Solformørkelsen i USA og luftfart - AVweb

Text size:   A   A   A How Pilots, Passengers Are Viewing The Eclipse By Russ Niles Aug. 21 will likely go down in history as one of the most interesting for pilots, the FAA and airports across a middle swath of the country that will include the path of totality for a solar eclipse. The level of activity expected at airports along the path is pretty well documented but what is not know is how many aircraft are going to launch in the near darkness to experience the phenomenon from an airborne perch. And since most of the route is in uncontrolled airspace the level and nature of traffic will depend a lot on see and avoid and position reports. Eclipse flights do not a ppear to be directly addressed in any of the FARS but common sense would suggest that those without at least a night VFR endorsement might want to watch it from the ground. There are plenty of more organized attempts to capitalize on the eclipse. Those who haven’t picked an airport to fly to might be out of luck, especially if they’re looking full services and maybe lunch and a latte. Many airports are already out of tie-down space. The well-heeled will be well served with many bizjet management companies organizing flights (Dom Perignon included) either to the eclipse path or along the eclipse path at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet. But the title of most elaborate eclipse experience goes to Orlando-based aviation photographer Mike Killian. He will be in the back seat of one of two Navy E/A-18 Growlers as they do a supersonic run westward over the Pacific toward Oregon. It will cap an effort Killian started organizing months ago. “We’ll intercept it over the ocean, fly a few photo maneuvers with the second aircraft, and then race it a supersonic speeds for 30 seconds or so,” Killian told Wired. The Navy is calling it a training flight.   One Killed Travelling to Eclipse Viewing By Geoff Rapoport The pilot of a homebuilt Wheeler Express was killed when the engine reportedly “sputtered” in the traffic pattern, and the aircraft subsequently crashed in rugged terrain about a mile from Madras airport. The San Carlos, California-based aircraft was traveling to Madras, Oregon, for Monday’s solar eclipse. News reports originally stated that two people had been killed in the crash based on  parking reservations made at the airport, but family  members confirmed that the pilot was the sole person  on board. Airports near the route of the eclipse in  central Oregon—with their predictably clear skies and  reasonably close proximity to Seattle, Portland and  San Francisco—have been bracing for an onslaught  of general aviation arrivals over the weekend and  into the big day. Most airports are requiring parking  reservations for transient arrivals and are sold out. San Carlos Airport staff reported that the aircraft  departed around 11 a.m., and Oregon officials report  that the aircraft crashed around 1:50 p.m., evidently  making the flight nonstop. Although homebuilt, and  therefore subject to extensive modification, the  Wheeler Express customarily has sufficient useful  load to fill its 92-gallon fuel tanks with 800 pounds to  spare. An area resident told Oregon KTVZ News that  the aircraft was engulfed in flames and black smoke,  starting a small wildfire in the canyon where it came  to rest.