• Micro Aerodynamics Receives STCs For Scout And Cessna 180 Vortex Generator Kits
• Aircraft Spruce Offers Pdc-100 For Calculating Density Altitude
• Eclipse Aviation To Sponsor Forums Plaza At EAA Airventure 2000
• Aerostar International To Sponsor Us Nationals Pols Grab!
• Historic WW2 Aircraft Carrier Fights On

Adding to their vast array of STCs for single and twin engine airplanes, Micro AeroDynamics has earned FAA approval to produce vortex generator kits for the Bellanca Scout and Cessna 180. In both cases, the aircraft saw significant reductions install speed and in take off runs with floats.

"The greatest value for most pilots is the transformation in handling at slow speeds", said Micro AeroDynamics President Charles White. "People report that their aircraft suddenly feels like a new and substantially improved model". ". To support his assertion, White offered a letter from the owner who's Scout was used for the STC program.

After flying his aircraft for a few hours, the pilot wrote : "Now K know why you had that little smirk on your face when you told me I would like the way it flies!!!!! WHAT A DREAM!!!! The stall is slower, but the nice part is the way it handles. It sure is sweet and gentle now".

The owner of the Cessna 180, which was used in flight tests for that STC, reported after his first flight with the VGs in place : "Incredible! Simply incredible. I was doing steep turns at 50 mph and without the VGs, I'd have precipitated an accelerated stall. I couldn't believe how responsive the ailerons were at that speed. It's like a completely different airplane in the way it feels and handles. Stalls are much more placcid and control response is there all the way". The owner of the 180 is a check airman for Alaska Airlines.

Micro AeroDynamics has received 87 STCs for Vortex Generator kits for single and twin engine aircraft. In the twelve years they have been in business, Charles While has received 21 phone calls from pilots who were convinced that the vortex generators had saved their life in extreme situations or landing conditions. "Most people consider the slow speed control improvement a kid of additional insurance coverage", said White. "It makes flying easier, but it can be a tremendous asset if conditions deteriorate suddenly. VGs extend the envelope of the aircraft".

For more information about Vortex Generators, contact Micro AeroDynamics at (800) 677-2370; overseas : (360) 293-8082; or use

First Display of Eclipse 500 Full Scale Mock-up will be at Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh officials have announced that Eclipse Aviation Corporation has signed a three-year agreement with to sponsor the popular Forums Plaza area, beginning with this year's EAA AirVenture 2000. That event will take place 26 July - 1 August at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The "Eclipse Aviation Forums Plaza" is the site for the majority of more than 500 forums, seminars and workshops presented on a variety of aviation topics during AirVenture each year. The forums area currently includes seven permanent pavilions, plus several tent pavilions.

"We are pleased to welcome Eclipse Aviation Corporation as the sponsor of our Forums area", said EAA President and AirVenture Chairman Tom Poberezny. "Innovation and education has been a part of EAA AirVenture since its first fly-in in 1953. Thousands of aviation enthusiasts have shared knowledge and ideas through EAA events since them. That same spirit of knowledge and innovation is a guiding principle on which Eclipse Aircraft was founded".

The Eclipse Aviation Forums Plaza offers the widest variety of aviation knowledge available in one place. The hundreds of forums cover the spectrum of flight, from building and restoration, to flight techniques, aviation history and personalities. In 2000, the forum schedule is being re-formatted to allow AirVenture participants to attend forum "threads" that relate to their specific areas of interest.

"Eclipse is sponsoring AirVenture's Forums Plaza because we believe that a strong aviation community is important to Eclipse's future success, and EAA is clearly the leader in building a strong aviation community", said Vern Raburn, Eclipse's President and CEO.

Raburn pointed out that the EAA played a vital role in the genesis of Eclipse. In 1996, after attending the EAA summer fly-in at Oshkosh, Dan Goldin, Administrator of NASA, concluded that the once flourishing US light aircraft industry could be rejuvenated by a NASA - sponsored small turbofan engine development initiative. NASA's GAP General aviation initiative, was a major element in the development of the Williams International FJX-2 technology demonstration engine, precursor to Eclipse's industry leading EJ-22.

The Eclipse 500 is the first in a series of next generation aircraft that the company hopes will have strong appeal for the owner-pilot community and that will enable the development of a new level of passenger transportation through a concept the company calls the "air limousine".

Eclipse Aviation designs, certifies and produces modern, affordable jet aircraft that will revolutionize the transportation market. The goal of Eclipse is to bring the word "personal" into aviation, making it possible for commercial air passengers to move directly between cities on a quick, affordable and convenient basis. It will also allow pilot owners to enter the world of jet-powered aviation. Contact Eclipse at
http://www.eclipseaviation.com

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

Aerostar International will be sponsoring a pole grab on 12 August 2000 in conjunction with the Balloon Federation of America, Champaign Country Balloon Championships and the US National Hot air Balloon Championships. The prize will be $ 5,000 cash!

The $ 5,000 prize will be placed in an envelope atop one of the three poles that will be positioned on the target field. Adding an element of luck and challenge to the flight, pilots will only be able to inspect the location of the poles prior to the event and will not be told which of the three poles will actually have the prize. The other two poles will have consolation prizes.

"Aerostar is proud of our affiliation with the BFA and hopes that all pilots and their crews will be excited, motivated and rewarded by their participation in this event". Says Allen Schlenker, National Sales Manager for hot air Balloons at Aerostar.

Pilots will be required to launch a minimum of 1.5 miles from the target. The pole grab will be held in conjunction with a standard sanctioned task(s) being run by the BFA Championship Committee. Only those pilots entered in the weekend event will be eligible for the prize.

Standard pole grab rules and competition rules will be enforced during the flight. A complete listing of pole grab rules will be available to participating pilots at the pilot briefing held just prior the flight. The BFACC's decision to either cancel the flight or initiate a flight will be final. All pilots are required to make a responsible go/no-go decision in the event a task is called.

Earlier this year, Aerostar announced a bonus program for pilots flying Aerostar balloons during the nationals. Any pilot crowned the BFA national Champion flying a complete Aerostar system, will win a brand new Aerostar balloon valued at over $ 21,000!

As donations pass a quarter of a million dollars, ECOSAT launches a Nationwide fund-raising effort to save the USS Cabot (CVL-28), an historic World War 2 aircraft carrier and National Historic Landmark, from being broken for scrap.

MIAMI, FL -- May 23, 2000 -- ECOSAT, a Florida-based, IRS certified nonprofit educational organization, announced today that they have initiated a vigorous campaign to complete their most ambitious project to date...the creation of an historic naval ships museum featuring the veteran World War II aircraft carrier, USS Cabot (CVL-28). Sole survivor of nine "light carriers" rushed into production following the disastrous 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the Cabot is now for sale at a Texas scrap yard. The museum group has so far raised about $250,000 or roughly half the amount needed to purchase the ship and tow her to a qualified marine repair facility.

"We are very close," states Stephen O'Neal, the Chairman of ECOSAT. "The Cabot's current owners have responded positively to our inquiries and if can we reach our Phase One goal soon, she has a fighting chance at a new life."

During World War II, the USS Cabot survived 16 months of fierce front-line combat from the Marianas to Okinawa, inspiring famed war correspondent Ernie Pyle to dub her, "The Iron Woman of the Pacific." For its service, the ship was awarded nine battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. 82 Cabot crewman died in battle. She later served for over twenty years as the flagship of the Spanish Navy under the name SNS Dedalo (R01).

Acquiring and moving the historic vessel is only the beginning. O'Neal estimates that restoring the Cabot will cost another $1.82 million. "We're looking for tax deductible donations from individuals or corporations...anyone who wants to help can save a special piece of our country's history," he says.

The third and final phase of the project, creation of a suitable home port with the necessary museum infrastructure, will utilize a further $2.26 million in State, Federal Economic Zone Grants, County and City Revenue Bonds. People who wish to get involved, make a donation, or learn further details of ECOSAT's business plan, current events, or photography,

http://www.usscabot.com/gallerymenu.htm

or call toll free 1-800-348-3642. Founded in 1989, ECOSAT is an IRS certified 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the education of American youth through a focus on space and aeronautics.