Mitch has a new rental available. A Quick Silver sprint
TWO OF OUR MEMBERS COMPLETED THEIR SOLO FLIGHTS. congratulations JOHN SATTERFIELD AND ROBERT JONES. The sport pilot program is now a reality. At this time I am going over the 450+pages to try and decifer this new rule. The new rule describes Light Sport Aircraft as: The 19th Ely fly-in is over and it would have to be considered a success. We got to see old friends and fly a little in a different area. The turn out wasn't as good this year , but next year is the 20th anniversary of the ely fly-in and Tom & Don hope to make that one extra special. While the airport manager would disagree , I think everyone acted in a safe and responsible manner. Our own fly-fest is a testament that ga and ultralights can exist in the same air space. As a local club we have had the good fortune to have a very good airport to fly from and the support of our airport managers (hale and kay bennett). As our airport grows and has more traffic , we need to remain safe and alert as always. faa regulations do not require that we have and use radios , however they do help enhance our safety and those that we share the air with . so please use them. Follow the traffic patterns and be on alert for other aircraft who don't. A common problem at our airport is that some ga aircraft use a standard left hand pattern for runway 23. Watch that area and give right of way to those aircraft , and communicate !!
more solo flights to come soon !
While part 103 is left alone. Ultralight training will change over the next 5 years.
The drivers license medical can not be used for those who have lost their medical in the past.
If you are a current member of usua,asc or eaa.the transition to sport pilot will be easy.
your time and experience will count toward the new license. Just pass the practical and written test's.
Check the usua web site for up to date information.
1,320 lbs. maximum takeoff weight (an increase from the original proposed 1232 lbs.)
1,430 lbs. seaplanes maximum takeoff weight
1 or 2 occupants
single engine (non-turbine)
maximum stall speed (without lift enhancing devices) of 45 knots (51.78 mph)
maximum airspeed in level flight of 120 knots (138.09 mph)
fixed landing gear
fixed pitch propeller ( ground ajustable ok.)
This brings me to the problem the ely club has with the airport manager, He has stated that ultralights are a hazard to aviation and would ban us from flying if he could. He used (3) incidents to claim safety violationsduring the fly-in. (1) that an aircraft skimmed the lake on sunday morning , this is not a safety violation as long as the plane in question stays at least 500 feet from the boaters. (the plane inquestion was not an ultralight) (2) That an aircraft flew too low over the golf course. There again this aircraft was not an ultralight and did nothing illegal. and finally (3) That we did not follow the traffic pattern at this airport. Tom had made previous arrangemant with the airport manager to change the pattern for runway 12 for additional seperation and safety , and this was followed. Make no mistake , the airport manager has a hidden agenda. He would like to ban ultralight activity and take over the hangar he and the ely club now share. This is an ongoing problem for ultraligt pilots in many airports across the country , our best defense starts by following the rules and being safe. However you can do more , write letters to Tom and Don about you experience there and when the time comes stand by them by writing letters to the powers that be. Tom and Don will supply name's and adress's at the appropriate time.