LODA Revision Reopens Flight Training Avenues

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released revised Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) guidance on June 3, with changes allowed for primary flight instruction in ultralight vehicles, rotorcraft gyroplanes, and for sport pilot certificates in previously exempted Experimental light-sport aircraft (ELSA).

     In addition, the LODA still allows for compensated transition training in Experimental- category aircraft, which is an essential part of enhancing the safety record of amateur-built aircraft. It also fits into FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt’s call for more transition training for pilots.

     “There were some huge challenges to fix with the previously issued document and the revision is not perfect, it is a major step forward,” says David Oord, EAA government and advocacy specialist. “This was a point of emphasis for EAA during our February meetings with FAA, because these changes will break down barriers to flight and enhance safety. The agency noted the urgency that was necessary to preserve these segments of aviation that were neglected under the original policy.”

     The LODA revision specifically allows:

      • Rotorcraft gyroplane training at all levels. Essential for this class of aircraft since gyros cannot be certificated as S-LSA. Pilots receiving training no longer need “category and class” privileges to receive training.

      • Sport pilot certificate training is allowed, which is a big win for the  low-mass/high-drag community. The drawback is this training must be conducted in a previously exempted E-LSA, owned and operated by the LODA applicant.

     A person applying to conduct flight training in an Experimental aircraft must submit an application package to the FSDO in the district in which the training will take place.

     “There is still some work to do, and EAA does have concerns that some potential flight instructors are no longer eligible because of frustration while waiting for this remedy,” Oord says. “Still, we encourage owners of these aircraft to apply for the LODA and will continue to urge the FAA to grant them willingly and without delay.”

20th Annual Open Hangar Day & Fly-In

 
Zenith Aircraft Company's 20th annual Open Hangar Day and Fly-In is scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2011, at the factory located at Mexico Memorial Airport (KMYJ)  in Mexico, Missouri. Aviation enthusiasts, especially builders and owners of Zenith Aircraft kit planes, are invited to drive or fly in for the day. The Zenith Aircraft kit production facilities will be open for factory tours and Zenith's factory-demonstrator kit aircraft will be on display. Company staff will demonstrate kit production and fabrication techniques used in producing the all-metal kit aircraft parts made at the Zenith Aircraft factory.

    Many activities are planned, including a series of hands-on educational and informative workshops for existing owners and builders, as well as new builders just getting started (or just thinking of starting).
    Beginning on Friday afternoon we'll present several workshops in the factory, continuing with shorter seminars on Saturday morning. Back by popular demand, we've scheduled an informal Zenith banquet dinner and social gathering on Friday evening.

   Starting on Friday afternoon, September 16, several informative seminars will be scheduled. These free seminars are between one and two hours in length. The seminar presenters will also be available on Saturday to answer questions. Group sizes are limited - we strongly recommend you preregister if you plan to attend the Friday afternoon activities. A simple hotdog and soda lunch will be available at noon on Friday, September 16.

Friday, September 16, 2011 from 1:00 – 2:15 pm:
    Kirk Kleinholz from the Dynon Avionics factory will demonstrate and explain all the features and capabilities of the popular Dynon SkyView glass panel display system.
 
    Corvair engine guru William Wynne will explain the "hows and whys" of a successful Corvair auto conversion installation in light aircraft.
 
    Performing a proper weight & balance on a newly built kit airplane is something every builder has to go through. Zenith builder Mike Pruett of Scales4Planes.com will show you how this can be done quickly and easily.  Mike will weigh an actual Zenith aircraft and work through the Weight and Balance report for the aircraft, using the light aircraft scales offered by Scales4Planes.com / Weigh-Systems Inc.

Friday, September 16 from 2:30 – 3:45 pm:
    Jabiru Aircraft Engines, presented by Zenith builder/owner Mark Stauffer of JabiruUSA.  This informative workshop will cover everything you've always wanted to know about operating and maintaining the popular Jabiru aircraft engines, including the 4-cylinder Jabiru 2200 and the 6-cylinder Jabiru 3300.
 
    How EAA Can Help You Build and Fly Your Own Aircraft - Charlie Becker from the Experimental Aircraft Association hosts a seminar on EAA's available resources to help builders, owners and pilots of amateur-built aircraft, including the technical advisor and flight advisor programs, as well as details on Sport Pilot / LSA rules.
 
    Viking Aircraft's Jan Eggenfellner will attend with one of his popular 110-hp Honda-based auto conversions.  Viking Aircraft offers low-cost complete firewall-forward packages of the Viking-110 engine for installation in Zeniths.

Friday, September 16 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm:
     Garmin Avionics - Tim Casey from Garmin Avionics will talk about the G3X “glass cockpit” system for kit planes and light sport aircraft. The G3X adapts proven technology from Garmin’s top-of-the-line integrated flight deck systems, in a package that fits your panel and budget.
 
     Sport Pilot flight training. Buzzy Devoll of Buzz Air Flight Academy will discuss Sport Pilot flight training as well as transition training to Zeniths. Buzz operates both a STOL CH 750 and a ZODIAC CH 601 XL-B / CH 650 S-LSA aircraft in the scenic Reno / Lake Tahoe area.
 
     UL Power North America -  Robert Helms from UL Power North America will present details and answer questions about the UL Power light aircraft engine, as seen on Zenith's demonstrator CH 650 aircraft. The UL Power engines are direct drive air-cooled lightweight engines featuring full FADEC technology.

Friday, September 16 Banquet from 6:00 – 9:00 pm:
Zenith Builders Banquet at the Elks Lodge (next to the airport). This is a fun and informal buffet dinner gathering of Zenith enthusiasts, builders, pilots and employees. Some great door prizes will be awarded, including a brand new Garmin Aera 510 handheld GPS (valued at over $1,000). RSVP soon as space is limited. Click here to purchase your ticket(s) now, or RSVP now and purchase the dinner tickets in advance in the Zenith offices. Cost: $15 per person. Cash bar opens at 5 p.m.

Note: The above schedule is tentative and subject to change. Keep checking this page for the latest updates. 

Saturday, September 1 from 8 am - 3 pm:   

The Zenith Aircraft kit production facilities will be open for factory tours and Zenith's factory-demonstrator kit aircraft will be on display. Company staff will demonstrate kit production and fabrication techniques used in producing the all-metal kit aircraft parts made at the Zenith Aircraft factory, including cutting and pre-drilling kit parts on the CNC router, forming and hand finishing wing ribs and other kit parts, and aircraft aluminum welding demonstrations. We'll also have aircraft kits and parts on hand and special factory tours are planned.

All pilots and aviation enthusiasts are invited to drive or fly in to attend Zenith Aircraft Co.'s annual Open Hangar and Fly-In.

Info: Zenith Aircraft, phone: 573.581.9000 • The Mexico Airport, phone: 573.581.0162.

EAA AirVenture ’12 New Target Time

Electric Flight Prize Competition at Oshkosh Postponed

Despite a strong influx of applications, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) announced on June 23, 2011, that the $60,000 Electric Flight Prize has been postponed until EAA AirVenture ’12 to allow viable candidates to complete Phase I flight certification according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

      Aircraft designers and innovators submitted nearly a dozen entries into the $60,000 Electric Flight Prize, which is designed to elevate the accomplishments and viability of flight powered exclusively by electricity through three flight competitions and an innovation evaluation.

      Sponsored by AeroLEDs, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Dynon Avionics, and Wicks Aircraft Supply, the Electric Flight Prize, was to have been held during EAA AirVenture ’11, July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

      Phase I is the normal, designated period in which the pilot completes 40 hours of flight testing, certifying that the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all maneuvers to be executed. Additionally, the pilot certifies that the aircraft has no hazardous operating characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation. Completing this test period and properly documenting its success is a normal process for every new amateur-built aircraft.

      “As with any new, emerging technology, time is an essential element to ensure advancements are made effectively,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA and AirVenture chairman. “After discussions with the prize candidates, it was evident most would not be able to meet the FAA requirement by AirVenture ’11. Let’s be clear that the era of electric flight is drawing closer every day, and it will be showcased at Oshkosh.

      “By staging the Electric Flight Prize at AirVenture ’12, innovators will be able to secure necessary certification and build on their advancements, resulting in a strong field of viable candidates ready to make the future of aviation a reality.”

      Even without the Electric Flight Prize, the latest electric aircraft innovations will be showcased at AirVenture ’11. Showcase flights from select aircraft will take place on dates to be announced, plus a full schedule of forums and displays at the EAA Innovation Center will highlight the advances and future promise of electric aircraft as this “green” technology begins to secure a place in tomorrow’s aviation world. 

      The second annual World Symposium on Electric Aircraft, set for July 29-30, will feature several industry leaders discussing electric propulsion aircraft in an open forum, offering what they envision is the future for this rapidly growing flight segment that is attracting the attention of scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and investors.

      EAA AirVenture 2012 will be held July 23-29 of next year.

Info: EAA, phone: 800.564.6322 • Website: www.eaa.org • www.airventure.org .

                                                       – Report filed by EAA Communications.

Rotax Discontinues 503 and 447 2Stroke Engines

If you’re in the market for a 2-stroke Rotax engine, you may have only one choice: the 65-hp 582 model. Bombardier Rotax has sold out of the 50-hp 503 and 40-hp 447 2-stroke models, and has no plans to manufacture more.

      According to Jessie, one of California Power Systems parts managers, Rotax will continue to manufacture parts for the 503 and 447 engines. “They have to make parts for at least 10 years,” says Jessie.

      Why did Rotax discontinue the 503 and 447?

      “Rotax stopped producing the 447 and 503 because the molds for the engines needed to be redone,” explains Canadian Rotax distributor Dave Loveman. “Before spending the resources necessary to do that, they asked dealers/distributors to give a projection of sales they expected moving forward, so that [Rotax] could justify the cost.

      “The feedback was that sales for those engines did not justify the cost,” Loveman continues. “Rotax at the time had ample supply of engines in stock and on hand at the dealer level to last 2 or 3 years. In the past, the 447 and 503 were also being used in the snowmobile industry. They have been now replaced with newer models, leaving the aviation industry as the only industry still using the 447 and 503.”

      If you need service or aftermarket parts for your 2-stroke Rotax engine, or if you’re looking for a Rotax 503 or 447 2-stroke engine, contact one of the following U.S. distributors:

      • California Power Systems, phone: 510.357.2403 (California)

      • Leading Edge Air Foils, phone: 800.532.3462 (Colorado)