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May
1, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 18 |
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AIRVENTURE
NOTAM NOW ONLINE
 With
just three months to go until AirVenture 2009, it's time to begin
preparing for that unforgettable flight to Oshkosh. The first step for
any pilot planning to fly to the Oshkosh area for the event is studying
FAA's Oshkosh NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), which covers air traffic
procedures for the period surrounding and during EAA AirVenture. THIS IS
ESSENTIAL READING! While the overall procedure is similar to previous
years, there are changes on 29 of the 32 NOTAM pages -- so don't rely on
previous years' versions or your memory to carry you through.
You can download the NOTAM
in PDF format (about 3 MB download). Printed copies in booklet form will
be available soon, and you can order yours free of charge from EAA here
or by calling 800-564-6322.
Read
more | Download
now
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EAA NAMES
SIX DIRECTORS EMERITUS
EAA's Board of Directors gathering in Oshkosh for its spring meetings
this week was to honor six retiring members with Director Emeritus
status at Thursday evening's dinner. They include John Beetham, Jim
Brown, Dr. Peggy Chabrian, Verne Jobst, Richard "Dick" Taylor,
and Joe Wyatt. These EAAers have supplied decades of service to the EAA
Board and even longer as members and volunteers within the
organization. Read
more
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MORE
INNOVATIONS FROM SUN 'N FUN 2009
 The
recently concluded Sun 'n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida, offered us
another opportunity to focus our attention on innovations in aviation.
Here's more of what EAA's roving reporters found at the 35th annual
spring celebration of flight. Look for a complete report on the fly-in
the July issue of EAA Sport Aviation and EAA Sport Pilot, as well as
EAA's free Experimenter electronic newsletter. Don't receive Experimenter? Sign up here.
Read more
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ELECTRIC
ADVANCES LIKELY TO COME FROM HOMEBUILDERS, EXPERIMENTERS
 The
CAFE Foundation, well-known to aircraft homebuilders and experimenters
for its CAFE 400 air races and aircraft efficiency comparisons, held its
third annual Electric Aircraft Symposium on April 24 at the Hiller
Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California. Some 150 attendees heard from
15 presenters from the fields of aircraft design, alternative energy,
battery and power system development, climate, and autonomous
vehicles-among others-during the daylong seminar. Participants and
presenters came from as far as Germany as well as from all over North
America. Reporter Peter Lert, who attended the symposium, provided the
following overview of what was presented. Read
more
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EAA
STRONGLY SUPPORTS NEW GA CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS
 A
general aviation (GA) caucus has been formed to alert and inform members
of Congress and their staff about the value of GA to the nation's
economy and transportation system. EAA member and staunch general
aviation supporter Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI) and Rep. Allen Boyd
(D-FL), acting as committee co-chairs, sent a "Dear Colleague"
letter inviting other members of the House of Representatives to join
the caucus. The letter outlined the importance of general aviation
stating that, of the 19,000 small and regional airports across the
country, only 500 have commercial service, making GA the only travel
option for many communities. Read
more
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EAAERS
SPEARHEAD DRIVE TO SECURE SAFE AUTOFUEL FOR AIRCRAFT
 Perseverance
on the part of two EAA members in Maine paid off recently when they
worked to successfully secure a safe, ethanol-free supply of autofuel
for use in aircraft. On April 20, the Central Maine Regional Airport
Pilots organization imported its first load of ethanol-free autofuel
fuel at the Central Maine Regional airport (KOWK). Mike Willey, EAA
798338, reports that 4,000 gallons of 93 octane (premium) gasoline was
delivered to the airport from the Irving Oil refinery in St. John, New
Brunswick, Canada, thus providing a safe, reliable fuel supply for
aircraft that require auto fuel to operate. Read
more
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CLASSIC AIRCRAFT BEGIN
FLIGHTS AT PIONEER THIS WEEKEND
 EAA's
authentic re-creation of a 1930s aerodrome, Pioneer Airport, opens this
weekend, with EAA's fleet of flying vintage airplanes including the 1929
Ford Tri-Motor, 1929 Travel Air E-4000, 1927 Swallow, as well as a 1956
Bell 47 helicopter. More than 50 vintage airplanes are on display in
seven period hangars that will take you back to aviation's "Golden
Age" of the 1920s and 30s. Younger visitors can enjoy a play area
with swings and pedal planes, and for kids between ages 8 and 17, a free
Young Eagles airplane flight may be available. Pioneer is operational
every weekend until mid-October, and daily from Memorial Day through
Labor Day. To learn more, visit the EAA
AirVenture Museum website.
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HOMEBUILDING HINTS OF THE
WEEK: 'RIVETS 101';
CUTTING INSTRUMENT HOLES WITH A HOLE SAW'
 In
our initial segment this week, Jack Dueck covers the basics of solid
driven rivets. Jack is a Technical Counselor, SportAir Workshops
Instructor and member of both the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council and
Canadian Council. Watch
the video.
From the April issue of Experimenter,
a bonus hint this week, as Earl Luce demonstrates a great technique to
make cutting accurate and perfectly aligned instrument panels holes.
Earl is an EAA SportAir Workshop instructor and offers plans for the
Wittman Buttercup. Watch
now. (Subscribe to
Experimenter.)
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EAA KEEPING CLOSE WATCH
ON CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY FOR GA IMPACT
In continuing government advocacy efforts, EAA is closely monitoring a
formal ruling, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last
week, that greenhouse gases, including aviation emissions, threaten
public health. The ruling could mean that the agency might step in to
regulate emissions from aircraft and other sources as public health
hazards depending on congressional action on climate change
legislation. Read
more
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FAA BEGINS 2009 GA SURVEY
 The
FAA has begun conducting its 31st annual General Aviation and Part 135
Activity Survey, which the agency uses to develop data on GA activity.
Those invited to participate were selected randomly from the Civil
Aviation Registry, and notifications were mailed last week. EAA
encourages those who received an invitation to participate to do so and
thereby help ensure the FAA has accurate data that reflects general
aviation. Those who do not (or are not able to) complete the survey
online will be mailed a hard copy in mid-May.
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EAA' B-17 TOUR ROLLS ON
IN CALIFORNIA
 The
Flying Fortress Aluminum Overcast is in Napa, California, this
weekend through Sunday, May 3, as EAA Chapter 167 welcomes the
"Keep it Flying" tour. The aircraft continues its journey
through NoCal May 5-6 in Truckee (hosted by EA Chapter 1073) before
landing at Sacramento May 8-10 (hosted by EAA Chapter 52. Book your reservation
for an unforgettable flight, or find a
list of future events at www.B17.org,
or call 800-359-6217. Watch
video.
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EAA/SOCATA INTERN
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS NAMED
Students Thrilled at Chance to Work Overseas
 Karl
Parsons, 19, of Prescott, Arizona, and Irene Trujillo, 19, of
Albuquerque, New Mexico, were selected as recipients of this year's EAA/Socata
International Scholarship. The announcement took place last week at Sun
'n Fun in Lakeland, Florida. Each will rec eive
a 5-week internship at Socata's Tarbes facility, located in the shadow
of the Pyrenees Mountains, followed by a week at the EAA Air Academy in
Oshkosh where they'll help Socata during EAA AirVenture 2009. All
travel, lodging, and work experience is included, as well as side trips
to the Paris Air Show (June 15-21) and the Airbus facility at Toulouse.
For an aspiring student working toward a career in the aviation
industry, it's a dream situation. Read
more
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING
THIS WEEKEND?
 EAA
Chapter 309 Lake Norman Spring Fly-In, Mooresville, North Carolina
All aircraft are welcome to join us for food, flying, and fellowship on
Saturday, May 2. Our spring fly-in usually attracts over 60 aircraft and
an estimated 200 people. In keeping with the chapter's support of
homebuilt aircraft the majority of the airplanes on display are
meticulously built by dedicated builders. Lunch is available 11:30 to
1:30 p.m. for a nominal fee. Public is welcome. Airport is located near
the intersection of Highway 150 and Perth Rd, west of I-77 Exit 36. For
more information, visit http://eaa309.blogspot.com, or contact Ronald P.
Murray at 704-663-5521. (Send
an e-mail.)
36th Annual Fly-In Pancake Breakfast.
Courtesy Aircraft Hangar, Rockford, Illinois
Join us Sunday, May 3, for our 36th Annual Fly-in/Drive-In Breakfast to
celebrate the beginning of the 2009 summer season. Pancakes, eggs to
order, sausage, milk, and juice. $6 for adults, $3 for children under
12. RFD ATCT is ready to make arrival and departure easy, just monitor
ATIS completely and pancakes are minutes away! For more information,
visit www.EAA22.org, or contact Fareed Guyot, 414-708-6588 (Send
an e-mail.)
To learn more about calendar events, or
to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org.
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MILITARY TRAINER FANTASY
FLIGHT CAMP FILLING UP FAST
 More
than half the spaces are full for EAA's Ultimate Military Trainer
Fantasy Flight Camp October 9-11.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. The course includes the history of
perhaps the most interesting period of military trainers: 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's your turn! Sign-up now at www.fantasyflightcamp.org.
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EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': BILLY G. EDENS
 After
joining the Army Air Corps in June 1942, Billy G. Edens was sent to
glider training and after completing advanced training in March 1943, he
was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program. Trained as a P-47
Thunderbolt pilot, Billy went overseas and joined the 62nd Fighter
Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group based at Boxted, England in April
1944. In May, on only his fourth mission, Billy was forced to bail out
over the North Sea, where he spent nearly six hours in the water until
rescued by a RAF Supermarine Walrus air-sea-rescue flying boat. It would
be the first of four times Billy was shot down during the war, but he
gave as well as he got - in less than a month of combat he was an Ace
credited with 7 victories between June 8 and July 7, 1944. On September
10, 1944 he flew his 89th mission and was shot down for the fourth and
final time, becoming a POW in Stalag Luft 1 at Barth, Germany. Watch
the video.
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LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $15
ON FROM THE GROUND UP DVD
 EAA,
in conjunction with Discovery Channel International, presents all 13
episodes of the television series From the Ground Up, TV's first how-to
aircraft building program. From the Ground Up gives you the
behind-the-scenes tips and tricks of the trade, using an RV-8 kit as an
example. From uncrating to first flight, it is a great introduction to
homebuilding and restoration, offering a taste of the many skill-sets.
The set is available for only $44.99 until May 6. Order
online call our toll-free number, 800-564-6322.
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
I have a
question regarding the 121.5 megahertz emergency
locator transmitter (ELT) in my homebuilt. I am
planning to get a handheld ACR 406 mHz unit that
has to be manually activated. Am I required to keep
my old 121.5 mHz ELT on board and operating to
remain legal?
Answer:
At this time, to remain legal you are required to
have an installed, impact-triggered ELT in your
aircraft when operating in the US. The 121.5 MHz ELT
is still legal, however the 406 mHz is more
effective when it’s needed. A manually activated
hand-held 406 mHz beacon will not qualify as a
replacement, but is a good idea as a back-up.
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.
May
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
Our featured
calendar image for May is Tom Wathen's beautiful
replica of the Rider R-4 Schoenfelt Firecracker, a
plane that won many races during the Golden Age of
air racing. The plane is also featured in EAA's
World of Flight 2009 Calendar. (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 - including three new wide-screen
sizes...or select an image from the archive.
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AMERICAN LEGEND
INTRODUCES AMPHIBIOUS FLOATCUB
American Legend Aircraft Company will offer an amphibious Legend
FloatCub equipped with floats from Baumann Floats, LLC, of New Richmond,
Wisconsin. The new amphibious Legend FloatCub will comply with
light-sport requirements of 1,430 maximum gross weight and include a
simple retractable landing gear. American Legend is taking $10,000
refundable deposits and expects certification and delivery of the first
aircraft in July 2009. The amphibious Legend FloatCub will be offered at
$159,000. Visit www.Legend.aero to
learn more.
CIRRUS INCREASES
PRODUCTION
In a message this week to company employees, Cirrus Aircraft announced
it is increasing its production rate to six aircraft per week starting
immediately. The increased rate follows nearly six months of
significantly reduced production rates that averaged approximately two
to three fewer units per week than the new rate. The company reported
seeing "encouraging trends in sales activities and interest from
sales prospects domestically and around the world."
The increased rate will result in minimal impact to direct labor
headcount, due in large part to recent efficiency gains achieved as a
result of ongoing lean production initiatives. Cirrus Aircraft hopes
this new rate is the first step and initial indicator of what will
become a more substantial trend into the second half of the year and
beyond. Learn more at www.CirrusAircraft.com.
FORWARD VISION ON
AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT
The Forward Vision EVS-100 enhanced vision system will now be available
on the American Champion Aircraft product line. American Champion will
begin offering the EVS-100 as an OEM option with a variety of display
choices. Patrick Farrell, Forward Vision CEO and president, noted that
in addition to helping pilots "see" at night and in limited
visibility conditions, using EVS has applications for American Champion
in back country operations, fish and wildlife patrol, fire-spotting, and
other special-use flights. Learn more at www.Forward-Vision.net
or www.AmerChampionAircraft.com.
PRIVATE SHOWING OF NEW
FILM AT LINDBERGH CELEBRATION
The Lindbergh Foundation will show "Over Africa! Low and Slow with
the Kenya Wildlife Service," at the 2009 Lindbergh Award
Celebration, set for May 16 at EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. The Miles O'Brien Productions film will be aired at 5:30 p.m.
for everyone attending the Lindbergh Award Celebration. The film will be
followed by a reception, dinner and a program honoring world-recognized
environmentalist Lester R. Brown, founder and president of Earth Policy
Institute, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin, aviator/conservationists Terry and
Mary Kohler of Windway Capital Corp. Tickets are still available for
this event at the Lindbergh
Foundation website or by calling the office at 763-576-1596.
10 Days Left to Bid on
Rare Spirit of St. Louis Ride
Bidding for a ride on the EAA Spirit of St. Louis replica airplane
closes at 4 p.m. CDT on Monday, May 11! Top bidders have the option of
purchasing up to four rides in the Spirit, each purchased at their
winning bid price. This is the only replica capable of taking a
passenger and this plane will not be flown again until 2011. Visit www.lindberghfoundation.org
for details.
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