ExpertAviator.com

One of my favorite activities is flying to small airports and visiting with the various people who are involved with the many airport activities. Today I have the pleasure of presenting a safety seminar “Bird Strikes Hazards and Avoidance” to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 282 at Clearwater Airpark in Clearwater, Florida.

Experimental Aircraft Association is a grassroots organization for those with a passion for aviation including antiques, classics, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, ultralights, helicopters, and modern aircraft. If you have a passion for aviation like me I invite you to take a look at this fine organization at EAA.org. There are many local chapters to join where you can share your passion for aviation including the one I am visiting tonight, Chapter 282.

Why Report a Bird Strike or Hazard

If you have a bird strike or other wildlife encounter such as a deer on a runway, it is important to report the strike and alert other aircraft to the aviation hazard. By immediately reporting wildlife hazards pilots currently flying will be notified. Reporting also helps reduce future hazards through the implementation of wildlife mitigation procedures.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) has a duty to inform other pilots of any wildlife hazard. Therefore, your immediate reporting will assist other pilots because they will be informed of the possible threat to their safety.

If you encounter birds on the airport you should call the airport operator. The operator of the airport can arrange to have any debris removed and implement any wildlife mitigation procedures they have in place. Furthermore, if the airport is certified under Part 139 the operator has a duty to mitigate wildlife hazards on the airport. Part 139 applies primarily to air carriers and includes some airports that you might not expect. So if you have a bird strike contact the airport authority.

Reporting A Bird Strike or Hazard

The first thing you should do when reporting a bird strike or if you observe birds or other wildlife that may be a hazard to other pilots is to contact the appropriate agency. If you are preparing to take off and observe animals or birds near the runway then contact the local airport management and have them disperse the wildlife before you take off.

If you are in flight there are numerous resources for reporting birds. If you departed a towered field and observe birds report it to the tower. While enroute or at a non towered field you can report the birds to the local Flight Service Station (FSS) or FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center. By contacting the appropriate authority and giving a pilot report (ATC) is now obligated to inform other pilots of the bird hazard.

When reporting observed birds to air traffic control include the following:

• Geographic location.
• Bird type (geese, ducks, gulls, etc.)
• Approximate numbers.
• Altitude.
• Direction of bird flight path.

Reporting Forms

If you have a bird strike or any other wildlife strike, pilots are urged to complete the “Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report “using FAA Form 5200-7. This report can be found in the AIM (Aeronautical Information Manual) Appendix 1, any Flight Service Station (FSS), FAA Regional Office, or by simply clicking on the following link:

http://wildlife.faa.gov

You are also are encouraged to fill out a report through the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). NASA’s reporting system contains a vast amount of information which is used to identify system deficiencies and alert appropriate individuals who are in a position to correct the deficiency and is independent of the FAA. This system of course also includes bird and wildlife strikes. The form may be downloaded or submitted online through the following link:

http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/index.html

Conclusion

Reporting a bird strike or other wildlife strike is as simple as calling air traffic control and reporting the bird strike. I also highly encourage you to fill out both the ASRS and FAA Wildlife Strike Report. Both can be completed online in a matter of minutes.

Safe Flying!

For More Information:

“Bird Strikes Hazards and Avoidance”

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Have you ever been curious what it might have been like to work behind the scenes during America’s Space Race? Today’s show brings you an inside look from the perspective of an aerospace engineer on designing and building the very systems that put our countrymen into outer space, including his participation in saving the lives of those aboard Apollo 13. Join us as we interview Harlan Neuville about working under NASA contract and much more!

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Pre-Flight

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Cruise Flight

• Meet Harlan Neuville
• US and Soviet ICBM Race
• First Man in Space
• Sputnik
• Wernher von Braun
• Kennedy’s Lunar Goal Speech
• Early Unmanned Lunar Attempts
• NASA Computers
• Dr. Draper and Inertial Guidance
• The Mercury Program
• The Gemini Program
• The Apollo Program
• Apollo 11
• Landing Challenges Apollo 11
• Apollo 13 Accident
• Lunar Rover and Weight
• Apollo 16 Geology
• Bouncing on the Moon
• Walking on the Moon Video
• Falling on the Moon Video
• Apollo 11 Landing and Dust
• Apollo 11 Docking in Lunar Orbit
• Navigation by Stars
• Celestial Navigation
• Moon Landing Hoax Theories
• Buzz Aldren on Lunar Hoax Theories
• Harlan in Mission Control
• RC Planes
• And more!

After Landing Checklist

No Picks of The Week were included in this interview episode.

Virgin Galactic Space Flight Fund

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Apollo 17 Launch : Nasa

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The man stood atop an expansive front porch gazing upon the large tarmac full of airplanes but not focusing on any one object. I knew he was not looking at the planes but was staring into the past. This man's most prominent feature was his dark fedora covered with colorful buttons, many of which were from Sun N Fun.

My curiosity got the best of me so I walked over with outstretched arm and said “Hi my name is Carl. Are you here for the meetup?”. He responded “Hi, my name is Dave”. Looking up towards his hat I said “Nice hat. Seems like you have been to Sun N Fun a few times”. I was hoping my statement would open a conversation about flying, little did I know that a friendship would build as we discussed a common passion for one of aviation’s most wonderful events, Sun N Fun.

Dave Shallbetter has been a voice of Sun N Fun Radio since the station's inception in 1995. Dave personifies volunteerism and is a shining example of why Sun N Fun is the definitive aviation event marking the beginning of the airshow season.

An army of volunteers led by key individuals such as Dave Shallbetter is why Sun N Fun has been a success. For a whole week Dave is tethered by an imaginary leash to the deck of Sun N Fun radio. If he wanders too far from the station it is inevitable one will hear someone shouting his name in need of some advice or direction.

Dave’s electrifying personality and perpetual energy makes him the perfect fit for the position as chairman of Sun N Fun Radio. But Dave’s duties don’t end after the live show. The radio station is up and running all year with interviews replayed from the annual event. On occasion new material is released. If you couldn’t make the air show, and would like to hear one of the hundreds of fascinating interviews, or wish to reminisce about the event, make sure you tune in at Sun N Fun Radio and listen to the stream Courtesy of Live ATC.net.

Honoring Dave’s Mother At The Fire Hub

Dave comes from a family of aviation enthusiasts and pilots. Dave’s mother Ione Shallbetter-Stiles is the original co-chairwoman of Sun N Fun radio and was instrumental in running the station from 1995 until 2004. Ione has since ‘flown west” but her legacy continues through Dave Shallbetter’s volunteerism.

It was a fitting tribute to Dave Shallbetter when a number of volunteers of Sun N Fun donated a brick on behalf of Dave’s mother Ione Shallbetter-Stiles at the Recreational Aircraft Foundations’s Fire Hub. The proceeds the donation goes towards supporting advocacy and conservation efforts for backcountry airstrips.

One of the reasons Dave Shallbetter was chosen to run Sun N Fun was his ability to speak continually for hours which is key to a live radio broadcast. But today was different. As Dave was presented with the brick honoring his mother his voice cracked with emotion and the only words to be heard where “thank you”. Those of us who have come to know Dave expected to hear a speech. However today the silence spoke louder than words.

To see the video of Sun N Fun Day 6 including the laying of the brick in honor of Ione Shallbetter-Stiles; go to Other Peoples Airplane’s or press the play button on the video below.

For More Information:

Sun N Fun Fly-In and Expo

How To Listen To Sun N Fun Radio.

How To Donate a Brick At Sun N Fun In Support Of The Recreational Aircraft Association

'Fire Hubs' to dot country, protect remote airstrips

Together We Are Strong : Reflecting On A Decade Of Volunteerism

It was a time when air races and record setting flights filled the news with larger than life characters such as Howard Hughes capturing the headlines. After World War I America fell in love with the airplane and the excitement of traveling through air and visiting exotic locations. Wealthy travelers and adventurous pilots began filling the skies.

This was a time when our national airspace system was in its infancy and the government was discovering how to safely allow airplanes access to the skies above our country. Decades later and through much trial and error our nation has the safest and most technologically advanced airspace in the world and as Americans we expect this to continue.

Similar to the planes returning from World War I we have unmanned aircraft returning to the United States after being successfully used in the military. It was exciting to see how these aircraft are being used by the military. We now have become accustomed to reading about these unmanned flying machines performing missions with little or no loss of life to our troops.

We are now entering the golden age of unmanned flight as we watch TV and read newspapers describing these flying machines. Much like the Golden Years In Aviation of the 20’s and 30’s we look upon pictures of these flying machines with amazement as we wonder how this will change our lives and impact our safety.

On March 9, 2012 The FAA Issued a Notice of Proposed Rule making to identify six test ranges/sites to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). This is the largest step forward in the future integration of Unmanned Aircraft into the National Airspace System.

What is an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

The unmanned aircraft, associated support equipment, control station, data links, telemetry, communications and navigation equipment, necessary to operate the unmanned aircraft comprise what is defined as the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The FAA issues an experimental airworthiness certificate for the entire system, not just the flying portion of the system.

A UAS can vary in size and capabilities ranging from the size of a 737 flying at high altitude to a device weighing only a few ounces flying from room to room in your house. This brings up many challenges to the certification and usage rules for UAS’s.

Radio Controlled Model Airplanes

Many hobbyists enjoy flying radio controlled model airplanes that are by the definition above a UAS. This may be true but those model aircraft are restricted to fly below 400 feet above the ground and must be kept a sufficient distance from populated areas and full scale aircraft, and may not be used for business purposes.

The new proposed rules will not change the use of these model aircraft. FAA Advisory Circular 91-57 addresses recreational use of the National Airspace System.

Safety

The number one priority of the FAA, pilots, air traffic controllers, and all those who use the National Airspace System is Safety. The traveling public and all those who use the National Airspace System deserve the highest level of safety. The introduction of Unmanned Aircraft Systems will not and should not compromise the safe and efficient use of our airspace.

See and Avoid becomes Sense and Avoid

Pilots must at all times see and avoid other aircraft. Since there is no pilot, the UAS must “sense and avoid” other aircraft. Although there has been much success by the military in sensing and avoiding other aircraft, our National Airspace System does not accept collateral damage afforded a wartime aircraft.

The UAS is normally designed to use onboard cameras and radar to sense and avoid other aircraft. The unmanned aircraft by law must now be accompanied by another aircraft for this reason or stay within a distance observable by someone on the ground.

Communicate, Command, and Control

The UAS must also be in constant communication with a land based system or in the future be able to communicate autonomously. The UAS must also be able to be remain under control and be commanded to operate by ground based facilities or by other means if the system of communications fail.

The ability to control the aircraft from the ground must be standardized and the security of those on the ground must be enhanced. We have secured cockpit doors to prevent unwanted persons from controlling the aircraft while in the air. A similar system must be put into place for ground controllable aircraft.

Where We Are Going

Currently Unmanned Aircraft Systems have had access to our National Airspace System through the use of experimental aircraft and certificates of waiver and operation issued by the FAA. These have been issued to Public organizations such as Customs and Border Patrol and State Universities.

Further study of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the National Airspace System is necessary for the eventual use by civilian organizations. We are in the infancy of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in numbers of hours flown and safety as is evidenced by accident statistics.

The Customs and Border Patrol(CBP) between 2006 and July 13, 2010 has had only 5,688 flight hours. Standard Safety Data is reported based on accidents per 100,000 hours flown. If we strictly look at the numbers, the CBP has had an accident rate of 52.7 per 100,000 hours flown.

This is more than seven times the rate for general aviation accidents which is 7.11 per 100,00 hours flown, and 353 times the commercial aviation accident rate of 0.149 per 100,000 hours flown. As we gain more experience the rate for UAS accidents should drop precipitously.

The FAA mandated by congress is moving towards increasing the speed with which we discover how Unmanned Aircraft Systems will work in the National Airspace System. To do this the FAA has announced a proposed rule to allow for six new tests sites for evaluation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and they are asking for public comment through May 8, 2012.

Entering The Golden Age Of Unmanned Flight

The vision of colorful aviators whisking passengers through the sky in the ever evolving and record setting world of the Golden Age Of Flight has given way to engineers with pocket protectors. We are on the precipice of unmanned aerial flight and the Golden Age Of Unmanned Flight has arrived. Where we will go from here is exciting and full of challenges, but one thing is for sure. The United States is taking an active role and leading the field in research and development of Unmanned Aircraft Systems usage in a National Airspace System.

If this introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems has peaked your interest, look for future places and dates of my presentation “Unmanned Aircraft Systems : A Pilot’s Guide”. Clear Skies and Safe Flying!

 

For More Information:

 

FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Website

 

A Cessna 421 Crashed into the Gulf Of Mexico Today. It seems the pilot may have succumbed to oxygen depravation. The following is a review of the intercept procedures, oxygen requirements, and the time of useful consciousness.

Listen to the 421 here:
Audio Courtesy LiveATC.net.

[audio: http://expertaviator.com/podcasts/N48DL-New-Orleans-Departure-20120419.mp3]

View the story at My Fox Tampa Bay.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/plane-with-injured-pilot-circles-gulf-041912

Time Of Useful Consciousness

(click to enlarge)

Oxygen Requirements

Sec. 91.211

Supplemental oxygen.

(a) General. No person may operate a civil aircraft of U.S. registry--
(1) At cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet (MSL) up to and including 14,000 feet (MSL) unless the required minimum flight crew is provided with and uses supplemental oxygen for that part of the flight at those altitudes that is of more than 30 minutes duration;
(2) At cabin pressure altitudes above 14,000 feet (MSL) unless the required minimum flight crew is provided with and uses supplemental oxygen during the entire flight time at those altitudes; and
(3) At cabin pressure altitudes above 15,000 feet (MSL) unless each occupant of the aircraft is provided with supplemental oxygen.
(b) Pressurized cabin aircraft.
(1) No person may operate a civil aircraft of U.S. registry with a pressurized cabin--
(i) At flight altitudes above flight level 250 unless at least a 10-minute supply of supplemental oxygen, in addition to any oxygen required to satisfy paragraph (a) of this section, is available for each occupant of the aircraft for use in the event that a descent is necessitated by loss of cabin
pressurization; and
(ii) At flight altitudes above flight level 350 unless one pilot at the controls of the airplane is wearing and using an oxygen mask that is secured and sealed and that either supplies oxygen at all times or automatically supplies oxygen whenever the cabin pressure altitude of the airplane exceeds 14,000 feet (MSL), except that the one pilot need not wear and use an oxygen mask while at or below flight level 410 if there are two pilots at the controls and each pilot has a quick-donning type of oxygen mask that can be placed on the face with one hand from the ready position within 5 seconds, supplying oxygen and properly secured and sealed.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, if for any reason at any time it is necessary for one pilot to leave the controls of the aircraft when operating at flight altitudes above flight level 350, the remaining pilot at the controls shall put on and use an oxygen mask until the
other pilot has returned to that crewmember's station.

Intercept Procedures

(click to enlarge)

Intercept and Escort Procedures from The Aeronautical Information Manual 5-6-2

==========================================================================

Pre-Flight

Ooooooooweeeee, what a great show we’ve got lined up for you today! Carl and Len report on their exploits and tomfoolery from Sun N Fun 2012, Rick updates us on the happenings with our friends at Terrafugia and their roadable aircraft, Len shares a story about telling air traffic control to piss off, Victoria gives us some pointers on special considerations when flying with your furry loved ones, no not your husband but your pets, and Carls talks about severe turbulence signs and flight characteristics.

Cruise Flight

• Sun N Fun interviews
• KFDK Most Female Friendly Airport
• Stuck Mic AvCast Swag
• Stuck Mic AvCast Donations
• Terrafugia flys
• Icon A5 sport aircraft
• Ignoring ATC
• Flying Hedgehogs
• Mutt Muffs
• Doggie Oxygen
• Doggles
• Doggie Flight Bags
• Severe Turbulence
• And more!

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks Of The Week ~

• Victoria – Pet Friendly Travel, Dog Friendly Destinations, Axels Food & Ice Cream Merrimack, NH
• Carl – Pilots N Paws volunteer pet transport
• Rick – Flying Car Film documents the progress of Terrafugia and the roadable aircraft
• Len – Patient Airlift Services volunteer medical transport

Tips: Never Expected, Always Appreciated

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The Cleveland skyline glittered, shards of light spraying out upon the lake on this clear and bitterly cold evening. The flight attendant was sleeping in the back of the plane all alone this quiet evening. We had no passengers on this repositioning flight so she was taking a break from the long day. Our groundspeed was over 600 knots as the jetstream pushed us eastward.

Our jovial mood would change shortly as we began to descend into the New York area. The air traffic controller (ATC) informed us the plane ahead of us reported moderate to severe turbulence on the descent into New York. I then turned to the flight attendant and said that she should strap in tight because it might get rough. That was an understatement!

As we descended through twenty thousand feet our tailwind suddenly began to drop. I immediately began to slow to turbulent air penetration speed. A few seconds later we were pressed against our seat belts. My head almost hit the ceiling. The planes pitching and rolling made it difficult to read the instruments.

A few minutes of this turbulence seemed an eternity but as quickly as it came it subsided. I looked at the wind velocity and realized we had lost over 100 knots of tailwind in only a few thousand feet. Talk about wind shear! Luckily someone ahead of us reported the turbulence and the flight attendant was able to buckle up and avoid injury but that is not always the case.

Recently a flight from Tampa to Houston encountered severe turbulence which caused some of the passengers and flight attendants to be taken to the hospital with injuries. I spoke with Fox News Tampa Bay about the dangers of turbulence and the importance of using your seat belt while traveling. The story can be viewed here:

Several injured on flight from Tampa to Houston: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

A Learning Experience

As pilots what can we learn from this incident and what tools do we have to avoid severe turbulence? We have many resources and general rules of thumb in trying to avoid severe turbulence so lets review.

Turbulence is primarily a hazard to an unsuspecting passenger rather than the airplane. WIth that said severe turbulence can over stress the aircraft if we are flying too fast. So what can we do to avoid turbulence and what do we do if we find ourselves caught in severe turbulence?

Turbulence comes in many forms and is normally a nuisance but if we don't remain vigilant we might get caught in turbulence beyond our capabilities and possibly injure ourselves or others. To avoid this we need to understand a few concepts about turbulence and how to find forecasts and current reports of turbulence.

Causes of Turbulence

The earth's surface varies because the material that covers the surface is not uniform. Grassy fields, black paved roads, and deep blue lakes all absorb and reflect heat differently. Therefore as we fly over one type of land mass to another the air may be rising over a black road while the air is sinking over a deep blue lake. This change in the up and down movement of the air is what causes the day to day turbulence and is normally light.

When the winds begins blowing we may experience mechanical turbulence which is associated with certain man made and natural occurring structures interfering with the winds near the surface. The winds will tend to burble and eddy around these structures and will cause variations in wind and therefore turbulence. If you place a stick in a stream you will see the stick interrupt the smooth flow of water and small ripples will form downstream of the stick. This is an example of mechanical turbulence.

When surface winds are high the resulting mechanical turbulence will also be high causing some wind shear near the surface. Wind shear is any sudden change in direction or speed of the wind. We normally associate wind shear with thunderstorms but if the winds are strong enough we may get wind shear near the surface.

One of the most noticeable causes of turbulence is the movement of air in clouds. These are the most obvious forms of turbulence and can be avoided easily because we can see clouds especially during the day.

Avoiding Severe Turbulence

Thunderstorms and towering cumulus can cause severe to extreme turbulence. These type of clouds especially thunderstorms should be avoided by all and especially smaller aircraft. Smaller aircraft are especially prone to inflight structural damage due to storms.

The updrafts and air flows around these storms can be so strong that they can be felt miles away. The rule of thumb is to stay at least 20 miles from a large thunderstorm. If you are downwind from the storm you want to add more distance since strong winds can blow the turbulent air in your direction. The best course is to fly upwind around any storm while giving yourself 20 miles laterally from the storm.

Aside from avoiding clouds with large vertical development such as thunderstorms we can also choose not to fly during very windy conditions. While close to the ground on a very windy day the mechanical turbulence from terrain and man made structure can disrupt the wind and cause swirling wind currents that can cause severe turbulence.

Another place prepare for turbulence is the boundary layer between two air masses and temperature inversions. A sudden change in wind direction and speed will cause turbulence and on occasion severe turbulence, especially if there is a large wind change across the boundary layer. This sudden change in wind speed is what we experienced the day we flew descended towards New York.

Forecast And Reported Turbulence

Before every flight we must become familiar with all available information including forecasts and reports of turbulence. There are many resources for looking at turbulence both graphical and textual. My favorite resource for turbulence information is the Turbulence page from Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS) provided by the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA).

http://aviationweather.gov/adds/turbulence/

(click image to enlarge)

Type and Time

When reading or reporting turbulence you should use the following chart available in the Aviation Information Manual. While you are reading the turbulence report pay attention to two items, the type of aircraft and the time the report was given.

Reports of turbulence are relative. A report of moderate turbulence by a Boeing 747 will likely be severe in a Cessna 172 due to the size difference in the aircraft. The size of a 747 is similar to a large ship sailing through 10 foot seas. The big ship would barely feel the motion of the waves but a small boat would be tossed around.

The time of the report is also important. If a pilot report (PIREP) is old it may help you in discovering a trend in the weather but the more recent reports are what will affect you right now. Also realize the lack of pilot reports is not an indication that there is no turbulence especially if you are one of the first pilots to fly that day. In this instance it is more important to look at the Turbulence forecasts.

(click image to enlarge)

Conclusion

It is important to avoid severe turbulence for the safety of our passengers and to avoid damage to our aircraft. Flying around weather that may have the possibility of severe turbulence is much better than actually flying through it instead of wishing you flew around the weather. The more experience you have with reading weather and looking at clouds in the sky the more you will be able to avoid severe turbulence.

I highly recommend your exercising your decision making abilities while on the ground and reading weather forecasts on days you are not flying. Then look for pilot reports throughout the day to see if your estimates were correct. And always remember to report any un forcasts or moderate or greater turbulence to air traffic control or flight service.

Safe flying!

Recommended Reading:

As many of you know, Carl Valeri and Len Costa have been volunteering for Sun N Fun Radio all week and running around doing interviews with anyone they can. We’ve been granted access to these interviews and are sharing them for you here in one, easy to find location – they just won’t be in the iTunes feed so click the link to listen directly here on the site. Enjoy!

Day 1 – March 27, 2012

WASPS – Listen to the most requested interview at Sun N Fun 2012. Carl speaks with two World War II female pilots. One of the pilots, Dora, is one of only 2 women to ever fly a Boeing B29. Their inspirational stories of perseverance in the Women’s Air Service Pilot corp will have you listening to this interview more than once.

Cirrus Aircraft – Cirrus demo overview and product line comparisons with the SR series the Cessna 182.

Boeing B25 – The only flying B25H model and how the organization is raising money to bring our fallen heroes home.

Cessna 196 – Listen to the owner that restored this unique, large, tailwheel aircraft.

Fokker DR7 – The owner of this pristine Fokker on the vintage aircraft shares the history and unique markings of this aircraft, including a little known fact that this aircraft bears his family name.

Lockheed Electra L12 – Step inside this immaculately restored L12 signed by Hilary Swank from the movie “Amelia”.

Stearmans – Listen to 2 Stearman pilots talk about their historically accurate restoration of a Stearman used in the American military and the RCAF.

Wings Of Dreams – A new aviation museum in Central Florida housing some very unique aviation and space artifacts, including the Space Shuttle simulator.

Day 2 – March 28, 2012

Bk1 Sport Plane – A sleek silver, new design, with a retro wooden prop that costs less than $15,000 to build.

Great Plains Aircraft – Talk to the man that redesigned Volkswagon engines for use in small, experimental airplanes.

Millennium RV – Hear Carl drooling over the marble floor of this $1 mill motorhome, a great way to arrive in style.

National Aviation Academy – Bored with your job? Want a change in life? Become an aircraft mechanic or an airline pilot. National Aviation Academy has been training folks for over 3 decades.

Peter Hunt RV – Check out this pristine, teal blue, true IFR RV loaded with all the bells and whistles.

Savor – This is a one off, Cirrus looking, flowing design aircraft by a young man with some real inspiration.

Vans Unpainted RV8 – Hear this Sun N Fun virgin in his just completed, unpainted, RV, completed by a former US Air Force Major C-17 pilot.

Vietnam Pilot Dave – Learn how Vietnam helicopter pilots actually operated during Vietnam and where some thought getting shot at was a good thing.

Vietnam Pilot Howard – Listen to Howard, another Vietnam helicopter pilot, as he works to preserve the heritage of the Vietnam helicopter pilots and honor their service.

Advocate Consulting – Want to save money on taxes when purchasing an aircraft? Find our more from Advocate Consulting.

Data Toys – A convenient way to video record your flight and view it without the propeller blur and artifacting.

Huffy Windsock – Learn how barnstormers could judge wind speed and velocity and how it lead to the development of these quality windsocks.

Pilot Chews – A great way to build to energy without the crash and diabetic sage. Carl says they make him crazy.

Day 3 – March 29, 2012

Bill Finagin Pitts – Learn to fly a Pitts from Bill Finnegan whose accumulated more than 15,000 hours of instruction in this aerobatic masterpiece.

Keel & Curley Winery – Try a unique blueberry vine and varietals from Keel & Curley Winery, the Napa Valley of Tampa Bay.

Marisha Faulk of Embry Riddle – Listen how this flight instructor from Embry Riddle became a race car driver, strapping a jet engine to her bottom.

JAARS Mission Aviation – Learn about the largest airline you’ve never heard of.

Poly Fiber – Learn how you can be taught to cover your aircraft from the experts at Poly Fiber and listen to an excited Canadian having fun in the sun.

Project Pre-Flight – The FAA Safety Team and their annual project pre-flight event held at Sun N Fun each year where you can win prizes for properly preflighting an airplane.

WASP Panel Discussion – Join us for some fascinating stories at the 99?s lunch and panel discussion with the Women Air Service Pilots.

Day 4 – March 30, 2012

iFlightPlanner – An interview with Christian Pulm about the new iFlightPlanner iPad flight planning application, features, and future developments.

Collier County Aviation Authority – The organization that promotes Marco Island, Everglades City, and Immokalee, Collier County airports have a wide range of variety.

Patient Air Lift Services (PALS) – Joe Howley speaks about this new charitable organization that assists in transport medical passengers in need and how PALS differs from Angel Flight in some really neat ways.

Blackbox Aviation Systems – An upcoming electronic pilot logbook app for the iPhone and iPad with a simple, one-button, interface for recording flights and syncing them with the cloud.

Pops Leather – Custom designed leather jackets and headed holders for aerobatic pilots.

ForeFlight’s Tyson Wiehs – Tyson speaks about the new Stratus ADS-B appliance and how it interfaces with ForeFlight to provide subscription-free aviation weather datalink to the cockpit via iPad.

Restored Champ Aircraft – Learn about this pristine, immaculately restored Champ aircraft with a polished wood interior.

Coconut Flyers – A friendly social group of Stearman pilots with a unique traveling tiki bar.

Embraer Business Jets – Embraer Aircraft showcases it’s first step into the world of business jets.

Mustang 2 Homebuilt Aircraft – An interview with the proud builder of sharing the story of his aircraft including some great advice to folks considering or new to homebuilding.

Gathering of Aviation Podcasters (GAP) – Jack Hodsgon of UCAP fame interviews Carl and Len about the origins of the Stuck Mic AvCast aviation podcast.

Day 5 – March 31, 2012

Phil Maschke – An interview from behind the scenes of Sun N Fun 2012 with this Media Center volunteer about how his day job, how he got started in volunteering at the airshow, and his future plans as an aviator.

Bob Evans – Another behind the scenes interview with an airshow Security volunteer, a 20+ year pilot, and unique and interesting gentleman including his impressions of his very first experience working Sun N Fun.

Columbian Female Pilot – A bilingual interview with a young Columbian woman as she talks about her challenges with coming to America, learning English, and pursuing her Sport Pilot Certificate.

Flight Time Radio – Milford of Flight Time Radio talks about his experience at Sun N Fun.

RV Aircraft Homebuilders – 2 very experienced homebuilders of RV’s discuss their aircraft and how to make the most use of the the information available at Sun N Fun.

V1 Clothing – We meetup with the founder of V1 Clothing as he talks about some of his unique designs available at the Sun N Fun Pilot Mall and online. Joining us later is the owner of AirspeedJunkie.com, who carries ALL of V1 Clothings products.

The AvPad – Interview with creator of the AvPad iPad Kneeboard, an aviation kneeboard for the next generation of pilots, made in America. This versatile kneeboard is great for your iPad, charts, checklists, and more!

In this episode of the Stuck Mic AvCast, we talked about a quick recap of the Women Fly It Forward event back on March 10th, 2012. Carl was attending the Planes, Trains, & Automobiles event at Plant City Airport, Florida during recording so you’ll enjoy a fun airplane sound seeing tour as airplanes takeoff in the background. Then Len finally got to share his Super Cub Alaska bush flying adventure stories from Summer 2010 and Winter 2012. Special thanks of our sponsor, Keel & Curley Winery for lending us their hangar at Plant City!

For Show Notes Visit Stuck Mic AvCast Website.

Listen to Episode 21 Below

[audio: http://expertaviator.com/SmacEp21]

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