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March
20, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 10 |
AIRVENTURE
CUP RACE RETURNS TO DAYTON FOR 2009
 The
12th running of the AirVenture Cup Race is planned for Sunday, July 26,
as nine classes of amateur-built category take off from Wright Brothers
Airport (MGY) in Dayton, Ohio, in a beat-the-clock dash to AirVenture
Oshkosh. Founded in 1998, the race is open to all private pilots of
aircraft certificated in the amateur-built category. A current medical
certificate is required. The race begins at MGY, and then heads to two
pylon turns in Illinois; the first at Kankakee Airport (KKK), and the
second at Freeport (FEP). For there it's on to the finish line at the
Quad Graphics Airport in Lomira, Wisconsin, before re-assembling at Fond
du Lac for a group flight to OSH. Read
more
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FOUNDERS WING IN NEED OF
CHAPTER ITEMS FOR EXHIBIT
 A
new phase has begun in the progress of the Founder's Wing project in the
EAA AirVenture Museum. The museum staff have finished designing and
started the construction of the exhibits that will be part of the new
space. An important section of the new exhibits will be devoted to EAA
Chapters, and this is where the museum needs the help of all EAA
chapters. The exhibit will feature chapter patches, chapter logos, or
chapter pins. (Duplicates are okay.) EAA has put out the call to
chapters for these items, which will be considered for display in the
exhibit. Anything not immediately displayed will become a part of the
museum's permanent collection. Please send your contributions to Ron
Twellman, EAA AirVenture Museum, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, WI 54902.
If you have questions please contact Ron at rtwellman@eaa.org.
Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2009.
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TSA GA LIAISON COULD BE A
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
EAA and other general aviation organizations
have urged the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to include
industry input when designing new security directives - like the
universally dreaded Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). TSA's recent
appointment of a General Aviation Liaison could signal a start in that
direction. Whether the agency uses the position to attempt to
collaborate, or merely to placate, will determine value of this office
to the GA community. Read
more
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HOMEBUILDING HINT OF THE
WEEK: MOLEX PIN CONNECTORS
 Kas
Osterbuhr, an EAA SportAir Workshops instructor, demonstrates how to
crimp Molex type pins and load them into the connector body. Kas is
an EAA SportAir Workshop instructor for the Electrical Systems, Wiring
and Avionics workshop. 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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B-17 PREPARES FOR SALUTE
TO VETERANS TOUR
 Final
preparations are being made for the EAA B-17 Aluminum Overcast's 2009
Salute to Veterans Tour, which kicks off its spring-summer leg April 3-5
at Chino, California. Each year the Flying Fortress - one of only a
handful still flying - serves as an ardent aviation ambassador…and a
reminder of the commitment and sacrifice made by our nation's military
during World War II.
"Freedom isn't free, and our hope is
that through this annual tour, the thousands who have the opportunity to
see and ride in the airplane gain a profound appreciation for those who
fought to preserve our freedoms," said Sean Elliott, EAA director
of flight operations. "We encourage everyone to come out and see
this iconic symbol of our nation's heritage during the tour."
Read more
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MARCH EXPERIMENTER NOW
AVAILABLE
 The
March issue of EAA's Experimenter e-newsletter for homebuilders is out
this week, sent to a growing number of subscribers exceeding 23,000
people. The monthly electronic publication was launched in January and
has been very well received by the homebuilding community. Featured
"how-to" stories this month include Converting a Subaru EJ-22
and Creating Custom Wheelpant Molds, along with exclusive video and
featured archives, a photo gallery and story about the Long Longster
airplane, Paul's Pick from EAA Founder Paul Poberezny, and more. Not
subscribed? Click
here to see what you're missing. To sign up, visit the EAA
website.
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EAA GEARS UP TO
PARTICIPATE AT SUN 'N FUN 2009
Volunteers sought
 As
the 35th Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, April 21-26 at Lakeland Linder Regional
Airport in Lakeland, Florida, draws near, EAA continues preparations to
provide an array of offerings at the EAA Welcome Center, admission
discounts, forum presentations, and more. If you're planning to attend,
please note one major change from past years: At the main gate, there
will no longer be a separate EAA members' admissions area. Instead, EAA
members can enter at the main gate and receive their weekly or daily
member discount by showing their membership card. EAA member preferred
pricing remains as the best deal on Sun 'n Fun admission. Read
more
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PILOTS NEEDED FOR APRIL
18 'DAY IN THE SKY'
 EAA
member-pilots are being sought to provide Young Eagles flights for
youths with disabilities during the fifth annual Day in the Sky, set for
April 18 in Watsonville, California. The event, conducted by EAA Chapter
119 and Shared Adventures, will provide 20 to 30-minute flights
(depending on conditions) for 150 or more kids with disabilities, along
with up to two family members per flight. That many flights will require
three-dozen plus pilots, says Dean McCully, event founder and
coordinator. Read
more
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PROTECTING YOUR AIRPLANE
PROJECT AND YOURSELF
By: Bob Mackey, EAA Aircraft Insurance
Plan (Administered by Falcon Insurance Agency, Inc.)
 Whether
you are building from plans or from a kit, it doesn't take long before
your investment in your airplane project climbs to a significant level.
Just how do you protect your airplane project and yourself?
Did you know your homeowners insurance rarely includes insurance
coverage for the value of your airplane project? Did you also know your
homeowner's insurance may not provide insurance coverage if someone is
injured in your home-shop where your airplane project is located? So
what do you do? Read
more
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING
THIS WEEKEND?
 Runway
Gumbo and Lunch Fly-In - Gladewater Municipal Airport, Texas
EAA Chapter 972 is hosting a Runway Gumbo and Lunch Fly-In on
Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Food prepared by the members, with
fixins' and liquids on the airport. Lawn picnic table seating. Donations
welcome. Chatter expected. New plane parking. 50-yard walk from plane
parking. Come on down. For more information, visit www.eaa972.org,
or contact Bob Tippens, 903-574-3641. (Send
an e-mail.)
EAA Chapter 635 Pancake Breakfast/Young
Eagles Rally - DeLand Airport, Florida
Pancake breakfast served from 8-10:30 a.m. Young Eagle flights 9-11 a.m.
For more information, contact Van Vickers, 386-956-0936, 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': ROBERT "PUNCHY" POWELL
 Robert
"Punchy" Powell left West Virginia University with his best
friend to enlist in the Army Air Corps in January 1942. Accepted into
pilot training, "Punchy" earned his wings and was commissioned
as a 2nd Lieutenant on January 4, 1943. After training in P-47s, he was
sent to England and assigned to the 328th Fighter Squadron of the 352nd
Fighter Group - a group that gained fame as the Bluenosed Bastards of
Bodney when they began flying P-51 Mustangs in April 1944.
"Punchy" flew two combat tours with the group, consisting of
87 combat missions between August 1943 and September 1944. Today Punchy
is the official historian of the 352nd Fighter Group, and editor of two
books on the group, The Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney, and Bluenoser
Tails. Watch
now.
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BUD ANDERSON'S TO FLY
AND FIGHT: MEMOIRS OF A TRIPLE ACE
 Colonel
C. E. "Bud" Anderson flew two combat tours during WWII,
ranking among the 357th Fighter Group's leading "Aces." This
touching, thoughtful, and honest book is a story about a boy who grew up
living his dream. To Fly and Fight is about flying - and the joys,
dangers and special skills it demands. Written by Bud Anderson, with
General Chuck Yeager providing the forward, this personally autographed
hardcover book is available until March 31 for only $23.96 - a savings
of 20 percent off the regular price. Order
online or call toll-free, 800-564-6322.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
I’m
currently working with DAR Corporation to design a
new prototype which I intend to build and fly.
Having already built a Van's RV-7, I know I’ll
have to document the construction and have an FAA
inspector sign off on the completed aircraft. Since
this is an original design, are there any FAA
requirements I need to be aware of concerning the
design process itself?
Answer:
There are
basically three standards/requirements for designing
aircraft, presented here in order of complexity,
from least to most.
1) As long as
you intend to register your completed design as an
Experimental Amateur-Built aircraft, there are no
FAA requirements or limitations. You are truly
experimenting, which includes YOUR choice of
materials as well.
2) If you were
designing a special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) for
production and sale to the public, you would have to
meet ASTM Consensus Standards, which does address
design, production and airworthiness minimum
standards.
3) If you were
designing a new Type Certificated aircraft for
production and sale to the public, then you would
have to follow FAR 23 standards.
DAR Corp should be
able to guide you very well, you’re wise to
consult with them.
Best wishes, and I
hope to see you and your creation some day on the
OSH flight line!
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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FIRST 'E-FLIGHT-EXPO' AT
AERO
A motorized flight powered exclusively by a fuel cell will take place at
AERO International Aviation Trade Show from April 2-5, 2009, in
Friedrichshafen, Germany. Propelled by hydrogen energy without
supplementary energy supplied by batteries, the ultralight aircraft by
French company Helite will take to the air (weather permitting) to
highlight the world's first 'e-flight-expo.' The 'e' stands for
electrical, ecological, and evolutionary, and the event is billed as the
first where the newest engineering developments in modern,
environmentally friendly aviation propulsion systems will be exhibited
and demonstrated. Attendees can also expect to see electrical propulsion
systems for small aircraft, paragliders, and hang-gliders, as well as a
solar-power glider: Eric Raymond's Sunseeker, which has logged well over
500 flying hours. Solar technologies, new biofuels, and high-performance
batteries will also be presented at AERO. Learn more at www.e-flight-expo.com
or www.aero-expo.de.
FIRST A&P ISSUED
TO AN LSRM WITH A MAINTENANCE RATING
Exactly 30 months after earning his Light-Sport Repairman Certificate
with a Maintenance Rating (LSRM), Mike Zidziunas took advantage of the
little known benefit of the light-sport rule and became the nation's
first LSRM to earn an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic certificate.
The A&P xcertification authorizes the holder to work on U.S.
standard category airplanes, and complete the condition inspection on
amateur built aircraft. "The application process was simple,"
explains Mike. "An FAA inspector validated the date of issue on my
LSRM certificate and looked over my paperwork. In short order I had my
letter of approval to take the A&P written and practical exam."
For more information, visit www.RainbowAviation.com
or call 530-824-0644.
TCM MANDATORY SERVICE
BULLETIN: CYLINDER REPLACEMENT
Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) issued a Mandatory Service Bulletin
(MSB09-1A) to require inspection to identify EQ3 cylinders and the
further inspection and replacement of those cylinders in order to ensure
a timely and orderly retirement of the EQ3 cylinders. TCM identified the
cause of cracks in 35 cylinders manufactured from November 1, 2007, to
January 30, 2009, and has determined that the EQ3 cylinder head casting
tool used in the manufacturing process created an area of reduced
thickness that may result in a crack after prolonged operation. The
cracked cylinders returned to date have occurred on engines from high
use fleet operations with occurrence times ranging from approximately
430 to 1,300 total hours. Replacement cylinders conforming to proven
production history will be provided. While there have been no accidents
or incidents related to this cylinder head crack, TCM has elected to
replace all cylinder assemblies with the EQ3 head casting. TCM will
provide warranty assistance for this purpose through December 31, 2009. Learn
more
GARMIN G1000 AWARDED
STC FOR KING AIR 200 AND B200
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Garmin
International Inc., supplemental type certification (STC) for the G1000
avionics suite in the King Air 200 and B200. The G1000 avionics suite
integrates all primary flight information, navigation data,
communications, terrain awareness, traffic, weather, and engine
instruments on a large 15-inch multi-function display (MFD) and two
10.4-inch primary flight displays (PFD). The G1000 installation on the
King Air 200/B200 includes the GFC 700 three-axis, fully digital, dual
channel, fail passive automatic flight control system. The King Air
200/B200 STC also includes approval for Garmin's synthetic vision
technology that presents a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles, traffic,
and the runway environment on the G1000's PFD so that the image
replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit on a clear day.
Learn more on the Garmin
website.
PILLAR POINT
ELECTRONIC ACQUIRES PILLAR POINT AVIONICS
Pillar Point Electronics (PPE) has acquired the assets of Pillar Point
Avionics (PPAv), and is now offering PPAv's low-fuel sensing products to
builders of experimental aircraft and those needing liquid level
detection solutions. Planemakers, a composite aircraft completion
assistance center owned by Chris Dougherty and John Januszewski, will be
the key distributor for the low fuel sensing products. Claudia
Dougherty, PPE's president, said the company has resumed manufacturing
of PPAv's UFS-AN and UFS-T low fuel sensors and sensor systems and is
now taking orders. For more information, visit www.PillarPointElectronics.com.
APPROVALS FOR AURACLE
CRM ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The FAA granted approval to New York-based Xerion Avionix LLC for
installation of the AuRACLE CRM series Engine Management Systems into
all 4- and 6-cylinder Mooney, Grumman, Rockwell Commander, SOCATA, and
Extra Aircraft. "This new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
continues the successful launch of the AuRACLE product line; allowing
more pilots to properly manage engine information, resulting in
significant improvements in fuel management and engine operations
thereby avoiding potentially devastating in-flight engine failures"
says Xerion's Eric Hathaway. Xerion AuRACLE CRM series monitors are also
being installed in Beechcraft, Piper, and Cessna aircraft for which
Xerion received FAA approval in 2008. For more information, visit www.XerionAvionix.com
or call 800-405-8608.
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