AOPA marks its eightieth anniversary in 2019, and to celebrate we’ve created a special, large-format, hardbound coffee-table book that documents both AOPA’s and general aviation’s rich history. More than 280 pages of stunning photography and compelling stories highlight airplanes and events in general aviation’s history, as well as a look at some of its key personalities through the decades. Born of the winds of World War II, AOPA was founded by amazing visionaries determined to protect the freedom to fly. Read the inside stories of industry-changing political and advocacy wins in AOPA’s history. And learn about the battle that ensued over the creation of what would become AOPA Pilot magazine. Plus, get a look at documents that have been held in trust and seen by no one in more than 30 years. Freedom to Fly: AOPA and the History of General Aviation in America is available to AOPA members at the special price of $39.95. The book is written by AOPA Pilot editors and features stunning photography by staff photographers Mike Fizer and Chris Rose, supported by amazing historic images from our archives and other sources. —Thomas A. Horne
Web: www.aopa.org/freedomtoflybook
PILOT PRODUCTS
Sporty’s Air Scan
Hal Shevers started Sporty’s out of the back of his car by selling portable radios that could pick up airport frequencies. Forty-seven years later, the Air Scan remains one of the company’s best-known products.
The latest version melds the traditional radio functions—the ability to listen to airport frequencies, along with FM and AM radio stations—with Bluetooth, which means you can pair it with a smartphone or tablet to listen to music.
A few features are especially useful for pilots and aviation enthusiasts. You can store up to 10 frequencies, and Aviation Interrupt scans these preset channels while you listen to music and interrupts the music to play radio transmissions.
We tried the unit at our headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. The AM/FM and Bluetooth transmissions were clear. At Frederick Municipal Airport, we easily picked up Frederick’s frequencies. Five miles away, we were not able to duplicate that. Placing the receiver as high as you can, and outside, won’t cost anything. But you may wish to purchase an external antenna to boost reception, particularly if you live in a hilly area or near numerous tall buildings. Sporty’s also notes that computers, smartphones, fluorescent light bulbs, plugs—especially AC/DC adapters—microwaves, and motors all can create interference with your radio.
Reception issues aside, Sporty’s Air Scan would be a great training tool for most pilots, and a nice addition to office, cubicle, hangar, or home. —Jill W. Tallman
Price: $139.95
Contact: www.sportys.com
INDUSTRY NEWS
Van’s on the move
Manufacturing will be located in Aurora
By Dave Hirschman
Van’s Aircraft is set to begin manufacturing RV–12s in 2018 at its headquarters in Aurora, Oregon. The factory-built Special Light Sport aircraft (SLSA) will use fuel-injected Rotax 912 iS and iST engines instead of earlier carbureted models. Van’s employees will build the new airplanes—not Synergy Air of Eugene, Oregon, a separate company that previously assembled SLSA RV–12s from kits that Van’s supplied.
“We’ve got a new, dedicated work area at Aurora,” said Greg Hughes, a Van’s spokesman. “All the parts, expertise, and components will be in the same area, and that’s sure to enhance efficiency.” Synergy Air has built 75 SLSA RV–12s to date, and the seventy-sixth is under construction. Synergy Air is expanding its builder-assistance program and adding a new facility in Newnan, Georgia.
“This is a natural move for both businesses,” Hughes said.
Retail prices for SLSA RV–12s are unchanged at $135,000 for base models and $145,000 for premium versions with two-screen glass panels, autopilots, and deluxe interiors.
Van’s also sells RV–12 kits to individual builders; these aircraft are governed by Experimental LSA (ELSA) or Experimental/Amateur-Built rules. RV–12s have been built and flown by high school students participating in the Eagle’s Nest education program, and the Experimental Aircraft Association’s “One Week Wonder” for 2018 was an RV–12 assembled during the AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Hughes said Van’s employees already have the knowledge and experience required to deliver new, ready-to-fly RV–12s. “The assembly of the airplane is an area of expertise we already have here,” he said. “We’ll have dedicated staff members for aircraft assembly, so we’re not taking anything away from other parts of our company.”
Email [email protected]
MILESTONES
'Nobody has done more for aviation’
Representing aviators for more than a half-century
By David Tulis
Helping fellow pilots was the most satisfying part of John Yodice’s job, the longtime AOPA legal counsel said during a celebration to honor his 50-year legal career. “I have no regrets,” the Cessna 310 pilot told friends, family, colleagues, and past and present AOPA trustees. “General aviation in the United States is the envy of the world.”
AOPA President Mark Baker complimented Yodice for establishing a network of aviation law specialists that grew into the AOPA Pilot Protection Service’s legal services plan, which is available to members and remains one of the best deals in general aviation. Baker said Yodice was “recognized by many in the industry for making aviation safer and fairer” and thanked him for wearing “a lot of hats at AOPA.”
Yodice was a longstanding member of AOPA’s Board of Trustees and held positions as AOPA’s board secretary and outside general counsel. His monthly AOPA Pilot magazine “Pilot Counsel” column ran for decades. The helicopter pilot and flight instructor graduated from The George Washington School of Law in 1959 and practiced a broad range of aviation law matters. He founded his private practice to represent aircraft owners, pilots, flight schools, corporate and commercial operators, and others.
One of Yodice’s legal highlights came in the mid-1990s when he won back airshow performer and test pilot Robert “Bob” Hoover’s right to fly in the United States after the FAA stripped the medical certificate from the aviation great. Yodice’s legal partner on the case was defense-attorney-to-the-stars F. Lee Bailey, who also is an accomplished pilot.
Former board Chairman Paul Heintz recalled the counselor’s tough lease negotiations at various U.S. airports and saluted Yodice for giving a voice to GA.
Yodice said a personal highlight was when he stood up to the Massachusetts Port Authority after it attempted to impose a landing-fee scheme that would severely affect GA pilots using Boston’s General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport. Heintz and others at the celebration recalled the kerfuffle and praised Yodice for his tenacity during that case.
Yodice was honored by his peers with lifetime achievement awards from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the International Air and Transportation Safety Bar Association. He is a founding member of that association, which noted that Yodice “made a truly remarkable contribution to aviation law and aviation safety.” He is also a director and a past president of the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association.
AOPA Board of Trustees Chairman William “Bill” Trimble III thanked Yodice for his support for his personal family and for representing the larger family of aviators that he fought for during his lengthy legal career. Trimble said, “Nobody has done more for aviation than you, John.”
Email [email protected]
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