USUA PARTICIPATES IN OKLAHOMA CITY FAA MEETINGS

USUA EVP Dale Hooper and Director Jim Sweeney, just concluded 4 days of meetings with FAA and industry leaders in Oklahoma City. Discussed were the Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft rule implementation procedures. This resulted in clarification of key points and it provided insight that will be helpful to USUA members desiring to transition into this new realm of aviation. On hand with USUA, were representatives of industry heavy-weights such as King Schools, Jeppeson, and Adventure Productions, as well as organization representatives from AOPA, ASC, EAA, NAFI, and manufacturers' representatives from Powrachute, Air Creation and others. The interaction between these groups provided FAA the industry perspective needed to begin the finalization process of program administration. There was an overwhelming sense of cooperation from all involved (including FAA), indicating the commitment of each entity to lay aside individual differences and create an appropriate and adequate program.

Key issues discussed and worked on included elements of the Sport Pilot Knowledge and Practical tests. Industry involvement at this level, proved to be critical, and provided much needed guidance to FAA in creating the appropriate questions and tasks used in testing pilots of these less complicated and lower performance aircraft. From a pool of Sport Pilot Knowledge test questions, USUA and other industry representatives were able to eliminate many questions deemed inconsistent with the piloting skills required for the the safe operation of Light Sport Aircraft. These questions and tasks were replaced with knowledge and safety questions approved by general consensus as appropriate.

The details of the Sport Pilot instructor and examiner programs were also discussed, and clarification given to some of the finer points that have been the object of some recent concern. USUA will be publishing detailed guides for members who wish to participate in the DAR and DPE programs.

SPORT PILOT TIMELINE

On September 28th 2004, USUA received the following message from FAA. This is apparently in response to some who are advertising Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft services that are not yet authorized or available from FAA. USUA urges all members to please be patient, and allow FAA to offer the services noted below in their own time frame as listed. USUA will only post Sport Pilot implementation information received and authorized from FAA.

Aircraft Registration - will begin on October 15th. The FAA Form 8050-2 Aircraft Bill of Sale and the FAA Form 8050-88A will be available on-line on October 1st

Airman Certification - will begin January 15th, 2005. The new FAA Form 8710-11, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application - Sport Pilot will be available January 1st, 2005.

AC 61.65, (revision) - Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors - is estimated to be available January 2005 to provide policy and guidance to flight instructors for conducting proficiency checks and endorsement requirements.

FAA Order 8710.X, Sport Pilot Examiner Handbook - is estimated to be available in late-October to establish the Sport Pilot Examiner program.

FAA Form 8710-12, Light-Sport Standardization Board - Designated Pilot Examiner Candidate Application is estimated to be available by November 1st.

"...We have been receiving a lot of phone calls and e-mail messages asking about the above issues. Unfortunately we have had some enthusiastic instructors trying to conduct proficiency checks before the system is in place. As everyone knows the more informed we keep the public with timely information the better it will be for the entire program. Please feel free to call if you have any concerns or questions..."

Marty Weaver
Manager, Light Sport Aircraft Branch
Federal Aviation Administration

To contact FAA Light Sport Aviation Branch (AFS-610):

USUA SABOD MEETING AT POWRACHUTE EXTRAVAGANZA

USUA Board Of Directors and staff held their Semi Annual Board Of Directors meeting September 18th in Columbus Kansas, in conjunction with the annual Powrachute Extravaganza.

Issues discussed included USUA's continuing commitment to FAR Part 103 Ultralight aviation, and the new Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft rule. The USUA BOD is in unanimous agreement that the association will continue it's efforts to Promote, Protect and Represent Ultralight aviation in the United States, and will be unwavering in that task. Development of new programs, and the continuation of existing programs for Ultralights will not be diminished. Since many of the aircraft that will soon be registered with FAA as Light Sport Aircraft are being flown by members today as Ultralight trainers and "Fat" Ultralights, USUA will show equal priority to the development of programs to help members transition into Sport Pilot.

Powrachute Extravaganza: Powrachute, one of the industry's leading powered parachute manufacturers- and winner of the USUA 2004 Ultralight Industry Award- sponsors the annual Powrachute Extravaganza, one of the largest industry sponsored gatherings/fly-ins in the nation. This year was no exception. Extravaganza 2004 saw 7000+ in attendance, with 335 powered parachutes. Highlights of the event included a Saturday Morning Mass Launch of powered parachutes, which saw over 100 ships launch in a matter of minutes. The visual effect of that many canopies in the air at one time, rivals the very popular Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Saturday evening ended with Nashville artist John Michael Montgomery (a PPC pilot himself) being flown by powered parachute into the arena, and joining his band for a concert under the stars.

On display was the first jet powered parachute. Although FAA would not yet allow this groundbreaking machine to fly, visitors to the extravaganza were treated to the intense roar of it's jet engine. Also unveiled, was the prototype of Powrachute's newest project; a fully enclosed powered parachute. This new ship would allow PPC pilots to fly on those calm, but cold, fall and winter mornings- a feature that fixed wing pilots have enjoyed for years.

"Powrachutes commitment to providing an avenue in which powered parachute pilots can spend a weekend of enjoyable fun flying, in conjunction with the company's outstanding efforts to include the local community in the festivities, are commendable. It is this caring consideration for promoting the sport of ultralighting to the non-aviation community that sets this event apart from the rest" said USUA EVP Dale Hooper.

2004 MOODY AWARD HONORS PHIL LOCKWOOD

USUA is pleased to announce that the Recipient of the 2004 John Moody Award is long time ultralight pilot, manufacturer and Rotax engine guru, Phil Lockwood. Phil's accomplishments over the past 26 years have led him to be one of the most sought after speakers on the Ultralight Seminar circuit.

Phillip began his aviation career as a graduate of Florida Institute of Technology's specialized School of Aeronautics in 1982 with a bachelor of science in Air Commerce and Flight technology.

He has been an active pilot since 1978 with over 2,500 hours accumulated in more than 100 different types of aircraft. Phillip has much experience in the field of evaluating and improving the performance and control harmony of Ultralight and Light Sport Aircraft.

In 1987 Phillip competed in the USUA National Microlight Championship held in San Antonio Tx. Flying a modified, 254 lb single seat Maxair Drifter, Phillip won 1st place in both fixed wing categories, a feat that was considered to be all but impossible since one category favored high powered, single surface, short field champs like the Quicksilver Sprint and the other category favored lower powered highly efficient aircraft like the Mitchell Wing.

Drawing on his experience as a wildlife camera plane pilot Phillip designed and built the first Air Cam, an innovative twin-engine camera plane, for a special National Geographic research project about the Ndoki Rain forest in northern Congo. Later, Phillip oversaw the development and production of the Air Cam, as a fast build kit plane, while serving as president of Leza Lockwood Corp.

Today, he serves as president and CEO of Lockwood Aviation Supply, a company he founded in 1989, now the largest Service Center for Rotax Aircraft engines in North America and a major source for all types of Light Sport Aircraft parts and accessories. Another company, Lockwood Aviation Repair, is the only FAA licensed repair station (L2DR339H) that specializes, specifically, in the repair and overhaul of Rotax Aircraft engines. Located in the same Sebring Fl facility is Phil's Flight school, Lockwood Aviation.

Since 1992 Phillip has donated much of his time to the development of improved operation and maintenance procedures for Rotax aircraft engines and the teaching of these methods.

THE JOHN MOODY AWARD - Origin of the Award

The John Moody Award was established in 1991 by the United States Ultralight Association. It is the highest and most prestigious award honoring the history and development of ultralight sport aviation. It is awarded annually to a living individual, a group of individuals, or an organization for efforts over a period of years that have reflected credit upon America and themselves by having made significant contributions or advancements of enduring value in the sport of ultralight aviation in the United States. Nominations for this award are solicited from all segments of the ultralight community; including ultralight enthusiasts, industry leaders, and ultralight clubs. The John Moody Award selection committee reviews all nominations.

Selection Committee:

The John Moody Award selection committee consists of the USUA Board of directors, USUA Regional Representatives, and past recipients of the John Moody Award. The committee meets in a closed-door session during the USUA Annual Meeting where it reviews all nominations and selects a recipient to be honored the following year. All voting is by secret ballot, and votes are tallied by the USUA Secretary and the selection committee Chairman.

The announcement of the winner will be made on or after October 1, by USUA headquarters.

Presentation of the Award:

The John Moody Award is presented annually at the USUA Award Ceremony and Annual meeting. The recipient of the award is notified by USUA headquarters, and invited to the USUA Annual Meeting for the presentation of the award.

MOODY AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN

Nominations for the 2005 John Moody award are now being accepted. All nominations must be received by USUA by January 31, 2005. Nominations must be typewritten on 8.5 by 11 inch paper, or electronically produced, and will not exceed two type-written pages in the following format:

Nominee: Identify the nominee, including full address and telephone number.

Nomination Submitted By: The name of the person making the nomination, including full address and telephone number.

Citation: Propose a citation (one or two paragraphs) that captures the essence of the achievements of the nominee.

Justification: State concisely the specific achievements for which the nominee is being cited. Give compete but concise details justifying the award, with background information considered pertinent, and any other relevant information that would assist the committee members in making a final decision.

Nominations can be mailed to USUA Headquarters at:

List of Moody Award Winners:

2004 – Phillip Lockwood
2003 - Jack McCornack
2002 - Wayne Ison
2001 - Tom Peghiny
2000 - Homer Kolb
1999 - Dan Johnson
1998 - Ultralight Flying! Magazine
1997 - Vincent Vitollo
1996 - Boris Popov
1995 - John Ballantyne
1994 - Dr. Henry O. Malone
1993 - Charles Slusarczyk
1992 - Dennis Pagen