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/271000
6 Vol.3 No.3 / March 2014 NEWS FROM HQ SENIOR EAA AND FAA of cials discussed important issues at the 10th annual Recreational Aviation Summit held in Oshkosh on January 28 to 29. The session brought more than a dozen top FAA directors and managers to Oshkosh, the only time during the year that the agency sends such a group to a specifi c aviation organi- zation's headquarters for in-depth discussions on major GA topics. FAA of cials from aircraft certifi cation, fl ight standards, accident prevention, the small airplane directorate, and other areas were represented. EAA Chairman Jack Pelton led the EAA team, which included senior leaders and representatives from all interest communities within the organization. "These two days are very important for EAA members because it allows us to have the FAA management and policy teams get away from Washington and focus directly on the issues that are most important to our members," said Sean El- liott, EAA's vice president of Advocacy and Safety. "One impres- sive highlight was how open the FAA team was to emerging technology for creating opportunities and for that to be imple- mented across various segments of general aviation." Among the issues discussed during the summit's two days were: • allowing electric propulsion for ultralights and light-sport aircraft and clearing regulatory hurdles that prevent today's electric motor technology from emerging • current confl icts in regulations that limit the availability to provide fl ight training for ultralights and other low-mass, high-drag aircraft, so those areas of aviation can become more vibrant and safe • an option for use of an additional qualifi ed pilot during homebuilt fl ight testing, which would add an additional opportunity to enhance safety and best practices in those initial fl ying hours • incompatibility issues for automatic dependent surveil- lance-broadcast (ADS-B) and NextGen technology, where pilots are spending signifi cant dollars for future mandated equipment but cannot be sure that it is supplying the correct data • Warbird operating limitations that potentially hinder how warbird owners can use their aircraft or add signifi cant cost and complexity to their maintenance and operation. "These were just a few of the items discussed in detail with the FAA team," Elliott said. "More importantly, the winter sum- mit also gives a detailed action plan that allows us to follow up with the FAA in the coming weeks and months to ensure that these important items don't fall through the cracks." EAA of cials also again expressed the urgency of improv- ing the medical certifi cation system, as presented by EAA and AOPA nearly two years ago as an exemption request, and more recently in Congress as legislation that would eliminate the need for a third-class medical for many recreational aviation ac- tivities. While the exemption request is being reviewed, the FAA has asked EAA and its members to help compile data as part of an ongoing safety measurement and enhancement ef ort. EAA, FAA Review Full Agenda at Summit WOMENVENTURE WILL be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. Organized annually during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the day celebrates women's contributions to the aviation industry and hopes to inspire and encourage more women to get involved in aviation. Events during the day will include the annual Women in Aviation Connect Breakfast and group photo on the West Ramp Plaza. T-shirts will again be distributed to all women participating in aviation, either as a vocation or for recreation, to wear during the annual photo at 11 a.m. on West Ramp Plaza. After the photo, participants are invited to M&M;'s Theater in the Woods for the second annual WomenVenture Power Lunch to enjoy dynamic speakers and addi- tional networking. To learn more about the activities planned and to register for the Power Lunch, visit www.AirVenture.org/WomenVenture . WomenVenture 2014 E A A E X P _ M a r 1 4 . i n d d 6 EAAEXP_Mar14.indd 6 3 / 3 / 1 4 1 0 : 2 9 A M 3/3/14 10:29 AM