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| GA News
| HONEYWELL ANNOUNCES GA GLASS COCKPIT
The merger of Honeywell and AlliedSignal seems to have planted the seeds of a new concept. Honeywell announced recently that it is pursuing what it calls the "Echo Platform," a glass cockpit designed to fit in light general aviation aircraft. The platform, consisting of three color liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), would have vertical-tape airspeed, altitude, and engine parameter readouts; a multifunction display; and an integrated hazards avoidance system (IHAS) of the type introduced recently at the Sun 'n Fun EAA Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida. "We see glass to the lowest level [of general aviation]," said a Honeywell spokesman, who added that the Echo platform could be ready for market by 2002, and could cost between $40,000 and $150,000, depending on the aircraft.
HISTORIC VIMY BOMBER MAKES U.S. DEBUT
 In its first public appearance in the United States, the world's only flying Vickers Vimy bomber carried aloft eight lucky EAA Young Eagles at Wickenburg, Arizona, Municipal Airport on Saturday. Capt. Mark Rebholz and copilot Dan Downs took two students, clad in helmets and goggles, flying at a time. One sat in the open bombardier's cockpit up front and the other in the aft gunner's seat. The aircraft is a full-scale reproduction built for re-enacting historic flights. Piloted by owner Peter McMillan and Australian pilot Lang Kidby, the Vimy replica first duplicated the 11,000-mile historic 1920 London-to-Australia flight in 1994. Then, in 1999, a different crew retraced the 1920 London-to-Capetown, South Africa, flight. Yet to be decided is whether the reproduction aircraft will attempt the most famous Vimy flight -- the first nonstop crossing of the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland in 1919. A number of public Vimy appearances are planned this year, including daily flights at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. For more information, visit the Web site.
YAKIMA FIRM PUTS CUB BACK IN PRODUCTION
The Piper Super Cub may be out of production, but it is still possible to buy a Top Cub made by Cub Crafters from approved parts. The Yakima, Washington, firm collects approved parts for the Piper Super Cub from companies in as many as 10 states, adds a few approved parts of its own, and assembles new 180-horsepower Top Cubs. The name was changed to avoid any confusion with the Piper company. It is still a Cub, built according to the Piper certificate, but the data plate says Cub Crafters. While highly similar, it is, as the marketing world says, new and improved. "We have close to 30 supplemental type certificates for the PA-18 Super Cub," said Cub Crafter official Nathan Richmond. "Where our value-added ability comes in is in the slight changes over a stock airplane. That allows us to have more horsepower, and a stainless steel firewall compared to the old galvanized firewall. The landing gear is stronger. It is also slightly extended to give you a better angle of attack. The seats have been modified highly," Richmond said. The base price is $129,500. There are numerous options. The U.S. Air Force Academy is buying a few to tow gliders for flight training. For more information, visit the Web.
RESEARCH GROUP SEEKS IFR PILOTS
If you live in southeast Virginia, the call is out for instrument pilots to fly in a simulator and evaluate cockpit displays. In association with NASA and the FAA, Research Triangle Institute is conducting an experiment to determine the best way to implement some new displays for future general aviation cockpits. To qualify, pilots must be IFR current and be willing to spend about four hours in a simulator near NASA's Langley facility in Hampton, Virginia. Expenses will be reimbursed up to $50. For more information, call Doree Clinton at Research Triangle Institute at 757/827-8450.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
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Inside AOPA
| FAA ISSUES TCM CRANKSHAFT PRIORITY LETTER AD
The FAA has officially issued priority letter AD 2000-08-51, mandating crankshaft material inspections on more than 1,000 Teledyne Continental Motors crankshafts. TCM crankshafts manufactured between April 1, 1998, and March 31, 2000, installed in new, remanufactured, or field-overhauled engines are affected. Also, TCM has issued a new mandatory service bulletin (MSB-00-5A) that revises the engines and crankshafts affected by the AD. For more information, a copy of the new TCM mandatory service bulletin, and a copy of the AD, visit AOPA Online.
FAA PROPOSES NEW RESTRICTED AREAS IN IDAHO
Two new restricted areas have been proposed in Idaho for military training. One near Mountain Home Air Force Base would reconfigure R-3202A by establishing a new high area from Flight Level 180 to FL 290 and a new low area from the surface to FL180 with the existing lateral boundaries of R-3202A. The proposal would eliminate R-3202B and C. The action would also establish three new restricted areas (R-3204A, B, and C) at Juniper Butte, Idaho. The Air Force has agreed to provide radar services to pilots who desire real-time access. A Web site currently provides airspace maps and schedule information. In other news, the Idaho Army National Guard has made a request to create a restricted area, R-3203D, next to the existing R-3203A at Orchard, Idaho. Under the proposal, it would be used for a maximum of three weeks each year for training.
| On Capitol Hill
| AOPA-SUPPORTED REFORM BILL SIGNED
After passing the U.S. Senate, the Asset-Forfeiture Reform Bill was signed into law by President Clinton on April 25. The legislation will help protect innocent aircraft owners when the government seizes their property. A similar bill passed the House overwhelmingly last year with the support of AOPA. Under current law, innocent aircraft owners trying to reclaim property suspected of being linked to a crime must follow an arduous process that puts the burden of proof on them. In addition, they have virtually no way to force the government to pay for damages. Under the new law, the government must prove by "clear preponderance" of the evidence that property targeted for seizure was connected to a crime. The law establishes an innocent owner provision that will protect the property of owners who had no knowledge of illegal activity, or who made a good faith effort to discontinue use. The law also eliminates the requirement that a person whose property was confiscated must pay, in cash, 10 percent of the value of the confiscated property before a suit can be filed against the government.
| Airport Support Network
| VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK – ROBB PARISH
Airport Support Network (ASN) Volunteer Robb Parish recently served as the moderator for an aviation forum highlighting the positive economic impact the Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) has on the Idaho and Washington communities. Not only did the forum take top priority in the headlines of the "Moscow-Pullman Daily News," but was aired on the local cable channel, which reached about 20,000 homes. The panel discussion focused on the importance of the airport to business and community development. An economic impact study revealed that the airport generated $17.9 million a year – a big boon for a small, rural economy. The forum, overall, was viewed as a success and the communities showed strong support for their airport.
Click here to learn more about the Airport Support Network.
| Quiz me!
| Here’s a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: May a pilot acting as a safety pilot for another pilot who is "under the hood" in visual conditions log second-in-command time?
Answer: A safety pilot is required by FAR 91.109(b) when the other pilot is "under the hood." The safety pilot must be at least a private pilot, must be rated for the category and class of the aircraft flown, must have a current medical as a required crewmember, and must occupy the other control seat (normally the copilot's seat). Second-in-command (SIC) time may be logged if the safety pilot is not acting as pilot in command (PIC). This is usually the case if the safety pilot cannot act as PIC, such as when the safety pilot is not endorsed for the particular airplane. SIC time may be logged because FAR 61.51(c)(3) allows a pilot to log all flight time while he acts as second in command of an aircraft under which more than one pilot is required by the regulations when the flight is conducted. AOPA suggests that both pilots note in their logbooks the name of the other pilot. This may be helpful if the FAA ever questions the logged time.
Got a technical question? Call our technical specialists at 800/872-2672 or e-mail to [email protected]. Send comments on our Quiz Me! questions to [email protected].
| Rod Machado's Tips
| Aviation humorist Rod Machado discusses how to enter landing patterns safely by maximizing visibility. See this helpful tip on AOPA Online.
| Picture of the day
| Jump to the AOPA Online Gallery to see the featured airplane of the day. Click on the link for details on how to capture wallpaper for your work area. Visit the AOPA Online Gallery.
| What's New at AOPA Online
| Did you know you can now customize your username and password on AOPA Online? Just click on the member profile button from anywhere within the members-only section or see AOPA Online.
| On the Road to Expo
| AOPA Expo 2000 takes place in Long Beach, California, October 20 through 22. Visit the Web site.
| ePilot Calendar
| FLY AWAY: ePilot PICKS FOR UPCOMING WEEKENDS
Fernadina Beach, Florida. The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival features more than 300 artists and more than 50 food booths featuring local seafood May 5 through 7. Fernandina is the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry. Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport (55J), 904/261-7890, serves the area. Call 800/226-3542 for event information.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The 45th annual Apple Blossom Festival takes place May 6 and 7. Free tours of orchards in bloom. A fly-in is also scheduled at Gettysburg Airport and Travel Center (WO5). Call 717/337-2364 for airport information; call 717/334-6274 for event information.
Fallon, Nevada. The Fallon Air Show takes place May 21 and 22, featuring performances by all branches of the armed forces, the Blue Angels, and static displays. Fallon Municipal Airport (FLX), 775/423-3756, is the host airport. Call 702/423-4556 for event information.
Frederick, Maryland. Join AOPA for the Mid-Atlantic's premier fly-in June 3 at Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK). The 10th Annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House features more than 90 exhibitors, static aircraft displays, free seminars, and good food. Visit the Web site.
For more airport details, see AOPA’s Airport Directory Online. For more events, see the Aviation Calendar of Events.
ASF FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINICS
(All clinics start at 7:30 a.m.)
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; and Albany, New York, May 6 and 7. Clinics are scheduled in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Houston, Texas; and Jackson, Mississippi, May 13 and 14. For complete details, visit the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule.
ASF PINCH HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground School will take place place place May 14 in Houston, Texas. For details and a complete schedule, see the Pinch Hitter Ground School Schedule.
AOPA PILOT TOWN MEETINGS
Featuring AOPA President Phil Boyer
(7:30 p.m.; admission is free)
The next Pilot Town Meetings are in San Bernardino, California, May 15; Newport Beach, California, May 16; and Oxnard, California, May 17. Click for more information on Pilot Town Meetings.
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Contacting ePilot
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