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!
EAA Launches EAA Warbirds Briefing e-Newsletter
November 19, 2009 — EAA and its EAA Warbirds of America division has launched Briefing, a new e-newsletter for EAA’s Warbird community and enthusiasts. The monthly publication includes feature stories as well as content focusing on government affairs, operational safety, aircraft under restoration, news from warbird squadrons and regions, and more. The newsletter will also include links to audio, video, and the growing number of warbird discussion topics on Oshkosh365.
Harold Cannon, editor, is an active WOA member and is enthusiastic about his new role. “This newsletter is partially written by you,” he said. “Please submit a note or pictures about your local goings-on. Take some time to write an article about your project; maybe you need help in finding that historic piece or part, or submit a report about what your local squadron has planned.” (Read more)
New FAA NPRM May Affect Jet Warbirds
Rick Siegfried, President of EAA Warbirds of America, EAA 12484, Warbird 13339
On August 31, 2009 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for changes to 14 CFR Parts 61, 91, and 141. These changes would affect pilot, flight instructor, and pilot school certification rules. The proposals include requiring pilot-in-command (PIC) proficiency checks for pilots who act as PIC of single piloted, turbojet-powered airplanes. This set of rules would govern warbird jet aircraft certificated in the experimental exhibition category as well.
The NPRM does not take into account several issues, such as the number of qualified experimental aircraft examiners who could give the required check rides, under the proposal.
The rule does not take in to account that experimental exhibition jets (EEJ) already have more stringent requirements for the pilot in command and limitations defined by the aircraft’s operating limitations. We feel these requirements offer an equivalent level of safety compared to the proposal. (Read more)
Update on Presidential Succession
November 12, 2009 — Maintaining EAA’s unique culture and taking the organization forward are among the prime qualities needed in EAA’s next president, according to current EAA president/chairman Tom Poberezny. In March, Poberezny announced that he would be additionally assuming the chairman of the board role while the organization began a search to find its next president.
Tom spent a few minutes with EAA’s Dick Knapinski this week to update members on where that search stands, how it’s being conducted, and why the qualities that make EAA members special must be a part of the organization’s next day-to-day leader.
Listen to the interview (approx. 12 min.)
Convenience of Advance-Purchase Camping Now Available Online for EAA AirVenture 2010
Advance-purchase ticket site now open at www.airventure.org
Nov. 12, 2009 — Following on the popularity and success of advance online ticket availability for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh the past two years, attendees staying at the drive-in Camp Scholler area can now also pre-purchase camping for prime arrival dates. AirVenture 2010, “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” is coming July 26-August 1, 2010 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
Advance camping purchase for the drive-in Camp Scholler area provides the convenience of express registration at the campground entrance through specially designated gates. First introduced for admissions at EAA AirVenture 2008, the advance purchase system allows EAA members and non-members to pre-purchase AirVenture admission via a secure website and speed through the admissions process. Both daily and weekly admissions are available, as is the ability to join EAA and immediately receive the best possible admission prices available only to EAA members. It also gives discounts to those who pre-purchase their AirVenture tickets before June 15, 2010, including $2 on daily admissions and $5 on weekly admissions for advance online purchasers. (Read more)
Gary Sinise and His “Lt. Dan Band” Returning to EAA Airventure Oshkosh in 2010 Nov. 11, 2009 — A weeklong salute to veterans during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010 will be highlighted by the return of actor Gary Sinise and his “Lt. Dan Band” at AirVenture’s Theater in the Woods.
The concert, sponsored by EAA Warbirds of America and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), is scheduled for Friday, July 30.
It’s the second EAA visit for Sinise, best known for his role as Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor in the classic film “Forrest Gump,” and as star of the hit TV series “CSI: New York.” Sinise also plays bass in The Lt. Dan Band, which made its first, hugely popular appearance at Oshkosh in 2008. (Read more)
EAA Denounces USA TODAY'S Latest Airport Funding Story
November 6, 2006 - In a letter to the newspaper's editors, Earl Lawrence, EAA vice president of industry and regulatory affairs, said Thomas Frank's stories again failed to accurately portray the contributions of general-aviation users to both the funding of airport improvements and the nation's transportation infrastructure. Other aviation groups, including AOPA and NBAA, have also criticized USA Today's reporting as unbalanced and missing an important element of the total airport-funding picture. Read the letter.
2010 Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In, Lakeland, FL. will be held on April 13 – 18, 2010.
EAA Warbirds of America has a block of rooms for our members at a discounted rate. Reservations are now open and can be made by clicking on: S 'n F Room Reservation 2010 . (You will need to enter your EAA warbirds membership number on the form.)
Aircraft pre-registration will begin in January 2010.
Please call the EAA Warbirds Headquarters with any questions – 920-426-4826.
Bipartisan Group to Mr. President: No User Fees!
October 20, 2009 — One hundred eighteen members of the United States House of Representatives signed a letter sent to President Barack Obama today urging him not to propose user fees as a means of funding the FAA in the federal FY 2011 budget. The letter was spearheaded by Reps. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) and Thomas Petri (R-Wis.), the chairman and ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee, as well as Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.), co-chairs of the General Aviation Congressional Caucus.
The letter stresses to the president that “the current system of excise taxes has proven to be a stable and efficient source of funding for our aviation system” and that user fees would place an “undue administrative burden, and associated costs, on system users - particularly on small businesses and general aviation users.” (Read more)
George Baker Inducted Into Sport Aviation Hall of Fame
October 19, 2009 - Established by EAA, the Sport Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of aviation’s pioneers. Since 1953, EAA and its members have been leaders and innovators in all aspects of recreational aviation—from homebuilding to warbirds, vintage to ultralights, aerobatics to flight instruction. While their interests are diverse, EAA members share a singular passion for the freedom that flight offers, and through the contributions they’ve made, aviation as a whole has benefited. To recognize these contributions, each year EAA inducts a new class of members into its Hall of Fame, each of them nominated by their peers.
On Friday, October 16, during a special ceremony in the EAA AirVenture Museum’s Eagle Hangar, seven special aviators were inducted into the EAA Sport Aviation Hall of Fame, including EAA Warbirds of America inductee George Baker of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. (Read more)
October 15, 2009 - A new event has been scheduled that meets your notification criteria on FAASafety.gov. Following is a brief overview of the event:
"LIVE WEBINAR: How to Prevent Little Problems From Becoming Big Problems!"
Topic: LIVE WEBINAR: Developing 'Abnormal Procedures' checklists for general aviation
On Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Location:
ON YOUR OWN COMPUTER!
Bright Spot, Inc.
Hilton, NY 14468
Select Number:
EA2328043
Description: This live webinar takes a look at how sometimes a relatively small problem can develop into a major problem and possibly result in an accident! It demonstrates how airline-type procedures can be easily adapted for use in general aviation. See the "Additional Event Info" for details on how to participate in this exciting webinar!
To view further details and registration information for this event, click here.
The sponsor for this event is: The FAA Safety Team
The following credit(s) are available for the WINGS/AMT Programs:
KEB 1.00
Click here to view the WINGS help page
Start FAASTeam CFI Workshops any time! Find Workshop #5 in SPANS.
Famed German Ace Gunther Rall Passes Away
October 6, 2009 - EAA Warbirds of America has learned that Gunther Rall, the world’s third ranking fighter ace of all time, died at his home in Germany on Sunday, October 4, 2009, after suffering a heart attack on Friday, October 2. He was 91. Rall attended EAA AirVenture in both 2007 and 2009, where he participated in standing-room-only Warbirds in Review programs. Rall also participated in the Fighter Pilot Legends program in 2007. Watch video. His autobiography, My Logbook, remains as one of the best-selling books in the EAA Warbirds of America inventory. (Read More)
Search for Last Missing Wasp Aircraft Resumes
October 1, 2009 — Divers, explorers, and aviation archaeologists from the Missing Aircraft Search Team (MAST) will launch a search in Santa Monica Bay off Los Angeles, California, next week (October 5) for the wreckage of an aircraft piloted by Gertrude “Tommy” Tompkins Silver, the last missing member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. Silver’s aircraft was the last of a flight of three, factory-new P-51D fighters to takeoff from Mines Field (now Los Angeles International Airport) on October 26, 1944 on the first leg of a ferry flight that was to eventually reach New Jersey. It was a typical foggy day near the coast; however the two lead aircraft reached Palm Springs, California. Silver’s aircraft did not, and was not reported missing for three days due to a mix-up in paperwork. (Read More)
Search for Buried Combat Wings Brings Home Living Memory of Fallen Comrade
October 1, 2009 — On July 7, 1944, Bernerd Harding found himself floating under a parachute canopy after bailing out of his stricken B-24 bomber over eastern Germany. He landed in a field near Klein Quenstedt, Germany, and was immediately captured by local townspeople. He was held in the cellar of a farmhouse for about an hour with other American airmen from downed planes. It was there that he buried the wings off his uniform to conceal his rank. Last month Harding returned to that village to search for his wings after his stepson, Peter Kelley, encouraged him to go.
The first time Harding was in Klein Quenstedt, he didn’t stay long as the German military soon moved the captured airman to Frankfurt for interrogation; then onto Barth where he was held at Stalag Luft I for the remainder of the war. “I didn’t have time,” Harding said. “In fact, there were three farmers there, two with pitch forks and one with a gun, before I even got my parachute taken off.” (Read More)
World War II Naval Trainer Wins Rolls-Royce National Aviation Heritage Trophy
September 20, 2009 - Stead Airport, Nev. - A broad and impressive assemblage of aircraft dazzled thousands of air show fans this week at the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. Living legends of aviation helped celebrate the dedication of owners and restorers by assisting in the presentation of the trophies on September 20, 2009. The National Aviation Heritage Invitational is held each year in conjunction with the Reno National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada. The 2009 Grand Champion and recipient of the Rolls-Royce National Aviation Heritage Trophy is the 1944 North American SNJ-5C owned and restored by Chuck Wahl of Cameron Park, Calif. Mr. Wahl will have his name engraved on the trophy, which is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. (Read more)
Aluminum Overcast Heads Back Out
September 18, 2009 - Fresh off its mandatory 120-hour inspection, EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast heads for Cincinnati, Ohio, this weekend (September 18-20) for a tour stop hosted by EAA Warbird Squadron 18. The tour continues the following week (September 22-23) at Port Clinton, Ohio, hosted by EAA Chapter 1247. Don't miss your chance to see a living, breathing example of the Flying Fortress that helped preserve liberty. Book a flight or get more tour information at www.B17.org, or call 800-359-6217.
Visit EAA's Fly the Fortress multimedia gallery.
Become a fan of EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast Facebook page!
A Vintage Lot
Keeping Aviation History Alive
By Tom Hoffmann
The word vintage can take on several meanings. For some, it could invoke memories of a bold, crisp cabernet sauvignon. Others might think of floral-embroidered bell-bottoms or velvet mini-dresses. Or, it could even be a light-hearted euphemism for those folks in their more “advanced” years.
But for pilots and airplane aficionados, the word vintage immediately conjures images of P-51 Mustangs, DC-3s, Ford Tri-Motors, and more as it rekindles the nostalgia of a bygone era.
Vintage aircraft are often the headliners at air shows and fly-ins across the country, and with their colorful and patriotic livery, are among the first spotted by spectators. Yet, have you ever stopped to appreciate how these aerial “landmarks” are able to safely grace our skies, well after their original tours of duty?
Behind the scenes of air shows, aircraft displays, and air races—like those found at Reno’s National Championship Air Races & Air Show—is the hard work of several hundred dedicated individuals, who ensure the vintage aircraft on display all look, sound, and fly just like they did in their prime. Despite the showbiz glitz and glamour associated with these types of aircraft, maintaining their safe operation and historical accuracy is not easy. It’s often a labor of love for these stalwarts of aviation history, whose reward is the knowledge these flying national treasures will continue to safely astound spectators for generations to come. (Read more)
EAA President Tom Poberezny to Enter ICAS Hall of Fame
September 10, 2009 — EAA President Tom Poberezny along with the late Bobby Younkin and Charlie “The Flying Farmer” Kulp are this year’s inductees into the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) Hall Of Fame. As a longtime performer and President of EAA, ICAS says Poberezny could have entered the hall as part of the three-ship Eagle Aerobatic Team or as an event organizer for his longtime chairmanship of EAA AirVenture.
“For 25 years, Charlie Hillard, Gene Soucy, and I as the Eagle Aerobatic Team entertained millions of people worldwide,” Poberezny said. “I’m proud that my achievements in the air show industry are recognized by my peers. I accept this honor with great appreciation.” (Read more)
Department of Homeland Security Extends Online Comment Period for Stakeholders
September 4, 2009 — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending its online forum entitled: National Dialogue on the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review until Wednesday, September 9, due to overwhelming participation from homeland security partners and stakeholders across the nation. DHS includes the Transportation Security Agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection whose policies are of particular importance to EAA members and the flying public. The policies of these agencies are all under review through this online forum.
“One need only review EAA communications on security issues over the past several months, or take a look at the discussions in the Oshkosh365 forums, to see the dramatic influence of Department of Homeland Security proposals and actions on the general aviation community,” said Earl Lawrence, EAA vice president of industry and regulatory affairs. “This is an opportunity to weigh in on subjects such as the proposed Large Aircraft Security Program, airport security directives, Customs and Border Protection reporting requirements, and other DHS initiatives that could threaten our aviation freedoms and privileges,” he said. (Read more)
Notice Number: NOTC1834
FAAST Blast—August 21, 2009
Biweekly FAA Aviation News update — SPECIAL EDITION
FAA Publishes Revisions to Flight Training Rules
Today, the Federal Register published revisions to the Code of Federal Regulations (parts 61, 91, and 141) (available at: http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/TEXTgate.cgi?WAISdocID=RuAi8b/0/1/0&WAISaction=retrieve ) that revise certain training, qualification, certification, and operating requirements for pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors, and pilot schools. “This final rule is a result of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued in early 2007,” said John D. Lynch, of FAA’s Certification and General Aviation Operations Branch. “These changes have been in the works since we issued the previous final rule changes to parts 61 and 141 in August 1997.”
Lynch reports the majority of the rule changes in parts 61, 91, and 141 are to “further FAA’s safety mission, incorporate international flight standards, and respond to recent technological advances in aviation. Many of the changes reflect and incorporate comments and suggestions made by trade organizations, flight schools, manufacturers, individual pilots, and others.” FAA received nearly 2,000 comments from across a wide range of the aviation community in response to the NPRM issued in February 2007. (Read More)
NATA Receives AMOC for T-6/SNJ Inspections
August 12, 2009 - Just before EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, the North American Trainer Association (NATA) received final paperwork from the FAA on an alternate method of compliance (AMOC) for an emergency airworthiness directive for North American T-6, SNJ, and Harvard aircraft. AD 2005-12-51 was issued in June 2005 after an AT-6 experienced a catastrophic wing failure in May that year.
The original procedure outlined in the AD was taken from a service letter developed by an FAA-approved repair station in South Africa after a similar failure in a South African Air Force (SAAF) T-6. The inspection called for the removal of all wing attach angle bolts in a specific order, stripping the paint, inspecting for cracks with a fluorescent dye penetrant, and reinstalling the bolts. Inspection interval was mandated at every 200 hours of flight time. (Read more)
FAA Announces Full Electronic Distribution of AD’s
Federal Register: August 5, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 149)
[Notices]
Page 39135-39136]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05au09-134]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Full Electronic Distribution of Airworthiness Directives
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of policy change; final disposition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the FAA's schedule for transitioning to
full electronic distribution of airworthiness directives (ADs). This
transition will provide a timelier and more cost effective method for
the FAA to provide safety information. (Read more)
EAA AirVenture 2009 Facts and Figures
August 3, 2009 - Comment from EAA president Tom Poberezny:
”I had high expectations for AirVenture 2009, but even those expectations were exceeded. After each event, you like to say it was the best ever, but you can’t do that every year. But I’m going to say it this year – AirVenture 2009 was the best ever. It’s difficult to imagine a week that matched the highlights, enthusiasm, and passion for aviation that we saw this year at Oshkosh.”
Attendance: 578,000 – An increase of 12 percent over 2008. (Read more)
2009 AirVenture Aircraft Awards Announcement
EAA Leads Advocacy Efforts For Experimental Exhibition Aircraft
July 9, 2009 — EAA led an industry team to FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C. this week to clarify regulations and reduce burdens on Experimental Exhibition certificated aircraft owners and operators.
EAA, teaming with the FAA and other grass roots organizations, have conducted an in-depth review of FAA Order 8130.2’s operating limitations and inspection requirements. Those discussions, a follow-up joint EAA/Industry meeting and further talks at AirVenture 2008 and the EAA/FAA 2009 Winter Aviation Summit produced results that led to this week’s meetings in Washington D.C.
“We are very close to the final process improvement product,” said Randy Hansen, EAA government relations director. “The success of these efforts is directly related to the long-term dedication of the entire EAA/FAA/Industry team.”
Also involved in ongoing discussions are EAA Warbirds of America, the Commemorative Air Force, and the Classic Jet Aircraft Association.
DHS Inspector General: GA Operations Pose No Homeland Security Threat
June 18, 2009 — The current status of general aviation (GA) operations does not present a serious homeland security vulnerability requiring the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to increase regulatory oversight of the industry, according to a report released by The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) this week.
The report, TSA’s Role in General Aviation Security, was drafted at the request of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, House Committee on Homeland Security. According to the OIG, the study objectives were to identify: TSA security requirements for general aviation airports; threats to general aviation; measures already taken to secure general aviation; steps nonfederal stakeholders have taken to enhance the security of general aviation; and any “incidents of concern” with security at general aviation airports.
The OIG visited a number of large and small, public and privately owned general aviation facilities in metropolitan areas where people could be perceived to be at risk in the event of a terrorist attack launched from the airports. “We determined that general aviation presents only limited and mostly hypothetical threats to security,” the OIG stated. “We also determined that the steps general aviation airport owners and managers have taken to enhance security are positive and effective…coupled with voluntary measures taken by the owners and operators of aircraft based at general aviation sites.” (Read more)
Warbird Impounded
EAA Warbirds of America Offers Assistance
May 15, 2009 - The Department of Homeland Security recently notified a pilot, an EAA Warbirds of America (WOA) member and owner of a Douglas AD-4N Skyraider that it intended to confiscate his recently imported aircraft. The Department alleges that necessary forms were improperly filed. Last week federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized and threatened to destroy this rare piece of our nation’s aviation heritage. The airplane remains in a secured hangar at the member’s home airport. (Read more)
May 1 – FAA Issues SAIB Regarding Jet Fuel
