Canyon Sport Flyers

Sportys Webinars - Worth A Look!!

2012-01-23T22:55:00.000-05:00

Looking For A New Headset, Check Out The Feb. 9 Webinar, Free From Sporty's

Sporty’s Webinar Series

Sporty’s is pleased to offer its Webinar Series as a new service to customers. These live, multimedia presentations are informative and interactive, allowing the presenter to use slides and audio, while audience members can participate in a variety of ways.

Sporty’s Webinar Series will touch on a variety of topics from training to new products and services to help you stay informed. For your convenience, all webinars will be archived so you can attend anytime your schedule permits.

•Stay informed and current

•Convenient and easy-to-use webinar format

•Opportunity to participate and ask questions

•Delivered by the expert staff at Sporty’s

Registration is required, and space is limited

Title Date Time Speaker

What’s New in Aviation Headsets Thursday, February 9 8:00pm ET John Zimmerman

Choosing the right headset is an important decision and significant investment. The process can also be confusing and complicated given the options available that often times seem endless. Passive or ANR? Bluetooth or no? Audio interface? Panel-powered perhaps?

This informative webinar from Sporty's will help take the mystery out of your next headset purchase by sharing the key features to compare. Whether you're buying your first headset or looking to upgrade to some of the great new features available only in the last few years, this webinar will equip you with the resources for an informed purchase.

Space is limited so register now.

Webinar Archive Title Date Time Speaker

Flying with the iPad: Apps & Accessories Thursday, December 1 8:00pm ET Bret Koebbe Watch Video

The Apple iPad has been quickly adopted by pilots. This presentation will cover both beginner and advanced topics relating to the iPad. You’ll learn how student pilots can use it as a training tool, how aircraft owners can use it to stay organized, and how current pilots can use it for navigation, weather & charts. See how to properly preflight the iPad, along with helpful tips and tricks. Also covered are iPad accessories and cockpit mounting options.

Video Cameras in the Cockpit: How To and How Much? Tuesday, October 25 8:00pm ET John Zimmerman Watch Video

Pilots are using small video cameras in the cockpit like never before – for reviewing training flights with a flight instructor, practicing aerobatics or just recording the next great adventure. What can one of these video cameras do and what can't it do? How do you choose a camera system that's right for you? What are the different technologies available? And how much

Click here to go the the URL for more details http://www.sportys.com/webinars

New Flight Instruction Opportunity at N38

2012-01-19T20:06:00.000-05:00

Blue Star Aviation Services

Robert L. Clark, Ph.D, CPA member and flight instructor has recently purchased his own aircraft a Piper Warrior, and will be commencing flight instruction at Wellsboro-Johnston.

Blue Star Aviation Services Flight Instructor, Rob Clark

In addition to flight training for Private, Commercial and Instrument Certificates, Rob will provide other pilot services, BFR's, IPC's, endorsements, etc. Rob has run Private Pilot Ground Schools in the area and plans to offer another ground school this summer. There will be a sign up sheet at N38. If you would like to contact Rob for any of the services provided by Blue Star Aviation Services, please contact him by calling 203-530-9331 or via email at rlclark@mansfield.edu

Blue Star Aviation Services Piper Warrior

2012 Canyon Country Ultralight Club Meeting Schedule

2012-01-16T21:21:00.000-05:00

The Canyon Country Ultralight Club Is USUA Club 203

2012 Meeting Schedule

March 15, 7:00 pm Wellsboro-Johnston Airport

The first meeting of 2012. The first order of business will be to nominate and elect officers. Your current officers are:

Tom Freeman President

Dan Cooper Vice President

Fred Ziegler Treasurer

Kevin Johns Secretary

Robert Fisher Events Coordinator

The presentation for this meeting will be done by Shaw Siglin. Shaw is an A&P and has a long history in aviation. Today he will talk about getting your aircraft out of the moth balls and ready to fly. He will focus on safety and airworthiness. What to look for and where to look for it. Is corrosion a concern? You may not think so, but it could very well be a hidden problem. This discussion could also be good for anyone thinking about buying an ultralight. Many of these things apply to pre-purchase inspections as well. Join us as Shaw helps us take a look at our aircraft with a critical eye.

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April 26, 7:00 pm Wellsboro Johnston Airport

Where Do I Begin?

This month club members will discuss their projects. This is a very good meeting to attend if you are considering a purchase of a plane or a kit. Do you want a legal ultralight (Part 103 legal) Do you want to build your own? How should you register it? We will discuss the pros and cons of registering your kit as an expirenmental light sport or an expirenmental amature built. Are you looking to buy one of these? Is it N Numbererd? Should it have been? Don't be fooled by a low price aircraft that is not registered properly. You could be wasting your money. We have members who represent all forms of ownership and registration as well as builder experience. Please join us for this informative presentation. It should be valuable if you are considering a build, buy or registration. This is a good session to invite a new person who is curious about our sport.

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May 27, Annual Memorial Day Fly In Breakfast 8:00 - Noon

Calling all members!! We need you to join "Doc" and the rest of the Canyon Pilots to help provide the 1000 community members who come out each spring to Wellsboro - Johnston for buckwheat pancakes, great ham and eggs cooked with TLC!! Anyone who wants to help is welcome to do so, sometimes pilots have been known to throw helpers in their right seat after the clean up is done and give them a "thanks for the help" ride over the nearby canyon. Contact Rob Fisher to sign up for a shift n3zlg@ptd.net

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June 16, Sunrise to Noon. Wellsboro - Johnston

2nd Annual Flight Demo. Day. Members and CPA members will hope for a nice, calm, dry morning as they drag their aircraft out and fly for fun. We also will invite the R/C guys to join us once again. These guys have some very cool planes and have an amazing control over their flight. We will invite friend of the club as well as members of the general public to join is for a fun flying day. Check out some photos below from last years event.

If you have something to fly, come and fly it. If you don't come and watch the activities.

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July - No Meeting. This is "National Vacation Month" and nobody is left in the Twin Tiers (except tourists)

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August 16, 7:00 pm Wellsboro - Johnston Airport

Flying as a Sport Pilot

Join us for this special joint meeting of the Canyon Pilots Association and Canyon Country Ultralight Club as we explore the Sport Pilot certificate. If you are Private Pilot and curious about flying as a Sport Pilot, this session is for you. If you are considering flying lessons and want to understand the differences between the Sport / Private certificate, this session is for you. Are you interested in weight shift, lighter than air, gliders, powered parachutes or gyroplanes? If so, this session is for you. Are you a Part 103 Ultralight pilot who wants to know what is involved to transition to Sport Pilot? If so, this session is for you.

We will have a special presenter for this meeting. Prof. H. Paul Shuch, CFII, LSRM-A, iRMT and Chief Flight Instructor and Director of maintenance at AvSport http://avsport.org/ Paul and AvSport Aviation operate at "The Birthplace of Sport Aviation" , Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven Pa. This will be an FAA FAAST Safety Team Presentation and attendees can get credit in the FAA Wings Program. http://www.faasafety.gov/ We expect seats to fill quickly once this event is published on the Wings site and local and regional newspapers so be sure to sign up early.

If you have never attended one of our meetings, this would be a great time to attend and say hello and introduce yourself. If you a member or an associate, please invite someone.

Here is what Dr. Shuch has to say about the Sport Pilot Certificate for those who may be unfamiliar with the rule:

If you can drive, you can fly!

If you're looking for a Saturday afternoon stroll through the sky without a lot of burdensome expense and regulation, the FAA created the Sport Pilot certificate in 2004 just for folks like you. FAA’s Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category offers affordable, safe, basic aircraft for many people who would otherwise be unable to fly. What is a Light Sport Aircraft? What can it do? What can't it do? What are the certification requirements? What is a Sport Pilot? What are the requirements? What are the limitations? Join the Canyon
Country Ultralight Club and the Canyon Pilots Association in exploring the world of sport flying. While the most recognizable light sport aircraft is the fixed-wing airplane, the light sport aircraft category includes six additional kinds of aircraft as well:

Gyroplanes
Powered parachutes
Weight-shift control aircraft
Gliders
Lighter-than-air airships
Lighter-than-air balloons

Attend this interesting and exciting safety briefing and learn about the world of LSA!

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September 2, Annual Labor Day Fly In Breakfast

Once again we host the best breakfast in the region! Buckwheat pancakes, grilled ham, and eggs. We need everyone to help with this event. Our breakfasts help us to provide students with aviation scholarships, support the Grand Canyon Airport Authority, provide training opportunities and take care of club expenses.

Bring the family and enjoy a fall morning in Canyon Country.

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October 18, 7:00 pm Wellsboro - Johnston Airport

Season ending meeting. Join us as we share our methods of "how to pickle your aircraft." Members share their thoughts and ideas of how they put their bird up for the long winters nap. We will also discuss how the club schedule worked for 2012. What worked well and what didn't. We will discuss what members would like to see for 2013 from the Canyon Country Ultralight Club, United States Ultralight Club 203!

Check out Bill's Talon

2011-11-06T07:07:00.002-05:00

click on the title to see the short video of Bill's "touch and goes"..

Pics from Flight Demo Day.

2011-10-24T23:05:00.012-04:00

I forget the name of the gentleman that owns this pretty little bird.

These R/C airplanes sure were fun to watch.

Another shot of Toms Flightstar

Wes's 182 provides the backdrop for some R/C aircraft

Brad's Husky..

Hoopsy..

Bill Vickery's hang glider

Dan trying to hide behind Toms Prop

The "Frozen Pilot"

Freds Aerolite 103

Flight Demo. Day At Wellsboro / Johnston

2011-10-24T21:55:00.000-04:00

On Saturday October 22nd the Canyon Pilots Association, the local R/C aircraft club as well as the local ultralight club met at the Wellsboro/Johnston airport in Pennsylvania's Canyon Country for a flight demo. day. The weather was marginal but the flying activity was not. There was a lot of flying as well as static displays. Bill Vickery get the award for most toys on display. Bill brought a hang gliders wing, powered paraglider's set up as well as his Talon experimental fixed wing aircraft. Thank you to all who participated. I did a fair amount of flying and didn't get photos of everything that was there, but it was an fun day for all.

Fred Ziegler and his Aero-Sport 103 flew in for the event

A ramp full of airplanes and aviation enthusiast's at N38

Jim Hoopes Scout, check out the landing gear on this plane. Who needs floats with tires like that!

Tom Freeman's Flightstar II SC inbound

This was not part of our day but was part of the traffic and was fun to watch arrive at N38

Bill Vickery's Talon just prior to getting her wings installed

Another Bill Vickery way to fly!! This burns less fuel per hour than any other aircraft on display!

Toms Flightstar

2011-10-09T10:26:00.001-04:00

Thanks Tom for asking me to go...it was a great flight...you guys can click on the title to see the video.

2011-09-25T18:30:00.001-04:00

Awesome flight! was up for about 30 minutes straight! beautiful night. would have went up again but didnt have enough fuel...darn.

2011-09-25T17:33:00.001-04:00

new oilite bushings and old wheels back on tonight. theres a little bit of a crosswind, but goingto take her up...rpm still questionable. wish me luck

Enjoying a Little Time In a Little Plane

2011-09-20T18:49:00.000-04:00

A Canyon Country Ultralight member having a blast in his new little airplane.

Flightstar II SC iPad Installation

2011-09-15T20:13:00.002-04:00

I have done a couple of cross country trips with my iPad with the addition of the Bad Elf GPS and WingX Pro GPS software. I found it very user friendly and accurate. Living on the border of the NY and Detroit Sectional, the moving map stitches them together. The wind data and ability to add your CAS gives you pretty good data for a VFR flight without all the paper floating around you. There is an auto update of not only the sectionals but the AFD as well. There are also aerial photos of airports. It is a pretty powerful tool, even if your aircraft of choice is something like a Flightstar II. Below are some photos of how I attached the iPad to my Flightstar panel. It is a little tight but with one bolt I can remove it if I am flying with a large passenger in a local flight. Part of the beauty of owning and Experimental Light Sport is the fact that you can do things like this.

In the center of the panel a pedestal mount for a hand held GPS was removed to make room for the iPad. A template was created and 4 holes predrilled for the new mounting assembly.

The actual panel mount is a heavy duty, but light, aluminum mount that was used to attach to a tube on my powered parachute for a ICOM A-4 radio mount. It was secured to the Flightstar panel with 4 machine screws with nylock nuts. There are 2 small panels hanging below the attachment point that allow for angle adjustment and iPad aluminum panel mounting panel.

I purchased a rigid piece of sheet aluminum from Lowe's. I cut it down to a size just a bit larger than the iPad. I rounded the corners and deburred the edges. I then painted it a color similar to the panel and used 4 machine screws to attach the aluminum to the mount. The black material is a high quality Velcro purchased from Bear Perkins Powered Parachutes http://www.bearperkins.com/ The velcro will attach the iPad holder to the mounting assembly.

The iPad holder was chopped from a knee board purchased from Sportys. http://www.sportys.com/ Yes, I said chopped, but the design of the iPad knee board was too bulky for the confines of a Flightstar cockpit. It was secured to the mount by the velcro and is very secure and easily removable.

The final installation is secure and visible. Even though it looks like some gauges are blocked from view, they are all visible from the left seat.

2002 Flightstar II SC

East Hill Flying Club Fall Harvest Breakfast

2011-09-11T14:51:00.000-04:00

Canyon Pilots Labor Day Breakast Serves Over 1000!!!

2011-09-04T22:31:00.001-04:00

Wow!! What a great day. The Canyon Pilots Association and The Canyon Country Ultralight Club (United States Ultralight Association Club 203) served over 1000 breakfasts at the annual Labor Day Fly-in held at N38, Wellsboro/Johnston airport. A BIG thank you to all who helped make this a successful event. It looks easy but somebody needs to plan, set-up, sweat over a hot grill, clean the grills and utensils etc. and put things away. To all of you who helped and attended, THANK YOU. The proceeds from the breakfast are used to create scholarships and help the Airport Authority pay bills associated with keeping N38 open and in general promote Ultralight and General Aviation at our local airport. Every person who attends or helps with this event shows their of support for local aviation and indicates that there is a demand for this vital, local resource. For the Labor Day Breakfast this year, we had over 1000 supporters! Below are a few photos of the day. Enjoy.

The money changers!! This dedicated team have been there to extract funds from those wishing to gain entry to the feast for many years. $6.00 makes them happy and is a cheap fee for the all you can pack in ya breakfast.

Fog...fog....fog...fog. The number of airplanes flying into the annual Labor Day Breakfast was small. The day started out at 70 degrees at 7:00am which helped to keep the fog cover over N38 until mid-morning and kept our usual fly-in gang away.

A snapshot of the crowd that would top 1000.

Bill "Doc" Mitchell is the master buckwheat pancake grill miester!! He runs the lead grill and is the face of the Canyon Pilots Associations Breakfast. You do not eat at our breakfast until you are met with a friendly "Good Morning, how are you" from Doc.

The Chef's. These guys are good. No matter how hot it is, they never sweat a big crowd!! Great job guys. Thank you.

If you want to enjoy hanging out, there are plenty of folks to chat with at the Canyon Pilots Labor Day Fly-in breakfast!

Henry Ford heard that there was a great breakfast in Wellsboro on Labor Day weekend and parked his pick-up on the grass and headed for a buckwheat pancake, ham and eggs and coffee that would grow hair on a Model T.

Many folks wondering the airport and walking off those great buckwheat pancakes.

Please join us each Memorial and Labor Day Sundays at the Wellsboro Johnston Airport in Wellsboro Pa from 8-12.
No excuses now, just get 'Round to it.
(Round Engine in Wes McKinney's T-6)

2011-08-09T12:46:00.001-04:00

finally got my prop! now waiting on the bolts. :-(

well, it runs...

2011-07-24T20:07:00.001-04:00

Frederick Scheffel Presents At Dushore Pa. Fly In August 12-14

2011-07-24T16:58:00.000-04:00

John Yonkin, longtime light sport aviator and former owner of UltraFlight Magazine is hosting a fly in at Wisperhawk Field in Dushore Pa. John has invited Frederick Scheffel an FAA Examiner, owner of Powerfin Propellers and Skytrails LSA. www.skytrailslsa.com Frederick will be here a few days before the August 12-14 event and offer testing for Sport, Private or CFI's. If you know of anyone interested in testing please contact John at jyonkin@epix.net Frederick will also make a presentation or seminar during the fly in. John flies an Aiborne Outback 912 Trike www.airborneusa.com and expects PPC's to be on hand as well. All legal pilots are welcome to attend. There will be a pilots dinner at 4pm Saturday followed by a big fireworks display Saturday evening. Below is info. on Frederick Scheffel and www.skytrailslas.com

– a long standing name in Powered Parachute Training, Sales & Service in St. George, Utah expands into PPC Manufacturing, as the PREDATOR comes under new management!

And so the "SkyTrails LSA " company now encompasses the Training Materials, Experience & Training Structure of SkyTrails Ranch, and includes the manufacturing of the PREDATOR powered parachute & POWERFIN Propellers.
Personnel…

HeadHouseKeeper (and CEO): Fredrick Scheffel (CFI / FAA Examiner and author of multiple training & assembly manuals & magazine articles; and Director of world class PPC events)

Blue Heron PPC Ultralight For Sale

2011-07-24T16:25:00.000-04:00

CCUC friend Mike Talor has decided to sell his Part 103 legal ultralight powered parachute. It is a Blue Heron Spirit and is equipped with a Rotax 503 connected to an e drive gearbox. It also comes with a trailer. Mike describes this PPC as being in excellent condition and is located in the Elmira NY area. It can be yours for $6,000. You may contact Mike by emailing lockdoc@stny.rr.com

Enter the C model

2011-06-22T22:20:00.004-04:00

Well we dragged out the C model and cleaned her up. Dad helped me put on the tail feathers which was much appreciated.

We unfolded the wings and the fabric looked great!!!

I took a quick inventory of hardware and other parts needed. I need a 60 X 28 right hand prop just in case anyone knows of one just setting around somewhere... All in all it was a pretty good afternoon..

Penn Valley Airport Selingsgrove Pa.

2011-06-02T22:08:00.000-04:00

I needed a few small items from a pilot shop and went online to order some Prist acrylic, plastic and glass cleaner. I also so wanted to purchase a new AFD. I looked the items up at one of the many online pilot shops who carried these items and selected the "checkout now" tab. The Prist cleaner was $9.99 and the shipping was almost the same. I cancelled my order. I needed to make a work trip to Duncannon Pa. today. My thoughts went to wondering where I may be able to buy these basic items. I recently stopped at the FBO in Williamsport to buy a new FAR/AIM and they no longer carry any pilot supplies, not even sectionals. I knew there was an airport located in Selingsgrove, just off of US Rt 15 and decided to stop with the long shot hope that they might have the items I needed. I expected to find run down hangers, a beat up repair shop, if there was one at all, and and hopefully an FBO with staff on duty. What I found was really cool. When I pulled in I saw what appeared to be new, modern buildings. There was a parking area with 4 or 5 Avis cars for rent. A gentleman in an FBO uniform, "Tim" was applying weed killer to the freshly installed landscaping at the new looking terminal. I asked him if they had a pilot shop and he said they did but the man who operated the facility was out in his J3 Cub but said he could help me. He led me into a small but very well stocked pilot shop. I fully expected to have to pay in cash but they were set up to accept any method of payment that I wanted to use. Their terminal and lounge area was very, very nice. I asked if they serviced LSA aircraft and I was told that they do. In fact they are a Flight Design dealer and authorized repair center and have a Flight Design CT with a full glass panel on the line for instruction. They also are a full service Rotax Authorized Service Center. They do any needed Rotax service, on both 2 and 4 stroke power plants!!! They are also a Cessna Pilot Center and have a 172 on the line with a G1000. They have 2 full time instructors with approx. 35 active students. The state of the art repair shop had 4 planes in various stages of repair or inspection sitting in one of the cleanest shops I have seen. NASCAR has nothing on these guys when it comes to organization and cleanliness. Their hangers are full and there are plans to build new T-Hangers and a new corporate hanger as well. This place may be known to the Canyon Pilots but knowing there is an authorized Rotax and LSA service provider in the region should be welcome news to the ultralight and light sport guys. What a neat find!! Check them out at www.heritageaviationllc.com 570-374-7671 Brian Cavada is the Service Manager. By the way, as I was leaving, the J3 came in for a cross-wind landing with wind at 17 gusting to 23. It was fun to watch!! Thank you to Tim for showing me around their facility.

Day at Lock Haven

2011-05-22T22:44:00.002-04:00

Hi guys,

went down to Lock Haven on Saturday and bugged Mel for a while and met plenty of nice folks.

Took a ride in their Light sport plane with Paul. It was a very Enjoyable day!

PM 2 Paraplane For Sale In Sayre Pa.

2011-05-15T15:39:00.000-04:00

PM 2 for Sale in Sayre, Pa.. For safety, the canopy has always been inside the house when not in use in a large secured container, the plane always in covered garage. 1st owner’s wife took photos of the first flight, saw him land – and told him to sell it, or find another wife. Second owner had it in California, no place nearby to use, flew it 3 times and sold it to current owner (me) when he had to move from his apartment. Current owner’s weight of 210 is beyond marginal for the chute/plane’s capacity (purchased 2 place para-plane). Total time is estimated at under 30 hours on engine / canopy. Carburetor needs attention (port side) hard to start – needs to fly more frequently. Have original manual. Received disassembled, easy to ship. Never turned over, in excellent shape. Price $ 2700 obo. –and shipping. Contact Chuck Kovacs 570 265 6765 (office) 570 888 3802 (home) 607 743 9203 (cell).

The Voices In Your Head

2011-05-15T15:26:00.000-04:00

There is a new way, well fairly new, to program the voices in your head and fill some mindless drive time, yard work time, commercial flight time or just the hurry up and wait times in your life. Those of you that enjoy learning more about aviation and training or current events in aviaiton have a great resource to fill those down times. All it takes is an MP3 player a set of ear buds and a podcatcher, such as iTunes. I have an hour and 45 minute commute at least twice each week. Here are some of the voices in my head:

Uncontrolled Airspace http://uncontrolledairspace.com/blog

News & conversation about the world of General Aviation flying.

Every week the UCAP gang gathers in the virtual hangar to talk about all things GA.

You can listen-in as some of General Aviation's most knowledgeable, opinionated,

and plain-speaking characters, do some online hangar-flying.

Airspeed http://airspeedonline.blogspot.com/

Stephen Force is the superhero alter ego of mild-mannered tech and aviation lawyer, private pilot (ASEL, ASES, AMEL, IA, and DC-3 (SIC) type-rated), and Civil Air Patrol major Steve Tupper. Since launching the podcast and radio network three years ago, Steve has recorded episode segments from the cockpit of the aircraft that he flies, flown with the USAF Thunderbirds, been strapped into a canvas sling seat at 12,500 feet next to the open door of the Glolden Knights' C-31A jump aircraft, been up in a balloon over the Battle Creek Balloon Festival, been upside down with his hair on fire in Brett Hunter's Pitts S-2C, been tumbled gyroscopically in Michael Mancuso's Extra 300L, and featured military personnel, a psychologist, an air traffic controller, a Snowbird, a Blue Angel, an F-16 instructor, and a test pilot and former astronaut - just to name a few! Join him as he pursues everything aviation. (c) 2006-2009 Airspeed, LLC. All rights reserved. Contact Steve at steve@airspeedonline.com or see the full contact information in the Hot Links section.

http://www.m0a.com/

Quite possibly one of the best online site for great pilot training, tips, tricks, study topics. Jason Shappert and mOa are a great resource.

In The Pattern Podcast http://www.inthepatternpodcast.com/

ABOUT THE PODCAST

3 (Student) Pilots get together to talk about their experiences with flight training. Join us as we work together to get our private pilot certificates in this aviation podcast about the joys of learning to fly.

My Flight Coach       http://www.myflightcoach.com/

myFlightCoach.com is designed to serve pilots, particularly student or returning pilots, with an intensive, learn-where-you-are ground instruction, podcasts and writing. Using webinar-based instruction I can help more pilots in more places lay a great foundation for their flying or help them solidify their understanding of flight concepts.

The New Pilot Podblog       http://www.thenewpilotpodblog.com/

These are some of the site I find interesting, informative and helpful. There are many more at:

     http://thevoicesinyourhead.com/
Interested in flying? Are you already a pilot or hope to become one? myFlightCoach.com’s purpose is to encourage and equip you in your pursuit of flying. From articles to podcasts and video tutorials, my hope is that through mFC.com you will achieve your flying goals!

Fathers Day Fly-In Wellsville Pa.

2011-05-15T14:27:00.000-04:00

This is a USUA event and don't be fooled by the title and show up on Fathers Day, if you do you will be at an event that looks like it was a lot of fun for two days before fathers day. I am speaking from experience!!

8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

The 22d Annual Father's Day Fly In at Shreveport North (62PA) (17-19 June 2011) welcomes any aircraft capable of operating from a well maintained, lighted 70x2600 foot turf runway. On the grounds of the Footlight Ranch, the Fly In features an all you can eat Prime Rib Dinner on Friday, with an old fashioned picnic on Saturday. Snacks and lunch are available all weekend at the Crosswinds Cafe on the flight line. Flightline movies every night. The Olympic size swimming pool, volley ball courts and horseshoe pits are available to all attendees. Camping and rustic bunkhouse available. http://www.footlightranch.com

Contact: Jerry Rosie
rosiejerryrosie@cs.com
717-243-7923

http://www.footlightranch.com

Knoxville Pa Event

2011-05-15T14:12:00.000-04:00

FLY-N-BLUES SHOW • WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE • SATURDAY JUNE 18TH 12PM/9PM CHAMP FIELD (6PS3) KNOXVILLE PA 16928. SIX NATIONAL/REGIONAL TOURING BLUES COUNTRY ROCK BANDS. TANDEM SKY DIVING . AIRPLANE RIDES AND AEROBATIC DEMONSTRATIONS. B.Y.O.B. AND PLENTY OF BBQ. ADVANCE TIX $20 / $25 DAY OF SHOW .. PEOPLE FLYING IN & TOPLESS GIRLS WILL GET IN FREE ! 8143264495 • Contact John L. Doan, Event Coordinator - located Knoxville, PA USA • Telephone: 8143264495 • Posted May 6, 2011

I found this event listing on Barnstormers and since it is a local event that has flying involved, I thought I would post it. It was simply copied from Barnstormers and pasted here.

Canyon Pilots Fly-In Breakfast Wellsboro Pa.

2011-05-15T14:07:00.000-04:00

2011-05-15T14:00:00.000-04:00

International Learn To Fly Day At Piper Memorial Airport-The Birthplace of Sport Aviation. Saturday May 21, 2011

*Free Seminars

*Refreshment

*Discovery Flights

*Glider Rides

*Meet The Pilots

Festivities Begin at 9:00 AM

Contact AVSport of Lock Haven http://avsport.org/

Sport Pilots and their CFI at Lock Haven, including one of the Canyon Country Ultralight Club's very own members, Mel Bole (far right) Can you believe the tallest guy in the photo fits into his very own Hawk Ultra? The Sports Star in the photo is available for training in a light sport airplane at Lock haven. It is a blast to fly! Give it a try.

Sentimental Journey Lock Haven Pa. Save the Date

2011-05-15T13:27:00.000-04:00

Last year I had a chance to go to my first Sentimental Journey at the world famous Lock Haven Airport. I was a very enjoyable experience. If you can make time in your summer schedule, I am sure you will say it was time well spent. I went on Saturday of the event and was surprised that things were winding down. If you go you may want to go Thursday or Friday. While there were still a lot of planes there and flying, I was told that about half of the crowd had left. http://www.sentimentaljourneyfly-in.com/

Join the fun at the home of Cub!

There is plenty to see as there is access to the entire field. You can walk right up to the flight line and watch the planes taxi and take off. There are more yellow Piper airplanes in Lock Haven at one time than any other place in the world.

Flightstar II SC

2011-05-15T09:10:00.000-04:00

Tom Freeman's Flightstar II SC ELSA purchased April 30, 2011

The plane is a 2002 and was built by a woman in upstate NY. She did an amazing job of building and documenting the entire process. The plane only has 60 hours on the Hobbs.

The plane is powered by a Rotax 582 Blue Head wirh an e-box. It should be ready to fly by late May, if it ever quits raining.

Kolb Firestar II for sale

2011-04-17T18:05:00.000-04:00

Kolb Firestar II For Sale

2002 Kolb Firestar II / Very Good Condition

N5485

Quality Built Expirmental Amature Buil

Airworthiness Certificate Dated March 30, 2002

Log Books

Last Inspection May 29, 2009

Rotax 503

12 TTAF and Engine

EIS

Oil Injection

IVO 3 Blade Propeller

10 Gallon Fuel Cell

Yellow, dubbed as "Tweety Bird"

Always Hangered

Current home is N38, Wellsboro Pa.

Many Extras

Asking $10,800.

Contact Gary Morral 570-724-2777

Sun N Fun Photos

2011-04-11T22:29:00.000-04:00

Sun N Fun Photos (Friday)

For those who follow Sun N Fun you know that a tornado hit Lakeland on Thursday and thus, I mention Friday in the title. There were several club members at SNF this year, Fred Ziegler, Bill Hall, Doc Mitchell, Wes and me. It is only by the grace of God that no one died. There were a few repoted broken bone and one severe head injury. 70 aircraft were damaged. On Friday the sky cleared and the Fun in the Sun continued! The Blue Angels, The F-22 Raptor, The Red Bull Team, Patty Wagstaff and crew filled the sky with burned fuel and smoke oil. The grounds were filled with muddy-aviation enthusiasts. Here are some photos!

The entrance. If you made it to the gate, you were good to go

Those familiar will remember the food court at the entrance to Paradise City. No $10. hamburgers here.

Lockwood Aviation took a huge hit!

Another look at the former Lockwood display area.

The Blue Angels

The folding wing, SLSA Aerotrek in the LSA Mall

On Thursday, we met Tom Karr at the Excalibur Aircraft factory to see how he builds his aircraft.

This airframe is being prepared to ship to a Excalibur customer in Tiawan

The Excalibur packing list as it gets ready to ship

Tom Karr's personal Excalibur as it was displayed at the Sebring LSA show in January

Very Nice PPG For Sale

2011-04-07T22:58:00.000-04:00

Low Time / Nice PPG For Sale

Every now and then there is a very fair priced, low time, excellent condition, niche way to get in the air, local opportunity. This is a PPG that fits this description and is offered with wing, motor, backpack, titanium trike, helmet with radio capabilities, kiting harness, wing and motor manuals, 7 liters of oil mix, propeller cover. Here are the details:

Engine: 172.5 cc 21 hp @ 7200 RPM. 11:1 Compression .

Prop: 39x26 pitch 118 lbs of thrust @ 3500 RPM. Left rotation

Carb: Tillotson 91-A351Ireland

Fuel consumption: 1 gph

Weight of motor: 78 lbs w/fuel

Duration: 6.4 hrs

Speed: 17-20 mph

Wing: Min. weight, 165 lbs. Max weight, 209 lbs. Current piolt weighs 190 lbs and wing is very stable

This PPG has less than 10 hrs total time

Offered for sale at $5,000. Contact Travis Dunning 607-346-6964 tdunning10@gmail.com

UL History in Pics

2011-04-06T09:53:00.002-04:00

Click on the title to go to the Virtual Ultralight Museum for a look-see.

International Learn to Fly Day @ KLHV

2011-03-14T20:36:00.005-04:00

Click on the title above to get a .pdf poster for the following event at KLHV (Lock Haven airport) on Saturday, May 21, 2011:

Learn To Fly

At Piper Memorial Airport
Birthplace of Sport Aviation

International Learn To Fly Day
Saturday, 21 May 2011

Free Seminars
Refreshments
Discovery Flights
Glider Rides
Meet the Pilots

Festivities begin at 9 AM

Piper Museum will be available, as well.

The iPad and Aviation...WOW

2011-03-14T19:11:00.000-04:00

iPad receives FAA certification as an electronic flight bag

by Steven Sande (RSS feed) on Feb 13th 2011 at 2:00PM

Jeppesen, the company that produces most of the paper and electronic "Jepp charts" used by pilots for preflight planning and inflight navigation, announced late last week that jet charter operator Executive Jet Management has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to use the Jeppesen Mobile TC App for iPad as an alternative to paper charts.
According to online aviation website AvStop, this authorization allows Executive Jet Management to use the app and iPad as the sole reference for electronic charts at all times during a flight. Jeppesen, Executive Jet Management and local and national Electronic Flight Bag authorization authorities recently completed a three-month in-flight evaluation of the iPad-based solution. During the evaluation, pilots for the charter operator logged more than 250 flight segments using the app.
The configuration that was authorized by the FAA is a Class 1 portable kneeboard electronic flight bag solution, meaning that the iPad needs to be secured and viewable during critical flight phases. The iPad tests even included a rapid decompression test to 51,000 feet in altitude and successful non-interference testing on the evaluation aircraft.
While the authorization is only for one jet charter operator, this could signal a move for rapid acceptance of the iPad in the cockpit by airlines.

A Great Weekend for Aviation in the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.

2011-03-12T22:40:00.000-05:00

Mid-March is a great time to schedule events that get people interested in aviation together. Eveyone is sick of winter, or almost everyone. That pretty snow that fell in late November was fun. The snow that gave us a "White Christmas" was neat. The 31 inches that fell in the last two weeks on the Northern Tier of Pa. has made most of us want to head to Punxatauney Pa to kill the ground hog who predicted that winter was over. I hope Phil's family has a good life insurance policy. I think he stands a better chance of a melt down than Charlie Sheen.....Punxatauney Phil is not WINNING. Unlike Phil and Charlie, aviation in Tioga County Pa. had a winning weekend. In Mansfield, there was a 3-day Sport Pilot Ground School held at Partners In Progress's conference room. There, students were given instruction by one of the nations leaders in Sport Pilot ground instruction, Mr. Jim Sweeney. This is Jim's third visit to Mansfield to help prepare attendees for the Sport Pilot Knowlege Test. Thanks to the Canyon Pilots Association and the Canyon Country Ultralight Club, several dozen students have been prepared or refreshed to be safe flyers.

Jim Sweeney http://www.sweeneycorp.com/ conducts Sport Pilot Knowlege Test training in Mansfield Pa.

While Mr. Sweeney conducted Sport Pilot training in Mansfield, Dave Fisher of the Grand Canyon Airport Authority, conducted a meeting in Wellsboro to gauge interest in the formation of a flying club. If successful this club would be based at N38, the Wellsboro-Johnston Airport. Thirteen folks turned out to share coffee and donuts to explore the concept of establishing a local flying club. Another 14 people expressed an interest in a club but were unable to attend. After a presentation and group discussion it was decided that there was enough interest to hold a follow-up meeting to take the club idea to the next stage of consideration. This meeting will be held at N38 on Friday, March 18 at 7:00pm. Call Tom Freeman at 570-662-7856 or email tfreeman@ptd.net with comments, questions or suggestions.

Those interested in the formation of a flying club at N38 share ideas after a presentaion on the concept. The meeting was held in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital Board Room, in Wellsboro Pa.

The Mid-Winter Pilot Blues

2011-02-05T21:21:00.000-05:00

Winter...Blaah

Well here we are, early February and the flying time is quite limited. I finally got out today and did soft and short practice. It seemed good to get back in the air since I have only flown 3 out of the last 11 times I scheduled a plane and instructor. Most of the cancellations were due to weather the rest to the normal mechanical issues. That is how it goes in the northern portion of the country. There are a few activities things that can keep us interested in flying during the middle of winter blues. Try scheduling a visit to a museum. I was surprised how many aviation museums are located within a days drive of northcentral Pa. You can drill down on them by going to www.thirtythousandfeet.com/museums.htm Select Pa or NY and you will be surprised what you find. I have added a new museum to my "wanna see" list after looking at this site. It is in Rhinebeck NY. http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/ They have airshows every Sunday in season of what appears to be WWI aircraft. The next activity to keep your head in flying is attending safety seminars. You can get a list of those at http://www.faast.gov/ You may be surprised at how many there are and how close they are to where you live. Lastly, and if you are really bored, try logging into http://www.mywrittenexam.com/ Here you can take a FAA private pilot knowlege test. You will be graded just as though you were taking the actual test and timed while you do it. Go ahead, test your knowlege, this is a great place to drudge up some of those forgotten FAR's and see just how sharp you are on the knowlege side of flying. Go to a museum, find a ground school, attend a safety seminar, refresh your knowlege. Winter is a great time to do aviation things that you put off when you can fly the rst of the year!

Florida Dreamin' Flight

2011-01-20T11:04:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone...

Here is a little vicarious ultralight-type flying for those of us who are grounded these winter months. However, I cannot seem to upload the video to the blog.

Though the videos and pictures on the link to Plane-A-Day may be different if you go there later than 1/20/2011, you can still see some neat stuff every day if you like. Just click on the Florida Dreamin' title to go to the website.

Enjoy... Mel

PS: If you would like to have the Real Player Flash Video file emailed directly to you, please contact me at flylite at gmail dot com by modifying the email address as needed to make it work properly.

A Different Kind of Flying!!

2011-01-09T21:24:00.002-05:00

Flying through the Everglades on an airboat. What a blast!!

Flying is normally something that you associate with air. Well, flying through the everglades with an airboat pilot is something that everyone who enjoys a propeller driven experience needs to add to their "to do" list. The prop. on this boat was connected to a 350 Chevy engine, that was able to get up to a rate of speed through the narrow mangrove passages, and create a little pucker factor for the passengers!!

En route Passengers:

Pelican 1, foreground was flaring for a landing on the small deck of the airboat as we headed away from the terminal. Pelican 2, was demonstrating his best glide ratio as he waited for Pelican 1 to clear the runway and taxi to the side of the airboat.

Wheel Landing......'er, well, something like that.

These birds landed on the deck of the airboat. The captain had a bucket of fish that attracted them. These are BIG birds and if you get six or eight of them on the deck of a small airboat, you have a lot of birds there. If they fight for position and have to fly, it is not unusual to have them WAP ( an old Batman TV phrase ) you with a wing. There is another animal trait that is unavoidable. When these birds take flight, they have a semi-liquid exhaust that ends up on the deck of the boat!! When the boat captain cranks up the 350 Chevy engine and speeds reaches a critical mass, this semi-liquid exhaust (a.k.a. pelican poop) becomes light and airborne and will make white spots on your dark colored sweatshirt. This is similar to farm freckles gained while walking by a drop in a dairy barn behind a cow in a stanchion!

Airboat Victor Airway

These small paths are carved through the swamp grass and mangroves. There is enough HP from the Chevy engine to create that "pucker factor" as you maneuver these areas at high speeds. This photo was at low tide which for an airboat pilot must be like operating under minimal VFR conditions in a high performance aircraft.

Future TSA agent with human passenger. They need exposure to "real people"

Hotel from 1997 Movie Gone Fishin' near airboat base

This runway is closed. There was no white X on either end but it was obvious the FBO did not want any traffic here.

The Passengers

If you have never had an opportunity to take a ride on an airboat, you should add it to your bucketlist. Be cautioned not to get on one of those that load 10-20 people on a fat airboat and take you for an open water ride. Get back into the swamp and take a real airboat ride. Ride with someone like the folks at http://www.airboateverglades.com/ You will enjoy the flight.

3-Day Sport Pilot Ground School

2011-01-09T18:32:00.002-05:00

The dates are set for a 3-day Sport Pilot Ground School in North Central Pennsylvania, Mansfield Pa. The dates are March 11, 12, 13. Seating is limited with a minimum number of seats required. The host is United States Ultralight Club 203 ( USUA ) The cost is $350. for instruction and $25. for materials. Pre-registration must be submitted to tfreeman@ptd.net by February 15. FMI call 570-662-7856. If you are a Private Pilot who is not current, this is a great opportunity to refresh yourself on the basics. If you are a zero time pilot and want to explore your interest in flying without the hassle of finding a flight instructor and committing to a program, this ground school is for you. If you want to learn to fly a Piper Cub, Aeronca, Champ, Light Sport Airplane, Trike, Powered Parachute or Ultralight and learn about doing it SAFELY this ground school is for you. For those who enjoy exploring their interest in flying with other enthusiasts, this is a fun, intensive, enjoyable 3-day ground school that will leave you excited and wanting to take the next step that fits your flying experience. Your instructor will be one of the nations leading advocates for flying for fun while making sure you do it in a safe, affordable manner. You can check out Jim Sweeney, your instructor at http://www.sweeneycorp.com/ as well as his course syllabus. These type of ground school opportunities are very rare. There are few opportunities in the northeastern U.S. to attend a ground school like this. We hope you can take advantage of this opportunity!!

Testing Dacron Sailcloth

2010-12-28T20:51:00.016-05:00

Did our club ever get that $30 Dacron Fabric Tester originally designed by Quicksilver, I understand? According to http://www.ultralightnews.ca/sails/fabrictesting.htm, unlike the Maule fabric tester, it is a Belt tension tester, which can be purchased with special end for testing fabric.

In the EAA video linked at the title above, Brian Carpenter demonstrates how the tool works and how important it is make sure we don't try to fly with unsafe sailcloth.

I, for one, would like if we could add this tool to our club toolbox in time for the Spring flying season. My annual is due in April.

Ultralight Pilot Training Possible Soon

2010-12-11T21:11:00.008-05:00

Hawk News and Announcement __________________________________________

12/9/2010 - Hawk Factory Training Program

In early 2011 CGS will be offering immersive Sport Pilot training at the CGS facilities in Grand Bay, AL. Students will stay locally and train daily in the factory's Hawk Arrow SLSA, with the goal of returning home with their Sport Pilot certificate. An abbreviated version of this course is available for Hawk Ultra pilots who intend to fly under FAR Part 103 ultralight rules. New Hawk purchasers will receive a substantial discount on this program.

Watch our website for more details.

______________________________________________________

12/9/2010 - Travel Reimbursement Program

For anyone who wants to demo a Hawk, but is deterred by the cost of traveling to the CGS factory in Grand Bay, AL, or the Hawk Support Facility in Bushnell, Florida, CGS will subtract the cost of your airfare from the price of any new Hawk kit or ready-to-fly SLSA.

_____________________________________________________

For a KitPlane Review of the Hawk go to: http://www.kitplanes.com/issues/pdfs/Flight_Review_CGS_Hawk_Arrow_KP1210.pdf

Winterizing Your 2-Stroke

2010-12-04T10:28:00.004-05:00

Brian Carpenter of Rainbow Aviation Services explains how to preserve a two stroke engine when you're not flying it regularly—especially during the winter. Brian is an A&P aircraft mechanic with an Inspection Authorization rating (IA), a DAR for light sport and amateur built, a Sport Pilot Instructor Examiner, an FAA Certified Flight Instructor, and an EAA Technical Counselor and Flight Advisor. Click on the title to Watch the Video.

Sport Pilot Ground School Looking For Interested Students

2010-11-11T20:11:00.000-05:00

Jim Sweeney, one of the countries most respected sport pilot and light sport aircraft experts, has once again agreed to return to northern Pennsylvania to conduct a 3-day Sport Pilot Ground School. The proposed date for the ground school is March 2011. The school is sponsored by USUA Club 203, The Canyon Country Ultralight Club and The Canyon Pilots Association. In order to secure a date with Mr. Sweeney we need a class minimum and early response indicating your interest is critical. Please see the article below that is being circulated in regional newspapers.

WELLSBORO - The Canyon Pilots Association and The Canyon County Ultralight Club, located near here are once again planning to offer a three day Sport Pilot Ground School in March.
Recently the FAA created a new rule called Sport Pilot that allows an average person to afford his or her dream of flight as pilot in command.
For the price of a Harley, the family ski boat or a collector car, you can own an aircraft and fly it safely over the hills and valleys of the countryside.
Tom Freeman, president of the United States Ultralight Club chapter located in Wellsboro, said “this is the third time that we have helped to sponsor this ground school. Our last ground school, which was held on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, attracted aviation enthusiast from three states and of all ages.”
The course is designed to provide the student with enough knowledge, with some review, to take the FAA’s knowledge test which is required in the process of becoming a Sport Pilot.
This course also will interest anyone who wants to learn more about flying, be a refresher to existing pilots who may want to fly as Sport Pilots or Ultralight pilots or anyone who may be considering any entry level of flight.
The instructor, Jim Sweeney, is an Illinois resident.
The Army trained Jim as an air traffic controller with duty at Ft. Knox and 101st ABN DIV (AMBL), Vietnam.
His general aviation experience includes over 3,700 hours flying light aircraft; tail wheel, grass fields and glider towing most frequently. Certificates held include Commercial - SEL, SES, MEL, Glider, and Instrument; Ground Instructor - Advanced; Flight Instructor SEL, MEL, Instrument.
Freeman said in order to hold this ground school a minimum of 13 people must sign up.
“This is why we are tying to get the word out now” he said. “It is necessary to gauge the interest level before we can schedule our instructor.”
Those interested can contact Freeman at
tfreeman@ptd.net or by calling 662-7856 after 6 p.m. Approximate cost of the ground school is $350.
“We will need to hear from interested people by the end of November in order to book the instructor for March. This would make a great Christmas gift for the aviation enthusiast in you family,” Freeman continued. The class will be held in the Wellsboro or Mansfield area.

Cessna Light Sport Visits Ithaca

2010-11-07T21:59:00.000-05:00

Cessna's Light Sport Aircraft is finally making its rounds to some flight schools and clubs. Today I returned from a training session in a Flight Design CTsw LSA at KITH East Hill Flying Club, to find a Cessna Skycatcher taxing out with EHFC's Chief Pilot. The plane was on display for members and guests to view and check out. Here are a few photos:

CCUC Members Planes and Projects

2010-11-03T22:38:00.002-04:00

The Canyon Country Ultralight Club, USUA Club 203 was formed in 2003 with a few guys who only had a dream to fly. Today, we still dream but some members have some type of aircraft. Some fly now, some will fly someday. The common value for our club is that we keep each other energized about safe affordable flight. Check out some of our aircraft.

Shaw Siglin's Champ Project

Rob Fishers Weedhopper

Fred Ziegler's Aerowoks 103

Mel Bole's CGS Hawk Ultra

Quick Silver (for sale)

Steve Reese's AirBike

Tom Freeman Blue Heron Marathon PPC

Mike Reids Gyro-Chopper-Copter-?

Dan Cooper's Kolb Slingshot

Benton Pa. Fly-In Ham Roast

2010-10-13T12:34:00.001-04:00

Fly-in Ham Roast

Come join us at the Benton Airport

Saturday, October 23, 2010 for lunch.

Fly-in any time. Lunch will be served at noon, rain or shine. Donations will support the Benton Airport. Fall foliage airplane rides available after lunch. Children’s activities and fun for the whole family throughout the day. The Airport is located at the end of Everett Street for those arriving in cars.

For runway conditions contact airport manager, Monty Hittle (570)317-7073.

PA40 BENTON(PRIVATE) BENTON PA

Lat: N 41۫ 12.0 Long: W 076۫ 23.2 Elev: 780 Var: +11

Runways 03/21 2200’ x 150’ grass

Airport located on the 050 radial 16NM from the Milton VOR

If able monitor 122.8 on arrival and departure

Towanda Area Pilots Association Fly-In Breakfast

2010-10-05T12:52:00.000-04:00

Add To Your Aircraft Documentation

2010-10-01T18:38:00.000-04:00

Here is a great way to add to the documentation file for your aircraft. In the event you sell your aircraft or otherwise need quick proof that your aircraft is registered the way you say or think it is registered, there is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to do so. Simply go to http://aircraft.faa.gov/e.gov/ND/ A certified copy of your aircraft records will be mailed to you for $3.80.

Fly Into Fall

2010-09-26T09:47:00.002-04:00

Fall has crept into the northeastern U. S. once again and is beginning to bring us the fantastic colors that only fall can bring. If you have a nice fall photo that you capture while you are flying and would like it posted, email it to tfreeman@ptd.net and I would be happy to post it here for others to enjoy.

N38 Wellsboro-Johnston Airport in Wellsboro Pa. / Home of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

Powered Parachute takes flight from a Tioga County Pa. farm field airstrip

Sailboats getting one more good day on Cayuga Lake near Ithaca NY

Beautiful farm country in the Endless Mountain Region of Pennsylvania

Powered Parachutes enjoy a fall morning

The home of Mansfield University of Pa. (upper left ) is a colorful place on. Mansfield is home of the worlds very first night football game which was lit by G.E.

A Tioga County Pa. Dairy

Canyon Pilots Association 2010 Annual Labor Day Fly-In Breakfast

2010-09-05T21:44:00.000-04:00

In Tioga County, deep in the heart of Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon Country, thousands of people have been served breakfast by the Canyon Pilots Association. This signature event held at the Wellsboro-Johnston Airport has become a Labor Day Tradition for pilots, travelers, folks in nearby camps, locals and many others. Enjoy a few photos from the 2010 Canyon Pilots Association Labor Day Fly-In Breakfast.

Two members of the Pilots Association fly a "Missing Man" formation in honor of Richard "Dick" C. Johnston. I am sure Dick would say, " what the hell are those damn guys doing now?1?!!"

CPA Salute To Richard C. Johnston


The "Missing Man"


Breakfast Arrival Hits The Numbers On Two-Eight


One of N38's Resident Murphy's


Bikers Are A Big Part of Our Success. These Folks Can Eat and WE Enjoy Cooking For Them!!


Donations to the Richard C. Johnston Memorial Scholarship can be made anytime. Contact N38 for details.


8:30 AM as the Labor Day Crowd Grows

This is breakfast "American Style"


Just some of the aircraft flying at N38 on Labor Day 2010


This Skyhawk could be yours. Contact Joe at 570-724-6424 for details.

The Canyon Pilot's Association would like to thank everyone who attends our breakfasts each Memorial Day and Labor Day Sunday. If you enjoy all you can eat buckwheat pancakes, eggs done to your specification, ham, coffee and juice for six bucks, made by pilots who love to serve you, you have to see the assembly line grills set up to serve you quickly. The breakfast is a production unto itself. These guys "Git 'er Done."

The date to remember for Memorial Day 2010 is Sunday May 29th. Mark your calendar now!!

Cessna Skyhawk II For Sale

2010-09-05T20:02:00.000-04:00

1978 Cessna Sky II For Sale or Possible Trade

TTAC 3445

1441 SMOH

2-NAV COM RT-385A

300 EP DR

300 A NAVOMATIC

NARCO DME 190TSO

300 ADF R-546E

2-ALT

Rudder Trim

IFR

Fresh Annual

$44,500 Many Consider A Trade

Contact Joe 570-724-6424

The Ultralight Spirit Is Alive In Pennsylvania's Canyon Country

2010-08-12T21:27:00.000-04:00

The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon region is alive with light sport, general aviation and ultralight activity. The Canyon Pilots Association and The Canyon Country Ultralight Clubs are seeing a significant increase in folks who want to get into the air in a safe, affordable manner. Everyone has their own definition of what is affordable and what is safe. The club environment promotes both and encourages everyone to work hard and be accountable for their own safety. With that in mind a seemingly wild project to most of us who do not understand it can be very safe to someone who does.
A case in point is from a long time friend of local ultralight activity Mike Reid who shared the following with me. I think you will enjoy it. Be sure to follow the youtube links:

Mike Reid here. I live in Middlebury Twsp. You might remember me (used to have and fly PPG's up until 3 years ago). We met a few times and I am currently on the Canyon Country Ultralight email list.

............. anyway, I'm dropping a line to let you know I really appreciate reading all the emails being sent. As hard as I've tried, due to scheduling, I have never been able to make it up to one of the meetings to get involved. I am a Corrections Officer at the Tioga County Prison and have been on 3-11 shifts until recently. I'm finally on 7-3 days !

I have not actually been too "dormant", however. If you are like Wes McKinney, you might think I am as crazy as he does, but I have endeavored into building an experimental ultralight helicopter. The design is after a micro-lite coaxial helo that was built and has been flying in Stockerau, Austria since 2004. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W3gamijezc . The one in this video is the only flying model to date. This might be changing here very soon..................

While Franz Schoffmann built his out of scratch parts from his garage, I have done some modifications, light changes and built mine out of aircraft aluminum & grade-8 hardware. We have approx. 25 individuals from all walks of life - America to Scotland, and Australia - working on similar projects. People like me (amatuer) to professional helo pilots. I had the hub professionally made by a machinist down-state. All else I have made myself. Most materials for the build were bought through Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. (some pictures attached). I have recently started the slow and detailed process of testing the machine. Initial run-up went very well with very little vibration and smooth operation all around. I'll be sticking to multiple ground tests and checks prior to any attempt at flight. Even in flight, this machine should never be pushed past a low 25 feet or so.

First Test run-up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIBQIUANlyY

I figured I would pass this project along, as you might find it interesting.

Anyway, I hope you like the little helo project. Yes, it looks a bit scary, but Franz has been flying his little weight-shift helo for 6 years with no issues or problems at all - just have to know and stick to its limitations. Most get a bit freaked out by the 8-foot props / rotors overhead, but in PPG, the same is true - just on your back :-)

Thanks Mike!! This is one neat project. Please keep us updated on your progress!!

Please meet Mr. Mike Reid!! Helo Man.

Famous Canyon Pilots Annual Labor Day Fly In Breakfast

2010-08-12T20:33:00.000-04:00

Here we go again. Another fly in pancake breakfast right? 3 guys and four hot plates and a big fry pan..........NOT!!

The legend and the crowds continue to grow for the annual Canyon Pilots Associations Labor Day breakfast!! Buckwheat pancakes, commercial grills, large dining area in "The Big Hanger" and long time chefs (pilots and their friends) serve up what is now a legendary feast for six bucks!! Joe Frock makes sure that only top quality foods make our table. Come join us on Sunday, September 5th from 8:00 am to noon. Come early!

Join us for breakfast where all proceeds will go directly to the Richard C. Johnston Memorial Scholarship

Our most famous cook Billy "Doc" Mitchell

The Ramp fills up quickly on a good weather day

Carl is the guy behind the scenes that helps make this work. Have a problem? Carl can help.

Richard C. Johnston Memorial Scholarship Fund

2010-08-12T19:29:00.000-04:00

Our region recently lost a longtime aviation advocate. Richard C. "Dick" Johnston who was the FBO at N38 for 50 years will have a scholarship opened in his honor. A board of trustees were selected at a joint meeting of the Canyon Pilots Association and the Canyon Country Ultralight Club on August 11th. Both clubs agreed to donate 100% of the proceeds from the annual labor day flyin breakfast to help fund the scholarship program. The breakfast attracts nearly 1000 hungry folks and is a great way to open this fund. If you would like to contribute there will be more details posted on this blog as the board of trustees develops the scholarships structure.

Geneseo Airshow 2010 Photos

2010-08-06T20:18:00.000-04:00

Canyon Country Ultralight Club Member, Al Quimby, recently attended the Geneseo Airshow. Here is a quote from Al:

"These are war birds, old & new, from the 2010 Geneseo Air show that is put on by the 1941 Historic Aircraft Group the 2^nd weekend of July. If you like spending a day watching vintage aircraft, this is a great place to be. This is the third time that my family has gone up there, and we have never been disappointed."

Thanks for the photos Al.. Scroll down and enjoy.

Canyon Pilots Help Return Flight Instruction To Wellsboro Johnston Airport!!!

2010-08-03T23:02:00.000-04:00

The Canyon Pilots Association is pleased to announce that private pilot flight instruction will once again be available at the Wellsboro Johnston Airport in Tioga County Pa., N38. Rob Clark, whose ratings include: commercial, instrument, multi-engine, CFI and CFII is an instructor for Skyline Air of Elmira NY. Rob comes from a family of pilots and began flying at the age of 15. Rob worked as a flight instructor at Meriden

Aviation in Meriden, Connecticut for several years and is currently safety officer for Squadron 339 (Grand Canyon Composite) of CAP. Rob's day job is an assistant professor of anthropology in the department of social work, sociology, and anthropology at Mansfield University. He graduated with his Ph.D from Yale in 2008.

Flight instruction will begin at N38 on August 21st. An informational meeting will be held at the airport on Tuesday August 10th at 7:00 pm, the public is invited to attend.

Please come out and support flight instruction at Wellsboro Johnston!! Check out Rob in the plane on this youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7nZ_exByAM

Girl Scouts Interested In Ultralight and Light Sport Aircraft

2010-08-03T21:43:00.000-04:00

Over 70 Girl Scouts and their leaders who were attending a camp at Hills Creek State Park in Tioga County Pa. invited a powered parachute pilot to join them and explain light sport and ultralight flying. Many of the girls expressed a desire to fly as a pilot in command of their own aircraft one day. They were all excited and great questions were asked by the girls and their leaders. Hopefully some of these young ladies will enjoy flying above the hills of Pennsylvania in their own aircraft one day!!

Click here to see the Evening Flight

2010-07-10T12:29:00.004-04:00

for all of you that havent seen it yet, here is one of my flights in the hopper.

>>Rob

A Visit To Lock Havens Sentimental Journey

2010-06-22T19:56:00.000-04:00

We have a lot of aviation history within a two hour drive of Pennsylvania's Canyon Country . The Glenn Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport NY., The Soaring Capitol of the World in Big Flats NY and The Piper Aircraft Museum in Lock Haven Pa. This past week was the 25th Sentimental Journey held at the former Piper plant in Lock Haven. Piper once boasted that it was the worlds largest producer of general aviation aircraft. It is rumored that John Deere tractors were painted green with yellow accents rather than yellow with green accents because Piper Aircraft purchased all of the yellow paint in the country. It was fun to take a trip to Lock Haven and see all of those yellow Cubs, as well as many other interesting aircraft. Enjoy a few photos and if you have not already visited the Piper Museum, you should take a Saturday and do so.

A hand prop'ed Cub taxis to the runway.

A Cub Special in the shade.

Campin' at Sentimental Journey

An Aeronca Experimental

Another experimental with a Lycoming!!

A military training mission?

A motorglider takes the pavement

An R44 gave spectator rides. He was a busy pilot!

Wings, Wheels and Whatever Held at Wellsboro-Johnston Airport

2010-06-15T21:25:00.000-04:00

The Canyon Country Ultralight Club, USUA Club 203, held the 2nd annual Wings, Wheels and Whatever event at N38 in Wellsboro Pa. on June 12. This is a gathering of toys that burn fossil fuel. You have to admit that there are a lot of cool toys that burn gas!! We wanted to give folks a chance to show some of them off and promote activity at the airport. Below are a few photos to enjoy.

H. Paul Shuch Ph.D., CFII and his light sport SportStar were on hand to give Intro. Flights to those who wanted to have instruction in the left seat. Check out Paul's site at http://www.avsport.org/ Paul operates a flight school at historic William T. Piper Airport http://www.piperairport.com/ in Lock Haven. Paul specializes in Sport Pilot training.

Vintage Polaris snowmobiles on dispaly

RC Plane about to take flight

A dedicated RC guy. Is he single or does he have a very understanding wife?

More RC activity

Hit and Miss Engines were a hit

Gas burning toys did not have all the fun. There was a bike race also. The airport was closed for about 45 minutes while the bikes headed down the taxi way and back down runway 10 to start the race.

A big thank you goes out to all who participated, planned and organized this years event.

weedhopper update

2010-05-25T16:32:00.010-04:00

here are some pics of my weed hopper. Every day I get a little closer, with the help of friends and family. Thanks to my Dad and also to Tim Clymer for helping me with my exhaust.

My fabric is real bad but It will have to do for now.

Dad and I put her together last Friday, just to see if we could do it. It took us quite a long time and I hope it dosnt take that long to assemble it up at the fly-in.

She seems to be running well, for now and hopefully Ill be able to taxi her around this week.

take care and see you at the Fly-in.

>>Rob Fisher

It's 2010, GO FLY Something

2010-05-19T21:26:00.000-04:00

A lot of us have the bug. We want to fly. We may have some flight experience or we may have no flight experience. We may be pilots who have parked our flying bug for one reason or another. Spring is now in full bloom and so is the flying season. With a little effort you can get your feet off the ground and really enjoy flying without it costing you an arm and leg. I have found that most pilots enjoy company when flying. Here is an example. I stopped by Sky Haven last Monday just to see if they sold sectionals. While talking to the FBO I inquired about a J-3 Cub that they flew there. It is no longer in service but they do have a PA-11 Cub Special still flying. I signed up for an hour long lesson a few days later and was told to go to the last hanger on the left and take a look at the plane, which I did. I spent 5-10 minutes looking the plane over and headed back to my vehicle. On my walk back I met a gentleman walking toward the open hanger I had just left with a headset in hand. He said "did you look it over? Is she ready to fly" I replied, "I don't know a thing about that plane I was only looking her over as I have a lesson in her in a few days" He pulled it out of the hanger, showed me the pre-flight procedure, and asked what I was doing for the next half hour. I quickly said "nothing". He asked if I wanted to go up......well dah.....(that was not really the way I answered him) So I climed into the rear seat and we taxied out, flew around the area for a bit, landed and I got out and watched him and the old Cub return to the sky and slowly slip out of site. What a neat experience and it did not cost a dime. Will this be the year you get in the air? Will you react to the bug that wants you to fly? Take an intro. flight or discovery flight. Get in a glider. Hang out at an airport that has activity and get to know some local pilots. Join a club. If you enjoy flying and place yourself in the right places, you can enjoy flying without owning an aircraft. Of course that places you at a greater risk of needing to own or rent an aircraft. It is spring, if you have the bug to fly, don't let it become the fall of 2010and still have your feet stuck to the earth and say "someday, maybe next year". GO FLY something!! Let the flying bug loose.

Finding Ultralight Instruction

2010-05-13T16:05:00.007-04:00

I don't know if any of you get the Light Plane World e-newsletter from EAA but you might want to consider it?

I say that because of things like the article for which I've provided a link by clicking on the above headline, "Finding Ultralight Instruction." Check it out.

Scenes from Sun n Fun 2010

2010-04-20T22:37:00.002-04:00

This was one of the warbirds. We had a chance to visit with a special warbird judge, "Doc" Mitchell from the Canyon Pilots Association. Doc is a longtime judge and highly respected among his fellow judges.

Did you ever see the TV commercial that show guys "Messin' with Sasquatch?" Sombody else saw the commercial too. I also saw an FAA mission statement that went like this: FAA, we are not happy until you're not happy. Wonder if they we from the Harrisburg FSDO?

Day 2, Wednesday, was a fairly windy day. When we arrived nothing was flying in Paradise City. That quickly changed. The guys at M-Squared were great and we got in a couple of demo. flights. I have gone from a PPC that is controlled with "all feet" to a Flight Design that I over rudder to the M-Squared that gets you back into being a "rudder lover."

500 ft above Sun n Fun in the M-Squared with a very colorful pilot. This guy flies about 800 hours each year with tourists over the Florida Keys in an M-Squared on floats. What a terrible way to have make cash!!

They even let a Canyon Country Ultralight Club member take the flight controls. There is an interesting landmark for turning final at this airport, a cemetary!!

If you ever get this chance, make a plan to visit Lakeland in April. Sun n Fun will welcome you.

Pipers new light sport. This is not your father's Cub!! What a nice plane.

I Lost My Shirt-tail

2010-04-20T18:03:00.009-04:00

Today, 4/20/2010, after a 5+ month break since my first solo in a SportStar, I finally got back to where I was when I stopped flying last October at Adventure Flight Training in Lancaster (KLNS).

When I started post-solo training again on, 4/6/2010, at AvSport of Lock Haven (KLHV), it turned out that I was more "rusty" at flying than I wanted to be. However, Paul Shuch, CFI II, patiently got the rust "cleaned-up" and, with ideal wind conditions, today, I got to fly around the pattern three times, "alone and unassisted!" How cool is that!

The severed shirt-tail reads, "On 20 Apr 2010 Mel Bole soloed SportStar N810EV at AvSport of Lock Haven. HP Shuch 548624494 CFI II." This picture is on AvSport's website also under "About" Photo Gallery" "Students."

To check it (and the whole AvSport website) out, click on the title of this blog. It contains a wealth of light sport aviation information.

True Ultralight

2010-04-07T10:01:00.008-04:00

My personal CGS Hawk Ultra got heavy because, among other things, I use a Rotax 447 engine. However, it was originally designed to be a true ultralight.

Now, as you can see in the youtube video linked to the title of this blog, the new CGS owners have flight tested an Ultra using a compact "radial" (single cylinder) MZ34. Like the original Ultra, the Hawk is a tail-dragger.

If you would like to watch something on an engine test on the MZ34 on the Hawk Ultra, that video can be seen here.

At the end of the flight test video, you can hear a guy say, "I got to get one of these!" Maybe this is something which could work for you, as well? Even if it doesn't work for you, ENJOY the flight!

Weedhopper Feature Story

2010-02-04T20:52:00.000-05:00

The Weedhopper has been around for a long time and has been featured in the February 2010 Light Sport and Ultralight Flying magazine. "Restoring a Weedhopper" is the story written by Keith Murchison. The 5 page spread is enough to make Hopper fans head for Barnstormers to purchase a new project or the garage to work on their very own hopper. If this article and the great photos don't get you fired up to fly something light and affordable, you should be working on a dirt bike, mammas car or your lawn mower. This plane looks like a blast to fly. We have a club member, Rob Fisher, who is mid-stream with his own Weedhopper project. We can't wait to see him take flight. We look forward to updates from Rob on this Blog soon. Also, thanks to Matt Hoppes for his recent post on his flight at Lock Haven. It must be kind of cool to take flight on the home field of the J-3 Cub. http://www.weedhopperusa.net/

First Flying Lesson

2010-02-04T17:35:00.003-05:00

I told Tom I would post an update after I had had my first flight, which I accomplished this past Saturday with the help of H. Paul Shuch, the CFI at AvSport of Lock Haven. Professor Shuch has flown in the air force, air commuted to NJ for 30 years, and generally has a very extensive flying background. He has worked with the folks who have designed the Virgin spaceplanes, and now he is offering flight lessons in our area!

From the moment we took off until we landed, I felt completely at ease (though prior to the first flight I wondered if I would be fully comfortable) as the Evektor SportStar took to the skies. We spent about an hour airborne as Professor Shuch showed me how to work the controls and keep the aircraft level, all the while explaining in simple terms what was going on.

I highly recommend the Sport Pilot training @ AvSport. They have 'package' deals to help keep the cost of learning down, while helping the student to excel and concentrate on learning, not the hourly meter running.

Here is a picture of me in the SportStar.

Free Sport Pilot Seminar & Another Local Sport Pilot Training Facility

2010-01-27T09:35:00.003-05:00

Confused about the Sport Pilot license and Light Sport Aircraft regulations? Even after five years, few know about this new General Aviation alternative. Come learn all about sport flying in this Wings presentation by Professor H. Paul Shuch, the Chief Flight Instructor at AvSport of Lock Haven.

Piper Memorial Airport
353 Proctor Street
Lock Haven, PA 17745

REGISTRATION:
http://faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=29366

If you're looking for a Saturday-afternoon stroll through the sky without a lot of burdensome expense and regulation, the FAA created the sport pilot certificate in 2004 just for folks like you.

FAA’s Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category offers affordable, safe, basic aircraft for many people who would otherwise be unable to fly.

While the most recognizable light sport aircraft is the fixed-wing airplane, the light sport aircraft category includes six additional kinds of aircraft as well:
Gyroplanes
Powered (para)chutes
Weight-shift control aircraft
Gliders
Lighter-than-air airships
Lighter-than-air balloons

Attend this interesting and exciting safety briefing and learn about light sport aircraft!

AvSport of Lock Haven now offers Sport Pilot training locally! Visit avsport.org to find out more information. I plan on taking my first flying lesson this coming Saturday, weather permitting, and will report back!

Through The Fence.....What???

2010-01-08T22:07:00.000-05:00

The FAA is proposing new rules that will prohibit many airparks, existing and proposed, from having access to airports who have accepted federal funds. These airports are public airports. Here are a couple of examples as I understand them. Example #1 A home owner who has a private hanger with access to the airport via a taxiway can no longer access the airport, even though he purchased the property with that purpose in mind. Example #2 A private developer planning a flyin community can not give access from the private community to a public airport via a taxiway to that airport. The airplane must be hangered within the fenced boundry of the airport. Example #3. This may be an extreme but I experienced it and the new rule may affect more of us with light sport aircraft. You may not be permited to trailer your aircraft to an airport and take it through the fence to fly at any public airport. I experienced this first hand when attempting to take my bi-annual flight review last year in my PPC. My CFI asked me to meet him at a public airport located halfway between his normal field and my normal field. Since sport pilot CFI's with PPC ratings are few and far between that meant quite a bit of travel for both of us. We arrived at the airport at dusk and found the small country, public airport, to be secured and gated. The FBO had gone home for the day. Since we needed to fly at dawn, as most PPC's do, this presented a problem. Luckily a gentleman with a plane hangered there was just leaving and let us through the gate. He was a nice guy but feared what the FBO would say to him the next morning when he arrived to see a PPC flying around his airport, inside the fence. Now the FAA may give this non light sport aircraft friendly FBO some solid ground to stand on to keep that type of activity off "his" publicly owned airport. His publicly owned airport. How do you like that phrase.

Here is the bottom line: Imagine this. You own a car and keep it in your garage. For some novel reason you wish to drive your car out of your garage and onto a public highway, but wait......you can't access the public highway from your garage because the government decided that is an illegal method of accessing the highway. WHAT are you guys nuts???? That is what the FAA's through the fence rules amount to.

If you are a friend of small public airports, you need to be concerned about this type of big brother oversight. After all maybe the next government do gooder will decide that you can no longer fly your ultralight from your private strip because the air belongs to the public and therfore you can not access the air? Sounds crazy, but......

Call your or email your congressman and express your concern over the FAA's "Through The Fence" rule. In northern Pa. contact Congressman Glenn Thompson at::

Washington, DC Office

Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson 124 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5121
Fax: (202) 225-5796

Paper Airman Certificates Set To Expire March 2010

2010-01-08T20:31:00.000-05:00

Have one of these?

After March 31, 2010 you will need one of these:

Paper Pilot Certificates Expire March 31, 2010

PrintEmail
Updated: 3:32 pm ET September 8, 2009

Pilots cannot exercise the privileges of their PAPER pilot certificates after March 31, 2010.

Certificates issued under 14 CFR Part 63 and 65 will expire March 31, 2013.

FAR 61.19(h) reads:

Duration of pilot certificates. Except for a temporary certificate issued under §61.17 or a student pilot certificate issued under paragraph (b) of this section, the holder of a paper pilot certificate issued under this part may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2010.

To replace your certificate go here:
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/certificate_replacement/

Some certificate once used a pilots social security number as the airmans number. You can now change that as well. If you would like to do that, go here:
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/change_certificate_number/

Great warplane video !

2009-12-23T18:49:00.002-05:00

This is a video that was forwarded to me from one of my Weedhopper clubs. Hope you folks enjoy!!

>>Rob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5SBfMK28yM

Flying Down The Highway

2009-12-05T16:55:00.000-05:00

If you enjoy flying or dream of flying you have no doubt at one time thought that it would be cool to be able to fly to work, a friends house, shopping or just a short flight to a fun spot. The problem is that once you arrive at the airport, how do you get from the airport to your destination? Soon it will no longer be a problem. The folks at Terrafugia are developing "the transition." This light sport aircraft's wings fold and it quickly becomes a roadable airplane. Check out their web site. http://www.terrafugia.com/index.html You can even get on a waiting list to purchase one as soon as they roll off the assembly line. If you can't afford one now, buy a collectable at their store. It will surely double in price on e-bay if this product takes off or just dies as a cool concept!! What a gift for the aircraft enthusiatst that has everything!! Happy Holidays.

Sport Pilot Ground School, Mansfield Pa.

2009-11-23T23:47:00.001-05:00

The United States Ultralight Associations Club 203, located in Mansfield Pa. is considering hosting of a 3 day Sport Pilot Ground School in late March of 2010. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in exploring their interest in flying. Our instructor, Jim Sweeney www.sweeneycorp.com will help to prepare students to complete the Sport Pilot Knowledge Test. This school is also a great opportunity for ultralight pilots, 0 hour students who may want to fly as well as a great refresher for GA and Sport Pilots who may not be current or have medical issues. If we can generate enough interst, this will be the 3rd time we have hosted this Jim Sweeney Ground School. We have had local people attend Jims ground school and have gone on to become sport pilots in many different categories of light sport aircraft. We have had attendees continue to follow their ultralight flight flying desire. We have had GA pilots attend to refresh their currency and knowlege. This is a great opportuinity to take your dream of flying to the next level without breaking the bank. This ground school will not be possible without some committment from those who are interested. The date is late March of 2010. The fee will be approx. $300. Please reply to tfreeman@ptd.net asap if you are interested. The things you will learn in this 3 day school will help to make you a safer, GA, Sport, or ultralight pilot and feed you interest in flight even if you just dream of flying.

K&W Pizza Night at N38

2009-11-10T23:18:00.000-05:00

CPA President Jim Hoopes in his PPC with friend Denny Mills

Ralph, Wes, Andy and Dick

Jim and Sandy Hoppes, Dick and Ada Johnston enjoying Wes's hospitality.

Pratt? Whitney? I still can't tell them apart!

The SOLO Smile

2009-11-05T22:10:00.000-05:00

That SOLO Smile. I was fortunate enough to get my solo flight in a light sport Flight Design CTsw on November 3rd. As you may notice Mel Bole posted a few days ago that he soloed too. Look at his post and mine. We flew different airplanes but we both have that same "goofy solo smile." Here are a few facts about my fixed wing flight experience. 1) I have flown 21.1 hrs including 19.9 hrs before my solo day 2) Solo day was a pattern practice day and I had to complete 4 T&G's under instruction before the CFI felt comfortable enough to deplane and let me go on my own. 3) The solo consisted of 3 T&G's 4) I now have 21.1 hours of airplane single engine land hours. 5) I have completed 103 landings 5) I have spent $2,743. to date not including club membership and deposit. 6) This does not include my investment in aquiring my Sport Pilot ticket with a powered parachute endorsement but the fact that I am currently a sport pilot is helping to shorten my training time. In summary I have had a blast doing this. I was very imtimidated to take my powereded parachute training and start flying a light sport airplane in a club that flew from a Class Delta airport. Talking to ATC was and still is a foreign concept. My CFI's have made this a pretty easy transition. Now I am on to gain some solo time out in the practice area, then x-country flights etc. I am having a great time flying this little airplane with a very high quality flight training facility. I highly recommend East Hill for anyone looking into light sport aircraft training.

The Woodhopper of East Hill

2009-11-04T21:50:00.000-05:00

The Woodhopper of East Hill seemed like a fitting title for this post as the Halloween season has just past. This skeleton of an ultralight has been hung from the rafters of the East Hill Flying Club in Ithaca NY ever since I have taken instruction there. The bones of this once proud ultralight are exposed and it is naked and skinless in its home high above the other club planes. You can not enter this hanger without wondering what it is or what it may have become. It begs for a new owner to be mated with her to make her complete and let her soar. No man has dared to bring her back to life but enjoy casting their stares at her lifeless exposed frame none the less. Here is a You Tube video of this plane attempting to escape the bonds of gravity and justify her life and affection of the man that rode her into the abyss. Copy and paste it to your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4eThLRel7k

In later years the Weedhopper ultralight enjoyed a good amount of success in the ultralight marketplace. Canyon Country Ultralight Club member Rob Fisher is resurecting one as we speak. Many men have enjoyed the company of the Weedhopper but still wonder what it would have been like to have an affection for the cousin, the Woodhopper of East Hill. Check out Rob's post earlier in this blog showing the stautus of his project.

You can also check out the Weedhopper web site at:

http://www.weedhopperusa.net/

Great News to Share!

2009-10-26T21:42:00.002-04:00

After my first solo flight at KLNS (Lancaster, PA Airport) in SportStar N182EV was over on 10/26/09 at approximately 1730 hours.

Cayuna American Aerolights

2009-10-19T22:50:00.005-04:00

Below are photos of a Cuyuna Engine S/N 12571 manufactured by the Cuyuna Development Group with an address of PO Box 116, Crosby MN 56441 with the logo of American Aerolights on the recoil starter. It is a single cylinder, signal Mikuni Carb engine. The history is unclear other than it was know to be on something that flew in the late '70s or early '80's. Hopefully this post will answer some questions as to the company who flew them or find someone who needs this engine to complete a correct restoration of their early ultralight. Please contact tfreeman@ptd.net if you have info. or interest in this engine.

Breakin' Wind and Passin' Gas

2009-10-13T23:05:00.000-04:00

If you live in this part of Pennsylvania and get anywhere above the ground you will see the impact of the energy industry on our region. You can not fly above eastern Tioga County Pa. without seeing the windmills breakin' wind or pass gas rigs tapping the Marcellus Shale. Enjoy a few photos from our flying friends. Click on the photos to enlarge.

The Homestead Revisited...By Air

2009-10-08T23:11:00.000-04:00

On Sunday morning October 3 I had the chance to trailer my PPC back to the farm where I was raised. The current owner of the farm happens to be a long time PPC flyer and currently owns a Piper Super Cub and recently purchased a Cessna 182 with his son. They fly the PPC and the Cub from an airstrip on the farm. Another PPC pilot, Denny Mills, from Iowa, joined us for this Sunday morning flight. http://www.iowaflight.com/ The farm is located in Ulysses in Potter County Pa. and was primarily a potato farm during my youth. A lifelong friend joined me as the backseat passenger in my Blue Heron Marathon http://www.blueheronppc.com/ as we flew over the fall colors of Potter County. The picture to the left is the farm as it is today and is meticously maintained by the current owners, Jim and Sandy Hoopes. As the sky grew dark to the west the sun shown brightly from the east on the hills and the fields, it brought back many memories. Not the least of which was flying from the Ulysses Airport which now stands empty and has a meterlogical tower placed squarley in the middle of the grass runway making the airfield "useless for Ulysses." This airfield was where I got my first ride in any type of aircraft. I remeber it as though it were yesterday, taking off with Ed. Cady in some type of low wing

Piper over the farm fields that were only viewable from the ground to me at that point in my life. This past Sunday 3 PPC pilots spent an hour hovering around those same fields at about 300 ft AGL. It was a very unique opportunity to take a trip back in time to stir some fond memories and enjoy flying over some beautiful lands that I once called home.

Thanks Jim, Denny and Eric for sharing some time with me in the air over the old homestead! It was a memory that will last a lifetime.

1890's Festival In Mansfield Pa.

2009-09-26T08:43:00.003-04:00

Once again the Fabulous 1890's weekend took flight on Sept. 25 in Mansfield Pennsylvania. This truly unique event celebrates the home of the first night football game. The hot air balloon was the only form of flight in the late 1800's. This hot air balloon took flight from the very location that that started football under the lights. Hot air

ballooning is a great experience. From the heat of the air rushing into the balloon to the quiet drift and spectacular viewing platform, this is something that anyone who loves to experience flying should try. Take a look at the web site below and book a ride with a balloon pilot. It will be worth the effort!!

Check out more about the 1890's event by visiting the link below.

http://www.1890sweekend.com/

http://www.hotairballooning.com/

my weedhopper

2009-09-22T11:39:00.003-04:00

Well as most of our members know, I've been working on getting a UL up for a couple of years now. I first bought a plane that I had great hopes for, but it ended up as a parts plane and by selling off some of its parts, became a source of revenue to fund the additions to my current Hopper. The Weedhopper is just one of many UL models designed by the late John Chotia. They were in production from the late seventies to the mid nineties.

Mine is a "B" model that has had many upgrades done to it. Its probably closer to a "C" model while still retaining the "B" model wing design. I am using a rotax 277cc engine. I am currently trying to find a side mount exhaust for it and that is basically all that is holding me back from taking her out a crowhopping her.

I really dont have many pictures of my UL other than a video that my Sis helped me shoot.
You can find it on youtube at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKkuyS2qzZ8

There is also a youtube video of the previous owner of my plane test flying her out in Ohio, which is where I purchased the plane.

that link is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L35xtAtNNMI

The previous owner had a 277 with side mount exhaust on it, as you will see. In retrospect, I wish I would have bought the plane with the engine instead of without. I was trying to save some money, as I already had an engine from my other plane. As it turned out it ended up costing more in the long run...live and learn.

That's about all I have for now, I will try to put some current pics on here from time to time and keep everyone informed of my progress.

bye for now...

>>Rob Fisher

Quicksilver MX!! Ultralight Club Considers Ownership

2009-09-18T23:07:00.005-04:00

The Canyon Country Ultralight Club is considering the purchase of a Quicksilver MX from 5 of its members who have helped to bring the project plane back into an airworthy condition. The club currently owns 1/6th interest in the plane. Dan Cooper (pictured above) club VP, has led the charge, provided the housing and done most of the work on the MX. The plane was recently moved to the Wellsboro Johnston Airport, N38 in Wellsboro Pa. where it will be hangered from now on. Details are currently being discussed on how a member may qualify for flight privileges. The club is currently a United States Ultralight Club and was hoping to take advantage of USUA insurance programming etc. It now appears that USUA is on life support as an organization and members are looking at other options to help support the needs of the club. Training is very important and difficult to find in our region but members firmly believe it is an integral part to being granted flying privileges in the MX. Inquiries are currently being made to EAA's ultralight division to help address training and insurance concerns. Once the guidelines are established qualified members may be able to fly this plane for as little as $10-$15 per hour with a monthly dues of $40-$50 to help offset fixed expenses such as insurance, hanger fees, etc. Anyone interested is welcome to comment as we develop the plans to make this plane available to members for flight. Stay tuned to the blog for additional info. on flying the MX. In the meantime, check out this video clip of an MX in flight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4eUymbIfqU

Powered Parachute Pilot Damages Light Sport Cause

2009-09-08T21:23:00.001-04:00

Today powered parachutes hit the main stream media. Of course it had to involve a stupid pilot trick in order for this to happen. A PPC pilot flew over a crowd at a tomato festival in Iowa and flew his PPC into a crowd injuring several people and the light sport aircraft movement in general. I do not know all of the facts and should not summarize but I am going to do so anyhow. This PPC was a 2-seat aircraft and may or may not have been n-numbered. If it was n-numbered the numbers did not stand out as they should have, even in close up photos. This may not seem like a big deal but a pilot who has taken the time, effort and consideration to comply with the rule to n-number his machine has demonstrated some type of willingness to follow the FAR's. This pilot clearly violated FAR 91.119 see below.

Sec. 91.119 - Minimum safe altitudes: General.
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

If you look and listen to the video you may notice the following. The flags in the background are being blown straight out. This is an indication that the pilot may have been flying in too much wind. The second thing to note that the pilot significantly increased the throttle as he approached the crowd then for some reason chopped the throttle. Once the pilot realized his sink rate was too great, he again increased the throttle only this time he was too late on the throttle to recover.

The bottom line is people were injured by a pilot who violated the rules governing our sport in a very visible manner. This sucks for the rest of us who try to conform to the rules and train and fly safely. Safe affordable flight is no accident although accidents will happen with safe pilots. This accident clearly shows how not to operate your light sport aircraft.

Endevor To Persevere

2009-09-05T22:24:00.003-04:00

One of my all time favorite movies is the 1976 Clint Eastwood film "The Outlaw Josey Wales." In the movie Wales met an old Indian Chief named Lone Watie. The Chief delivered a line that I sometimes think describes flying and flight training and aircraft ownership, at least as it relates to me. The line is "We thought about it for a long time, "Endeavor to persevere." And when we had thought about it long enough, we pursued our dream of flight." Well that may not be quite word for word but it is close. Most of us only fly or dream of flying some type of small aircraft. As you increase your level of training and expense the issues get bigger. Most of us associated with our club only want to fly for fun and fly safely and keep it affordable. In order to do this we must steal the line from Chief Lone Watie and "Think about it for a long time and endeavor to persevere" if we are to truly want to enjoy our sport. This is why a club atmosphere is so important. Mel Bole will tell you that without getting to know Dan Cooper and having a place to build his plane, he may not be flying today. Rob Fisher is building his plane with a lot of help and encouragement from Dan as well. Gary Morral is getting a lot of help from Wes McKinney in getting his Kolb in the air safely. Fred Ziegler bought his Aeroworks from a guy who said he would help him get it in the air only to have to go pick it up at the Ohio factory and start over. Ultralight training is not easy to find but we have people in the club that know they need training to be safe at what they enjoy and will pursue their flight training so that they can fly. I could go on and on but those of us who want to fly safe, affordable aircraft can take a tip from Chief Lone Waite of the Outlaw Josey Wales fame and think about our flying for a long time and "endeavor to persevere" and after you have thought about it long enough, consider pursuing your dream of flight.

Canyon Country Ultralight Club Featured In Ultraflight Magazine

2009-08-26T20:54:00.003-04:00

The Canyon Country Ultraligth Club was recently featured in a two page article in Ultraflight Magazine. If you don't subscribe you can buy this magazine at most of you favorite news stands. It is in their August edition. The article features our Wings, Wheels and Whatever event held in June at N38 in Wellsboro Pa. Cudos go to to event chairman Dan Cooper for bringing this event to life.

2009-08-24T22:15:00.002-04:00

USUA / Can We Survive?
The United States Ultralight Association is a name that is recognized and respected by local clubs and national aviation authorities. This organization was once at the forefront of the ultralight movement and helped to shape the opinions of rule makers in giving our hobby, our sport, some autonomy when it came to flying the machines that we love to associate ourselves with. They did this by promoting safe, affordable flight and flying for fun in general. This is the primary reason that CCUC associated ourselves with USUA in 2004. It now appears that USUA has fallen on hard times. For many reasons the membership is decreasing. Employees have been laid off or let go. The board of directors is in turmoil and the organization is in a spin that they may not be able to recover from before they crash and burn. Our regional rep., Kathryn Ridgeway, did a great job assisting CCUC and gave USUA a face and name to our members. It now seems that USUA nationally failed to do the same for the rest of their members. To make a long story short USUA is in trouble. Roy Beiswenger, the well respected voice of "Ultraflight Radio" has taken up the USUA torch and is trying to save the once respected organization. Roy is without a doubt an expert on ultralight, sport pilot, training, and many other aviation topics. Roy is a no holds barred, slash and burn, type of guy. He does not seem to care too much if he burns bridges behind him. He will get his point across in a blog, newsgroup or some other venue other than on the air at Ultraflightradio. I think USUA needs to have a guy like Roy involved. I do worry about his slash and burn, knee jerk reaction to people. I think he could save or kill USUA. As I say, he has taken up the torch of USUA. We will just have to wait and see if he can save an organization that was in deep trouble before he stepped in to help or if he just steps in to damn those who were riding a sinking ship just before the vessel sank. In either case Roy has put himself in play with a nationally recognized organization with a lot of people looking on from all sides of the light sport aviation game. Thanks for your help Roy and we as members will help you if we can and if you conduct yourself in the best interest of USUA and in a respectable manner. Say what needs to be said, you are good at that but please use a little diplomacy. The light sport aviation community struggles for good press. We do not need a slash and burn, knee jerk reactor who does a great job promoting our sport by day and killing it by night in the newsgroups or email forum.

Ultralight Training Concerns Being Addressed

2009-08-21T17:29:00.008-04:00

Hey CCUC People....

After last night's club meeting (8/20/2009) where, among other things we talked about ultralight training for flying the club plane, I received the information from EAA at the above link about that exact issue. I'm just passing the information along. Could there be some hope that the same bureaucracy which creates dilemmas will fix them, at least in part? We'll see.

Click on the title of the article to go to the article.

mdbhawk

The Flying Experience..is not always in the air

2009-08-02T22:29:00.002-04:00

Today started out early. The sun was not even fully awake when my 11 month old miniature pincher "Bristol" decided she had enough sleep and thought since she was awake, I should be as well. It was a warm foggy Sunday morning and thoughts of turning this early morning event into a flight in my PPC before church quickly disappeared. I made a cup of coffee and the dog and I headed to the front porch with a new copy of "Light Sport and Ultralight Flying" magazine. I glanced at the normal things like the ad's to see if there might be one more new toy that I could buy that would add more weight to my powered parachute but still be really cool. As the dog and I sat on the porch watching the day come to life I realized that I was really enjoying the moment. The more I began to think about this I realized that I have enjoyed many moments like this. While flying is a blast, I really enjoy reading, learning, listening and sharing more things on the ground about flying than I spend actual time in the air. I suppose this is the same for everyone that flys but for some reason it just became more evident to me today. I began to think of a few things that keep me flying while I am on the ground. Here are a few of them that I really enjoy. www.ultraflightradio.com This is a weekly podcast that I almost never listen to live but do load the acrhived segments into my IPOD. I then can learn and enjoy flying while I am mowing lawn or traveling for work. There are many other aviation podcasts as well. After everyone is in bed and the house gets quiet in the evening I enjoy looking at that neat light sport plane that could be mine if I only had a few extra dollars. Try it if you haven't by going to www.barnstormers.com Go to lunch with a buddy that enjoys flying or better yet take someone to lunch who would love to fly something like you fly or plan to fly. Join a club. Those friends are great and help keep you inspired. Take a demo or into. flight. Plan to look into a glider ride. If you get serious take a few lessons and get the feel from the left seat. Flying is fun but you do not always need to be in the air to enjoy it. Think about it and really start appreciating the flying experience whenever and wherever you are even if it is from ground level. Thanks go to my Min Pin for waking me up early this foggy Sunday morning and helping me realize that I can enjoying flying from the chair on the front porch almost as much as the seat in my PPC. Ata girl Bristol but please sleep in tomorrow!!

Ultralight Fly-in's

2009-07-26T21:06:00.002-04:00

Ultralight fly-in's can be a great way to enjoy or explore your interest in "flying for fun." Sometimes you have to dig around to find any details for them and plan on spending some time on the road to get to them. For the most part don't expect to see street banners, traffic cops or long lines heading into the airfield. If you ask directions at the local C-Store to the fly-in, even if it is less than 5 miles away, you may get a blank stare from the clerk who would not know an ultralight from a large bag of cheese doodles. What I can tell you is that once you find the site you will find many folks who would love to show you their flying machines and share their reason of why they "fly for fun." I have never been able to attend the fly-in at Gulliver's Wilderness Airpark in the Town of Palermo NY., but my PPC flight instructor told me it is a great event. Their next fly-in is Aug. 20-23 with the 22nd being the best day to attend. From the photos on the link it appears that they have fixed wing, gyro, PPC and trikes. If you really want to get close to these machines and their owners to look them over and ask questions, or maybe even get a demo. flight, you will love this type of grass roots...."flying for fun" fly-in. I encourage you to find an ultralight fly-in and plan a fun stop on the way to or from the event. It is a great way to spend a Saturday!

Club Meetings

2009-07-13T20:20:00.002-04:00

Our club meets the third Thursday of the summer months at 7:00pm at N38, Wellsboro Johnston airport on Rt. 362 approx. 5 miles west of Wellsboro. We will plan to keep our meetings as short as possible and fly as much as possible. Anyone and everyone are invited to attend. Bring your yourself, bring your wife, bring your girl or boyfriend, bring your neighbor, bring your kids, bring your mom or dad, bring your dog. Everyone is welcome to join us and explore what is is like to fly for fun without breaking the bank (well you may dent the bank.) email tfreeman@ptd.net for more info. or questions. We hope you decide to join us!!

"He's in the Air!"

2009-07-09T21:50:00.003-04:00

That's what Ada Johnston called out to Mel Bole as he was closing up Hanger 10 after an awesome 1.1 hour flight. Ada was taking a walk around 8 p.m. on 7/9/09, and was watching Gary Morell roll his "Tweety Bird"down the runway on newly-aligned landing gear (courtesy of Wes McKinney's expertise) when, all of a sudden, Gary wasn't on the ground anymore!

Earlier, Gary had told Mel that he was just going to taxi some more but that he was trying to work up the courage to go airborne for the first time in his Kolb Firefly. Mel assured Gary that the air was great for flying tonight, not at all like it was when he first soloed.

Well, Gary must not have been able to hold "Tweety Bird" down any longer! Up! Up! and Away! he went! Of course, Gary had to go fly over his house to celebrate this awesome moment before he headed back to N38 to safely land on the grass next to Runway 10.

So, "CONGRATULATIONS, GARY!" You finally soloed your tail-dragger UL! Enjoy! Enjoy!

PS, Gary: Wes recommends that you land BETWEEN the windsocks. The ground is more-level there.

Check the N38 Weather Map

2009-07-06T21:31:00.021-04:00

If you are a "visual" person, like me, you'll really like the graphic map AvnWx.com provides. Click on the title of this article or here to go right to the site.

Under the WEATHER tab, you can show/hide the real-time weather and flight restrictions listed here simply by checking or un-checking them.

Airmets/Sigmets
METARs

As shown in the picture with this article, when you roll your mouse cursor over an airport like KIPT (Williamsport), you can read the METAR and other data in a little pop-up box like you see in the upper left corner of picture with this article.

TAFs
PIREPs
Winds Aloft
TFRs
Stadium TFRs
NEXRAD, and
Surface Analysis

Under the VIEW tab, you can show/hide non-real-time data and photos by checking or un-checking them.

Airports
Navaids
Map Scale
Fill TFR Areas
Fill AIRMET/SIGMETAreas
Airport Photos
Pirep Photos

Under the REPORTS tab, you can generate reports and search results by clicking on one of these items.

Show Quick Flight Path Info
Full Weather Brief
Your Previous Weather Brief
Look-up Airport/Navaid
Browse USA Airport Details

Finally, under the HELP tab, you can toggle tool-tips, other help pages and contact AvnWx.com.

Disclaimer: This graphical weather overview is for planning purposes and does not replace 1-800-WXBRIEF.

Always / Never: Beyond Superstition

2009-07-05T16:32:00.005-04:00

I recently listened to a podcast by CFI Jason Miller http://www.thefinerpoints.net/podcast/ Jason spoke of how flying should be a series of ALWAYS and NEVER. My first thought was that he might just be a superstitious guy and ALWAYS fly with his favorite shirt or NEVER fly if a black cat climbs on his elevator. The more I listened, the more it hit home. After hearing his explanation I felt this was a great philosophy to remember. For example, at least once per year I seem to get my powered parachute bag twisted as I put the bag on my back seat for storage until the next flight. This normally happens when I have just finished a flight or am preparing for a flight and talking with a passenger. I now ALWAYS remove or place the chute bag chute from the backseat from the right side of the machine. I NEVER do this from the left side. So far this ALWAYS procedure has kept me from twisting the chute lines. Another thing I have put in place is that I NEVER do a complete preflight with someone standing around asking questions. I ALWAYS do a complete preflight before I haul my PPC to the field and an abbreviated preflight once at the field. Since hearing this podcast I have found it very useful to use the ALWAYS / NEVER thought process, it is beyond superstition. (Just for the record I have never been a superstitious flyer as long as I am wearing my purple boxers with the yellow stripe!!)

Discovery Flights

2009-07-04T08:24:00.005-04:00

If you never have had a chance to sit in the left seat of small airplane or would like to try it in a different airplane, a Discovery Flight is a great way to do it. These flights are priced very economically and are a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon or a summer evening. One such facility that gives Discovery Flights in a variety of aircraft is the East Hill Flying Club in Ithaca NY. http://www.ithacanet.org/Orgs/EHFC/ This type of flight makes a great birthday, anniversary, fathers (or mothers) day gift and costs approx. $80. At East Hill your Discovery Flight Instructor will help you take the controls while maneuvering along Cayuga Lake near Cornell University and Taughannnock Falls Park. If you are interested in flying you really owe it to yourself to spend an hour with an instructor and fly in and out of the beautiful Ithaca Airport. Take the short drive to Ithaca, you will not be sorry!

Everything Ultralight

2009-07-03T19:12:00.001-04:00

If you have made it this far and are reading this blog, it is for one of two reasons. #1 you already fly an ultralight or light sport aircraft or # 2 you would like to learn more about doing so. In either case follow the following URL. http://www.all-about-ultralights.com/faq.htm It is a great site with little fluff. Weather you are an experienced ultralight pilot or someone who wants to learn more about ultralights and the rules, this is a great site. This site is available on the link list on this blog as well. If you are still looking into this sport or trying to convince a family member that this is a safe past-time, learn as much as you can. This is a great place to start.

"Learn to Fly" Newsletters

2009-07-01T21:47:00.000-04:00

...has done a great job providing simple, brief and very helpful articles on learning to fly in their Reach for the Sky "Learn-to-Fly" newsletters. Go to the archives to get the newsletters all the way back to September 2007. Click-on or copy-and-paste the following address in your browser:

http://www.sportpilot.org/learntofly/issues/

Personally, I've printed-out all of the articles, 3-hole punched them, put them in a binder and highlighted all of the things I wanted to easily reference again. It's all good stuff! And, I believe they are FREE, even if you are not an EAA member! Check them out!

Sport Pilot

2009-06-30T22:30:00.001-04:00

In 2004, the FAA created sport pilot/light-sport aircraft (SP/LSA) regulations. The most significant change in FAA regulations in 50 years, it allows easier and lower-cost access for those wishing to participate in the joy of flight. For the past half century, EAA has been a leader in providing people with more opportunities to take to the sky, and for the past 10 years has worked with the FAA on the development of SP/LSA. Because of EAA’s efforts, flying has become less expensive and easier than ever before. You can become a sport pilot with as little as 20 hours of flight instruction. You can fly a one- or two-seat aircraft capable of speeds up to 138 mph. And in most cases, you can pass the medical requirements just by showing your driver’s license. That’s not all…. Now You Can:
Obtain an FAA pilot certificate at a lower cost and with less time commitment than ever before.
Fly a sport pilot-eligible aircraft with your driver’s license serving as evidence of medical eligibility.
Purchase new, more affordable, ready-to-fly aircraft.
Build an approved light-sport aircraft kit that’s as much as 99% complete from the factory.
Make your dreams of flying come true more easily and less expensively.
Fly interesting alternative aircraft such as powered parachutes, weight shiftcontrolled (trikes), gliders, gyroplanes, or balloons.
Maintain your own aircraft.
Whether you're completely new to aviation or have flown aircraft before, Sport Pilot is the new way to fly that is easier, more affordable, safe, and loads of FUN! Sport Pilot enables enthusiasts to learn to fly and gain access to aircraft in half the time and for half the cost of previous alternatives. So, climb aboard, take the controls, and launch new adventures in recreational aviation today!

Ultralights

2009-06-30T21:53:00.000-04:00

Flying ultralights is an exciting and exhilarating sport when done safely. Please take the time and learn the rules of flight before your feet leave the ground.
Flying ultralights is not a step up or down, but a step into a completely different and exciting sector of the flying community. Flying ultralights might be described as a step into high performance slowness. While there are similarities to other type certificated aircraft, there can be major handling differences.
The Federal Aviation Regulation that regulates ultralight flying is called Part 103. These are the legal rules we fly by; they are the most lenient rules in the world. Our privileges, however, carry responsibilities.
Part 103 defines an ultralight as:
1-seat
254 pounds max. empty weight (powered)
155 pounds max empty weight (unpowered)
5 gallons max. fuel capacity
55 knots max. full power speed
24 knots max power off stall speed
If the aircraft has more than 1-seat or exceeds any of the above criteria, is not an ultralight, and not eligible for operation under Part 103.