Skylark Flyers Blog

Jim Weir of RST Engineering has done most of the leg work, and has found, what he thinks, are the best new products at the convention.

Further information can be seen at http://www.rstengineering.com/osh07

He found five products he considers to be the best. The first one even has the best price. Free!
DUATS Golden Eagle software has been updated. Leon Thomas, the author presented a quick introduction. It now has automatic updates and real time TFR’s. Moving the mouse over visible items gives a brief description. The software allows personally configurable chart preferences. Route planning allows rubber-band stretching.

There is a terrain avoidance window for your route. Reports can make a Triptik style printout. One option will make a flight plan form and a 50 mile wide flight strip. The program also will overlay weather on a route map.

The next winner was from Scion Systems. They showed their portable collision avoidance systems. The MRS sells for $549 plus a $50 show discount. The XRX goes for $1,795 plus a $100 show discount.
Both devices pick up mode C and S transponders. The device then gives the range and how far above or below your position. It does not give direction to the target. It does not actively interrogate transponders, but uses passive listening. It can send it’s information to Gramin, Blue Mountain and several other systems.

Bill Waterman won from Clarity Aloft. Their passive lightweight headset can be quieter than active noise canceling headsets. David Clark is still the standard for passive headsets, but they are best for reducing high frequencies. Bose introduced the world to active cancellation, but they work best at 100-500Hz. You still need a heavy cup to cancel high frequencies.
The Clarity Aloft product uses special foam inserts. The foam is better than custom molded plugs since it adjusts to your ear canal. A hearing aid style speaker provides clear sound.
The Air Force tested this product and found that radio volume could be 7db lower than with other headsets. Their show special is for $500 for the standard version and $665 for the TSO version.
Davinci software won for their Airplane PDQ software for airplane design. It’s currently being used at KidVenture where they compete to design the best plane possible.
MuttMuffs won for their earmuffs for dogs. They run $50, and are available in several different sizes. Unlike regular headsets, these are curved to match a dog’s head. Dogs will often take them off in the plane, but once they hear the difference, they usually allow them to be put back on. They will be left on afterward.

The Chapter Office ran a program on the requirements for obtaining non-profit status for EAA chapters. The guidelines are in IRS Publication 557. Among the items the IRS wants to see what happens with the disposition of assets should the organization dissolve. The assets must go to another non-profit organization.

Chapters usually fit into the educational category. If you lobby for legislation, the chapter needs to give both sides of the issue. Supporting specific candidates is not allowed.

On IRS form 1027, the chapter should identify how much time is spent on educational activities.

If the chapter has income of less than $25,000 per year, it doesn’t need to file a form 990 annually. There is an electronic postcard, form 990-N that can be used.

When reviewing an application for non-profit status, the IRS likes to see specific numbers. This would be the hours spent on qualifying activities. If the IRS reviewer requests additional information, be prompt with the reply. If you need more time, always communicate with the person who is reviewing the information.

Further information can be found on the IRS web site under exempt organizations/continuing education.

I went to the presentation from Canon. How to take pictures at Airventure.
The first part of the presentation was on the basics of digital photography. Then the tips on aircraft photography came on.
For an airshow, use manual focus.
For prop planes, use about 1/250 sec for 2 blade props. Can use 1/225 for 4 blade props in order to give some blur. Warbirds usually have slower RPMs, so use a slower speed for them.
You many need many, many shots to get the right result.
Air-to-air photography needs a thourough plan before getting in the air. Safety is the much more important than getting the right shot.
For an sirshow, be sure you pan with the plane
Use long lenses
Wait for the plane to get close to you
Shoot to the sides of show center. You won’t be looking straight up as much.
If you have image stabailzation, use it, but only in mode 2 that doesn’t do horizontal stabilization. Otherwise panning by a plane will not look right.
Tele-converters degrade the lens quality up to 12%. It’s better to just crop a photo
If using a polarizing filter, use a circular polarization. It won’t interfere with auto-focus.
How do you handle crowds? Get up early!
Shoot airplane parts up close for interesting shots.
Don’t forget to get a self portrait of yourself in polished parts.

Canon runs a dawn patrol Thu-Sat at 7 AM where an instructor takes a group out on the grounds for photographing.

We got in late yesterday afternoon and got our admission wrist bands.

The aircraft parking areas looks quite occupied. There was some concern around the newsgroups that the price of fuel could keep traffic down, but it looks like the flyers may have just been saving up for the one big event.

We didn’t get much time to look around yet. We got a look at the prototype of the Cirrus LSA. We’ll get further info on that today. Eclipse showed a concept 4 passenger single engine jet.

The Beach Boys played to a crowd quite a bit larger than last year. The weather cooperated with no thunderstorms this year. When the warm-up announcer asked what songs they wanted to hear, the crowd responded with “All of them!”, and they weren’t disappointed as the Beach Boys played about all of their famous songs.

I’ll try to send a few updates during the day.

Warhawks, Inc.’s latest project, P-38L “Ruff Stuff,” will have its namesake nose art applied on the first day of Airventure 2007 

The latest restoration project from the shops of Warhawks, Inc. of Granite Falls, Minnesota, will arrive on the hallowed grounds of Airventure 2007, project complete, save one important detail.  On the first day of the Air Show in Oshkosh, the P-38 fighter will receive its final step of the restoration process when it will have its nose art applied by an expert painter.  The nose art will depict the aircraft “Ruff Stuff,” the mount of Wisconsin resident, Norbert Ruff, a P-38 lightning pilot in World War II with the 80^th Fighter Squadron, based in Australia and New Guinea.  This unique Oshkosh event was spearheaded by Erik Hokuf, lead restorer at Warhawks, Inc.

The idea for this event was born a few months ago when Hokuf and his fellow restoration shop workers were discussing the game plan for applying the unique nose art.  In addition to displaying the shop’s latest restoration at Oshkosh, Hokuf wanted to come up with a unique way in which Warbird air show enthusiasts could get involved in the restoration and experience something out of the ordinary.  “I wanted to give the crowd something new and unique to take home from the air show, something memorable to talk about when recounting Airventure 2007.”

The artist who will be painting the P-38’s nose art is Stefan Hokuf, one of Erik Hokuf’s older brothers.  Hokuf has completed numerous antique car painting projects, but this will be his first foray into painting nose art on vintage fighters.  One can rest assured, however, that given the quality of work that has come out of Warhawks, Inc. in recent years, the artist was chosen with care.  “I feel privileged to have been asked to put the final touch on this project, both to put my skills to use, and to honor all the men and women who served, specifically, the pilot of this aircraft,” Hokuf said.

“Ruff Stuff” will be parked in the Warbirds area of Oskosh, for those interested in observing the nose art application.  The event will kick off on Monday, July 23, at approximately 10:00 A.M. in the Warbird Parking Area.

Here are a couple notices of announcements that we’ve received. We don’t know the details yet, but we’ll keep this post updated so those going there will be able search out the latest information.

EADS Socata will be making an announcement
Tuesday 24 July – 11.30 AM
at the EADS Socata booth, Main Exhibition ground
Booth # 186-189 / 195-198

Lancair will be unveiling a new aircraft on
Wednesday July 25th – 10:00 AM
at the Lancair tent, North Aircraft Display, Booth 456

CubCrafters will debut an all new, second generation light sport airplane Tuesday July 24, 1:15 PM. By incorporating the very latest safety features, construction materials and design improvements, a new standard will be set in capability, utility, and performance in light sport aircraft while being fully compliant with all LSA certification regulations.

60 years later our lost warriors come home; Men Missing In Action since the Pacific Battles of World War II are finally being returned to their families.  

Six years and seven expedition’s in the making, Last Flight Home (www.LastFlightHome.org) will screen four times through AirVenture 2007 (http://www.airventure.org/).   Last Flight Home is the story of searching for and finding WWII MIAs in the South Pacific islands of Palau.  Dr Patrick Scannon founder of the BentProp Project, the film’s focus has traveled to the islands since 1993 (www.BentProp.org) and is instrumental in finding no fewer than 30 aircraft wreck sites, most with MIA’s associated with them.

Speaking of Dr. Scannon’s Project Brigadier General J.L. Jones former Commandant of the Marine Corps states: “For more than half a century, the fates of hundreds of these men have remained concealed… while loved ones have lived with the pain of not knowing. Through your tireless efforts, the families and friends of many of these brave airmen have finally achieved closure. You have helped show that no Marine is ever forgotten”.   Family member Marty Haak writes “Thank you so much for “Last Flight Home.” Can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. It was a wonderful thing you did and you nearly brought Donald back to life”.

The film makers Daniel T O’Brien and Jennifer Powers will be present for the screenings along side their subject Dr. Scannon, several BentProp team members will also be present. 

Last Flight Home follows the search, discovery and identification of US WWII Aircraft in the jungles and waters of Palau. Then the story comes home to the family members left wondering and hoping over 60 years for something, anything…. Maybe even closure.

The US lists 88,000 men and women Missing In Action, MIA from her battles across the globe. 78,000 are missing from the battles of WWII alone. Dr Scannon and his team are chipping away at this impossible number one airman at a time. Last Flight Home brings this remarkable story to you.

 Blue Skies

Jennifer Powers and Daniel T O’Brien

Contact Jennifer Powers 530-666-2148  info@BentStarProject.org

Aviation innovation, heritage and fun showcased throughout the grounds

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. – (July 10, 2007) – Aviation enthusiasts from around the world are counting the days until EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.  The 55th annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will showcase the best of aviation’s innovations and heritage.

Each year, EAA AirVenture welcomes more than 10,000 aircraft to the weeklong celebration, along with a total attendance of more than 600,000 visitors from 65 nations.

“Simply put, Oshkosh is the place to be for anyone who enjoys flight, innovation and the best aviators’ gathering in the world,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman.  “EAA AirVenture is not only aviation’s family reunion, but also the place where nearly every facet of flight is on display, as Oshkosh is the international crossroads where people enjoy and celebrate the freedom of flight.”

EAA AirVenture’s aircraft lineup is filled with the latest flight innovations along with the legendary aircraft of aviation’s first 100 years.  There are brand new jets that are revolutionizing the aviation community, unique homebuilt and vintage airplanes, and more aircraft of every size, shape and origin.

In addition, EAA AirVenture 2007 will offer more than ever before, from nearly 1,000 forums, workshops and seminars, to special activities for young people and families, to renowned aviation movies each evening under the stars.  All of these activities are included in AirVenture admission, as is an encore concert by the Beach Boys on Monday, July 23, at 5:30 p.m., immediately following the opening day’s afternoon air show.  This concert is presented by Eclipse Aviation, Ford Motor Company, and Innovative Solutions & Support.

EAA AirVenture 2007’s features and attractions include:
·    F-22 “Raptors,” the U.S. Air Force’s newest front-line fighter jet, that will be on display and flying on Thursday through Sunday, July 26-29;
·    The sleek and mysterious U-2 spyplane, that will be on display on AirVenture’s showcase AeroShell Square;
·    More than 300 Warbirds that include fighter airplanes from World War II and classic fighter jets, many flying in spectacular shows throughout the week, with expanded programs on Friday and Saturday, July 27-28;
·    The Goodyear Blimp, one of the world’s most recognizable aircraft, on ground display and in flight demonstrations on July 23-27;
·    Military aircraft such as the Harrier jump jet, C-17 transport, and A-10, F-16 and F/A-18 fighters, plus special fly-bys of the B-1 and B-2 bombers, F-117 stealth fighters, and other activities in honor of the U.S. Air Force’s 60th anniversary;
·    A variety of special programs, from the 75th anniversary of Beechcraft airplanes and the 60th anniversary of its famed Bonanza model, to introductions of several new airplanes by manufacturers from around the world throughout the week;
·    A brand new “Learn To Fly Center,” hosted by EAA and the National Association of Flight Instructors, that opens the world of flight to those who have only dreamed of flying in the past;
·    Daily afternoon air shows with the world’s finest civilian aerobatic pilots, more than 800 aviation exhibitors, and nearly 1,000 forums, workshops and seminars;
·    Special activities for families and young people that help them discover and enjoy aviation, including the enormous KidVenture area;
·    More than 2,500 showplanes that include homebuilt aircraft, vintage models, ultralights, seaplanes and much more.

With all of the activities, EAA is an outstanding value for individuals and families.  An EAA membership supplies even more value, with special EAA-member discounts available on merchandise and food.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is the world’s greatest aviation celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates.  For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or www.eaa.org.  EAA AirVenture information is also available through the World Wide Web at www.airventure.org