Category Archives: flying

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017 NOTAM NOW AVAILABLE FOR PILOTS FLYING TO OSHKOSH

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Scott Smith

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017 NOTAM NOW AVAILABLE FOR PILOTS FLYING TO OSHKOSH

Oshkosh air traffic procedures are required reading for all aviators flying to AirVenture

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (March 31, 2017) — The Federal Aviation Administration has released the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), featuring arrival and departure procedures for EAA’s 65th annual fly-in convention July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. 

The NOTAM, which is in effect from 6 a.m. CDT on Friday, July 21, until noon CDT on July 31, outlines procedures for the many types of aircraft that fly to Oshkosh for the event, as well as aircraft that land at nearby airports.

The NOTAM was designed by the FAA to assist pilots in their EAA AirVenture flight planning. This year’s NOTAM cover features a photo of a B-25 bomber parked at Oshkosh during the fly-in.

While the overall procedure is similar to past years, there are some changes compared to the 2016 version. Some of those changes include:

·         TFRs expected on 10-11 a.m. CDT Friday, July 28, and during the afternoon air shows on Monday-Sunday, July 24-30

·         Military area changes in central Wisconsin

·         Oshkosh Taxiway Bravo designators changed

·         Aircraft camping allowed at Appleton

·         IFR arrival and departure routings

·         Airports added to IFR Special Traffic Management Program

Pilots can download a digital version of the NOTAM at www.EAA.org/NOTAM, or order a free printed copy via that website or by calling EAA Membership Services at 800-564-6322.

To further assist pilots flying to Oshkosh this year, EAA volunteer NOTAM chairman Fred Stadler is hosting a June 14 webinar that will highlight special tips and other aspects of the NOTAM fly-in procedures. Register at the EAA website at EAA.org/webinars. In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board has published an informative safety bulletinabout arriving to a major fly-in event.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA. 

Quick winter reminder – DON’T LEAVE YOUR AIRCRAFT!

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Scott Smith

You might have read this here or in one of the magazines I write for already, but i feel it is very important to remind owners to not ignore their aircraft. 

Don’t stop exercising your aircraft…anytime of the year!  Winter is the hardest for the northern states.  But no use is bad anytime.   The worst thing you can do is just let it sit!    The following tips are a few basics to get you started.  Talk to your mechanic for more details and further recommendations.

Most mechanics will tell you the not to let your aircraft sit without running.  If you can’t fly the aircraft at least 30 minutes to an hour a month, at least ground run it.   

But don’t just run it for a couple of minutes and put it away.  You need to run it long enough to bring the oil temperature and cylinder head temperature up to the green arcs.  This will keep the upper part of the engine lubricated and free of moisture and corrosion.  It’s also important to change your oil at least every six months.  Oils can develop acids and other contaminants that are hard on the engine.  Another benefit of running the aircraft is it will allow the gyros to spin up and keep the bearings from pitting.

Fuel systems need special attention.  Make sure that you keep the fuel tanks full!  If there is very little room for air, there will be less moisture and less chance of water in the fuel system.  And for those owners with bladder tanks, it helps to keep the bladders from drying out.

What happens if you have water in your tanks?  Some mechanics rule of thumb is to add about 10 ounces of isopropyl alcohol to every 20 gallons of fuel.    Don’t get carried away with the alcohol.  More is not always better.  Too much alcohol will attack the rubber parts in the fuel system.  Why use isopropyl alcohol?  Methanol only mixes with the water and keeps it from freezing, while isopropyl combines with the water making it light enough to move through and out of the fuel system. 

Another thing you need to do is keep your batteries charged or remove them from the aircraft.  When a battery goes low it can freeze and break.  Not a problem if you live where it stays warm all year.  Of course, a dead battery it is still a problem, wherever you live. 

Many owners forget that the brakes and wheel bearings draw a tremendous amount of moisture.  If you leave an aircraft parked, the lowest most humid location is around the wheels.  If you have a tail wheel aircraft it is especially important to check these areas before flying.  Cleaning and repacking is essential on a regular basis.  The grease or lubrication is the only thing that is going to keep the moisture out of the bearings. 

Other areas that need to be worked and lubricated regularly are radios, doors and controls.  When you think about all the things that might need repaired or replaced because you didn’t “work” your aircraft, it can get pretty expensive.  In fact, it usually ends up costing more than if you just went flying!

Quick winter reminder – DON'T LEAVE YOUR AIRCRAFT!

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Scott Smith

You might have read this here or in one of the magazines I write for already, but i feel it is very important to remind owners to not ignore their aircraft. 

Don’t stop exercising your aircraft…anytime of the year!  Winter is the hardest for the northern states.  But no use is bad anytime.   The worst thing you can do is just let it sit!    The following tips are a few basics to get you started.  Talk to your mechanic for more details and further recommendations.

Most mechanics will tell you the not to let your aircraft sit without running.  If you can’t fly the aircraft at least 30 minutes to an hour a month, at least ground run it.   

But don’t just run it for a couple of minutes and put it away.  You need to run it long enough to bring the oil temperature and cylinder head temperature up to the green arcs.  This will keep the upper part of the engine lubricated and free of moisture and corrosion.  It’s also important to change your oil at least every six months.  Oils can develop acids and other contaminants that are hard on the engine.  Another benefit of running the aircraft is it will allow the gyros to spin up and keep the bearings from pitting.

Fuel systems need special attention.  Make sure that you keep the fuel tanks full!  If there is very little room for air, there will be less moisture and less chance of water in the fuel system.  And for those owners with bladder tanks, it helps to keep the bladders from drying out.

What happens if you have water in your tanks?  Some mechanics rule of thumb is to add about 10 ounces of isopropyl alcohol to every 20 gallons of fuel.    Don’t get carried away with the alcohol.  More is not always better.  Too much alcohol will attack the rubber parts in the fuel system.  Why use isopropyl alcohol?  Methanol only mixes with the water and keeps it from freezing, while isopropyl combines with the water making it light enough to move through and out of the fuel system. 

Another thing you need to do is keep your batteries charged or remove them from the aircraft.  When a battery goes low it can freeze and break.  Not a problem if you live where it stays warm all year.  Of course, a dead battery it is still a problem, wherever you live. 

Many owners forget that the brakes and wheel bearings draw a tremendous amount of moisture.  If you leave an aircraft parked, the lowest most humid location is around the wheels.  If you have a tail wheel aircraft it is especially important to check these areas before flying.  Cleaning and repacking is essential on a regular basis.  The grease or lubrication is the only thing that is going to keep the moisture out of the bearings. 

Other areas that need to be worked and lubricated regularly are radios, doors and controls.  When you think about all the things that might need repaired or replaced because you didn’t “work” your aircraft, it can get pretty expensive.  In fact, it usually ends up costing more than if you just went flying!