Flying High Coffee fuels all of AirVenture
If the air traffic controllers, volunteers, exhibitors, and staff working EAA AirVenture seemed bright-eyed, they might have Flying High Coffee to thank. The company has provided free coffee all week to everyone working the show, as well as free samples to AirVenture attendees. President Robert G. Riggen said he came prepared to brew and give away 25,000 cups, and estimated he’ll have enough to last through the show’s conclusion on July 31. “It’s been incredible,” Riggen said. “The thing that’s buoying my spirit is the feedback we’re getting from people.” Riggen’s company donates a percentage of the profits to aviation education organizations such as Girls With Wings and Able Flight. If you weren’t at AirVenture to taste his brew, you can sample it at AOPA Aviation Summit in Hartford, Conn., Sept. 22 through 24.
Able Flight grads receive Sennheiser headsets
Three new Able Flight graduates received recognition for their achievement at EAA AirVenture and were gifted with new headsets as well. Sennheiser presented HME110 headsets to Kevin Crombie, Eric Ingram, and Spec. Jermaine Strachan. All three recently became sport pilots through the joint training program sponsored by Able Flight and Purdue University. Sennheiser’s donation was part of its Live Your Dream campaign, designed to motivate and assist people with a passion for flying to overcome the barriers and begin flight training.
WAI welcomes international visitors
Women in Aviation International welcomed Ghana’s first licensed female pilot and the founder of the first WAI chapter in China to EAA AirVenture. Patricia Malwuli-Nyekadzi got her certificate at age 18. Now 23, she is a CFI and wants to teach young women in her country to learn to fly. She is a volunteer pilot for Medicine on the Move, an organization that carries health care educators and medical professionals to isolated communities in the Lake Volta region. Allison Xie, who founded WAI’s first China chapter, lives in Zhuhai, near the city of Shenzhen. After she finishes her visit at AirVenture, she’s heading to Atlanta to take flight training.
Donate your airplane and be eligible for Bahamas trip
Donate your airplane to Build-A-Plane and you could be on your way to the Bahamas. The charitable organization that teaches math, science, and technology skills through hands-on experience in aircraft construction is holding a drawing during EAA AirVenture 2011. Through July 31, anyone who donates an aircraft will receive an entry; the winning entry will receive a trip to Stella Maris Resort. Donors will receive a receipt that indicates Build-A-Plane’s nonprofit status for tax purposes.
Starr Aviation introduces non-owner policy
Starr Aviation announced a new non-owner policy for CFIs and individuals who rent or borrow aircraft. The policy includes liability for property damage and bodily injury, as well as defense costs. Coverage is available for individuals, flying club members, renters, flight instructors, and Civil Air Patrol pilots. Discounts are available for pilots who participate in the FAA Wings program, Master CFIs, and members of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators.
WAI to ‘bring your daughter to aviation’
Women in Aviation International will introduce a new concept at its 2012 international meeting conference: “Bring Your Daughter to Aviation.” The conference will take place March 8 through 10 in Dallas. March 10 will feature a daylong slate of activities targeted for girls ages 10 to 18. Participants will go through a series of stations and learn how to read charts and fly a simulator, among many other activities, according to WAI President Peggy Chabrian. Experimental Aircraft Association President Rod Hightower said EAA chapters in the greater Dallas and surrounding areas will be invited to the event, and said July 28 that he is taking his daughters.
The Aviators premiere targets sky gazers
The Season Two premiere of The Aviators gives enthusiasts and wannabe pilots a glimpse at the basics of aviation—from the three main types of aircraft to the variety of powerplants that provide thrust. The makers of the TV show screened the episode at the Theater in the Woods July 26 at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. "This episode is intended to make aviation accessible and comfortable to people," Executive Producer Anthony Nalli told the crowd. The second season will be available on certain PBS stations, Hulu Plus, and iTunes in September.
Wathen foundation offers A&P training, online community
The Thomas Wathen Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education through aviation, announced on July 27 an A&P training program aimed at veterans and a global online aviation community. The A&P program, slated to launch in 2013, would enable returning veterans and reservists to train for a certificate on a flexible basis. Instead of the usual two years to accumulate the FAA-mandated 1,900 hours of training, they could gain the certificate in one year or over five years. The A&P training also would be made available to students in the Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy, a charter high school supported by the foundation. Wathen envisions the global online community to be a one-stop source for educators, offering lesson plans, activity ideas, aircraft rebuilding tips, a social networking component, and the opportunity for participants to share their educational efforts with others around the world.
Lightspeed launches Zulu.2
Lightspeed Aviation announced this week at EAA AirVenture the availability of its new Zulu.2 high-end active noise reduction headset. Zulu.2 was released earlier this year at the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-in and Expo, but a few improvements, including a name change, made the official launch possible at AirVenture. Check the May issue of AOPA Pilot for a full review.
Redbird Flight Simulations launches aircraft-specific models
Corporate or charter companies operating a King Air C90GTx or Piper Meridian now have a new simulator option. Redbird Flight Simulations’ FMX full-motion simulator is available in these aircraft-specific configurations. The King Air is in the Collins Pro Line 21 configuration, and Meridian is available with the Garmin, Avidyne, or Meggitt panel. Redbird and light sport aircraft manufacturer Tecnam also have teamed up to provide a Tecnam P2006T twin-engine simulator.
WingX now available with ADS-B traffic and weather
The popular iPad application WingX is now available with ADS-B traffic and weather. By partnering with hardware manufacturer Radenna, pilots can now get ADS-B traffic and weather on the iPad. The device costs $900 for weather only, or $1,200 for traffic and weather. After that, there is no subscription cost for virtually nationwide coverage. WingX previously announced synthetic vision for the iPad.
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