Our goal is to promote and encourage the preservation and safe operation of ex-military aircraft, better known as Warbirds.
These wonderful aircraft are an important part of our aviation heritage. Please join us in our efforts to “Keep ‘Em Flying!”
Learn more about the benefits of membership in EAA Warbirds of America!
Canadian SkyHawks Parachute Team Coming to AirVenture 2012
May 7, 2012 — The Canadian SkyHawks parachute team, the official skydiving team of the Canadian Forces, will make its first appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2012 with performances during the daily afternoon air show.
The 60th annual edition of EAA AirVenture, “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” is July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The SkyHawks will be performing Friday-Sunday, July 27-29 at Oshkosh, showcasing their skills through a variety of unique aerial maneuvers, formations, and other feats beneath their unique Canadian flag parachute canopies.
“The SkyHawks are among the world’s best parachute teams and we’re sure AirVenture attendees will see a dazzling show from them,” said Jim DiMatteo, EAA’s vice president of AirVenture features and attractions. “Their performances will make the Oshkosh air show, already regarded as the all-star week for air show performers, even better in 2012.” (Read more)
World’s Only Flying B-29 Superfortress, Fifi, Returns to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture 2012
Once-in-a-lifetime flight opportunities available for the first time at Oshkosh
May 1, 2012—The Commemorative Air Force’s iconic Boeing B-29 bomber FIFI – the only remaining flying example of the aircraft in the world – will return to Oshkosh this year to participate at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012.
The B-29 joins the largest annual gathering of vintage warbirds in the world that takes place EAA AirVenture, “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” which takes place July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. This year’s event marks the 60th annual EAA fly-in.
The Boeing B-29 “Superfortress,” which was first flown in 1942 and began active service in 1944, is perhaps best known as the aircraft from which the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. It was designed as a replacement for the older B-17s and B-24s, with longer range and greater bomb loads. The B-29 was also used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until the late 1950s.
This particular B-29 was saved from use as a ground target for weapons tests in the 1960s and first flown by the CAF in 1971. The B-29 was christened FIFI in 1974 in honor of the wife of Col. Victor N. Agather, who had been on the wartime development team for the aircraft and had been personally committed and involved with the airplane’s restoration in the early 1970s. (Read more)
Swift Action Helps Alter Course of Warbird Issue
EAA members, aviators make their voices heard but must remain vigilant
April 24, 2012 - Swift action by members of EAA and Warbirds of America, plus other aviation enthusiasts, is making a difference in potentially reversing a threat to warbird aircraft through a possible amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310).
Thousands of EAA members and aviators contacted their congressional representatives after EAA and other warbird organizations reported last week that a proposed amendment to the House bill would bar the Department of Defense from loaning or gifting any U.S. military aircraft or parts to any entity except those that would put the aircraft on static display, such as in a museum. As of today the sponsor of the amendment, Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), has verbally committed that he does not intend to ask for its inclusion to the bill. The amendment would have precluded military aircraft from being loaned to private individuals, associations, or museums where there was any intent of flying the historic vintage warbirds, even at air shows or demonstrations of support for veterans.
While EAA members were expressing their views to their elected officials, Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), a longtime EAA and Warbirds of America member, reached out to House colleagues - including Rep. Turner - regarding the devastating effect the amendment could have on U.S. warbird operations. The House General Aviation Caucus and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have also been valuable in conveying key information regarding warbirds and the proposed amendment in support of public response. (Read more)
Special SBD-3 to be Raised From Lake Michigan This Summer
AirVenture Presentation Planned
April 26, 2012 - A Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive bomber that participated in two World War II campaigns will soon be raised from the depths of Lake Michigan and then brought to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, where it will be displayed and featured in a Warbirds in Review program. The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, is coordinating the project.
According to Capt. Ed Ellis, who is retired from the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps and serves as the museum's vice president of development and corporate secretary of the museum foundation, A&T Recovery of Chicago plans to raise the airframe off Illinois' Waukegan Harbor in late June or early July. A&T has recovered more than 30 WWII warbirds from Lake Michigan and other sites, including a rare Birdcage Corsair in 2010.
After it's brought to the surface, preparations will be made to transport the wreckage to Oshkosh, where aviation enthusiasts can get a close-up look - both in a static display and as a featured aircraft in a Warbirds in Review presentation to be announced. (Read more)
P-38 “Glacier Girl” Appearing at EAA AirVenture 2012 for 20th Anniversary of Airplane’s Recovery
Oshkosh was first stop for rescued sections of aircraft in 1992
April 26, 2012 - The Lockheed P-38 Glacier Girl, the fearsome twin-boom fighter aircraft that has become one of the world’s most well-known warbirds since its rescue from the Greenland ice cap in 1992, will return to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture on the 20th anniversary of its first public appearance.
The aircraft, which began flying in 2002 after a 10-year restoration, will be part of the weeklong activities at AirVenture, “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport.
Glacier Girl’s appearance comes 20 years after its first trip to Oshkosh, when the Greenland Expedition Society members Pat Epps, Don Brooks, and others brought the P-38’s salvaged parts direct from the ice cap to the 1992 EAA Fly-In Convention in a DC-3. The display became a sensation among aviation enthusiasts and the national media following the unprecedented effort to extract the aircraft after 50 years below the ice.
“Glacier Girl is a draw everywhere it goes not only because flying P-38s are so rare, but the human challenge to its recovery that made this restoration stand above so many others,” said Jim DiMatteo, EAA’s vice president of AirVenture features and attractions. “Twenty years ago, the mere appearance of the rescued parts caused a huge stir at Oshkosh. The pride at seeing the airplane fly at Oshkosh is not diminished two decades later.” (Read more)
Spits Buried Since 1945 Located in Myanmar, Burma
April 16, 2012 - A British farmer announced over the weekend that he has located a dozen or more Supermarine Spitfires buried in their shipping crates beneath Myanmar (Burma) since 1945. David Cundall, 62, told The Telegraph that he confirmed through radar imaging technology at least 12 and as many as 20 crated aircraft are buried some 40 feet underground. In February he saw the crates after sinking a camera through a borehole, and they appear to be in good condition.
His 15-year quest included 12 trips to Myanmar and more than £130,000 out of pocket as he searched for the airplanes. "It took me more than 15 years but I finally found them," Cundall told The Telegraph.
"Spitfires are beautiful aeroplanes and should not be rotting away in a foreign land. They saved our neck in the Battle of Britain and they should be preserved."
Cundall said he first learned of the buried treasures in 1996 from a friend who had spoken with American construction battalion soldiers, who said, "We've done some pretty silly things in our time, but the silliest was burying Spitfires." That started Cundall's quest that included contacting Burma Campaign veterans and persuading the Myanmar government to locate the Spitfires. (Read more)
Warbird Community Rises to Meet Threat
'Title 10 Amendment' could devastate historic aircraft fleet
April 18, 2012 - EAA and the Warbirds of America are joining with the Commemorative Air Force, Collings Foundation, and other warbird groups in opposition of a proposed amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310) that could have a devastating effect on the fleet of civilian-operated historic military aircraft.
The amendment introduced by Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH) would bar the Department of Defense from loaning or gifting any U.S. military aircraft or parts to any entity except those that would put the aircraft on static display, such as in a museum. The amendment would preclude the aircraft from being loaned to private individuals, associations, or museums where there is any intent of flying the historic vintage warbirds, even at air shows or demonstrations of support for veterans.
Military branches such as the U.S. Air Force often do not donate aircraft to private groups outright; they instead "loan" them under a Defense Department provision, Section 2572 of Title 10, to individuals and groups for indefinite periods. These private individuals and groups usually restore and operate the aircraft at their own expense to demonstrate these pieces of flying history to events such as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. (Read more)
EAA Warbirds of America Outlines Camper Pre-Registration Process
April 9, 2012 - For those of you that use the EAA Warbirds of America campground at AirVenture, there is a new pre-registration process and new rates for AirVenture 2012.
In order to manage the limited number of improved camper sites, EAA Warbirds of America appointed a Campground Committee in 2011 to further develop policies and procedures. In January 2012, the Campground Committee made the following recommendations. There is a new pre-registration process, designed to take away much of the uncertainty in obtaining an “improved” camping space. Tent campers are not affected.
Your EAA Warbirds of America membership must be current and valid through AirVenture 2012 to rent a site in the Warbirds Campground.
A pre-registration form will be developed and put into place for 2012.
Pre-registrations for improved sites (with electric & water) will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Tent camping does NOT require pre-registration. (Read more)
Crash Claims Warbirds Hall of Famer Howard Pardue
April 5, 2012 - EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame member and veteran Reno race pilot Howard Pardue, 77, died Wednesday as a result of a plane crash in Breckenridge, Texas. According to reports, Pardue took off in his Grumman F8F Bearcat from the Stevens County Airport (KBKD), but immediately developed a problem that caused the plane to crashed and catch fire less than 2 miles away from the runway. Time of the crash was estimated at 2:18 p.m. CDT.
Pardue, EAA 127179/WOA 1581, was inducted into the EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame in 2004 and was well known throughout the aviation community. He was also founder/president of the Breckenridge Aviation Museum. (Read more)
“Tora! Tora! Tora!” Re-enactment Coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 Air Show
Featured as part of final weekend’s aerial highlights
March 22, 2012 - EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — The “Tora! Tora! Tora!” aerial re-enactment of the events of December 7, 1941 – one of the most dazzling warbird air show performances flying today – will be part of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh afternoon warbird shows for the first time this summer.
The 60th annual EAA AirVenture fly-in convention – known as “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” – will take place July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
“Tora! Tora! Tora!” is a re-creation of the attack on Pearl Harbor, staged with the volunteers and aircraft of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) that include ground operations, maintenance, pilots and pyrotechnic experts. Its purpose is to create a dynamic history lesson about the event that propelled the United States into World War II. The re-creation is usually the feature performance at air shows throughout the nation, complete with professional narration, pyrotechnics and dozens of World War II-era aircraft. (Read more)
EAA, AOPA File Third Class Medical Exemption Request With FAA
March 20, 2012 - The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) today jointly filed a request for an exemption with the Federal Aviation Administration that, if granted, stands to increase the level of safety and significantly reduce a substantial economic and regulatory burden for pilots who fly recreationally.
Currently, FAA regulations require all pilots to hold at least a third-class medical certificate to exercise the privileges of a private or recreational certificate. EAA and AOPA are asking the FAA for an exemption to that rule, which would give pilots who fly recreationally the option of getting a third-class medical or, instead, participating in a recurrent online education program that will teach them how to self-asses their fitness to fly.
The education program will cover aeromedical factors and exceed the training presently mandated by the FAA. Participating pilots would also be required to hold a valid driver's license and conduct a meaningful self-assessment prior to flight. The self-assessment required in the exemption will be similar to what pilots do now between AME visits. The difference is that pilots will have a higher level of knowledge to do the self-assessment after completion of the required education program.
The requested exemption would help to mitigate the increased risk inherent in transitioning to unfamiliar and sometimes distinctly different aircraft, which is the only current available alternative to the FAA's third class medical. (Read more)
FAA – AD FW 190 A8/N
March 19, 2012 - Dear owner of a FW 190 A8/N Experimental,
After a few flights being flown within prescribed limits (max. 450km/h, 3g), structural
damages have been found on an FW 190 FW 190 A8/N being flown in Germany, built from
an airframe kit made by Flugwerk GmbH or Aerostar respectively. On closer examination
either side of the wing showed significant deformations of the flush rivets in the root section
of the wing upper cover in the region of the main spar and a significant gap between the spar cap and the bracket assembly at the shear web.(Read more)
FAA Aviation Safety
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION BULLETIN
March 19, 2012 - SUBJ: Wings; Flugwerk; Aerostar, FW 190 A8/N experimental airplane,
SAIB: CE-12-21
Potential wing failure
This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is being used to notify owners and operators of
airworthiness findings concerning experimental FW 190 A8/N airplanes manufactured by Flugwerk
GmbH or Aerostar provided to the FAA by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the
airworthiness authority of Germany.
Background
The subject airplanes are replicas of Focke-Wulf FW 190 type airplanes from the World War II
period. The LBA provided the FAA with the attached description of the problem and inspection
recommendations.
These airplanes are not type certificated in the United States and, therefore, the condition is not addressed by FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) action. However, these airplanes could be operating in the United States with an experimental airworthiness certificate or other means. (Read more)
Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS)
One important tool available to pilots is the Aviation Safety Reporting System or ASRS. Recently, a warbird pilot had an issue at an airport. Upon landing, he was instructed to call the control tower. The tower staff explained the issue and the pilot discovered he may have been in violation of a federal aviation regulation. By using the ASRS, the pilot filed a voluntary report and that information was used to help improve aviation safety. We encourage pilots to become familiar with the ASRS and use the system if and when appropriate.
Summary:
The ASRS is an important facet of the continuing effort by government, industry, and individuals to maintain and improve aviation safety. The ASRS collects voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident/situation reports from pilots, controllers, and others.
The ASRS acts on the information these reports contain. It identifies system deficiencies, and issues alerting messages to persons in a position to correct them. It educates through its newsletter CALLBACK, its journal ASRS Directline and through its research studies. Its database is a public repository which serves the FAA and NASA's needs and those of other organizations world-wide which are engaged in research and the promotion of safe flight. (Read more)
Winter at Weeks
March 6, 2012 - EAA's Kermit Weeks Hangar is where all the cool stuff is at EAA and this action-packed time-lapse captures some of the work going on there this winter, including an engine change on the B-17, aileron work on the Tri-Motor, a cylinder change on a Cub, and lots of shuffling airplanes. Watch the video
Bob Hoover Helps P-51 with Stuck Gear Land Safely
February 27, 2012 – Some fast thinking by Cavanaugh Flight Museum officials, along with remote advice from one of the greatest pilots who ever lived, allowed for the safe landing of the museum's P-51D Mustang Brat III, which was providing rides on Sunday at Mobile Downtown Airport, Alabama.
Things got a little dicey at the conclusion of a 30-minute flight when the left main gear failed to deploy for landing. But thanks to some crack flying by Chuck Gardner, EAA 1026448, and a suggestion radioed from the ground, the gear eventually came down, locked, and the plane landed without further incident.
Owned by the Dallas-based museum, Brat III was in town kicking off an eight-city ride tour, along with the Commemorative Air Force's B-29 "FIFI". When the gear failed to deploy and initial efforts to get it down were not successful, the ground crew in Mobile called Museum Director Doug Jeanes, EAA 9030191, Warbirds of America 23076, in Dallas to let him know the situation. (Read more)
Top FAA Officials Visit Oshkosh for Annual EAA/FAA Recreational Aviation Summit Meetings
February 23, 2012 – The leaders of the FAA's Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification divisions and Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention traveled to Oshkosh for their annual conference with EAA's leaders and staff this week.
Safety, how to measure it, and how to improve it was, of course, the lead topic on the agenda. Much of the discussion focused on amateur-built aircraft operations and how the FAA and EAA can continue to work together to enhance safety without needlessly restricting the freedom to innovate that is key to amateur-built aircraft. The safety record of AB flying is at worst stable, but by several measures is improving. How to track safety trends in a reliable way, and show positive improvement in the record, is a primary objective for both the FAA and EAA in the coming year.
The FAA leaders also held lengthy discussions with EAA experts on how to streamline many areas of the operating and certification rules. The tradition of cooperation between the two groups goes all the way back to the beginning of EAA, as Founder Paul Poberezny reminded the group.
But issues on the table were not limited to AB aircraft. There was good news on creation of a new procedure for allowing logical field approvals of modification of certified airplanes, including vintage and antique aircraft. The warbirds were also represented and thorny issues involving their unique operations were worked through. And conventional certified airplanes were not neglected because so many aircraft, airman, and operational certification issues impact all types of general aviation flying. (Read more)
The Wait Is Over - FAA Reauthorization Bill Signed Into Law
February 14, 2012 - President Obama today signed the FAA Reauthorization Bill into law, ending a five-year wait for long-term FAA funding and ending a string of 23 short-term funding extensions. One week after the Senate passed the measure and sent it to the White House, the president approved the measure that offers a number of victories for GA. Among those are no user fee provisions or fuel tax increases, as well as funding for:
• NextGen air traffic modernization and implementation
• Unleaded avgas research and safe deployment
• $13.4 billion for airport improvement projects
While it is not specifically funded, the bill also authorizes the Department of Transportation to develop an incentive program to help GA equip for the NextGen transition. (Read more)
GA User Fees Back Again in New White House Budget
Selected $100-per-flight fees in "controlled airspace" proposed
February 13, 2012 - GA organizations are gearing up for yet another user fee battle after the Obama administration released is federal budget proposal today that included a $100-per-flight surcharge for aircraft that use federal air traffic services.
EAA immediately announced its opposition to the proposal and was joined by other major aviation organizations. EAA is already in touch with GA Caucus leadership in both houses of Congress encouraging opposition to the user fee proposal. Congress has repeatedly dismissed GA user fees in a bipartisan manner and reiterated its stance as recently as last week, with the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Bill now awaiting the president’s signature.
"The administration continues to paint this added tax on general aviation as an 'equal sharing' of the expense burden but, simply put, it is not that at all," said Doug Macnair, EAA vice president of government relations. "It is an additional tax onus on GA aircraft owners and pilots, who already pay their fair share of the small percentage of air traffic services they use through fuel taxes. Even pilots who never use ATC services pay for the system through the use of aviation gasoline and jet fuel." (Read more)
Senate Passes FAA Reauthorization Bill; On to the President
February 6, 2012 - The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the FAA Reauthorization Bill, 75-20, late Monday, so it's on to the President to sign and give the agency its first long-term funding plan since 2007.
Late last week the House of Representatives approved the measure on a 248-169 vote, paving the way for Monday's Senate approval.
Passage of this bill provides a stable funding platform for the FAA to move forward through 2015 with its strategic initiatives such as NextGen and airport improvements, among others, said Doug Macnair, EAA vice president of government relations. "We are pleased that the House and Senate have recognized the importance of funding our nations' aviation system through the time-tested and successful methods of revenue generation without the need for new air traffic user fees or other complex and expensive revenue collection schemes," he said. "Fuel excise taxes are truly a fair and equitable, pay-as-you-go means of funding the national aviation system by the very people that use it and we are pleased that the Congress has once again reaffirmed this view."
EAA has been urging lawmakers to pass a full reauthorization bill, as FAA has been funded by 23 short-term extensions since 2007. A breakthrough in labor-relations language last month allowed the full bill to finally move forward. (Read more)
Pilot's Bill of Rights Introduced in House
Companion Bill to EAA-supported Senate measure unveiled last summer
January 31, 2012 - Longtime EAA member Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), along with Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), have jointly introduced the House version of the "Pilot's Bill of Rights" that would provide aviators with more protection and access to information in FAA enforcement proceedings.
The bill (H.R. 3816) is a companion bill to the U.S. Senate version (S. 1335) introduced last July by EAA member Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK). That Senate bill, which was outlined to aviators by Sen. Inhofe last summer at EAA AirVenture 2011, already has 60 co-sponsors.
Rep. Graves, chairman of the House General Aviation Caucus, and Rep. Lipinski, also an active member of the Caucus, are currently seeking additional co-sponsors for their proposal. EAA and AOPA, as well as Helicopter Association International, the National Business Aviation Association, and the Recreational Aviation Foundation are industry supporters of the bill. (Read more)
Happy Birthday, EAA!
It was 59 years ago Thursday night, on Jan. 26, 1953, when a small group of airplane builders and enthusiasts led by Paul Poberezny got together at Milwaukee's Curtiss-Wright Field to form a local club. They would have no idea that what they created would become the world's most dynamic aviation organization.
For nearly six decades, EAA has led and inspired the world of personal flight. To Paul and Audrey and those other early EAAers: Thank you on behalf of today's 171,000 members and the hundreds of thousands of others who have been part of the organization since that first cold night in January 1953. What you started has made an incalculable difference to countless people around the world who pursue their own dreams of flight.
Here's to many more birthdays to celebrate!
Rod Hightower, President/CEO
FAA Clarifies Guidance for Experimental Exhibition and Air Racing Airworthiness Certificates
By Bill Fischer, Executive Director, EAA Warbirds of America
January 20, 2012 - The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a memorandum providing clarification to FAA Order 8130.2G, Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products, chapter 4, section 10. The memorandum authorizes deviation to the Order, clarifying operating limitations placed on experimental airworthiness certificates issued for the purpose of exhibition or air racing.
This is welcomed news for EAA Warbirds of America and other industry groups, who have advocated for years to simplify the Order, yet maintain the highest levels of aviation safety. Going back as far as 2005, EAA Warbirds of America, along with the Commemorative Air Force, Classic Jet Aircraft Association, Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Courtesy Aircraft, and others have worked collaboratively with the FAA to identify areas in the Order which needed clarification – both for the owner/operator and the FAA Inspectors in the field. Meetings were held at EAA Headquarters in Oshkosh, WI and FAA Headquarters in Washington D.C.
All parties agreed to review existing operating limitations based on four safety and operational qualifiers:
Aircraft fleet and individual aircraft flight safety records;
Proven aircraft maintenance programs;
Pilot training and proficiency programs;
Eliminating duplication of 14 CFR Part 91 requirements.
What does this mean for owners who operate aircraft certificated in the experimental exhibition or air racing category? Here are several key points:
All previously issued airworthiness certificates and operating limitations will remain valid unless changes are requested by the applicant or reexamined by the FAA in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 44709.
If the aircraft changes owners or its home base airport, owners need to submit a new Program Letter to the geographically responsible FSDO, but it’s not necessary to re-issue the airworthiness certificate & operating limitations. (Read more)
GA Community Again Unites Against User Fees
Administration signals on issue not positive
January 19, 2012 - A united group of GA organizations are continuing their action in response to signals from the Obama administration that it plans to push ahead with future proposals to assess user fees on private aviation. Late last week, the administration's reply to an online petition asking the White House to "Take Aviation User Fees Off the Table" caused alarm, as it appeared to reaffirm a coming push to assess new fees. Dana Hyde of the Office of Management and Budget responded to the online petition, which attracted 8,900 digital signatures since September. Such petitions initially filed at the White House's "We the People" website needed at least 5,000 signatures to cause a replay from the administration.
"We have concluded that a $100 per flight user fee is an equitable way for those who benefit to bear the cost of this essential service," Hyde said in reference to air traffic services, including piston-powered aircraft in controlled airspace.
EAA, AOPA, GAMA, NATA, NBAA, and others are gearing up for another battle against user fees that could be in future budget and appropriations bills. Although Congress over the past decade has consistently rejected such GA user fees, regardless of the party in control, Hyde's response indicated that the Obama administration was ready to make another push for passage. (Read more)
Hightower Testifies at NTSB Hearing on Air Show and Air Race Safety
January 10, 2012 - EAA President Rod Hightower testified in a day-long hearing convened Tuesday, January 10, by the National Transportation Safety Board to examine air show and air race safety. Hightower was joined by EAA Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Sean Elliott as they answered questions from the full NTSB board and staff about EAA’s approach to safety during its annual AirVenture event. The hearing was in response to the deadly crash at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, last September that killed 11 people and injured about 70 others.
NTSB Board Chairman Deborah Hersman stated the hearing’s goal was not to deconstruct a specific event, but instead to raise air show and air race safety awareness, learn how these events are planned and operated, and identify what has been learned in the past that can be applied to future safety. The chairman noted that while there were no air show performer and spectator fatalities in 2009 and 2010, five performers, 10 spectators, and one air racer lost their lives in 2011. (Read more)
Reno Air Racing Moving Forward With 2012 Race Plans
January 4, 2012 - Citing an overwhelming desire by the aviation, aviation racing, and local communities, the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is moving forward with plans to hold the 49th Reno National Air Races September 12-16, 2012, at Stead Airport, said Mike Houghton, RARA president and CEO, at a press conference Wednesday in Reno, Nevada.
With several sponsors, fans, and victims in attendance, Houghton said the association is in the process of acquiring the permits and FAA waivers required to hold the event, which was cut short last year by the crash of Jimmy Leeward’s Galloping Ghost unlimited P-51 that resulted in 11 deaths and more than 70 injuries.
“We’re moving ahead,” Houghton said, noting that preparing for the air races is a year-round process. He called last year’s crash – the first-ever at Reno that resulted in the death of spectators - a terrible tragedy that “will not become the concluding epilogue of the historic Reno National Air Races.”
As plans for the event proceed, an appointed Blue Ribbon panel of aviation experts will study all aspects of the races - both on and off the pylon course - to determine what can be done in the areas of safety. (Read more)
Mandatory Service Bulletin: B-25-001
Main Landing Gear Shock Strut Inspections
To: All North American B-25 Owners and Operators:
Release Date: December 21, 2011
Background: A B-25 aircraft has experienced failure of the Drag Arm, P/N 65081 (Item 6, Fig. 3), located at the top of the Bendix Pneudraulic Landing Gear Shock Strut, P/Ns 65929 (LH) or 65930 (RH). The Drag Arm is the attach point for the hydraulic retraction cylinder and the upper machined lug on the Drag Arm engages the downlock. The drag arm forging failed on landing, just below the retract cylinder attach point, resulting in a forward collapse of the main landing gear and significant damage to the aircraft. (Read more)
Click for Sun ‘n Fun 2011 Warbird Awards
EAA Warbirds of America Announces Commemorative Brick Program
February 11, 2011 - EAA Warbirds of America (WOA) announces a commemorative brick program for the Eagle Plaza in the new Warbirds Area on the AirVenture Oshkosh grounds. WOA members, volunteers, military service veterans, and members of the public can purchase an inscribed brick and have it installed at this special monument, which features a beautiful cast bronze eagle perched atop a six-sided base paying tribute to the five branches of the U.S. military and EAA WOA volunteers. Eagle Plaza bricks are available for purchase in two sizes - large (11.5 inches by 11.5 inches, tan color), and small (3.5 inches by 7.5 inches, brown) - and buyers can choose the location based on area of affiliation: veteran, volunteer, EAA WOA member, or general public supporter.
Bricks purchased by June 1, 2011, will be inscribed and installed in time for AirVenture 2011. Funds raised through the Eagle Plaza Brick Project will directly support a student pilot scholarship program as well as support future improvements to the Warbirds Area. Click here to order yours today.
