid in full in advance lost
everything. View
the video
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 Cylinder
Concerns for VW Engines
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SIAB) alerts the
operators of airplanes powered by Volkswagen air-cooled engines of an
airworthiness concern where the engine loses power due to the loss of
cylinder head fastener torque. Read
the SIAB
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 Flight
Before the Wright Brothers
Did someone other than the Wright Brothers make the first
heavier-than-air powered flight? EAA Vice President of Membership Adam
Smith discusses some of the claims of flight before Dec. 17, 1903. The
session includes a poll at the beginning and end of the presentation to
see if perceptions of history were indeed put into doubt. Did someone
fly before the Wright Brothers? View
the webinar
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 Drag
Video Shows Importance of Gear Fairings
Ever wonder why the fairings on gear legs are so important? An
interesting old video about drag illustrates their importance
dramatically. View
the video
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HOMEBUILDER GALLERY OF
THE MONTH
Mystery Plane Detail Photos
This month's mystery plane's airframe is not necessarily noteworthy,
but the engine sure is. Experimenter editor Pat Panzera got a
close-up look at the engine while it was on display during AirVenture
2003 and has provided this series of detailed photos. View
the gallery
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WEBINARS
Homebuilding Lessons From
1911 Still Have Value
Louis Blériot was the first to traverse the English Channel in an
airplane. His designs also had a profound effect in North America,
including the first U.S. Air Mail flight. Fred Stadler will present a
webinar on Blériot and his planes and an update on EAA's Blériot XI
project.
All webinars begin at 7 p.m. CDT. 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 its generous
sponsorship of the webinar programs.
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FROM
THE EAA HOMEBUILDING COMMUNITY
The
Homebuilders Corner message forum at Oshkosh365
is as active as ever. Have a look at the list
below and follow the links to read the actual
questions and discussion topics.
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Can
You Help?
Interesting
Discussions
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POLL
Q.
What is your homebuilding New Year's resolution?
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