From: AVflash@avweb.com (AVweb's OSHflash) Sender: AVflash@avweb.com (AVweb's OSHflash) Errors-To: AVflash-errors@avweb.com Reply-To: AVflash@avweb.com (AVweb Support) To: OSHflash mailing list:; Precedence: Bulk Subject: OSHflash 01.4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OSHflash AirVenture 2001, Day 4 Friday, July 27, 2001 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *********************************************************************** * * * Welcome to Day Four of AVweb's one-of-a-kind coverage of EAA's * * AirVenture 2001, direct from Oshkosh, Wis. Each day for seven * * days, AVweb will bring you all the latest news, our exclusive * * image galleries, live ATC from the OSH tower, the best shopping * * deals from our AirVenture sponsors, plus Rick Durden's OSHtalk. * * If you can't make it to Oshkosh, sit back, strap in and hold on! * * * *********************************************************************** _______________________________________________ AVweb's Top Stories From AirVenture 2001: SMA: FLYING TO THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUMMER... "The gasoline engine is dead, it just doesn't know it yet." SMA test pilot Peter Peirport's vision of the future would be grim, if he weren't pushing the latest alternative-engine solution. The idea goes something like this: Piston power with 30-percent fewer parts, turbo-assist, a 30- percent reduction in operating expense, less vibration and less noise, with increased reliability and single-lever operation ... burning Jet A fuel. Crazy, right? Well, the European-certified (as of April 20) SMA SR 305 engine is meant to prove otherwise. Pierport flew to OSH behind the powerplant in a modified Cessna 182, and while the statistics from his low-altitude trip were impressive, the nine-gallon-per-hour fuel burn was about 30 percent higher than the engine's high-altitude goal. But if the ads are true (and when aren't they?), this engine will produce 60-percent power at 25,000 feet and fly for 3,000 hours before recommended overhaul. ...LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT BAND... Though the engine is certified in Europe, its optimal installation is a work in progress. The engine tends to run hot, and when compared to, say, an IO-540, the SMA engine needs about four times the airflow -- which made for an interesting cowling on the 182 and may cause some extra cooling drag ... down low, anyway. Regardless, spewing gloom and doom for the future of 100LL, which it says will be removed from the market within 10 years, SMA sees a strong and growing worldwide demand for its engines. The demise of 100LL is one thing, but with fuel prices on the rise and worldwide availability on the decline, even U.S. manufacturers Maule and Cirrus are taking more than a casual look at using the powerplant. Both companies have 30 engines on order, with plans to develop a high-altitude cruiser if the market demand is found (abroad or here). In most other parts of the world, interest in the project is as high as their astronomical avgas prices. ...AND PACKING A ROYAL FLUSH SMA's train of financial and technological backers offering support to this engine reads like a who's who of European aviation. Even if the product is destined to suffer years of refinement from its current configuration, it's not likely to go away until it works. Everyone from government agencies to Airbus to Renault Sport and beyond are involved, at least to some degree. Aware that the program cannot be fully unleashed until a support system is in place, SMA is currently working to establish that network and keep development close to home. However, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is taking a front seat in U.S. support development. ERAU is acting as a technological test center for the engine's installation and maintenance and may announce official partnership on some level in the very near future. CASPA KEEPS 'EM COMING -- AIRSHOW CHALLENGE ROCKS THE HOUSE... For the third year, aviation buffs at EAA AirVenture were treated to a little rock 'n roll, airshow-style, with the Championship Air Show Pilots Association (CASPA) Challenge. Wednesday and yesterday, five of the sharpest pilots in the business did their dead-level best to outshine the others before a panel of decidedly green judges instructed to choose not the most technical or proficient, but the most exciting. The judges, including an occupational therapist, a newstalk radio host and several other media types, got to sit ringside on what seemed to be their own personal airshow. Pilots Mike Goulian, Greg Poe, Gene Soucy, Sean D. Tucker, and Matt Chapman were given three minutes in Thursday's beautiful blue Oshkosh sky to swing, snap and otherwise sway the judges into advancing them to the next round. The gyroscopics of Tucker, Chapman, Goulian and Poe pushed them into the "Challenge Round," a testosterone-filled four minutes featuring head-to-head flying, with two pilots in the air at once -- separated by 500 feet of sky. ...AS PILOTS DUEL FOR THE GOLD Survivors Tucker and Goulian made it to the final-round face-off, reminiscent of the gunfight at the OK Corral. The pilots sat in their planes idling back to back on the Oshkosh runway awaiting the signal from Chief Steward Clint McHenry. On his mark, throttles jammed forward, engines growled and props bit at the sky as two of the sport's best fairly screamed at the judges to "Watch me!" Four exhausting minutes later, Sean D. Tucker had returned as the winner and still champ, acing his third straight AirVenture CASPA win. After greeting Goulian with a sportsmanlike handshake and hug, Tucker walked to the stand to pick up his trophy, pumping his fist into the air and accepting congratulations and hugs. "I LOVE this show," he repeated several times to no one in particular. We love this show, too, Sean. You and the other CASPA champs give us one more reason to continue to look skyward. NOTE: To read about the CASPA Challenge's beginning, go to . And check out the images at . FATAL CRASH NEAR WITTMANN FIELD... One downside of hosting a huge fly-in is the sad fact that people occasionally die coming to it and leaving it. Such was the case yesterday, when a Glasair III coming in for a landing on Runway 9 went down a couple of miles from the airport. The 55-year-old pilot/sole occupant, was killed. The accident happened just after 1 p.m. ...AS EAA WORKS TO KEEP PILOTS SAFE... Many of the hundreds of forums open to AirVenture visitors stress pilot safety, from weather awareness to airplane maintenance. Yesterday, Bruce Edsten of the Louisville, Ky., FSDO told a packed house of aviators how to prevent their engine from becoming a boat anchor in flight. Over the past few years, Edsten has analyzed several hundred accidents, and has seen the same problems recur time after time. Most of the Lycoming/Continental engine failures can be lumped into one of a set of 10 reasons, says Edsten, and most are preventable. Number 10 on Edsten's list is major internal failure, caused by something such as metal fatigue. ...WITH REMINDERS OF WHAT MAKES ENGINES STOP Things going "clunk" in the night rarely happen, though, so don't get too worried about number 10. Lubrication leaks come in at number 9, and they are often caused by a pilot "oops" like not tightening the oil- filler cap. Next on the hit parade are: induction system blockage (bird nest), ignition problems (fouled spark plugs), miscellaneous maintenance ("What's this extra nut for?"), cylinder valve failure (improper leaning), fuel-system problems (moving the fuel switch to off), carb ice, and fuel contamination (water, jet A). The number one reason, accounting for 20 percent of all the engine-related accidents is ... fuel starvation/exhaustion, but you already knew that, of course. Let's all learn from the ones who bent metal before us, and be careful up there. WEEKS' BIRDS TAKE WING TO LAKELAND Aircraft collector Kermit Weeks recently made Sun 'n Fun officials an offer they couldn't refuse, an offer that will mean more to see for visitors to the Lakeland (Fla.) airport. The lease on the Weeks Air Museum at the Tamiami Airport near Miami, Fla., was up recently and Weeks had grown weary of subsidizing operations there. That left him with a problem and Sun 'n Fun officials with an opportunity. Weeks needed to find 20,000 square feet of storage space for the Miami portion of his collection, and the SnF museum is ... about 20,000 square feet. Weeks offered to fill the Lakeland museum with some great goodies and SnF accepted. "It's a great opportunity for them to create the museum they want," Weeks told AVweb at AirVenture yesterday. Eventually, he would like to consolidate all of his toys into one large Weeks Air Museum, but he's committed to leaving a portion of his collection in the SnF museum for up to eight years. Put the museum on your list of "must see" for SnF 2002. NOTE: For images to go with this story, visit our gallery at . For more about Kermit Weeks, see . HONORING THE PAST: FLYING TIGERS ARE SPECIAL GUESTS... It was 1941 and the U.S. was not yet in the war, but eager pilots were invited to join the storied American Volunteer Group, known as the "Flying Tigers," and fly combat missions in Asia. A few of those pilots, now in their 80s, have been honored guests this week at AirVenture 2001, during their 60th anniversary year. The fighter pilots were instrumental in protecting the Burma Road, a strategic supply route into China. The group racked up an impressive record of 286 downed Japanese planes while losing only 12 of their own. Dick Rossi, Robert "Catfish" Raine, and David "Tex" Hill are thrilling AirVenture audiences with accounts of their daring escapades. Only 44 of the 100 pilots and 200 ground personnel who served in the Flying Tigers are still alive. ...AND TUSKEGEE AIRMEN DISPLAY HISTORIC AIRCRAFT The Tuskegee Airmen also played an important role in World War II, and this year they brought to Oshkosh a newly restored AT-6 advanced trainer, believed to be the only surviving example of the original AT-6s flown by the Airmen during the war. Also on display by the group is a beautifully restored P-51C -- one of only two that are still flying. The aircraft is owned by Kermit (yes, the same one) and Teresa Weeks of Polk City, Fla., habitual aircraft collectors and operators of Fantasy of Flight. "This aircraft has undergone 16 years of restoration," Teresa told AVweb. "We're very happy to have it on display here at AirVenture 2001 to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, whose accomplishments are largely unrecognized compared to other groups." NOTE: Today's gallery includes pictures of the Tuskegee and Flying Tiger airplanes, at . CHECK OUT AVWEB'S COMPLETE COVERAGE: OSHflash is AVweb's daily summary of the all the news and events at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2001. For more on the sights, sounds and goings-on, including AVweb's exclusive RealAudio programming and one-of-a-kind image galleries, be sure to check out AVweb's EAA AirVenture 2001 Web site: _________________________ OSHTALK AUDIO PROGRAMMING "OSHtalk, Day Four: Splishing and splashing" OSHtalk moved from its usual spot beside the runway at OSH to the AirVenture seaplane base to learn more about using water as a runway and to talk with many of the pilots there. Guests included the president of the Seaplane Pilots Association, as well as builders of the SeaRey, a kit-built amphibian, and it manufacturers. Don't miss this "off-the-beaten-path" edition of OSHtalk. __________________________________________________ AirVenture Sponsor News and Special Offers AVweb has a small army of writers, editors and photographers in Oshkosh this week to bring you our exclusive coverage. We simply couldn't do it without the generous support of these fine companies: * AVIONICS WEST * AEROBATICSOURCE.COM * TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS * PAN AM FLIGHT ACADEMY * FLIGHTCOM * OMF AIRCRAFT * GARMIN INTERNATIONAL * PHILLIPS 66 * FLIGHT EXPLORER AVIONICS WEST'S DAY FOUR, THE YEAR'S LOWEST PRICE, ONE-DAY-ONLY SPECIAL At the touch of a button, GARMIN International's StreetPilot III GPS will give the shortest and fastest routes, turn directions and estimated time of arrival at any destination. GARMIN's StreetPilot III provides automated voice prompts, alerting the pilot to needed turns, distance to upcoming turns, course deviation, and distance to the final destination. The StreetPilot III is compact and portable, comes with an external speaker, and the dash-mounted unit can be operated by the vehicle's battery or by six AA batteries. With the downloaded maps for the MapSource City Navigator CD-ROM, StreetPilot III provides turn-by-turn guidance down to residential street-level detail. Check out Avionics West's too-low-to-advertise price for GARMIN International's StreetPilot III by sending an email to . To order, phone 1-805-934-9777 or click . PATTY WAGSTAFF'S AEROBATICSOURCE.COM OFFERS HARD-TO-FIND BOOKS & VIDEOS One of the most popular sections of Patty Wagstaff's AerobaticSource.com is its online store featuring Patty's favorite books and videos about aerobatics and aviation, many hard to find anywhere else. The selection includes Patty's own autobiography, "Fire and Air," basic and advanced aerobatics texts from Geza Szurovy, Mike Goulian, and Neil Williams, a rare book on spins and spin recovery by Gene Beggs, emergency maneuver training books and videos from Rich Stowell, a marvelous autobiography by the legendary Bob Hoover, and even Budd Davisson's novel "Cobalt Blue." Purchase during AirVenture and Patty will autograph any of these books, videos, and apparel free at booth 3002, Hangar C. For those not attending Oshkosh, Patty will autograph any item ordered online. Simply indicate in the "remarks" section of your order that you'd like it autographed by Patty, at . TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS GLOBAL FBO SERVICES NETWORK For the FBO, the TCM LINK FBO Services program offers an Internet- and CD-ROM-based maintenance, service, and parts information program that provides 24-hour-a-day access to TCM's powerful computer network. TCM LINK FBO Services members enjoy access to TCM technical reps via a dedicated toll-free line. And the FBO's mechanics can attend the Aviation Technician Advanced Training Program tuition-free. Sales incentives, free advertising, technical assistance, Service Bulletins, parts catalogs, ADs, maintenance checklists, direct links to the Aviator Services members and TCM distributors. During Oshkosh, visit TCM at the West Main Aircraft display area (#99-102) and talk to TCM's technical staff. Not at Oshkosh? Go to . PAN AM INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ACADEMY LAUNCHES FAST-TRACK PILOT PROGRAM Pan Am International Flight Academy has launched a program to put aspiring pilots on the fast track to a co-pilot's seat with a regional airline. Agreements have been signed with six U.S. regional airlines in which graduates of the Academy's Air Crew Education (ACE) Program will be given employment offers for open flight-crew positions. For complete details, go to . FLIGHTCOM'S AWARD-WINNING DENALI HEADSETS ARE FUNCTIONAL AND ATTRACTIVE The Hannover Institute recently awarded Flightcom's Denali(r) headsets a prestigious iF award for excellence in design. Last year, Flightcom won an award from the Industrial Designers Society of America. Both groups rated Flightcom's products not only on innovation in design but in suitability of purpose. These awards speak volumes about not only the Denali's design, but its revolutionary performance. Denali headsets come in J3 yellow and graphite blue. See all of Denali's features at . OSHKOSH ATTENDEE ALERT! Stop by booth 2110 in Hangar B for a demonstration of this and other Flightcom products. FAA CERTIFIED & READY TO FLY -- OMF SYMPHONY MAKES MUSIC IN THE SKY Sporting a 160-hp Lycoming O-320 engine, an ergonomically designed cockpit, and a gross weight capability of 1,960 pounds, OMF's OMF-160 Symphony offers unmatched handling and versatility to the private pilot, flight school or commercial operator. Manufactured with a steel cage, aluminum wings and control surfaces, and a fiberglass exterior, the OMF- 160 Symphony provides true flying comfort even on cross-country cruises. Order now! Delivery in three months! See this aircraft for yourself during AirVenture at booth 422, or go online for all the specifics at . GARMIN INSTANT JEPPESEN UPDATES NOT AVAILABLE YET In September, GARMIN handheld GPS units will be able to receive instant Jeppesen updates, but the service is not currently available. Previous statements that the service is available now were incorrect. When it is available, AVweb will give you the direct link to the updates! Meantime, here's some more news from Garmin: GARMIN AUDIO PANELS HAVE EVERYTHING IN ONE SMALL PACKAGE The GARMIN International GMA 340 audio panel offers everything: individual volume controls; positive COM override of crew/music audio, stereo or monaural operations; soft-on/off; music/voice; pilot and crew isolation; positive VOX control; and more. The Garmin GMA 340 audio panel is small enough to fit even the tightest spots on your aircraft's panel. Come by booth 1073-76 during AirVenture to see how this cockpit audio panel can fit in your aircraft. If you're not attending Oshkosh, go to for details. FLY WITH PHILLIPS 66 AVIATION OIL! Now you can purchase the same high-quality aviation oil used by the Miss America Air Race Team from the convenience of your computer. Visit the new Phillips 66 e-store at today! Stop by the Phillips 66 booth (#104) during AirVenture with any questions regarding your aircraft's lubrication. FLIGHT EXPLORER LAUNCHES MORE POWERFUL LOW-COST PERSONAL PC VERSION Flight Explorer, the world's leading provider of Internet-based real- time flight systems and tracking information, has launched "Flight Explorer AVweb Edition 3.1." This is the first major release since Flight Explorer Personal Edition was launched two years ago and includes a demo mode allowing potential subscribers to test-drive Flight Explorer AVweb Edition using simulated data plus these notable enhancements. Anyone can track aircraft with Flight Explorer-AVweb Edition 3.1 for only $9.95 a month. Join thousands of satisfied users by subscribing at . ________________________________________ We Welcome Your Feedback! Comments on AVweb's daily EAA AirVenture 2000 coverage should be sent to . The AVweb AirVenture 2001 News Team: Want to subscribe or unsubscribe? Change/update your email address? Forgot your AVweb password? No problem! Simply go to our Member Services menu: . AVweb, the Internet's Aviation Magazine and News Service. ________________________________________ Copyright (C) 2001, The AVweb Group. All rights reserved.