TOM POBEREZNY PRESIDENT Guest editorial from fAA 's president AirVenture thoughts-something for everyone in aviation As this issue goes to press, EAA Air­ ter activities, and treasures from our airplanes-1O.5 percent of the GA fleet Venture Oshkosh 2007 has just con­ world-class archives. is experimental aircraft-then we can cluded. As I think back over my 30 years Thirteen years ago, EAA had a vision also encourage hundreds of thousands as chairman of "Oshkosh," it is clear the to grow the ranks of those who enter of people to learn to fly. A critical part depth, diversity, and growth of our con­ the world of aviation. That vision culmi­ of learning how to fly is a sense of com­ vention has exceeded all expectations. nated in the sport pilot/light-sport air­ munity. EAAers, better than anyone, There is truly something for everyone in craft regulations. During the past three can provide newcomers mentoring and the aviation community at AirVenture. years we have spent significant resources paths to participation. Oshkosh is the home of innovation, developing and promoting a whole new EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2007 was new design, technology, and craftsman­ aviation infrastructure built around a milestone. Our vision for sport pilot/ ship. This was never more evident than these regulations. light-sport aircraft was validated. Our on opening day when a multitude of EAA's vision was validated when mission of outreach to young people announcements took place. It began Cessna and Cirrus announced their who might swell the pilot population with the surprise arrival of the Eclipse new light-sport aircraft. It reinforced was reinforced with the introduction of Single-engine concept jet. Then Cessna our vision for entry-level participation a new student membership. unveiled its new light-sport aircraft ... the by a whole new group of people, while AirVenture was also about advocacy. SkyCatcher. Shortly thereafter, Cirrus at the same time negating the percep­ Government representatives heard your announced its entry into the light-sport tion that sport pilot was a certificate concerns on user fees throughout the aircraft marketplace with its new Cirrus only for those who had lost or feared week. In addition, seven members of SRS. This list continued... Epic Aircraft, losing their medical. the House Aviation Subcommittee, in­ RotorWay, Son ex, and others. The an­ At its height, aviation had more than cluding chairman Jerry Costello, D-Illi­ nouncements indicate these are some 800,000 active pilots. The latest figures nois, and Wisconsin Rep. Tom Petri, the of the best times in general aviation his­ indicate there are just shy of 600,000 ranking Republican on the panel, visited tory. Technology and innovation are U.S. pilots. A major reason for the drop with EAAers for an entire day to discuss making a major impact. is that pilots trained during World War II user fees and modernization of the air EAA's own new technology was also or on the GI Bill have been leaving avia­ traffic system. Meanwhile, Sen. Jim In­ evident, as more than 1.25 million tion because of age and related reasons. hofe, R-Oklahoma, attended AirVenture people from all over the world partici­ We need to replace them. We need to for the 29th year, camped here with his pated in Oshkosh without leaving their compete with other recreational activi­ family, and talked to EAAers at Member homes, by way of AirVenture.org. Those ties for discretionary time and dollars. Village about user fees. virtual attendees viewed EAA's Bright­ That is where sport pilot and light-sport These are examples of EAA's impor­ cove multimedia offerings almost a aircraft come in. Aviation is not going tant proactive advocacy. We address is­ quarter million times, and they vis­ to remain dynamic and strong with sues by bringing legislators and officials ited almost 4 million separate EAA web 600,000 pilots. We need a million pilots. into the field with EAA members and pages. These metrics indicate, without Our vision for the future incorpo­ the aviation community. This was re­ doubt, the value of EAA's new media rates EAA chapters, the National Asso­ inforced at the Meet the Administrator knowledge and information content, ciation of Flight Instructors, and other session when FAA Administrator Marion an area we are continuously improv­ EAA resources to encourage people to Blakey introduced members of her se­ ing. Keep visiting on the Web as we learn how to fly. nior team, many who were in Oshkosh will continue to publish multimedia At AirVenture, we introduced the over several days. stories about the spirit that infuses Learn to Fly Center, which received EAA AirVenture may last only one EAA-from the aircraft our members thousands of visitors. If EAA can en­ week, but its Significant impact is felt build or fly, to technical forums, chap­ courage thousands of people to build year-round. N E AUGUST VOL. 35, NO.9 2007 CONTENTS IFe Straight & Level AirVenture thoughts-something for everyone in aviation by Tom Poberezny 2 News 6 2007 AirVenture Vintage Awards 8 The Command-Aire SC3 A golden age biplane's German pedigree by Gilles Allard 16 Getting Your A&P Rating Part III, Earning the A&P mechanic certificate, the DME's perspective by Robert G. Lock 18 Rezich's Travel Airs A family history dates back to the golden age of aviation by Jim Rezich 22 Airline Travel SO-Plus Years Ago First published in the January 1980 issue of Vintage Airplane by Edward D. Williams 28 2007 National Waco Club Reunion Wynkoop Airport, Mount Vernon, Ohio by Andy Hein s 31 Mystery Plane by H.G. Frautschy 34 The Vintage Instructor Black eye by Doug Stewart STAFF EAA Publisher Tom Poberezny Director of EAA Publications David Hipschman 36 Pass It to Buck Executive Director/Editor H.G. Frautschy One of my favorite stops Executive Assistant Jillian Rooker by Buck Hilbert Managing Editor Kathleen Witman News Editor Ric Reynolds 38 Calendar Photography Jim Koepnick Bonnie Kratz 39 Classified Ads Advertising Coordinator Sue Anderson Classified Ad Coordinator Oaphene VanHullum Copy Editor Colleen Walsh COVERS Director of Advertising Katrina Bradshaw Display Advertising Representatives: FRONT COVER Giles Allard of Newington, Connecticut captured this nice shot of Bob Lock in his recently Northeast: Allen Murray restored Command-Aire 5C3 N997E. Bob spent over a decade restoring the derelict airframe, which was Phone 8S6-229-7180, FAX 856-229-7258, e-mail: [email protected] originally completed by the Little Rock. Arkansas company on October 15, 1929, only days before the stock Southeast: Chester Baumgartner market crash that marked the beginning of the Great Depression. See the story beginning on page 6. Phone 727-532-4640, FAX 727-532-4630, e- mail: [email protected] BACK COVER: Aviation artist Kendra Helvey of Poplar Grove, Illinois, created this pencil sketch of the Rez­ Central: Gary Worden Phone 800-444-9932, FAX 816-741-6458. e-mail: [email protected] ich family's various Travel Air biplanes. The [).4000, NC8115 owned by Mike Rezich from 1940-1981 is Mountain & Pacific: John Gibson on the left, There are two Travel Air 2000's, later converted to D4-D maceIs; NC661H (1937-1941) in the Phone 916-784-9593, e-mail: ioilllgibsoll @Spc-lIIi1g.com center and NC606K (1950-present) is on the right. See the note in VAA News concerning a limited run of Europe: Willi Tacke tee-shirts available with this outstanding artwork. Phone +4989693402 13, FAX +498969340214, e-mail: wi1li@(1yillg-pages.com VINTAGE AIRPLANE EAA AirVenture: GA's Headquarters for User-Fee Issue With critical congressional votes coming soon on the controversial ~ FAA funding question, EAA AirVen­ ture Oshkosh 2007 became general NO! aviation's (GA) headquarters for the fight against user fees. Buttons declar­ ing "EAAers United: Say No To User Fees" were stuck on hats and shirts everywhere. Thousands posed for photos, which were posted on sev­ eral boards located in EAA Member Village's North Tent. The resulting mosaic provided a clear picture of the shared opinion of those with passion for flight. The thousands of signatures col­ lected on an anti-user-fee petition will be sent to key congressional law­ makers to underscore EAAers' stand. GA User-Fee Forum AirVenture's successful awareness campaign also included two key us­ er-fee forums. Early in the week EAA President Tom Poberezny hosted sev­ eral GA leaders at a user-fee panel discussion, urging support of House bill H.R. 2881. Also serving on that panel were NBAA President Ed Bo­ len, GAMA President Pete Bunce, and AOPA President Phil Boyer. li The first user fee is just the first step," Poberezny emphasized. "This is serious business, and it's extremely GA leaders (I to r) Tom Poberezny, Ed Bolen, Pete Bunce, and Phil Boyer at the important that members get involved AirVenture GA user-fee panel discussion. and stay involved." House Aviation Subcommittee Chimes In Later in the week, seven button-wear­ ing members of the House Aviation Sub­ committee sat on a panel to listen to the GA community's opinions on user fees. Appearing were Jerry Costello, subcom­ continued on page 4 Left: Members of the House Aviation Subcommittee stopping by Member Village to participate in the Say No To User Fees campaign included (I to r) Leonard Boswell, Mazie Hirono, Thomas Petri, Jerry Costello, Candace Miller, and Vern Ehlers. 2 SEPTEMBER 2007 Concerns Over FAA's Field Approvals Policy Dominate 'Type Club Issues' Meeting BY DAVID SAKRISON Some members of the general avia­ approval process handled through FAA this fall , explaining the 337 and STC ap­ tion (GA) community and GA aviation regional offices.