UltraFlight Radio - Archives for January 2006

January 31, 2006

Dale Hooper, United States Ultralight Association
Dale Hooper catches us up with some USUA news. He talks about his travels to Washington DC and the meetings there about the ADIZ that has restricted general aviation air traffic and all but prohibited ultralight traffic. Dale also talks about powered paraglider insurance and releases the name of this year's Moody Award winner. United States Ultralight Association (1/31/06)

Paul Hamilton, Adventure Productions
Paul Hamilton has just updated his Sport Pilot Training Syllabus manual. This new version includes lessons for those wanting to become Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs). It now also includes 'Scenario Based Training', which is the FAA recommended training procedures now. Adventure Productions (1/31/06)

Chuck Slusarczyk, CGS Hawk
We talk with Chuck Slusarczyk who just got back from the Kentucky Ultralight Safety Seminar put on by the BUGs. He talks about his presentation there, which was about preventing structural failure in airframes. CGS Aviation (1/31/06)

Mike Stratman, California Power Systems
Mike Stratman joins us to answer a listener question about oil injection ports on the 503 Rotax. We spend some time reviewing installation concerns when using a two stroke oil injection system. 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 Yahoo Instant Messenger to UFRadio. Part #45..Pros & Cons of Oil Injection (1/31/06)

Jim Sweeney, USUA and NAPPF Board Member
Jim Sweeney visits with us about Aeromedical Factors. We talk about things having to do with the body and oxygen while flying. We'll learn about terms like hypoxia, hyperventilation, and carbon monoxide poisoning. This is the kind of stuff that keeps you safe. SweeneyCorp, USUA, NAPPF (Part 1) (1/31/06)

January 24, 2006

Edsel Ford, FAA Light Sport Aviation Branch
Edsel Ford talks to us about how you can transition your heavy ultralight or ultralight trainer into an Experimental-Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) certification. He talks about common aircraft owner questions, who to see to get the certification done, and the things that need to be done before the appointment with a designated airworthiness representative (DAR) is made. Light Sport Aviation Branch (Part 1) (1/24/06)

Eric Tucker, Rotax Owners Association
Eric Tucker is in the US and conducting a Rotax maintenance class for Mike Stratman at California Power Systems. He visits with us before the class starts about some of the ASTM standards for Special Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA). Eric is Vice-Chairman of the ASTM committee overseeing all of the S-LSA standards, so he sees a lot of what is going on. Rotax Owners Association (1/24/06)

Mike Loehle, Loehle Aircraft
Mike Loehle is back from a seminar where he was able to see some of the future of painting and pigments. He talks to us about some of the changes that he sees in the future for aircraft paints. We also chat about some of the interesting about projects he's gotten involved in with Loehle Aero Coatings. Loehle Aircraft Corporation (1/24/06)

Robert Gaither, Higher Class Aviation
We visit with Robert Gaither of Higher Class Aviation. He is now building the Hornet sport airplane. Robert talks about the Hornet, how it is doing and where it is in the LSA process. Robert is also now a dealer for the Tecnam light sport aircraft and he tells us about that line of airplanes. Higher Class Aviation (1/24/06)

Dawne Fay, First Flight Insurance Group
Dawn Fay represents one of the precious few companies that will insure ultralight type aircraft. She tells us about the products available for aircraft owners and flight training operations. It is surprising how flexible the definition of "ultralight" can be. First Flight specializes in leisure insurance products. First Flight insures the United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA), the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), and provides coverage for members of the Professional Air Sports Association (PASA), and the United States Ultralight Association (USUA). First Flight Insurance Group (1/24/06)

January 17, 2006

Dan Johnson, ByDanJohnson.com
Dan Johnson joins us for the first time as the new Chairman of the Light Aircraft Manufacturing Association (LAMA) Board of Directors. He does a review of the Sebring Light Sport Aviation Expo and talks about the plans for the sport pilot tour in 2006. ByDanJohnson.com (1/17/06)

Michael Coates, XCOM Avionics
While visiting the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo last weekend, I got the chance to meet Michael Coates from XCOM Avionics. XCOM builds a small and powerful dash mounted aviation radio combined with an intercom. Michael tells us all about the radio's many features. XCOM Avionics (1/17/06)

Patrick Yonkin, UltraFlight Magazine
It has been a year since Patrick Yonkin became the editor of UltraFlight Magazine. We catch up with him between flying events to get his take on the sport, the industry, and the people in it. UltraFlight Magazine (1/17/06)

Ronnie Smith, South Mississippi Light Aircraft
We talk to Ronnie Smith about the Rotax 2-stroke electrical system. He tells us about how to do a basic diagnosis of electrical problems that may occur. Ronnie can also answer your four stroke and two stroke ultralight aircraft engine questions. Do you have any engine 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. South Mississippi Light Aircraft (1/17/06)

Dan Defelici, Sport Aircraft Works
Dan Defelici joins us to talk about a Notice for Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that will permit the Czech Aircraft Works to be issued a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category for the Mermaid aircraft. This is significant because the Mermaid aircraft is an amphibious aircraft equipped with landing gear that can be retracted and extended while in flight. This has been a problem with the Light Sport Aircraft rules because of the language pertaining to amphibs. This NPRM has a very short fuse since the comment period ends on January 24, 2006. This is a chance for the sport aviation community to come together to help change the rules for the better. Sport Aircraft Works (1/17/06)

Don Howard, Powered Parachute Pilot
Don Howard is getting ready for a powered parachute fly-in at the Big Bend National Park in Texas. Don talks about the event, the location, how folks are making pilots welcome, and why you should pack up your equipment and head south to southwest Texas for some warm weather flying fun. Big Bend River 2006 (1/17/06)

January 10, 2006

Tim Fiedler, Light Sport Aviation, LLC
Light Sport Aviation, LLC in Beloit, Wisconsin has become the midwest home for the Sportstar. Tim Fiedler joins us to talk about the combination of training programs and support that he is putting together to support the Sportstar. And of course we talk about the airplane itself. Light Sport Aviation, LLC (1/10/06)

Shawn Okun, Float Planes And Amphibs
With the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo coming up this weekend, we talk with Shawn Okun who is based at the Sebring Airport. We talk about some of the aircraft he is looking forward to showing off at the show. Shawn also announces an agreement to start producing the Predator powered parachute. Float Planes & Amphibs (1/10/06)

Kevin Kochersberger, Ph.D., Rochester Institute of Technology
Dr. Kochersberger, a Rochester Institute of Technology professor, has put together the first course for powered parachute owners to become certified to perform their own annual inspections on Experimental Light Sport Aircraft. He talks about how the first class went and what powered parachute owners took home from the process. He also talks about his upcoming course for fixed-wing E-LSA owners. (1/10/06)

Bever Borne, Air-Tech, Inc.
Bever Borne goes over what should be an important project for those of you not flying this winter, but wanting to keep your airplane in good shape. We talk about the Dacron fabric that many use for wings. We talk about what can damage the fabric, how to check for that damage, and how to go about fixing a problem should you find one. Bever 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. Air-Tech, Inc (1/10/06)

Jim Sweeney, USUA and NAPPF Board Member
Jim Sweeney talks about the different types of aircraft certifications and how they all fit together. This really helps to show where Special Light Sport Aircraft and Experimental Light Sport Aircraft fit into the big picture. Check out the Special Airworthiness page we set up to help explain some of the details. SweeneyCorp, USUA, NAPPF (Part 1) (1/10/06)

January 3, 2006

Rick Pellicciotti, Belle Aire Aviation
LightSportFlying.com announced that they have signed an agreement with Mountain Air Accelerated Flight Training to provide a leased Aerostar Festival R40S Light Sport Aircraft to Mountain Air for use in their Sport Pilot training program. Mountain Air will operate the aircraft at their Orlando, Florida facility. Rick Pellicciotti joins us to talk about the Aerostar Festival and why it makes a great trainer. Belle Aire Aviation(1/3/06)

Larry Burke, Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association
Larry Burke, Founder and President of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, with the approval of the LAMA Board of Directors, has appointed two Board Directors, Dan Johnson as Board Chairman and Tom Gunnarson as President of LAMA. Larry joins us to talk about the purpose and history of LAMA and to give us an idea of what to look forward to in the future. Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association(1/3/06)

Jim Sweeney, USUA and NAPPF Board Member
Jim joins us to talk about low level ultralight flying and how to find and avoid obstacles that can ruin a flying day. Many towers and high terrain points can be found on your sectional. Jim shows us how to look for those points of interest. To follow along, you may want to visit a page we have set up with a piece of sectional that we will use to show you how to keep Avoiding Obstacles. SweeneyCorp, USUA, NAPPF(1/3/06)

Mike Stratman, California Power Systems
Mike Stratman joins us to answer listener questions on setting idles on engines and maintaining the rubber carburetor mounting sockets. He also talks about upcoming Rotax maintenance classes and a new engine installation DVD. 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(1/3/06)

Bud Gish, Bud's Ultralights
We received an E-mail a couple of weeks ago from someone wanting information on how to fly powered parachutes off of snow. Bud Gish from Alaska knows all about both snow and powered parachutes and he joins us to talk about how to best enjoy both together. Buds Ultralights(1/3/06)

Robert Wood, U.S. Sport Aviation Expo
Bob Wood joins us to talk about the rescheduled and upcoming Sport Aviation Expo on January 12-15, 2006. The event that was to be the 2005 season closer is now the 2006 season opener offering exhibits that will highlight aircraft operating under the LSA rule. This includes fixed wing, trikes, powered parachutes and gyroplanes in addition to electronics and other aircraft related products. U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2005(1/3/06)