Diamond Aircraft unveils a twin
Not long after introducing its four-place Diamond Star IFR single-engine aircraft, Diamond Aircraft has revealed a $360,000 diesel-powered twin-engine aircraft. The company has aimed the airplane at the trainer and personal-use market.
The new aircraft, designated the DA42 TwinStar, utilizes composite construction. It is powered by a pair of 135-horsepower turbocharged diesel Thielert engines that are designed to operate on either automotive diesel or Jet-A1 fuel. This engine recently received JAR-E certification in Europe and has been tested in Diamond's DA40 TDI, a single-engine diesel-powered IFR aircraft that is slated for European certification later this year.
Features on the DA42 that reduce pilot workload include electronic fuel management, automatic prop control, and autofeather capability. Conventional powerplants may be offered as well. Optional equipment includes a glass cockpit, an oxygen system, and anti-ice/deice equipment. The first flight is scheduled for September, with initial deliveries expected in early 2004. For information, visit the Diamond Aircraft Web site ( www.diamondair.com). — Alton K. Marsh
GA helps search for missing Utah girl
When a 14-year-old Utah girl was apparently kidnapped from her bedroom in the early hours of the morning, pilots from around the country pulled together to conduct a massive search effort. About 80 aircraft flew more than 300 missions in three states during the 10-day operation.
Jamie Gutierrez, pilot recruitment coordinator for Angel Flight West-Utah Wing, said both civilian and military pilots searched for Elizabeth Smart, who authorities believed was abducted from her Salt Lake City home by an armed intruder on June 5 as her 9-year-old sister watched. At press time the girl was still missing.
"Even though we haven't recovered Elizabeth yet, we have accomplished so much as a community of aviators. We came together on the sincerity of a young girl's tragedy," Gutierrez said.
It began with Gutierrez, AOPA 3581042, coordinating pilots. Within hours, they were in the air, working with ground search crews.
"Air Force controllers at Hill Air Force Base even cleared two 'hot' areas in the Utah Test and Training Range to allow us to search," he said. Gutierrez said he received calls from pilots from as far away as Louisiana, asking what they could do to help. One caller even offered his company's Lockheed C-130.
On the busiest day of the search, 25 fixed-wing and two rotary-wing aircraft were involved. Pilots, copilots, and spotters included doctors, police officers, air traffic controllers, and others from many walks of life. Gutierrez said some pilots flew missions four and five days in a row and spent hundreds of dollars a day of their own money. "We've really come together as a community to do our part for the larger community," Gutierrez said.
Stratoliner to fly again, again
After nearly three months of disassembly and careful inspection, Boeing and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum say the once restored Stratoliner will fly again.
The only surviving Boeing 307 Stratoliner crashed into the Puget Sound near downtown Seattle in late March. After about a one-hour flight, the four men on board, including a Boeing test pilot, were forced to ditch when all four engines lost power. Perched nose-down with its tail protruding from the salt water, it spent roughly 30 hours sitting in shallow depths near a popular restaurant before being hoisted onto a barge. From there the freshly restored airliner, its interior severely damaged by hydraulic fluid and salt water, was transported down the Duwamish River past the site of the original Boeing factory and moved into a hangar where it sits by another legendary airliner, Boeing's Dash 80, the prototype for the 707. Resting on stands, the Stratoliner, once known as the Pan American Airway Systems' Clipper Flying Cloud, is carefully being taken apart by many of the same volunteers who already have spent more than six years restoring the world's first pressurized airliner.
According to Boeing's David Knowlen, program manager for the restoration effort, it took some time to get the airplane apart for a thorough examination. While it looked bad, the primary structure was intact and can be made flyable. An official accident report had not been released by press time, but all indications point to fuel exhaustion as the probable cause of the plane's one and only water landing.
The experienced restoration crew will build some new components from drawings, and Knowlen said it's also possible to borrow from the Stratoliner's cousin. "We'll be looking for some components off of a B-17G that's down in Arizona," he said.
Right now there are roughly 70 volunteers working on getting the airplane back in the air by next summer. "It's interesting to rely on people who are so committed you often have to send them home at the end of the day," Knowlen said. They range in age from 62 to well into their 80s.
All four Curtiss-Wright engines have been removed and are being zero-timed, Knowlen said. Parts of the exterior skin have been removed where damage occurred, and the entire interior has been gutted down to the frame, including the cockpit. The original fabric manufacturer in New York will once again fire up the vintage loom used to produce the picturesque Pan Am wall fabric.
One of only 10 made, this particular Stratoliner was delivered in 1940. It had served as an airliner to the Caribbean, a troop transport in South America, and most recently was destined to be a crop duster before a Boeing team discovered it and recognized it as the last flyable 307. Under an agreement with the National Air and Space Museum, which owns the aircraft, Boeing was to restore the Stratoliner to its original flying condition. After returning to the air sometime next summer, according to Boeing, the Clipper Flying Cloud will be a centerpiece exhibit in the new
Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum at Washington Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., which opens in December 2003. — Jason Paur
Toyota proof-of-concept aircraft flies
Toyota Advanced Aircraft, a California-based division of the Japanese auto manufacturer, has flown a developmental version of a single-engine, four-passenger aircraft that it may one day produce for the general aviation market. The flight occurred in Mojave, California, where the aircraft was manufactured by Scaled Composites.
Toyota officials said that while Scaled Composites built the aircraft, it was designed by a group of 35 Toyota Advanced Aircraft engineers. A Toyota spokesman wouldn't release any details. As AOPA Pilot reported in 1999 (see " Pilot Briefing: Toyota planning to enter GA market," January 1999 Pilot), Toyota is interested in developing two single-engine, four-place carbon-fiber models. One model, Toyota Advanced Aircraft-TAA1, is apparently the one that was flown on May 31. It has fixed gear and an estimated cruise speed of 139 knots behind a 160-hp engine. The engine used on the proof-of-concept aircraft, according to Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine, is from Lycoming. But Toyota officials would not confirm the make or model of engine used.
The second model, TAA2, was to have a 200-hp engine and cruise at 160 kt. The aircraft that flew on May 31 may have used an aggressive laminar-flow wing design that was created at Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands. The Toyota spokesman said the company views the GA market favorably over the long term. But he added that development may take a long time, and he said the proof-of-concept aircraft will not be used to achieve FAA certification. — AKM
Airline commuter service pioneer dies
A man who pioneered the concept of commuter airline service and was known for his tireless philanthropic efforts died June 12 at his home in Salisbury, Maryland, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Richard A. Henson was 92.
Henson learned to fly in 1930. Shortly afterward he formed Henson Flying Service with a $1,500 OX-5 Challenger and reopened the Hagerstown Airport in Maryland (" Pilots: Richard Henson," October 1995 Pilot). He served as CEO of Henson Aviation Inc. from 1931 to 1989. In addition to operating his FBO, Henson held several positions at Fairchild Aircraft for more than 30 years, beginning as a test pilot and later becoming one of the first dozen scheduled air taxi and commuter operators in the country.
Henson established business relationships with Allegheny Airlines and Piedmont Aviation and through an acquisition and name change, his operation evolved into USAir Express. After 58 years in the aviation business, Henson retired as CEO but remained as chairman of the board of USAir Express with an office at company headquarters in Salisbury, his adopted hometown.
In 1990 Henson formed the Richard A. Henson Charitable Foundation and gave millions of dollars to schools, colleges, and other community programs. He received the prestigious "Elder Statesman of Aviation" award from the National Aeronautic Association and was inducted into the OX-5 Aviation Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the "Caterpillar Club," after bailing out of a Fairchild Aircraft in 1936.
Henson is the subject of a recently published book, High Flight Beyond the Horizons, by Jack L. King. For a copy of the first printing, send $19.75 (includes shipping) to: Jack L. King, 209 Wampler Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21220-3931.
ePILOT HEADLINERS
Headlines pulled from recent editions of AOPA's e-mail newsletter
Cessna CEO retires
Textron, the parent firm of the Cessna Aircraft Company, said that it accepted the retirement of Cessna Chairman and CEO Gary Hay effective June 30. Company spokesmen for both firms cited "philosophical differences" between Hay and Textron President and Chief Executive Officer Lewis B. Campbell as the reason for Hay's departure. (See " Waypoints: Tumultuous Times," page 42.)
New life for Bellancas
Six aviation professionals have formed a company and bought the assets of Bellanca Inc. from the State of Minnesota. The new company, Alexandria Aircraft LLC, will provide parts for the 14-19 Cruisemaster through the 17-30A Super Viking after it receives FAA approval for a computer-based production and quality control system.
New Piper hit with fine
The FAA fined The New Piper Aircraft Company $222,300, saying that it failed to "properly maintain its approved quality system and failed to ensure its aircraft conformed to the approved type design." FAA officials based their findings on a March 2001 inspection. Piper officials said the fine was inappropriate. The FAA and Piper have been working together to resolve the issue.
NTSB issues Stemme safety recommendation
Stemme S10, A10-V, and S10-VT powered gliders should be modified to reduce the risk of fire in the engine compartment, the NTSB has recommended. The NTSB based its suggestion for a design change on a July 2001 accident in Antigo, Wisconsin, in which a Stemme S10-VT was forced to land after its Rotax 914 engine failed and a fire started in the engine compartment. A Stemme USA spokesman said the company is concerned about safety and supports anything the NTSB recommends.
Safire moves forward on S-26 jet
Safire Aircraft Company has been working behind closed doors in developing its S-26 light business/personal jet and little news has surfaced on the project, but recently the company released some details. A scale model of the S-26 is currently undergoing)wind-tunnel testing to verify the aerodynamic design. Safire has brought in Art Wegner, former chairman and chief executive officer of Raytheon Aircraft Company, to be chairman of the technical review committee.
Pilot disoriented in Carnahan crash, NTSB says
The National Transportation Safety Board has released its final report on the October 16, 2000, crash of a Cessna 335 in Hillsboro, Missouri, that took the lives of Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, his son Randy, and campaign aide Chris Sifford. The report concludes that the probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to control the airplane because of spatial disorientation while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were the failure of the airplane's primary attitude indicator and the adverse weather conditions, including turbulence.
To sign up for the free AOPA ePilot or to view the archive, see AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/epilot/).
Flight Across America to honor September 11 victims
Molly Peebles' private pilot checkride was originally scheduled for September 11, 2001. As a person who had recently been bitten by the aviation bug, she knew full well what it meant to have such privileges threatened.
That was when the 34-year-old divorced mother of three from Redmond, Washington, decided to do something positive with her new-found love. With general aviation back in the air and a private pilot certificate in hand, Peebles started organizing a national event involving 15,000 airports and at least as many pilots to honor victims of the September 11 tragedy by flying across the country.
Starting on August 11 from Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field) in Everett, Washington, Flight Across America will link with other flights and converge in New York City on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
Fifty state flags will be delivered to the city. The goal is to have at least one participating aircraft take off and land from every airport in the country during the month-long celebration of flight. Any pilot can register a flight to any destination of any duration. There also will be fly-in picnics. For more information, see the Web site ( www.flightacrossamerica.com).
NASA develops self-healing airplane
In the future your airplane might even know how to heal itself. That is if the technology ever trickles down to general aviation. NASA is developing a research airplane that can alter its own software to meet in-flight emergencies. Called the Intelligent Flight Control System (IFCS), the program is set to begin a second series of research flights in a highly modified NF-15B next year. The IFCS is designed to enable a pilot to maintain control and safely land an aircraft that has suffered a major system failure or combat damage.
Gas balloon breaks oldest FAI world record
When Troy Bradley lifted off from Amarillo, Texas, on January 3 he had 14,200 cubic feet of helium, enough to carry him a third of the way across the country. Thirty-five hours and 18 minutes later, he landed safely in his homebuilt gas balloon at Enon Valley, Pennsylvania, a distance of 1,225 miles.
He broke three world records (Class AA-3, AA-4, and AA-5), one of which was the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale's (FAI's) oldest unbroken aviation world record. The previous distance record for Class AA-3 gas balloons was set on July 1, 1922, when Georges Cormier of France flew 499.69 miles. The second oldest unbroken FAI record belongs to the Graf Zeppelin in which Hugo Eckener and his 41 crewmembers, 24 passengers, and one stowaway flew from Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey to Friedrichshafen, Germany, a distance of nearly 4,000 miles.
Squawk Sheet
The FAA told AOPA on June 12 that it was recently notified by Cirrus Design Corporation and various users that transmitting on either radio while the flaps are in transit may cause the flaps to stop or reverse direction on its SR20 and SR22 aircraft. However, the flap position indicator will still show the actual flap position, and cycling the flap switch when there is no simultaneous radio transmission will return the flaps to normal operation. The FAA also said that there has been no evidence that radio transmissions affect the flaps when they are not in motion. Cirrus said that it had initially notified all owners through a service advisory letter and is in the process of issuing a service bulletin, which would require the installation of EMI suppression cores on the flap proximity lines.
Members in the news
Tom Culbert, AOPA 3940121, has coauthored with Andy Dawson PanAfrica, Across the Sahara in 1941 with Pan Am. The book chronicles how American civilian pioneers went to Africa and forged the Trans-Africa Air Route. The route across Central Africa became the aerial lifeline for the British forces engaging the German army in North Africa. Published by Paladwr Press Inc., the book covers the aerial exploits of these brave civilians in DC-3s, Boeing B-314 Flying Boats, and other aircraft. The book is available for $25 by contacting Tom Culbert, Aviation Information Research Corporation, 73 Fendall Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22304, or calling 703/823-1264.
John Tilton, AOPA 422168, has been appointed commander of the Alabama Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. The Alabama Wing consists of 810 senior members, 290 cadets, one glider, and 19 airplanes. Tilton is a corporate pilot, ATP, and CFII.
Tom Carlson, AOPA 1414070, has launched Republic Aviation to sell flight-planning software that he created during his primary flight instruction. Flight Planner 1.0 is a Microsoft Excel-based application that helps pilots plan flights. The program also provides weight-and-balance graphs. For more information, see the Web site ( www.republic-aviation.com).
Evelyn B. Johnson, AOPA 33508, an active 92-year-old flight instructor and designated pilot examiner in Morristown, Tennessee, received the National Aeronautic Association's Katharine B. Wright Memorial Award for 2002. The award, which was presented in July at The Ninety-Nines' annual convention in Kansas City, Missouri, is awarded annually to a woman who has made a significant contribution to the art, sport, and science of aviation. An instructor since 1947, Johnson, better known to her many student pilots as "Mama Bird," has logged more than 57,000 hours. "No other woman has trained more pilots or logged more hours in as many types of airplanes than Evelyn Johnson," said Robert Woods, director of the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. Johnson was the National Flight Instructor of the Year in 1979 and served for 18 years as a member of the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission.
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