Experimenter

July 2013

Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.

Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/142883

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Company to Produce and Distribute Fuel 'Worthy' of Aviation Airworthy AutoGas will produce its ethanol-free, 93 octane, premium unleaded automotive gasoline (roughly equivalent to 87 octane avgas) for aviation use. EAA and Petersen Aviation each hold auto fuel supplemental type certificates (STCs) that allow owners of production airplanes with engines certificated for avgas to safely use auto fuel. According to the company, dramatic increase in the use of ethanol as an emissions-reducing oxygenate, combined with inconsistent volatility characteristics between seasons, regions, and geographies, can make traditional automotive gasoline unsuitable in aircraft and potentially compromise airworthiness, but Airworthy AutoGas claims a patent-pending formulation that exceeds the requirements of ASTM Standard D4814, Lycoming Engines SI-1070 "S" specifications, and the EAA and Petersen Aviation STCs. GAMA-Sponsored High School Students Building Glasair Sportsman Eight high school students who participated in a GAMA/Build A Plane–sponsored aircraft design contest won an all-expense paid trip to the Glasair Aviation factory where the groups will spend two weeks building a pair of Sportsman aircraft in Glasair's Two Weeks to Taxi program. Four of them came from Saline High School in Saline, Michigan, and the other four are from Canby High School in Canby, Minnesota. Glasair technicians will head up the two teams and guide them through the entire construction process. In two weeks both aircraft will be taxied and should be ready for flight, pending a final FAA inspection. The aircraft are expected to log the necessary hours in time to be flown to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. In their brief free time, the students will enjoy trips to the Boeing Museum of Flight and the Boeing Aircraft factories. High-level Boeing executives are expected to visit the students while they are building the aircraft. "GAMA and Build A Plane have made it possible for these students to design an aircraft, fly it in simulation, and then participate in the construction of a real aircraft," said Nigel Mott, president of Glasair Aviation. "They have been exposed to real-world problems and solutions along with knowledge of STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] education that few will ever experience. It's our hope that they'll continue to stay involved with aviation throughout their careers. The Two Weeks to Taxi program will certainly provide a perspective and understanding of aircraft they can't get any other way. It's a wonderful opportunity." The Glasair Sportsman is a metal and composite aircraft that seats four people and can be built as a tricycle gear or taildragger. It can be configured with tundra tires, floats, or skis, and with its folding wings it can be stored in a garage. For more information on the Sportsman, visit www.GlasairAviation.com. Crowdfunding Campaign Launched to Acquire Replacement Aircraft for Operation Migration Pilots with Operation Migration (OM) have been guiding new generations of captive-raised whooping cranes from Wisconsin to Florida since 2001. Cranes are produced at captive breeding centers and begin the imprinting process with costumed caretakers who carry puppets resembling adult whooping cranes. To comply with current FAA regulations, the aircraft used by OM must comply with the special light-sport aircraft category. The planes currently used do not fit within this designation, so OM must replace its three existing aircraft. Donors can give whatever amount they choose and receive a variety of perks ranging from a certificate of appreciation (for a $50 donation) to one's name on the aircraft (for a $1,000 donation). To accomplish this, a crowdfunding campaign has been established in hopes that the public will help to make this acquisition a reality. If you are interested in conserving whooping cranes and helping Operation Migration acquire the new aircraft, please visit http://IGG.me/at/whoop. EAA Experimenter 11

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