AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - October 2019 - 37

HEADLINES THAT
AFFECT YOU

Recent news from the aviation world
AIRSHOW PILOT JULIE CLARK TO RETIRE
During her more than 40 years as a
solo aerobatic pilot, Julie Clark's wellchoreographed and patriotic routine
has touched millions. This year marks
her fiftieth year as a pilot; the retired
Northwest Airlines captain has logged
more than 34,000 flight hours. And in
October, the popular and well-regarded
performer will fly her last airshow: Julie
Clark's Farewell Air Show on Saturday,
October 19, at Rancho Murieta Airport in
Rancho Murieta, California.

THE "ALL-KNOWING, ALL-SEEING" avionics suite in the RV-10 was assembled and tested

at Advanced Flight Systems in Portland, Oregon, and then sent to AOPA headquarters
in Maryland for installation. It monitors every aspect of the airplane's electrical system;
shows weather, traffic, and terrain; and provides vastly more timely information than the
airplane's original, VFR-only setup.

a 14-inch multifunction display, a Dynon autopilot and D3 standby instrument,
secondary radio, ELT, and even a pulse oximeter. He linked them together with
prewired harnesses and then connected them to the Advanced Control Module
(ACM), an electronic hub that manages the entire aircraft electrical system.
"The Advanced Control Module is the heart of the electrical system," Rob
Hickman said. "Instead of having to solder hundreds of individual wires, our customers only have to connect a few prefabricated harnesses to the ACM. It's far less
complicated and more reliable."
Once the components were connected, Hickman flipped a switch that supplied
electrical power to the ACM, and the entire panel lit up for the first time.
"No smoke," he quipped.
Jeffrey Hickman got out a checklist and went quickly and methodically through
each set-up screen to make sure each item was communicating with the others. It
involved making and double-checking hundreds of selections from engine fuel flow
rates to moving map units of measure. As soon as he was sure every component was
working properly, he stepped away from the desk.
"It's ready to go," Rob Hickman said. "We'll box it up and send it to you in
Maryland. You'll absolutely love flying behind this panel."
aopa.org/sweeps

EAA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AT OSHKOSH
Despite drenching rains just prior to
the start of EAA AirVenture 2019 that
reduced aircraft arrivals to a trickle,
Experimental Aircraft Association CEO
Jack Pelton was in a celebratory mood
on the opening day of the airshow. That's
because 2019 marked a major milestone
for EAA-its fiftieth consecutive annual
fly-in convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Total attendance: 642,000, 6.8 percent
increase from 2018
Total aircraft operations (OSH, July 19
through 29): 16,807
ICON SLASHES WORKFORCE
Icon Aircraft is slashing its workforce
by 40 percent as price increases for its
A5 amphibious Light Sport aircraft have
reduced demand. Customers had placed
deposits for about 1,800 aircraft two
years ago, but multiple price increases
drove up retail prices to $389,000, and
the company has struggled to convert
deposits to sales. Icon has built and delivered about 100 finished two-seat A5
airplanes to date.
AMERICAN FLYERS CELEBRATES
EIGHTIETH YEAR
Addison, Texas-based American Flyers
was established in 1939 to train military
pilots for World War II and counts rock
bands, college athletic teams, and scores
of professional pilots among its many
clients.
aopa.org

EMAIL dave.hirschman@aopa.org

aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 37

http://www.aopa.org/sweeps http://www.aopa.org http://www.aopa.org/pilot

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - October 2019