On June 5th, 2010 Chapter 132 of the EAA will be giving free airplane rides to children. Come join us on June 5th, weather permitting, at the Elkhart Municipal Airport. Flights usually start at around 9am and signups will be taken until noon.

If you have a group of children, Boy or Girl Scout Troop, or any group at all, please call in advance so that we can try to schedule larger groups around each other.

Referred to as a Multi Mode Vehicle (MMV), the Switchblade is their first design. The wings swing under the vehicle in to a protected shell for use on the road. It seats two in tandem and has a top speed of 95mph on the ground and 140mph in the air. Although a flying prototype does not exist yet, Samson plans to have ground only versions of their designs ready for early 2010.

Check it out at http://www.samsonmotorworks.com/

Thanks to Larry for pointing this out.

Terrafugia has flown their “roadable” aircraft on March 5th, 2009. Not really a flying car, it is not design to replace the car, but rather to expand the uses of an airplane. The Transition is expected to cost about $190,000 and be available in 2011.. $10,000 fully refundable deposits are being accepted now and a line is forming..

The wings are folded and unfolded electricly and the plane must be on the ground with the engine off to operate the folding motors. The plane is powered by an automotive engine that runs on premium gasoline and features dual controls to allow standard controls for driving and standard controls for flying.

Check out their website at http://www.terrafugia.com/

Young Eagles is a youth program promoted by the EAA with the goal of introducing young people to general aviation. General Aviation has been the backbone of avaiation since the very beginning with every aircraft flown having been hand built by it’s pilot. On Young Eagles day children from the ages of 8 to 17 get the opportunity to fly with a licensed pilot on a short tour of the Elkhart area. Each flight lasts about 20 minutes and here at Elkhart your child may even get to choose the aircraft that they fly in!

And best of all, its all FREE!!!

Come join us on June 6th, weather permitting, at the Elkhart Municipal Airport. Flights usually start at around 9am and go until about 1pm or we run out of kids to take flying. If you have a group of children, Boy or Girl Scout Troop, or any group at all, please call in advance so that we can try to schedule larger groups around each other.

We look forward to seeing you here!

Indiana is historically one of the least seaplane-friendly states in the U.S. While other states like Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota welcome seaplanes to literally thousands of lakes, Indiana law only allows operations on lakes with designated seaplane landing areas. There are only four lakes with public-use seaplane landing areas, out of over 750 lakes in the entire state.

The Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association, under the leadership of Randy Strebig, has been working for the past decade to improve access to Indiana waterways. Due to ISPA’s efforts, since 1998, a total of seventeen additional lakes have been granted seaplane landing areas under a private-use basis, requiring permission from the ISPA to operate there.

Last week, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (INDNR) announced a pair of hearings to seek public comment on a proposal to open five of these lakes to public-access status.

While it is only a small step, it is in the right direction, and we need all the help we can get to show support.

I am attaching a briefing paper with greater detail and background to share with your members and anyone else who might be supportive. There is more information available at the ISPA website: www.seaplanepilots.org/inspa

In particular, we are asking people to do the following:

All seaplane supporters, worldwide:

• Write a letter of support to INDNR, with a copy to INDOT and our organization (see sample letter)
• Sign our online petition at: www.petitiononline.com/inseapln
• Send this message to other supporters

Supporters near NE Indiana (incl. S. Michigan, NW Ohio)

• Attend and speak at one or both meetings scheduled by INDNR for Feb. 3 and Feb 4.
• Write a letter to the editor of your local Indiana paper

We thank you in advance for your support. Please call Randy Strebig with any questions at (260) 424-5371.

Yours sincerely,
Steve Whitney
EAA # 449205
Webmaster
Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association

O: 847-470-9300 x7

Lowell Farrand will be presenting a program “Light Sport or Not”, as usual it will be an interesting discussion. And remember, you don’t have to be a member to join us, just love airplanes and flying, everyone is welcome. There will be hot coffee and snacks as usual so join us in the chapterhouse under the tower on the north side of Elkhart Municipal Airport.

Here’s to hoping that they get some funding and can bring the show back.

Lowell Farrand Interview

Short video of Sam landing his Sonnex at Elkhart.