EAA Sport Aviation - March 2011

A CONTEST TO SHOWCASE the accomplishments and viability of electric-powered flight will be held during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011, and applications are now being accepted. Cash prizes totaling $60,000 will be awarded. The prizes and support for the competition comes from Wicks Aircraft Supply, Dynon Avionics, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, and AeroLEDs.

Three flight competitions will be held, along with an electric aircraft innovation evaluation, to determine prize recipients. The first competition, scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, will test endurance to determine which aircraft can stay aloft for the longest period of time. Next, each aircraft will enter the time-to-climb competition scheduled for Wednesday, July 27. Performance will be tracked using Dynon measuring equipment. The third and final competition, on Thursday, July 28, will test the maximum speed of each aircraft.

The innovation evaluation will be conducted by representatives of the four companies contributing to the prize. They will reach a consensus on the top three developments in electric flight based on battery, motor, controller, and airframe advancements.

Each activity will be scored and plaques will be awarded to the aircraft placing first, second, or third in each category. The first-place winners in endurance, time to climb, maximum speed, and innovation will receive $10,000. The overall winner, based on the highest cumulative score, will receive $20,000.

The competitions are open to anyone with an electric-powered aircraft that has flown at least 40 hours and has an airworthiness certificate. An Initial Application Form, along with the official rules, is available at www.AirVenture.org/electric. Completed applications can be e-mailed to eventure@eaa.org.

EAA AirVenture 2011 will also host the second annual World Symposium on Electric Aircraft, featuring several influential industry leaders discussing electric propulsion aircraft in an open forum, offering what they envision in the future for this rapidly growing flight segment that is attracting the attention of scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and investors.

NIGHT AIR SHOW FEATURES
ALL-STAR CAST

ONE AIRVENTURE ATTRACTION not to miss is the Night Air Show featuring the Daher-Socata fireworks and the Wall of Fire, set for Saturday night, July 30. Many of the world’s top air show performers, like the AeroShell Aerobatic Team (T-6s), Bob Carlton ( jet sailplane), Gene Soucy (Showcat), and Matt Younkin (Twin Beech), along with Steve Oliver (Chipmunk), are scheduled to perform their signature maneuvers choreographed to pyrotechnics and music.

Start time is approximately 8: 45 p.m., with fireworks sponsored by Daher-Socata to follow at 9: 30 p.m. Following the night air show, performers will be available for a meet-and-greet alongside their aircraft. Additional activities surrounding the night air show will be announced soon.

FIRST-TIME BUILDERS
BROADCASTING LIVE

FIRST-TIME AIRCRAFT builders Brady Lane, EAA 808095, and Caleb Ihrig, EAA 1036996, are building a four-place Bearhawk from plans, which is a challenge in itself. But they’ve also installed a webcam in the workshop, allowing anyone with an Internet connection to watch.

Caleb, an engineer, and Brady, a multimedia journalist for EAA (of Earning My Wings fame), invite the world to watch them build an airplane through their Dream. Build. Fly. blog. Weekly build sessions are streamed live from Caleb’s basement most Tuesdays at 6: 30 p.m. Central time, at www.DreamBuildFly.com.