Special Review Team Investigates NTSB’s Recommendations
FAA Does Not Ground Zodiac CH-601XL

On April 14, 2009, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent safety recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), asking the agency to prohibit further flight of the Zodiac CH-601XL. The low-wing, single-engine 2-seater designed by Zenair had been involved in six in-flight structural breakups since ’06. Aerodynamic flutter is suspected in all of the accidents.
     In response to NTSB’s recommendation, FAA put together a special review team consisting of FAA specialists from flight test, engineering, manufacturing and accident investigation. “The special review team will analyze the Zodiac CH-601 XL and its derivatives,” writes FAA administrator Randolph Babbitt in a July 13 letter to NTSB. “A design review for each version may suggest further FAA action.”
     It should be noted that there are four variants of the Zodiac CH-601 XL: a Special light-sport aircraft (SLSA), an Experimental LSA (ELSA), a European microlight model, and an Experimental amateur-built version. FAA noted that NTSB’s recommendation seemed to treat all the Zodiac derivatives the same, [but] mentioned two specific versions: the SLSA and the Experimental amateur-built models. “Data indicates the CH-601XL has a safety record similar to other SLSA and appears capable of safe flight and operation if maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations,” writes Babbitt.
     At this time, FAA “lacks adequate justification” to ground the CH-601XL aircraft.
     In the meantime, FAA’s special review team will investigate the following safety recommendations issued by NTSB: Make sure the CH-601XL has adequate protection from flutter, evaluate the wing and aileron system, communicate findings of the special review team, keep the Board informed on the progress of flutter requirements, decide on the appropriate action if a design characteristic is identified as a potential safety issue, make recommendations to the ASTM F37 committee if the special review team determines additional standards regarding stick force and controllability are necessary, clarify the standards for airspeed calibration, and work with the ASTM F37 committee to address proper airspeed calibration.
     Babbitt says he will keep NTSB informed of his agency’s progress on these safety recommendations, and expects to provide a further response by March 31, 2010.



   
 

FAA Aviation News Spotlights Light-Sport Aviation

 
The latest issue of FAA Aviation News celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport Aircraft regulations, and focuses on the exciting opportunities that light-sport aviation offers to today's pilot, including a look at Sport Pilot certificate privileges, training tips and maintenance requirements. The link to the online edition is:

 http://www.faa.gov/news/aviation_news/

FAA Aviation News is the safety policy voice for the noncommercial general aviation community. The magazine's objective is to improve safety by making the community aware of FAA resources, helping readers understand safety and regulatory issues, and encouraging continued training.

Mike and James Arrive Home

Mike Blyth and James Pitman arrived back at their South African home base of Springs Airfield, Johannesburg, after flying for 39 days, visiting 13 countries, and covering a distance of approximately 45,150 km (28,055 miles) in their production prototype Sling light sport aircraft, which they had built with their team at The Airplane Factory.

     Taking off on July 18 and heading west, it took the duo a little more than one calendar month to circumnavigate the globe in their 100-hp Rotax 912S-powered LSA. A crowd was on hand to greet the two when they arrived safety home on August 27, 2009.

    You can read all about Blyth and Pitman's flight on their Website: http://www.airplanefactory.co.za/world .

     Congratulations Mike and James!

 
   Calais, France to Dover, UK
   100-Year Anniversary of Louis Blériot’s Channel Flight

Pascal Kremer stands in front of the full-scale Blériot monoplane that he plans to fly from Calais, France, to Dover, UK, on July 25 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of French aviator Louis Bleriot’s flight across the English Channel. A 110-hp Rotec 2800 radial engine will power the Blériot.   

                                                

On July 25, 2009, Pascal Kremer plans to replicate French aviator Louis Blériot’s flight across the English Channel by flying a full-scale Blériot monoplane powered by a 110-hp Rotec 2800 radial engine from Calais, France, to Dover, UK. Blériot’s flight on July 25, 1909, took 36.5 minutes; Kremer expects his flight to take about 20 minutes. “I’ll be flying 55 to 60 mph at an altitude between 1,500 and 2,000 feet,” says Kremer, who was at Sun ’n Fun with the full-size Blériot XI replica. “And I’ll need to have a life vest with me.”
     Following original plans, Kremer and Airdrome Aeroplanes’ boss Robert Baslee built the Blériot XI replica with some changes. Instead of oak and poplar construction, Baslee used 6061-T6 aluminum painted to look like wood. The original dimensions were adhered to, and the airfoil shape was modified slightly when the trailing edge was converted to ailerons, says Kremer. The instrument panel also sports a VHF radio and Mode S transponder.
     Kremer, a captain for Luxair airlines, planned to complete flight tests at Holden, Missouri, before shipping the plane to France. “This is a cream come true,” says Kremer who has also created a Website to promote aviation history. 

Info: Pascal Kremer’s Website: www.earlyaviator.org • Airdrome Aeroplanes, 929 NW Road 1571, Holden, MO 64040. Phone: 816.230.8585 • Website: www.airdromeaeroplanes.com .
 

The Paradise P-1 light sport aircraft, piloted by Paradise USA sales manager Chris Regis and Jim Crone, prepares to take off from Sebring, Florida, on a flight to Paradise Valley, Montana.

Flying Y Ranch, located in Montana's beautiful Paradise Valley, was the destination and new home for the Paradise P-1.

Frank, with his wife Karen.

This barn houses the Montana Music Ranch which Frank established on his property to give new musicians a chance to perform in front of live audiences.

For all of us pilots, flying provides adventure and memories that last a lifetime. This past May an exceptionally exciting adventure was presented to me and I had no problem saying, “Yes!” to an invitation to fly a light sport aircraft from Florida to Montana. Flying an LSA is no different than flying a general aviation aircraft except it is more affordable and whenever you pull up on the ramp in a new LSA, you are suddenly the center of attention.

This particular trip was no small order: I was asked to deliver a new Paradise P-1 light sport aircraft from the final assembly facility in Sebring, Florida, to its proud new owner in Montana. The actual destination was Paradise Valley, Montana. You read correctly. Deliver a Paradise to Paradise.

Christopher Regis, the sales manager at Paradise USA told me, “Jim, this is a unique situation. The customer special-ordered an oversized tundra tire on the aircraft for off-airport operations, so it’s going to be slow.”

Indeed, the factory modified the landing gear and installed a set of huge (for an LSA) wheels and tires. This, of course, required removal of the factory wheel pants. The resulting loss of aerodynamic efficiency reduced our cruise speed to 100 mph indicated. So it might take a little bit longer to get there. Is there a problem here? It seemed to me the reason we love flying is for the sheer fun of it. So we get to spend a bit more time airborne on this trip. Sign me up! And I have to say, the little Paradise looked right at home, sitting there on the ramp up to its knees in rubber. 

Regis and I departed Sebring just after sunrise. The flight eventually carried us right through the frontal system that had been flooding the Illinois/Iowa region. Despite the rain and dodging a few thunderstorms, it was excellent VFR and we sailed right on through. We also took a short course deviation to get up close and personal with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The Paradise’s 26-gallon tanks gave us great endurance with the miserly consumption habits of the Rotax 912 engine, so we were able to pick and chose where we stopped for fuel. 

The flight also included several planned stops to show the Paradise to a number of interested people. We also managed to fit in a few “demo” flights as well. The best entertainment we had en route was listening to all the controllers attempt to pronounce our call sign of N910ZZ. The callbacks usually ended up sounding like, “State your intentions Zelo Zuru Zurulu.” It seemed like everyone got it wrong so we started calling ourselves N91 Ozz, as in Dorothy and the Emerald City. Even with all the excitement, we were still able to keep to the schedule and all too soon we were flying through the mountain pass that led into Paradise Valley, Montana. 

Photogenic, charming, breathtaking are all adjectives that apply to Paradise Valley. We were awestruck at the beauty. The private runway destination, found on the Great Falls sectional, is part of Flying Y Ranch, which sits 4,857 feet above sea level and is owned by a gentleman named Duane – a pilot’s pilot. He is living the dream. He has his own private runway, numerous aircraft, teaches flying and A&P mechanics, and has wonderful stories to tell about everything from his WWII flying adventures in spotter aircraft all the way to historical and current events in Paradise Valley. Oh yes, Duane is 82 and still flies every day that he can break away from hangar duties. We should all be so lucky. One of his secrets is working out in his gym, which is located in the hangar loft. Sounds like good medicine to me. 

The density altitudes at Flying Y were averaging 6,500 ASL due to the high temperatures. No problem for the Paradise light sport aircraft. This is an aircraft that is usually airborne in about 250 feet at sea level. Even with the high-density altitudes, our ground roll at gross weight was still less than 1,000 feet.  

A few Paradise checkouts were part of my mission so another day of fun, I mean work, ensued after our arrival. Then the founder of the Montana Music Ranch and the new owner of N910ZZ gave us a personal tour of the ranch. You might say we were settling right in with the warm hospitality in Paradise Valley. However, all too soon the adventure of a lifetime was over. The best part was all the new friends we made and the gift of more time aloft because of those big tires.

Info: Paradise USA, 446 Hendricks Field Way, Sebring, FL 33870. Phone: 561.632.8428 • Fax: 561.686.7999 • e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it • Website: www.paradiseaircraft.us

                                                                                         – Story and Photos filed by Jim Crone