Volume 10 Issue 3 September 2016 CFJ Quarterly A newsletter from your Board of Commissioners The were not first! announces it to the world at the Olympics. There it was in the always drew a big crowd. Olympics opening The public didn’t know ceremony: the first about the brothers’ success ever to fly. Built until 1908. So here’s the and flown by a Brazilian! score: Wrights: 1903 vs. Santos-Dumont: 1906. If you ask any Brazilian who was first in flight, But wait! Those dates they will proudly inform don’t count! Brazilians you that it was their say the Wright brothers national hero, Alberto cheated because they used Santos-Dumont. And a catapult to launch their the Wright brothers? No, airplane. Santos-Dumont did a rolling takeoff. But that’s just an American Watching the Olympics on television, people around the world myth. saw a strange flying machine take off and fly completely out of the Americans point out that the Wright brothers’ So who’s right? And who stadium. For the takeoff, this mockup was suspended by wires. The plane was stable and fully is this Brazilian with the outside “flight” was merely special effects. controllable, and besides, two last names? the brothers took Alberto Santos- off without their Dumont was catapult in 1904 and an early aerial 1905. experimenter who was indeed in the air How can we settle several years before this? Both early the Wright brothers aviators have a right first flew. But he WRIGHT BROTHERS SANTOS-DUMONT to claim having made a didn’t do that in an airplane. He 1903 1906 magnificent achievement went up in a balloon, which is secret flights the Wright brothers that helped to launch the age of classified as an aerostat, floating aviation that followed. Both of them in the air under a big bag of had already made—even though Santos-Dumont’s plane used the made their accomplishments with hydrogen. He also went up in a great courage and ingenuity. dirigible, also full of hydrogen. box-like wing structure that the CFJ is the three-letter identification code for the Crawfordsville Municipal Airport. for the Crawfordsville identification code is the three-letter CFJ Alberto made his first balloon Wright brothers had developed and But it’s likely that Brazilians will ascension in 1891. In 1901 he published. continue to honor Alberto Santos- famously floated a dirigible As Santos Dumont was getting Dumont as their hero of aviation. around the then-new Eiffel Tower acclaim for his first flight, which And we Americans will continue in Paris. went for 200 feet, Wilbur and Orville to honor the Wright brothers as our heroes. And Ohio and North Santos-Dumont became world already had been flying for years Carolina will continue to produce famous for his floatations. So in their gliders. And Wilbur and license plates that each claims to be when he built and flew his own Orville made their monumental first “The birthplace of flight” and “First heavier-than-air machine in powered flight on December 17, 1903 in Flight.” 1906, he got lots of attention— and many more flights after that, well and he won a prize, awarded for before Alberto left the ground with the first flight. At that time, the his creation. The brothers did their public didn’t know about the flying in seclusion, while Alberto Page 2 CFJ Quarterly The Purdue connection every airplane to be equipped Purdue University seems to have to detect other in the everything you could ask for in vicinity. It’s like radar, but it’s aviation: a first-class airport simpler and it can be installed in with a control tower, a fleet of every , large and small. advanced airplanes, a renowned Purdue professor John Mott staff of aviation professors/ has developed and installed experts, and a constant stream relatively simple equipment of eager students getting some at our airport that monitors of the best education in aviation. aircraft using the ADS-B signals And they often find reasons to A Purdue airplane with distinctive markings generated by aircraft. turn to the Crawfordsville Municipal drops in for a visit. Airport. Crawfordsville is happy to have We’re pleased to enjoy a special visits from the Purdue folks. We’re It’s not unusual to look up and connection between Purdue delighted to be able to contribute to see a plane with “PU” painted on University and the Crawfordsville the training of some of the future the side of its fuselage descending Municipal Airport. We’re looking leaders of the aviation industry. on the glide path to a landing forward to seeing more of those We’re glad we’re right here in a handy here in Crawfordsville. Usually planes with the “PU” on the side! location. And we’re delighted that we it’s a student pilot getting a little have the kind of excellent facilities experience flying a short distance that can support serious aviation to another airport, one without the education. complications of a control tower and more complicated procedures. We’re also delighted to be asked Often it’s just a touch-and-go, a few to participate in special projects turns around the airport in the flight of the Purdue School of Aviation pattern, and then back to the Purdue and Transportation Technology. airport. Sometimes it’s a student Right now we’re hosting a Purdue taking his or her flight examination study of aviation movements under for a pilot license. And once in a the new NextGen airspace system. while they stop, step out, and have a Within this system is a technique cool beverage while relaxing in our code-named ADS-B. It will allow airport terminal. This NextGen device uses solar power to do sophisticated aircraft tracking.

How can airport hangars be used?

The Federal Aviation be available for aeronautical use in a hangar, the equipment and Administration has released its and not be available for non- items that can be stored in hangars. updated policy to clarify how aeronautical purposes unless that It recognizes the role of airport aviation facilities—including non-aeronautical use is approved sponsors (our Board of Aviation hangars—can be used on airports by the FAA. Use of a designated Commissioners) to ensure tenants that receive federal funds. This aeronautical facility for a non- pay fair market value for hangar applies to nearly all airports, aeronautical purpose, even on space. including Crawfordsville. This final a temporary basis, requires FAA The update also will allow policy strikes a balance between approval.” the storage of nonaeronautical hangar use for aviation and non- The policy indicates that items in hangars, provided they aviation purposes. Here’s some of homebuilt aircraft construction don’t interfere with the intended what the FAA said in the Federal in hangars can be considered an aeronautical use of the hangar and Register: aeronautical purpose, subject to are allowed by the airport sponsor. “It is the longstanding policy local approval. It also outlines the of the FAA that airport property type of aircraft that can be built CFJCFJ QuarterlyQuarterly Page 3

FAA closes in on 100LL fuel replacement

The light planes of America are distribution network for aviation The Swift fuel is something else scheduled to be out of gas in two fuel. It has already flown the new entirely. Reminiscent of ethanol, it’s years. gas in a Lycoming engine. said to be produced from biomass; That’s the deadline the Federal that is, from fermented plant Aviation Administration has material. It’s rated at 102 octane set to have a replacement ready and has a higher fuel density for the 100-octane low-lead than current avgas, meaning fuel that’s now relied upon that it’s slightly heavier, but by almost all it’s claimed to achieve 7 to 14% aircraft—more than 160,000 of increased range. Swift Fuels them. also has a 94-octane unleaded version that’s currently Two finalist fuels are now being available for use in engines tested to reach the FAA’s goal. certified for 91/96 Avgas with a One is a new fuel developed Supplemental Type Certificate. by Shell oil. The other is a There are now a few points of new non-petroleum material distribution, mainly located developed by Purdue University in states that include Indiana, scientists known as Swift Fuel. Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Currently at the LaPorte, The Shell fuel is the result of Indiana airport, the Swift UL94 a ten-year effort to create a costs $3.75 per gallon. “performance drop-in” for the current 100LL fuel. Shell hopes The current testing program for it will have a retail cost similar a 100LL replacement includes to current avgas, but they say ground and flight tests in a it’s too early to tell where the variety of engines and aircraft. price will fall. Shell has the advantage that it already has a

Pilot medical reform is coming

On July 15 the President signed As of its final passage, the law sets Medical reform highlights third class medical reforms into up a new process for screening the law as part of an FAA authorization Aircraft specifications: Up to six seats, health of pilots. This process will extension passed by the House up to 6,000 pounds (no limitations on take effect no later than one year and Senate days earlier. With horsepower, number of engines, or gear after the bill was signed (by July the president’s signature, which type) 15, 2017). Until then, pilots must came just hours before the FAA’s Flight rules: Day and night VFR and follow the old process. But if the authorization was set to expire at IFR (visual flight and instrument flight) FAA finishes writing the details of midnight, medical reforms became the required new regulations at an law and the clock started ticking on Passengers: Up to five passengers earlier date, the old process will be an FAA mandate to translate that Aeromedical training: Pilots must take history. law into regulations. a free online course every two years This change was advocated by This is a change in the process Altitude restrictions: Up to 18,000 feet thousands of pilots and the two for getting a third-class medical MSL (above mean sea level) major aviation associations, certificate, which is required Airspeed limitations: 250 knots Experimental Aircraft Association for pilots who fly for their own indicated airspeed and Aircraft Owners and Pilots purposes. Professional pilots, such Association. as airline pilots, will continue to Pilot limitations: Cannot operate for follow the current procedure. compensation or hire Page 4 CFJ Quarterly

People who came arriving automobiles right into here by air got the heart of the raceway. They special treatment were given a phone number to call When motorcycles fly that couldn’t be later in the day and, when ready, provided to those they again bypassed the crowds to driving in. Stepping return and board their airplanes. off their airplanes, Our airport also provided a base for aerial visitors could aerial banner towing operations. immediately step With open areas to work in, the into our comfortable banner could be spread out on the air conditioned ground so the tow plane could fly terminal building over and, dragging a hook, snag the and relax. They enormous banner to tow it. The were quickly greeted sign is much too large and heavy by airport staff Visitors fly, too. to be attached during the plane’s who were ready to takeoff. While motorcycles were taking provide them with off at the Ironman Raceway, the information, rental , and a The considerate service that people Crawfordsville Municipal Airport special airport shuttle service that received at our airport added was busy, too. With thousands whisked visitors past the lines of another touch of hospitality to of visitors the many efforts of pouring into the the Crawfordsville Crawfordsville community to make area to see ours a very attractive the motocross place. This event races, some of brings excitement, the spectators activity and money to and riders were Crawfordsville. It was flying into our a success both on the airport. And ground and in the air! our airport was Courtesy cars stand ready to whisk The tow plane makes a flying pickup of ready. flying visitors past the crowds. a banner to display above the raceway.

NASCAR driver flies his own plane deserve to grow up without Carl Edwards feels at home in his scrutiny from the racing masses NASCAR racer—and in his own in NASCAR. airplane. This race driver flies to every Sprint weekend except So his airplane delivers Dad the ones at Kansas Speedway, almost to their door at workday’s which is about a two-hour drive end. There, Edwards is more or from his home. less a regular Missourian, playing with the kids, running a combine “I could do everything I need to on the Edwards family farm, and do without a plane,” Carl says, riding his bicycle over hill and “but I literally would spend dale. my life in an airport (flying Edwards’ wife, who is a physician commercial airlines), This plane You don’t have to be a flying at the University of Missouri saves me about a hundred days a NASCAR driver to feel like one. Department of Physical Medicine, year.” All it takes are flying lessons! and his children are rarely seen at race tracks. Edwards says his children

Crawfordsville Municipal Airport / 759 West County Road 400 South / Crawfordsville, IN 47933 / 765-362-0070 http://www.crawfordsville.net/Airport/Airport.aspx BOAC Members: John York, President / Steve Rasmussen, Vice President / Russ Stath, Secretary / Myra Dunn Abbott, Treasurer / Randy Coakes, Member Airport Manager: Bill Cramer / Assistant Airport Manager: Chris Priebe