Skylark Flyers Blog

Over the past years, the new, exciting features at the EAA Convention were related to commercial and military displays. While the roots of EAA didn’t get smaller,they didn’t get bigger either. 2010 saw a new presentation building inaugurated called the Homebuilders Hangar. Aircraft Spruce & Specialty provided funding for the renovation of the former hangar used for NASA exhibits.

Many kit and plan aircraft designers and manufacturers used this area to discuss their designs. Among them were Leonard Milholland of the Legal Eagle, Jonathan R. Trappe who flys a cluster balloon, Burt Rutan discussed his Long EZ, and Steve Williamson who talked about the Pietenopol.

The V-22 Ospry tiltrotor aircraft made an appearance at the convention. Due to the incredible downwash produced by this aircraft, any operation with the motors operating, needed to take place well away from the crowd and parked aircraft. The aircraft, based at Kirkland Air Force Base in New Mexico, performed demonstrations in Friday and Saturday.

The theme of the 2010 EAA Convention was a Salute to Veterans. The Disabled American Veterans had their B-25 Panchito there to promote their program of veteran services. Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band played there, and will be back at the 2011 event. Gary and his band have been associated with DAV, and support their programs and mission.

A Parade of Veterans took place on Friday of the convention. A bit of mis-coreography put several flags between the veterans and the speakers. 80 World War II veterans were taken to Washington DC for the day on the American Airlines Honor Flight to see the WWII memorial.

Originally introduced at the EAA Convention in 2003, the Butterfly has been revised to include a new light weight pre-rotator electric motor, and a few other modifications, to allow the aircraft to be flown under ultralight rules. It has a 5 gallon fuel tank, and flies at 62 MPH. The pre-rotator motor is actually designed for model aircraft, and runs on 36 volts. it puts out 2.7 HP and weighs only 2.2 lbs.

Visit their web site for information on this aircraft, and their other models.

The Dominican Republic had a very significant display at the 2010 EAA Fly-In Convention. They provided information on the ease of flying to the island, as well as the customs procedures. They state that Miami provides services all the was to the DR, and English speaking controllers are at the destination. The 14 airports have no landing fee for aircraft under 30,000 lbs, and is only about $6 for a Cessna 172 at one of the larger airports. Flight plans can be filed by radio for domestic flying.

The Spirit of Goodyear blimp was on the scene at the 2010 EAA Fly-In Convention. It was based at a location north west of Pioneer airport. I took a walk over to see it up close, and there are several photos over in this web site’s photo gallery. One item I hadn’t known was that the exterior advertising lights are individual LED arrays. There are 3,780 arrays with a total of 82,656 LEDs.

The ship is 192 feet long and about 60 feet tall, and normally cruises at 30 MPH.

Airships have been used by Goodyear for advertising since 1925. The flight instruments are similar to a fixed wing aircraft with a rate-of climb, air speed, attitude, and turn-and-bank indicators. Above the panel are valves for helium and air, fuel quantity and pressure, and a fuse panel. Externally there is a high definition gyro-stabilized television camera, along with a microwave transmitter.

The support crew of the blimp consist of an airship mechanic, electronics technician, ground mechanic, rigger, crew chief, and an assistant crew chief.

AvMap introduced their EKP V portable navigation unit at last year’s convention. It was expected to be released in November, 2010 at about $2,000. The release appears to be delayed, but it is a very versatile unit. It has a 7″ display with 800 X 480 resolution, it has WAAS GPS functionality, maps with terrain avoidance, aircraft checklists, simulation mode, customizable display and it’s compatible with XM weather.

A docking station allows interface with an autopilot, EIS, EFIS and other devices. A progressive joystick and smart wheel selector provides a unique controller for interfacing with the unit, and a full visual keyboard can be activated.

Visit www.avmap.us for more information