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July
31, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 36 |
GATHERING
GENEROSITY CONTINUES
 Thanks
to the generosity of more than 1,100 people, Thursday night's Gathering
of Eagles gala event in the museum's Eagle Hangar raised $1. 8 million.
The annual "gathering" of individuals and corporate leaders
supports programs and experiences that inspire and motivate kids to
pursue their aviation dreams. Donations from live, silent, and
President' Choice auctions will help build the Young Eagles First Flight
and Next Step programs that engage kids in aviation-related activities.
Read
more |
WOMEN
PILOTS GATHER TO CELEBRATE THEIR SUCCESSES
 Hundreds
of women, most wearing special lavender shirts, gathered on AeroShell
Square this morning to celebrate women's success in aviation and to
encourage other women to follow their dreams of flight.
This is the second year AirVenture has
featured a day for women. About 500 women participated in the 2008
event, taking part in a group photo. This year an estimated 550 women
came for the photo, including Women Airforce Service Pilots or WASPs,
air show performers Debby Rihn-Harvey, Julie Clark, Jill Long, the Misty
Blues, an all woman sky diving team, and others. Read
more |
eAPIS
HELP AVAILABLE IN FEDERAL PAVILION
Among the many great uses of private aircraft is international travel,
and American pilots enjoy a variety of choices as close by as Canada,
the Caribbean and Mexico - foreign nations as close as a single hop. Read
more |
SINGLE-HANDED
SUCCESS
 Jason
Petroelje suffered a stroke about 10 years ago, a life-altering event
known to lay low many a strong soul. But while the stroke did
interrupt a few things in his life - like annual trips to EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh - Petroelje refused to let the problem impact his passion for
building airplanes. “I built this thing after I had the
stroke,” Petroelje said about his three-quarter scale Macchi M.5
flying boat. Read
more |
GERMAN
ACE SALUTES OSHKOSH VISITORS
 Gunther
Rall's 275 aerial victories in World War II came at a price. He was shot
down eight times. "You get used to it," he said with a
chuckle, as his large audience laughed with him. Gen.
Rall conducted a Warbirds in Review session, seated in front of a P-38
Lightning fighter. In combat, Rall went up against Lightnings. When one
of his wartime injuries cost his left thumb, in convalescence he was
assigned to a special Luftwaffe unit that flew captured Allied
aircraft-including the P-38. Read
more |
AIRVENTURE
AIR OPS SET ANOTHER RECORD
 Wednesday,
Chicago’s O’Hare International logged approximately 2,300 aircraft
operations; down south, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, the world’s
busiest airport, averaged more than 2,400 ops. Compared
to Wittman Regional this week those places are slackers.
On that same, Wednesday, the
tower at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh handled 3,223 operations – and that is
a 9 percent increase over the Wednesday of EAA AirVenture 2008. But
there’s more. The Oshkosh tower numbers don’t include the hundreds
of ultralight and helicopter operations at AirVenture.
Now, anybody out there doubt
that Oshkosh is the busiest airport in the world? |
CONGRESSIONAL
FORUM SATURDAY MORNING AT AIRVENTURE
One way you can stand up for general aviation (GA) is to let lawmakers
know how you feel about it. On Saturday at 11:30 a.m., AirVenture
attendees have a chance to speak directly to four members of the U.S.
House of Representatives at the Congressional Forum in Honda Forums
Plaza Pavilion 6. The members come to
AirVenture to share their views, to listen, to hear firsthand from the
GA community, and to answer questions. Read
more |
FIELD
APPROVALS A BIG QUESTION
In a long-standing tradition at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, newly confirmed
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt took questions from the audience during
the Meet the Administrator forum session Thursday morning. Field
approval of an aircraft modification, often the only option for an owner
to keep an airplane flying, was a hot topic during the session. Read
more |
POLAR
PUMPKIN'S AIRVENTURE PIT STOP
 The
Polar Pumpkin, an orange Cessna 185 named for its color and its
Antarctic missions, is in Oshkosh for the first time and attendees can
hear pilot Art Mortvedt talk about the various missions of the airframe
at several presentations this weekend. It is the only aircraft of its
kind to land at the geographic South Pole. It’s parked in AeroShell
Square’s new Western Extension in front of the main entrance to large
exhibit hangars. See Mortvedt’s presentations Saturday, 8:30-9:45
a.m., in the Honda Generator Pavilion; 10-11:15 a.m. at KidVenture; and
Sunday, 10-11:15 a.m. in the Dake Corporation Pavilion. |
NASA
FLIGHT DIRECTOR TO WATCH SHUTTLE LANDING … AT OSHKOSH
 Paul
Dye grew up in Minnesota, in a suburb of the Twin Cities, knowing he
wanted to build airplanes. He
probably wouldn’t have guessed back then that some day he would
oversee space shuttle flights, but Dye is NASA’s lead shuttle flight
director. If the shuttle Endeavour lands on its first attempt Friday
morning at 9:48 (Oshkosh time), Dye will watch it from AirVenture’s
NASA Pavilion with EAA members instead of from mission control in
Houston. Read
more |
"CRAZY"
WHEELS POWER INTO AIRVENTURE
 For
years the campgrounds at EAA AirVenture have been home to campers known
for their “getting around creatively” inventions, but it was by
chance that you saw such a creation in action. This year a couple
of camping regulars decided to do something about it. Read
more |
U.S.
HOUSE RECOGNIZES GA
While the aviation world turned its focus to the opening-day action at
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Monday, members of the U.S. House of
Representatives also focused their attention on the world of flight,
debating and passing by unanimous consent a resolution recognizing
general aviation (GA) for its contributions to America’s economic and
transportation systems. Read
more |
AROUND
THE FIELD: ADMIRING O-BIRDS ON A RAINY MORNING IN OSHKOSH
 It
seems a while since we’ve had a solid rainy day at AirVenture, but
that changed Thursday. Light, occasional heavy rain fell through most of
the morning, chasing attendees into the Forums and Exhibit buildings,
and under wings or whatever cover they could find. We
did find a few hardy souls out tending their airplanes, oblivious to the
wet weather. Read
more |
SOMETIMES
IT'S THE LITTLE MEETINGS THAT MATTER
Lots of work groups, councils, type clubs, and other aviation groups
annually meet at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the epicenter of sport
aviation. AirVenture provides a
unique opportunity for grassroots aviators, manufacturers, and local,
state, and federal officials to meet, exchange views and ideas, and work
together to find solutions. Read
more |
CARAVANS
GET NEW POWER OPTION
 Owners
of Cessna’s immensely successful 208 Caravan propjet now enjoy a new
option for upping the power of their big high-wing singles from
Blackhawk Modifications, a leading provider of turboprop upgrades. Based
in Waco, Texas, Blackhawk’s previous conversions offer performance
benefits to operators of Beechcraft 90- and 200-series King Airs, the
Piper Cheyenne series, and Cessna’s venerable Conquest I twin propjet.
Read
more |
FULL
HOUSE TURNS OUT TO SEE BURT RUTAN
 Burt
Rutan used to say that electric airplanes would never catch on because
the electric cord would be too costly. But the aerospace engineer known
for such designs as the Voyager, the first airplane to fly non-stop
around the world without refueling, and SpaceShipOne, the first
privately funded spacecraft to enter space twice within a two week
period and win the Ansari X Prize, said his next plane design might just
be an electric one that could travel a couple hundred miles without
being charged. Read
more |
SUPER
18 RECEIVES TYPE CERTIFICATE AT AIRVENTURE
 Mark
Erickson, designer and builder of the Dakota Cub Super 18, says the
aircraft was “born of necessity” - the need for a versatile,
efficient, and above all rugged backcountry bush plane. Piper’s PA-18
Super Cub has long been a favorite of bush pilots. Erickson took the
basic design of the PA- 18 and modified it specifically to meet the
extreme demands of backcountry flight operations. The FAA issued the
type certificate (TC) for the Super 18 last week and presented it to
Erickson at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Read
more |
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PURCHASE THE PICTURE BOX
AVIATION DVD OR BLU-RAY AND GET THE EAA MUSEUM GUIDEBOOK FREE
 Picturebox
HD presents “HD Aviation - 100 Years of Flight,” a collection of
some of the most fascinating aircraft of the last 100 years. HD Aviation
showcases the renowned collection of aircraft from the EAA Museum. The
video includes an optional music track with selections ranging from
period music to patriotic and new age. From antique and classic
airplanes to historical military warbirds and innovative space
explorers, HD Aviation is an awe-inspiring sample of aircraft sure to
leave aviation enthusiasts with a sense of wonder about these airplanes
from the golden era and beyond. Enjoy the history of aviation, captured
as moving art for your television. Picturebox HD introduces a stunning
series of brilliant DVDs with the amazing clarity and color of high
definition. Display a piece of moving art while showing off the newest
technology in your home or office. With a Picturebox HD video, your
television is transformed into a moving canvas of high definition art.
With beautiful real-life images that change each minute, your television
can set a mood and create an atmosphere. Captured in breathtaking high
definition, the Picturebox HD video series turns your television into a
colorful canvas in motion. Available for only $34.99 Blu-ray, $24.99
DVD. Place your order by August 5 and you’ll receive the EAA Museum
Guidebook absolutely FREE. Order
online or by calling 800-564-6322.
EAA MEMBERS SAVE UP TO
40% ON SELECT MERCHANDISE
Visit EAA's official merchandise locations on grounds during AirVenture
Oshkosh 2009 for savings of up to 40% off select merchandise. While
there, enter for your chance to win one of three aviation gift baskets
valued at $300. Offers only available on grounds July 27 - August 2
during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009.
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| Helpful Links |
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Daily
Highlights |
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Aircraft |
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Air
Shows |
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Plan
Your Schedule |
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Evening
Events |
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Aircraft
Parking Status |
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AirVenture
NOTAM |
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Where
to Stay |
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Admission,
Parking, Hours |
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Special
Offers for Pilots |
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Find, provide a ride
to Oshkosh with EAA RideShare |
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Highlights for
Saturday, August 1 |
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EAA
Runway 5k run, 7 a.m. |
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WhiteKnightTwo
"Eve" departure, approx. 10 a.m. |
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Showcase flying (approx. 2 p.m.):
Erickson Skycrane |
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Afternoon
air show featuring Warbirds extravaganza, 3 p.m. |
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Lindy
aircraft honors awarded (throughout grounds) |
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Theater
in the Woods evening program, featuring comedian/ventriloquist
Jeff Dunham, presented by RotorWay International, 7:30 p.m. |
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Fly-In
Theater, Pearl Harbor, 8:30 p.m. |
July
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
Jack
Tiffany's and Jim Hammond's Pitcairn PT-18 Autogiro, photographed by EAA's
Bonnie Kratz, is the world's only flying example of
the aircraft. It was flown from Ohio to Oshkosh in
late June and will be on display during AirVenture
in the Vintage area.
Download
this wallpaper image at the EAA
website, where you can choose among several different
resolutions to suit
your screen - including three wide-screen
sizes...or select an image from the archive. |
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GARMIN'S
G500 NOW CERTIFIED
Garmin announced on Thursday at 5:24 p.m. that it received FAA
certification on the G500 PFD/MFD ($15,995). The supplemental type
certificate (STC) approval allows the G500 to be installed in nearly 600
single- and twin-engine aircraft weighing less than 6,000 pounds.
The G500 primary flight display (PFD) and
multi-function display (MFD) looks like the G600, but features an a la
carte menu of options. Available options include a scaled version of
Garmin's Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) software ($4,995) and the GAD
43 autopilot interface ($2,995).
For more information, visit the Garmin
booth in Exhibit Hangar D, or online at www.Garmin.com.
ECOBOOST TECHNOLOGY
"GREENS" FORD VEHICLES
Making American automobiles more environmentally friendly goes beyond
the fuel type and mileage rating at Ford, as evidenced by some of the
steps the automaker has taken to “go green” with its latest models.
On the power-and-fuel side, the company is adapting new six-speed
transmissions that help keep the engine speed at its most efficient,
improving both fuel economy and performance. The company’s EcoBoost
technology was created to deliver V-8 power with greatly improved fuel
specifics. And in its manufacturing processes, Ford has taken many other
steps to lessen its environmental impact and reduce its carbon
footprint. For example, the company has moved to soy-based foam
cushioning in its seats and has adapted a new three-wet painting process
that both cut greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent and lowered
production costs. These and other environmentally oriented advances Ford
has taken are on display at the Ford Hangar on AeroShell Square at EAA
AirVenture Oshkosh 2009.
T-6
PEDAL PLANE SWEEPSTAKES CONTINUES THROUGH SUNDAY
 There's
still time to enter the AeroShell Pedal Plane sweepstakes to benefit
former AeroShell Aerobatic Team Lead Alan Henley, who became
paralyzed last year after a fall while playing with his children at his
home in Birmingham, Alabama. Tickets are being sold for a chance to win
a pedal plane modeled after his AeroShell T-6 Texan. Tickets are
available at the Honda Pavilion for $5 each or five for $20. The winner
will receive a pedal plane hand-crafted by Les Koberg, EAA 27775, from a
kit donated by Gary Sampson of Aviation Products Inc. The drawing will
be at noon on Sunday at the Honda Pavilion.
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