Experimental Aircraft Association

Chapter 202 Panama City Florida

 

  Blowing Smoke
           January 2005 News letter

 

The new year has begun; Let’s make it a productive year for the chapter. Once again the newsletter has risen from the ashes like the phoenix. The only way it will continue is if you the members get behind it and send me something to publish.

 

A photo of your project along with a short description, How about a recent Fly-in or out.  Got Parts or Need Parts, send it in.

 

Whiteva@aol.com

ACRODUSTER

 

Heard from the Project Police that a certain Acroduster located at PFN has been down for annual inspection and modifications.  Seems the duster has new lighter gear and wheels along with a new and improved tail wheel, new Hooker Harness, and wheel pants. Word on the street has it in good faith that it will be flying in a week (as of Dec 15, 2004) Here it is 12/28 and the skins are not in place.  I’ll bet the WX turns bad as soon as Kev makes the first flight.

  

Dues are due Jan 1    $35.00

 


Pilot Certificates to Undergo Several Changes Ordered by Intelligence Reform Act

December 9, 2004 - Sweeping changes are in store for U.S. pilot certificates as a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 passed this week by the Congress. Within a year of President Bush's signing the legislation into law, the FAA Administrator is required to begin issuing improved pilot licenses that are:

  • Resistant to tampering, alteration, and counterfeiting
  • Include a photograph of the individual to whom the license is issued and
  • Be capable of accommodating a digital photograph,
     a biometric identifier, or any other unique identifier
     that the Administrator considers necessary     (read more)
    http://www.eaa.org/communications/eaanews

 


FSDOs OFFICIALLY AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE SPORT PILOT CERTIFICATES

The FAA has released specific instructions to its Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) outlining procedures for issuing student pilot certificates to sport pilot candidates. The document, N 8700.34, Issuance of Student Pilot Certificates to Sport Pilot Candidates, should clear up any confusion in the field regarding issuance of student pilot certificates, says Martin Weaver, FAA's Light Sport Aviation Branch manager. Questions regarding the notice should be directed to the Certification and Flight Training Branch

EAA Aeromedical Advisory Program
EAA is committed to keeping our members flying. When you develop a medical condition that might compromise your ability to obtain, maintain, or regain airman medical certification, the first thing you must do is to become knowledgeable about the condition and how it might affect airman medical certification. EAA has developed the Aeromedical Advisory Programs to assist you with problem medical certification. You should avail yourself of any and all information that will provide knowledge of the condition in question. Find out more at EAA.org

 

 

 

 

EAA Chapter 202 Directors
President:   Dick Smith

Vice-Pres:   Joe Stanko

News Editor: Vance White        

Secretary:   Vance White

Treasurer:   Ed O’Connor

Officers:    Dale Williams

             Jim Holbrook

                 Bob Stark

 

 

 


 

 

Young Eagle Project

We need someone committed to organizing a Young Eagle flight mission this spring. Last year we flew less than 15 Young Eagles, while some EAA chapters fly several hundred kids.  We can get the pilots and planes if someone will simply set up the weekend. Precision FBO at PFN has offered their facility in the past with a discount for fuel purchased. I even set up a Bar-B- Que for the pilots last year.  Now is the time step up to the task and become the coordinator.  Call me for more information at 850 866 2167. Vance

Aerobatics

Want to try something new? Thinking about spin or “upset” training?  The International Aerobatics Club. A division of EAA offers advice and a list of instructors available.  Several of our chapter members are part of the IAC and compete in sanctioned contests during the year.

 EAA 202 member Frank Gorham, has won the distinction of national champion, Primary category in 2000 in his Acroduster.  

 

If you would like more information contact Vance White, Frank Gorham, or Kevin Gorham.

Skybolt Annual….
Expecting the usual December and January weather patterns I made plans to accomplish an extensive annual inspection of the biplane. Tear down found the usual and expected squawks along with a bracket weld that was suspect.  Removed the left bottom wing and called in the welding expert to “lay hands upon my girl and heal the affected area” Mike Smith appeared at the appointed time and did his magic. Mike was last seen leaving my hangar with a new tail wheel that just happened to fit his Cessna 140 that also needed an annual and tail wheel.

 

Re-fitted the wing and secured the flying wires then on to the clearing of squawks that had been found. Since the type of flying the Skybolt sees is not exactly straight and level or dirty side down, she seemed to shed quite a few screws, so I paid attention to weak nut plates and wound up replacing 36 of them (folks below me will appreciate that).  Electrical switches, wiring, control cables, hinges and of course the engine was given the once and twice over to be sure all things that moved should and those that shouldn’t were firm.

 

During the process, just for fun I added video cameras to the aircraft. I thought about the pilots/passengers that might like to have a record of their attempt at a roll or spin recovery. (happily I can report nobody has puked during any flight.) The cameras were very very small easily mounted along with a light weight Sony video switch to select which ever view you desire.  Photos and mounting design will be available on the www.acroflyer.com website soon.

 

Anyway, this process took me a week to complete and of course once the plane was down, the weather was just perfect for flying. As soon as the skins were in place and the plane signed off for test flight the WX went IFR.  Go Figure. 

 

 

Since our President is winging his way to ‘Vegas in his C-120 the annual update on the Cubby Progress  will be delayed.  Members are urged to stand-by with bail money just incase Dick gets too lively in the land of sin.

 

Cubby on its last flight!

 

QUOTE “should’nt take long to get ‘er back in the air”

 

 

 

Aircraft Cam?

Thinking about adding the magic of inflight video to your aircraft? Check with our ACE homebuilder , Hal Hadler about his remotely aimed camera and camera pod mounted on his Plane. Real Cool……

 Whats next Hal, 50Cals……..

 

Check out the web site www.acroflyer.com  for a new selection of technical articles and How to stuff.  Feel free to send me your ideas to be added to the list.



 

OK last time….. Ya want a newsletter? Send me something to put in the sucker.

 

Vance

 

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