In Flight USA December 2023 by Anne Dobbins

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Calendar of Events

December 2023

www.inflightusa.com

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, Dec. 1. Confirm the status before attending.

DECEMBER

Wednesdays Sat. & Sun. 1 2

3 4-7 5

5—6 9 9 — 10 16

17 19 — 22 23 26 30

Q Troy, OH: Private Pilot Ground School, 6 to 9 p.m. thru Dec. 27, WACO Historical Society, (937) 335-9226, wacoairmuseum.org. Q Atwater, CA: Tours of the VC9C Presidential Aircraft available 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Castle Air Museum, (209) 723-2178, castleairmuseum.org. Q Athens, Greece: Mediterranean Business Aviaton, Metropolitan College, aeropodium.com. Q San Carlos, CA: Santa Arrives by Helicopter, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos Airport, (650) 654-0200, hiller.org. Q Palm Springs, CA: Commemorative Series, 1 p.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262, palmspringsairmuseum.org.. Q Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, www.planesoffame.org. Q Vacaville, CA: Cup of Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707) 449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org Q Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com. Q Atwater, CA: Christmas at the Museum, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Castle Air Museum, (209) 723-2178, castleairmuseum.org. Q Las Vegas, NV: ICAS Convention, Caesars Palace, airshows.aero. Q Chino, CA: Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 9 a.m. to noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-7576. Q Nampa, ID: Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 10 a.m. to noon, Warhawk Air Museum, (208) 465-646, warhawkairmuseum.org. Q FAASteam Virtual webinar: Repair Station Safety Day. Visit faasafety.gov for details, times and registration. Q Palm Springs, CA: Commemorative Series, 1 p.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262, palmspringsairmuseum.org.. Q Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Open House, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hollister Municipal Airport, (408) 804-3591, markstar@garlic.com. Q Palm Springs, CA: Commemorative Series, 1 p.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262, palmspringsairmuseum.org.. Q Riverside, CA: Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org. Q Hayward, CA: Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111. Q Burlington, WA: Safety Seminar, 10 a.m. to noon, Skagit Regional Airport, (360) 370-8067, dybergaviation.com. Q San Diego, CA: Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530. Q Palm Springs, CA: Snowtopia, 6 to 9 p.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262, palmspringsairmuseum.org.. Q Riverside, CA: Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Riverside Municipal Airport, (951) 312-4832. Q San Carlos, CA: Glider Discovery Day, 11 a.m. to noon, Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos Airport, (650) 654-0200, hiller.org. Q Novato, CA: Planes & Coffee, SkyShare Terminal, Gnoss Field, (415) 897-2403, skyshare.com.

13 — 14 20

21 27

Q Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, www.planesoffame.org. Q Vacaville, CA: Cup of Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707) 449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org Q Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Fly-In, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frazier Lake Airpark, (408) 835-1694, frazierlake.com. Q Hollister, CA: Antique Aircraft Display & Open House, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hollister Municipal Airport, (408) 804-3591, markstar@garlic.com. Q Riverside, CA: Aircraft Display Day Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flabob Airport, (951) 683-2309, flabob.org. Q Hayward, CA: Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayward Executive Airport, (510) 280-4111. Q Burlington, WA: Safety Seminar, 10 a.m. to noon, Skagit Regional Airport, (360) 370-8067, dybergaviation.com. Q Madrid, Spain: Spanish Aviation Forum, H10 Tribeca, aeropodium.com. Q San Diego, CA: Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530. Q Sanford, FL: Aerospace & Aviation Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Million Air Hangar, Orlando Sanford Int’l. Airport, (407) 585-4024, aviationdayorlandosanford.com. Q Riverside, CA: Aircraft Display Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Riverside Municipal Airport, (951) 312-4832. Q Novato, CA: Planes & Coffee, SkyShare Terminal, Gnoss Field, (415) 897-2403, skyshare.com.

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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

COVER STORY

December 2023

MAGNI GYRO CONTINUES ITS FLYING, EXPLORING JOURNEY

By Annamarie Buonocore

An Interview with U.S. Dealer Mike Trudell

or those of you who have been reading In Flight USA for a while, you probably remember the cool yellow gyrocopter that graced the cover of one of our 2020 editions. The good news is that Magni has not been sitting still. The U.S. dealer, Mike Trudell, is currently in Italy working on a new model of the gyrocopter that will be present at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and other airshows in 2024. The new model offers a quieter, smoother experience that is sure to delight gyroplane and helicopter fans alike. Here at In Flight USA, we were excited to get all the updates. Here is what Mike and Magni had to say. In Flight USA: What updates can you share with us since the last time we talked to you about the gyrocopter? Mike Trudell: A lot has happened Magni Gyro’s newest gyrocopter, M26, is the company’s first tandem enclosed machine. It will be at Oshkosh this summer. (Courtesy Magni Gyro)

since then. At that time, we only had the one gyro over at Orbic Helicopter that was available for training. Now we have two, and by February, we’re going to have a third. We will have all three of the model lines, the M16, the M24, and the M26. We are still providing training at the sport pilot, private, and commercial levels for the gyro. We offer this through Orbic Helicopters at Camarillo Airport. IFUSA: What is unique about the new model of the gyrocopter that you’re working on? MT: It’s Magni Gyro’s first tandem enclosed machine, which has been long awaited. It just got released this year. We demonstrated it at Oshkosh last July. The first one was delivered to our Gulf Shores, Alabama dealer (Gulf Shores Magni Gyro (gulfcoastmagnigyro.com), which was on display at Airventure 2023. We’re getting the second one, which is going to be the one that I am going to fly. It will be available for demos here in California. It’s an enclosed tandem machine (for and aft seating), it has a Continued on Page 9

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 40, Number 4

650-358-9908 • Fax: 650-358-9254 • E-mail: vickie@inflightusa.com • www.inflightusa.com

December 2023

ON THE COVER COVER STORY

PHOTO FINISH

THE JOY OF FLYING THE M26 GYROCOPTER

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON BACK IN THE FIGHT

MAGNI GYRO’S JOURNEY

By Mike Heilman

By Annamarie Buonocore Page 4

Story begins on Page 43 Cover Photos Courtesy Magni Gyro

COLUMNS

NEWS Airlines Draw Pilots from BizAv, Privates Under Pressure....................8 Unleaded Fuel Candidate Advanced to Next Stage Testing ................11 Alliance Mourns Loss of Executive Director Selena Shilad................14 FAA Appoints Rulemaking Committee On Pilot Mental Health ..........16 Embry Riddle President Addresses Aerospace Workforce Needs ....18 Arizona Wings Pilots Fly 39th Navajo Christmas Airlift ......................20 ATP Jets Graduated 20,000th ATP CTP Student ..................................24 Volocopter Dazzles with First Flight In New York City..........................25 Life of Apollo Astronaut Frank Borman Remembered ........................26 NATA Announces Aviation Apprenticeship Tracking Tool ..................28 CubCrafters Releases New Infrared Camera Tech ................................30 DeltaHawk Engines Launching Hydrogen Engine Program................35 Winter Protection Starts with a Cover ....................................................40 AOPA Releases Richard G. McSpadden Report (Formerly Nall) ........44

Editorial: When Airports Get In the Way of Aviation By Annamarie Buonocore ................................................6

AOPA Editorial: Remembering Richard By Mark Baker, AOPA President and CEO...........................8

Spirit of Flight: Girls In Aviation Day, Buchanan Field By Denise DeGregoire ................................................12 Flying With Faber: Holiday Adventures By Stuart Faber ............................................................29

By Larry Nazimek...........................................................21

Homebuilder’s Workshop: Aging Pilots By Ed Wischmeyer ......................................................32 SafeLandings: Runway Excursions ......................................39

Can Seaplanes Set Off Economic Boom in Lake County, CA?

Goodies & Gadgets: Happy Holidays from Aircraft Spruce ..................................................................46

NASCAR’s First Street Race

By Annamarie Buonocore................................................36

What’s the Safest Plane in the USA? By Lou Mancuso.............................................................42

DEPARTMENTS Calendar of Events ..........................................................3 Classifieds ......................................................................48 Index of Advertisers ......................................................50

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

December 2023

WHEN AIRPORTS GET IN THE WAY OF AVIATION

Editorial By Annamarie Buonocore 20171976 Socata CessnaTBM 337G 930

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ost minds in aviation would agree that supporting smalland medium-sized airports is a critical element of aviation. Without these airports and those who work at them tirelessly, general and business aviation would not exist. While I do not intend for this article to be political, I will come right out and say that “woke” GA airports are a concern for anybody who flies or holds cherished personal dreams. I will quote the late Jeremy Cox when we met at an NBAA luncheon a few years ago, “There’s maybe two Democrats in this whole thing.” “Woke” is seldom more than social engineering perpetrated by individuals with more time and money than reasonably needed, who believe their superior intellect and ideals enable their elitist principles to force upon the unwashed and ignorant masses … you and me. This writer takes strong, and now vocal, exception. As the good old disclaimer says, the opinions expressed herein are those of this individual author and not those of In Flight USA, BizAvJets USA, or In Flight Publishing. As many readers know, many small airports are owned and maintained by local governments. In most parts of the country, government policies occasionally collide with private interests, but for the most part, things run smoothly. But what do you do with places like the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, New York, or coastal Los Angeles? You might walk into one of these terminals and be asked to dawn a mask. Worse yet, you might show up on a regular Monday afternoon just to find the terminal closed with a sign that reads, “We’re honoring ‘Someone Special’ Day.” Worst of all, you might find employees or managers who want to eradicate low lead fuel before it is safe to do so or people in these communities who are involved with the airport who want to tax and overcharge aircraft owners to fund city interests and never get the job done. What you will read in this editorial opinion is the raw and abusive use of power. To slightly paraphrase noted journalist Charles C. W. Cooke, a senior editor at NATIONAL REVIEW and the former editor of NATIONAL REVIEW ONLINE, “Both pilots and local communities should pay attention to public service bureaucrats handing down social engineering proposals that do little more than bolster their own lack of knowledge and personal self-esteem. The obscenities

Sue Clark of RV (Rio Vista) 2 The Rescue, an organization that rescues shelter pets, is facing eviction from her hangar at the Rio Vista Airport. (Courtesy Sue Clark, Facebook)

enacted by such bureaucrats can serve as a laboratory of experimentation in politics as well as in policy, which will be adapted at higher levels of government if allowed to continue.” To specifically quote Charles C.W. Cooke, “Power is a muscle: it must be exercised if it is to remain strong.” Local airports are becoming little more than “exercise machines” for power-thirsty bureaucrats. Not all but many of these managers and city employees have a very limited background in aviation. Most don’t have any flight training at all and are not even aware that one can study airport management in college. Ok, I’ll admit that it’s not a program you’ll find at your local state college, but these programs do exist, and if you asked a student enrolled in one of them, they would tell you that many airport managers have a lot to learn. During my time in aviation as an aviation magazine employee, student pilot, aircraft broker, and aircraft inspector, I have endured the “woke” airport several times. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so this is not surprising, but this might become more prevalent in more places, as the world grows more woke, and people continue to seek more relativism than truth. Here are some guidelines for how I spot a “woke” airport. They charge too much for basic services, they don’t support tenants and airport businesses, they take as many days off as possible, they mandate environmental policies that are unattainable, and they make ridiculous rules that make you feel like there is a conspiracy against you. I have experienced many of these situations myself and with readers and colleagues. Continued on Page 7

December 2023

Editorial

Continued from Page 6 The experience that I found was most frustrating was when an airport near me decided to close its terminal for six months because of Covid-19. Regardless of where you stand politically, you have to admit that this is a ridiculous disruption to critical operations and to the economy. Imagine your local pipeline to the aviating world being closed for six months because the local government employees are afraid. Not only is this unacceptable to me as an aviator but as a taxpayer as well! Some of these “social engineers” might think this is the equivalent of closing a country or yacht club for a privileged few, but we all know how untrue that is, and I’ll save that argument for another occasion. I felt inspired to write this article after meeting with a pilot and nonprofit organization director named Sue Clark of RV (Rio Vista) 2 The Rescue, an organization that rescues shelter pets who are at risk of euthanasia. At the age of 79, she never thought she would be going through such an ordeal. For several months, Clark has been in a struggle with Rio Vista Municipal Airport, one of my favorite flying spots and pilot hangouts. I was shocked when Clark informed me of her challenges. Some of the items this pilot and dedicated member of the GA community has faced are parking tickets for “parking her airplane backwards.” They later reversed the airplane parking issue, as the FAA calls it “nesting.” Now Clark is being evicted from her hangar, noting she has never missed a rent payment. When they found out that a prospective tenant was associated with Clark, they removed that prospect from the hangar waiting list. She has also been cited for flying a drone on site when the only drone she owns is a toy that doesn’t even require an FAA license, a simple DJI that is too small to be considered an aircraft. Thankfully, this charge was later dropped. “This whole battle has taken a toll on me,” said Clark. “I really believe that the staff here have limited aviation knowledge and are prioritizing city politics above the needs of pilots and airport businesses.” This was her report in her own words: When I flew to Rio Vista on April 20, I was anticipating a call out for urgent transports. So I was a “free” day user. At 2:41 p.m., I paid for a parking permit and displayed it on my dash. I paid by credit card. April 21 – I paid late that day, after 6 p.m. On Saturday, April 22, I went to pay late and the terminal building was locked. There was no re-entry gate code on the walk-thru main gate. So I could not pay. On Sunday, I was gone all day at

www.inflightusa.com Oakdale Airport Day and knew I could not get into the pay machine. I did not go to the airport. Monday. I flew the plane back to Sac Exec. I was removed from the hangar wait list by our non-aviation airport manager for not paying on the 22nd and 23rd. When I received the email of non payment on May 5, I delivered a receipt and a check for three nights for $15. I later produced a copy of the receipt for the 21st, on which I paid cash. I lost that receipt and later found it in my plane and took a copy to Krystine Ball, the assistant to Director of Public Works/Airport Manager. Both the check and receipt disappeared at city hall. I resubmitted payment. Clark’s story might not be terribly unusual. We have heard many stories of hangar tenants encountering disputes with airport management, and I am the first to say, “No matter how flat Apple makes the MacBook Air, it’s got two sides,” but I find Clark’s case particularly troubling because of the critical work she does in the community, much of which the “woke folk” should be thanking her for. As previously mentioned, Clark flies her Piper Archer to animal shelters in areas of California where such shelters have reached capacity. Their only alternative is to euthanize the animals, some of which are very young. She flies the cats, dogs, and pocket pets to areas where there is more space available in hopes of them eventually finding their forever homes. As she flies these missions, she often takes student pilots with her to show them the ropes, lend her CFI skills, and give them more flight hours. She does two good deeds in one, so why would a local airport want to evict such a tenant? I’d be proud to rent out my garage to such a woman, but apparently management has a different view. Is the lust for power so great that local airport management will sentence helpless pets to death just to prove they can force their agenda, no matter how abusive? Even if Clark has violated certain rules, it behooves management to work with her for the sake of the economy, animal cruelty prevention, and education. What precedent does this set? Should an airport or any landlord for that matter be able to evict a tenant simply because they can get more money for the unit and then scramble for petty issues to get rid of them? (Maybe they’re not as “woke” as they proclaim to be). If these “woke” managers really want to be for the public good, they should consider working with tenants like Clark by learning more about their missions. Not doing so could lead to Continued on Page 9

KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS.

We’ll be your feet on the ground. Being a member of AOPA is more than a huge list of pilot benefits. Joining AOPA empowers general aviation with a louder voice, keeping skies safer and open to pilots everywhere.

Amplify your power to fly. Join AOPA today.

AOPA.org/Join

By Mark Baker AOPA President

s I do at this time of the year, I collect my thoughts and give you my perspective from the year past, and give you a sense of what we have to look ahead to during the next year. There was a lot I was prepared to say about the wonderful events, important initiatives and gratitude I have had for my team and our members over the last year. As you can imagine that all changed on Oct. 1. That was the day I lost my colleague and friend Richard McSpadden, and the general aviation community lost an incredible educator, valued mentor and amazing aviator. A lot has been said by a lot of people about Richard over the last few weeks. My team and I have received hundreds of heartfelt messages from across the country and around the world, messages from

those who wanted to remember Richard as a valued teacher and guide, those who shared a personal memory of being with him at an airshow or other aviation event, or those who just wanted to say they shared our sorrow for an amazing man taken from us far too soon. And while I use these words every month to share my thoughts with you, today I want do something a bit different. I want to use this space to provide an opportunity for your voices – to give you the chance let all of us know what Richard meant to you. While it would simply take the entire magazine to print everything wonderful said about this amazing person, I’d like to share a few of the warm words you shared with us about Richard: “He was an accomplished gentleman, making significant contributions to improving GA flight safety. He will be sorely missed and will be hard to replace.”

“I can't even imagine what you all are going through right now. He truly was a great guy and a great pilot.” “I wish I would have had more time to get to know him and hear his stories. My deepest condolences to you and the entire AOPA family.” “My mind is totally consumed with the loss of Richard McSpadden. I am so saddened. A great loss to AOPA and the Aviation world, he was a friend to all of us.” “Sorry for the unimaginable loss of such an incredible man to the GA Community, and especially to those who had the good fortune to know him.” “We believe the general aviation community is a better place with pilots and instructors like Richard McSpadden.” “He was a friend, a Prince of a guy and a great aviation safety advocate.” “Simply put, he was the calm in a sea of histrionics. He was like the avia-

es up to $175,000 for pilots. Ultra-low-cost carriers (ULC) have seen a decrease in hiring and training, according to FAPA. A memo from Spirit Airlines, which plans to merge with JetBlue, announced the company was suspending all hiring and new pilot and flight attendant training because of a disappointing third quarter and the expected grounding of dozens of Airbus aircraft over the next year for inspections of geared turbofan engines made by Pratt & Whitney. FAPA also noted that Spirit Airlines is talking about offering voluntary leave for cabin crewmembers. For some pilots, corporate aviation gig work is the answer. Owen Leipelt, a corporate pilot, enjoys the experience he gains getting to fly various types of aircraft to locations all over the world and recommends pilots interested in corporate aviation attend networking events like the National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition to learn more about available career opportunities. “Corporate aviation is all about networking,” Leipelt said. “Saying yes to every opportunity and putting yourself out there. It can be as lucrative as you make it with some incredible experiences you cannot get at the airlines! If you are looking to build time for the airlines, it can also be a great steppingstone gaining

valuable experience outside the traffic pattern and up in the flight levels.” Leipelt is not alone viewing business aviation as a “steppingstone,” and that has increased the pressure on fractionalownership operator NetJets, amplifying the challenge of attracting and retaining pilot talent. Private and business aviation was once widely viewed as a career to keep until retirement, but that dynamic has shifted. “Private and business aviation never used to be an entry-level jet job, but that’s exactly what it is right now because there aren’t as many pilots and the biggest thing that they can do to compete with that airline lifestyle is quality of life,” Genc said. “But for the person that absolutely wants to go to the majors or wants to go the jet route who does not want to be a flight instructor, some of these private and business aviation or cargo carriers are really attractive to them.” Genc added that private and business operators need to be more proactive about attracting talent, like approaching colleges to recruit and showcasing why corporate flight departments and fractional ownership operations are a great place to work. Director of Graduate Services at California Aeronautical University Raschel Grant said that only about 6 percent of the school’s graduates over the past five years have taken jobs in business avi-

December 2023

tion father I wish I could have had.” As you can gather, these words from you sum up everything that made Richard one of the most remarkable people we have had the pleasure of knowing – a wonderful man, a true leader, a trusted colleague, a good friend, and an amazing husband, father, brother, and son. To Richard, safety was a team sport, and he was quick to deflect personal praise and credit his great team. That was the true measure of the man. At the close of the celebration of Richard’s life we held at our AOPA home, I shared some words from the wonderful piece by Linda Ellis, called The Dash Poem: “For it matters not, how much we own, The cars...the house...the cash. What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash.” May God continue to bless Richard and his family with blue skies.

AIRLINES DRAW PILOTS FROM BUSINESS AVIATION: PRIVATE OPERATORS UNDER PRESSURE

By Niki Britton AOPA

REMEMBERING RICHARD In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

ig salaries, signing bonuses, and a strong recruiting presence at aviation colleges have more new pilots than ever flocking to the major airlines, while private business aviation faces a challenging new reality. Hiring at the major airlines is on track to outpace last year’s record pilot hiring, with almost 10,000 pilots hired by the major airlines year to date. According to Chief Advisor and Executive Editor at Future and Active Pilot Advisors (FAPA) Timothy Genc, the industry is on pace to hit 13,400 pilots hired by year-end. Genc added that the industry is still shy of being able to staff all of the aircraft currently parked. JSfirm.com saw a boost in job seeker traffic compared to this time last year with a 21.2-percent increase in applications and a 40.8-percent increase in new memberships. These job seekers run the gamut from recent graduates to experienced executives and represent every category of the aviation industry. Companies are still competing to attract talent with 19.7 percent more companies advertising their open positions and total jobs posted up 16.7 percent compared to 2022. Incentives are still at an all-time high and JSfirm.com is confirming relocation and sign-on bonus-

While many pilots see corporate jobs as their career, opposed to a stepping-stone to commercial jobs, private and business operators need to be more proactive about attracting talent, like approaching colleges to recruit and showcasing why corporate flight departments and fractional ownership operations are a great place to work. (Mike Fizer/Courtesy AOPA)

ation. “The majority of our graduates are working for the airlines,” Grant said. “I think we’re seeing so little movement towards business aviation because corporate opportunities are underrepresented,” Grant continued. “We’d love to be able to better promote these opportunities on campus and provide our students clear pathways to all sectors of aviation.” According to Sheryl Barden, president and CEO of Aviation Personnel International, many charter companies are hiring lower-time pilots than they used to. Where business aviation jobs traditionally required 3,000 hours and an Continued on Page 10

December 2023

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Cover Story

Continued from Page 4 110-mile-an-hour cruise speed, and it’s equipped with a Rotax 915 engine. Right now, they’re equipped with the Garmin AERA 760 GPS and the Kanardia AETOS combination engine and flight display. IFUSA: Tell me a little bit about the avionics? What new capabilities does it have? MT: The avionics we have are Garmin 760 in the front. That’s the standard configuration right now. We haven’t entertained any other configurations at this time because the forward-instrument panel is rather spare. I’m sure the factory will entertain other configurations going forward. We have a lot of interest at our Gulf Shores location using the Dynon system. I’m sure that will be developed as time goes on. It’s equipped with BOSE LEMO headset plugs. We have Trig Avionics, which we are very, very happy with. We have transponder, comm, radio, and ADS-B out. Their options would be an ADS-B receiver, so you can get traffic and weather. You have the option of standard airspeed indicator and altimeter or the electronic altimeter and vertical speed, which is also from Kanardia. They’re two-inch diameter gauges, so we could put three of them in the place where we can only fit two. IFUSA: I understand you are over in Italy right now. What is the nature of your business there? MT: I’m at the Magni factory building this new gyro right now. We’re near-

Editorial

Continued from Page 7 a major problem: people in the GA community not supporting their local airport, which could lead to closures, and could put these bureaucrats out of a job. So, how do we cope with this problem facing aviation: “woke” airports working against their own interests that is? For one, you should spot the signs I mentioned previously. It is especially concerning when a terminal is closed on an unnecessary government holiday. These holidays were invented to acknowledge good works by good people (and perhaps to give government workers days off), but closing a terminal can have serious consequences for the public. It is a transportation restriction and affects the hallway of commerce. Such signs should be taken note of and concerns should be raised to local officials that the local airport is not like any other government office. Talk to your airport manager and local politicians. Involve business owners and employees at the airport. Inform aircraft owners and

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Magni Gyro’s M26 has a 110-mile-anhour cruise speed and is equipped with a Rotax 915 engine. (Courtesy Magni Gyro) ly completed with it. We’re scheduled to fly it this Sunday (Dec. 3). We’re just finishing the small details of it, and we should be ready to go soon. We’ll put some time on it, test it out, and make sure everything is fine. I go home next week and will wait for the gyro to be shipped over to the U.S. We’ll get the airworthiness inspection done, and then we’ll fly the experimental phase one time, and Continued on Page 19

pilots in your network, and inform your neighbors of the important businesses and organizations that live at your local airport. Does your airport have a local “airport association” with regular meetings scheduled? Do you invite local airport management and government to those meetings? All in all, supporting our local airports is probably the most important work we will ever do in aviation. But we have a real problem when those airports are managed by folks who put politics ahead of pilots. In my opinion, it is important to support the airport but more important to support the community that uses that airport. In the future, I would like to see an airport or aviation expert serve as an ombudsman for disputes that arise a local airports between managers and tenants. This would allow such matters to be solved expeditiously. As the meme reads, “Get woke, go broke.” Don’t let your local airport be next.

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airline transport pilot certificate, “… now we’re looking at perhaps bringing people in younger. Not as a solution to the pilot shortage but more as a well-rounding for the flight department, keeping the flight department multi-generational. “Bringing in newer low-time pilots, according to Barden, means more work to make sure the newer pilot is successful – something that NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), the union representing NetJets pilots, says NetJets, the largest fractional private business carrier, is struggling with. Clare Carey, a pilot at NetJets and member of the union negotiating committee, said, “A huge problem that we’re facing right now is while they [NetJets] have chosen to lower the minimums in order to recruit, they have not updated their training footprint to better prepare these young aviators with low time for the high paced dynamic environment that is working for NetJets. And then on top of that, these low time pilots come here with the plan to earn their time and move on…” NetJets provided a written statement in response to questions: “In the U.S., NetJets has hired more than 600 aviators this year alone. With plans to welcome additional pilots through the end of 2023, NetJets is on track to reach its established pilot hiring goal. Aviators who join NetJets remain with NetJets, with over 90 [percent] staying year after year and often referring their peers.” Another trend in business aviation Barden mentioned is in pilot retention. Some companies are implementing retention initiatives like higher pay; retention bonuses; and long-term incentives like stock grants, equity, restricted stop options, and more. NBAA’s new compensation survey reported a 12-percent increase in pay for pilots and a 7.22-percent increase in overall business aviation positions from 2022 to 2023; pay for aviation managers who do not fly and senior flight atten-

dants decreased. The survey also found “the average captain received long-term retention bonuses of around $27,000 per year.” The NJASAP Negotiating Committee published a bargaining update to its membership in October that reported a negotiation breakdown. NJASAP President Pedro Leroux told AOPA in an email, “Obviously, NJASAP is exceedingly frustrated by the company’s refusal to make competitive adjustments like market-rate wages and quality of life to the current collective bargaining agreement. To assume a position that does absolutely nothing to position the Fractional to retain experienced aviators amid the most competitive environment for pilot labor in a generation – and whilst attempting to support a growth plan that would double the size of the fleet – is mystifying. Plainly stated, we view the company’s head-in-the-sand posture as a strategic mistake that compromises the brand’s continued status as the global leader in private air transportation.” With salary negotiations at NetJets stalled, NJASAP told AOPA in an interview that the company has seen attrition rates nearly double, from around 4 percent to over 7 percent this year. NetJets did not directly address pilot retention rates in its written statement. “With an unmatched scale and operations excellence, NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has resolute financial strength and stability,” the company said. “NetJets is uniquely able to sustain ongoing responsible growth that supports its team members and elevates the travel experience of its customers.” Conversely, Kenn Ricci, principal of Directional Aviation Capital, the parent company of fractional carrier Flexjet, told Robb Report, “It cost us $30 million to raise our pilots’ salaries. We’ll have to do that regularly to stay competitive in the marketplace.”

UNLEADED FUEL CANDIDATE ADVANCES INTO NEXT STAGE OF PAFI TESTING

December 2023

General aviation industry members of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative are applauding the news of the first unleaded fuel candidate to successfully pass the most rigorous Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) initial detonation and 150-hour engine durability test phase, and continued progress toward an unleaded future. The FAA, on Nov. 29, issued the following statement:

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved the advancement to full-scale engine and flight testing of unleaded UL100E aviation fuel for piston-engine aircraft developed by LyondellBasell Industries/VP Racing. (Mike Fizer/Courtesy AOPA)

www.inflightusa.com

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved the advancement to fullscale engine and flight testing of unleaded UL100E aviation fuel for piston-engine aircraft developed by LyondellBasell Industries/VP Racing. The UL100E fuel successfully passed a 150-hour engine durability test under the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI), a collaborative industry/government testing program. LyondellBasell/VP Racing UL100E is the first unleaded fuel to pass the PAFI 150hour durability test phase. “This is another important milestone for a safe General Aviation transition to unleaded fuel and for our goal to eliminate lead emissions by the end of 2030. The joint industry/government effort continues to make strong progress,” said Lirio Liu, FAA Executive Director of Aircraft Certification Service and Government CoChair of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) governmentindustry partnership. “LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s achievement marks an important waypoint on the path to a more environmentally friendly future for aviation fuel and

demonstrates the progress we’ve made through our government and aviation community partnership. EAGLE celebrates this milestone and looks forward to more opportunities to recognize industry ingenuity and innovation,” said Curt Castagna, President of the National Air Transport Association (NATA) and Industry Co-

Chair of the EAGLE initiative. The LyondellBasell/VP Racing’s unleaded fuel will now move into the PAFI full-scale engine and airframe testing consisting of ten engines and eight aircraft, which is expected to be completed in 12-18 months. Continued on Page 14 P.O. Box 5402 • San Mateo, CA 94402 (650) 358-9908 • Fax (650) 358-9254

Founder ..................................................................................................................Ciro Buonocore Publisher/Editor................................................................................................Victoria Buonocore Managing Editor..........................................................................................Annamarie Buonocore Production Editors ............................................................................Anne Dobbins, Steve Pastis Associate Editors .................................... Nicholas A. Veronico, Sagar Pathak, Paul T. Glessner Staff Contributors ............................................S. Mark Rhodes, Larry Nazimek, Lea Buonocore Columnists ..................Stuart Faber, Eric McCarthy, Ed Wischmeyer, Marilyn Dash, Ed Downs Copy Editing ............................................................................................................Sally Gersbach Advertising Sales Manager ........................................Ed Downs (650) 358-9908, (918) 873-0280 In Flight USA is published each month by In Flight Publishing. It is circulated throughout the continental United States. Business matters, advertising and editorial concerns should be addressed to In Flight USA, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, Calif. 94402 or by calling (650) 358-9908–fax (650) 358-9254. Copyright © 2008 In Flight Publishing. In Flight USA is not responsible for any action taken by any person as a result of reading any part of any issue. The pieces are written for information, entertainment and suggestion – not recommendation. The pursuit of flight or any action reflected by this paper is the responsibility of the individual and not of this paper, its staff or contributors. Opinions expressed are those of the individual author, and not necessarily those of In Flight USA. All editorial and advertising matter in this edition is copyrighted. Reproduction in any way is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. In Flight USA is not liable or in any way responsible for the condition or airworthiness of any aircraft advertised for sale in any edition. By law the airworthiness of any aircraft sold is the responsiblity of the seller and buyer.

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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

December 2023

Spirit of Flight by Denise DeGregoire

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GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY, BUCHANAN FIELD

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Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) is an annual event that is organized by Women in Aviation International (WAI) and is put on by an amazing team of local chapters and volunteers who share collective experiences and teach girls about the many opportunities that await them within the field of aviation. Each year tens of thousands of girls across the world gather in a variety of locations to “Dream Big” while happily participating in aviation-related activities designed to encourage girls to go after their dreams in aviation while simultaneously learning about STEM, STEAM, and my personal favorite – STREAM. STREAM not only folds in the essentials of ART; but, adds a layer of the three basic skills taught in schools: reading, writing and arithmetic (the “R’s” refer to, “Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic”), otherwise known as “The three Rs.” I believe that “Art” is the glue that holds the science, technology, engineering, and math together and the “The three Rs” help students to encompass a wider range of understanding as part of a well-rounded curriculum, which includes effective communication, critical thinking, and creativity. I too am a Girl in Aviation. I love sharing stories of the inspiring women and girls that I meet along the way. As a member of WAI, I have attended many Girls in Aviation Day events over the years and was thrilled to be part of this year’s event at Buchanan Field in Concord. The day’s activities included aviation communication, physics of flying, lessons in aeronautical chart reading, aircraft repair, structure fabrication and jewelry making. The girls enjoyed pizza and asked questions alongside Air Force and Coast Guard service men and women, military aviation veterans, and pilots alike while having a chance to tour

(Courtesy Denise DeGregoire)

“I did it. They're doing it now. You can do it too!” (Courtesy Denise DeGregoire)

Ana Uribe leading a lesson in reading aeronautical charts (Courtesy Denise DeGregoire)

an array of aircraft. I had an opportunity to chat with a woman who needs little introduction in the world of aviation, Graciela TiscarenoSato, who sums it up perfectly to future female aviators, “I did it. They’re doing it now. You can do it too!” Further stating that, “At airshows and airport Open House events coast-to-coast, that’s what I say to girls who I meet at our Captain Mama booth on the flightline. Some dress up in my flight suits; some design their own patch (an activity from my first bilingual children’s aviation book, Good Night, Captain Mama / Buenas noches, Capitán Mamá) and some, usually teens, want to talk about the Air Force ROTC scholarship that made my college degree (and my military aviation career) Continued on Page 13

December 2023

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Spirit of Flight

Continued from Page 12 possible as a first-generation student, daughter of Mexican immigrants. At Girls in Aviation Day in Concord, California this year, dozens of girls dressed up in my Air Force flight suits after my pilot friend Ana Uribe led an activity in which we taught them how to read aeronautical charts. Dressed up, the girls then took photos of themselves looking just like the confident aviators they met at the airport… women currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. (Referring to the “I did it” photo on the previous page) The three women in the back row in this photo currently fly the C-17, the RC-135 and one is serving as a drone pilot. The two young Latina sisters in the picture had eagerly said “Yes!” when I offered them the chance to wear my flight suits. As they finished zipping up, the organizers called everyone to go outside for the group picture. I said, “¡Vamos!” and they ended up being in the GIAD group photo dressed just like the cool women military aviators! Denise was there to grab my favorite photo of the day: “I did it. They’re doing it now. YOU can do it too!” When the sisters’ mama arrived to pick them up, I showed her the photos I had taken of them earlier in the day; she started to cry. “Gracias por mostrarles a mis hijas lo que es posible para ellas.’” (Thank you for showing my daughters what is possible for them.)” IF USA: What a great story! I see why you keep coming back. It has been nine years now since Girls in Aviation Day began, what keeps bringing you back? GTS: It’s what I live for. It’s why I wrote the 10-time, award-winning Captain Mama children’s aviation book trilogy in my first language (Spanish) and my learned language (English)… We created this unique trilogy in two languages to powerfully make this point: if you start school speaking a language other than English, you too can grow up to fly awesome military jets! The bilingual series was inspired by my decade of active-duty service in the Air Force on the KC-135 refueling tanker and the night my son saw me in my flight suit and called me Captain Mama. IF USA: Since aviation needs more women, how have you been able to increase visibility for young girls towards careers in aviation? GTS: Aviation, all of aviation, NEEDS more women so we must show up and INSPIRE while also showing them HOW.

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This is why I pack my schedule with school assemblies in the days leading up to each air show in which I participate coast-to-coast, with a special focus at Title 1 schools and schools with bilingual and dual-language programs. IF USA: I love it! Thank you. Is there anyone you would like to give a personal shout out to who has helped make Girls in Aviation Day a Bay Area Success? GTS: Thank you Ana Carolina Uribe, Women in Aviation International San Francisco Bay Area (WAI-SFBA) and Women in Aviation International for the magical moments you make possible for girls worldwide every year! I love being part of it year after year! What a great day out on the tarmac at Buchanan indeed! It was inspiring to watch the next generation of girls and young women aiming to take flight, and no doubt will go far with authors and trail blazing women in aviation like “Captain Mama” Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, former military officer at United States Air Force, KC-135 Navigator & Instructor and Pilot Ana Carolina Uribe leading their way. “Since the very first Women in Aviation International Girls in Aviation Day in 2015, the annual WAI event has grown every year since its first gathering of 32 events and 3,200 participants.” ~Women in Aviation International official site So, mark your calendars for next year’s 10th annual celebration of “Girls in Aviation Day,” on Sept. 21, 2024. See you there... Fly well, Blue skies! Denise

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THE ALLIANCE MOURNS THE LOSS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SELENA SHILAD

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

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The Alliance for Aviation Across America, on Nov. 28, regretfully announces the untimely passing of Selena Shilad, the organization’s longtime executive director, after a brief illness. Selena served the Alliance with distinction since its inception in 2007, and ascended to the role of executive director within a year. She was just 45 years old at the time of her passing. Ed Bolen, chair of the Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA), said, “Selena will be remembered for her unwavering commitment in her role as a tireless, passionate, resourceful and effective coalition builder and aviation advocate, whose generosity enriched the lives of those of us fortunate enough to know her. At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with her beloved daughter, Amaya, her parents, Shafi and Karen, and her brother, Justin.” As executive director of the Alliance, Selena built lasting relationships with leading transportation and aviation organizations, as well as a coalition of over 7,000 members, including individuals, businesses, chambers of commerce, elected officials, airports, and agricultural and charitable organizations across the country. Prior to joining the Alliance, Selena coordinated initiatives and high-profile campaigns for leading corporate and non-profit clients in the transportation, defense, telecommunication, and education sectors. She also directed communications for a number of political campaigns, including in Arizona and Texas,

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December 2023

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Continued from Page 11 The PAFI program rigorously tests candidate fuels through various phases including evaluation of toxicology and environmental considerations, material compatibility, engine durability and detonation, and aircraft performance and operability. Information gained from the testing supports the development of an industry consensus ASTM International production specification. Once the thorough PAFI testing procedures have been successfully completed and an ASTM

The Alliance for Aviation Across America, on Nov. 28, has announced the untimely passing of Selena Shilad, the organization’s long-time executive director. (Courtesy AAAA) and previously worked for Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), focusing on healthcare, banking, housing and trade issues. She received two master’s degrees, one from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, and the other from the University of Chicago, with a focus on public opinion and international relations. Selena’s many accomplishments and remarkable gifts ensure her memory will live on in those who love and miss her. Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit coalition of over 7,000 individuals, businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interests of the general aviation community across various public policy issues. Learn more about the Alliance at aviationacrossamerica.org/ .

production specification published, the FAA will then issue a fleet authorization to safely allow use of the fuel. The goal of PAFI is to test, not produce, fuels that can ensure both compatibility and safety within the piston-engine aircraft fleet as well as commercial viability for deployment. For information about the EAGLE initiative, visit flyeagle.org. For additional background on FAA/industry establishment of EAGLE, recent progress and PAFI, visit faa.gov/unleaded.

For the latest aviation news and stories, visit FF-15A -15A and F-16A F-16A

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December 2023

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FAA TO APPOINT RULEMAKING COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE PILOT MENTAL HEALTH

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

The Federal Aviation Administration will establish a Pilot Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to provide recommendations on breaking down the barriers that prevent pilots from reporting

mental health issues to the agency. “Mental health care has made great strides in recent years, and we want to make sure the FAA is considering those advances when we evaluate the health of

pilots,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. Pilots must report certain mental health conditions to their aviation medical examiners, who are trained to deter-

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A Pilot Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee has been established by the FAA to provide recommendations on breaking down barriers that prevent pilots from reporting mental health issues. (Courtesy FAA) mine the pilot’s fitness to fly. The ARC will include medical experts and aviation and labor representatives. The FAA will finalize the charter for the rulemaking committee and appoint the panel of experts in the coming weeks. It will build on previous work the FAA has done to prioritize pilot mental health, including: • Increasing mental health training for medical examiners • Supporting industry-wide research and clinical studies on pilot mental health • Hiring additional mental health professionals to expand in-house expertise and to decrease wait times for returnto-fly decisions • Completed clinical research and amended policy to decrease the frequency of cognitive testing in pilots using antidepressant medications • Increasing outreach to pilot groups to educate them on the resources available In addition, the FAA will work with the ARC to address open recommendations from the July 2023 DOT Office of Inspector General report on Pilot Mental Health Challenges, which found that the agency has “comprehensive procedures to evaluate pilots’ psychological health.” See the 27-page report online at https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/file s/FAA%20Pilot%20Mental%20Health% 20Final%20Report_07.12.2023.pdf) An ARC provides information, advice and recommendations to the FAA. View videos and listen to an FAA podcast about pilot mental health featuring Dr. Susan Northrup, the FAA's Federal Air Surgeon, on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list= PL5vHkqHi51DRa7Y1qjzhNnHhPZp_e J_NJ). View the FAA fact sheet on pilot mental health oversight at https://www.faa.gov/pilot-mental-fitness. For general information about mental health and the FAA, visit faa.gov.

December 2023

www.inflightusa.com

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EMBRY RIDDLE PRESIDENT ADDRESSES AEROSPACE WORKFORCE NEEDS

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

By Ginger Pinholster ERAU

The need to cultivate Florida’s aerospace talent pool, particularly those skilled in maintenance, was a focus of remarks by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., during a Nov. 16 meeting of state lawmakers. He also pointed to Embry Riddle’s Research Park as a model for how Florida can promote economic development, by supporting both emerging and established aerospace companies that

create high-paying jobs. Embry Riddle’s Research Park, launched in 2017, has generated more than $90 million in economic impact in Florida, according to an analysis by the independent Washington Economics Group. To date, the Research Park has served 25 companies and created 174 jobs with an average salary of $75,000, while raising $106 million in grant and equity-based investments, the university has reported. Further, companies affiliated with Embry Riddle’s Research Park have supported 224 student interns who

December 2023

gained real-world experience and a leg up on the competition for jobs. Dr. Butler’s remarks took place during a meeting of the Florida House of Representatives Regulatory Reform and Economic Development Subcommittee. The purpose of the meeting, chaired by Rep. Tyler Sirois, was to identify hurdles and inefficiencies that can hinder advancements in the aerospace sector. Kicking off the meeting, the president and CEO of Space Florida, retired Col. Robert Long provided an overview of that organization’s activities, investments and

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outcomes. Additional speakers at the meeting included executives from SpaceX, Blue Origin, Redwire Space, Relativity Space, CAE, and the Cecil Airport & Spaceport, which supports horizontal launches. Speakers emphasized the importance of planning for future growth while also accelerating and better coordinating approvals by local, state and federal entities. To expand Florida’s aerospace workforce, Dr. Butler said, reaching young people at an early age is essential. At Embry Riddle, the Gaetz Aerospace Institute is bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to high school students statewide. Currently serving 146 schools in 40 counties, the Gaetz Aerospace Institute “on average is touching around 5,000 students in the State of Florida with dualenrollment aerospace curricula so that they can get launched on their career path,” Butler said. “It has been a tremendous program and it’s what we need in terms of the workforce talent, to get them started at an earlier age.” The demand for Embry Riddle programs remains strong, Dr. Butler said; enrollments have grown by about 50 percent since 2017. Embry Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus is home to the nation’s largest Aerospace Engineering program, which this year was ranked No. 4 nationwide by “U.S. News & World Report,” among programs with a Ph.D. option. Tapping transitioning military members to fill aerospace workforce gaps is another winning strategy, Dr. Butler added. Toward that end, Embry Riddle participates in the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) SkillBridge program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, the SkillBridge program has Continued on page 19

December 2023

www.inflightusa.com

Cover Story

Continued from Page 9 then I’ll fly it home. So, it will be shipped in a container to Gulf Shores, and then I will fly it home to California. IFUSA: Are you taking orders in the U.S.? MT: Yes, we are taking orders, but other people in my office handle that. You can visit Magni Gyro online for more information. IFUSA: What are your plans for it once you get it home? MT: Oh, it’s going to go to Oshkosh! I’ll be flying the countryside trying to get it exposed. IFUSA: How many does it seat? MT: It’s a two-seater. The pilot sits in the front, and the passenger sits in the back. IFUSA: At what altitude does it usually fly? MT: Gyrocopters don’t usually fly as high as the airplanes do. They’re more exploratory in nature, so we go to like 500 or 1,000 feet. They are the ultimate exploring machines. We’re not terribly fast, but this new one is the fastest in the fleet. It can go up to 130 miles an hour. The cruise speed is 105-110 miles per hour. IFUSA: Does it come in all the same colors as the older model? MT: Yes, we have a pallete of colors that we use: yellow, red, blue, etc. We charge a little bit more for the metallic colors. When you buy it, it’s ready to fly. You have interior color choices for the seating. The other models have a suedestyle seating. Leather is used on the M26. IFUSA: Is this one a convertible like the older models? MT: It is not a convertible. There have been some inquiries about making it a convertible, but we want to get the aircraft completely squeaky clean. We’re bound to find some little minor things in the early release. We would like to address those before we make it a convertible. IFUSA: Do you plan on attending any other airshows besides Oshkosh, like Sun ‘n Fun? MT: Yes, we’ll probably have the other M26 at Sun ‘n Fun. Mark from Gulf

Magni Gyro was established in 1990 and is now a three-generation family business based in Italy with U.S. offices. The family is extremely dedicated and patient and insists only on top quality machines. (Courtesy Magni Gyro)

Gyrocopters are more exploratory in nature so they keep their altitude between 500 and 1,000 feet. Magni Gyro’s M26 is the fastest in the fleet at 130 miles an hour. (Courtesy Magni Gyro)

Shores Magni Gyro will take his over. We usually go to Bensen Days, which is the week before Sun ‘n Fun. I might or might not be able to make the Mentone Fly-In, which is a gyroplane-only fly-in that takes place one week after Oshkosh. I usually have to go back to work at that point. I plan on crossing the country again in the M26 over to Oshkosh and back, just like I did with the M16 the last three times. This one will be faster, quieter, and just less fatiguing. I love flying my M16, and I’ll never get tired of it because it’s just pure openair, yet comfortable flying, but the M26 can be a better and more comfortable cross-country flying option. IFUSA: Do you have anything else you would like to add? MT: Yes, I’d like to say a little about the factory and the people who work there. Magni Gyro has been around since 1990. It’s a family-owned business. They have three generations running it right now. The father of the family is Vittorio. He started Magni Gyro back in the ‘80s. They appeared in the United States around the year 2000 where it won Oshkosh’s best new plane design when it

first was introduced. His two sons are currently in charge of running the company. Vittorio is more or less retired. Their sons and daughters also work at the factory. So, we have three generations in the factory doing various tasks of manufacturing, assembling, product development,

and flight-testing. They are great people. They bend over backwards to make sure everybody is satisfied with what they have. The strengths of the product are simplicity, utility, and ease of maintenance. They’re bullet-proof machines, and they won’t release them until they are proven. They’re a very, very patient group, and they’re extremely dedicated. Every time I come up here for a project, they’re so focused and steady on that it’s inspiring and satisfying to witness. IFUSA: Thank you!

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Aerospace Workforce Needs Continued from Page 18 successfully transitioned more than 450 servicemen and women into civilian careers since 2019. Maintenance workers capable of building and repairing spacecraft and launch platforms, as well as software engineers and welders, are in high demand, speakers said. (In the aviation

field specifically, Boeing estimates that, globally, some 690,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed over the next 20 years to meet workforce needs.) Learn more at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s website, www.erau.edu.

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ARIZONA WING PILOTS FLY IN 39TH NAVAJO CHRISTMAS AIRLIFT

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

Wings of Honor Museum

70 Beacon Road, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476

800-584-5575 • www.wingsofhonor.org

December 2023

By Maj. Margot Myers

Public Affairs Officer, Arizona Wing

On April 15, 1942, an Army Air Forces Site Selection Board recommended an area northeast of Walnut Ridge, AR for a Basic Flying School. The War Department approved the project May 12th. Construction started June 20th, and Flight Training began October 12th. 5,310 students entered training. By May 1, 1944, 110 marriages had been performed in the base chapel; more followed. Eighty-two babies were born in the base hospital – 40 girls and 42 boys. Sadly, 42 young men were killed in training. The last Army Air Forces class graduated June 27, 1944. ;OL 4HYPUL *VYWZ TV]LK VU[V [OL HPYÄLSK PU :LW[LTILY K\YPUN [OL hurricane season. The Marines left in March 1945. After the war, thousands VM ^HYIPYKZ ^LYL ÅV^U [V >HSU\[ 9PKNL HUK VMMLYLK MVY ZHSL 4VZ[ [YHPULYZ HUK [YHUZWVY[Z ^LYL ZVSK HPYJYHM[ TVZ[S` ÄNO[LYZ HUK IVTILYZ ^LYL chopped-up and melted from late 1946 to early 1948.

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Five Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Arizona Wing pilots participated in the 39th Navajo Christmas Airlift on Nov. 10, flying donated toys, clothes, household items, and food for distribution to Navajo Nation families during the holidays. Maj. David Roden, flying the airlift for the fifth time, and Capt. John Giddings, participating in his third airlift, were interviewed by Fox10 Phoenix the morning of their flight. The two are members of Falcon Composite Squadron 305. Lt. Col. Wayne Lorgus also flew a CAP aircraft in this year’s airlift. Maj. Kerry MacPherson and Capts. Phil Jossi and Gary Stark participated with nonCAP planes. Lorgus is the Arizona Wing’s assistant emergency services training officer. MacPherson belongs to Arizona Wing Group 7, Jossi to Payson Senior Squadron 209, and Stark to the Willie Composite Squadron. The New Mexico Wing also scheduled seven planes to fly in support of the airlift. Planes flew from 24 airports in Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico, delivering donated items to the Southwest Indian Foundation and landing either in Gallup, New Mexico, or Winslow, Arizona, depending on weather conditions. In a follow-up message to airlift coordinator Greg McColley, Jonessa Ramos of the Southwest Indian Foundation in Gallup wrote, “Year after year the donations you provide are of such high quality, including so much new product (that) is vital to be distributed across the reservation communities at this time of year.” McColley assumed responsibility for running the airlift, which his parents began 39 years ago. According to the airlift website, “Dick McColley, in his role as president of the Honeywell Flying Club, researched and considered various community service opportunities that would allow general aviation aircraft pilots to assist the underprivileged at Christmas.” He and his wife, Betty, eventually settled on the idea of pilots transporting donated goods to benefit members of the Navajo Nation. In 1985, the campaign’s first year, eight aircraft participated. The number of planes and pilots – and the volume of donations – has grown steadily over the years, with about 80 pilots and 90 missions scheduled to fly or transport items

Departing from an airlift warehouse, 27,000 to 30,000 pounds of donations were distributed to the Navajo Nation by general aviation pilots. (Courtesy CAP, Arizona Wing)

by ground over the three-day 2023 airlift. High winds in Gallup caused some flights to be canceled and others, like Roden’s, to divert to Winslow. “I cannot commit precisely for the volume of donations,” McColley said. “I have received feedback that continues to affirm that 275 pounds per plane remains conservative, and with the scheduled missions and ground transport we are in the range of 27,000-30,000 pounds of donations.” Each pilot who participates in the airlift is responsible for collecting donations, often with local community organizations, schools, businesses, and churches chipping in to provide requested items. Roden coordinated with Falcon Field Airport in Mesa for the use of a temporary hangar space to store the donated items before the airlift. “I had 10 pilots pick up donations from the storage unit at Falcon Field, which the airport graciously donated for temporary safekeeping of the donated items,” Roden said. “There was still a large number of bags with donated items left over, and I could have used eight to 10 more planes.” Instead, McColley arranged for a 10foot utility van to pick up the remaining donations at both Falcon Field and Deer Valley airports in Phoenix to be driven to Winslow. “I was overwhelmed by the amount of donations delivered to me but was glad we were able to get them delivered by any means necessary,” Roden said. “This is an annual event, and I’ll be reaching out again next year for volunteers.”

December 2023

NASCAR’S FIRST STREET RACE www.inflightusa.com

By Larry E. Nazimek

Editor’s note: If you’re in the Chicago area this month, you can expect temperatures to reach a high of 37 and a low of 27, typically. And snow falls, generally beginning on or around Dec. 7. This article takes you back to July, when it’s nice a warm, or warm and humid or even warm and rainy!

ASCAR is celebrating its 75th Anniversary, and they have been having races that differ from the usual race in a large paved oval track. Among them have been races on dirt and on a quarter mile track inside of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. On July 1 and 2, they ran their very first street race in Chicago. Chicago was the location for the first auto race, held on Thanksgiving, 1895. It was an out and back to the nearby suburb of Evanston, shortened from the plan for Milwaukee (considered too far for the cars of that age) and Waukegan (shortened on account of the snow). Six cars started, but winner J. Frank Duryea, with an average speed of 7 mph., was only one of two drivers to finish. The second driver was so cold and tired that he passed out before the finish line, forcing an umpire assigned to his car to coax it across the finish line. If that wasn’t enough, Chicago’s first 500-mile race was held on June 26, 1915, at the Speedway Park in Maywood. A NASCAR race on Chicago’s lakefront is not unprecedented, either. In 1956, NASCAR legend Fireball Roberts won a Grand National Series (forerunner to today’s NASCAR Cup Series) race inside of Soldier Field. The surface of Soldier Field was a lot larger than what you see on today’s football games. Back then, “stock” cars were the type of cars that that people could buy at a dealership, far different from today’s stock cars, that are racing machines and are not street legal. The Saturday Loop 121 Xfinity

A detail view of a NASCAR CHICAGO STREET RACE WEEKEND asphalt stencil during preparations for the Chicago Street Race (Courtesy Larry Nazimek)

Chicago Street Race Festival Map

Race was scheduled for 55 laps of the 2.2 mile course, for 121 miles, while the Sunday Grant Park 220 Cup Series ran for 100 laps. The name “loop” originally came from a cable car line that circled the city’s central business district in the 1880s, but the name’s use became more common following the 1987 completion of the Chicago Union Elevated Railway (el), which forms a loop around the area. Naturally, street closures were necessary, as NASCAR set up stands, walls over the entire course, and all the other things that would be found in a venue for a large race. Chicago’s downtown congestion is bad enough, but this was gridlock on steroids. The tickets were expensive, starting at $259 for general admission, but considering all of the construction that was necessary, and the high demand, it was not unjustified. General admission, however, did not include a seat in any of the various stands. A seat in any of the stands, however, only permitted a view of a relatively small segment of the course. One could not even see much of the course from the top of the ferris wheel, because of the trees. After all, the course is in Chicago’s

(Courtesy Larry Nazimek)

Grant Park. Consequently, there wasn’t even a press box. The radio broadcast was done with the announcers sitting in a room at the nearby Art Institute, with some reporters on the course. Airports were loaded with bizjets, from race teams, sponsors, NASCAR officials, news media, and wealthy fans. The race attracted fans from all 50 states, 14 countries, and 4 continents. Eighty percent of attendees had never before seen a NASCAR race in person. NASCAR was not insensitive to the noise aspect. Not only did they mandate mufflers on the cars, but they also limited the amount of practice time for the drivers. Consequently, the drivers depended heavily on race simulators. Earmuffs were still a good idea, especially if you were close to one of the DJs. Leidos and NASCAR have joined together to submit a competitive bid for NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle. It will have a top speed of 9 mph. It was on static display, but not racing. The 2.2-mile course consisted of 12 turns, seven of which were 90 degrees, far different from a normal racetrack. Residents, accustomed to speed cameras

Kevin Harvick's No. 4 Ford took on damage during practice on the Chicago Street Course. (Courtesy Larry Nazimek) that cite drivers for going 36 in a 30 mph zone, don’t consider the surface on which they drive (unless there is ice, snow, potholes, etc.), but for these drivers, the difference is significant. The course has them driving on both concrete and asphalt and over manhole covers (but no potholes), so they must select the tires that will work best for this “compromise.” The course was not completely flat, and there are some small bumps as well as two curved bridges over railroad tracks, so the cars had to be raised and inch or two. On a normal track, the cars are very low in order to decrease drag. Consequently, when the cars made 90-degree turns, the outside of the chassis scraped the ground, sometimes creating sparks. The cars do not normally race in rain, and special trucks are used to dry the Continued on Page 22

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NASCAR’S First Street Race Continued from Page 21 road surface. For these races, however, it was decided that the race would go on, as long as there would not be standing water or lightning. Hydroplaning would be an avoidable hazard. The cars do not normally drive with windshield wipers, but since rain was forecast, they had them installed. While driving without rain, the wipers were straight up, so that the wind at high speeds would not lift them up. Prior to the race, NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick explained, “...These long straight-aways lead to 90 degree turns, so you’ll get to see how fast the cars can go and how fast they can slow down.” He also noted that, unlike normal racecourses, they would have walls on both sides of the track. During practice, he hit a wall. With 121 Cup Series wins, Harvick ranks third in NASCAR history. He is the longest tenured active NASCAR driver, but this is his last season, as he will be going to the broadcast booth. In the Sunday Cup Race, Harvick finished 29th. Saturday’s race had to be paused after 25 laps, not due to the light rain, but because lightning had been detected in the area, but when more lightning was later detected, it was decided to resume the race on Sunday morning. If it had gone for 28 laps, half of 55, the race

would have been considered completed. Eight of the 25 laps had been completed under a yellow flag (caution). On Sunday morning, however, due to the heavy rain, the rest of the race was canceled, and the trophy was given to the leader, Cole Custer, who had the lead in every one of the 25 laps. Regarding the rain, Custer explained, “...The course is squirrely enough as it is, but I hate to think of what it would be like when wet.” The Chicago area had been experiencing a severe drought, but Sunday’s deluge more than made up for it. Chicago’s record for rain on July 2 was 2.06 inches. The official count for O’Hare Airport was 3.35 inches (fourth highest for one day) although amounts in the area varied from 3 to 9 inches, and the measured amount closest to the course was 7.89 inches. The start time for the Cup race was pushed up to 4:05 p. m., just in case there would be some delays, but do to the water, it did not start until 5:20 p.m. The Sunday afternoon concerts, that included Miranda Lambert, had to be canceled. Saturday’s race had the usual pre-race ceremonies, with the fly by of three T-38s from Langley AFB during the National Anthem. Sunday’s pre-race festivities, however, were held in the nearby Art Institute.

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December 2023

The race started with the cars using rain tires with tread instead of the flat racing slicks. In order to aid drivers seeing the cars in front of them, the cars ran with flashing red lights on the rear. Later on in the race, as the road surface dried out (except for water in spots), the tires were changed. Unlike races in stadiums, where there are no inside walls, and the width of the pavement is wider, the cars lined up single file instead of two by two. With a comparatively narrow course, with walls on both sides, if a car had any problems with brakes, skidding, or anything else, he would almost certainly hit, or at least scrape, a wall. With the course being so narrow, and with so many 90-degree turns, passing was difficult, but not impossible. The 90-degree turns had tire barriers, and they were definitely needed, as drivers misjudged the traction and crashed into them. These barriers consisted of many stacks of tires, with a flat piece of rubber along the side facing the cars. On the third lap, Kyle Busch nosed into the barrier on turn six so hard, that his car was actually wedged under it, pushing the bottom of the tires up to his windshield. Nevertheless, when the trucks pulled him out, he was able to continue the race. Other cars that rammed the barriers were also able to continue the race, with some able to back up on their own, while others needed a truck crew to pull them out. As the race progressed, and many laps were run slower due to the caution flag, track officials decided to cut the race from 100 to 75 laps, due to darkness on an unlit course. The 75th lap was run under the yellow caution flag, so extra laps were added, so that the last two laps would be run as a race. The race was won by New Zealander Shane Van Gisbergen. This was his first cup race, and the first in 60 years to be won by a driver in his first cup race. This does not mean that he was a “rookie,” as his record includes numerous wins, including some street races in Australia. Justin Haley came in second, with Chase Elliott coming in third. The original contract between Chicago and NASCAR was for three years, but either side may decide, by December, to pull out for any reason. While TV ratings

NASCAR Chicago Course Map overhead. (Courtesy Larry Nazimek)

Leidos-NASCAR Lunar Terrain Vehicle, 7-1-23 (Courtesy Larry Nazimek)

NASCAR Chicago sign. (Courtesy Larry Nazimek) were extremely high, and so were ticket sales, it is not known if Chicago will want to continue. Many things must be taken into consideration, such as road closures, the disruption of use of the park space, its effect on nearby museums, and the rescheduling of the Taste of Chicago summer festival. Stay tuned.

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Fax: 415-898-5155 www.tjair.com Email: tjair@tjair.com

351 Airport Road #3 Novato, CA 94945 415-898-5151

The The Trinidad Trinidad Center Center 1966 BEECHCRAFT C33A DEBONAIR One of those hard-to-find gems 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!

1978 PIPER TURBO ARROW III 10K cut from price! Fly high, fast and affordably. Recommended cruise 172 kts. Useable fuel 73 gallons.

1941 PORTERFIELD LP-65 A breath-taking total restoration of a classic WWII era primary trainer. Fly solo from the front seat. An absolute hoot to fly. Comes with a spare overhauled pickled engine. Add $2,500 to price with electric start.

1985 SOCATA TB-20 TRINIDAD Price reduced! Wow! 1500 hour Trinidad with 300 hour engine. Like new Hartzell 3-blade scimitar propeller. Air conditioning that works and a 1100 lb. useful load to carry four people in comfort. Extra wide cabin with two doors and great visibility. Arguably the best piston engine in a light airplane. 86 gallons of "go forever" fuel.

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 Price slashed! Easy to 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 tjair.com. Remarkably good useful load (1121 lbs.).

1991 SOCATA TB-20 TRINIDAD If you are looking for a fast, really easy-to-fly, airplane powered by arguably the best piston engine you can buy you need to seriously consider the Trinidad. Great load carrying capacity, roomy and comfortable. Always hangared and it really shows. One owner airplane.

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 If a 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.

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.

2004 LANCAIR IV-PT INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE! Super fast. Super high flying in pressurized turbine-engine comfort with 750 horses. What happens when you buy a jet? You have to sell your turbo-prop... Even a gorgeous one like this! 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. All specifications and representations are believed to be accurate to the best knowledge of the seller. However, it is the buyer’s responsibility to verify all information prior to purchase.

T. J. Neff

Phone: 415-898-5151

www.tjair.com

Email: tjair@tjair.com

ATP JETS GRADUATES 20,000TH AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATION TRAINING PROGRAM STUDENT In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

Dallas-based ATP JETS has graduated its 20,000th Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP CTP) student. Training nearly 500 pilots per month at its 29,380-square-foot Part 142 airline training center in Irving, TX, ATP JETS has scaled to become the largest provider of CTP training to the nation’s airlines.

Nearly 50 percent of all new hire airline pilots attend ATP JETS for their CTP training, sponsored by their airline. Since first offering the program in 2015, ATP JETS has been trusted by 57 air carriers to deliver this FAA-required training through a commitment to providing airlines with the most professional, flexible, cost-effective training solution possible. Recently, ATP JETS became the first in the nation approved to deliver Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) for the ground school portion of the program. This innovative approach not only saves airline partners thousands in travel and hotel logistics but also provides students with a better learning experience while delivering the same proven training effectiveness.

December 2023

Beyond ATP CTP training, airlines rely on ATP JETS’ advanced training capabilities to provide fully tailored pro-

grams and recruitment solutions. Innovative direct and jet transition programs effectively deliver airline-ready pilots at 1,500 hours – transitioning them from general aviation flying to advanced, highly automated turbine aircraft operations in a complex airline environment. As a Frontier Airlines Cadet and Airline Career Pilot Program graduate, Travis Sowers not only had the honor of being recognized as the 20,000th ATP CTP student but is also participating in just such a program. Each direct program is customized to the individual airline’s needs, combining an enhanced ATP CTP with a jet transition course and even a complete Airbus A320 type rating in Frontier’s case. Year to date, ATP JETS has transitioned nearly 300 pilots to Avelo, Frontier, Spirit, and Sun Country through Direct Programs at 1,500 hours. The majority of these pilots are graduates of ATP Flight School’s Airline Career Pilot Program. With the delivery of five new, stateof-art Airbus A320 Flight Simulation

Youth aviation education in the Oshkosh area and beyond is receiving a major boost, as the Adam R. Scripps Foundation (ARSF) has approved a grant to the EAA Aviation Foundation in support of the EAA Education Center and EAA’s online AeroEducate program. The three-year grant totaling $1.5 million is focused on activities at the Education Center, which opened in July 2022 and serves both youth discovery of aviation and proficiency for current pilots. The grant also will support EAA’s AeroEducate program, which is a free

online resource with age-based activities and clear pathways to aviation and aerospace careers where K-12 students can discover and ignite their curiosity about flight. “The Adam R. Scripps Foundation reviewed the work that EAA was doing at the Education Center, especially with young people on-site and through AeroEducate, and was motivated to support these expanding efforts,” said Margaret Brill, director of the EAA Aviation Foundation. “We are grateful for this major grant, as it comes at a time when tremendous opportunities exist to

reach young people with the possibilities within aviation for achievement in STEM education and in possible future careers.” The grant also helps complete the “Project 21” effort that led to the construction and opening of the EAA Education Center, which has already welcomed thousands of young people for aviation discovery in the past year. The exterior courtyard at the Education Center will be named the Adam R. Scripps Courtyard in honor of the foundation’s namesake and his enthusiasm for the world of flight during his life.

“Adam Scripps had many hobbies and interests, but few energized him like his love of aviation, education, and helping young people reach their potential, so it was fitting that his foundation’s leaders searched for a nonprofit that married those three passions,” said Alex Bakkum, chief philanthropy officer for the Scripps family. “We could find no better partner for inspiring future aviators than the EAA and its remarkable AeroEducate program.” Learn more at eaa.org.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is now accepting applications for its 2024 Edward W. Stimpson Aviation Excellence Award Scholarship. Each year, GAMA awards two graduating U.S. high school seniors, pursuing studies in aviation, with a $2,000 scholar-

ship. GAMA is proud to continue to offer this unique scholarship as part of its commitment to workforce development and advancing careers in general aviation. It is named in honor of a GAMA founder and past president – Edward W. Stimpson. Scholarship applicants are evaluated

on academic achievements, involvement in extra-curricular activities and their interest in pursuing a career in general aviation. Completed applications are due by April 14, 2023; email submissions are preferred. For more information about GAMA’s Edward W. Stimpson Aviation

Excellence Award Scholarship, including eligibility requirements and access to the application, visit gama.aero. GAMA’s website also features information about internships and careers opportunities in general aviation and includes an Aviation Job Board.

Travis Sowers Recognized as 20,000th ATP CTP Student

Travis Sowers is recognized as 20,000th ATP CTP student. (Courtesy ATP JETS)

ATP JETS took delivery of five new, stateof-art Airbus A320 Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs) in 2023. (Courtesy ATP JETS)

Training Devices (FSTDs) in 2023 and increasing efficiency through the introduction of VILT, ATP JETS is positioned to continue its growth and meet historic levels of pilot hiring and the demands of its airline partners. Learn more at ATP Flight School, www.atpflightschool.com.

EAA EDUCATION CENTER, AEROEDUCATE PROGRAM RECEIVE ADAM R. SCRIPPS FOUNDATION GRANT

GAMA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 EDWARD W. STIMPSON AVIATION EXCELLENCE AWARD SCHOLARSHIP

VOLOCOPTER DAZZLES WITH FIRST FLIGHT IN NEW YORK CITY

December 2023

www.inflightusa.com

Attention West Coast Pilots! Coming Soon to an Airport Near You, GAMI’s G100UL® High Octane Unleaded Avgas.

STCs Now Available at www.G100UL.com

Volocopter completed its first flight over New Yourk City last monthy. (Courtesy Volocopter) Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), completed its first flight test on Nov. 13, 2023 at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) in New York City (NYC) with its crewed Volocopter 2X. Hosted by the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the Volocopter 2X participated in the world’s largest and first public event showcasing multiple electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in a city. Volocopter has now successfully and safely conducted flights in the heart of two of the busiest metropolitan hubs of the world, NYC and Singapore. The success of this flight is an affirmation of the company’s skillfulness to bring safe, quiet, and sustainable UAM to megacities worldwide. With the iconic Lower Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge in the background, the Volocopter 2X electric air taxi flew in a stable, quiet, and smooth manner, weathering East River conditions. Volocopter's multicopter design is particularly suited for short- to mid-range urban missions, producing zero emissions in flight and very little noise pollution that is hardly audible in a busy metropolis like NYC. As part of the public showcase, the City of New York outlined a new vision for the future of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, seeking to reduce emissions, noise pollution, and improve the quality of life for residents. It aims to reshape heliports such as DMH to accommodate eVTOL aircraft so that the city can diversify its mobility options to reduce congestion, while still meeting the transport needs of one of the busiest cities in the world. DMH is a well-known transport hub for travelers in need of an efficient ride to neighboring airports or for touristic flights to view the NYC skyline.

Andrew Kimball, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO, said, “The Adams Administration has been a leader in driving technology innovation and economic growth while simultaneously improving quality of life. EDC’s new strategy for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport reflects these priorities while making it an industry leader in the embrace of eVTOLS – a quieter and greener helicopter alternative – while at the same time facilitating maritime freight with last mile e-bike deliveries that takes trucks off the roads.” Christian Bauer, Managing Director of Volocopter, stated, “A New York City flight has always been on Volocopter’s mind when designing an eVTOL that could be safe and quiet enough to fly its busy skies. Our flight in NYC proves that we have everything required to make this emerging technology flourish in this city. This event was an amazing opportunity to showcase how electric air taxis can elevate the quality of life in a city that never sleeps. We are confident this will open doors to air taxi commercial operations in more cities in the U.S., and we look forward to flying again soon in the Big Apple. ” In 2018, Volocopter conducted its maiden U.S. flight in Las Vegas. Since then, it has flown in Oshkosh, the DallasFort Worth area, Tampa, and now in NYC. Volocopter expects to receive a final certification of its commercial eVTOL aircraft, the VoloCity, from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024. The company is also in the concurrent validation process with the FAA, which was submitted in 2020, and has been working with both authorities to bring urban air mobility to life. Learn more about Volocopter at volocopter.com.

Rebates and Incentives Available for Early Adopters!

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NASA ADMINISTRATOR HONORS LIFE OF APOLLO ASTRONAUT FRANK BORMAN

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

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December 2023

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on the passing of former NASA astronaut Col. (ret.) Frank Borman, who passed away Nov. 7, in Billings, Montana, at the age of 95. “Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero. Among his many accomplishments, he served as the commander of the Apollo 8 mission, humanity’s first mission around the Moon in 1968. “His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan. “Frank began his career as an officer with the U.S. Air Force. His love of flying proved essential through his positions as a fighter pilot, operational pilot, test pilot, and assistant professor. His exceptional experience and expertise led him to be chosen by NASA to join the second group of astronauts. “In addition to his critical role as commander of the Apollo 8 mission, he is a veteran of Gemini 7, spending 14 days in low-Earth orbit and conducting the first rendezvous in space, coming within a few feet of the Gemini 6 spacecraft. “Frank continued his passion for aviation after his time with NASA as the CEO of Eastern Airlines. “Frank knew the power exploration held in uniting humanity when he said, ‘Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.’His service to NASA and our nation will undoubtedly fuel the Artemis Generation to reach new cosmic shores.” A strong supporter of EAA, Borman

In 1967 Forman served as a member of the Apollo 204 Fire Investigation Board, investigating the causes of the fire, which killed three astronauts aboard an Apollo spacecraft, reminiscent of the Challenger tragedy. Later he became the Apollo Program Resident Manager, heading the team that reengineered the Apollo spacecraft. He also served as Field Director of NASA’s Space Station Task Force. For more about Borman’s NASA career, photos, and his agency biography, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/former-astronaut-frank-borman/ .

EAA’s lead graphic designer, Ryan Wienandt, was honored last month alongside staff of the Appleton Sign Company by the Wisconsin Sign Association as part of the group’s 27th Annual Sign Design contest. The award was given for the large lit sign that adorns the Barnstormer Boutique retail store at the EAA Aviation Museum. The gift shop was gutted and remodeled before being relaunched earlier this year with a golden age barnstorming theme. The Barnstormer Boutique signage was one of 127 entries in 14 categories, and placed second in the “Unique” division. The Barnstormer Boutique, which stocks a wide variety of aviation gifts, toys, models, books, apparel, and pilot supplies, is open alongside the EAA Aviation Museum, Monday through

EAA’s lead graphic designer, Ryan Wienandt, was honored recently for his design of the large lit sign that adorns the Barnstormer Boutique retail store at the EAA Aviation Museum. (Courtesy EAA) Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Learn more about the museum from the EAA website, eaa.org, or directly at https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum.

Former NASA astronaut Col. (ret.) Frank Borman passed away Nov. 7, 2023 at the age of 95. (Courtesy NASA)

attended AirVenture numerous times and spoke at multiple EAA functions, most recently in 2018 at the Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet. In addition, he donated a large collection of his personal aviation and NASA memorabilia to EAA, which is displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum. EAA officials state they join the aviation and spaceflight communities in mourning his loss.

Commander of the 1968 Apollo 8 Mission

EAA DESIGN STAFF HONORED

December 2023

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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

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NATA (National Air Transportation Association), in cooperation with its Maintenance Committee, has introduced the NATA Aviation Apprenticeship Tracking Tool – a resource to assist members with developing test-ready and welldocumented aviation maintenance technician applicants. This member-only resource provides a turn-key process for documenting on-the-job tasks required by FAA to meet the minimum qualifications for an FAA signed and completed FAA Form 8610-2, which enables applicants to take the required testing for certification. The NATA Aviation Apprenticeship Tracking Tool, released on Nov. 13, eases visibility of the technician applicant progress toward a full FAA Aviation Mechanic Certificate with privileges of Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) in just over 30 months or privileges of Airframe or Powerplant in just over 18 months. Available as an Excel download, the tool is based on the FAA Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-1), which communicate the aeronautical knowledge, risk management, and skill proficiency standards required for the Aviation Mechanic Certificate. “We are incredibly proud of the innovative and selfless spirit of our Maintenance Committee members in developing solutions to prevalent industry issues like workforce recruitment and development,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “NATA is pleased to support a member-driven resource that follows FAA guidance to provide a more comprehensive pathway to employee mechanic certification. The NATA Aviation Apprenticeship Tracking Tool prepares an applicant to return to an MRO as an FAA certificated aircraft mechanic more expediently and efficiently with credible training, real-world experience, and profit-making ability.” The NATA Aviation Apprenticeship

December 2023

Tracking Tool is a versatile and comprehensive resource providing: • An FAA-recognized template to record “real-world hands-on” experience in all segments needed to qualify for testing • A quick visual check of where applicants stand in meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements leading up to the testing phase • Tracking ability for full pistonthrough turbine-based technicians. customization toward a company’s business specialty • A clear pathway for non-certificated technicians working in paint, interior, or other areas to pursue an Aviation Mechanic Certificate (A&P) NATA members can learn more and log in to their member portal on the NATA website at nata.aero to download the NATA Apprenticeship Tracking Tool at no additional cost. Information on NATA membership can be found at https://www.nata.aero/membership/join . The Association extends sincere appreciation to Dan Lane, Vice President of Technical Services at Aero Centers, for his leadership, as well as the entire Maintenance Committee’s input, in the development of this valuable resource. Learn more at nata.aero.

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December 2023

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Flying With Faber For many years during the holiday season, I hopped into my airplane and headed to a destination which would bring back memories of earlier holidays. In those years, snowfall and the holidays were synonymous. It’s difficult to immerse oneself in the old-fashioned holiday spirit when you live in Los Angeles. I often headed back to Wisconsin, the state of my birth. Manhattan was another favorite. I love New York in the wintertime. The festive glow of the colorful lights, the store window displays and folks scurrying to and fro are integral seasonal components – especially when accompanied by snowfall. It’s often a challenge to select winters in the city or a countryside landscape. Here are a two examples of winter holiday getaways, one urban and one in the countryside.

Holiday at the Refinery (Courtesy Refinery Hotel) Refinery Hotel, 63, W. 38th Street, New York, NY 10018, 646/664-0310, www. Refineryhotelnewyork.com. For those who want to experience an urban holiday, I highly recommend the Refinery Hotel. Located in the heart of the historic garment district, this iconic building is not your standard chain hotel. Drawing inspiration from their storied past, each of the spacious rooms at Refinery Hotel features industrial accents such as 12-foot ceilings and distressed hardwood floors. While the 197 rooms call attention to the Colony Arcade’s early life as a hat factory, modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, Le Labo bath products, and a minibar stocked with gourmet foods and local Hudson whiskey provide luxurious contemporary comforts.

Rooms

The Studio King room features one king bed within 280 to 300 square feet of

HOLIDAY ADVENTURES

The Studio King room. (Courtesy Refinery Hotel) space, soaring 12-foot concrete ceilings, dark-brushed oak floors and expansive windows with city views. Each room is tailored with custom furnishings and tastefully curated toiletries by Le Labo. Artistic ambiance and factory-style touches are woven together with industrial accents that speak to the building’s history as an early-20th century millinery.

Refinery Rooftop (Courtesy Refinery Hotel)

Dine and Drink

Refinery Rooftop is a destination of choice for both world-travelling guests and New York locals. With awe-inspiring views of the Manhattan skyline and the Empire State Building, Refinery Rooftop is one of Midtown’s most dynamic spaces. By day, a mélange of culture, fashion and culinary aficionados arrive for chef Jeff Haskell’s full lunch menu – ordering such dishes as seared yellowfin tuna, grilled hanger steak flatbread and the little gem Caesar salad with watermelon radish and frico. At night, a lively crowd gathers for a signature cocktail list – developed by In Good Company mixologists with a focus on natural ingredients paired in surprising and refreshing combinations. Inherently New York, but with global appeal, Parker & Quinn is the signature Refinery Hotel restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner and cocktails in a nostalgic atmosphere, Parker &

Quinn features classic design touches that span a century of New York City history, from the building’s early life as a working factory to a chic, present-day meeting place for fashionable locals and guests. Executive Chef Jeff Haskell takes a straightforward and rustic approach in his kitchen, relying on high-quality and locally sourced ingredients to produce balanced, familiar American dishes. While the menu changes with the season, Chef Haskell serves up variations on classics like soft-shell crab and rib-eye year-round.

Events

Suppose you want to get together for a private holiday party. The fresh white walls and soaring ceilings in the industrial Hatbox gallery space are testimony to Refinery Hotel’s history as a former hat factory and Prohibition-era tea room. Today, the 700-square-foot event space is waiting to be filled – from designers presenting next season’s threads to sculptors installing their latest works of art to local brands creating pop-up shops. Whether you’re seeking a creative space for a jubilant gathering or the strategic setting for a business meeting, the Hatbox space is a unique and versatile event space in Midtown for up to 35 guests.

Winter Packages

With the winter chill beginning to set in, Refinery Hotel is offering their “Winter Spectacular Stay Package,” and their “New Year’s Eve Package.” Both make Refinery Hotel the perfect retreat for those seeking an unforgettable escape during their time in NYC this season. The Winter Spectacular Package is the ultimate in-room experience, which includes a fresh Christmas tree delivery with decorations, seasonal room service including hot chocolate, holiday cookies and milk, and to top it off – a gingerbread house decorating kit with nostalgic candy to design your own festive creation. The New Year’s Eve Package includes one room on New Year’s Ever and two tickets to the annual New Year’s Eve party on the Refinery Rooftop. The tickets provide a four-hour open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and live DJ. The package also includes a bottle of sparkling wine, balloons, disposable

Stuart J. Faber and Aunt Bea camera, NYE swag, and a late 2 p.m. check-out time on New Year’s Day! The Refinery provides an excellent choice as headquarters for shopping, dining out and exploration of Manhattan during the winter or at any time of the year.

Airport

Teterboro Airport, (KTEB) has been one of my favorites for many years. Runway 1/19 is 7,000 feet long and Runway 6/24 is 5,013 feet long. At an altitude of five feet, these runways have every instrument approach imaginable. In my view, Jet Aviation 201/462-4000, has the best fuel prices and service.

Carriage Ride (Courtesy Omni Mount Washington Resort)

Omni Mount Washington Resort, 310 Mount Washington Hotel Rd, Bretton Woods, NH 03575, 603/2781000, www.omnihotels.com/hotels/bret ton-woods-mount-washington I love New England in the wintertime. About 50 years ago, I spontaneously decided that it would be exciting to spend a Thanksgiving in Vermont. With a close companion, I boarded a commercial flight, headed to Stow where we rented a cabin with a full kitchen. Since we were both cooks, we purchased a fresh turkey with all of the collateral provenance and prepared a giant feast. Even after three days, we were left with tons of food. This trip occurred in an era prior to airport security. We packed our bags and our leftovers and boarded the flight. Passengers merely checked, sauntered to the gate in and boarded the airplane. We Continued on Page 30

CUBCRAFTERS RELEASES NEW INFRARED CAMERA TECH! In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

CubCrafters, a leading manufacturer of FAA certified, ASTM certified, and experimental category aircraft that are designed to be operated in remote backcountry areas, on Nov. 7 released a new thermal infrared imaging system option for Garmin G3X equipped aircraft that dramatically improves flight crew situational awareness during both air and ground operations in reduced visibility or low light situations. Developed in collaboration with Hood Tech Aero for CubCrafters aircraft, the new camera system is fully integrated with the Garmin G3X Avionics package that is extremely popular with a wide spectrum of backcountry pilots. The camera features the smallest pixel pitch Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) sensor available and is intended to augment the safety enhancing features of Garmin’s synthetic vision display. It displays enhanced infrared imagery for the

pilot on the G3X screen at the same scale, with the same field of view, and with the same horizon as Garmin’s built-in synthetic vision system. With the simple turn of a knob, both the synthetic and the enhanced vision systems are displayed side-by-side, giving the pilot a previously unheard-of level of situational awareness in low light or low visibility situations. The camera easily penetrates smoke, haze, shadow, or even full darkness to show terrain, roads, buildings, bridges, antennas, runways, and similar objects. The wing-mounted camera itself is designed to be as small, lightweight, automated, and maintenance free as possible. “We’re really proud of what we’ve developed,” explains Brian Prange, the Project Manager for Hood Tech Aero. “We have an amazing amount of technology designed into a very small package. We’re only adding a few ounces to the aircraft and only using a very small

Flying With Faber Continued from Page 29 enjoyed a second Thanksgiving feast en route home wherein we shared our largess with our newly found friends – passengers and crew. That could never

plex and renovated guestrooms, lobby and public spaces. The Bretton Woods Canopy Tour was also added to the resort’s list of amenities, which includes top-rated Alpine and Nordic skiing, 27 holes of championship golf and a full slate of additional seasonal activities. A variety of lodging, dining and activities are offered year-round, along with many traditional and cultural events.

Skiing and other Winter Fun

Christmas.

(Courtesy Omni Mount Washington Resort)

happen today. Located at the base of Mount Washington and surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest, Omni Mount Washington Resort is an all-season New Hampshire destination. In September 2009, Omni Hotels began management of the property, which is home to the Omni Mount Washington Hotel, site of the International Monetary Conference of 1944, and Bretton Woods, New Hampshire’s largest ski area. Recent renovations and expansions include the new Presidential Wing and on-mountain Rosebrook Lodge, plus renovated dining rooms. In recent years, the resort unveiled a restored 18-hole Mount Washington Golf Course, 25,000-squarefoot The Spa, 20,000-square-foot Conference Center, outdoor pool com-

Happy Snowman (Courtesy Omni Mount Washington Resort)

Visit Bretton Woods, New Hampshire’s largest ski area with 464 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 63 trails and 35 glades. Ten lifts, including the Bretton Woods Skyway 8-Passenger Gondola and four high-speed quads, will make your ride up the mountain almost as fun as the ride down. Across the grounds of the historic Mount Washington Resort and the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, the Bretton Woods Nordic Center is one of the largest cross-country ski areas on the East Coast. The 100-kilometer trail network crosses open fields,

amount of power, yet it’s a huge new capability that is always there and ready to go whenever the pilot needs it.” “The camera system was originally developed as part of a government contract for USDA predator control aircraft, but should have wide appeal to consumers,” says Brad Damm, CubCrafters’ Vice President. “Nearly every backcountry pilot has experienced the scenario of a late afternoon flight with the sun low on the horizon, haze in the air, and a remote mountain airstrip nearly impossible to see down in a valley and deep in shadow. With this system you just quickly flip over to the IR camera, and you can see everything that’s going on.” “Our company has always been an innovative leader in flight safety,” continues Patrick Horgan, President of CubCrafters. “From toe brakes to whole aircraft parachutes, we’ve often adapted big aircraft technology to be smaller, lighter, and better

meanders through woods of spruce and fir, passes beaver ponds and mountain streams and traverses open hardwood stands. Enjoy classical and skate skiing as well as snowshoeing on trails prepared with state-of-the-art grooming tools. Visit on-trail destinations including a new warming cabin on Porcupine Trail and the lift-served Mount Stickney Cabin, and check out the center’s upcoming races and events, including the annual Geschmossel, Mount Washington Cup and Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon. Bretton Woods Ski Resort offers group lessons for first-time skiers aged 13 years old and older. Lessons run for 90 minutes and are available Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. This lesson is for the first-time skier working on basic ski movements of sliding, stopping, and turning. You can also take a canopy tour and soar through the treetops on the longest zip line canopy tour in New England and one of the longest canopy tours in the continental United States. Enjoy a scenic gondola ride on the Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola for breathtaking views of Mt. Washington and Presidential Range. Other activities include snow tubing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides.

Dining

The resort offers a variety of dining options. The 1902 Main Dining Room is a modern twist on a century-old classic that brings a casual yet sophisticated dining experience to the White Mountains with a

December 2023

CubCrafters has released a new thermal infrared imaging system option for Garmin G3X equipped aircraft. (Courtesy CubCrafters)

for the backcountry. This system is yet another example of our ongoing commitment to give consumers the safest aircraft and best performing aircraft in our class.” Immediately available for new experimental category CubCrafters aircraft, the company also expects to have retrofit kits and certified aircraft approvals completed by the end of 2023. Learn more about CubCrafters at cubcrafters.com.

Luxury King Suite Living Room (Courtesy Omnim Mount Washington Resort)

New England-inspired menu for breakfast and dinner. On the patio level, Stickney’s, a popular pub and steakhouse, integrates fresh local and regional products with the finest ingredients available for daily lunch and dinner. Across from Stickney’s, The Cave is a prohibition-era speakeasy with stone walls featuring televised sporting events on select evenings.

Accommodations

Guests may select rooms and suites from the historic hotel, the presidential wing, townhomes or the Bretton Arms Inn. The Stickney rooms, fashioned after the renowned furniture designer, are my favorite. A variety of suites are available, many suitable for families.

Airport

Mount Washington Regional Airport (KHIE) is the closest airport to the resort. If jet fuel is required, I suggest Concord Airport. Mr. Washington has one runway. At an elevation of 1,048 feet, R10/28 is 4,001 feet long and has RNAV-GPS approaches.

December 2023

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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

December 2023

Homebuilder’s Workshop By Ed Wischmeyer

AGING PILOTS

or the last few years, I’ve been self-examining my flying skills more closely than previously, and as I age – just turned 74 – I’ve noticed that some skills are starting to fray just a bit around the edges. If I’m fully engaged in a task, things are fine, but sometimes I catch muscle memory doing almost the correct task, or I let something slide, or I’m just not paying enough attention. So along comes the FAA, doing cognitive testing to establish baseline skills for pilots so that pilots with, say, traumatic head injuries, can be evaluated as to whether they have recovered sufficiently to resume flying. They’ve done this kind of testing for the past 30 years with the same tests but testing methods have improved in that time frame and it’s time for FAA testing standards to catch up with the times. With financial incentives of $300, $400, and $500 for pilots with 3rd, 2nd, and 1st class medicals, and with recent flying experience, the FAA set out to evaluate 470 pilots at AirVenture with proper anonymity assured. Hey, I’ll spend an afternoon for some extra cash. My results were spectacular, but with a caveat. For the pilots 70 years old and above, my scores were at the very top of the heap. Pure reaction time on one test was measured at an impressive and hard to believe 351 ms. But the caveat is that flying requires the same skills and abilities of all pilots, regardless of age. Ten years ago, a private contractor did similar testing. For my age group, I was, again, at the top of the heap. But compared to 30-something year old pilots, I was middle of the pack. Hmm. The next day was a forum on aging pilots, and I learned a lot, such as: • Experience can cancel aging (yea!), both total and recent experience, and especially specialized experience. • Good health is important to flying skills. • Aviation communications declines

The times they are a-changing, most noticeably in aviation publications. Craig

Van’s Aircraft has been THE preeminent kit airplane vendor for many years, but now they’re in a challenging situation. Some years back, a sub-subcontractor in the Philippines screwed up on priming the quick build kits, causing a problem. More recently, Van’s used lasercutting on some sheet metal parts, leading to cracking around rivet holes when the holes were dimpled. Plus, there’s the

Piper Aircraft announced on Nov. 7, the delivery of Skyborne Airline Academy’s first Pilot 100i. Skyborne recently signed a multiyear fleet agreement for 11 new Pilot 100i aircraft, building upon their existing all-Piper fleet at their Vero Beach, Florida campus. The Pilot 100i has made its mark in

the flight training space since production began more than three years ago and is popular amongst flight schools of all sizes. With a full Garmin suite of avionics, including the GFC 500 digital autopilot, GNX 375 transponder, G5 standby display, and G3X touch screen PFD/MEFD, the Pilot 100i is a technical-

ly advanced platform that optimizes the venerable PA-28-181 for the flight school market. Skyborne has risen to popularity in recent years, attracting talented international and domestic students to their career-focused professional pilot training programs. Earlier this year, their popular-

most sharply, with sound processing being more important than just hearing. (On the flight home, I thought I was told to contact Nashville approach, which didn’t make sense. The controller meant Asheville, but of course, it wasn’t my fault.) • Older pilots are more likely to continue the approach and land below minimums. • Older pilots have less precise control, generally poorer performance, especially in holding patterns. • Some data suggests more complex tasks see more aging phenomena. • Some data suggests that experienced male pilots over 60 are more likely to be involved in fatal accident. And I’ve encountered first and third-hand stories of pilots who went beyond what they would consider normal flying and had to give themselves a talking-to afterwards. • However, complex performance developed through extensive training is more resistant to negative aging effects. • Aging effects can include declines in peripheral vision, slower focusing, night vision, near vision, flexibility, fatigue, loss of strength and fine motor tasks. • Remedies include noise cancelling headsets, hydration, good eating, and good rest. • As a rule of thumb, your age divided by ten approximates how many pills you take every day. (Not sure if this was in that forum or somewhere else). • Staying proficient with a no-holds barred instructor helps. Too often instructors take it easy on older pilots who need challenges to stay sharp. I’ve also discovered that enthusiasm predicts my own flying skills. If life is good and I’m busy, my flying skills will be good. I need to focus more on that.

•••••

Fuller, not the former head of AOPA but a different Craig Fuller, is building an aviation empire. Pretty much all of the aviation publications except In Flight USA, Aviation Week and the organizational house publications (AOPA, EAA, SSA, etc.) are now under one roof. And that roof extends from the airport to the marina, covering any number of nautical publications. Back to aviation. Fuller’s empire also includes advertising airplanes for sale, financing aircraft purchases, and even a residential airpark planned for central Tennessee. One question, though, is how much diversity of opinion will see publication in this one empire, and how much will be party line. As an aviation safety researcher, there have been any number of times where I’ve pushed hard at the supporting evidence and found the party line either unsubstantiated by data or even flat out wrong. It’s always safer to publish the party line, of course, and there are any number of YouTube “influencers” who make anything other than party line automatically suspect. It’s also interesting that Fuller’s aviation publishing empire is heavy on female editors at the top. This is not necessarily, bad, however. In the past few years, I’ve had occasion to get to know Meg Godlweski, and she is very impressive. And, of course, I’ve worked happily for female editors at In Flight USA for decades.

•••••

development of the RV-15 which is being carefully refined. All of these have led to cash flow problems for Van’s. However, Van’s has an excellent reputation and responsible observers of the situation know that Van’s will do everything possible to make things right. And, of course, this is an ongoing story.

•••••

A good friend has a Cessna Cardinal RG (177RG), a very nice, high-wing retractable. All of the Cardinals, both fixed gear and retractable, have cantilever wings, as do the later model Cessna 210s. However, the newest 177s are 45 years old and the newest 210s are 37 years old. Both models have an aluminum spar carry through to which the cantilever wings attach. Those spar carry throughs are subject to an Airworthiness Directive (AD), with details still being revised. Part of the AD requires visual and eddy current inspection of the spar carry through. Sometimes the damage is due to corrosion, sometimes due to mechanical damage when too-long headliner screws damaged the spar. In any case, damage reports go to Textron. A friend has a nice 177RG that failed the spar inspection. He has submitted his information to Textron, and hopefully Textron will determine the damage to be in a portion of the spar where it is tolerable. Otherwise, the book value of his nice plane has dropped 70 percent. Worse, the FAA might not allow a ferry permit, which seems overzealous and a definite hardship. For all their risks, I still prefer homebuilts.

PIPER AIRCRAFT DELIVERS FIRST PILOT 100I TO SKYBORNE’S VERO BEACH CAMPUS

ity expanded with the launch of the “Propel Flight Academy by Delta,” a new partnership between Skyborne and Delta Air Lines. The program provides a defined pathway to a career at Delta and includes financial support and other resources for students to make the most Continued on Page 34

December 2023

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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

December 2023

Piper Aircraft Delivers First Pilot 100i Continued from Page 32 of their flight training. Skyborne earned this exclusive designation from Delta as a result of their stellar industry reputation and ideal facility location. Both Skyborne and Piper Aircraft are based at the Vero Beach Regional Airport, named the top general aviation airport in the state of Florida in 2022 by the FDOT.

Presently, Skyborne operates an existing fleet of more than 50 Piper Warriors, Arrows, and Seminoles. Their Pilot 100i fleet order enters them into the Piper Flight School Alliance, a one-of-a-kind initiative designed to highlight elite flight training programs operating a new-production Piper fleet. Skyborne’s Pilot 100i deliveries began late last month and will continue

through the remainder of 2023 into 2025. “Piper Aircraft is proud to partner with Skyborne, our neighbors just down the taxiway from Piper headquarters,” said Ron Gunnarson, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support. “Skyborne has an impressive history of training professional and competent pilots using Piper fleet products, and now with

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the addition of the Pilot 100i, we look forward to continuing to support that legacy.” “We are incredibly excited to add 11 Piper Pilot 100is to our fleet of 52 Piper aircraft,” said Skyborne’s Managing Director, Dan Peterson. “With these new Pilot 100is, we will be able to continue delivering world-class training to our student pilots. Piper being our neighbor and partner has been extremely beneficial to us both, as we train the next generation of pilots, and Piper continues to provide topof-the-line aircraft.” Learn more about Piper Aircraft at www.piper.com. Skyborne Airline Academy is an airline training academy based at Vero Beach, Florida, United States, and Gloucestershire Airport in the United Kingdom. Learn more about Skyborne at www.skyborne.com/us.

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DELTAHAWK ENGINES LAUNCHING HYDROGEN ENGINE PROGRAM

December 2023

DeltaHawk Engines, builders of a revolutionary FAA-certified jet-fueled piston engine for general aviation aircraft, has recently completed advanced simulation analysis of a new, hydrogenfueled variant of its engine family for multiple markets. These tests have demonstrated DeltaHawk’s highly adaptable engine architecture is suitable for hydrogen fuel, and that the company’s patented engine design has applications in a variety of markets in addition to aviation – including zero emission vehicles (ZEV), other commercial power applications and multiple defense platforms. The use of proven internal combustion engine (ICE) technology with hydrogen fuel replaces more expensive, highly infrastructure-reliant, fuel cell systems. A

In Flight USA Celebrating 35 Years

hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine also has higher tolerance for hydrogen impurities compared to fuel cells and, importantly, allows leveraging of the existing depth of ICE manufacturing knowledge and extensive service networks. The DeltaHawk engine design itself has numerous other advantages, such as reduced development costs and time to market, as well as higher durability and cost effectiveness due to its more mature technology. In addition, DeltaHawk’s engine design has a significantly reduced power degradation curve over time compared to current fuel cell technology, allowing for better fuel economy than fuel cells after the initial period. Combined, these attributes will enable a more rapid adoption of hydrogen power worldwide –

especially with recent global government incentives for hydrogen in commercial trucking and delivery vehicle infrastructure and in military mobility applications. As a result, DeltaHawk is now leveraging its aviation engine architecture to create new variants of its engine family that will use hydrogen fuel in additional applications. The compact, lightweight, and durable DeltaHawk design, based on patented two-stroke technology, makes this new engine family an ideal solution for hydrogen fuel. Though other commercial vehicle engine manufacturers have explored conversion of their ICE powerplants to hydrogen power, DeltaHawk’s testing in computer simulations is proving superior to legacy fourstroke engine architectures.

“Environmental responsibility is a foundational pillar of our company,” said Christopher Ruud, Chief Executive Officer of DeltaHawk. “In the general aviation industry, our family of engines are creating a highly reduced net carbon footprint coupled with airborne lead removal, thanks in large part to their fuel efficiency and capability to burn next generation sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Now, with our planned ability to expand our engine family to include variants that will utilize hydrogen fuel in aviation, commercial and military applications, we’ve taken another major step toward environmental sustainability, climate neutrality and a zero emissions future.” Learn more about DeltaHawk at deltahawk.com.

CAN SEAPLANES SET OFF AN ECONOMIC BOOM IN LAKE COUNTY, CALF.? In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

By Annamarie Buonocore

ne of my fondest memories in aviation is wrapping up a week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at the beautiful seaplane base. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful spots in all of Oshkosh and also one of the most peaceful. The base provides a view of the water where one can sit on the chairs or picnic benches and watch the planes take off and splash in. Anyone who has experienced this can say with confidence that seaplanes are a wonder of the aviation world and that the seaplane base is one of every Oshkosh attendee’s highlights. I took a strong interest in seaplanes after friend of In Flight USA, Dirk Bruan, made the film, Flying Boat, in 2019. I was fortunate to get to see this movie about the famous Albatross at AirVenture 2019, and it left an impact on me. Boats and planes have always gone hand in hand, and it seems like much of humanity has a fascination with planes that float, or better yet, boats that fly. While volunteering at the Oakland Aviation Museum here in Oakland, Calif. one of my favorite tours at Open Cockpit Day is the tour of the flying boat. The docents do a great job of explaining how this luxurious aircraft landed and took off before there were runways. Flying boats are nothing new, but this is one area of aviation where incredible progress is being made every year. During the last two years, I have been fortunate to attend some seaplane events in Clear Lake and Lakeport, Calif. where In Flight USA writer and photographer, Herb Lingl, has done a great job of building a seaplane community. While this is wonderful for adventurers and seaplane enthusiasts to gain a sense of community, Lingl’s efforts are leading to a seaplane boom, which can translate into an economic boom, for Lake County, Calif.

In Flight USA has been fortunate to attend seaplane events in Clear Lake and Lakeport, Calif. where In Flight USA writer and photographer, Herb Lingl, has done a great job of building a seaplane community. (Herb Lingl) As many say, no one achieves anything alone. Pilots and aviation enthusiasts in and around Lake County have built a sense of camaraderie in Lake County that has built an infrastructure for strong economic patterns to follow. With this increased popularity in float flying, manufacturers and those in the business

of float flying (manned and unmanned) will find this area and Lampson Field to be a central and profitable place. Other industries that surround outdoor, water, and flying enthusiasts will also follow. There is good reason to get excited about Clear Lake, but this excitement didn’t always flow so easily. It is true that

December 2023

Lake County, Calif. has been disadvantaged and riddled with poverty for many years. The road to get to Lake County from Mendocino County and the Bay Area is a long, somewhat windy one. The major railroad system never went through Lake County, and jobs have always been scare there. From the 1950s up until about the mid 1990s, Clear Lake enjoyed a recreational boom thanks to its very Clear Lake that lived up to its name. After the interstate highways system was built, tourists started going to the more convenient areas of Reno and Tahoe, and hence Clear Lake suffered an economic decline. These sound like major, insurmountable problems, but I see a seaplane boom coming to Clear Lake. Some might ask… “Even if there is a seaplane boom, how is that going to help Lake County?” I believe that the general aviation industry will create a seaplane boom that will bring recreation and tourism back to Lake County. I also believe that several manufacturers and outdoor recreation companies will find their way to Lake County and will set off an economic boom in the region where jobs will be plentiful. Lake County Chamber of Commerce President Laura McAndrews said, “Clear Lake is a gem to the seaplane community for many reasons. It is an ancient lake, formed more than 2.5 million years ago, making it the oldest lake in all of North America. The lake is shallow (26 feet at the deepest point), expansive (with over 100 miles of shoreline), and at a low elevation (approximately 1,300 feet). Additionally Lake County enjoys a mild Mediterranean-like climate, making Clear Lake the perfect haven for seaplane pilots.” The seaplane boom will lead to more tourism in the region. With this tourism, there will be newfound interest in generContinued on Page 38

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TECNAM ANNOUNCES ORDER FOR 10 AIRCRAFT FROM NEW ZEALAND AIRLINE ACADEMY

Tecnam and New Zealand Airline Academy Limited (NZAAL) announced at the Dubai Airshow last month, a firm order for 10 Tecnam aircraft, consisting of eight single engine P2008 JC Night VFR, one single engine P-Mentor IFR trainer with RNAV capability and ballistic safety parachute, plus one multi-engine P2006T Premium edition aircraft. The first of these, the Tecnam P2006T aircraft, is flying direct from the factory in Capua, Italy to the NZAAL base in Oamaru, New Zealand. The remaining nine training aircraft are scheduled for delivery starting in the second quarter of 2024. This strategic investment underscores NZAAL’s dedication to providing unparalleled training experiences and further solidifies its position as a global leader in aviation education. New Zealand Airline Academy Limited (NZAAL) is a New Zealand based award-winning flight training organization, holding certifications under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand and Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. As an exclusive cadet pilot training provider for Air India’s group AIX Connect (formerly Air Asia India), NZAAL is strategically located in the picturesque locale of Oamaru, North Otago. Three towered airfields with instrument approaches are in close proximity to the base airfield with many more coastal and mountain airfields offering challenging and varied weather conditions that create real-world flying condi-

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

tions for cadets. Established in 2018, by two seasoned aviation professionals, NZAAL started flight training with one Tecnam P2008. Five years later, this ten aircraft expansion will take their Tecnam fleet to a total of 24 aircraft and overall fleet total to 26 aircraft including two P2006T Twin advanced Multi IFR trainers a tribute to the two directors of NZAAL who embarked on their commercial pilot training journey in New Zealand more than 16 years ago. “When we set out to establish the New Zealand Airline Academy, we meticulously sought an aircraft that would epitomize excellence in several crucial aspects. Our selection criteria included unparalleled safety features, the ability to endure the rigorous demands of flight training, seamless transition from training aircraft to modern day jets through stateof-the art technology, a commitment to environmental sustainability, local dealer support and cost-effectiveness. Tecnam emerged as the unequivocal winner, embodying each of these criteria effortlessly, making it the clear and optimal choice for our flight school,” said Jonathan Manuel, CEO & Director of NZAAL. “It is great to see the growth of NZAAL. They have developed an almost perfect business model for a flight school that is a paradigm for the region and the world. This model is based on the Tecnam fleet. And we are very proud of this, because our vision for 75 years has been exactly this: the production of sim-

ple but modern, safe and economically attractive aircraft for every flight school,” added Walter Da Costa, Chief Sales Officer of Tecnam. NZAAL’s inception was propelled by a keen insight into the shortcomings of traditional flight training organizations across New Zealand that had persisted with legacy (old) trainers. In response, the academy spearheaded a paradigm shift by introducing top-tier training programs utilizing state-of-the-art Tecnam glass cockpit aircraft. This innovative approach ensured a seamless transition for students from training aircraft to the sophisticated cockpits of contemporary jets. Setting itself apart as the sole fixedwing training provider in New Zealand employing touch screen glass cockpit aircraft throughout the training spectrum, NZAAL proudly boasts cutting-edge technology. These modern aircraft feature four levels of terrain alerts, synthetic vision, moving map displays, and advanced traffic awareness (ADS-B in & out). Beyond honing skills in situational awareness and airmanship, NZAAL’s philosophy is deeply rooted in prioritizing student safety through the integration of the latest market-available technology. In a pioneering move, NZAAL became the first and only FTO in New Zealand to invest in electronic carbon monoxide detectors, providing both aural and visual alerts on the glass cockpit display. This unwavering commitment to safety aligns with the academy’s core belief that no student should ever be at

December 2023

LTR NZAA CEO & Director Jonathan Manuel, Tecnam CSO Walter Da Costa. (Tecnam Photo) risk in challenging situations. NZAAL also owns and operates New Zealand Aircraft Engineering Limited, a Tecnam authorised service centre in Oamaru, New Zealand. Learn more about Tecnam at tecnam.com. New Zealand Airline Academy, established by aviation professionals who have more than three decades of experience helping international students chose the right program and training. The management team consists of people who have done extensive research, before choosing New Zealand for their own training. Keeping in mind the huge growth in the field of aviation and the demand for quality pilots, NZAAL have been subcontracted to deliver Commercial Pilot Training for International students by NewZealand’s National Trade Academy. Learn more at nzaal.co.nz

Can Seaplanes Set Off an Economic Boom in Lake County

Continued from Page 36 al aviation. Youth and members of the public in Clear Lake will take interest in these planes and the many career pathways available to aviation enthusiasts. But no economy can survive on tourism alone. There has to be business to support it, and other non-tourism companies to provide jobs. In Clear Lake, Herb Lingl has done more than simply bring a group of seaplane pilots together. He has involved the entire communities of Clear Lake and Lakeport, inviting seaplane owners to display their airplanes by the water and near the town square. Local hotel owners, city councilmembers, and even the mayor are involved. There is a great company called Harvest Hosts that In Flight USA interviewed a couple months ago that can further this mission, the business

of tourism, and jobs in the region. Harvest Hosts is a membershipbased model where those with campers or RVs can rent space on a host’s property for a night, a weekend, or longer. Areas by the lake or parts of Lampson Field can become a host area where campers can rent space. Seaplane tours, airport tours, and information sessions can be offered during their stay. Revenue from the hosting program can fuel innovation, tourism, and manufacturer operations in this region. Over the last year and a half, I have been involved with a Colorado-based project called Hovercraft. The startup builds craft that float and fly over the water to conduct inspections and critical rescue missions. Hovercraft is looking to manufacture more craft, sell more craft, and use their existing fleet to conduct

missions. These craft can be used to improve the quality of life and environmental health of Lake County. They can conduct inspections and provide data to reduce pollution. Hovercraft is also looking to expand their operations and possibly set up a manufacturing facility in Lake County. This will bring jobs and bountiful opportunities to the region. Hovercraft is not the only startup that could benefit from establishing a headquarters in Lake County. There are many boating, seaplane, aviation, and drone companies that could benefit from the proximity to the lake. Underwater drone operations can thrive in such an environment, and all of California can benefit from the data these drone can collect when flying missions in Clear Lake. Another group that Lingl has brought together is one of aerial photog-

raphers. Many of these photographers use seaplanes, and all of them use general aviation aircraft. They take pictures for technical inspection purposes, but they also create beautiful art, some of which will be showcased in a Clear Lake gallery in April of 2024. These photographers could put Clear Lake on the map, which can help to increased tourism and an improved economic state. From the operations we have explored in this article, we can see that Clear Lake has much to look forward to in the coming years. The time for seaplanes is now, so it is time for you to fly into or drive up to Clear Lake to attend one of the splash-ins or seaplane events. We look forward to joining in on the fun again in April.

December 2023

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It has been said that the only voluntary act in aviation is the decision to take-off. Every action after take-off involves the skillful management of risk, the enjoyment of flight and a continuous stream of decisions that result in a safe landing. In 1974, NASA created the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) to allow aviation professionals to share experiences in a frank, non-punitive manner. The ASRS structure allows pilots and other aviation professionals to file an anonymous report of an incident, error or occurrence that the contributor feels might be of value to others. These reports are gathered, analyzed and data based by NASA experts and made available to all interested parties as a tool for creating proactive aviation safety programs. Additionally, NASA distributes an electronic publication, CALLBACK, which contains selected, de-identified, reports on a free subscription basis. In Flight USA is proud to reprint selected reports, exerpted from CALLBACK, for our readers to read, study, occasionally laugh at, and always learn from. Visit http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/ to learn how you can participate in the ASRS program.

Runway Excursion (RE) is a veer off or overrun from the runway surface (ICAO). (1.) In layman’s terms, an RE occurs when an aircraft departs the runway in use via the runway end or edge, and it may be intentional or unintentional. RE events typically occur during landings or rejected takeoffs when aircraft are unable to stop by the runway’s end, or when aircraft landing or taking off inappropriately depart a side of the intended runway. Contributing factors stem from many sources, including weather, airport conditions, flawed techniques, disregard for procedures, mechanical failure, human factors, and more. Consequences range from none to damaged aircraft, other vehicles, or property up through personal injury or death. In this issue of CallBack, we share reported incidents of runway excursions that were potentially catastrophic. Contributing factors may appear familiar, but sage wisdom can be gained as valuable lessons are revealed or revisited.

Part 91 – Foot Stomper

This Twin Comanche student was caught in a situation that had potential for injury and disaster. Fortunately, damage was minor, and the student learned some important lessons. • During the ground-roll braking after a successful southeast landing, the student pilot’s foot and shoe became lodged in the right rudder/brake pedal assembly. While attempting to dislodge his right shoe from the rudder/brake pedal via negative back-pressure, the left pedal was either inadvertently pressed or forced forward due to negative backpressure on the right pedal. This left pedal drive forced the airplane to veer off the left side of the runway…onto the taxiway…. The veer increased and caused the airplane to spin 180 degrees off the south side of the taxiway into the gravel. Upon crossing the taxiway into the gravel, the right propeller struck a taxiway/runway light, destroying the light and minorly damaging the propeller.

RUNWAY EXCURSIONS

Lessons learned: Identify stuck controls as early as possible. Ensure both sets of rudder pedals have braking capability. Ensure all pilots are familiar with potential control interferences or catches. Never force braking. If a pilot notices something is stuck, maintain runway alignment and roll out as far as needed.

Part 91 – Communication, Command, and Control

An unsuspecting Cherokee pilot experienced a dangerous control issue during the landing rollout. A classic, but preventable human factor contributed to the circumstances. • I was the pilot flying (sole manipulator of the controls) in the left seat. In the right seat was the acting Pilot in Command (PIC), as I was not current for passengers. I kept a slightly higher airspeed on short final due to wind conditions. Upon landing in winds that, at the surface, were reported as 12 knots, gusting to 17 with a 10-degree right crosswind, I found the aircraft to be difficult to control. It swerved a bit left and right. As I attempted to gain control, I found it nearly impossible to add left rudder when needed. Then, suddenly, the left rudder freed itself, and the plane swerved severely left, entering the grass momentarily before I turned back onto the runway. No damage was done. The acting PIC asked me, “What do you suppose happened there?” I answered that I believed we were both on the rudder pedals. He replied that he did, in fact, have right rudder applied. I suspect when he released right rudder pressure, the left rudder became free, and since I was applying significant pressure on it, this caused the [excursion]. I had [briefed] with the PIC before the flight, indicating if he said, “My controls,” that I would relinquish them immediately. However, he had not indicated to me that he was planning to use the rudder during our landing, nor did he inform me he was on the rudder. I have learned that if I have an acting PIC with me and I am the pilot flying, I must be more specific about communication and use of the controls.

Part 135 – Reliable Braking Action

An Aero Commander air taxi Captain anticipated good traction after receiving the braking action report, but the report provided inaccurate data for a portion of the runway. • I ran into heavy freezing rain and icing on approach to Runway XX. The aircraft deicing system (TKS [fluid]) handled airframe icing normally, and windshield deicing became minimal. There was a strong north crosswind on landing. Slowing to a taxi speed with the crosswind on a glazed, iced runway, the steering became nil at slow speed, and the aircraft slowly drifted off the edge of the runway’s landing surface. Braking effectiveness became nil. The aircraft slid slowly sideways after rudder control at a low taxi speed became ineffective. TKS [de-icing fluid] was required continuously…from Moline and was at 3 gallons remaining on approach. It was safer to land in these conditions than attempt a flight on with minimal deicing TKS fluid remaining while in moderate to heavy icing. The windshield became 80% iced over, precluding adequate visibility to circle to Runway XY. Tower reported braking action 5 good. No aircraft damage occurred, and nothing was struck. I just simply had a drifting excursion off the side of the runway’s main tarmac. I did not get into soft soil and was on reinforced tarmac edge. After inspection while parked, then with the assistance of airport personnel, I was able to restart and slowly exit the runway and taxi onto the ramp.

Part 135 – Unstable or Unable

This Citation Captain experienced circumstances that resulted in a highenergy approach. The approach was continued, but the landing imposed two serious surprises. • On approach to Runway XX into the ZZZ airport, we were kept high and left of center due to an approaching aircraft into ZZZ1. We were prevented from making a proper pattern due to the approaching traffic and had less than the

expected time to descend. We approached faster than normal and were able to lower landing flaps at approximately 500 feet [AGL] and retract speedbrakes around 50 to 75 feet. Our fast approach speed caused a longer than normal float above the runway, and we were not able to touch down until the 4,000 [feet] remaining sign. We applied full brakes, but the higher-than-normal touchdown speed and high altitude of the airport caused a slower than normal deceleration. We were unable to stop the aircraft and exited the end of the runway into a gravel overrun pad. On the gravel pad, the First Officer (FO) exited the plane and inspected the landing gear, noting no damage. In an attempt to taxi back onto the runway, the nose gear caught on the edge of the runway, and the nose gear collapsed.

Part 135 – Along for the Ride

A BD700 First Officer describes excursion details and this crew’s actions during the landing rollout when surprise, confusion, and the elements prevailed for a moment. • A Bombardier Global Express… experienced a runway excursion following landing on Runway XX. Runway XY was in use. Runway XX was requested and approved, due to winds favoring Runway XX. Meteorological conditions [were] winds 340 at 11 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and no ceiling or cloud cover. The aircraft touched down and decelerated normally. Approaching Taxiway XX, the aircraft suddenly yawed to port as if the left main wheel brake had locked. The pilot flying [Captain] attempted to arrest the left yaw with the nose wheel steering and differential braking using opposite rudder input without success and then announced, “I have no nose wheel steering.” [I], the pilot not flying, applied right rudder and brake pressure to assist the [Captain] in an attempt to turn the aircraft to starboard. The aircraft rolled off Runway XX…just prior to Taxiway XX and onto the hard Continued on Page 40

WINTER PROTECTION STARTS WITH A COVER In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

December 2023

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Bruce’s Custom Covers is highly valued by pilots worldwide as an essential component of their winterization plans. Their product line for cold weather has been designed with superior fabrics and techniques to minimize operational costs and downtime, ensuring the aircraft is ready whenever required. With more than 44 years of experience in preserving aircraft, the team at Bruce’s has witnessed firsthand the benefits of a

well-designed cover in extending the life of an airframe, engine, control surfaces, avionics, and other critical components.

through the seams, Bruce’s fabric has been developed to minimize this effect and maximize its ability to retain heat. The cover comes in various colors and can be customized with your tail number or access panels to check the oil level or run your preheating setup without removing the cover.

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Bruce’s uses designs and fabric like no one else. The three-layer construction makes the cover sturdy enough for outdoor use, yet lightweight enough to use in a hangar or as a safety blanket. Unlike common insulated quilted materials that allow heat to escape

Preheating your engine? Bruce’s solution is a premium 3M Thinsulate cover.

operation-wide sustainability. “Today’s announcement is an important reminder of the value and relevance of the NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses to all of our member segments, from MROs to air charter operators and FBOs to airports,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “The Standard is an essential instrument for us all to capture, validate, and communicate our collective environmental commitment to our communities and beyond.” NATA recognizes the following working group member companies for their time and dedication in continuous review and development of the standard: 4AIR, Atlantic Aviation, Fire Technology Innovations, JRMA, Jet Aviation, Jet East, and Signature Flight Support. “The industry feedback we have received on the NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses has been overwhelmingly positive and

invaluable to its continuous improvement,” stated NATA Working Group Chairman Patrick Moylan, Jet East’s Chief Quality and Safety Officer. “The Environment Committee appreciates NATA’s dedication and role in advancing the industry’s goals in helping us shape our future and tell our story.” Participating member companies agree. Florida-based FBO Fontainebleau Aviation, a NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses – Green Aviation Business Tier 2 participant, earned its Facility Neutral Rating in 2021 and 2022 by offsetting 1,966 metric tons of direct and indirect CO2e. “NATA’s Sustainability Standard has been indispensable to our commitment to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious aviation industry. With the guidance of this program, Fontainebleau Aviation is looking forward to continuing our efforts to reduce our impact on the

estimated to be 2,500 feet. Post-flight inspection revealed no damage to the aircraft. Airport personnel reported no damage…to airport lighting or property. Maintenance personnel are scheduled to inspect the aircraft.… The aircraft had recently completed a 240-month inspection with Maintenance. The Operator’s Maintenance Crew Chief assigned to this specific aircraft…advised the crew postmishap that the nose wheel steering had failed during an engine run when the air-

craft was with Maintenance. The date and time of that event, the nose wheel steering failure in Maintenance, are unknown. Following the adverse yaw, [I] assumed the [Captain] had control of the aircraft due to the slow speed. As a result, [I] did not intervene with regard to control of the aircraft as the aircraft deviated from runway centerline to the port…edge of the runway.… [I] did, however, intervene to assist the [Captain] once the announcement ‘I have no nose wheel

If you’re preheating your engine, using an insulated engine cover is a crucial component. These covers improve the performance of any preheat system by reducing warm-up times and retaining heat within the engine compartment during severe cold weather conditions. The team at Burce’s has collaborated with engine preheating companies and aircraft owners to ensure that their covers exceed performance expectations and are user-friendly in the field. Stop worrying about a that problematic cold start. Bruce’s Custom Covers is located in Morgan Hill, Calif. (just south of San Jose) and all of their products are available online at www.aircraftcovers.com or reach them toll free at 1/800/777-6405.

NATA SUSTAINABILITY STANDARD FOR AVIATION BUSINESSES UPDATED

On Nov. 14, NATA (National Air Transportation Association) released the 2024 update to the NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses ¬– a self-certification process for any aviation business interested in pursuing flexible, cost-effective options to lower its carbon footprint. The most significant changes to the standard include additional resources and more flexibility within certain Tier 2 and Tier 3 requirements for aviation businesses to select the most applicable and feasible sustainability actions based on their unique operational environment. Developed by a working group under NATA’s Environment Committee, the NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses is voluntary in nature, free to the industry, and designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (including CO2), increase the use of more environmentally friendly energy sources, reduce waste, and encourage

Safe Landings

Continued from Page 39 surface at slow speed, approximately 35 feet from the edge of the runway, the farthest main gear position.… The Captain cycled the Nose Wheel Steering Switch, resulting in control authority being restored. The aircraft returned to the runway under its own power and was cleared to taxi to the ramp without further incident. Total aircraft roll, from point of touchdown to the point the aircraft returned to runway centerline, is

Opa-locka, Florida-based FBO Fontainebleau Aviation, a NATA Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses – Green Aviation Business Tier 2 participant, earned its Facility Neutral Rating in 2021 and 2022 by offsetting 1,966 metric tons of direct and indirect CO2e. (Courtesy Fountainebleau Aviation) environment in 2024 and beyond,” said Oscar Le Rois, Airside Operations Director at Fontainebleau Aviation. Learn more about NATA and its Sustainability Standard at nata.aero. steering’ was made. This delay…may have contributed to the runway excursion. [I] was not aware of the level of brake application by the [Captain] during the sequence of events, but [I] did apply differential braking as the aircraft approached the runway edge. Following the event, the [Captain] stated he had exercised ‘full brake application.’ .https://www.faa.gov/airports/runw ay_safety/excursion 1

December 2023

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WHAT IS THE SAFEST PLANE IN THE USA? In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

Hi, I am Lou Mancuso, “The Landing Doctor.” I am a CFI with more than 7,000 flight hours, and I have flown more than 60 different makes and models from an Aviat Husky to a Panther Navajo. I feel safer in my Bristell 915 Turbo than any other plane I have ever flown, and here is why. 1. The Bristell 915 Turbo climbs at 1,500 fpm getting you to the cool smooth air at 10,000 feet in only six minutes. Since the 915 climbs at 1,500 fpm, you always fly high, even on a short flight. There is less traffic up high, and you can glide 17 miles if your engine quits. 2. The Bristell has the safest engine. The Rotax 915 Turbo is a modern dependable engine that to my knowledge has never had an engine failure. Turbos are great, but historically have not had the same dependability as non-turbo engines as they tend to run very hot, especially up high, and heat is the enemy. The Bristell 915 Turbo does not run hot as it is both water and air cooled, it has in intercooler that cools the turbo charged air before returning into the turbo, and it has an Electronic Control Unit that always provides the proper amount of fuel to keep the temps in the green. It has a deflector fin that acts as a cowl flap that is always slightly open to dissipate heat from the engine compartment. Fuel burn varies from 4 gph up to 10 gph. The Rotax 915 is fuel injected and has two fuel injection systems for redundancy. 3. The Bristell Avionics will make you gleeful. The Garmin Suite is the best as the screens have more pixels than the competition, making them very easy to see. The avionics are very simple to use and even have back up batteries in the event of electric failure. The Rotax is highly unlikely to have electric failure

because the lights are all LEDs that require very little current. The electricity is provided by dual stators that are powered by the engine crankshaft. There is not alternator to fail. There is no alternator belt or bracket that can fail. The Bristell has four ADAHRS…talk about redundancy. One ADAHRS in each of the Dual 10-inch Garmin G3X screens, one in the four-inch back up EFIS, the fourth one in the Garmin GMC 507 Module that is used to operate the Autopilot. The ADS B in and out provides easy-to-see Weather and Traffic on the big screens. If traffic gets within a mile, a large white diamond with a black border appears on the 10-inch screen and is positioned in the direction that traffic is coming from. If the traffic gets within a half mile the white diamond is replaced with a giant yellow circle. You can even split the screen and have a traffic page with an adjustable ring range. There is a fuel timer that reminds the pilot to switch tanks every 30 minutes and the fuel valve is safely located between the seats. The avionic jacks are conveniently located between the seats and the headsets plug in facing down, so they plug in easily and stay plugged in as the plane ages. 4. The Bristell 915 Turbo has a stall speed of only 38 knots, which means in the event of an engine failure, you can land it almost anywhere. 5. The Bristell 915 offers a BRS recovery System to keep the family happy. 6. All Bristell owners complete “The Landing Doctor” training with a Landing Doctor approved CFI. Once completing the training, they are given a Personal Limitations Checklist that is updated annually with their CFI. Once a new Bristell owner completes the Landing

Doctor Certified training, they receive favorable insurance rates and are insurable even if they are over 70 years old. 7. The Bristell can be taxied with the canopy open, so pilots do not get overheated before takeoff on very hot summer days. The canopy fits tightly so the heater works very well on cold days. 8. The seats are right on the aircraft spar, so a 280-pound pilot will not damage a seat or seat track. The seats have extended bottom cushions, so your legs stay fresh on a long flight. The rudder pedals adjust for and aft to accommodate pilots from 5-feet, 5-inches to 6-feet, sixinches. We use a cushion to assure the pilots eyes are 4-6 inched above the glareshield so they can see well and make perfect landings. 9. The Bristell has wing lockers that hold 44 pounds each. Heavy items are placed in the water-resistant wing lockers in custom made bags that fit perfectly in the wing lockers. The lockers are located on the center of gravity, so there are no balance issues due to weight location of heavy items. 10. The Bristell uses Berringer tubeless anti-lock and anti-skid tires and brakes. The wheel bearings are good for seven years, so the tires are not being removed at the 100-hour inspections. 11. The Bristell has significant dihedral resulting in unusable fuel of less that a half-gallon per side. Crosswind landings can be made without the concern of scraping a wing during a wing low crosswind landing. 12. The Bristell has nose wheel steering with dual steering cables. If you lose a brake, you do not lose your steering capability. 13. The Bristell has a hydraulic nose wheel shock absorber with a secondary

Flight-Resource, a family brand of McFarlane, is the world’s largest MT propeller distributor, based in the USA. They specialize in advanced propulsion systems, providing enhanced performance and safety to a multitude of aircraft. Bushliner manufactures the Cyclone 1850 aircraft, which is a completely new aircraft closely resembling the legacy Skywagon 185. Their collaboration introduces 3- and 4-blade propeller options with or without reversing capabilities to Bushliner Cyclone 1850 aircraft. “We are delighted to join forces with Bushliner to provide innovative propeller solutions for their aircraft,” said Larry

Schlasinger with Flight-Resource/ McFarlane. “This collaboration adds to the numerous existing products that McFarlane provides for the Cyclone 150 with Bushliner and continue to support our mission to enhance aircraft performance and safety, while also aligning with McFarlane’s vision to keep our customers flying. We are looking forward to a successful partnership.” MT propellers will significantly enhance the aircraft’s performance by providing improved take-off, climb, and cruise performance, better CGs, weight savings, and more precise and controlled

landings. The addition of reverse capabilities enhances safety during ground and especially float operations. Sisco Guadamuz, COO of Bushliner was also excited for the collaboration. "Our partnership with Flight-Resource is a pivotal moment for Bushliner,” said Guadamuz. “We are dedicated to maximizing the potential of what our aircraft can achieve and providing pilots with the tools they need to excel in the most demanding conditions. MT Propeller technology with Flight-Resource will significantly contribute to achieving these goals." Flight-Resource, a family brand of

December 2023

Bristell B23 Turbo Mission with the High performance engine ROTAX 915 iSc, 141 HP. (Courtesy Bristell) coil spring wrapped around the hydraulic actuator. 14. BRM AERO Bristell installs the Rotax engine with precision. The exhaust stack springs never break in a Bristell. They break frequently in all the other LSA I have owned. 15. The Bristell has push rod controls that are normally only found on high-end top of the line aircraft. 16. BRM Aero uses all stainless USA hardware so you never see rust on a Bristell and you can always remove screws, even after the plane ages. This is why I feel the Bristell 915 Turbo is the safest plane I have every flown. Happy Flying!

FLIGHT-RESOURCE AND BUSHLINER ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO OFFER HIGHPERFORMANCE, LIGHTWEIGHT, MT PROPELLERS FOR BUSHLINER AIRCRAFT

McFarlane is located in Baldwin City, KS. McFarlane Aviation manufactures and distributes over 35,000 high-quality aircraft parts and accessories, offering the most innovative solutions for all general aviation needs. McFarlane is a distinguished owner of a diverse family of brands, including Flight-Resource (MT Propellers), CJ Aviation, and Airforms. For information about McFarlane, Flight-Resource, or their wide variety of MT Propeller solutions, please visit Flight-Resource.com. To learn more about Bushliner and its aircraft, visit Bushliner.com.

December 2023

By Mike Heilman

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON BACK IN THE FIGHT

he United States Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) made its return to sea after almost a six-year stint in the Newport News, VA shipyards. The Washington was commissioned July 4,1992 at Naval Station Norfolk. The carrier entered the Newport News Shipyard in August of 2017 for its scheduled midlife Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH). The overhaul will extend the carrier’s life for another 25 years. The Washington’s stay was longer than the normal four-year overhaul, due a variety of reasons. There were delays in funding and workforce issues at the shipyard during the pandemic. The ship was finally redelivered to the Navy on May 25, 2023, when it moved back to Norfolk Naval Station. The Washington wasted no time in getting the ship through the sea trials to get the personnel and systems back into the active fleet. USS Washington’s Executive Officer (XO) Captain William Mathis described the last stages of the ship’s time in the shipyard: “In the beginning of 2023 we were still in the shipyard at Newport News. The ship looked like a ship, but we were still rebuilding in many aspects. We were testing a lot of the equipment that been installed, we were still refinishing and painting a lot. The shell was there but the aesthetics were not there, but since then the ship looks like a warship.” The ship’s stay in the shipyard was one of the longest in Naval history. The majority of ship’s crew had never been to sea as Captain Williams explains: “We left the shipyard with 85-90 percent of the sailors never having never gone out to sea. Many have spent four or five years in the shipyard and thought the ship was destined to stay there for eternity. They had heard multiple times that we were going to redeliver soon and that had never come to fruition. So, at the end of May when we did redeliver as we left the pier, we manned the rails and our sailors attention facing outward there were tears literally on many sailors. That day had come they were told about, but they really had lost faith. “Now they saw all the things they had been working on, all the disappointments, all the stress, blood, sweat and tears had paid off. The mission had been accomplished. You could see it and you could feel it. It was almost an instantaneous boost of morale. We are still building that ownership environment and are not there yet, but we have a lot more training that we have to do,” added

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DC2 Lloyd Heggenberger is a senior member of the Damage Control (DC) division on the USS George Washington (CVN-73) aircraft carrier. (Mike Heilman)

Pilots from VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron traps aboard in the E-2D “Hawkeye” on the USS George Washington. (Mike Heilman) Captain Williams. DC2 Lloyd Heggenberger a member of the Engineering Department, Damage Control (DC) division has been aboard the USS Washington before the ship went into the shipyard. Heggenberger describes that being in the shipyard was a difficult time: “I was on the George Washington before we pulled into the shipyard, all throughout the shipyard period and right now when we left. I have been through the whole shipyard span. The shipyard was a different kind of animal, everything got torn down. Sometimes people forgot they were in the Navy during the shipyard because it was building, doing deck work and all kinds of rehab stuff.” The ship’s return to the fleet has been a big boost for the crew according to Heggenberger: “Once we got out of the shipyard it was a drastic change, everyone is going back to sea. It’s like the best feeling ever and it’s what every sailor wants to do. I am really look forward to the ship getting back to where it was at least when I first got here. It’s a tough battle because we recently pulled out of the yard. Everyone is getting used to their military bearings and the hecticness of an actual warship. It’s a hard battle but we are getting there, and I would like to keep it going.” Commanding Officer of the USS Washington, Captain Brent Gaut explains how the crew reacted to getting the ship back in the fleet: “When we got underway from the shipyard, we had a very short underway of three days. It was jammed pack with different drills and exercises. When we got back, I had a couple of sailors approach me and say, ‘I can’t believe we got out and we really

didn’t believe it would happen.’ It was one of those moments as commanding officer, human being, as father and a husband, it was so emotional for me because you could see a little glimmer of the hope in their eye that for a long time we hadn’t seen, because we had been so long in the shipyard. To be able to share that moment with them was so powerful. We have only built upon that since then.” Once the USS Washington was redelivered to the Navy, the ship immediately began sea trials to test the systems. The trials were also valuable to getting the crew familiarized with the systems and being at sea, according to Captain Gaut. “Coming out of the shipyard, it’s back to the basics. We are simply trying to reestablish what it’s like to be an operational warship at sea and some of the basic things that you do when you go out to sea. We are not even talking about that war fighting piece of it yet.” Captain Gaut expressed his concerns for the crew during the workup stage: “Its sailors that have come into the Navy and haven’t had a chance to operate their equipment at sea. For some, they were plenty busy in the shipyard, but for many of them, they didn’t have a lot of time or ability to really work at their rating in the shipyard, like they would at sea. For a lot of our sailors, it’s just getting out to sea and saying this is what it is like to be a sailor at sea, and this is what’s it’s like to practice my ratings. That’s one piece of it.” “When you get underway there is normally a four-to five-week period where you are exhausted because you are working 16 to 17 hours a day, your body has to get used to it that. A lot of them do not know what that feels like yet, because they have not been out to sea before, and

Captain William Mathis is the Executive Officer (XO) aboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73) aircraft carrier. (Mike Heilman)

E-2D “Hawkeyes” from the VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron maneuver on the flight deck of the USS George Washington during carrier qualifications aboard of the USS George Washington (CVN-73) (Mike Heilman)

these are the first few underways that they are doing. They are really learning to acclimate to what life at sea is like, because it’s just different. It’s different than being back at the Naval station,” Continued on Page 49

AOPA’S AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE RELEASES RICHARD G. MCSPADDEN REPORT

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

December 2023

(Formerly Joseph T. Nall Report)

Flight Instruction Aircraft Rentals Mountain Flying Tailwheel Instruction 2410 Rickenbacker Way Auburn, CA 95602 530-820-3442 sunshineflyersaviation@gmail.com

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association 33rd edition of the AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Report – retitled the Richard G. McSpadden Report – covers calendar year 2021. The report was renamed in honor and memory of AOPA’s beloved friend and colleague who tragically lost his life in an airplane accident on Oct. 1, in Lake Placid, New York. The report’s accident data are updated on a rolling 30-day cycle allowing for the most current snapshot of general aviation safety performance. The report notes an increase in total accidents from 1,050 in 2020 to 1,124 in 2021. However, four million additional flight hours – compared to the previous year – helped offset the increase in accidents. Overall accident rates decreased from 4.69 per 100,000 flight hours to 4.28 and the fatal accident rate decreased from 0.84 to 0.77 from 2020 to 2021, respectively. Non-commercial fixed-wing accident rates decreased slightly with the fatal accident rate declining to 0.86 and the total accident rate decreasing to 4.87. “An area where we see some discouragement is the non-commercial helicopter accident rate, which rose following two years of decline,” said Robert Geske,

AOPA Air Safety Institute manager of aviation safety analysis. Geske continued, “We are also disappointed to see the lethality rate for weather accidents remain steady at an average of eight per year despite continual efforts to address this area.” Landing accidents saw a decrease in the total number of accidents but an increase in the number of fatal accidents. Mechanical accidents saw an increase in total accidents but a decrease in fatal accidents. ASI’s summaries for a given period provide insight and comparisons of selected dates versus previous years. Please review the summaries for a detailed analysis of trends and rates for non-commercial and commercial fixedwing operations, non-commercial and commercial helicopter operations, and sport/experimental operations. View the 33rd AOPA Air Safety Institute Accident Report at https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute/accident-analysis/richard-g-mcspadden-report. Learn more about the Air Safety Institute at airsafetyinstitute.org and more about AOPA at aopa.org.

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During last month’s Dubai Airshow, Tecnam announced that FlyBy, Spain’s leading General Aviation Flight Training Organization has placed an order for an additional four Tecnam P2008JC. These will supplement their existing all Tecnam fleet of 16. Current FlyBy’s fleet includes: • 2 P mentors • 8 P2008JC • 3 P2006T • 3 P2002JF Burgos, Spain based FlyBy, is renowned for its all-inclusive integrated flight-training program, which includes accommodations, meals, iPad, ground school and flight simulators. Course duration is just 14 months, with students starting with ATPL Ground School, then going onto Visual Flight Rating (VFR),

Tecnam announced from the Dubai Airshow that FlyBy, Spain’s leading General Aviation Flight Training Organization, has placed an order for an additional four Tecnam P2008JC. (Courtesy Tecnam) Instruments Flight Rating (IFR), and then completing a Multi-Engine and APS Multi Crew Cooperation module. Continued on Page 47

December 2023

RVERS FIND A BETTER WAY TO TRAVEL, ESPECIALLY TO AVIATION-RELATED THEME SITES www.inflightusa.com

In Flight USA had the opportunity recently to speak with Harvest Hosts owner Joel Holland and his media representatives Alex Libutti and Brenna Goodsitt. Harvest Hosts is an RV camping host company with 4,984 sites, including 60 aviation-related theme locations. In Flight USA: When did Harvest Hosts get started? Harvest Hosts: Harvest Hosts was founded in 2010, inspired by a company in Europe bringing unique overnight stays to RVers. In 2018, I [Joel Holland] purchased Harvest Hosts from the original founders, Don and Kim Greene. They built an amazing company and community, and our team was determined to continue the tradition of connecting our growing community of members with wonderful hosts! In just a few short years, Harvest Hosts has grown from 600 locations to over 4,800. IFUSA: Where are you based? HH: While our official headquarters is in Vail, CO, as a company Harvest Hosts stays true to the nomadic nature of RVing. Our team works remotely with members based all across the country. IFUSA: How was the idea born? HH: The concept for Harvest Hosts was originally inspired by France Passion’s business model – and wanting to bring the concept of providing unique overnight stays for RVers into the U.S. As an avid RVer, I had a similar business idea and as I researched the space, discovered Harvest Hosts. With a personal passion for the industry, I saw immense growth potential in the space and took over Harvest Hosts to see the mission through. IFUSA: What are the requirements to become a host? HH: To become a host, the first step is to complete a simple application form with basic information including name, business name, email address, phone number, state, etc. An account executive from the Harvest Hosts team will be in touch from there to facilitate the application process. Businesses of any size are eligible to

apply. Your business could be on a lot of acreage or in the middle of a bustling city. As long as you have a spot for at least one RV, you can be a Host. Members just need level areas to be able to park. Members are required to have self-contained rigs, so no need to have any hook-ups or amenities on site. IFUSA: Why should travelers consider using Harvest Hosts? HH: For an annual membership fee of $99, members will gain access to unlimited overnight stays at over 4,800 incredible locations across North America – including farms, wineries, breweries, distilleries, museums, drive-in movie theaters, and other attractions. We strive to provide our members with memorable stays no matter where the open road takes them. For many RVers, when traveling between destinations, the option for overnight stays is often a parking lot. RVing is spontaneous by nature, and Harvest Hosts opens travelers up to unique alternatives where they are able to discover hidden gems off the main roads and have one-of-a-kind experiences – exploring an ice cave, sampling local Oregon cheese, swamp tour or even getting a massage by a nun at an alpaca farm. Members express having amazing, priceless opportunities like this, only made possible through the Harvest Hosts network. Members and hosts have formed an incredible community, adding to the overall Harvest Hosts experience. IFUSA: Why should those who enjoy camping at airshows like EAA AirVenture consider using Harvest Hosts? HH: Anyone who enjoys camping can benefit from a Harvest Hosts membership. It opens up thousands of unique overnight stays across North America, no matter where your travels take you. For aviation aficionados, Harvest Hosts has more than 60 aviation-themed hosts, including, The Stafford Air & Space Museum (Weatherford, OK), Hangar 25 Air Museum (Big Spring, TX) and Air Zoo (Portage, MI). IFUSA: What challenges have you

encountered in building this platform that offers so much freedom? HH: One of the greatest challenges we’ve encountered is growing in balance both the member and host side of the business. We always want members to have enough host options to choose amazing stays along their travels, while also providing hosts with a steady stream of RVers to contribute to their revenue streams. We’re adding 100-200 hosts every month in a continued effort to meet demand and ensure members always have a great place to stay no matter where their travels take them. IFUSA: What are your plans for the company for the future? HH: Harvest Hosts is the largest private RV camping network in North America, but we continue to be focused on growing our network of hosts, and adding more opportunities for stays to our expanding membership base. RVing provides a sense of ultimate freedom, which most people seek and are unable to find. As cheesy as it sounds, we see Harvest Hosts helping a lot of people live happier lives by getting them off of the couch and onto the open road. IFUSA: Who is an ideal client for you? HH: We welcome hosts from a variety of industries. Majority of our hosts are small businesses across the country. Some of our strongest host categories include farms, wineries, breweries and distilleries. These small businesses tend to have ample open space for RV parking and provide members with a scenic view. However, hosts do not need to fall into one of these categories to be an approved host. We have plenty of burgeoning categories picking up steam, including aviation, churches, and more. IFUSA: Have you considered partnering with an aircraft rental company? HH: We do not currently have any plans to partner with an aircraft rental company. However, we are always open to working with unique locations and offer-

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) on Nov. 13 released a new video in its Beyond Proficient: IFR video series that provides practical advice on properly planning an IFR departure in low instrument meteorological conditions. “How to Depart Safely in Low IMC offers tips on using tools to stay clear of

obstacles when visibility is low,” said ASI Senior Director Paul Deres. “This includes understanding obstacle departure procedures – whether provided as text or depicted graphically – and ensuring aircraft performance meets established takeoff minimums. “Although legally as a Part 91 flight we don’t need to adhere to ceiling and visibility minimums, it is important to recognize that

these minimums exist to allow us to see and avoid terrain on departure – so it’s an excellent idea to follow them,” Deres concluded. ASI collaborated with FlightInsight to create the series’ videos that offer tips and tricks to master complex instrument flying aspects. View How to Depart Safely in Low IMC from the AOPA website, aopa.org or

An actual-flown A-10 Warthog (flown in Iraq, Kuwait, and Kosovo) in front of the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford, OK, a Harvest Hosts themerelated RV site. (Courtesy Stafford Museum)

ing our members unique experiences. IFUSA: Do you also sell RVs? HH: We do not currently sell RVs. Members must have their own self-contained RVs to stay at any of the host locations. All classes of RVs are allowed (Class A, Class B, Class C) including motorhomes, fifth-wheel trailers, travel trailers, toy haulers, camper vans, truck campers, and schoolies. Vehicles towed behind RVs are also allowed at our host locations. IFUSA: How many work for Harvest Hosts and are you hiring? HH: The Harvest Hosts team is around 50 employees. We are currently hiring for roles including a partnerships coordinator and marketing manager. IFUSA: Do you have anything else you would like to add? HH: We are proud to support small businesses and help drive additional revenue to their businesses through our network of RVers. In fact, this year Harvest Hosts members are on track to spend $50 million at Host locations. We don’t take a penny of that. All revenue hosts generate from Harvest Hosts members goes directly to their pockets. Small businesses are the backbone of America, and we’re thrilled to be able to support these authentic local operations by driving significant revenue to their bottom line. IFUSA: Thank you! For more information about how to become a host or member, check out harvesthosts.com.

AOPA’S AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE RELEASES: HOW TO DEPART SAFELY IN LOW IMC IN THE BEYOND PROFICIENT: IFR VIDEO SERIES

directly on YouTube at https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=fl-AFGAt4YM . View other videos in the Beyond Proficient series from the AOPA website or directly at https://www.aopa.org/train ingand-safety/online-learning/beyond-proficient .

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

December 2023

One of the truly great things about being an aviation buff is the number of “Goodies and Gadgets” available to play OODIES with. Here In Flight USA has collected a few new ones worthy of your consideration. AND ADGETS Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. has been the supplier that aircraft builders, owners, pilots, and aviation businesses have depended on since 1965. They carry a wide

selection of aircraft parts, building materials, avionics, and pilot supplies, all of which are offered on their website (www.aircraftspruce.com) and in the famous Aircraft Spruce catalog, now over 1,000-pages available for download or for free in print. You can depend on Aircraft Spruce for prompt shipping and competitive pricing on all orders.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AIRCRAFT SPRUCE

The team at Aircraft Spruce wishes all a happy holiday season and all the best in the New Year! Visit Aircraft Spruce at www.aircraftspruce.com for all your shopping and gift-giving needs. Note that many popular products are currently on sale or offering rebates. And, Aircraft Spruce offers gift cards! Call an Aircraft Spruce representative to help you with shopping questions: 1-877-477-7823.

Delta Zulu Holiday Gift

Since the launch of the Lightspeed Delta Zulu, pilots have been asking for a more convenient way to maintain charged Lithium-Ion batteries for their flying. So, responding to customer feedback, Lightspeed is launching a new Lightspeed Battery Charger and including this along with an additional LithiumIon battery and charging cable (a 3-piece bundle!) as a free gift with purchase this holiday season, valued at $150 USD. This will ensure they always have a spare, charged battery for their Delta Zulu and charge it separately in their hangar or business or home. As an additional offer, customers ordering two or more Delta Zulu headsets on the same order will receive $50 USD off instantly per headset. Don’t miss this limited time opportunity to save on the top of the line Lightspeed headset. Valid through Jan. 2, 2024.

Lightspeed Delta Zulu Aviation Headset

The Lightspeed Delta Zulu is built for your mission. Lightspeed’s newest headset could save the lives of both pilots and passengers. It includes Lightspeed’s best ANR to date, with the superior comfort and durability you expect, while also introducing groundbreaking new technologies.

Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headsets Kanari Smart Alert Technology

Kanari smart alert technology built right into the headset delivers audible warnings to you by measuring cabin carbon monoxide levels, helping to keep you and your passengers alert and safe. A built-in audio equalization system

called HearingEQity ensures crystal clear flight communication with your individual hearing profile created through an automated 12-frequency hearing test.

Changeable Battery Packs

Easy-to-replace battery pack gives you the option of using rechargeable lithiumion batteries or AA batteries.

The Lightspeed App

An integrated app that provides full customization of your headset while tracking sensor data and keeping you safe. General Tech Specs • Battery power supply: 3V, two AA batteries • Weight: 14.9 oz. (including ear seals and mic boom) • Panel aircraft 8-40 VDC Headphone • Transducer: 40mm moving coil • Frequency response: 20 Hz-20 kHz Nominal impedance @ 1 kHz: OFF–Mono: 200 ohms, ON–Mono: 280 ohms OFF–Stereo: 400 ohms, ON–Stereo: 560 ohms Microphone • Transducer principle: Noisecanceling electret • Frequency response: 200 Hz-6000 Hz • Maximum SPL: 114 dB • Terminating impedance: 220-2200 ohms • Operating voltage: 8V-16V DC Bluetooth • Bluetooth Enabled Phone: Yes • Bluetooth Streaming Music: Yes Visit the Aircraft Spruce website (www.aircraftspruce.com) for options and prices.

Aircraft Spruce Is Now An Authorized Artex Distributor

ACR Electronics, a global leader in safety and survival technologies, is excited to announce a significant expansion of their ARTEX Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Dealer Network. The

latest addition to this esteemed network is Aircraft Spruce, renowned as premier distributors of aviation supplies and equipment. This strategic partnership aims to further elevate the availability and accessibility of critical aviation safety equipment.

Artex ELT 345 GPS / 406 / 121.5 Compact Kit With 15 Inch Whip Antenna

The Artex ELT 345 transmits on 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz frequencies and can provide position accuracy with an optional GPS input thanks to the built-in GPS navigational interface. GPS data is embedded from the first emergency transmission and provides Search and Rescue personnel with the aircraft location, within 100 meters, in less than a minute.

Artex 406 Mhz ELT 1000 Base Pack

The ARTEX ELT 1000 is a valuepriced upgrade to standard 121.5 MHz transmitters, which are no longer monitored by the Cospas-Sarsat system. The 406 MHz transmitter produces a much more accurate position, typically 3 kilometers as compared with 15 to 20 kilometers for 121.5 MHz transmitters. When coupled to the aircraft navigation system via a navigation interface, the ELT 1000’s accuracy improves to approximately 100 meters.

ELT Replacement Batteries

The battery packs used on the Artex ELT are certified under TSO C142a. The conditions and tests required for TSO approval of this battery are minimum performance standards. It is the responsibility of those desiring to install this battery in a specific type or class of aircraft to determine that the aircraft installation conditions are within the TSO standards. The battery may be installed only if the installation is approved by the FAA administrator. Visit the Aircraft Spruce website for details, including pricing.

Garmin Aviation Holiday Rebates 2023

Aircraft Spruce is featuring select products in the Garmin line this holiday season. Enjoy saving on a variety of aviation wearable, portable, and training courses this season and give the pilot in your life the gift of Garmin… from Aircraft Spruce! These offers expire Dec. 31, 2023.

JPI Winter Rebates 2023

Get instant saving on select JP Instruments engine monitors and fuel flow. Offer expires Jan. 30, 2024. Visit the Aircraft Spruce website for various products and pricing.

Gift Ideas

Flight Outfitters Lift Pro Flight Bag

The Flight Outfitters Lift Bag is offered in all-black. This sturdy bag has room for all the essentials, but won’t get in your way. Includes a large headset pocket, iPad pocket and multiple organizer sections with room for all your accessories. A helpful exterior pocket makes it easy to grab your backup radio in an emergency. Steel-reinforced carrying handles will haul even the heaviest load, and the reinforced sides offer additional protection. Signature orange interior makes it easy to find the flashlight or pen in the dark. Each bag is currently on sale for $89.96.

Flight Outfitters Bush Pilot Rechargeable Flashlight

Illuminate the night with this powerful, r e c h a rg e a b l e flashlight. Smart Select Dial provides five unique light modes that can be accessed without scrolling through each one. Blast up to 1,000 lumens of white light for safe preflight inspections, or provide up to 120 hours of low-level green light so you don’t disturb sleeping passengers. An adjustable Continued on Page 47

December 2023

www.inflightusa.com

Goodies and Gadgets Continued from Page 46 beam provides spot and flood light modes, and there’s even a strobe setting for emergency signaling. The Bush Pilot Flashlight is charged via a USB port, so you don’t have to worry about carrying AA batteries; it will recharge from your cigarette lighter, portable battery pack, or wall plug. Plus, the same charging port can provide output for keeping your phone at 100 percent (does not charge tablets). Constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum, the Bush Pilot Flashlight is water-resistant and tough enough to survive life in a bush pilot’s airplane. A magnetic base makes mounting to crew cars or luggage carts quick and easy – it’s perfect around the hangar. No flight bag is complete without this ultimate backup flashlight. The flashlight is currently on sale for $69.97.

made of high-quality material. Tees range in size from small through 4X-large. Select from royal blue or military green. Each shirt sells for $14.95.

Catalog and Gift Cards

Check out Aircraft Spruce’s 20232024 product catalog. It’s available online and in print. Also, Aircraft Spruce offers gift cards. Give their sales representatives a call at (877) 4-SPRUCE (877-477-7823) and order an Aircraft Spruce Gift Card for any dollar amount you want. The cards are valid indefinitely and can be used toward the purchase of any products sold by Aircraft Spruce. These cards are very popular and are a gift that is sure to please any aviator.

American Aircraft Sales Co. 70 YEARS IN BUSINESS–NEW LOCATION LD

2016 Cessna Skylane 182T 1180 TTSN, Garmin G1000 NXI, GFC 700 A/P, like new!

2005 Cessna 172S Skyhawk 497 SMOH, 5,800 TTSN, Hangar kept & like new................................................ $249,950

1979 Cessna Skyhawk

1978 Piper Archer II 181

180 HP Garmin 650 GPS S-TEC 50 A/P 3400 TTSN 1500 SNEW engine...............$159,950

Garmin 650 GPS and GTX 435 IFR with A/P 1600 SFRMAN.......................$99,950

Aircraft Spruce Airshows & Fly-Ins Crew Tees Comfortable

and 1973 Cessna 150L 1277 SNEW Engine, 3200 TTSN, nice paint/interior..............................................$42,500

Tecnam P2008JC Continued from Page 44 There are more than 350 students from 103 different countries, 55 percent of the students are from Europe while the rest from around the world. In 2023 the ATO logged 23.000 flight hours, and the forecast for 2024 is even more. FlyBy is planning to open a new base in Spain and add six more Tecnam within 2024 The FlyBy senior management team has extensive experience in airline management, training management and ab initio flight school leadership. Alex Alvarez, FlyBy CEO, stated, “We have chosen Tecnam for our fleet for its modern design and low operational costs. This means we can offer the latest technology to our students at a very reasonable hourly rate.” Walter Da Costa, Tecnam Chief Sales Officer, added, “Tecnam confirms its worldwide leadership in General Aviation Training. Latest generation avionics allow student pilots to gain effective experience at low cost to complete a full training and progress very quickly into flying commercial aircraft.” Tradition, innovation and vision. These factors are spearheading Tecnam to wider horizons. Based on recent data and industry benchmarks, Tecnam is offering the greenest training fleet in the world.

2002 Cessna 182T Skylane 3000 TTSN, Nice original paint & interior ..........................................................$289,950

Flight schools operating Tecnam’s singleand twin-engine fleet can save as much as 10 tons of CO2 emissions for every single student graduating with a Commercial Pilot License – a 60 percent reduction compared to fleet using 100LL fuel on a journey of 155 flight hours, 30h of which on twin (www.Tecnam.com/soar-greener). Learn more about Tecnam at tecnam.com.

1979 Cessna TR 182 RG Skylane 106 SMOH, 3,900 TTSN, new metal panel with new Garmin Avionics............................$249,950

1972 Cessna Skyhawk 180 HP AVCON STC, California airplane, 3700 TTSN 1700 SFRMAN...........$79,950

About FlyBy

FlyBy is the commercial trademark of Fly Bai S.L: of Spain. Fly Bai is an Approved Training Organization registered with the Spanish Civil Aviation Authority (AESA) with registration number E-166. AESA is member of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the license issued is valid in all EASA member countries: Germany, France, etc. With many years of pilot training expertise, FlyBy provides training of the highest quality to student pilots. FlyBy offers an integrated course, which includes CPL, ATPL, ME IR and MCC, which combines ground school courses and flying training delivered in accordance with the EASA and AESA requirements. Learn more at https://flybyschool.com/

1979 Grumman Tiger Hangar kept and super nice, Garmin IFR with STEC30 A/P.............................................$119,950

1975 Piper Cherokee 140 Cruiser 44 SMOH, King IFR............................$59,950

1979 Grumman Tiger

1978 Cessna 152

One Owner last 29 years, 3,000 TTSN, 1,000 SMOH, NDH........................................$79,950

60 hours since new engine, Nice paint, NDH..............................................$74,950

AIRCRAFT WANTED! Robert Coutches Cell - (510) 783-2711 • (925) 449-5151 550 Airway Blvd. • Livermore, CA 94551• Livermore Airport (KLVK)

www.americanaircraft.net

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

AIRCRAFT FOR SALE 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, a TECNAM dealership, (940) 800-8020, volareair.aero. 1/23

Historically significant 1950s-era aircraft for sale or trade. All in restorable condition with minimum corrosion. Inventory includes a Piasecki XHJP-1 and a Sikorsky S-55. American Helicopter Museum, West Chester, PA. Contact info@americanhelicopter.museum for more information. 231000.TFN

School & Cessna Pilot Center. Smith Aviation Napa, Napa County Airport, (707) 345-6526, mikesmithaviation.com. 4/22

tion Modifications, Ada, OK, (888) 3594264, (580) 436-4833, gami.inc. 3/23

MAINTENANCE/INSPECTIONS

Cannula or Mask? For aicraft service ceilings to FL180 & FL250. Ask "The Oxygen Lady," info@aviationoxygen.com 2/23

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

RESTORATIONS

Custom aircraft & high-quality composite parts. Aviation Composites, Sandersville, GA, (937) 243-7303. 1/22

SPORT/ULTRALIGHTS RV12i5. Total performance perfected. Easy to build, fly and own. Van's Aircraft www.vansaircraft.com. 11/18

HELICOPTORS 5 Bell 212s 1996-1991, current maintenance, one owner. Bell 412, 33017 SN, 0 engine OH. Hudson Flight Limited, (806) 662-5823, or (971) 241-8473.6/20

STOL The STOL Super Breezy with fully covered fuselage. Yakima Aerosport, (509) 453-3412, superbreezy.com. 5/23

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

EXPERIMENTAL BD-10, factory-built demonstrator with airplane safety mods. Airframe 465TT. $275K complete pkg. w/spares. Fuel Fresh, Phoenix, AZ, (480) 345-6677, fuelfresh@aol.com. 12/21

AIRCRAFT SALES AIDS Aviation Sales & Marketing by ABCI. Ideal for a startup or side hustle in the aviation industry. (702) 987-1679 or aviationsalestraining.com/startup. 1/21

FLIGHT INSTRUCTION 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 Seaplane Instruction, ASES ratings, amphibious flight reviews, re-current training. Lake Havasu Seaplanes, Lake Havasu City, AZ, lakehavasuseaplanes. com, (928) 733-7122. 12/20 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

All parts available to rebuild 1936 Rearwin Sportster. In Northern California. Contact Sue Harmuth at suewilldooo@ outlook.com. 22801:TFN

FBOs Serving the GA Community since 1981. Wisconsin Aviation, Watertown Municipal Airport, WI, (920) 261-4567, WisconsinAviat2ion.com. 3/13 World's largest network of FBOs with over 200 locations offering consistent, exceptional service. Signature Flight Support, signatureflight.com. 4/23

Full-service center. Vista Aviation, Whiteman Airport, 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 Update your avionics. FAA-Certified repair station. Treasure Coast Avionics, Ft. Pierce, FL, (772) 464-3148, treasurecoastavionics.com. 2/23

AIRCRAFT PARTS 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) 569-0435 or sensenich.com. 4/21

FUEL Fuel Cells. Repair, overhaul or new. New tanks with 10-year warranty. Hartwig Aircraft Fuel Cell Repair, hartwigfuelcell. com. 2/09

Home of GAMIjectors® fuel injectors! STCs and PMAs on over 300 different engine models! General Avia-

Wherever business takes you. Navigate It. (575) 615-2091, vatit.com. 10/21 Scheduling Software that connects to your flight department. Simple, affordable. airplanemanager.com. 9/22

SERVICES Divorce-Paternity Cases. Contact Lawyers for Men's Rights, (213) 3848886, 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

Iconic Aircraft Restoration. Repairs, refurbishments, parts fabricated, consulting at reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 379-9092. 8/21

JETS Small Manned Aerial Radar Target, Model 1. Tiny jet aircraft, long-range tank. SMART-1, Tucson, AZ, (202) 2132400, smart-1.us. 5/21

OXYGEN SUPPLIES

December 2023

4720:TFN

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

AIRCRAFT FINANCING 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. Best price, coverage & customer service. Zanette Aircraft Insurance 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 No cheap imitation watches at HME! Special pricing on ATP series multifunctional watches 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

See what you 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, rugged. FLATBIKE, flatbike.com. 10/18

AVIATION RESOURCES Emergency services, group trips, consulting services. BizAvJets, Inc., Business Aviation Services, bizavjets.com, (702) 465-2027. 10/20

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

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. 2/23

PILOT POSITION 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

HELP WANTED 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

A Pilot's Paradise—Valley Airport Private airstrip in the Ozark Mountains on banks of White River. Custom 3BR, 3BA home, office and hangar/ workshop, $749,999. Leo and Dianne Doughty, Cotter, AR. Contact Ray (870) 421-7193 to show. 9/22

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

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Hiller Aviation Museum San Carlos Airport, CA (650) 654-0200, hiller.org

Airpark Hangar Homes for Sale! Allen & Allen Inc., carolinaairparks.com, (704) 798-5214. 9/23

Become an Aircraft Broker — #1 Largest 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. No experience necessary. Will train. Licensed USA Aircraft brokerage.

Call (504) 723-5566 or visit 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? Give a ride in an open cockpit biplane. WACO Air Museum, Troy, Ohio, wacoairmuseum.org, (937) 335-9226. 20601:TFN Fly By Wire Air, a one-stop site for aviators. flybywireair.com. 4/21

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

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

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

Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs, CA (760)778-6262, psam.org WACO Airfield & Museum Troy, OH, (937) 335-9226 wacoairmuseum.org Warhawk Air Museum Nampa, ID, (208) 465-6446 warhawkairmuseum.org

ORGANIZATIONS List your non-profit club or organization FREE on a space available basis. Send information to: 3rdavenue@embarqmail.com Wings of Rescue Flying Animals to Safety wingsofrescue.org Please donate NOW! 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

December 2023

www.inflightusa.com

USS George Washington Back in the Fight

An U.S. Navy E-2D “Hawkeye” assigned to VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron practices a touch-n-go off the flight deck of the USS George Washington (CVN-73) during carrier qualifications. (Mike Heilman)

An U.S. Navy E-2D “Hawkeye” assigned to VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron launching off the USS Geroge Washington. The E-2 “Hawkeye” provides an airborne command and control for aircraft on the carrier and battle group. (Mike Heilman)

A crew from VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron taxis on the deck of the USS George Washington. The E-2D “Hawkeye” can fold its wings to maneuver on the crowded deck of an aircraft carrier. (Mike Heilman) E-2D “Hawkeyes” from the VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron maneuver on the flight deck of the USS George Washington during carrier qualifications aboard of the USS George Washington (CVN-73) (Mike Heilman)

An U.S. Navy E-2D “Hawkeye” assigned to VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron extending the wings to launch during carrier qualifications aboard the USS George Washington. (Mike Heilman) Continued from Page 43

added Captain Gaut. The Washington has been ramping up the ship’s training for the past few months. The ship has been flight-deck certified and has been providing the East coast training commands, at-sea support to help get pilots carrier qualified. The ship is the only carrier available on the East coast to support this mission this Fall. “That’s part of what we are doing. What it’s really about right now is getting out and operating our systems and execut-

ing the missions, which is currently to support the fleet in conducting carrier qualifications for either squadrons, the fleet replacement squadrons or for air wings. Fundamentally, that’s what we are here to do, launch and recover aircraft in support of our nation’s strategic and operational objectives,” explains Captain Gaut. The Washington, before entering the shipyard was forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan from 2008 to 2015 as the part of the 7th fleet. The Washington in April of 2024 will sail around Cape Horn to San Diego and turn over the USS Ronald Regan (CVN-76) before heading back to Japan. The Regan had been forwarded deployed to Japan while the Washington was in the shipyard. This will be the Washington’s second time in Japan. Captain Gaut explains there is work to do to get the ship and its crew ready for the transition to the 7th Fleet: “We are pushing forward though the rest of the

year to prepare for 2024 in April when we depart to San Diego. This period of time is so critical for all the things we are doing, the milestone events, the different evaluations and inspections that we have to get. It’s critical to be able to work through these because that is how our Navy measures if you are ready to go to San Diego, turnover the Reagan and then go to Japan. “As time goes on there is not a lot of white space. I tell my sailors all the time, we don’t have a lot of white space left. There is not a lot of places where we can fit things in. We have to be efficient and effective at understanding. We need you to work hard, but do it right the first time, because we do not have a lot of time to make those mistakes. Literally every day, every week until to leave for San Diego, there is something that we are doing in support of that mission. Those are some of the challenges that we facing as a

Pilots from VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron practicing a touch-n-go in the E2D “Hawkeye” aboard the USS George Washington during carrier qualifications. VAW-120 tarins Naval aviators, officers and aircrew to fly and operator the E-2 “Hawkeye” aircraft. (Mike Heilman)

An U.S. Navy E-2D “Hawkeye” assigned to VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron taxis out to launch off the USS George Washington (CVN-73) during carrier qualifications off the coast of Florida. (Mike Heilman) team,” added Captain Gaut. The transition from the shipyard to an active warship is difficult for the crew of the Washington, but Captain Gaut is confident the team will accomplish the task as he explains: “The Navy is built to adapt and overcome and that’s what we do. Its nonstandard but it’s not something that hasn’t been done before nor is it something that we are intimidated by, nor we don’t think we can’t accomplish it. It’s hard to be in the Navy. It’s hard to do the job that we do, but it’s important.”

In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years

December 2023

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12615 Brandy Lane, Burson, CA This lakeside, energy-efficient Oasis is truly an aviator’s & aquatic sportsman’s Dream! Nestled in the serene beauty of Lake Comanche, this custom-made retreat designed by architect Michelle Kaufmann is a paradise for those seeking a tranquil and exclusive escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This stunning property offers a unique blend of natural splendor and modern luxury, with a private airstrip, spacious living areas, and breathtaking views. This unique property is situated on the southwestern perimeter of Lake Comanche, a tranquil and picturesque reservoir in Northern California. The property boasts its own private airstrip, allowing you to fly your two-seater plane and land right next to your estate. This convenient feature makes it the perfect destination for aviation enthusiasts and those who crave quick, hassle-free access to their private retreat. The main residence is a spacious 2112 square feet: a beautifully designed structure with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, providing comfortable accommodations for both family and guests. The interior is thoughtfully appointed with modern amenities and elegant finishes with rustic splashes of craftsman-style charm. Large windows and sliding glass doors flood the common space with natural light and offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This unique property can be utilized as a luxurious vacation retreat, an idyllic weekend getaway, or even a permanent residence for those seeking a peaceful and nature-infused lifestyle.

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