June 5, 2008 — Amateur-Built aircraft rules will be in the news at this weekend’s Golden West Regional Fly-In at Marysville, California. Earl Lawrence, EAA vice president of industry and regulatory affairs, hosts a forum to discuss possible changes in the FAA’s administration and enforcement of Amateur-Built rules and the “51% Rule” — the FAA requirement that amateur builders compete “the major portion” of an amateur-built aircraft. He’ll speak at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.

In 2007, the FAA announced its intention to tighten up its treatment of the 51% Rule. FAA officials are concerned that some practices, including some commercial assistance and some quick-build kits, might be stretching the limits of the 51% Rule. The agency has expressed particular concern that some high-performance, pressurized, and composite kits cannot be built without substantial commercial assistance.

The FAA has repeatedly stated its commitment to preserve the Amateur-Built Category. Last fall, EAA represented amateur builders and the amateur-built industry on an advisory committee on the 51% Rule and continues to advocate for the amateur-builder community. At April’s Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In, the agency announced that it has adopted one of EAA’s key recommendations—that any kit already evaluated and approved under the Amateur-Built rules will be “grandfathered” under any new FAA policy.

The FAA’s proposed new policy is expected be issued prior to AirVenture 2008, where EAA will lead a number of public forums on the issue. Members of the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council (HAC) and FAA officials will also participate in those forums.

There will be a public comment period before the new policy is finalized and EAA will provide a detailed analysis of the proposal, at AirVenture and through its website and publications. EAA members are encouraged to comment on the proposed policies when they are made available.

For the complete story, so far, on possible changes ahead for amateur builders, visit EAA’s Government Advocacy website, www.eaa.org/govt/.

LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT MALL IS SHOWCASE FOR RECREATIONAL AVIATION AT EAA AIRVENTURE 2007

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (June 14, 2007) - For one week, the world of light sport aircraft (LSA) is on display as enthusiasts browse the latest models in recreational aircraft at the very popular LSA Mall during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh from July 23-29.

Located just south of AeroShell Square, EAA’s LSA Mall introduces current and prospective pilots to economical personal flight with a wide variety of new, low-cost, light sport aircraft including categories of factory-built, amateur-built and experimental.

The LSA Mall has been a favorite of AirVenture guests since the emergence of the sport pilot rule in 2004. After considerable efforts headed by the EAA, the sport pilot rule was established by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA). The sport pilot movement has helped enthusiasts learn to fly and gain access to aircraft for half the cost and in half the time of previous alternatives.

Sport pilot information is also available at EAA Member Village, on the west edge of AeroShell Square. A team of EAA sport pilot experts and aviation literature will be on hand to provide AirVenture guests guidance and answers to their questions about personal flight. In the Learn to Fly Center at Member Village, EAA members have the opportunity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to obtain, at no cost, an EAA student sport pilot certificate, which is required by the FAA for the solo-flight training phase.

EAA is dedicated to enhancing it members’ participation in and enjoyment of recreational flight. For more information about the LSA Mall, sport aviation or new developments, please visit www.sportpilot.org.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. 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. EAA AirVenture information is also available through the World Wide Web at www.airventure.org.

The following press release was issued by the EAA:Â

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (March 9, 2007) - Three major airlines are offering special air fare discounts for EAA members and other aviation enthusiasts planning to attend EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2007. Â The 55th annual edition of The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration will be held July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

EAA AirVenture discounts are available from the following airlines (be sure to refer to the proper file number when requesting the discounts):

  • American (800-433-1790 or www.aa.com). 5 percent off published fares during travel 7/7-8/5 from all American Airlines service markets in U.S. Â Arrival cities Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison, Minneapolis and Chicago. Â File A4877AL. Â For reservations from outside the U.S. and Canada, go to aagmt.internet@aa.com.
  • Midwest (800-452-2022 or www.midwestairlines.com). Â 8 percent off published fares; 60 days in advance is 12 percent off during travel 7/15-8/9 from all Midwest service markets in the U.S. Â Good for all Midwest arrival cities in Wisconsin and Minneapolis, Minn. Â File CMZ1555 (online users should enter the file number in the Promo Box).

  • Northwest (800-328-1111 or www.nwa.com). 5 percent off published fares; 30 days in advance is 7 percent off during travel 7/8-8/16 from all Northwest origination points in U.S. and Canada. Â Arrival cities Appleton, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago (O’Hare and Midway). Â File NYU5F.

The discounted fares are available courtesy of the participating airlines and are subject to individual airline restrictions. Other discount air fares may also be available. Â Contact the individual airline or your travel agent for the best savings.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. Â For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or www.eaa.org. Â EAA AirVenture information is also available through the World Wide Web at www.airventure.org.

EAA AirVenture 2007Heading to AirVenture 2007 in Oshkosh? It’s a good idea to start planning your accommodations now. While many great options for places to stay exist, the town of about 60,000 people is set to welcome more than 600,000 visitors over the July 23 - 29 event so places close to the airfield will definitely fill up fast. Not to fear though — Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman, says “nearly 40 years of event history in Oshkosh has allowed EAA to build a widespread housing network, with nearly every type and price range available.”

One great service for AirVenture visitors is the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau’s EAA Housing Hotline. The Hotline keeps updates on housing availability off the AirVenture grounds. That service, free to AirVenture visitors, is available Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Central Time) at (920) 235-3007 or 24 hours a day at www.oshkoshcvb.org or www.airventure.org.

Popular accommodation options include AirVenture camping, college dormitories, private housing, and hotels/motels. There are also private campgrounds, bed & breakfast facilities, and other private firms offering housing options during AirVenture 2007. The best place to find information about housing and the event itself is the official AirVenture site at www.airventure.org.

Are you going to AirVenture this year? Let’s get the discussion going. We’ll see you there in July!

An overview of the Dova DV1 Skylark light sport airplane by Eric Dellenbach of Sportplanes.com. Recorded live at the EAA Sport Pilot Tour event at Brown Field in San Diego, California on December 9, 2006.

WPvideo 1.10

EAASportPilotTour-BrownField-20061209- - 40.jpg The EAA’s Sport Pilot Tour stopped at Brown Field in San Diego today, December 9, 2006. Over 15 Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) classified planes were on the “on the ramp” as speaker and LAMA Chairman Dan Johnson mentioned.

Photos from the event are available by clicking here.

The day began with an introductory presentation by EAA Field Relations Manager, Ron Wagner. That was followed by a overview of the aircraft on display by noted aviation author Dan Johnson. I’ve read Dan’s work and it was nice to see him in person. Following Dan Johnson was a brief discussion of the FAA’s Wings Safety Program by Fred Cristlieb.

EAASportPilotTour-BrownField-20061209- - 32.jpg I got to sit in quite a few Light Sport Aircraft from manufactures like Dova, SportAir USA, and Remos. I spoke at length with the folks at OC Sport Planes and am considering their facility in Fullerton, CA as the place to begin my Sport Pilot Certification.

We shot a lot of video at the event as well and will be posting some clips soon.

Even though I haven’t been up in the air in a Light Sport Aircraft yet, I’m getting the itch to attend the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2007. The event takes place January 11-14, 2007 at Sebring Regional Airport in Florida, which looks to be a couple hours east of Tampa and about 3 hours northwest of Miami (if Google Maps are accurate).

I may be getting ahead of myself, since I’m heading to the EAA Tour Stop in San Diego tomorrow, Dec. 9, but I’ve definitely got the flying bug. I should have a bunch of photos and videos from that event real soon.

So, my question to all the Sport Pilots out there is — what should I do to get started in the world of LSA? Leave a comment and let me know!