OF INTEREST TO PILOTS

Aviation Off D.C. Radar

The economy will, of course, dominate the discussions in Washington, D.C. over the next while and that means some pressing issues in the aviation world will have to wait their turn, a panel of D.C. insiders told delegates to AOPA Expo in San Jose, Calif. on Thursday. "I don't think anyone gives a darn about aviation," Steve Alterman, president of the Cargo Airlines Association told the first general assembly of the organization. He said he doubts, for instance, that FAA reauthorization will be decided within the next year and the much-needed modernization of the air traffic control system is likely to languish. Alterman was on a panel with National Air Transportation Association President Jim Coyne, former FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and former Department of Transportation Inspector General Ken Mead. Mead had some critical comments about the modernization effort so far.

He said the so-called NextGen system "is more of a slogan more than anything else." Coyne predicted that once the economic issues settle some, the environmental impact of aviation will be a primary issue and that includes focus on phasing out 100LL, the last petroleum product that contains lead. "I don't think it's going to happen overnight, but it's clearly something that's coming down the pike. Garvey said another priority of the new administration should be peace with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "That relationship has to be repaired," she said. All the panelists agreed that the Obama administration will be less concerned with airborne security threats as it tightens sea and surface transportation security.

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Eclipse files for Chapter 11

Eclipse filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware Nov. 25, simultaneously announcing an agreement for the sale of its assets for a combination of cash, equity, and debt to an affiliate of ETIRC Aviation S.a.r.l., Luxembourg, subject to higher and better offers. At the same time, the company sent letters to some of its customers outlining immediate consequences of the sale, including denial of warranty claims, an end to the JetComplete support program, and the likelihood that those who have made deposits or requested refunds will lose their money. Read more >>

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FAA to change charting agent policy

In an effort to cut costs and make the National Aeronautical Charting Office's Chart Agent Network more efficient, the FAA has informed chart agents about its plan to raise the minimum sales threshold for chart agents. In order to remain a charting agent after Oct. 1, 2009, the business would need to have annual chart sales of $5,000, not the current $500. While NACO would no longer be supplying charts to those who can't meet the threshold, the FAA has said that it will allow large charting agents to sell large quantities of charts to individual FBOs. AOPA is concerned that this could make it more difficult for pilots to buy charts and will work with the FAA to determine the impact. The FAA will be hosting meetings on this proposal. For details, see the FAA's notice.
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Flying motorcycle the next roadable airplane?

Samson Motorworks claims it has the utmost in roadable aircraft with its new SkyBike. The SkyBike is a three-wheeled, two-seat motorcycle with a telescoping main wing and a canard. Powered by a shrouded single propeller driven by a rotary engine, the vehicle will supposedly fly at 130 mph—although it hasn't flown yet. Read more AOPA Pilot Editor in Chief Tom
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New quiz takes the chill out of winter preflight

Winter offers some of the smoothest air for flying, but the trick can be getting the airplane off the ground. In colder climates, ice, frost, and snow accumulate on wings and other surfaces when an aircraft is parked outside. The disrupted airflow can substantially alter flight characteristics—and every year accidents occur as a result. Think you've got winter preflight down cold? Test your knowledge with the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's new quiz on wing contamination.

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Aero-TV Holiday Redux: Amazing RC Model
Airplane Technologies at E-Fest 2008!

DO NOT Call Them 'Toys' (Enlarge to full screen)

E-I-C Note: The Aero-TV Team -- Jim, Sarah, Bill, Nathan, Jim, Laura, Ben, Birgit, Rob, Paul, Scott and the rest of the aero-gnomes -- want to wish you a Happy Holiday while we all pursue our own various and sundry holiday diversions. Our regular daily webcasting schedule will resume promptly on Monday. In the meantime, please enjoy this 'classic' episode of Aero-TV from the last year as we all recover from the obligatory turkey induced comas.... -- Jim Campbell, ANN E-I-C.  

This is the last of the programs we shot at the 2008 E-Fest event that SO boggled our minds early in 2008. It was one of the most amazing air displays ANN and Aero-TV has ever seen was and was (pretty much) run on batteries... no kidding. The growing popularity of small, electric Radio-Controlled aircraft (of ALL kinds and configurations) has given rise to an amazing event, held each Winter in Champaign, IL.

They call it "E-Fest" and all manner of electrically powered airplanes, motorgliders, helicopters, warbirds and even 'jets' gather together for a weekend INSIDE the massive University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Armory Track and Field Facility -- to fly... in some truly extraordinary ways.

E-Fest is hosted by Great Planes, Inc., a major player in the model aircraft industry and over the course of the last few years, the event has grown to become known (and documented) worldwide. While must of the weekend is devoted to simple "free-flying," a number of competitions do take place.

In just the last few years, RC Model Airplanes, especially the electric versions, have come down aggressively in price, are available in just about EVERY RC hobby shop, and have become far more easy to fly. This has happened, in large part, due to better design, enhanced powerplants, better radio technology, very quite noise signatures, and (as a result) have quite simply become one of the fastest growing segments in model aviation.

But... how do they work? How hard are they to fly? What do they cost? How do you get started? For the answers to these, and other questions, come along with Aero-TV as we wrap up our exciting programming from the 2008 E-Fest... an event we can't wait to return to, next year!

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