UltraFlight Radio - Archives for December 2004

December 21, 2004

Richard Meredith-Hardy, 1990 World Microlight Champion
British Microlight pilot Richard Meredith-Hardy and Italian hang-glider pilot Angelo D’Arrigo towed a Hang-glider with a Microlight to very close to 30,000 feet over Everest on May 24, 2004. Richard then went on to fly over the summit of Everest. Richard talks about the trip and how you can own a very critical piece of equipment used in the adventure. The ALPHA emergency parachute 1050 actually used on the Over Everest flight is up for auction on Ebay. The proceeds will go to Children Home Helena Prieto, a home for abandoned children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (12/21/04)

Tomas Backman - CIMA President
Recently Tomas Backman was elected the new president of CIMA, the International Microlight Commission of FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale). Tomas joins us to talk about CIMA and the goals and activities for the international organization. (12/21/04)

John & Martha King, King Schools
Last week Roy promised that he would be taking the CFI-Sport Pilot Powered Parachute Knowledge Test and would report on the results this week. Well, the results are in and it is time to give credit where credit is due. A passing score was achieved and one of the key study tools used were the tapes that John and Martha King developed for the general aviation CFI knowledge tests. We talk about how to successfully prepare for the Sport Pilot CFI knowledge exams using those existing guides. The King Schools (12/21/04)

Mike Stratman, California Power Systems
Mike Stratman joins us to talk about a question e-mailed in by a listener. Namely, what is the best way to reduce engine noise? Also, will an identical engine be quieter in a tractor configuration vs. a pusher configuration? Mike talks about different strategies for reducing engine noise. Mike can also answer your four stroke and two stroke ultralight aircraft engine questions. Do you have questions? When the show is live, call your questions in at (888) 514-2100 or you can IM them in on AOL or Yahoo Instant Messenger to UFRadio. California Power Systems (12/21/04)

Jim Sweeney, USUA and NAPPF Board Member
Last week Jim Sweeney was meeting with the FAA in Oklahoma City and participated in a dry run of the classes being put together for the Sport Pilot Designated Airworthiness Representatives or DARs. DARs are the individuals that will be taking on the mission of certifying Light Sport Aircraft for Sport Pilot use. Jim updates us on this critical aspect of Sport Pilot implementation. PDF file with the new FAA order for Experimental and Special Light Sport Aircraft DAR Qualifications. Interested in becoming a DAR? Complete an FAA Form 8110-14. SweeneyCorp, USUA, NAPPF. (12/21/04)

Jeff Goin, President, United States PPG Association
Jeff Goin joins us to talk about the growth of US competition in powered paragliding. Powered paragliders and powered parachutes will be joining together for a major contest in August, which will be a dry run for the 2006 Pan-American Championship. USPPA (12/21/04)

December 14, 2004

Dr. Bruce Charnov, Hofstra Professor
Bruce Charnov has created one of the largest collections of gyroplane documentation ever seen. He joins us to talk about how someone can go about putting a collection together. He talks about the benefits of collecting, collecting with a purpose, and what to ultimately do with a collection. He gives specific examples based on what he has in the world of autogyros. Autogiro Conference (12/14/04)

John Ballantyne, Trike Instructor
Last week it was announced on the UltraFlight Radio Show that DPE candidates that were accepted into the program and ranked high enough in points to go to the first Sport Pilot DPE school to be held January 17, 2005 in Sebring, Florida, would have to pass one more hurdle. That hurdle was taking and passing the new Sport Pilot CFI or DPE test as appropriate by December 17th, only ten days later. As an existing Certified Flight Instructor, John Ballantyne was asked to take the "weight shift control" version of the Sport Pilot DPE test. John quickly gathered his materials, studied, took, and passed the test. He joins us to talk about test taking strategies that newcomers to FAA tests want to consider. jballantyne1@earthlink.net (12/14/04)

Bever Borne, Air-Tech, Inc.
Bever Borne is on deck and ready to answer your four stroke and two stroke ultralight aircraft engine questions. This week we focus on the test questions that can be found in the new Sport Pilot Test Bank that refer to engines. This is your chance to have an expert help you prepare for an exam. Call your questions (or engine news you have heard) in when the show is live to (888) 514-2100 or IM them in on AOL or Yahoo Instant Messenger to UFRadio. Air-Tech, Inc (12/14/04)

Kevin Byrne from SportplaneVM.com and Matt Liknaitzky from Aerotrike
Kevin Byrne recently got the chance to go flying and filming with Matt Liknaitzky over LA in a glider trike. Listen in as they talk about this extraordinary experience and how you can share in the flight through a DVD. SportplaneVM.com and Aerotrike. (12/14/04)

Scott Severen, IndUS Aviation, Inc.
Scott Severen joins us to talk airplanes. IndUS Aviation is offering the Sport E, a two-place, all-aluminum aircraft designed by John Thorp. Formally know as the Thorp T 211, the airplane will be offered for the homebuilder to assemble under the Experimental 51% rule as well as the Light Sport Aircraft category. Scott tells us about the plane and the types that are available. IndUS Aviation (12/14/04)

December 7, 2004

Tim McCord, Performance Designs
Slinks and Links. Tim McCord joins us to talk about the different ways you can attach your parachute to your powered parachute risers. He covers conventional oval links, delta links, and even the new fabric "Slinks" newly developed by PD. We talk about which is best and maintenance concerns for each. Performance Designs Parachutes (12/7/04)

Tom Peghiny, HPower
Tom Peghiny updates us on the HKS 700E engine. The HKS is being used in more and more ultralight and light sport aircraft for pilots wanting a four-stroke engine. Tom tells us which manufacturers are using the power plant along with other news. HPower, Ltd. (12/7/04)

Greg Gremminger, Magni Gyro
Greg Gremminger explains a situation that is going to effect a lot of gyro pilots. Currently, a lot of gyro pilots fly their machines with a regular private pilot ticket. Under the old experimental rules, that was OK. But one of the things that happened with the Sport Pilot initiative is that will no longer be allowed. So, gyro pilots will need to get a rotor rating in order to fly as private pilots. Greg explains the way that transition is shaping up. Magni Gyro USA (12/7/04)

Mike Stratman, California Power Systems
Mike Stratman is going to be with us for two segments today. In the first segment, we are going to talk tools that engine mechanics would like for Christmas (or any time). This promises to be a useful discussion even if you are Santa's naughty list. You can still go out and get these tools for yourself. Mike can also answer your four stroke and two stroke ultralight aircraft engine questions. Do you have questions? When the show is live, call your questions in at (888) 514-2100 or you can IM them in on AOL or Yahoo Instant Messenger to UFRadio. California Power Systems (12/7/04)

Mike Stratman, California Power Systems
In Mike Stratman's second segment, he talks about safely working on your engine. There are a number of recommended procedures that are supposed to be done with the engine running. Performing those tasks while not getting hurt is the goal. Do you have questions? When the show is live, call your questions in at (888) 514-2100 or you can IM them in on AOL or Yahoo Instant Messenger to UFRadio. California Power Systems (12/7/04)

Martin Weaver, FAA Branch Manager, Sport Pilot
Marty Weaver reports in with a lot of Sport Pilot news for us. The initial Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) board was just held and Marty talks about the results and what is next for those that get a good letter. Along with that news, Marty talks about the FAA notice issued to FAA field offices giving directions for the issuance of Student Pilot Certificates to Sport Pilot Candidates. AFS 600, The Sport Pilot Branch (12/7/04)