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Click here to view this week's custom content online EAA AIRVENTURE 2009 NEWS |
With the letters “EAA” emblazoned across a crisp blue Wisconsin sky, the presidents of the world’s two largest aviation associations on July 29 signed a memorandum of understanding that harnesses the power of the two organizations to bring about improvements to general aviation. Under the agreement, EAA and AOPA pledged to support each other’s efforts to promote, protect, and expand the general aviation community. “EAA welcomes AOPA’s support of our outreach efforts to expand the pilot population, especially through our Young Eagles program,” said EAA President Tom Poberezny against a backdrop of the Airbus A380, the world’s largest airliner. “And we are looking forward to supporting AOPA efforts to polish GA’s public perception with its General Aviation Serves America campaign.” 
AOPA and Women in Aviation, International (WAI) announced a new collaborative agreement intended to strengthen general aviation and increase the number of women in the aviation industry. “America’s women are a tremendous audience for general aviation and are extremely important for our industry’s growth,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller on July 30 at AirVenture. “They currently make up only 6 percent of the total pilot population, so the more we can do to encourage women to bring their enthusiasm and talents to aviation, the stronger we will all be.” 
Tecnam introduced its twin-Rotax-powered P2006T to the crowds at EAA AirVenture. Its base price is $409,000 with analog instruments or $469,000 with the Garmin G950 glass cockpit suite. Once fees are added for importing the aircraft from Italy, the total price becomes $500,000. The aircraft was designed by 85-year-old Luigi Pascale, the designer of the former Partenavia, now known as the Vulcanair. The P2006T looks very much like the Vulcanair. The fuel burn is 10 gph total (5 gph per engine). The Garmin G950 is making its first appearance as the avionics suite for the P2006T. Other aircraft using the G950 system will be announced in the future. The G950 can be adapted to several models of autopilots.  |
| Photo Credit: NASA |
Five years ago, members of the Commemorative Air Force’s Minnesota wing lost an airplane and a friend. Don Hinz, a longtime CAF member, was killed while flying the group’s P-51C Mustang, a rare airplane that honored the historic Tuskegee Airmen, the World War II unit comprised of black pilots and crews that escorted U.S. bombers over Europe. Remarkably, members of the Minnesota group decided to pay tribute to their fallen friend by restoring the wrecked aircraft and returning it to flying condition. After tens of thousands of hours of skilled work, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from more than 25,000 donors, the airplane is better than new. Read more >>
Light sport association sets endorsement standard
The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) has launched a new campaign called “Look for the LAMA label” that recognizes certain light sport aircraft manufacturers. Those manufacturers must pass LAMA audits and standards tests to get an endorsement that lets customers know the company is approved by LAMA, said Dan Johnson, LAMA president and chairman of the board. The Avemco Insurance Company gave its approval to the new program. “We believe that the LAMA approval process will improve the insurability of special light sport aircraft,” said Michael J. Adams, Avemco’s vice president for underwriting. Read more >>
The pilot who brought aviation to Saudi Arabia
In 1945, Capt. Joe Grant—a former barnstormer who flew for TWA and served in World War II—flew a DC-3 to Saudi Arabia. The airplane, a gift from U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, introduced aviation to the kingdom. On Thursday, the 101-year-old pilot flew a DC-3 at Oshkosh. Among those aboard were Hall Delano Roosevelt, grandson of the former president, and Prince Sultan Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud, grandson of King Abdulaziz. Read more >>
Study lays framework for Part 23 overhaul
With more light general aviation aircraft being introduced with various engine options, composite airframes, and lightweight digital electronics, it makes little sense to continue certificating them with standards that haven’t been updated for 20 years. That’s why the FAA recently turned to the general aviation industry to study the connection between aircraft certification, operation, and maintenance before it conducts its review of CFR Part 23 (the aircraft certification standard for most GA aircraft), scheduled for Fiscal Year 2010. Short- and long-term recommendations from the study were released July 30 at EAA AirVenture. Read more >>
Able Flight presents wings
Able Flight presented honorary wings July 28 to three new pilots who overcame extraordinary obstacles to reach their goals of flight. Mal Zachary was making a bank deposit when he was shot and suffered a severe spinal injury. Despite paralysis in both legs, he earned a sport pilot certificate two weeks ago. Zachary’s flight training held some perils, too. Read more >>
Remos plans innovative marketing push
A major infusion of capital is set to springboard light sport aircraft leader Remos Aircraft deep into the training market and help it reach outside traditional aviation boundaries to find new pilots. Corvin Huber, CEO of Remos, said the new investors, Pall Mall Partners of London, are technology-focused investors who have successfully implemented innovative marketing ideas in the automotive industry. Read more >>
Aspen Avionics sees strong increase in sales
Riding the wave of a rebate, Aspen Avionics had sales numbers in June and July almost going back to the level of last September, according to company president and CEO John Uczekaj, who made the comments July 28 at EAA AirVenture. Aspen is continuing work on its multifunction display, which Uczekaj said will be certified no later than mid-September. Customers will be able to add the integrated weather receiver at that time and either NACO or Jeppesen approach plates soon after. Read more >>
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AOPA exclusive with Cessna CEO
How bad is it? That’s what everyone wants to know about the economy. AOPA Pilot Senior Editor Al Marsh sat down with Cessna CEO Jack Pelton on the day the second quarter report was released and discovered things could be looking up...next year. Watch the video >>
More AirVenture News
BRS splits in three, gets new name
Avidyne offers new Entegra releases
Flying motorcycle mockup appears at AirVenture
Electric airplane from Shanghai ready in 2010
New pilot MyCast app for iPhone
Jeppesen debuts new sport pilot course
P-750 XSTOL expands U.S. presence
King Schools continues to develop course improvements
If you couldn’t make it to EAA AirVenture, this week in Oshkosh, Wis., see our extensive reports, exclusive video coverage, and Twitter feed on AOPA Online. Our editors are covering the event from top to bottom to bring you all the action from the world’s largest airshow.
Congress honors GA
While pilots assembled in Oshkosh, Wis., for the world’s largest general aviation gathering, members of Congress came together and honored GA by passing a resolution to recognize the contributions of the industry to the United States. “The resolution we are considering today celebrates the many areas in which general aviation plays an important role in the lives of everyday Americans,” said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.), who introduced the resolution. In addition to medical transport and law enforcement, H.Res.508 emphasizes GA contribution to economic development by facilitating meetings and other activities for businesses of all sizes; protecting the environment by assisting with wildlife surveys, wetland mapping, and the patrolling of parklands; and aiding in agricultural activities such as crop planting and protection. Read more >>
Celebrating AOPA—in corn
Sharing your love for aviation starts with a simple invitation: "Let's go flying!" And the Richardson family, who own Richardson Farm in Spring Grove, Ill., has shared its love of flying in a big way this year—with a five-acre "Let's Go Flying" corn maze celebrating AOPA's seventieth anniversary. The farm, owned and worked by three generations of the Richardson family, has been drawing visitors to explore its corn mazes since 2001. Design themes—seen best from the air—have included the centennial of flight, Chicago-area baseball, the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the election-year "Race to D.C." This year, the larger, 28-acre maze honors the life of Abraham Lincoln. Read more >>
State legislators learn power, joy of GA
During the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) annual summit last week in Philadelphia, Pa., AOPA explained the importance of general aviation to legislators from around the country and even gave some lawmakers the chance to try their hand at flying a flight simulator. As part of the event, AOPA was invited to join the FAA and the National Association of State Aviation Officials on a panel at an NCSL Transportation Committee meeting to discuss what state legislators could do to protect GA. Read more >>
GA Serves America: Leading Edge Aviation works to help troops
The unlikely collaboration of a helicopter company, a radio station, and a traffic-reporting helicopter pilot will provide a morale boost for U.S. soldiers serving overseas. Leading Edge Aviation and Caring for Troops, both in Bend, Ore., have teamed to get the most out of daily traffic reports. Read more >>
DHS seeks GA pilots’ opinions on security
The Department of Homeland Security is conducting the first ever Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, which will establish the strategic foundation for homeland security activities over the next four years. Now is the chance to make your voice heard on topics including counterterrorism, border security, risk assessment, security planning, and preparation for and response after disasters. Your input is critical to the success of this review— join the conversation online.
Continental engine gets 30 mpg
Usually pilots roll their eyes at the poor mileage they get from the airplane they own or rent. The number is usually bad, but that’s not the case with the Continental 125-hp IOF240 engine recently tested by the manufacturer. A recent test in level cruise shows the FADEC computer-controlled engine got 30.7 mpg. On the return flight there were altitude changes and diversions because of weather, so the mileage dropped to 24.4 mpg. The engine was aboard a Diamond DA20 that was flown from Mobile, Ala., (Continental headquarters) to Jacksonville, Fla. The average speed over the full 678.6-nm course was 119 KTAS. The manufacturer claims 138 KTAS at 75 percent power. The DA20 Continental used was flown at the FADEC best-economy setting, which is 50 percent power.
Phenom 100 gets interior changes
Embraer announced a new cabin seating design for its Phenom 100 business jet. The changes include new retractable armrests that increase width just above the center-trench level from the original 8.15 inches to a wider, 13.58-inch dimension—with the armrests deployed. At the headrest level, aisle width has been increased from 13.38 inches to 20.21 inches. Premium, swiveling seats are now available as an option on Phenom 100s. In addition, the Phenom 100’s airstair door now has two optional features: step lights, and telescopic tubes that give the door more structural support when it’s open. Read more >>
For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.
Safety & Proficiency
New Real Pilot Story features King Air 'pinch hitter'
Doug White had never flown anything larger than a single-engine Cessna 172 when, while he was a passenger aboard a twin-turboprop Beechcraft King Air 200, the pilot sitting beside him suffered a fatal heart attack. Staring at an instrument panel that "looked like the space shuttle," White suddenly realized two things: The fate of his wife and daughters was in his hands; and the powerful, unfamiliar aircraft was climbing out of control. Hear White tell his harrowing tale—interspersed with actual ATC audio from the April 2009 incident—in Pinch Hitting a King Air , the latest Real Pilot Story presentation from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.
Spotlighting the challenges of summer weather
Summer is a great time for venturing skyward in search of the perfect $100 hamburger, although dodging thunderstorms and contending with high density altitudes is apt to add a few bucks to the bill—or worse. Get the facts you need to safely beat the heat in the new Summer Weather Safety Spotlight from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. The Web page provides a concise, graphics-rich collection of the foundation's award-winning resources for dealing with warm-weather flying challenges, including dangerous boomers, performance-robbing density altitudes, and visibility-reducing haze.
Tips to help you fly through the flight review
Time for your flight review? Have no fears—you can’t fail. But if you are a little rusty, your flight instructor may require you to take more training before he or she will make an endorsement in your logbook. If that happens, you could complete the training or switch to another instructor and take a different flight review. If you don’t have a current medical, make sure the CFI understands that he or she will be the acting pilot in command (unless you are flying as a sport pilot). To make the most of your flight review, talk to your instructor about getting other endorsements or completing your instrument proficiency check on the same flight. For more information, see the AOPA Pilot Information Center’s Flight Review subject report and the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s Pilot’s Guide to the Flight Review Safety Advisor.
member benefits
AOPA Insurance Agency offers hurricane protection coverage
For J. Barry Mitchell, who lives on Florida’s west coast, having Hurricane Protective Coverage on both his aircraft—a Cessna 150 and Allegro 2000—is important. Through the AOPA Insurance Agency, Mitchell automatically receives this benefit as part of his Broad Coverage Endorsement. “It’s a terrific benefit, which pays expenses to move the aircraft from harm’s way to a safer location,” said Mitchell. And that includes hiring a ferry pilot if Mitchell can’t fly it out himself. Read more >>
Hertz offers special summer savings to AOPA members
Now through Sept. 30, you can save $35 off a weekly rental of an economy or higher class vehicle. Just include PC# 128844 in your reservation as well as your AOPA CDP# 10232 for additional savings. Plus, a portion of all revenue generated will be returned to AOPA and reinvested to support our daily efforts to maintain the freedom, safety, and affordability of general aviation. Book online or call 800/654-2210 to reserve your car by phone.
Quiz Me
Here's a question asked by an AOPA member who contacted our aviation services staff through the AOPA Pilot Information Center. Test your knowledge.
Question: My child's school is holding a silent auction, and they have asked the parents to donate items to support the school. I would like to donate an airplane ride in my aircraft. I will be paying for all expenses involved with the flight. Will I need a commercial pilot certificate for this?
Answer: No. Passenger-carrying flights for the benefit of a charitable, nonprofit, or community event are not considered commercial operations, so you don’t need to have a commercial pilot certificate. For an event such as this, FAR 91.146 requires the pilot to have a private pilot certificate with at least 500 hours of flight time, have a current medical certificate, and meet the currency requirements of FAR 61.56. The flight must begin and end at the same public-use airport and be conducted within a 25-nautical-mile radius. The aircraft must have a standard airworthiness certificate. Also, you must furnish information required in the regulation to the local flight standards district office (FSDO) a minimum of seven days before the event (not the flight). Learn more in AOPA's subject report about Charitable/Nonprofit/Community Events.
Got a question for our aviation services staff? The AOPA Pilot Information Center is a service available to all members as part of the annual dues. Call 800/872-2672, or e-mail to [email protected]. Send comments on our Quiz Me! questions to [email protected].
Picture Perfect
AOPA's new online photo gallery allows you to upload your own aviation photography as well as view, rate, and comment on others' photos. Your favorite aviation images from AOPA Pilot are still available online through this new gallery. Take a look, and submit your own photos!
Aviation Events & Weather
Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See your personalized online calendar of events . We've enhanced our calendar so that with one click, you can see all of the events listed in the calendar regions you selected when personalizing ePilot. Now you can browse events listed two weeks to a few months out to make your planning easier. You can also bookmark the personalized calendar page to check it as often as you want. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.
To submit an event or to search all events in the calendar visit AOPA Online. For airport details, including FBO fuel prices see AOPA's Airport Directory Online.
Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics
The next AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics are scheduled in Costa Mesa, Calif., Atlanta, Ga., and Champaign, Ill., Aug. 15 and 16; Reno, Nev., and Allentown, Pa., Aug. 22 and 23; Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 29 and 30; Phoenix, Ariz., and Sacramento, Calif., Sept. 12 and 13. For a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Can't make it in person? Sign up for the CFI Refresher Online.
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Safety Seminars are scheduled in Torrance, Calif., Aug. 17; Germantown, Tenn., Aug. 31; Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 1; Maryville, Tenn., Sept. 3. Topics vary—for details and a complete schedule, see AOPA Online.
Got news? Contact ePilot. Having difficulty using this service? Visit the ePilot Frequently Asked Questions now at AOPA Online or write to [email protected].
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