Feel the love

Q: I believe it was the B-1 bomber that flew over our house Monday. Is it going to fly again? I love EAA and hope it never stops. All the planes and airplanes are great. And we’ve never met a visitor we didn’t like.

R.P., Oshkosh

A: Sorry, the B-1 flew away Friday afternoon. Hope you got to see it again. As to the rest of your message, thank you. We will take all the love we can get.

One after 909

Q: This isn’t so much a question, but more of a response to B.D.’s planespotting in Omaha (Friday) in which he speculated that what he saw might have been the Lancaster bomber. What he probably saw was the Collings Foundation’s B-17G Nine-O-Nine, which was visiting Omaha’s Eppley Airfield for a couple of days.

S.G., Omaha, Neb.

A: Thanks, S. I can always use the help.

Just rewards

Q: I spoke to a volunteer at the road in front of the main gate. She tells me that she’s an aviation fanatic and can’t wait for AirVenture each year. Her smiling face and wonderful attitude greeted us each morning and made a great first impression. But she has never been in an airplane! What can EAA (I know that’s us) do to help reward the volunteers for their efforts. I’m sure someone would be glad to fly some "older Eagles."

C.W., Fresno, Calif.

A: What a nice idea. I don’t have the muscle to get this sort of thing done, but I will pass it along to those who do.

Stealth bomber?

Q: Where is the long-awaited and much advertised Lancaster bomber?

G.S., Columbia, S.C.

A: Where have you been looking? It’s not like it is hidden under a leaf. It’s that big olive drab thing shaped like an airplane. It’s got four engines and three things that stick up in the back. You can find it on AeroShell Square, where it will be until the end of this event.

Paperwork

Q: I hold a private certificate, but have allowed my medical to lapse. I plan to fly as a sport pilot and realize the limitations. However, it is not clear, after I pass a checkride, am I allowed to fly in airspace not allowed by sport pilots without an endorsement? Or do I have to have all the endorsements required by a sport pilot?

R.A.H., Fullerton, Calif.

A: Here’s what I am told: If you have a private pilot certificate but want to fly as a sport pilot, you must fly an eligible airplane and follow the sport pilot regs. Unlike someone with a sport pilot certificate, you don’t need a logbook signoff to fly in B, C, and D airspace because you received the necessary training as a private pilot. For the most complete answer to your question, visit the LSA Mall. They know everything.

Raptor rapture

Q: I’m wondering whether the F-22 Raptor that flew over the EAA grounds Thursday would be able to land at Wittman Field or only in very specific airports.

M.H., Baton Rouge, La.

A: There are no restrictions of the airport or the airplane that would prevent it from landing here, though EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski said there probably would be considerable security. "Actually, next year is the 60th anniversary of the Air Force, and we would love to have them here," he said.

Dexterity

Q: My wife and I left AirVenture, but we were staying with friends across Lindbergh and 40th Street from the South African "oasis." There was a nice fellow in the group who sang and played the guitar. His name was Dex, but I can’t remember his last name. Could you pass on my name and address just for occasional correspondence?

K.H., Cornell, Mich.

A: You mean, can I tell him that you are Ken Holster, who lives at 9252 Co. 416 H. Rd., Cornell, MI 49818, e-mail kholster@peoplepc.com? No, I can’t.

Willl-ma!

Q: What happened to the "ornithopter?"

R.L.Z., Los Gatos, Calif.

A: For the first time in more than 20 years, it’s not here at AirVenture. John Newman of Fort Worth, Texas, who works with the EAA Chapter Advisory Council, said that the creators of "the Flintstone Flyer," as this whimsical vehicle is sometimes called, simply decided not to bring it this year. He said that brothers Steve and Jim Hay decided to retire from the machine shop they operated in Lake Geneva, Wis., and to take a year off from AirVenture. They sold off a number of their antique engines, Newman said, but kept the Ornithopter, which appears in local parades and such. "We hope it comes back," Newman said. The Hay brothers, by the way, built the engine for the 2003 Wright Flyer, celebrating 100 years of powered flight.

See you next year

Q: What are the dates of AirVenture 2007?

M.S., Appleton, Wis.

A: Come on. We’re just wrapping up 2006. Oh, okay. AirVenture 2007 will be July 23-27. And, in case you really want to make plans in advance, AirVenture 2008 will be July 28-August 3. Mark these dates on your perpetual calendar.