FIRST LOOK: FISHMAN'S ELECTRIC TWO-PLACE, OSH ELECTRICS

Click for more photos

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will be making an effort to showcase electric flight initiatives this year and with the recent flight of a two-seat Chinese offering from Yuneec aircraft (which hopes to have its aircraft on display), U.S. developers will be looking for their share of the spotlight. Randall Fishman, who last year flew his single-seat 90-minute-endurance all-electric aircraft (the ElectraFlyer-C), hopes to show his two-seat development aircraft, the ElectraFlyer-X. The sleek high-aspect-ratio low-wing will be powered by Fishman's own 50--hp motor, motor controller and battery solution. Putting the finishing touches on the airframe, Fishman has been working quickly to prepare/build the aircraft for Oshkosh and tells AVweb he'd prefer to have it there in flying condition rather than show a non-flying aircraft. The timing is tight, but either way the aircraft should be present. Sonex Aircraft Limited, which in 2007 announced its E-Flight Initiative to develop a two-seat battery powered aircraft, will again be present with a ground-based display. More...

A380 OSHKOSH VISIT DETAILS
Airbus and AirVenture officials say they've done the math and they can barely squeeze the world's largest airliner into Wittman Regional Airport for its first air show appearance in North America. The A380 will arrive in Milwaukee on July 27 for customs clearance and crew rest and take off for Oshkosh the next day for a planned arrival at 3 p.m. The aircraft will do a seven-minute flight display before setting up for landing on Runway 36. In a web conference Friday, Airbus test pilot Terry Lutz said that while the 8,000X150 runway is plenty for the A380, there's only one taxiway that will accommodate the aircraft, although, happily, it's the one that leads to Aeroshell Square. That gives the crew about 5,500 feet before the turnoff, which Lutz said will be plenty, even with a 10-knot tailwind. The aircraft that's coming is a test plane and will land at about 720,000 lbs, about 60 percent of its maximum weight. More...

NTSB RELEASES PHOTOS OF SOUTHWEST 737 DAMAGE
The NTSB has released photos of the section of a Southwest Boeing 737-300 fuselage that let loose in flight earlier this week. The photos show a remarkably clean fracture where the outside skin of the aircraft blew out at 34,000 feet. The section of aluminum is being examined by metallurgists while Southwest fixes the airplane in Charleston, W. Va. where the crew made the emergency landing. The plane was on its way from Nashville to Baltimore when the hole appeared. None of the 131 passengers and crew were injured. No other problems were found with Southwest's roughly 200 737-300s. More...

NATA: IG REPORT ON ON-DEMAND OPS INACCURATE
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) believes a report critical of risk management and FAA oversight of the on-demand air charter industry "failed to present an accurate picture of the Part 135 regulatory environment." The report (PDF), recently issued by the DOT Inspector General, was conducted as an audit to answer concerns in a House Committee regarding "disparate regulatory requirements between large commercial and on-demand operators" with attention to "the level of FAA oversight of on-demand operators." It found the fatal accident rate 50 times higher in on-demand operations than commercial operations. In a statement issued Friday, NATA President James K. Coyne was critical of the report's comparisons of Part 121 and Part 135 operations, calling it "an apples and oranges comparison." Coyne noted that Part 135 "contains every possible mission profile" while Part 121 "is very homogenous." The report concluded that on-demand operators have more risk in their operations and see less oversight from the FAA. It went on to issue recommendations "to enhance safety and oversight." More...

BEHOLD, THE FLYING MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION
With the goals of encouraging, promoting and educating people about their two core interests -- music and flying -- the Flying Musicians Association Inc., has formed "to generate the desire and yearning for both amongst young people." The association, founded by John Zapp and Aileen Hummel, both aviators and musicians themselves, is scheduled for its first Fly-In Musicfest this Nov. 7, at Fort Worth Spinks Airport. They're signing sponsors now. You don't actually have to fly in or be a pilot to attend -- the whole idea is to spread the enthusiasm. "Math, science and music: after years of being associated with musicians and aviators I have realized there are many attributes which are shared by both groups." Zapp hopes to fly around the country visiting music programs to infuse youngsters with a thrill and fascination of aviation. More...

AUSTRALIAN RAAF SABRE FLIES AGAIN
It took better than three years of restoration, but the Temora Aviation Museum, in NSW, Australia, completed the project and its rare Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) CA-27 Sabre has taken flight for the first time after 16 years on the ground. A pilot and airshow crowd favorite, this Sabre is A94-983. It took to the air at the hands of Darren Crabb, currently a corporate jet pilot type-rated on 14 aircraft. Crabb is an ex-RAAF Qualified Flight Instructor who has experience in F/A-18 Hornets and Macchi jets. "It was fantastic!" said Crabb, who said the aircraft performed flawlessly on its post-maintenance check flight. Australians will have their first chance to see the Sabre flown at the Temora Aviation Museum Flying Weekend this fall. But for those unable to overcome the obstacles of vast oceans of distance between here and there, the Temora Aviation Museum is giving away rides ... though only virtually, on YouTube (sorry). Click through for the video, after the jump. More...

FOREST SERVICE SUPPORTS BACKCOUNTRY STRIPS
Early this month, the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) signed a directive asking its managers to support aviation, citing backcountry airstrips as "an appropriate use of National Forest System lands." The USFS policy statement called for an inventory review and maintenance of USFS-controlled aviation-oriented facilities. And it drew positive reaction from the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), which declared the action a result from meetings between the two groups. The RAF promotes aviation as a low-impact, high-reward activity for national park lands in that airstrips require minimal disturbance of the natural landscape and serve as trailheads for remote areas. RAF president John McKenna said of the directive, "We look forward to building on the partnership and the trust this document brings forth." The foundation already has some such programs in place. More...

NBAA WELCOMES FAA'S SANTA MONICA JETS DECISION
The National Business Aviation Association is putting its support behind the FAA's latest finding that Santa Monica cannot ban "certain types of business airplanes" from Santa Monica Airport. The city of Santa Monica in 2008 attempted to enact a ban on Category C and D aircraft and the business aviation groups have been fighting the city ever since. The FAA's latest decision comes after at least two appeals sought by the city, which argued that the airport's runway overrun areas are, by the FAA's own guidelines, too small for larger aircraft. The city argued that flying larger aircraft into and out of the airport compromises safety both for operators and nearby residents. NBAA's press release notes that "access to community airports is fundamental to the companies of all sizes that rely on business aviation to succeed." Santa Monica has accepted federal funds for the airport and by the FAA's reasoning, banning larger jets would violate grant assurances by discriminating against certain aircraft. The FAA's most recent decision remains consistent with its earlier reasoning and NBAA sees it as a show of support. More...

CHICKASAW KIDS GO FLYING
Chickasaw Nation Aviation and Space Academy offers a five-day summer camp that this year doubled in size. Some 82 students signed on for the five-day experience that put each one of them in the pilot seat of a Diamond DA-40, thanks to US Flight Academy in Denton, Texas. The children ranged in age from 10 to 18 and spent one of their five days at the academy taking ground school, visiting the control tower and going for rides. "There's no substitute for the real thing," said US Flight Academy's Mark Taylor, who acted as event coordinator. "When these kits take their first ride in an aircraft, their eyes light up like the sun," he said. The camp brings children together from all over the Midwest. Through the program they gain exposure to everything from model rocketry to the basics of space medicine. More...

AVWEB'S NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 200,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard? More...

Columns | Features | What's New | Calendar | Brainteasers

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: A FEW WORDS ABOUT APOLLO 11
Now that he's tidied up the mess he made over this global warming thing, Paul Bertorelli has some comments on 40th anniversary of the lunar landing. He's actually old enough to remember that what was most impressive about it is how quickly the program progressed. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: U.S. MIGHT NOT LEAD IN ELECTRIC FLIGHT
Competition leads to innovation, but it can also lead to secrecy and self-interest that may just slow down the development of new technologies. In the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog, AVweb's Glenn Pew wonders if the fractured race for electric airplane supremacy may actually be slowing development of the necessary technology and costing the U.S. its dominance in this emerging sector. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: REMEMBERING THE JFK JR. CRASH
Ten years ago this week, John F. Kennedy Jr. lost control of his Saratoga and plunged into the Atlantic near Martha's Vineyard. Although a tragedy, it could have been a nightmare for GA if AOPA hadn't seized the moment and explained the story to a curious public and media. Former AOPA Communications VP Drew Steketee tells the inside story in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog. More...

AVWEB AND BENDIX/KING BY HONEYWELL ARE GIVING AWAY AN AV8OR TO CELEBRATE AIRVENTURE!

Bendix/King by Honeywell is helping us give away another AV8OR handheld MFD unit to celebrate EAA AirVenture Oshkosh! All you have to do is click the image at right to enter your name and e-mail address. And no, we're not going to rent or sell your name, but Bendix/King by Honeywell may send you information on the AV8OR. You may also forward this newsletter to friends and invite them to sign-up for AVweb's EAA AirVenture 2009 coverage and qualify for the AV8OR prize drawing, too. (We won't spam them, either, but we will send them our e-mail news Flashes.)

Deadline for entries is midnight EST on Sunday, August 2, 2009.

Click here to read the contest rules and enter.

(There's nothing to buy. All you need to do is be registered with AVweb.)

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: HOW GAMIJECTORS ARE MADE
GAMIjector calibrated fuel injection nozzles correct the characteristic air/fuel imbalance problems in most Continental engines. Here's how they're made. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: WAYNESVILLE-ST. ROBERT CITIES AVIATION (TBN, MISSOURI)

It's not just the little guys struggling for attention who provide great FBO experiences out there. This week, AVweb reader Ron McCormick tells us about Waynesville-St. Robert Cities Aviation, serving Fort Leonard Wood and the surrounding Missouri community.

"They are the only FBO on the field but do no act like it," writes Ron. "The manager was very helpful in negotiating this military/civilian airport ... and helped carry luggage in loading and unloading the plane. ... If you need to go to Ft. Leonard Wood or are in the St. Roberts/Waynesville area, stop in at TBN; it is easy to in out of the miliary base [if] you just show your driver's license."

Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.

AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!

SHORT FINAL

Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air"

I heard this one at Detroit Metro as I was taxiing to parking. It was between a helicopter pilot and the control tower quite early one morning:

Helicopter Pilot:
"Metro tower, Helicopter 234 at Signature. Request northwest departure information Tango."

Tower:
"Helicopter 234, northwest departure approved. No known traffic in the area. Departure is at your own risk; area not visible from the tower."

Helicopter Pilot:
"Helicopter 234: Roger — departure approved, and it's always at our own risk: We're in a helicopter!"

Geoff Braden
Columbus, Ohio

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