TABLE OF CONTENTSVolume 33, Number 11 650-358-9908 • Fax: 650-358-9254 • E-mail: vickie@inflightusa.com • www.inflightusa.com July 2017

ON THE COVER

DEPARTMENTS

NEWS

FEATURES

COLUMNS

Flying With Faber:Western Nebraska – A formidableLand, Then and Now By Stuart J. Faber ......................29

Safe Land ings: The Complexities and Mystique ofMetroplexes................................................................40

Homebuilder’s Workshop: Brave NewWorldBy Ed Wischmeyer ............................................42

Calendar of Events ..........................................................3Letters to the Editor ......................................................25Classifieds ......................................................................48Index of Advertisers ......................................................50

COVER STORY PHOTO FINISH

THE NEW

LONE STARFLIGHT MUSEUMPREPPING THEIR DIGS

By Douglas OwensStory on Page 49

Editorial: Privatization In On TheWayBy Ed Downs ..................................................................6

Volez, Voguez, Voyagez is a Love Letter to the Gold Ageof AviationBy Mark Rhodes............................................................10

Flying Across the PondBy David Brown ............................................................16

AERO Friedrichshafen 2017 in Review: EssentialStopover For AviatorsBy Mike Taylor ..............................................................34

Flying Low and Slow, A FewYears BackBy Bert Botta ................................................................43

FAA Establishes Drone I.D. Rulemaking Committee..........................8

AF Fighter Pilots of theYear Announced ..........................................10

Legislation: GA Favors Not Privatizing ATC......................................13

Elwell Appointed FAA Deputy Administrator ....................................20

AirVenture:Vintage in Review Schedule Announced ......................24

AirVenture: Daily Air Show Schedule Announced ..........................25

ALPA andWomenVenture at AirVenture ............................................26

‘Take Me Home Huey” on Display at EAA Museum ........................27

Col. Mark Smith Named CAP’s Next CEO..........................................33

WyomingWings andWheels Show Slated for Aug. 19....................39

Schweiss Doors Rescues Florida Hangar Owner ............................44

Duke Energy to Sponsor Sebring Expo 2018....................................45

AOPA NamesWinners of Flight Training Scholarships ..................46

Cover courtesy of Scheyden Eyewear

By Annamarie BuonocoreStory starts on Page 4

SCHEYDEN ISFLYING HIGH AND

SPONSORING SCOTT“SCOOTER” YOAK

By Mike Taylor

Simply AERO, the European eventthat is all about general aviation,celebrated its 25th anniversary

from April 5–8, 2017. AERO hosted 700-plus exhibits of airplanes, and then some.The trade show is a well established,essential stopover for aviators.

While AERO is billed as “The GlobalShow for General Aviation,” a more aptdescription in 2017 might have been “TheEuropean Show for General Aviation.”Because while European aviators weregathered for AERO at Bodensee-Airportin Friedrichshafen, Germany, many oftheir counterparts from around the globe,and particularly in the U.S., were takingpart in similar exercises at Sun ‘n Fun onLakeland Linder Airport in Florida. Still,AERO remains the grandest of its kindacross the Atlantic.

What to See

Flieger fascinations at AERO 2017included something from every class ofwinged vehicle. There were ultralights andgyros, singles and twins, bizjets, rotor-wings, gliders, and drones fulfilling pilot’sfantasies in abundance. Ensuring that avia-

tors were well-provisioned with everythingfrom aircraft to training to attire, more than34,000 participants turned up exchangingproducts, ideas, and camaraderie.

AERO 2017 proved to be the largestever since its start in 1977. At a glance,the show looks a lot like an AirVenture orSun ‘n Fun; it is indeed similar. However,AERO has a different feel than the bigcelebrations you’ll find in the U.S.

History ofAERO

AERO began 40 years ago (early on,it was not an annual event). In attendancethen was a small posse of exhibitors, just

gliders and pilot accessories. The collec-tion was a sideshow to the Rennsport,Motor, Freizeit exhibition (German forRacing, Motor, Leisure). AERO laterbecame a show in its own right, addingbusiness and general aviation segmentsplus avionics, maintenance, and services.Today, it’s “the world’s leading exhibi-tion for innovation in general aviation,”according to its planners – a title likely tobadger a few eagles in Wisconsin.

Airfield

Although the event takes place adja-cent to an airport (Bodensee-Airport

Friedrichshafen, IATA code FDH), accessto the airfield is limited to arrival/departurepassengers from elsewhere–one exampleof why it’s different. Pleasure flying suchas around-the-patch and demo flights arenot part of AERO, with one exception –the Zeppelin airship.

Housed in a large hangar at the air-field’s center, the Zeppelin makes fre-quent roundtrips allowing passengers aunique tour of the Alpine region. Flightsrange from half an hour to two hours withfares priced from €215 to €810 ($240-$900). Despite the separation betweenexhibition center and airfield, flying-in inone’s own plane is very practical andgrowing in popularity.

Airshow

2017 was unique for AERO in thatthe show did feature an actual airshow, incelebration of its 25th anniversary. Thebrief aerobatic performance took placeon Saturday, which offered excellentweather. Initially scheduled to performwere Walter Eichhorn in his NorthAmerican AT-6 Texan, his son ToniEichhorn in a new North American T-28Trojan, an all-electric helicopter Volta,

34 In Flight USA Celebrating 33 Years July 2017

AERO | FRIEDRICHSHAFEN 2017: ESSENTIAL STOPOVER FOR AVIATORS

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Siemens displayed the all-electric eFusion, a first of its kind aerobatic trainer designedand built by Magnus Aircraft in Hungary. (Mike Taylor)

36 In Flight USA Celebrating 33 Years July 2017

Henry Bohlig in his MDM-1 Fox glider,and Frank van Houten flew a Sukhoi26MX. The program, AERO-Flightshow,was later expanded to include:

• Klemm 25, D-EBMX, Ulf Siegert• Magnus eFusion, HA-XEF, Fabian

Gabor• Magnus eFusion, HA-XEH, József

Gajdán• Extra 300 Elektro, D-EPWR, Walter

Extra / Walter Kampsmann• Volta Elektro Helicopter, F-WALG,

Edouard Maitre or Philippe Antoine(aforementioned)

• e-Genius, D-KGEN, Len Schumann/ Klaus Ohlmann

• Antares 23E, D-KVLS, Jochen Polsz• T 28 Trojan, N343NA, Toni

Eichhorn (aforementioned)• T-6 Texan, D-FHGK, Walter

Eichhorn (aforementioned)• SIAI Marchetti, D-EDUR, Ralf

Niebergall + Sohn mit Modellflugzeug• MDM-1 Fox, D-9107, Henry Bohlig

(aforementioned)• Sukhoi, SU-MX 26, Frank van

Houten (aforementioned)Reinforcing the uniqueness of the

airshow, AERO is chiefly, and historical-ly, a business event. Whether or not theairshow spectacle continues, we’ll see.However, one need not look too far tofind validation that an airshow is moreabout entertaining the public than offer-ing a trade venue for active pilots. AnApril 2017 poll by AOPA shows buyersgenerally attend aviation expos to shopfor the latest offerings. Watching aerobat-ic performances lands in fourth placewith only 10 percent of the votes.

Messe

AERO now takes place annually atMesse Friedrichshafen, a stylistically andfunctionally modern airport-based expocenter. Both Bodensee-Airport andMesse are a scant four-kilometer (lessthan two-and-a-half mile) drive to theshores of Lake Constance (known local-ly as Bodensee) in southern Germany.

Since 2002, Messe has brought amodern ambience with lots of natural light-ing to AERO, and a host of other “fairs”year round. The indoor space is large,accommodating events more than 900,000square feet – on par with a show the size ofNBAA’s annual convention. Recall that the“B” in the acronym is for business, a corre-lation that the planners of AERO are wellaware their exhibitors appreciate.

In all, there are 12 halls plus two foy-ers at Messe. One foyer contains an atriumand dais at its center complete with seatingand surrounded by aviation-themed art

exhibits. Upstairs are numerous rooms forconferences, meetings, and press gather-ings. Here nothing feels cramped.

Static Display

Despite the luxury of so much indoorspace, AERO also offers outdoor space toexhibitors. Aircraft on “static display” in2017 included the recently completed fly-ing-example of a Junkers F13. Built byRimowa (the luggage maker), it’s replicaof a 1920s classic. There was also a smallcollection of military aircraft, helicopters,light cabin-class offerings, and businessjets outside. But like the airshow, this wasa sampling outdoor display in comparisonto the big shows aviators have grownaccustomed to in the U.S.

In between the two rows of halls atMesse is a voluminous courtyard with wall-to-wall windows. Occupying one corner ofthis space were a striking, if diminutive,pair of Pitts S1-D Specials. Part of the TrigAerobatic Team, these aircraft are German-registered and have been flying exhibitionsfor three years. Trig Avionics had its boothjust inside the glass separation.

The Innovation Class – UL,VLA, LSA, Gyro, Glider, and

VLR

At AERO 2017, four of the halls ofMesse were filled with the most rapidlygrowing segment of aviation in Europe –Ultralight, Very Light Aircraft (VLA), andLight SportAeroplanes (LSA, the Europeanequivalent to America’s Light-sportAircraft). This is where much of the innova-tion in European aviation is taking place.

Include Gyrocopter, Glider, and thenew offerings of Ultralight Helicoptersand Very Light Rotorcraft (VLR) in thesegment and you discover half of theshow’s indoor floor space was dedicatedto this class of aircraft. Together they rep-

resent the incubators of design and devel-opment in aviation in Europe.

Often misrepresented, there’s morethan meets the eye with respect to gliders,ultralights, and sport flying in general.For years, EAAers and the “experimen-tal” side of aviation have infused innova-tion into the long-in-the-tooth industry.This too is happening with the “innova-tion class” of aircraft in Europe.

From outside the aviation communi-ty, perceptions of light and experimentalaircraft range from nuisance to dangerous.Among non-aviators there’s a prevailingdisrespect despite enormous strides insafety that have resulted from experimen-tation and innovation. Faith in advancingengineering, regulations, maintenance,and operations is key to stabilizing per-ceptions and turning back the notion thatinnovative aviation is precarious.

While gliders, ultralights and sportaircraft (and increasingly electrics) arewidely popular, it’s not entirely reflectiveof fuel costs, environmental issues, ornoise alone. The appeal of experimentallight or the innovative side of aviationsimply relates to accessibility, a stark con-trast to the burdensome rules of certifyingaircraft and licensing pilots. This is true inthe U.S. and exceptionally so in Europe.

The two newest technologies, per-sonal rotorcraft and drones, are shakingthings up. Still far from evident in every-day life and searching for public accept-ance, they remain a popular hobby.

PPLor No

Licensing to fly ultralight aircraft inEurope is done on a country-by-countrybasis under the guise of EASA. Due inlarge part to their lighter requirements,the ultralight pilot community is growingfaster than the private pilot licensing(PPL) segment.

More to Offer

AERO 2017 offered visitors every-thing imaginable at a general aviation event,and it’s done mostly indoors. Activitiesincluded indoor drone racing, a Tent City(inside a hangar, with dry floors and air con-ditioning), Avionics Avenue, an engine area,and e-flight-expo, plus numerous peddlersof aircraft-related services and gadgets.

Many exhibitors were the samenames you’ll see at U.S. shows, with theaddition of some European manufactur-ers such as f.u.n.k.e. Avionics and Flybox(think Dynon), also Becker Avionics andAvMap (think Garmin).

FlyboxAvionics

Flybox of Italy offers a selection ofdigital displays that encompass every-thing from the six-pack and engine watchto electronic controls for autopilot, pro-peller, and flaps. Their Oblò, the “mostcompact EFIS on the market,” integratesdigital attitude indication, primary flightdata, and optional autopilot in a compact,lightweight instrument sized to fit in astandard 3-1/8” cutout.

Additionally, their Vigilus displayhelps to manage engine inputs, while thelarger Flybox Eclipse display unit canserve as IES, PFD, or both. Built-in is agraphical datalogger that records andshows all available operating parameters.Datalogger can also export GPS data forviewing a trip profile on Google Earth.

A full set of 2-1/4” instruments roundout the Flybox product line. These include:constant speed propeller regulator, elec-tronic flap controller, digital altime-ter/variometer, fuel computer, fuel-levelindicator, and tachometer with timer plusmanifold pressure readout. Flybox hasbeen around since 2003, and their entireproduction cycle from development tomanufacturing is done in-house.

AvMap

Ultra EFIS from the Italian companyAvMap combines nine instruments inone. AvMap presents a compelling alter-native to GPSMAP and “aera” modelsfrom Garmin – the U.S. leader who’searned its position through solid support.

There are good reasons to considerAvMap. Among them are price, size, anda growing set of features. AvMap is acompany that has historically owned theroads and plowed the fields with theirGPS tools. They bring to pilots a uniqueperspective of mapping and navigationwith all the expected visual referencesand functionality.

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The Chem-Tools (a German maker of cleaning products for cars, airplanes, motorcy-cles and boats) brandished North American T-28B Trojan (was on display in Hall A7).

(Mike Taylor)

July 2017 www.inflightusa.com 37

Electrics

In the aforementioned e-flight-expoarea, Siemens displayed its all-electricMagnus eFusion aircraft, including therecent world speed record setting Extra330LE. With the infinite approach thesedays to what is a “record,” it’s safe to saythat plotting a course suitable to one’scompetencies is more a challenge to othersthan one for the archives. Nonetheless,proving electrics in aircraft operations willfurther propel that expansion of the indus-try and contribute to its science. While pre-mature to say electric was everywhere,electric was on display at AERO, and theemerging technology is alluring.

Classics

Furthering the experimental aspectof European aircraft design, several man-ufacturers have recreated aircraft classicsas offerings in the unbelievably slightultralight class. For example, the UL-39Albi, JH Corsair, and Stampe SV4-RSeach borrow from the namesakes of theirpredecessors. The likenesses are astound-ing, and each build drew steady crowds.

If a true classic is what you treasure, atleast one firm is producing replicas of thecertified Bü-131 Jungmann for the nostal-gia-minded PPL pilot. The original BückerBü-131 Jungmann was conceived as a basictrainer. The all new T-131 PA Jungmann isbeing built by parts supplier Air ResAviation of Poland and will serve a role as arecreational flivver and a bonus logbookentry for those who perform training in it.

Replicas

The Rimowa-Junkers F13 replica isa meticulously accurate copy of the1920s all-metal German passenger air-craft. Currently undergoing flight-testingin Switzerland, it made an appearance atAERO and is expected to make its way tothe U.S. soon. Hopes are that it will be atAirVenture next year.

Rimowa-Junkers F13

Rimowa is using the airplane to pro-mote its luggage line, which resembles thetrademark corrugated duralumin wing andfuselage skins of Junkers aircraft built inthe 1920s and ‘30s. Appearances aside,this Rimowa-Junkers F13 is in fact all new– a perfect, historically accurate replica. Alimited number may be manufactured.

Fascinating for its history, the F13project was launched after the Armistice ofCompiègne in 1918. The original idea was

to construct a passenger airplane that wouldlink countries peacefully, thereby preclud-ing any possibility of future war. Fledglingairlines worldwide adopted it. The airplanesucceeded in reducing long distances. It wasin production for 14 years. In following suit(suitcase pun intended), Rimowa continuesto promote the linking of countries.

One of many replicas in the afore-mentioned ultralight class, the JH Corsairby JH Aircraft offers an example of exper-imenting in lightweight construction withrecognizable styling on the exterior.

JH Corsair

The JH Corsair complies with theUK’s SSDR microlight initiative and theFAR Part 103 ultralight class. Target designweight is an unbelievably low 254 poundsempty (120 kg.). This aircraft resembles thefamed Vought F4U Corsair, an Americanfighter aircraft flown by the Navy.

The highly prized Stampe etVertongen SV.4 was a French and Algerianprimary trainer/tourer airplane that is nowavailable in replica form as the StampeSV4-RS from Belgium with three engineoptions. This one is significantly lighter at290 kg., versus 500-plus previously.

Stampe SV4-RS

Only 35 SV.4 aircraft were builtbefore the company was closed during theSecond World War. After the war, 65 air-craft were built as trainers for the BelgianAir Force. Later, under license, the SV.4Cwas built in France andAlgeria completinga combined total of 940 aircraft. Widelyused by French military units as a primarytrainer, many also served in aero clubs inFrance, then later sold second hand in theUK and other countries.

Motors/Engines

Motor manufacturers at AERO stillshow a favoring towards diesel – a more

popular fuel also on the roads in Europe.However, American producer Lycomingwas at AERO to talk about the regulatorychanges in lead-free fuels now takingplace. They are hopeful that a simplifiedmethod of fuel choice will be approvedsoon as the current regulatory processwould be positively onerous.

MesseAlm

A delightful new addition to the eventcenter was Messe Alm. Though morebroadly recognized as a German “bier-garten,” an alm is a typical wood structureof the Alpine region. Unabbreviated,almwirtschaft literally translates as season-al mountain pasture, one that caters to vis-itors. The alm structures appear in moun-tainous areas and offer a place to dine ontraditional dishes while sitting in “beergarden” fashion. Situated between theexpo halls, Messe Alm was a popularsunny spot on both Friday and Saturday.

Region

Baden-Württemberg is a state insouthwest Germany bordering France andSwitzerland. West of Bavaria, with Austriaat its border, Baden-Württemberg is theother southern Germany. Here, grapes forwine, obst (fruit) for schnapps, and othercomestibles are grown in abundance. TheLake Constance region is damp and sunny– ideal conditions for growing fruit.

ASTM vs. STC

Innovation is coming to customersmore quickly with a new risk-based, col-laborate approach. Much has been writtenabout the Accepted Method ofCompliance Supplemental TypeCertificate, or AML-STC. Much is antici-pated. The commercial parts alternative toPMA and achieving STC has arrived.What was once an arduous task of winningFAA acceptance for a new product, now is

a path of “low-risk applicability.” A prece-dent set effectively allows regulatory agen-cies to talk more openly about low-costsafety-enhancing equipment options.

The fruits thus far are: 1) AOA, alearn-and-live tool that teaches pilotshow to better manage pitch, 2) G5, show-ing that solid state trumps the vacuumpump, 3) TruTrak autopilot, puttingstraight and level in the co-pilot seatwhen it’s most needed. New products arebeing approved almost weekly. Eachshows how overwhelmingly their benefitsenhance safety.

Experimental vs. Part 23

The experimental aircraft mindsetdoes indeed exist in Europe, and as previ-ously mentioned, it derives from theultralight class. Innovative design andconstruction techniques under employare numerous. Where we have EAB andLSA in the U.S., Light Sport Aeroplanesand Ultralights are driving new ideas inflying in Europe.

EASA, like the FAA, is realizing thisplight. The burdensome process of Part23 certification is shifting to accept newmethodologies. Single and two-seat air-craft with takeoff weights up to 600 kilo-grams (1,320 pounds in U.S. regulations)are the essential link between innovationand conventional. With safety as themeasuring stick, both the experimen-tal/ultralight and type certificated aircraftclasses are striving for the same goals.

Part 23 Rewrite

There’s also the EASA CS-23rewrite, counterpart to the FAA’s Part 23,that will affect the design of small air-planes weighing less than 19,000 poundswith 19 or fewer seats. There’s a globaleffort to lessen regulatory barriers. Europemoved recently, finalizing its CS-23 rulerewrite for small airplanes. Though not yetavailable, from these changes, new prod-ucts were promoted at AERO.

New and Improving, YetUnavailable

The P2 Xcursion prototype is high-performance hybrid aircraft introduced bya student at the Oslo School ofArchitecture and Design in Norway.Working in parallel with German companyENIGRO, the Equator Hybrid PropulsionSystem is said to be revolutionary. The P2Xcursion also proposes to use a simplifiedhands-only control stick that incorporates

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This all new T-131 Jungmann was built by parts supplier Air Res Aviation of Poland andis a remake of the Bü-131 Jungmann basic trainer. (Mike Taylor)

38 In Flight USA Celebrating 33 Years July 2017

rudder inputs, and it floats.Equator Aircraft has built a proof-of-

concept, and the engine-specific project isbeing co-funded by Transnova. With somany partners and technology on board,this one might be characterized as an ideaconsortium. The cockpit displays are fromMGL Avionics combined with an iPad.Then there’s a power/brake control centerconsole completing its comprehensive andcompact panel. What more could one want?

The Volocopter from e-volo, aGerman company, showed its flying proto-type. At AERO, special guests were invit-ed to get an up-close look at the 18-rotorvertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehi-cle powered purely by electricity and capa-ble of carrying two passengers.

Looking like it came straight out ofthe movie Planes, the Stream TurboTP100 by TL Ultralight, in partnershipwith Wezel Flugzeuge, was hanging highin desert camouflage.

New andAvailable

The Viper SD-4 is an all-metal two-seat microlight and LSA. This one looksa lot like – I can’t count them all on my10 fingers – how many others?

Cubcrafters Europe appears to havean elite boy’s club following. At 239,000euros “negotiable,” apparently, I’m told14 fliers have bought in to the idea.

Blackshape, based in Monopoli at theheel of Italy’s geographic boot, showed itshigh performance two-seat carbon fiberaircraft. It’s said to be for leisure aviationand military training, a unique combina-tion that makes sense given its sex appeal.“The Blackshape BK 100 Prime has beenon the market since 2011,” said companyCEO Angelo Petrosillo. “More than 60units have been sold and are flying in over27 countries.” The newer Blackshape BK160 Gabriel was unveiled at AERO in2017 with deliveries to begin by the thirdquarter of 2017.

Diamond studded its latest DA50-Vprototype, four, five, or seven-seat single, ingold livery. By its side was a silver (metal-lic gray) rendition of their diesel piston twinDA62. The company made a big show,highlighting the diversity of offerings inboth engine and airframe configurations.

In its mock-dirty paint scheme, theShock Cub by Zlin Aviation kept thecrowds flowing in. A video wall behindthe airplanes held their attention. It’s eas-ier to imagine a snow skier being towedby an airplane when you actually watchit. Oversized shock absorbers, slattedwings with double slotted flaps, a “hyper-STOL airfoil,” and up to 180 HP and 680kg MTOW are extreme measures yet

common for extreme takeoff-and-landingbackcountry adventures. Flanked bymock beasts, up close, one finds out theShock is another rendition of the Cub.

An Italian-built Cub look-a-like, theGroppo Trail was present and available,completed and in kit form. It’s compactibleand trailerable with folding wings. TheGroppo is a smartly done ground-up re-think of high-wing light aircraft.

MIA

Missing in action at AERO 2017 wasNext Aircraft and their MD3 Rider. I hadflown this one previously and was expect-ing an update on the numbers flying. It hadsome enjoyable flying qualities. With goodvisibility, the comfortable cabin had asporty, racing feel with its semi-reclinedseating. A distinct difference from aleisurely low-and-slow Cub experience.

The MD3 closely resembles the CTby Flight Design that has logged a steadylead on the bydanjohnson.com marketshare study. Flight Design was said to be inreceivership a year ago, but 378 aircraft arein the field according to last report.

Vintage

A highly polished 1947 vintageCessna 140 was on sale for €59,000 (rough-ly $65,000). Plane Fun Inc. of Snellville,Ga., offers a way for non-U.S. citizens tooperate N-registered aircraft abroad. AERO2017 exhibitor Plane Fun Inc. was repre-sented by their European Liaison Office.They assist non-U.S. citizens with flying N-registered aircraft in Europe.

HermannWings

Prologue and highlight of my trip toAERO was a visit to Rundflüge–at leastthat’s what I thought the name was as it’semblazoned large on the first hangar. Ipassed the airport initially, eager to start myjourney home. But having taken in morethan a passing glance, I convinced myselfto make a U-turn and give it a closer look.

The airport, opened in 1955, afterHermann Beck bought it from the originallandowner/farmer who owned a Cub hekept nearby in Switzerland. FollowingWWII, “when theAmericans re-opened air-space in Germany,” the farmer created theairfield and moved his plane to Wildberg.

Flugplatz Wildberg, or WildbergAirport, is nestled in a rolling landscapenear Lindau, in the Baden-Württembergstate of Germany. There you’ll findHermann Beck, a pilot retired at the ageof 41, he’s now logged 18,000-plushours, and his age has since increased abit too. Hermann gives airplane rides

(Rundflüge stands for sightseeing or liter-ally “roundtrips”) among other “airportmanager” tasks taking place at the field.

Museums

Other auxiliary stops on my missionto AERO included visits to two outstand-ing aviation-themed museums in the area.First up was the Zeppelin Museum.Situated on the waterfront of LakeConstance, it is a collection and chroni-cled history of the Zeppelin airships.Inside is a life-sized section of one.

Two impressive – as one mightimagine – structures house and tell thestories of the famed Zeppelin airships.The museum is located in a repurposedBauhaus-era train station building. Thelocation, building, and exhibits containedwithin are a definitive “must-see” for vis-itors to the area. An actual Zeppelinresides in the Zeppelin hangar situatednext door to the fairgrounds at Messe.

Count Zeppelin, as he is widelyreferred to, was Ferdinand Adolf HeinrichAugust Graf von Zeppelin, a German gener-al and later aircraft manufacturer. He was ascion (fancy word for descendant) of a noblefamily, hence bearing title of “Count.” Hisstories along with stories of his airships arefascinating. Perhaps this is especially truegiven that these great aircraft are generallyrelegated as things of a past era.

A temporary “Streamline” exhibit atthe Zeppelin Museum featured a race edi-tion of a Messerschmitt KR 200 Super,a.k.a. Cabin Scooter, built in 1955. Thisthree-wheeled bubble car was designed byaircraft engineer, Fritz Fend, and producedin the factory of German aircraft manufac-turer, Messerschmitt, from 1955 to 1964.

The Streamline special exhibit“When Everything Suddenly BecameStreamlined. The fascination of lowresistance” ran through April 23, 2017.

The second museum stop, likewisecompulsory on a trip to Friedrichshafen,is the Dornier Museum. It sits on theopposite side of the runway from Messe,though on the same side as the commer-cial air terminal. Like Count Zeppelin,the name Claude Dornier is synonymouswith aviation in Germany.

Dornier Flugzeugwerke created manycivil and military aircraft, including theComet, the Mercury, the Whale (a flyingboat), and the Flying Pencil. The companywould go on to form many commercialpartnerships with other aviation- andspace-related interests, including U.S. firmFairchild Aircraft. The Dornier Museumdoes a detailed job of chronicling theresearch, development, and eventual pro-duction of many Dornier designs.

Next Expo

2017 was unfortunate in that AEROand Sun ‘n Fun were held at the sametime. There is indeed quite a bit of over-lap between the two shows and the avia-tion patrons they speak to – the heart ofgeneral aviation. Fortunately next year,each will have its own slot. Sun ‘n Funwill be held on April 10–15, 2018, andAERO will be held onApril 18–21, 2018.

In the mind of the conscientious avia-tor, both events are obligatory, at least oncein a lifetime. For some, it’s an annual com-mitment and an exciting opportunity tocontinue to explore their passion for flying.

What toWatch For

With advances in micro-electro-mechanical devices driven by tiny comput-ers (i.e. Raspberry Pi), the possibilities arelimited only by imagination. Currently appsmanage devices like Switchbox Control forengine preheat and, the digital-meets-ana-log, IceBox for cabin cooling. Stratux ADS-B too shows that homegrown technology isaccessible, affordable, and practical. EFISpanel inserts now nearly universally serve asattitude/gyro/horizon/six-pack replace-ments. With names of places like Aspen andGrand Rapids, these solid-state-replaces-vacuum devices are everywhere.

And more of the ADS-B good stuff isalready arriving. SkyEcho from uAvionix isa portable ADS-B Out solution forUK/Europe. Their EchoUAT dual band isfor U.S. experimentals and LSAs. There’s aSkyFYX WAAS GNSS sensor add-on andan EchoESX remote Mode S transponderwithADS-B Out. The entireADS-B systemis intended to manage vast amounts of air-space and increasing amounts of air traffic.

These so-called “disruptive” tech-nologies are merely leveraged solutionsdeveloped elsewhere. They are trans-forming avionics design plus reducing itssize, weight, and cost. A few examplesare receiver/transmitters, simply the rein-carnation of walkie-talkies, and transpon-der signal decoders used to intercept arere-purpose data on a radio frequency.

Wireless Wi-Fi communications,now common everywhere, work to uniteportable devices. Behind the scenes, highprecision WAAS GNSS sensors withintegrated processors offer resilience tojamming, spoofing, and errors. It’s allseemingly happening invisibly, yet it’seffectively making the skies safer.

Retrospect

Looking back two years since myfirst and last visit to AERO, not much had

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It’s time to head to the RockyMountains for some fun flying, deliciousfood, and cars that provide great eyecandy. The Wyoming Wings and WheelsAir Show, Fly-In, and Car Show takesplace on Aug. 19, 2017 at the Powell,Wyoming Municipal Airport.

This all-day event is sure to providelively entertainment for pilots and theentire family. The show will feature pilotflying the MXS-R Aerobatic Aircraft byMX Aircraft. Also on the day’s fun-packed schedule will be The Rocky

Mountain Renegades Air Show Team,performing close formation aerobatics.

The runway will be available for fly-in pilots between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. theday of the show. Take advantage of thisopportunity to meet new friends, explorethe airport, socialize, and relax.

What is an airshow without a fewcars on the ground? The Powell,Wyoming event will feature a car showwith 140-plus entries, including anappearance by Eastern Idaho’s VintageHeritage Tour (1948 and earlier). The

show will feature some of the mostattractive antiques and hot rods in theRocky Mountain West.

The Rocky Mountain Region offersmany attractions for pilots and enthusi-asts visiting for the Wyoming Wings andWheels event. For example, YellowstoneNational Park’s east entrance is just 78miles to the west through the dramaticWapiti Valley, a scenic route that offersadventure for all.

Explore the American West throughthe five museums at The Buffalo Bill

Center of the West, just 25 miles west inCody, Wyoming. The museum is an affil-iate of the Smithsonian Institution and iscelebrating 100 years. The museum issure to provide excitement for even theyoungest ones in tow.

For more information, visit www.pcwingsnwheels.com or visit the event’s socialmedia for photos and videos: www.facebook.com/wingsnwheelspowellwy.

July 2017 www.inflightusa.com 39

WWW.SPORTAVIATIONEXPO.COM

Imagine A Crowd Of Over 15,000 Aviatiors And Aviation Enthusiasts And YOU..

January 24-27, 2018

863-314-1313EXPO@SEBRING-AIRPORT.COM

Hendricks says, ”Stand out in the crowd at Sebring, Florida’s U.S. Sport Aviation Expo.It’s the largest event of its kind in the U.S.”

RESERVE YOUR EXHIBITOR SPACE TODAY.

WYOMING WINGS AND WHEELS IS HERE FOR A GREAT AIR SHOW,FLY-IN, AND CAR SHOW

changed in aviation. In a general sense,this is true of the last 27 years since Ibegan working in the industry. Fixed-androtary-wing aircraft of the GA, as well ascommercial, variety are still cabins hurl-ing through the atmosphere with the aidof Bernoulli’s principle.

What has changed are the materials,the study, and the science that refine itsapplication. Electronics and avionicsadvance at a blinding pace. Ever improv-ing techniques allow manufac-ture–emphasis on man – of these vehiclesto grow in performance. The challengesset by predecessors are vast.

WhyAERO

I’ll continue to visit these shows,whether for business or hobby. AEROwill hopefully continue to evolve as anevent that feeds my interests and those ofother pilots. Here’s why:

• It’s easy to get to, and coming herein your own plane is simple and uncom-plicated

• The common bond among partici-pants and the easy-going, relaxed visitoratmosphere

• To share a great passion for the sportof flying

• To collaborate with colleagues fromall across Europe

• To open doors in European aviation• It’s well-organized and provides a

nice setting• To meet people, customers, and to

see new technologies• To have face-to-face meetings and to

see aircraft up close• To cultivate existing relationships

and create networking opportunities• And for the comfortable atmosphere

AERO affords.See you soon!

AEROContinued on Page 38