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Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
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Tel: 800/USA-AOPA or
301/695-2000
Copyright � 2002 AOPA. | GA News
| ADAM AIRCRAFT PREPARES FOR FIRST CARBONAERO FLIGHT
Adam Aircraft is making good progress toward its goal of flying the first conforming CarbonAero in less than a month. When AOPA Pilot visited the company earlier this month, the fuselage halves of the all-carbon-fiber airplane had been joined, the wing was awaiting only the top skin, and parts of the tail section had been assembled. Since then the major tail sections have been completed, the top wing skin has been applied, and the wing has been mated to the fuselage. The two Continental TSIO-550 engines will be installed soon–one pushing and one pulling. Certified airplanes will have electronically controlled engines, but the first test airplane likely will fly with conventional controls. Three other certification airplanes will be joining the effort by end of the year. Certification is scheduled for January 2003 with first deliveries to follow shortly thereafter. Base price of the six-seat, 250-knot, pressurized airplane is $795,000. See the Web site.
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. The committee will provide reviews to ensure that the "appropriate balance of cost, performance, and features is incorporated into the design of the S-26 before the aircraft is committed to production," said the company. After that, Safire will concentrate on the detailed design and production documentation phase of the program.
AOPA SUPPORTS CONTINENTAL DUAL MAGNETO SAIB
In response to an FAA issued Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) on Teledyne Continental Motors D2000 and D3000 dual magnetos, AOPA is supporting the issuance of a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) reminding owners to inspect magneto distributor gears at the manufacturer prescribed intervals rather than taking other mandatory action. The FAA action is in response to potential failure of the magneto distributor gears and possible subsequent engine failure. While the FAA proposed an SAIB recommending that owners replace magneto distributor gears at regular intervals, both AOPA and the Cessna Pilots Association pointed out that manufacturer service information strongly recommends inspection of distributor gears at overhaul, every 500 hours thereafter, and any time any service is performed on the magnetos.
TRINIDAD�PAINT-SCHEME�WINNER�FINALLY�GETS�PRIZE
A musician from Alliance, Ohio, finally got his prize–a ride to France on the Air France Concorde, for his winning paint scheme design for the Socata Trinidad GT. Eads Socata conducted a "Paint the Trinidad GT" contest in AOPA Pilot in 2000 and received more than 2,000 entries. The winner was Scott Dorsey, director of choral activities at Mount Union College in Alliance, but he received his prize the day all Concorde aircraft were grounded following a tragic accident in Paris. Flights resumed last November, and Dorsey was scheduled to take his long-awaited supersonic trip to France last week.
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.
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
| Inside AOPA
| AOPA LOOKS FOR SOLUTIONS TO KEEP N.C. AIRPORT OPEN
AOPA has taken its fight to keep open Horace Williams Airport (IGX) to the North Carolina legislature. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which owns the airport, suddenly announced three weeks ago that it would close the general aviation airport "within weeks or months." This week, AOPA President Phil Boyer and AOPA Regional Representative Chris Hudson met with James B. Black, speaker of the North Carolina General Assembly, to make the case for keeping the airport open for at least five years. Boyer also pledged to help secure federal funding for making needed airport improvements. See AOPA�Online.
AOPA PLEDGES SUPPORT TO GA OPS AT VAN NUYS
In a presentation to more than 140 local pilots attending the annual meeting of the Van Nuys Propeller Aircraft Association, AOPA Vice President Bill Dunn pledged AOPA's support to ensure that piston aircraft operators are treated fairly with reasonable facilities and accommodations. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), operator of Los Angeles International, Ontario International, Van Nuys, and Palmdale airports is in the process of updating the master plan for Van Nuys. The plan, focused primarily on the disposing of airport property for large corporate aircraft and nonaviation commercial development, will cause a reduction in space available for smaller GA aircraft. Dunn said that AOPA would strongly oppose the release of airport property for nonaviation purposes until such time as all aviation needs have been met. See AOPA�Online.
'NO WAY' ON JERSEY CRIMINAL BACKROUND CHECKS, AOPA�SAYS
AOPA is opposing a proposed New Jersey law (A.B. 1649) that would require criminal history checks on flight students. In a letter to New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, AOPA President Phil Boyer said, "Passage of this legislation does nothing to enhance security or protect the citizens of your state, but it would impose an unnecessary restriction and encumbrance on those who seek to learn to fly. Pilots shouldn't be treated like they are criminals." AOPA believes that New Jersey should allow the federal government to address security on a national level. See AOPA�Online.
A CALL FOR MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE
Monday is Memorial Day; traditionally the start of summer, a day full of picnics and pool parties and holiday sales. But it is also the day Americans remember those who have fallen in defense of their country. It is an especially poignant remembrance this year, in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the real, shooting war on terrorism that has followed. AOPA joins with the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance in asking general aviation pilots and all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a moment of silence and remember the reason for the day and the men and women who died for their country.
AOPA FLIGHT EXPLORER 4.0 ADDS NEW FEATURES
Version 4.0 of AOPA Flight Explorer Personal Edition is now available on AOPA Online, with a host of new options for real-time tracking of airline and many general aviation flights. Among the new features are expanded airport and terrain databases, enhanced aircraft filtering, and a trademarked "Follow Me" option that can track an individual flight from takeoff to landing automatically. As with previous versions, a month's subscription allows up to 10 hours of real-time flight tracking for $8.95, with additional hours for a nominal fee. See AOPA�Online.
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| | On Capitol Hill | AOPA WORKS TO KEEP ONEROUS SECURITY MEASURES OUT OF BILL
In a flurry of pre-holiday weekend action, the House remained locked in debate over its legislation designed to provide additional funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Defense, as well as other "homeland defense" activities. Concerned about its growing size, lawmakers included language in the House bill mandating that the TSA further justify its budgetary needs. Many members of Congress have expressed concern that the TSA will become another bloated government agency if spending is not controlled. Concerned about past attempts to cover general aviation with onerous security requirements, the AOPA staff worked diligently with supporters on Capitol Hill to ensure that nothing harmful was included in the bill. However, based on opposition by the president to the General Aviation Reparations Act, the House repealed $250 million of the unused portion of the Airline Stabilization bill–money that was to be used to fund loans guarantees for general aviation businesses affected by September 11. The Senate is acting on its version of the legislation but is not expected to complete its work before adjourning for the Memorial Day recess.
| Airport Support Network
| ASN WELCOMES YOU TO AOPA FLY-IN
The twelfth annual AOPA Fly-In and Open House is next week in Frederick, Maryland. The Airport Support Network (ASN) staff invites you to join us in the president's board room in the AOPA headquarters building to learn what ASN is, how it works, and how you can become an ASN volunteer for your airport. ASN volunteers are AOPA members who dedicate their time to get involved in protecting and preserving their airports. ASN volunteers from local airports will be on hand to talk about their experiences. See AOPA�Online.
To learn more about the Airport Support Network, visit AOPA Online
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AOPA�Air Safety Foundation News
| ASF UPDATES ACCIDENT STATS
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has updated its accident statistics to include the most recent data from April, including information from the FAA relating to runway incursions that occurred at towered airports. See AOPA�Online.
| Quiz Me!
| Here's a question asked by an AOPA member last week of our AOPA technical specialists. Test your knowledge.
Question: When I give a pilot report (pirep), is there a particular order in which I need to give the information?
Answer: Pireps are voluntary and are provided to air traffic facilities about weather encountered by an aircraft in flight. While there is a preferred order in which you provide the information, it is more important to give the report rather than worry about including every item. If more information is needed, the weather briefer will request it. The information they need is: aircraft ID and type; your location, usually in reference to the closest VOR or airport; your altitude; time; and finally, the weather that you see. Pireps are discussed in Section 7-1-19 of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). In addition, AOPA's Air Safety Foundation, in coordination with the FAA, has developed an interactive tutorial on pireps called SkySpotter. This program is designed to increase the number of pilots providing pireps. See AOPA�Online.
Got a technical question for AOPA specialists? Call 800/872-2672 or e-mail to [email protected]. Send comments on our Quiz Me! questions to [email protected].
| Picture Perfect
| 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. See AOPA Online.
| Memorial Day Weekend Weather
| See the current weather on AOPA�Online, provided by Meteorlogix.
| ePilot Calendar
| WEEKEND FLYING DESTINATIONS
Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The Sixteenth Annual Biplane Expo takes place May 31 and June 1 at Frank Phillips Field (BVO). Forums, static displays, seminars, workshops, and exhibits. Visit the Web site for more information.
Utica, New York. The Oneida County Airshow takes place June 1 and 2 at Oneida County Airport (UCA). Aerobatics, formation flying, skydiving, gliders, and much more. Contact Lou Raya, 315/736-4171.
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. EAA's Family Flight and Balloon Festival takes place June 1 and 2. Visit the Web site.
For more airport details, see AOPA's Airport Directory Online . For more events, see 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 Columbus, Ohio, and Austin, Texas, June 8 and 9. Clinics are scheduled in Orlando, Florida, and Charlotte, North Carolina, June 15 and 16. For the Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic schedule, see AOPA Online.
ASF PINCH-HITTER GROUND-SCHOOL COURSES
(Pinch-Hitter courses start at 9:30 a.m.)
The next Pinch-Hitter� Ground School will take place in San Jose, California, on June 2. For more Pinch-Hitter courses, see AOPA Online.
ASF SAFETY SEMINARS
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Catonsville (Baltimore), Maryland, May 28, and Frederick, Maryland, June 1. Topics vary–for complete information, see AOPA�Online.
To make submissions to the calendar, visit AOPA Online. For comments on calendar items, e-mail [email protected].
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