Who has the highest-time Skyhawk?
If you fly in the Portland, Oregon, area, chances are you have time in one particular Cessna Skyhawk (N5930R). Guess what? It's still very much alive and could be the highest-time Skyhawk on the planet.
The current owner is Dave Lister and he's looking for challengers. So far the 1965 aircraft has accumulated an astonishing 19,715 hours. The Skyhawk racked up most of its time while it was owned by Waldo "Wally" Olson of Evergreen Flying Service at Evergreen Field in Vancouver, Washington. In 1967, Olson bought the airplane from Nolan's Aviation Inc., of Greeley, Colorado. The aircraft was used for flight training and fire patrol, among other things.
Olson, who ran Evergreen from 1946 to 1996, had a training syllabus that was as follows: Students were required to solo in one of two 1946 Taylorcrafts, then transition to a Cessna 150 for radio work and navigation, and finally fly dual cross-country in the 172. Students who passed their checkrides could then rent N5930R. "You knew you were hot stuff when Wally let you fly the 172," Lister said.
Olson, who died in 1997, had no idea how many students he taught. Lister was among the last. Michael Cooley bought the airplane shortly before Olson's death and refurbished the interior and buffed out the paint job. Lister didn't want to pass up the opportunity to own Olson's airplane and took the untimely delivery on September 12, 2001, the day after the terrorist attacks. Since the general aviation fleet was temporarily grounded, Lister and some other pilots turned the grass strip at Evergreen into a driving range and chipped golf balls.
A new era is beginning for the airplane while the previous era is ending for Evergreen. The Skyhawk is off to the avionics shop for an upgrade while rising taxes and urban encroachment are forcing Olson's family to close the field by the end of the summer, Lister said.
Lister has been posting messages on Web boards and contacting other Cessna owners to see if he does, in fact, have the highest-time Skyhawk. If you or somebody you know has a higher-time Skyhawk, he would like to receive e-mail on the subject ( [email protected]).
King offers free video tips on Web site
King Schools is now offering free full-motion training tips on its Web site. The video training tips are taken from actual King courses and cover everything from how to taxi with a quartering tailwind to emergency procedures. New tips will be available each month. "Our mission is to provide training and products that make pilots safer and more competent," said Martha King. To check out the tips, see the Web site ( www.kingschools.com).
Web site identifies current icing conditions
Meteorologists and dispatchers may now use a new weather graphic that identifies the current potential for icing at various altitudes anywhere in the lower 48 states.
The new planning tool became operational March 27 on the Aviation Digital Data Service Web site ( http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov). The FAA-funded effort was conducted jointly by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, and the FAA and its subcontractors. Experimental capability to predict icing three, six, and 12 hours in the future is nearly ready and may go online on the same Web site soon.
General aviation pilots can use the new Current Icing Potential (CIP) chart for information but may not base flight-planning decisions on it until instructions for its use have been printed in the Aeronautical Information Manual. Given bureaucratic requirements for approval of the text and terminology, don't expect the new icing information to be available for decision making at the GA level until midsummer.
The CIP charts show areas where there is a potential for icing, but do not predict severity. That capability is also under development, and may be available in winter 2003. The map is drawn by continuously combining information from a computer weather model with that from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, all Nexrad weather radars in the lower 48 states, all surface observations, and all pilot reports. The computer programming needed to accomplish that task has been in development since 1998. Since the map does not include Alaska, a special computer model has been created for that state and will be tested by PenAir, a commuter airline in Alaska.
The identification of current icing conditions will aid the airlines in rejecting holding altitudes that may have potential for icing. Commuter airline pilots at Air Wisconsin, Atlantic Coast Airlines, Comair, and Sky West tested the technology and provided comments to the Colorado researchers during the five-year development process. Additionally, researchers at NCAR fed data to pilots of research aircraft at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and sent them into the most likely icing areas. The Twin Otter used for research often came back covered with ice.
The new research tools are vital to aviation safety. Notable icing crashes in the past include the 1950s accident that killed rock-and-roll legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson); the 1994 crash of an American Eagle ATR 72 near Roselawn, Indiana, that killed 68 people; and the crash of an Embraer 120RT on approach to Detroit in 1997 that killed 29. — Alton K. Marsh
Squawk Sheet
In response to a recent airworthiness concern sheet (ACS) issued by the FAA, AOPA has recommended against mandatory airworthiness action on rudder gust locks installed on certain Cessna 402, 414, and 421 airplanes. The ACS highlighted an incident in which an operator experienced a rudder jam resulting from deformation of the rudder gust lock mechanism. The type club, Twin Cessna Flyer, the Cessna Pilots Association, and AOPA responded to the ACS, stating that they had received no reports of rudder jamming resulting from damaged rudder gust locks on Cessna 400 series airplanes, pointing out that inspection and release of the rudder gust lock is spelled out in Cessna's published preflight inspection procedures. "A pilot's failure to conduct a thorough preflight inspection is an operational issue rather than an airworthiness concern," said Melissa Bailey, AOPA vice president of regulatory policy. "A special airworthiness information bulletin reminding pilots to inspect and release rudder gust locks during preflight is the most appropriate means to mitigate this concern."
Links to the full text of this concern sheet can be found on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/pilot/links.shtml).
The Ninety-Nines wins major award
One of aviation's oldest organizations, The Ninety-Nines, was chosen to receive the National Aeronautic Association's 2002 Frank G. Brewer Trophy. The award recognizes excellence in aerospace education. Formed in 1929 to represent and support the interests of women pilots, The Ninety-Nines (named after the number of women who were charter members of the organization) was picked for the group's longstanding efforts to promote aviation to young people. The Ninety-Nines has conducted workshops for teachers and school administrators on how to incorporate aviation and related subjects into school curricula, distributed aviation education materials, and developed programs to encourage learning and interest in aviation careers.
Squawk Sheet
The FAA on May 9 issued a final rule AD for the Hartzell HC- and Y-model compact series, constant-speed, or feathering props. AD 2002-09-08 supersedes an existing AD and requires initial blade inspections, with no repetitive inspections; reworking all Y-shank blades; and changing the aircraft operating limitations for certain installations. The AD was effective June 13.
Links to the full text of this rulemakingcan be found on AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/pilot/links.shtml).
ePILOT HEADLINERS
Headlines pulled from recent editions of AOPA's e-mail newsletter
AASI suspends Jetcruzer project
Advanced Aerodynamics & Structures Inc. (AASI), the new owner of Mooney Aircraft Company, has suspended development of the Jetcruzer 500 single-engine turboprop and will concentrate on getting Mooney up and running again. AASI, now known as the Mooney Aerospace Group, plans to look at other acquisitions in addition to Mooney.
New Piper streamlines production methods
New Piper Aircraft is using flashing lights that signify completion of certain stages as part of a new communication method in its factory. It's part of a plan to modernize general aviation manufacturing methods that have changed little in 40 years. The process of converting the entire plant to what is dubbed the "Factory of the Future" will be completed next year.
Luscombe teams up to build jet
After certifying the Luscombe 11E, Luscombe Aircraft Corporation has now partnered with Aviation Technology Group Inc. (ATG) to produce the two-seat subsonic Javelin Executive Jet. Company officials noted that the production processes are similar because both aircraft use aluminum for their primary structures.
Lakeland to host world aerobatic meet
Lakeland, Florida, has been chosen as the site of the XXII World Aerobatic Championships (WAC). The event will take place from June 25 through July 4, 2003. Three other countries had vied for the event, but after Spain and Italy dropped out, it was between the United States and Ukraine.
Turboprop Extra goes down in field
Extra Flugzeugbau on April 30 suffered a setback in the flight-test program of its new turboprop Extra EA-500. The prototype aircraft experienced a "system failure" on final approach during its third test flight in Germany and landed in a field. The cause of the incident that resulted in damage to the wing, engine, and fuselage is being investigated.
Shipments down for GA manufacturers
As expected, there was a drop in first-quarter 2002 aircraft shipments, the result of a weakened economy and the September 2001 terrorist attacks. Worldwide piston-engine shipments were down 15.2 percent to 302 aircraft, compared with 356 delivered in the first quarter of 2001. There was a bigger drop for domestic shipments — down by 18.5 percent from 282, compared to 346 aircraft shipped last year, according to figures compiled by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Purdue becomes Amelia Earhart central
Purdue University has become the largest repository for all things Amelia Earhart. Thanks to a gift of nearly 500 items, including Earhart's personal papers and memorabilia from her family, the school now stores the most comprehensive collection of materials related to her life, career, and mysterious disappearance.
To sign up for the free AOPA ePilot or to view the archive, see AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/epilot/).
Plans move forward on Memphis Belle museum
The Memphis Belle War Memorial Foundation has selected a nationally recognized exhibit design group to develop the museum for the famous B-17 bomber.
Cincinnati-based Jack Rouse Associates will help tell the story through a series of interactive exhibits in the planned $10 million 43,000-square-foot museum that is to be located in southeast Memphis. The firm's portfolio includes the Kennedy Space Center's "Early Space Exploration" exhibit, the Douglas MacArthur Museum, the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, and the Battleship (USS) Missouri Memorial. The foundation is also working with The Crump Firm to design the building and The Ingram Group to 0rovide fund-raising and communications support.
The Memphis Belle was the first B-17 to complete 25 missions with its original crew and return home for a war bond tour. The foundation was formed in 2000 to raise funds for the airplane's restoration and to develop a museum.
How to legally land at a military airfield
If you served in the military and are a current pilot, there's a privilege that you may not know about: a landing permit for military bases.
Called the Form 2401 Landing Permit, it is available for all military ranks of active, reserve, retired, and National Guard. The permit is part of a larger program that governs civil operations at military airfields. The Navy and the Marines, however, do not participate in the program unless it's for official government business.
On a recent trip from Islip, New York, to Florida and Texas, we used this privilege for landing at Charleston (South Carolina) and Eglin (Florida) Air Force bases in our Piper Cherokee Six. Charleston is a dual-use airport so the permit was not required to land, but it gave access to the military side of the airport and the Aero Club where tiedowns and lower fuel prices were available, as was quality billeting and dining at economical prices.
To land at Eglin we had to call base operations 24 hours ahead and obtain a permission number to give to the tower. Make sure you have proper identification to get on and off bases without delays. A call to a military personnel office will clarify what you need.
Obtaining the permit is straightforward. The forms can be obtained by mail, telephone, or from a Web site, the latter being the easiest. Form 2401 essentially asks for identification, aircraft data and equipment, where you want to land, and the purpose of the visit. "All CONUS and AK bases" is acceptable for "where," and "entitlements authorized by law or regulations" is acceptable for "purpose."
Eligibility is a bit tricky. It hinges on whether you want to go on the base and use a facility such as a club or even to get a haircut. Simply wanting a convenient place to land is not a permitted purpose.
Form 2401 is countersigned by the service specialist and represents the landing permit that must be kept in the aircraft. You'll also need other forms. Form 2400 is for proof of insurance that your insurance agency faxes to the military, and Form 2402 is a "Civil Aircraft Hold Harmless Agreement" that releases the base from liability. Permits must be renewed annually to show pilot status and insurance coverage. All in all, we found this benefit to be enjoyable and are making future plans to visit other bases.
See the Web site ( www.usaasa.belvoir.army.mil) and click on CALP (Civil Aircraft Landing Permit) on the left. Read the document "Do I Need a Landing Permit?" and then download and print forms 2400, 2401, and 2402. Mail or fax the completed forms to the addresses and phone numbers on the forms. Or you can call the Air Force (703/697-5967) or the Army (703/806-4864), for the forms. — Frank J. Mandriota
Members in the news
Richard Stowell, AOPA 863347, figures he has traveled 1,000 vertical miles while spinning. To reach this milestone, it took more than 21,100 spins with students. Stowell, an author, flight instructor, and speaker, has been specializing in spin and emergency maneuver training since 1987. He has done spins in everything from a Great Lakes biplane to a T-34 Mentor military trainer. There were only two instances when pilots froze: In a Decathlon during a normal, upright spin; and in an inverted flat spin in a Pitts with a military test pilot. "I was able to talk both pilots out of their stupors and into recovering from the spins," he said. In addition to training through CP Aviation in Santa Paula, California, Stowell conducts numerous safety seminars and training clinics at other locations across the United States. For more information, see his Web site ( www.richstowell.com).
Charles S. MacFarlane, AOPA 1093337, has been named director of the Virginia Department of Aviation. He will be responsible for providing timely information to the governor, secretary of transportation, the Virginia Aviation Board, and citizens of the state. A graduate of Duke University with a degree in economics and an MBA from the University of Virginia, he is currently the senior vice president of Brandywine Realty Trust. MacFarlane is a private pilot.
Jon McMinis, AOPA 637508, of Panama City, Florida, will lead the twenty-fifth Caribbean Fly-In on November 3. This year's trip will go from Florida to Belize, San Andres Island, Aruba, Pico Bolivar, Angel Falls, Curacao, and La Romano. He can be reached at 850/785-1234 or via e-mail ( [email protected]).
Paul D. Faltyn, AOPA 981006, was inducted into the Niagara Frontier Aviation and Space Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place May 17. He was selected for his involvement in the aviation industry for the past 25 years. Most notably he is the founder of the Niagara Aerospace Museum, executive vice president of Aero Instruments and Avionics Inc., a commercial airplane and helicopter pilot, an aircraft restorer, and a pilot of several vintage World War II aircraft.
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