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/149316
N e w s Fr o m H Q AirVenture 2013 in the Record Books On Sunday, August 4, EAA Chairman Jack Pelton wrapped a successful EAA AirVenture Oshkosh week, offering the following observations: "First, it was a safe AirVenture, which is always our top priority, plus we were blessed with a week of nearly perfect weather. We also met a number of other objectives this year, including reconnecting with our volunteers and members on the grounds, upgrading the food concessions and options, and providing more value and activities throughout the day for attendees. We also had a tremendous amount of aviation innovation brought to Oshkosh." Attendance: Very comparable to 2012 with more than 500,000 in total estimated attendance. Pelton said, "We overcame some big challenges this year, including a lack of current military aircraft participation, to produce an outstanding event. Attractions such as Jetman, the Terrafugia flying car, and the screening of Disney's Planes, which drew a record 15,000 people to the Fly-In Theater, were the most visible draws this year. But people come to Oshkosh for their own individual reasons, and there was a nearly unlimited supply of unique experiences throughout the grounds. We also received reports that many exhibitors had record sales, showing renewed optimism and enthusiasm in the aviation community." Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east central Wisconsin. Total showplanes: 2,341—including 867 homebuilt aircraft, 858 vintage airplanes, 343 warbirds, 130 ultralights, 92 seaplanes, 27 aerobatic aircraft, and 24 miscellaneous showplanes. Commercial exhibitors: 821 (record total). International visitors registered: 2,115 visitors registered from 64 nations, with Canada (562 visitors), Australia (257), and South Africa (187) the top three nations. Media: 914 media representatives onsite from five continents. Looking ahead to 2014, Pelton said, "There are some big aviation anniversaries next year, including the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I and the 75th anniversary of the jet engine. In addition, volunteers will build an airplane in seven days with the 'One-Week Wonder' project in which attendees can participate. And, of course, there will be plenty of additions for activities that can happen only at Oshkosh." Lowell Farrand Earns Tony Bingelis Award Lowell Farrand, EAA 35370, of Ligonier, Indiana, was named the 2013 recipient of EAA's Tony Bingelis Award, recognizing his involvement in the homebuilt aviation community. He was honored on August 1 during the Homebuilders Dinner at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Farrand was a part of the original EAA designee program in the 1960s, working alongside of EAA Founder Paul Poberezny and author Tony Bingelis. He specializes in homebuilt aircraft and is a safety advocate and innovator for aviation. In addition to helping others ensure safety in building and flying, he has achieved major accomplishments in the aviation community, including co-designing and piloting the first powered parachute in the United States and building and demonstrating some of the first 8 Vol.2 No.8 /August 2013 gyroplanes in the country. And he has served as an FAA designated airworthiness representative since 2004. Farrand is a founding chapter member and the Young Eagles coordinator of EAA Chapter 132 of Elkhart, Indiana, which since its inception has been known as "the builders unit." He previously received the "Man and Machine" prize from EAA in 1972 for his efforts at Oshkosh. The Tony Bingelis Award was created in 2002 to recognize a member from the aviation community who has contributed to homebuilt projects and safety promotion while maintaining EAA values. The award honors the late Tony Bingelis, who was noted as a homebuilding authority and EAA Sport Aviation columnist. Photography by Brady Lane