This is the August 6, 2010, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' e-newsletter.

Red Bull Air Race grounds 2011 Series
Jet-powered sailplane lights night sky
In-flight breakup ends owner's first trip
Quiz Me: VFR into DC SFRA

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Featured

Red Bull Air Race grounds 2011 series

After canceling the last two races of the year, leaving only the race in Germany Aug. 7 through 8 to determine the overall winner for the 2010 series, Red Bull Air Race officials suddenly announced that all 2011 races are canceled. The race has attracted hundreds of thousands, and in one case, nearly a million visitors total for the practice, qualification, and race days. That success may be part of the problem, said Red Bull race pilot Matt Hall. The event has “outgrown its current structure. We’ve been trying to work through the structure and race at the same time,” Hall told radio station 6PR in Australia. Watch footage of American racer Michael Goulian and hear him talk about flying through the pylons, and find out what caused the race to regroup for a year. Read more >>

HAVE YOU SEEN THE FUTURE OF AVIATION? REMOS Aircraft has reinvented personal aviation, by combining the best features of the LSA class with real-world utility and adventure. Featuring the best of German precision engineering and modern manufacturing in an economical, safe and fun-to-fly aircraft, the REMOS GX is changing what General Aviation means. Come and see the future of aviation at www.REMOS.com.

AOPA mourns colleague killed in midair

Chris O’Callaghan’s interests and curiosity ranged as broadly as the panoramic vistas he took in from the cockpits of racing gliders he flew in record-setting flights across the United States. Astronomy and physics, literature and theater, business and technology—all were part of the repertoire for O’Callaghan, AOPA vice president of eMedia, who was killed Aug. 4 in a midair collision at the Soaring Society of America’s 15-meter national championship in Uvalde, Texas. O’Callaghan, 51, had just completed an aerial contest circuit and was returning to the airport when the Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2bx sailplane he was flying and that of another competitor collided. O’Callaghan’s aircraft crashed, while the other pilot was able to land his damaged craft safely.

Personable and friendly, O’Callaghan spoke in a deep baritone. In conversation, he restlessly and rapidly shifted between far-flung topics—but soaring kept him focused, and he regularly flew for six hours or more at a stretch, traversing entire regions of the Appalachian Mountains when wind conditions allowed. Where pilots of powered aircraft saw only turbulence or opaque clouds, O’Callaghan saw lift in columns of rising air that could propel him beyond the horizon. Read more >>

GA News

China purchases Superior Air Parts

Superior Air Parts is back in business and out from under the bankruptcy cloud created by the failure of Germany’s Thielert Aircraft Engines diesel-engine company, a firm now in recovery. The Texas firm was purchased by a Chinese technology group in partnership with the Chinese government. The Chinese portion of the company is to be called Superior Aviation, with a plant near Beijing building the XP series of engines for homebuilt aircraft for only the Chinese and Asian markets. Read more >>

Jeppesen offers iPad chart app

Jeppesen now offers an application, Jeppesen Mobile TC, that allows pilots to search and view terminal charts on the popular Apple iPad touch-screen tablet computer. It is available from the Apple iPad App Store. Non-Jeppesen charting subscribers will be directed to the JeppDirect website to purchase the electronic chart subscription. Jeppesen research and design experts determined that the 9.7-inch, LED-backlit iPad screen is ideal to view, search, and update Jeppesen terminal charts. Read more >>

Icon announces design changes to A5

Icon Aircraft, which is developing the much-publicized Icon A5 light sport amphibious aircraft, recently announced two design changes. The company has eliminated the flaps and added wing cuffs in an effort to simplify the aircraft and help make it spin resistant. “Spin resistance is arguably the most significant safety improvement we could add to the already docile-handling A5,” announced Icon Chief Technical Officer and Vice President of Engineering Matthew Gionta in a press release. Read more >>

Go to Glass with the Garmin G500 Trade in your instrument six-pack for twin 6.5-inch displays. The G500’s solid-state AHRS, moving-map graphics and built-in terrain and obstacle databases, as well as add-ons like synthetic vision, weather and traffic, enhance your situational awareness and safety. Learn more.

Pilot products: Bose A20 review

Bose introduced its new headset recently at EAA AirVenture to much fanfare. The company had a full advertising plan in effect the day the A20 was announced, as well as a series of press conferences to give aviation journalists a first look at the $1,095.95 active noise reduction headset. The hype was big, but how is the performance? AOPA tested the headset on a seven-hour flight back from Oshkosh, Wis., to Frederick, Md., in the very loud Fun to Fly Sweepstakes Remos GX. Read more >>

EAA auction raises $2.1 million

EAA President Tom Poberezny descended over the crowd at the Gathering of Eagles fund-raising event strapped in a harness and attached to a ceiling-mounted rail. As he slid overhead, he addressed the audience and predicted an exciting evening and generous giving in support of the Young Eagles program. He was right. Before the night was over, the organization had raised some $2.1 million for the program, auctioning off everything from a custom Ford Mustang to a weeklong pilot experience with aerobatic ace Sean D. Tucker. Read more >>

Hawker Beechcraft sales decline

Second-quarter net sales for Hawker Beechcraft were $639.3 million, a decrease of $177 million compared to the second quarter of 2009 because of lower business and general aviation aircraft deliveries. The company delivered 54 business and general aviation aircraft compared to 78 during the same period in 2009. Included in the second quarter 2009 results was a significant number of King Air aircraft delivered under the U.S. government’s Project Liberty program. Read more >>

AirVenture’s best-kept secret

What’s the best-kept secret at EAA AirVenture? Many Oshkosh veterans will tell you that it’s the AirVenture seaplane base, nestled in a picturesque wooded cove on the west side of Lake Winnebago a few miles south of Oshkosh, Wis. The seaplane base’s relaxed atmosphere and slower pace provide a welcome respite from AirVenture's hustle and bustle. From dawn until dusk, you will find people sitting along the shore—on the base’s few benches or in folding chairs—watching the airplanes come and go. Read more and view a slideshow >>

US Aircraft Instruments’ work called into question

The FAA has issued a safety alert for operators who had their aircraft worked on by US Aircraft Instruments between April 1998 and July 9, 2009. The agency has revoked the Hammonton, N.J., company’s repair station certificate for “failure to properly calibrate instruments used in aircraft certification; work done outside the scope of the repair station ratings; failure to use current technical data; falsification of calibration records.” The company’s inspections of aircraft altimeter systems and transponders are considered invalid. Read more >>

Quest racks up government sales, shows new options

Quest Aircraft Co., manufacturer of the Kodiak—a 10-seat, 172-knot single-engine turboprop designed for short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) and utility operations—July 30 delivered nine amphibious Kodiaks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The airplanes will be used in the agency’s migratory bird management program. Read more >>

Women in Aviation shines at celebrity breakfast

Hundreds of excited and eager women (and a few men) attended the annual Women in Aviation, International celebrity breakfast last week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis. The breakfast featured music from country star Aaron Tippin, appearances from two female astronauts, and news of new scholarships and events. Read more >>

New scholarships available to women

Thirteen new scholarships will be awarded at the Women in Aviation, International Conference next year in Reno, Nev., Feb. 24 through 26. They are valued at $92,250. Dozens of scholarship opportunities for 2011 are now posted on the organization’s website. Read more >>

FAA updates Eclipse EA500 AD proposal

The FAA has released an updated airworthiness directive (AD) proposal for Eclipse Aerospace Inc. Model EA500 jets to correct the aircraft configuration of applicable serial numbers listed in the AD. The changes proposed in the AD pertain to the electronic flight information system and the airplane flight manuals. The proposal was sparked by reports of “uncommanded changes to the communications radio frequency, altitude preselect, and/or transponder codes,” and the proposed changes are designed to help prevent “loss of communication with air traffic control due to improper communications frequency, autopilot level off at the incorrect altitude, or air traffic control loss of proper tracking of the aircraft.” For an updated list of which aircraft would be impacted, download the AD.

Strapped rudder pedal sparks American Champion SAIB

A Decathlon pilot found the aircraft’s rudder pedals suddenly inoperable upon touchdown, causing the airplane to depart the runway. One of the rear pedals in the tandem-seat aircraft had become caught on the front dual lap belt aerobatic harness. An investigation into the incident revealed that the lap belt was improperly installed. The finding has prompted American Champion Aircraft Corp. to issue a special airworthiness information bulletin for the 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB, 8KCAB, and 8GCBC models. Read more >>

SPOT Satellite Messenger When you take off, take SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger with you. SPOT lets loved ones track the progress of your flight at pre-set intervals, lets you send messages to friends and family, and if a dire emergency exists, SPOT lets you send for rescue from virtually anywhere on the planet.

Aircraft shipments down in second quarter

Total general aviation airplane shipments fell 9.8 percent in the first half of the year, from 1,039 units in 2009 to 937 units this year, according to figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Still, billings totaled $9.4 billion in the second quarter, up 0.2 percent over the previous quarter. Read more >>

Oshkosh attendance down 7 percent

The EAA AirVenture crowd totaled 535,000 this year, including 4,000 people who were issued exhibitor passes to work in the booths and exhibits, and nearly 1,000 with press passes. That’s down 7 percent from last year. “We had expected to have a slightly lower attendance figure this year after last year’s blockbuster event,” said EAA President Tom Poberezny. “This year’s weather challenges early in the week also had an effect.” Read more >>

Hover Power: Stored energy

One way to think of autorotation is the effective use of stored energy to safely land the helicopter: like the slow and careful release of the energy stored in a wound spring as opposed to allowing a quick high-energy release. Read more >>

More GA News

Elite offers new simulators

Wings of Hope co-founder dies

On the road again: Flight for the Human Spirit to resume

Beringer offers low-cost anti-lock brake system

Tecnam introduces flight center concept and training program

If you fly a plane you don’t own… …insurance carried by FBOs or owners protects their interests—not necessarily yours. Avemco ® has reduced premiums on Renters insurance for SE aircraft while doubling aircraft damage liability options. Get more for less!

Jet-powered sailplane lights the night sky

Before Bob Carlton took to the night sky for a performance at AirVenture in his jet-powered Super Salto sailplane, the airshow performer and rocket scientist sat down with AOPA President Craig Fuller on AOPA Live. Find out about the high-speed aircraft and the experience of flying night airshows. "I put pyrotechnics on the wingtips and the fuselage, and light the airplane on fire, fly it upside down at night—what's not to like?" Carlton says. Watch AOPA Live >>

What’s up at Cessna?

From the Citation Special Olympics Airlift to product development, from getting the lead out of avgas to flight training, Cessna CEO Jack Pelton discusses the company’s latest news with AOPA President Craig Fuller. Pelton also shares how the Cessna Skycatcher won over John King of King Schools. Watch AOPA Live >>

When your mind plays tricks

Pilot and adventurer Dick Rutan was nearing the end of his record-setting Voyager flight when a fuel problem caused a temporary shutdown of the rear engine. In a glide with both engines out, he saw the moon going by. “I looked up at that, and the first thought was that ‘some son-of-a-gun is moving the moon on me. Somebody’s messing with me tonight,’” Rutan explains while discussing spatial disorientation in this AOPA Live interview. Rutan tackles what the mind goes through to maintain spatial orientation and how task-saturation can affect recovery from unusual attitudes with Fly Right Films, a safety initiative with a focus on enter-“train”-ment. Watch AOPA Live >>

Glimpse the new Transition

A group of MIT graduate students came together in 2005 with a common goal: to build an airplane they could drive home from the airport. The resulting proof of concept, the Terrafugia Transition, made its debut at EAA AirVenture 2008, and this year the Terrafugia team unveiled a new design for the prototype. Chief Operating Officer Anna Mracek Dietrich discusses the Terrafugia project, the challenges of going from runway to road, and why the prototype shed the canard from the original design. Watch AOPA Live >>

For daily news updates, see AOPA Online.

Introducing: Our best pilot headset ever. NEW A20™ Aviation Headset The A20™ headset provides significantly greater noise reduction than currently available. It also features improved comfort, clear audio, Bluetooth® connectivity, auxiliary audio input and priority switching. Learn more >

Safety & Proficiency

Comanche owner’s first trip ends with in-flight breakup

Accurate awareness of your own capabilities is essential to safe operation as pilot in command. Assuming you can fly in situations or equipment for which you’ve never trained risks a great deal on a leap of faith. The consequences can be grim if you’re wrong. At about 10:45 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2009, a Piper PA24-260 Comanche broke up in flight over a sparsely populated section of southern Idaho. The airplane’s new owner, a student pilot flying solo, was killed. Read more in this special report from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.

Don't let flying costs ground you

Whether you rent or own your aircraft, shaving dollars off the cost of flying can help you spend more precious hours in the air. Join Dave Hirschman, senior editor and author of AOPA Pilot’s popular Frugal Flier column, and AOPA Senior Aviation Technical Specialist Rodney Martz in a Webinar Aug. 11 as they share ways to trim flight costs, both short- and long term. The discussion will cover ownership options, aircraft maintenance, ways to put your aircraft to work, and more. Register for 3 or 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Open the cowling with 'Engine and Propeller' course

Although many repairs can only be made by an airframe and powerplant mechanic, an understanding of engine and propeller operations can help minimize dangerous wear and costly repairs. If you’ve ever wondered what you don’t know about the heart and lungs of your aircraft, canceled a flight because the engine ran rough during the mag check, or wondered how to save money on your next engine overhaul, then the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Engine and Propeller interactive program is for you! This course qualifies for AOPA Accident Forgiveness and the FAA Wings Program. Challenge yourself >>

Cessna tackles water contamination in avgas

A top-priority item on every pilot’s pre-flight checklist is inspecting the fuel for contaminants, including water. To help pilots of Cessna model 100, 200, and 300 series aircraft better check for water in their fuel tank systems, Cessna Aircraft Co. has released a special airworthiness information bulletin with nine recommendations. Read more >>

Your IFR rating in 10 days at your location, IFR finish-up in as little as 3 days! Professional teachers and our own curriculum. 30 years experience. G1000 and Avidyne Entegra IFR specialists. Put it on your calendar NOW. 800-435-9437, www.iflyifr.com

Play it safe with aircraft flash cards

Have a card or two up your sleeve. Seriously, professional pilots often use aircraft-specific flash cards to review systems and procedures. If it's good enough for the pros, then why not you? The AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s Aircraft Flash Cards are a clever way to quickly review items found in the pilot’s operating handbook and aircraft manual. Whether checking out in a new aircraft or just kicking the tires with some friends, here’s your chance to show off your knowledge and effortlessly recite emergency procedures, boldly rattle off V-speeds, and nonchalantly mention electrical system specs. Download this handy card deck >>

Air Safety eJournal: Can we build them less expensively?

Does anybody else think the cost of new aircraft is a bit high? Those who know better have constantly advised that it’s not the absolute cost but the value that one derives from the purchase. However, when one gets far enough up the economic pyramid the equation becomes moot for most of us. Read more >>

Reporting Points: Hard lessons learned 25 years later

Aug. 2 was the twenty-fifth anniversary of one of the most influential aircraft accidents of all time. Looking back today, it’s hard to imagine an airliner succumbing to wind shear the way Delta Flight 191 did that stormy day as it approached Dallas-Fort Worth. The Lockheed L-1011 plowed through a thunderstorm at the edge of the airport headed for a landing. Instead, the airplane flew into wind shear and crashed short of the runway, hitting a car on a highway and plowing through fences before breaking apart and burning. Read more >>

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Quieter. Lighter. Smoother Cirrus SR22T is the new choice in single-engine aircraft. The sky is hardly a limit with this powerful engine, which comes wrapped in the most luxurious of cabins. Find out more at CirrusAircraft.com.

ADVOCACY

GA must have access to new Florida airport

A new airport that is replacing Panama City-Bay County International Airport in Panama City, Fla., has opened to the airlines, but general aviation isn’t receiving the same warm welcome. Airline service started at the new airport, Northwest Florida-Panama City Airport, three months ago, but GA facilities have not been completed yet, forcing pilots to operate out of the old airport, which no longer has instrument approaches, weather services, fuel, or maintenance. Read more >>

FAA finalizes restricted airspace in Arkansas

Two new restricted areas near Fort Chaffee in Greenwood, Ark., will go into effect Nov. 18. The FAA issued a final rule creating restricted areas R-2402B and R-2402C in the Razorback Range Airspace Complex. Based on AOPA’s review, the restricted areas pose a minimal impact on general aviation. Because of their small size and location, they do not interfere with any instrument approaches, Victor airways, or T-routes. The base of R-2402B starts at 10,000 feet msl, and the floor of R-2402C begins at 13,000 feet. Read more >>

AOPA Life Insurance—low rates, exclusively for pilots. Finding quality, affordable insurance to meet your personal needs can be challenging, that’s why AOPA has done the legwork for you and developed a comprehensive offering of products with low rates and great benefits. Call today! 888-785-8376 ext. 8559

121.5 MHz ELTs still legal for aviation use

You’re still perfectly legal to fly with that 121.5 MHz ELT in your aircraft. Rumors that the Federal Communications Commission was going to ban the use of 121.5 MHz ELTs by Aug. 1 have sparked concern in the general aviation community. While the FCC has proposed to ban the “certification, manufacture, importation, sale, or continued use of 121.5 MHz ELTs,” the FAA and general aviation groups have taken steps to prevent such a ban from happening. Read more >>

Prospective, student pilots pledge to live the dream

With aerobatics overhead and aircraft, products, and pilots on every side, the Learn to Fly Discovery Center on AeroShell Square at EAA AirVenture was an ideal spot to launch prospective pilots into training. After a successful exhibit last year, AOPA again featured a Let’s Go Flying/Flight Training exhibit in the Discovery Center. More than 350 attendees completed a daily drawing entry and pledge to begin flight training, complete training, or encourage someone to begin. At the Big Yellow Tent, more than 4,000 attendees pledged to engage in aviation this year. Read more >>

AOPA member, Adam Epstein, experienced firsthand how the AOPA Aircraft Financing Program makes aircraft financing easy… and aircraft ownership affordable through Bank of America, N.A. For more information or to have a representative call you to discuss financing, go to www.aopa.org/loans.

AOPA ‘rallies the troops’ for airport support

AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers are on the front lines of airport protection, acting as AOPA’s eyes and ears to alert the association of challenges facing public-use airports. AOPA President Craig Fuller commended the volunteers for their work at the annual network breakfast at EAA AirVenture July 30. The breakfast had record attendance this year with more than 100 attendees, including 69 volunteers and guests. Read more >>

Teachers prepare for school year at AirVenture

What better way to encourage teachers to inspire their students to learn how to fly than to give them the firsthand experience of flight? Pennsylvania teacher Kathy Foor was rewarded with a free first flight for taking part in the EAA AirVenture Teacher Day July 26 in Oshkosh, Wis. In addition to receiving the gift of flight, Foor also learned several ways she can incorporate aviation into her classroom. Lyn Freeman, founder of Build A Plane, which hosted the event, spoke to teachers about the importance of aviation in the classroom. Read more >>

Stay healthy, fly longer. Enroll in the AOPA Medical Services Program and gain access to numerous resources designed to keep you in the air. Plus, receive assistance from our Medical Certification Specialists for FAA related medical issues.

Member Benefits

Pilots share compelling aviation stories at Summit

Pull up a chair and settle in for some of the most compelling stories in aviation, told by the pilots who lived them, at AOPA Aviation Summit. SR-71 pilot Brian Shul; pilot, entrepreneur, and adventurer Dick Rutan; SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill; FedEx DC-10 Capt. Jim Tucker; and aerobatic performer Sean D. Tucker will share their aviation stories during exclusive forums at AOPA Aviation Summit. Read more >>

Legal services: Small price to pay for peace of mind

Protecting your pilot certificate is a wise investment. For as little as 10 cents a day, most pilots can enroll in the AOPA Legal Services Plan. The AOPA Legal Services Plan is sensible protection in case of an unforeseen emergency. Most pilots don't think they'll need legal assistance because they're good, careful, and experienced pilots, or because they don't fly frequently. But the fact is the FAA initiates thousands of enforcement actions annually. Read more >>

FREE Video Tip! — Courses for Beginner to Pro! Click for a Free Video Training Tip and find a course to achieve your next goal, or to make your flying safer and more rewarding. Not sure? Call us at 800-854-1001 and talk to one of our pilot training advisors.

Fly Well: Pythons, figs, donuts, and broccoli

Prostate cancer, the most common male malignancy and second leading cause of death among men, merits pilots’ attention. At the base of the bladder, forward of the rectum, is the prostate—a solid organ the size and shape of a fig. Prostate cancer develops when cells divide in meaningless and uncontrolled fashion. The biggest risk factors are being male, aging, and family history. Read more >>

AOPA Aviation Summit offers forums that focus on safety

With forum titles such as “Engine Failure After Takeoff,” “Spin Myths,” “What Went Wrong?” “Real World IFR,” and “Night Flying Safety,” just to name a few, it’s obvious safety is the name of the game at this year’s AOPA Aviation Summit, Nov. 11 through 13 in Long Beach, Calif. Pilot safety starts with education, and AOPA invites you to join the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s Bruce Landsberg and JJ Greenway and other speakers as they tackle key safety topics designed to help you fly smart and stay safe. Read more >>

AOPA Insurance Agency offers the right coverage at the right price. We work with A-rated underwriters and offer the most coverage options to fit your needs for the aircraft you own or rent. Call 800-622-AOPA or go online for a free quote.

Community

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