Meeting: 7:00 PM,                                 May 2, 2006 Tuesday
Place: Airpark Terminal Building (2G2)

Inside this Issue:

www.eaa.org

Wood, Glue, Rivets & Dreams - Rusty Howell

Rusty Howell is seen here installing some baffling around the O-360 ECI of his RV7 kit. Rusty is not a chapter member but is well known around 2G2 and is very informative. Stop by and look at his beautiful aircraft. - Don

Question of the Month
A quick survey. Please email me, write or call as it will help improve the newsletter. - Don

1/ Do you receive the Avweb email newsletter?
2/ Do you receive any FAA announcements online? Examples include TFRs and other information from Henrik G Vejlstrup, the Acting SPM/ OPS Inspector for AGC FSDO 03?
3/ Are you a member of AOPA?
4/ What aviation magazines do you subscribe to?
5/ Are you planning on going to Airventure Oshkosh this year?
.

New Chapter Members
We would like to welcome Hans Schroeder & David Hout. Both are experienced pilots. David is also joining the propbusters and Hans is restoring an Ultra light.

Engine Beat - (AvWeb)
VistaNav v1.5 3D Synthetic Vision System with XM Weather Integration

Mercury Computer Systems has released VistaNav version 1.5, its multi-function flight display system with synthetic vision technology. This latest release of the VistaNav system integrates XM satellite weather information including NEXRAD precipitation and cloud information, live TFRs, METAR flight rules indicators (FRI), as well as detailed METAR and TAF text information.

The VistaNav system provides the pilot with a portable navigation solution including 3D synthetic vision, highway-in-the-sky (HITS) flight path guidance, 3D terrain views and 3D approach display. In addition to its synthetic vision features, VistaNav can display 2D navigation in either full or split-screen formats.

The VistaNav system includes an INU (inertial navigation unit) featuring 3D solid-state inertial sensors, a WAAS-enabled (wide area augmentation system) GPS receiver, and a Bluetooth wireless interface. The unit can be mounted in a number of places inside an aircraft and communicates through a wireless interface using a tablet PC mobile computing platform (MCP). The MCP has a high-resolution 5" x 8" LCD display with a full navigation user interface that allows pilots to manage all phases of flight, from preparation to parking. The entire unit is powered by the aircraft power supply and includes rechargeable batteries that will operate for up to one hour in the event of an aircraft electrical failure. Both the INU and MCP are designed to be removed or installed in an aircraft in less than three minutes.

The VistaNav View Anywhere Package, with MCP, INU and power cords is available for about $4300. A yoke mount, WxWorks receiver and other components are extra. As with all portable navigation systems, the VistaNav system is intended for backup purposes only.

For more information or to order the VistaNav system, visit their Web site.

Special Issuance Medical Certificates Expedited
The FAA has agreed to take some steps that should reduce the backlog and wait times many pilots experience when they need a special issuance medical certificate. With help (and pressure) from a special committee of EAA representatives, the agency has increased the number of doctors by allowing FAA regional flight surgeons to review special issuance applications and also expanded the list of conditions that don't require the file being sent to the FAA for review. "Eventually, nearly every pilot may face a choice between giving up flying or requesting a special issuance medical certification," EAA said in a press release. EAA is proposing even greater relaxation of medical processes, including making the examination interval for third class certificates five years instead of the current two or three.

Short Final... (thanks to AvWeb)
Proudly flying my new Lancair Columbia 350 into Tucson International, having been cleared for the visual to 11L, I heard this interchange with a regional jet:

Tower: RJ1234 you're cleared for the visual following the Columbia on a one mile final.

(pause)

RJ1234: ...I'm following the Space Shuttle?!!

PROP BUSTERS CLUB
If you are interested in some real affordable flying, contact Dick Hawkins (Prop Buster President)
or Tom Cucarese (Treasurer) 740 266-9305 for details on becoming a Prop Buster Member.
The airplane is a Cessna 150 and is based at the Jefferson County Airpark.
What does it cost to belong:
Initiation Fee $250.00
Dues: $200.00 a year
Aircraft Flying Rate: Per Hour $40.00 wet.
Your Flying Insurance is included in with your membership to the Flying Club.
So if you’re looking for very affordable flying, this is the group for you.

Paul Barone towing our Cessna 150 with the tractor.

Chapter Dues
Membership form
This is a reminder,, if you haven't paid your 2006 Dues this will be your last newsletter. If you forgotten, just send it in to Cathy Curcurese, come to the meeting to catch up. If you are on the web just use the handy dandy web form. We have a lot of neat things planned for the Chapter for the upcoming year. It would be a shame to miss out.