Around the Field News #102

Cool for awhile... update on FAA's MOSAIC/LPA proposals... a modern day barnstormer in Ohio... ATF Flashback from 1998.

Jul 1, 2021

Break in the Heat.

Thursday, July 1, 2021 #102 — The heatwave up here in New England — the SECOND one this year — has finally ended. It’s bad enough how uncomfortable in makes daily life, and sleeping at night. But we pilots need to use caution in this weather for the effects of density altitude. Here’s an interesting article by Paul Hamilton, published on UCAP pal Dan Johnson’s site, about the details of Density Altitude.

Oshkosh is right around the corner. I’m starting to get excited. It’s exciting EVERY year, and of course this year we’re all happy to be getting back together again after the Pandemic off-year. If you’re flying in to OSH you should always be taking a close look at the special procedures NOTAM. There are always changes each year, and this year there are a handful of greater than usual changes. Read the NOTAM

Send your, feedback, comments and questions about this newsletter to feedback@aroundthefield.net .

Let’s see what’s going on around the field this week:

Some more (possible) detail on the upcoming MOSAIC/LPA rules

The FAA is in the very early stages of defining what is essentially a new category of general aviation aircraft.

The new rule-making is called, “Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification” or MOSAIC. And it appears that the new aircraft definition will be called, “Light Personal Aircraft” or LPA.

It appears that LPA will fit in between the current Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) definition and the current Part xx GA aircraft definition.

This article by LAMA President Dan Johnson, speculates that LSA will become actually, or practically, a subset within this new LPA definition. Johnson believes that in the process the LSA definition will expand, possibly to allow heavier LSA aircraft.

He speculates that aircraft like the Cessna 150 and Piper 140 a/c may become part of LSA, and thus flyable by Sport Pilot holders.

Agency personnel are still very actively discussing this internally and many points are still being deliberated and refined. However, one person said, “…The plan is to expand LSA significantly.”

He says that the current LSA weight limitation will be replaced with something called “Power Index” which will be calculated based on things like wing loading and horsepower.

This whole thing is still quite a way in the future. Although it will likely be a subject of much discussion at the upcoming AirVenture 2021, Johnson believes the proposed rule will not be announced until next summer’s OSH22, and that the final rule is unlikely before the summer of ‘23.

Here’s the Dan Johnson article published in General Aviation News.

Ohio Pilot is keeping the art of barnstorming alive.

From this great story on the Dayton Daily News’ website, local pilot Dewey Davenport wanders the US Midwest in his 1930 New Standard biplane, giving rides just like in the good old days.

Davenport says he is a “true barnstormer,” because he travels from town to town to give plane rides, just like the barnstormers did in the early 20th century.

Read the whole story here.

“Around the Field” from 1998

Finnish exchange student attends her first Oshkosh.

(Originally published in “EAA Today” July 28, 1998.)

Pia Penttila is a Finnish high school student who has spent the last 12 months as an exchange student in Indianola, Iowa. While in the states, as part of the program Youth For Understanding International Exchange, Pia was introduced to flying by her exchange host, EAA member Craig Cable. She's earned her private pilot license and now, before returning to Finland on August 7, Craig has brought her to her first Oshkosh fly-in.

Pia took up skydiving three years ago back home, but only started flying since coming to the U.S. "Flying and skydiving are very different," she says. "Flying is more peaceful, but skydiving is extreme. I think aerobatics is more like skydiving." When she gets home to Finland she hopes to continue her flying by piloting jump planes.

She's already planning to return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh next year with an IFR rating. What kind of flying would she like to do in the future? "Fighter pilot!" She says with a big smile.

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