Air Refueling in the KC135 from John Armstrong on Vimeo.

Here at GlassPilot we enjoy sharing information about modern aircraft and the impact the technology is having on the way we fly. Sometimes we like to share unique experiences and flying destinations for our readers to enjoy.  In this video we have the opportunity to share the experience of a recent flight on an Air Force Air Refueling Tanker. I was invited on a Civic Leader orientation flight.  The entire process was truly amazing.

In a typical refueling the KC135 might give an F15 3000 lbs or 500 gallons of fuel in only minutes.  The F15’s follow the tanker and the boom operator guides the fuel nozzle into a special fitting on the top of the aircraft. The song on the video seemed to fit as it says, “follow-me home and give me 5″. In one refueling mission the KC135 can deliver more fuel than the average driver would use in over 40 years of driving!

Though there are lots of engine gauges you’ll see that they don’t have anything on our modern GA panels! In fact, the aircraft was built the same year I was born and has been updated with glass avionics systems. In this updated form it is still the workhorse of the Air Force for refueling today. I think you’ll enjoy the video, check it out.  JA for GlassPilot.com

Event: Wings & Steam Fly-In
Dates: November 6, 7, 8, 2009

Flying Destination:
The Pik-N-Pig Restaurant, Carthage, NC

Airport: Gilliam-McConnell Airfield – 5NC3 coordinates: N35-20-366 W079-26-204   SDZ (VOR) 111.8 10.6 miles 049 Radial

Activities: Enjoy a BBQ lunch or dinner while you watch airplanes and then make your way to the Train and Tractor Show.  I heard there is a 5 mile Flea Market Too!

Comments: This unique place is simply something you must experience. They are hosting the Wings & Steam Fly-In Nov 6-8 2009.  This once a year extravaganza of vintage motorized equipment is so extensive and unique it is hard describe. You will be amazed by all that is on display. There are steam engine train rides and much of the equipment will be running providing demonstrations. Kids, young and old, love to see and hear trains and tractors so this event will entertain the entire family. Plan to stay longer than you might suspect you will!

Click to see the news video of this unique destination

See our Previous Post for all the details about the Pik N Pig and Flying into the 5NC3.

I landed at the Gilliam-McConnell Airfield recently with my son and a friend  for a plate of their awesome bbq and corn bread with jalapeno butter and enjoyed a chat with Roland Gilliam the friendly proprietor and airplane man extraordinaire. Our conversation included taking inventory of his 10 airplanes among the other happenings about the field.

Roland reminded me of the upcoming Wings & Steam Fly-In event he is helping to host.  Though I’ve not been to this event, Roland’s description had me pulling out my calendar and making my plans. The magnitude of the number and uniqueness of all the motorized equipment and trains on display sounded truly amazing.  I am confident that children of all ages will delight in the fun this event promises so I encourage you put this unique event on your fly-in calendar.

Admission for the Tractor Show is only $5 with kids under 6 Free. They have transportation to the show location 3 miles away for only $5 too.  Roland said it would help them serve you better if you email him to let him know which day you are coming. His email address is: amg3636@hotmail.com.

A few things to remember
You have permission to land. Traffic is left hand for 31 and right hand for 13.
The restaurant is open 11:00AM to 8:00PM Tuesday through Saturday and 12:00 to 3:00 PM Sundays.5NC3 is only 62 miles from Concord, 118 miles from Columbia or about 155 miles from Richmond so it’s an easy hop from most of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The food is great, the people are friendly and the experience is simply outstanding.

“We are delighted to be able to resume volume deliveries of the DA42, less than 11 months after the insolvency of TAE”, said Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries. “The DA42 NG is better in every respect with much improved performance, increased gross weight, even better fuel efficiency and the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot and is prepared for Garmin Synthetic Vision System. With over 40 airframes already in various stages of production, we will be delivering the first aircraft almost immediately. Most important to the existing customer base, we are focusing our efforts to achieve the certification of the optional upgrade of all delivered DA42s with the Austro Engine, such that all customers can benefit from these improvements along with comprehensive customer support for their engines. We will shortly be announcing the details of an all inclusive maintenance program that will ensure a superior level of support as we work to extend the TBO of the engine from 1000 to 2000 hours. In parallel we are pursuing validation of the certification in all other markets as quickly as possible.”

With over 500 delivered aircraft operating worldwide, the DA42 is the best selling light twin engine piston aircraft, popular with private pilots and commercial flight training organizations. With its all carbon airframe, known ice certification, Garmin G1000 and single lever jetfuel powered turbo-diesel engines, the DA42 is the undisputed technology leader in general aviation.

The DA42 MPP multi purpose special mission sensor platform version of the DA42 is gaining worldwide popularity in search and rescue, law enforcement, border patrol, security, maritime surveillance, high accuracy digital mapping, and ecological monitoring.

For more information call 877-258-8011 or visit http://www.flydominion.com/

February 2009 was a “Red Letter Month” for us all.

See what our friends in the aircraft sales business are saying about the Obama Stimulus Package as it relates to buying an airplane this year.

While average citizens are trying to figure out all the ways they are going to spend their $13 / week benefit from the bill, businessmen and smart fliers that can qualify for the various opportunities for business use may be swimming in cash flow positive heaven while enjoying their dream plane.

Glass Pilot says, if you want an airplane, you need to get with an experienced aircraft representative that knows the ropes on the new tax code and can help you get started with the right resources.  (Email GlassPilot to request a referral)

Click for News on 2009 Stimulus for Aircraft

To quote Mac McLellan in a recent Flying e-newsletter, “It is clear that the present administration in Washington, in the midst of the greatest economic crisis in 70 years, doesn’t care one wit about the future of business aviation. Over the past several weeks it has lumped all private airplanes used for business into a category of spending that is so wasteful it cannot be tolerated. And now it continues to press ahead with its Large Airplane Security Program (LASP) that piles more cost onto business flying and robs those airplanes of a huge chunk of their usefulness…rules that may make some sense for public transportation using aircraft that weigh hundreds of thousands of pounds are absurd for the typical business airplane that its owners use to visit the thousands of airports around the country that are not served by any airline.”

You can join this letter writing in just a minute or two by following the link http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/contact/ to NBAA’s website.  There, upon entering your name and address, you can review and personalize a letter to your congressperson that NBAA will forward to the right person for you.  It took me less than one minute to send this letter and support the NBAA.

I just stumbled on this I thought all you GlassPilot readers would find it very interesting….GP

Hi, I represent Powerenz.com, they specialize in coming up with custom portable solar power units to meet almost any application. Here is a really cool solar power solution that they came up with for a pilot and his plane and some information to go with the pictures.

A commercial pilot who also owns a personal, single-engine, four-seater aircraft was looking for a better way to power his avionics system. The glass cockpit package in his airplane is a Garmin G1000 avionics, and is a 24-volt system. In order to power up the aircraft’s avionics system, either the battery must be turned on via a switch with the engine off, or the aircraft engine must be started and running. This either wastes battery power, or creates heat, loud noise and smoke, and burns and wastes high-cost aviation gas. On the front right side of the aircraft, there is an electrical DC power port that can be used to jump-start the airplane’s engine in case of battery failure by using a spare battery or to charge the airplane battery using AC power and a transformer. The pilot flies his airplane to several remote locations where there is no AC power. In addition, to carry a spare aircraft battery on flights occupies limited space, is heavy, and is expensive.

The pilot came to Powerenz and asked if they could design a portable power system that would allow him to power up the aircraft’s 24-volt avionics system with the engine off. He needed a unit that would not require him to use the aircraft battery, and could:

a. utilize solar energy for fuel instead of liquid fossil fuel
b. be stored and carried in one bag or case, by one person
c. be charged by AC power when available
d. provide durable, long-term independence from the power grid.

We assembled a portable solar panel-battery system that included the following components:
a. high-quality 12-volt, sealed lead acid battery
b. regulated 12-24-volt step-up DC-DC converter with a peak output power of 700 watts (29 amps)
c. two 42-watt foldable solar panels
d. 7-amp solar charge controller
e. proper fusing and wiring
f. 3-amp, automatic, 12-volt, AC-powered lead acid battery charger
g. proper connecting adapter that mates with the aircraft DC power port.

The step-up DC-DC converter was chosen over a second portable battery in order to save on weight. A second 12-volt battery could easily be substituted for the DC-DC converter, connected to the first battery in series, and provide 24 volts. This would be less expensive, though heavier than the DC-DC converter. The pilot chose the DC-DC converter option.

The entire system could be housed in either a heavy-duty tool-carrying case, a military tanker’s tool bag, or in a hard case such as those manufactured by Pelican, Hardigg, and HPRC.

The above portable power system can power up the aircraft avionics silently, without smoke, and without wasting aircraft fuel. The unit can be used for approximately 90 minutes before the portable battery required recharging. Ninety minutes of power was more than sufficient time to plan a flight, check weather, etc. During these preflight checks the aircraft engine does not have to be running, nor does the aircraft battery have to be used. To recharge the portable battery when low on charge would require 3-4 hours of good sunlight when using two 42-watt solar panels. The solar panels can be draped and secured over the aircraft wing, and left in place while the aircraft is parked on land until the next flight. When not in use, the portable system can be stored inside the aircraft until it is needed again.

To find out more information on Powerenz you can visit their website at Powerenz.com.

So whether you have just ONE minute to spare, 10 minutes, or 45 minutes — please TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AT LEAST ONE OF THESE FREE SAFETY RESOURCES NOW:

• Have only a minute? Download our Safety Advisor! Many pilots get a weather briefing and have little or no idea how to determine where icing may occur. Tuck your Safety Advisor into your flight bag for quick reference.
• Have 10 minutes? Take our online quiz! Knowing what you don’t know will help you brush up on the winter hazards that can cause good pilots to make bad mistakes.
• Have 45 minutes? Take our FREE Interactive Course Weather Wise: Precipitation & Icing. (Recommended.) This course employs engaging graphics and practical, interactive exercises to teach you how to recognize hazards, develop avoidance strategies, and react appropriately when the weather takes an unexpected turn.

Or — Take advantage of all three! You can also help other pilots by forwarding a link to this postl to family and friends who fly.

With the roller coaster ride of aviation gasoline prices we’ve been on its certainly good news that prices are coming down but will they get to $1.99?

Do you think you’ll ever see $1.99 again to fill up your airplane?

Well Diamond Aircraft recently launched a plan to provide new buyers of their popular DA40 XLS with $1.99 Av Gas for 18 months! It was all part of a Go Green Promotion that highlights the airplanes incredible fuel economy of 170+ miles per hour on about 10 gallons of fuel an hour. That’s better than the car I drive!

For more info and details check out these links:
http://www.flydominion.com/dominion/2008/10/takeyou/

http://www.flydominion.com/dominion/2008/10/gogreen/