minnesota - Midwest Flyer

EAA AIRVENTURE - OSHKOSH
customer on December 12, 2006.
“Subsequently, we delivered 35 aircraft
to customers who had ordered
them at precertification prices, under
$1,000,000,” said McConnell. “After
those orders are filled, the price will
go to $1.52 million. We already have
orders for 2,700 aircraft.”
Part 135 operators found several
aircraft at Oshkosh to fill their needs,
specifically the Kodiak turboprop
heavy hauler made in Sandpoint,
Idaho. The Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34
jet engine develops 750 hp at takeoff,
allows the Kodiak to cruise at 190
kts, carries a useful load of 3,350 lbs,
and seats 10. Just certified prior to
Oshkosh 2007, Kodiak would like to
sell you their utility aircraft for
$1.295 million.
Although the kerosene burning jet
engine and internal combustion gasoline
engines are still the mainstay of
the general aviation fleet, other
sources of fuel and power are beginning
to show up and the EAA’s showcase
is the logical place to show
them. During the air show on July 23,
it was announced that a number of
aerobatic performers were using
ethanol to run their recip engines.
And Jeremy Monnett, CEO of Sonex
Aircraft, showed up on July 24 with
an electric powered light aircraft. The
E-Flight Initiative, proof-of-concept
aircraft, resembles company founder,
John Monnett’s other compact
designs. The electric motor is a threephase,
270 volt, 200 amp unit using
computer machined anodized aluminum
and nickel plated steel parts,
weighs 50 lbs, and can power the aircraft
up to 135 mph. The eight lithium
polymer batteries are the same ones
used by hybrid automobiles. Flying
time is up to an hour before a
recharge is needed.
The U.S. Air Force is celebrating
its 60 th anniversary in 2007, so they
sent two F22 Raptors to dust up
Wittman Field, plus a C-5A Galaxy
transport, and flybys by a B1 and B2
bomber.
There were plenty of vintage warbirds
at the convention, including a
B-24 Liberator, a jewel-like
Grumman F8F carrier based twinengine
“Tigercat,” a Curtiss SB2C
“Helldiver,” which I have never seen
at Oshkosh before, dozens of T-34
Mentors, T-28 Trojans, and probably a
third of the North American P-51
Mustangs still flying.
“Glacier Girl,” the Lockheed P-38
recovered from a glacier in
Greenland, and restored to better than
new, made a return trip. A U-2 spy
plane from the Cold War era also
made an appearance. Also seen
among the warbirds were mediumrange
bombers from WWII: B-25
Mitchells, a Douglas A-26 “Invader,”
and a Viet Nam era “Caribou” transport
used to carry airborne troops.
High-Tech Devices Are Available
To General Aviation
Ironically, as the number of certificated
pilots in the United States diminished
from the 1980s to the 21 st century,
the technology for safer flight has
become more sophisticated. A case in
point would be the U.S. Civil Air
Patrol, an auxiliary wing of the USAF
and their newly acquired 16 GA-8
Airvans. Looking like a small version
of the Cessna Caravan, the GA-18 is
built in Australia, but 95% of the parts
are made in the U.S. The aircraft can
be equipped with an FLIR system
which allows CAP, which besides
search and rescue, has a new mission
with Homeland Security to observe
ground activity at night or daytime
with infrared detectors on board. This
equipment can literally see in the dark
or through heavy snow or dust, as well
as detect any heat source such as people
or machines.
Pocket Rocket
Attempts have been made in the
past to design and market a small personal
jet for the pilot interested in
Attention Pilots: Know your rights when talking
to the FAA. Don’t put your certificates in danger!
Joe Vacek, P.L.L.C.
Precise Legal Advice For The Aerospace Industry
Practice areas: Certificate Action Defense, Owner/Operator Regulations, FBOs,
Builders/Manufacturers, Purchasing, Leasing & Insurance,
Flying Clubs, Fractionals, Charter & Scheduled Operations.
612.205.0244 fax 612.823.4777 joevacek@gmail.com
1422 W. Lake St. Suite 216 Minneapolis, MN 55408
www.aerospaceadvisor.com
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 13