Tag Archives: homebuilt

AMATEUR-BUILT FATAL ACCIDENT TOTAL DROPS AGAIN

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EXPERIMENTAL, AMATEUR-BUILT FATAL ACCIDENT TOTAL DROPS AGAIN, BELOW FAA NOT-TO-EXCEED GOAL

Fatal accident – Continues decade-long improvement in safety

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (November 17, 2020) — Safety totals for experimental amateur-built aircraft continued the decade-long improvement trend in 2020, as fatal accident totals finished below the Federal Aviation Administration not-to-exceed number for the 12 months ending September 30, 2020.

Over the 12-month period from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020, which mirrors that federal government fiscal year, total fatal accidents in experimental aircraft dropped more than 15 percent from the previous year, to 44 total fatal accidents including 32 in amateur-built aircraft – an 18 percent drop. The 44 fatal accidents were eight percent below the FAA’s not-to-exceed number of 48 for Fiscal Year 2020.

“This is outstanding news as far as the continuing trend of lower accident totals in experimental category and amateur-built aircraft, especially as total flight hours increased over the past 12 months,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “The FAA continues to challenge our community by lowering the not-to-exceed number each year and we have met that challenge over the past decade, as we have seen fatal accident totals drop by nearly 40 percent for both experimental and amateur-built aircraft over the past decade.”

As a comparison, experimental category fatal accidents totaled 73 for the yearlong period ending on September 30, 2011, with 51 of those in amateur-built aircraft. Along with the amateur-built subcategory, the FAA’s experimental category includes other aircraft groups such as experimental/exhibition, experimental/light-sport aircraft, and research-and-development aircraft, among others.

The drop in experimental category accidents mirrors and, in some cases, exceeds the decline in overall general aviation fatal accidents over the past decade. Elliott noted that the overall fatal accident numbers for experimental category aircraft remain much lower than other recreational pursuits, such as boating and driving all-terrain vehicles.

EAA has worked closely with the FAA and NTSB on recommendations to reduce fatal accidents, including through participation in the FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee. Efforts have also included thousands of copies of the EAA Flight Test Manual now in the hands of amateur-built aircraft owners and the increasing use of an additional safety pilot during initial flight testing in amateur-built aircraft. Other safety initiatives ranging from regular safety webinars and the annual Founders Innovations Prize have also put the spotlight on safety for experimental category aircraft.

“While we are seeing already very small numbers, the continual emphasis on safety for all of us can never be overstated,” Elliott said. “This is a trend that must continue as we pursue ever-higher levels of safety. We must focus on training, safety enhancements, and good pilot skills to complement the ever-improving technology in today’s aircraft cockpits.”

AIRCRAFT ANNIVERSARIES AT EAA

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AIRCRAFT ANNIVERSARIES AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2020 COVER A CENTURY OF FLIGHT

Aircraft commemorations at Oshkosh include wide spectrum of aircraft

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (April 8, 2020) — Aircraft across the entire spectrum of personal flight will be gathering this summer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to celebrate anniversaries of some of the most remarkable airplanes of the past century. The annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is scheduled for July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The aircraft anniversary commemorations include airplanes that are part of EAA’s homebuilt community, as well as vintage airplanes, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, and more. Programs vary depending on the aircraft group, but at times include everything from special presentations to group parking along the AirVenture flightline.

“As we continue to plan for AirVenture this summer, one of the most remarkable events each year at Oshkosh is the gathering of aircraft arriving to celebrate historic anniversaries of specific aircraft models,” said EAA vice president Rick Larsen, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Sometimes those anniversaries include more than 100 airplanes while others may be an unmatched reunion of the few surviving examples of a particular type. However large or small the assembly, these moments again show how Oshkosh truly is the place for aviation’s annual family reunion.”

Among the aircraft already committed for anniversary reunions at AirVenture 2020 are:

  • 100 years: Stinson Aircraft Company
  • 85 years: Taylorcraft
  • 75 years: Aeronca Chief, Cessna 120 and 140, Pitts Special
  • 70 years: Cessna L-19 Birddog
  • 50 years: Skybolt and Bakeng Deuce, as well as the International Aerobatic Club (IAC)
  • 45 years: American Aerolights Eagle
  • 40 years: Kolb Aircraft
  • 25 years: Van’s RV-8 and AirCam

Additional anniversaries at Oshkosh will be announced as they are finalized by owner groups and type clubs.

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 the lowest prices on admission rates and all those age 18 and under are admitted free. 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.

Airshow season is starting!

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Airshow Season – Sun N Fun and AirVenture

airshow season

Airshow season is my a favorite time of year.  I use Sun N Fun as my kick off show usually. It is like they say, the “Spring break for pilots”.  And i usually write about attending events like Sun N Fun and AirVenture for the Cessna Owners and Piper Owners Magazines.  So if you want more details join those two groups and you can get access to the articles.  I have also put up a short video here about Airshows.

Anyway, I usually see four major issues which I have noted below (which were in the Cessna and Piper article!  These are my opinion only, that I have formed from years of attending airshows and insurance.

Airshow-itus – Getting all excited and making high performance take offs and landing or a fly-by that end up in a mishap. There is something about being at an airshow or a fly-in that gets to a pilot and make them want to impress others. I do believe that being a pilot is a great achievement. Its also a great experience and it is also a huge ego boost. But remember the line from Top Gun, “Your egos writing checks your body can’t cash”, its amazing how many people try to “cash” at an airshow.

Volunteerisms – most events, shows, fly-ins are manned by volunteers.  Volunteers make the shows go around. And they are trying to do their best even if they don’t quite no what they are doing. But watch out when they are directing you to park, you are still the pilot and need to have the final decision. Many a pilot has followed the direction of the vested flag bearing volunteer and needed up with a collapsed nose gear or prop strike.  They directed, you pay.

Weather – is one of those things that change and at a show like Sun N Fun it can be nice this morning and storming this afternoon, just like AirVenture. Be prepared for weather changes. That includes tie downs and control locks. And if you are tenting… well, maybe you can sleep in the plane?

General population – The regulars, the muggles, whatever people call the “non-pilots”.  I know that kind of sounds bad.  But one thing about big airshows, especially if the show has a military team (Blue Angles, Thunderbird’s etc.)  they draw big crowds. And not all those people are pilots or owners. Many are just aviation enthusiast that like watching “Top Gun” movies and dog fighting on their simulators. That’s okay, a show needs to make money and pilots are small numbers compared to the general public.  What that does mean is a lot of the attendees are people that do not know about airplanes and what’s acceptable behavior around aircraft.  So watch out for people walking into props, bumping heads on flaps or putting kids on wings. Be alert to those around you!

I also put together a few Airshow season tips that I have heard from customers, friends and my own experiences.

  1. Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly (but you can always buy stuff if needed)
  2. Look at the events website and see what’s happened in past years and talk to past attendees about what to expect
  3. Make sure you have tie downs appropriate for the event and the size of your aircraft
  4. Check your aviation insurance and make sure it has the appropriate coverage use of your plane at the event. If you need additional insureds and a Certificate of Insurance start early. Don’t wait until the last minute and not get a chance to display your airplane
  5. Know the navigation, TFR’s and of course the arrival and departure procedures
  6. Need a rental car? Reserve ahead.
  7. Make sure you have more than one credit card and extra cash. One thing about airshows, they always cost money. One of the first things in my pre-flight is checking my wallet for credit cards and licenses.
  8. If you plan on shopping for aircraft supplies for the year, make sure your weight and balance will handle the return trip. But, don’t worry, you can always send your passengers home on the airlines if needed.

Don’t forget to look me up at Sun N Fun

sunnfun

And AirVenture