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August
14, 2009 Volume 9,
Number 40 |
FAA
RESTATEMENT OF POSITION REINVIGORATES DEBATE ON SPORT PILOT TRAINING
 Recently
a reporter with an aviation news organization pressed the FAA on the
subject of transferring a student's flight-time credit earned during
sport pilot instruction toward pursuit of a private pilot certificate.
The FAA's answer, issued just before the start of AirVenture 2009,
rekindled concern within the sport pilot community about an apparent
discrepancy between the sport pilot rule language on this matter and the
intended outcome. Read
more |
NATA
RECEIVES AMOC FOR T-6/SNJ EMERGENCY AD
Just before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, the North American Trainer
Association (NATA) received final paperwork from the FAA on an alternate
method of compliance (AMOC) for an emergency airworthiness directive for
North American T-6, SNJ, and Harvard aircraft. AD 2005-12-51 was issued
in June 2005 after an AT-6 experienced a catastrophic wing failure in
May that year. Read
more |
ANNUAL
REPORT AVAILABLE ONLINE
 The
EAA 2008 Annual Report for is now available as an online digital
edition. It's a new, paper-free way to discover all the ways EAA, with
your support, has invested in the future of aviation. Reading the annual
report online is simple: just follow the link and if you need help with
a feature, just click on the question mark at the top right of any page.
Read the EAA 2008 Annual Report. |
ATC
SEEKS FEEDBACK ON OSHKOSH
Air traffic control volunteers who worked at AirVenture Oshkosh 2009
have developed a brief online questionnaire to give pilots an
opportunity to provide feedback on the air traffic services provided by
the Oshkosh and Fond du Lac towers during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009.
Your comments and suggestions will assist ATC in improving the quality
of services at future AirVenture events. If you flew into Oshkosh or
Fond du Lac during AirVenture, please take a moment to complete the
survey here. |
SPACE AVAILABLE AT
SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER EAA CHAPTER LEADERS ACADEMIES
 The
EAA Chapter Leaders Academy is a two-day conference at EAA's Oshkosh
headquarters where chapter representatives learn about a wide range of
activities designed to bolster their local efforts. The purpose of the
workshops and smaller group sessions is to help leaders strengthen their
chapters and provide tools to assist with recruitment, volunteer
involvement and program development. Other topics of discussion are
determined by input from participants. Past sessions have covered youth
engagement, hangars/clubhouses, dealing with the media and fundraising.
Preparations are under way for this year's fall sessions scheduled for
September 18-20 and October 23-25. Those interested should promptly
contact EAA Chapters at chapters@EAA.org,
or 888-322-4636, ext. 4876. |
ONLINE
ORDERS RESUME FOR BROWN ARCH PLACER BRICKS
 Attendees
of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year helped rededicate the newly restored
Brown Arch tribute area, a landmark and traditional entryway to the
Oshkosh fly-in for millions of aviation enthusiasts since the event
arrived in 1970. Online orders of inscribed placer bricks have resumed,
so don't miss your opportunity to leave a permanent reminder of your
passion for flight. You can also choose the placement of the brick with
the "whole brick" or "wings and struts" options.
It's also a great way for your EAA chapter to be represented and show
its support for AirVenture. For more information, or to order a brick,
visit www.airventure.org/arch. |
NEW:
EAA SHEET METAL BUILDING BASICS BOOK
 EAA's
continuing "how-to" series of educational materials for
building your own aircraft now includes Sheet Metal Building Basics,
written by longtime builder and SportAir instructor Jack Dueck. Jack is
a sheet metal construction expert and serves on the EAA Homebuilt
Council, the EAA Canadian Council, and is an EAA Technical Counselor for
his home Chapter 1410 in High River, Alberta, Canada. Joe Norris, EAA
Homebuilders' community manager, commented, "We are making a
long-term effort to revitalize our core building materials for our
members. This book and our recently released sheet metal DVD are just
the first examples of this plan." Sheet Metal Building Basics
covers the fundamentals that everyone starting a sheet metal project
should know, plus some advanced material on stress and fatigue. Also
included is plenty of solid info that steps beyond the
"how-to" basics into the "why-to" of the task. Order
yours online
for only $28.95 or by calling toll-free, 800-564-6322. |
EAAERS
PARTICIPATE IN GA PILOT WORKING GROUP ON NOTAMS
Earlier this year, a working group of general aviation pilots
participated in a series of meetings to discuss modernization of the
FAA's text-based Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system. Several EAAers
participated, including Robert Pastusek (EAA 496695), a 39-year pilot
from Arlington, Virginia, who answered the EAA Chapter Office's call to
participate. A recently released summary of this group revealed how the
FAA is planning to evolve the system, as well as a GA wish list
containing changes the participating pilots would like to see. Read
more
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SPORT
AVIATION - YOU PICK THE COVER!
Every month, one of the most important
things done in EAA publications is select the image to go on the cover
of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. We're getting close to deadline
for the September issue and are undecided about the cover photo. We're
asking the Oshkosh 365 community to help select the cover photo. Click
here to learn how.
Can you help?
Join the Discussions
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If you have a suggestions and/or submission for EAA’s weekly AeroInnovations column, please send to editor Bob Waldron at aeroinnovations@eaa.org.
Microturbines For On-board Electrical Generation
At EAA AirVenture 2009, Burt Rutan talked about the value of a plug-in hybrid electric aircraft with a removable generator powered by gasoline or some other liquid fuel. Microturbine technology is one option for that removable generator. ETV Motors is an Israeli start-up developing microturbines for use in electric cars. If you’re interested in that technology or work at ETV Motors, consider starting a thread about microturbines on Oshkosh365, EAA’s new online community forum. Wouldn’t it be cool if an EAAer can adapt that technology to an electric aircraft in time for AirVenture 2010?
MEMS Enables Glass Cockpit Tech in Small Aircraft
MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) is bringing us cost-effective technology wizardry such as real-time tire pressure sensors for our cars, accelerometers in iPhones and Wii video game controllers, and tiny ink dispensing pumps in inkjet printers. MEMS gyroscopes, combined with a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team led by Gus Kyriakos, enabled Aspen Avionics to offer affordable glass cockpit technology for general aviation. (More MEMS gyroscope information here and here.)
Boomerang UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) Has Nine-Hour Fuel Cell
The Boomerang UAS uses proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology to give it extended flight time capability of more than nine hours. Fuel cell, battery, and lightweight materials developments will increase flight time to more than 24 hours within a couple years. As various types of unmanned aircraft are developed with improved capabilities and decreasing costs, there will be a growing push to use these for surveillance and other uses. This will lead to more challenges for safe air traffic control and will require innovation in collision detection and avoidance software.
xGnP Nanomaterial Has Potential Uses For Aircraft
Graphene nanoparticles, developed at Michigan State University, have several potential applications for aircraft. Plastic sheet molding compound (SMC) is used to make automotive structural or body components, as well as other industrial housings. When xGnP is added to SMC, it makes the SMC significantly stiffer and stronger and gives it 80 percent better impact strength. xGnP’s electric properties also point toward potential uses in lithium batteries and solar cells. Maybe we’ll see this material used for lighter electric aircraft where the airframe becomes both the power generating system and the power storage system.
French Students Build Solar Powered Blimp
In the true spirit of EAA homebuilders, three French students decided to build a novel aircraft. Their goal is to build a solar-powered, ‘zero emission’ airship, which they have named Néphélios. The original team of three has grown to more than 50 students and volunteers. Power will be provided by 42 solar panels on top of the blimp, which cover forty square meters. Their target is to fly across the English Channel in September.
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ENROLL TODAY IN EAA BELL
47 HELICOPTER FANTASY CAMP
 EAA
hosts its Bell 47 Fantasy Flight Camp September 11-13. With its bubble
canopy and skeletal structure, the Bell 47 is one of the most
recognizable helicopters ever built. It has become a part of history and
popular culture, featured on TV shows such as Whirlybirds and M*A*S*H.
EAA's weekend ground school will explore the aircraft, with segments on
rotorcraft aerodynamics, Bell 47 systems, utility helicopter operations,
and a Bell 47 flight experience. To learn more about this and other EAA
Fantasy Flight Camps, visit www.fantasyflightcamp.org. |
B-17
TOUR CONTINUES IN NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK
 Aluminum
Overcast, EAA's B-17, makes a stop this weekend (August 14-16) in
Caldwell, New Jersey, then heads to Farmingdale, New York, August
18-19. Next week (August 21-23) it's back to the Garden State for a stop
at Trenton. Don't miss your chance to fly in one of the only remaining
Flying Fortresses still in the air. To book a flight, or for more
information, visit www.B17.org, or call
800-359-6217. See videos, photos, articles and more at EAA's
Fly the Fortress multimedia gallery.
Become a fan of EAA's B-17 Aluminum
Overcast Facebook
page! |
'FLY
THE FORD' TOUR CONTINUES IN MINNEAPOLIS
 EAA's
Tri-Motor is in Minneapolis through August 16 at Anoka County-Blaine
Airport, providing area residents the opportunity to fly on a
beautifully restored example of the world's first mass-produced
airliner. Flight times are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The aircraft continues on to Des Moines, Iowa, for an August 20-23 tour
stop at Ankeny Regional Airport. To learn more about the airplane or to
book a flight, visit www.FlytheFord.org. |
HOMEBUILDING HINT OF THE
WEEK: COMPOSITE LAYUP WITH PEEL PLY
 Dave
Saylor demonstrates a composite layup using peel ply. Dave is an
airframe and powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA), and
owner of Aircrafters LLC in Watsonville, California. Watch
the video.
Now available - DVD, Hints for
Homebuilders - Sheet Metal - Volume 1
View 19 helpful
hints from experienced builders anywhere-on a big-screen TV, at chapter
meetings, or on a computer with a DVD drive. They're available for a
members' special price of $9.95 through
the EAA online store or by calling 800-564-6322. |
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WHERE ARE YOU FLYING THIS
WEEKEND?
 EAA
Chapter 1310 Corn Roast and Cookout, Skylark Airpark, East Windsor,
Connecticut
On Saturday, August 15, enjoy the freshest corn available, picked
the morning of the event, along with hamburgers and hot dogs on the
grill. There's also half-price admission for our guests to the
Connecticut Trolley Museum adjacent to the airport. Event runs 11:30
a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, visit www.eaa1310.org,
or contact Paul Dowgewicz, 860-370-9990.
EAA Chapter 827 Fly-in & Aviation
Flea Market, Miller's Field, Newburgh, Maine
Saturday-Sunday, August 15-16, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - Fly in or drive, with
camping permitted on the field. Breakfast and lunch served. Buy, sell,
or trade aircraft parts, instruments, manuals, books, pilot supplies,
and memorabilia. Set up in hangars if weather heads south. For safety,
dogs must be on a leash and no unattended young children. For more
information, visit http://eaa827.org, or
contact John Miller, 207-356-9313
Tin Goose EAA Chapter 1247
Fly-in/Drive-in Pancake Breakfast Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport, Port
Clinton, Ohio
Sunday, August 16, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. - Collectible dash plaques for
first 25 airplanes to fly in and first 25 antique or classic cars to
drive in. Breakfast includes coffee, orange juice, sausage and
all-you-can-eat pancakes. Also Young Eagle airplane flights are
available, plane train rides for toddlers, flight simulator, aviation
displays, classic cars, and the Chapter 1247 Ford Tri-Motor restoration
project. For more information, visit www.tingoose.org,
or contact Lisa Benjamin, 419-285-2585.
To learn more about calendar events, or
to find/submit others, visit www.EAAcalendar.org. |
EAA 'TIMELESS VOICE OF
THE WEEK': KIRK HAWKINS
Kirk Hawkins got his start in aviation in his teens when he bought and
rebuilt a Phantom ultralight. He received his private ticket while
earning his Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering at Clemson
University. After working in the aerospace industry for a few years,
Kirk joined the Air National Guard and became an F-16 fighter pilot. He
later took a job flying 757s for American Airlines before going back to
school. While he was attending Stanford Business School in 2004, Kirk
saw an opportunity after reading about the newly created sport
pilot/light-sport aircraft regulations. A year later (2005) he founded
ICON Aircraft. In 2008, the company unveiled the innovative Icon A5
amphibian LSA, which has become one of the more highly anticipated
airplanes to come out of the category. Watch
the video. |
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Q
& A:
Question of
the Week
For EAA
Information Services
A friend of mine has a chance to buy a homebuilt
airplane that has incomplete paperwork because the
builder died before he could complete it. Can this
plane be certificated in the Experimental
Amateur-Built aircraft category?
Answer:
Yes, if the builder documented the work done with a
builder's log and the builder/others did at least 51
percent of the work to build and finish the aircraft
for the purposes of education and recreation
(provided the inspector also determines the aircraft
is airworthy). The FAA will require anyone who
wishes to certificate an aircraft in the
Experimental Amateur-Built category to sign an
affidavit (FAA Form 8130-12 Eligibility Statement
Amateur-Built Aircraft) which says the majority of
the aircraft was built by amateurs, and that there
is documentation to prove it.
If the builder did
not keep a log, other friends/family members may be
required to sign notarized statements attesting to
the fact that the deceased builder did the work as
an amateur to provide the documentation the FAA is
seeking. Read FAA
Advisory Circular AC 20-27F Certification and
Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft for complete
information, which may help.
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.
August
2009
EAA
Desktop Calendar
WhiteKnightTwo
made its spectacular world public debut Opening Day at
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. EAA Chief Photographer
Jim Koepnick got this shot while the airplane
circled above the convention grounds just before
landing.
Download
this wallpaper image from 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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THE
FAA WEBSITE GETS AN UPGRADE
The FAA's website has been undergoing improvements all year and a
recently launched version includes a new look and redesigned Air
Traffic, NextGen pages, and an improved Airworthiness Directives search.
Other upgrades include easier navigation, better graphics, and more
intuitive tools. The Air Traffic page will feature interactive look-up
for airport status and delays, an interactive search feature for air
traffic orders and notices, and an aviation weather feature that
displays data from NOAA's National Weather Service. The redesign is
based on data collected from web usage reports, user satisfaction
surveys, and direct interviews with website customers. Take a look at
the improvements at www.FAA.gov.
NATCA, FAA REACH
AGREEMENT
The FAA and its largest union, the National Air Traffic Controllers
Association, have at last reached an agreement after years of strained
relations and a challenging mediation process. The FAA reported Thursday
that the two sides reached a mutually approved conclusion on several
issues including greater flexibility with work schedules, childcare
support, and a new grievance review process. The FAA gets the
flexibility to more effectively redeploy labor to congested airports
using Controller Incentive Pay. The agreement also restores a more
equitable pay standard, to benefit new hires as well as those nearing
retirement. Union members must now ratify the agreement before it can
become official.
ZENITH PAIRS AIRCRAFT
KIT WITH JABIRU ENGINE
Zenith Aircraft Company has partnered with Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft LLC
to offer the STOL CH 701 aircraft kit bundled with the complete
firewall-forward installation for the Jabiru 2200 aircraft engine,
including basic digital EIS and flight instruments. The package includes
the complete STOL CH 701 kit (airframe and finishing kits); the 85-hp
direct-drive, air-cooled Jabiru engine; the complete firewall-forward
package for the engine installation (including cowl, engine mount,
exhaust and propeller), and basic instruments. Takeoff roll of the
completed aircraft is less than 100 feet, with an 800 fpm climb rate,
and a stall speed of 30 mph. The aircraft falls within the light-sport
aircraft specifications, so it can be operated with a sport pilot
certificate. The price for this complete package is $29,980. For more
information, visit www.zenithair.com.
DONATE YOUR AIR SHOW
T-SHIRTS TO THE HENLEY FOUNDATION
Following the successful auction
at the Cecil Field air show of a quilt made from donated air show
T-shirts, organizers of the Alan Henley Foundation are planning to make
two more, and donations are now being sought. The foundation provides
funds for Alan Henley, flight leader of the AeroShell Aerobatic Team,
who suffered a severe spinal injury in 2008 that left him paralyzed from
the neck down. People with performer or air show T-shirts they'd like to
donate to the project, please send to Devan Norris, 1908 Whisperwood
Way, Port Orange, Florida, 32128. Refer questions to Devan@dbnorris.com.
Click here
to see a photo of the quilt.
KITFOX CELEBRATES 25
YEARS WITH FACTORY FLY-IN
Kitfox Aircraft is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a factory
fly-in, scheduled for September 4-5. The company, based in Homedale,
Idaho, manufactures a lightweight, two-place sport aircraft with STOL
capability. Since 1984, almost 5,000 Kitfox Kits have been delivered to
builders throughout the United States, Canada, and more than 42 foreign
countries. Arrivals to the fly-in begin Friday, with departures on
Sunday or Monday. There is special pricing for lodging, and free
scheduled shuttle service has been arranged. For more information, visit
www.kitfoxaircraft.com, or
call 208-337-5111.
WINGOVER ANNOUNCES
MOVE TO FLORIDA
WingOver Aerobatics LLC, a company formed in
2001 by Kathy Hirtz and Steve Wolf, is relocating from Creswell, Oregon,
to Leesburg, Florida in October. The husband-and-wife team formed the
company to fill a need for spin avoidance and unusual attitude training,
as well as to provide aerobatic rides in the Northwest United States.
Since then WingOver provides Pitts landing and checkout training,
competition aerobatic courses and lessons, as well as air show training.
The move, they say, will allow the company to offer training year round,
rather than just in the summer. For more information, visit www.wingoveraerobatics.com.
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