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/90184
Frank Christensen to Speak at EAA Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet EAA cordially invites aviators to Oshkosh on December 14 to wel- come Frank Christensen, innova- tive pioneer in the homebuilt kit movement, as keynote speaker at the annual Wright Brothers Memo- rial Banquet. In 1978, Christensen, EAA Lifetime 36663/IAC 90, unveiled his Chris- ten Eagle II, the first complete kit aircraft that revolutionized the homebuilt movement. His approach made the hands-on challenge of building an airplane an easier, logi- cal, and achievable project for the nonskilled builder. Regardless of experience or skill level, one could take on a Christen Eagle build proj- ect and be successful. Christensen's prototype Christen Eagle II, which he donated to the EAA AirVenture Museum in 2011, is the centerpiece of a new ex- hibit under construction that will be dedicated during the reception at the banquet. Funded by EAA Lifetime members Lewis Shaw and John Dunham (who himself New Data Credits EAA With Helping Increase E-AB Safety AOPA's annual Nall Report on GA safety, released in early October, had encouraging news for the homebuilt community. The 52-page report contains comprehen- sive statistics on accidents in all facets of GA during calendar year 2010, the most recent year for which there is sufficient data. EAA was credited for its role in increasing amateur- built aircraft safety with its many educational initia- tives in recent years. The report found a 28-percent re- duction in the experimental amateur-built (E-AB) fatal accident rate over 2009, and a 9-percent drop in the overall E-AB accident rate over that period. The raw number of E-AB and experimental light-sport aircraft (E-LSA) fatal accidents was down by one-third, making 2010 the safest year for the two categories since 2004 (also the year that the light-sport rule was introduced). E-ABs and E-LSA continue to account for a dispro- portionate percentage of the noncommercial ac- cidents versus the amount of hours flown by the segment, although this is in part due to the uneven distribution of aircraft uses across the GA fleet. For example, the vast majority of flight training—statisti- cally among the safest of GA activities—occurs in type-certificated aircraft. The per-hour accident rate is also a difficult statistic to compare across the GA spectrum. For example, an E-AB or E-LSA pilot flying for recreation might be expected to make more "short hops" than a pilot flying a type-certificated aircraft for personal transportation. An hour of "short hops" contains more time in higher- risk phases of flight such as takeoff, approach, and landing than an hour of cross-country flying. According to the data, a higher proportion of accidents is caused by mechanical failure in the E-AB and E-LSA seg- ments as compared to the overall GA fl eet. As EAA has previously stated, a signifi cant percentage of these E-AB accidents occur in the fi rst several hours of fl ight testing. "EAA continues to develop new and innovative safety programs to help amateur-built aircraft builders and avia- tors," said Tom Charpentier, EAA government advocacy specialist. "Aided by the expert guidance of the EAA Homebuilders Advisory Council, we have been continu- ously adding to and improving our existing safety curricu- lum including the Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor programs, webinars, SportAir Workshops, and AirVenture forums. Safety education is a key component of EAA, and we strive to improve both ground and fl ight safety of the experimental community." EAA EXPERIMENTER 9 built a Christen Eagle), the new exhibit will allow museum visitors to understand, appreciate, and be inspired by the kit approach to building an aircraft. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot by calling 800-236-1025, or via the link at www.SportAviation.com. Tickets are $55 each for EAA mem- bers or $65 for nonmembers and include the reception and exhibit dedication, full-service dinner, and evening program. We look forward to seeing you in Oshkosh!