• EAA's Colorful 2002 'World of Flight'TM Calendar now Available
• Aviation's Great Achievements to be Celebrated at EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2001
• Burt & Dick Rutan to Participate in EAA Airventure 2001 'Aviation Firsts' Activities
  
• Air Fare Discounts for EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2001
• EAA's Safetydata.com Web Site a Valuable Resource for Thousands of Aircraft Builders
• EAA, Van's Aircraft Present Sportair Workshops for RV Aircraft Builders
• EAA Hosts Ultralight Flight Instructor Ground School at Oshkosh on March 17-18
• Richard Johnson Flight Training

The popular World of FlightTM calendar, which showcases some of the world's finest aviation photography, is now available through EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation.

Aviation enthusiasts can enjoy more than a dozen magnificent aircraft in the spectacular World of FlightTM 2002 calendar, which builds on the tradition established by EAA. Previous EAA calendars have won numerous national awards for design and photography.

The 2002 EAA calendar includes large color aircraft images suitable for framing, background and technical information on the featured aircraft, as well as the upcoming dates of EAA AirVentureTM Oshkosh and other major EAA fly-ins. Within the calendars' 12-by-24 inch format are large "day boxes" for writing in appointments and other important events.

The 2002 EAA calendars, the 16th in a series that began in 1987, features work by EAA's world-class aviation photographers and additional photos provided by EAA volunteer photographers.

Each 2002 EAA calendar is $10.99 (plus shipping and handling). They are available through EAA by calling 800-843-3612 or through EAA's World Wide Web site (www.eaa.org). EAA Chapters are invited to order bulk quantities of the calendar, specially personalized with the Chapter's name and other information.

EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation, is an international association with 170,000 members and more than 975 local Chapters. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or explore EAA's World Wide Web site (www.eaa.org).

'Aviation Firsts' the theme of first AirVenture of the new millennium

The history of flight is filled with amazing technology, inspired designers and courageous pilots, all of which have contributed to today's world of aviation. As the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight approaches, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will salute those responsible for the milestones during aviation's first century.

"Aviation Firsts" is the official theme of EAA AirVenture 2001, the 49th annual EAA convention, which will be held July 24-30, 2001 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The event will recognize a host of noteworthy achievements in aviation history that still stand as legendary accomplishments today.

"The first century of flight is filled with achievements that captured the public imagination and were important to the growth and evolution of aviation," said Tom Poberezny, EAA AirVenture Chairman. "At AirVenture 2001, we want to take a look back at some of the great 'firsts' in aviation history and give them the recognition they deserve."

At EAA AirVenture, particular attention will be given to those people and aircraft that were the result of individual initiative. EAA is inviting pilots who have achieved significant aviation firsts, or owners of aircraft used in such achievements, to be a part of this year's event.

"Along with all its other remarkable attributes, EAA AirVenture is truly the 'family reunion' of aviation," Poberezny said. "There is no better place for the people and aircraft who have stretched the horizons of flight than on the flight line at Oshkosh."

In addition, EAA will introduce more of its "Countdown to Kitty Hawk," which will culminate in Dec. 2003 with a flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., by a historically accurate reproduction of the Wright brothers' original 1903 aircraft.

"Along with all its other remarkable attributes, EAA AirVenture is the place where aviation firsts are continually happening, be it through the introduction of new aircraft, aviation products or designs," Poberezny said. "People know that to showcase an innovation within the world of flight, AirVenture is absolutely the essential place to be seen."

In 2000, more than 10,500 airplanes were flown to the event, which had an estimated attendance of 765,000. EAA AirVenture 2000 was highlighted by more than 500 educational forums, seminars and workshops; more than 700 exhibitors; nearly 2,300 showplanes in 11 categories; daily air shows with the world's finest civilian performers; and a wide variety of informational and entertaining programs.

The event is the annual convention for the 170,000 members of EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation. EAA's divisions also have permanent sites on the AirVenture grounds, with programs throughout the weeklong event.

This year, the event begins on a Tuesday (July 24) and ends on Monday, July 30. Annual EAA members receive special discounts on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or contact the EAA website (www.eaa.org). EAA AirVenture information is also available through the World Wide Web at www.airventure.org

Two members from one of aviation's "first families" will be featured participants during "Aviation Firsts" activities at EAA AirVenture 2001, which will be held July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Burt and Dick Rutan, whose best-known partnership was the "Voyager" aircraft that made a non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world in 1986, have confirmed their participation at EAA AirVenture 2001. While both have been regular visitors to the event in past years, they will have the opportunity to recount the achievement that put them in the aviation record book that year.

"The name Rutan is a legendary one in the world of recreational and homebuilt aviation," said AirVenture Chairman Tom Poberezny. "Each of the brothers has been an extraordinary contributor to the world of flight. We are happy that they have agreed to join us at AirVenture again this year to be part of the 'Aviation Firsts' activities.

During their visit to EAA AirVenture, both Burt and Dick Rutan will take part in several forums and presentations on the grounds. They will also be the featured guests at an evening program at Theater in the Woods. The exact dates and times of their scheduled appearances will be announced as they are confirmed.

In the early 1980s, the Rutans and a small group of associates began work on an aircraft that could fly around the world non-stop, without being refueled. That design became the Voyager, which was built with an outpouring of grassroots support and without government backing. In December 1986, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager began a nine-day odyssey in that aircraft. It finished more than 25,000 miles later at the Rutans' home base of Mojave, Calif, completing one of the last great aviation firsts. For that achievement, the Rutans and Yeager were awarded the Presidential Citizen's Medal of Honor. The Voyager made two trips to the EAA convention in Oshkosh - in 1984 and 1987.

Burt Rutan is one of the most renowned designers in aviation history. Since his first design, the VariViggen, appeared in the late 1960s, Rutan has been reaching and surpassing new horizons in flight. His designs over the past 30 years, including the VariEze, Long-EZ, Boomerang and Proteus, have consistently explored untouched territory in aircraft design.

Rutan's use of canards and composite materials began a new age for homebuilt aircraft. Even 30 years after the first designs appeared, their futuristic look appeals to aviation enthusiasts. Thousands of aircraft builders have used his plans to construct their own versatile, efficient airplanes. Rutan received EAA's "Freedom of Flight" Award, the organization's highest honor, in 1996.

Dick Rutan earned his pilot's license on his 16th birthday and eventually joined the U.S. Air Force. He flew 325 missions in Vietnam, including more than 100 in a high-risk operation known as the "MISTYS." Rutan was awarded the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals and a Purple Heart.

Along with his piloting the Voyager with Yeager in 1986, Rutan partnered with Mike Melville to fly a pair of Long-EZs around the world in 1997 in another homebuilt aircraft adventure.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is the world's premier aviation event and EAA's yearly membership convention, with an annual attendance of more than 750,000 along with 12,000 airplanes. Annual EAA members receive substantial discounts on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or www.eaa.org. EAA AirVenture information is also available through the World Wide Web at

www.airventure.org

• American (800-433-1790). 5% off published fares; 60 days in advance is 10% off during travel 7/17-8/6. Arrival cities Green Bay, Milwaukee and Chicago. File A7071UB.
• Delta (800-241-6760). 5% off published fares; 60 days in advance is 10% off during travel 7/14-8/9. Arrival cities Appleton, Milwaukee, Chicago and South Bend, Ind. File 169450A.
• Midwest Express (800-452-2022). 6% off published fares; 60 days in advance is 10% off during travel 7/14-8/9. Arrival cities Appleton and Milwaukee. File C750.
• Northwest (800-328-1111). 5% off published fares; 60 days in advance is 10% off during travel 7/14-8/9. Arrival cities Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee. File NYNA6.
• United (800-521-4041). 5% off published fares; 60 days in advance is 10% off during travel 7/17-8/6. Arrival cities Oshkosh, Appleton, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Chicago. File 553SI.
  

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. Contact the individual airline or your travel agent for the best savings.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is the world's premier aviation event, annually drawing more than 750,000 people and 12,000 airplanes. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322). EAA AirVenture information is also available through the World Wide Web at www.airventure.org

 

Thousands of aircraft builders and enthusiasts became more informed and enhanced their own knowledge and abilities during 2000 through a web site sponsored by EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation.

EAA's Safetydata.com site (www.safetydata.com) offers valuable maintenance, safety and regulatory information on homebuilt and ultralight aircraft. During the past year, more than 362,000 people visited the site. In addition, answers to nearly 5,700 requests from over 60 countries regarding specific aircraft information were processed.

The site was founded in 1997 to meet a need formerly supplied by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) Small Airplane Directorate. The site's popularity has grown each year, as it features a wide range of information including accident/incident reports, airworthiness directives, advisory circulars, manufacturer alerts, safety tips and much more.

"The Safetydata.com site has truly become a one-stop resource for aviation enthusiasts who are looking for valuable information regarding their own aircraft, or for a project they are researching," said Charlie Becker, EAA's Executive Director of Aviation Information Services. "By offering this information in an easy-to-use format, EAA is helping to meet a goal shared by everyone in aviation - to have pilots more knowledgeable about their aircraft, builders more confident in their projects and abilities, and overall aviation safety enhanced."

Although visits to the site remain fairly constant throughout the year, a surge is usually seen during the winter months.

"That's not surprising," Becker said. "As flying time decreases in some parts of the country, many people use the winter months to research or work on an aircraft project. The Safetydata.com site offer instantaneous access to the vital information pilots and aircraft builders need."

This specialized web site was developed by Ben Morrow, a retired FAA staff member and ultralight enthusiast. When FAA discontinued its ultralight and amateur-built aircraft safety bulletin board after Morrow's retirement, he created the current site to maintain this database of valuable information.

The Safetydata.com web site is one of more than 15 web sites offered by EAA and available through the organization's home page at www.eaa.org. These websites offer a variety of background on EAA's programs and activities, as well as membership information.

EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation, is an international association with 170,000 members and more than 975 local Chapters. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or explore EAA's World Wide Web site (www.eaa.org)

Those who are building or planning to build one of the most popular kit aircraft in the world now have an opportunity to learn the necessary construction skills from experts during type-specific SportAir Workshops developed by EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation.

The RV workshops, scheduled throughout the year, were created by EAA and Van's Aircraft of North Plains, Ore., to assist builders of the aircraft. During the weekend sessions, Van's Aircraft experts and experienced RV builders will share their knowledge and expertise to make building an RV model a safe and enjoyable experience.

"These EAA SportAir Workshops are a great way for people interested in RV aircraft to learn exactly what they need to complete and fly a successful project," said Ron Alexander, Director of EAA SportAir Workshops. "Bringing together the resources of EAA and Van's create sessions that are informative, thorough and fun."

• Feb. 23-25 Griffin (Atlanta), GA
• Apr. 20-22 Corona (Los Angeles), CA
• May 4-6 Griffin, GA
• Jun. 1-3 Griffin, GA
• Jul. 6-8 Corona, CA
• Aug. 10-12 Corona, CA
• Aug. 17-19 Oshkosh, WI
• Sept. 21-23 Griffin, GA
• Oct. 19-21 Oshkosh, WI
• Oct. 19-21 Corona, CA
• Dec. 7-9 Griffin, GA

"There is only one acceptable way to build an airplane - the right way," said Dick van Grunsven, president of Van's Aircraft and designer of the RV Series. "EAA's SportAir Workshops will help you get it right."

Registration fees include all instructional sessions and materials. For more information or to register for any EAA SportAir Workshop, call 800-967-5746 or visit the SportAir web site www.sportair.com

The RV Assembly Workshops are part of the EAA SportAir Workshops series, with more than 40 sessions throughout the country designed to assist aircraft builders and restorers.

EAA, the leader in recreational aviation, is an international association with 170,000 members and more than 975 local Chapters. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or explore EAA's World Wide Web site www.eaa.org

Aviation enthusiasts working toward an ultralight instructor rating or looking to sharpen their instruction skills have an opportunity to participate in two days of high-quality instruction sponsored by EAA, The Leader in Recreational Aviation.

An Ultralight Flight Instructor Ground School at the EAA Aviation Center will be held March 17-18, 2001. Each session includes ground school instruction on more than a dozen practical topics necessary to earn an EAA Ultralight Flight Instructor rating. Those areas include Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs); airspace and airport operations; vehicle airworthiness inspections; student and pilot endorsements; and more. Ultralight instructor written tests will be offered at the end of the two-day course.

EAA has received an exemption from FAA to designate qualified ultralight flight instructors to provide training in two-place ultralights. This ground school session, which does not include flight time, will help people become qualified as ultralight flight instructors. EAA staff and professional flight instructors will present course material in a state-of-the-art classroom environment.

Registration is $295 for the two-day session, which includes accommodations in EAA's new Air Academy Lodge and a "behind-the-scenes" tour of EAA's facilities. For a course brochure or to register, call 920-426-6527 or e-mail to ultralights@eaa.org. You may also write to: EAA Ultralight Programs, PO Box 3086, Oshkosh WI 54903-3086.

EAA is an international association with 170,000 members and more than 975 local Chapters. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or explore EAA's World Wide Web site www.eaa.org.

The look and feel of flight training is about to change. Richard Johnson, a CFI with 19 years experience flying and instructing for such established and well known names as Jack Brown's Seaplane Base and Fantasy of Flight will begin accepting students for training in fixed wing aircraft this Spring. Specializing in tail wheel and multi engine training, Johnson will also be providing single engine training for Recreational and Private licenses as well. Students can book time with Johnson for training with the initial open dates starting on March 26, 2001.

What makes Johnson's operation noteworthy aside from his wealth of experience and solid reputation is that he will be conducting his training primarily in an Experimental aircraft. Johnson has contracted with Leza AirCam Corp. of Sebring, Florida to supply him with a brand new professionally built AirCam. This twin engine tail dragger has become one of the most high profile Experimental aircraft on the market, due in no small part to a flurry of press coverage the aircraft garnered for its use by National Geographic in some of the harshest conditions imaginable for a working aircraft.

Powered by a pair of Rotax 912S engines Johnson's AirCam will have a power to weight ratio that a certified light twin would envy. The tandem seating arrangement allows even the heftiest and tallest students to fly comfortably, and the wide open cockpit design provides unparalleled visibility in all directions.

From his days flying kites behind a ski boat at Cypress Gardens, to his extensive experience in the Piper Cubs and Twin Bee at Brown's Seaplane Base, from Disney World's Fantasy in the Sky show and corporate flying, to his time behind the controls of Fantasy of Flight's Short Sunderland, the last surviving four engine seaplane, Johnson has had the opportunity to fly a wide variety of aircraft in one of the most beautiful area's of the USA. "Florida is an outstanding training environment", says Johnson. "The weather is fantastic, and since tourism is such a major industry here there are plenty of things for family members to do while a student does his or her training."

Richard Johnson's Flight Training can be reached at 863-293-8255, or by e-mail at dirich@ithink.net. Substantial discounts are being offered to students who book time prior to the closing day of Sun 'n Fun (April 14, 2001).