EAA AirVenture 09: AirVenture's Aviation Center debuts

If you were at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 you probably visited the Aviation Learning Center. The Aviation Learning Center is being sponsored by Chevron Global Aviation and it is located along the flightline just east of the Forums Plaza.

At the Aviation Learning Center, you can learn about:
Affordable Flying- Members share ways they have discovered to make flying more affordable.
Fuel Education- Visitors can learn about the history of aviation fuels.
Electric Power for Aircraft- Much work is being done to innovative area. Featuring aircraft around the world will tell the story of this pioneering work.

EAA AirVenture 09: International Visitors Tent celebrates 35 years

The International Visitors Tent at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 celebrates 35 years. The International Visitors Tent is the world's happiest international arrivals terminal. Each year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh thousands of people all around the world visit EAA. For 35 years now, the International Visitors Tent served as a host to them, providing helpful information, a place to meet, and translators to answer their questions. At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 the location was at the corner of Knapp Street Road and Waukau Street near the control tower and the tent is big yellow-and-white.

EAA AirVenture 09: Predator B Arrives

Photo courtesy of Adam Badger (MQ-9 Reaper originally the Predator B)
Peter McNall says, "Today marks the first time CBP Predator or any Predator of that fact unmanned aircraft has landed at a non-military airbase." The Predator B who came to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin came from Grand Forks Air Force Base in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The unmanned aerial vehicle Predator B was accompanied by a piloted Customs and Border Protection Cessna Citation as part of its COA requirements. The Customs and Border Protection Cessna Citation was required to fly one mile and 100 feet vertically away from the Predator B.

Predator B is an unmanned aerial vehicle developed by General Atomics Aeronautic Systems and it is used by the United States Customs. It can watch your every move for 16 hours. It has 3000 pounds of missile and bombs. It has no men on aboard making it an unmanned aerial vehicle. The aircraft is controlled by a controller. Predator B uses it's infrared camera to track down illegal aliens.

Predator B MQ-9 Reaper Specifications
Engine: Honeywell TP331-10T turboprop engine, 950 SHP 712 kW
Empty Weight: 4,900 pounds
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 10,500 pounds
Wingspan: 66 feet
Length: 36 feet
Height: 12.5 feet
Maximum Speed: 260 knots

Blogger Comments
I have never seen an unmanned aerial vehicle before. I saw history being made at Oshkosh! It's the first time an unmanned aerial vehicle went to another airport and not a military base. I went to a forum about the MQ-9 Reaper to learn more about this unique aircraft. At the forum, they showed videos catching illegal aliens. This aircraft is useful to spy on them without even noticing.

EAA AirVenture 09: Sonex's NEW Jet

Photo courtesy of Adam Badger (SubSonex)
On Sunday, July 26, 2009 at EAA AirVenture 2009 Sonex Aircraft founder, owner, and president John Monnett unveiled a new aircraft which is a single-place jet called the SubSonex. The jet is powered by a modified version of a turbine used to power radio-controlled aircraft.

SubSonex Specifications
Engine: 170-200 pound thrust Turbine
Empty Weight: 330 pounds
Maximum Gross Weight Takeoff : 750 pounds
Wingspan: 18 feet
Length 15 feet 9 inches

Blogger Comments
The engine is so small on this aircraft. I saw this aircraft new the Sonex tent. I hope I can see this aircraft fly?!?!?

EAA AirVenture 09: What's new to see at EAA AirVenture Museum

During EAA AirVenture 2009 weekend people can get in free if you are wearing a wristband.
Or the regular prices are:
Adults (18+): $12.50
Senior (62+): $10.50
Students (6-17): $9.50
Children (5 and Under Free): Free
Family Rate: $31.00
EAA Members: Always FREE

EAA AirVenture Museum Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sunday: 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Not Open: New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
Pioneer Airport Open: Friday-Sunday from the first week in May until second weekend in October. From Memorial Day to Labor Day it is open seven days a week. Extended hours are during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in week.

What's new at EAA AirVenture Museum for 2009?
-A large-scale model of the 1909 Curtiss-Warner airplane.
-New large-display of plastic scale models in the Eagle Hanger
-Black and White photographs taken by Steve Marks from the Galt Airport Project
-Great Moments in Mission Aviation
-Johnny Carson's flight bag and log book.
-New Acquisitions display case spotlights (newest aviation artifacts)

Airplane Rides
Photo courtesy of Google (EAA's Ford Tri-Motor)
Airport: Wittman Regional Airport (during EAA AirVenture)
Website: http://www.airventuremuseum.org/fordtrimotor/
Cost: $55.00 per person
Hours: 7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Monday-Saturday and 7:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Sunday
EAA's restored 1929 Ford Tri-Motor is the world's first mass-produced airliner. Once in a lifetime opportunity. So, fly it now!

Photo courtesy of Google (EAA's B-17 Flying Fortress)
Airport: Wittman Regional Airport (during EAA AirVenture)
Website: http://www.b17.org/
Cost (Pre-Booking Prices): EAA Member- $359 Non-EAA Member- $399
Cost (Walk-up Prices): EAA Member- $385 Non-EAA Member- $425
Reservations at: http://www.b17.org/ or call 1-800-359-6217
Hours: 7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Monday-Saturday and 7:00 A.M. 3:00 P.M. Sunday
EAA's restored B-17G Flying Fortress "Aluminum Overcast" is an American heavy bomber that helped turn the tide of battle in World War II. Fly a mission back in time and feel of what if felt to be in World World II.


Photo courtesy of EAA (Bell 47 M*A*S*H helicopter)
Airport: Pioneer Airport (during EAA AirVenture)
Cost: $40.00 per person
Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Monday-Saturday. 12:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M. Sunday
If you want to fly in a helicopter then fly a Bell 47. This is an unforgettable flight.

EAA AirVenture 09: EAA's Fly-in Theater

Photo courtesy of EAA (Fly-in Theater)
At EAA's Fly-in Theater that runs all week and the movies are shown at night and they present movies that deals with aviation.

Here's a highlight of movies they have shown during EAA AirVenture 2009:
Sunday, July 26: One Six Right: The Romance of Flying (2005), this movie is about general aviation industry as seen through a local airport. In this movie aerial sequences and stories told by passionate pilots, air traffic controllers, historians, and flight enthusiasts. This movie also goes into great detail about smaller airports are the foundation of aviation industry, contributing to global commerce and the breeding ground of the pilots of tomorrow. Directed and produced by Brian J. Terwilliger. Starring Sydney Pollack, Lorenzo Lamas, Tony Bill, Paul Moyer, Hal Fishman, Clay Lacy, Bob Hoover, and Desiree Horton.
Sunday, July 26: Barnstorming (2009), this movie is about a true story of unexpect friendship that developed between a farm family and two pilots Barnstorming capture annual gatherings, visceral exhilaration of flight, anticiapation of barnstormer's arrival, and celebration of the reunion. Directed by Bryan Reichhardt. Produced by Paul Glenshaw and Bryan Reichardt.
Monday, July 27: The Right Stuff (1983), this movie takes place at Muroc Army Air Field in 1947. This air force base is where the high-speed aircraft are being tested in secret including the rocket-powered X-1 who wants to fly at supersonic speeds. Number of test pilots try to break the sound barrier. Directed by Philip Kaufman. Produced by Irwin Winkler. Starring Fred Ward, Dennis Quaid, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Sam Shepard, Barbara Hershey, Lance Henriksen, Veronica Cartwright, and Jane Dornacker.
Tuesday, July 28: Cloud Dancer (1980), this movie is about fictional competition aerobatic pilots. Directed by Barry Brown. Starring David Carradine, Jennifer O'Neill, Joseph Bottoms, Colleen Camp, Albert Salmi, Salome Jens, Arnette Jens Zerbe, Norman Alden, Nina Van Pallandt, James T. Callahan, and Woody Chambliss.
Wednesday, July 29: Six Days Seven Nights (1998), this movie is a romantic comedy film with a little adventure in it. Robin Monroe works for a fashion magazine and invited her boyfiend Frank to speed a week holiday with him on the island paradise of Makatea in South Pacific. They both fly to it in a DHC-2 Beaver..... Directed by Ivan Reitman. Produced by Roger Birnbaum and Ivan Reitman. Starring Harrison Ford, Anne Heche, David Schwimmer, and Jacqueline Obradors.
Thursday, July 30: Bat*21 (1988), this movie is about the Vietnam war, when an observation plane is hit with a missile. Directed by Peter Markle. Produced by Michael Balson, Mark Damon, David A. Fisher, Evzen Kolar, Gary A. Neill, Jerry Reed, and David Saunders. Starring Gene Hackman, Danny Glover, Jerry Reed, David M. Grant, and Clayton Rohner.
Friday, July 31: X-15 (1961), this movie tells a fictional account of the X-15 resarch rocket plane, the men who flew it and the woman who loved them. Directed by Richard Donner. Produced by Tony Lazzarino. Starring David McLean and Charles Bronson.
Saturday, August 1: Pearl Harbor (2001), This movie is about the attack of Pearl Harbor. Rafe McCawley is shot down over Hawaii and Danny Walker and Johnson are killed in action. After the fight the men gets interruped by Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese air raid and sin the USAA Arizona BB-39, USS Oklahoma BB-37, and many other ships. McCawley and Walker finds a couple of P-40s and shot down seven Japanese aircraft..... Directed by Michael Bay. Produced by Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer. Starring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding Jr, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Colm Feor, Mako, and Alec Baldwin.

Blogger Comments
I actually went to see Barnstorming and The Right Stuff. I really wanted to see Barnstorming since it released in 2009. That's a great movie a give it 4 1/2 stars. If you like airshows, farms, and pilots you have to see Barnstorming. The Right Stuff movie is my favorite aviation movie of all time because it focuses on the rocket-powered Bell X-1 which Chuck Yeager flown and broke the sound barrier. I can watch The Right Stuff over and over again numerous times. I give this movie a perfect five out of five stars. If you haven't visited the Fly-in Theater yet, please do. Thumbs up!

EAA AirVenture 09: Pietenpol Air Camper celebrates 80 years

Photo courtesy of Gilles Auliard (Pietenpol Air Camper)
The Pietenpol Air Camper was designed by Bernard Pietenpol in 1929. This aircraft is built to be a simple aircraft. To build this aircraft it requires basic woodworking and tools. But it also requires fabricate some metal fittings to attach wooden parts together and welding too. A 1933 Air Camper was located near Pioneer Airport that was owned by the founder and designer Bernard Pietenpol. If you want to see other Pietenpol Air Campers they are located south of Homebuilders Headquarters. Rewey had two forums about Pietenpol Aircraft; one was at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the Honda Generator Pavilion 9 and the other one was Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at the Aviation Learning Stage 1.

Pietenpol Air Camper Specifications
Engine: Ford Model A
Empty Weight: 610 pounds
Maxium Weight: 995 pounds
Maxium Takeoff: 1,080 pounds
Wingspan: 135 feet
Length: 17 feet 8 inches
Height: 6 feet 6 inches
Maxiumum Speed: 86 knots