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March
13, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 10 |
EAA, GA SECURITY CONCERNS
HEARD BY HOUSE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE
EAA this week seized another opportunity to defend aviators' privileges
and American citizens' civil liberties in the face of burdensome
security proposals. Doug Macnair, EAA vice president of government
relations, joined top officials from AOPA, GAMA, AAAE, and NBAA on
Tuesday, March 10, to speak at a roundtable discussion with members of
the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation. Read
more
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HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY
CHAIRMAN FAVORS LASP RULEMAKING COMMITTEE
 A
highly influential voice on The Hill is an important contributor to the
chorus of general-aviation groups and lawmakers opposing the
Transportation Security Administration's proposed Large Aircraft
Security Program (LASP). Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), in a March 2
letter, urged the agency to consult further with general aviation
stakeholders and Congress before issuing final rules. That's what EAA
and other GA groups have requested. Read
more | Read
the letter
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NEW 'ULTIMATE' FANTASY CAMP FEATURES
MILITARY TRAINERS
 You won't want to miss this chance of a lifetime in experiencing
unforgettable flights in two incredible aircraft from EAA's own
collection of military trainers, a Consolidated PT-3 and a North
American T-6, at EAA's Ultimate Military Trainer Fantasy Flight Camp
October 9-11. The course includes the history of perhaps the most
interesting period of military trainer history: the 1930s. Participants
will have a rare opportunity to fly in the only remaining airworthy
PT-3, plus take a second flight in the famed "pilot maker,"
the North American T-6. Flights include a pre-flight briefing on the
aircraft and its controls. EAA's own pilots and instructors will perform
the take-off, demonstrate in the air how the controls work, and then it
is your turn! To learn more on this and other EAA Fantasy Flight Camps,
visit www.fantasyflightcamp.org.
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HOMEBUILDING HINT OF THE
WEEK: BLIND RIVET IDENTIFICATION
 Brian Carpenter of Rainbow Aviation
Services discusses some of the more common pull rivets a builder will encounter
during the course of a project. Brian is an Airframe and Powerplant ( A&P) mechanic with an Inspection
Authorization rating (IA); a designated airworthiness representative ( DAR) for light- sport and amateur-built
aircraft; a sport pilot instructor examiner, a certificated flight
instructor, and an
EAA Technical Counselor & Flight Advisor. Watch
now.
If you have a hint to share with your
fellow EAAers, we'd love to hear from you! Drop us a note at Info@EAA.org,
and please put "Hints" in the subject line.
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GROUP FLIGHTS PREPARING
FOR ANNUAL MIGRATION
 Three
groups have begun to plan their trip to AirVenture 2009. Bonanzas to
Oshkosh (B2Osh), the Mooney Caravan, and Cessnas 2 Oshkosh (C2O) have
posted online registration forms, as well as information on
flight-training clinics and briefings to help familiarize newcomers with
the procedures and safety measures taken to ensure a safe trip. For
information on the requirements to join a mass arrival, registration,
flight procedures, and departure times and locations, visit www.Cessnas2Oshkosh.com,
www.MooneyCaravan.com, or www.B2Osh.org.
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EARNING HIS WINGS
Good News!
 The
replacement windshield has arrived and the guys at the shop have been
busy putting it in, so it looks like sometime next week we may get to
fly again!
It's been almost two months since my last
flight, so I'm more than ready to go flying, but must admit I'm feeling
a little rusty. For those of you who have your certificate, what do you
do when you're not able to fly for a couple months ?
How do you get ready for the cockpit again? What do you use to refresh
your skills?" I look forward to seeing your suggestions on
the blog.
Brady Lane, EAA multimedia journalist,
is taking flight lessons in pursuit of his sport pilot certificate, and
he's sharing the experience in real time on EAA's website, "Earning
My Wings: A Video Blog About Learning to Fly."
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PRE-ORDER 2009 AIRVENTURE
PROGRAM AND SAVE!
The AirVenture 2009 Commemorative Souvenir Program is now available for
pre-sale online when you order your advance AirVenture tickets. Order
now and save $2! Pick up the program at the gate when you exchange
your advance ticket for a wristband. Order
yours today!
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DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR
CLIFF ROBERTSON/EAA INTERNSHIPS
 The application deadline for EAA's Cliff Robertson Work Experience
Internships has been extended to March 31, 2009. These two
internships, funded by James C. Ray and the Ray Foundation, provide
opportunities for students to work in the EAA AirVenture Museum, Pioneer
Airport, EAA Air Academy, and at EAA AirVenture 2009. Strong verbal and
written skills and the ability to work independently and in groups are
required. Applicants must be 16 or 17 years old and either be EAA
members or recommended by an EAA member. Stipends of approximately $750
per person and travel subsidy are possible. See
application information.
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AEROSHELL PILOT CONTINUES
RECOVERY
Auction events planned to help Henley family
 AeroShell
Aerobatic Team Lead Alan Henley continues to recover from an accident
last summer. Henley was injured while playing with his children at his
home in Birmingham, Alabama, when a chin-up bar gave way. The resulting
fall caused severe injuries to his neck, and he is paralyzed from the
chest down. Henley will continue to undergo extensive rehabilitation to
an uncertain recovery, but according to the team's website, the family
may soon face other challenges: "Insurance has helped cover the
tremendous costs of his treatment, but those benefits may be soon cut
off…."
To assist Alan and his family, friends
have organized two upcoming auctions to raise funds. The first will be
held at the Cecil Field Air Show in Jacksonville, Florida, April 18-19.
A second auction is being planned during the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at
Lakeland, Florida, April 21-26, where organizers hope to have a Pedal
Plane T-6 painted in the colors of Alan's AeroShell T-6. You also can
learn more about Alan's condition and contribute to the family at www.NAAT.net.
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ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR EAA YOUNG EAGLES CAMP
 The EAA Young Eagles Camp is an introduction for 12 & 13-year-olds
to the wondrous world of aviation. Small group activities and close
counselor relationships present the basics of flight through a unique
combination of fun and discovery in a science camp format. Primary
activities include rocketry, learning how balloons fly, and learning
about aviation history and flight. For more information, visit www.airacademy.org.
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NATIONAL GA AWARD WINNERS
ANNOUNCED
 Recipients
of this year's national General Aviation Awards program were announced
late Thursday by the award committee. 2009 recipients are: Alfred
Joseph "Lucky" Louque of Chatfield, Texas, Aviation
Maintenance Technician (AMT) of the Year; Arlynn Marine McMahon,
Versailles, Kentucky, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) of the Year; Paul
Jerome "Jerry" Stooksbury of Fort Collins, Colorado,
Avionics Technician of the Year; and Kent Blair Lewis of Keller,
Texas, FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year.
Recipients will received their awards
from the FAA Administrator during a "Theater in the Woods"
program at EAA AirVenture 2009 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. All four national
winners also receive an all expense paid trip to Oshkosh to attend the
awards presentation and other GA Awards activities.
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING
THIS WEEKEND?
 Fajita
Fly-In - Angelina County Airport, Lufkin, Texas
Come visit EAA Chapter 1219's monthly fly-in and enjoy a great
fajita lunch for a $5 donation that supports our Young Eagles program.
For more information, visit www.eaa1219.org,
or contact Don Lymbery, 936-225-0422. (Send an
e-mail.)EAA
Chapter 919 Annual Chili Feed Fly-In, Rushford Airport, Minnesota
Walk, drive, or fly to Rushford for a great bowl of hot chili! This
annual event has several different types of chili to try so...fire up
that plane and join us (8 a.m.-1 p.m.). Contact Russell Marsolek,
507-452-6888, or send
an e-mail.
To learn more about calendar events, or
to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org.
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': JOAN
MACE
 After graduating from high school in
1942, Joan Mace went to work at the Curtiss-Wright aircraft plant in
Columbus, Ohio, where she became an inspector on the SB2C Helldiver
line. Joan joined the factory flying club and learned to fly, then
secured a job after the war as a flight instructor at Ohio University
- the only woman in the OU flight department. In 1983 she became
the first woman in the U.S. to chair a university aviation department.
After retiring in 1993, Joan continued to instruct and give flight
reviews until 2008, when she decided to ground herself at the age of 84.
Joan taught well over 1,000 students how to fly, and has logged over
12,000 flight instruction hours. In October 2008, she was inducted into
the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) Hall of Fame. Watch
now.
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GET YOUR B-17 TOUR
MERCHANDISE EARLY AND SAVE 20 PERCENT
 Show your support for
Aluminum Overcast with
official EAA B-17 tour merchandise, and for a limited time save 20
percent on
select items. This crew neck sweatshirt, made of pre-shrunk 80/20 cotton/ polyester, is
specially prices at $20
– $5 off the regular price. It has 2X1 Lycra blend
rib collar and cuffs, with double-needle stitched collar, shoulders,
cuffs, armholes and waistband. Order this and other great
B-17 merchandise on the
Aeronautica website, or call toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
I have a 1990
vintage Avid Flyer with fiberglass fuel tanks. With
the advent of ethanol fuel, I am concerned about
deterioration of the fiberglass. The question is:
How are problems resolved since the tanks are part
of the wing structure?
Answer:
This issue was dealt with in a EAA Q&A article
from the May 2000 issue of Sport Aviation
regarding a Kitfox that also used fiberglass fuel
tanks. The short answer: Do not use any fuel
containing ethanol, and certainly not with
fiberglass tanks. The problem is that the ethanol in
the fuel attacks everything in the fuel system
except anything metal and Teflon hose, which was
proven years ago during testing by EAA for its auto
gas STC program. Learn more about the ethanol issue
on the EAA
website.
Have a question?
To ask a question regarding government issues,
e-mail govt@eaa.org.
For questions about registration, airmen, aircraft
and medical certification, safety records,
performance, or any other matter, e-mail infoserv@eaa.org.
March
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
Dave Williams' reborn Dyke Delta is this month's
featured EAA calendar image. The airplane was the
subject of a
cover story in the December 2008 Sport
Aviation, and a video about the airplane can be
found on the EAA
video player. Photo by EAA
Chief Photographer Jim Koepnick.
Download
this wallpaper image at the EAA
website, where you can choose among several different
resolutions to suit
your screen...or select an image from the archive.
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TCM TOPCARE CYLINDER
RECALL
Since its February 12, 2009, voluntary cylinder recall announcement,
Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) reports it has made significant
progress toward resolving issue for aircraft owners operating select
470, 520 and 550 series engines. Since the recall, 500 replacement
cylinders have been produced and shipped to the field specifically
designated for the recall program. The company has also contracted 14
domestic service centers to accomplish cylinder replacements under the
MSB, with negotiations underway with additional domestic and
international locations. For more information visit www.tcmlink.com/cylinders.
MIDWEST LSA EXPO
COMING IN OCTOBER
The first Midwest LSA Expo is scheduled for October 1-3, 2009 at Mt.
Vernon Outland Airport (MVN), Illinois. Midwest LSA Expo. Inc.
specifically created the event to educate the public about all things
LSA, including available aircraft types, engines, performance, and LSA
aircraft for flight training and rental fleets. For more information, or
to reserve exhibitor space, call 618-242-7016, e-mail managermvaa@mvn.net,
or visit www.midwestlsashow.com.
SPORTY'S ANNOUNCES
'FLY-THRU SERVICE'
Sporty's has introduced the Sporty's Fly-Thru Service, allowing
customers to fly to Batavia and pick up their order in person 24/7.
Orders placed via the telephone or online before 6 p.m. Monday through
Friday can be picked up the same day. Fly-Thru Service is also available
on weekends for telephone orders Saturdays and Sundays between 11 a.m.
and 3 p.m. Sporty's is located at the Clermont County (Ohio) Airport
(I69) just east of Cincinnati on the Cincinnati Sectional. For more
information including directions and store hours, visit www.sportys.com/directions
or call 800-SPORTYS.
PILOT'S GUIDE TO
MODERN AUTOPILOTS
Sporty's latest video release, Pilot's Guide to Modern Autopilots, was
produced to help pilots make the most out of their autopilot system.
Featuring the Garmin GFC-700 in a Cessna 182 and the S-Tec 55X in a
Cirrus SR-22, Pilot's Guide to Modern Autopilots demonstrates the
important preflight and set-up procedures a pilot should do on every
flight in both VFR and IFR conditions. The video is available via
download or as a DVD for $29.95. Visit www.sportys.com
or call 800-SPORTYS.
ABLE FLIGHT GRADUATES
TENTH PILOT
Jeremy Maddox became Able Flight's 10th scholarship winner to earn a
pilot certificate after completing his checkride on March 5. Jeremy, who
uses a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury, and whose scholarship was
supported by a grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation,
trained in an adapted Sky Arrow 600 with instructor Matt Hansen of
Hansen Air Group in Kennesaw, Georgia, just northeast of Atlanta. The
27-year-old soloed after only 11 hours and earned his Sport Pilot
Certificate with a total of 37 hours logged. Able Fight is a national
nonprofit organization that provides flight-training scholarships for
people with disabilities. To apply for a scholarship, visit: www.ableflight.org.
COMP AIR AVIATION
ANNOUNCES TURBOPROP
Comp Air Aviation announced the Comp Air 9, an experimental aircraft
that the company calls "versatile, fuel efficient, fast, and
affordable." The aircraft specs include cruise speeds as high as
250 knots, a useful load of 3,500 pounds, and a maximum range of 1,600
nautical miles. The new airplane, as well as the Comp Air 12, will be on
display at Sun 'n Fun April 21-26 in Lakeland, Florida. For more
information visit www.CompAirAviation.com.
NASA LAUNCHING ISS
WEBCAM/STREAMING VIDEO
Internet visitors can now see the Earth as never before - live from the
International Space Station via streaming video, seven days a week. The
streaming video views of Earth and the exterior structure of the ISS
come from outside-mounted cameras, orbiting Earth at 17,500 miles an
hour at an altitude of 220 miles. The streaming video will include audio
of communications between Mission Control and the astronauts, when
available. Visit www.nasa.gov/station
and have a look.
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