Wings Over Wine Country returns Sharing the skies with drones Homebuilt accidents at new low The real story of the LSA changes - $2.95 NOVEMBER ...
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$2.95 • NOVEMBER 1, 2018
70TH YEAR. NO. 21
Wings Over Wine Country returns
Sharing the skies with drones
Homebuilt accidents at new low
PERIODICALS - TIME-SENSITIVE DATED MATERIALS
The real story of the LSA changes
2 General Aviation News — 800.426.8538 November 1, 2018
November 1, 2018 www.GeneralAviationNews.com — facebook.com/ganews 3
The TOC
EDITORIAL
Janice Wood, Editor
Janice@GeneralAviationNews.com 16
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jamie Beckett • Theron Burton
William E. Dubois • Joni M. Fisher
Dan Johnson • Frederick Johnsen
Jeffrey Madison • Paul McBride
Amelia T. Reiheld • Tom Snow
Ben Visser • Bill Walker
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Ben@GeneralAviationNews.com
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News 22
Inc. – endeavors to accept only reliable advertisements, 6....... 104 year old takes dream flight
but shall not be responsible for advertisements nor are
the views expressed in those advertisements necessarily 8....... FAA relaunches ADS-B Out rebate
those of General Aviation News. The right to decline or 8....... Study reveals drones pose increasing
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risks to aircraft
General Aviation News (ISSN 1536 8513) is published 9....... Homebuilt accident rate drops to new low
semimonthly by Flyer Media, Inc., 5409 100th St. SW
#39099, Lakewood, WA 98496-0099. Periodicals 9....... CAP sets a new record for saves
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Robert DeLaurentis is preparing for an epic flight from
General Aviation News • 70th Year, 10..... TOUCH & GO: One of a million paths the South Pole to the North Pole.
No. 21 • November 1, 2018 • © 2018 to aviation
Flyer Media, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. 11..... POLITICS FOR PILOTS: To build or not to build
12..... ASK PAUL: The best way to treat a
Put GAN in your hand!
rebuilt engine
16..... OF WINGS & THINGS: Throwing cold water
on fires
COVER SHOT
1 year $29.95 | 2 years $49.95 18..... SPLOG: The real story of proposed
LSA changes
Name 24..... Pilot Perspectives: Budd Davisson
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4 General Aviation News — 800.426.8538 November 1, 2018
Leading Image
Flying again after 60 years
Photo by Robert De Vries
Robert De Vries, the proud owner of this 1940 Ryan STM-2, submitted the following photo and note: “Recovered from the weeds in the Philippines in 1975,
this World War II trainer flies again after 60 years. It was built by Ryan Aeronautical in San Diego and shipped to Java, now Indonesia, in December 1940. It
was then evacuated to Australia in 1942 where it flew for the Royal Australian Air Force until 1944. It was then used as a trainer in Hong Kong until 1952,
then sold to a major in the Philippines and crashed in 1955. It is now based in San Luis Obispo, California. ”
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November 1, 2018 www.GeneralAviationNews.com — facebook.com/ganews 5
Briefing
Airframes Alaska has acquired Alas- or a Garmin integrated flight deck.
ka Tent and Tarp, creator of the famed Garmin.com/Aviation
Arctic Oven Tent. Airframes Alaska offi-
cials say they plan to expand with more A new Business Aviation Survey from
aviation and backcountry products. JSfirm.com, an aviation job website,
AirframesAlaska.com shows that hiring is on the rise as com-
panies see a 12% increase in the number
uAvionix has launched a rebate pro- of flight hours from 2017. The survey
gram for its ADS-B Out solutions for also found that 26% of companies have
experimental aircraft owners, offering already been impacted by the pilot short-
a $100 rebate on the echoUAT+WAAS age.
GPS bundle or a $150 rebate on tailBea- JSFirm.com
con EXP when purchased by Nov. 15.
uAvionix.com A new study shows that the aerospace
industry has a $24.8 billion impact on
BRS Aerospace has named another the South Carolina economy, with more
five Cessna Parachute System Authorized Photo by Bill Nafus than 350 aerospace companies employing
Installation Centers to handle whole air- Cessna aircraft parked on the ramp at the Valdez Fly-in using Alaska Tent more than 54,000 people.
craft parachute installations on Cessna and Tarp tents during the annual event at the Valdez Pioneer Airport. SCAerospace.com
172s and 182s, including: Absolute Avia-
tion Group in South Africa; Brant Aero simulation lab at Sarasota Bradenton In- Garmin officials have begun the initial Honeywell’s 27th annual business jet
in Brantford Ontario, Canada; Clearwa- ternational Airport in Florida. phase of integration between the Garmin aviation forecast predicts up to 7,700 new
ter Aviation in Clearwater, Florida; Total Alsim.com Pilot app and the FltPlan.com web portal. business jet deliveries worth $251 billion
Avionix in Latana, Florida; and Vector Air Pilots can now use FltPlan.com for pre- from 2019 to 2028.
in Erie, Colorado. Piper Aircraft has launched an appren- flight planning and filing, and automati- Honeywell.com
BRSAerospace.com ticeship program to help fill its increasing cally view the same flight plan within the
demand for high-quality manufacturing Garmin Pilot app. Once the flight plan Find expanded versions of these
Alsim has expanded with a new Alsim/ employees. populates in the app, pilots can transfer it news briefs on www.gan.aero
Cirrus Aviation demonstration center and Piper.com wirelessly to compatible Garmin avionics
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6 General Aviation News — 800.426.8538 November 1, 2018
104 year old takes dream flight
LAWRENCE, Kansas — Oct. 11, 2018,
was a cool and breezy day, but that didn’t
stop 104-year-old Norma Evans from
climbing into the cockpit of a 1942 Boe-
ing Stearman biplane and becoming the
oldest person to take flight with Ageless
Aviation Dreams Foundation.
Wearing blue jeans cuffed at the bottom
to show a farmer’s plaid, a jean jacket,
and warm gray gloves, Evans walked
briskly to the plane on the arm of Darryl
Fisher, pilot and founder of AADF. With
some help, she used a step ladder to climb
onto the wing and into the cockpit, where
the crew buckled her in. She put on a can-
vas helmet before taking to the skies.
About 25 minutes later, she was back
on the ground, all smiles.
“It was very windy and cold,” Evans
said. “But it was awesome. I loved it.”
“Norma’s an amazing, inspiring wom-
an,” said Fisher. “We flew her last year at
103 and we are honored to fly her at 104.”
Asked by Fisher if she’ll fly again next
year, Evans quipped, “If you’re able.”
This was Evans’ second Dream Flight
with AADF. Amber Vaughn, the activities
coordinator at Meadowlark Estates, a re-
tirement community, said last year Evans
greeted the opportunity to fly with some Photo by AADF
hesitation. On Oct. 11 at Hetrick Air Services, in Lawrence, Kansas, 104-year-old Norma Evans became Ageless Aviation Dream
Not this year, however. “This year, she Foundation’s oldest Dream Flyer. Pictured with Norma are three generations of family members.
didn’t hesitate to say yes,” Vaughn said.
Watching and cheering her on were her “We don’t feel old because my mother daughter. Vietnam War; David Bleber, U.S. Army,
children, grandchildren and great-grand- is 104 and up there flying in a plane,” When Evans turned 104 Aug. 1, she Korean War; Drury Forinash, U.S. Navy,
children. said Deloris Myers-Robb, her oldest was interviewed by a reporter from a lo- Vietnam War; Frank Day, U.S. Navy and
cal TV station. Her secret to longevity, U.S. Marine Corps, Korean War; Ken
MH
she said, was to stay busy. Fisher, U.S. Navy, World War II; Beverly
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MOUNTAIN HIGH Evans was just one of several who were ciate and are thankful for the military vet-
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8 General Aviation News — 800.426.8538 November 1, 2018
FAA relaunches ADS-B Out rebate
The FAA has relaunched its $500 ADS- compliant ADS-B Out technology. owners must follow to meet the mandate • Claim the $500 rebate online using the
B rebate program. “The ADS-B mandate is not going and receive the $500 rebate: Rebate Reservation Code and Incen-
According to FAA officials, the agency away. We are about 15 months from the • Purchase the equipment and schedule tive Code.
is making $4.9 million available for re- Jan. 1, 2020 deadline and now is the time installation. The rebate is available only to those
bates, which will fund 9,792 ADS-B Out for aircraft owners to equip,” said FAA • Obtain a Rebate Reservation Code by who have not yet equipped their aircraft.
installations. The program runs through Acting Administrator Dan Elwell. reserving a position online. The FAA’s Equip ADS-B website lists
Oct. 11, 2019. The previous rebate program, which ran • Install the equipment. FAA-certified ADS-B equipment and fea-
As of Jan. 1, 2020, aircraft flying in from Sept. 19, 2016, to Sept. 18, 2017, is- • Conduct the required equipment per- tures an equipment database searchable
airspace where a transponder is necessary sued more than 10,000 rebate payments. formance validation and get an Incen- by aircraft type and model.
today will be required to be equipped with As before, there are five steps aircraft tive Code. FAA.gov/NextGen/EquipADSB
Study reveals drones pose increasing risks to aircraft
A new study from researchers at Em- 2.4 million unmanned aircraft by 2022,” the airport. The study looked at drones “This was an unexpected finding,” said
bry-Riddle Aeronautical University has and “the number of remote pilots is set from only one manufacturer, so there Assistant Professor of Aeronautical Sci-
found that more than one in five drone to increase from 73,673 in 2017 to over were most likely more flights of sUAS ence Dr. Ryan Wallace, lead author of the
flights pose a risk to manned aircraft. 300,000” in the next four years. near the airport over the 13 days that were study. “We thought most drone operators
From 2014 to 2018 the FAA recorded The study was conducted near Daytona not cataloged, the researchers noted. would choose relatively open areas offer-
6,117 reports of near encounters between Beach International Airport (DAB) in Researchers also collected operator ing a safety buffer from hazards, but that
manned and unmanned aircraft within the Florida. The research team gathered data behavior data, including common sUAS wasn’t the case.”
National Air Space. with a DJI AeroScope, a UAS detection flight locations, times, and altitudes. Researchers also compared detected
Such close encounters are bound to in- platform that identifies unmanned aircraft The researchers said they were surprised UAS operations to historical manned air-
crease, given the number of unregulated communication links and gathers flight that only 12% of these small unmanned craft flight data, revealing several near
small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) in status, paths, and other information in aircraft were flying near unimproved land encounters.
the air, according to the researchers. real-time, the researchers explained. and parks. More than three-fourths were “These data suggest that more than one
The FAA has projected that the small During the 13-day sampling period, flying in residential neighborhoods or in five sUAS flights presented an unmiti-
model hobbyist UAS fleet in the United researchers detected 73 individual DJI- near single-family homes. Another 21.5% gated risk to nearby manned aviation op-
States will “more than double from an manufactured drones that made 192 sepa- hovered above commercial, industrial or erations,” the researchers concluded.
estimated 1.1 million vehicles in 2017 to rate flights in the Class C airspace around public properties, the researchers said. ERAU.edu
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November 1, 2018 www.GeneralAviationNews.com — facebook.com/ganews 9
Homebuilt accident rate drops to new low
In 2017, pilots of experimental ama- community,” said Sean Elliott, EAA vice
teur-built (E-AB) aircraft were involved president of advocacy and safety. “We are
in fatal accidents at a lower rate than has immensely proud of the progress we have
ever been recorded, according to the 2017 made, but we’re not done yet and never
General Aviation and Part 135 Activity will be. We cannot afford to be compla-
Survey (GA Survey). cent. EAA will continue to be highly en-
The survey reports there were 2.63 fa- gaged in initiatives and programs to en-
tal accidents per 100,000 flight hours last hance aviation safety.”
year. This breaks the record set the previ- In addition to the good news on the
ous year, when E-AB pilots were involved 2017 accident rate, the preliminary count
in 3.6 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight shows that experimental accidents in fis-
hours, according to officials with the Ex- cal year 2018, which ended Sept. 30,
perimental Aircraft Association (EAA). came in below the FAA’s not-to-exceed
While the number of fatal accidents in- goal for fatal accidents. This would be the
volving E-AB aircraft dropped from 32 in fourth year in a row that the experimen-
2016 to 26 in 2017, the estimated number tal community outperformed this safety
of hours flown by homebuilts increased benchmark, EAA officials point out. Photo by Van’s Aircraft
from about 890,000 to approximately EAA.org, FAA.gov Van’s Aircraft’s RV-12.
950,000.
Light-sport aircraft flight time also hit
record numbers in 2017, with special
light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) breaking
200,000 flight hours for the first time on
record.
Add in experimental light-sport aircraft
(E-LSA) and LSA of all types recorded
approximately 348,000 hours, EAA offi-
cials noted. The GA Survey has recorded
a 19% growth in light-sport aircraft activ-
ity over the past decade.
“These statistics show that growth and
safety are not mutually exclusive in our
CAP sets a
new record
for saves
A save on the afternoon of Sept. 30,
2018, off the southern tip of Florida has
given the Civil Air Patrol a new record
for lives saved in a fiscal year — 155, as
credited by the Air Force Rescue Coordi-
nation Center (AFRCC). Virtually all of
those saves — 147, or 95% — occurred
with the support of CAP’s National Cell
Phone Forensics Team.
CAP totaled 154 saves in fiscal 1983
and again in fiscal 1994, surpassing 100 in
16 of the previous 51 years. Before that,
saves weren’t reported annually.
“An amazing year for CAP!” said Maj.
Gen. Mark Smith, national commander.
The new record reflects continuous ad-
vances in technology and training in one
of CAP’s key missions, search and rescue,
according to officials.
CAP’s total team effort for search and
rescue, which also includes the National
Radar Analysis Team and state and lo-
cally based ground teams, totaled 1,044
missions for fiscal 2018.
Last year the total number of missions
stood at 798. The mission count for fiscal
2016 was 946.
In addition to saves, the AFRCC cred-
ited CAP with 640 finds for fiscal 2018.
GoCivilAirPatrol.com
10 General Aviation News — 800.426.8538 November 1, 2018
One of a million paths to aviation
Ben Sclair all about flying.”
That is one supportive Mom. And I told
“I became a pilot because of my moth-
er,” he added. “She saw a billboard for a
her so. $99 discovery helicopter ride and signed
Touch & Go “Good for you Jennifer… and your son. me up for it. I actually went in with an
As I think back on my time at the Uni- attitude that I wouldn’t become a pilot.”
versity of North Dakota back in the late That must’ve been one heck of a dis-
1980s (where I originally planned to be- covery flight.
come a professional pilot) I so wish the Like many pilots, Colton’s path took a
marketplace was as robust then as it is turn.
I’m not a Mom. But I have a Mom. And And as anyone who has flown against a today. Your son’s timing (thanks to you) “I started flying tours because I ran
my wife is a Mom. strong headwind knows, it is much more is perfect.” out of financing to get my CFI/CFII and
So I know there is — oftentimes — a pleasant to fly with a tailwind. Mom was Jennifer’s son confirmed as much: “My found a way to get a job and work my way
special bond between a mother and child. exactly that, my tailwind. son Cameron stated today about the need up,” he related.
I certainly feel that bond with my Mom. But that’s a bit of the story from my for pilots. I’m super excited for him. And But Colton is a man with a plan: “I plan
Go ahead, call me a “Mama’s Boy.” path. And I know my path is unique to me. will do anything to make sure he gets to to someday obtain my fixed wing certifi-
I can take. In fact, that’s a badge I wear When anyone signs up for our email the finish line. Even if it means discuss- cate and A&P. I now have a huge passion
with pride. newsletter, The Pulse of Aviation, they re- ing critical angle of attack — a million for aviation and want to learn as much as
I learned to fly at a rather young age. At ceive a welcome email from me that also times!” I can and become the best aviator I can. I
13 I flew an ultralight my Dad and I built. says, “I’d like to hear about why you fly That last line made me laugh out loud. strive to mentor young pilots like myself
Then again, I grew up on a residential air- or maintain airplanes or teach pilots or are Another reply came from Colton. He’s who struggle and help those not in avia-
park, so flying seemed the most natural simply interested in aviation.” a commercial helicopter pilot in Miami. tion to glimpse how amazing it is.”
thing in the world to me. In a typical week, I receive a few re- “I started flying about 10 years ago While Jennifer and I didn’t discuss
Years later I learned Mom wasn’t ex- sponses. Some are funny. Others are in- when I was 18 (started right out of high HOW her son came to flying, she is — ob-
cited by the idea of me, her 13-year-old spiring. Many just express excitement school).” viously — supporting him. In the case of
baby, flying by himself. I suppose the idea about reading about aviation. He’d heard stories and seen pictures of Colton, it was his Mom who helped him
goes against a Mom’s innate desire to pro- In their own way, they each offer proof his great grandfather as a B-17 pilot in “discover” aviation.
tect. there is no one path to finding aviation. World War II, as well as his step grand- If you think back to your start in flying,
Once past those first solo flights, But a couple of recent replies shared a father “who flew planes and gliders,” but maybe it was your Mom, perhaps it was
Mom’s emotions relaxed a bit. She saw common theme. he was never able to speak with either of your Dad. Or maybe it was a more distant
my care and attention to detail. That is them about flying. family member or not a family member
when the emotional see-saw inside her Mom “Learning all the resources for pilots at all.
heart stopped. She became a full-on sup- One recent response was from a stu- and pilot culture has been self taught,” Regardless, your path to aviation criss-
porter of my flight training. dent pilot’s mom. She writes, “my son is noted Colton. “I am constantly looking crosses the paths of many other people.
attending TSU, which has a professional for new resources to teach me and help Many are pilots, while others merely of-
pilot program. He starts flying next week! me become a better pilot.” fer a nice tailwind.
Ben Sclair is Publisher. He can be reached As he is invested to learn all about avia- Which is why he signed up for The In either case, those relationships are to
at ben@generalaviationnews.com. tion, I have found myself as well learning Pulse of Aviation. be treasured.
Have something to say?
Send comments to comments@generalaviationnews.com or fax 253-471-9888.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Include your full name, address and telephone number (for verification purposed
only). Please limit comments to 250 words or less.
TOO LITTLE TOO LATE and the professional liability insurance production procedures would, in fact, haven’t had carb ice in a car since I drove
Re: Ben Sclair’s Touch & Go column that we can purchase is expensive, and enhance safety, lower costs, and improve a 1970 VW in high school.
in the Oct. 4 issue, “FAA is finally ready covers so little of our primary liability — availability. It is hard to believe that at With new electric motors combined
to discuss shortages”: It’s pretty much the student themselves — that we refuse one time the aircraft industry led the auto with some sort of hybrid system, loss of
too little and way too late. There is noth- to do much, if any, instructing. industry in engine technology. power should be a thing that is only talk-
ing they can do at this late date to fix that I refuse any primary instructing, BFRs KEN KILLIAN ed about in aviation museums. I envision
problem when regional airlines are al- or IPCs any longer because of possible li- via GeneralAviationNews.com something like a Cessna 337 with one gas
ready parking airplanes for lack of crews ability, and only take on one or two ad- and one electric motor for backup and/or
to fly them. vanced students who are always close re- Has anyone ever thought that aviation extra climb rate.
One huge issue that is preventing CFIs ferrals. I turn down at least nine (politely survives not because of the FAA, but in The FAA should be asking for these
from doing instructing, especially retired as I can) for every one I do accept as a spite of the FAA? solutions rather than hindering them. If
pilots who would like to do some instruct- result. I also receive at least two offers What kind of job justification will they a 50% increase in safety can be achieved
ing either to earn some extra money or just for CFI employment a week that I throw have when “all these pesky little airplanes but is being held back by regulations, then
because we enjoy instructing, is legal li- away. are out of the way?” the FAA needs to figure out a better pro-
ability. CFIs are now in critical short sup- That is the basis of the CFI shortage to- JEFF cess to get things changed without killing
ply since any pilot with a warm breath is day and no one even wants to talk about via GeneralAviationNews.com what already exists.
being hired today, and that includes most it. If general aviation had led the auto in-
of the CFIs who were just building time. ROBERT JAMES From day one of flight training you’re dustry like they did through the 1950s,
There are lots of us, including myself, via email taught to look for a place to land for when loss of power incidents could have ended
who do a very limited amount of instruct- the engine quits. This training, while nec- in the 1980s and then we could have been
ing, simply because we cannot risk the A WILD IDEA essary, has also been a band-aid to fix the looking at the other elephant in the room,
legal liability involved. Re: Ben Visser’s column, “A wild idea” reliability issues of ignition and fuel sys- which is loss of control.
A 22-year-old with no assets doesn’t in the Oct. 18 issue: I totally agree. The tems. For ADS-B Out, if the FAA had said to
care, but the experienced pilots who are FAA thinks that they are saving GA, but Modern auto engines rarely fail, need
also CFIs usually have substantial assets in fact are killing it. Allowing modern oil, foul plugs, and they sip fuel. And I LETTERS | See Page 11November 1, 2018 www.GeneralAviationNews.com — facebook.com/ganews 11
To build or not to build
Jamie Beckett
Politics for Pilots
For the past several months an idea has I may not wish to be saddled with in the
been nagging at me. The idea isn’t new. future.
It’s banged around in my head several Hmmm.
times over the course of my life. Since The rudder to a Zenith CH750 Super
high school, to be honest. But I’ve never Duty sits in my flying club’s hangar not
fully committed to it. Perhaps it’s time. five minutes from home. I built it at the
I want to build an airplane. US Sport Aviation Expo last year, in Se-
The garage is a great place to start. I’ve bring, Florida, under the direction of the
built a workbench for small projects and company’s big dog, Sebastien Heintz.
wouldn’t be opposed to constructing a It was quicker and easier to build than I
more robust one to assemble aircraft parts could have imagined. The rudder kit went
on. from being a collection of parts to a fully
The question is, what to build? There assembled piece in only two hours.
are so many options — so many re- It’s a great airplane. Unique and ready
ally good options — I find myself over- to fly into and out of unimproved fields. It
whelmed and unable to decide. appeals to me, but not as much as a Zenith
Within arm’s reach at this moment is a acquisition known as the SAM.
set of plans for Bernie Pietenpol’s classic Looking vaguely like a World War II
AirCamper. Although I’ve never flown trainer, this sporty little thing can cruise
a Piet, I’ve been close enough to touch nearly as fast as my club’s C-182, and I
several of them and they fascinate me. could build it as a taildragger. Photo Courtesy Jamie Beckett
Designed in the late 1920s, the Piets got I really miss owning a taildragger. Jamie shows off the rudder he built at last year’s U.S. Sport Aviation Expo.
a classic look that’s relatively easy and Of course I could go for the gold stan-
inexpensive to build. dard and build an RV. They’re as popular This is a conundrum I never anticipated. serious window-shopping to prepare for.
To date I’ve never seen a finished Piet as a kit airplane can be. I’ve never met Of course I could always go out and Maybe it’s finally time for me to hop a
that actually followed the plans to the let- anyone who’s built one or owned one who buy a Pietenpol, or a CH750, or a SAM, ride in an RV, or the CH750, or the SAM.
ter. Builders tweak them a bit to fit their had anything but high praise for the kits or an RV-8. Thankfully, as the year winds down,
wishes just a bit better. Some are wider or the finished product. But that would be just another generic a new show season is in the planning
to accommodate a bulkier pilot. The wing My dream airplane might be the RV-8. airplane. It wouldn’t be my dream air- stages. Airplanes and pilots will gather all
is often raised a bit to make ingress and It’s like the grown-up, steroid taking ver- plane. It wouldn’t have those little extras I over the landscape. They’ll show off what
egress from the front cockpit less de- sion of the Pietenpol. It’s sleek, fast, aero- might want. The panel would be designed they’re flying, and they’ll seek out what
manding. Engines run the gamut from batic, and roomy. by someone else. The engine selection they’re wanting to possess. It happens ev-
Model As to more familiar Continentals Two baggage areas would allow me to would be made for me. The paint scheme ery year.
and Lycomings, to Corvairs, Volkswa- take extended trips over the horizon, and would be whatever the previous owner You know, it occurs to me that I have a
gens and all sorts of odd pairings. the performance would help me get there fell in love with. The airplane would be fuselage and several shelves of parts for
Yet, as drawn to the idea of building quickly. It’s perfect. Well, almost perfect. mine, but it wouldn’t reflect my dream of a Piper Clipper, too. Perhaps instead of a
one as I am, I’m not sure I want to own The only problem I might have with an the perfect airplane. build, I should be looking for a restoration
and fly the Piet. It’s slow, with an open RV-8 would be that it could take me 10 Then again, maybe that’s not such a project.
cockpit. Which is romantic and alluring in years or longer to build it. By the time I bad thing. To this point in my career — This is going to be an interesting winter
its own way, but also presents limitations finished it I might be too infirm to fly it. and let’s face it I’m pretty well into my as I figure out what I want to do, how I’m
Oh, the challenge of it all. Decisions career at this point — I’ve only ever going to do it, and how long it’s going to
like this aren’t easy. Build quick and sim- flown generic airplanes that didn’t reflect take for me to reach ultimate victory over
Jamie Beckett is the AOPA Ambassador ple, but end up with an airplane I might my dream of the perfect airplane — and whatever project I might take on.
in Florida. A dedicated aviation advocate, not want to own in the long term — or go I’ve loved the experience thoroughly. But Wish me luck, will you — and maybe
you can reach him at: for the brass ring and spend most of my still…I want to build an airplane. a helping hand if you’re in the neighbor-
Jamie@GeneralAviationNews.com flying days building? I’ve got some thinking to do and some hood.
LETTERS | From Page 10 In most states a (rich) 16-year-old kid cense? hp puddle jumper costs roughly the same
can buy a street-legal 840-hp Dodge Similarly, in many states 85-year-old as the 60,000-pound mega-motorhome,
the industry that it would pay X amount of Challenger SRT Demon, which is pro- great-grandpa Bob can legally drive his which is one of the main reasons why pri-
dollars for testing for certification for the duced and sold without any lengthy and 60,000-pound (non-FAA-approved!) me- vate light-aircraft aviation is dying.
first company that could develop a safe costly FAA-certification process — or for ga-motorhome with a 600-hp diesel pull- We absolutely need to get the FAA out
sub $500 system that could be installed that matter any other federal certification ing a 20,000-pound toy-trailer on a regu- of the private light-aircraft approval and
in any plane, how much would they have process. lar driver’s license. certification business, and right now the
saved over the $500 rebate program? Can you really, with a straight face, And, in some states he will even get to political environment is better than ever
DARRIN TOWERS tell me that a hypothetical, non-FAA-ap- enjoy the same 80 mph speed limit on the to make that happen — regardless of
via GeneralAviationNews.com proved 180-hp puddle jumper flown by a interstate as passenger cars — and with- how you otherwise feel about President
licensed pilot would be more dangerous out any kind of medical certificate! Trump. Are you listening, AOPA?
The real issue is selective over-regula- to the public than this Demon driven by And, by the way, thanks to the FAA’s PETER H
tion for the sole benefit of the regulators. a 16-year-old kid with a fresh driver’s li- over-regulation, the FAA-approved 180- via GeneralAviationNews.com12 General Aviation News — 800.426.8538 November 1, 2018
The best way to treat a rebuilt engine
Paul McBride success, which you apparently had with
your previous engine, so while I feel the
where this type of information may be lo-
cated in the many publications available
component of LW-16702 in the Aeroshell from Lycoming.
Ask Paul is sufficient, adding the AvBlend certainly In your particular situation, the infor-
shouldn’t hurt anything. mation you are seeking is easily found in
I’ll leave the decision up to you and the Lycoming O-320 Series Operator’s
feel confident that if you fly the aircraft Manual part number 60297-30, in Section
frequently and change the oil and filter as 7, page 7-10.
recommended by Lycoming Service Bul- You’ll find an illustration showing the
Q
I have just ordered a Lycom- Should I still use the same oil and letin 480F, you will get an excellent ser- rear view of the engine accessory section
ing rebuilt IO-360-A1A for AvBlend? Do the roller tappets require vice life out of this engine. as viewed from the cockpit. It offers all of
my 1965 M20E Mooney. different oils? And anything else you can the details you are inquiring about, plus
Q
I am replacing a nearly run out Mattituck recommend. I am converting a Cessna 150 to other things that may be of assistance to
overhaul. The engine has treated me very Chet Parham Port a Lycoming O-320-E2D engine. you.
well for more than 1,900 hours with one Charlotte, Florida The engine came off a Cessna I would strongly recommend that if
top overhaul. 172M that had an oil cooler. I did not re- you do not own the particular Operator’s
A
After break-in, I used Aeroshell W100 First, let me say “thank you” for move the engine. Manual for your engine that you make the
Plus (contains LW-16702) and a 12 ounce ordering that Lycoming rebuilt There are several ports on the accessory small investment and buy one.
bottle of AvBlend at each oil and filter engine. I really appreciate the case, but I am not sure which port is the The information provided in this pub-
change. Oil analysis has been normal fact that by doing so I’ll continue to re- pressure and which is the return for the lication is a “must have” if you intend to
from the beginning. ceive my retirement check at the end of oil cooler. operate and service the engine in order to
Besides the Lycoming instructions for the month! The engine also has an oil filter adapter obtain maximum service life.
break-in, do you have any suggestions, Seeing that you are located in Florida, installed. I’ll expand on that recommendation
from your years of experience, on how I I agree with your choice of using the Could you help please? by saying that anyone who operates any
should treat this “new” engine. Aeroshell W100 Plus following the rec- DON BETHEL Lycoming engine — or for that matter
ommended engine break-in procedure as via email any Continental engine — should always
set forth in Lycoming Service Instruc- have one of these manuals for reference.
A
Paul McBride, an expert on engines, retired tion 1427C. As you mentioned, Aeroshell Don, I really appreciate you re- Good luck with your conversion project
after almost 40 years with Lycoming. W100 does incorporate LW-16702, so questing this type of information and I trust the information I’ve provided
Send your questions to: adding the AvBlend may be an overkill. because it gives me the opportu- will be of some help to bring the entire
AskPaul@GeneralAviationNews.com. However, it’s difficult to argue with nity to hopefully spread the word as to project to a successful conclusion.
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800.822.3200November 1, 2018 www.GeneralAviationNews.com — facebook.com/ganews 13
Deadline for fuel testing pushed to 2020
In an update from the FAA on the Piston from December 2018 to mid-2020. “Despite the delay of testing comple- the FAA “on a non-interference basis to
Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI), which is In early September 2018 Swift sus- tion, the PAFI mission endures and both the ongoing PAFI program,” agency of-
the agency’s quest for an unleaded avgas, pended its work in the PAFI program FAA and industry partners continue their ficials said.
FAA officials now say the completion of to “pursue another fuel outside the pro- commitment to successfully evaluating “The FAA invited the fuel producers
testing of the new fuel isn’t expected until gram,” FAA officials report. and identifying unleaded fuel candidates currently developing high-octane unlead-
mid-2020. “Shell continued to actively work to that can be authorized for use by the vast ed fuels to bring their data to the FAA for
According to FAA officials, Phase 1 optimize its fuel formulation within their majority of the GA piston engine fleet,” evaluation and a screening process is un-
and 2 testing of the fuels from Shell and specification to mitigate identified is- FAA officials said in the update. “Al- derway,” FAA officials said. “Those that
Swift Fuels “revealed unique issues with sues,” FAA officials say. “Early results though it will take additional time to re- pass the screening process will participate
each fuel that needed to be addressed.” from these efforts appear promising.” alize this goal, it is essential to ensure a in a Cooperative Research and Develop-
In response, officials provided a list of In response to Shell’s efforts to mitigate viable, safe, and economical fuel is ulti- ment Agreement (CRADA) testing pro-
issues that needed to be better understood identified issues, Phase 2 testing of this mately authorized,” FAA officials add. gram utilizing a sub-set of the PAFI test-
and mitigated in order for the fuels to fuel will resume this fall. Meanwhile, the FAA and general avia- ing. The testing is anticipated to include
move forward in the program. “Testing will include clearing material tion industry continue to pursue alterna- detonation and some performance testing
During that timeframe, PAFI flight test- compatibility, durability, detonation, and tives outside of the PAFI program. at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical
ing and some engine testing was halted, performance issues before additional flight Other companies working on high-oc- Center.”
resulting in a delay in testing completion testing is conducted,” FAA officials note. tane unleaded fuel continue to work with FAA.gov
Raffle helps preserve F23
Mark Schmid of New Jersey was the will be the Grand Prize in the 2019 raffle.
lucky winner of the inaugural Ranger Air- The winning ticket will be picked at the
field Raffle when his ticket was selected Old School Fly-In & Airshow No. 13,
on Oct. 7. He won a 1962 Cessna 150. which takes place Oct. 4-6, 2019.
According to officials, 2,500 tickets Funds raised from the 2019 raffle will Free Certs Free Certs
were sold and more than $100,000 was be used to complete the field’s first new
raised to help preserve Ranger Antique hangar since 1928, according to airport
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Training Starts Here. asa2fly.com | 425-235-150014 General Aviation News — 800.426.8538 November 1, 2018
Sharing the skies with drones
By TERRY JARRELL come up is safety. The expected ques-
tions, such as “when there is an impact
It wasn’t all that long ago that only with an airplane or helicopter” or “when
manned aircraft populated the skies. To- a drone falls on someone,” are valid con-
day, however, it’s a totally different story. cerns. There are fundamental reasons
Drones — formally known as small un- underpinning this concern,
manned aerial systems (sUAS) — have mainly related to the
exploded in popularity over the past few amount of skill and experi-
years and there are no signs of slowing ence drone operators have.
down. Consider the training and
Professionals in industries such as ag- certifications that a manned pilot must
riculture, mapping, aerial photography, achieve before taking flight. Obviously
and many others are deploying innovative airplanes and helicopters are complicated pounds —
ways to maximize their efficiency with machines requiring an excellent grasp of the sales people
these new sUAS technologies. their mechanical operation, not to men- at these stores
Another group of drone operators fly tion flight rules and procedures. simply do not
primarily for fun and recreation. While Drones are also quite technically so- express the im-
flying drones is a wonderful hobby, there phisticated and carry their own set of portance of re-
are less rules and regulations placed on complicated procedures, but the physical sponsible flying.
these hobbyists. That’s led to a number risk is obviously lower to the remote pi- They sell drones
of incidents concerning safety, which has lot. Unfortunately, this can create a com- the same way they sUAS operation, yet this is not the
been less than pleasing to manned aircraft placent attitude for some remote pilots. would a flat screen only time this has happened.
pilots. And rightfully so. While losing a drone may cost you a TV. It only takes a minute to browse through
Speaking with several manned aircraft few dollars, chances are much less physi- Being fair, most people, whether rec- YouTube or Facebook to see an unfortu-
pilots and an FAA official regarding the cally risky to the remote pilot. In fact, reational or professional Part 107 remote nately high number of these irresponsible
real-world goings on of drones now shar- careless or uncontrolled operation is more pilots, want to do the right thing to avoid drone operators showboating by flying in
ing the National Airspace System gives likely to present unexpected risks to other causing problems or accidents. any number of illegal ways, such as flying
perspective to the concerns manned air- aircraft and civilians. Still, there are always the ones who over people or higher than allowed.
craft pilots have. One pilot I interviewed mentioned the have the “it won’t happen to me” mindset Then there are the people flying drones
The first topic that always seems to ease of someone being able to walk into a that manned aircraft pilots are concerned for business, such as taking real estate
big box electronics store and buy a drone about. photos, who choose to fly without ob-
for a few hundred dollars that will easily Generally, new drone owners are not taining their Part 107 certification. This
Terry Jarrell is a FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot fly right into shared airspace. aware of what it takes to properly get go- carelessness is foolish on the part of the
and owner of Black Dog Drone Operations With virtually no guidance to essen- ing and this opens the door for mistakes operator and does nothing to help the pro-
in Florida. He has been involved in leading tial beginner-level information, such as to happen. fessionalism that many Part 107 drone
edge technologies for over 15 years as Know Before You Fly or FAA Drone- Another pilot I spoke with told me he operators do, in fact, exhibit.
an Apple expert and nationally recognized zone — much less mentioning the need had a near miss on approach a couple Both sides of this discussion come
writer and instructor. You can contact him to register your new drone if it meets years back at roughly 1,300’ AGL. This loaded with their own set of perceptions
at terry@blackdogdroneops.com. the minimum weight requirement of .55 is clearly beyond the allowed ceiling for and realities.
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