New Grads Train At FAA's OKC Center

On Monday, the EAA reported that the number of inspectors for homebuilt aircraft recently took a significant step forward. Last week, 20 new amateur built designated airworthiness representative (AB-DAR) candidates completed the first scheduled course at FAA and TSI (Transportation Safety Institute) facilities in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. EAA staff members Earl Lawrence and Joe Norris served as instructors along with FAA and TSI representatives during the three-day course held January 27-29. In preparation for the sport pilot and light-sport aircraft DAR (LSA DAR) program, EAA loaned the FAA a Buckeye Dream Machine powered parachute for additional hands-on training. Another AB-DAR course is scheduled for June 8-10. Off

Scheduled To Race At Reno

Air race fans take note: the Wildfire Unlimited Air Racer will fly again. Dave Morss, test pilot from Redwood City, CA., will be at the controls. After a lengthy hiatus, William H. Statler,of Statler Air, LLC tells us new funding has been obtained, which allows the project to go forward. Statler says the airplane is nearing completion and will begin flight tests this spring. If all goes according to plan, the Wildfire Air Race Team hopes to race at the 2004 National Championship Air Races in Reno to join the lies of Dago Red and Rare Bear (pictured, above). Dave Morss, a 24-year veteran Reno racer and 3 time Sport Champion, will pilot the plane. Powered by the Pratt &Whitney R2800 engine with a Hamilton Standard propeller, the airp

It's kinda like hearing good news from a favorite old girlfriend. You know the one... the sweetie that "rocked your world" more than anyone else -- and she wants you back... REAL bad. Sigh... On a similarly intense level, one of my favorite airplanes seems to be calling me... again. The unique and much-celebrated Sorrell Hiperbipe is in the process of a comeback. Mark Sorrell tells ANN than an SNS-540 is in the works, a higher-powered and upgraded version of the two seat, enclosed cabin Hiperbipe SNS-7 aerobat that seemed to do a little of everything REALLY well. Mark says it's "for all purposes, (it is) a 7 but improved and redesigned to accommodate a Lycoming IO-540 with composite 3 blade prop."

Much Respected, Much Loved Flyer Passes On At 89 Legendary flyer, airshowman, prolific author, flight instructor and unrepentant aviation advocate Duane Cole has gone west... well beyond the concerns of the merciless FAA that he fought so bravely, or the aero-ignorance that he battled at every turn. He was out-spoken, opinionated, tremendously knowledgeable and about as gifted a stick and rudder flyer as I know... and his loss seems to bring the cumulative sum of all existent aviation knowledge down several percentage points. Duane was 89, and had been ill for quite a while... so the news is not shocking... though the impact is undeniable. An early founding member of EAA (member #48, no less), Duane was best-known for his graceful dead-stick aerobatic routin