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SWAV Update
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Aviation related news from around the Southwest
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Do you have news items of interest to the Southwest’s general aviation community? Submit them to: publisher@swaviator.com. Submissions will be run as space permits and may be edited for length and style. Emails or disks and digital photos receive preference.
AOPA Reports Portions of Western US can Expect Sporadic GPS Outages
The Department of Defense is conducting more GPS interference tests in the western United States through October. AOPA reports the tests will cause GPS navigation to be unreliable at times near the test centers. The areas affected center on the Bonneville (BVL) vortac in Utah, Truth or Consequences (TCS) vortac in New Mexico, and Sierra Vista Municipal Airport in Arizona. The area of unreliability can start within 160 nm of the test center at 4,000 feet agl and expand with altitude to a radius of 400 nm at 40,000 feet msl. AOPA is also asking for pilot reports on GPS reception problems.
AOPA provides an advance schedule of GPS tests on their web site, www.aopa.org, listing dates, times, and areas affected. However, the military can cancel or add additional tests. Pilots are reminded to obtain a briefing, including a request for GPS notams, immediately prior to flight. AOPA would also appreciate pilot reports of problems with GPS reception in the vicinity of these tests. E-mail the report, and whether you received a GPS notam, to gps@aopa.org.
 Copperstate Fly-in Breaks Ground at Phoenix Regional Airport
The Copperstate Regional EAA Fly-in recently broke ground for the first permanent building on its new Copperstate Campus, located at Phoenix Regional Airport (PRA). The steel structure will house facilities for event volunteers, including a kitchen, meeting room, and hot showers for Copperstate campers. The first Copperstate event to be held at PRA takes place on October 10-13, with attendees expected from throughout the US and several foreign countries.
“We’re excited about breaking ground at our new location,” said Bob Hasson, Copperstate Fly-In Chairman. “This is just the first step in creating a first-class venue for the largest EAA fly-in in the Southwest, and we’re working diligently with the airport developer to make it happen.”
PRA (A39) is a privately owned, public use airport located 25 miles south of Phoenix, between the city of Casa Grande and the town of Maricopa, just off State Highway 283. The airport currently has a 4000-foot paved runway, which will be extended to 4500 feet in time for Copperstate. A 100LL self-service fuel system was recently installed, along with additional pavement for aircraft parking.
Ample camping space will be available, and for the first time in a number of years, fly-in guests will be able to camp under the wings of their planes. For the less adventurous, there are a wide variety of hotels to choose from, including several casinos in the area. Copperstate representatives are working with several rental car agencies to make cars available for those who fly in.
On current sectionals and FAA databases, the airport name is shown incorrectly as Grande Valley, and as having a dirt runway. For more information about Copperstate, call 520-400-8887 or visit www.copperstate.org. For more information about Phoenix Regional Airport, visit www.phoenixregionalairport.com.
Desert Sky Cafe Reopens at Belen Alexander
The newly redecorated Desert Sky Cafe has reopened at the Belen Alexander Airport (E80) in central New Mexico, after extensive remodeling. Featuring a new chef and new, exciting menus, the Cafe is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 8 am to 2 pm. Also, the ABQ Pilot Shop has moved to Belen, due to the closing of Coronado Airport. The ABQ Pilot Shop, open seven days a week, 8 am to 5 pm, is renowned for its “try before you buy” policy and extensive inventory of unique and useful items. Visit their web site at www.abqpilotshop.com.
Sedona Airport to Host Annual “Airport Day” October 12
“Celebrating America’s Scenic Sedona Airport” is the theme of the 2002 Sedona Airport Day and Car Show, hosted by the Sedona Airport Supporters Association, the Sedona Airport Administration, and the Sedona Car Club on Saturday, October 12, at the Sedona, Arizona airport (SEZ).
Pilots are invited to fly in and enjoy the festivities. Aircraft may be parked on the tarmac in front of the terminal for visitors to walk around. All aircraft flying in will receive a special price on fuel, courtesy of the Sedona Airport Administration. The Sedona Airport Supporters Association will provide breakfast for all fly-in pilots. Pilots planning on attending should RSVP in advance to Al Comello, president of the Sedona Airport Supporters Association, at 928-282-3707, or email sedonaal@sedona.net.
New Fire Station Opens at Colorado Springs Airport
The Colorado Springs Airport and Peterson Air Force Base have recently opened a $6.9 million, 32,000-square-foot fire station after years of planning. The station, which is manned by Air Force personnel, is positioned on Peterson Air Force Base, the airport’s largest tenant. The station will serve both the base and Colorado Springs’ commercial airport. Chief Ernest Lykins, a former fire chief (now retired), pushed for years to get funding for the station, and with the support of Colorado Congressman Joel Hefley, the station has become a reality.
Luscombe Receives Provisional Type Certificate
The FAA has awarded Luscombe Aircraft of Altus, OK a provisional Amended Type Certificate for their Model 11E aircraft. The 11E is an upgraded and modernized 4-place piston engine aircraft with new tricycle landing gear, fuel injected engine, and state of the art avionics. The Provisional award indicates that the Luscombe Aircraft Corporation has presented the FAA with enough approved technical and flight test data to substantiate that the aircraft should receive full certification in the next few months.
Luscombe has built and flown two prototypes of the Model 11E for research and development purposes. The conforming aircraft (N707BM) has flown over 130 hours of FAA certification test flights. The Provisional Type Certificate positions the company to start production of the Model 11E. For additional information, visit the Luscombe web site at www.luscombaircraft.com or call 580-477-3355.
 US Air Force Academy Selects Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for Introductory Flight Training Program
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has been selected by the USAF to provide flight training for Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. The contract, worth $24.5 Million over 8 years, requires Embry-Riddle to provide ground and flight instruction, aircraft, and aircraft maintenance. Approximately 500 cadets will be trained annually. The target start date is October 2002 with an initial fleet of 14 aircraft, which is expected to grow to as many as 35 aircraft by the end of 2003.
The all-new training fleet will be supplied by Diamond Aircraft. In response to USAFA requirements, Diamond developed and certified a special version of its Teledyne Continental powered DA20-C1 all composite two seat aircraft, featuring increased full fuel load, increased cabin height, reversed instrument panel, and Garmin avionics. For further information on ERAU, call 800-862-2416 or visit www.erau.edu, for information on Diamond Aircraft call 888-359-3220 or visit www.diamondair.com.
Pipers Grill Lands at Tulsa’s Riverside Airport
Opened August 1st, Pipers Grill at Jones Riverside Airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a welcome addition for the areas ever hungry and thirsty pilots. Located just a stone’s throw from Roadhouse Aviation, there is plenty of parking for planes and cars. Owner Mike Rosenstein has been serving the Tulsa area since 1989, and he believes that an airport grill should offer, “great food, and plenty of it.” What Pipers Grill doesn’t offer is “executive jet-set cuisine.” Instead, Pipers is an old-fashioned, friendly place that many pilots will remember as an airport fixture from the time they first began to fly. Pipers is open Monday through Saturday, 6:30 am to 2:30 pm.
 Eclipse 500 First Flight
The Eclipse 500 jet successfully completed its first flight on August 26, 2002 in Albuquerque, NM. The flight started at 9:18 am and flew as planned for 60 minutes, landing at 10:18 am. The aircraft was piloted by Eclipse's Chief Test Pilot Bill Bubb. The flight went according to plan, with tests successfully conducted on engine handling, aircraft stability and control, general flying qualities, and systems performance.
This flight marks the latest milestone in the successful development of the Eclipse 500 jet. The event also initiates the testing program, which is the final phase of the development program and which will culminate with FAA certification scheduled to occur in December, 2003.
Visit www.eclipseaviation.com to view a video of the flight.
Plans for Webb AFB Reunion Nearing Completion
All personnel of the former Webb AFB, including Civil Service, civilian workers, officer and enlisted members of the Air Force, and interested citizens of the area are invited to participate in the Webb AFB reunion October 11 and 12. The reunion begins Friday, October 11 with an all-day registration at Hangar 25 Air Museum, located in the former Hangar T-44 of Webb AFB in Big Spring, TX. For more information call Hangar 25 Air Museum at 915-264-1999 or go to www.webbafbreunion.com.
 Aircraft Spruce Schedules Seventh Annual Copperstate Dash Air Race
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty will host the sixth annual Copperstate Dash Air Race this October, on Friday the 11th. Co-sponsored by the EAA, the 286-nautical mile race is run between Apple Valley Airport (APV) in Victorville, CA and Coolidge Airport (P08), south of Phoenix. Most participants fly in the race and then visit the Copperstate Fly-In at the new Phoenix Regional Grand Valley Airport (A39), which runs October 10 through 13. The race is open to homebuilt and certificated aircraft, which race in separate categories. Entry forms can be obtained by calling Jerry Aguilar at Aircraft Spruce & Specialty at 800-824-193 or fax 909-372-0555. Forms must be submitted by October 7.
New FBO at Riverside, OK
Roadhouse Aviation is a new FBO located at Riverside Airport (RVS) in Tulsa, OK. Opened in April of 2002, Roadhouse is a Texaco fuel dealer selling both 100LL and Jet A fuels. Roadhouse is owned by Kent Faith, a native Tulsan. In addition to fuel sales, Roadhouse has flight training and rental aircraft, and will be showing a limited number of aircraft for sale. The Roadhouse Pilot Shop also strives to be the best in the Tulsa area. When flying through Tulsa, stop by and meet Kent and the crew. Roadhouse offers the most competitive fuel prices in the area, and ramp tie downs are free with fuel purchase. For details, visit www.roadhouseaviation.com, or call 866-530-3835.
 Erasable Highlighters Available from Sporty’s
Highlighter pens are great for plotting out trips, but once you’ve marked a sectional, it becomes confusing when you want to plan the next trip. You won’t have to struggle to read those distracting, marked-up charts that result from plotting course after course when you use a highlighter that is erasable. Available in five colors (yellow, green, pink, orange, and blue), the Erasable Highlighter is perfect for VFR sectionals or for highlighting navaids, fixes, and other important information on en route charts and approach procedures. When you’re finished, just erase the highlighting with a standard pencil eraser. Individual highlighters are available for $1.95 each, while a set of all five colors is available for $8.95. Each may be ordered on the Internet at www.sportys.com or by calling Sporty’s at 800-LIFTOFF or 513-735-9000.
EAA Introduces New Aircraft Insurance Plan
The EAA and Falcon Insurance Agency recently signed an agreement under which Falcon will administer the EAA Aircraft Insurance Plan. This new agreement will provide insurance for the largest possible number and variety of aircraft owned by EAA members.
This new arrangement also encompasses insurance for homebuilt aircraft, including construction and first-flight coverage. The partnership with Falcon is designed to serve the entire range of general-aviation aircraft, from standard category to Experimental airplanes and ultralights. Falcon Insurance, based in Austin, Texas, is one of the largest independent aviation insurance specialists in the country. For more than 20 years, they have served the insurance needs of the aviation community, including general aviation, instruction, and commercial operations. More information on the plan is available by calling 866-647-4322.
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