GA, This Week in Review

Welcome to our new weekly blog “GA, This Week in Review”.  We get a lot of useful GA press releases, product announcements, fly-in info & more each week. Because we cannot possibly fit all of this in our weekly e-newsletter, we decided this is the best way to get the information out to you. Enjoy.

Press Release – New Product
Garmin® Announces the Future of Avionics. GTN™ 650 and GTN 750 series touchscreen avionics are certified and ready to fly. These panel-mount units are certified and approved for installation in hundreds of makes and models of general aviation aircraft. The GTN 650 and GTN 750 feature new capabilities for GPS/NAV/COM systems like touchscreen operation, graphical flight planning with victor airways and high-altitude jet routes, remote transponder, remote audio control (750 series only), SafeTaxi® and electronic chart capabilities (750 series only). For additional information visit www.garmin.com/gtn 

Press Release – New Product

McFarlane Aviation, Inc. has announced a  new product for the general aviation market. They now have a FAA-PMA approved Cowl Saver™ baffle seals for 172R and 172S Cessna aircraft. For more information, call 800-544-8594 or go to http://www.mcfarlaneaviation.com/cowlsaver

Press Release – New Product

Larson Electronics’ has announced that magnalight.com added a Class 1 Division 1 and Class 2 Division 1 explosion proof LED light alternative to incandescent and fluorescent trouble lights for hazardous locations areas.  The durable EPL-FL1524-LED-50-HR ships with an explosion proof reel, so the entire lighting solution can be installed and used in the hazardous location area.  You can learn more at https://www.magnalight.com or 1-800-369-6671 (1-903-498-3363 international). 

PRESS RELEASE -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sonex Aircraft, LLC has announced that they are now accepting refundable deposits for the Onex Single-Place, Folding-Wing, Aerobatic Sport Aircraft. The deposits are to reserve kit productions slots. Customers can view full details, terms & conditions, and make their Onex Kit
Reservation Deposits at http://www.SonexAircraft.com/onex

PRESS RELEASE -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 EAA has launched the date of the 2^nd annual International Learn to Fly Day it is going to take place Saturday, May 21, 2011.  The EAA views this event as a key way to introduce people of all ages to flying. They are championing their local EAA Chapters to lead the way by offering complementary adult orientation flights.  The EAA is hoping that this will help create a full year adult version of their already very received  and highly successful Young Eagles program. Learn more about Learn To Fly Day on May 21^st , 2011 here: http://www.learntofly.org   

PRESS RELEASE -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Lindbergh Foundation will be hosting its 2^nd annual Lindbergh Foundation Day at SUN 'n FUN on Thursday, March 31 from 9 a.m - 2 p.m. They have put together an array of aviation industry speakers to touch a variety of topics. Their forums will be held at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy in the multipurpose room on the Sun ‘n Fun grounds. Learn more about the Lindbergh Foundation Day at SUN 'n FUN here:

http://www.lindberghfoundation.org/docs/index.php/aviation-green/457-lindbergh-foundation-day-2011

PRESS RELEASE - “Skydreamers” Exhibit at the Autry National Center. 

If you have been looking for a reason to get out to Los Angeles, or you live in or around the area, we have something for you to check out. The Autry National Center is putting on an exhibit called “Skydreamers”. You can go through the history of flight with their exhibition of art and photography. It shows not only the history but impact of flight. They have everything from the first hot-air balloon ride to the exploration of space. The “Skydreamers” exhibition goes on from April 29th through September 4th, 2011. For more information visit: http://theautry.org/exhibitions/skydreamers

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has confirmed that FIFI, the world’s only airworthy Boeing B-29 Superfortress and country music star/patriot Aaron Tippin will take their "CAF’s Red, White & Loud Tour" to AirVenture 2011. FIFI will arrive at AirVenture on Tuesday, July 26^th staying until July 31^st.  FIFI will appear in Friday’s air show as a part of the AirVenture’s day-long veterans salute. Aaron Tippin will take the stage on Saturday, his concert will precede the Night Air Show and Daher-Socata Fireworks. For more information about FIFI and Arron Tippin's appearance at AirVenture 2011, visit: http://www.commemorativeairforce.org/?page=cms/event&eventID=105 or www.AaronTippin.com or
http://www.airventure.org/news/2011/110323_b29fifi.html

Press Release –
New Product
Trisoft Panels interlock to cover wings and horizontal stabilizers, protecting them from dropped tools, flashlights, spray cans, and all the other hazards that can fall onto thin metal and painted surfaces. The XLPE foam is resistant to sunlight, heat, and cold; and its closed-cell structure is chemical resistant and will not absorb water. Sized in two foot squares and packed four to a case, the squares have a natural resistance to sliding on the surface. For more info: 800-844-2371 or www.trisoftcovers.com

 
PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
The University of North Dakota (UND) John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will host its Spring Aviation Safety Seminar on Wednesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. at the Chester Fritz Auditorium. The seminar, presented by National Transportation Safety Board vice chair Robert Sumwalt, will focus on professionalism in aviation. This safety seminar meets the credit requirements for those aviators who are participating in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Wings Pilot Proficiency Program. The seminar is free and open to the public. For more information: http://www2.und.nodak.edu/our/news/story.php?id=3401

I have said this before and I am saying it again simply because it is so important. We need as many members of the Congress and Senate to join the General Aviaiton Caucus as possible. 

On  February 15, in Washington, DC there is going to be a reception to host present and potential Members of the GA Caucus.  We need to get your representatives to that reception. 

So, get on your e-mail (or call them up).  This communiqué from the AOPA will be helpful: 

The Co-Chairs of the U.S. House of Representatives General Aviation Caucus (GA Caucus), Congressmen Sam Graves (R-MO) and John Barrow (D-GA), both AOPA members, need your help.  They are required to re-establish the Caucus in the new Congress and in so doing, they have to recruit Members to join all over again.  The Caucus is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress who are interested in learning the importance of general aviation  to our economy and transportation system.  

We need a robust GA Caucus to fend of attacks on our freedom to fly.  Last year we had 125 Members of the House GA Caucus and Congressmen Graves and Barrow want to surpass that number this Congress.  They can’t do it without your help.  

Please reach out to you Representatives and encourage him/her to join the GA Caucus to secure the future of General Aviation and the 1.3 million jobs and more than $150 billion it contributes to the U.S. economy annually.  

Be sure to tell them that they can join the Caucus by contacting Mike Matousek (with Congressman Sam Graves) at 202-225-7041 or mike.matousek@mail.house.gov or Brandon Webb (with Congressman  John Barrow) at 202-225-2823 or brandon.webb@mail.house.gov.  To view the Dear Colleague letter from Congressmen Graves and Barrow to all Members of Congress inviting them to join the House GA Caucus click here http://download.aopa.org/advocacy/GA_Caucus_Dear_Colleague.pdf

I just returned from Washington DC where I attended a planning session for GA groups who will be involved in the General Aviation Caucus for the new Congress.  We GA folks as a group must get as many legislators to join the General Aviation Caucus as possible.

This was, we all agreed, the first time some many GA groups had come together at one table.   The meeting was a testament to the importance those representing GA interests are placing on legislative issues.  I am glad to see it.

When we think of legislation we tend to think of laws being passed. However, we also need to remember that political influence can help us with non-legislative issues as well. In fact, non-legislative understanding of GA is just as important.  When elected representatives start to question the wisdom of specific rules or trends in rule making that are harmful to GA it is very helpful.

As a result we ALL need to contact our elected representatives and urge them to join the General Aviation Caucus;  the last Congress had more than one hundred members. The goal this year is to attract even more.   Members of Congress will naturally be interested if they are pilots or have GA industries in their home states.  However any legislator can join – YOU just need to suggest it to them.

So, what we all need to do is contact our representatives asking that they join the GA Caucus.   Even if they are not pilots being Caucus members will help educate the members about issues of concern to you and I as pilots.  In addition, there is simply strength in numbers – particularly when we talk about large groups of representatives.

You will be hearing more about efforts to get pilots and others interested in the wellbeing of GA to get their representatives to join.  YOU can do this today. Simply send a note to your Members of Congress, and ask them to join the General Aviation Caucus.  It’s a good thing for all of General Aviation – including you!  

When the General Aviation Congressional Caucus was created in 2009 who would have thought it would grow to one of the largest caucus’ in the Congress?  Just a year later they now have more than 100 members.  Boy, does GA ever need them!  

This past month Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) announced that with his retirement from the Congress he was handing the Republican co-chairmanship over to Sam Graves (R-Mo.). I have only met Rep. Ehlers a couple of times but I have had the great pleasure to know Sam Graves for several years.  

Sam is one of us. He is a concerned pilot, who flys among other things, a 650 Stearman, Citabria, Husky and he is restoring a WWII Beech AT-10.  In addition to being on the Caucus, Rep. Graves serves on the Subcommittee on Aviation (part of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure). He is also ranking member on the Small Business Committee and serves on the Agricultural committee. We are very fortunate to have a guy like Sam on GA’s side.  

This coming year will be very important to GA. I personally am very concerned about what I see as an insidious regulatory creep on the part of the FAA. I am not sure how calculated it is but there have been a number of regulations promulgated which will slowly and surely begin to restrict our General Aviaiton freedoms.  

These include the issues of local GA airport access for those living on or near airports which receive federal funding (through-the-fence). The FAA is trying to restrict access and dictate to local communities who, how and when their airports can be accessed by users. Then the FAA just recently put an NPRM out which would essentially revoke the mechanic’s license of those who, despite being current in testing and knowledge, do not meet the FAA’s idea of an appropriate activity level (see my last blog).  

Then there is the matter of the FAA forcing a periodic renewal of aircraft N-numbers. It seems innocent enough as a way to keep the data base clean, until you discover that it is not all that well thought out. This will ultimately preclude you from finding and returning to Certificated service that forgotten “airplane in a barn” or anywhere else for that matter. If the registration has not been constantly renewed, it is nothing more than a pile of parts.  

When I asked the FAA about the impact of an expired registration on the airworthiness of an aircraft it appears they had forgotten that minor detail. What happens if an aircraft slips out of the renewal window and the n-number put back in the pool and is reassigned? Airworthiness certificates have the n-number on them and the regulations require the registration be valid.  If an aircraft n-number has been reassigned because someone forgot to renew it, then the airworthiness would be invalid also.  

This is the kind of thing I’m talking about. And there are more examples. But suffice it to say, I am glad we have a GA Caucus. We are certainly going to need it.

Tiny Teterboro, New Jersey is situated just south of Hackensack at the edge of the Meadowlands only twelve miles from midtown Manhattan. This Bergen County borough is mostly known for its airport, as the residential properties in the town are few. Indeed, recent census figures put the town's population at just 18 souls! Meanwhile, business dominates the town and the airport, named for the town, is the chief job generator in the town as well as in surrounding communities.

At just over one square mile, Teterboro certainly is easily missed. Bordered by state highways 46 to the north and 17 to the west, the town would certainly be overlooked unless you failed to notice the regular flow of general aviation traffic entering and leaving the airport. Indeed, Teterboro Airport {TEB} ranks as one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country serving Piper and Cessna owners all the way up to Gulfstream V charter operators.

In 1917, a Mr. Walter C. Teter purchased what is now known as Teterboro from North American Aviation, who had operated a plant on its site during the first world war. Over the years, the airport changed hands several times until, finally, in 1949 the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey purchased the airport. Since then the authority has operated the airport through contractors or has managed it directly; vast improvements to Teterboro Airport have been made since the authority assumed control.

Teterboro is the home to numerous aviation companies including Atlantic Aviation, Million Air, Jet Aviation, First Aviation Services, and Signature Flight Support. All five companies operate what are known as Fixed Based Operations {FBOs} which provide essential airport services including aircraft fueling, passenger processing, and more. In addition, aircraft hangars occupy key sections of the airport for operators to house their expensive business jets within.

One of the most famous landmarks in the Teterboro is the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of NJ. Located on the airport grounds the museum, which opened in 1972, was the first state aviation museum in the nation. Aviation pioneers Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhardt both flew in and out of Teterboro.

Towns bordering Teterboro include: South Hackensack, Little Ferry, Moonachie, Wood-Ridge, and Hasbrouck Heights. Indeed, the entire lower third of the airport actually falls within the boundaries of Moonachie.

FAQ#1 - I have customers come to my booth at Sun-n-Fun and Oshkosh and complain to me that their 406ELT battery from brand X only lasted 18 to 24 months before replacement was required.  How can this be when it was advertised as a five year battery? 
 

Answer - SARSAT requires the ELT’s to transmit on 406Mhz frequency for a minimum of 24hours on 406Mhz and 48 hours on 121.5Mhz.  If the battery doesn't have enough power to meet this minimum requirement it is considered depleted.

In fact some manufacturers shut down the 406 transmitter after 24 hours of crash activation just to make sure the 121.5 transmitter can make it to 48 hours.  This "meets" certification but you can see how fragile it is.

The owners’ problems come into affect when performing self tests.  Every test draws energy from the ELT battery and an internal counter gives the owner a “failed” indication after the predetermined number of tests. This is to ensure that the ELT can still meet the specifications during an accident. Perform too many tests and the ELT battery fails well before it’s time and if the owner/operator loses track of the number of tests performed or simply didn’t know of this short fall, they fall victim and have to change their battery prematurely.

How do you avoid buying products with these shortfalls?

Ask some questions that will reveal the battery potential:

Does your product require aircraft power for the remote switch?

Does your product need batteries in the remote switch?

How long does the 406Mhz transmitter run in an emergency?

All of these symptoms tell you that the ELT battery cannot handle the load by itself and needs assistance.  This costs you more money in mulitple replacement batteries.
Is there a product out there that does not have this weakness?  Absolutely yes.
If you want a 406ELT that won't break the bank and will give you years of service without hidden weaknesses. Check out the Kannad AF Compact.