Space enthusiasts around the world waited to see todays unveiling of space bound White Knight Two. Deep in the Mohave desert, hanger doors peeled back to reveal the worlds largest all carbon-composite aircraft, named White Night Two. Richard Branson and Burt Rutan were stationed inside the craft waving to the crowd through the ships windows. Although the space aircraft, Space Ship Two is only 70 percent complete, the program is completely funded by a private company, Virgin Galactic. For $200,000 you can also be a participant in a space flight, where you will ride White Night Two to an altitude of 50,000′. At that point Space Ship Two would fire its hybrid rocket and take you to an altitude of 62 miles above the earth (327,000′). Over 250 people have put deposits down to take this ride into space.
FINALLY some good news for the aviation industry. The FAA has recently announced new terms to the FAA Medicals. Pilots who have not yet turned 40 years of age now have 5 years between medicals if they are operating under 3rd class priviledges. As of July 24th, a third class medical lasts five years. First class priviledges are extended from 6 months till 12 calendar months. AOPA stated that it reactivates medicals that expired on the day the new regs came into effect. Even before the new regulations came into existence you can renew your medical the day before you turn 40 and the pre-40 rules apply. Example: If you renew your medical the last day of your 39th year, you can operate for 5 years under 3rd class priviledges. Outgoing AOPA President Phil Boyer stated that, “This is welcome news for the GA industry.” “AOPA supported the FAA’s move that makes it easier and more affordable for younger pilots to fly.”
The FAA has approved Micro AeroDynamics vortex generators for the tapered wing series of the Piper Dakota’s. The new STC covers PA-28-151, PA-28-161, PA-28-181, PA-28-201T, PA-28R-201, PA-28R-201T, and the PA-28-236.
Flight test have shown that the Vortex Generators provided a nine percent decrease in stall speed, a faster roll rate and increased stability in slow configurations. The vortex generators allow the boundary layer of air to adhere to the aircraft longer in high angle of attack and slow speed configurations.
The VG’s are made of aircraft grade aluminum and can be painted to match the color scheme of your aircraft. They can be applied in one day and cost around $1,450. The VG’s are glued on with Loctite Depend and are 1″ by 1/4″ high.
Micro AeroDynamics claims that there is no top end speed loss, but generally there is a 1-3% loss of top end cruise speed with VG kits.
Elevate your AirVenture experience by reserving a seat at the EAA Aviators Club, presented by Shell Aviation. The Aviators Club, located on the flightline adjacent to the Flightline Pavilion, is available only to EAA members and their guests.
EAA welcomes back the world's only privately owned flying BAE Sea Harrier F/A2 to AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, as Art Nalls will bring his showstopping VTOL jump jet to Wittman Regional Airport.
Hollywood blockbusters, a special pre-premiere screening, and fun aviation classics are among the films topping the lineup for this year's EAA Fly-In Theater, which is presented by Ford Motor Company.
As previously announced, the Texas Flying Legends Museum plans to bring an amazing collection of World War II aircraft to AirVenture this year and have them on display on Scotts Warbird Alley most of the week.
To allow more EAA members to attend their annual membership meeting at AirVenture, which is also our annual convention, EAA's annual meeting has been moved to Wednesday, July 31, at 8:30 a.m. at Theater in the Woods. The annual meeting had traditionally been held on Saturday morning at the fly-in.
Oshkosh is the home of aviation innovation, and this year EAA has established a new location to showcase new ideas, technologies, and products that advance aviation. Called the Innovations Pavilion, it will be located right in the middle of the show on Celebration Way. Aerospace innovators and entrepreneurs will display their designs and inventions in this gallery.
Attention women aviators and enthusiasts: WomenVenture at AirVenture will be held on Friday, August 2, including the annual Women in Aviation International Connect Breakfast, the traditional photo on Philips 66 Plaza, and new for 2013, the WomenVenture Power Lunch.
EAA AirVenture Cup Race officials announced a new starting point - Mount Vernon (Illinois) Airport (MVN) - for the 2013 AirVenture Cup Race, scheduled for Sunday, July 28. Also announced this week was the addition of several new aircraft classes to allow even more aviators to participate in this fun competition prior to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013.
As many EAAers know, country music legend Aaron Tippin is a multiengine- and instrument-rated pilot, A and P, and a helicopter pilot. He's joining the Little Toot airplane family as he and Tommy Meyer, son of Little Toot designer George Meyer, are partnering to bring back the airplane to its proper place in aviation history.