In the Loop

AUGUST 2011 | VOLUME 2 | NUMBER 8

Bryan Jensen among three lost during recent performances
Bryan Jensen, best known for flying his Pitts Model 12 dubbed The Beast, was lost when he impacted the ground during an air show in Kansas City August 20. On the same day in England Red Arrows pilot Flight. Lieutenant. Jon Egging died a low altitude ejection after breaking formation and calling a mayday. The next day at Selfridge National Guard Base near Detroit, Michigan, wing walker Todd Green fell during an aircraft helicopter mid-air transfer. Read more

With EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 now just a fond memory, we have photo galleries to peruse in order to rekindle those moments. Although not aerobatic, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an amazing airplane nonetheless. Its engines are so quiet at idle, you can easily have a normal conversation while standing nearby. It's so quiet, it's spooky! Here's a nice set of pictures of this amazing airplane. View the gallery

The Story Behind the Betty Skelton "First Lady of Aerobatics" Trophy

The Betty Skelton Trophy is awarded each year to the highest-placing woman in the powered Unlimited category at the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, but that doesn't say much about the woman who inspired the trophy. Today, her Pitts Special Little Stinker, in which she won the International Feminine Aerobatic Championships in 1948, '49 and '50, hangs at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Wikipedia has a great biography of Betty and the airplanes she made famous. Read more | Watch the video

AIR SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

AirVenture features a world-class air show every day for seven days. During these daily displays the skill fostered by the mission of the IAC and many of its members is on full display. Take a moment to browse through some of the images captured during the daily air shows at AirVenture 2011.
View the gallery | See all the AirVenture galleries

FLIGHT INSTRUCTION

Judy Phelps is 2011 CFI of the Year

Judy Phelps, co-owner of CP Aviation at Santa Paula Airport, California, has become the 2011 National CFI of the Year. Judy's company provides the CP Aviation Emergency Maneuver Training Scholarship in Memory of Vicki Cruse, which anyone can apply for by visiting this website. Check out the video to learn more about her, and congratulations Judy! Watch the video

AUDIO/VIDEO

F/A-18 Air Show

This is a very cool video of an F/A-18 air show from startup to shutdown taken inside the cockpit facing aft. The vortices coming off of the strakes along the sides of the cockpit are amazing. Be sure to turn up the volume and listen to the wind noise, too. Watch the video

Aggressive Formation: Learning to Race at Reno

Ever wonder what it's like to fly fast, 50 feet off the deck, with seven other planes just off your wing? Ride along as rookie race pilots fly the pylons for the first time and share the secrets, tips, and techniques they've learned about racing at Reno. They'll be flying for keeps soon, as this year's National Air Races at Stead Field two weeks away (September 14-18). Also look for a companion feature in the September issue of EAA Sport Aviation. Watch the video

Night Ballet

With some unique camera angles, EAA's video team has created an incredible video of the 2011 AirVenture Night Air Show. Watch the video

AirVenture Highlights 2011

AirVenture was just a month ago, but while it's still fresh in your mind we thought we would remind you why you decided to visit or to follow all the action online. From the EAA Video department, a look back at the great sights and sounds of AirVenture 2011. Watch the video

IAC on EAA Radio

EAA Radio's volunteers were very busy through the eight days of live AirVenture programming talking to scores of interesting people including a remote broadcast from the IAC Pavilion featuring many key IAC members, including President Doug Barlett, Rob Holland, Debbie Rhinn-Harvey, Jeff Boerboon, and more. EAA Radio's complete AirVenture 2011 archive is now available online including more interviews from the aerobatic world.

AirVenture On the Fly!: Live from the IAC Pavilion: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Top EAA Radio interviews from 2011 | EAA Radio archives

EVENTS CALENDAR

Lower Alabama Bash - (Southeast)
Saturday, September 3-Sunday, September 4, 2011
Middleton Field (KGZH): Evergreen, Alabama
Director: Louie Raue
Phone: 251-402-5801
E-mail | Website
CONTEST CANCELED Possible November contest

High Planes Hypoxia Fest (South Central)
Saturday, September 3-Sunday, September 4, 2011
Lamar Municipal Airport (LAA): Lamar, Colorado
Director: DJ Molny
Phone: 303-619-4814
E-mail | Website

Happiness Is Delano (Southwest)
Saturday, September 3-Sunday, September 4, 2011
Delano Municipal Airport (DLO): Delano, California
Director: Steve De La Cruz
Phone: 760-963-6426
E-mail | Website

Illinois Aerobatic Open (Mid-America)
Saturday, September 3-Sunday, September 4, 2011
CONTEST CANCELED

Rocky Mt. House (Northwest)
Friday, September 9-Sunday, September 11, 2011
Rocky Mt. House (CYRM): Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada
Director: Dave Barbet/Robert Harris
Phone: 503-550-1496
E-mail

ACE's High Aerobatic Contest (South Central) NEW CONTEST!
Saturday, September 10-Sunday, September 11, 2011
Newton City (KEWK): Newton, Kansas
Director: Lori Hefel
Phone: 316-648-5057
E-mail or e-mail | Website

East Coast Aerobatic Contest (Northeast)
Saturday, September 10-Sunday, September 11, 2011
Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (HWY): Warrenton, Virginia
Director: Scott Francis
Phone: 703-618-4132
E-mail

U. S. National Aerobatic Championships (South Central)
Sunday, September 25-Friday, September 30, 2011
Practice/Registration: Saturday, September 24-Sunday, September 25
North Texas Regional Airport (KGYI): Sherman, Texas
Director: Vicky Benzing
Phone: 408-867-5434
E-mail | Website

Ohio Fall Frolic (Mid-America)
Saturday, October 1-Sunday, October 2, 2011
Bellefontaine Regional Airport (EDJ): Bellefontaine, Ohio
Director: Lorrie Penner
Phone: 513-284-5076
E-mail | Website

See the full listing of IAC events for the upcoming season here.

MYSTERY PHOTO

Last month's photo showed the wheelpant of Greg Koontz's Super Decathlon. You can view the airplane by clicking here.

This isn't a mystery photo - just a dedication to a friend who will be dearly missed.

EDITOR'S NOTE

By Reggie Paulk, Editor - In the Loop

As I write this, the memory of Bryan Jensen and others we've lost in the years I've been with the IAC sits heavily in my conscience. It was almost exactly two years ago when the news of Vicki Cruse's passing came by way of an e-mail. The crushing feeling of loss can't be quantified, and I just want to offer my sincerest condolences to Bryan's family and friends, but especially to his girlfriend, CC, who was also performing at the air show with Bryan on August 20. I took a photo of Bryan and other members of The Beast's family while at Oshkosh this year, and I will always have fond memories of a man full of life and energy, a smile always on his face.

On another somber note, 20-year-old Jason Flood is currently in the hospital from injuries sustained during a banner towing accident a few weeks ago. Jason has been moved from intensive care to something called "step-down," so he is slowly improving but has a long road ahead. I would encourage anyone to visit the CaringBridge webpages maintained by his mother to check on his progress or to help out. Click here. My thoughts and prayers are with Jason and his family.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2011 U.S. National Aerobatic Championships Registration
Online registration for the 2011 U.S. National Aerobatic Championships is now open. Contestants and attendees may access the link directly or through the official U.S. Nationals website.

The U.S. National Aerobatic Championships will take place at the North Texas Regional Airport (KGYI) in Sherman/Denison, Texas, from September 25 to September 30, with October 1 as a rain date.

As an incentive to get everyone to preregister, if you register on or before September 4, you will receive at registration an embroidered polo shirt in your choice of color and size with the U.S. Nationals logo and your name on it. There will be printed T-shirts at the contest for those that don't preregister. Read more

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!

Wednesday, September 7, at 8 p.m.: All About Oil with Mike Busch
Thursday, September 8, at 7 p.m.: Chapter Websites - Let's Get Started! with Hal Bryan
Monday, September 15, at 7 p.m.: The Aerodynamics of Basic Aerobatic Flight with Don Weaver
Wednesday October 5, at 8 p.m.: All About Cylinders with Mike Busch

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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