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Calendar of Events
November 2023
www.inflightusa.com
3
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, Nov. 3. Confirm the status before attending.
NOVEMBER
Wednesdays 3 3—4
4
4—5 5 7
10 — 12 11 11 — 12
18
19 24 24 — 25 25
28 — 29
Q Troy, OH: Private Pilot Ground School, 6 to 9 p.m. thru Dec. 27, WACO Historical Society, (937) 335-9226, wacoairmuseum.org. Q Montreal, Can.: SAF Flightpath to Net Zero: Sustainable Aviation Fuel, IATA Head Office, aeropodium.com. Q Pensacola, FL: NAS Pensacola Open House - Blue Angels Homecoming, gates 8 a.m., Sherman Field, (850) 462-7790, naspensacolaairshow.com. Q DeLand, FL: DeLand Aero Showcase, DeLand Municipal Airport, (386) 345-AERO, aeroshowcase.com. Q Los Angeles, CA: American Heroes Air Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hansen Dam, Lakeview Terrace, heroes-airshow.com. Q Vacaville, CA: Cup of Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707) 449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org Q Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, www.planesoffame.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 Punta Gorda, FL: Florida Int’l. Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Punta Gorda Airport, hotline (833) 743-3427, floridaairshow.com. Q Nampa, ID: Veterans Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon, Warhawk Air Museum, (208) 465-646, warhawkairmuseum.org. Q Nampa, ID: Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 10 a.m. to noon, Warhawk Air Museum, (208) 465-646, warhawkairmuseum.org. Q Chino, CA: Kilroy Coffee Klatch, 9 a.m. to noon, Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-7576. Q Stuart, FL: Stuart Air Show, gates Fri. 4:30 p.m./Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m., Witham Field, (772) 781-4882, stuartairshow.com. Q Hagerstown, MD: Cash Bash Live’s Salute to Veterans Fest, 2 to 10 p.m., (301) 733-8717, hagerstownaviationmuseum.org Q Monroe, NC: Warbirds over Monroe Air Show, gates 9 a.m., CharlotteMonroe Airport, warbirdsovermonroe.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 Palm Springs, CA: Props & Hops Craft Beer Fest, 1 to 5 p.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262, palmspringsairmuseum. org.. Q Chino, CA: Taste of Flight Gala, Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, www.planesoffame.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 Torrance, CA: Celebrity Lecture Series, 11 a.m., Western Museum of Flight, (310) 326-9544, wmof.com. Q San Diego, CA: Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530. Q New Bern, NC: New Bern Aeroshell Team Night Show, 9 p.m., Union Pointe Park, (252) 636-4000, newbernnc.gov. Q Nampa, ID: Warhawk Winterfest Weekend, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Warhawk Air Museum, (208) 465-646, warhawkairmuseum.org. Q Madrid, Spain: Spanish Aviation Forum, H10 Tribeca, aeropodium.com. Q Palm Springs, CA: Commemorative Series - Mission 91, 1 p.m., Palm Springs Air Museum, (760) 778-6262. 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. Q Hollister, CA:: ZeroAvia Hydogen Aviation Summit, online only, free. Registration required, info@zeroavia.com.
DECEMBER
Wednesdays 1 2
Q Troy, OH: Private Pilot Ground School, 6 to 9 p.m. thru Dec. 27, WACO Historical Society, (937) 335-9226, wacoairmuseum.org. Q Athens, Greece: Mediterranean Business Aviaton, Metropolitan College, aeropodium.com. 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.
Continued on Page 9
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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
COVER STORY
November 2023
CORPORATE FLIGHT TRAINING TAKES OFF IN CONCORD, CALIFORNIA
N
By Annamarie Buonocore
An Interview with Kevin Trexler
othing is more exciting to the aviation industry than new flight schools coming up. Many are not brave enough to start a flight school in the day and age of expensive training, pilot shortages, and mechanic shortages. This month, In Flight USA was fortunate to meet Kevin Trexler of TrexAir Aviation Academy at the Concord, Calif. airport. The following is his story of how he trained at ATP and went on to launch his own flight school based on his family legacy in the education field. The next time you fly into the Concord airport, stop in to see what it’s all about! In Flight USA: I have noticed that you are new here. How long have you been here at Concord? TrexAir: I began May 1 of 2022, on the other side of the airport. We were renting another company’s planes until we outgrew that program and ended up moving over here. IFUSA: Tell me a little about your background and why you wanted to do this?
TA: I actually went to our competing school, but let me start from the beginning. After high school, I went to school to become a chef and became a classically French trained chef. I moved out to California in 1998 and worked in restaurants around the Bay Area. My son was born in 2008, and when my son was born, I decided to change careers and become a professional corporate event photographer. I had a corporate event photography company that was in operation from 2008 until Covid. We did corporate events and after Covid, there were no more corporate events. I got my private pilot certificate in Concord in 2015. My daughter was at college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, and I wanted to fly down to see her, and it was easier than driving over four hours. When Covid hit and everyone was trying to figure out what to do next, I enrolled in a flight school, which is now our competing flight school. I didn’t have the best experience. My mom is a retired teacher and principal, and I kind of come from a family of teaching and education. I felt the school that I was in was lacking education, and I
thought that creating this type of school would be beneficial to people. TrexAir is very much for prospective airline pilots. IFUSA: Tell me a little about the training program you use to prepare students for the airlines. TA: So, our program is designed for you to do it on your own. Our competing schools require you to be available 10 hours per day for 10 months while you are enrolled in the program. You can go that fast if you want to, but you don’t have to request days off. You don’t have to let me know what is going on. You can train once a day, and we have zero restrictions. You can be on your own schedule. Everything we do is based on education, so you have to show that you really know what you know. By the time you are done with your private instruction, you should be able to feel confident in your abilities. You will understand the applications of the aircraft. You should be able to teach everything you know, including the concepts and ideas at a private level and that helps you go quicker through instrument, commercial, CFI and CFII. The program
TrexAir recently expanded their program at the Concord Airport, where most of their training takes place in Piper Archers. (Courtesy TrexAir Aviation Academy)
currently goes through private pilot to CFII certified flight instructor. IFUSA: So you offer it all? TA: Yeah, but we don’t have multiengine training up here yet. I honestly don’t recommend it until you have all but 1,000 hours. It does not take a lot to get it. It is only about 10 or 15 hours of flying. I think it is better to have worked in the industry as an instructor for a while before you get your multi-engine rating. I was rushed through it when I did it, and it was not the best experience, so I recommend doing it later on. Most people don’t really need it until they go to the airlines, unless you Continued on Page 10
WE’REE OPEN The Ro The Rowland wland FFreedom reedom Centerr is open ev every ery da y*, from rom 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, featuring day*, a vvariety arietty of aaviation viation and military tary displa displays, ys, honorin ng those w ho defend o honoring who our freedom. *Due to o excessi excessive ve heat (and n no air conditioning) ), we ma y close early on certain da ys. tioning), may days. Suggest ted Admission Donation on – Adults 18Suggested 64 $5, Kids 4-17 $3, Active Active Duty D y, V eterans, Duty, Veterans, Over Ov er 6 65 5 and Under 3 FFree ree
Rowland Ro wland FFreedom reedom Center
300 Countyy Airport p t Rd. Ste. C4 V acaville e, C A 95688 Vacaville, CA Phone: (707 7) 449-3402 (707) * 5VU WYVÄ[! ; HH_ 0+ ;H_
TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 40, Number 3
650-358-9908 • Fax: 650-358-9254 • E-mail: vickie@inflightusa.com • www.inflightusa.com
November 2023
ON THE COVER COVER STORY
PHOTO FINISH
TREXAIR FOUNDER KEVIN TREXLER
FAREWELL TO RENO
TAKES LOVE OF TEACHING TO THE SKIES
By Anthony Taylor
By Annamarie Buonocore Page 4
Page 49 Cover Photos Courtesy TrexAir
COLUMNS
NEWS Arcline Investment Management to Acquire Hartzell Aviation..............8 New ‘Climb. Fast.’ Advocacy Campaign Launched ..............................10 EPA Grant to Calif. Dept. of Health For Unleaded Fuel Transition......11 RARA Reviewing Six Potential Racing Sites ........................................16 FAA Grants Extension to MOSAIC Comment Period ..........................18 Remembering AOPA’s Richard McSpadden ..........................................20 Homebuilt Accident Totals Show Positive Trend ..................................22 Senate Unanimously Confirms Michael Whitaker to Lead FAA..........25 Tecnam P2012 Lands On U.S. Virgin Islands ........................................26 Questioned: Regulatory Overhaul of Flights Vital to Underserved Communities ........................................................................................ 27 Air Force: New Electric Aircraft Arrives for Testing ..............................34 EPA Finds Leaded Fuel Causes Air Pollution, Public Health Danger36 NBAA Wrap Up: Business Aviation is Climbing Fast ..........................40 ERAU, Naval College Partner to Offer Degrees to Service Members 43 Retired U.S.A.F. Col. Kim Campbell to Headline Wright Bros. Banquet ..47
Editorial: Ten Reasons to be Thankful! By Vickie Buonocore ........................................................6
AOPA Editorial: Thankful! By Mark Baker, AOPA President and CEO...........................8
Breaking into Brokering
Flying With Faber: Thanksgiving at the Faber’s 2023 By Stuart J. Faber ........................................................29 Homebuilder’s Workshop: Not the Last Flight in the RV-9A! By Ed Wischmeyer ......................................................32
By Annamarie Buonocore................................................14
The Flying Journey of A Champion; The Luke Czepiela Story By Annamarie Buonocore................................................24
Sky Elements Drone Shows: Something Different, Spectacular By Larry E. Nazimek........................................................38
Goodies & Gadgets: Aircraft Spruce With a Focus on Health ................................................................................................46
DEPARTMENTS Calendar of Events ..........................................................3 Classifieds ......................................................................48 Index of Advertisers ......................................................50
6
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
November 2023
TEN REASONS TO BE THANKFUL FOR GENERAL AVIATION
Editorial By the InFlight Staff 20171976 Socata CessnaTBM 337G 930
AirplanesUSA Aircraft Sales proudly presents this gorgeous Cessna 337G Skymaster to market. Beautiful cosmetics are complimented by a damage free, low time airframe and a highly capable IFR panel including Aspen Evolution PFD and Dual Garmin WAAS GPS capability. Dual instruction, export and worldwide delivery are available. All trades considered..…........................................................$110,000
1943 Stearman
1976 1975 Beechcraft V-35B Bonanza Cessna U206F
AirplanesUSA is proud to present this beautiful 1976 Beechcraft V-35B to the market! Six seats and an outstanding avionics package, this airplane is a cross country machine. She has spent most of her life in the dry South Dakota environment and is currently hangered in Iowa. Excellent maintenance history, complete and original records, and a low time engine. All this airplane needs is a new home. Call today!.……...........$209,900
2012 Piper Malibu Mirage
1994 Commander 114B
1977 Piper Lance
AirplanesUSA proudly presents this Oshkosh award winner! Timeless warbird with Navy colors and military records. Zero-time engine with 2022 overhaul by Radial Engines. This excellent example needs absolutely nothing. This is your opportunity to own a piece of history. Ready for aerobatic rides and grass strip adventures!.…...........................CALL!
AirplanesUSA proudly presents this beautiful G-1000 equipped Mirage ZLWK PRVW RI WKH IDFWRU\ RSWLRQV LQFOXGLQJ ),., .7$ $FWLYH 7UDI¿F Stormscope, and TAWS-B. Extended range STC (140 gallons) gives you maximum range capability. This is a gorgeous aircraft with only 126 hours on a Lycoming Factory Remanufactured engine. Export and Worldwide delivery are available........................................................................$799,000
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General aviation pilots have many reasons to be thankful for their passion and the opportunities it provides. Here are 10 things for which general aviation pilots can be grateful: Freedom to Explore: General aviation allows pilots to access remote areas and small airports that commercial airlines often cannot reach, providing unique opportunities for adventure and exploration. For example, fly to Mendocino in Northern California, or to the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains and stay at an Enthusiast Hotel Collection property. They will transport you from the closest general aviation airport and then you can explore the region at your leisure. See the story on page 45. Adventure! Flexibility: General aviation pilots have the flexibility to fly on their own schedule, without the rigid timetables of commercial airlines. For example, a member of the In Flight staff had to take a commercial flight to Oklahoma this month. The flight from San Francisco was delayed, resulting in a missed connection out of Dallas, resulting in sleeping (kind of sleeping) in the airport, only to get a text at 3 a.m. for a hotel room nearby, but with instructions to return to the airport by 6 a.m. for a connecting flight to Oklahoma. Complications! Community: General aviation fosters a tight-knit community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for flying, providing opportunities for networking, support, and camaraderie. For example, EAA chapters across the country offer great opportunities for meeting, learning, community service and, of course, some of the best pancake breakfasts ever served!
from the region, plus a strong contingent of local supporters.” EAA chapter members are involved in a variety of social and educational activities, including Young Eagles rallies, fly-ins, building seminars, and more, to build awareness in the community. There are several types of chapters – EAA chapters, Vintage Aircraft Association chapters, Ultralight chapters, International Aerobatic Club chapters, and Warbirds of America squadrons. Passions! Skill Development: Flying a small aircraft requires continuous learning and honing of skills, offering personal growth and a sense of accomplishment. For example, AOPA offers a list of 13,791 flight schools all over the country and recommends answering two key questions about your goals before you start: Of the flight schools accessible to you locally, which appear to have best reputations for quality of training and customer care? And which of that group offers training most suitable to the kind of flying you have set as your goal? Take a thankfulness hint from XL Aviation’s Anna Zavrazhnova who started her training in Russia where flighttraining opportunities are limited and expensive. “When I took lessons there, I could only fly for 20 minutes at a time. It was corrupt and a very bad system,” said the now soon-to-be Chief Pilot at XL, currently working on her CFII. Thankfulness! Scenic Views: Pilots are treated to breathtaking views and the ability to see
(Courtesy EAA)
EAA Chapter 512 (Placerville, Calif.) says, “Ask anybody! Chapter 512 has excellent breakfasts. We host six to seven Pancake Breakfasts each year, rain or shine, starting in late spring until early fall. These attract many pilots and aircraft
January 2018 cover of In Flight USA featuring Zenith Aircraft. (In Flight USA photo) Continued on Page 7
November 2023
Editorial
Continued from Page 6 the world from a different perspective, whether it’s a city skyline, scenic countryside, or natural wonders from above. For example, while the scenic views are breathtaking, Zenith Aircraft says we can be thankful for the opportunity to build our own airplane! Imagine the satisfaction, seeing the views from your own creation. Satisfaction! Escape from Traffic: Avoiding road traffic and long commutes is a significant benefit, as pilots can travel efficiently to their desired destinations. For example the Los Angeles Times reported the following: “It is 6:40 a.m. and not yet light as three cars converge on a parking lot at the end of Orange County’s John Wayne Airport. Three men and a woman step out and walk together to a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza tethered on the tarmac. On board, one man dons a pilot’s headset, makes sure that the others are buckled in and starts the engine. Within minutes the plane is aloft. By 7 a.m., on a day when traffic on the northbound San Diego Freeway was badly slowed by an injury accident, the pilot reaches his destination: the municipal airport in Hawthorne, 45 miles away. The four disembark and walk across a street to their offices at Northrop Corp.’s sprawling headquarters.” (Los Angeles Times, by Jim Carlton) It’s the only way to go. Travel Companionship: Flying with friends and family can be a shared experience that brings people closer together and creates lasting memories. For example, this famous saying: “A good friend listens to your adventures. A best friend makes them with you.” Friendships!
Kent State pilots Laura Wilson (left) and Peyton Turner (right) pose with their trophies in front of their plane after returning from winning this year’s Air Race Classic. (Courtesy Kent State)
Accessibility: General aviation often allows for direct travel to regional airports, saving time and hassle when reaching specific destinations. For example, The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently published a new report analyzing the impact
www.inflightusa.com of general aviation on state and local economies across the country. It stated, among many things, “General aviation is a lifeline to vital products, supplies, and services for thousands of communities across the United States, a crucial part of our national infrastructure, and a major economic driver,” AASHTO noted. Accessible! A Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully planning and executing a flight instills a sense of achievement and confidence in one’s abilities. For example, Will Hyde is a high school student who wants a career in aviation. Since he is too young to be a pilot just yet, he does this: “In April of this year, I started looking into what else I could do. I ended up coming across the idea of an aircraft brokerage. As I started delving into how much it would cost for us to do this and what training we would need for it, it seamed like a goal I could accomplish. After doing large amounts of research and training, as well as working to further my knowledge of the trends of the aviation industry and, more specifically, aircraft sales and acquisitions, I then felt confident that I was going to succeed in this, and I’ve done that.” See Will’s story on page 14. Success! Contributing to Society: Many general aviation pilots engage in humanitarian or volunteer missions, such as medical transport or disaster relief, which can be deeply rewarding. For example: “Taylor has cerebral palsy. The surgery to keep him walking independently required his legs to stay in a straight, fixed position after surgery. Because he could not bend his legs, commercial airlines could not accommodate his special request. An Angel Flight Oklahoma pilot offered to help so he could get the surgery he needed.” ~ Angel Flight. Angel Flight Oklahoma was created by a group of pilots who believe in the benefit of volunteering. They strive to keep all aspects of the organization volunteer. They are a non-profit charitable organization of pilots, volunteers, and friends that are proud to serve the heartland area of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. They will arrange free air transportation for any legitimate, charitable, medically related need. Angels! Overall, general aviation provides a unique and fulfilling way to experience the world, connect with others who share the passion, and make a positive impact on both personal and societal levels. Thankful for our industry, for our community, our advocates, and for the people who fly general aviation airplanes into general aviation airports! Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!
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
7
THANKFUL!
8
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
T
By Mark Baker he weather may be getting a little nippy in much of the country and July weather may be a faint memory for most of us, but as the current month is all about giving, my mind keeps wandering back to our favorite middleof-the-summer holiday. Every Fourth of July for the past, well many, years, I have kept up a tradition of taking kids up for an airplane ride, many for the first time. Those days in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin are among the most vivid images of my long flying life. I’ve taken hundreds of kids, grandkids, nephews, and their friends and neighbors aloft – even the kids of those I gave rides to! Brings me back to when I got my first rides. This past Fourth of July, I gave rides to a bunch of kids in my Cessna 185. What a day that was! So why am I recalling this summertime fun while some of us already have snow on the ground, and many of us are vigorously incorporating cabin heat? Because it’s how I have tried to give back to general aviation and our community, and this month is all about giving back and giving thanks.
There is a lot to be thankful for, and if you’ll allow me a moment of grandfatherly brag, there’s someone very special joining me in giving thanks. The amazing (yes, amazing!) drawing on this page was created by my granddaughter Evelyn. Evelyn gives thanks for the airplane rides she has enjoyed with her cousins. And what an amazing portrait of me, wouldn’t you say! Evelyn’s words couldn’t ring truer, and we can all learn a lesson from this precious child. We all should feel blessed that we have been given an opportunity to pursue a unique passion and one that can only truly be experienced here in this great country of ours. I am grateful that I have been able to give so many young people a taste of our freedom (and excitement!) to fly. Some have even taken this passion to a professional level. I have one nephew who is now flying for Delta, and a neighbor who’s now flying for Sun Country. Isn’t that one of the goals of taking someone new up for an airplane ride – to inspire them to become part of our community and get their pilot’s certificate, and more? Pilots are a benevolent group, and we try to give back to something that has given all of us so much. I know so much was given to me – and I am appreciative of that every day. I’m also extremely grateful this sea-
son to the people I am lucky enough to call my colleagues. Our team at AOPA makes my job and life that much easier. While people may thank me for protecting our freedom to fly – and introducing them to this wonderful passion we all share – the thanks should be given to those I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with every day. Aviation is a team sport, and I am thankful for having the best team around. A big part of the full AOPA team, and folks to whom I and all of general aviation owe a debt of gratitude, are the donors who support the AOPA Foundation, and in turn the important programs it sustains. These include our You Can Fly initiative and the Air Safety Institute. Much like my airplane rides in Minnesota do, You Can Fly works to introduce, broaden, and sustain the pilot population – and keep it safe. During this year, alone, 20,000 students are part of our You Can Fly High School initiative, in more than 500 schools across the country. Since the program began, more than 60 percent of our total 65,000 program graduates say they are pursuing an aviation career. That is music to my ears, and again, thanks to those benevolent supporters for helping to make it happen. As you read this, I am sure that many are making plans to spend the holiday season with friends and family – I want to
Arcline Investment Management (“Arcline”), a growth-oriented private equity firm, on Oct. 16 announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hartzell Aviation (“Hartzell” or the “Company”) from Tailwind Technologies. Hartzell designs and manufactures proprietary aircraft subsystems and aftermarket components. The Company operates two complementary business units: Hartzell Propeller and Hartzell Engine Tech. Hartzell Propeller is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance propeller systems, components, and related accessories. Hartzell Engine Tech is a leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of aircraft engine accessories and adjacent products, including turbochargers, alternators, starters, starter adapters, fuel pumps, magnetos, cabin heaters, exhaust systems, and engine mounts. Arcline commented, “As investors
exclusively focused on Critical Suppliers to Critical Industries, Hartzell’s portfolio of flight-critical propeller and engine subsystems for a large and long-lived installed base fits perfectly with Arcline’s strategy. We are excited to partner with the Hartzell team to carry on its legacy generated over the past 100 years and facilitate the Company’s next phase of growth.” “Our family has been blessed to be the stewards of Hartzell Aviation for 37 years. As we look to the future, we believe Arcline fully embraces our core value – Built on Honor – and will bring the skills and resources to build on over a century of excellence and innovation,” said Jim Brown, President of Hartzell Aviation. BMO Capital Markets served as financial advisor to Arcline in connection with the transaction. RBC Capital Markets, LLC served as financial advisor to Tailwind Technologies.
About Hartzell Aviation
AOPA President
November 2023
AOPA President Mark Baker’s granddaughter expresses her thankfulness for airplane rides with her “PaPa.” Giving airplane rides to children is one of the ways Mark gives back to the aviation community. Mark, Evelyn and the entire AOPA team wish all a happy Thanksgiving! (Courtesy Mark Baker and Evelyn) wish you and yours a great holiday with lots of cheer and laughter and, of course, Blue Skies!
ARCLINE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TO ACQUIRE HARTZELL AVIATION With a history dating back to the Wright Brothers, Hartzell Aviation is a growing family of brands committed to innovation and the continuous improvement of general aviation. Hartzell Aviation invests in world-class processes and leading-edge technologies to support today’s aircraft owners and operators. Driven by a shared passion for flight and the relentless pursuit of excellence, Hartzell Aviation provides aviation products and services that deliver uncompromising quality, performance, and support. Each of the companies in the Hartzell Aviation family of brands is unified by the same core value: Built on Honor. For more information, visit www.hartzellaviation.com.
Arcline Investment Management on Oct. 16 announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hartzell Aviation from Tailwind Technologies. (Courtesy Hartzell Aviation)
About Arcline Investment Management
Arcline Investment Management is a growth-oriented private equity firm with $8.9 billion in cumulative capital commitments. Arcline seeks to invest in technology driven, meaningful to the world industrial businesses that enable a better future. For more information visit www.arcline.com.
Visit In Flight USA’s website for the latest aviation news...
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November 2023
www.inflightusa.com
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Calendar of Events Continued from Page 3 3
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9 9 — 10 16
17 19 — 22 23 30
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 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 Novato, CA: Planes & Coffee, SkyShare Terminal, Gnoss Field, (415) 897-2403, skyshare.com.
Cover Story
Continued from Page 4 want to instruct multi-engine, of course. IFUSA: What aircraft do you use here? TA: We mostly use Piper Archers, and we have three in our fleet that we use for training and day-to-day operations. IFUSA: Since starting up in this location, have you gotten any new students or new instructors? What is the instructor-to-student ratio right now? TA: We are 18 to three. So, we have 18 students enrolled right now, and we have three instructors. Our goal for TrexAir is not to have CFIs that are trying to build their hours; our goal is more to go after those who have the 1,500 hours, either airline pilots on reserve or charter pilots who have more hours and time. Our instruction runs a little bit different here. Our students are not assigned an instructor. Our students go on a schedule and put in their availability of when they want to fly. Our instructors will log in and put their names in, and they can fly only two consecutive times with one instructor, and then it has to switch. The thinking is that we want everyone to train with different instructors. We go by the old adage that it is my way or the high way, and at TrexAir, this is how we do it. You are going to come up our way and meet our standards, and then you will be able to teach it, five or six months later when you become a certified instructor. IFUSA: Why did you choose the name TrexAir? TA: My last name is Trexler, so I just took it from there. I know it is cliché.
It is the first four letters of my last name. We kind of joked around for about a month with different things, but TrexAir is kind of catchy, so that was the name that stuck. IFUSA: What do you like most about this area for flying? TA: It is central. We are in the middle of it all. We have people who come in from Brentwood. We have people who come in from Vacaville or even Sacramento, and we have South Bay and Livermore students too. We even have some from San Francisco. We have students from all over the place that are coming here. It is a good airport. It is very close to many different kinds of airspace and we get a little bit of everything. In fact we had somebody who came from a non-tower quiet airport and was actually afraid to fly here. I found that interesting because they were about to become a pilot, yet they were afraid to fly into a Delta airspace, which I thought was kind of unique… a different perspective. Yes, being central is great for this airport. We are close to the practice area, which really helps. IFUSA:Are you excited about the new JSX building? TA: I am. I just toured it yesterday with Greg Bear, and I got to see the new facility. We are definitely excited about it. IFUSA: It will be nice to have a regional airline right here. TA: Exactly. We have a couple of friends who are flying for them now, and we hope to build a partnership with them so that we can train our pilots to fly for similar airlines. Continued on Page 21
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Business aviation leaders gathered on Oct. 17 to unveil Climbing. Fast., a new advocacy campaign aimed at setting the record straight on the industry’s many societal benefits, including its leadership role in sustainability, underscored by a sharp focus on achieving net-zero carbon emissions from flight in the years to come. The new multi-media advocacy campaign – intended to coordinate and elevate a message about the game-changing technologies that are fostering business aviation sustainability on the ground and in the air – was launched during the annual Media Kickoff Breakfast held at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2023 Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. “The industry’s collective environmental commitment compels us all to climb faster and aim higher in achieving carbon reduction goals,” stated NATA (National Air Transportation Association) President and CEO Curt Castagna. “We stand proudly beside our association members and partners in relaying their meaningful stories through Climbing. Fast., and providing pathways for continuous sustainability improvements.” As a cross-platform public affairs campaign, the Climbing. Fast. program will utilize a strategic approach to spreading the industry’s message on sustainability, including through: • A dedicated website, which will serve as a promotional vehicle and advocacy resource for the industry. Visit the campaign’s new website Climbing.Fast.com. • View the new CLIMBING. FAST. video on the campaign’s website. • A multi-channel social media presence, focused on building engagement around the industry’s sustainability commitment • A targeted media-relations program that serves as an authoritative source for news coverage about the industry’s sustainability leadership. The Climbing. Fast. campaign will emphasize business aviation’s value as an incubator for innovation. For example, thanks to investments in airplane winglets, light-weight airframe composites, satellite-based navigation systems and other carbon-cutting technologies, emissions from business aircraft have been slashed by 40 percent in just four decades, and new business aircraft are up
Climbing. Fast., a new multi-media advocacy campaign was launched during the annual Media Kickoff Breakfast held at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2023 Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. (Courtesy NBAA)
At NBAA-BACE, industry leaders unveiled Climbing. Fast., a new advocacy campaign aimed at setting the record straight on business aviation’s many societal benefits, including its leadership role in sustainability, underscored by a sharp focus on achieving net-zero carbon emissions from flight in the years to come. The campaign is intended to elevate a message about the game-changing technologies that are fostering business aviation sustainability on the ground and in the air. (Courtesy NBAA)
to 35 percent more efficient than the previous generation. The Climbing. Fast. initiative will also highlight the pioneering work to make its net-zero carbon emissions goal a reality, including through: the development of eco-friendly aircraft that use ultraefficient engines, including hybrid, electric and even hydrogen-powered propulsion; the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which can reduce net-carbon emissions by 80 percent over traditional fuels; and, the use of smarter, faster, more efficient routing that requires less energy. The unified industry campaign already counts 10 stakeholder organizations in its ranks, whose leaders stated their enthusiastic support for the new initiative. “What business aviation contributes to society is immeasurable and its commitContinued on Page 12
EPA GRANT TO CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO HELP TRANSITION TO UNLEADED AVIATION GASOLINE IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES
November 2023
At an event on Oct. 31 in San Jose, Calif., with U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren and local officials, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff highlighted a $776,636 grant to the California Department of Public Health that will provide technical assistance to general aviation airports in California in disadvantaged communities to support the transition from leaded avi-
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ation gasoline (avgas) to unleaded avgas. “This grant will reduce exposure to harmful pollution in disadvantaged communities across California, helping safeguard residents who have disproportionately faced health threats for too long.” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “EPA is proud to support projects that improve public health, prevent pollution at the source and advance environmental justice.” “Growing up in an underserved
community, I know firsthand how harmful pollutants can affect the health of our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. “Santa Clara County has led the nation in the transition to unleaded avgas, and I’m proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing funding to build upon that work and help other communities in California protect public
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health. Too often, our most disadvantaged communities have also faced the burden of pollution from leaded aviation fuels, and this grant will help chart a thoughtful pathway to a cleaner future.” “Investing in the transition to unleaded fuel is a smart and necessary move, and I commend the EPA for focusContinued on Page 13 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
Overview of Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, Calif., where avgas was banned by Santa Clara County. (Courtesy AOPA)
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
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ment to sustainability unmatched,” said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President and CEO Mark Baker. “The Climbing. Fast. initiative will help showcase the industry’s resolve toward positive change through sustainable programs, and AOPA is pleased to support this admirable campaign.” “As new technologies are developed, it opens more possibilities to incorporate sustainable energy innovations to maintain and expand the worldwide benefits of aviation,” said Jack J. Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “EAA members have always been at the forefront of imagination and innovation for flight, so we’re excited for programs such as Climbing. Fast. and others to bring opportunities for aviation’s future that were not even imagined just a short time ago.” “Business aviation is the technology incubator for the aviation industry, as we lead the way in advancing safety and sustainability,” said General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO, Pete Bunce. “Our industry supports over 1.2 million total jobs and over $247 billion in total economic output in the United States. When you look at our industry, Climbing. Fast. truly describes the work we have been doing to foster aviation’s sustainability and technology, advance safety, strengthen economic growth and provide valuable services to communities.” “The movement toward environmentally friendly Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft is already underway, with both new entrants and existing manufacturers utilizing alternative fuels,” said Helicopter Association International President (HAI) and CEO James Viola. “This evolution toward sustainability is the right direction for the aviation industry. Climbing. Fast. is necessary for the public and policymakers to fully understand how vertical aviation and all aviation is working towards a greener tomorrow.” “IADA proudly supports the business aviation industry’s new Climbing. Fast. advocacy campaign,” said International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Executive Director Wayne Starling. “We are pleased to be a part of this comprehensive industry initiative to promote business aviation’s measurable,
sustainable and ongoing progress to improve our environment.” “Climbing. Fast. gives voice to the remarkable sustainability progress business aviation has made to achieve netzero carbon emissions by 2050, while meeting diverse economic and societal needs,” International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) Executive Director Kurt Edwards said. “The campaign has a globally relevant message, and IBAC will work with our members and other industry partners to elevate it with policymakers around the world, underscoring business aviation’s commitment to sustainability and broader societal benefits.” “NAFA is proud to support the Climbing. Fast. initiative,” said National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) President Ed Medici. “We recognize the importance of a sustainable approach to business aviation operations. NAFA members provide the capital that allows the industry to realize a more sustainable future through advancements in technology, efficiencies and investments in the next generation workforce.” “The business aviation industry has long been essential in providing economic opportunities for a next-generation workforce, helping companies of all sizes succeed, connecting America’s communities and delivering humanitarian assistance for those in need,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Equally important, our industry has long made an ambitious commitment to sustainability, with measurable results. Our new, branded Climbing. Fast. initiative will take this message to policymakers, opinion leaders and other key audiences, informing perceptions about the industry’s sustainability record and value.” “In business aviation, we move the world’s businesses safely, efficiently and sustainably. Our members are committed to supporting the Climbing. Fast. effort, which underscores the industry-wide commitment to a healthy and sustainable world for all,” said Elizabeth A. Clark, Executive Director of Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA). “Women in Corporate Aviation will continue to focus on the many benefits of the industry’s sustainability commitment, including its role in driving workforce development and fostering solutiondriven innovations that will benefit everyone, for generations to come.” Learn more at www.Climbing. Fast.com, and follow the initiative on
For the latest aviation news and stories, visit
www.inflightusa.com
November 2023
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EPA Grant to California Continued from Page 11 ing its resources on this environmental justice issue. Recently, through a finalized endangerment finding, the EPA confirmed what families living in East San Jose sadly know all too well – leaded avgas is a dangerous pollutant. Leaders at all levels of government need to urgently act to free communities of airborne lead pollution,” said U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren. The technical assistance California Department of Public Health will provide through the grant includes voluntary business roundtable discussions, training, and developing educational materials and case studies. The proposed project aims to improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities identified through the state’s CalEnviroScreen by reducing lead emissions that may harm them. This grant is one of two pollution prevention grants in California that EPA will fund this year – the other going to the University of California at Los Angeles – and was made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. EPA’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. Ensuring greater availability and use of safer and more sustainable products can reduce harmful chemical exposures in disadvantaged communities and create a more sustainable and accessible marketplace. These efforts will continue to benefit businesses and communities across the nation by capturing what works and what can be adjusted in other communities. Recipients will share successful practices that are new or not widely known, as well as lessons learned, so that future businesses and communities can continue to innovate.
Background
Between 2011-2021, EPA’s Pollution Prevention program has issued nearly 500 grants totaling more than $50 million, which have helped businesses
identify, develop and adopt pollution prevention approaches. These approaches have resulted in eliminating 19.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, saving 49 billion gallons of water, reducing 917 million pounds of hazardous materials and pollutants, and saving more than $2.2 billion for business. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is boosting these efforts by providing a historic $100 million to support the program’s continued efforts. Thanks to this unprecedented federal investment, state and Tribal programs that are awarded grants will not be required to provide matching funds, which has helped expand access to these resources and broadened the applicant pool. Read more about P2 and the P2 Grant Program at https://www.epa.gov/p2. Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region at https://www.epa .gov/pacific-southwest-media-center . Readers can also find them on social media platforms.
Coalition Response
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Oct. 18 released its final finding that lead emissions from aircraft engines that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare. A coalition of aviation stakeholders, including ten aviation organizations, offered jointly, the following response: “We are working with the Administration toward the ultimate elimination of lead from avgas, and this finding mirrors and reinforces our shared goal of, and plan for, an unleaded fuel future. This finding is another step in the process, with rulemaking and other regulatory steps still to come, for developing and deploying viable unleaded avgas alternatives. We remain committed to removing lead from avgas by the end of 2030 or sooner, and are making considerable progress toward the introduction of market-viable high-octane unleaded replacement fuels that meet the safety performance needs of the entire U.S. fleet of piston aircraft.”
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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
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November 2023
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he aviation industry often faces the challenge of bringing up the next generation into flying-related careers. So, it is not everyday when we meet a teenager or young adult working diligently to start their own aircraft brokerage and learn the ropes of aviation. This month, In Flight USA had the pleasure of interviewing Will Hyde, an Oklahoma-based student at an aviation academy who started his own aircraft brokerage, called Sunset Aviation, earlier this year. He has been studying for more than a year and has learned a great deal about the industry. He is balancing his business while continuing with academic studies, and now he plans to take the business full time within the near future. The entire industry should be proud of this young aviation entrepreneur for his accomplishments and desire to keep the industry alive. In Flight USA: How did you get started in aircraft brokering? Will Hyde: This all started about 10 months ago when I had the idea that I thought could get me into the aviation industry. I had recently joined a new class at our school called the Oklahoma Aviation Academy. My school was one of the few ones that had a class dedicated to aviation. Before then, I had been training as a student pilot for about a year and a half; I had been training since the summer of 2021. I always wanted to get into the aviation industry. The time had come, and I asked myself what I could do to get into the industry? I had known a few people at the local airport, but I was a first-generation aviator, so resources were sparse. My idea was to start doing aircraft cleaning, and I saw pretty limited success. It was nothing crazy. I had gotten a client or two within those few months. It was not looking like it was going anywhere. In April of this year, I started looking into what else I could do. I ended up coming across the idea of an aircraft brokerage. As I started delving into how much it would cost for us to do this and what training we would need for it, it seamed like a goal I could accomplish. After doing large amounts of research and training, as well as working to further my knowledge of the trends of the aviation industry and, more specifically, aircraft sales and acquisitions, I then felt confident that I was going to succeed in this, and I’ve done that. IF USA: How did you find some of your first customers? WH: I went on the aircraft listing sites online and found planes for sale that didn’t have brokers, and made a list of
Will Hyde, 16, owns and operates Sunset Aviation, an aircraft brokerage company he started less than one year ago. (Courtesy Will Hyde) 263. I called every single one. We got five clients from that. IF USA: So you just went through online listings, found those that weren’t represented, and that’s how you built it? WH: That is precisely how I did it. As you know, it takes a lot to sell an airplane. We recently sold the first listing we got and we were feeling so great about that. It was a 1975 Cessna, a beautiful airplane. We recently sold it to a new buyer, and we were thrilled about that. IF USA: You mention that you went to a high school that offered aviation programs. Where did you go to school? WH: I continue to go to school. a junior in Norman, Oklahoma at the Oklahoma Aviation Academy, and it is the first of its kind. Aviation programs or classes are offered at the Aviation Academy. All subjects are centered around aviation. There is aviation science, math, and English. The aviation class really helped me because our classes are held at the airport. I was at the airport every single day and that helped me is under the University of Oklahoma’s flight training program, so it allowed me to meet some of the university students and instructors. We are looking for our company to get and retain a strong presence and an involvement in the community, even as we expand again. IF USA: That’s great! So, did you get your pilot’s license or are you working on it? WH: No, so I am currently 16, and as soon as I turn 17, I plan to begin my training in a 172 up in Oklahoma City. IF USA: As far as airplanes go and brokering them, do you have a preference of what kind you like? WH: Being relatively new to it, I don’t have a preference; however, I love dealing with the people and all the ownContinued on Page 19
November 2023
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RARA REVIEWING SIX POTENTIAL RACING SITES In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
Attention Air Racing Fans! The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced on Oct. 20 an update to the process of deciding on a future destination! More than 1,500 pages of supporting documents have been submitted by six cities vying to become the new home of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR) after responding to a request for proposal distributed by the Reno Air Racing Association earlier this year. RARA is looking for a new venue for the event after announcing its departure from Reno following the final race in September. The world-renowned event has contributed more than $100 million annually in economic impact to the region, while also establishing itself as the global standard for air racing. The National Championship Air Races is the only event in the world to feature seven classes of exciting air racing action in one incredible venue. Six closed-course pylon contests and the immensely popular and entertaining STOL Drag combine to create a motorsport experience like no other. “Seeing the interest to host the National Championship Air Races at each of these unique venues gives me great hope for the future of air racing,” said Fred Telling, CEO and chairman of the board for the Reno Air Racing Association.
“We’re looking for our next home, somewhere we can celebrate many more anniversaries, so we’ve assembled an expert committee that is putting an extreme amount of care and diligence into choosing our next location.” The bidders (cities) that responded to the request for proposals include: • Casper, Wyoming • Buckeye, Arizona • Pueblo, Colorado • Roswell, New Mexico • Thermal, California • Wendover, Utah The National Championship Air Races is a unique event that has called northern Nevada home since its founding in 1964, nearly 60 years ago. In the past 10 years alone, the event has attracted more than one million visitors to the region, generated more than $750 million for the economy and contributed significant aviation-related education and outreach to schools and non-profits all around the area. The committee researching the bid submissions is made up of RARA personnel from all areas, including operations, safety, security, business development and more. The race classes are also represented in the group and will continue to be an integral part of the selection process. At this point, the selection committee is thoroughly vetting the
different proposals and will conduct site visits later this year. There are numerous factors to consider, but a few of the critical requirements for the event include considerable open land available for the racecourses, suitable runways, ramp and hangar space, administrative and security facilities, as well as proximity to hotels, commercial airports and restaurants. “We only want to go through this process once and because of that, we’re going to make sure our next location is the best fit for the future of the air races,” said Terry Matter, board member and chairman of the selection committee. “Each of the bidders’ proposals were thoroughly prepared and completely addressed the RARA RFP requirements. We are so grateful for their initial attendance at the bidders’ conferences and at NCAR in September, and for the time and effort each one of them put into their proposal preparation. It is very exciting to know that our new home will be in one of these great cities. Soon our Site Selection Committee will visit these locations to further evaluate their ability to be the future host of the National Championship Air Races.” A final decision is expected to be announced early next year as the organization prepares for a final air show in Reno in 2024 before moving to the new
The Ray Foundation, which has been a dedicated supporter of EAA’s youth education programs for more than 30 years, has again committed to a campaign to support the popular activities at the new EAA Education Center in Oshkosh. A $600,000 matching grant has been established by The Ray Foundation, as it will match every dollar committed to the Education Center and its programming
by other supporters between now and July 31, 2024. “This doubles the opportunities with every dollar supporting the Education Center,” said Margaret Brill, director of the EAA Aviation Foundation. “The Ray Foundation has seen the enormous benefit to aviation education that has already occurred at this facility in just over a year, and this is a way to ensure that EAA can focus on the quality, widely available
programming that helps the discovery of possibilities within flight.” More information on supporting the Education Center and the matching grant is available at https://www.eaa .org/give/donate. The EAA Education Center, adjacent to the EAA Aviation Museum, opened in July 2022 after successfully being constructed on time and on budget Continued on Page 18
November 2023
The six cities interested in hosting the National Championship Air Races: Casper, Wyoming; Buckeye, Arizona; Pueblo, Colorado; Roswell, New Mexico; Thermal, California; and Wendover, Utah. (Courtesy RARA)
location in 2025. For more information and ways to support the organization, visit AirRace.org.
HELP IGNITE RAY FOUNDATION’S MATCHING GRANT FOR EAA EDUCATION CENTER
A $600,000 matching grant has been established by The Ray Foundation, that will match every dollar committed to the Education Center and its programming by other supporters between now and July 31, 2024. (Courtesy EAA)
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FAA GRANTS EXTENSION TO MOSAIC COMMENT PERIOD
18
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
On Oct. 4, the FAA published a 90-day extension to the comment period for the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The new deadline for submitting comments is Jan. 22, 2024. The FAA granted the extension in response to a request by eight industry associations representing primarily the maintenance and repair communities. These associations include the Aircraft Electronics Association, Aeronautical Repair Station Association, Aviation Suppliers Association,
Aviation Technician Education Council, Helicopter Association International, International Air Response, Inc., Modification and Replacement Parts Association, and NATA (formerly known as the National Air Transportation Association). EAA will utilize the additional time to coordinate with key industry stakeholders in the continued effort to understand the NPRM and provide its support for the majority of the proposal while also offering alternatives in specific areas. The additional 90 days being added to the comment
November 2023
period during this time of potential disruptions in government and FAA operations will likely have little effect on the overall progress of the proposal. Recently, members of EAA’s Government Advocacy team provided an overview of the proposal as well as discussed a few areas for which EAA intends to provide comments. EAA continues to evaluate the proposal, and in doing so, would like to hear your thoughts. They have established the mosaic@eaa.org email address and encourage you to send us your comments
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and suggestions on the proposed rule. It’s important to remember that comments and suggestions supported by wellthought-out safety justifications have the most impact and best chance of influencing changes to proposed rules. Additional information about the proposal, including a link to the NPRM can be found at the EAA webstie, eaa.org or directly at https://www.eaa.org/eaa/newsand-publications/eaa-news-and-aviationnews/news/mosic-takes-significant-stepforward.
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Continued from Page 16 during the twin challenges of COVID and supply issues. The two-story, 30,000square-foot facility includes the Youth Education Center for young people and the Pilot Proficiency Center for skill building among current aviators. Already among the many education programs hosted at the Education Center are Pilot Proficiency Center activities during EAA AirVenture week, the 2023 National Intercollegiate Flight Association SAFECON national championships, EAA Air Academy and GirlVenture programming, and a capacity schedule of school classes and youth groups using the center’s resources. Learn more about EAA at www.eaa.org.
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Breaking into Brokering
Continued from Page 14 ers we have dealt with so far. It has been a pleasure. I have primarily been dealing with Textrons. I think four Cessnas and three Beeches, and that is mostly what we were doing. However, we I’m always open to the idea of branching out. I had one American Champion. I also do like backcountry airplanes. I’m always interested in expanding and hopefully getting into jets one day. IF USA: So, you have already done five deals since you started? Tell me about those. WH: I have done a handful of deals. As I have it right now, I’m trying to expand our brokerage to gather a greater nationwide presence. Currently, I have expanded to an associate in Minneapolis and also an associate in Florida, with future plans for growth. I am in touch with a few other independent brokers and hope they will want to join us in this endeavor and set the foundation for future growth and innovation. IF USA: So you are looking to develop a network within the community? WH: Precisely. We take brokers who are working independently and give them a competitive offer to come join us and practice under our brokerage firm. IF USA: So, Oklahoma has done a lot in terms of airports, airport development, and aviation-friendly activities. What do you like most about living there and do you plan to stay there? WH: I absolutely love working in Oklahoma. This is the best state we could be in (with regard) to this opportunity. Aviation is the second largest industry, right behind oil and gas. They are pushing a lot of initiatives for aviation, one of those being the Oklahoma Aviation Academy that I attend. I also know that recently they have been expanding airports, and I know it has been a thrill. We have many airports here, and it is great to see that we can have different opportunities for aviation. Another convenience is that the state is our central location. Overall, to answer your question, yes, I do plan to stay here for a very long time, and we would like to have our practice based here. IF USA: You mentioned that you are a first-generation pilot and broker. How did your family feel about this? Were they nervous about you getting into this industry? WH: Yes, they were, but I think I was more nervous than them. I knew I always wanted to be in aviation and actually, to tell you a brief story, I started in aviation when I was 14 years old, and that was about two years ago. Even though I always knew that I wanted to go into aviation, I had an intense aviation phobia,
even though I always go on YouTube and watch all these videos. I would watch tours of different planes, and I would go watch the day-in-the-life videos of a pilot. For some reason, I had this mental block, and it made me very scared. I remember the day I took my discovery flight. As we left the ground, I felt that sense of flying an airplane and it was a great feeling for me because I didn’t know if I would physically be able to overcome these barriers that I had and be able to succeed in this because I had this mental block, but I overcame it, and it was amazing. It has been kind of difficult being a first-generation aviator because there are not too many people I can rely on. It has been hard because I have had to put myself out there, but this is also how we kind of did this, by putting ourselves out there and meeting as many new people as we could and attending aviation association events. Just trying to meet the people in our lives that share the same interest has made this a great experience. IF USA: Have you had any heroes or mentors along the way to help you formulate your plans? WH: No, I would not say so. I have been very lucky to meet probably a few people who have been very influential with us and have given us advice here and there. We have seen a large amount of support from the Aviation Academy, there are some great mentors there; however, I have not had a full industry mentor, as you would say. This whole endeavor has been very much independent and doing this on my own. IF USA: So, you are really standing on your own two feet, doing all of this and having few people helping you along the way. If you were to give advice to students at your school or kids who want to get into aviation, what is the advice you would give them? WH: The advice I would give them is… throughout my entire journey, I have been discouraged in pursuing this. Many different people have expressed that they don’t think it is a great idea. People from our past have not worked with us because our age is a point of contention. The thing that I would like to say is just a classic example of advice, ‘just put yourself out there, and no matter what the people say, especially in this industry when so much is based on your experience and seniority, just keep going.’ When you have no experience and dedicate yourself to learning it, you will succeed. I spent many months learning everything that I could, including training manuals, market reports, aircraft documents, and everything that I could about airplanes that were selling, and that put us on the right
19
foot forward. I would say as long as you complete the prerequisites to what you are doing, I would highly recommend just trying and seeing what you can do. IF USA: That is great advice. Do you ever find it difficult being so young and trying to break into an industry that is cater to older professionals? WH: Yes, I do and, that is the main difficulty that we face as a company. Although we work very hard, have seen success in this field, and pursue learning more and gaining knowledge, a lot of people can’t look passed that. IF USA: Well, I really admire that. Do you find it difficult to balance having your own business with school? WH: It can be difficult sometimes, yes. Especially scheduling meetings. However, I can manage it most times, as most of our business is done either over email or text. IF USA: Do you think you will continue any educational path or become an A&P or do you want to focus on this full time? WH: If you asked me that a year ago, I would have told you there was a one hundred percent chance that I would go to college and study to become a professional pilot; however, that chance is not one hundred right now. I am thinking
about it, of course, but if I did go to college, I would most likely not pursue an aviation-related degree and would most likely go for something in engineering, business, or management. IF USA: Do you enjoy hanging around your local airport? What do you enjoy most about your local airport? WH: Yeah, it is a great local airport. We are here in Norman, Oklahopma, at the airport owned by the University of Oklahoma, and they have a very good aviation program. I believe it was in the top five best aviation programs. There are some great people at the airport as well, and we have had amazing interactions with everyone. They have been very supportive and understanding of my limitation, being 16 years old and running an aircraft brokerage. I don’t think I hang out there as much as I should, but I do make a point to go as much as possible… It is just amazing meeting people in the same community, and it feels like one big aviation family. Everyone has been welcoming, despite myself being wildly younger than most of the other people. IF USA: What are your plans for the future of the company? Do you plan to hire more people? Do you plan on doing more marketing? What are some of your Continued on Page 20
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IN REMEMBRANCE: AOPA’S RICHARD MCSPADDEN LIVED HIS PASSION
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“Where our minds linger is a choice,” Richard McSpadden once wrote, “and I choose the present.” Richard McSpadden came to AOPA in 2017 with an extensive flying background, including as former commander and flight leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. But he never dwelled on his decorated past. He lived deliberately, intentionally in the present – leading a team at the AOPA Air Safety Institute, cherishing time with family, and savoring blissful flights in his Piper Super Cub. McSpadden, 63, died Oct. 1 in an aircraft accident outside Lake Placid, New York. McSpadden was in the right seat of a Cessna Cardinal 177RG that experienced an emergency after takeoff and turned toward the airport but failed to make the runway. The left-seat occupant of the aircraft, former NFL player and longtime pilot Russ Francis, 70, also died in the crash. “AOPA has lost a great colleague in Richard McSpadden, and I have lost a great friend,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “Richard represented everything you ever wanted in a leader, teammate, and mentor. I spent many hours flying all over the country with Richard, and spent even more hours with him and Judy as great friends. My heart aches for Judy, Grant, Annabel, and Richard’s entire family.” During his tenure leading the Air Safety Institute, McSpadden ushered
Across the nation, Richard McSpadden influenced pilots and aviation groups through speaking engagements and involvement in safety initiatives. (Courtesy AOPA)
AOPA’s safety education arm into the YouTube era, introducing popular new video series focused on improving the general aviation safety record and expanding pilots’ knowledge and skills. His approach centered on five principles of safety: Take knowledgeable people; train them well; keep them proficient; put them in reliable, modern equipment; and surround them in a culture that supports good decision making. Inspired by his father, Richard “Dick” McSpadden Sr., McSpadden began flying during college and went on to log more than 5,000 hours flying a variety of civilian and military aircraft. Continued on Page 22
Breaking into Brokering
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Continued from Page 19 plans going forward? WH: Our short-term plan is doing marketing. Starting very soon, we are planning to invest and push our brand out there. Another plan is to do some public relations, as we would like to increase our presence. We would like for people to know who we are and our story and that we are different, but we are really trying our best. I think we are doing a pretty good job with our successful transactions so far, and that is what we are really working on in the short term. However, in the long term we have very ambitious plans, and with this money, we would like to hire new people for our offices here. And we would like to have a fullblown office in maybe one or two other
cities across the nation. Dallas, Texas is one that we are looking at and possibly expanding to having associates across the nation. We would like to expand and possibly offer additional services, like aviation management with an experienced individual running that. We would love to get into management in the far future, but for now, we are very happy with how we are doing with our brokerage. IF USA: Thank you and best of luck to you! Editor’s note: Learn more about Sunset Aviation at sunsetaviation.net. You can also find them on social media platforms. The company is located in Norman, Oklahoma and can be reached by telephone 405/467-3533.
November 2023
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Cover Story: Corporate Flight Training
Continued from Page 9 IFUSA: Do you have simulators or flight training devices on site? TA: We do have an advanced airplane-training device, a Redburn FX simulator in the back room, and we have what we call a TrexAir sim. It is not approved by the FAA, and we don’t log time with it, obviously, but it is great for memorizing different checklists and going through common procedures, especially when you are first learning to fly. Our philosophy is that every lesson is an example of a maneuver, like slow flight, which is one of the maneuvers that you have to perform to become a pilot. Here, let’s say you had your lesson on Monday morning; the night before on Sunday night you would have little homework, which would include watching a video or reading the airplane handbook. The next morning, you would come in at about 8 in the morning with the instructor and tell them what you read about and what you learned about last night. Then the instructor will teach the lesson plan. From there, they will go into the simulator and demonstrate how to do slow flight on our TrexAir sim. Once they demonstrate it, the student will then hop on the simulator and they will perform all of the moves. We have a very distinct plan on how to teach slow flight. After the TrexAir simulator and after they feel comfortable, then they go into the plane. It is one lesson at a time; it is either slow flight day or whatever maneuver the student needs to master. Each maneuver is a lesson. We have it all broken down into 28 missions, and each mission is specific for each person. IFUSA: So what made you choose Piper Archers? Is that what you learned on? TA: No, we started with Cessna 172s. I would still go with Archers if I had to do it all again. Archers are more realistic as far as the landing. They are a bit easier to land because the wings are lower and close to the ground, and it gives you a more realistic perspective of you landing a plane. Every plane has to fly over the top of the runway and hold the power back as you pitch up your nose. These Archers land more realistically to me than any other plane, and so far so good. IFUSA: What advice would you give to those who want to learn to fly? TA: Start now, get in it now, and you are going to do well financially later on. Go through the 10 months of heck or whatever you want to call it and get through that, and then you can work as an instructor for about a year or year and half, whatever hours you have to do, and then you will have a job. From that point on, you will never be without a career. You can work for an airline or go in any
direction you want to go. You can go charter, you can go private, or you can start a flight school. You can literally do whatever you want to do once you have that CFI license. Just get through the training and get it done sooner rather than later because there is a demand right now. We still need 10,000 pilots for the next year or 10 years for the airlines, and that does not include all the other places. IFUSA: What would you say sets you apart from the other schools around here? TA: I would say the flexibility, the fact that you make your own schedule, and the fact that you are not assigned a single instructor. One of the issues we hear is, “I was at so and so flight school, and my instructor had to leave because they got a job at the airlines.” We don’t have that here. I might be considered the general manager here, as I wear many hats. We have plans to open other locations, but this is the only one right now. We will be getting a general manager or chief CFI. We are not going anywhere no matter what. There will always be at least one person to see you all the way through, and again our goal is to have seasoned CFIs that are not just trying to build their time to get to a super job. I think it takes away from teaching. If you are teaching with the objective of just building hours to go get a new job, it is going to take away from the experience that we have to offer here. It is important to us to look after that. Again, the main thing is that you finish all the groundwork and pass the knowledge test for different certificates. You can create your own schedule. So again, you can fly as often or as little as you want. There are no limitations. It can be morning, afternoons, nights, or weekends. It is on you. We do mandate that you fly at least four missions a week. There are 28 missions that we have, and there are a couple repeat missions. We will get you done in three and a half months. That is our claim to fame, and you can track your own progress. One thing that we don’t say here is “do what you want today.” The “what do you want to do today” mentality of CFIs is not allowed. We are far more structured. As a private pilot, you have a list that you follow. It is like a checklist where you check off each mission in the learning process. We actually had a student that came in here, he started making his schedule, and five weeks later, he got his hours done. He flew twice a day about five days a week, but he knew everything and did very well. I would not have endorsed him if I did not think he was ready. So, the opportunity is here and it is just up for grabs. IFUSA: What do you say to the folks who think it is too expensive? How
are some of your students getting through this? Are there scholarships or loans? TA: There are scholarships, but loans are tough. It is very hard to borrow money right now. It looks bad initially and it can be scary, but you know, once you get into the regionals you are making close to $100,000 if not a little bit more a year. It makes sense if you think about that on the other side. Say you want to go to a four-year college, and four-year schools range anywhere from $20-$80K per year. Our program is around $75K, so you are talking about one year of really expensive school compared to four. No matter what, you are going to have these certifications for the rest of your life, and like I said, you could stop right after you get your CFI and just be a CFI for the rest of your life. You can make a good amount of money and be happy or you can go in whatever direction you want. We haven’t done it yet, but we are hoping to go into high schools and to career days and find students who are not interested in going to a fouryear college. I would say, “Try it out for the first three months.” I will give you an example of a story of someone who started with us over the summer. He is going to graduate from high school in Moraga this year. He does not want to do the four-year college experience, so his parents talked to me. He said, “What do you want me to do before I come and when can I start?” I said, “Finish high school, have fun, and have a great summer just like everyone else. Come September, just plan on working September, October, November, and December just like you would per semester, and by then you will be five months into it. By then, you will have a pretty good idea of how the experience is going to go, and if you don’t like it, so what, you took off a semester of college, which a lot of people do anyway. And you haven’t spent that much money because you haven’t gone through the whole program. By then, you are going to have at least your private pilot certificate, which you are going to have for the rest of your life regardless. So it is a healthy alternative to committing to four years of debt or four years of college. IFUSA: It is a good alternative. TA: Yes, a lot of the airlines are not requiring a four-year degree, and what I tell people is if college is still of interest to you, come here for up to CFII and when you are an instructor, you can basically create your own schedule. Just like if you are working through TrexAir, you can fly in the morning and then find a school to do afternoon studies. It is very doable. There is so much flexibility with it. As an instructor, you basically fly when you want, so if you are interested in that and getting a degree and furthering your education, do it
21
after you become a CFI. We want to offer a healthy alternative to a four-year college program and again, there are so many jobs available that you can be done with us within eight to 10 months and as soon as you are done, you are going to be making $30 per hour as an instructor, depending on how you do it. Some places pay a little bit less, but for the most part, it is going to be more than you would be earning working at a fast food restaurant or a grocery store. And you are guaranteed a job. We call it the big and heavy vacuum. You can become a United Captain and then First Officer and then Regional Captain, and you basically get sucked upwards. As people get up to those positions, there is always availability for certified instructors, no matter where you are and what you are doing. The other thing that I do want to mention about TrexAir is that we love Angel Flight West, and if you have ever logged into Angel Flight West, you will have seen the many missions available with red lines. There are missions available all over California. These are great opportunities for our students to gain hours. What we are implementing is that our students are going to join Angel Flight West. It is mandatory and a part of our program. During the commercial phase of their training, they will start flying missions. One of our requirements is a 215mile flight, and it has to be one direct line. For example, there is a patient up in Crescent City, Calif. that has to be flown down to Oakland. This is the kind of mission we want our students to fly. You might as well call it flying with a purpose. IFUSA: Are they all volunteers who fly with Angel Flight West? TA: Everything is donated, and they are all volunteers. These missions have to be flown anyway, so students might as well take advantage of this to get their hours in. It is a lot less wasteful if the plane can be flown for two purposes at once: to transport the patient and to help the student gain hours. IFUSA: Is there anything else you would like to add about your expansion plans? TA: Yes, if you have seen the movie Schitt’s Creek, you know how they found older hotels, revitalized them, and gave them a facelift. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, many flight schools opened because there was such a demand to learn how to fly. Our goal is to expand in a similar fashion and to make the flight schools part of our system and program. This way, they stay open longer, and we get our program out there. IFUSA: Thank you! Learn more about TrexAir Aviation Academy at www.trexair.com.
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HOMEBUILT ACCIDENT TOTALS SHOW POSITIVE TREND In Flight USA Celebrating 38 Years
The last week of September ended the FAA’s fiscal year and with it, the totals for experimental category and amateur-built aircraft fatal accidents for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30. While the rate of accidents based on flight hours will not be available until the FAA releases general aviation survey data next year, the total number of accidents over the past year in experimental aircraft was the lowest on record.
The 28 fatal accidents in amateurbuilt aircraft over that period is down 28 percent from the previous year, when 39 fatal accidents were recorded. In addition, the 40 fatal events in experimental category aircraft was down nearly 30 percent from the previous 12-month period and fell seven below the FAA’s not-toexceed period for the 2022-23 fiscal year. “The activity data is necessary to paint the full picture, but the initial indi-
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cations are very positive indeed,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “It shows a continuing trend toward safer operations, even as total hours flown increase. It reminds us that safety is an ongoing journey that always needs the highest attention of our flying community.” The homebuilt fatal accident total has been cut by nearly half over the past 15 years, from 598 in the period from
1998-2007 to 338 from 2014-23. Over that period, EAA has introduced or championed a number of safety initiatives, including the EAA Flight Test Manual and the FAA-approved second safety pilot option. Those programs complemented the long-established EAA Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor programs. For more information, visit the EAA website at eaa.org.
Richard McSpadden
Continued from Page 20 He capped a 20-year career with the Air Force as commander and flight leader of the prestigious Thunderbirds flight demonstration team, leading 126 flight demonstrations flying the No. 1 aircraft. After that, he spent more than a decade in the information-technology industry at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. McSpadden became executive director of the Air Safety Institute in 2017, then senior vice president in 2020. Under McSpadden’s leadership, the Air Safety Institute created the Focused Flight Review program that includes tailored lesson plans like mountain flying, IFR proficiency, positive aircraft control, and others that focus on specific training goals to make flight reviews more effective. The engaging program also includes profiles for helicopter and seaplane operations to strengthen performance in other types of aircraft. The team also transitioned its online courses created on a platform that had become obsolete to modern formats with a goal of meeting pilots wherever and however they consume information. He also championed the effort to transition the legacy Joseph T. Nall Report from printed form to an interactive format with near real-time data, and introduced popular new series, including the There I Was podcast and the Beyond Proficient; Reality Check; and most notably, Early Analysis videos. Air Safety Institute material is now accessed 10 million times annually. Across the nation, McSpadden influenced pilots and aviation groups through speaking engagements and involvement in safety initiatives, including serving on the board of the Seaplane Pilots Association and as the industry chair for the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee. He was passionate about backcountry flying and met each summer with state aviation officials, pilot groups, and backcountry subject matter experts to explore backcountry safety and stewardship. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association recently recognized him with the James L. Oberstar Sentinel of Safety Award.
November 2023
Many members grew to know McSpadden through his monthly column for AOPA Pilot, where he modeled selfreflection and humility with stories from his personal and professional flying. In one, we see his methodical dedication as he recounts spending hourslong sessions at home wearing a heavy helmet while studying or reading, to acclimate to the discomforts of the cockpit and improve his performance in the competitive Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training. In others, he revels in the joys of GA flying, a pastime he shares with his family: His father and brother are pilots, and he taught his children to fly. Many of his most lyrical descriptions are from experiences in his Super Cub. “Flying has brought so much to my life – in many ways has been my life,” he wrote in his January 2022 column. “The feeling of gratitude to the many people who’ve boosted me here comes back frequently. In ways it seems unfair that I was exposed to aviation and given opportunities few have. I feel a growing urge to give back, cast a wider net, and expose more people to this splendid experience that can change the trajectory of a life.” McSpadden closed every column with a call to action: Go fly. His own flying connected him to aviators across the nation, and his loss is felt deeply by the GA community. McSpadden is survived by his wife, Judy, and his children, Annabel and Grant. “Words are not coming very easily right now, but the hundreds of heartfelt messages I have received from pilots and partners everywhere over the last day have done the speaking for Richard’s influence on general aviation,” Baker said. “I am hard pressed to think of anyone who made such a positive and tremendous contribution to all of our members and the entire general aviation community. “Richard will be missed each and every day.” See a video about McSpadden on the AOPA website, www.aopa.org.
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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 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 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 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 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 Owner says sell now! Make your best offer. Thousands of WWII era pilots trained in this ubiquitous biplane. 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.
VANS RV-9A Owner says it is 90 percent done… you decide. The 9A is docile and easy to fly, yet fast, streamlined and great for weekend outings or long cross-country flight. Call TJ for details.
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.
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24
THE FLYING JOURNEY OF A CHAMPION: THE LUKE CZEPIELA STORY In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
A
By Annamarie Buonocore
s aviation enthusiasts, many of us have wondered what it would be like to be a real, live champion. Becoming a championship air racer is a difficult career that comes with much sacrifice, many expenses, and many risks. Few will play, and even fewer will win. This month, In Flight USA had the honor of interviewing Luke Czepiela, a Red Bull Air Race champion from Poland. Czepiela is flying a CubCrafters race plane and recently visited the Bob Hoover Academy in Salinas, Calif. The following is Czepiela’s story of aspiring to become a pilot, overcoming the obstacles of intense training, and working his way up to championship status in the competitive Red Bull Air Race arena. This is also a testament to CubCrafters, their state-of-the-art aircraft, and their recent initial public offering that is sure to take the general aviation industry by storm. In Flight USA: We are excited to have you in California. Tell me a little bit about why you are here in Salinas today? Luke Czepiela: I am here at Bob
Hoover Academy today to do a checkride with Sean Tucker. I have always dreamed of flying with Tucker since I was a kid, and he is my hero. It was a huge honor to fly with him today and to hear good words from him. This was something very special. IF USA: Tell us about your journey. Where did you fly with Sean today? LC: We flew down to King City. I came in from Yakima, Wash. yesterday. It took me about seven hours to fly down here with the harsh winds. This Cub is one of the best flying aircraft in the world. It was a fantastic cross-country trip going through Washington, Oregon, and California. It is absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed the flight and love flying in the U.S. IF USA: What was it like first meeting Sean in person? LC: I actually met Sean for the first time back in July at Oshkosh. It was amazing! We started talking about my authorization and whatnot, and that is when he invited me to come to Salinas and visit his special Bob Hoover Academy. This was very exciting to me
Wings of Honor Museum
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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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because Bob Hoover is another one of my heroes and has been for the last 20 years. I watch a lot of documentaries about him and regret that I never had a chance to meet him. I had the opportunity to give a motivational speech to all the students here this morning. It was amazing. They all have such great aspirations, and I come from a similar background. I never had much money to become a pilot. I came from a poor family that could not afford for me to be a pilot. But through sheer determination and pursuit of my dreams, I have become one of the most recognized pilots in the world. It was really great to share my stories with those kids and see how many of them relate. I really enjoyed it. IF USA: What do you like most about flying this Cub? LC: I got to fly a Cub for the first time about six years ago. I borrowed one from a friend of mine who’s a CubCrafters dealer for Europe. Just a few months later, I called and said, “Dude, I’m not giving it back.” I loved it. Before that, I was flying Xtras and aerobatic planes. Aerobatic flying is hard work. We go up to eight Gs, and it is exhausting. This aircraft is just a dream to fly, especially for aerobatics. We never exceed three Gs, but the visuals while you’re flying are amazing. I love all the capabilities this aircraft can offer. I like how you can fly it at an airshow and then fly it home and stop at all the backcountry stops. You can enjoy life by the river and just relax. IF USA: When did you get into aerobatic flying? LC: This was the very first kind of flying I saw when I was a kid. My dad took me to an airshow when I was six. All I remember from this airshow was an aerobat flying in a vintage airplane. When he did a test flight and turned his engine off, I was sure he was going to fall out of the sky, but he didn’t. This made such an impression on me that I told my dad, “I am going to be an aerobatic pilot.” I started flying gliders as a teenager and then went to standard PPL. Aerobatics was always my number one goal. When I finally started flying a Pitts after my PPL, I was like the happiest guy alive. IF USA: Tell me about your career and what you did after you earned your pilot’s license? LC: I wanted to fly in the military, but they were not actively recruiting in Poland at that time. I wanted to get more certifications, but it cost double the income of both of my parents, so I knew
November 2023
I wanted to go abroad. I knew I wanted to go to England, earn the money myself, and pay for the training. I wanted to develop some English-language skills and eventually go to the U.S. At that time, Poland wasn’t part of the European Union, so I needed a work visa to go to England, and who’s going to grant a work visa to a 19-year-old guy? I worked around this problem by applying to be an au pair. So, at 19, I became a babysitter. When the kids were in school between 9 in the morning and 3 p.m., I would run over to the airport and work on my flying. I already had an engineering diploma from the university in Poland, and I worked as an aircraft engineer for five hours per day. I moved back and stayed in Poland for the next six years after that and took on various jobs in aviation, including aircraft sales and parts sales, and I developed this business massively to pay for my airline pilot rating. That is how I became an airline pilot. IF USA: So how did you get on the aerobatic team? LC: It’s funny… I started flying aerobatics when I was still in the UK. When I got my airline rating and moved back to Poland, it was relatively easy to join the Polish aerobatic team because we only had one aerobatic aircraft back then in Poland. I qualified very quickly for the aerobatic team. I went to the national aerobatic championships. I got so excited to show the people what I could do that I forgot how to do a certain maneuver and passed out during my first competition. After that, I totally changed my focus, got good coaches, and scoring well in the aerobatic competitions, going to the unlimiteds. I finished in the top 50 pilots in the world. They were spotting me for the Red Bull Air Races, and I became the first Polish Red Bull Air Race pilot and was quite successful. IF USA: What is it like to be in the Red Bull Air Races? LC: It was a dream come-true. I have wanted to go to the Red Bull Air Races since 2003. For three years, I have been sending emails to Red Bull asking what I have to do to qualify. Only after three years did I get a comprehensive answer. You either have to be a military pilot or an aerobatic pilot, scoring in the top 50 of all aerobatic pilots. These are pretty high standards. I have been racing for seven years and have taken part in 22 races. Unfortunately, I was never wealthy enough to make it to the masters to be one of those famous guys. Continued on Page 25
SENATE UNANIMOUSLY CONFIRMS MICHAEL WHITAKER TO LEAD FAA
November 2023
On Oct. 24, the U.S. Senate voted 98-0 to confirm Michael Whitaker, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which oversees the FAA, applauded the Senate’s unanimous vote. “Michael Whitaker’s overwhelming confirmation demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to getting aviation right. There is a lot to do on FAA staffing, tech-
www.inflightusa.com
25
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 Michael Whitaker has been named Administrator of the FAA. (Chris Rose, courtesy AOPA)
nology upgrades, and safety improvements and Whitaker is the right person to lead it,” Sen. Cantwell said after the vote. Continued on Page 28
The Luke Czepiela Story
Continued from Page 24 Racing in the Red Bull Races was very challenging because we all had the same aircraft, so it was all about the skill of the pilot. They were Stoke aircraft without all the modifications. IF USA: So you have experience in many different planes? LC: Yes, I fly for Hungarian Airlines in a commercial jet. I fly the Edge 500 for racing, and I fly this Cub, which has a great wingspan and allows me to fly really slowly to enjoy the scenery. I fly on all ends of the aviation spectrum. This Cub is going to become a really great airshow machine. IF USA: How do you like your airline-flying job? LC: For those who might be thinking about this career, now is one of the best times ever to become an airline pilot. There have been massive salary increases over the last few months. The money is really good. In the U.S., it’s a little bit harder to become an airline pilot. In Europe, you only need 200 hours to apply for an airline job. Here it is 1,500, so it takes a little bit longer. That is why many people here become flight instructors to gain their hours. It is a really good job that gives me some insurance in case something goes wrong with my airshow aircraft, and they are grounded for a few months. I always have my airline flying to fall back on and pay for my living. IF USA: What airshows do you have coming up? LC: Next month, I will be at the High Sierra Fly-in in Nevada. I only just qualified, so I am hoping that next year, I can start getting my bookings in. You will see more of me next year. IF USA: Tell me about some of the partnerships that you enjoy, like Red Bull and CubCrafters.
LC: All of my partners are really great. Having been with Red Bull since 2017, we have developed a very close relationship. They look out for me. Whatever crazy ideas I have… if I say I want to do this or that… they’re very open to it. Red Bull is a great company. Even if you have the craziest idea, they will open the umbrella above you and protect you from all the incoming difficulties. They are great with all the paperwork to make everything possible. I enjoy working with CubCrafters and Mike Pady. They make everything easy and as safe as possible, so I can just focus on my flying. I always say that I do crazy stuff but not stupid stuff. And that is what these collaborations are all about. IF USA: I heard you recently landed on a helipad on the top of a Dubai building. What was that like? LC: That was an amazing project. I practiced landing like 600 times. We had a huge team of people in Poland, in Dubai, and here in the U.S. working on it. I felt like a hero after I did it. After I landed on top of the building, I had this major explosion of euphoria. Every time I mention the project, I want to thank my team. They have been so, so great! They made it all happen for me and made it as safe as possible. IF USA: What message would you like to put out there to the aspiring pilots, including the youth you saw here today? LC: First of all, don’t give up, guys. Flying is hard. It’s not easy. Because it is not easy, it requires a lot of attention and a lot of patience. Never give up on your dreams. I am a perfect example of someone who didn’t have much money but became one of the best pilots in the world. Keep at it, do your job, and I’m sure you’ll succeed. IF USA: Thank you!
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26
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
DIVORCE-PATERNITY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
If you are involved in a divorce, paternity or domestic violence case, you [PW]TL JM ZMXZM[MV\ML Ja IV M`XMZQMVKML IЄWZLIJTM I\\WZVMa _PW _QTT ÅOP\ NWZ aW]Z ZQOP\[ IVL PMTX MI[M aW] \PZW]OP \PM [\ZM[[ WN TQ\QOI\QWV OUR SERVICE TO YOU: ?M ÅOP\ IOIQV[\ NIT[M ITTMOI\QWV[ WN LWUM[\QK ^QWTMVKM IOIQV[\ aW]# ?M ÅOP\ \W [\WX IK\[ WN LWUM[\QK ^QWTMVKM IOIQV[\ aW]# ?M [\ZI\MOQbM aW]Z KI[M NWZ I NI^WZIJTM KPQTL K][\WLă^Q[Q\I\QWV XIZMV\QVO XTIV# ?M MUXTWa W]Z [\ZI\MOa WN WJ\IQVQVO WZ I^WQLQVO ITQUWVa# ?M \ISM TMOIT [\MX[ \W XZW\MK\ aW]Z XZWXMZ\a# ?Q\P W]Z JI[QK IVL Å`ML NMM[ _M O]QLM aW] \W MUMZOM NZWU NIUQTa TI_ TQ\QOI\QWV ÅVIVKQITTa MUW\QWVITTa QV\IK\ 7]Z TI_ WЅKM PI[ W^MZ aMIZ[ WN M`XMZQMVKM ?M SVW_ PW_ [\ZM[[N]T IVL M`XMV[Q^M NIUQTa TI_ TQ\QOI\QWV KIV JM ?M [M\\TM \PM ^I[\ UIRWZQ\a WN W]Z KI[M[ I\ IV IЄWZLIJTM MUW\QWVIT IVL ÅVIVKQIT KW[\ \W aW] ?M IKKMX\ KI[M[ IVa_PMZM QV +ITQNWZVQI
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5 BELL 212 Helicopters
Mfg 1996-1991, Current Maintenance, New Paint, One Operator Since New, Always on U.S. Registry, Back-to-Birth Records BELL 412 Helicopter SN 33017 - EMS Configured, or Utility, IFR, Zero Time Since Engine Overhauls. Good Components and Excellent Records. Hudson Flight Limited Ron Fernuik • 806.662.5823 ronfernuik@hotmail.com Allison Fisher • 971.241.8473 jallisonfisher@gmail.com
Tecnam and UFLY VI, LLC have announced the delivery of a Tecnam P2012 Traveller to the UFLY VI Caribbean fleet. UFLY VI is a passionate company that has been in business since 2019, offering both flight training and charter/air tours in the U.S. Virgin Islands. UFLY VI Flight School also operates a P92 Echo MkII. The P2012’s multi-mission capability exceeds the needs of UFLY VI’s operations in the Virgin Islands and will provide local air tours as well as charter and ondemand flights. The Traveller’s high wing design, single seats with large windows, and aircraft comfort are ideal for enjoying the Caribbean scenery during local air tours, while the twin engine configuration enhances mission safety on charter flights. The Traveller, which comfortably seats nine passengers with one or two crew, is a new generation, turbocharged, twin-engine, high wing, fixed wing aircraft. The addition to the UFLY VI fleet provides customers with cost-effective and diverse configuration options while delivering the experience that discerning travelers expect, such as dual air conditioning, premium interiors, in-seat power, superior legroom and under-seat stowage. “We are extremely excited to introduce the P92 Echo and the P2012 Traveller aircraft models to the USVI’s aviation community. These new additions showcase Tecnam’s unwavering commitment to innovation, performance, and customer satisfaction,” said Matthew Stewart, CEO of UFLY VI, LLC. “The P2012 redefines regional air transport with its versatility, spaciousness, and outstanding reliability. We believe these aircraft will set new benchmarks for their respective segments and serve as a testament to Tecnam’s expertise in creating exceptional aircraft,” he added. “The P2012 Traveller selection heightens UFLY VI aircraft portfolio, with an aircraft specifically designed to accomplish its mission in the Caribbean inter islands environment. Whether for a local Air Tour, a Charter mission, or employed in one of the Traveller multi-mission capabilities, the twin engine configuration is “a must to have” and Tecnam is delighted to partner such a solution and to partner with Matthew and the UFLY VI team. We definitely share the same passion and vision for what aviation will be in this century,” said Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 & Special Mission Platform Sales and Business Development Manager. Tradition, innovation and vision. Those factors are spearheading Tecnam to wider horizons. Based on recent data and
November 2023
Tecnam and UFLY VI, LLC recently announced the delivery of a Tecnam P2012 Traveller to the UFLY VI Caribbean fleet. (Courtesy Tecnam) industry benchmarks, Tecnam is offering the greenest training fleet in the world. Flight schools operating Tecanm’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). For more information, visit and details on the P2012 STOL and the P2012 Series aircraft, visit www.tecnam.com or contact Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 - Special Mission Platforms Sales & Business Development Manager; tel +39 345 782 7020 or email; f.sferra@tecnam.com. P2012 local sales representatives are also available locally in Argentina, Australia, UK, and USA.
About TECNAM: “Quality Aircraft since 1948”
Tecnam is an Italian aircraft manufacturer and one of the world’s leading piston aircraft manufacturers. Founded in 1948 by brothers Luigi and Giovanni Pascale, the company is headquartered in Capua, Italy, and operates two subsidiaries in Sebring, Florida, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, to serve and support the needs of local Tecnam owners and operators. Tecnam designs and manufactures a wide range of aircraft for personal use, commercial operations, business travel, flight training, surveillance, law enforcement and other specialized applications. (www.tecnam.com)
About UFLY VI, LLC
UFLY VI, LLC is a prominent flight school and air-tour company located in St. Thomas USVI. They are dedicated to providing exceptional aviation training and unforgettable aerial experiences for their clients. Born out of a passion for aviation their goal is to inspire the next generation of aviators. (https://uflyvi.com/)
AVIATION GROUPS QUESTION REGULATORY OVERHAUL FOR FLIGHTS VITAL TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
November 2023
Seven leading aviation groups joined together on Oct. 13 to comment on a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notice proposing sweeping revisions to regulations that impact part 135 charter operators, including on-demand air carriers operating Department of Transportation (DOT)-authorized public charter operations, which provide vital air service to small communities. “Changes to regulatory definitions could have unintended negative consequences throughout the entire part 135 community – an established industry segment providing safe and secure transportation options that meet the diverse needs of thousands of communities across the nation,” wrote the coalition. In August, the FAA issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) suggesting potential revisions to the regulatory definitions of “ondemand operation,” “supplemental operation” and “scheduled operation” under 14 CFR Part 110. FAA regulations govern the operations of air carriers, while DOT part 380 regulations address economic authority for those offering public charters. Current regulations allow a part 380 operator to work with any air carrier,
Serving the General Aviation Community Since 1981 x Avionics x Maintenance x Interiors
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including on-demand carriers operating under part 135. “For more than 45 years, part 135 carriers have operated aircraft safely and reliably on behalf of public charter operators under DOT part 380, unlocking substantial public benefits and providing valuable air transportation to many communities that otherwise would not have commercial air service. “Changing regulations could eliminate well-paying jobs at all levels of the industry while hurting economic competition, carbon emissions reduction, emerging technologies, aviation innovation, and service to small communities,” the coalition satated. “Any changes to the regulation should be driven not by the economic interest of competitors, but by an identified safety need.” In putting forward the notice, FAA officials presented a data set pointing to the growth in flights conducted under part 380 over the past decade as the basis for the agency’s proposed regulatory review. However, the operational increase has come with no major incidents or accidents under the current regulatory framework, which makes the
27
Industry Coalition Defends Air Service to Small Communities
Editor’s note: This press release was issued on June 30, 2023 regarding Part 135 air carriers. Operators of business aircraft that wish to conduct operations for compensation or hire are generally certificated under Part 135 of the FARs. As a certificate holding entity, the operator must comply with a number of FAA requirements regarding areas such as flight operations, maintenance and training. However, proposed sweeping revisions to regulations could heavily impact Part 135 charter operators. (Courtesy NBAA)
motive for the FAA’s action unclear. While the number of part 380 operations has increased over the past decade in response to declines in commercial airline service to smaller communities, those flights comprise a very small part of the more than 52 million total operations withContinued on Page 39
A coalition of industry groups, including the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), joined together on June 30 in cautioning leaders in the White House, Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about inaccurate characterizations of Part 135 air carriers that conduct public charter flights under DOT Part 380 regulations and provide vital air service to small communities in the United States. In a June 30 letter, the coalition noted a DOT docket for a pending financial fitness application, "has been misused by economic competitors that, with no evidence of safety and Continued on Page 39
28
GARMIN INTEGRATED FLIGHT DECK SELECTED BY BETA TECHNOLOGIES FOR ITS ALL-ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
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&HUWLƂHG $V D &HUW WLƂHG 6HQLRU &DUH H &RQVXOWDQW KHOS GHFLVLRQV , FDQ K HOS \RX PDNH GHF FLVLRQV IRU FDUH RQHV WKH FD DUH \RXU ORYHG RQ QHV QHHG more For mor m e information,, contact: annamarie@borntoage.com anna amarie@borntoage.com 650-504-8549 9
Garmin announced on Oct. 3, a long-term agreement to provide the stateof-the-art Garmin G3000 integrated flight deck to BETA Technologies for its CX300 revolutionary electric fixed-wing aircraft and A250 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The conventional fixed wing CX300 aircraft and A250 eVTOL aircraft are
November 2023
designed to enable a diverse range of missions and operations, including shorthaul transport operations for military, cargo, medical and passenger applications – all with zero emissions and lower operational costs. BETA intends to enter into service as early as 2025 with its ALIA CTOL (CX300), and as early as Continued on Page 35
Michael Whitaker Continued from Page 25 Prior to the Senate vote, Sen. Cantwell took to the Senate floor and called for senators to support his nomination. Senator Cantwell successfully shepherded Michael Whitaker’s nomination through the Senate Commerce Committee with unanimous approval on Oct. 18, 2023. Michael Whitaker was nominated by President Biden on Sept. 7. Throughout his nomination hearing on Oct. 4, Whitaker demonstrated his depth of aviation experience and commitment to safety, building the FAA workforce and addressing agency challenges. Whitaker brings more than 30 years of aviation experience from a variety of roles in industry and government, including serving as Deputy FAA Administrator from 2013-2016. He has received unprecedented support from across the aviation community, including pilots and flight attendants, air traffic controllers, airlines, airports, manufacturers and machinists, past DOT and FAA leaders and the families of the ET302 crash victims. “I am really pleased the Senate took action to confirm Mike and look forward to working with him to help pilots and to move GA forward,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “He’s a capable leader, knows aviation, knows the agency, and he’s a private pilot.” “Administrator Whitaker’s extensive experience within several aviation sectors combined with his service as Deputy FAA Administrator make him well suited to steer the FAA at this critical juncture for aviation safety, industry innovation, and continued global leadership. The tremendous bipartisan support he received in both Congressional chambers and from a broad swath of industry stakeholders speaks to his qualifications as well as his character,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “After more than 18 months without a perma-
nent leader at the Agency’s helm, NATA looks forward to partnering with Administrator Whitaker to recruit a resilient aviation workforce within the FAA and the industry, usher in safe commercial operation of the next generation of aircraft, and invest in our nation’s critical network of more than 5,000 airports – priorities he highlighted at his confirmation hearing earlier this month.” General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO, Pete Bunce, released the following statement regarding the confirmation of FAA Administrator Whitaker: “GAMA congratulates FAA Administrator Whitaker on his confirmation. This is a transformative time for aviation, and we welcome the experience and skills that FAA Administrator Whitaker will bring to the agency. We are confident that he will provide the FAA with the stability, leadership and sound direction that the agency needs. We look forward to working with the Administrator as the FAA continues its work to further develop an aviation system that is safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced. “Additionally, we are grateful for the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, which worked to expeditiously move the Administrator’s nomination through the Senate.” “We very much appreciate the Senate’s swift action to confirm Michael Whitaker as FAA Administrator, as it brings long-term stability and leadership to the agency,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “With the administrator’s confirmation complete, Congress can now turn its attention to the urgent matters of FAA authorization and appropriations to provide further stability for the entire spectrum of aviation in our country.” Learn more about Whitaker on the FAA website, faa.gov.
November 2023
I
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29
Flying With Faber
THANKSGIVING AT THE FABER’S – 2023
love to prepare for and cook a Thanksgiving dinner. Not only is it festive, fun and colorful, guests scream with delight as they circle our huge dining room table, which we convert into a buffet. We invite a selective array of guests to our celebration. In addition to the children and grandchildren, we love to invite folks who have provided us with spiritual enrichment over the past year. One is a guy who generously gave his time to me at the gym and taught me some new core exercises. Another might be a new friend whose personal achievements have been an inspiration to me. Instead of expressing the thanks we’ve had for the year, I usually pose a question to each guest, such as, who has been the greatest inspiration to them the past year. Or, if they could spend a day with any person, alive or dead, who would that person be? Last year, I selected Beethoven. I love everything about this holiday – journeys to the market, selecting just the right turkey, planning the menu, proofing and kneading the dough for homemade rolls, baking the pies from scratch and making certain that each component of the buffet comes to life at the same time and is presented in an inviting and festive array. The following recipes are excerpts from my cookbook entitled: Cookbook For People Who Hate Lawyers. In case you didn’t know, when I’m not flying an airplane or puttering in my kitchen, I’m usually wearing my trial lawyer hat and hanging out in a courtroom. Over the years, I’ve encountered many folks who seem to hate lawyers. But I’ve never encountered a person who disliked me after sampling some of my culinary treats. I would rather be loved than hated, so I wrote the cookbook. For this article, I would love to share my Thanksgiving treasures with my In Flight USA readers.
Roast Turkey
(Courtesy Stuart J. Faber)
Contrary to popular belief, roasting a turkey is one of the easiest cooking exercises. Perhaps the size of the bird is intimidating. But I learned from flying airplanes. The bigger ones are easier to fly. Follow these few simple steps and a gorgeous bird with a sumptuous skin and moist interior will soon emerge from the oven. The debate over brining a turkey will never be resolved. I have made brined and non-brined turkeys, and, to me, the difference is barely perceptible. Mire Poix (A fancy term for chopped vegetables). 2 medium onions, chopped 3 carrots, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped Turkey 1 fresh turkey, 14 to 17 pounds 1 stick butter, softened 2 tablespoons each dried sage, rosemary, thyme Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons paprika 6 cups chicken or turkey stock, preferably homemade Remove turkey from refrigerator 1 hour before cooking. Mix the butter, herbs, ½ tablespoon each salt and pepper and paprika until well combined. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove all giblets, neck and gizzard from cavity. Season cavity with salt and pepper. Put a handful of the mire poix in the cavity. Sprinkle the remaining mire poix on the bottom of the roasting pan. This will serve as the rack and will also add sumptuous flavor to the gravy. Rub the entire surface of the turkey with a thin layer of the butter mixture. For an extra flavor and moisture step, place your hand between the skin and the breast and place some butter mixture between the skin and the meat. Heat the chicken stock in a saucepan. If desired, place neck and giblets in roasting pan. Discard liver. Place the turkey on top of the mire poix and roast for about 45 minutes. The upper surface should be getting golden brown. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue to roast for another 1 ¼ to 2 hours, depending on the size of the bird. Baste the turkey every 15 minutes with the chicken stock and the drippings. After 1 ¼ hour, check frequently with an instant thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. The thermometer should register
170 degrees. Any juices that run should be clear, not pink. The temperature should read 160 degrees. Remove the turkey and place on a carving board. Cut up neck meat and giblets and set aside. Cover the turkey loosely with foil and let rest at least 30 minutes before carving. For gravy (don’t purchase store-bought), remove most of the grease, then place the roasting pan on stovetop burner. Turn heat to high. Scrape bottom of pan with a wooden spatula to loosen all of the tasty drippings. Add 3 tablespoons of flour and mix with remaining drippings until the flour disappears. Add 2 tablespoons of butter for richness. Add 4 cups of chicken or turkey stock, bring to a boil until the liquid thickens. Add ½ cup cream or milk.
Prime Ribs of Beef
(Courtesy Stuart J. Faber)
Thanksgiving At The Faber’s – 2023 Some folks love prime rib for Thanksgiving. I always make one. This offering delights lovers of beef. Even those folks who “don’t eat beef’ can’t stay away from it. 1 choice or prime short end rib roast, at least 2 or 3 ribs. Preferably prime grade or Angus Choice 2 or 4 cloves of garlic, cut in slivers about the thickness of toothpicks kosher salt & freshly ground pepper 1 onion, sliced 1 cup dry red wine 2 cups beef stock 1 teaspoon thyme Remove from refrigerator about 1 hour before cooking. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F. With a paring knife or ice pick, drill as many holes in roast as you have garlic slivers. Insert garlic in each hole. The garlic should be spread out over the entire roast. Rub entire surface with freshly milled pepper. Just before placing roast in oven, generously rub salt over entire surface of roast.
Stuart J. Faber and Aunt Bea Place onion slices over bottom of heavy roasting pan. I prefer a cast iron skillet. Make a circle with onion slices that approximate the size of the roast. After preparing roast, place it, fat side up, directly atop bed of onions. Roast for about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F. roast for an additional 45 minutes, then check the internal temperature of the roast with an instant thermometer. For rare, remove roast from oven when thermometer registers 155 degrees F. For medium rare, 120 to 125 degrees F. When roast reaches desired temperature, remove from oven and pan, cover with foil. Place the roasting pan over a stovetop burner. Turn heat to high and with a wooden spatula, scrape the bottom of the roasting pan. Add the wine and cook until reduced to about ¼ cup. Add beef stock, mix well and season with salt, pepper and thyme for taste for an exquisite au jus.
Baked Glazed Ham
(Courtesy Stuart J. Faber)
1 whole or half spiral cut cooked ham. I avoid Farmer John-very fatty. Glaze #1 1 cup Dijon Mustard 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves or Glaze #2 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 3 teaspoons orange juice 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves or Glaze #3: Pineapple Glaze 1 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon corn starch 1/4 teaspoon salt Continued on Page 30
30
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
Flying With Faber
Continued from Page 29 1 8-oz can crushed pineapple 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon mustard Mix glaze ingredients until they form a paste. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Cut away skin and trim fat to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Place ham fat side up in shallow roasting pan with foil. Cook about 10 minutes per pound. A whole ham should take about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. A half ham should take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Temperature should read 130-140 degrees. Add desired glaze about 30 minutes before done. Rub it over entire ham. For a sweeter, glossier glaze, lightly brush with maple syrup or honey 30 minutes before completion. For pineapple glaze, mix sugar, corn starch and salt in saucepan. Stir in pineapple, lemon juice and mustard. Stir over medium heat until mixture thickens. Boil one minute. Last minute before putting on glaze, brush with maple syrup.
Orange Ginger Cranberries
(Courtesy Stuart J. Faber)
This cranberry dish takes only about 30 minutes to make. Don’t even think about purchasing those canned cranberries. You can prepare this recipe about 2 days before Thanksgiving. 24 ounces fresh cranberries (2 packs) 3 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice 1 1/2 tablespoons orange zest (scrape orange peel from orange-not the white part) 1 1/2 tablespoon finely minced fresh ginger Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Cook over medium heat until berries pop open, about 10-15 minutes. Toward the end of the cooking, skim off and discard foam that rises to top. Cool, then place in a covered dish and place in refrigerator.
Cornbread and Sausage Dressing
If you take the extra time to make this stuffing-and your own cornbread, you will never buy those boxes of stuffing again. 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound mild Italian sausage or andouille sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 1/2 cups chopped onions 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped green bell peppers 1 tablespoon minced garlic Fresh corn from 2 ears 1/2 pound sliced mushrooms Basic Cornbread, recipe follows 3 slices stale white or whole wheat bread, torn into 1/2-inch pieces, crusts removed 1/2 cup chopped green onions 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 1 teaspoon each sage and oregano 1teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans 2 large eggs, beaten in 1/4 cup milk 1 to 2 cups chicken or turkey stock, as needed Melted butter as needed Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and set aside. In a large skillet, cook the sausage until brown and the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Add onions, celery, bell peppers, and garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large bowl to cool. Add the corn bread, white bread, green onions, pecans, parsley, and thyme to the bowl with the sautéed vegetables. Mix well with your hands. Add the salt, pepper, cayenne, and eggs, and mix again. Add enough broth, 1/2 cup at a time, to moisten the dressing, being careful not to make it mushy. Transfer to the prepared dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake until heated through, about 25 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes more. Basic Cornbread: Make 2 days ahead. You can use this recipe or the one on the box of Alber’s Cornmeal. 1 tablespoon plus 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pour 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into a 9-inch baking pan or heavy cast iron skillet. Place the pan into the oven as it preheats, allowing it to heat for at least 10 minutes. Combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon. Add the buttermilk and egg to the mixture, and
stir well to blend. Pour the cornmeal batter into the preheated pan and bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving or using in the dressing. Cut the cornbread into one-inch squares. Yield: 8 servings. Double the recipe for 16 servings. Will fill 1 16 lb. turkey and 1- 13x9 pan.
Sweet Potato Casserole
(Courtesy Stuart J. Faber) Once again, please avoid canned sweet potatoes. 5 large sweet potatoes or yams 2/3 cups brown sugar 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 teaspoon orange zest ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon 4 tablespoons butter, melted 1/4 cup pure maple syrup Peel sweet potatoes or yams. Cut into 1-inch chunks. Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Place potatoes in boiling water and cook until just tender, about 12 minutes. Drain the potatoes and transfer to a large bowl. Add the other ingredients and mix well. Place the mixture in a 13x9 baking dish. Bake in a 375-degree oven for about 35 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped pecans or mini-marshmallows and bake an additional 5 minutes.
Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
(Courtesy Stuart J. Faber)
5 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes 1 stick butter, diced 1 cup warm milk 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and return to pot. Heat milk. Add butter and mash well. Mix 1 cup of milk, then 1 cup of cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add more milk to reach desired consistency. These can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature, then
November 2023 reheat in 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes. Mound potatoes in a bowl. Sprinkle remaining cheese and garnish with parsley. You can also add 2 chopped scallions and/or 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard.
Broccoli and Cauliflower in Bread Crumbs
For twelve people, use about six cups of vegetables. Cut into bite size pieces. Steam broccoli and cauliflower in a steaming basket immersed in salted boiling water for about 2 minutes. If you don’t have a steamer, place vegetables in a pot of salted boiling water for about 2 minutes. Remove vegetables and plunge into ice bath (a large bowl of water with a few handfuls of ice cubes). Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large frying pan. While butter is bubbling, add 1/3 of the vegetables and cook to desired doneness. You can add some chicken stock for extra flavor and to keep vegetables moist. You can also add some chopped shallots, a handful of chopped pecans or 4 strips of chopped cooked bacon. Cook vegetables in three batches. Season each batch to taste. Heat 6 tablespoons butter in large skillet. Toss in 1 ½ cups fresh or storebought bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper and toss until lightly browned. Set aside and reheat before serving. Just before serving vegetables, sprinkle crumbs over them.
Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie
You will be astounded when you see how quick and easy it is to make this pie. And your guests will rave over the sumptuous taste. Crust 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (crush or process about 12 crackers) 5 tablespoons melted butter 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon salt Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients. Add melted butter and mix well. Remove and reserve 1/4 cup of crumb mixture. Press remaining mixture firmly into a 9” pie pan. Use the bottom of a glass and pat down the crust. Pour the reserved mixture into a small baking pan and spread out the crumbs. Place pie pan and small baking pan in oven and bake for 8 minutes. Remove and cool completely. Filling 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mixture) 1/2 cup brown sugar Continued on Page 34
November 2023
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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
November 2023
Homebuilder’s Workshop By Ed Wischmeyer
NOT THE LAST FLIGHT IN THE RV-9A!
B
ackground: a fire in a hangar two down from mine reduced a Cessna 182 to aluminum soot on the floor. Immediately behind that hangar, a Cirrus that had been totaled out because of a hard landing was melted/incinerated to a considerable degree. And there was an upholstery shop at the far end of the hangar building.
•••••
After the fire, the airport manually cranked open the bifold door on my hangar and pulled my plane out, coated with soot. Here and there were splotches in the soot where something hot had dripped on the plane. The insurance adjuster said to take pictures before washing the plane, and that was done. When I saw the plane, there were discolorations in the paint where stuff had dripped on it, and indications of soot everywhere inside the plane. The canopy sunscreen was heavily sooted, but that probably reduced the soot effect on the upholstery. In short, a mess. Given that much of the cost of an (annual) condition inspection is in labor, and that the plane was due for an oil change, we decided to give it a condition inspection after only six months. No squawks found, which is how I like to keep my airplanes maintained. But there was soot and corrosion. The aluminum structure, every nook and cranny, got cleaned with mineral spirits and then fogged within an inch of its life with corrosion treatment. The canopy got polished as it had been dripped on, but then there were the steel parts. The outside air temperature gauge was discolored, and the steel frame around the master switch was rusted. In fact, many steel tools exposed to the corrosive atmosphere were either rusted or pock-marked with rust. Some of the steel screws and Tinnerman washers holding down fairings were discolored and are all getting replaced. In the cockpit, the fingers on the circuit breaker switches are no longer pristine, nor are the large, think hex nuts on the circuit breakers. Under the cowling, the oil cooler has pock marks, too. You get the idea. The plan is not to make a show plane of the RV-9A, as it was well built but not immaculately built. The plan is to remove all traces of the soot and toxic gases. The insurance adjuster and I seem to be working well together, and boy, does he know a lot about fixing airplanes!
October 28, 2023 S/N XXXX
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Ed Wischmeyer Phone Number Email address
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RS 232
In Out Off ADS-B+ Format 1 Airdata Format 1 Off Custom Format 2 Interconnect Format 2 In Out Remote Remote Remote Remote + TIS Speed Data Instr Data 38400 baud MapMX 57600 baud Interconnect 57600
PFD, MFD, G5, EIS, ADHRS, pitch servo, roll servo (has a serial line to autopilot head), GAD29 (ARINC 429 interface to GPS) Serial Connections PFD & autopilot controller GPS & PFD (flight plan) GPS & PFD / MapMX GPS to transponder (position) ADHRS to transponder (altitude) OAT probe to ADHRS Magnetometer to ADHRS ADS-B in & PFD, MFD (ADS-B, SiriusXM) MFD to ELT (position) Backup Serial Connections
Speed
Interconnect 38400 (GTN Connext 2) Instr Data Data
A/P head & roll servo, then to CANbus ADHRS & PFD Circuit Breakers MFD powers A/P head GPS powers ADHRS ADHRS powers magnetometer, OAT Notes Standby ADI shows GPS nav data only, never screen nav data Standby ADI uses GPS track if magnetometer unavailable TRK function available on PFD only EIS discretes: 1: TO/GA (?); 2: EVENT Mode S Code XXXX Autopilot Settings
Normal Output
NMEA Out 4800 baud
(PFD menu/menu/setup/autopilot)
115200 Att/Air etc
Future data capture
57600 baud
Connext 57600
Trim: 80 kt/150 kt; 100%/25% // No Limit; Reverse
38400 baud
Nav Radio Selected Course Calibrate OBS Resolver ARINC 429 Configuruation Tx Speed Low Don't Care: DME Mode: Directed Freq 1; DME Channel: King Serial
Here’s how you can avoid the pain I encountered when I had to send my avionics back to the manufacturer. It was a rude shock when I got them back. Very rude. In my case, the GPS and transponder were sent in as they might have suffered soot inhalation and the factory suggested sending them in before powering them up. As is common, this was a fixed price repair. (I supposed I could have sent in a puddle of molten components and it would have been fixed for the same price.) But when they came back, they sort of worked, mostly. Kind of, as the factory reset everything for their convenience for doing the tests, and they couldn’t be bothered to save and restore the settings, a trivial task. To be fair, this is apparently standard industry practice. A stranger read of my plight in a newsgroup and was my savior, and it helped that I was a semi-tech as well. Also, anybody – anybody – can work on an Experimental plane, as long as it’s documented and reviewed at the next condition inspection. And the stranger had access to others. I don’t know that factory phone support could have done as good a job. Even so, it took too many hours and multiple test flights. If I had a
E Item Audio Panel PFD MFD AHRS EIS Roll servo Pitch servo ADS-B IN GPS Standby att Autopilot head Transponder ELT Handheld GPS LightSpeed Zulus Engine Plugs Propeller S/N hub XXXX; blades Governor Carburetor Battery Oil: Aeroshell Plus 100W Alternator 87 S Tire Pressures:
Control wheel steering: Disabled
GPS Configure VOR/LOC/GS
•••••
Items on the CAN bus
Enabled --Calibrate SDI VOR?ILS 1
Roll Servo: 40%; 0.60; Norm; Enabled;Disabled Pitch Servo: 80%; 1.30; Norm; Enabl; Enabl; Reverse Pitch Gain: 65 kt; 170 kt; 1.00; 1.00; 1.00
certificated airplane, it would have all had to be done at an avionic$ $hop, if I could get an appointment. Lessons learned: • There may be no documentation on line for your older system. It may have been replaced by documentation for the latest components. • For resetting your system, you will focus on port numbers (RS232, ARINC 429). Pin numbers of individual wires requires you to look up each connector pinout to see what port that wire goes to. A wiring diagram is great for installation, but terrible for configuration. • You can make the best documentation when things are working and before you send the boxes in, by taking picture of each configuration screen and putting the data into a spreadsheet so that the spreadsheet layout corresponds as closely as possible to the configuration screens. (It’s lots easier to restore settings with one spreadsheet than with multiple pictures.) • Don’t expect things to make sense. For example, Box #1 may output data in Format A going to Box #2, where the corresponding input format is called Format B. And the wiring diagram refers to ARINC ports a and b, but the configuration screen refers to them as 1 and 2. • The documentation may be at the rote
level, with no information to help you understand how it works, or what data comes from where. This can slow debugging… And heaven help you if, on a flight test, the examiner asks you reasonable questions for which there are no printed answers. Some of the things we uncovered were that the Mode 3/C didn’t work because the serial port settings had been wiped at the factory. My new friend found the configuration information in the documentation for the display screen. Why did they put that documentation there? If I was the manager in charge and my team turned out this quality of work, I would not expect to keep my job. The very recently updated (!) spreadsheet that describes my installation is attached.
•••••
The airplane is fully insured, thank goodness. I’ve flown it, and it seems that everything is working. But way too many details to relate. Some day when you’ve got a week, as the saying goes... As for the hangar contents, that remains to be seen. My homeowner’s insurance will cover but with a $1,000 Continued on Page 34
November 2023
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NEW ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT ARRIVES FOR TESTING In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
By Matthew Clouse
Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
AFWERX Airmen and several local media outlets gathered at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to witness one of the quietest Air Force aircraft flyovers ever. BETA Technologies, an electric aero-
space company and AFWERX Prime division partner, made several low passes in its ALIA electric aircraft as the audience celebrated its delivery to the Air Force Oct. 26, 2023. AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Air Force and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio,
brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the Air Force. This includes partnering with BETA and other electric aircraft companies to bring zero-emission aviation to the military along with other benefits, including a quiet noise profile and the cost savings
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to operate and maintain its fleet without dependency on traditional fossil fuels. “We are really excited about companies like BETA when they invent things like this,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the Department of the Air Force. “It is going to transform the way Continued on Page 36
Flying With Faber
Continued from Page 30 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened Combine pumpkin, brown sugar, orange juice and spices. Mix ice cream into pumpkin mixture and keep mixing until there are no longer any streaks of pumpkin. Pour into cooled crust. Freeze until ready to serve. If desired, whip some heavy cream and spread over the filling. Then, sprinkle reserved crumbs over top of whipped cream-or the filling if no whipped cream. I guarantee that this will be among the best Thanksgiving dinners you will ever have. If you love turkey and trimmings as much as I do, you can dig into the leftovers for the rest of the weekend. I should warn you-your phone will start to ring off the hook early next October.
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deductible and undoubtedly higher premiums in years to come, even though nothing was my fault. The interior hangar walls didn’t go all the way to the ceiling, and that’s what allowed the soot and toxic gas incursion. I don’t know if that will persuade somebody else’s insurance to reimburse my losses.
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Was able to fly the RV-9A to the NAFI (National Association of Flight Instructors) Summit in Lakeland. A truly great time in so many ways, but that story won’t fit into the this column’s word budget. And there’s lots more Oshkosh news for next time, as well.
November 2023
In Flight USA Celebrating 35 Years
Garmin Integrated Flight Deck Continued from Page 28
2026 with its ALIA VTOL (A250). “We’ve been strategically working with BETA for several years in their effort towards bringing a sustainable aviation solution to the market. It’s an honor to have our integrated flight deck chosen for the revolutionary A250 and CX300 aircraft and we are thrilled to be part of BETA’s mission to grow the electric aviation market,” said Phil Straub, Garmin Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Aviation. Garmin’s integrated flight deck boasts vibrant high-resolution flights displays and the latest communication, navigation, surveillance air traffic management (CNS/ATM) based on a lightweight and highly flexible open system architecture design enabling a seamless integra-
Garmin integrated flight deck selected by BETA Technologies for its all-electric aircraft. (Courtesy Garmin) tion with BETA’s flight control, propulsion, and battery management systems. Garmin’s flexible architecture and agile development process enables BETA to leverage the latest in flight deck technologies while seamlessly integrating BETA’s innovative fly-by-wire system and human machine interface designs for
electric propulsion and novel operations in an eVTOL aircraft. “Garmin is widely recognized as the leader in avionics, we’re excited to be able to bring this familiar and time-tested experience to our customers. It’s gratifying to have the support of this legacy aerospace company as we look to bring
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our electric aircraft to market. They’ve been a true strategic collaborator as we work together to develop the next era of sustainable aviation,” said Kyle Clark, BETA Founder and CEO. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, Garmin developed the world’s first certified autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention. Visit the Garmin website, garmin.com, to learn more.
EPA FINDS AIRCRAFT ENGINES THAT OPERATE ON LEADED FUEL CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO AIR POLLUTION, ENDANGER PUBLIC HEALTH
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Oct. 18 released its final finding that lead emissions from aircraft engines that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare. Protecting children’s health and reducing lead exposure are two of EPA’s top priorities, states an EPA press release. EPA has been investigating emissions of lead from aircraft operating on leaded fuel and the impact of these emissions on lead air pollution, including assessing lead concentrations in air near airports and evaluating the potentially exposed population. The majority of aircraft that operate on leaded fuel are piston-engine aircraft. These are typically small aircraft that carry 2-10 passengers. Jet aircraft used for commercial transport do not operate on a fuel containing lead. The EPA has issued a final determination that lead emissions to air from certain
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
aircraft engines cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare. Aircraft that use leaded aviation gasoline are primarily piston-engine aircraft. With this final determination, EPA now becomes subject to a duty to propose and promulgate regulatory standards for lead emissions from aircraft engines. The FAA is also now subject to a duty to prescribe standards for the composition or chemical or physical properties of aircraft fuel to control or eliminate aircraft lead emissions. As EPA develops proposed emissions standards, it will consult with FAA and use the public rulemaking processes that include notice and comment and an opportunity for a public hearing. EPA and FAA are committed to working together and with the full range of stakeholders to address this issue. The EPA’s findings appear on The Federal Register, Vol. 88, No. 202 dated
November 2023
Navigating Pathways to An Unleaded Future
By Mark Baker
AOPA President and CEO The EPA’s finding puts into motion a multiyear, multistep regulatory rulemaking process from the EPA and the FAA, but should have no immediate impact on the availability of 100LL at airports. (Mike Fizer, courtesy AOPA)
Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 under the category of Rules and Regulations. The summary states: “The Administrator (EPA) finds that lead air pollution may reasonably be anticipated to endanger the public health and welfare within the meaning of the Clean Air Act. The Administrator also finds that Continued on Page 42
Wherever and whenever I fly around this great country, our members have a big issue on their minds: When will they have access to the 100-octane unleaded fuel they’ve been hearing about? And is 100LL going away? Those are important questions as there is a lot of information – and misinformation – swirling about, and it’s important that facts rise above the noise. Let me say right off the bat that we in general aviation want lead out of avgas as soon as practical. As most know, industry and the FAA have Continued on Page 42
New Electric Aircraft Arrives For Testing Continued from Page 34 we see air travel in the world, but it is also going to transform the way we have air power in the Air Force. We’re going to learn what we can do with vehicles like this and we’re going to take it to our warfighters.” BETA’s ALIA electric aircraft has a 50-foot wingspan, a range of 250 miles with a top speed of 138 mph and is 90 percent quieter than a helicopter. While ALIA has the capability to transport five passengers, the Air Force test objective is to demonstrate its potential to support agile combat employment logistics with its payload capacity of 1,000 pounds. Located 10 miles north of Eglin, Duke Field was strategically selected as the test field for ALIA. The field is home to the
Air Force’s rotary wing test squadron, the 413th Flight Test Squadron. “All of the testing will be contractor owned and operated but the 413th FLTS wrote the test and safety plan,” said Maj. Riley Livermore, 413th FLTS Futures Flight commander. “We are responsible for coordinating daily flight operations to include range scheduling and logistics support. Then we’ll write a report following the conclusion of the test deployment to report our findings.” AFWERX first partnered with BETA in December 2019 and has since awarded the company several contracts. Over the years, BETA has provided AFWERX with three simulators, including a mobile simulator that has conducted pilot training and demonstrations and
two Level-3 electric chargers. The charger at Duke Field was completed Oct. 16 and is the first charging station on a military installation. “Part of the testing process was to install an aircraft charger on a military installation to capture lessons learned and hopefully inform and accelerate future projects at different bases,” Livermore said. “The fixed charging station will also help us write procedures and safety requirements for the Air Force. They’re currently not defined because the technology is new.” Learn more at the Eglin Air Force Base website, www.eglin.af.mil and at Beta Technologies, based in Vermont, at www.beta.team.
BETA Technologies’ ALIA, an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, sits on the flightline as a F-16 Fighting Falcon flies overhead at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 26, 2023. The ALIA aircraft will begin a series of test flights over the next few months with the 413th Flight Test Squadron and AFWERX’s Agility Prime at Duke Field. (U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)
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I
SKY ELEMENTS DRONE SHOWS: SOMETHING DIFFERENT – SOMETHING SPECTACULAR
By Larry E. Nazimek
t’s safe to say that many readers have never seen a drone show, and some have never even heard of them. As a matter of fact, I saw my first one on June 28, 2023, when the Chicago Blackhawks had a party in conjunction with the NHL Draft, in which they had the first pick. Simply put, it’s a night show where a fleet of drones, operating in harmony, usually about 400 to 1,000 (but can be as low as 50 and can go up to 1,500), equipped with 1,000 lumen LEDs, fly in intricate patterns to produce pictures, some of which move, and some of which only appear to move, as the lights go on or off. The pictures depend on the client and the occasion. Some clients are sports teams. Others may be cities where the show is in conjunction with a festival or holiday. The show may be a series of pictures with a theme, and in some cases, will tell a story. They even form massive QR codes, where those in the crowd can point their QR code readers to get the code. The LEDs are of red, blue, and green, the same as on a color television, where the combination varies to form any color. They can form an American Flag, but the effect of the lights going on and off in a pre-programmed manner, make it appear as though the flag is waving in the wind. A show held at Chicago’s Navy Pier, in conjunction with the National Ice Cream Day, had an ice cream bar, where the lights gave the effect of pieces of the bar being eaten. The same effect was had with an ice cream cone, where the ice cream was not only being eaten, but the entire cone rotated. A blue rabbit (for Blue Bunny Ice Cream) was made to walk. One might assume that the drones are made to fly in a massive formation, where one flies in reference to another, or that they move similarly to a band during a halftime performance at a college football game, where the marchers form various pictures. Such, however, is not the case. Sky Elements Drone Shows President, Rick Boss, explained that, “Each drone is flying a pre-programmed course, where it doesn’t know that there are any other drones present.” With so
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
many drones moving, one might wonder if they ever run into one another, but “...they have a minimum separation of two meters.” Sky Elements Drone Shows is the largest drone show company in the U. S., performing some 60 percent of the shows here. The company is large enough to run shows in different locations on the same day, which was especially the case this past Independence Day weekend. Like any other type of aviation, weather can affect the shows. They cannot fly in heavy rain. Light rain may cause a delay, but visibility will be the governing factor. Their wind limitations are 20 mph sustained or gusts over 30 mph. They can operate at high-density altitudes, such as a hot summer day in Denver, but the motors will have to work harder, which drains the batteries sooner. The batteries do not like very cold weather, either, a factor in some shows in the winter. In order to see the operation first hand, I went to a show at Navy Pier that was held in conjunction with a gala for major donors. The show consisted of 400 drones. At the launch site, they were precisely arranged in a grid of 20 by 20, with one meter lateral spacing. Their WiFi antennas were on the corners of the site. The drones rely on four constellation GNSS and RTK to gain their precision in the sky. The two operators were seated at a table with laptops. Because the drones are controlled by a central computer system that synchronizes their movements, ensuring they maintain a safe distance from one another while performing, there were no joysticks as would be the case for drone pilots controlling single drones. The exception, however, was their photographer, who took aerial shots with a drone designed for photography. All operators are FAA licensed. When Sky Elements Drone Shows was relatively new, they would completely rehearse their shows, but they now rehearse most shows by computer. With all 400 drones laid out on their grid, the operators ran a check to see which ones had batteries that were not completely charged and needed to be
swapped out with charged batteries. Other checks insured that all drones were ready to perform. Safety is paramount. The show would be conducted over water, to be followed by fireworks, so the Coast Guard had to clear the area of boats. There is an “electronic fence,” where a drone that contacts it will automatically return to its starting point. If, however, that does not work, the drone will simply drop down. When it came time to start the show, the drones rose up in rectangular formations. From there, they proceeded to the nearby show area. The drones formed Navy Pier’s skyline and other related scenes, including their famous ferris wheel. Another scene showed three “dancers” that moved around. Like many of the scenes, you can look at still photos, but if you did not see the show in person, you really can’t appreciate the artistry unless you see the video clip. The nine minute show ended with a QR code display that lead to a Navy Pier webpage. Following the display, the drones went to their starting point, formed into the rectangular formations they began with, then descended to the ground in the same spots where they began. A fireworks show followed. Boss pointed out that the fireworks went up to 600 feet, while his drones went up to 400. The fireworks caused a lot of smoke and odor, while the drones were completely safe and environmentally friendly. There will probably always be fireworks as a traditional form of entertainment, but drone light shows may be the show of choice for those venues that want a more sustainable and adaptable form of entertainment. Drone shows are relatively new, but as technology continues to advance, they will become increasingly popular, versatile, and cost-effective. It is customary to end articles by telling readers go to a company’s website for further information, but in this case, you should definitely check it out, because you can not appreciate what these shows offer by simply looking at still photos. https://skyelementsdrones.com/
November 2023
The Chicago Blackhawks hosted a drone show to celebrate the NHL Draft, featuring a fleet of 400 to 1,000 drones equipped with 1,000 lumen LEDS to create intricate patters in the night sky. (Larry E. Nazimek)
Sky Elements Drone Shows lit up the sky from Chicago's Navy Pier with the city skyline in the background. (Larry E. Nazimek)
Sky Elements Drone Shows controls their drones by a central computer system that synchronizes their movements. Two operators handled the recent show hosted by the Chicago Blackhawks. (Larry E. Nazimek)
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November 2023
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Aviation Groups Question Regulatory Overhaul Continued from Page 27 in the national airspace system in 2022. Comments to the FAA notice were submitted and co-signed by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), International Flight Services Association
(IFSA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). See their letter to the FAA at https://www.nata.aero/assets/Site_18/files/ FAA/NOIGroupResponse101323.pdf.pdf. The coalitions Oct. 13 comments follow concerns expressed by several
associations earlier this year about inaccurate characterizations of part 135 operators conducting part 380 public charter flights in response to one carrier’s economic application to the agency to launch such an operation. (Read the coalition’s June 30, 2023 press release about part 135 flights operating under part 380 regulations in the sidebar story adjacent to
Industry Coalition Defends Air Service
Continued from Page 27 security concerns, seek to prevent Part 135 operators from conducting public charter flights.” “[These] unsubstantiated claims do a disservice to this well-established regulatory framework and the safe, secure transportation services its operators provide to the traveling public,” read the letter sent to Members of Congress and Biden Administration officials. For more than 45 years, DOT’s Part 380 economic regulations have governed
a broad range of air service options operations under both Part 121 and Part 135, without controversy. “The public charter industry provides much needed service to smaller underserved communities,” the coalition said. “This service would be severely disrupted and entire communities deprived of air service if a wholesale revision of the regulations were made by Congress, as some opponents of the Part 135/Part 380 business model urge.” “For example, the evolution of com-
mercial air transportation – particularly with respect to vertical take-off and landing aircraft, hybrid and all-electric flight, and advanced air mobility operations depends on Part 135 for commercial success,” the letter stated. “Swift regulatory change, without research, data or stakeholder input could negatively impact promising new technologies.” “We respectfully ask Congress to allow DOT to independently resolve the application and reject any legislative attempts to interfere," the letter conclud-
this article.) The groups are committed to a robust and comprehensive discussion about repercussions of any regulatory action, and recommend an aviation rulemaking committee to facilitate such discussion and consideration.
ed. "Doing so will protect service to small communities and promising new technologies.” In addition to NATA, other signatories included the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX); Helicopter Association International (HAI); the International Flight Services Association (IFSA); the National Air Carrier Association (NACA); and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
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NBAA-BACE DEMONSTRATES: BUSINESS AVIATION IS CLIMBING FAST
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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) on Oct. 19 concluded a momentous 2023 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), underscoring the industry’s mission to achieve net-zero flight, and celebrating the trailblazers and technology building toward that future. NBAA-BACE was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport Oct. 17-19. Sustainability permeated the agenda all week, with a dozen leaders from across the industry leveraging business aviation’s largest event to launch a new initiative, Climbing. Fast., affirming the entire sector’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. “At NBAA-BACE we made clear: business aviation is on a mission to net zero – and we are Climbing. Fast.,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. The game-changing advances delivering a sustainable future of airborne mobility were on vivid display, on both the show floor and in the air. For the first time ever, electric air taxis soared over the aircraft display at Henderson Executive Airport (HND), in demonstration flights each day by advanced air mobility (AAM) pioneer Volocopter of its 2X multirotor personal air vehicle. Henderson and the Las Vegas Convention Center set the stage for the many amazing new aircraft unveiled at NBAA-BACE, including the Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2, the Honda Echelon and Embraer Phenom 100EX, as well as the convention debuts of the Airbus ACJ220, the Beechcraft Denali and Bombardier’s certified preowned Challenger 300. “NBAA-BACE brought together the thrilling innovations and industry visionaries shaping the future of aviation,” said Bolen. “We had a huge number of exciting product launches, and showcased the breakthroughs in propulsion, increasingly efficient aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that are cutting emissions
while transforming mobility.” The show also made clear that business aviation’s drive to decarbonize is built on a foundation of safety. In a keynote discussion with Bolen, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson detailed their work with business aviation stakeholders to continually enhance aviation safety and efficiency. Held throughout NBAA-BACE, the annual Single-Pilot Safety Standdown, the Small Operators Symposium and the National Safety Forum addressed risk management, preventing runway excursions and cultivating leadership in small flight departments. More than 800 exhibitors showcased stunning concepts, including the unmanned aircraft systems and AAM vehicles in the Emerging Tech Pavilion from VoltAero, Wisk and others. Just outside the convention center, BLADE Urban Air Mobility returned with its popular flights to the airport, offering a look at evolving on-demand aviation models. In moving keynotes, barrier-breaking aviators captivated crowds. Retired Col. Nicole Malachowski shared how she overcame hurdles and self-doubt to become the U.S. Air Force’s first female Thunderbird pilot. Wildly successful aviator and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman talked with his fellow civilian astronaut Dr. Sian Proctor about their historic journey into space. Exhilarating journeys were commemorated throughout the show, with three aircraft used to film the blockbuster film “Top Gun: Maverick” parked on the show floor: an Aero L-39 “Cinejet,” Embraer Phenom 300 Camera Jet and an Airbus H125 Camera Helicopter. Tennis superstars and powerhouse philanthropists Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf also inspired keynote audiences, as did Shark Tank investor and FUBU CEO Daymond John, with stories
of triumphing over adversity and making meaningful change in peoples’ lives. Further illustrating the sector’s commitment to decarbonization, SAF was available at all three Las Vegas-area airports. All turbine aircraft departed with the renewable fuel, which can reduce netcarbon emissions by up to 80 percent. Also as part of the show, 78 leading companies took the NBAA-BACE Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge, entailing a variety of actions to shrink their carbon footprint and reduce waste. A number of convention sessions provided insights from government leaders who outlined the FAA’s partnership with industry to decarbonize and enable new modes of flight, including Shannetta Griffin, FAA associate administrator for airports; David Boulter, FAA associate administrator for aviation safety; Paul Fontaine, FAA assistant administrator for NextGen; Tim Arel, chief operating officer of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization and; Jeffrey Vincent, FAA executive director of the UAS Integration Office. NBAA-BACE was also where the next generation of business aviation leaders found nearly endless pathways for turning a passion into a profession. Students and career-seekers had the chance to discuss job and internship possibilities with recruiters at the Collegiate Connect gathering and the first-ever, twoday NBAA Career Fair. At the inaugural NBAA-BACE maintenance competition, run by Flying Classroom’s Bombardier Academy, students from across the country tested their skills for fun and prizes. “This year’s NBAA-BACE was unforgettable on every level,” said Bolen. “We saw history in the making, with new types of carbon-free aircraft taking flight, a new advocacy initiative launched to champion the industry’s mission to netzero flying, and a new generation of leaders making this industry all their own. This incredible week, the future started to become reality.” NBAA will return to Las Vegas for
The Delta Air Lines Foundation has awarded a $3 million grant to Middle Georgia State University (MGA), marking a significant development in the institution’s aviation programs. This substantial award, the largest single contribution in MGA’s history, will help expand and enhance MGA’s School of Aviation. It reflects the growing private support that
complements public funding for Georgia’s flagship aviation school, which plays a vital role in training pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel for one of the state’s major industries. “This grant opens doors to creating more opportunities for prospective students in our state to pursue rewarding careers in aviation,” stated MGA President
Christopher Blake, “We are deeply appreciative of The Delta Air Lines Foundation for recognizing the central role our School of Aviation plays in supporting Georgia’s aviation industry.” The Delta Air Lines Foundation’s award, granted to the MGA Foundation, will be distributed over a three-year period. The largest portion of the grant, $1.5
November 2023
For the first time, NBAA-BACE included a new, raised viewing and photography platform in 2023, offering an impressive view of the entire outdoor static aircraft showcase at Henderson Executive Airport. (Courtesy NBAA)
Tecnam brought its aircraft to the outdoor display at Henderson Executive Airport (HND) during 2023 NBAABACE. (Courtesy NBAA)
Innovative new sustainable aviation technology, such as Volocopter’s 2X twoseater electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft got plenty of attention at the outdoor aircraft display at Henderson Executive Airport (HND) during 2023 NBAA-BACE. (Courtesy NBAA)
next year’s edition of NBAA-BACE from Oct. 22-24, 2024. More information is available at nbaa.org/2024.
THE DELTA AIR LINES FOUNDATION BOOSTS AVIATION EDUCATION IN GEORGIA WITH $3 MILLION GRANT TO MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
million, will be dedicated to long-term initiatives in aviation education, including the expansion of partnerships with K12 schools across the state and the establishment of satellite flight-training locations in rural areas and around Atlanta. Based in Eastman, the School of Aviation currently operates satellite locations in Continued on Page 43
November 2023
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EPA Findings
Continued from Page 36 engine emissions of lead from certain aircraft cause or contribute to the lead air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare under the Clean Air Act.” Find the complete Federal Register document at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR2023-10-20/pdf/2023-23247.pdf.It is important to note that, according to the National Aviation Transportation Association (NATA) the EPA’s finding itself will not limit or ban the sale or use of leaded aviation fuel, 100LL. While the EPA finding is a key step in the process, the EPA is not given the authority to ban, regulate or limit aviation fuel. Instead, the EPA’s finding triggers further deliberate rulemaking by FAA as the nation’s aviation safety regulator to ensure the successful development and deployment of viable unleaded avgas alternatives, given the critical safety and other issues at stake. The finding puts into motion a multiyear, multistep regulatory rulemaking process from the EPA and the FAA, but should have no immediate impact on the availability of 100LL at airports, as the EPA is not given the authority to ban, regulate, or limit aviation fuel, according to AOPA. The finding reiterates the need for what the industry is already working toward — a safe and smart transition to
In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
an unleaded future. “We expected this finding for some time now,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “In essence, it mirrors the GA industry's commitment to get lead out of avgas by 2030, if not sooner. However, it is as important to note what the finding does not mean—it does not mean that 100LL is going away before we have viable alternatives. It also does not mean that airports should stop offering 100LL, as it would adversely impact safety and hinder commerce. This action does not cause aircraft to be grounded or become prohibited from using 100LL.” Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA and the FAA must consult with each other on rulemaking requirements, to ensure they are developed in a manner that does not adversely impact aviation safety. The EPA is not proposing aircraft engine lead emission standards with this action.
Aviation Stakeholders’ Response to EPA Endangerment Finding on Leaded Avgas
A coalition of aviation stakeholder organizations issued the following joint statement regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) endangerment finding on lead in aviation gasoline (avgas) issued on Oct. 18:
“We are working with the Administration toward the ultimate elimination of lead from avgas, and this finding mirrors and reinforces our shared goal of, and plan for, an unleaded fuel future. This finding is another step in the process, with rulemaking and other regulatory steps still to come, for developing and deploying viable unleaded avgas alternatives. We remain committed to removing lead from avgas by the end of 2030 or sooner, and are making considerable progress toward the introduction of market-viable high-octane unleaded replacement fuels that meet the safety performance needs of the entire U.S. fleet of piston aircraft.” “It is important that the flying community and the public understand that aviation safety depends on an orderly, nationally coordinated transition to unleaded avgas. The premature removal of an essential fuel that many aircraft require for safe operation, before a replacement is available, would compromise the safety, efficiency and economic viability of the U.S. airspace and airports, the general aviation industry and transportation infrastructure. “While the EPA finding is a key step in the process, the EPA is not given the authority to ban, regulate or limit aviation fuel. Instead, the EPA’s finding triggers further deliberate rulemaking by FAA as
Navigating Pathways to an Unleaded Future
Continued from Page 36 established a goal of removing lead from avgas no later than 2030. This is an aggressive timeline and one that I believe we can meet. It’s going to take everyone to work cooperatively and in good faith to get there. But let there be no doubt, one of our highest priorities is a transition to unleaded fuel that is safe and smart — and deploying a solution that works for the entire GA piston aircraft fleet. To give you some context, about 180 million gallons of avgas is burned annually. The same amount of fuel is burned in about four hours on our nation’s highways, but that doesn’t mitigate the need to get the lead out of avgas. Before we address at what stage of development the new unleaded fuels are, it's important to get a quick review of what’s available now and what challenges we face in finding a widely available unleaded fuel for every piston engine in the fleet. Swift Fuels' UL94, a 94-octane unleaded fuel good for lower compression engines, is currently available at 36 U.S. public-use airports. Before using this fuel, currently, you must obtain a
supplemental type certificate (STC) specific to your aircraft and engine. Higher compression engines, such as those used on many Beechcraft Bonanzas and Barons, as well as Cirrus SR22s, cannot use this lower-octane fuel as it may not prevent dangerous, engine-damaging detonation. We’ve already seen some unfortunate incidents of misfueling. There are also STCs available that enable lower compression aircraft engines to use ethanol-free automotive gasoline (mogas). About 75 airports across the country still sell this type of fuel, but it is increasingly difficult to find mogas that does not contain some percentage of ethanol. While airplanes with lower compression engines make up 70 percent of the GA piston fleet, they only burn about 30 percent of the 100LL. Higher compression engines use 70 percent of the 100LL supply. This is, in part, the reason we need 100LL available at our airports during this transition. More importantly, it is a matter of safety—exactly why Congress has included language in the FAA reauthorization bill that would require that 100LL remain available at airports while we tran-
sition to unleaded fuel. Turning to fuels in development, General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) has developed G100UL, a 100octane unleaded fuel that is FAA approved, via STC, for all GA spark-ignition piston airplanes. Rotorcraft certification work is ongoing. GAMI is currently seeking a path to commercialize G100UL, which requires agreements with partners to blend and distribute the fuel nationwide. This is no simple feat, as national distribution will take several years if everything goes exactly as planned. There are members and some in the media who have proclaimed that this FAA approval has solved everything, and they question why we are even looking at other fuels. In short, the STC process is proprietary by its very nature, and engine manufacturers and fuel distributors simply want to learn more about the GAMI fuel. Although there is no legal requirement for GAMI to pursue an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) fuel specification, some suggest it should do so. And while GAMI has reportedly incorporated many ASTM testing stan-
November 2023
the nation’s aviation safety regulator to ensure the successful development and deployment of viable unleaded avgas alternatives, given the critical safety and other issues at stake.” The coalition of aviation stakeholder organizations include: • NATA (National Air Transportation Association) • American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) • Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) • American Petroleum Institute (API) • Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) • General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) • Helicopter Association International (HAI) • International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) • National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) • National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Visit any of the coalition member websites for more information. AOPA offers a page on their website dedicated to advocacy toward safely removing lead from aviation fuel. A video is included. Find the page at https://www.aopa.org/advocacy/100unleaded-avgas. dards in pursuit of its FAA STC approval, the company remains hesitant to go through such a cumbersome and complicated process that could take years. I believe having some type of industry consensus – not necessarily an ASTM standard – would be very helpful in moving the GAMI fuel forward. Swift has also pursued the STC pathway with its 100R unleaded fuel and is seeking an ASTM specification. Swift has indicated that it may receive FAA approval for its fuel by the end of this year. Two fuel candidates are pursuing testing through the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) pathway, which is administered by the FAA: one from the LyondellBasell/VP Racing team, and the other from Phillips 66/Afton Chemical. Whether through the STC process, ASTM consensus specification, or some type of industry consensus, any new 100octane unleaded fuel needs to be widely available and safely mix with 100LL. And if there are multiple 100 unleaded fuels approved for wide distribution, they all must be fungible with one another. This fungibility issue is an important one Continued on Page 43
EMBRY RIDDLE, NAVAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNER TO OFFER AVIATION MAINTENANCE, UAS DEGREES TO SERVICE MEMBERS
November 2023
By Melanie Azam ERAU
Dr. John “Keith” Wilson knows firsthand the challenges that students serving in the military face in balancing their studies with active duty, work and family responsibilities. “I was a nontraditional student and earned my degrees on active duty, juggling family and work,” said Wilson, an assistant professor and assistant dean of curriculum and accreditation at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Campus College of Aviation. “We have to have empathy, understand they have those commitments and remain flexible.” Currently, Wilson is teaching activeduty members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, as well as Coast Guard Reservists, enrolled in a new Embry‑Riddle program, a partnership with the U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC), which allows students to earn
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an associate’s degree in Aviation Maintenance or Uncrewed Systems. “This program will take our sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen to new heights in naval-relevant education,” said USNCC’s President Randi R. Cosentino, Ed.D. The USNCC-Embry‑Riddle partnership program is actively growing. A total of 310 students registered for the May term, while more than 450 students registered for participation in August. “Our longstanding relationship with the military, providing exceptional instruction to service men and women around the globe, is a point of pride for our institution,” said Dr. John Watret, chancellor for Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. The USNCC Associate of Science (A.S.) in Aviation Maintenance program, offered in conjunction with Embry‑Riddle, was approved in November 2022, with the first student cohort starting their studies in May. Students in the degree program also
receive an Aviation Maintenance Technology Part 65 Certificate issued by Embry‑Riddle, upon completion of the coursework. The program is also transferable to four-year bachelor’s programs at Embry‑Riddle, including the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance. In May 2023, an A.S. in Uncrewed Systems degree program tailored for active-duty members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, as well as for Coast Guard Reservists, was approved through the same partnership between Embry‑Riddle and the USNCC. Classes started in August for the program, which includes the Naval Studies Certificate, along with the Uncrewed Systems Technology Certificate. For Wilson, the USNCCEmbry‑Riddle partnership is key to allowing the university to assist the military in preparing students to advance and serve as the next aviation and aerospace leaders.
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Active-duty members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard (as well as Coast Guard Reservists) can enroll in a new Embry-Riddle program, in partnership with the U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC), which allows students to earn an associate degree in aviation maintenance or unscrewed systems. (Courtesy USNCC) “It allows Embry‑Riddle to do its mission to provide world-class aviation education,” said Wilson. Those interested in the USNCCEmbry‑Riddle program can learn more online at https://www.usncc.edu/s/ .
The Delta Air Lines Foundation Boosts Aviation Education
Continued from Page 40 Macon and Griffin. To support these new initiatives, MGA will use $500,000 to procure cuttingedge equipment and $1 million to hire faculty, including establishing a new Delta Air Lines Endowed Professorship of Aviation. MGA’s aviation programs reflect the broad spectrum of Georgia’s population. More than 90 percent of MGA’s aviation students come from Georgia, representing 145 of the state’s 159 counties in the School of Aviation this fall. This widespread representation ensures an aviation student body that is notably diverse, with minorities accounting for 39 percent of the student population and women making up 18 percent. On a national scale,
women represent only five percent of maintenance technicians and six percent of pilots, while minorities constitute 21 percent of maintenance technicians and seven percent of pilots. In addition to a bachelor’s degree program in aviation science and management with a major in flight, MGA offers applied associate’s degrees in air traffic management, aircraft structural technology, and aviation maintenance technology, along with several certificate programs. MGA also offers an aviation-focused master’s program in management and an applied bachelor’s program in technical management. Established in 1995, the School of Aviation has earned international accreditation for its bachelor’s flight program.
Operating a current fleet of 53 aircraft, the School of Aviation’s enrollment has increased nearly 200 percent in the past five years. MGA is a leading public university in Georgia, committed to offering high-quality educational opportunities and fostering a diverse and inclusive community. MGA’s School of Aviation stands at the forefront of aviation education, preparing students for rewarding careers in the aviation industry. Learn more at mga.edu. The Delta Air Lines Foundation is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1968 to enhance Delta’s charitable giving. The Foundation is focused on the key areas of Environment, Equity, Education and Entire Wellness. In the past decade, The Delta Air
Navigating Pathways to an Unleaded Future
Continued from Page 42 and should be addressed as fuel testing goes forward. Ultimately, the market will determine how many fuels can realistically compete in this space. Moreover, most U.S. airports do not have the financial wherewithal to add additional fuel tanks (or trucks). And for those that do, there can be confusion in having multiple tanks with multiple fuels that may or may not mix with each other. AOPA has been advocating for a program that would provide an opportunity for any FAA-approved 100-octane
unleaded fuel to be demonstrated to work in a way to help build industry confidence. The demonstrations will produce data on whether the fuel(s) will reduce engine maintenance or have any impact on spark plug fouling, valves, and engine oil. And I am pleased the FAA has agreed to make significant funds available for this very purpose. The Environmental Protection Agency endangerment finding, expected to be released in October (and was in fact released on Oct. 18), will require the removal of lead from fuel, something
we’ve been focused on for years. But please don’t panic — 100LL will remain available at airports during this transition. This endangerment finding kicks off a regulatory process that will require the FAA to develop a path forward for removing lead from avgas. I have the privilege of co-chairing a government-industry partnership called Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) that will be involved in helping develop these regulations. At the same time, it is important to reaffirm the role of EAGLE: It’s not to
The Delta Air Lines Foundation recently presented a $3 million grant to Middle Georgia State University (MGA), marking it the largest single contribution in MGA's history. The grant will help expand and enhance MGA’s School of Aviation. (Courtesy MGA)
Lines Foundation has awarded more than $125 million in grants to nonprofit organizations. Learn more at delta.com. make fuel, not to approve fuel, but rather to facilitate information and communication among those involved in the safe transition to replace 100LL. AOPA is working every day with a sense of urgency. It will take the FAA, fuel companies, engine manufacturers, fuel distributors, FBOs, and every other party to this issue to attain our safe and smart transition to unleaded fuel by 2030. I say, let’s get this done as quickly and as safely as possible.
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PILOT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS ATTENDS AVIATION FESTIVAL IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA
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The celebration of aviation held at the Max Westheimer Airport (KOUN) in Norman, Oklahoma on Sept. 23 was great success. The annual Aviation Festival was well attended, as Max Westheimer Airport is an integral part of the huge aviation program available through Oklahoma State University (OU State), located just a few miles south of metropolitan Oklahoma City. Offering the advanced education and training required to fill the growing need for professional pilots in all aspects of commercial aviation, it is no surprise that Pilot Medical Solutions was present to extend on-site assistance and a full range of services regarding the complex nature of maintaining an FAA class medical certificate. With offices at the nearby Wiley Post Airport (KPWA), Pilot Medical Solutions works hand-in-hand with both commercial and private pilots to help with class medical certificate concerns in all 50 states. David Hale, President of Pilot Medical Solutions commented, “We had a lot of visitors at our booth at the Aviation Festival, both from individuals that were involved in medical issues with the FAA, and those seeking to know how class medical problems can be avoided. Pilot Medical Solutions is not just a problem solver but helps with preventing problems from ever developing.” Hale continued, “To be sure, any involvement at any level within the FAA bureaucracy can be challenging, but when medical concerns are involved, pilots need a team of medical experts
November 2023
Pilot Medical Solutions Case Manager Rhonda Seberg is prepared to help clients facing FAA issues regarding medications and other concerns. (Courtesy Pilot Medical Solutions)
with years of FAA experience on their side.” Hale added, “Case Manager Rhonda Seberg did a great job at the show, especially given FAA Aero Medical’s recent concentration on use of medications and concerns involving psychological issues.” Pilot Medical Solutions is the only service that collaborates with private physicians to produce the exact documentation required by the FAA. This talented team can help pilots optimize the complex task of meeting specific FAA documentation needs. As all aviators know, it is the paperwork that counts! For more information, call 800-699-4457 or visit info@leftseat.com.
SKYLARK SHORES RESORT: KEEPING THE SEAPLANE TRADITION AFLOAT ON CLEAR LAKE
By Ranuka Angammana General Manager of the Skylark Shores Resort
Clear Lake, in Northern California, with its stunning vistas and inviting waters, has long been a haven for seaplane enthusiasts. Recent discussions about establishing a public seaplane base on the lake, complete with a seaplane ramp and docks, have fueled the hopes of many in the seaplane community. While these plans are still in Continued on Page 45
While Skylark Shores Resort is a great lodge for seaplane pilots and guests, their boating docks provide a perfect parking place for seaplanes. (Courtesy Skylark Shores Resort)
THE NEW ENTHUSIAST HOTEL COLLECTION OFFERS EXCITING ESCAPES VIA PRIVATE AIRCRAFT
November 2023
www.inflightusa.com
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Off-the-Beaten-Path Boutique Properties Throughout the United States and Caribbean are Conveniently Located Near General Aviation Airports
The Enthusiast Hotel Collection, comprised of unique properties that are inspired by the extraordinary places they inhabit, has the unique distinction of catering perfectly to owners of corporate and private aircraft, as most are located in close proximity to General Aviation airports and private airstrips. And as an exclusive for readers of In Flight USA, the Enthusiast Hotel Collection is pleased to offer 10 percent off all room bookings, at each of the properties, along with a complimentary room upgrade, and early check-in and late check-out and a complimentary breakfast, when using the code ECH-FLY to book (offer is subject to availability; certain restrictions and blackout dates may apply; check with specific hotel for complete details.). Reaching from the California Coast and all the way to the Caribbean, each of the hotels offers a distinctive experience. Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa, overlooking the ruggedly beautiful Mendocino Coast of Northern California, is an arts and crafts masterpiece; Historic Tapoco Lodge is a jewel of a hideaway nestled in North Carolina’s scenic Great Smoky Mountains; the architecturally splendid Hartstone Inn anchors the picture-perfect New England village of Camden, Maine; the adults-only retreat Casa Morada is a sub-tropical paradise along the scenic Islamorada coastline in the Florida Keys; in the Bahamas, and finally, A Stone’s Throw Away in Nassau reigns regally over the crystalline blue Caribbean Bar. “The common thread across our col-
lection is the combined passion of our guests and staff for soft adventure and the excitement of discovering ourselves and our world,” says Enthusiast Hotel Collection CEO Oneil Khosa, a maritime and cruise industry veteran. “Our locations provide a secluded atmosphere for owners of private aircraft to rest and rejuvenate, reignite relationships, foster new friendships, and reconnect with ourselves and nature.” The collection’s Northern California outpost in Mendocino County, California, Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa, exemplifies that welcoming spirit by offering the ultimate “rustic chic” experience. Situated on acres of old growth forest and meadows, this remarkable cathedral of eco-salvaged redwood rises from the land on a dramatic bluff top overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Nearest GA airport: Little River Airport. Across the country, near Robbinsville, North Carolina and right in the center of the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains, Historic Tapoco Lodge sits perched on the banks of the cascading Cheoah River. This picturesque property has been a North Carolina mainstay for outdoor adventurers, gear heads, and nature enthusiasts since 1930. Comprising 120 acres, nature lovers rave about their 11 private hiking trails, and onsite activities include tennis, pickleball, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, fishing, and mountain biking. Nearest GA airport: Western Carolina Regional Airport. At the United States’ northeastern
Skylark Shores Resort
Continued from Page 44 the discussion and evaluation phase, Skylark Shores Resort in central Lakeport is stepping in to provide a convenient and nostalgic solution for seaplane pilots. A committee has been formed to explore the possibilities and requirements for creating a public seaplane base on Clear Lake. This exciting development could potentially transform Clear Lake into a hub for seaplane enthusiasts, allowing for easier access and operations. While the details are being fine-tuned, Skylark Shores Resort has taken the initiative to provide interim solutions that harken back to the lake’s seaplane history. The Skylark Shores Resort, nestled in the heart of Lakeport, has been a cherished landmark for decades. What makes
it even more special is its rich history as a seaplane base in the 1960s and 70s when it was known as the Skylark Motel & Seaplane Base. Today, the resort aims to revive that historic connection between Clear Lake and seaplanes, especially with the annual Clear Lake Splash-In. One of the resort’s unique offerings during this transition period is the availability of their three docks to seaplane pilots who choose to stay at the resort. This service is not only a nod to the Lake’s seaplane heritage but also a practical solution for pilots visiting Clear Lake. Skylark Shores Resort is conveniently located on Lakeport’s Main Street, near the annual Clear Lake Splash-In, making it an ideal base for participants and enthusiasts. The resort’s
tip, Hartstone Inn is ideally situated in the heart of charming Camden, on the Midcoast of Maine. A historical gem that was built in 1835, Hartstone Inn offers European-style hospitality with a New England twist. The nearby harbor on Penobscot Bay, with its fleet of windjammers and bustle of activity, sets the tone for this cozy coastal retreat, and guests rave about the onsite Electric Daisy restaurant. Nearest GA airports: Knox County Regional Airport and Bald Mountain Airport. Florida’s famous Keys are the setting for Casa Morada, the collection’s adults-only resort. Located in Islamorada, one of the most stunning spots along the Sunshine State’s legendarily scenic Overseas Highway, Casa Morada is an oasis of pleasure. The luxuriant gardens, designed by renowned landscape architect Raymond Jungles, create a subtropical paradise with a varied and extensive collection of Florida native and tropical plants, trees, and grasses. When it’s time for cocktails, drinks are served poolside on the resort’s own private island. Fly into Florida Keys Marathon International Airport. Perched on one of the highest elevations by the coast in Nassau, Bahamas, tranquil A Stone’s Throw Away is closer than one might imagine. Built to echo the traditions of an old Bahamian home with wood floors and wood ceilings, louvered shutters and a large wrap-around porch, the hotel offers suites and rooms with wood or parquet floors that feature either
docks provide an excellent spot for seaplane parking, ensuring that pilots have easy access to their aircraft. Skylark Shores Resort is excited about the prospect of restoring the seaplane tradition to the region. This exciting revival is a testament to the rich history of seaplanes on Clear Lake and a promising sign of what the future may hold. Apart from its seaplane-related amenities, Skylark Shores Resort offers a variety of room types with picturesque views of the lake or the inviting pool. For those looking for a cozier experience, the resort also offers spacious cabins, allowing guests to relax and unwind in a tranquil setting. As discussions continue regarding the creation of a public seaplane base, the commitment of Skylark Shores Resort to
The great room, with a beautiful view, from the Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa. (Courtesy Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa) breathtaking vistas of the ocean or views of the alluring tropical gardens. Pilots flying to the Bahamas might want to consult Bahamas - AOPA before taking off for Lynden Pindling International Airport, less than two miles away from the hotel. All the properties in the Enthusiast Hotel Collection are intimate, close to nature, and offer experiences one can’t find anywhere else. In addition, each offers pick-up services from the closest airport for a fee. Contact information: Brewery Gulch Inn and Spa: https://www.brewerygulch inn.com, +1 707-937-4752 Historic Tapoco Lodge: https:// tapoco.com, (828) 498-2800 Hartstone Inn: https://www.hart stoneinn.com, (207) 236-4259 Casa Morada: https://casamorada .com, (305) 664-0044 A Stone’s Throw Away: https:// www.astonesthrowaway.com, +1242327-7030 The Enthusiast Hotel Collection: https://enthusiasthotels.com support seaplane pilots is a clear sign of their dedication to the seaplane community. The resort’s legacy as a seaplane base in the past, combined with its modern-day accommodation, ensures that it remains a focal point for seaplane enthusiasts visiting Clear Lake. While the future of Clear Lake’s seaplane operations is still taking shape, Skylark Shores Resort stands as a beacon of the lake’s historic connection to seaplanes, offering seaplane pilots a warm and convenient welcome as they explore the possibilities of Clear Lake’s seaplane revival. For reservations, please call the Skylark Shores Resort at 707-2636151 or send email to info@skylarkshores resort.com.
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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 In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
November 2023
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.
AIRCRAFT SPRUCE WITH A FOCUS ON HEALTH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
As the holidays are starting to roll around, many are looking for the perfect gift and many are also thinking about staying healthy. This month, Aircraft Spruce is offering several healthy options, including the Heathview unit, which is the first dedicated avionics display for health information, including gauges for blood oxygen, heart rate, respiration rate, flow rate, cabin pressure, cabin temperature, carbon monoxide, oxygen tank pressure and more! Also, check out Garmin’s latest Smartwatch with the ECG app2 that allows users to record their heart rhythm and check for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Users can take a 30-second ECG recording and view the results immediately on their smartwatch and, optionally, later in the Garmin Connect™ smartphone app. There’s no better gift than the gift of health. Check out these products and more at Aircraft Spruce, aircraftspruce.com. And from the team at Aircraft Spruce, wishing all a happy and, of course, healthy holiday season!
Aithre Healthview
The Healthview is the first dedicated avionics display for health information, including gauges for blood oxygen, heart rate, respiration rate, flow rate, cabin pressure, cabin temperature, carbon monoxide, oxygen tank pressure, and wing tip temperature/dewpoint spread – and the first dedicated avionics display that controls your oxygen dosage per station based on altitude, carbon monoxide, blood oxygen, and heart rate. This powerful avionics display is approved under NORSEE for all Part 23 aircraft, including pressurized aircraft, and all experimental aircraft, to help you monitor the health parameters that are most important to your mission. The Healthview works as a standalone device for cabin pressure altitude, using an internal barometric pressure sensor. But, the real power lies in the Healthview’s ability to dynamically expand to feature any available Aithre device, wirelessly and with OR without use of the popular Aithre Connect iOS
app. The Healthview is compatible with all Aithre devices, including the Shield series of carbon monoxide detectors, the Illyrian oximeter, the Meso oxygen pressure, the AVI oxygen systems, and the Metis wingtip temperature/dewpoint sensor. Up to six Illyrian oximeters can be linked to the Healthview at any moment. Many of the connections are wireless using BLE, but the Healthview also features serial channels linking directly to the Avi built-in oxygen systems. Additionally, the Healthview controls the built-in AVI oxygen systems with that dedicated serial communication, including pulse dosage based on pressure altitude and blood oxygen saturation levels. For advanced oxygen users, the Healthview provides an auto mode functionality that automatically turns your oxygen on and off on a station-by-station basis, using parameters of pressure altitude, SPO2, heart rate, and carbon monoxide. You’ll be proud to feature the elegant aluminum housing on your panel and it won’t tax your battery, alternator, or useful load. Power requirements are 12-18V and only 150 mA (0.15 A)! Dimensions are 90 mm x 61mm x 21.5 mm and weight is approximately 10 ounces, with the final weight pending final design changes. Wiring is simple with only power and ground required. Optional wiring includes serial TX, RX wires to the AVI built-in oxygen systems. Existing built-in AVI oxygen systems require a software and hardware upgrade to be compatible with the Healthview serial com features. This upgrade requires the AVI control unit be mailed to Aithre for a no-cost upgrade as part of the purchase of the Healthview. Aircraft Spruce is selling the unit for $960.
Garmin D2™ Mach 1 Pro Aviator Smartwatch
Be ready for takeoff, day or night. This premium smartwatch has a built-in flashlight, superbright AMOLED display and advanced tools for flying and fitness. Features include: • A built-in LED flashlight offers variable white light intensities, a strobe function and red light for flight deck operations. • Improved battery life touts up to 25
days in smartwatch mode and up to 46 hours in the Fly activity, perfect for the professional pilots who complete their trip over multiple days. • Red Shift Mode changes the entire watch interface to shades of red to help preserve night vision, which provides for potentially clearer sight for demanding night flying conditions. • The ECG app2 allows users to record their heart rhythm and check for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Users can take a 30-second ECG recording and view the results immediately on their smartwatch and, optionally, later in the Garmin Connect™ smartphone app. • When pilots aren’t taking to the skies, they can get a better understanding of their fitness levels and track their performance with more than 30 built-in sports apps and advanced training features like hill score and endurance score. This Smartwatch does it all. Aircraft Spruce is selling it for $1,399.99.
Release 20 Oz. 360-Degree Sprayer
Reach for Release® - The most effective aircraft cleaner and degreaser is safe to use on all surfaces due to its advanced associative technology. No more spot testing, it won’t hurt the surface, period. Use the Release 20oz 360-degree hand sprayer to reach those tight spaces and upside-down cleaning tasks with ease. Gravity is no longer a factor when you can continuously spray upside down. Release® is a readyto-use non-solvent base product that is formulated for rapid penetration and removal of dirt, grease, grime, oil, exhaust soot, and organic soils. It works by emulsifying the soil and releasing it from the surface, not attacking it. Release® can be used on interiors and exteriors and is fragrance-free, meaning there is no chemical smell. Combine the versatility and cleaning power of Release with the 360-degree hand sprayer for an unstoppable duo. Each spray bottle of Release sells for $27.50.
Intellikey NG-R
The Smart Way To Start Your Plane! Start your plane the similar way as to how you would start your car – with your key in your pocket. When you approach your plane, your connected lights will turn on to help light up a dark hangar or night. Once you turn on your master, Intellikey will determine authenticity of the key to enable start circuit activation and allow start if the key is valid. Alternatively, you can connect to Intellikey with your phone to activate with your four-digit pin. Intellikey NG-R is the latest edition of Intellikey product offering. Intellikey NG-R brings many new features and will be the first product in the Intellilink lineup of products that we will be bringing to market. Includes one key, harness and removal adapter. Each unit sells for $999.
B-17 75th Anniversary T-Shirt
100 percent cotton Tshirts are specially made to high standard in fit, color and quality specifications. All shirts are washed after printing – eliminating shrinkage and adding vintage appeal. Shirts are made in Canada. Sizes range from small to xx large and each sells for $36.95. Aircraft Spruce has a large variety of shirts in all sizes and price ranges. Visit their website many more options.
Next on Aircraft Spruce’s Calendar
This winter, find Aircraft Spruce at the AG Aviation Expo in Palm Springs Dec. 4-7. To see all of Aircraft Spruce’s products and to place orders or to ask for more information, visit online at www.aircraft spruce.com or call toll-free, 1-877-4777823.
RETIRED U.S. AIR FORCE COLONEL KIM CAMPBELL HEADLINES WRIGHT BROTHERS BANQUET
November 2023
Kim “KC” Campbell, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who flew more than 100 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, is this year’s featured guest at EAA’s annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on Friday, Dec. 8, at the EAA Aviation Museum. Tickets for the event are currently available at the EAA Aviation Museum website, eaa.org. Attendance is limited to 350. Campbell served as a fighter pilot and senior military leader in the Air Force for more than 24 years. Campbell flew more than 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog during her service. In 2003, she received the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully landing her badly damaged A-10 following a completed close-air support mission. EAA’s annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet honors the Wright brothers’ successful flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec. 17, 1903, that began the era of manned flight.
www.inflightusa.com
American Aircraft Sales Co. 70 YEARS IN BUSINESS–NEW LOCATION LD
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2016 Cessna Skylane 182T 1180 TTSN, Garmin G1000 NXI, GFC 700 A/P, like new!
Kim “KC” Campbell, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel is this year’s featured guest at EAA’s annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on Dec. 8. (Courtesy EAA) Tickets for the event are $70 for EAA members and $95 for nonmembers. Doors open on Dec. 8 at 5 p.m., with the dinner starting at 6:30 p.m., and the presentation immediately following dinner. A book signing will take place after the presentation. For tickets and more information, visit the EAA website, eaa.org, or directly at https://www.eaa.org/eaamuseum/eaa-museum-events/wrightbrothers-banquet
NEW MCFARLANE FAA-PMA FUEL SELECTOR VALVES FOR CESSNA 180, 182, 190, 195
McFarlane Aviation recently received FAA-PMA approval for part number MC0311070 and MC0311070-1. This new Fuel Selector Valve is a direct replacement for OEM part numbers 0311025, 0311070, and 0311070-1. The McFarlane Fuel Valve is an expansion of their existing line of Fuel Valves for several Cessna aircraft models, ranging from 150s through 190s. They’re superior in quality, in stock, and more affordable than the OEM. “Our Fuel Valve has improved corrosion resistance from the anodized coating,” said Lead Project Engineer, Val YanceyJardon. “They’re precision machined for the O-ring capture cavity, and we fully test each assembly before leaving the facility.” McFarlane also offers repair services for Cessna Fuel Valves. They stock repair kits, seal kits, gaskets, fittings, and replacement parts for Fuel Valves. McFarlane also has long life fuel proof VitonTM Seals approved for the Cessna Fuel Valves. Additionally, they have a long line of other fuel system replacement parts for several aircraft applications, including Piper, Beechcraft,
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2005 Cessna 172S Skyhawk 497 SMOH, 5,800 TTSN, Hangar kept & like new................................................ $249,950
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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
1973 Cessna 150L 1277 SNEW Engine, 3200 TTSN, nice paint/interior..............................................$44,950
2002 Cessna 182T Skylane 3000 TTSN, Nice original paint & interior ..........................................................$299,950
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1979 Cessna TR 182 RG Skylane 106 SMOH, 3,900 TTSN, new metal panel with new Garmin Avionics............................$249,950
1980 Cessna Skyhawk 180 HP 500 SFRMAN 4000 TTSN NDH...$139,950
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1979 Grumman Tiger
McFarlane Aviation recently received FAA-PMA approval for part number MC0311070 and MC0311070-1. (Courtesy McFarlane Avaition) Mooney, Maule, and more. McFarlane Aviation is located in Baldwin City, KS and is a leading provider of high-quality aircraft parts, accessories, and innovative solutions for general aviation. Each individual product is meticulously engineered, ensuring exceptional quality and extended lifespan. McFarlane is a distinguished owner of a diverse family of brands, including CJ Aviation, FlightResource/MT Props, and Airforms. For information on other products or full eligibility listings, please visit McFarlaneAviation.com.
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
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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
November 2023
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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 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
Airpark Hangar Homes for Sale! Allen & Allen Inc., carolinaairparks.com, (704) 798-5214. 9/23
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 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
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
MUSEUMS Rowland Freedom Center Vacaville, CA, (707) 449-3402 rowlandfreedomcenter.org Castle Air Museum World's largest static display of vintage military aircraft from late 1930s. Atwater, CA, (209) 723-2178 castleairmuseum.org Planes of Fame Air Museum Chino, CA, (909) 597-3722 planesoffame.org Hagerstown Aviation Museum Hagerstown, MD, (301) 733-8717 hagerstownaviationmuseum.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 Western Museum of Flight Zamperini Field, Torrance, CA (310) 326-9544, wmof.com
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
November 2023
FAREWELL TO RENO www.inflightusa.com
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While the Reno Air Racing Association looks at several alternative locations to host the National Championship Air Races, the 59th annual event drew large crowds to celebrate the last of it’s kind at Reno/Stead Airport. Photography by Anthony Taylor
The Reno Home Pylon was shining every night after the sun went down. This will be the last of the National Championship Air Races with "Reno" emblazoned across it, but we are hopeful to see the racing continue at a new venue in the future.
Vicky Benzing took ownership of Clay Lacy’s iconic Mustang (renamed Plum Crazy) and with the help of Fighter Rebuilders of Chino California, was able to participate in the final air race. This airplane also competed in the inaugural NCAR event at Sky Ranch in 1964.
Joel Swager qualified Dreadnought at 441mph on Tuesday on the first lap after calling the clock, which was the fastest lap completed in this airplane since 2008. On the following lap, the engines master rod failed and Joel brought it back safely to runway 14. Dreadnought was out for the week.
Brent “Doc” Hisey flew his P-51 Miss America from Oklahoma, in hopes of taking the Gold Championship. Unfortunately, Doc was penalized with several pylon cuts and deadline infractions and was bumped down to the Silver heat for Sunday's final.
Steven Hinton posted the top qualifying speed at 469.935mph in Justin Zabel’s highly modified P-51 Mustang Bardahl Special. This airframe was originally owned by Chuck Lyford and won the Unlimited Class race in 1964 with Bob Love as pilot.
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In Flight USA Celebrating 39 Years
November 2023
AD INDEX ABCI ..................................17 Aircraft Spruce ............15, 19 Airmotive Specialties ........39 Airplanes USA A/C Sales....6 Airport Shoppe ..................25 Airtronics............................31 American Aircraft Sales ....47 AOPA....................................7 Born to Age ........................36 Bristell Aircraft ................16 Bruce’s Custom Covers ....41 BTA Consulting ................28 Castle Air Museum............14
NOVEMBER 2023
CB SkyShare......................13 Ctr.for Freedom & Flight ....4 Chalkboard ........................51 Dr. R. Landy Property ......28 Fly By Wire........................14 GAMI ................................25 Hartwig Fuel Cells ..............3 HME Watches ....................34 Hudson Flight Ltd. ............26 Lawyers for Men’s Rights 26 LD Aerospace ....................14
McFarlane Aviation............20 Mike Smith Aviation..........37 Mostafa Salama..................22 Mountain High Oxygen ......3 Oakland Aviation Museum11 Pacific Coast Avionics ......10 Pacific Oil Cooler ................9 Pecan Plantation ..................2 Pilot Medical Solutions ....50 Pilot Quarters ....................52 QREF Media......................18
R&M Steel ........................12 Sunshine Flyers..................44 T.J. Aircraft Sales ..............23 Threshold/CieloBlu............33 Treasure Coast Avionics ....12 Univair..................................9 USA A/C Brokers ............13 USA A/C Brokers ..............44 Van’s Aircraft........................6 Walnut Regional Museum ..24 Wisconsin ..........................27 XL Aviation ........................35 Zanette Insurance ................5
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