UltraFlight Radio - Archives for May 2004

May 25, 2004

Erik Pederson, Phantom Aircraft
Six months ago Erik Pederson took over the manufacture of the Phantom line of aircraft. We check in with him to see what it is like to be an airplane manufacturer and see what kinds of things he is planning for the future. phantomaeronautics.com (5/25/04)

Mike Stratman, California Power Systems
Mike joins us to talk about the history of ultralights, light planes and the changes he has seen over the years. And from his unique vantage point as a major component and accessory supplier, he has seen a lot! www.800-Airwolf.com (5/25/04)

Gregg Ellsworth, BRS
Gregg Ellsworth has just gotten back from the ASTM meetings in Salt Lake City, UT. This is part of BRS's commitment to make ballistic chutes available to the new category of light sport planes. He tells us about things that are going on both in the ASTM process and in the BRS factory. brsparachutes.com (5/25/04)

Tom Olenik, Olenik Aviation
A listener aquired a grey head 582 and wondered if it would be possible to update it to "bluehead" status by modifiying the rotary valve seals. Rotax exhaust system mounting springs are also discussed. When the show is live, Tom Olenik is ready to answer your four stroke and two stroke ultralight aircraft engine questions. Call them in at (888) 514-2100 or IM them in on AOL or Yahoo Instant Messenger to UFRadio. www.buyitsellitfixit.com/ (5/25/04)

Jim Sweeney, NAPPF President and USUA Board Member
Last time Jim was with us, he talked about METAR which is an hourly report of current weather conditions. This time we talk about the TAF, which is a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast. Jim helps us to decode this helpful weather tool. As before, Jim has provided some examples to work on. Learn information that will help you transition to Sport Pilot. (5/25/04)

Norm Burley, Dream Flight
Every year on Memorial Day powered parachutists gather at Norm and Rosie's Camelot Air Park to enjoy great flying and even better company. We visit with Norm to see what folks can expect this year! flypoweredparachutes.com/EVENTS.html Herrinfesta Italiana (5/25/04)

May 18, 2004

Tim McCord, Performance Designs
Tim joins us to talk about an important safety issue for powered parachutes, trimming your steering lines. Differences in length when you tie off your steering lines on a powered parachute change your performance and the safety of your wing. Learn how to do things right! www.pdpowered.com/powered.asp (5/18/04)

Doug Macnair, Vice President of Government Relations with the EAA
Doug has been on the leading edge of the battle combating the ill advised and controversial Air Tour Rule (although he might personally choose more diplomatic wording!) Learn about the status of this potential rule and how it could have a chilling effect on aviation. www.eaa.org (5/18/04)

Felice Apodaca, Brian Ranch Airport
This year the Brian Ranch Airport is preparing to host the 10th Annual "World's Smallest Airshow" featuring ultralights and other airsports. Felice will catch us up on what has been going on at the Brian Ranch Airport and what people can expect at this year's fly-in! www.brianranch.com (5/18/04)

Tom Olenik, Olenik Aviation
Topics include scheduled maintenance on the Rotax 582, cleaning and wearing of the K&N air filter, techniques for changing oil types in a two-stroke engine, what kinds of clamps when changing fuel lines, where and where not to use anti-seize, cracking problems with a Rotax starter. When the show is live, Tom Olenik is ready to answer your four stroke and two stroke ultralight aircraft engine questions. Call them in at (888) 514-2100 or IM them in on AOL or Yahoo Instant Messenger to UFRadio. www.buyitsellitfixit.com/. (5/18/04)

Brian & Carol Carpenter, Rainbow Aviation
Brian & Carol collaborated on the writing of a new book for ultralight pilots. A Professional Approach to Ultralights offers 256 pages of plain-spoken, real world, ultralight-specific information based on over 25 years of experience. You'll discover invaluable strategies, tips, and an overall guiding philosophy in the purchase, maintenance, and operation of your ultralight that will stretch your spending power and create a safer flight environment. Brian & Carol both join us to talk about their flying operation and the book. www.rainbowaviation.com (5/18/04)

Roy Beisswenger and Michael Purdy
The hosts talk about some recent losses to the aviation community. Robert E. Fulton, the inventor of the Flying Car, Jerry Rooks, a friend to aviators in Florida, and Diane Ahlman, wife of USUA founder and past president John Ballantyne. They will all be greatly missed. (5/18/04)

May 11, 2004

John Graber, JDT Mini-Max
Production of the Mini-MAX and Hi-MAX aircraft lines has moved to a 10,000 square foot manufacturing facility at the Nappanee, Indiana Airport. Wayne Ison sold the assets and manufacturing rights to a new company called JDT Mini-Max. The company is led by principals John Graber, Dave Trump and Thinus DeBeer. Other investors include Jim Holbtook, Larry Israel and Lowell Farrand. We talk to John Graber about the move, the aircraft, and how you can build and fly a Mini-Max! www.jdtmini-max.com/ East Tennessee Lonesome Buzzards News Group (5/11/04)

Roy Beisswenger and Michael Purdy
The hosts talk about the advantages of electronic guages over convention needle guages. Conventional gauges can leave you unprotected with low accuracy, hard to read scales, and short service life. An electronic instrument provides outstanding accuracy, a large, backlit, high-contrast screen along with the capability to program individual engine limits for automatic monitoring. www.grtavionics.com (5/11/04)

Randy Hansen, EAA
Temporary Flight Restrictions or TFR's can happen anytime. But with the presidential campaign season upon us, we are beginning to see an even greater proliferation of the temporary "No-Fly" zones. Randy Hansen joins us to explain how we can avoid meeting attack helicopters while flying around our respective little patches of sky!

He also tells us about a new Advisory Circular that lays out the new rules about TFR's. You can get your copy of AC 91-63C at: www.faa.gov/ats/ata/ai/index.html (5/11/04)

Tom Olenik, Olenik Aviation
When the show is live, Tom Olenik is ready to answer your four stroke and two stroke ultralight aircraft engine questions. Call them in at (888) 514-2100 or IM them in on AOL or Yahoo Instant Messenger to UFRadio. www.buyitsellitfixit.com/. (5/11/04)

Jim Sweeney, NAPPF President and USUA Board Member
METAR contains an hourly report of wind, visibility, runway visual range, present weather, sky condition, temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting collectively referred to as "the body of the report." Jim joins us to show us how to break the code of and get good weather information out of a METAR. In fact Jim has provided some examples to work on. Learn information that will help you transition to Sport Pilot. (5/11/04)

Deanna Williams, Carolina Sport Flyers
Deanna tells us about the Carolina Sport Flyers "Spring Fling" coming up this weekend. Learn how you can be part of a first-time-ever event! onceayearflyer04@bellsouth.net (5/11/04)

May 4, 2004

Dick Starks, Kansas City Dawn Patrol
Dick Starks and his friends build and fly Nieuports. They share their experiences through their web site, builders forums, books and video. Dick joins us to talk about the challenges and fun surrounding Nieuports. www.kcdawnpatrol.org/ (5/4/04)

Jim Sweeney, NAPPF President and USUA Board Member
Jim joins us to talk about a great source of information, the Airman's Information Manual or AIM. Learn why even as a ultralighter, you should have a copy of this reference. NAPPF Aeronautical Information Manual Guide (5/4/04)

Dan Johnson, Writer
The list of publications that Dan has written for over the years is impressive. Ultralight Flying!, Hang Gliding and Paragliding, EAA SportPilot, Kitplane, Experimenter, and GA News. The aircraft reviews he has published over the years are now available at ByDanJohnson.com. Dan tells us how we can take advantage of that information source. (5/4/04)

Tom Janetzke, CoolFlight
Filming and editing video has become less expensive each year. The largest cost for professional work is the professional, himself. Learn how you can video and edit your own flying videos for friends, family, and profit. Links for the show include Manfrotto, DS-Technologies, ABC Products, Marshall Electronics, Digital Juice, and Apple Computer. www.coolflight.com (Part 1) (5/4/04)