In Flight USA March 2024

Calendar of Events

To list your group’s event on a space available basis, please send your event notice with date, time, place w/city and state, contact name, and phone number to: Calendar, In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, Calif. 94402, or email 3rdavenue@embarqmail.com.

Note: Calendar includes only information available by our press date, Friday, March 1.Confirm the status before attending.

MARCH

Sat. & Sun. Atwater, CA: Tours of the VC9C Presidential Aircraft, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Castle Air Museum, (209) 723-2178, castleairmuseum.org.

1—2 Tavares, FL:Planes, Tunes & BBQ, Fri. 4 p.m./Sat. 11 a.m., Wooton Park, Lake Dora, (352) 742-6176, tavares.org.

1—3 Tucson, AZ:Thunder & Lightning over Arizona, Davis-Monthan AFB.

2 Casa Grande, AZ:Cactus Antique Fly-In, gates 8 a.m., Casa Grande Municipal Airport, cactusflyin.org.

Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, planesoffame.org.

Vacaville, CA: Cup of Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707)449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org

Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com.

3 Oakland, CA:Open Cockpit Day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oakland Aviation Museum, (510) 638-7100, oaklandaviationmuseum.org.

6 Chino, CA:Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 9 a.m. to noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-7576.

7—8 Miami Beach, FL:PBEXPO, Miami Beach Convention Center, pbexpo.org. Registration now open.

9 ElCentro, CA:NAF El Centro Air Show, gates 9 a.m., tickets (760) 339-2559, elcentroairshow.com.

Yuma, AZ:MCAS Yuma Air Show, gates 9 a.m., yumaairshow.com.

Del Rio, TX:“Fiesta of Flight” Open House, Airshow and STEAM Expo, Laughlin AFB, laughlin.af.mil

16 Burnet, TX:Bluebonnet Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Burnet Municipal Airport, bluebonnetairshow.com.

Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org.

Hayward, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111.

Santa Rosa, CA:Open Cockpit Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

Petaluma, CA:Petaluma Display Days, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Petaluma Municipal Airport, (707) 778-4404.

16 — 17 Fairfield, CA: Wings over Solano Open House & Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Travis AFB, travis.af.mil.

17 San Diego, CA:Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530.

21—23

Florence, Italy: AEROSPACE 2024, 9:30 a.m., (910) 033-0643.

23 Gainesville, FL: Gator Fly-In & Armed Services Appreciation Day, gates 10 a.m., Gainesville Regional Airport, (352) 416-0787.

Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Riverside Municipal Airport, (951) 312-4832.

23—24 Belle Chasse, LA: NAS JRB New Orleans Air Show, gates 8 a.m., neworleansairshow.com.

Phoenix, AZ:Luke Days Air & Space Expo, gates 9 a.m., Luke AFB, (623)887-3316, lukedays2024.com.

29—30 Tampa, FL:Tampa Bay AirFest, MacDill AFB, tickets (813) 725-1795, tampabayairfest.com.

30 Novato, CA:Planes & Coffee, SkyShare Terminal, Gnoss Field, (415) 897-2403, skyshare.com.

APRIL

Sat. & Sun. Atwater, CA: Tours of the VC9C Presidential Aircraft, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Castle Air Museum, (209) 723-2178, castleairmuseum.org.

2 Chino, CA:Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 9 a.m. to noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-7576.

4 Santa Rosa, CA:Hot Dog Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

6 Bullhead City, AZ: Laughlin-Bullhead Air Show, gates 11 a.m., LaughlinBullhead Int’l. Airport, (928) 565-0221, laughlinbullheadairshow.com.

Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, planesoffame.org.

Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com.

Vacaville, CA:Cupof Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707)449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org.

6—7 Montgomery, AL: Maxwell AFB “Beyond the Horizon” Air & Space Show, maxwell.af.mil.

San Antonio, TX: Great Texas Airshow & Open House, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., JB San Antonio-Randolph AFB, greattexasairshow.com.

CIELO BLU EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT GROWTH,ACHIEVING MILESTONES

KaylaDiLullostandingwithaP2006T andP92(LSA).Aircraftpicturedare availableininventory.Visitwww.cielo blu.aero/inventoryformoreinformation.

(CourtesyCieloBlu)

CieloBlu,foundedbyKaylaDiLullo andherfatherMarkDiLullo,isaTecnam FactoryAuthorizedAircraftDealership, brokerageandacquisitioncompanylocated attheChinoAirportinCalifornia.Itleases hangarspacefromThresholdAviation Group.Sinceitsinceptionin2022,Cielo Bluhasexperiencedsignificantgrowth, achievedmilestonesandcelebratednumeroussuccessesintheaviationindustry.

Sun‘nFun2024

In2022,KaylaobtainedaBusiness LawdegreefromtheUniversityofSan

DiegoSchoolofLawandimmediately thereaftersheformedCieloBlu.Since then,Kaylasaysshehasexperienced manyexcitingaviation“firsts’’likeattendingkeyaviationeventssuchasEAA AirventureinOshkosh,NBAA,andSun ‘NFun.“We’vetackledthechallengesthat anystartupwouldexpecttofaceinthepast yearandwe’vehadfunandsuccesswhile doingit.We’veattendedmanyairshows andexpos,beenfeaturedinmagazinesand newsarticles,participatedinaerialphotographymissionsandmetmanyamazing people!”ThecompanywillattendSun‘N FunAerospaceExpoinFloridawith TecnamAircraftforit’sthirdyear.Sun‘N Funholdsaspecialplaceinthecompany’s historyasitwaswhereCieloBluwasborn in2022whentheDiLullosdecidedtojoin theTecnamfamily.“AtSun‘NFunin 2022,wemetwithTecnamandimmediatelyidentifiedsynergiesandbecameone familyinaviationandweformedthedealershipthenextday,”saidMark.Tecnam,a renownedaircraftmanufacturer,willbe showcasingmanyoftheirfleetatSUN‘n FUN,includingtheirnewestmodel,thePMentor.TheP-MentorisTecnam’snewest 2-seaterIFRtrainingplatform.Theaircraft

isagame-changerbecauseitallowsthe studenttomeetalltrainingrequirements fromPrivatethroughInstrumentthrough CommercialPilotLicenseinamodernand efficientplatform.

TecnamItaly

Kayla’sroleasanaviationentrepreneurhascausedhertotraveltomany excitingplaces,includingItaly,whereshe visitedtheTecnamfactoryforthecompany’s75thAnniversaryGala.Tecnamheld theeventin2023andhundredsofdealers fromaroundtheworldgatheredinItalyto celebratetogetherasonebigfamily. “Gettingthebehind-the-scenestouron howtheaircraftaremanufacturedwas incrediblyinsightful,”saidKayla, “Meetingallofthedealersfromaroundthe world..sharingourexperienceswithone anotherandmakingmemoriesinItaly togetherwasevenmoreremarkable.”

What’sNewwithCieloBlu

Kaylahasjustrecentlycelebrated thesaleofherfifteenthaircraft.Kayla shared,“I’vesoldfifteenairplanesandI

amnotevenapilot!IamcurrentlyworkingonmyPrivatePilotLicenseandmy dadishelpingmeprepareformytest.”

MarkDiLulloandKaylaDiLulloflyingthe TecnamP2006Ttogether.

(CourtesyCieloBlu)

ElevenTecnamAircrafthavebeen deliveredonthewestcoasttoflight schoolsandprivateowners.Theseinclude LightSportAircraftandCertifiedSingle andTwinengineaircraft.“Themostpopularaircraftsoldfromourinventoryisthe P2010GranLusso,whichaccountsfor5 ofthesaleswehavemadetodate.”,said Kayla.TheGranLussoisaCertified SingleEngine,4seateraircraft,convenientlyequippedwithathirdpassenger door.TheGranLusso’sJet-Apiston enginemakesitnoteworthy,butitsinterior,linedentirely withItalianleather,

ContinuedonPage19

CIELO BLU

Whetheryou’reinterestedin fallinginlovewithanLSA, CertifiedSingleorTwin,or BusinessJet,CieloBluMakes DREAMS COME TRUE

Page4

$1MillionFAAGrantSupportsEmbry-RiddleProject............34

USAFtoRe-IntroduceWarrantOfficeRank,OtherChanges..36 EAA,VAAFileCommentsOpposingPiperAD..........................36

BannerYearforAOPAFoundationYouCanFlyChallenge......38 SchweissDoorsFoundertobeInductedintoMinnesota AviationHOF............................................................................42

SearchforNewHomefor NationalAirRaces NarrowedDowntoThree

AirRaceClassicRoute for2024Announced

Page45

Editorial:PrioritizeSafetyWhileTransitioningfrom LeadedtoUnleadedFuel

ByVickieBuonocore ......................................................6

AOPAEditorial:AOPA’sHighSchoolPrograms InvestinginTomorrow’sAviators

ByMarkBaker,PresidentandCEO ..................................8

ColoradoLeadStudiesFailtoDetectMeasurable Pollution

ByJimMoore,AOPA ......................................................11

PilotingBytheNumbers

ByCynthiaWheatleyGlenn ............................................25

BritsLikeItSmaller

ByDouglasKruger ........................................................27

CoverPhotoCourtesyCieloBlu

AirplanesUSA Aircraft Sales proudly presents this gorgeous Cessna 337GSkymastertomarket.Beautifulcosmetics are complimented byadamagefree, low time airframe and a highly capable IFR panel includingAspenEvolutionPFDand Dual Garmin WAAS GPS capability. Dual instruction, export and worldwide delivery are available. Alltrades considered..…........................................................$110,000

AirplanesUSA proudly presents this Oshkosh award winner! Timeless warbird with Navy colors and military records. Zero-timeengine with 2022 overhaul by Radial Engines. This excellent example needs absolutely nothing. This is your opportunity to own a piece of history. Ready for aerobatic ridesand grass strip adventures!.….............. CALL!

AirplanesUSA is proud to present this pristine Glasair Sportsman GS-2 to the market! Absolutely stunning. This was the 2nd aircraft togo through the famed “Two Weeks to Taxi” Program from Glasair. Lowtime,paintand interior are in an almost like new condition, and shehasneverbeenonsalt water. This is the ultimate adventurer’s airplane with an oversized baggage area, strut attached canoe, and anewhome..…….................................................................$299,900

AirplanesUSA Aircraft Sales proudly presents this beautiful and exceptionally well-maintained Cessna 182 to market. The aircraft has had the same owner for the last 30+ years and has been meticulously cared for. The recent annuals were extremely comprehensive and completed by some of the most respected maintenance facilities in Northern California to include Advantage Aviation of Palo Alto and San Martin Aviation of San Martin. This outstanding maintenanceis complimented by a fresh full top overhaul, beautiful cosmetic condition and capable IFR avionics. This airplane is turn-key and needs nothingbutanew home. Fly it away!................................................$149,900

Thingsaregettingcomplicatedout therewithregardtochangingfrom leadedfueltounleadedfuelfora fleetofaircraftthatuseleadedfuelinthe absenceofanyalternative.Butthatgapis startingtofillwithreliableandefficient unleadedfuel.Thisisverygoodnews… nobodyisarguingthatremovinglead fromallaviationfuelisanimportanttransitionthatneedstohappenassoonaspossible.Thekeyhereissafety.We’vestartedtonoticethatsomepoliticalbodiesare movingtowardbanningleadedfuelfrom ourairports–andsomealreadyhave bannedleadedfuel–butaretheymoving toofast?Aretheyconsideringsafety?

ABeechcraftBaronflewOct.31with GAMIG100ULinthelefttank. (DavidTulis,/CourtesyAOPA)

Lastmonth,theColoradoGeneral Assemblyintroducedlegislationthat wouldpenalizeairportsthatdonotadopta plantophaseoutavgasbyJan.1,2026. Thelegislationproposesrestrictingtheuse of“stateaviationgrantprogram”fundsfor suchairports,andwouldaddtwomembers totheColoradoAeronauticalBoard, expresslyexcludingpilotsandrequiring thegovernorto“giveprioritytoindividualswhoarenottrainedpilotsandwho residedirectlyinthepredominantflight pathofahigh-trafficgeneralaviationairportorcommercialairportatwhichthere issignificantgeneralaviationactivity” whenappointingthenewvotingmembers, accordingtothebill’ssummary.

AOPAstates,“Inboththelegaland legislativecontexts,residentsandgovernmentsatthelocalandstatelevelseekto violatethelongstandingprinciplethatthe FAAhasfinalauthorityoveraviation,and attemptsbystateandlocalgovernmentsto imposetheirownregulations,whilenot new,aredoomedtofailincourt.”

Californiatakesprideintheirefforts to“gettheleadout”ofaviationfuel.Last month,statelegislatorsintroduced SenateBill1193thatwouldprohibitthe distributionandsaleofleadedaviation gasolinewithinthestateinthreephases:

•ByJan.1,2026,atairportsandaviationretailestablishmentslocatedinor adjacenttoeitheradisadvantagedcommunityoracityofatleast700,000;

•ByJan.1,2028,atairportsandaviationretailestablishmentslocatedinor immediatelyadjacenttoanurbangrowth boundary;

•AndbyJan.1,2030,throughoutthe state.

Theprohibitionwouldcarryacivil

penaltyofupto$1,000perday.Inadditiontotheinterstatecommerceconcerns itraises,thestateproposalispreempted byfederallaw,whichgivestheFAA jurisdictionoveraviationfuels.

NATAisopposedtothenewlegislation,stating“NATAcontinuestoadvocateforaccessto100LLduringasafe, smart,andnationallycoordinatedtransitiontounleadedfuels.”

AuthoroftheCalifornialegislation SenatorCarolineMenjiva,representing District20whichincludesBurbankandthe SanFernandoValley,statedthefollowing: “WhenIranforoffice,oneofmymain promisestomycommunitywastofightfor cleanerair.Holdpollutersaccountablewho ignoretheimpactsoftheiractionsonpredominantlycommunitiesofcolorandpush forpoliciesthatreducetheamountofpollutionacrossthestate.SenateDistrict20isa majorityLatinodistrict,hasthreeairports withinapproximately10milesofeach other.PeopleintheSanFernandoValley andCalifornianeighborhoodshavehad enough.SB1193isanecessarysteptoward airpollutionmitigation.Weneedastrong statewideapproachnowbecausewhere Californialeads,thenationfollows.”

WhileStateSenatorMenjivamaybe pushinghardfortransitioningtounlead fuelwithspecificdeadlinesandpenalties, whereisherlanguageandconcernforgettingthejobdonesafely?Itseasytomake arulebutwhataboutthebackground–howisthisgoingtohappensafelyforthe pilotswhoflyinandoutofherdistrict?

U.S.CongressmanJayObernolte(RHesperia,District23inCalifornia),apilot withmorethan30yearsofexperienceand co-chairofthebipartisanAdvancedAir MobilityCaucus,helpedtoshapepolicy includedintheFederalAviation AdministrationReauthorizationlegislationthatpassedtheU.S.Houseof

1994 Commander 114B

2017 Socata TBM 930

1975 Cessna U206F 1976Cessna337G

1967Cessna182K

1943Stearman

N520PC2006 Glasair Sportsman GS2

CalendarofEvents

ContinuedfromPage3

9— 14 Lakeland, FL: Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, flysnf.org.

13 West Lafayette, IN:Purdue Aviation Day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Purdue University Airport, purdueaviationday.com.

13—14 Fort Worth, TX:NAS JRB Fort Worth “Wings over Cowtown” Airshow, cnrse.cnic.navy.mil.

18 Miami, FL: Aircraft Financing & Investment Opportunities Roundtable, Vedder Price, aeropodium.com.

20 Atwater, CA: Bombs Away Spring Car Show, gates 7 a.m., Castle Air Museum,(209) 723-2178, castleairmuseum.org.

Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org.

Hayward, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111.

Santa Rosa, CA:Open Cockpit Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoasterairmuseum.org.

Petaluma, CA:Petaluma Display Days, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Petaluma Municipal Airport, (707) 778-4404.

20—21 Charleston, SC: JB Charleston Airshow “Heroes of Flight,” jbcharleston.com. Sanford, FL:Central Florida Air & Space Show, gates 9 a.m., Orlando Sanford Int’l. Airport, airandspaceshow.com.

21 San Diego, CA:Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530.

26 Stockholm Sweden: European Corporate Aviato Summit, Stockholm Bromma Airport, aeroposium.com.

27 Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Riverside Municipal Airport, (951) 312-4832.

Novato, CA:Planes & Coffee, SkyShare Terminal, Gnoss Field, (415) 897-2403, skyshare.com.

27—28 Vidalia, GA:Vidalia Onion Festival Air Show, Vidalia Regional Airport, (912) 538-8687, vidaliaonionfestival.com.

Wichita Falls, TX:Sheppard AFB Open House & “Guardians of Freedom” Air Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., sheppardairshow.com.

28 Half Moon Bay, CA: Pacific Coast Dream Machines. CANCELED

MAY

Sat. & Sun. Atwater, CA: Tours of the VC9C Presidential Aircraft, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Castle Air Museum, (209) 723-2178, castleairmuseum.org.

2 Santa Rosa, CA:Hot Dog Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoastairmuseum.org.

3—5 Vero Beach, FL: Vero Beach Air show, Fri. 6:30 p.m./Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Vero Beach Regional Airport, veroairshow.com.

Monroe, LA:Red White and Blue Airshow, gates Fri. & Sat. 3 p.m./ Sun. 11 a.m., Monroe Regional Airport, redwhiteandblueairshow.com.

4 Abilene, TX:Big Country Air Fest, West Gate open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Abilene Regional Airport, bigcountryairfest.org.

Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, planesoffame.org.

Vacaville, CA:Cupof Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707)449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org.

Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com.

4—5 Panama City, FL:Gulf Coast Salute Air Show, Russell-Fields City Pier, (850) 233-5070, visitpanamacitybeach.com.

7 Chino, CA:Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 9 a.m. to noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-7576.

11 Paso Robles, CA:Estrella Warbirds Wings & Wheels, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Paso Robles Municipal Airport, (805) 286-5566, ewarbirds.org.

11—12 Cherry Point, NC:MCAS Cherry Point Air Show, gates 9 a.m., cherrypointairshow.com.

17—18

Fort Lauderdale, FL:Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Drop Zone Beach open 9 a.m., fortlauderdaleairshow.com.

Hayward, CA:Hayward Air Rally, 8 a.m., Hayward Airport to Livermore, (530) 621-1049, hwdairrally.org.

18 Atwater, CA: Open Cockpit Day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Castle Air Museum, (209)723-2178, castleairmuseum.org.

Riverside, CA:Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org.

Hayward, CA:Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111.

Santa Rosa, CA:Open Cockpit Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Coast Air Museum, Sonoma County Airport, (707) 575-7900, pacificcoasterairmuseum.org.

Petaluma, CA:Petaluma Display Days, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Petaluma Municipal Airport, (707) 778-4404.

17—18

Peru, IL:TBM Avenger Reunion, schedule TBA, Illinois Valley Regional Airport, tbmreunion.org.

17—19 Hillsboro, OR: Oregon Int’l. Air Show, Portland-Hillsboro Airport, (503)629-0706, oregonairshow.com.

C HANGINGTHE WORLD:AOPA’S HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMSARE INVESTINGIN TOMORROW’S AVIATORS

ByMarkBaker AOPAPresidentandCEO

It’sspringtime.Oneofourfavorite timesofyearwhentheweathergets warmer,thedaysgetlonger,andthe pulltospendtimealoftgetsstronger(even thoughthatalluretoflyisalwaysstrong fortheGAcommunity).Springisalsoan importanttimeforournation’syouth.For many,it’stimetofinishtheschoolyear strongandcontinuethinkingaboutsummer(andgraduation)plans.Iremember backinthedaywetookourtimefiguring outwhatthecomingsummerwouldbring, buttoday,thoseplansarewellunderway bythetimeMarchrollsaround.

I’vesaiditmanytimes–andI’llkeep onsayingit–ithasneverbeenabetter timetoexploreacareerinaviation.Just lookatthenumbers:Accordingto Boeing’sannualoutlook,weneed650,000 newpilotsandnearly700,000newtechnicianstoflyandmaintaintheglobalfleet overthenext20years.We’llneed127,000 newpilotsinNorthAmericaalone.

Ouraviationindustryneedstalented andenergeticmenandwomentofillour flightdecksandtechnicalshopsifweare

goingtokeepoursharedpassionforflyingaliveandstrongforthelonghaul.

I’mheartenedthatmanyofour friendsandpartnersinthegeneralaviationworld,whethersisterassociations, typeclubs,orairport-basedgroups,have programstointroduceandwelcome youngfolksintothisgreatworld.

Iamespeciallyexcitedfortheway ourownAOPAHighSchoolAviation STEMprogramhastakenflight,asour curriculumhasmadearealdifferencefor thousandsacrossthecountryandabig impactinourvisionofastrongaviation industry.Whatwedohereisclear:provide highschoolswithafreeandhigh-quality STEM-basedaviationeducationcurriculumandopenthedoortorewardingand well-payingaviationcareers.Andthese coursesarenotjustdryacademicones–theyengageandteachbycapturingstudents’imaginationandlettingthemsoar.

WhenIlookattheimpactfulnumbers ofourhighschoolinitiative,Icontinueto beastounded.Considerthatinjustafew shortyears,wehaveengagedwithmore than70,000highschoolstudentsacrossthe country.Intalkingtotheprogram’sfirst classesofgraduates,morethan60percent

saytheyarepursuinganaviationcareer. That’swhatIcallreal-worldimpact.Ican’t waittoseehowtheseyoungmenand womenadvancethroughtheircareersand, quitefrankly,changetheworld.

Inthisyear,alone,wehave23,000 studentsintheAOPAHighSchoolprogram,servingmorethan950schoolsin 46statesandinWashington,D.C.

I’veoftensaidthatoneofthemost rewardingandimportantpartsofthis programisthatitintroducesstudentstoa potentialaviationcareerwhomightnot otherwisehavetheopportunitytosee suchapath.Morethan40percentofour programstudentsarepeopleofcolor,and morethan20percentarefemale.We needinclusioninaviation,asitmust reflectthelargersociety.

Atthesametime,weengagethe teachersasmuchaswedothestudents. Whetherit’saseriesoftrain-the-trainer eventsacrossthecountry,ournational highschoolsymposium,orinsightful resources,weensuretheeducatornever walksalone.Irecentlyengagedwithseveralteachersatatrainingeventand,wow, theseeducatorsaremotivated!

Ifyouareateacher,administrator,or

TheAOPAFoundation’sHighSchool AviationSTEMCurriculumreceivedtwo accreditationhonorsfromtheprestigious independentcredentialingandeducation researchorganizationSTEM.org.

(ChrisRose/CourtesyAOPA)

evenahighschoolstudent–especiallyif youarealreadyinouraviationcommunity–andthinkthatourHighSchool AviationSTEMprogramwouldbea greatfitforyou,giveusacall.We’dlove totalkandhelpyoutakeflight.

Letmetakeamomentheretorecognizeanotherimportantgroupoffriends–ourgenerousdonorsthathelpfundthe highschoolprogramthroughtheirgenerositytowardtheAOPAFoundation.

IsimplycannotwaitforthedaythatI meetthatyoungmanorwomanwhois captainingmyflight,andtheytellmethey gottheirstartthroughourAOPAprogram. Iknowitwillbeblueskiesthatday.

GAMARELEASES 2023 AIRCRAFT SHIPMENTSAND BILLINGS REPORT

OnFeb.21,theGeneralAviation ManufacturersAssociation(GAMA) releasedthe2023GeneralAviation AircraftShipmentsandBillingsReport duringitsannualStateoftheIndustry PressConference.Overall,whencomparedto2022,allaircraftsegmentssaw increasesinshipmentsandpreliminary aircraftdeliverieswerevaluedat$27.8 billion,anincreaseof3.6percent.

“Forthefirsttimeinmorethana decade,thegeneralaviationmanufacturingindustryhaseclipsed4,000aircraft delivered.Inadditiontothisstrongshowing,therearerobustandgrowingorder backlogsforallsegmentsofaircraft.This isatestamenttotheresilienceofour industryandtheintegralrolethatgeneral andbusinessaviationplaysinourcommunities.Whilethedeliveriesfrom2023 areveryencouraging,ourindustryfaces headwindsfromongoingsupplychain issues,workforceshortages,uncertainty andunpredictabilityfromglobalregulators,andshort-sightedeffortsaimedat curbingbusinessandgeneralaviation, particularlyinEurope.Ascivilaviation’s innovationincubator,ourentireGA industryisfocusedonnewaircraftand technologiesthatwillleadthewayin safetyandsustainabilityfortheentire aviationsector.Thisprogressisdependentonhavingeffective,predictableand accountableregulatoryprocesses,anda supportivebusinessenvironment. Therefore,itiscrucialthattheU.S. Congresspassesalong-termFAAreauthorizationbill,afiscalyear2024appropriationsbillfortheFAA,andatax measurewhichispendingthatpromotes

researchanddevelopment.Likewise, non-U.S.globalregulatoryagenciesmust receivetheproperbudgetarysupport fromtheirgovernmentstocarryoutcurrentandfutureactivities.Ifpoliticalentitiesandregulatorybodiescandeliveron theirresponsibilities,whatourindustry canaccomplishin2024andbeyondwill beextraordinary,”saidPeteBunce, GAMAPresidentandCEO.

Airplaneshipmentsin2023,when comparedto2022,sawpistonairplane deliveriesincrease11.8percentfromthe samereportingcompanies,with1,682 units;turbopropairplanedeliveries increase9.6percent,with638units;and businessjetdeliveriesincrease2.5percent,with730units.Thevalueofairplanedeliveriesfor2023was$23.4billion,anincreaseofapproximately2.2 percent.

Pistonhelicopterdeliveriesfor2023, whencomparedto2022,sawanincrease of7.7percent,with209units;andpreliminarycivil-commercialturbinehelicopterincrease10.4percent,with753 units.Thepreliminaryvalueofhelicopter deliveriesfor2023was$4.4billion,an increaseofapproximately11.2percent.

Note: LeonardoHelicoptersfourthquarterdatawasnotavailableatthetimeof publication.LeonardoHelicopterswill releaseyear-endresultsinthenextcoupleofweeks.GAMAexcluded2022 fourthquarterdataforLeonardointhe comparisontable.

GAMA’scomplete2023year-end reportcanbefoundatgama.aero

Year-endAircraftShipmentsandBillings

AircraftType

TotalAirplanes2,7993,050+9.0percent

TotalAirplaneBilling$22.9B23.4B+2.2percent

PistonHelicopters194209+7.7percent

TurbineHelicopters(*)682753+10.4percent

TotalHelicopters876962+9.8percent

TotalHelicopterBilling$4.0B$4.4B+11.2percent

Thegrowingaerialartformoflighted dronesiscomingtoEAAAirVenture Oshkoshin2024,asStarlightAerial Productionsbringsitsspectaculardisplays tonightairshowsonJuly24and27.The 71steditionoftheEAA’sfly-inconvention iscomingtoWittmanRegionalAirportin OshkoshonJuly22-28.

Upto500state-of-the-artdroneswill taketotheskyfortheperformancesduring AirVenture’spopularnightairshows,offeringdazzlinglightdisplaysandcaptivating illustrationsinfrontoftheaudiences.

“Droneshowshaveemergedasa marvelouswaytoaddtechnology,color, andentertainmenttonighttimeeventsand forus,it’saperfectcomplementtotheskill andexcitementbroughttothelegendary Oshkoshnightairshowsbyouraerobatic pilotsandaircraft,”saidRickLarsen, EAA’svicepresidentofcommunitiesand memberprograms,whocoordinates AirVenturefeaturesandattractions.“This additionwillmakethenightshoweven morememorablein2024.”

StarlightAerialProductions,based inMichigan,mostrecentlyfilledthe nightskyoverDetroitwitha400-drone showthatcelebratedtheNFLDetroit Lions’appearanceintheNFC

ChampionshipGame.TheOshkoshperformancewillincludeAmerican-made LumenierARORAdronesequippedwith LEDlightsthatcancreatemorethan4 billioncolorcombinationsalongwith animatedsequencesthataretightlysynchronizedtoamusicalscore.

Starlight’sparent,GreatLakes DroneCompany,madeitsinitialappearanceatOshkoshin2018withasampleof thethenstill-emergingtechnology. Today’sdroneshowsfeatureinnovations thatmakeflyinghundredsofdronesmore efficientandcapableofexecutingmuch morecomplexformations.

“Today’sdroneshowsarepushing theboundariesofaerialentertainment andcreatingmomentsthatleavean indeliblemarkontheheartandmind,” saidMattQuinn,CEOofGreatLakes DroneCompany.“TheOshkoshshows willcelebratehumaningenuityasatestamenttotheunyieldingspiritofexplorationthataviationembodies.”

Additionaldetailsregarding Starlight’sdroneshowsatEAA AirVenturewillbereleasedasitisfinalized.Visiteaa.orgforupdates.Learn moreaboutStarlightAerialProductions atstarlightdroneshows.com.

EAA’sleadershipinthewarbirds communitywasevidentatlastmonth’s NationalWarbirdOperatorConference (NWOC)inCocoaBeach,Florida.Both EAAandWarbirdsofAmericawere well-representedatthethree-daysession, Feb.8-11,whichcoveredawidevariety oftopicsimportanttoownersandoperatorsofthoseaircraft.

SeanElliott,EAA’svicepresidentof advocacyandsafety,ledtheconference’s

EAAwaswell-representedattheNational WarbirdOperatorConference(NWOC) inCocoaBeach,FloridaFeb.8-11, whichcoveredawidevarietyoftopics importanttoownersandoperatorsof thoseaircraft.(CourtesyEAA)

COLORADO LEAD STUDIES FAILEDTO DETECT MEASURABLE AVIATION POLLUTION; STATE LAWMAKERS PROPOSE EXPEDITED AVGAS ELIMINATION NONETHELESS

ByJimMoore AOPA

Notwithstandingthelackof detectableleadinairandsurface samplestakeninthreeColorado communitiesnearRockyMountain MetropolitanAirportin2023(findings thatcametolightonlyafterpilots obtainedthereportsviafreedomofinformationrequests),thelegislatureisnow consideringanakedlyanti-aviationbill thatAOPAwillvigorouslyoppose.

ThelegislationintroducedFeb.12 seekstopenalizeairportsthatdonot adoptaplantophaseoutavgassalesby Jan.1,2026,restrictingtheuseof“state aviationgrantprogram”fundsforsuch airports,andwouldaddtwomembersto theColoradoAeronauticalBoard, expresslyexcludingpilotsandrequiring thegovernorto“giveprioritytoindividualswhoarenottrainedpilotsandwho residedirectlyinthepredominantflight pathofahigh-trafficgeneralaviationairportorcommercialairportatwhichthere issignificantgeneralaviationactivity” whenappointingthenewvotingmem-

bers,accordingtothebill’ssummary.

Thisisnotthefirstmanifestationof anti-airport,anti-GAsentimentin Colorado,norlikelythelast.Homeowners inthevicinityofthesameDenverairport filedsuitinDecemberseekingthesame end–curtailmentoreliminationofGA operations–notwithstandingthefactthat localcommunitieslongignoredadviceto thecontraryandallowedconstructionof residentialdevelopmentsinthevicinityof anactiveairport.

Inboththelegalandlegislativecontexts,residentsandgovernmentsatthe localandstatelevelseektoviolatethe longstandingprinciplethattheFAAhas finalauthorityoveraviation,and attemptsbystateandlocalgovernments toimposetheirownregulations,while notnew,aredoomedtofailincourt.

SupportNetworkvolunteerBradWalker obtainedthedocumentsunderafreedom

Continued on Page 12

Colorado state legislation introduced Feb. 12 seeks to penalize airports that do not adopt a plan to phase out avgas sales by Jan. 1, 2026.

(Mike Fizer/Courtesy AOPA)

AdvertisingSalesManager........................................EdDowns(650)358-9908,(918)873-0280

InFlightUSA ispublishedeachmonthbyInFlightPublishing.Itiscirculatedthroughoutthecontinental UnitedStates.Businessmatters,advertisingandeditorialconcernsshouldbeaddressedto InFlightUSA,P.O.Box 5402,SanMateo,Calif.94402orbycalling(650)358-9908–fax(650)358-9254.Copyright©2008InFlight Publishing. InFlightUSA isnotresponsibleforanyactiontakenbyanypersonasaresultofreadinganypartofany issue.Thepiecesarewrittenforinformation,entertainmentandsuggestion–notrecommendation.Thepursuitof flightoranyactionreflectedbythispaperistheresponsibilityoftheindividualandnotofthispaper,itsstaffor contributors.Opinionsexpressedarethoseoftheindividualauthor,andnotnecessarilythoseof InFlightUSA Alleditorialandadvertisingmatterinthiseditioniscopyrighted.Reproductioninanywayisstrictlyprohibitedwithoutwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

InFlightUSA isnotliableorinanywayresponsiblefortheconditionorairworthinessofanyaircraftadvertisedforsaleinanyedition.Bylawtheairworthinessofanyaircraftsoldistheresponsiblityofthesellerandbuyer.

Sunday, March 3, 2024 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Colorado Lead Studies

Continued from Page 11

of information request to the town of Superior, Colorado, which commissioned at least four studies during the course of 2023, with samples taken in Superior, Lafayette, and Louisville, Colorado, on various dates.

The contractor, Pinyon Environmental Inc., was unable to detect lead in any of the air or surface sampling locations chosen by the towns, other than one surface contamination sample obtained at a historic local structure believed to be painted (still) with lead-containing paint, facts summarized in a Feb. 8 media release from the Colorado Aviation Business Association and the Colorado Pilots Association.

“Colorado’s aviation community is pleased with the finding of studies commissioned by our neighbors that confirmed that our communities are not being contaminated with lead,” the organizations said in the joint release. “While we are puzzled as to why these three municipalities have not publicized these results, the findings themselves are unsurprising and confirm what several others around the country have found.”

The group was referring to studies including one that came to light in 2022, when The Mercury News of San Jose, California, uncovered lead contamination studies conducted by Santa Clara County that found lead levels in the soil around Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport were below local, state, and federal safety limits, with similar findings documented in another study at San Martin Airport. Despite this lack of evidence, the communities made the unprecedented decision to unilaterally ban avgas sales in 2022, putting safety at risk in the view of AOPA and other aviation groups.

The Colorado aviation organizations reiterated the commitment made by the wider GA community to eliminate lead from aviation fuel as soon as it can be done safely. The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions coalition represents a broad array of stakeholders, public and private, seeking to remove all lead from aviation fuel by 2030, if not sooner.

“This in no way diminishes our commitment to pursuing a safe, orderly transition away from leaded avgas,” the Colorado groups said. “We, along with the entire aviation industry, are eagerly working with manufacturers on a safe,

commercially viable unleaded alternative by the end of 2030 or sooner. Low-lead fuel is used in piston engine aircraft as a safety requirement to prevent catastrophic engine failure and is accordingly required for the safe operation of many aircraft. Aircraft needing the higheroctane fuel to fly safely include those performing such important missions as search and rescue, disaster relief, agricultural support, law enforcement and medical transport.”

AOPA continues to work with both of those organizations, and others like them in other states, to fend off legislation driven by airport animus rooted in uninformed fears – and to a large degree by noise complaints from residents who built houses in, or moved to, airport-adjacent neighborhoods before deciding they preferred to live without airplane noise.

The endangerment finding released by the Environmental Protection Agency in October brought new focus to longstanding efforts to monitor airport-adjacent neighborhoods for lead contamination that have produced less clear-cut results over the years than the more recent sampling efforts commissioned by Colorado communities. The EPA relied significantly on studies that found elevated lead levels in blood samples taken from individuals living near airports, though the conclusions that aviation was the source of that lead required certain assumptions, the absence of other obvious sources, and statistical analysis of large populations.

“There is mounting evidence that recent litigation and legislation in Colorado are both based on perception more than reality,” said AOPA Northwest Mountain Regional Manager Brad Schuster. “Fanning emotional flames to muster community opposition to airports does not actually make people safer, but it does have the potential to do real economic damage. We can protect jobs and maintain critical services with a safe, sensible transition to unleaded fuel, and while we work on that, we meanwhile urge state and local governments to please pay attention to the facts.”

This legislative bill is titled HB241235, “Reduce Aviation Impacts on Communities” and can be found at the Colorado General Assembly website, https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1235 . Also, follow developments in this story and learn more at aopa.org.

DESTINATION HOTEL 1110 ON THE MONTEREY BAY!

Welcome back high-flyers; 2024 is shaping up to be a doozy! It’s a leap year, and it’s the year of the dragon; signs are pointing to the skies and it’s time to take off. The eagle eyes at Spirit of Flight are always flying high and looking to spot the next destination while revisiting some of our favorite gems along the way. In this article we touch back down in Monterey Bay to visit our friends at Hotel 1110. There, we had the chance to sit down with owner, Nick Yaqub to talk about comfort, food and wine, and what’s new on the Del Monte strip.

So, fly with eagles or run with turkeys, but buckle up and set your coordinates for Monterey Bay, California. Let’s get into it.

Whether you arrive by air, sea, or road; an unforgettable experience awaits you at Hotel 1110 in Monterey Bay. Here you will find your curiosity stimulated and sensations delighted within the walls of this magical 17-room, adult only “Boutique Hotel with Personality.” Step through the wrought iron doors and expect to be swept away with visual and culinary delights mixed beautifully within the romantic atmosphere that awaits. An experience that comes with a unique and vast history to tell, in “an unassuming building marked 1110 on Del Monte Avenue.”

A love story envisioned, designed, and created by the late Lindarose Yaqub. Her husband, Dr. Nick Yaqub, carries on their dream to create a special place for all his guests.

Hotel 1110 is a Boutique Hotel that looks and feels like you walked in off the streets of Paris. It is one of my most favorite hotels with treasures to be found everywhere. I love walking in and immediately looking up to see the glorious red chandlers that illuminate the remodeled dining room. Each time I visit I feel as if I am ‘traveling the world’ in my own backyard.

Enjoy a glass of Nick’s favorite Pinot Noirs from Pisoni Family Vineyards to pair perfectly with dinner on LindaRose Rooftop Bar & Grill while watching layers of gold, orange, red and blue surround you as the sun’s reflection sets softly on the bay. You can follow that up with a relaxing jetted bath in your uniquely designed room, that will be sure to allow some of life’s tensions to drift away.

Hotel 1110 sits across from the Monterey Bay and Fisherman’s Wharf, as well as, walking distance to the ever-

Continued on Page 21

A Gem Hiding in Plain Sight. HOTEL 1110 "A Boutique Hotel with Personality." (Denise DeGregoire)

Complimentary Breakfast in Venetian Dining Room at HOTEL 1110 (Denise DeGregoire)

Fudge is my Favorite! (Denise DeGregoire)

FAA MOVESTO ACCELERATE ATC HIRINGBY ENHANCING COLLEGE TRAINING PROGRAM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working to accelerate its training and hiring of air traffic controllers through an Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.

“Hiring more air traffic controllers is a priority,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “We need more entry points for controller candidates and this enhanced college controller training program is an additional avenue to get controllers into facilities sooner.”

The Enhanced AT-CTI program will bolster the current hiring pipeline by allowing the FAA to hire more candidates who can begin facility training immediately upon graduation.

The FAA is authorizing institutions in the AT-CTI program to provide the same thorough curriculum offered at the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy. After graduating from one of the eligible schools, new hires can immediately begin localized training at an air traffic facility. These graduates still must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam and meet medical and security requirements.

The Enhanced AT-CTI program is one of the many actions the FAA is taking to increase the number of controllers and improve training. (Courtesy FAA)

the FAA has already provided guidance on academy criteria and coursework and will oversee all program requirements. These schools will follow all the technology, testing, oversight, and participation requirements of the new Enhanced ATCTI program.

The current AT-CTI program is a non-funded partnership between select colleges and universities and the FAA, and is a valuable source of applicants for air traffic controller positions.

C Air Museum, Castle (MER) is in its 41st ye oast est C W become the air of

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Colleges will apply to join the Enhanced AT-CTI program in April 2024, and the FAA will then sign partnership agreements with the selected institutions that incorporate the new curriculum. The FAA has now surveyed which institutions in the AT-CTI program want to and can incorporate the new enhancements for the 2024-25 school year.

To ensure the highest quality of the Enhanced AT-CTI graduating students,

The Enhanced AT-CTI program is one of the many actions the FAA is taking to increase the number of controllers and improve training following the release of the National Airspace System Safety Review Team Report. This includes year-round hiring for experienced controllers from the military and private industry, filling every seat at the FAA Academy and finishing the deployment of upgraded tower simulator systems in 95 facilities by December 2025.

air s.1930’ such as the L e and mor A-18 Blue Nighthawk and F Museum is situated on 31 acr ently air curr ehensive collection of compr omfr eacemak onvair RB-36 P C om L t fr craf view air -16A al F Gener

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Castle Air Museum, adjacent to Castle Airport (MER) is in its 41st year of operation, and has become the West Coast’s largest static display of vintage military aircraft dating back from the late 1930’s. With over 80 aircraft in the collection and more due soon, such as the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk and FA-18 Blue Angel Aircraft, the Museum is situated on 31 acres, 25 of which are currently occupied by aircraft. The most comprehensive collection of WWII Bombers, from the Douglas B-18 Bolo to the mammoth Convair RB-36 Peacemaker, B-52D Stratofortress view aircraft from the Lockheed F-80 to the General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon.

Warbirds Conference

Continued from Page 10

opening session on Feb. 9 with an update on government advocacy issues. He was joined midway through the presentation via video link by U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri), a Warbirds of America board member, for further details on the Washington scene.

called on stage to join FAA representatives during their Feb. 10 general session as they outlined efforts to keep warbirds flying.

The Museum is located at 5050 Santa Fe Dr., Atwater, CA 95301, and open daily 9 am to 4 pm, with last admission to the Aircraft Exhibit Grounds at 3:15 daily.

For more information, please call 209-723-2178 or visit www.castleairmuseum.org.

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., e Dr t Exhibit Aircraf ase call 209-723-2178 ple g. F-15A -16A

Sean also led a breakout working session later that day on the Living History Flight Exemption, an FAA provision that allows unique flight experiences in warbirds. He noted that well-attended session included FAA representatives, with some important clarifications made for warbird operators. Sean was also

Chris Henry’s popular B-17 presentation about EAA’s Aluminum Overcast was the featured lunch event on Feb. 10, as it highlighted the WWII vets who flew aboard the airplane in recent years. Nora Leigh of the Warbirds of America office joined WOA board members throughout the weekend to support that division’s members attending NWOC.

Learn more at eaa.org or at the National Warbird Operator Conference website, nwoc.aero.

AH-1W Cobra Boeing B-52D SH-60B Seahawk FA-18 Blue Angel 2 F-15A and F-16A

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VAN'S AIRCRAFT REPORTS TURNING CORNER: REORDER GOALS EXCEEDED, REORGANIZATION PLANTO FOLLOW

By Jim Moore AOPA

Editor’s Note: This is a quickly changing story. Follow AOPA or visit the AOPA website (aopa.org) or Van’s Aircraft on social media or on their website (vansiarcraft.com) for updates.

More than 81 percent of thousands of Van's Aircraft customers awaiting deliveries have signed updated agreements to pay more for their orders, company officials announced on YouTube Feb. 17. The deadline to update agreements was Feb. 22; it had been extended to this date from Feb. 12 but not expected to be further extended.

An eight-minute video (available at aopa.org and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnSx Xp_cxsc&t=23s) features company founder (and now its biggest creditor) Richard VanGrunsven and Greg Hughes, whose current role with the company was not identified, leading with far more upbeat news than the company has delivered since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December: The company has secured agreements with more than 81 percent of its customers to pay price increases of 30 percent (closer to 50 percent more in at least one case) for their unfilled orders, easily exceeding the 70percent threshold that the company previously reported is essential for successful reorganization. VanGrunsven made it a

point at the outset to “thank everyone for their continuing support, particularly those that have decided to continue building and reorder their kits, and engines.”

According to court documents and the company website, Hughes was appointed vice president of operations in June 2021. A statement of financial condition filed in December indicated that Hughes’ tenure as vice president ended Oct. 31, along with Rian Johnson's tenure as president (listed as chief engineer in the December filing), and Mitchell Lock's tenure as chief financial officer. (AOPA emailed Van's Aircraft seeking clarification.)

Hughes called the customer response “overwhelming,” more than adequate to proceed with finalizing a reorganization plan to submit to the federal bankruptcy court in Oregon in early March. He also encouraged any customers who had not accepted new terms to do so by 11:59 p.m. (time zone not specified) on Feb. 22. Hughes reported that 93 percent of engine customers and 78 percent of aircraft kit customers, as well as more than 80 percent of those waiting for propellers, have signed new agreements “so far,” inviting others to respond by the newly extended deadline.

According to court records, more than 500 creditors filed claims by the Feb. 12 deadline set by the court, a fraction of the roughly 4,800 customers who had paid for orders not yet filled at the time of the December bankruptcy filing.

The potential creditor pool also included hundreds more customers who had received parts with laser-cut holes that developed cracks in the raised dimples that the company at first agreed to replace out of hand, later reconsidering after its own engineering study determined that the parts in question were not compromised in strength or life limits, and that only select parts subject to higher loads during operation would be replaced.

The company has built 254 new kits in the last six weeks, Hughes said, most of them already shipped. About 9 percent of the orders awaiting replacements for laser-cut parts have also been filled.

“Everybody here is working really, really hard to produce parts, to get things crated up and shipped to customers as quickly as possible,” Hughes said.

Hughes said Hartzell Propeller and Lycoming will continue to offer bundle discounts through 2024, with Hartzell offering a $500 price reduction and Lycoming a $1,000 reduction when customers purchase an engine and propeller together. The pair also acknowledged the 5-percent rebate offered by Dynon to affected Van's Aircraft customers in January.

While the majority of Van’s Aircraft customers with outstanding orders (and potential claims) agreed to higher prices, many of the 532 claims filed in the case came from other customers, whose dissatisfaction is manifest in documents attached to their claim. Most claims are

well below $100,000, but there are a few notable exceptions, including the largest single creditor in the case, the Richard and Diane VanGrunsven Trust, which filed claims totaling $9.8 million for loans made to the cash-strapped company prior to the bankruptcy petition. According to a document filed February 20 (an amended motion requesting the appointment of legal counsel to represent the company as special counsel), current and former company employees have filed 33 proofs of claim that total more than $3 million.

VanGrunsven and Hughes said the reorganization plan will be forthcoming in early March, and such documents typically begin to clarify how much of the money owed to unsecured creditors (primarily customers) will be repaid, though final decisions by the court will still be months away.

Meanwhile, factory tours and demonstration flights will likely resume in March, and the company confirmed it will have its usual presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin in July, though the company will not dispatch staff to the spring shows, Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Florida, or Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany.

“For the spring events what we decided… we're just going to focus our energy on the work that we're doing here, and getting it done, making parts, and getting things shipped,” Hughes said.

BUCKEYE’S BIGGEST YEAR YET: AOPA CONTINUES 85TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

By Niki Britton AOPA

The Buckeye Air Fair in Arizona saw more than 30,000 attendees and 340 total fly-in aircraft, over the event’s three-day weekend, but it wasn’t just the numbers that made the overall event, including the AOPA Fly-in at the Buckeye Air Fair, a rousing success.

Community members, aviators, aviation enthusiasts, and families from across Arizona and beyond gathered at the Buckeye Municipal Airport Feb. 1618 for a weekend of aviation centered around entertainment and education.

The brainchild of Buckeye Mayor and pilot Eric Orsborn, the Buckeye Air Fair has the unique atmosphere of a big

airshow while simultaneously maintaining that small community fly-in vibe; the surrounding desert landscape in February made for spectacular flying and aviation spectating weather.

Of the 340 general aviation aircraft that flew in, 60 chose to spend the weekend in Buckeye, setting up tent camping sites nestled cozily under or nearby their wings.

James Williams, proud owner of a 1957 Cessna 182, first-time volunteer, and second-time AOPA fly-in attendee, was one of those campers.

“I’m doing aircraft marshalling and it’s been wonderful,” Williams said. “There’s lots of things to see and I’m really happy to be here.”

“I received some emails from

AOPA,” Williams continued. “I thought, you know, I’d really like to volunteer, and it’s just been wonderful…actually what kind of piqued my interest was that it said ‘free meals’ and I thought, I’m gonna sign up, cause I’m camping and it’s just been great.”

Emma Barber, pilot and first-time Buckeye volunteer, enjoyed her time at the Buckeye Air Fair learning about the industry and meeting people.

“I have had absolutely the best time,” Barber said. “I’ve made so many connections, I have learned more in less than 24 hours about the industry, different planes, about what people do out here, how the control tower works, than I have in my last couple years of flying. It’s just such a great experience, you get to make

The setting sun frames Kyle Franklin performing a routine in front of the AOPA Flightline Chalet.

(David Tulis/Courtesy AOPA)

so many connections and the hospitality has been amazing. There’s so many different events and you should absolutely go if you ever get the chance to.”

On Friday the event welcomed more than 1,000 students from local schools

Continued on Page 18

for the Air Fair’s famous Field Trip Friday, which gave kids the opportunity to learn about aviation; science, technology, engineering, and math subjects; ROTC, and more. The students also enjoyed being able to see, touch, and learn about the variety of aircraft on display, which included warbirds, helicopters, and GA aircraft, including two AOPA Sweepstakes aircraft, one of which was presented to its new owner at the show.

AOPA Sweepstakes took center

stage over the weekend with the introduction of AOPA’s newest sweepstakes aircraft, the 1958 Cessna 182. The event also featured the long-awaited giveaway of AOPA’s backcountry beast, the Cessna 170B. The winner, Cliff Gurske, a Phoenix area native, 30-year AOPA member, and Southwest Airlines pilot, got the surprise of a lifetime during AOPA’s Town Hall with Mark Baker.

On Friday evening, AOPA members enjoyed a private show as aerobatic performers practiced for their big debut on Saturday, when AOPA hosted its private,

Trusted.

182P 1972-1976

Cessna 182R 1981-1986

Cessna R182 Skylane RG 1978-1986

Cessna 182RG Turbo 1979-1986

Cessna 182T Analog Gauges 2001+

Cessna 182T/G1000 2004+

Cessna 210N Centurion 1979-1984

Cessna Turbo 182T 2001+

Cessna Turbo 182T/G1000 2006+

Cessna Turbo 206H 1998+

Cessna Turbo 210M Centurion1977-1978

Cirrus SR20 Analog Gauges 2000-2003

Cirrus SR20 G1-G2 2003-2007

Cirrus SR20 G3 2007+

Cirrus SR20 Perspective 2008+

Cirrus SR22 G1-G2 2003-2007

Cirrus SR22 G3 2007+

Cirrus SR22 Perspective 2008+

Cirrus SR22 G3 Turbo 2007+

Cirrus SR22 Turbo Perspective 2008+

Diamond DA20 C1 1998+

Diamond Star DA40 2001+

Piper Archer II PA-28-181 1976-1994

Piper Archer III PA-28-181 1995-2002

Piper Arrow 180 PA-28R-180 1967-1971

Piper Arrow II PA-28R-200 1969-1976

Piper Arrow III PA-28R-201 1977+

Piper Arrow III Turbo PA-28R-201T1977-1978

members-only eighty-fifth anniversary party at the VIP tent on the south side of the field. Members enjoyed delicious food, libations, a celebratory birthday cake, and swag courtesy of AOPA.

Attendees were dazzled with adrenaline-inducing spectacles that included flybys and demonstrations from a local Lockeed Martin F-35, a duo of Stearmans, a heritage flight by a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt and a North American P-51 Mustang, Jon Melby’s FearBoss Pitts, Red Thunder Airshows’ Yak-50 team, NextGen Eagles

J.W. White explains science, technology, engineering, and math concepts and aviation to students Pierce Cottingham and Christopher Lopez.

(David Tulis, courtesy AOPA)

Aerobatic Team, Desert Rat’s Nanchang CJ-6s, and night skydivers.

Piper Arrow IV PA-28RT-201 1979-1982

Piper Arrow IV Turbo PA-28RT-201T1979-1990

Piper Cherokee 140 PA-28-1401964-1977

Piper Cherokee 150 PA-28-1501961-1967

Piper Cherokee 160 PA-28-1601961-1967

Piper Cherokee 180 PA-28-1801963-1973

Piper Dakota PA-28-236 1979-1994

Piper Cherokee Lance PA-32R-3001976-1978

Piper Navajo PA-31-310 B/C 1972-1980

Piper Navajo Chieftain PA-31-3501973-1984

Piper Saratoga SP PA-32R-3011980-1992

Piper Saratoga SP Turbo PA-32R-301T1980-1987

Piper Tomahawk PA-38-112 1978-1982

Piper Warrior 151 PA-28-151 1973-1977

Piper Warrior II PA-28-161 1976-1986

AOPA and California Aeronautical University joined the fun flying their unleaded-fueled twin Beechcraft Barons in the show, followed by crowd favorites Kyle Franklin’s Flying Circus with his Super Cub comedy routine, and GhostWriter Airshows’ Frankenchipmunk (a modified de Havilland Super Chipmunk) pyrotechnic marvel. The Saturday night fireworks show rivaled some of the best airshow firework spectacles around with a display that entertained guests of all ages for more than 20 minutes.

On Sunday, guests were entertained by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Band and Luke Air Force Base band, followed by a daytime airshow.

From the GA education and exhibition to the aerial entertainment, there truly was something for everyone at the Buckeye Air Fair.

To learn more and to see a video from the Buckeye Air Fair, visit the AOPA website at aopa.org.

Cover Story

Continued from Page 4

makes it unforgettable. Recently, Cielo Blu posted an Instagram reel (@cieloblu.aero) of this interior and it attracted the attention of over 2 million viewers.

Kayla’s sales abilities do not end with company owned inventory. She created a robust brokerage operation and has facilitated the acquisition of over 20 aircraft and successfully closed deals for high-profile people with aircraft such as Gulfstreams, an Aero L-39 Albatros, and a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza. Currently, she is preparing to market a Shorts Brothers/ Embraer Tucano and a CJ2.

An Added Surprise

Kayla’s journey into the aviation

Kayla and the Aero L-39 Albatros. (Courtesy Cielo Blu)

industry started with a clear focus on business development and sales. Initially, her goal was to excel in these areas to support the growth of her company. However, as she delved deeper into the industry, she discovered an unexpected passion for flying airplanes.

Editorial: Prioritize Safety

Continued from Page 6

Representatives last July. His amendments and provisions in the bill are intended to help modernize the aviation industry and enable the testing and future commercial use of advanced air mobility technology.

Rep. Obernolte secured the inclusion of an amendment in the FAA Reauthorization Act to help modernize the aviation industry, specifically aimed at the use of unleaded avgas: The Unleaded Aviation Gas Amendment capitalizes on recent innovations to allow FAA approved high-octane unleaded aviation gasoline to be sold at airports in lieu of 100 octane low-lead aviation gasoline, increasing the sustainability of aviation and addressing critical environmental concerns.

Here’s where things get complicated… really complicated! The FAA Reauthorization bill requires that any unleaded fuel intended to replace 100LL have both an FAA approval (generally an STC) and an ASTM approval – which is an industry standard consensus for use. Lets take the General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (GAMI) product of G100UL… it has an STC but not an ASTM. From here it gets political and

business-monopolization heavy. The people who would give GAMI the ASTM are likely big oil companies who want to push their own products and keep GAMI off the airports.

GAMI continues to push ahead. On Feb. 20, Aviation Consumer magazine conducted an unleaded avgas flyoff in AOPA’s Beech Baron and basically found no difference in performance between G100UL (GAMI’s unleaded) and traditional 100LL. In fact, the unleaded fuel produced far less deposits in the engine, which is a huge benefit. See the entire video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQzZ HSZYL0g .

Back in November (2023) AOPA’s President and CEO Mark Baker began to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of GAMI’s G100UL fuel. To learn about the real-world performance of unleaded aviation fuels, AOPA is measuring them against leaded avgas in a twin-engine airplane.

The unleaded fuel will go in the left wing and feed the left engine. Leaded avgas (100LL) will go in the right wing and feed the right engine.

The demonstration began Oct. 31 in a Beechcraft Baron twin dispatched to

Driven by the realization that her role as a saleswoman would be enhanced by firsthand knowledge of aviation, Kayla made the decision to learn how to fly. This decision wasn’t just a practical one; it was fueled by a genuine love and fascination for the experience of piloting aircraft.

As Kayla honed her skills in both business and aviation, she found herself increasingly drawn to the thrill of flying. What began as a necessity for her job soon transformed into a deeply rooted passion. With each flight, Kayla discovered a new level of fulfillment and excitement, further solidifying her decision to become a pilot.

Now, as she navigates her dual roles as a businesswoman and a pilot, Kayla finds joy in the synergy between her two passions. Her journey has not only

Ada, Oklahoma, where General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) produces its G100UL.

GAMI is currently working toward commercializing its fuel in order to distribute it more widely, despite that ASTM hiccup. As other 100-octane unleaded fuels come online and are authorized for use by the FAA, AOPA intends to demonstrate them as well.

“We want to get some actual experience with 100 octane unleaded fuel in the kinds of airplanes and engines that our members own and fly,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “This fuel has been tested extensively in labs and received an STC. Should the FAA authorize additional fuels, we’ll test them, too, so we can see what they’re like to use out on the airways.”

By closely comparing two engines operating at the same time on the same airframe, AOPA is trying to eliminate as many variables as possible while evaluating the different fuels.

A half-dozen pilots have flown the airplane using this “two fuels” arrangement, and all have found the G100UL’s performance virtually identical to avgas.

expanded her skill set but has also enriched her life in ways she never anticipated. In embracing the unexpected, Kayla has found her true calling in the skies.

Kayla DiLullo, Managing Director, kayladilullo@flytti.com, 909/606-6319, Threshold Aviation Group , www.flytti.com, 8352 Kimball Avenue, Hangar F350, Chino, CA 91708

“You really can’t tell the difference in the air,” said John Whitehead, a retired FedEx pilot with extensive instructional and flight test experience in a variety of Beech airplanes, including Bonanzas and Barons. “If you didn’t know the engines were using different kinds of fuel, you couldn’t tell by the way they perform.”

AOPA will continue to share its findings with members via AOPA media channels and its website, aopa.org.

The aviation community, including AOPA, EAA, NATA, GAMA and NBAA along with others, are strongly in favor of moving toward unleaded fuel but emphasize the need to proceed with caution, keeping safety as the top priority. “The shift to unleaded aviation fuel is happening, and it’s critical that the change is made safely,” Baker said. “The AOPA fuel demo Baron gives us realworld experience with unleaded aviation fuels in the kinds of engines our members own and operate.”

Meanwhile the bigger question remains: Will politics rush us toward an unsafe future, or worse, penalize or close down general aviation at local airports?

A C HECK-UPON C HECKLIST CUSTOMIZATION

FAASTeam, whose goal is to create safer skies through education, is a division of the FAA Aviation Safety Department and this month discusses the pilot’s checklist.

Using a checklist is a fundamental part of any safe flight. During preflight, a checklist ensures pilots inspect an aircraft’s components and systems for proper operation and structural integrity and allows them to verify airworthiness. On

taxi and during flight, they help ensure the airplane and engine are functioning properly and are configured appropriately for each phase of flight. Checklists provide important structure to the things we check often, usually in a prescribed order of priority. Bottom line: checklist usage is a sound and proven way to reduce errors and improve flight safety.

But just like airplanes change with upgrades or modifications, so too should

checklists to include those new items and procedures or omit those that are obsolete. Maybe you’ve added some new avionics equipment or installed a new fire extinguisher. Or perhaps you’d like to reorder your instrument and gauge checks in a more logical manner. Or maybe you’d prefer to use a more specific term to verify a desired state than the sometimes vague “check and set” response. The question for some might be

– how exactly do I modify a checklist?

While there is no approval required from the FAA to modify or customize a checklist, pilots and aircraft owners should start by consulting their aircraft’s Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) or

Continued on Page 20

Kayla DiLullo in a Gulfstream G550. (Courtesy Cielo Blu)

Plans are firming as a squadron of DC-3 variants representing World War II and Cold War vintage aircraft will ‘cross the pond’ from the U.S. to the U.K., cross the English Channel to Normandy, France with the European contingent, then fly on to Germany, Italy and beyond. This effort is dubbed the of these WWII veterans and the legendary aircraft that served as the backbone to multiple war campaigns.

RENO AIR RACING ASSOCIATION SEEKS LOCAL APPLICANTSFOR TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) has announced the launch of its third annual Flight Training Scholarships, aimed at supporting aspiring pilots aged 16 to 20 from the Reno-Sparks and surrounding areas in achieving their Private Pilot License. Committed to fostering aviation education, RARA will award 12 scholarships, each valued at up to $10,000. These scholarships help alleviate the financial barriers that many aspiring pilots face as they pursue their dreams of flight and careers in aviation. The application period for this year’s scholarships are due by Sunday, March 31. More information on the application and requirements can be found on the RARA website, airrace.org.

Beginning with the May 13 kickoff week in the Northeast U.S., the aircraft must complete six total flight legs to Europe involving crew rest, refueling, proper maintenance, formation planning, and logistics. will take the squadron 15 days, close to 3,000 nautical miles, approx. 15 hours of flight time, 120 gallons of oil, more than 1,400 gallons of fuel each, and 90 plus crew to make this historic transatlantic journey.

, a nonprofit organization, is raising funds for this mission and inviting YOU to the kickoff events in May! For more details, visit the mission webpage below and/or email:

Images and visions of Sagar Pathak

www.HorizontalRain.com

“We are proud to continue our tradition of supporting young, ambitious individuals who aim to soar to new heights in the field of aviation,” said Fred Telling, RARA Chairman and CEO. “We’re proud to offer two additional scholarships this year, a new offering in our program, which allows a donor to honor an

individual or organization as the named sponsor for one or more scholarships. These contributions represent a significant investment in the future of aviation

Continued on Page 22

A Check-up on Checklist

Continued from Page 19

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), or panel placards with some older aircraft. These steps should constitute the baseline for your checklist. If there is a manufacturerprescribed task or procedure you wish to omit – perhaps due to concerns about mechanical wear and tear on a particular component – you should consult directly with the manufacturer to ensure safety is not compromised.

The FAA issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 17006) in 2017 that addresses safety concerns with using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or personally developed checklists. The notice was prompted by an accident involving a landing gear failure in which the pilot used a COTS checklist that lacked key steps regarding manual gear extension. The SAFO urges pilots to ensure any COTS or personal checklist is consistent with what the manufacturer states.

Another important reason for this consistency is apparent during practical exams for a pilot certificate or rating. Designated pilot examiners may require an aircraft manufacturer’s procedure is demonstrated when testing applicants. Those who use a checklist that differs from the manufacturer may omit or incorrectly perform an important step, impacting their

ability to successfully pass the exam. If you are providing flight instruction it is essential that you show, demonstrate, and explain any omitted items to students to avoid this potential pitfall. The student should be able to demonstrate the procedure and be able to explain why it has been omitted from the modified checklist and is not performed routinely.

Having checklists that are efficient, logical, and that account for changes to an aircraft’s systems can greatly improve safety and even increase the likelihood of them being used. Just be sure the information you use for those revised checks is correct, complete, and consistent with the manufacturer’s safety standards.

Bonus Tip: Want to take your preflight checklist to the next level? Check out the FAA Safety Team’s Advanced Preflight M-Pamphlet here. This pamphlet helps pilots obtain valuable maintenance history on their aircraft like ADs, ACs, and any manufacturer service-related information, and then develop an Additional Items Checklist that can be used in conjunction with your aircraft’s preflight checklist.

If you have any questions regarding this notice, email 9-AFS-800Correspondence@faa.gov.

NEW NBAA TOOL HELPS MEMBERS NAVIGATE CUSTOMSAT HUNDREDSOF GA AIRPORTS

NBAA has created a valuable resource for its members that details critical port-of-entry information at more than 300 general aviation (GA) airports across America.

The new GA Airport Fact Sheet tool collates hundreds of airport fact sheets created and distributed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These fact sheets include office hours, service hours for entrance and clearance, contact information, permission to land procedures and key information about the inspection process for GA aircraft entering the U.S. Find the fact sheets at nbaa.org or directly at https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/international/customs-and-regulatory-issues/cbp-general-aviation-airportfact-sheets/ .

“One of the biggest issues clearing customs for the GA community is that no

Spirit of Flight

Continued from Page 13

popular Monterey Bay Aquarium. From the hotel to Cannery Row you can find an array of adventures as you walk along the trail, visit art galleries, explore military and historical sights, wine tasting rooms and candy shops, or take a stroll along the sandy beach. There is something for

two ports of entry are exactly alike. There are many nuances in the procedures and processing standards at each airport, and that can be challenging when clearing customs, especially if you regularly use different airports as your entry point to the U.S.,” said Brian Koester, CAM, NBAA director, flight operations and regulations.

“These CBP facts sheets are a great way to document the expectations at each GA airport, and NBAA is happy to contribute its part to give business aviation operators an easy-to-use, one-stop resource where you can access the fact sheets while CBP creates its own online tool,” Koester added.

NBAA will update the archive regularly as CBP revises and releases new fact sheets. The tool is planned to be a temporary resource and will redirect

everyone in Monterey Bay.

At Hotel 1110 you can expect to recharge and regenerate while enjoying a healing experience and personal touch from their dedicated and savvy staff.

While in town, my husband and I took in the opening round at this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, once called, “The Crosby Clambake.” It was named for Bing Crosby, but became famous for the array of famous actors, singers, comedians and sports figures of the day who would attend. A truly fun-natured party with a day of golf intertwined. The large galleries of spectators scattered in-and-around the sand dunes at Spanish Bay, weaving through the high pine trees of Spyglass Hill, or hovering over the rugged bluffs and shoreline at Pebble Beach, which has been rated, “the greatest public golf course in America” by Golf

One of the many views at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Simply Sublime. (Denise DeGregoire)

users to CBP’s official website once it is active.

“The business aviation community is grateful to CBP for creating these important fact sheets and bringing muchneeded transparency to general aviation processing standards and procedure,” said Koester. “NBAA will continue to support and promote CBP’s GA fact sheets and every other initiative that enhances the safety, security and integrity of our industry and the National Airspace System.”

For further information on national general aviation processing standards and procedures, contact GASupport@cbp.dhs.gov. Also, visit the NBAA website at nbaa.org.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has produced General Aviation Airport Fact Sheets with office hours, hours of service for entrance and clearance, contact information, permission to land procedures, details about the inspection process and more. For further detailed information regarding national general aviation processing standards and procedures, contact GASupport@cbp.dhs.gov. NBAA has created this resource for NBAA members while U.S. Customs and Border Protection develops their own official website to collect these General Aviation Airport Fact Sheets. (Courtesy NBAA)

Digest. The views of the ruggedness intertwined with the manicured course were breathtaking. It was exciting to experience the coast that way, I could only imagine what those early spectators felt. Magical.

If you have extra time and would like to wine taste, step on over to Comanche Cellars to meet winemaker, Michael Simons. He too started with a love affair with wine and hospitality that has turned into a passion for producing small lots of very handcrafted wines from neighboring vineyards. Michael’s tiny (1,800 cases) winery is named after Comanche, his horse when he was ten years old. A little birdy told me that Comanche Cellars’ Dog & Pony Negrette is out-of-this-world.

As Michael says, “Saddle up, come along for the ride, and see for yourself what all the buzz is about.”

So, if it’s a fun and adventure you seek or a quiet retreat, one can do no better than the Monterey Bay area and its

attractions. The Hotel 1110 is an excellent jumping off point. It’s a romantic geta-way. It’s a girl’s weekend. It’s a little family reunion, or fly solo and enjoy the oasis of amenities and luxuries on your own. Enjoy your stay!!

Fly well, BLUE Skies ~Denise

"Unfit to Unforgettable", 7th Hole at Pebble Beach. (Denise DeGregoire)

STAR WALL (SKYDIVER TRIBUTEAND RECOGNITION WALL) IS ONLINE

Almost 200 people have chosen to recognize friends, teammates, relatives, clubs, drop zones and teams on the STAR (Skydiver Tribute and Recognition) Wall.

The STAR Wall will be a central element of the Honor Garden on the north side of the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame in Port Orange, Florida. People often refer to their inscriptions as a “brick.” Administrators say they are moving away from this terminology since the wall will be constructed of a more durable material.

Builders are in the process of getting each recognition on the Wall ready to inscribe. All the information obtained for

the Wall is on the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame website (https://skydivingmuseum.org). You will find the listing of inscriptions by going to https://skydivingmuseum.org/jointeam/skydiver-tribute-and-recognitionwall-star-wall.

If you donated to the Wall, please search by donor name to verify the inscription is accurate. If your inscription is missing, please provide one to the Museum Administrator, Nancy Kemble Wilhelm at nkemble@skydiving museum.org.

If there is a note next to your name about the format for inscriptions, that

Reno Air Racing Association

Continued from Page 20

while recognizing those whose impact continues to make a difference. We look forward to awarding many more scholarships as we discover and nurture the talents of the next generation of pilots.”

Applicants for the scholarships are evaluated based on their dedication, passion for aviation and commitment to obtaining a Private Pilot License. The scholarship

selection committee is composed of experienced aviation professionals who understand the importance of diligence and mentorship throughout the training process.

The scholarships are made possible through the generous support of various organizations and individuals, including significant contributions from The Ray Foundation, The Ellsworth Hovey Getchel Foundation, Si Robins and

means the inscription that was provided at the time of your donation did not conform to the format or you have not yet provided an inscription. If so, please contact Nancy Kemble Wilhelm with modifications.

If you would like to secure your place on the STARWall, go to the Skydiving Mueum website or directly to https://skydivingmuseum.org/jointeam/skydiver-tribute-and-recognitionwall-star-wall for information and forms.

Museum administrators invite everyone to have fun going through the listings and inscriptions. Many of the names are likely to bring back fond memories.

The STAR Wall will be a central element of the Honor Garden on the north side of the International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame in Port Orange, Florida. (Courtesy Skydiving Museum)

numerous other philanthropic donations. The Ellsworth Hovey Getchel Foundation and Si Robins joined the Ray Foundation this year in adding two named awards as part of the scholarships’ ongoing expansion.

Chosen recipients will be announced on Wednesday, May 15. The scholarships apply toward the costs of flight training and also ensure mentors are available to pro-

vide guidance and support, addressing specific issues that may arise during students' journey towards becoming licensed pilots.

For more information about the Reno Air Racing Association's Flight Training Scholarships, eligibility criteria, and application details, visit airrace.org or contact Greg Gibson, Scholarship Coordinator, by email at ggibson@airrace.org.

Novato, CA 94945 415-898-5151

TheTrinidad Center TheTrinidad Center

1980 CESSNA 421C

Cessna Aircraft’s finest example of a piston engine corporate airplane. This well maintained Golden Eagle IIIisa no-excuses low-time airplane that is beautiful to look at and fly. Pressurized and air conditioned, it caneasilyand comfortably accommodate a family of six at up to 240 mph… Faster than a 90 series King

1941 BOEING/STEARMAN A75 N1

New lowered price. Owner says sell now! Make your best offer. Thousands of WWII era pilots trained in this ubiquitous bi-plane. Fly low and slow and make a huge amount of noise. Nobody will miss you as you fly by. An older restoration, still mechanically very strong airplane owned and maintained by an A&P IA for many years.

1966 BEECHCRAFT C33A DEBONAIR

Oneofthosehard-to-findgems from Beech Aircraft. She really will cruise at 200 mph and haul 1177 lbs useful load. There are few airplanes that have the prestige and glamour of a 33 series Beech. Call TJ for details!

1941 PORTERFIELD LP-65

A breath-taking total restoration of a classic WWII era primary trainer. Fly solo from the front seat. Anabsolutehootto fly. Comes with a spare overhauled pickled engine. Add $2,500 to price with elec- tric start.

1978 PIPER TURBO ARROW III

10Kcutfrom price! Fly high, fast and affordably. Recommended cruise 172 kts. Useable fuel 73 gallons.

1967 MOONEY M20C

These airplanes have always been fast for their horsepower. No exception here. The plane has all kinds of additional value modifications and upgrades. Very nice paint and interior condition. A ship you would be proud to fly!

2004 LANCAIR IV-PT

INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE! Super fast. Super high-flying in pressurized turbine-engine comfort with750 horses. What happens when you buy a jet? You have to sell your turbo-prop. Even a gorgeous one like this.

1976 CESSNA T310R

Cruise comfortably at over 200 kts. Climb at 1700 ft./min. Over 1600 lbs. useful. Twin engine safety and comfort. Has had only three owners. Check this one out soon!

1965 PIPER CHEROKEE 180

SALEPENDING.Easyto fly, affordable platform to build time. Interior dated but in really good condition. Very nice paint. Entire life in dry northern California. See picture of clean fuselage innards at www.tjair.com. Remarkably good useful load (1121 lbs).

2005 TECNAM P2002 SIERRA

Price reduced! This stylish Special Light Sport Aircraft is a joy to fly with responsive controls and great visibility with the sliding canopy. Made by one of the oldest light plane manufacturers, the popular P2002 Sierra is still in production. Copious and fantastic records.

1956 BEECHCRAFT E50 TWIN BONANZA

Ifa classic, big, brawny, powerful, roomy, impressive, easy to fly plane with convenient entry interests you, we've got one. Shows very well inside and out.

TJ Aircraft Sales can help with your aircraft needs. We are a full service aircraft sales business operating in Marin County, CA, since 1986. We principally represent single-engine piston airplanes and are Socata specialists. We also provide help in setting up partnerships, consulting, appraising,purchasing/renting hangars, repossessions and more. Please call us with your aircaft questions.

Allspecificationsandrepresentationsarebelievedtobeaccuratetothebestknowledgeofthe seller. However, it is the buyer’s responsibility to verify all information prior to purchase

www.tjair.com

BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEARLY $250MILLION IN BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE L AW FUNDINGTO MODERNIZE AIRPORTSIN 37S TATES

TheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation’sFederalAviationAdministration (FAA)willaward$245.9millionin FiscalYear(FY)2024Airport InfrastructureGrants(AIG)underthe BipartisanInfrastructureLaw.The $245.9millionincludes153grantsin37 statestomodernizeairportinfrastructure, improverunwaysafety,andcreatejobsto buildabetterAmerica.

“Wesawarecordnumberofpassengersflyduringtherecentholidayseason, andwecanexpectincreaseddemandforair traveltocontinue,”saidU.S.Transportation SecretaryPeteButtigieg.“TheseinvestmentsfromtheBiden-Harrisadministration aremakingitpossibletomodernizeour country'sagingairportinfrastructureto meetthisdemandtodayandensuresafe, efficienttravelintothefuture.”

Overthelastdecade,fundinginconsistencieshavedelayedtheabilityto modernizetechnologyandinfrastructure thatsupporttheairspace.Theseawards, madepossiblebyPresidentBiden’s BipartisanInfrastructureLaw,arehelpingreversethattrendtoensurethat Americanairtravelremainsthesafest andmostefficientintheworld.

“Collectively,thesegrantshelpairportsacrossthenationmaketimely improvementstokeycriticalinfrastructurewhichensurespassengershavea safe,efficientandenjoyableexperience astheytravel,”saidFAAAssociate AdministratorforAirportsShannettaR. Griffin,P.E.

Astravelcontinuestoincrease,safetyremainstheutmostpriority.Several grantsannouncedlastmonthwillhelpto reducetheriskofrunwayincursions. Projectswillreconfiguretaxiwaysthat maycauseconfusion,installnewlighting systemsandprovidemoreflexibilityon theairfield.Amongthoseinclude:

•$2.2milliontoWillowRunAirport inVanBurenTownship,Michigan,to constructan8,617-footparallelTaxiway toeliminatetheneedforaircrafttobacktaxiontherunway

•$2milliontoDaneCountyRegional AirportinMadison,Wisconsintorehabilitateanexistingon-airportroadwayto provideapathforaircraftrescuefirefightingtrucks,airportvehicles,or groundserviceequipmenttooperate withoutenteringmovementareas

•$1.1milliontoBirminghamShuttlesworthInternationalinAlabama toimprovetheRunway6/24safetyarea toenhancethesafetyofoperationsatthe airport.

•$1.7milliontoSanBernardino InternationalAirportinCaliforniato improveanexistingon-airportroadway, toprovideapathforaircraftrescuefirefightingtrucks,airportvehicles,or groundserviceequipmenttooperate withoutenteringmovementareas

•$379,620toBarkleyRegional AirportinPaducah,Kentucky,toexpand anexistingon-airportroadwayanadditional6,100feettoprovideapathforaircraftrescuefirefightingtrucks,airport vehicles,orgroundserviceequipmentto operatewithoutenteringmovementareas

•$254,880toMansfieldMunicipal AirportinMassachusetts,toacquiretwo easementsforobstructionremovalinthe Runway32approachpath

•$531,000toWestfield-Barnes RegionalinMassachusetts,toremove airporttreeobstructionsfromthe Runway15approachpath

•$38,151toKnoxCountyRegional inRockland,Maine,toconductanenvironmentalassessmentoftheproposed easementacquisitionandobstruction removalwithintheRunway31approach surface.Thisprojectremovesanairport

vegetationobstructionfromtheRunway 13/31approachanddeparturepaths

Othernotablegrantsinclude:

• $45milliontoDallas-FortWorth InternationalinTexastorehabilitate13,400 feetofRunway17R/35Ltomaintainthe structuralintegrityofthepavementandto minimizeforeignobjectdebris

•$18milliontoSitkaRocky GutierrezinAlaskatoexpandtheexistingterminalbuildinganadditional 16,000squarefeettobetteraccommodateexistingpassengers

•$15.2milliontoOntario InternationalinCaliforniatorehabilitate 10,200feetoftheexistingRunway 8R/26Landreconstructs668feetof TaxiwayS8pavementtomaintainthe structuralintegrityofthepavementand tominimizeforeignobjectdebris

•$5.5milliontoDesMoines InternationalinIowatoconstructanew 295,000-square-footterminalbuildingto includesixgatesandrelatedareaswhich willincreasepassengerthroughputand reducedelays

Approximately$1.7millionwillbe usedtoconstructorimprovefuelfarms, including:

•$448,000atBooneMunicipalin Boone,Iowa

•$400,000atOskaloosaMunicipalin Oskaloosa,Iowa

•$336,000atNebraskaCity MunicipalinNebraskaCity,Nebraska

•$330,000atDenisonMunicipalin Denison,Iowa

•$223,000atKanabMunicipalin Kanab,Utah

Approximately$2.1millionwillbe usedtopurchaseacquireaircraftrescue andfirefightingvehicles,including:

•$1.8millionatGardenCity RegionalinGardenCity,Kansas

•$294,609atRutland/Southern

DaneCountyRegionalAirportin Madison,Wisconsinwillreceived$2milliontorehabilitateanexistingon-airport roadwaytoprovideapathforaircraft rescuefirefightingtrucks,airportvehicles,orgroundserviceequipmentto operatewithoutenteringmovement areas.(DaneCountRegionalAirport)

VermontRegionalinVermont

Approximately$70millionwillbe usedonterminalprojectsat11otherairports,including:

•$274,501atNorthBigHornCounty inCowley,Wyoming

•$51,814atDexterRegionalinDexter, Maine

AfulllistofallgrantsbeingawardedisavailableontheFAAwebsite, faa.gov.

TheFAAstatesPresidentBiden’s BipartisanInfrastructureLawmakesa historicinvestmentinournation’sinfrastructureandcompetitivenessbyrebuildingAmerica’sroads,bridgesandrails, upgradingandexpandingpublictransit, andmodernizethenation’sportsandairports.Todate,theAdministrationhas announcedover$415billionin BipartisanInfrastructureLawfundingfor over46,000infrastructureprojectsacross thenation,andhasmobilizedover$640 billioninprivatesectormanufacturing andcleanenergyinvestmentsinthe UnitedStates.Learnmoreatfaa.gov.

In2021Bushlineracquiredthe rightstothedesirableCycloneAircraft,a replicaoftheSkywagonaircraft.Three yearslater,thenextgenerationCyclone hasre-enteredproductionastheallnew Bushliner1850!

Duringthistime,thedesignwas substantiallyrevisedtodeliveran enhanced,modernizedaircrafttopilots. Highlightsofthenewlymodernized Bushliner1850include:

Widebody:SixInchesOf AdditionalWidth

Thecockpitisnowacomfortable49incheswide,enoughfortwogrownadults tositsidebyside,withampleclearanceto eachotherandflightcontrols.

Asaresulttherearseatareahasalso beenincreased,withmoreheadroomand additionalwidth.

Thesechangesarebeneficialtothe

aerodynamicsoftheaircraft,bydecreasing low-pressureareasinthecabintransition.

Access.Granted.

The1850’smassivecargodoor allowsyoutoloadandunloadbulky itemswithease.Tie-downsarelocated everytwoinches.

Whenoptionalthirdrowseatingis

ContiinuedonPage25

ThenextgenerationCyclonehasreenteredproductionastheall-new Bushliner1850.(CourtesyBushliner)

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN PT-19TRAINER RESTOREDBY CAFAIRBASE

GEORGIA RETURNSTOTHE

Aftertwoyearsofdedicatedrestorationwork,FairchildPT-19A,serialnumber42-83511,tooktotheskiesagainat AtlantaRegionalAirport–FalconField, inPeachtreeCity,Ga.,onJan.18,2024.

“Thishistoricaircraft,originally usedtotrainTuskegeeAirmeninWorld WarII,hadflownforCommemorative AirForce(CAF)AirbaseGeorgiafor manyyears,buttheleadershipteam decideditwastimetotakeitapartand inspect,restoreandrepaintit,”said AirbaseLeaderJoelPerkins.“Re-skinningtheaircraftwithfabricandapplying anauthenticpaintschemetookalotof time,butourmemberswerecommitted torecreatingapieceofaviationhistory.”

Theaircraftwascompletelydisassembledandinspected.Thehorizontal stabilizerwasreplaced,somesupporting woodstructureswerereplaced,andall canopyglasswasreplaced.Theaircraft wasre-coveredwithpolyesterfabric, primedwithaUVprotectantandpainted withRanthanesilverpolyurethane.After newweight-and-balancecalculationsand finalinspections,AirForceMajorGen. (Ret.)GeorgeHarrison,anAirbase Georgiapilot,wasclearedtoconducta groundenginetestandthentakeoff.

ThisPT-19AwasbuiltNov.1,1943, andCAFAirbaseGeorgiaacquireditin 2006.Ithadbeenmodifiedwithaclosed cockpitlikethelatermodelPT-26,to allowflyingininclementweather.Itflew throughouttheSoutheastatairshowsand

NewBushliner

ContinuedfromPage24

installed,thisprovidesdirectentryand exittorearpassengers,andfeaturesan internaldoorlatch.

Needaplacetostay?

Theflatfull-lengthfloorandstorablerearseatsallowyoutousethe1850 asaplacetosleep.

Thecargodoordoesnotinterfere withseaplaneoperation.

LongerWings.

EvenLongerRange.

The1850’swingspanstretches38feet,6inches;twofeetlongerthanthe original.

Theincreasedlengthisattherootof thewing,providinganadditionaltwo feetofflap.

Long-rangemissionsareenabledby

SKIES

(CourtesyCAFAirbaseGeorgia)

fly-ins,offeringridestothepublic,untilit wasbroughtbacktotheshopforits restorationin2022.

ThePT-19serieswasdevelopedfor theU.S.ArmyAirCorpsin1940aspartof itsexpansionprogram.Itwasamore advancedtypeofaircraft;inexpensive,simpletomaintainandvirtuallyviceless.Itwas oneofahandfulofprimarytrainerdesigns thatenabledcadetstobecomepilotsinthe U.S.andCommonwealthtrainingprograms throughoutWWIIandbeyond.

Thecantilever,low-wingmonoplanewithfixedlandinggearandatailwheelfeaturedtwo-place,tandemseating andanopencockpit.Thesimplebut ruggedconstructionincludedafabriccovered,weldedsteeltubefuselage.The remainderoftheaircraftusedplywood construction,withaplywood-sheathed centersection,outerwingpanelsandtail assembly.

ContinuedonPage34

the112-gallonfuelcapacity.

Thefuelsystemisdesignedtohandle100LLAv-Gas,Jet-A,andothertypes ofnext-genaviationfuels.

IncreasedHorizontalSurface Area.

Thetotalspanofthehorizontalstabilizerhasbeenincreasedfrom11feetto 13feet.Theelevatorshapehasbeenrecontoured,enablingaerodynamicbalancing,andtheelevatortipsarelessproneto catchingonsticksandweeds.

Flighttestswiththelargertailresultedinalowerstallspeed,lessaggressive stall,shorterlandingdistance,and reducedtakeoffroll.

Tolearnmore,visittheBushliner website,busliner.comorcall(855)2891850.

TheFairchildPT-19Atooktotheskies againatAtlantaRegionalAirport–FalconField,inPeachtreeCity,Ga.,on Jan.18,2024.

PILOTINGBYTHE NUMBERS

ByCynthia WheatleyGlenn

Thereappearsto beashortageof pilotsinthe UnitedStates,andthatwouldbetrue. Andit’snotjustpilots:manycritical positionsintheaviationindustryarein desperateneedofbeingfilledbyqualifiedpersonnelifweasatravelingcitizenrycontinuetowanttoflyfromhereto there.Therehavebeenarticleswritten latelythatdiscusshowairtrafficcontrollers(ATCs)arefacingexpanded responsibilitiesandtoomanyhours, whichisleadingtomistakesbeingmade; howairlinetransportpilots(ATPs)for majorairlinesare“agingout”without enoughnewpilotstostepupandtake theirplace;nottomentionencroaching housingdevelopmentwithnewlysettled residentsnearwell-establishedgeneral aviation(GA)airportsdoingwhatseems tobeeverythingintheirpowertoclose theseimportantbastionsofrevenue-generatingfieldsthatprovidethespaceto trainthenextgenerationofpilotswho willbecountedontofilltheneedsof transportingpassengerssafelytowhereveritistheywishtogo.Anddon’tforget certificatedflightinstructors(CFIs),who areleavingtheirGAstudentstoflounder astheydepartforATPschooltoflywith themajorairlines,orairframeandpowerplant(A&P)mechanicsandinspectorsof aviation(IAs)whokeepallaircraftwellmaintainedandair-worthytofly.

Justforfun(I’maresearcherand teacherbytrade,aswellasapilot),IvisitedtheFAA.govwebsitetoobtainstatistics oncivilairmen(andairwomen,yetforthe purposeofbrevitywillincludebothwithinthesameterm)hereintheUnitedStates. Therewerealotofdatatoexplore,andthe mostrecentyearincludedintheanalysesis 2022(IfIwaitedanothermonth,there wouldbedatafor2023….Icansharethat withyouabitlater…).Sincenoteveryone isasinterestedinthissortofthingasIam, I’lltryandgiveonlythebigpieces:whois flying,agebreakdownsandcomparisons, typesofequipment(I’llbefocusingmost onfixedwingforthisarticle…sorry, rotorcraftpilots!Ipromisetogiveyou yourownturnlater),andafewothernibblybitsIthinkyoumightenjoyreading whileyou’rewaitingforyour flight/pilot/pax/friends/family/luggageto arrive.

First,who’sflying?Ifweonlycount thosepilotsintheU.S.andnotinclude thosewhoarelivingoutsidethe50states andotherU.S.areas,territories,andaffiliates,thereare(asof12/31/2022)

721,085estimatedactivepilotsandflight instructors.Ofthose,69,753arewomen, comprisingjustover10percentofall domesticpilotsinourcountry.Breaking downthetotalnumbersintoseparatecategorieswefindtherewere268,280studentpilots,170,776privatepilots, 109,197commercialpilots,65,826ATPs, and121,891CFIs(thislastnumberisnot includedinthetotalsbutIfinditinteresting,soIleftitin).Lookingatthewomen whofilltheseroles,thereare40,982studentpilots,8,147commercialpilots, 8,022ATPs,and9,804CFIs.Thisistotallycoolinformation,particularlynoting thatwomenaregaininggroundinthisfun andrewardingavocation/career.

Let’slookattheagerepresentationof Americanpilots.Theestimatedactivepilot certificatesheldbycategoryandagegroup ofholder(asof12/31/2022)rangesfrom 14toover80,withthetotalnumbercominginat756,927.Thelion’sshareofairmenfallsintotwonoticeabletrends, career-orientedyoungadultsenteringthe ATPrealmwiththeagebracketsof25-29 (94,030),30-3483,679),20-2479,668), 3539(74,898),40-44(65,822),and45-49 (54,101).Theothernoticeabletrendisof olderpilots,manyofwhomwillbeforced toretireasATPsoncetheyreachtheageof 65,thecurrentretirementageformajor airlinepilots.Thatsaid,therearehuge numbersofolderpilotsbetweentheages of50and79;andanimpressivenumberof young-at-hearts(80+)whoareflying. Thesedatashowthefollowing,inorder: 55-59(59,090),50-54(57,240),60-64 (56,155),65-69(43,434),70-74(29,410), 75-79(19,316),and80+(12,037).

WomenpilotshavethegreatestnumberofATPsinthe40-80+agebrackets, withatotalof5,435.Youngerwomen ATPsbetweentheagesof20-39,total 2,771.Thesenumbersarefantasticanda testamenttotherealitythatlearningcan–andshouldbe–alife-longendeavor! WhatIfindincrediblyinterestingabout thesedataarehowthetotalnumberof ATPsintheagerangeof50-80+is94,863, whilethoseaged20-49isonly64,943. Thatmeans,theyoungerpilotshaveabit ofcatchinguptodoastheycompriseonly 68percentoftheATPworkforcefilling theskies.Thatalsobegsaddressingthe issueofhowtotrainthesenewpilotsina waythathonorsandutilizesGAairportsas afertiletraininggroundforallareasofaviationadvancement.

Well,thesearethenumbers.What dowedowiththem?Addtothem,of course!LettheAviationBugbiteyou! Unfurlyourwingsandtaketotheskies! InfuturecolumnsIwillmakesugges-

BRITS LIKEIT SMALLER THE ANGLO ENGINEERING PHILOSOPHY:‘DESIGNITTOBE ADEQUATE, THEN REDUCEBY 20PERCENT’

ByDouglasKruger

‘I’mnotsayingthatBritishengineersareactivelyevil.I’mmerelysuggestingthatiftheywere, theywouldn’tdoanythingdifferently.’

Interestingfact:Waybackin2018, whenourapartmentbuildinginBritain wasbeingconstructed,humansusedto bemuchsmaller.That’stheonlyexplanationIcanthinkof.

Iimaginethat,sixyearsago,they usedtofitintothosesuitsofarmourthat appeartobemadeforchildren.Also,the tinyponiestheyrodecouldjustabout squeezeintoourparkingbays,provided theybreathedinandhadn’teatenbreakfast.Vehiclesproducedin2024certainly can’t.

It’sanoddthingtogofromendless acresofopenland,whereyoucandrivea travellingmotorhomewithnaryacare,to themorecrampedbitsofbuilt-upBritain, whereevenaMinifeelsobese.Butthat’s whatwedid.

Ourjourneybeganthreeyearsback inSouthAfrica.Mywifereceivedan email:‘FancyajobintheChannel Islands?’WereactedasallgoodSouth Africanswould:‘Definitelyascam!’

Turnedoutitwasn’t.Ournationwas inlockdown,theYouTubevideoslooked pretty,sooffwetoddled,andwhatan adventureit’sbeen.Thelittleislandof Jerseyispeacefulandpretty,safeand secure,docileandentirelyunacquainted withroadrage,andnotasinglesoulhas evertappedonourwindowsatanintersection–aSouthAfricannorm–because thatwouldbeconsideredjaywalking.

It’sparadise.

It’salsoengineeredbysadists.

Peopletalkaboutthesoggyweather. That’snotasbadasyou’dthink.Butthe wilfulunder-engineering?Thereinlies thetruecultureshock.

Ifindithardtobelieveitisn’tmalicious.Thelongerwestayhere,themore Isuspectacenturiesoldpactbywhich Britishbuildersofyorecollectivelysold theirsoulstothedevil.Perhapsinreturn formeadandmaidens.Whereafter,their lineagewasforeverboundtoservice

Beelzebub’sdesigns,bymakingeverythingfromJohnOGroatstoGreenIsland twosizestoosmall.

It’snotthatthereisn’tenoughspace here.It’sthatanyoneinvolvedinplanningandengineeringseemstobasically hatehumans.Eitherthat,orthey’vebeen infiltratedbytheFrench.Belatedrevenge forAgincourt.

Takethesizeofourlift.(That’s‘elevator’toyou).

Ifwegetinatthebasement,and anotherfamilyboardsontheground floor,wemustnowplayagameof humanTetris.Canmyleftarmslotinto thatman’sgrocerybag?Hiswifecould getintoo,providedherfeetwillslide neatlyintothegapsinsidemysix-yearold’sschoolbag.Thereafter,weshallall traveleyeball-to-eyeball,holdingour breaths.There’sagenuineriskofaccidentalconception(thoughnotbetween meandthemanwiththegrocerybag).

Thatliftwasconstructedameresix yearsago.Thismeanstheengineershave hadsince1874,whenJWMeakerpatentedthefirstone,tolearnabouthowmuch spacelivinghumanbeingsactually require.

Andtheybuiltthisplacetohouse hundredsofpeople.Theyknowwhatwe need.Toaddinsulttoinjury,thereisa blankareaofunusedspacerightbeside thelift.Theycouldhavefittedabigger one.Butthey’relikethatkidwhoturnsa tortoiseupsidedownforfun,andthat’s whyeveryoneinourbuildingdisplays thesameclaustrophobia-inducedeye-

PilotingbytheNumbers

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tionsonhowtobuildtheaviationcommunityinwaysthatservetheneedsofall partiesinvolved:student,commercial, andATPpilots;CFIs,mechanicsandaircraftinspectors;andevenpassengers!I

twitch.

Thesamepeopledesignedthe entrancetoourundergroundparking. Youturnofftheroadontoaramp,andthe rampdisappearsbeneaththebuilding.

Now,thinkthisthroughwithme. Whatwouldbebetter:aslipwaywithtwo lanes,wideenoughforvehiclestosimultaneouslycomeandgo?Or–andthisis wheretheBeelzebubpactcomesin–asinglelaneservicingbothdirections,calculatedtoforceotherwiseamiableneighbours intoaMexicanstandoffeverymorning?

I’mnotsayingthatBritishengineers areactivelyevil.I’mmerelysuggesting thatiftheywere,theywouldn’tdoanythingdifferently.

It’snotlikethisinotherplaces.An Americanengineertypicallydetermines thecapacityrequiredforanyproject,then doublesit.ABritishengineerdetermines capacity,thenreducesby20percent. Thensignsoffandhasabiscuit.

InSouthAfrica,weseemtofollow theAmericanmodel.Ourmalls,airports, liftsandparkinglots–allmakeitclear thatweareanationof60-plusmillion people.Britainistoo.Theyjusthaven’t realizedityet.

Inmymind,Iimagineenvisagethe Americanengineerspeakingwitha Texandrawl:“Y’allneedsixlanesfor traffic?Here’s12!Yourelevator’sgotta carry10folks?Here’sroomfor20! Boom!Jobdone!”

FortheBrit,Ipicturesomethinglike thewispyblondetaxcollectorfromthat oldEnglishTVshow, DarlingBudsof

Nowthatyou’reinthespiritof Britishhumor,plantovisitUKAero Expo,theUK’sfestivalofaviation, June13-15,2024atSywell Aerodrome.Setintheheartof Northamptonshire,SywellAero dromeboastsoneofthebestGeneral AviationAirfieldsintheUnited Kingdom.

TheUKAeroExposhowcases thebestingeneralaviationoverthree days.Hereyoucangetupclosetothe latestaircraftavailabletothemarket andexperiencepleasureanddemonstrationflights,whichareavailable throughouttheday,everyday.

Youcanalsobrowseacomprehensiverangeofaviation-related productsandservices.Aswell,guests areinvitedtoattendafreeseminar series.

PlanYourVisit

Buyticketsinadvanceandsave upto25percentcomparedtotheonthe-gateprice.Orfly-inandbenefit fromfreeshowaccess.Freeparkingis availableon-siteforanyonewitha validshowticket.

Learnmoreandfindticketsonline athttps://www.aeroexpo.co.uk/.

May,onlysinister.“Mariette,youwon’t believewhatIdesignedtoday!They’llbe uncomfortableforyears.”Thenhe chucklesinEarlGrey.

Britsthemselvesareawareofthis issue,butseemtosufferitinsilence.We foundanInstagramaccountcalled VeryBritishProblemsthatexpresseditin ameme:

‘Tryingtoactrelaxedandinterested intheSundaylunchconversation,while beingacutelyawarethatthere’snot enoughgravy.’

Ifyoustartpayingattentionhere, you’llseeiteverywhere.Pavementsso narrowthatpedestrian’selbowscompete withsideviewmirrors.Restauranttables soclosetogetheryoucantryyourneighbor’ssoup.Anaemichairdryers,because

willalsoexploreandsharethingstolook forasyoudecideonwhichflightschool toconsiderasyoupursueyourairman certificate,andhowtoknowif(orwhen) it’stimetopartwayswithyourinstructor;secrethandshakes,ifyouwill.I’ll

sharestoriesofmytrainingadventure,as wellasaskyoutoshareyourswithme (andtherestofour InFlightUSA reading community).Weallneedtoworktogethertokeepaviationsafeandthriving.I lookforwardtoyourcommentsand

wouldlovetohearfromyou!Youcan reachmebyemailatFlyGirlBay Area@gmail.com.

UKAeroExpo,theUK’sfestivalofaviation,isslatedforJune13-15,2024atSywell Aerodrome. (CourtesyUKAeroExpo)

AtWarriors In Need (WIN), we are unwaveringinourcommitmenttohonorand supportthebravemenandwomenofthe UnitedStatesMilitary.

Asaveteran-ownedbusiness,our foundationisrooted in the invaluable experiencesgainedthrough our CEO’s serviceintheUSMarineCorps.Our missionistoempowertransitioning veteransanddisabledveterans as they embarkonanewchapterincivilian life.

Warriors In Need partners with companies to trainandemployveteranswithinthe aviationindustry. ing post-servicecareer.

https://warriorsinneed.com

https://warriorsinneed.com/#how

GEARING UPFOR SUN ‘N FUN ,APRIL 9-14

Sun‘nFunAerospaceExpoisslated forApril9-14inLakelandFlorida.Tickets areavailableonlineatflysnf.organdrange inpricefrom$45foradultsforasingleday ($20foryouth11-17andfreeforchildren 10andunder)toaweek-longticketat $170foradults($70foryouthandfreefor children).Therearemanyoptionsinticket purchasesandpre-purchaseoptionsfor parking,somespecialevents(although mostareincludedwithadayorweekly ticket),VIPpackagesandcamping.Also ofnote,Floridaresidentsareofferedspecialdiscountedtickets.

Sun‘nFunofficialshaveannounced thattheOpeningDayConcertwillfeature DylanScottwithspecialguestSaraEvans. TheconcertisonTuesday,April9at6 p.m.Achangefrompreviouslyannounced, TraceAdkinswillnotbeabletoperformat Sun‘nFun2024duetoaninjury.

TheConnieisComingto Sun‘nFun50th

Comeseearareexampleofthemost iconicfour-enginetransportsofthe20th century,theLockheedVC-121A MacArthurBataan MacArthurBataan, builtin1948,isoneofonlytwoofits typeremainingairworthyintheworld.

(ScottSlocum,courtesySun‘nFun)

TheVC-121Aismorecommonly recognizedbyitscommercialaircraft name, Constellation,orsimply Connie Withitsgracefullines,distinctivetri-tail design,andextensiveservicewith numerousairlines,the Connie isamong themostrecognizedaircrafteverbuilt.

Bataan isa Connie withalong careerofmilitaryandNASAservice,was laternearlyscrappedafteryearsofoutdoordisplay,andwasrecentlyextensivelyrestoredtoairworthinessbytheSan Antonio,Texas-basedAirLegends Foundation,whichcurrentlyoperatesit.

MacArthurBataan isscheduledto arriveatLakelandLinderInternational AirportonTuesday,April9,duringthe Sun‘nFunairshow,andflyintheshow againonWednesday,April10.Afterstat-

icdisplayonThursday,April11and Friday,April12,itwilldepartafterits appearanceintheairshowonSaturday, April13.Don’tmissit!

DailyAirshowsandTwoNight Shows

Airshowsareslatedforeachdayof Sun‘nFunfrom1to5p.m.andtherewill betwonightshows,onWednesdayand Saturdayfrom7to9p.m.Withabouta dozenperformersateachshow,headlinersincludetheUSAFThunderbird,the PatriotParachuteDemoTeach,theTitan AerobaticTeamintheirfourt-6s,Lee LauderbackinhisP-51D CrazyHorse2, Tora!Tora!Tora!intheirwarbirds, MichaelGoulianinhisExtra330SC,Jim PeitzinhisF-33CBonanza,andPatty WagstaffinherExtra300LX.Thereare severalperformerswhoputonthrilling shows.FindthemalllistedontheSun‘n Funwebsiteathttps://flysnf.org/activi ties/airshow/airshow-schedule/.

JudgingAircraft

isareflyingintoSun‘nFunandregisteringtheiraircraftforjudging.

Manyownersofuniqueaircraft,

buildersandrestorersworkallyearfor thehonorofshowingtheiraircraftand havingitrecognizedforexcellenceinit category.AircraftJudgingbeginson openingday,Tuesdayandcontinues throughFriday.Winnersarerecognized onSaturdayeveningduringanAircraft JudgingAwardceremonyheldon-site.

1977Cessna172

1977Cessna172NSkyhawk

340AuuddioPanel,N 1000 Cleanlowtime!19 Clean,lowtime!19 000 Aspen spe NKDH, , 340Audoae, Monitor,USoe otor,

990TTS 990TTSN,0SMOH(P Ga Gar MFD, , PFD/500 /500 0 G0003S/ Outets&Coc $189 ,JPI Flig 430W ove3/23),Fre Poplar Gr g Safe 30WW, GNS in ransponder,J aspode ,

Clean,lowtime!1990TTSN,0SMOH (Poplar Grove 3/23), Fresh 2/24 Annual, NKDH,Aspen1000PFD/500MFD, Garmin GNS 430W, Safe Flight AoA, Garmin 340AudioPanel,NGT9000L3ADS-BIn/Out Transponder, JPI EDM 730 Engine Monitor, USB Power Outlets & Clock. $189,000

2NSky rOutlets&Clock. NGT9000L3ADS-BIn/ m

Connie willflyintheSun‘nFunairshow onApril9and10.

FRECCE TRICOLORI AEROBATIC TEAMFROM ITALIAN AIR FORCETO PARTICIPATEAT EAAAIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2024

TheFrecceTricolori,themilitary aerobaticteamrepresentingtheItalian AirForce(ITAF),willbemakingitsfirst Oshkoshappearancesince1986whenit arrivestoparticipateatEAAAirVenture Oshkosh2024.The71steditionofthe ExperimentalAircraftAssociationfly-in conventionisJuly22-28atWittman RegionalAirportinOshkosh.

TheItalianteam,formallyknownas the313thAerobaticTrainingSquadron, isscheduledtobeatOshkoshon Tuesday,July23,aspartofthethird NorthAmericantourinitshistory.With thealready-announceddemonstrations fromtheCanadianForcesSnowbirdsat AirVenture2024,itmarksthefirsttime thattheEAAfly-inwillhavetwomilitary demonstrationteamsinasingleyearat theweeklongevent.

“It’sbeennearly40yearssince we’vewelcomedtheseskilledItalianAir ForcepilotstoOshkosh,andtohave themherein2024addsanunprecedented dimensiontothisyear’sfly-in,”saidRick

Larsen,EAA’svicepresidentofcommunitiesandmemberprograms,whocoordinatesAirVenturefeaturesandattractions.“EAAAirVentureOshkoshhas alwaysbeenaninternationaleventand thepresenceofFrecceTricolorifurther confirmsOshkoshastheplaceforthe aviationworld’sannualfamilyreunion.”

FrecceTricolori–whichtranslates to“TricolorArrows”inEnglish–will arriveatOshkoshonTuesday,July23, andisscheduledtoparticipateaspartof theafternoonairshow.ItsaerialdemonstrationsatAirVenturewillbeamodified displayfeaturingtightfly-byformations andcolorfulsmoketrailsintheteam’s AermacchiMB-339PANtrainerjets.

Theteamwasofficiallyfoundedin 1961,combiningaerobaticunitsfrom throughouttheItalianAirForce.Itconsists of10pilots(nineformationpilots,plusa solo)fromcombat-readyoperational squadronsthroughouttheITAFandiscurrentlycommandedbyLt.Col.Massimiliano Salvatore.FrecceTricolorihadpreviously

madeNorthAmericantoursin1986and 1992.Thisyear’stourisinsupportofthe RoyalCanadianAirForcecentennialthatis alsobringingtheSnowbirdstoOshkosh.

“WiththeSnowbirdshighlightingour celebrationoftheRoyalCanadianAir Forcecentennial,thenumerousmilitaryjet demonstrationsalreadycommitted,and nowtheItalianmilitaryaerobaticteam joiningus,2024willbeanunforgettable yearatOshkosh,”Larsensaid.“Asweprepareforthisyear’seditionofTheWorld’s GreatestAviationCelebration,there’s muchmoretocomeaswell.”

Additionalinformationregarding theFrecceTricoloriappearanceandother EAAAirVenture2024airshowhighlightswillcontinuetobeannouncedasit isfinalized.

AboutEAAAirVentureOshkosh

EAAAirVentureOshkoshis“The World’sGreatestAviationCelebration” andEAA’smembershipconvention. Additionalinformation,including

GearingUpforSun‘nFun,April9-14

ContinuedfromPage29

Whenpurchasingyouradmissionand/or camping,pleaselettheregistrationteam memberknowthatyouwouldliketo haveyouraircraftregistered.Theywill provideyoutheinformationyouneed.

Judgingisconductedinthefollowingaircraftcategories:

•Homebuilts

•LightPlane

•Seaplane

•Rotorcraft

•Ultralights

•Warbirds

•Vintage

•Antique–anyairplaneconstructed onorbeforeAug.31,1945

•Classic–constructedbetweenSept. 1,1945,throughDec.31,1955

•Contemporary–constructed betweenJan.1,1956,throughDec. 31,1970

TheAwardsCeremonyison Saturdaynightat6p.m.intheProp75 BuildinglocatedintheCommercial ExhibitAreasouthofHangarB.

Hands-OnWorkshops

Sun‘nFunhasbecomeapopular placetolearnmoreabouteverythingaviation,aboutbeginninganaircraftproject orspecificareasofaprojectwithwhich youmightneedhelp.

Alltheworkshopsarestaffedbya combinationofamateurhomebuilders andprofessionalinstructorswithextensiveexperienceinthesubjectstheypresent.ManyinstructorsholdFAAAirframe andPowerPlantratingsand/orhave extensiveexperiencewithvendorssupplyingtheaviationcommunity.

Allvolunteersarededicatedtothe educationofHomebuilderstoaidinthesafe andreliableconstructionofallformsof ExperimentalandAmateurBuiltAircraft. Mostvolunteerinstructorsarebuilders themselvesandareenthusiasticaboutsharingtheirexperiencewithnovicebuilders.

TheHands-OnWorkshopsinclude: •CompositeConstruction:Twoworkshopstocoverbasicandadvancedconstruction.Learnthetechniquesofhotwiringfoam,andlaminatingusingepoxy resinandfiberglass.Theadvancedworkshopteachesthebuilderofthematerials, equipmentandtechniquesassociated withvacuumbaggingandvacuuminfusion.Thisworkshopissponsoredby FGCI.

• ElectricalInstallation: Theproper wire,terminals,tools,andtechniquesfor theinstallationofareliableaircraftelectricalsystem.

•ElectricalNoiseandTrouble shooting: Properinstallationandisolationofcircuitstoreduceinterferenceand “noise”inavionicssystems.

•EnginesandFirewallForward

Installations: Thisshopcoversallthings engines.Enginemaintenance,assembly, modification,andinstallationquestions areaddressed.

•FabricCoveringAircraft: Poly Fiber/Conaircraftgivesyouhands-on experienceinfabriccoveringtechniques anddoping.

•FabricRibStitching: Theattachmentoffabrictowingstructuresis explained,demonstrated,andtaughtin thisworkshop.

•MetalShaping: Thisworkshop coverstheshapingofcustomcompound shapesinaluminumusinganEnglish Wheel,mallets,andhowtoperform beadingaluminum.

•SafetyWiringandCable Swaging: Theproperwaystosafetywire byusingthepropertoolsforsafety wiring,cableswagingofcontrolcables, coversbolting,turnbuckles,thimbles, andpropellers,etc.

•SheetMetalFabrication: Includes sheetmetalselection,cutting,drilling, rivetingandsheetmetalfabricationof metalaircraftcomponents.

•WeldingOxyacetylene: Theproper tipsandtechniquesforfabricationofaircraftsteelcomponents.

•WeldingTig: ThisprogramispresentedbyLincolnElectricandcoversaircrafttechniquesusingTungsteninertgas (Tig)welding.

•Woodworking: Hands-oninstruction

Thediamondformationflownbythe FrecceTricoloidemonstrationteamof theItalianAirForce. (GaetanoRomeo/FrecceTricoloi)

advanceticketandcampingpurchase,is availableatwww.EAA.org/airventure. FormoreinformationonEAAandits programs,call800-JOIN-EAA(800-5646322)orvisitwww.eaa.org.

ofbuildingawingribusingtherightwood andjigsfortherightareaofbuildingawoodenplane.Thiscoverstherighttools,staples andadhesivesforwoodenaircraftuse.

ManyshopsareFAA-approvedfor IArenewalandSun‘nFunofficialsarein theprocessofobtainingapprovalfor additionalpresentations.

Workshopstakeplacedailyfrom9 a.m.to4p.m.Fortheconventionattendee whowishestogainexperienceandknowledge,thehands-onworkshopsareabonus notonlytotheFAALicensed,A&PandIA Technicianbuttotheamateuraircraft builderaswell.And,thebestpart,the evententrancefeecoversallthetraining andknowledgegainedduringtheexperience.Thecostoftheseworkshops,ifpaid forindividually,wouldcostthousandsof dollars,butSun‘nFunprovidesallthisfor justthecostofadmission.

Asidefromhands-onworkshops, thereareliterallyhundredsofforumson almosteveryaviationtopic.VisittheSun ‘nFunwebsitefortimesthroughouteach dayandthevarietyofforumsscheduled.

Thisaviation-packedweekhassomethingforeveryone…CAFaircraftrides,an author’scorner,acareerfair,kid’sactivities,aspotlightonmilitaryaircraft,includingdemoflightsandstaticdisplays,and muchmore.Everythingneededtoplan yourvisit,includingtickets,canbefound ontheSun‘nFunwebsite,flysnf.org.

Homebuilder’sWorkshop

ByEd Wischmeyer

L AST TRAINFROM OSHKOSH

FinallyFinishingUpNotesFromOshkosh2023.Mostly.

GarminshowedtheGarminHeight Advisor,theGHA15.Ithinktheycalled itthattoquellinternaldiscussionsasto whetherit’saradioaltimeteroraradar altimeter.(I’veworkedatcompanies wherethisissuewasalwaysdebated, neversettled).

Anyhow,thisgadgetwilldriveaural andvisualcues,atleastonthedisplays withaCANbusinterface.Garminadvertisedthisasbeingadvantageousforbackcountryflying,butIdon’tseethevalue. Thenagain,Ihavenegligibleorless backcountryflyingexperience,sowhat doIknow.

Whatiscool,though,isusingthis forwaterlandings.Someyearsago,Idid afor-realglassywaterlandingaspartof apilotreport,withcumuluscloudsabove andcumuluscloudsreflectedinthewater below.Iwasworkingthecontrolsonthe HuskyassmoothlyasIcould,andthen thevoicefromthebacksaidtogo around.Backontheground,hetoldme thatIhadinfactlandedonthewater.The GHA15wouldhavetoldme.

Andagain,ononefloatplanetripin Alaska,ourpilotlandedatLakeHood withnosensationoftouchdown.

Lastly,itmightbepossibletohook thisupandagearpositionsensorto annunciatedwaterlanding(gearup)or hardsurfacelanding(geardown).

Speakingofwhich,I’vebeenenamoredoftheSeaReyamphibiansincethe veryfirstmodels,andhaveflown,Ithink, everymodelproduced.Mysurgically repairedspinedoesn’tlikewaterlandings, otherthanglassywater,sothat’saprobably-never-gonnahappendream.Onthe otherhand,I’vebeenblessedtodoso manythingsaeronautical…

GarminalsoannouncedAutoland fortheKingAir.Ifthepilotbecomes incapacitated,apassengercanpushthe

magicbuttonandtheplanewillland itselfatthenearestsuitableairport,allby itself.IfIrecallcorrectly(IIRC),this magiccosts$600Korso.Ifyouhaveto ask…

Thatremindsme.MagazinecolumnistDickKarlwasrecentlymotivatedby theinsurancecompanytosellhisCessna Citation.Hewrotethatinsteadofflying abovetheweatherinthejet,henowzigzagsthroughtheweatherinhispressurizedBaron.AndtheBaroncanbeawhole lotmoreexcitingincaseofanenginefailurethanaCitation.NotsureIunderstand theinsurancecompany’sreasoning.

Ihavenoideahowmuchageaffects insurancerates,andI’monthethreshold offindingout.AndIhopethefireinthe nearbyhangarandthe“minor”damageit didtomyplanewon’tdriveupmyrates.

PaulDyehadveryplainwordsof wisdomathisforum.“Aviationisnot safe,neverhasbeen.”“Factsanddata rule,emotionsgetintheway.”Agreed. Twicely.

PaulandIhaveprofounddifferencesonsometopics,butIalwaysliketo findcommonground.

CubCrafterscameoutwithanosewheelCubjustafewyearsback.These days,45percentoftheirplanesarenosewheel.Makessensetome.WhenIused totowglidersandIoccasionallygotto towintheSuperCub,Iwouldtouch downatminimumspeed.Comethefirst bumpinthegrass,Iwasairborneagain. Thenosewheelwouldhaveallowed landingatahigherdeckangle,hence higherangleofattack,henceslower, minimizingthebouncephenomenon.

BritsLikeitSmaller

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getthejobdone,whenyoucanbethe proudmanufacturerofTheCoughing Asthmatic2000?

Dustbinbags!Wehaveyettofinda greatermasterpieceofstingyengineering.Oneday,Iwillgettherubbishdown totheslightly-too-smallbinwithoutthat flimsy,eco-abortionrippingonme,butit

isnotthisday.

It’sbaffling.Thedesignequivalent ofre-usingateabagtentimes.

Still,we’velovedoursojournhere. Youcan’tbeatmistyoldcastlesfor romance,andmysix-year-oldnowhasa schoollaptopandaBritishaccent.

Buteverytimewejoinathousandpersonqueue,attheendofwhichasinglecautiousBritisservingicecreamsat

Icontinuetolearnmoreandmore aboutaerodynamics,particularlyhigh angleofattack.Forexample,whena planeisrolling,thedowngoingwingis atahigherangleofattack.Nosurprise. However,theliftvectorpointsforward. Paraphrasingmygoodfriend,thelate RonBlum,mostofwhatyouknowabout angleofattackiseitherageneralization orwrong.

Therearelotsoffadsincockpitdisplays,manyofthemviolationsofHuman Factors101.Troubleisthatbreakingthe rulesdoesn’talwayscauseaproblem becausepilotsadaptor,incaseoferror, outsiderscanblameitonthepilot.

Onmyplane,onethingthatdrives menutsisthattherearenowvoicealerts onalltheengineparameters,insteadof justabeepthatmeans,takealookwhen you’vegotachance.Thisimplementationmeansthatthesoftwareengineers havedecidedthatthosevoicecalloutsare moreimportantthananythingelseyou mightbedoingintheairplane.

Wastalkingaboutthistopictoone ofthephonesupportpeople–excellent, astheyallareatthisvendor–andtold himthatontheBoeing777,alertsare progressivelydisabledonfinalapproach. Eventhefirewarningissilencedonshort final.Silenceattheotherend.

Andit’salsobeenthecasethatIwas intheflare,overtherunwayatthedestination,andthesystemblastedoutsomethinglikeARRIVINGATDESTINATION.C’mon,now,ifI’movertherunwayat10feet,isn’titconceivablethatI knowwhereIam?

Encounteredanoops,howdidInot

knowaboutthat…

Mycompositeoxygenbottlehasnever beenpressuretested,soIdroppeditoff forsame.Didn’tknowthatafter15years, thosebottlesaretoast.Unusable.Throw ‘emaway.

ThentonightIwatchedaYouTube videoaboutsomebodywhoboughta first-yearCirrusSR-20,andhisparachute(requiredforairworthiness)has comeupagainstitsten-yearlifetime, withareplacementcostofabout$25 grand.Andaverylongwaittimefor parts.IIRC,he’shadtheplane18months andflownitfivetimes.

Makesmegladthatmyplaneisa homebuilt,andthatIcandothingslike softwareupdatesonmyplanemyself.

Oshkoshdrivesthesummerschedule, andI’mhopingtohavethekneereplacementdonerealsoonsothatI’llbeambulatoryagain.Justasateaser,thekneehas startedtohurtless,buteverynowand againitwillgivemeasharpreminder.

Nottobeoutdone,myspineisactingupagain.WhenIsawthesurgeon backinAugust,hesaidthatmyspinewas “trashed,”andtherereallywasn’tanythingtobedone.I’mhopingthatsteroid shotswillhelp.Andhedidmention,distastefully,morespinalfusion.

Normalagingeffects,knee,spine… IwonderhowmuchlongerI’llbeableto fly.Mydreamairplaneisalow-wing, single-seatflivver…ormaybeahighwing,single-seatflivver…flownfroma grassfieldwithlittletonotraffic.

Thenagain,flivveringtoOshkosh through900milesoflowaltitudemidwesternsummerweathersoundslikeno funatall.AtleastintheRV-9A,Icanbe ontopofthesummerhaze,bumps,and cumulusat155knots.Atleast,ifmy bodyisflexibleenoughthatIcangetin

aglacialpace,wedomisstheartof overkill:hiremorestaff,buildmore lanes,biggerisbetter.

Britain’sbeautiful.It’salsosafe. Onecommentatorarguedthatyouare morelikelytodiebyaccidentallyrunning intoawallthantobemurderedbyyour fellowBrit.That’salltothegood.

Butit’ssaddeningtoorderaburger andreceivetwobunswithalonelymeat

pattybetweenthem.

‘What,nosauce?Nolettuce?No pickles?’

‘Oo,nomate.That’sverytricky.We chargeextraforthat!’

DouglasKrugerlivesinStHelier,inthe ChannelIslandofJersey,andwrites booksandarticlestokeephimselfoutof mischief.

whymakeadevicepowerfulenoughto

•

•

$1MILLION FAAGRANT SUPPORTS EAGLE RESEARCHERIN IMPROVING PILOT ASSESSMENT METHODS

ByMelanieAzam ERAU

Backedbya$1millionFederal AviationAdministration(FAA)grant announcedonFeb.12,Embry‑Riddle

AeronauticalUniversityPresidential FellowDr.BarbaraHolderisworkingto developmoreeffectivetrainingprograms thatintegratepilots’technicalskills,such asoperatingaircraftcontrols,andnontechnicalskills,likedecision-makingand

otherskillstraditionallycalledCrew ResourceManagement(CRM).

“TheFAAwantsairlineoperatorsto ensurethatpilotsareequallyproficientin technicalflyingskills,suchashand-flyingandautopilotoperations,andnon-

HMEWatch ATC Analog Flight Watch

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There are four versions of the “ATP,” a larger all black plastic with either a regular LCD display or a reverse LCD display; the other, slightly smaller, offers a metal case and yellow rubber strap.

The HMEWatch A.T.C. (Aviator Timepiece-Chrono) Aviator watch is an all analog, high-quality aviator watch offered in multiplestyles.Thismodel features a 60- minute chronograph, date window and a second-hour indicator to show a constant display ofasecond time zone whether it be your home, destination or as most use it, G.M.T./Zulu Time. This second large hand is a 12hourhandteamingup with a 24-hour Subdial indicator.

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Take advantage of these special prices while stock lasts. Also, they are offering prices well under retail on Citizen Eco-Drive Pilot watch models.

Contact HME at 323-464-6660 or go to www.hmewatch.com to

Backedbya$1millionFederalAviation Administration(FAA)grant,EmbryRiddle AeronauticalUniversityPresidentialFellow Dr.BarbaraHolder(center)isworkingto developmoreeffectivetrainingprograms thatintegratepilots’technicalskills,suchas operatingaircraftcontrols,andnon-technicalskills,likedecision-makingandother skillstraditionallycalledCrewResource Management(CRM).Dr.DavidA.Esser (right),aprofessorintheDepartmentof AeronauticalScience,andAviationPh.D. studentHui(Angel)Wang(left),arealso workingwithHolderontheproject. (EmbryRiddle/BernardWilchusky)

technicalskills,”saidHolder,anassociateprofessorintheCollegeofAviation, SchoolofGraduateStudies.“Pilots employbothtechnicalandnon-technical skillstogethertoperformeffectiveand safeFlightPathManagement(FPM)and, therefore,effectivetrainingandassessmentofbothisnecessary.”

TheFAAisespeciallyinterestedin thecognitiveaspectsofperformance–like

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Tuskegee

Airmen

ContinuedfromPage25

AbouttheCAFAirbaseGeorgia WarbirdMuseum

CAFAirbaseGeorgia,basedin PeachtreeCity,Ga.,wasfoundedin 1987. TheAirbaseisoneofthelargestunitsof theCommemorativeAirForce(CAF).The groupmaintainsandfliessixvintagemilitaryaircraftincludingaP-51Mustang,an FG-1DCorsair,anSBDDauntless,aP63AKingcobra,aPT-19CornellandaT34Mentor.TheAirbase,composedof morethan500volunteermembers,isa foundingpartneroftheGeorgiaWWII HeritageTraillaunchedin2021.The AirbaseispartoftheCAF,anon-profit, tax-exemptorganizationthatreliesoncontributionsoftimeandfundstoconductits mission.Formoreinformation,goto https://airbasegeorgia.org/.

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ATP21200B

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ATC3255W

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ATP1200W

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ATC2250X

Was $465 - Now $119.95

AIR FORCE TO RE-INTRODUCE WARRANT OFFICER RANK, OTHER MAJOR C HANGES

ByC.ToddLopez DODNews

Tobestoptimizeitselfforgreatpower competition,theAirForceplansto, amongotherthings,bringbackwarrantofficerswithinthecyberandinformationtechnologyprofessions,saidAirForce ChiefofStaffGen.DavidW.Allvinduring apresentationFeb.12attheAirForce Association's2024WarfareSymposium.

Thatchangewasamongtwodozen announcedbyseniorAirForceofficials.Each changeisspecificallydesignedtopreparethe serviceforstrategicpowerchallengesfrom competitorslikeChinaandRussia.

“BothChinaandRussiaareactively developingandfieldingmoreadvanced capabilitiesdesignedtodefeatU.S.power projection,”saidSecretaryoftheAirForce FrankKendall.“Theneedformodernization againstcapable,well-resourcedstrategic adversariesneverstops.Butmodernization isn'ttheonlythingweneedtodotobecompetitive.Todayweareannouncing24key decisionswehavemadetoimproveboththe readinessofthecurrentforceandourability tostaycompetitiveovertime,tocontinuouslygenerateenduringcompetitiveness.”

Thosechanges,Kendallsaid,focus onpeople,readiness,powerprojectionand capabilitydevelopmentandareimplementedwithintheDepartmentoftheAir Force,theAirForceandtheSpaceForce.

Spotlight:ScienceandTech

WithintheAirForce,Allvin explained,theserviceislookingtobetter attractanddevelopcutting-edgetalent,

specificallywithininformationtechnologyandcyberfields.Theserviceplansto expandtechnicaltracksforofficersand createtechnicaltracksforenlisted,andto alsoreintroducetherankofwarrantofficerwithintheinformationtechnology andcyberfieldsasawaytomaintain technicalleadershipwiththoseskills.

“Weknowtherearepeoplewhowant toserve.Theyjustwanttocodefortheir country.Theywouldliketobenetwork attackpeopleanddothatbusiness,”Allvin said.“Buteverybodyneedstoseethemselvesintothefuturebeyondjustthisassignmentorthenext.So,developingthatwarrantofficertrackforthisnarrowcareerfield, weanticipatewilldrivethattalentinand helpustokeepthattalent.There'ssomethingspecificaboutthiscareerfield,whyit's attractiveandit'sanicematchforawarrant officerprogram.Thepaceofchangeofthe cyberworld,thecodingworld,thesoftware world–itissorapidlyadvancing,weneed thoseairmentobeonthecuttingedgeand stayonthecuttingedge.”

TheAirForcehadwarrantofficers whenitwascreatedin1947,afterbeing splitofffromtheU.S.Army.Butthe servicestoppedappointingwarrantofficersinthelate1950s.

Allvinalsodiscussedchangesinthe waytheAirForcewillconductexercises. Theplanisfortheservicetoimplement large-scaleexercisesandmissionfocusedtrainingwhichencompasses multipleoperationsplanstodemonstrate andrehearseforcomplex,large-scale militaryoperations,hesaid.

“We'regoingtoreorientourselvesto morelarge-scaleexercisesratherthana

smallerscalethathavebeenaproductof thelasttwotothreedecades,”Allvinsaid. “Large-scalemeansmultipleweapons systems,multiplecapabilities,coming togetherinacombat-simulatedenvironmentandshowingourabilitytoexecute themissionthat'sgoingtobeexpectedof usinthehigh-endconflict.”

Exercisesinrecentyears,hesaid, havealreadybeengettingbigger.But thoseenhancementshavebeendrivenat thelocallevel,notfromthetopdown. Thatwillchange.

“OurAirForceneedstoinstitutionalize this,”hesaid.“Andwe'regoingtodothat.”

HesaidtheAirForceislookingat fiscalyear2025foritsfirstlarge-scale, multi-combatantcommandexercisetargetedatIndo-Pacom.

ChiefofSpaceOperationsGen. ChanceSaltzmansaidachangeunderway withintheSpaceForceistoenhancereadinessbyimplementingstandardsthatreflect operationsundercontestedconditions ratherthanthoseofabenignenvironment.

“Thelegacyforcethatwehad,our roots...werebuiltaroundefficiency,built aroundabenignenvironment,”hesaid. “So,thestandardsforreadinessthatwe kindofheldourforcestowasdifferent.It wasn'tbuiltforthedomainsthatwe're facing,acontesteddomain.”

Now,Saltzmansaid,theSpace Forcemustrewriteitsstandardsforreadinesscenteredaroundacontesteddomain, ratherthananuncontesteddomain.

Spotlight:DoDSpaceStrategy

That,hesaid,meansinparthaving

therightmixofofficers,enlistedpersonnelandciviliansinSpaceForceunits.It alsomeanstrainingmustbeaimedat morethanjustproceduralcompetency.

“Assoonasyouputaredforceinthe mix,assoonasyouputathreatinthemix,it radicallychangesyourtraining,”hesaid. “Youhavetohaveadvancedtraining,you havetohavetacticstraining,youhaveto understandhowyouworktogether,incomms,outofcomms,withotherunits,in ordertocontinuetoachievethekindsof effectsinacontesteddomainwhenanadversary,acapableadversary,isdoingeverything theycantostopyoufrombeingsuccessful.”

SpaceForce,hesaid,willbuilda traininginfrastructureandatestinfrastructuretovalidateitstacticssooperatorswillknowmorethanjusthowto operateequipment–butwillbesuccessfulagainstanadversary.

KristynJones,whoiscurrentlyperformingthedutiesoftheundersecretaryof theAirForce,alsopointedtochangesat DepartmentoftheAirForcelevel.There,she said,amongthosechanges,thedepartment expectstocreateanAirForceIntegrated CapabilitiesOfficetoleadcapabilitydevelopmentandresourceprioritization.The officeisexpectedtodriveDepartmentofthe AirForcemodernizationinvestments.

“We'llbelookingatcapabilities acrossourservices,notinstovepipes,” shesaid.“We'reenablingend-to-endcreationofeffects.Thisorganizationwill helpustoprioritizeourinvestmentsand willberesponsibleforworkingwithusto determinethenextiterationofoperationalimperatives.”Learnmorefromthe AirForcewebsite,af.mil.

$1MillionFAAGrantSupportsEagleResearcher

ContinuedfromPage34

judgment,flightpathmonitoring,attention managementandtaskmanagement–whichcansometimesbedifficulttomeasure.Thegoaloftheresearchistoenable airlinestobetterassessandintegratethe diverseskillstheirpilotspossess.

“Thisworkaimstobringpilottrainingandoperationalperformancetoanew level,”saidHolder.“Ithasthepotentialto maketrainingmoreeffectiveandefficient,especiallyfornewpilots.”

Theresearchisparticularlyimportant, andtimely,withpilotdemographicsrapidly changing,sheadded.Dueinparttolarge numbersofsenior-levelpilotsnearingthe industry’smandatoryretirementageof65, thePilotandTechnicianOutlookprojectsa needfor602,000newpilotsbytheyear2040.

“TheFAAisinterestedinmaking

surepilotsarehighlyproficientinallthe skillsandknowledgetheyneedtodotheir jobwithexcellence,”saidHolder.“And thattherearenogapsintheirtraining.”

ImprovingtheStatusQuo

WorkbeganinJanuaryonthethreeyearstudy,whichwillincludeplansto partnerwiththreedomesticairlinesand oneinternationalairline.

“Theteamisreviewingtheliterature oncognitiveproficiencyassessmentand engagingoperatorsonhowtheycurrently assesspilotperformance,”saidDr.David A.Esser,aprofessorintheDepartmentof AeronauticalScience,whoisworkingon theprojectwithHolder.“Thisistounderstandthelayoftheland,sowecanidentify gapstocreatenewassessmentmethods.”

AviationPh.D.studentHui(Angel) Wang,whoearnedhermaster’sdegreein Aeronauticsandherbachelor’sinAir TrafficManagementfromEmbry Riddle, isalsoassistingHolderontheproject.

“Thefirsttaskistoconductabaselinereview,”saidHolder.“Togetherwith theliteraturereview,we’repartnering withairlinestoinvestigatehowtheycurrentlyassesstheseskillsandtodetermine iftheirmethodsareeffective.”

Interviewswillbeconductedwith membersofairlines’trainingandstandardsleadership,includingcheckairmen andinstructor/evaluatorsintheirtraining centers.Duringthesecondyearofthe project,theresearcherswillusethedata they’vecollectedtoproposenewtraining andassessmentmethodologies.

Inthethirdandfinalyear,the

researchershopetopartnerwithoneor twoairlinestovalidatetheirimproved techniques.

“Mypersonalgoalistocreatean assessmentmethodologythat’seffective, efficientandreliable,thatintegratestechnicalandnontechnicalskills,andthat representshowthepracticeofflyingis performedwhenitisdonewellinrealworldflightoperations,”saidHolder.

Intheend,Holderhopesher researchresultsinsaferskies.

“Technicalandnon-technicalskills areequallycriticalforsafeandeffective flightoperations,”shesaid.“I’mhoping thatthisprojectwillhighlighttheimportanceofalltheseskillsandtheimportance ofeffectivetraining.Ultimately,it’sthe pilotswhomakeflyingsafeandresilient, sotheirtrainingmustbeeffective.”

COSMIC SECURES $4.5MILLIONIN SEED FUNDING

CosmicAerospace(Cosmic),a U.S.-Europeanaerospacestartup,has raised$4.5millioninseedfinancingto acceleratethedevelopmentoftheworld’s firstelectricaircraftcapableofflyingup to1,000kilometers(morethan600 miles),representingastepchangein rangeamongcurrentelectricaircraft offerings.

Insteadofrelyingonfuturebattery improvements,Cosmicisfocusingits engineeringeffortsonthedevelopment ofahighlyefficientairframeandpropulsionsystem,unlockingflightrangesthat elevateelectricaircraftfromaniche productintothemainstreamaviation market.

Thecompanyhasalreadybuiltand testedafull-scaleoperationalelectric engineinrecordtime.Thenewfundswill

boostthedevelopmentofCosmic’s uniqueembeddedwingdesign,akey enablerforachievingthebreakthrough energyefficiencythatthecompanyistargeting.Thefirstfull-scaleflightdemonstratorisontrackforitsfirstflightin 2026,withentryintoservicetargetedat theendofthedecade.

ChristopherChahine,co-founder andCEOofCosmic,assertsthatthetechnologyexiststobuildlong-rangeelectric aircraft,butneedstobedevelopedintoa commercialproductthatiscertifiablein currentandfutureregulatoryframeworks.

Theseedroundwasledbyclimate tech-focusedventurecapitalfirmPale bluedotwithparticipationfromdeep techandfellowclimatetechinvestors includingAeraVC,VisionariesClub

TOMORROW,FiftyYears,Possible Ventures,SyndicateOne,Course Corrected,UnderstoreyCapitaland SamuraiIncubate.

“Weareincrediblyimpressedbythe pragmaticdevelopmentapproachthe teamatCosmichasdemonstratedandare convincedthatthisistherightwayforwardtoenableatrulymeaningfuldecarbonizationofaviation.Weareexcitedto backCosmicandbelievetheteamhas whatittakestoleadtheaviationindustry intoasustainablefuture”,saidJoel Larsson,GeneralPartneratPalebluedot.

Cosmicisinconversationwithvariousairlinesandotherkeystakeholders acrosstheaviationindustry.Theteam bringsauniqueblendofexperiences acrosstechnology,industry,andcertification,whichputstheminanexceptional

positiontoleadthetransitiontowardsustainableelectricaviation.

CosmicAerospace,withaU.S.base inDenver,Colorado,isanelectricaviationstartupbuildingthefutureofzerocarbonairtravel.Foundedbyalumsof BoomSupersonic,NASA,Oxford,and Kittyhawk,Cosmicisdesigningtechnologicallyadvancedandhighlyefficient aircraftandenginesspecificallyforelectrifyingairtravel.Withasmallteamand backingfromleadingglobalVCs, Cosmichasbuiltandtestedafull-scale electricjetenginefromthegroundupand iscontinuingonitsrapiddevelopment pathwaytowardsaflyingdemonstrator in2026.Learnmoreat https://www.cosmicaerospace.com/.

BANNER YEARFORTHE AOPAFOUNDATION YOU CAN FLY CHALLENGE

Helpingtoensureabrightfuturefor generalaviationthroughimportantinitiativesthatgrowthepilotpopulationand helpkeepitsafe,AOPAmembersandthe GAcommunityonceagaincamethrough indroves.

BetweentheYouCanFlyChallenge windowofJune1andDec.31,2023, morethan2,900donorsgavemorethan $3.5milliontotheAOPAFoundation, unlockingtheRayFoundation’sgenerous$2.5milliondollar-for-dollarmatch. Inall,theYouCanFlyChallengeraised morethan$6.2milliontofundessential AOPAaviationprogramsthatpromote andprotectGA.

“Thegenerosityofourdonorsand theirsharedcommitmenttogeneralaviationissomethingwenevertakeforgranted,andwearegratefulfortheirsupport,” saidAOPAChiefOperatingOfficer ElizabethTennyson.“Itisonlybecause

ofdonorstotheAOPAFoundationthat wecanofferYouCanFlyprogramsthat getpeopleflyingandkeepthemflying.”

ThelateJamesC.RaywasaWorld WarIIveteranandamemberofthe AOPAFoundationNewHorizonSociety whobelieved“lifeskillsarelearned throughaviation.”

TheAOPAFoundation’sYouCan Flyprogramcomprisesfourimportant initiatives:HighSchoolAviationSTEM Curriculum,FlightTraining,Flying Clubs,andRustyPilots.

•Nearly23,000studentsin47states andWashington,D.C.,arecurrentlydiscoveringaviationthroughtheHigh SchoolAviationSTEMCurriculum.To date,morethan71,000studentshave earnedhighschoolcreditthroughthese courses.Morethan60percentofinitiativegraduateshaveindicatedtheyare pursuinganaviationcareer.

•AOPA’sFlightTrainingAdvantage (AFTA)programismakingflighttrainingmoreefficientandtransparentwith detailedprogressreporting,cockpitscoring,andindividualizedlessonstailoredto eachstudent’sstrengths.Todate,more than2,110flightschoolsandindependent certifiedflightinstructorshavesignedon, withmorethan14,000traininghours loggedonAFTAsinceMarch2021.

•TheAOPAFoundationFlyingClubs teamhashelpedlaunch241clubsnationwide,givingthousandsofpilotsaffordableaccesstoaircraftandcommunity.

•Nearly13,000formerlylapsedpilots arebackintheflightdeckthankstothe helpofAOPA’sRustyPilotsprogram, designedtomakeiteasytogetbackin theair,evenafterdecadesaway.Since theRustyPilotsprogrambegan10years ago,nearly51,000pilotshaveattended morethan1,000in-personandonline

TheAOPAFoundationLegacySociety recognizesthosethathaveincludeda legacygifttotheAOPAFoundationin theirestateplans.(CourtesyAOPA)

seminars.

Whilethe2023YouCanFly Challengeisbehindthem,theneedfor supportcontinues.Learnaboutmore waysyoucandonateat https://foundation.aopa.org/ways-to-give totheAOPAFoundationandhelpkeep pilotsflyingsafely.Learnmoreabout AOPAataopa.org.

PILOT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS STEPS UPTO NEW FAAAEROMED CHALLENGES

Likemanygovernmentagencies, theFAAAerospaceMedicalDivision (FAAAeroMedforshort)oftenshiftsits attentionandemphasisbaseduponcurrentevents.Therecentattemptofajump seatpilottoshutdowntheenginesofa fullyoccupiedairliner,whileonaroutine passengerflight,underscorestheneedto recognizethatmentaland/oremotional problemscanbeafactorinaviationsafety.Unknowntomanyinaviation,FAA AeroMedhasbeengatheringdataregardingmentalhealthissuesformanyyears, uptoandincludingwhatsomeviewas invasivereviewofmilitaryVeteranmedicalrecords.Discrepanciesinwhat ArmedForcesVeteranshavetoldFAA AeroMedabouthavingreceivedwidely acceptedmentalhealthtreatmentwhile

onactiveduty,orthroughtheVeteran’s Administrationafterleavingactiveduty, canresultinthelossoftheirFAAClass medicalcertificate.

AccordingtoDavidHale,Executive DirectorofPilotMedicalsolutions,“This isnotreallynew,butonecanfindoneself unintentionallyatoddswithFAA AeroMed.”Showingconcernregarding recentFAAAeroMedactions, TransportationandInfrastructure CommitteeChairmanSamGraves(RMO),TransportationandInfrastructure CommitteeRankingMemberRick Larsen(D-WA),and41additional MembersofCongresshavesentaletter toFAAAdministratorMichaelWhitaker expressingconcernthatcurrentAeroMed practicesareencouragingaviationpro-

fessionalstoavoidwidelyacceptedtreatmentforbothmentalhealthandmore contemporarymedicalphysicalissues.A CommitteelettersenttoAdministrator Whitakerurgesdecisiveactiontoreduce thestigmaaroundmentalhealthcarein aviationwhilemakingmeaningful changestoremovebarriersandstrengthentrustwithouraviationworkforce.

Mr.Haleadds,“PilotMedicalsolutionsisfollowingtheseeventsclosely andcanofferguidanceandadviceto thosewhoareconcernedthatpastprofessionalmedicalcarecouldadversely affecttheirapplicationforaninitialor continuingFAAClassmedicalcertificate.Ourexperiencedandprofessional staffstandsreadytonotonlyresolve FAAClassmedicalproblems,buttopre-

PilotMedicalSolutionsworksdirectly withyourphysiciansandtheFAAto assurecompliancewithFAAprotocols andtoresolvecomplexaeromedicalcertificationissuesquickly.

(CourtesyPilotMedicalSolutions)

ventthemfrombecomingproblemsin thefirstplace.”Formoreinformation, contactPilotMedicalSolutionsat www.leftseat.comorcall(405)7870303.

MOUNTAIN HIGH OXYGEN EQUIPMENT “VIRTUALLY”ATTENDS SUN ‘N FUN

WhilenotattheSun‘nFunshow sitethisyear,MountainHighEquipment andSupplyCompanyismakingsureyou donotmissoutontraditional“Show Specials.”MountainHighoffersallthe componentsneededtomakesureyour supplementaloxygenneedsaremet,with pressureregulators,mountingbrackets, carrycases,andawideselectionofdeliverysystemsthatpromoteoptimumuse ratesandcomfort.Withnewproducts,

liketwo-stageregulators,whichprovide usefulpressurewithevenanearlyempty cylinder,MountainHighcontinuestobe theinnovatorofaviationoxygentechnology.

VisitMountainHighat www.mhoxygen.comfromApril7-14and usediscountcode“sunnfun10”toknock 10percentoffthepurchasepriceofyour orderof$100ormore.Notonlywillyou findallthecomponentsneededtosatisfy

youroxygenneedsbutsavemoneyinthe process!AsSun‘nFunkicksoffthe2024 flyingseason,takethischancetokickup thecapabilitiesofyourplanewithahighefficiency,Pulse-demandoxygensystem fromMountainHigh.

MountianHighoffersalargevarietyof oxygencylindersandeverythingyou needtogowiththem.Findalltheirproductsatmhoxygen.com.

(CourtesyMountainHigh)

AIRFORMS WINS ANOTHER FAA-PMAAPPROVAL –ENGINE BAFFLES FOR CESSNAAND PIPER AIRCRAFT

AirformsrecentlyreceivedFAAPMAapprovalonenginebafflesfor Cessna172G&Hmodels,aswellas PiperPA28R-180aircraft.Thesenewbafflesareavailableasacompletereplacementkitorstandalonereplacementpieces. Enginebafflesaresusceptibletobending andcrackingatvulnerablepoints.The Airformsengineeringteamhasimplementedreinforceddesignstoensurethat yourbafflesremaininoptimalcondition foraslongaspossible.Byreplacingyour baffles,youensureoptimalenginecooling,enhancingperformanceandextending thelifespanofyourengine.

Airformsoffersawiderangeof capabilitieswithhundredsofFAA-PMA bafflesetsforavarietyofaircraft,includingCessna,Beech,Piper,Mooney,and Grumman.Allbaffleassembliesarebare metalfinishedorpowdercoated,which

enhancescorrosionresistance.Theirpreinstalledsealsareavailableinstandard siliconematerial(multiplecoloroptions) orMcFarlane’snewpremiumCowl SavermaterialwithBi-Flextechnology.

CowlSaverisalowfrictionbaffle sealmaterialfeaturing30timeslessfrictionthansilicone.Thisheightenedfriction transmitsenginevibrationsdirectlyinto thecowlandfirewall,resultinginissues suchasfastenerfretting,fatigue,cracking, chafing,andairframevibration.Cowl Savermaterialisnowavailableinseveral differentapplications,includingthree-inch rolls,largesheets(forcustomization),or completeaircraftreplacementkits.

AirformsisthepremiermanufacturerofFAA-PMAreplacementenginebaffles.Theyofferbafflesforawiderange ofaircraft,includingCessna,Piper, Beechcraft,Grumman,andMooney.

Airformsislocatedintheheartof Alaskanaviation,offeringreplacement aircraftcomponentstobushpilotsand operators.Airformsrecentlybecamea valuedmemberoftheMcFarlane Aviationfamilyofbrandstoprovidethe highestqualityproducttoaviatorsaround theworld.

McFarlaneAviationislocatedin BaldwinCity,KSandisaleading providerofhigh-qualityaircraftparts, accessories,andinnovativesolutionsfor generalaviation.Eachindividualproduct ismeticulouslyengineered,ensuring exceptionalqualityandextendedlifespan.McFarlaneisadistinguishedowner ofadiversefamilyofbrands,including CJAviation,Flight-Resource/MTProps, Airforms,andPMAProducts.

ForinformationvisitMcFarlane Aviation.com.

AirformsrecentlyreceivedFAA-PMA approvalonenginebafflesforCessna 172G&Hmodels,aswellasPiper PA28R-180aircraft.(CourtesyAirforms)

BRUCE’S CUSTOM COVERS HAS YOU “COVERED” FOR SPRING AIRSHOW SEASON

Airshowseasonisjustaroundthe cornerandthismightbeagoodtimeto thinkaboutanaircraftcoverthatmeets thedemandsofspringandsummer.

Bruce’sCustomCoversistheplace tofindtheperfectcoverforyouraircraft.

“Atourcompanywe’reallaboutcover design,bothmaintainingthenearly 15,000productsthatwe’vealready developed,andcreatingnewonesalmost everyday.Iknowit’shardtobelievethat somanyproductscouldbeavailablejust tocoverandprotectairplanes,butit’s

true.Theamazingthingtomethough,is thatwe’restillcomingupwithnew designstosatisfyourcustomers’requirementsworldwide,”statesBrucePerch, President.

Bruce’sCustomCoversmanufacturescoversforairplanes,jets,gliders andhelicopters.Someofthosecovers include:

•Cockpit/Canopy/CabinCovers

•Wing/Tail/EmpennageCovers

•FullCoverSets(entireaircraft)

•EngineCowlingCovers

•EngineInletPlugs

•InternalHeatShields(sunshades)

•FittedHangarDustCovers

•Propeller/SpinnerCovers •...andmore!

Bruce’sislocatedat18850Adams CourtinMorganHill,California. However,theydobusinesswithclients throughoutthecountryandinternationally.Learnmorefromtheirwebsite,aircraftcovers.comorgivethemacalltollfreeat1/800-777-6405.

ThegrassytarmacatOshkosh'sWittman RegionalAirport:Bruce’scoversproudlydisplayedonafleetofT-34aircraftat EAAAirVenture.

(CourtesyBruce’sCustomCovers)

AOPAAIR SAFETY INSTITUTEAND LIBERTY UNIVERSITY RELEASE FATAL FLIGHT TRAINING ACCIDENT REPORT

TheAircraftOwnersandPilots AssociationAirSafetyInstituteonFeb. 16releasedtheupdated FatalFlight TrainingAccidentReport2000–2019

AcollaborationbetweentheAOPA AirSafetyInstituteandtheLiberty UniversitySchoolofAeronautics,the reportexploresflighttrainingrisksand innovationswithinthepasttwodecades. Thestudycoversfataltrainingaccidents intheUnitedStates,offersabreakdown ofaccidentsandtheircauses,andconcludeswithaccidentpreventionandmitigationrecommendations.

Thereportnotesthatlossofcontrol comprisesthelargestaccidentcategory,

accountingfor54percentofallfatal instructionalaccidentswiththevast majoritybeingstall/spinrelated.

“Theaviationindustryhasdonean excellentjobofstall/spinawareness whenovershootingbasetofinal,”said RobertGeske,AOPAAirSafetyInstitute managerofaviationsafetyanalysis. Geskecontinued,“Similarly,weshould stressstall/spinriskduringtakeoff, climbout,andgo-around,andemphasize energyawarenessandmanagementduringthoseflightphases.”

“Thegoodnewsisthatflighttraining isgettingsafer.Sustainedeffortsbythe FAA,NTSB,manufacturers,andtheflight

trainingcommunityhaveresultedinafatal accidentratethatisnowroughlyhalfof whatitwasatthestartofthecentury,”said AndrewWalton,LibertyUniversitydirectorofsafety.“From2000to2004,thefatal accidentrateaveraged0.49perhundred thousandhoursanddecreasedto0.26in thelastfiveyearsofthestudy.However, thereremainsplentyofworktodo,particularlyinmitigatingtheriskoflossofcontrolinflight,”concludedWalton.

Viewthereportathttps://www.aopa .org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/accident-analysis/flight-trainingaccident-report.Viewotheraccident analysisreportsathttps://www.aopa.org

AOPAandLibertyUniversity’s Fatal FlightTrainingAccidentReport2000–2019 notesthatlossofcontrolcomprises thelargestaccidentcategorybuttheaviationindustryisimprovingandmaking flighttrainingsafer. (AOPA)

training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/accident-analysis.

OODIES

Oneofthetrulygreatthingsaboutbeinganaviationbuffisthenumberof“GoodiesandGadgets”availabletoplay with.Here InFlightUSA hascollectedafewnewonesworthyofyourconsideration.

AND AND

ADGETS

AircraftSpruce&SpecialtyCo.hasbeenthesupplierthataircraftbuilders,owners,pilots,andaviationbusinesseshavedependedonsince1965.Theycarryawide selectionofaircraftparts,buildingmaterials,avionics,andpilotsupplies,allofwhichareofferedontheirwebsite(www.aircraftspruce.com)andinthefamousAircraftSprucecatalog,nowover1,000-pagesavailablefordownloadorforfreeinprint.YoucandependonAircraftSpruceforpromptshippingandcompetitivepricingonallorders.

AIRCRAFT SPRUCE GEARING UPFOR SPRING

AircraftSpruceisgearingupfor Springandkeepingyouinmind.Findan assortmentofproductsdesignedfor everypilot’spersonalcare,safetyand convenience.Herearejustafewexamplesofproductstoprepyouoryourpilot friendforairshowseason!Findtheseand thousandsofitemsatAircraftSpruce, www.aircraftspruce.com.

MygoflightFlightBagPLCPro 2024Edition

Thenewly redesignedPLC PROisthelatest additionto

MyGoFlight’s amazinglineof flightbags.

Madefrom ruggedballistic nylon,thisbagisengineeredtofitthe lifestylesofaviatorsandtravelersthatbring bothstyleanddurability.Improvementsto thisFlightBagincludeupgradedpaddingto theself-standingshellfordurability,stowablebackpackstraps,andacoolmattefinish onthemetalparts.Thisflightbagistheultimatesolutionforstoringandprotectingthe essentialsneededforanydestination.Mesh pocketsallowyoutoseeyouritemsinside, whileaself-standingshellallowsforperfect positioningforeasyaccess.TheFlightBag PLCProisdesignedbypilotsforpilotstobe theultimatetravelcompanion.Eachbag sellsfor$299.

aircraft,includingpressurizedaircraft, andallexperimentalaircraft,tohelpyou monitorthehealthparametersthatare mostimportanttoyourmission.

TheHealthviewworksasastandalonedeviceforcabinpressurealtitude, usinganinternalbarometricpressuresensor.But,therealpowerliesinthe Healthview’sabilitytodynamically expandtofeatureanyavailableAithre device,wirelesslyandwithORwithout useofthepopularAithreConnectiOS app.TheHealthviewiscompatiblewith allAithredevices,includingtheShield seriesofcarbonmonoxidedetectors,the Illyrianoximeter,theMesooxygenpressure,theAVIoxygensystems,andthe Metiswingtiptemperature/dewpointsensor.UptosixIllyrianoximeterscanbe linkedtotheHealthviewatanymoment. Manyoftheconnectionsarewireless usingBLE,buttheHealthviewalsofeaturesserialchannelslinkingdirectlyto theAvibuilt-inoxygensystems.

Additionally,theHealthviewcontrols thebuilt-inAVIoxygensystemswiththat dedicatedserialcommunication,including pulsedosagebasedonpressurealtitude andbloodoxygensaturationlevels.For advancedoxygenusers,theHealthview providesanautomodefunctionalitythat automaticallyturnsyouroxygenonand offonastation-by-stationbasis,using parametersofpressurealtitude,SPO2, heartrate,andcarbonmonoxide.

AithreHealthview

The Healthviewisthe firstdedicated avionicsdisplay forhealthinformation,includinggaugesfor bloodoxygen, heartrate,respirationrate,flow rate,cabinpressure,cabintemperature, carbonmonoxide,oxygentankpressure, andwingtiptemperature/dewpoint spread-andthefirstdedicatedavionics displaythatcontrolsyouroxygendosage perstationbasedonaltitude,carbon monoxide,bloodoxygen,andheartrate.

Thispowerfulavionicsdisplayis approvedunderNORSEEforallPart23

You’llbeproudtofeaturetheelegantaluminumhousingonyourpanel anditwon’ttaxyourbattery,alternator, orusefulload.Powerrequirementsare 12-18Vandonly150mA(0.15A)! Dimensionsare90mmx61mmx 21.5mmandweightisapproximately10 ounces,withthefinalweightpending finaldesignchanges.

Wiringissimplewithonlypower andgroundrequired.Optionalwiring includesserialTX,RXwirestotheAVI built-inoxygensystems.

Existingbuilt-inAVIoxygensystemsrequireasoftwareandhardware upgradetobecompatiblewiththe Healthviewserialcomfeatures.This upgraderequirestheAVIcontrolunitbe mailedtoAithreforano-costupgradeas partofthepurchaseoftheHealthview. Eachunitsellsfor$895.

LightspeedZulu3U-174Plug

StraightCordBatteryPowerPromoSetOfTwo

Themost comfortable,most durableheadset Lightspeedhas evermade.

Morecomfortable

•Performance earsealsare taperedtoprovide amorenaturalfit,forgreatercomfortand stability

$1798).Howevertherearepromotionals goingonnow.CallAircraftSprucefor details:1/877-477-7823.

TheTravelerKit

TheTraveler

•Plushearsealsprovide20%more surfaceareathancompetitors,forabetter sealaroundglassesframesandamore comfortabledistributionofsidepressure

•Largercupcavityprovides50% morespaceforyourears,allowingthe entireeartofitcomfortablyinside,while preventingthepaincausedbysealspressingagainsttheedgeoftheear

•Low-profilestainlesssteelheadband followsthecurveoftheheadformore comfortabledistributionofweightand sidepressure

Moredurable

•RuggedcablesbuiltaroundaKevlar coredelivermorestrengthandflexibility withlessweightthanstandardcables

•Nearly100percentoftheheadsetis madefromstainlesssteelandmagnesium

•Magnesiumearcupsarebothstrong andlight,whiledeliveringsuperiorhighfrequencynoiseattenuation

Moreclarity

•TheDualApertureDiscmicrophone providesgreaternoisecancellationfor clearer,moreintelligiblecommunications

•Exclusive,user-adjustablemicgain helpsbalanceloudandsoftvoicesina multi-headsetenvironment

•FrontRowCenter(FRC),stereo cross-feedtechnology,andredesigned speakersdelivercrisp,richaudioand unparalleledmusicfidelity Lightspeedperformance

•Award-winningactivenoisecancellation(ANR)deliversconsistentperformanceoveradeep,broadrangeoflow frequencynoise

•Zulu3isbackedbyanindustry-best 7-yearwarranty

Thesetisnow$1573.25/Kit(itwas

KitisaPersonal CarePackagethat isappreciatedby everyonefrom busyexecutivestosportsenthusiasts.It’s theperfectadditiontoanyairplaneorcar tohaveonhandforlife’sunexpected moments.Designedtosupportonepersonforuptothreedays,itcontainsmore than50supportitemsinacustomnylon carryingbagwithreinforcedstraps.“The Traveler”isreadytogoanywhere!Itsells for$69.95.

2-InchPortableUniversal SoftseatCushionSystems (Cut-OutBase)

Wouldyouliketositinyourcar, chair,boat,airplane,oranywhereelseand bepain-free–nomatterhowlongyou’re sitting?TheSoftSeatPortableSeat Cushionshiftsyourhips,pelvisandback intotheproper,pain-freeposition.Helps minimizelowerbackpainfromprolonged sitting.Eliminatespainfrom“hotspots.” Canraiseormoveyouforward.Zippered andinterchangeableparts.100percentsatisfactionguaranteed.

Theydesigntheirseatcushionsso yourhipsandpelvisareshiftedintothe proper,pain-freesittingposture.Aftermany yearsoflisteningtocustomerfeedbackthey recommendyouuseaSoftSeatCushion BasewiththeSoftSeatLumbarSupportfor bestresults.

That’swhytheycreatedtheSoftSeat PortableSeatCushionBase/Lumbar ComboasaBestValueoptionforcustomers.

AspeciallydesignedcutoutSoftSeat CushionBaseaccommodatesaircraftcon-

ContinuedonPage43

SCHWEISS DOORS FOUNDERTOBE INDUCTEDINTO MINNESOTA AVIATION HALLOF FAME

MikeSchweiss,founderandowner ofSchweissDoors,willbeinductedinto theMinnesotaAviationHallofFameata ceremonyinApril.

Schweiss,aprivatepilot,entrepreneurandinventor,designstheglobally usedlift-strapbi-folddoorsandsinglepiecehydraulichangardoors.Thesebifolddoorsemploynylonstrapstoreplace outdatedcabledoorsystemsthatused cables,pulleysanddeadweights.The company’shydraulicdoorsrequireless headroom,areeasytoinstallandboast theindustry’sstrongesthinges.

“Thisistrulyanunexpectedand humblinghonor,”Schweisssaid.“The greatstateofMinnesotaishometoso manyaviationpioneersandindustry leaders.Tobeincludedamongthesefolks meansmoretomethanIcansay.Thisis thekindofhonorthatmakesallofusat Schweissgettotheofficeandworkalittlebithardertomakesurewe’rebuilding themostreliablebifoldandhydraulic doorsonthemarket.”

Inadditiontohangardoors, SchweisshasbuiltdoorsforsuchbusinessesattheGuthrieTheatrein Minneapolis;theRedBullHQ;Yankee Stadium;thenewColumbus,Ohio,soccerstadium;CycleCityinHawaii;and theRitz-CarltonHotelinShanghai.The largestisa90-foot-wideand60-foot-tall

MikeSchweiss,founderandownerof SchweissDoors,willbeinductedintothe MinnesotaAviationHallofFameata ceremonyonApril20.(SchweissDoors)

doorforaNASAassemblybuildingat CapeCanaveral,Fla.

Other2024inducteesareCurtisL. Brown,aU.S.AirForcepilotandNASA astronaut;PatMagieIII,aseaplanepilot, entrepreneurandauthor;CheriRohlfing,a DeltaAirLinesCaptain,adjunctprofessor atMinnesotaStateUniversity;PaulDye, flightdirectorfor39spaceshuttlemissions; StevanPetrich,commercialairlineand floatplanepilot;andMaxHaynes,accomplishedaviationphotographerandartist.

The2024inducteeswillbehonored asthe36thhalloffameclassatabanquet attheMysticLakeCenterinPriorLake, Minn.,April20.

Formoreinformation,visitthe MinnesotaAviationHallofFameat https://mahof.org/.

RETURNINGTOOUR ROOTS WITHTHE NEXT AOPASWEEPSTAKES AIRCRAFT

Whatfliesaround,comesaround. AndforoneluckyAOPAmember,that tripwillbeinastunning1958Cessna 182.

The182–oneofthemostpopular andversatilegeneralaviationaircraft models–wasfeaturedonthefirstcover of AOPAPilot magazinebackin1958. WithAOPAcelebratingits85thanniversaryin2024,thechoiceofthestraighttail182asnextsweepstakesairplanewas easyaeronauticaldecision-making.

“Whataspecialyearthisis,and choosingthe182asthenextgiveaway madeperfectsense,”saidKollin Stagnito,AOPASeniorVicePresidentof MediaandMarketing.“Thereissomuch tocelebratethisyear,andthe182marks

WithAOPAcelebratingits85thanniversaryin2024,thechoiceofa1958Cessna straight-tail182asnextsweepstakesairplanewaseasy.Learnmoreat aopa.org/membership/sweeps.

(CourtesyAOPA)

thelatestinalonglineofremarkable sweepstakesaircraft.Oneofourmembersisgoingtobeblownaway.”

ContinuedonPage43

GoodiesandGadgets

ContinuedfromPage40

trolsandrestraintsystems.Usedsuccessfullyinalltypesoffixedwingandrotorcraft.SeatCushionslidesbetweenperson andseat-packedparachutewithoutinterferingwithparachutestraps.Canstillbe usedforotherseating(cars,boats,chairs, etc.).Cutoutis43/4”wide,51/2”deep.

Non-SkidStrips

Moreportableoption–usecarry handleandmoveeasilytodifferentseats. Twowidex10”longstripsofblackwebbingwithblacknon-skidrubberarehand sewntothebottomofthecushion.

Two-inchThickPortableUniversal SoftSeatCushionBase/LumbarCombo (forlimitedheadroom).ForAerobatic, CommercialandotherAircraft(cut-out Base).Eachcushionsellsfor$269.95and comesincolorchoicesofburgundy,blue, teal,beige,gray,charcoalorblack.

AircraftSpruceatAviation

Events

FindAircraftSpruceatthefollowing events:

AEAInternationalConvention &TradeShow

Date:March19-22,2024

City,State:Dallas,TX Booth:BoothTBD

Sun‘nFun

Date:April9-14,2024

City,State:Lakeland,FL Booth:HangarB,Booths1-9

GreatAlaskaAviationGathering

Date:May4-5,2024

City,State:Palmer,AK Booth:Booth#174

AOPASweepstakesAircraft

ContinuedfromPage42

Theaircraftwasablankaluminum canvaswithawornyellowclothinterior whenAOPAobtaineditin2023and,ina twistontheusualprocess,itwasimmediatelysenttothepaintshop.Withthat, AOPAmemberswon’thavetowonder whatkindofadornmenttheir2025 sweepstakesaircraftwillbeboasting.

Theteam’sgoalforthisresto-mod wastoemulatethebestfeaturesoftheaircraftontheveryfirstAOPAPilotcover, whichmadechoosingthepaintscheme andtailnumbersimple.Theclassicpaint linesofthewhite,turquoise,andblackliverynotonlylookstunning,buthearken backtotheearlydaysofCessnawithretro decalsandtraditionalN-numberplacements.The4000Dtailnumberalsopays homagetothe1958magazinecoveraircraft,whichhadatailnumberof4054D.

Thepaintschemewasredesignedby CraigBarnettofSchemeDesignersInc. inCresskill,NewJersey,andthescheme wasbroughttolifeontheSkylaneby GustavHaussler,knownas“GoodOl’ Gus”tohisregularcustomers,ofMaster AircraftServicesinWickenburgand Bisbee,Arizona.

Fromthepaintshop,theaircraftwill makeonestopattheBuckeyeAirFairin Arizonaforitsofficialpublicdebut.

Fromthere,theSkylanewillflytoeasternArizonaforthenextstepofits makeover:interior.

“Takingaclassicaircraftandmaking itlooknewagainisonething,butthat wouldn’texactlymakeitaresto-mod,” Stagnitoadded.“That’swhytheinterior designwilltipitshattotheold,but embracenewdevelopmentsinmaterials andtechnology.TheAOPASweeps182 willfeatureabrand-newGarminpanelthat willincludeseveralGI275stobringallthe technologyamodernpilotwants,while keepingthecharmofthecircularsteam gaugeswe’veallcometoknowandlove.”

Fortheinterior,ArturoatArturo’s AircraftInteriorswillstriptheaircraft downtothealuminumandinstallall-new lushtancarpeting,headliner,anddoor panels,withtheclassicallydesigned leatherandclothseatsbringingtheoutsideinwithturquoiseaccents.Theyokes willberestoredandpainted,bringingthe classicCessnalogosbacktolife.

Thereisplentymoreinstoreforthis aircraftasitgoesthroughits18-month restorationtransformationbeforeit’s givenawaytoanincrediblyluckyAOPA member.Tofindoutmoreaboutthe Cessna182sweepstakes,visit aopa.org/membership/sweeps.Theentry periodendsonJune30,2025.

AIRCRAFTFORSALE

American Aircraft Sales, Livermore Airport, CA, americanaircraft.net, cell (510) 783-2711, (925) 449-5151.3/13

From Trade-ins to Aircraft Management, financing and appraisals. T.J. Aircraft Sales, Novato, CA, (415) 8985151, tjair.com. 3/13

AirplanesUSA Aircraft Sales, San Carlos, CA, Airport, (650) 394-7610, airplanesusa.com. 1/16

Quality aircraft since 1948.Volare Air, aTECNAMdealership,(940)800-8020, volareair.aero. 1/23

Historicallysignificant1950s-era aircraftforsaleortrade.Allinrestorable conditionwithminimum corrosion. InventoryincludesaPiaseckiXHJP-1and aSikorskyS-55.American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, PA. Contact info@americanhelicopter.museum for more information.231000.TFN

JETS

SmallMannedAerialRadar Target, Model1.Tinyjet aircraft, long-range tank. SMART-1, Tucson, AZ, (202) 2132400, smart-1.us. 5/21

SPORT/ULTRALIGHTS

RV12i5 Total performance perfected. Easytobuild,flyandown. Van's Aircraft www.vansaircraft.com.11/18

Bristell LSA 915 Turbo, 180 mph @18,000.Bristell Aircraft, (516) 6581847. bristellaircraft.com.2/24

HELICOPTORS

5Bell212s 1996-1991, current maintenance,one owner. Bell412,33017SN, 0engineOH.HudsonFlightLimited, (806)662-5823,or(971)241-8473.6/20

STOL

TheSTOLSuperBreezy with fully covered fuselage. Yakima Aerosport, (509) 453-3412, superbreezy.com.5/23

SavannahS, premier light-sport STOL platform. Flight4U, LLC, Napa, CA, (707)485-2644, Jeff@flight4u.biz.9/23

AIRCRAFTSALESAIDS

Aviation Sales & Marketing by ABCI Idealforastartuporsidehustleinthe aviation industry. (702) 987-1679 or aviationsalestraining.com/startup.1/21

FLIGHTINSTRUCTION

Sunshine Flyers Flight & tailwheel instruction, rentals, mountain flying, and aerobatics., Auburn, CA, (530) 820-3442, sunshineflyersaviation@gmail.com.3/20

Arizona Type Ratings

CE-500/CE-525 type ratings or recurrent. Insurance approved, staff examiner. arizonatyperatings.com, (602) 614-7994.9309:TFN

Recurrent pilot training and services. L/D Aerospace, Grace Passmore, (916) 790-0501, idaerospace.com.1/22

Fly for fun or career Discovery flights, pilot training, AOPA Distinguished Flight School & Cessna Pilot Center. Smith Aviation Napa, Napa County Airport, (707) 345-6526, mikesmithaviation.com. 4/22

MAINTENANCE/INSPECTIONS

XL Aviation - Aircraft Maintenance. Custom-tailored programs for all aircraft. Livermore, CA, (925) 961-6135, xlaviationtailwheel.com.8/20

RESTORATIONS

Iconic Aircraft Restoration Repairs, refurbishments, parts fabricated, consulting at reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 379-9092.8/21

Custom aircraft & high-quality composite parts. Aviation Composites, Sandersville,GA,(937) 243-7303.1/22

Allpartsavailabletorebuild 1936RearwinSportster. In Northern California. Contact Sue Harmuth at suewilldooo@ outlook.com. 22801:TFN

FBOs

Serving the GA Community since 1981.Wisconsin Aviation, Watertown MunicipalAirport,WI,(920)261-4567, WisconsinAviation.com.3/13

World's largest network of FBOswith over200 locations offering consistent, exceptional service. Signature Flight Support, signatureflight.com.4/23

Full-service center. Vista Aviation, WhitemanAirport,Pacoima,CA, (818) 896-5224,vistaair.com 9/23

AVIONICS

Avionics for Every Mission. All major brands.Airtronics, Calaveras County Airport, CA, airtronicsavionics.com, (209) 736-9400. 11/14

Basic installs to complete panel and glass retrofits. Great service and value pricing. Pacific Coast Avionics, (800) 353-0370, PCA.aero. 7/15

Updateyouravionics FAA-Certified repair station. Treasure Coast Avionics, Ft. Pierce, FL, (772) 464-3148, treasurecoastavionics.com. 2/23

AIRCRAFTPARTS

Keeping "classic" aircraft flying since 1946 Univair Aircraft Corp., Aurora, CO, (888) 433-5433, univair.com.3/21

Iconic Aircraft Restoration for all the classics. Reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 347-1909.2/23

SAVAGE Magneto Service since 1946. Hayward, CA, (510) 782-7081,2/23

Wingtips with total lighting solutions, aveoengineering.com.9/23

PROPELLERS

Aviation wood, composite or metal propellers.Sensenich,(813)752-3711, (717)569-0435orsensenich.com.4/21

OXYGENSUPPLIES

Cannula or Mask? For aicraft service ceilings to FL180 & FL250. Ask "The Oxygen Lady," info@aviationoxygen.com2/23

4720:TFN

Aircraft Fuel Cell Repair, hartwigfuelcell. com. 2/09

Homeof GAMIjectors® fuel injectors! STCsandPMAson over 300 different engine models! General Aviation Modifications, Ada, OK, (888) 3594264, (580) 436-4833, gami.inc.3/23

AVIATION SAFETY

Innovative aviation safety solutions and Parachute Recovery Systems for a variety of aircraft, including for sport, UAVs, more. AviationSafetyResources.com.2/22

Get ahead of your daily in-flight risks with SAFETYLINQ flight risk assessment. argus.aero/safetylinq.1/22

AIRCRAFTFINANCING

Get Top Retail Value for Your Aircraft! Sell now! Find your dream aircraft! Shop now! Become an area broker with one of the largest networks in the U.S.! Visit our USA Aircraft Brokers page on Facebook or visit usaaircraft.com. 9/23

INSURANCE

Specializing in personal, business and charter aircraft.Bestprice, coverage&customerservice. Zanette AircraftInsurance Center, (650) 593-3030, (888) 723-3358. 10/06

Insurance solutions for all aviation-related services. Business Aviation Insurance, bizavins.com, (925) 825-1900.7/20

AVIATION CONSULTANTS

Informed, accurate aircraft appraisals. jetvaluesjeremy.com, (636) 751-3987.7/20

Complete Aviation Sales & Marketing Services Use Promo Code "INFLIGHT" to save 10%. AviationBusinessComsultants. com/Lab, (702) 987-1679. 4/23

PILOT SUPPLIES

NocheapimitationwatchesatHME!

Special pricing on ATP series multifunctionalwatches with Altimeter. To order or for information, (323) 464-6660 or hmewatch.com.11/16

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Free 700page catalog, Corona, CA, & Peachtree City, GA, aircraftspruce.com.10/06

Protective covers for every make and model. Bruce's Custom Covers, Morgan Hill, CA, (800) 777-6405, (408) 7383959, aircraftcovers.com.10/19

Seewhatyou are missing with new models from Rosen Sunvisor Systems. rosenvisor.com, (800) 284-7677.7/20

Apparel as unique as your journey

Discounts to members. AOPA Pilot Gear, aopapilotgear.com.9/21

InPhones with pilot keypad. Convenience at one low price! Only $199/year. (650)504-8549, (408) 234-0045.10/21

Mountain Bike,Full-size,pilot-friendly,

Emergency

FUEL

Fuel Cells Repair, overhaul or new. New tanks with 10-year warranty. Hartwig

Divorce-Paternity Cases Contact LawyersforMen'sRights,(213)384-

8886, www.mensrightslawyers.com. Offices of Stuart J. Faber.4/10

Aero & Marine Tax Pros

Legally avoid sales tax on your aircraft purchase. In El Grove, CA, (916) 691-9192, aeromarinetaxpros.com.18500:TFN

Left Seat Pilot Medical Solutions.A confidential solution for pilot medical certification. Free FAA medical consultations. Left Seat, (800) 699-4457.1/21

Global Aircraft Group USPAP bank values for all aircraft, aircraft management, insurance claims & certified aircraft appraisals. Mark Parry, (855) 6GBL- AIR, (413) 335-7507.4/22

HANGARS/TIEDOWNS

One-piece doors Hydraulic or bifold. Schweissdoors.com, (800) 746-8273.1/15 Aviation Building Systems, custom designed hangars. R&M Steel Co., Caldwell, ID, (208) 454-1800, aviationbuildingsystem. com, (866) 454-1800.51217:TFN

HOMES/AIRPARKS

New Runway & Taxiway Homesites

Available in amentity-rich community, Granbury, TX. From $179,900. Pecan Plantation, AviationHomesites. com, (833) 273-2159. 2/24

Lakeside, energy-efficient Oasis in Burson, CA. Visit 12615brandy.com for photos and a virtual tour.2/24

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Become an Aircraft Broker — #1Largest USA Network of Aircraft

Start with USA’s proved system for listing and selling everything from highperformance single-engine airplanes, cabin class through jets, and helicopters & jet fractional shares. Includes multi-million-dollar inventory to start. Complete turn-key proved system. Noexperience necessary. Will train. Licensed USA Aircraft brokerage. Call (504) 723-5566 orvisit Business Opportunity Section at usaaircraft.com 4208:TFN

Free avgas 100LL and free tie-down parking in exchange for help with projects for an airport in Southern California. Email: wignot@hotmail.com.23600:TFN

ART/VIDEOS/GIFTS

Specializing in aviation photography

horizontalrain.com.1/15

Need a gift? Givearide in an open cockpit biplane. WACO Air Museum, Troy, Ohio, wacoairmuseum.org, (937) 335-9226. 20601:TFN

Fly By Wire Air,aone-stop site for aviators. flybywireair.com.4/21

Aces High Aviation & Military Art (800) 528-0887, aceshighgallery.com.10/21

Shirts Made to Fly Unique, original fabrics embedded with your sectional chart. Save 20% with "INFLIGHT20" code. PilotQuarters.com. 2/24

PUBLICATIONS

Avionics Checklists & Quick Reference gudes. Available in book, card &new iPad editions. qref.com.8/14

SEAK, Expert Witness Directory, by Bert Botta for aviation accidents and incidents. (415) 320-9811, bert@bertbotta. com, bertbotta.com.4/22

"Ghosts," Phil Makanna's legendary warbird calendars are back! Visit ghosts. com, (800) 331-8231.2/23

New Pocket guide to avoid pain & stiffness during travel by a leading pain expert. "Pain-Free Vacation/Travel," (980) 785-8128, goptfirst@gmail.com.2/4

PILOTPOSITION WANTED

SoCal pilot desires Turbine/Jet SIC time Comm/Instru/Multi-Eng with SIC for Gulfstream G-IV and scores of hours in the Citation V560. Many years of aircraft design/flight test/aerospace industry experience. Willing to travel as needed (and for repositioning). Contact Paul at (562) 714-6686 or ptglessner@ aol.com. 23700:TFN

HELPWANTED

IN FLIGHT USA, the leading source of general aviation news, seeks writers and photographers to cover all aspects of aviation. Send an SASE for writer’s guidelines to: In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, CA 94402.TFN

Oakland Aviation Museum recruiting volunteers.Oakland, CA, (510) 638-7100, oaklandaviationmuseum.org.12/23

MUSEUMS

Rowland Freedom Center Vacaville, CA, (707) 449-3402 rowlandfreedomcenter.org

Castle Air Museum

World's largest static display of vintage military aircraft from late 1930s. Atwater, CA, (209) 723-2178 castleairmuseum.org

WACO Airfield & Museum Troy, OH, (937) 335-9226 wacoairmuseum.org

Planes of Fame Air Museum Chino, CA, (909) 597-3722 planesoffame.org

Pacific Coast Air Museum Santa Rosa, CA, (707) 575-7900 pacificcoastairmuseum.org

Oakland Aviation Museum Oakland, CA, (510) 638-7100 oaklandaviationmuseum.org

ORGANIZATIONS

List your non-profit club or organization FREE on a space available basis.Sendinformation to: 3rdavenue@embarqmail.com

Wings of Rescue Flying Animals to Safety wingsofrescue.org

Please donate NOW!

Flabob Airport, Jurupa Valley, CA (951) 683-2309, flabob.org. Anonprofit airport fostering apassion for flying in young people. Donations welcome.

Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn. aopa.org

DONATIONS Needed!

Non-profit youth aviation program teaching High School kids to build a Zenith 750 Cruzer — then learn to fly in it! It’s 70% completed. Need a usable O-200 engine to make kids’ dreams come true! Full value tax benefit. Bill (818) 634-9762.4/23

RENO AIR RACING ASSOCIATION RELEASES TOP THREE FINALIST

LOCATIONSFOR FUTURE HOMEOF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AIR RACES

TheRenoAirRacingAssociation (RARA)announcedonFeb.29thetop threelocationsintherunningtobecome thefuturehomeoftheNational ChampionshipAirRaces(NCAR).The threefinalistcitiesareCasper,Wyo., Pueblo,Colo.andRoswell,N.M.The NationalChampionshipAirRacesarea one-of-a-kindairracingeventwhichhas broughtanestimated$100millionin annualeconomicimpacttoitscurrent homeinnorthernNevada.

“We’vebeenoverwhelmedbythe amazing,positivefeedbackwe’ve receivedfromthesixbiddingcommunitiesasawhole,aswesearchforthefuture homefortheNationalChampionshipAir Races,”saidFredTelling,CEOandchairmanoftheboardfortheRenoAirRacing Association.“Thereweremany,many elementstoconsider,andwe’dliketo extendoursincerethankstoallthe entrantswhoputinthetimeandeffortto submittheircarefullythought-outproposals.Througharigorousvettingprocess,

wefeelconfidentthatoneofthesethree locationswillprovidetherightmixofelementsoureventneedstocontinuetorace wellintothefuture.”

InAprilof2023,afterreceiving38 inquiriesfromdifferentlocations,anofficialrequestforproposalsfromtheReno AirRacingAssociationwassentout nationwidetofindafuturehomeforthe NationalChampionshipAirRaces. Elevencitiesattendedoneoftwobidders’ conferencesin2023,expressingfurther interesttohosttheevent.Ofthe11,six citiessubmittedcompleteproposals.

TellingalsoexpressedhisappreciationforRARA’sracefanssaying,“I’dbe remissifIdidn’tmentiontheoverwhelmingsupportwe’vereceivedfromour SeptemberFamilyaswegothroughthis process.Weareanxiouslylookingforwardtowelcomingeveryonebacktoair racingin2025.”

Aseriesofsitevisitswereconductedateachofthesixlocationsbysome RARAboardmembers,Classpilotrepre-

sentativesandothercommitteeparticipantstoassesstheviabilityofhostingthe pinnacleairracingeventattheirfacilities. Amyriadoffactorsweretakeninto account,includingtheabilityofvenues tohostlargecrowds,handlehundredsof aircraftandsupportthelargeracecourse neededfortheevent.Withtheseand manyotherfactorsinmind–Casper, PuebloandRoswellwerechosenasthe topthreefinalists.

TellingalsoconveyedhisdeepappreciationtoBuckeye,Ariz.Thermal,Calif. andWendover,Utahfortheireffortsand supportstating,“Whiletheselocations werenotultimatelychosentobethehome ofthenextNCAR,theyeachhavetremendousmeritandvalueintheirownright. Wewillbereachingouttothemtocontinuediscussionsontheirpotentialasexpansionvenuesinthenearfuture.”

Afinaldecisiononthefuturehome oftheNationalChampionshipAirRaces isexpectedinApril2024.Intheinterim, theorganizationcontinuestopreparefor

its2024airshowand60thanniversary celebrationinRenoinOctoberaheadof thereturnoftheairracesin2025.For moreinformationorforwaystosupport theorganization,visitwww.airrace.org.

AIR RACE CLASSIC ROUTE FOR 2024RACE

Womenpilotsfromacrossthe UnitedStatesandaroundtheworldwill takeoffTuesday,June18,fromSouthern IllinoisAirportinCarbondale,Illinois, fora2,628-statutemilecompetition across11statesthatendsFriday,June21, atNorthernColoradoRegionalAirportin Loveland,Colorado.Registration2024 forthe47thAirRaceClassic(ARC) openedJan.2,2024andwillcloseon March31,2024.

Theoldestraceofitskindinthe nation,theAirRaceClassictracesits rootstothe1929Women’sAirDerby, akathePowderPuffDerby,inwhich AmeliaEarhartand19otherdaring femalepilotsracedfromSantaMonica, California,toCleveland,Ohio.This year’sARCcelebratesthe95thanniversaryofthathistoriccompetition,which markedthebeginningofwomen’sair racingintheUnitedStates.Today,the ARCistheepicenterofwomen’sairracing,theultimatetestofpilotingskilland aviationdecision-makingforfemale pilotsofallagesandfromallwalksof life.

“TheARCBoardofDirectorsand volunteershavebeenhardatwork

preparingforour47thrace,”saidAir RaceClassicPresidentDonnaHarris. “Welookforwardtocelebratingthe95th anniversaryoftheWomen’sAirDerbyas wewelcomebackveteranracersand meetnewcompetitorsatourStartin Carbondale,Illinois.”

Teamswillbegindeparting SouthernIllinoisAirportat8a.m. Tuesday,June18,takingoffoneafter anotherapproximately60secondsapart. Fromthere,thefieldwillspreadoutas fasterplanesmoveaheadorasracersuse theirownstrategyforwhentofly.Faster planesmaycompletetherouteinonly twodays;slowerplanesmaynotarriveat theTerminusinLoveland,CO,until momentsbeforethearrivaldeadlineat5 p.m.onFriday,June21.

Intermediateairportsalongtheroute areinLaPorte,IN;Cadillac,MI; Newark,OH;Monee,IL;Owatonna, MN;Moberly,MO;Bartlesville,OK; andDodgeCity,KS.Teamswillexecute highspeedflybysoveratiminglineat eachoftheseintermediateairportswhere theymayalsolandforfuel,abreak,oran overnightstay.

Teamsconsistingofatleasttwo

femalepilotswillcompletethecourse flyingnormallyaspirated,piston-poweredairplanesinvisualflightconditions duringdaylighthours.Pilotsandcopilots musthaveatleastaprivatepilotcertificateandaminimumof100hoursas pilot-in-commandtoqualifyfortherace; oneofthemmusthaveatleast500hours aspilot-in-commandoracurrentinstrumentrating.Teamsmayincludeadditionalfemaleteammateswhomusthold atleastastudentpilotcertificate.

Becauseeachplanereceivesa uniquehandicap,teamsareracing againsttheirownbesttime,notagainst oneanother.Thiscreatesalevelplaying field,soslowerplanescancompete againstfasterplanesonanequalbasis. Teamsstrategizetoplaytheelements, holdingoutforbetterweatherorseeking morefavorablewinds,tobeattheirhandicapbythegreatestmargin.

Officialstandingsaren’tdetermined untilafterthelastteamhascrossedthe finishline–thelastarrivalatthe Terminusmay,infact,bethewinner!

AirRaceClassicInc.isanall-volunteer,nonprofitorganizationwithamissionofencouragingandeducatingcur-

The2024AirRaceClassicroutehas beenannounced,departingfrom SouthernIllinoisAirportinCarbondale, Illinois,fora2,628-statutemilecompetitionacross11statesthatendsFriday, June21,atNorthernColoradoRegional AirportinLoveland,Colorado.

(CourtesyAirRaceClassic)

rentandfuturefemalepilots,increasing publicawarenessofgeneralaviation, demonstratingwomen’srolesinaviation, andpreservingandpromotingthetraditionofpioneeringwomeninaviation. Formoreinformation,visitairraceclassic.org.FollowAirRaceClassicon FacebookoronInstagram:@airraceclassicinc.

AirplanesUSAA/CSales....6

AviationOxygen................25

BristellAircraft..................21

Bruce'sCustomCover......41

BTAConsulting................26

CastleAirMuseum............14

OaklandAviationMuseum11

PacificCoastAvionics......10

PacificOilCooler................9

PecanPlantation..................2

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