In Flight USA June 2024

Calendar of Events

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

Note: Calendar includes only information available by our press date, Friday, May 31.Confirm the status before attending.

JUNE

1 Chickasha, OK:Chickasha Wings & Wheels, airshow noon to 2 p.m., Chickasha Municipal Airport, (405) 222-6020, chickasha.org. Rochester, NH:Wings & Wheels, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Skyhaven Airport, flight4cf.com.

Chino, CA: Hangar Talk/Flying Demo, 10:30 a.m., Planes of Fame Air Museum, (909) 597-3722, planesoffame.org. Vacaville, CA:Cupof Joe, 9 to 11 a.m., Rowland Freedom Center, (707)449-3402, rowlandfreedomcenter.org.

1—2 Terre Haute, IN: Terre Haute Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Terre Haute Regional Airport, terrehauteairshow.com.

Bolingbrook, IL:Cavalcade of Planes, Clow Int’l. Airport, cavalcadeofplanes.com.

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

2 Alamogordo, NM:Hollowman AFB Legacy of Liberty Air Show, holloman.af.mil.

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

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

7—9 Reading, PA:Mid-Atlantic WWII Weekend, gates 8:30 a.m., Reading Regional Airport, (610) 372-7333, maam.org.

8 Sunset, LA: Rockin’ on the Runway, Red Oak Landing Airport, rotr-la.com.

8—9 St. Louis, MO:Spirit of St. Louis Air show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Spirit of St. Louis Airport, (636) 534-1440, spirit-airshow.com.

Mt. Clemens, MI:Selfreidge ANGB Open House & Air Show, (586) 239-5576, teamselfridge.com.

Wasaga Beach, Ont.:Wings over Wasaga Air Show. CANCELED Grand Haven, MI:Lake Michigan Elemental Experience. CANCELED

14—16 West Milford, NJ:Greenwood Lake Air Show, gates Fri. 4 p.m./Sat. & Sun. 2 p.m., Greenwood Lake Airport, greenwoodlakeairshow.com.

Columbus, OH: Columbus Air Show, gates 9 a.m., Rickenbacker Int’l. Airport, columbusairshow.com.

15 Virginia Beach, VA: Military Aviation Museum Flying Proms, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Virginia Beach Airport, (757) 721-7767, militaryaviatiomuseum.org.

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

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

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

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

15—16 La Crosse, WI:Deke Slayton Airfest, gates 9 a.m., La Crosse Municipal Airport, airfest.com. Borden, Ont.:Borden Canadian Armed Forces Days & Air Show, CFB Borden, bordenairshow.ca.

Moses Lake, WA:Moses Lake Air Show, gates 7:30 a.m., Grant County Int’l. Airport, moseslakeairshow.com. Baltimore, MD: Maryland Fleet Week & Fly-Over Baltimore, Inner Harbor, (866) 639-3526, MDFLEETWEEK.ORG.

Tumwater, WA:Olympic Air Show, 9 a.m., Olympia Regional Airport, (360) 705-3925, olympicairshow.com.

16 Oakland, CA:Father’s Day Special Event, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oakland Aviation Museum, (510) 638-7100, oaklandaviationmuseum.org. San Diego, CA:Historic Aircraft Display, noon to 2 p.m., MontgomeryGibbs Field, (619) 301-2530.

18—22 Lock Haven, PA:Sentimental Journey Fly-In, William T. Piper Memorial Airport, (570) 893-4200, sentimentaljourneyfly-in.com.

19 North Bay, Ont.:North Bay Armed Forces Day, North Bay Waterfront &Shabogesic Beach, armedforcesday.ca.

21 — 22 Wausau, WI: Wings over Wausau Airshow, gates Fri. 4 p.m./Sat. 11 a.m., Wausau Downtown Airport, wausauevents.org.

21—23 Salinas, CA: Firestone Grand Prix, Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca, (831) 242-8201.

22 Truckee, CA: Truckee Tahoe AirShow & Family Festival, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Truckee Tahoe Airport, truckeetahoeairshow.com. East Wenatchee, WA:Pangborn’s Festial of Flight & Fly-In, 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Pangborn Memorial Airport, flywenatchee.com. Ypsilanti, MI:Yankee Air Museum Wings & Wheels, 2 to 6 p.m., Willow Run Airport, (734) 483-4030, yankeeairmuseum.org.

CULTIVATINGA PASSIONFOR AVIATIONAT CIRRUS

Perhapsoneofthemostpopular brandofaircraftonthemarketis theCirrus.Thesesleekairplanes makeforexcellenttrainingaircraftanda lifetimeadventureforthepilot.This month, InFlightUSA hadtherare opportunitytointerviewanoutstanding CirrusRegionalSalesDirector,Emmie Smith.Emmiebeganheraviationjourney atayoungageandisnowasuccessful Cirrusteammember.Inherstory,she talksaboutherjourneyinaviationand advisesyouthandnewcomerstothefield.

“Ifyoucan’tseeit,youcan’tbeit,” saidhergoodfriendandpilot,Royal Shoen.

NestledneartheheartofCalifornia, abright-eyedpilotwasbornduringher junioryearofhighschool.A7,000 square-foot-hangarstoringavarietyof aircraft,pooltableandkitchen–thequintessential‘mancave’–wouldbecomethe epicenterofwhatfueledherpassionand admirationfortheaviationcommunity.

Herfirstflightinasmallaircraftwas exhilarating–similartohowmanyofus aviatorswouldrecallit–andmore specifically,anunforgettablewayto

experienceresearchinguniversitiesfirsthand.Thisimpressionableexperience inspiredEmmie,nowRegionalSales DirectorofCirrus,toearnherprivate pilotlicensebythetimeshewas17years old.

Throughwaitressing,bartendingand afewotheroddjobs,Emmiesaved enoughmoney,alongwithsupportfrom hermotherandstepfather,totakeflight lessonsatanearbyflightschool.Overthe years,sheaccumulatedadditionalratings

EmmieSmithapproachingaG7. (CourtesyConnerSchuh)

includingCFI,CFII,MEIandSeaplane, landingherfirstjobasapilotforalocal lawfirmwhenshewas19.

Fastforward,andEmmienowmanagestheNorthernCaliforniaand NorthernNevadaterritorysupporting Cirrussales–acovetedcareerinthepersonalaviationindustrythatencompasses networkingwithCirrusownersand spearheadingsalesforthebest-selling

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EmmieSmithinherCirrusplane. (CourtesyConnerSchuh)

CULTIVATING A PASSIONFOR AVIATION AT CIRRUS

ByAnnamarieBuonocore Page4

F-16ViperDemoTeamReleasesNew50thAnniversaryPaint Scheme BySr.AirmanMeghanHutton ....................................11 WhyGotoAirVenture?ReasonsandHighlights......................19 NATAClarifiedPointsOnSaleofUnleadedFuels....................21 SenateApproves,BidenSignsFAAReauthorizationAct........24 Aurora’sLatestX-PlaneDesignSpeedsAhead........................25 EmbryRiddle,FAAAlignonConfrontingPilotMentalHealth25 RememberingLt.Col.Richard‘Dick’GlennRutan..................28 RememberingClarence‘Bud”Anderson,TripleAce................28 NATAReviewsUpdatedFlightSchoolSecurityRules............32 Roswell,NewMexico,SelectedasNewHomeofAirRaces....33 NAAAEstablishesUncrewedAerialApplicationsCommittee34 FAADrone,AirMobilitySymposiumSetforJuly30................37 TecnamP-MentorAchievesFAACertification..........................38 SonomaAviation’sFBOsAttainSpecialAccreditation............43

47TH ANNUAL AIR RACE CLASSIC SETTO TAKE OFF JUNE 18 AND SPECTACULAR WASHINGTON D.C.GAFLYOVER THRILLED CROWDS Page45

Editorial:WhereCanIFindaDPE? ByEdDowns ................................................................6

AOPAEditorial:ProtectIt,GrowIt,KeepItSafe ByMarkBaker,PresidentandCEO ..................................8

TheUseofAIinAviation ByAkomolafeJoshua ....................................................12

TwoNinerDiner:SoMuchMorethanthe$100 Hamburger! ByBertBotta ..........................................13

Airships:TheOnceandFutureKings ByNickRogers ............................................................16

AOPAAdvocacy:PreservinganAirportCommunity ByLillianGel ................................................................18

Editorial ByEdDowns

WHERE C AN IFINDA DPE?

Editorialthoughtsoriginatefroma numberofabstractsources.Inthis case,theycamefromoneofour In FlightUSA teammemberswhoisundergoingflighttrainingforhisPrivatePilot Certificate.Withapronouncedspringto hisstep,heblurtedout,“Heyguys,Iam readyformycheck-ride,doanyofyou knowwhereIcanfindaDPE?”Itisthis writer’sguessthatanumberofourreaders haveaskedthesamequestionwithdisappointingresults.Whilenoofficialnumbers areinplay,anecdotalexperiencetellsthis writerthatfindingaDPEandschedulinga checkrideisbecomingincreasinglydifficult,withdelaysnowreachingseveral months…butwait,let’shitpausefora moment.Whatisa“DPE?”

Theshortansweristhat“DPE” standsfor“DesignatedPilotExaminer.” ThiswriterturnedtoaDPEIhaveknown allmylife(actually,beforemylife?),my identicaltwinbrother,EarlDowns.Like me,Earlisa66-yearaviationpro…I guessitisageneticflaw?Unlikeme, Earl,holderoftheprestigiousFAAissuedWrightBrothersMasterPilot Award,succumbedtothedarksideofthe forceandbecameaDPEin1964. Droppingthatstatuswhileamanagerin TWAFlightTrainingandpickingitup againafterretirement,Earlhasatotalof 22yearsofDPEexperience.Whilenot activelygivingflightchecksrightnow, Earl’swebsite,www.goldenageaviation .com,containsaplethoraofgoodtesting information.Whenaskedforinsights,my “darkside”brothersuggestedIcontact FSANA,averygoodsuggestion!The FlightSchoolAssociationofNorth AmericacanbereachedfromtheirwebsiteatHome-FlightSchoolAssociations ofNorthAmerica(fsana.com).More observations,andevenapossiblesolutiontolocatingaDPE,areincludedin thisarticle…keepreading!

TheFAAisresponsibleforperformingaPracticalTestCheckride,butthey donothaveenoughpersonneldedicated todoingthisjob.That’swheretheDPE comesintoplay.Wegetsousedtousing FederalAviationRegulationstofindout howtheruleswork;itiseasytoforget thatthereareotherwaysthattheFAAcan regulateandmanageaviation.Oneof thosewaysisbyproducingFAAOrders. Ifyoulookintheaviationregulations, youwon’tfindanythingthatreferences DesignatedPilotExaminers.You’llneed togotoFAAOrder8000.95Btofindout whatittakestobeaDPE.It’sacomplex read,soI’mgoingtousegeneralitiesand avoidspecificdetails.

ADPE“wannabe”needstoseeif theymeetrequirementslistedintheFAA Order8000.95B.Ifso,thatapplicantmay applytoaspecificdivisionofFAAFlight StandardsforDPEstatus.Ifaccepted,he orshewillberequiredtoattendasubstantialtrainingprogram(attheapplicant’sexpense)regardingtheprocedures andrulesoftestingpilots.Akeypartof thistrainingemphasizestheimportance ofstandardizationwhenperformingpracticalexaminations.Theresponsibilityfor thistrainingprogramfallsunderFAA SectionAFS600,whichiscalledthe RegulatorySupportDivision.Theapplicantthengoesintoapoolfromwhichthe FAAmaydrawtofillwhen,andif,the needforaDPEisidentifiedinaspecific FAAregion.

Goingthroughtheapplicationand trainingprocessisnoguaranteethatthe applicantwillbeselectedasaDPE.If, afteradesignatedperiodoftime,the qualifiedandtrainedDPEapplicantisnot selected,theapplicantmustrepeatthe process…attheapplicant’sexpense (bummer!).IfaDPEiscalledup,theyare thenturnedovertolocalFAAmanagement,whichisusuallytheregionalFlight StandardsDistrictOffice(FSDO). However,insomecases,themanagementmaycomefromanothersource withintheFAA,oftenspecializingin unusualaircraftsuchaswarbirds. Complicated,eh?

EventhoughFAAtrainingemphasizesfollowingapprovedtestingproceduresandstandardization,weallknow thatmanyDPEsdifferinthewaythey performtesting.AllDPEsareawareof theimportanceoffollowingeitherthe PracticalTestStandards(PTS)orthe AirmenCertificationStandards(ACS, whichisreplacingthePTS).However,as theDPEmovesintolocalFAAmanagement,theypickupaManaging Supervisor(MS).EachMSmayhave slightlydifferentwaysofdoingthings. EveryDPEmustcreateaPlanofAction (POA)foreachpilotcertificateorrating theyareapprovedfortesting.TheDPEs ManagingSupervisormustassurethe POAmeetsthetestingrequirements,but thetestingscenariosmayvaryfromone DPEtoanother.DPE’sarefrequently monitoredtoassurethattheyarecomplyingwiththetestingrulesandthattheir testingisperformedfollowingFAA requirements.Thisincludesrecurrent trainingandcheckridesfortheDPE,allat theexpenseoftheDPE.Itisalsorequired thataManagingSupervisorperiodically

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AirplanesUSA proudly presents this Oshkosh

with

with

CalendarofEvents

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

22—23 Bagotville, Quebec: Spectacle Aérien Int’l. de Bagotville, CFB Bagotville, saibagotville.com.

Dayton, OH:Center Point Energy Dayton Air Show, Dayton Int’l. Airport, daytonairshow.com.

Davenport, IA:Quad City Air Show, Davenport Municipal Airport, (563)349-0044, quadcityairshow.com.

Spokane, WA: Fairchild AFB Inland Northwest SkyFest, fairchild.af.mil.

22 — 27 Healdsburg, CA: Vintage Aircraft Display, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Healdsburg Municipal Airport, (707) 484-4333.

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

29—30 Traverse City, MI: National Cherry Festival Air Show, 1 to 4 p.m., West Grand Traverse Bay, (231) 947-4230, cherryfestival.org.

Quinte West, Ont.:Quinte Int’l. Air Show, CFB Trenton, (613) 3922811,ext. 4218, quinteairshow.ca.

Ogden, UT:Utah Air Show-Warriors over the Wasatch, show 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Hill AFB, (801) 762-8487, theutahairshow.com.

JULY

1 Ontario, Can.:Fete du Canada Day, Parliament Hill, canada.ca.

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

3 Addison, TX: Kaboom Town - Addison Airport Air Show, 5 to 11 p.m., (972)450-6284, addisonkaboomtown.com.

Dubuque, IA: Dubuque Air Show & Firewooks, Lock & Dam #11, Mississippi River, (563) 589-4128, flydbq.com

3—7 Battle Creek, MI:Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival, see website for times, W.K. Kellogg Airport, fieldofflight.com.

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

4—5 Ridgedale, MO:Thunder Ridge Airshow, gates Thurs. 9 a.m./ Fri. 10:30 a.m., Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, thunderridgairshow.org.

5 Athens, TX:Thunder over East Texas, 6 to 9 p.m., Athens Municipal Airport, ccveteransfoundation.org

6 Tyler, TX:The Magnificent Warbird Expo, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, ccveteransfoundation.org.

KEEPYOUR HEADIN THECLOUDS.

BeingamemberofAOPA is more than a hugelist of pilot benefits. Joining AOPA empowers general aviation with a louder voice, keeping skies safer and open to pilotseverywhere. Amplifyyour power to fly.

ByMarkBaker AOPAPresident&CEO

Inourannualreport–whichappears infullin AOPAPilotMagazine –we addressAOPA’sprioritiesandour workonyourbehalf.Thisisanopportunitytoreflectonthepastyearandlook forwardtotheyearahead.

Thepast12monthshavebeen eventful,tosaytheleast.We’vecelebratedachievementsandfacedseveralchallenges,butourworkhasneverwavered foronemoment.Providingyouwiththe bestservices,products,andvalueingeneralaviationguidesourworkeveryday. Yourprioritiesasmembersareours.

Inshort,thestateofourassociation isstrong.Ourcommitmentisstrong,and ourfutureisstrong.Allforyourbenefit.

Letmecoverjustafewofourmany prioritiesonyourbehalfthatfitrightinto thethemeof“protectit,growit,keepit safe.”

Protectit.OurteaminWashington, D.C.,andineveryregionwhereyoulive andfly,protectsyourfreedomtofly,

PROTECT IT,GROW IT,KEEP IT SAFE

24/7.FAAreauthorization,whichwas approvedbytheSenateandsignedbythe Presidentlastmonth,isthemostGAfriendlyFAAfundingbillever,thanksto ourteam’sworkandourcloseallieson CapitolHill.Thisincludesmakingsure theGAairportswhereyoulandareadequatelyfunded,usingthosefundsto addresstheseverehangarshortageat manyofyourairports,makingsurewe haveenough100LLavailableforyouas wetransitiontoanunleadedfuture,and expandingBasicMed(whichwehelped tobringaboutin2017).

AOPAisalsoworkingtoensurethat theFAAgoesfarenoughwithlightsport reformsthroughModernizationof SpecialAirworthinessCertification (MOSAIC).Andwe’restillworkingwith Congresstoensurethatwhenyouparkat anyoneofthenation’spublic-useairports,you’renotgougedwithahighfee. Thatpracticemuststop.

Growit.Whilewe’reworkingonall ofthis,IamgladthatGAisbooming,and thenumberofGAandstudentpilotscontinuestoincrease.Butyoumayhaveseen

somenumbersthatsaywewillneedhundredsofthousandsofnewpilotsand techniciansoverthenexttwodecades.

That’sonereasonwhyourAOPA FoundationYouCanFlyprogramisso valuable.Whetherit’sintroducingalmost 23,000highschoolstudentstoaviation thisyearalonethroughourinnovative andfreeSTEMcurriculum,gettingrusty pilotsbackintotheskies,makingflight trainingmoreeffective,orproviding moreaccesstoaircraftthroughflying clubs,YouCanFlyisensuringabright futureforGA.

Keepitsafe.Allthisincreasedflight activitycallsforaheightenedfocuson safety,andourAOPAAirSafetyInstitute hastheresourcesforyou,andanyonein theGAcommunity,tostaysafeandproficient.It’snowonderthatweareliving inthesafesteraeverforGA.

Advocacy,pilotresources,andsafetyarejustthreeoftheareaswe’refocusingonbecauseweknowthey’reimportanttoyou.Again,yourprioritiesare ours.Ifyouthinkaboutthefullpictureof whatweoffertomembers,anAOPA

membershipissimplyasmartaviation decision.

Whereveryouareonyouraviation journey,AOPAisthereforyou.Whether youarestartingoutinflying,returningto theflightdeck,orstayingsafeandconfidentintheskies,AOPAneedstobein yourflightbag.

Thesuccessofourprogramswon’t diminishourdrive.Everydayweask ourselveshowwecanmakeanalready strongmembershipvalueevenmoresignificantforyou.Icantellyouthatour teamisworkingonsomeexcitingbenefitsthatwillmakeyourmembershipand aviationjourneymorerewarding.

Forthat,Icanconfidentlysaythat thereareblueskiesahead!

Editor’sNote: AOPAPilotMagazine is availabletoAOPAmembersataopa.org.

CoverStory:Cirrus

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high-performance,single-enginepiston aircraftinthemarket,theSRSeriesaircraft.

Emmierecallslearningofthesales positionatCirruswhileshewasinstructingpart-timeandflyingforaPC12chartercompany.Sheflewwithapassenger thatweekendwhoofferedheraticketto theWorldAgricultureConventionin Tulare.Uponarrival,Emmiewasmesmerizedbyapinkaircraftondisplay. Drawingclosertotheaircraft,shewas approachedbyLindseyAlberts,Regional SalesDirectorofCirrusforthePacific Northwest.

SoonafterlearningaboutCirrusand thecompanyculture,Emmierealizedshe wasreadytoleapfromchartertothepersonalaviationthatembodiesthe‘Cirrus Life.’Afterathoroughdeepdiveinto Cirrusflighttrainingandteammember conversations,Emmiefoundherself employedatthecompanysixmonths later.

Heradvicetoothers:

“Youshouldalwaysapplytoajobif youthinkyoucanfigureitout.Aside fromthetechnicalflyingskillsandratings,alotofthingscanbelearned.You neverknowwhoelseisapplyingorifa companyiswillingtotrainyouandhelp yougrowintoarole,”saidEmmie.

Now26yearsold,Emmiesaysher favoritepartofworkingatCirrusisflyingabrandnewSR22TG7withowners andaviationenthusiastsaswellasparticipatinginthe‘CirrusLife.’

“Ilovepersonalaviationandgetting tosharethatwithothersisspecial,”said Emmie.“IalsolovetheCirruscommunity,bothinternalandexternal.Alotofmy colleaguesaresomeofthebrightestpeopleIhaveeverknownandIamsolucky toworkwiththem.”

Outofthe40+aircraftEmmiehas flown,theSRSeriesaircraftisher favorite.Notonlyistheaircraftsafeand equippedwiththeCirrusAirframe ParachuteSystem(CAPS)asanadded layerofprotection,butalso,comfortable, fastandresponsive.

“Igettobeabigpartofpeople’sjourneybecauseyouneverforgetthefirst flight,andforalotofthecustomersI demo,it’stheirfirsttimeinasmallaircraft.Iknowtheywillalwaysremember havingagreattimeintheCirrus,soitisan extraordinaryopportunity,”Emmiesaid.

Recently,EmmieflewhernewSR SeriesG7fromSacramentotoSan Diego.Duringherroute,sheflewover theLosAngelesBravoshelveswhich wereeasilyvisiblewithPerspective Touch+touchscreendisplaysandthe movingmapontheMFD.TheSRSeries

XMRadioandairconditioningkepther comfortablewhiletheAutomaticFuel Selectorkeptthetanksbalancedandcontinuousweatherupdatesmadetheflight seamlessasshemonitoredtheusual marinelayerinSanDiego.Thequick two-hourflightwasatreatcomparedto aneight-hourdrive.

Lookingback,Emmiethanksher stepfather,Mark,whofirstintroducedher toaviationandhermother,Stacie,for beingsupportiveandencouragingthroughoutthelastdecadeofheraviationjourney.

Emmieseesalongcareerwith Cirrusandishappyshehascreateda community–acollectionofCirrusownersandtrainingpartnersinherarea.She isworkingtoencouragemorewomento joinaviationandgrowinthefieldaswell asinstructandgivebacktothecommunity.Lastyear,shespokeattheWomen inAviationConferenceinLongBeachto shareheraviationjourneyandnetwork withotherwomen.

YoucancatchEmmieandlearn moreaboutCirrusduringEAA AirVentureinOshkoshthisyearorfeel freetoreachouttoherdirectlyat esmith@cirrusaircraft.com.

EmmieSmithinflight. (CourtesyConnerSchuh)

EmmieSmithandcolleagueatWAI. (CourtesyCirrusAircraft)

sitsinonacheckrideandobservesthe checkrideasitisbeingperformed.

DPEsconduct80percentofthecheckrides.TheFAAairmanpracticaltesting systemrequiresanewapproach.”

Yourcost(theapplicantpilot)oftakingacheckridealsovariesfromoneDPE toanotherbecausethereisnoFAA-recommendedrate.Theonlymentionthe FAAgivesofwhataDPEchargesisthe useoftheword“reasonable.”Some DPEspublishratesthatallowyoutoshop forthebestrate,whileotherDPEsmay notprovidetheircheckridefeeinformationuntilyoumakethephonecallto scheduleacheckride.Inotherwords, everyDPErunstheirownbusiness,and feestructuresvaryalot.Otherpartsofa DPEsfeestructuretolearnaboutahead ofschedulingyourcheckridewould include:cancellationfees,no-showfees, feesforfailingthetestduringtheground testingorflighttesting,andthemethodof payment.

TherealityisthatmanyDPEapplicants(andthosepresentlyserving)are “senior”membersofouraviationcommunity,havingretiredfromaformer career.Tocapitoff,whileBasicMedis perfectfor“seasoned”aviators,atpresent aDPEisrequiredtocarryaclassmedical certificate,eventhoughgivingacheck rideisnotapilot-in-commandoperation. Yes,theapplicantispilot-in-command… actlikeit!FAAAeroMed(thiswriter’s generictermforallthingsassociatedwith classmedicalcertificates)isparticularly concernedbythosewhohavereachedthe “seniorstatus,”aslifeleadstomedical issuesthatarecommonplaceinsociety todaybutunacceptabletoFAAAeroMed. Fortunately,theclassmedicalissuemay bechangingwhenthenewFAA Reauthorizationbillrecentlypassed.A personthinkingaboutbecomingaDPE mustconsideralloftheaboveandaskthe question,“isitworthit?”Thedifficulties inmaintainingaDPEstatusresultsin manyDPE’sbecoming“hobbyists,”givingonlyenoughcheckridestokeeptheir specificFSDOhappy.Otherswillsignup foracontracttoserveonlyoneflight schoolforseveralmonthsatatime,takingthemoutofthegeneralflyingpopulations.Yep,DPE’scanbeascarcecommodity!Yep,sortofmakesthatretirementjobasaWalmartgreeterlookbetter andbetter!

NotfamiliarwiththeFlightSchool AssociationofAmerica(FSANA)?Let’s startoffbyrepeatingtheFSANAwebsite address,Home-FlightSchool AssociationsofNorthAmerica (fsana.com).Whilethenameimpliesthat onlya“FlightSchool”willfindFSANA appropriatereadingorimportantenough tojoin,nothingcouldbefurtherfromthe truth,Forstarters,visitMicrosoftWordDPEsWillingtoTravelListJanuary17 2024(constantcontact.com).Thisisjust oneofmanylinksatFSANAthatspeaks directlytotheneedsofindividualsready fortheircheckride.Ifyouareaflighttrainingproviderwhoisfindingitchallengingtoscheduleyourstudentwitha DPEinyourlocalarea,feelfreetoreach outtoDPEsontheFSANAlist.They maybeabletoservesomeofyourlocal testingneeds.IfyouareaDPEwhoisnot onthislistbutwouldliketobe,please writetoFSANAatinfo@fsana.comwith yourname,city,state,emailandphone number,andyoucanbeaddedtothelist.

AccordingtoRobertRockmaker, PresidentandCEOoftheFlightSchool AssociationofAmerica(FSANA),“At present,thereareabout970DPE’s nationwide,servingallaviationcertificationneeds.Thereisaneedformore DPEsalongwithabettermixofDPEs. ThequantityofDPEsisnotthesolesolution.ToomanyDPEsconductfartoofew Checkrides.Roughly20percentofthe

FSANANewslettersareespecially helpfulinunderstandingwhatis“going on”withintheentireaviationtraining community,includingupdatestoairline requirements.Pertinentinformation abounds.Forexample,flightcheckrides fornearlyallratings(exceptATP)areup 15percentto20percent,placingahigh demandonDPEs.Perhapsoneofthe mostdistressingstatsisthatabout25percentto30percentofcheckridesendup inafailure…notbecauseofaninability tofly,butduetoerrorsinpaperwork, endorsements,oracompletelackof understandingastohowtheAirman CertificationStandardworks.AshighlightedbyaFSANAnewsletterarticle preparedbyMr.Rockmaker,“Thisisa terriblewasteoflimitedDPEtime.Not justaproblemforDPEs,butthetimethat couldhavebeenscheduledforafully preparedapplicantisnowlostforever.” TheFSANAwebsitedealswithpreparationissuesbyhavinglinkstodetailed testingguidelines,withaneasy-to-follow checklist.GoldenAgeAviationoffers similarhelp.FSANAholdsanannual TradeShowandsymposiumforboths, FlightSchool)andforDPEs.Therecent 15thannualConference,heldinLas Vegas,Nev.,wasagreatsuccesswith morethan55venderspresentforthe attendeestoenjoyandlearnfrom.AsymposiumspecificallyfortheDPEcommunityisnowscheduledforOct.23-24, 2024,inOrlandoFla.,thethirdsuch event.Besuretokeepupwitheventsand

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THE F-16 VIPER DEMONSTRATION TEAM RELEASES NEW 50TH ANNIVERSARY PAINT SCHEME

StorybySeniorAirman MeghanHutton

20thFighterWing

TheU.S.AirForceF-16Viper DemonstrationTeamunveileda50th anniversarypaintschemehonoringthe originalaircraftatEdwardsAirForce Base,Calif.,May15,2024.

Thered,whiteandbluepaint schemewastheoriginalliverywornby theYF-16prototypefirstflownin1974.

Theteamworkedalongsidethe412th TestWingtocompletethepaintscheme inlessthaneightweeks,ataskthatwould usuallytakeapproximatelythreemonths.

“WhenIwashiredtobethecommanderandpilotinthesummeroflastyear, IhadmadeitknownthatIhopedtofinda waytogetourairplanepaintedintheprototypeschemetotakeAmericabacktothe beginningofthestorythatstarted50years ago,”saidCapt.Taylor“FEMA”Hiester,F16ViperDemonstrationTeamcommander andpilot.

TonyAccurso,416thFlightTest Squadronlogisticsmanager,AirForce veterananddirectorfortheEdwards AFBF-1650thAnniversaryevent,acted asaliaisonbetweentheteamandthe 412thTW.Heparticipatedinthepaint projectpersonallyasahistoricaladvisor, hisenthusiasmfortheF-16Fighting FalconandvastknowledgeoftheYF-16 prototypebringingthedesigntolife.

TheYF-16prototypefirstflewaccidentallyonJan.20,1974afteramechanicalmishapduringahigh-speedtaxitest. PhilOestricher,theYF-16testpilot, decidedtotakeoffandflyforsixminutes toavoidcrashingthejet.Theofficial90minutemaidenflightwasthenconducted

Feb.2,1974.TheF-16Viper DemonstrationTeamwascombinedfrom theViperEastandWestteamsin2015.

Theteamdecidedtomakeslight changestodifferentiatethenewaircraft, includingswappingouttheterm “GeneralDynamics”for“20thFighter Wing”andadding“ViperDemo”tothetip

“TheimportanceofthisYF-16paint schemeiscelebrating50yearsoftheF16Viper,”saidAccurso.“Everyoneat Edwardshasabigsenseofpridefornot onlysupportingtheViperDemoTeam butalsocelebratingthe50thanniversary oftheF-16,whichbeganrighthereat Edwardsin1974.”

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InFlightUSA isnotresponsibleforanyactiontakenbyanypersonasaresultofreadinganypartofany issue.Thepiecesarewrittenforinformation,entertainmentandsuggestion–notrecommendation.Thepursuitof flightoranyactionreflectedbythispaperistheresponsibilityoftheindividualandnotofthispaper,itsstaffor contributors.Opinionsexpressedarethoseoftheindividualauthor,andnotnecessarilythoseof InFlightUSA Alleditorialandadvertisingmatterinthiseditioniscopyrighted.Reproductioninanywayisstrictlyprohibitedwithoutwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

InFlightUSA isnotliableorinanywayresponsiblefortheconditionorairworthinessofanyaircraftadvertisedforsaleinanyedition.Bylawtheairworthinessofanyaircraftsoldistheresponsiblityofthesellerandbuyer.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Taylor “FEMA” Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, taxis at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 13, 2024. The team will use the 50th anniversary YF-16 paint scheme for the 2024 and 2025 air show seasons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Meghan Hutton) Continued on Page

THE USEOF AI IN AVIATION

By Akomolafe Joshua

The aviation industry has witnessed significant transformations over the years, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the latest revolutionizing force. AI’s integration into aviation has the potential to transform various aspects of the industry, from enhancing safety and efficiency to improving passenger experiences. AI’s capabilities in processing vast amounts of data, recognizing patterns, and making predictions have made it an attractive solution for addressing complex challenges in aviation. From aircraft design and production to air traffic management and maintenance, AI’s applications are vast and varied. In this article, we will explore the current and potential uses of AI in aviation, highlighting its benefits and challenges.

AI is being applied in various areas of aviation, including:

Predictive Maintenance: AI-powered algorithms analyze sensor data from aircraft systems, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing downtime. This causes increased fleet availability, reduced repair costs, and enhanced safety. For instance, Airbus uses AI to predict potential issues with aircraft components,

The F-16 Viper

Continued from Page 11

of the vertical stabilizer.

“The only way that we were able to get started was with the support of the leadership at the 20th Fighter Wing, the home of the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, who believed in the importance of this project and supported the vision that

Editorial

Continued from Page 10

news through the FSANA newsletter at https://conta.cc/44isdrG.

On the side of being an anecdotal personal observation, this writer teaches many aviation classes every year, having endorsed more than 300 applicants for written exams in just 2023 alone… and that number is climbing in 2024. Given a class with 10 students (all ratings) perhaps only two them, maybe three, have a copy of the appropriate Airman Certification Standards. Almost none are aware of what endorsements are required in their flight records in order to take a checkride. Sure, your CFI should know all that stuff and should have you covered, but so few do that I (and my “dark side” brother) do consulting in helping

allowing for timely replacement and minimizing delays.

Air Traffic Management: AI optimizes air traffic flow, reducing congestion and delays, and improving safety. AI algorithms analyze real-time data on weather, air traffic, and flight schedules to optimize flight routes and reduce fuel consumption. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is exploring AI’s potential to enhance air traffic management, improving the overall efficiency of the national airspace system.

Aircraft Design and Production: AI aids in designing more efficient and sustainable aircraft, streamlining production processes. AI algorithms simulate various design scenarios, optimizing factors like aerodynamics, weight, and fuel efficiency. This leads to reduced development time, costs, and environmental impact. For example, Boeing uses AI to design and test new aircraft components, improving overall performance and reducing production time.

Crew Support: AI-powered tools assist pilots with decision-making, reducing workload, and improving safety. AI analyzes real-time data on weather, air traffic, and aircraft performance, providing pilots with critical insights and rec-

Continued on Page 13

we had in mind,”said Hiester. In 2024, the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will represent Air Combat Command and the Air Force at 25 shows in four countries, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

applicants get ready for “The Ride.” So, did we solve the “Where Can I Find a DPE” question? Maybe we helped a little, thanks to Robert Rockmaker and FSANA. Do we know a bit more about the overall DPE system? Yep, and it needs fixing. And, thanks to my brother, who can truly speak from the “dark side.” Is there anything you can do? Sure, visit Home - Flight School Associations of North America (fsana.com) and/or www.goldenageaviation.com and make sure you are not part of the problem. Once again, my thanks to Robert Rockmaker and Earl Downs for their valuable input.

THE TWO NINER DINER EXPERIENCE: SO MUCH MORETHANTHE “$100 DOLLAR HAMBURGER!”

By Bert Botta

Did you ever notice? There’s something about just hangin’ out at airports, especially small-town airports, that relaxes you. Makes you feel like you can finally just take a breath of fresh air.

Just to take an afternoon and laze away from the noise and hustle of the city? Maybe it’s the fresh air, or the quiet –if there’s no jet traffic that is! Or maybe it’s just being in an environment that most aviation lovers enjoy. Who knows?

Now take this to a whole other level and throw in the smell of freshly cooked bacon, or for the vegetarians in the crowd, freshly prepared Kelly’s avocado toast.

Or better yet, how about the Kelly fusion special, Ube French toast? This is a delicious blend of Corriene Kelly’s Filipino culture served with fresh berries and whipped cream. (More about Ube French toast below)

Include the Kelly family and its love-infused Two Nine Diner extended family of workers and you’ve got the perfect storm of that small town airport experience! In this case, that small town airport is Petaluma Municipal Airport, about 39 miles north of San Francisco.

This is a place that you’ll definitely want to put on your “do-not-miss” list,” especially if you’re a “hundred-dollar

Two Niner Diner customers love the relaxed atmosphere at the recently reopened Petaluma Airport restaurant.

(Courtesy Bert Botta)

hamburger” flyer. Oops, let’s make that the “two-hundred-dollar hamburger!”

History: Why would a couple of flower children open an airport restaurant? While contemporary hippies were doing “other things,” Nate Kelly’s parents were serving bacon and eggs and flippin’ flapjacks at the Two Niner Diner!

Nate’s mom Joan was a jill-of-all trades; at the time she was working at the airport headquarters at the west end of the old runway before the airport got moved to the other side of the field. She was also the administrator for the flight school on

Continued on Page 14

The Use of AI in Aviation

Continued from Page 12

ommendations. This enhances situational awareness, reducing the risk of human error.

Passenger Experience: AI-driven chatbots enhance customer service, while personalized entertainment and comfort options improve passenger satisfaction. AI-powered systems analyze passenger preferences, offering tailored recommendations and improving overall travel experiences.

Safety and Security: AI-powered surveillance systems detect potential threats, enhancing airport security. AI algorithms analyze real-time data from various sources, identifying potential security risks and alerting authorities.

Training and Simulation: AI-based simulators provide realistic training environments for pilots and crewmembers. AI algorithms simulate various scenarios, allowing pilots to practice and hone their skills in a safe and controlled environment.

Route Optimization: AI algorithms analyze real-time data on weather, air traffic, and flight schedules to optimize flight routes, reducing fuel consumption and lowering emissions. This leads to cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and improved overall efficiency.

The integration of AI in aviation has the potential to transform the industry in various ways, from enhancing safety and efficiency to improving passenger experiences. While challenges such as data privacy and job displacement need to be addressed, the benefits of AI in aviation are undeniable. As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for stakeholders to collaborate and develop regulations that ensure the responsible use of AI. With its ability to process vast amounts of data and make predictions, AI is poised to revolutionize the aviation industry, making air travel safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable for all.

The Two Niner Diner

Continued from Page 13

the field. When the flight school owners told her that they wanted to put a restaurant on the field, Joan immediately said, “I’d love to run the restaurant!”

The restaurant was just a little shack with some snacks, candy bars, and stuff.

Why now? The main reason Nate and his wife, Corriene, reopened the restaurant after Covid hit is they wanted to give back to the community. Nate says, “It’s not about the money. You don’t open up a restaurant at a small airport like Petaluma expecting to retire wealthy!”

They had a board and care business for 14 years, and it wasn’t about the money there either. It was pretty much all private-pay, unless a client had VA benefits. They even had a couple of residents who ran out of money, but Nate and Corriene still kept them.

The restaurant is also about preserving Nate’s parents’ legacy. He says, “It’s so cool to see people come in and have them introduce me to their sons or daughters and say, “Our kids used to come in here and get a hamburger, or French fries and milkshakes.”

About 15 percent of the customers are pilots. Since the restaurant has only been reopened since August and the weather hasn’t been that great, the Kelly’s are already starting to see their customer numbers increase.

Many of the pilots who drop in say, “Yeah, I like it here, especially when we can fly back and forth from the The Pilot Light Cafe at Half Moon Bay Airport, fly back here and drop in.”

Both Nate and Corriene are the kind of people who others feel comfortable around. He wants people to feel like they can come in, have a great meal and talk about anything with him and Corriene.

The restaurant is open from Wednesday through Sunday. But Nate and Corriene come in every night; he makes the country gravy himself, then he sets it out for the crew so it’s ready to go for the next day while Corriene closes up the restaurant.

One of the pilots said he often sees his buddy flying in the opposite direction, while they wave at each other as one’s going to the Pilot Light and the other is coming to the Two Niner Diner.

Nate says it’s cool to hear that kind of camaraderie and to know that they’re part of making that happen.

He says it’s amazing to see the people that are coming in with videos and pictures of his parents on their phones that they took 10 to 15 years ago.

The pilots love that they have a place to stop and eat and have a good time, not just do a touch and go. It’s very special to have a place like this airport, to hang out at, so close to the historic river town of Petaluma.

As much as he loves cooking, Nate knew he wasn’t going to retire early on what they were making at the restaurant. It’s a good thing he became a stationary engineer. The Diner is more his passion.

Fusion: A lot of the kids that were working here 30 years ago are now around 45 years old, and they’re returning to the restaurant with their stories and their families.

When the Kellys reopened the restaurant, they wanted to incorporate Corriene’s Filipino culture into it. That’s where the Ube French toast comes in. It’s a regular French toast, dipped in an egg batter with Ube in it. Ube is a purple yam from the Philippines. It has a sweeter, more mellow taste than its relative, the sweet potato.

The Kellys: Nate, a chief engineer in San Francisco was born in 1973 in the city but raised in Petaluma. Corriene moved to the U.S. when she was 22 in the early 2000s from the Philippines as a physical therapist.

It has a similar nutritional profile to the sweet potato, high in healthy carbs, vitamins, and fiber. The purple variety has extra-high levels of antioxidants, which helps to promote overall health.

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

Nate is a huge rocker and about four months ago, Sammy Hagar came in with his daughter, who was dating one of Nate’s son’s friends. They made Sammy their special dish, the Ube French toast. Before he left, there were cheers all around because everybody knew who he was but everyone was careful to be respectful.

It’s a delicious meal and the purple whipping cream and the sauce on the French toast makes it look very exotic. It’s one of those dishes that when it’s ordered everybody kind of goes, what is that? And then four or five people order it. The community loves it and it also gives the restaurant its own signature.

view aircraft from the Lockheed F-80 to the General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon.

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

he Museum is located at 5050 Santa F T 95301, CA Atwater, sion to the with last admis pm, ounds daily Gr

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

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They had a guy in his mid-50s come in about a month ago. He sat at the counter and Nate started talking to him. He said he overheard the pilots at Sonoma Airport talking and because the restaurant over there had closed for consturction and they recommended Two Niner Diner because, “They have the best burgers!” (Tap & Pour at Sonoma Airport has now reopened in the remodeled terminal).

Nate says, “You also gotta see the (airplane) models hanging from the ceiling. They’re all exact replicas, most built by hand by a guy who used to come into the restaurant. The models have been there as long as we have, 15 years.”

Since they re-opened the restaurant last August, Nate wants to start flight training. He wants his license, as a way to give back, to begin building a bridge between them and the youth in the community, so the kids can get the flying bug.

When you come into the restaurant, you’ll not only get a delicious meal, you’ll definitely feel the family atmosphere because that’s just who the Kellys are. And if that’s not enough, when you’re sitting out on the deck on a beautiful, sunny day, watching the planes land and take off, savor the experience because you’re at one of those peaceful, relaxing small-town airports that are slowly fading into the past...

P.S. Remember that the first two pilots who can prove they flew from Half Moon Bay Airport’s Pilot Light Cafe to Two Niner Diner will get a free breakfast!

Editor’s Note: Bert Botta is an aviation expert/writer from Petaluma, Calif. You can reach him by email at botajet@gmail.com.

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By Nick Rogers

WAIRSHIPS: THE ONCEAND FUTURE KINGS

hen I was nine years old, an airship flew over my school in Kent (southeastern England). It was a Lightship A60+ advertising Mazda cars. I had never seen anything like it. I stood there for as long as I could, watching it bump around in the cloudy sky above my school until it disappeared into the distance.

Little did I know at the time that that lunch break was one of the most significant moments of my life, because it sparked a passion for airships that has never left me.

Sadly, airships are now an extremely rare sight in our skies. Few people have seen one, let alone flown in one, all because of a single moment nearly 90 years ago; a moment that cut short the airship dream and robbed the world of a unique and valuable technology.

This loss is something we should care about. It’s not just about the absence of a hugely photogenic form of transport. My concern is that, because of this one moment, we have lost a form of aircraft that could make a positive difference in the modern world: An aircraft that can hover in the same place for days on end, that can lift heavy loads and transport them thousands of miles, that can bring lifesaving humanitarian aid directly to the point of need, that can transport passengers in spacious comfort and luxury.

This is an aircraft that can do all of this in a genuinely sustainable way, using low- or even zero-emission propulsion.

All of this, lost to us because of a single moment nearly 90 years ago.

The moment was 7:25 pm on May 6, 1937 at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, New Jersey. The giant German airship LZ-129 Hindenburg was minutes away from successfully completing her first transAtlantic crossing of the 1937 season.

Many seemed to have experienced a strange, silent pause as the vast ship hung, motionless, in the rain-swept skies over Lakehurst. Passengers watching from the airship’s comfortable passenger quarters noticed that everything had grown eerily quiet.

Then observers on the ground saw a lick of flame shoot up from the stern of the ship on the port side, and a strange fluttering of the ship’s hull. In the lounge, people reported feeling a shudder or a jolt and at the same time, someone in the control car called out the sickening news that the Hindenburg was on fire. In a little more than 33 seconds, the ship fell to the ground, a burnt-out wreck, and around a third of those on board were killed.

If you know one thing about airships, you know the Hindenburg disaster. It’s hard to find a news report about airships that doesn’t feature those grimly iconic photographs or the raw emotion of Herb Morrison’s “Oh, the humanity” commentary.

Almost 90 years on, the tragedy endures and for understandable reasons. The photographs and films of the disaster are among the most striking of the 20th century; the tragedy was not just an aviation moment but a massive global media moment.

But more than that, what those images captured is rare – a genuine watershed. For there were two tragedies on May 6, 1937. One was the immediate, personal, human tragedy of the wreck of the Hindenburg. The other tragedy was the death of a beautiful dream and the sudden loss of an entire technology.

Because back then it really did seem that airships had established themselves as the future of long-distance air travel.

The Hindenburg, which completed 17 round trip trans-Atlantic voyages in 1936, could fly from Germany to the United States in a little more than two days, making it a little less than two days on the return trip. The alternatives were either a pleasant but slow voyage on an ocean liner or a cramped, noisy, uncomfortable trip via flying boat.

In the early days, many foresaw commercial aviation as a hub-and-spoke system; long-distance airships would fly passengers into hubs, where they would transfer to aeroplanes for the shorter last leg of their trip.

But all that changed in the fraction of a second. The dream died and the appalling PR fallout from the Hindenburg disaster has bedevilled the airship business ever since.

Objectively, it seems obvious that the airships of the early 20th Century were merely prototypes, just examples of what could be achieved today.

Modern airships utilising modern materials and technology could perform useful functions in the modern economy and comparing an airship even as advanced as the Hindenburg with a modern airship is exactly like comparing a contemporary cruise ship with the Titanic: similar in concept but entirely different in terms of design, materials and safety standards.

All modern airships use safe helium to provide the lift that gets them airborne, not flammable hydrogen as in the Hindenburg. Materials such as titanium and carbon fibre are both stronger and lighter than the metal used in the Zeppelins of old. Thanks to better weath-

er forecasting and tracking, airships can avoid dangerous storms.

Critically, modern airships will be the most sustainable form of aviation. They need far less thrust than aeroplanes or helicopters to remain airborne and so are ideal platforms for low-emission, even electric, propulsion.

There are plenty of roles modern airships could play, all of which hitting a sweet spot for transport needs that are slower than aeroplanes, faster than ships and with greater carrying capacity than helicopters.

Cargo transport is the ultimate example. Large modern airships could carry significant freight loads over considerable distances. Many of the modern designs could go point-to-point – i.e. direct from the factory to the point of use – and, unlike most aeroplanes, could carry unusually-shaped items. Think wind turbine blades or nuclear reactors.

Airships could play a significant role in disaster relief, where one of the key challenges is getting sufficient aid and resources to the point of need in the aftermath of an event such as an earthquake, when airports and roads are severely damaged. Some modern airships are designed to be able to land with almost no infrastructure at all – any reasonably flat surface will do – or to hover while they offload cargo.

Unmanned airships have far greater endurance, range and payload capacity than drones and operate at far lower costs than manned helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. They can, and currently do, provide persistent surveillance of, for example, rail and energy infrastructure.

Finally, consider passenger transport. I cannot imagine how wonderful it must have been to fly on one of the large airships of the 1920s and 1930s. Passengers on the Hindenburg travelled in large, comfortable accommodations, flying at low heights and with very little noise – passengers could reportedly hear dogs barking on the ground.

Imagine flying over the great sights of the world at low altitude, sipping a cocktail as the scenery drifts quietly by beneath you. This would be the return of glamour and excitement to aviation. It wouldn’t be the transactional, A to B flying we are familiar with, but rather a grand aerial voyage, like something out of Jules Verne.

These are just some of the roles modern airships could perform. And for airship geeks like me, there are very real reasons for hope right now with some of the current projects under development. To mention just two examples: Pathfinder 1, developed by USA-

Pathfinder 1, a prototype electric airship that its maker LTA Research hopes will kickstart a new era in climate-friendly air travel, and accelerate the humanitarian work of its funder, Google co-founder Sergey Brin. (LTA Research)

Hybrid Air Vehicles is aiming for Airlander 10 to be used in civil aviation applications in mobility, logistics, and tourism and leisure roles.

(Hybrid Air Vehicles)

based LTA Research and currently conducting flight tests, is the largest aircraft in decades. In what has long been a dream of would-be airship producers, this is the brainchild of a billionaire, Google’s Sergey Brin, and is only the first in a line of planned, larger airships. Pathfinder 1 is powered entirely by 12 electric engines.

In the UK, Hybrid Air Vehicles continues to develop its Airlander aircraft. I remember how excited I was back in 2016 when their Airlander 10 prototype took to the skies over Bedfordshire. The company recently released a study showing the significant role the Airlander could play in linking far-flung Scottish islands to the mainland. Hybrid Air Vehicles are converting Airlander to electric propulsion; airships really will be zero-emission long before conventional aviation.

I am convinced we will see large airships return, that these once kings of the skies will rule again. Standing down from the London Assembly in May after more than two decades of political involvement, I am keen to put my shoulder to the wheel. While I am not an engineer or a technician, I can advocate, persuade and campaign and my objective is to help inspire the next generation of airship nerds.

Speaking about airships at TEDxKingstonUponThames in January, I was struck by how many audience

Continued on Page 18

AOPA ADVOCACY: PRESERVINGAN AIRPORT COMMUNITY

By Lillian Geil AOPA

Changes are coming to Ohio’s Cincinnati Municipal Airport/ Lunken Field that will impact flight schools, based and transient aircraft owners, corporate aviation, and FBOs. AOPA is working with local partners to ensure general aviation and the robust aviation community are protected.

The airport community is currently

experiencing growing pains as new space is made available and development opportunities arise. Last year, the decision was made to permanently close Runway 21R/3L. The closure plan has been in the works for a few years as the runway is no longer eligible for federal grant dollars and was creating “hotspots” – an FAA term for runways that have potential risk for incursions or collisions.

Airport Manager Jaime Edrosa is working closely with local based flight

schools and air traffic control to manage the impact of the runway closure and plan needed upgrades to the airport – which will turn 100 next year. Edrosa, a pilot himself, understands the wants and needs of the aviation community and is committed to including light GA in future planning. With the closure of the parallel runway, land that has been unusable due to runway protection areas will be opened for potential aeronautical development. Airport management remains open to

AOPA is engaged with elected officials and airport management at Cincinnati Municipal Airport/Lunken Field amid a number of changes.

(Google Earth image, courtesy AOPA)

various development proposals that could include more hangar space for based aircraft.

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Amid the runway closure, the airport is also handling several construction projects and proposals. One developer is in negotiations with the city to upgrade the “old terminal” into a boutique aviationthemed hotel. Upon the elimination of the parallel runway, the airport will also undergo a full water drainage study, as it is prone to flooding of the Little Miami River – it once flowed where Runway 21L/ 3R currently resides.

Cincinnati Municipal has a booming aviation community, with more than 100based light GA aircraft, multiple active flight schools, flying clubs, and frequent corporate traffic. It is also one of the busiest airports in Ohio with over 122,000 operations in 2023 – outpacing John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport.

Continued on Page 22

Airships

Continued from Page 16

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AvMap EKP IV / IV Pro

AvMap EKP V (coming soon)

AvMap Geopilot II / II Plus

Bendix/King AV8OR

Bendix/King AV8OR Ace

members approached me afterwards to say that they never expected to be interested in the topic, but had been. Trying to harness this latent interest, I have recently launched a podcast – Up Ship! The Airship History Podcast – to inspire people through the history of these ethereal, otherworldly aircraft. Because of our understandable but outdated focus on one moment nearly 90 years ago, we are missing out on the benefits advanced airships could bring to the modern economy. They are not a silver bullet and they will never replace conventional aviation. But they have a role to play in helping our planet be better connected, more efficient, greener – and more beautiful.

MANY MORE MODELS COMING SOON!

WHY GO TO AIRVENTURE? REASONSAND HIGHLIGHTS!

AirVenture 2024 is set for July 2228, 2024 where for one week each summer, EAA members and aviation enthusiasts totaling more than 500,000 from 80 countries attend EAA AirVenture at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they rekindle friendships and celebrate the past, present, and future in the world of flight.

The “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” has it all when it comes to aircraft. Warbirds. Vintage. Homebuilts. Ultralights. Some you would normally find in a hangar at your local airport, others so unique they are the only one of their kind.

You name it, there’s likely an example of it at Oshkosh.

For many, arriving at Oshkosh is a rite of passage that can only be satisfied by being one of the more than 10,000 aircraft flying in, landing at what becomes the busiest airport in the world.

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or an aviation novice, AirVenture has something for you. No matter what your age, you’ll be entertained, informed, and thrilled by the countless activities available that reflect “The Spirit of Aviation” all around.

Daily airshows. Aerobatics and pyrotechnics. Feature films at the Fly-In Theater. Forums, workshops, and demonstrations. KidVenture. Special programming at Theater in the Woods. All of this, plus much, much more is included with your daily admission.

Add in the crowd-thrilling, showstopping Night Air Show on Wednesday and Saturday night, and you have affordable fun for the entire family everyday from sunup to well past sundown.

There is uniqueness to each AirVenture that keeps lifelong attendees coming back for more. You need to experience it to understand.

Get tickets online at https://www .eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-tickets and learn more, including a daily schedule of events, at https://www.eaa .org/airventure.

And here are a few more reasons, highlights…

Canada’s SkyHawks, USAF A10 Demo Team Confirmed for Oshkosh

Two big additions to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 lineup were confirmed in the past week, as the Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks skydiving team and the U.S. Air Force A-10 Demo Team committed to performances during The World’s Greatest Aviation

Celebration.

The SkyHawks will attend as part of the 100th anniversary commemoration for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The SkyHawks are Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team, comprised of 13 jumpers from the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. This includes both Regular Force and Reserve members with diverse professional backgrounds. They will perform during the afternoon airshows at Oshkosh.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force’s A10 Demo Team –marking its final season of airshow performances –will be at Oshkosh on July 22-25. The Republic A10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the Warthog, has long been a favorite on the air show circuit. The demo team is based at Davis-Monthan AFB and commanded by Maj. Lindsay “MAD” Johnson, who flies the aircraft at air shows throughout the country.

Burt Rutan Schedule for AirVenture 2024 Unveiled

The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 schedule of forums and presentations with legendary designer Burt Rutan has been finalized and will include six events over five days on July 22-26. Those presentations include:

• Monday, July 22: “Life, The Universe, and Everything Else” – 7 p.m., Theater in the Woods

•Tuesday, July 23: “50-Year History of Homebuilt Composite Canards” –11:30 a.m., Forum Pavilion 7

• Wednesday, July 24: “Commercial Space & WingShips – Arrested in Russia, 1993” – 11:30 a.m., Forum Pavilion 7

•Wednesday, July 24: “Voyager” –2:30 p.m., EAA Aviation Museum

•Thursday, July 25: “Burt’s New

Designs and his Heroes” – 11:30 a.m., Forum Pavilion 7

•Friday, July 26: “Why Beech Did Not Replace King Airs with Starships” –11:30 a.m., Forum Pavilion 7

The presentations from Rutan, as with all EAA AirVenture forums and workshops, are included with regular AirVenture admission.

Rutan, an EAA Lifetime member for more than 50 years, made his first big splash at Oshkosh in 1972 with the VariViggen, which brought canard design to the homebuilt community. That led to a series of other Rutan recreational aircraft designs with innovative moldless fiberglass construction, which included the VariEze and Long-EZ that are still being built today.

Learn more about Rutan and his visit to AirVenture at eaa.org/airventure.

Air Force Materiel Command to Highlight Research, Test, and Development at AirVenture 2024

The organization that develops, delivers, and sustains nearly every U.S. Air Force weapon system will be center stage at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, as the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) is among the highlighted units at this year’s event.

“The Air Force Materiel Command manages installation and mission support, discovery and development, test and evaluation, and life cycle management services and sustainment for nearly every major Air Force weapon system,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Those capabilities will be showcased throughout the week at Oshkosh.”

Participating AFMC aircraft and

activities will be announced as they are finalized. AFMC displays will highlight the development and transition of technology, how weapon systems are tested and sustained, as well as a variety of hands-on STEM activities. The Air Force’s Band of the Flight will also perform during the week.

“Air Force Materiel Command is critical to the Air Force’s dominance and the strength of our Nation,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Duke Richardson, AFMC commander. “Our team of driven and innovative military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily to ensure our nation is ready today and tomorrow. We’re excited for this opportunity to participate at Oshkosh and to show how together, we are one AFMC … powering the world’s greatest Air Force.”

B-29 Reunion Added to Warbird Highlights at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024

The world’s only two flying examples of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress will make a rare joint appearance this summer during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, supporting the “Turning the Tide” salute to 1944 that will also commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

It is believed to be only the fourth time two B-29s have made a joint public appearance in 50 years, with the first taking place in Oshkosh in 2017. It is the first time these aircraft have appeared together since 2018.

“As AirVenture is the world’s largest

Continued on Page 20

Two C-47s in flight. Afternoon airshows on July 23-24 will feature warbirds from both the Pacific and European theaters. (Lewis Berghoff)

Dick Rutan, thumbs up, at the flightline in 2011. (Courtesy AirVenture) SkyHawks in formation.

(Courtesy AirVenture)

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annual gathering of warbirds, bringing these two iconic aircraft together is another of those ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “These airplanes are big favorites wherever they appear, but together they will make the ‘Turning the Tide’ commemoration even more unforgettable.”

As currently scheduled, each airplane will spend time featured on EAA’s Boeing Plaza. FIFI will be on display on July 22-24, while Doc will take center stage for display on July 25-28. The airplanes are also scheduled to make a formation flight at the beginning of the July 24 night airshow. When not on display at Boeing Plaza, flight experiences on Doc July 22-25 will be based at Appleton International Airport, approximately 20 miles north.

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• SpaceX roles in missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond

“Turning the Tide – 1944” 80Year Commemoration at EAA AirVenture 2024

EAA will pay tribute to the heroes and sacrifices made during the Normandy landings on D-Day (June 6, 1944), and throughout the year 1944, with an 80-year “Turning the Tide” commemoration at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 on July 23-24.

“As the number of veterans from WWII who are still with us are dwindling, it is important to commemorate the events of 1944, and the importance of the campaigns in both Europe and the Pacific to preserve freedom,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This year’s programming during AirVenture week will connect the human events and aviation history of that year so those of us today have a better understanding of those times.”

A collection of C-47s from the DDay Squadron will be on display as part of the commemoration. The Squadron features a fleet of unique C-47 aircraft from throughout the United States. Many of these aircraft will be part of a commemorative mission to Europe in May

and June 2024. The C-47 played a vital role in transporting more than 13,000 paratroopers to Utah Beach for the Normandy landings. Afternoon airshows on July 23-24 will feature warbirds from both the Pacific and European theaters, including the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team. The team will be jumping from their own C-47 using traditional round canopy parachutes, reminiscent of the paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions who risked their lives in Normandy.

The Theater in the Woods presentation on the evening of Tuesday, July 23, will focus on 1944 as well. The presentation will be split into two parts: the first will retell the story of 1944, while the second part will go into detail about the aircraft. More details about the presentation, including guests, will be announced as they are finalized.

Additional aircraft that played key roles in 1944 have also been invited to participate, and EAA and EAA Warbirds of America continue to plan activities as part of the commemoration.

For tickets and to learn more, including up-to-date scheduling, visit EAA’s website, eaa.org and eaa.org/airventure.

AFMC B52 Landing (Courtesy AirVenture)

Two B-29s in formation. (Courtesy AirVenture)

NATA CLARIFIES POINTSONTHE COMMERCIAL SALEOF UNLEADED AVIATION FUELS

Recent media articles have disregarded key points outlined in NATA’s latest white paper and mischaracterized its intent. The goal of “Factors Affecting the Commercial Sale of Emerging Unleaded Aviation Fuels” (available at nata.aero) is to educate both aviation and community stakeholders on the dynamics of the commercial availability of unleaded avgas, including considerations on the status of UL fuels, paths to authorization, and safety concerns such as materials compatibility and misfueling.

NATA’s work is tied to its mission to empower the safety and success of aviation businesses, which includes describing the operational environment and needs of FBOs, airports, fuel suppliers, and end users in fostering a safe and successful transition to unleaded aviation fuels.

One concern addressed in NATA’s white paper is industry testing of fuels and their use in all fuel-wetted surfaces throughout the supply chain. While the FAA’s STC process approves the use of fuels inside an engine/airframe, the Agency’s responsibility stops there. The FAA’s STC approval process does not consider commercial aspects of fuel properties related to global supply chain risks, fuel intermixability, issues impacting indemnities or product liability, or factors impacting materials compatibility in the supply chain. Historically, the testing of this broad range of aspects has been achieved by following ASTM International D7826 guidelines for approving an unleaded fuel – which is a precursor to earning an ASTM International fuel specification.

Just as aircraft owners and operators need assurances that the use of an alternative fuel will not compromise the integrity of any component of their aircraft nor void applicable warranties, the same is true for OEM engine manufacturers, fuel

distributors, transport companies, airports, and FBOs. Businesses across the entire aviation supply chain rely on ASTM International specifications to minimize or eliminate the potential for degradation or contamination of either the fuel itself or the equipment used to transport, handle, and dispense it. The FAA does not certify fuels nor indemnify their use in the marketplace under the STC process. Instead, the Agency approves the use of fuels in those specified engines/airframes that have been issued as part of the STC process. Further, under the Fleet Authorization process, the publication of an ASTM production specification is an integral component. The ASTM International review process includes a collection of subject matter experts comprised of industry/OEMs to ensure that fuels are ready for use in the marketplace.

“Our white paper was crafted with factual input from member companies and peer reviewed by our GA Fuel Handling Subcommittee. For NATA’s FBO and fuel distributor members, an industry consensus standard such as ASTM International is an especially relevant component in bringing new fuels to market, as it evaluates compatibility with materials throughout the supply chain upstream of the aircraft,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.

An additional concern is the compatibility of emerging unleaded fuels. While the FAA STC process has tested unleaded fuels against 100LL in the wings of aircraft, the FAA currently does not address the compatibility of mixing different unleaded fuels in aircraft, airport storage tanks, or refuelers. Further, the FAA has yet to communicate their role in testing the compatibility of unleaded fuels coming into the marketplace other than the assurance of an adequate detona-

tion margin related to a fuel’s compatibility with 100LL. Testing intermixability of new fuels only after they enter the marketplace represents a new risk for the global aviation industry, disregarding the decades-long practice of earning an ASTM International specification along with the FAA engine/airframe certifications before commercializing new fuels in the marketplace.

Another concern is the issue of liability for aviation businesses selling fuels within the market. Most major aviation fuel distributors offer their customers umbrella liability protection of at least $50 million USD. This coverage has been offered under the assurances that come with an industry consensus standard such as ASTM International and a proven performance track record in piston engines/airframes. With current unleaded fuel alternatives still in the early phases of demonstrating performance, a published industry consensus standard is all the more relevant.

And while the issue of insurance should not be a limiting hurdle, the risk and indemnity needs associated with a proprietary fuel specification without an industry consensus standard is a legitimate point of discussion. Aviation businesses that sell fuel will likely expect similar risk liability and insurance protection for any new fuels.

NATA’s goal remains clear: the safe and effective transition to an unleaded future, which includes educating stakeholders on the complexities of the decision to sell new fuels approved with only a proprietary specification. Also key to our collective success for a safe fuel transition is protecting our members and the industry from legislative efforts to prematurely ban 100LL before an unleaded replacement fuel is commercially viable, with ample consideration given to all factors that contribute to commercially via-

bility. Such actions would ground thousands of GA aircraft and threaten the future of our vital industry.

Individual fuel suppliers, distributors, and airports consider multiple factors when determining if a fuel is commercially viable, including but not limited to the:

• Product’s authorization or approval for use in specified engines, fixed wing aircraft, and rotorcraft (pursuant to Supplemental Type Certificate [STC] or another FAA program);

• Percentage of the active, pistonengine, certificated and non-certificated, fixed- and rotor-wing fleet operating out of the specific airport that can use the fuel;

• Availability of a published industry consensus standard detailing specific requirements for the quality and safe use, production, and distribution of the fuel;

• Sufficient quantity of active fuel production to ensure consistent availability through an established distribution network;

• Sufficient risk mitigation protection with established product liability insurance coverage as currently provided to airports and Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) selling 100 low-lead (100LL); and

• Product’s ability to be purchased by any interested party without restriction throughout the country.

Ultimately, it is up to each FBO and airport that provides fuel to the wing of aircraft to work with their fuel supplier to determine their risk and liability threshold for purchasing and selling emerging fuels. To learn more, visit the NATA website, nata.aero.

Editor’s Note: NATA’s white paper is available at nata.aero and directly at https://www.nata.aero/assets/Site_18/files/ EAGLE/FactorsAffectingtheCommercialS aleofEmergingUnleadedAviationFuels.pdf.

AOPA Advocacy

Continued from Page 18

Wings of Honor Museum

Airport management and local pilots, supported by AOPA, have been protecting this airport – one of the oldest operating municipal airports in the country – for many years.

In 2017 and 2018, AOPA helped fend off a local developer who wanted to construct a private hangar facility for personal use, and in the process tear down and eliminate more than 60 city-owned Thangars with no logical plan to rebuild. This rearrangement would have displaced the majority of the based light GA aircraft.

AOPA, local pilots, and aviation businesses remain committed to preserving the flourishing aviation community.

training administrative space at the airport, Queen City Flying Service was essentially operating day-to-day with no designated area. The meeting proved to be insightful, and the mayor’s office and staff were engaged and knowledgeable on the planning outlook for the airport. Topics focused on space scarcity at the airport, the years-long hangar waitlists, and the lack of developable land designated for private hangar construction.

On April 3, Queen City Flying Service owner Josh Hunter and associate Gary Brown held an audience with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, and AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager Kyle Lewis and Cincinnati Municipal Airport Support Network volunteer P.J. Daley were also invited to attend.

As the Cincinnati Municipal Airport aviation community gears up for a number of changes, AOPA will remain engaged and informed, working with elected officials and airport management to ensure the space at the airport is best used to preserve its unique community –like the one at welcoming spaces at the South Line, known by the pilot/tenant community as “South Beach,” where you can find hangar doors open, and people who love GA.

Learn more at aopa.org.

Queen City Flying Service, a flight school and aircraft rental provider, was evicted as a result of the sale and closure of an FBO. With the scarcity of flight

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SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVES,PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS

FAAREAUTHORIZATION

ACT

OnMay9,theU.S.Senateoverwhelminglyapprovedthebipartisan FederalAviationAdministration(FAA) ReauthorizationActtoreauthorizethe FAAandtheNTSBforfiveyears. SponsoredbyCommerceCommittee ChairMariaCantwell(D-Wash.),Ranking MemberTedCruz(R-Texas),Aviation SubcommitteeChairTammyDuckworth (D-Ill.)andRankingMemberJerryMoran (R-Kan.),thelegislationprioritizesinvestmentsthatwillstrengthenaviationsafety, boostconsumerprotections,growtheaviationsafetyworkforce,advancetechnologyandinnovation,andmodernizeour nationalairspacesystemintothefuture. ThelegislationpassedtheU.S.Houseof Representativesbeforemovingtothe President’sdesk,wherePresidentBiden signeditintolawonMay16.

AOPAandtheaviationindustryare celebratingthelong-awaitedpassageof thefive-yearFAAreauthorizationbill, whichapprovesanincreaseinfunding forgeneralaviationairports,expands BasicMed,modernizesFAAsystems, andprovidesmuchmoreforGA.

This1,000-pagebill,knownasthe FAAReauthorizationActof2024,isa comprehensivepieceoflegislationthat authorizesprogramsandpoliciesadministeredbytheFAAthrough2028–impactingeverysectorofaviation.

ThefullHouseoverwhelmingly passedthebipartisan,bicameralFAAbill ina387-26voteonMay15afterthefull Senatepasseditinan88-4voteonMay 9.PresidentJoeBidensignedthebillinto law.

Throughoutthedevelopmentofthis comprehensivebill,congressional authorshavesoughtinsightfromexperts ineverycornerofaviation,including AOPA.InMarch2023,AOPAPresident MarkBakertestifiedbeforeacongressionalpaneladdressingtheFAAreauthorizationbill.Bakerspokeabouttheneed forasafeandsmarttransitiontoan unleadedfleet-widefuelby2030,the FAA’sdesignatedpilotexaminershortage,fundingforsmallairports,andaviationworkforcedevelopmenttogetyoung peopleinterestedinaviation.

“Manymonthsofhardworkand bipartisancollaborationhasresultedin legislationthatservesgeneralaviationin awaylikeneverbefore,”saidBaker. “AOPAmembersandtheGAcommunitywillreapthebenefitsofthisreauthorizationforyearstocome.Ithankthe leadersinbothchambersandonboth sidesoftheaisleforcomingtogether aroundsomethingsogroundbreakingand

centraltoourfreedomtofly.”

TheHousepasseditsversionofthe FAAreauthorizationbilllastJulywitha voteof351-69whiletheSenate CommitteeonCommerce,Science,and Transportationapproveditsversionof thebillinFebruary.

Lastyear,Rep.SamGraves(R-Mo.) announcedintentionstoincludeaGA titleinthisyear’sFAAbill.Asanactive pilotandchairmanoftheHouse CommitteeonTransportationand Infrastructure,Gravesunderstandsthe valueoftheGAindustryandtheattention itneedstoprotectthefreedomtofly.

“Oneofmyhighestprioritiesin developingandpassingtheFAA ReauthorizationActof2024wasensuringthatthebillincludedthefirst-ever titleinanFAAreauthorizationdedicated togeneralaviation,andIwanttothank theAircraftOwnersandPilots Associationforitsextensiveworkin helpingtomaketheGAtitleasstrongas itis,”saidGraves.“GAisthefoundation ofourcivilaviationsystemandweneed tomakesurethatremainstrue.Working closelywithAOPA,wesecuredprovisionsinthisbilltoprotectandexpand pilotprivileges,makerobustinvestments inourGAairports,andencouragemore youngpeopletopursuecareersinaviation,includingbyremovingbarriersand improvingcareerpathwaysforhigh schoolstudents.”

ThisFAAreauthorizationbillisboth historicandtransformativefortheGA industry,astheGAtitlegivesundivided attentiontoprogramsandpoliciesthat directlyimpacttheuniqueneedsofGA aircraftownersandpilots.

“Along-termFAAreauthorizationis essentialforthestableoperationsofthe NationalAirspaceSystem,”saidJack Pelton,EAACEOandchairmanofthe board.“Thisbill,inadditiontofunding keyinfrastructureforgeneralaviation, advancesmanypolicyprioritiesofour communityforinnovationandmodernization.”

DevinOsting,theinterimexecutive directoroftheAllianceforAviation AcrossAmerica,stated,“ThisFAAreauthorizationiscriticallyimportantforgeneralaviationandournationalairtransportationinfrastructure.Itincludesvital investmentsinourlocalairports,increasingtheauthorizationoftheAirport ImprovementProgramfrom$3.4billion to$4billionannually,andpromotessignificantadvancementsinareassuchas workforcedevelopmentandadvancedair mobility,whichareessentialforthe

futuregrowthofindustry.”

“TheFAA’scurrentcertification backlogandlackoftimelycheckpilot andaircraftconformityfunctionsinhibit thegrowthofNATA’saviationbusiness memberswhilecreatingbarrierstolegitimatenewindustryentrantsandincreasingtheriskofillegalcharteractivity. H.R.3935addressestheseconcerns, reflectingtheadvocacyofNATAandour membersonFAApoliciestoincrease efficiencies,ensureconsistency,andsafelymaintainthecontinuumofcertification andconformityforpart135and145 operations,”saidNATAPresidentand CEOCurtCastagna.

GAMAPresidentandCEO,Pete Bunce,issuedthefollowingstatement regardingtheapprovalofthebill:“Itis vitallyimportantfortheentireaviation ecosystemtofinallyhaveCongresspass along-termFAAReauthorizationbill. ThefinalbillcontainsmanyoftheimportantprovisionsthatGAMAstrongly advocatedforthroughouttheprocess, includingduringourCapitolHillDaylast week,whenourboardmembersmetwith over120lawmakerswhiletheSenate wasfinalizingthebill.Overall,thebill supportssafety,innovation,infrastructure investment,sustainabilityandtheaviationworkforce.

“Keyprovisionsincludeestablishing anewAssistantAdministratorfor RulemakingandRegulatory Improvement,requiringareviewofthe rulemakingprocesstoreducebureaucraticdelays,strengtheningthecurrentworkforcedevelopmentgrantsforpilotsand maintenancetechniciansbyincludingeligibilityformanufacturingworkers,furtheringairtrafficandairportoperations throughpilotprogramsformobiledeliveryofairtrafficclearancesandelectric aircraftinfrastructure,fosteringfuture improvementsincertificationandproductionoversight,expandingsustainabilityresearchprograms,andfollowing throughoninitiativesfocusedonasafe transitiontounleadedavgas.Itwillalso increasetheeffectivenessofaviation safetybilateralagreementstosupportthe acceptanceofsafetyenhancingtechnologiesandnewproductsincluding AdvancedAirMobility.”

OverviewoftheFAA ReauthorizationActof2024

Authorizesmorethan$105billionin appropriationsfortheFederalAviation Administrationforfiscalyears2024 through2028:

•$66.7billionforFAAoperationsto fundkeysafetyprograms,fromaircraft certificationreformtoaircarrieroversight,andenablehiring,trainingand retentionofsafety-criticalstafflikeair trafficcontrollersandtechnicalengineers.

•$17.8billionforFAAfacilitiesand equipmenttofundmodernizationofkey technologiesandsystemstoensurethe resilienceanddevelopmentofthe world’smostcomplexairspacesystem.

•$19.35billionforFAAairportinfrastructureimprovementgrantstosupport morethan3,300airportsnationwidein meetingincreasingdemandandintegrationofemergingtechnologies.

•$1.59billionforFAAresearch, engineeringanddevelopmenttohelp Americakeepcompetitiveintheglobal raceforinnovativeandsustainableaerospacetechnology.

•Authorizes$738millioninappropriationsfortheNationalTransportation SafetyBoard(NTSB)forfiscalyears 2024through2028.

HighlightsoftheFAA Reauthorizationbillincludethefollowing:ImprovingAviationSafety, ImprovingConsumerProtectionsand StandardsforABetterFlying Experience,ImprovingAircraft Accessibility,ExpandingAirTravel ServicetoMoreofAmericaand UpgradingAirports,Modernizingthe NationalAirspaceSystemandLeading GlobalAviationInnovation,and EmpoweringtheNTSB.

Anotherhighlightencompasses GrowingandSupportingtheAviation Workforce,whichtakesseveralpoints intoconsideration,especiallywithregard totrainingandgeneralaviation.Someof thesepointsareasfollows:

• AddressesAirTrafficController (ATC)Shortages:Withashortageof approximately3,000airtrafficcontrollers nationwide,thebillrequiresthatFAA implementimprovedstaffingstandards developedwiththelaborworkforceto closestaffinggaps.Thebillalsorequires FAAtosetmaximumhiringtargetsto increaseairtrafficcontrollerstaffing.

•ImprovesAccesstoQualityATC ControllerTraining:Thebillincreases accesstohigh-qualityadvancedtraining withthedeploymentofmorehighfidelitytowersimulationsystemsinFAAair trafficcontroltowers.Thesesystems havebeenproventohelpcontrollerspreventclosecallsandreducethetraining backlogandtimeittakesforcontrollers

ContinuedonPage25

AURORA’S L ATEST X-PLANE DESIGN SPEEDS AHEAD

AuroraFlightSciences,aBoeing company,recentlycompletedconceptual designreviewforagame-changing,highspeed,verticalliftX-planeandhasbeen selectedtocontinuedevelopmentofapreliminarydesignreview.Theaircraftis beingdevelopedforaDefenseAdvanced ResearchProjectsAgency(DARPA)programcalledSpeedandRunway IndependentTechnologies(SPRINT), which“aimstodesign,build,andflyanXplanetodemonstratethekeytechnologies andintegratedconceptsthatenableatransformationalcombinationofaircraftspeed andrunwayindependence.”

Aurora’sconceptisalow-drag,fanin-wingdemonstratorthatintegratesa blendedwingbodyplatform,combining theagilityofverticaltake-offandlanding (VTOL)withunprecedentedspeed.The team’sapproachseekstosettheprogram

AnAuroraandBoeingteamadvancesits high-speed,verticalliftconcepttothepreliminarydesignphase.(Artist’s renderingcourtesyAuroraFlightSciences)

onthepathtosuccessfulflightand demonstrategame-changingcapability forairmobilityandSpecialOperations Forces(SOF)missions.

Newrenderingsofthefan-in-wing (FIW)demonstratorrevealthreeliftfans, amorerefined,compositeexterior;and anuncrewedcockpit.Thechoiceofthree

ContinuedonPage26

FAAReauthorizationAct

maintenancetechnicians.

toreachcertificationby27percent.

•UpdatesFAAStaffingModelto HireMoreSafetyInspectors:Thebill requiresFAAtoupdateitsaviationsafetyinspectormodelforamoreaccurate assessmentofthenumberneededtoperformsafetyoversight,andtouseitto boosthiringofmanufacturingsafety inspectors,engineersandtechnicalspecialistsperyear.

•BuildstheAviationPipeline, ImproveWorkforceRecruitmentand Education:ThebillexpandstheAviation WorkforceDevelopmentGrantProgram andincreasesfundingto$60millionper yearthroughFY2028togrowtheaviationworkforcepipelinethroughtheeducationandrecruitmentofpilots, unmannedaircraftsystemsoperators, maintenancetechnicians,aerospaceengineers,andaircraftmanufacturingtechnicalworkers.

•JumpstartsHiringfortheFAA SafetyWorkforce:Thebillrequiresthe FAAtobetterleverageitsdirecthire authoritytofillkeysafetypositionsrelatedtoaircraftcertificationandaddress gapsinFAA’ssafetyworkforce.

•StreamlinesJobPathwaysfor Veterans:Thebillstreamlinesthetransitionformilitaryservicememberstocivil aviationmaintenancecareersbyrequiringthecreationofanewmilitary mechaniccompetencytest,andincreases FAAoutreachandengagementonpathwaystoattaincivilianmechaniccerts. Theaviationindustrycurrentlycaptures lessthan10percentofmilitaryaviation

•GrowsVeteranPilotPool:Thebill establishesacompetitivegrantprogram atDOTtoenableeligibleflighttraining schoolstorecruitandtrainveterans,who arenotalreadymilitaryaviators,to becomecommercialpilotsandcertified flightinstructors.Bycoveringcosts beyondexistingveteraneducationbenefits,themeasurewillhelpgrowthesupplyofqualifiedpilotstoprovideairservicetoruralcommunities.

•SupportsWomeninAviation: Currently,lessthan10percentof licensedpilotsarewomenandlessthan3 percentareairlinecaptains.Thebill establishesanewWomeninAviation AdvisoryCommitteeatDOT,satisfying theWomeninAviationAdvisoryBoard’s chiefrecommendationtofocusonbringingmorewomenintoaviationcareers andtheentireindustry.

•ImprovesFAA’sAeromedical SystemandApproachtoMentalHealth: Thelegislationestablishesthe AeromedicalInnovationand ModernizationWorkingGrouptomodernizeFAA’sevaluationofandapproach tomentalhealthandotherconditions. ThebillalsoimprovestheFAA’sability toissuespecialmedicalapprovalsto addressbacklogsandgethealthypilots safelybacktowork.

Formoreinformation,includingthe completeReauthorizationAct,visit https://www.commerce.senate.gov/;or theFAAwebsite,faa.gov.ortheAOPA website,aopa.org. ContinuedfromPage24

EMBRY RIDDLE,FAAALIGNON CONFRONTING PILOT MENTAL HEALTH

FOLLOWING NEW FEDERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

ByMichaelaJarvis ERAU

EmbryRiddleAeronautical UniversityannouncedonMay1,it hasopenlytackledtheissueofpilot andairtrafficcontrollermentalhealth, incorporatingupdatedwaysofconfronting theissueintotheuniversity’saviationeducationprograms.Followingarecent reviewofmentalhealthpolicies,acommitteeofexpertscommissionedbytheFederal AviationAdministration(FAA)hasalso movedforwardonthetopic,releasingrecommendationsdesignedtoincreasepublic safetybyallowingpilotsandcontrollersto seeksupportandtreatmentwithoutjeopardizingtheirjobs.

“Toadvanceaviationsafetyandsave lives,wemustdebunkthenotionthathavingthe‘rightstuff’meansneveraskingfor help,”EmbryRiddlePresidentP.Barry Butler,Ph.D.,saidinaneditorialinearly 2023,reportingthattheuniversityhad “accelerateditsongoingeffortstoplace mentalhealthissuesfrontandcenter,” repeatedlyencouragingstudentpilots“to

seekhelpiftheyfeeltheyneedit.”

EmbryRiddle’sdeanoftheCollege ofAviation,Dr.AlanStolzer,wasamong theexpertsonthecommitteecommissionedlatelastyearbytheFAAtoexaminetheobstaclespreventingpilotsandair trafficcontrollersfromseekingmental healthsupportandtomakerecommendationsonhowtomitigatethoseobstacles inordertoreduceflightsafetyrisks.

“Weendedupwith24recommendationsthatwerethoughtfullydeveloped withthegoalofmodernizingthesystem andremovingbarrierstopilotsandcontrollersseekingmentalhealthcarewithoutcompromisingsafetyintheNational AirspaceSystem,”Stolzersaid.“Safety wasattheforefrontofallourdiscussions andwasconsideredinviolable.”

Thecommittee’srecommendations werereleasedonApril1andincluded establishinga“non-punitive”wayfor aviationprofessionalstodisclosemental healthconditions,makingsurethatFAA medicalscreeningproceduresarerelevanttosafetyprinciples,expandingpeer supportprogramsandpromotingmental

healthawareness.

TheFAA’sfocusontheissuefirst intensifiedin2015aftertheco-pilotofa Germanwingsflight,whohadbeenpreviouslytreatedforsuicidaltendencies, commandeeredaplanewith150people aboardandflewitintoamountainside. Morerecently,inOctoberof2023,an off-dutypilotsufferingamentalhealth crisistriedtoshutdowntheenginesofan AlaskaAirlinesflight.

AsButlerpointedoutinhiseditorial,theworkofpilotsandairtrafficcontrollersisnotonlystressfulbecausethey areprotectingthelivesofpassengers. Thelonghoursrequiredinmanysuch jobscanheightenstresslevels.

TheFAAcommittee’sreportciteda “widespreadbelief”intheaviationfield thatpilotsandcontrollers“are,ineffect, disadvantaged”iftheyfollowcurrent rulesregardingdisclosureofmental healthproblems.

“Asystemthatincentivizespeople toremainsilentwillcausepilots/controllerstoavoidseekinghelp,leadingto unacceptablesafetyrisks,”thereport says.

Althoughdisclosingamentalhealth issueveryrarelyresultsinpermanent

Addressingmentalhealthintheaviation industryisbecomingmoreofapriority followingnewlyreleasedrecommendationsfromtheFederalAviation Administration(FAA).

(CourtesyERAU)

groundingorremovalofduties,accordingtothereport,theprocessofbeing reinstatedafteradisqualificationisperceivedbypilotsandcontrollersas“complicated,excessiveandinconsistentwith acceptedprotocolsandtreatmentpractices,”thereportsays.

Specificreformsbeingrecommendedforadoptioninvolvewhichtreatments mustbereported,reductionsinthe groundingtimerequiredfornewlyprescribedmedicationstostabilizeand allowingperformancemeasurementsin theassessmentofapilot’sorcontroller’s

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Aurora’sLatestX-Plane

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liftfansreflectstheteam’sstrategyto simplifythedemonstratorandstreamline itspathtoflighttest.TheFIWtechnologycouldbescaledtofourormorelift fanstomeetfutureaircraftrequirements, anditcouldunlockopportunitiesfora futurefamilyofsystems.Similarly,while anuncreweddemonstratoroffersbenefits intestingandriskreduction,theFIW technologywouldbefullytransferrable totraditionalaircraftwithcrews.

Aurora’sconceptisdesignedtomeet orexceedthechallengingprogramobjectivesthatDARPAsetfortheprogram. Forexample,theblendedwingbodyplatformiscapableof450knotcruisespeed, andtheembeddedliftfanswithintegratedcoversallowasmoothtransitionfrom verticaltohorizontalflight.Thedesign alsoleveragesexistingenginesolutions, shorteningdevelopmentriskandtimelines.InadditiontoVTOL,theaircraftis capableofshorttake-offandvertical landing(STOVL),supershorttake-off andlanding(SSTOL),andconventional take-offandlanding.

AuroraandBoeing’sVerticalLift teamsarecombiningover30yearsof experienceinnovelverticaltake-offand landing(VTOL)platformswithaproven technologymaturationprocess.Theteam estimatescompletionoftheirpreliminary designreviewfortheSPRINTprogram inapproximately12months,withthe goaloffirstflightin36months.

AuroraFlightSciences,aBoeing Company,advancesthefutureofflight bydevelopingandapplyinginnovations acrossaircraftconfigurations, autonomoussystems,propulsiontechnologies,andmanufacturingprocesses. Learnmoreatwww.aurora.aero

“AuroraandBoeingbringrelevant expertiseinblended-wing-bodyplatforms,high-speedVTOLconfigurations, andmilitaryaircraftdevelopment,”said LarryWirsing,vicepresidentofaircraft developmentatAuroraFlightSciences. “TheDARPASPRINTprogramisan excitingopportunitytocontinueourhistoryofadvancingtechnologydemonstratorprogramsthatenablenewcapabilities fortheU.S.military.”

REMEMBERING LT.COL.RICHARD “DICK”GLENN RUTAN (USAFRETIRED)

July01,1938toMay03,2024

LegendarypilotDickRutan,whose round-the-worldflightmadehistoryin1986, slippedthesurlybondsofearthonMay3, 2024inCoeurd’Alene,Idaho.Hisbeloved wifeKriswasathissideashepassed.

RaisedinDinuba,Calif.,DickfostereddreamsofjoiningtheAirForceand flyingfighterjetsfromanearlyage.He earnedhispilotwingsanddriver’s licenseonthesameday–his16thbirthday.Threeyearslaterheenlistedinthe U.S.AirForce.Rutanflew325combat missionsinVietnam,105ofthoseasa memberoftheMISTYs,ahigh-risk, classifiedAirForceunit.

DickretiredfromtheAirForcein1978 havingservedtwodecades,earning16Air Medals,fiveDistinguishedFlyingCrosses, theSilverStarandthePurpleHeart.

Afterretirementheworkedasatest pilotfortheMojaveaerospacecompany foundedbyhisbrotherBurt.There,Dick flewresearchanddevelopmentflightsof bothmilitaryandcivilianexperimental aircraft.Hesetworldspeedanddistance recordsintheairplanehebuiltwithhis ownhands–the Long-EZ

DickfoundedVoyagerAircraft,Inc. in1981tomeetachallengepresentedby hisbrother–bethefirsttoflyaroundthe worldnon-stop,non-refueled.Thegrassrootseffortdrewhundredsofvolunteers world-widetosupporttheendeavor.

OnDec.14,1986,the Voyager took offonitshistoricflight.Ninedayslater, Dicksetthestorm-battered Voyager downatEdwardsAirForceBaseto achieve“aviation’slast,firstmilestone”.

DickRutan,co-pilotJeanaYeager, BurtRutanandtheirteamofvolunteers wereawardedtheCollierTrophy–the highesthonorinAmericanaviation,and

thePresidentialCitizen’sMedalpresented byPresidentRonaldReagan.The Voyager nowhangsintheSmithsonianAir&Space MuseuminWashingtonD.C.

Dickcontinuedtolivebyhismotto “Adventureistheessenceoflife.”He testedrocket-poweredaircraft;attempted tobecomethefirstpersontoflynonstop aroundtheworldinaballoon;ranfor CongressandbuiltanigloointheNorth Poleafterhisairplanebrokethroughthe polarice.

DickwasinductedintotheNational AviationHallofFamein2002and becameanEagleattheGatheringof Eaglesin2003.Hepublishedamemoir TheNextFiveMinutes byDickRutan withKellyHall,in2019.

Dick’sgreatestpridewashisfamily whomheloved,hisfellowshipwithother Veterans;theyoungstersheinspired;and thelegionsofpeoplewhosupportedhis endeavorsashelivedhisexceptionallife ofadventure.

Lt.Col.Richard“Dick”Glenn Rutanwillbeburiedwithfullhonorsat ArlingtonNationalCemetery.

Survivorsincludehiswifeof25 years,KrisRutan;twodaughters,Holly HoganandJillRutan-Hoffman;twostepdaughtersShannonFordandKellyRoth; sisterNell,brotherBurt;eightgrandchildrenandonegreat-granddaughter.

CelebrationofLife&Tribute Events:

•ACelebrationofLifewithbeheld atCenterPlaceEventCenter,Spokane Valley,WA,Saturday,June15,forfamilyandfriends.

•MojaveAir&SpacePort,Rutan

Airfield,Mojave,CAJune15

•Coerd’AleneAirport,Pappy BoyingtonField,Hayden,IDJune29

•EAAAirVenture2024,Oshkosh, Wisconson–tobeannounced.(Visit eaa.orgforupdates)

Inlieuofflowers,considerpurchasinga libraryeditionof TheNextFiveMinutes atdickrutan.com

CLARENCE “BUD”ANDERSON REMEMBERED,L AST SURVIVING

WWIITRIPLE ACE

Clarence“Bud”Anderson,acelebratedU.S.AirForcepilotwhowasthe lastsurvivingtripleaceofWWIIandthe highestscoringP-51Mustangpilotinhis squadron,diedinhissleepMay17athis homeinAuburn,Calif.Hewas102.

AndersonwasanAmericanfighter pilotwhoseflyingskillsmadehimoneof themostcelebratedpilotsinthehistory oftheUnitedStatesAirForce.Bornin Oakland,Calif.,heenlistedin1942,just amonthaftertheattackonPearlHarbor. HewasdeployedtoEuropethefollowing yearaspartofthe363rdFighter Squadron,357thFighterGroup.Flying

theiconicP-51Mustang,hequickly establishedhimselfasanacepilot,meaningsomeonewhohasshotdownfive enemyplanes.Overhiscombatcareer, Andersonflew116combatmissionsand earnedthestatusofa“tripleace,”shootingdownmorethan16enemyaircraft.

AndersonmadetherankofMajorat just22.Hislegendarycareerallowedhim toseethehonorarypromotionto BrigadierGeneraljustbeforehis100th birthday.

AfterWorldWarII,heservedinvariousroles,includingflyingasatestpilot andsquadroncommander.Hehelped

shepherdtheU.S.militaryintothejetage asatestpilotatWright-PattersonAir ForceBase,Ohio,andasatoptestofficialattheAirForceFlightTestCenterat EdwardsAFB,California.

“Heflewmanymodelsoftheearly jetfightersandwasinvolvedintwovery unusualflighttestprograms,”Anderson’s websitesays.“Hemadethefirstflights onabizarreexperimentalprogramto couplejetfighterstothewingtipsofa largebomberaircraftforrangeextension. LaterhealsoconductedtheinitialdevelopmentflightsontheF-84Parasitefight-

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Clarence'Bud'AndersonwithhisNorth AmericanP-51Mustang,March1944. (PhotofromtheRogerFreeman Collection,courtesyoftheAmerican AirMuseuminBritainandAOPA)

FlyingWith Faber

IN FLIGHT USA REMEMBERS S TUART J.FABER

InFlightUSA issaddenedtoreport thatStuartJ.Faber,acolumnistfor themagazine,haspassedaway. Stuartwrotefor InFlight everysingle month,withoutfail,formorethan30 years.Mostofhisarticlesweretravel pieces,recommendinganairportinclose proximitytoafavorite,adventurousand sometimesexoticdestination.Inhislater years,Stuartincorporatedhis“second/third”passion(nexttoflyingand traveling)ofculinaryartsintohis columns. InFlight waspleasedtooffer someofhispopularrecipesbefore,duringandafterthepublicationofhiscookbooktitled, ACookbookforPeopleWho HateLawyers:HowtoBecomeaGreat Cook&AvoidLawyers (Lega-Books, Nov.16,2021).Thetitlealonedemonstrateshisgreatsenseofhumor.

StuartwasborninRacine,

Wisconsinandoccasionallywroteofhis travelsbacktohishometown.Healso enjoyedwritingabouthistravelstoSan Francisco,wherehespentaportionofhis childhoodlivingatthePresidio,where hisfatherwasstationedinthemilitary. Nomatterwherehetraveledandwhathe wroteabout,youcouldalmostguarantee therewasmentionofagreatsteakhouse!

StuartearnedhisBachelorof SciencedegreefromtheUniversityof Wisconsin,MadisonandhisDoctorof Jurisprudence(J.D.)degreefromLoyola UniversityLawSchoolinLosAngeles. Hispracticefocusedoncriminal,family andappellatelaw.Mostrecently,he servedasatemporaryjudgeintheLos AngelesCountytrafficcourt.

Alongwithhiscookbook,Stuart authoredmanycontinuinglegaleducation textbooksonlawinhisareasofexpertise.

Clarence“Bud”Anderson

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ermodifiedtobelaunchedandretrieved fromtheverylargeB-36bomber.”

HelatercommandedanF-86 squadronduringtheKoreanWar;oversawanF-105winginJapanandflew RepublicF-105Dfighter-bombersover Vietnamascommanderofthe355th TacticalFighterWing.

Alltold,Andersonflewover7,500 hoursfortheAirForce,earninga DistinguishedFlyingCross,National DefenseServiceMedal,AirMedal, BronzeStar,andmanyothercommendationsoverthecourseofhiscareer.He flewmorethan130differenttypesofaircraft.Heretiredfromactivedutyin1972 asareveredcolonel,andhispost-military careerincludedworkingwithMcDonnell DouglasAircraftCompany.

Inhismemoir, ToFlyandFight: MemoirsofaTripleAce, Andersonprovidedadetailedaccountofhisexperiencesandcontributionstoaviationhistory.Hereceivednumeroushonors throughouthislife,includinginduction intotheNationalAviationHallofFame andtheInternationalAir&SpaceHallof

FameattheSanDiegoAir&Space Museum,plusbeingdepictedinabronze statueatAuburnMunicipalAirport.

AndersonmarriedEleanorCosbyin 1945andraisedtwochildren.Eleanor diedin2015.

“Wewereblessedtohavehimasour father,”hischildren,JimAndersonand KittyBurlington,saidinastatementon thepilot’swebsite.“Dadlivedanamazinglifeandwaslovedbymany.”

Whileassignedtothe357thFighter Group,Andersonsparkedalifelong friendshipwithanotherfighterace:Capt. Charles“Chuck”Yeager,thepioneering testpilotwhobecamethefirstpersonto flyfasterthanthespeedofsound.

InJanuary1945,thetwosetoffover theAlpsona“sightseeingtour”fortheir lastmission,Andersonrecounted.

ButasAndersonandYeagerwere droppingtheirauxiliaryfueltankson MontBlancandtryingtosetthemonfire forfun,theirwingmenelsewherehad morepressingmattersathand.

“WhenIlearnedthatwhilewewere joyridingovertheAlps,therestofthe 357thhadscoredaone-dayrecordof

Hewasaguestlectureronlegalsubjectsat theUniversityofCalifornia,LosAngeles andatMoorparkCollege.

Alongwithwritingfor InFlightUSA, hewasafoodandtraveljournalistfor Adjourn and BiztravelersChoice.Hehad traveledtomorethan90countries,venturedtohundredsofrestaurantsandactuallyhadtheopportunitytoworkalongside manytopchefsthroughouttheworld.

Stuart’srecipeshavebeenpublished in BonAppetit magazine,alongwith In FlightUSA.From InFlight’s perspective, wewouldhavetosayThanksgivingmust havebeenhisfavoriteholiday.Hewould preparegourmetT-Daymealsforfriends andfamilyandgenerallydedicatehis Novembercolumntotherecipeshe wouldsoonbesharingfromhisown kitchen.Whilehisturkeyandallthetrimmingsrecipesbroughtravereviews,it

StuartJ.Faber andAuntBea

washispie–PumpkinIceCreamPie–thatwasanall-timefanfavorite.

StuartheldanFAAratingasan AirlineTransportPilot(ATP)andwas certifiedtoflyCitation500jets.

OfferingStuart’sfamilyourdeepest condolences…BlueSkiesStuart!Itwasa pleasuretoknowyouandtoworkwithyou.

Editor’snote: Stuart’scolumnsfor In FlightUSA canbefoundonlineat Issuu.com.Hiscookbookisavailableon Amazon.

56.5shootdowns,”Andersonsaid.“Igot sick!”

Bythen,Andersonhaddefinitively madeuphismindabouttheplanehe flew.

“TheP-51wasagreatairplane,”he said.“Ithinkitsavedtheworld.”

“Budwasanincredibleaviator,but morethanthathewasahumble,kind, andfun-lovingguy,”saidAOPA PresidentMarkBaker.“Weareextremelygratefulforhislifetimeofdedicated servicetothiscountryandourcondolencesarewithhislovedones.”

TheRenoAirRacingAssociation,in apressrelease,said,“Buddidn’tever needtoattendasingleairracetohavehis impactfelt.Thatwashowstronghislegendwas.Buthispassionforaviationand connectiontohistorynaturallyledtoa directconnectiontotheairracesthatwe areforevergratefulfor.Andnotonlydid Budmakeappearancesatourevents,his signature“OldCrow”designhasbeen prevalentthereforalongtime,continuingtheimportanthistorythathewillcontinuetocarryonfordecadestocome.”

RetiredBrig.Gen.ClarenceE.'Bud' Andersoncutsacelebratorycakeafteran honorarypromotionceremonypresided overbyU.S.AirForceChiefofStaffGen. CQBrown,Jr.attheAerospaceMuseum ofCaliforniainMcClellan,California, Dec.2,2022.Theceremonywasan opportunitytohonorthe100-year-old WorldWarIItripleaceduringtheseventy-fifthanniversaryyearoftheAir Force’sestablishmentasamilitaryservice.(U.S.AirForcephotoby NicholasPilch,courtesyAOPA)

Editor’sNote: Partsofthisarticleareby JonGuttmanoftheAirForceTimes, AOPAandfromMr.Anderson’swebsite, toflyandflight.com.

ByEd Wischmeyer

RECOVERING (ANDNOTAFABRICAIRPLANE)

AnyofyoupilotsknowwhatTKA is?Condolences,ifyoudo… TKAstandsforTotalKnee Arthroplasty,meaningtotalkneereplacement.(Arthroblastymightbemore descriptive…)

Itisabsolutelybrutal.Everysystem inmybodywasaffected,eachpart divertingallavailableenergy,andmaybe alittlebitmore,tothesurgicalsitefor healing.Andhaskeptmeoutofthecockpittheselastsixweeks.Andthedriver’s seat,untillastweek.

However,thistimeoutisalsoan opportunityforthelast(hopefully!) smokedamageremediationontheRV9A.Itdoesn’thelpthatI’mnotstrong

enough(yet)todrivetotheairportto meetwithfolks,tolettheminthehangar, andtosupervise.

Whentheairplanewasinspected post-smoke,afewsmallfatiguecracks werefoundinthewingskinsandstabilizerskins,andthoseneedtobestop-drilled beforethosesurfacescanbepainted. Severalcrackswerefoundintherudder, too–andnotnecessarilyrepairable.I foundanewrudderandithasbeenpainted.Theinsurancecompanywantsto closeouttheaccount,soI’vebeenasking thepaintertogetthesmokedamaged painttouchedupASAP.Thereareother areas,likewheelpants,thatIwillpayfor onmyownnickel.

Themechanicsareaboutto(Ihope) replacethediscoloredparts,including toggleswitches,oilcooler,andoutside airtemperaturegaugesensor.Atthat point,theplaneshouldbereadytogo.

Thenit’stimeformetobeready! Mydrivingskillsareback,apre-requisite,butnowIneedtofindaCFIto babysitmeonthefirstflightpost-surgery. Onehasmovedaway,anothercanno longerclimbintoandoutoflowwingairplanes.Notsurethateitherofthelocal flightschoolscanhelpout.

Hopefully,nextmonthI’llhave somethingmoreexcitingtowriteabout.

Aftersixweeks ofhavingmylife revolvingaroundpillsandPT,Iknew thatIneededtodosomethingtogetmy headbackintotheflyinggame.SAFE, theSocietyofAviationandFlight Educators(basicallyaflightinstructor organization,safepilots.org)hasaweekly CFIzoomstudygroup,andthathas helpedmegetmyheadonagain.

There’slotsofaviationcontextof thetypethatIusedtogethangingaround theofficeatWestValleyFlyingClub, decadesago,andthatwillbeagoodstart. I’llalsohaveaflightwithaCFIanda CFIItofillatleastsomeoftheknowledgecracksthatmayhaveformed.

NATAREVIEWS UPDATED FLIGHT SCHOOL SECURITY RULES ANNOUNCED

EarlyinMay,theTransportation SecurityAdministration(TSA)published updatedregulationsfortheflighttraining industry,effectivethisJuly.

TheFlightTrainingSecurity Program(FTSP),initiallycalledthe AlienFlightStudentProgram,was implementedbytheTSAviaanInterim FinalRulein2004.Sincethattime,flight schoolsandflightinstructorshavebeen requiredtoimplementsecurityawarenesstraining,andnon-U.S.citizensseekingflightinstructionhavebeenrequired toobtainspecialvettingandapproval priortoinitiatingtraining.

Thefinalregulations,publishedon May1,2024,respondtocommentssubmittedontheIFRandmakeother updatestotheFTSP.Thenewregulations takeeffectonJuly30,2024.Untilthat date,currentrequirementsmustbefol-

lowed.

TheFTSPrequirementsapplyto flighttrainingproviders,definedunder theruletoincludeanypilotschool,flight trainingcenter,aircarrierflighttraining facility,orindividualflightinstructorcertificatedunder14CFRpart61,aswellas part121and135carriersprovidinginhousetraining.TSAalsoclarifiedwhen therulesapplytolessorsofaircraftor simulators.

Therevisedregulationsarelargely positivefortheindustry,accordingtothe NationalAirTransportationAssociation (NATA).Noteworthychangesincludea movefromanevent-basedSecurity ThreatAssessment(STA)forflightstudentstoatime-basedapproach,theprovisionofimprovedelectronicrecordkeepingoptions,andashiftfromannual tobiennialrefreshertraining.

Goingforward,flighttrainingcandidateSTAswilllastforfiveyears–asignificantchangethatwillreducecostsand overallburdensimposedundertherule. Trainingcandidatesoftenhavemorethan onetrainingeventovera5-yearperiod;the movewillallowalltrainingwithinthat periodtobeaccomplishedwithoutadditionalfeesandpermits,whilealsopermittingexpeditedprocessingforsomeevents.

Toeasecompliance,theTSA enhancedtheweb-basedFTSPPortal’s capabilitiestoenableitsuseasanelectronicrecordkeepingsystemforflight instructionproviderstomeettheir mandatoryrecordingrequirements.

Inanotherpositivechange,the Agencyreplacedthecurrentannual refreshertrainingwithabiennialrequirementforallcoveredflighttraining provideremployees.

RevisedregulationsbytheTransportationSecurityAdministrationregardingflighttrainingbecomeeffectivethis Julyandarelargelypositiveforthe industry,accordingtoNATA.

(CourtesyNATA)

AstheFTSPrulesapplytoawide rangeofaviationoperations,anyperson orbusinessengagedinflighttraining shouldreviewtheregulationsandbegin preparationsforthechanges.

LearnmoreattheNATAwebsite, nata.aero.

EmbryRiddle,FAAAlignonConfrontingPilotMentalHealth

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fitnessforduty.

“Ifadopted,therecommendations wouldleadtosubstantivechangestocurrentFAAmentalhealthrules,suchas eliminatingtherequirementtoreportseeingatherapistandreducingsomeofthe

moreonerousrequirementswithrespect touseofmedications,”Stolzersaid.

“The[committee]isrecommending severalsignificant,risk-basedreformsto aeromedicalpolicy,”thereportsays, “withtherecognitionthattreatmentisthe keybenefittothesafetyoftheNational AirspaceSystem.”

LearnmoreatEmbry-Riddle AeronauticalUniversity’swebsite, erau.edu.

Editor’sNote: SeeEmbryRiddle AeronauticalUniversity’s164-pagedoc-

ument,MentalHealth&Aviation MedicalClearancesAviation RulemakingCommitteeRecommendationReport,datedApril1,2024at erau.eduordirectlyathttps://www.faa. gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Mental_Health_A RC_Final_Report_RELEASED.pdf.

ROSWELL,NEW MEXICO,SELECTEDAS NEW HOMEOF NATIONAL C HAMPIONSHIP AIR RACES

TheRenoAirRacingAssociation (RARA)announcedonMay23that Roswell,NewMexicowillbethenew homeoftheworld-renownedNational ChampionshipAirRaces(NCAR). Followingalengthyselectionprocessby RARA,andafterdemonstratingitscommitmenttocarryforwardthisone-of-akindevent,Roswellhasbeenchosento hostthereturnoftheairracesin2025.The eventwillcontinuetofeaturesevenclassesofracing,staticdisplays,military demonstrationsandmore,welcomingfans backtothestandsastheworld’sfastest motorsporttakestotheskiesonceagain.

“We’rethrilledtobringourhonored traditionofracingtoRoswellandare confidentthattheyhaveboththeenthusiasmandresourcestoexpandthefutureof ourracesformanygenerationstocome,” saidFredTelling,CEOandchairmanof theboardfortheRenoAirRacing Association.“WhileRoswellwaschosen,wearetrulygratefulfortheoverwhelmingsupport,dedicationandenthusiasmshownbyallthecommunitiesthat submittedtheirbidstohostourevent.It wasincrediblydifficulttoselectafinal locationaseachvenuehadtheirown uniquestrengthsandchallenges.Atthe endoftheday,wearethankfuland deeplyappreciativeoftheteamsin

PuebloandCasperwhoinvestedtheir timeandeffortsintheprocess.”

Thisdecisionmarksasignificant milestoneintheevent’shistory,as Roswellprovidesanopportunitytobring nationalchampionshipairracingtoanew partofthecountrywhilestartingthenext chapterfortheorganization.Asthenew homeofNCAR,Roswellprovidesair raceparticipantsandenthusiastsan opportunitytoseetheeventinanewlight withanewlydesignedcourseandopportunitiesfornewattractions,specifictothe location.Additionally,Roswell’sairfield willsetthestageforthenextgeneration ofhighflierstocompeteinaninnovative andexcitingenvironment.

“ToknowthatRoswellwillbethe futurehomeoftheNational ChampionshipAirRacesisaprivilege andhonor,”saidMikeEspiritu,president andCEOfortheRoswell-ChavesCounty EconomicDevelopmentCorporation. “TheeventlandinginRoswellisatestamenttothecollaborationandsupportof theregionwhohaveworkedforthepast yeartomakethisdreamareality.Weare confidentthatwecanhelptheeventgrow andexpandformanyyearstocome.”

InAprilof2023,RARAinitiatedan officialrequestforproposals,receiving animpressive38inquiriesfromprospec-

tivelocationsacrossthecountry. Followingthis,11citiesparticipatedin bidders’conferences,withsixsubmitting comprehensiveproposals.Afteraseries ofsitevisitsconductedateachlocation byRARA,factorssuchastheabilityof venuestohostlargecrowds,handlehundredsofaircraftandsupportthelarge racecourseneededfortheeventwere takenintoconsideration.Withtheseand manyotherfactorsinmind–Casper, PuebloandRoswellwerechosenasthe topthreefinalists.

TheNationalChampionshipAir RaceswilltakeplaceattheRoswellAir Center(ROW),aformermilitarybasefor theArmyandAirForce.Today,ROWis oneofthelargestcentersforthecommercialaviationindustriesoftheSouthwest. Inadditiontoattendingtheairraces, attendeescanalsoenjoyadayatthe MescaleroSandDunes,visittheWalker AviationMuseum,headtotheSpring RiverZooorCarlsbadCavernsandmuch more.Roswell’sannualUFOFestivalis heldeverysummerwhereattendeesfrom allovercanexperiencesomethingtruly outofthisworld.

Whilepreparationscontinueforthe 2024RenoAirShowandthe60th anniversarycelebrationinOctober,the organizationislookingforwardtoplan-

RARAannouncedonMay23that Roswell,NewMexicowillbethenew homeoftheworld-renownedNational ChampionshipAirRaces.

(CourtesyRARA)

ningthereturnoftheNational ChampionshipAirRacesintheirnew homeinRoswellinSeptember2025.For furtherdetailsortosupporttheorganization,visitwww.airrace.org.

BoththeNewMexicoLegislature (withHB245)andSenate(withSB199) proposedidenticalappropriationsof$10 millionfromthestate’sgeneralfundtothe aviationdivisionofthedepartmentof transportationforexpenditureinfiscal years2025through2029forconstruction, reconstruction,repairandimprovement, includingplanning,designandequipment totheRoswellAirCenterforthepurpose ofhostingairracingevents.Thebills,proposedinJan.2024,havebeenpostponed indefinitely(“died”)presumablybecause thegoverningofficialsdidnotknowif theywouldbeawardedtheracesatthat time.Therehasbeennowordasto whetherappropriationswillbeagainproposednowthatRoswellhasbeennamed thenewhomeoftheNational ChampionshipAirRaces.

RoswellInternationalAirCenter wasformerlytheWalkerAirForceBase, hometoalargeU.S.AirForceStrategic AirCommand.Thebasewasclosedon June30,1967duetofederalbudgetconstraintsandlaterrevitalizedasthecur-

rentairport.AccordingtotheRoswell AirCenterwebsite,thesitewasusedfor severalyearstolaunchstratosphericballoonsforAirForceprojects.

TheRoswellInternationalAir Centerhasbecomeanairplaneboneyard formanyaircraftbutmainlyAmerican Airlinesjets.Therearearound200aircraftsittingonarampattheairfield. Apparently,weatherconditionsinthe deserthelppreserveagingaircraft,and therefore,partscanbesalvagedfor activeaircraft.

Roswellisalsoknownforthe RoswellUFOincidentof1947. Allegedly,anunidentifiableflyingdisk crashedduringathunderstormnearthe currentairportsite.

AccordingtoAOPA,RoswellAir CenterAirport(KROW)isapublicuseairportthatsitsatanelevationof3,962feet. Therearetworunways,03/21(13,000feet) and17/35(10,000feet).Currently,only AlaskaAirlinesservesKROW.

TheWalkerAviationMuseumis locatedintheAirTerminalattheAirport.

Themuseumtellsthehistoryoftheformerairforcebaseandairport.Learn moreattheWalkerAviationMuseum website,wafbmuseum.org.

Hotelsintheareaincludethe FairfieldInnandSuitesbyMarriott, BaymontbyWyndham,LaQuintaby Wyndham,RoswellInn,DaysInnby Wyndham,BestWesternElRancho Palacio,andCandlewoodSuitesbyIHG Hotel.Therearemanymorebutthese ratehighestontheExpediawebsiteand “currently”runbetween$160and$60 pernight.(Obviously,theyhaven’theard thattheracesarecomingtotownyet!) And,assidenotetothissidenote,it seemstherearefarfewerhotel/motelroomsinRoswell(justover1,000)comparedtoReno(about16,000)soearly reservationsareamust.

Justincaseyou’rehavinganykind ofRenowithdrawalsthisfirstyearaway, gamblingispermittedinNewMexico byaTribal/StateCompact,withthe nearestcasinotoRoswellbeingInnof theMountainGods,a45,000-square-

footcasinowithslotmachinesandtable games.Ifagoodsteakisalsoonyour agenda,TripAdvisorrecommendsCattle BarononNorthMainStreetinRoswell. And,finally,andperhapsofgreatest interest,theweatherconditionsin RoswellinSeptemberarecomparableto Reno,runningfromahighof84degrees (82inReno)toalowof56degrees(45 inReno)andexpectedrainfallisfour days(onedayinReno)duringthe month.

Lastly,andstatingthemostobvious here,iftheRenoAirRacingAssociation wantstokeeptheiracronym(RARA), theycan…RoswellAirRacing Association?

LearnmoreabouttheRoswellAir CenterinNewMexicoatroswellnm.govorflyroswell.com.TheAirRace Associationwillalsopostupdates throughoutthecomingyearatairrace.org.(SinceRoswellisnewtomost ofus,beawarethereisaRoswellinthe statesofGeorgia,Colorado,Idaho,Ohio andSouthDakota…)

NotesofInterestRegardingRoswellandtheNationalChampionshipAirRaces

TheNationalAgriculturalAviation Association(NAAA)BoardofDirectors recentlyvotedtoestablishanUncrewed AerialApplicationSystem(UAAS) CommitteetoadvisetheAssociationon uncrewedaircraftsystems(UAS)–or

drone–issues.Thedecisiontoestablish thecommittee,announcedonMay20,is toensurethelow-altitudeairspaceissafe forcrewedanduncrewedaircraftasthe numberofUASinlow-altitudeairspace grows.TheCommitteewillalsoadvise

theNAAAonwaystoensureaerial applicationregulatorycompliance,efficacyandenvironmentalprofessionalism isachievedthroughoutcrewedand uncrewedaerialapplicationmediums. Thesegoalsaresharedbyboth

HMEWatch is offering excellent prices on their long established Professional Flight Watch line.

They are offering an excellent clearance sale to make room on new models coming out later this year.

Take advantage of these high-quality models while they last at really great pricing.

There are a number of different models and colors offering both, Metal Bracelet models starting at a low $139.95, as well as high-quality Rubber/Neoprene bands at only $119.95.

The ATP model is an all digital multi-function watch offering multiple alarms, stopwatch, as well as countdown time, multiple city “World-Time” covering every time zone on the planet, and a thermometer, as well as an altimeter/barometer. These popular full-featured models are newly priced, starting at $74.95!

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

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

There is also a simple, optional instant-reset for the Chrono, where an instant push of the lower right mode button resets the chrono; no more having to stop the chrono before resetting it if that is your wish. In addition, there is also a functional E6B calculator Bezel on each model.

The A.T.C. comes in either all-stainless with a stainless steel bracelet or a stainless steel body with a polyurethane strap. HME Watch offers all models, including the P.U. strap model with a deploy clasp instead of the lower price “Tang-Buckle” foundonmost watches. In keeping up with styles today, this is a fairly large watch, at 43mm diameter by 13mm thick. Weight is about normal for a stainless steel model.

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

Contact HME at 323-464-6660 or go to

ThedecisiontoestablishanUncrewed AerialApplicationSystem(UAAS) Committeeistodesignedtoensurelowaltitudeairspaceissafeforcrewedand uncrewedaircraftasthenumberofUAS inlow-altitudeairspacegrows. (CourtesyNAAA)

manned/uncrewedaerialapplication operationsandestablished,licensed droneoperations.

AccordingtotheFAA,dronesare thefastest-growingsegmentofaviation intheUnitedStates.Therearenearly 864,000dronesregisteredwiththeFAA andmorethan330,000certifiedRemote Pilotsandthenumbersareprojectedto continuegrowing.

“ThepurposeoftheUAAS Committeeistoreachthecrewedorlegacyagaircraftoperationsandoperatorsof thenewUAStechnologyontheimperativeissuesofairspacesafety,environmentalprofessionalism,regulatorycomplianceandaerialapplicationefficacy— issuesofmutualinteresttobothformsof aerialapplication,”saidAndrewMoore, chiefexecutiveofficerofNAAA.The formationoftheUAASCommitteewill bebalancedbetweencrewedand uncrewedNAAAmembersandallpoliciesproposedwillgototheboardfor finalapproval.Committeemembersare requiredtobeNAAAmembers,andthe committeememberswillbeselectedby theNAAAPresidenteachyear.

UAASCommitteememberswill recommendtotheNAAABoardpublic policyproposalstoenhancethesafetyof theairspacesharedbycrewedand uncrewedapplicationaircraft,andalso provideinputfacilitatingthedevelopmentandregulatoryuseofatmospheric modelsforecastingthemovementof appliedmaterialsfrombothcrewedand uncrewedaircraftapplicationsystems.

TheEnvironmentalProtection Agency(EPA)hasdeterminedthenecessityofsuchmodelstoanalyzetheatmosphericmovementofregisteredpesticides appliedbyUAS,justasitcurrentlydoes

• 2xRotax100HP –Twin-Engine Safety

• Performance-Based Navigation –State-of-the-Art Avionics: Twin-Screen G1000 Nxi IFR

• 9Gal/Hr

• ComplexTraining Solution

2024FAADRONEAND ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY SYMPOSIUM

Thisyear’sFAADroneand AdvancedAirMobility(AAM) SymposiumwillfocusonhowtheFAA continuestosafelyintegratetheseaircraft whilecreatingaframeworktoaccelerate advancedoperations.

Theevent,whichrunsfromJuly30 –Aug.1attheBaltimoreConvention CenterinMaryland,willbringtogether representativesfromtheFAA,othergov-

ernmentagencies,internationalaviation experts,industryleadersandacademia.

Thepresentersandpanelistswill discussthelatestinformationand advancementsrelatedtothediverseuses ofdronesandthesafeintegrationof AdvancedAirMobilityaircraft,likeair taxis,intotheNationalAirspaceSystem.

Thisyear’sthemeisConnectedSkies /ConnectedCommunities.Sessionsand

workshopswillfocusonhowtheFAA continuestosafelyintegratedroneswhile creatingaregulatoryandoperational frameworktoaccelerateadvancedoperationssuchasbeyondvisuallineofsight andUASTrafficManagement(UTM). AAMsessionsandworkshopswillfocus onhowairtaxisandelectricverticaltakeoff,andlanding(eVTOL)aircraftwill changeaviationasweknowit.

FAApanelistsandspeakerswill highlighttheagency’songoingworkto enablesafe,efficientandsecureoperationsthatmeetthehighsafetystandards thepublicexpectsanddeserves.

Toregisterandgetupdatesonevent programming,visittheFAADroneand AAMSymposiumwebsiteat https://www.faadroneaamsymposium.or g/home.

NAAABoardEstablishesUncrewedAerialApplicationSystem

ContinuedfromPage34

forcrewedaerialapplicationsandground andairblastapplicationsviathe AgDRIFTatmosphericmodel.

UAASCommitteememberswillalso recommendtotheNAAABoardandits relatedfoundation—theNational AgriculturalAviationResearchand

EducationFoundation(NAAREF)—educationalcurriculumfocusedonprofessionalism,regulatorycompliance,aviation safety,applicationefficacy,andenvironmentalstewardshipfortheuncrewedaerialapplicationsystemscommunity.This curriculumwillbeconsideredbyNAAA andNAAREFateducationalevents,the

annualNAAAAgAviationExpo(slated forNov.18-21,2024inFortWorth,Texas) andwithinNAAAandNAAREFpublicationsandvirtualmediums,ensuringthe higheststandardsintheindustry.

TheNationalAgriculturalAviation Association(NAAA)representsthe interestsofthe1,560smallbusinessesin

theU.S.,whoseownersandpilotsare licensedasprofessionalcommercialaerialapplicatorsthatuseaircrafttoenhance food,fiber,andbioenergyproduction, protectforestryandcontrolhealth-threateningpests.Formoreinformationvisit AgAviation.org.

AERO-SPACE REPORTSAND AOPARENEW PARTNERSHIPTO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT VALUEAND BENEFITSTO MEMBERS

Aero-SpaceReportsandtheAircraft OwnersandPilotsAssociationhave renewedtheirlongstandingstrategicpartnershipagreement,whichincludesnewly enhancedbenefitsforAOPAmembers.

Throughthecollaboration,which datesbackto2012,AOPAmembersare nowentitledtoa50percentdiscount towardaircrafttitlesearchpackages($85 savings)anda10percentsavingson escrowservices.

Aero-SpaceReportshasbeena trustedsourceforsoundtitleandregistrationadviceformorethan50years–committedtohelpingAOPAmembersnavigatethepotentialpitfallsthatcanarise

whenbuyingandsellinganaircraft.The third-generationfamilybusinesshasexecutedtensofthousandsofaircraftpurchases,providingkeeninsightandfirstclasspersonalizedservicetothegeneral aviationcommunity.

“Aero-SpaceReportscouldnotbe moreexcitedaboutrenewingourpartneringwithAOPA.Weunderstandaircraft ownershipcanbestressful,andAOPA membersneedanddeserveacompanythey cancontinuetotrust.Welookforwardto continuingtofosterourpartnership,with thegoalofprovidingthemostvaluetothe AOPAmember,”saidJeffSnowden,presidentofAero-SpaceReports”

InadditiontoofferingAOPAmembersspecialrates,Aero-SpaceReports supportsAOPA’smissionandmembers throughsponsorshipsandaircraftpurchase-relatededucationactivities.

“Thehighlyregardedservicesof Aero-SpaceReportsareemblematicof thevaluewebringtoAOPAmembers,” saidAOPAChiefOperatingOfficer ElizabethTennyson.“WegreatlyappreciateourpartnershipwithAero-Space Reports,andtheuniqueofferingour membershavecometoappreciateover thepastdecade.”

Aero-SpaceReportshasadedicated escrowteamthatworksexclusivelywith

AOPAmembers–havinghelpedAOPA membersclosethousandsofescrow transactionssince2012.Aero-Space Reportsworkshand-in-handwithAOPA Financetoensurethateachbuyerand sellerexperiencesahighlevelofattentionandservicethroughouttheescrow process.Actingasescrowagentandneutralthirdparty,Aero-SpaceReportswill correspondwiththemanyparties involvedinescrowandensurethatall partiesareinformed,protected,andsatisfiedwitheachtransaction.

Tolearnmore,visitwww.aopa.org.

TECNAM P-MENTOR ACHIEVES FAACERTIFICATION

TecnamannouncedonMay8thatthe FederalAviationAdministration(FAA) hasawardedfullTypeCertificatetothePMentorwiththenumberA00067IBfor Part23oftheFAARegulations.

Tecnamisnowontracktobegin deliveriestoflightschoolsacrossthe UnitedStates,startingwiththefirst20to HCHAviationinpartnershipwithStephen F.AustinStateUniversityinAustin, Texas,followedbyKiloCharlieAviation inNewCentury,KansasandEpicSky FlightAcademyinDesMoines,Iowa.

AbouttheP-Mentor

TheP-Mentorisatwo-seataircraft, poweredbytheRotax912isC3,featuring theGarminG3XIFRtouchscreensuite withPBN/RNAV/AFCScapabilities, compliantwiththelatestCS-23EASAand FAAamendments.TheMentorisa turnkeysolutionformanyflightschoolsto trainstudentsfromtheirfirstflightupto theirCPL-IRonasingleplatform.Witha variablepitchpropeller,asimulated retractablelandinggearandanoptional ballisticparachute,theP-Mentorhas everythingflightschoolsarelookingforin today’smarket.TheP-Mentorisdesigned toofferthebesthuman-machineinterface, resultinginthemosteffectiveandefficient VFR/IFRtraining.Thegenerousfuel

capacitywillallowflightschoolstoflyall daywithoutrefueling,whichimproves operationalvalue.TheP-Mentor’sfuel consumptionisjust3.70U.S.Gal/hcontributingtoaverylowcostofoperations averaging$65perhour.

TheP-Mentorallowscomplete PPL,IRandUPRTtraining,with approvedPBN/RNAVaswellasAFCS: theentiretrainingsyllabuswithunprecedentedfuelconsumptionandemissions, furtherenhancingtherenownedprofitabilityofTecnam-madefleet.

TolearnmoreabouttheP-Mentor: https://tecnam.com/aircraft/pmentor/.

TheentryintoserviceofthePMentortwo-seaterIFRtrainingaircraft hasbeeneagerlyawaitedbyalargenumberofflightschoolsthathavebeen demandingareplacementforthemany hundredsof“legacy”FAR23/CS23IFR trainingaircraftcurrentlyinservice aroundtheworld.Thisaircraftwillopen upmanyprofitableopportunitieswithin theflighttrainingmarketandrevolutionizethetrainingparadigm.

WiththeP-Mentor,Tecnamisonce againconfirmingitsleadershipinflight trainingwhileinnovatingthemarketand raisingthestandards.Thisimportantcertificationmilestonewillcreateandsecure newandsignificantrevenuestreamsfor Tecnam,builtonafoundationofmore

than75yearsofaircraftmanufacturing.

Todate,morethan100P-Mentors havebeendeliveredin18countries aroundtheworld,provingthatthisplatformfitsdifferentbusinessplansindifferentweatherenvironments.Flight schoolsarechangingthecompositionof theirfleet,usingtheP-Mentorforinitial andIFRtrainingandtheP2006Tfor multi-enginetraining.

Tecnam’sManagingDirector, GiovanniPascaleLangersaid,“TheFAA certificationoftheP-Mentorisanother significantmilestonefortheTecnam team.Welookforwardtoworkingwith allU.S.flightschoolstoimprovethe qualityoftrainingandhelpthemkeep hourlyrateslow.”

TheTecnamfleetisperfectfor today’smodernschoolastheiraircraft offerexcellentefficiency,performance andvaluewhilemeetingthelatestcertificationstandardswithauniquefeatureas ‘thegreenest”fleetonthemarket;efficiencythatalsomeansverylowCO2 emissions.Recentstudyshowsthatflight schoolsoperatingwithaTecnamsingleandtwin-enginefleetcanreduceemissionsbyupto60percent;10tonsofCO2 foreachstudentbythetimetheyreceive theirCommercialPilotLicense.Learn moreatwww.Tecnam.com/soar-greener.

TecnamisanItalianaircraftmanu-

TheFAAhasawardedfullType CertificationtoTecnam’sP-Mentor. (CourtesyTecnam)

facturerandoneoftheworld’sleading pistonaircraftmanufacturers.Foundedin 1948bybrothersLuigiandGiovanni Pascale,thecompanyisheadquarteredin Capua,Italy,andoperatestwosubsidiariesinSebring,Florida,USA,and Brisbane,Australia,toserveandsupport theneedsoflocalTecnamownersand operators.CieloBlu(www.cieloblu.aero) basedintheLosAngelesarea,atthe ChinoAirport,andisanexclusive TecnamdealerforCaliforniaand Arizona.Tecnamdesignsandmanufacturesawiderangeofaircraftforpersonaluse,commercialoperations,business travel,flighttraining,surveillance,law enforcementandotherspecializedapplications.VisittheTecnamwebsiteat www.tecnam.comformoreinformation.

PILOT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS WORKSTO SIMPLIFY FAADRUG POLICIES

TheFAAisconstantlyreviewingand, insomecases,approvingnewmedications thatmaynothavebeenapprovedbeforeor arenewtothemedicalcommunity.Among themanydrugsthereareseveralnewanti-

depressants.Soundslikegoodnews,right? Itisoftenthoughtthatifthedrugormedicationyoutakedoesnotrequireaprescription,oritisFAAapproved,youcanjust takeit…right?Notsofast!

Whileadrugormedicationmayhave madethe“goodlist,”theconditionbeing treatedbythemedicationcanbedisqualifying.JustbecausetheFAAapprovesamedicationdoesnotmeantheFAAwillcertify

aparticularpilotwhoistakingit.For instance,onewouldnotexpecttheFAAto approveapilotwhoistakingcommon aspirinfortreatmentorrelieffromseizures

OODIES

Oneofthetrulygreatthingsaboutbeinganaviationbuffisthenumberof“GoodiesandGadgets”availabletoplay with.Here InFlightUSA hascollectedafewnewonesworthyofyourconsideration.

AND AND

ADGETS

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

AIRCRAFT SPRUCE OPENS L ARGER DISTRIBUTION CENTERIN ALASKA

May3,2024,AircraftSpruceAlaska GrandOpening.Lefttoright:MikeIrwin, JimIrwin,NanciIrwin,RobIrwin,Randy Durham(CourtesyAircraftSpruce)

Afterfiveyearsofoperationsata smallerfacilityinWasilla,AircraftSpruce hasopenedanew24,000-square-foot warehouseinPalmer,Alaska.AGrand OpeningeventwasheldonFriday,May3 andthatnightAircraftSprucehostedthe annualdinnerfortheGreatAlaskaAirman Gatheringexhibitorsandvolunteers.

ThenewAircraftSpruceAlaska facilityfeaturesalargestoreforwalk-in customerswhilethewarehousestaff shipsorderstocustomersthroughoutthe state.AircraftSpruceisaleadingsuppliertothegeneralaviationindustrywith branchwarehousesinCA,IL,GA,TX, PA,AZ,AK,andCanada.

ThenewPalmerfacilityislocatedat 1692N.AircraftSpruceCircle(formerly NarvikCircle)inPalmer,AK99645.

Formoreinformationaboutallthe AircraftSprucelocations,including hoursofoperationandorders,seetheir websiteatwww.aircraftspruce.com.

GREXMicroSprayGunSet

andMF.TGarereadyforalmostanything youthrowitsway.Reachintothetightestareasforthatperfectfinishjob. Precisionspraying,spotrepairsand touch-upsarequickandeasywithminimaloverspray.Thisgunevenevolves withyourneedswithplentyofaccessoriesandattachmentstoaccommodate allyourapplications.

GrexTritiumairbrushesrepresentsa premiumlineofdoubleactionpistolstyletriggerairbrushes.Theirintuitive easy-to-usedesignappealstobeginners, yettheirfinedetailcontrolandcomfortableoperationmakesthemappealtoprofessionalsaswell.

GrexTritiumairbrushesareacomprehensivelinethatcanaccommodateto yourairbrushingpreferences–toporside gravity,leftorrighthand,bigorsmall reservoir,fineorwidespraying.These arefeaturepackedairbrushesandyou’ll findthesamereliable,highperformance qualityyou’vecometoexpectfromany Grexproduct.

GrexTritiumairbrushescomein twoforms–Tritium.TG,atopgravity versionandTritium.TS,asidegravity version.Eachversionisavailableinthree differentmodelswitheithera0.2mmm, 0.3mm,0.5mmor0.7mmnozzlesize. ThenozzlesizeonanyoftheTritiumairbrushescanbechangedwithoptional conversionkits.VisittheAircraftSpruce websiteforoptionsanddetails.

BoththeTritium.TSandTritium.TG sellfor$298.

MyGoFlightFlightBagPLC Pro2024Edition

travelersthatbringbothstyleanddurability.ImprovementstothisFlightBaginclude upgradedpaddingtotheself-standingshell fordurability,stowablebackpackstraps, andacoolmattefinishonthemetalparts. Thisflightbagistheultimatesolutionfor storingandprotectingtheessentialsneeded foranydestination.Meshpocketsallow youtoseeyouritemsinside,whileaselfstandingshellallowsforperfectpositioningforeasyaccess.TheFlightBagPLC Proisdesignedbypilotsforpilotstobethe ultimatetravelcompanion.

TheMyGoFlightbagsellsfor$299.

GarminGNC215Nav/Comm RadioForCertifiedAircraft

Designedforbothfixed-wingaircraft andhelicopters,theGNC215isaversatile radiothatcanserveinavarietyofaircraft typesandpanelinstallations.The1.3-inch heightformfactormatchesprevious-generationSL30andSL40radios,enablingeasierupgradesandcreatingmoreroomin spaceconstrainedpanels.Pilot-selectable 25kHzor8.33kHzchannelspacingprovidesglobalcapability.Theradiofeaturesa sunlight-readablecolorLCDdisplay,indicatingthecurrentlytunedactiveandstandbyfrequencies,aswellastheirstationID–suchas‘KOJCTWR’or‘KSLEATIS’.The vibrantdisplayaswellasthedualconcentricknobandbacklitkeysmimicthose foundonothermodernGarminavionics products,providinganintuitiveuserinterfaceandsimplifyingproductoperation.

Morsecodetoprovidepositivevisual identification.

TheGNC215alsohastheabilityto monitorthestandbyVORfrequency whiledisplayingthereceivedradialand featuresasupplementalCDIdisplayfora VORorlocalizer.TheseNAV/COMM productsinterfacewithmostCDI,HSI andautopilotsystems,aswellasmost GarminflightdisplaystoshowtheNav indicatorsintheprimaryfieldofview.

TheGarminGNC215Nav/Comm sellsfor$4,705.

FlightOutfittersPilotsPeakHat

Whetheryou’re flyingoverthemountainsat10,000feetor tacklingthemfrom thetrail,thePilots PeakHatissureto keepyoulooking stylishforanyadventure.Thehatfeatures abrassclaspclosureandthebreathable meshbackkeepsyourheadcool,whilethe buttonlessdesignmakesthemanidealfit forheadsetsinthecockpit.Eachcapsells for$34.95.

Note:AircraftSprucehasalarge varietyofhats,includingP-40Warhawk cap,LiftAviationJetStreamhat,Red CanoeCessnaLogocap,andmany more…includingthepopularAircraft Sprucecapinblackornavyblueandsellingfor$17.95.

FindAircraftSpruceatthefollowingairshowevents:

•July22-28

Theseare theTritium.TS andTritium.TG atheart,andbundledwithallthe essentialaccessoriestomakeitworkandplaylikea minispraygun.Alongwiththeheavy duty,readyforanythingcase,theMF.TS

Thenewly redesignedPLC PROisthelatest additionto MyGoFlight’s amazinglineof flightbags. Madefrom ruggedballisticnylon,thisbagisengineeredtofitthelifestylesofaviatorsand

TheGNC215NAV/COMMradio offersallthesameCOMMfeaturesasthe GTR205,whilealsoaddingfullVHF navigationcapabilities,including VOR/ILSwithlocalizerandglideslope. NavaidlookupallowstheGNC215to findthedesiredfrequencyfromitsbuiltinworldwidedatabasewhenenteringa navaid,andtheAutomaticStationIDfeaturewillautomaticallydecodeastation’s

EAAAirVentureinOshkosh,WI Booth:HangarA,booths1022-1029 •October22-24

NBAAConventioninLasVegas,NV Boothspacetobeannounced. •November18-21

NAAAAGAviationExpoinFort Worth,TX Boothspacetobeannounced.

IN FLIGHT PUBLISHING,USA AIRCRAFT BROKERS PARTNER WITH

MATCHINGDONORS.COM

Thereisnogreaterfeelingthan beingabletosavealife,and MatchingDonors.com,anaward-winning Boston-basednonprofitorganization helpsthoseinneedfindlivingorgan donorseveryday.Theaviationindustry hascontributedgreatlytothecauseof organdonation,flyingpatientsand organstohospitalsallovertheworldto helppeoplelivetheirbestlives.InFlight PublishingandUSAAircraftBrokersare twoorganizationsthatrespectthat humanitarianmissionofaviation.The SanFrancisco-basedaviationpublisher inconjunctionwiththenationwideaircraftbrokeragehavebeenpublishing contentandsellingaircrafttofurtherthis cause.Now,thevisionhasgonetothe nextlevelwithadynamicpartnership betweenthetwoentities.

Therearemanysocialnetworking websites,butMatchingDonors.com standsapartforaveryspecialreason–it saveslives.Sincelaunchingin2004 MatchingDonors.com,theawardwinning501(c)(3)nonprofitorganization, hashelpedmorethan10,000patients needingorgantransplantsand15,000livingaltruisticorgandonorswillingto donateanorgantoapatienton MatchingDonors.com.

tionfor20yearsandhasownedmany othercompanies.Hehasalwaysbeenan entrepreneurwithapassionforhelping others.Heisconfidentthatbygrowing hisorganizationintheaviationspacethat hecanscaleMatchingDonors.com’smissionofsavingthelivesofpeopleneeding organtransplantstobiggerandbetter things.

“Joiningforceswithanorganization forthepublicgoodisawonderfulopportunitytodowhatwedobestandtohelp others.WethankDooleyand MatchingDonors.comforgivingusa waytoaccomplishthatgoal,”said AnnamarieBuonocore,Co-Publisherat InFlightPublishingandAreaBrokerfor USAAircraft.Thetwowillmakea dynamicduoforyearstocome.

AboutMatchingDonors.com: MatchingDonors.comhasbecomethe mostsuccessfulnonprofitorganizationthat isfindinglivingaltruisticorgandonorsfor peopleneedingkidneyandotherorgan transplants.Theorganizationisinits20th yearandisbasedinCanton,Mass.

Manypatientsgettheirtransplant throughMatchingDonors.comwithin onlysixmonths,orless,ofregisteringon thewebsite;insteadoftheseven-tonineyearwaitonthegovernment’stransplant waitinglist.

MatchingDonors.comhasbecome themostsuccessfulnonprofitorganizationthatisfindinglivingaltruisticfor patientsneedinglife-savingorgantransplants.Itisgreatlysupportedbydonationsofboats,carsandrealestatewith theproceedsgoingtohelpsavethelives ofpeopleneedingorgantransplants.

WhileMatchingDonorshasbeen successfulinthecar-andrealestatedonationspacefordecades,theyarenow incorporatingaircraftandwatercraft donationstofurthertheirmission.In FlightPublishingwillhandlemarketing withintheaviationspacetorecruitmore aircraftdonors.Theirstaffwillvolunteer tohandlesocialmediaposts,advertisementdesign,andpublicrelationswriting. Oncedonationscomein,USAAircraft Brokerswillassistwiththeaircraftsales process,whichincludeseverythingfrom appraisalstolistingtofinalizingthesales deal.

“Weareveryexcitedtoworkwith suchaviationexpertstobringinmore donationsthatwillsurelysavelives,” saidCEOandFounderof MatchingDonors.comPaulDooley. Dooleyhasbeenrunningthisorganiza-

Formoreinformation,goto www.MatchingDonors.com.

AboutInFlightPublishing: In FlightPublishingisanaviationpublishingcompanybasedinSanMateo,Calif. Whatbeganin1984asasmallaviation newspaperisnowanationwide50-page aviationmagazinewithinterviews, bylinestories,allyourlatestaviation news,andaircraftforsaleinconjunction withUSAAircraftBrokers.Thepublicationisinits40thyear.Formoreinformation,visitwww.inflightusa.com.

AboutUSAAircraftBrokers: USAAircraftBrokerswasfoundedin 1991byKeithLatourjustoutsideofNew Orleans,La.Aftercombininghisexpertise inrealestateandflightinstruction,Latour launchedauniquemodeltosetupaircraft brokersinbusinessthroughouttheworld. Therearecurrently15brokeragesunder theUSAAircraftBrokerssystem,andthe companyisgrowingunderthenewtalentedleadershipofPresidentChrisWallsand throughamarketingpartnershipwithIn FlightPublishing.Formoreinformation, visitwww.usaaircraft.com.

SONOMA AVIATION FBOS ATTAIN IS-BAHS TAGE 3ACCREDITATION

SonomaAviationhasannounced bothCarlsbadJetCenter(KCRQ)and SonomaJetCenter(KSTS)have achievedIS-BAHStage3accreditation. Thisprestigiousrecognitionunderscores SonomaAviation’sunwaveringcommitmenttosafety,professionalismandoperationalexcellenceatitsCaliforniafixed baseoperations(FBOs).

“Weareincrediblyproudofour teammembersateverylevel,”said JoshuaFoster,SonomaAviation’ssafety manager.“Safetyisourtoppriorityanda corevalue.We’reveryproudofthepositivesafetyculturefosteredandstrengthenedthroughoutthisprocess.”

JoshHochberg,CEOofSonoma Aviation,said,“Thisisasignificantmilestoneforouroperations,demonstrating ourconsistentcommitmenttoupholding thehigheststandardsofsafetyandservice.Noneofthiswouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutthefullengagementofevery teammemberatthecompany.”

IS-BAH,theInternationalStandard forBusinessAviationHandling,isan industrycodeofbestpracticesestablishedbytheInternationalBusiness AviationCouncil(IBAC).IS-BAHsets thestandardfortop-tieroperationalpractices,furtherenhancingthestellarsafety

recordalreadydemonstratedbybusiness aviation.ItprovidesguidancetoFBOsin establishingandmaintainingrobustsafetymanagementsystems(SMS)andoperationalprograms,andfosteringaperformance-basedandrisk-averseculture.

Thisvoluntaryaccreditationprocess includedarigorousin-personauditperformedbyMacPhersonAviationAudits. Stage3certificationistheprogram’s higheststandard,markedbythefullintegrationofsafetymanagementactivities andthecultivationofapositivesafety culture.OnlyahandfulofFBOsinthe UnitedStateshaveachievedthisstatus.

Hochbergsaid,“Asacompanythat livesourvalues,itisespeciallymeaningfultoustoachievetheIS-BAHStage3 safetystandardatCarlsbadJetCenterand SonomaJetCentermeredaysafterour highlysuccessfulGreenFuelDay,which raisedawarenessoftheavailabilityof sustainableaviationfuel(SAF)at SonomaJetCenter.”

Together,CarlsbadJetCenterand SonomaJetCenterofferflightoperations withluxurious,customer-centricand, aboveall,safeaviationservicesconnectingguestswiththewidearrayofbusiness andleisuredestinationsinnorthernand southernCalifornia.

PilotMedicalSolutions

ContinuedfromPage38

orschizophrenia.Drugscommonlyprescribedwhenissuesofmentalwellnessare ofconcernalsofallintothe“conditional” category.Forexample,theFAAisonrecord asbeingwillingtocertifysome,butnotall, pilotswhotakecertainantidepressants.The listoffavoritesincludessingle-use(only onedrug)Anti-Depressantssuchas:Celexa (CitalopramHydrobromide),Lexapro (EscitalopramOxalate),Prozac(Fluoxetine Hydrochloride)andZoloft(Sertraline Hydrochloride).WellbutrinXL(Extended ReleaseBupropion)andSustainedRelease (SR)areacceptableonacasebycasebasis whileImmediateRelease(IR)medications arenot.Inaddition,Khedezla&Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine),Cymbalta&Yentreve (Duloxetine),Vensir,Vencarm,Venlalix, Effexor&Venlablue(Venlafaxine)arealso approvedbytheFAAforsomemildto moderatedepressioncases.Wow,one mightthink,sotheabovedrugsareall approved(sortof?),and“overthecounter,”

medicationsarecool…noworries…eh? Notsofast.Fatalaccidentinvestigations oftenreportuseofthepopularproduct, Benadryl,whichisasedativethatcancertainlyaffectperformance.Also,THCuse hasincreasinglybeenfoundinfatalaccidents.

Manyfrequentlyprescribeddrugsfall intothe“conditionalassessment”concern oftheFAA.Approvalforanypsychiatric drugisverystrictandusuallydoesnotpermitapplicantstobeapprovedbyanAME oreventheFAAofficeinOklahomaCity. ThesecasesaredecidedbytheFAAoffice inWashington,D.C.

So,headsup,simplyusingcommon “overthecounter”medicationsorplowing throughthecomplicatedlistofwhatappear toappeartobe“approved”drugswhile “hoppingforthebest”whenapplyingfora classmedicalcanleadtosignificantcomplexities.Getprofessionalhelp,Visit LeftSeat.comorcall405-787-0303tofind outmore.

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

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

SPORT/ULTRALIGHTS

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

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

HELICOPTORS

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

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

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

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

MAINTENANCE/INSPECTIONS

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

RESTORATIONS

Iconic Aircraft Restoration. Repairs, refurbishments, parts fabricated, con-

sulting at reasonable rates. The Wright Experience, (540) 379-9092.8/21

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

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

Serving the GA Community since 1981. Wisconsin Aviation, Watertown Municipal Airport, WI, (920) 261-4567, WisconsinAviation.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

OXYGEN SUPPLIES

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

4720:TFN

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

AVIATION SAFETY

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

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

Get Top Retail Value for Your Aircraft!

At Thirty1 Hybrid, we help aviation companies, including flight schools, manufacturers, mechanics, brokers, and more, build a cohesive website that positively impacts their bottomline. And it’s not just a website — it’s an Experience.

We’ll take your prospects on a journey they’ll love (and you’ll love, too — because the final destination is a new client and more money in your pocket). It’s a win-win for everyone!

Contact us today at hello@thirty1hybrid.com or by visiting thirty1hybrid. com. 24500:6

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

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

Apparel as unique as your journey

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

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

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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Aero & Marine Tax Pros

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

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) 6GBLAIR, (413) 335-7507. 4/22

HOMES/AIRPARKS

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

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 orvisit

Business Opportunity Section at usaaircraft.com 4208:TFN

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

ART/VIDEOS/GIFTS

Specializing in aviation photography horizontalrain.com.1/15

Need a gift? 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

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

PUBLICATIONS

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

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

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

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

MUSEUMS

p.m., Sat. & Sun.

Military Aviation Museum Virginia Beach, VA, (757) 721-7767 militaryaviationmuseum.org

Yankee Air Museum Ypsilanti, MI, Willow Run Airport (734) 483-4030, yankeeairmuseum.org

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

Heritage Flight Museum Skagit Regional Airport, Burlington, WA (360) 424-5151, heritageflight.org

National Warplane Museum Geneseo, NY, (585) 243-2100 nationalwarplanemuseum.com

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Hamilton Airport, Mount Hope, Ont. (905) 679-4183, warplane.com Historic Aviation Memorial Museum Tyler Pounds Regional Airport Tyler, TX ccveteransfoundation.org.

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

CA, (909) 597-3722 planesoffame.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

47TH ANNUAL AIR RACE CLASSIC SETTO TAKE OFF JUNE 18

Women pilots from across the United States and around the world will take off Tuesday, June 18, from Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, Illinois, for a 2,610-statute mile competition across 11 states that ends Friday, June 21, at Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland, Colorado.

The oldest race of its kind in the nation, the Air Race Classic traces its roots to the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, aka the Powder Puff Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, Calif., to Cleveland, Ohio. This year’s ARC celebrates the 95th anniversary of that historic competition, marking the entrance of women into the air races. Today, the ARC is the epicenter of women’s air racing, the ultimate test of piloting skill and aviation decision-making for female pilots of all ages and from all walks of life.

“The ARC Board of Directors and volunteers have been hard at work preparing for our 47th race,” said Air Race Classic President Donna Harris. “We look forward to celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Women’s Air Derby as we welcome back veteran racers and meet new competitors at our Start in Carbondale, Illinois.”

Teams will depart Southern Illinois

Airplanes at the starting ramp in 2023. This year’s racers will take off Tuesday, June 18, from Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, Illinois, for a 2,610-statute mile competition across 11 states that ends Friday, June 21. (Courtesy Air Race Classic)

Airport starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, taking off one after another approximately 30 seconds apart. From there, the field will spread out as faster planes move ahead or as racers use their own strategy for when to fly. Faster planes may complete the route in only two days; slower planes may not arrive at the Terminus in Loveland, CO, until moments before the arrival deadline at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 21.

Intermediate airports along the route

are in La Porte, IN; Cadillac, MI; Newark, OH; Monee, IL; Owatonna, MN; Moberly, MO; Bartlesville, OK; and Dodge City, KS. Teams will execute high-speed flybys over a timing line at each of these intermediate airports, where they may also land for fuel, a break, or an overnight stay.

Teams consisting of at least two female pilots will complete the course flying normally-aspirated, piston-powered airplanes in visual flight conditions during daylight hours. To qualify for the

race, pilots and copilots must have at least a private pilot certificate and a minimum of 100 hours as pilot-in-command; one of them must have at least 500 hours as pilot-in-command or a current instrument rating. Teams may include additional female teammates, who must hold at least a student pilot certificate.

Because each plane receives a unique handicap, teams are racing to beat their own handicap speed, not against one another. This creates a level playing field, so slower planes can compete against faster planes equally. Teams strategize to play the elements, holding out for better weather or seeking more favorable winds, to beat their handicap by the greatest margin.

Official standings are not determined until after the last team has crossed the finish line – the last arrival at the Terminus may, in fact, be the winner!

Air Race Classic Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with a mission of encouraging and educating current and future female pilots, increasing public awareness of general aviation, demonstrating women’s roles in aviation, and preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation. For more information, go to airraceclassic.org. Follow Air Race Classic on Facebook or on Instagram: @airraceclassicinc.

“FLAWLESS … AMAZING … EXTRAORDINARY” NATIONAL CELEBRATIONOF

GA FLYOVER THRILLS THOSEINTHE AIR, ONTHE GROUND, WATCHING LIVESTREAM

By AOPA Communications staff

When the Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing took off from Frederick Municipal Airport on Saturday, May 11 –after 16 months of planning, intense coordination with 11 government agencies, focused pilot preparation, and closely watching the weather radar – a wave of excitement, pride, and relief washed over the general aviation community.

The National Celebration of GA D.C. Flyover featured 55 aircraft flying over the National Mall and some of the most prominent D.C. monuments. The flyover comprised 15 different “chapters,” telling the story of general aviation in the United States, from the Golden Age and general aviation after World War II, to the general aviation trainer era, vertical flight, backcountry flying, seaplanes, corporate and business aviation, technically advanced aircraft, homebuilt aircraft, airshow performers, and other examples of general aviation aircraft that support public service missions.

“From start to finish, this special

event could not have been more amazing,” said Mike Ginter, AOPA Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy, and event “air boss.” “I can’t thank enough the countless people who made this day happen – from the team at AOPA to our government partners, sponsors, and all of the pilots and aircraft owners who gave of their time and aircraft. And best of all, the weather was as spectacular as the event.”

The special event took place over one of Washington, D.C.’s most restricted flight zones, Prohibited Area P-56, something that’s never been done with general aviation aircraft since Sept. 11, 2001.

AOPA President Mark Baker led the flyover in his Staggerwing, which represented the Golden Age category.

“Wow. That was amazing. I want to thank the entire group for its commitment and time over the last year and pulling this incredible event together,” he said. “People have volunteered their airplanes, their fuel, and their time, so I want to give a big thanks to them. And the agencies –

they were so excited about this special day. A lot of people came together and worked hard to make the flyover something special.”

Even the most seasoned and celebrated aviators marveled in the once-in-alifetime opportunity.

“It was great, it was flawless from my standpoint,” said Bill Finagin, pilot of the Pitts S2C – which flew in the Airshow Spectacle chapter. “Very-well organized,” Brad Kline piped in, who flew with Finagin and owns the aircraft.

Rusty Herrington, who flew the 1946 North American Navion in the PostWar Boom chapter, said the flyover was “a wonderful experience.” He highlighted how rare this opportunity was. “A new perspective, that you only get on television, we get it firsthand,” said Herrington.

Dave Hirschman, AOPA Pilot Editor at Large, flew a Van’s RV-4 in the Homebuilt category and participated in one of only two formation flights within the flyover, alongside two Van’s RV-8 aircraft. He spoke to the novelty of the

led the National Celebration of GA D.C. Flyover on May 11 in his Beechcraft 17 Staggerwing.

(Chris Rose/Courtesy AOPA)

experience. “It was so unusual because I’ve spent a lot of time flying in this region in the last 15 years and yet I have never flown in that airspace in that position,” he said. “It’s so close but it felt so foreign because it was all so novel.”

The complete flyover can be viewed on AOPA’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@flywithaop a/featured). AOPA will produce a video with all footage from the flyover to be published in the coming weeks. Learn more at AOPA’s website, aopa.org.

AOPA President Mark Baker

PILOT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

Erwin