AD Watch... November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss This amendment [Docket No. 99-CE-85-AD; Amendment 39-12917; AD 2002-21-11] adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH (EXTRA) Model EA-300S airplanes.
For The Record November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss The phone number 866-GA-SECURE (feel free to leave off that final "E" when dialing) will in early December begin accepting reports of suspicious activity on or around general aviation airports.
AD Watch November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles Manufacturers who think they can talk customers into accepting a new airplane with a used engine are invited to have a look at this advisory circular.
Snoopy Takes A Nosedive November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss Good grief, Charlie Brown! Snoopy is grounded. Is seems that MetLife's blimp -- Snoopy One – encountered some foul weather recently and the result was a rather rough landing.
Scholarship Honors Flight 93 Hero November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation is currently accepting applications for their aviation scholarship. Three scholarships will be awarded next spring in memory of LeRoy Homer.
Politically Correct? Post-Election Prognosis For GA November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss Last week's elections were not only important from a partisan point of view, but a potentially big deal for general aviation as well. AOPA's legislative affairs department reports that of the candidates supported by AOPA, 90 percent were elected to serve in the 108th Congress.
More Headaches In Store For The Holidays November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol Someone really had their thinking cap on when they came up with this one. The federally mandated luggage-screening systems must be in operation by December 31 – just in time for the busy New Year’s travel period.
Freezing Solution On Stream November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles Well, it seems the solution to fuel freezing problems in high altitude aircraft was in our jeans. Scientists at the University of Dayton have discovered they can significantly lower the freezing temperatures of jet fuel by treating it with urea, the main ingredient of urine.
Forest Service Struggles To Respond To Terrorist Threat November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss The embattled Forest Service is struggling to respond to warnings that its firefighting airplanes, which fell from the sky at a disconcerting rate this summer, could be potential targets for terrorists.
For The Record November 21, 2002 By Russ Niles Cessna Aircraft is disputing AVweb's characterization of a modification program for its Encore business jets as a recall.
American Pilots Talk November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol Allied Pilots Association President John Darrah met this week with American Airlines chief Don Carty to ask for a role in the planning process as the nation's largest airline looks at cost-cutting.
SLC Hosts ACI-NA Conference November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss Starting today, the Salt Lake City Department of Airports will host the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Annual Conference and Exhibition.
Dassault To Reduce Falcon Biz Jet Production November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol Weak demand for aircraft has prompted Dassault to cut production of its Falcon business jets for next year. The company currently has a backlog of 159 aircraft, according to Dassault Chairman/CEO Charles Edelstenne.
See Alaska, Before You Fly November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles When you're flying, it's always nice to see where you're going, especially if you're flying in Alaska. And now you can do it from the comfort of your computer room.
Nav Canada Fees Increase November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles Canadian pilots are footing the bill for Nav Canada's labor relations problems, says the president of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association.
Boeing Promises To Stay In Seattle November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss After all of the layoffs, cross-country moves and sheer instability of Boeing, local Seattle residents are a bit wary of the company's next step.
AD Watch -- Cessna And Robinson November 21, 2002 By Russ Niles All Cessna 208 and 208B aircraft are covered by an Airworthiness Directive requiring repetitive inspection of the inboard forward bellcrancks for cracks or replacement of the bellcranks, depending on usage.
United’s Attendants Could Agree To Cuts November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol United Air Lines says it's reached an agreement with its flight attendants ... maybe. The airline announced a tentative agreement had been reached to cut costs and hopefully avoid bankruptcy.
Watch Those TFRs: Example, Ever-Changing P-40 November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss Call and call frequently. Over the weekend, the FAA published NOTAM 2/1730 that enlarged P-40, the Restricted Area around Camp David near Thurmont, Md., to twice the size of combined P-40 and R-4009 depicted on the special new "Blue Dot" Baltimore-Washington VFR Terminal Area Chart.
U.S. Defense, Made In Europe? November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol Airbus is just about to knock Boeing out of the top spot as the world’s number-one commercial aircraft manufacturer. Now, the European-based company wants a piece of the U.S. defense market.
STARS Wars Continue November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles FAA system specialists say there's no way the FAA can safely meet a November 17 target to deploy the controversial STARS system in Philadelphia.
Airport Funds Frozen November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles Virginia has become the latest state to freeze aviation program funding but that may be temporary. The state government has frozen spending of the $14.2 million budget until Dec. 1.
Airport Growing Pains November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss Airports across the country continue their fights to grow despite the economic and aviation-specific complications of the post-9/11 world. For general aviation strips, it's largely a matter of increased interest in a reduced-hassle method of transportation.
Runway Pledge A Little Hollow November 21, 2002 By Russ Niles Maybe Marion Blakey should give the same speech to her staff as she does to others.
Blakey Fills Her Cabinet November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey announced the following appointments by President George W. Bush to top agency posts: Robert Sturgell has been appointed Senior Counsel to the Administrator.
Capstone Technology Saves Pilot November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss Capstone has completed its first real-world test and saved a life in the process. Launched in 1999, the program has installed $19,000 worth of special navigation equipment on 189 commercial airplanes operating in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
Cirrus Crash Third In Five Weeks November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol A Cirrus SR20 crashed November 3 on relatively flat terrain in a wildlife refuge near Las Vegas, N.M., killing Ralph Steenson, the aircraft's non-instrument-rated private pilot and sole occupant.
Dodging The President November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles If you're flying in Texas, today, please heed this reminder that the president ... or someone else important ... is at his Crawford ranch overnight.
FAA Unions Picket November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles Some of the FAA's unionized members are taking their message and their fears to the streets at Detroit Metro Airport today.
Insurance Issues Get Global Attention November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss While many American aviators wallow in their insurance woes, they can at least take some comfort knowing that the big boys are suffering too ... globally.
Time Running Out For United? November 21, 2002 By Russ Niles The clock is ticking for United Air Lines and its new CEO is trying desperately to keep it wound.
More Gold For Vegas November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol The best odds in Vegas can't be found on a blackjack table. They're in real estate, and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nev., is a prime example.
Aviation Companies Sued By Test Pilot’s Family November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol The family of a Bombardier test pilot who was killed the crash of a Canadair Challenger in Wichita, Kan., filed suit against four manufacturers: Rockwell Collins Inc., Parker Hannifin Corp., Honeywell, and Lucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corp.
Polishing STARS November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss As AVweb reported last week, the implementation of the new STARS system is still drawing much criticism -- now, it appears the FAA may be listening.
Oberstar Promotes Recorders For Small Aircraft November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol The crash of Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone’s airplane is reason enough the FAA should require cockpit voice and data recorders be installed in smaller commercial aircraft, according to U.S. Representative James Oberstar (D-Minn.).
Light Sport Documents Near Completion November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles As AVweb reported last week, work is progressing toward a mid-2003 launch of the Light Sport Aircraft / Sport Pilot classifications.
Charter Safety Tips From The Journal? November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles Perhaps AVweb should start dispensing financial advice after the next stock market crash. In the wake of the crash of a King Air that killed Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone and members of his family, The Wall Street Journal has published a list of tips that it believes can make your next charter flight safer.
Bomb-Sniffer Deadline Relaxed ... Somewhat November 21, 2002 By Russ Niles They probably weren't going to be able to do it, anyway, so it might as well be legal for airports to miss the Dec. 31, 2002, deadline to have bomb sniffers in place.
B-29: Restore And Remember November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol There are too many young pups out there who don’t really realize, let alone appreciate, the extent of what has been sacrificed in so many conflicts around the globe so that the rest of us can live and prosper in the freedom we enjoy today.
FSS Privatization, NAATS Vs. AOPA? November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss AOPA wants a say in designing the service criteria for whatever results from a contracting-out study of U.S. flight service stations -- and isn't yet taking a stand against privatization.
P-38 Resurrection Earns Following November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol Local politicians and townspeople are working together to raise money to create a fitting home/museum in the town of Middlesboro, Ky., for the restored P-38F known as Glacier Girl.
Con At The Controls! November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles When the occupants of Sen. Paul Wellstone's charter aircraft were bouncing through the muck of a late fall storm last week, it's hard to imagine a 12-year-old fraud conviction against their pilot would have made much difference to them or in any way impaired that pilot's abilities.
Thy Neighbor's Keeper November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles Here's a number to put in your little black book. It's 866-GA-SECURE (866-427-3287) and it will be a direct line to the national Response Center where pilots can report any suspicious activity.
Lancair (Certified) Gets New Investor November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss It looks like the folks at Lancair's certified aircraft division will get a much-needed cash-flow infusion, as the company is close to sealing a deal --- as early as November -- with a new investor.
Pilots Fear More Hijackings, Want Guns November 21, 2002 By Russ Niles Some airline pilots believe terrorists are laying the groundwork for another wave of hijackings and they want to have guns in the cockpit as soon as possible.
TSA Extends Deadline For 12-5 Rule November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol In a notice published in the Federal Register, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) formally moved the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program implementation date to February 1, 2003.
ExxonMobil Replacing Questionable Oil November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss While the folks at ExxonMobil say metal particles found in Exxon Elite are nothing to worry about, the company is offering free replacement for pilots who would just as soon have metal-free oil, thanks.
FAA Designates Internet As Official Source November 19, 2002 By Brenda Carol Well, no one ever accused the FAA of rushing into things. The FAA has accepted the Internet as a valid source of information for pilots to obtain weather and NOTAMs, but only from qualified Web sites.
587 Blamefest November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles The public hearing into the crash of an American Airlines Flight 587, which crashed in New York last November 12 killing all 260 aboard and five on the ground, has degenerated into a polarized blamefest over rudder movement.
Heavy Rudder Use Blamed In Crash November 19, 2002 By Russ Niles Vigorous use of the rudder is being blamed for the crash of an American Airlines Airbus last November even though company officials and the NTSB may have known excessive rudder use could cause the airframe to fail.
NTSB Probes Wellstone Crash November 19, 2002 By Arturo Weiss NTSB and FAA officials Sunday continued their investigation into the cause of Friday's crash of a King Air A-100 that claimed the life of Minnesota Sen. Paul D. Wellstone (D-Minn.), one of the Senate's leading liberals.
The Pilot's Lounge #109: Please, FAA, Return to Reality on Flying In Ice Just when you thought it was OK to fly during the winter, the FAA appears
to have changed the definition of known icing. AVweb's Rick Durden doesn't like choosing between scud running and getting grounded by FAA inspectors pulling his ticket.
NATA Urges LORAN Upgrade January 28, 2007 By Russ Niles It may not be as flashy or capable as GPS but Long Range Aids to Navigation (LORAN) is almost bulletproof when the going gets tough, and that’s why the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is urging the federal government to improve it. The feds have asked for opinions on what to do with LORAN, a ground-based system that uses the time difference of low-frequency radio signals between the receiver and ground stations to plot the position of the receiver. Although GPS is now the favored navigational aid for everyone from pilots to hikers, NATA says it’s also vulnerable to disruption from weather and terrorists, while the long waves of RF from LORAN are hard to jam. “LORAN provides a critical back-up should GPS malfunction or become unavailable,” NATA says in its comments to the Department of Transportation.
Freight Company Blames ATC For Taxiway Collision January 28, 2007 By Russ Niles The owner of two small cargo aircraft that collided at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport last Wednesday says both pilots were complying with instructions from the tower. One of the pilots was slightly injured when the Cessna 402 and Beech 99, both owned by Freight Runners Express, came together at the intersection of three taxiways just off the airport’s main runway. "Both aircraft were operating in controlled areas under explicit instructions of air traffic control," Freight Runners said in a statement quoted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Neither pilot was notified by [air traffic control] of the impending conflict at the intersection, which would have prevented this accident." The NTSB hasn’t decided whether it will investigate.
Vietnam’s First Homebuilt Set To Fly? January 28, 2007 By Russ Niles Vietnam’s flying farmers (well, technically, they haven’t really flown yet) are at it again and this time, according to VietNamNet Bridge, it looks like they might actually put some air between themselves and the ground. As AVwebreported in 2004, Tran Quoc Hai and Le Van Danh from Tay Ninh Province cobbled together a helicopter from salvage parts and a Russian truck engine, and the Vietnam government (perhaps wisely) confiscated it before it they could test fly it properly, although they said at the time they’d hovered it about 18 inches above the ground. Undeterred, the duo started construction on another aircraft, which looks a little like a recycling bin with a rotor, but which they say is much improved over the first one. Now comes word that the country’s prime minister has decided to give his blessing (and you thought the bureaucracy was tough in North America and Europe) to a test flight, provided the ministry of defense and other relevant agencies agree the chopper is airworthy.
Soccer Squad Under Aerial Surveillance January 28, 2007 By Russ Niles The British media is buzzing about a covert video and photo surveillance mission that’s worthy of an Ian Fleming novel. But unlike a Fleming book, there’s nothing as paltry as the future of mankind at stake. This plot has shaken and stirred something far more important—soccer (or, as they prefer to call it in Britain, football). According to the Daily Mirror, a highly modified Cessna 172 has been flying over the heavily guarded training complex of Manchester United as the lads practice and set tactics for future matches. United appears to be the team to beat in Britain’s top league and the video and still pictures taken “during the astonishing spying mission could be invaluable to rival clubs,” the newspaper speculated.
A Strange But Familiar View January 28, 2007 By Russ Niles After presenting himself to the cabin crew, Stephen Brown was asked to sit in one of the front passenger seats while the right-seat pilot switched sides. He then transitioned from a 182 cockpit to the glass screen spectacle that is a modern airliner’s command post. “Gosh, there’s a lot going on in there compared to a 182,” he said. Brown said the pilot introduced himself as a 28-year veteran of this world. “At that moment I was probably the least nervous person on the plane,” he said. Brown said it was obvious the pilot was more than capable of safely landing the plane himself but the concept of cockpit resource management dictates that two sets of eyes, hands and feet are better than one and, despite his relative lack of experience, he was able to make a contribution.
150-Hour Cessna Pilot Helps Out In Continental Emergency January 28, 2007 By Russ Niles Stephen Brown says he has no intention of abandoning his successful air conditioning business in Albuquerque, but he’s done something most private pilots haven’t. The 47-year-old 182 pilot was asked to take the right seat of a Continental Airlines Boeing 757 after the captain collapsed at the controls (he later died) shortly after takeoff from Houston bound for Puerto Vallarta 10 days ago. Brown, along with his wife and some friends, was among 210 passengers heading on vacation when, less than an hour into the flight, Brown said he knew something was terribly wrong not long after a flight attendant asked if there was a doctor on board. “Anyone who could see up front could see them pulling one of the pilots out of the cockpit,” Brown told AVweb in an exclusive interview.
Liberty Honors Symphony And Tiger Deposits January 28, 2007 By Russ Niles Symphony Aircraft and Tiger Aircraft customers may be down but they're not necessarily out. Liberty Aerospace, which came on the scene roughly concurrently with the now-bankrupt Symphony and Tiger, is offering to honor the deposits of customers of its former competitor toward the purchase of a Liberty two-place touring aircraft. "The exit of these two companies is a tremendous loss to the aviation community," Keith Markley, chief operating officer of Liberty Aerospace, said in a news release. "Pilots and the rest of the industry have a strong history of working together and our wish is to keep the aviation community flying by delivering to those who still desire a new aircraft."
Superior's New President And (Soon) Certified Engine January 26, 2007 By Glenn Pew Frank Thielert, the CEO of Thielert AG, announced that Kent Abercrombie has been selected as the new president of Superior Air Parts. Abercrombie joined Superior in December of 2000 as the director of finance and was promoted to V.P. of finance in September 2005. Last year Superior experienced 25-percent growth, and further growth is expected since Superior aims to offer the four-cylinder 220-hp angle-head XP400 engine as a certified product, according to the company. Thielert AG, whose diesel engines have won industry acclaim for efficiency serving in the sleek Diamond TwinStar, acquired Superior last spring.
NTSB: OSU King Air Crash Leaves Legacy Of Safety January 26, 2007 By Glenn Pew An NTSB recommendation resulting from its investigation of a January 2001 King Air crash that killed all aboard -- two crew and eight members of the Oklahoma State University basketball team -- has borne fruit. NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker praised the "admirable work" of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and other student athletic organizations as "above and beyond" for the creation of a 64-page "Safety in Student Transportation" guidance manual that has since June been distributed to some 9,200 presidents of colleges and universities, athletics directors and business and risk managers at educational institutions across the country. If officials implement the policies, "We will have gone a long way toward making something good come out of a tragic accident," said Rosenker.
What's Next For The Symphony 160? January 26, 2007 By Glenn Pew As for the future of the Symphony 160, "I don't know, specifically," Jeremy Keninger, the company's former national sales director, told AVweb. "I don't think it's the end of the aircraft -- it's a great value at that price point [IFR-equipped for about $165,000]," Keninger said. "It's too bad it didn't work out in Canada," where the company in recent years completed manufacturing facilities. Keninger could not confirm rumblings that the current lead creditor is thinking about resurrecting the company and bringing it to the U.S., where the cost of labor and efficient building practices would likely remain key issues. For aspiring owners with deposits already paid, "they will be treated as unsecured debts of [Symphony]," writes former president Paul Costanzo. "It is extremely unlikely that the proceeds of liquidation will be sufficient to pay the secured creditors, and as such the entirety of these deposit amounts will more than likely be lost."
Symphony Aircraft Faces The Music January 26, 2007 By Glenn Pew The eleventh-hour balk of a Symphony Aircraft Industries investor has forced the company, which shipped five aircraft in 2006 (all in the first two quarters), to lay off all employees and declare bankruptcy, according to a letter sent Tuesday to dealers by now former President Paul Costanzo. "It was a big shock for the dealers," said Florida dealer Jeff Ermish, who also sells Storm LSAs. Other knowledgeable sources on Thursday told AVweb that the company had told dealers in a Jan. 5 conference call that a plan to secure funding for continued operations and production of the Symphony 160 – a two-seat, fixed-gear, high-wing airplane that sold for roughly $160,000 -- was approved and moving forward. The turn of events is rumored to have been ignited by a late change in the funding plan that would have required a larger investment from a lead investor who on Jan. 19 reviewed that change and pulled out of the deal.
Details Remain Sketchy On Continental Pilot's Death January 24, 2007 By Mary Grady The pilot who died while flying a Boeing 757 for Continental Airlines on Saturday afternoon "experienced a serious medical problem which required the aircraft to land immediately," Continental spokeswoman Mary Clark told AVweb on Wednesday. The pilot's name and age have not been released yet by the airline, and the company is not releasing additional details about the pilot or the nature of his affliction, "although he is believed to have died of natural causes," Clark said. She added that he was based in Newark, N.J., and had 21 years of service with the airline. The co-pilot diverted the aircraft to McAllen International Airport in south Texas, where an ambulance crew was waiting. Lt. Scott Luke of the McAllen Police Department told the Houston Chronicle that doctors and nurses who were among the flight's 210 passengers had assisted the crew in trying to revive the stricken pilot.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... January 24, 2007 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
AVweb's Business AVflash January 24, 2007 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly business newsletter, AVwebBiz? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/.
AVweb Audio News January 24, 2007 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with AOPA's Kathleen Vascouselos. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Maule Air's Mikel Boorom; Professsional Aviation Maintenance Association president Brian Finnegan; aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia; NORAD; Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; and Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier. In Monday's news summary, hear about Tiger Aircraft's bankruptcy filing, staffing problems at contract control towers, TSA security ramp checks for GA aircraft, the FAA's imminent decision on the age-60 rule and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Biplane Design Found In Ancient Fossils January 24, 2007 By Mary Grady It turns out that the Boeing 727 might not be the true "Jurassic jet." Just as human aviation pioneers started out flying biplanes, allowing for high lift at low speeds, the early ancestors of birds may have done the same. Researchers Sankar Chatterjee of Texas Tech University and R. Jack Templin of Ottawa, Canada, have found that Microraptor, one of the earliest feathered dinosaurs, might have used a staggered biplane configuration during flight. The creature's second set of wings, which were attached to the legs, would have been more efficient if held forward to form a lower wing, rather than trailing behind to form double wings like those of a dragonfly. Their study was published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Aircraft designers have mimicked many of nature's flight 'inventions,' usually inadvertently," Chatterjee wrote. "Now, it seems likely that Microraptor invented the biplane 125 million years before the Wright 1903 Flyer."
Quiz #116: Along the Airways Before you can truly appreciate the ease and convenience of the modern sat/nav world, the pilot should master the pre-Columbian world of federal airways. See what you know about these ancient routes between ground-based navaids.
Automated Flight Following Now In Alaska January 24, 2007 By Mary Grady Flight Service Stations in Alaska now have an extra tool they can use to help track some aircraft that request flight-following services. FAA personnel will have access to a Web site from a private vendor that tracks the airplanes via satellites and displays their track on a map of the region. Tony Wylie, manager of the Alaska Flight Services Information Area Group, said staff won't actually monitor the flights, but will have immediate access to the information if the flight needs search and rescue. The FAA service will be extended only to aircraft operated by the federal government. It costs about $5,000 to equip each airplane with the "automated flight following" gear, which transmits the aircraft's location, speed, heading and altitude to a satellite. Vendors charge about $20 per hour for the monitoring service.
NATA Wants Fuel-Pump Rules Clarified January 24, 2007 By Mary Grady The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) says rules for aviation self-fuel pumps need to be rewritten because some FBOs in Alabama have been sanctioned for violating rules that NATA says are not necessary for aviation operations. Current legal standards for weights and measures require that all self-fuel dispensers display the price per gallon and the amount of fuel pumped during a particular transaction, but most airport fuel pumps don't work that way. NATA says the rules should be changed so aviation vendors can be in compliance without having to replace their current equipment, which is already adequate to provide the information required by the legal standards.
NTSB: Crew Failed To Deice, Citation Stalled In Fatal Crash January 24, 2007 By Mary Grady A Circuit City Citation business jet carrying two crew and six passengers crashed on approach to Pueblo (Colo.) Memorial Airport in February 2005 because it stalled, the NTSB said on Tuesday. All on board were killed. During the flight, the wing leading edges had picked up a layer of thin, rough ice that degraded the aircraft's performance. The crew didn't activate the deicing boots, and also didn't increase their approach speed as the flight manual dictates anytime ice is present or expected, the NTSB said. The jet's stall-warning system didn't activate until after the aerodynamic stall occurred, which the Safety Board cited as a contributing factor. The Board recommended that the FAA require modification of the Cessna 560's stall-warning system to provide an adequate warning margin in icing conditions, when the stall speed may be higher than normal.
Airline Passengers Demand Rights January 23, 2007 By Mary Grady Here's a story to make you even happier that you fly general aviation. A group of passengers was recently stranded for more than eight hours aboard an American Airlines jet that was diverted to Austin, Texas, due to weather. They had no food, the toilets clogged and overflowed and the stale air reeked. Now some of those passengers are joining a push to get Congress to pass a comprehensive Passengers Bill of Rights. "We feel that enough is enough. This is not the first time, nor is it likely to be the last, that this kind of degrading treatment is visited on passengers," said Kate Hanni, one of those who endured the experience. "Thousands of legitimate complaints by travelers mistreated by the airlines are regularly dismissed or inadequately addressed by the industry."
ACI Chimes In On Airport Infrastructure Funding January 23, 2007 By Glenn Pew The Airports Council International-North America (ACI) recently announced its hopes for the FAA's next reauthorization bill with a focus on passenger facility charges (PFCs) and airport improvement program (AIP) funds, according to a recent report by Aviation Week. ACI believes that inflation will reduce the impact of PFCs while the air transportation system bloats with 300 million new users over the next decade. To prepare for the passenger surge, ACI urges that PFCs in coming years be increased to adjust for inflation and AIP funds be protected to ensure that all airports in need get the TLC they'll need. According to ACI, it's a matter (in part) of recognizing PFCs as an indispensable part of funding projects; converting their taxable perception from private party bonds to use as public purpose bonds; and rolling them out on a widespread basis.
Community, Witham Airport At Odds Over Improvement January 23, 2007 By Glenn Pew The Martin County Commission, influenced by community-developed noise and pollution concerns, more than six months ago voted to stop using a 460-foot section of runway at Witham Field in Stuart, Fla. Unfortunately, in 1998 the FAA approved the runway for extension. And so it is that while the FAA's regional office in Orlando has suggested moving a fence farther from the runway and into a country club to provide a proper safety zone, Dave Shore, president of the Witham Airport Action Majority (WAAM), has suggested pulling a Richard Daley by removing the runway from service whether the FAA likes it or not.
FAA, NATCA Not On Same Frequency Over Wx Radios January 23, 2007 By Glenn Pew It turns out that NATCA and the FAA agree on something – "commercial" radios aren't allowed to be kept by controllers working in the tower. It's a simple rule intended to eliminate distractions from a controller's work environment, but one that was perhaps complicated by a tornado last Christmas that flipped some 50 Cessnas at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus while controllers in the nearby Daytona Beach International Airport tower claim they sat blissfully unaware. In recognition of that precise set of circumstances, two emergency weather alert radios were placed in the tower on Dec. 27. A few days later, re-recognition of the rule apparently led to the radios' recent removal. And so the earth will not go spinning off its axis -- NATCA and the FAA are again at odds.
Controllers Share Blame in Brazilian Midair January 22, 2007 By Chad Trautvetter On Sunday, Brazilian lead aviation accident investigator Renato Sayao for the first time acknowledged air traffic controllers share some of the blame for the Sept. 29 midair that killed 154 people when a Legacy business jet collided with a Gol Airlines 737 over the Amazon jungle. But the Legacy pilots -- Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino of New York, both of whom survived the collision along with their five passengers – might not be off the hook entirely. According to The Associated Press, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office said both the pilots and controllers were likely at fault, though she stopped short of saying if criminal charges will be filed against Lepore and Paladino. The prosecutor's office cannot press charges against the Brazilian controllers since they are military personnel; instead it can only submit findings to military justice officials, who would then pursue any further action.
Probable Cause #24: Ice Box This time of year, almost any forecast includes a chance for airframe ice. Here's why to pay attention.
Cirrus Offers Built-In Safety Reminder January 21, 2007 By Russ Niles If it’s not enough that your family is worried about you, your fellow pilots keep tabs and the whole aviation system is built around this notion, now your airplane can remind you to fly safely. Cirrus Design has introduced a feature on its Avidyne multifunction display that will invite some introspection along those lines. Those with revision 6 of the software for the system will get three pages displayed on startup that ask questions Cirrus CEO Alan Klapmeier thinks every pilot should answer before releasing the brakes. “As a Cirrus owner and pilot, I appreciate the friendly reminder to make sure that I am personally prepared to fly myself and my passengers safely to our destination,” Klapmeier said. “It was natural to add ‘Risk Assessment Tool’ as a function of the versatile Avidyne Entegra MFD.”
FAA Approves New Zealand Training Aircraft January 21, 2007 By Russ Niles The Alpha 160A, an adaptation of the French-designed Robin R2160, has been granted FAA certification, and New Zealand-based Alpha Aviation says there’s strong interest in the aerobatic two-seater among flight schools in the U.S. "Our aircraft have already proven to be of considerable interest to United States aero clubs and flying schools,” said Alpha’s managing director, Richard Sealy. “FAA certification will now enable us to actively market and sell our aircraft in this hugely significant market," he said.
Nine-Year-Old Breaches Airport Security January 21, 2007 By Russ Niles OK, so he’s more capable and perhaps a little more driven than your average nine-year-old (or 39-year-old for that matter), but the fact remains that Samaj Booker got through several layers of security and came within one flight of reaching his destination of Dallas from his starting point at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport last week. According to an AFP report, Lieutenant David Guttu of the police department in Booker’s new hometown of Lakewood, Wash., described the four-foot-nine, 90-pound Booker as "pretty dedicated, highly motivated and focused" to make it back to Dallas, where his family had moved from a few months before. The boy managed to convince Southwest Airlines agents that he belonged on a plane to Phoenix, and was allowed to change planes for a flight to San Antonio, where suspicious agents finally put a stop to his trip.
Going Batty For Future Mini-UAV Design January 21, 2007 By Russ Niles Birds may be prettier, but bats have all the moves when it comes to maneuverability and aerodynamic efficiency, according to a study by Brown University researchers. Using sophisticated video gear, the study team found that while birds can rotate and retract their wings in flight, bats have much more flexibility in the articulating membrane they use for flight and this makes them much more agile. And since agility, flexibility and efficiency are also great qualities in micro-sized UAVs that are proliferating, the Brown team says there are lessons to be learned from bats. "Bats have unique capabilities," said Kenneth Breuer, an engineering professor at Brown who did the study with Sharon Swartz, an associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. "But the goal is not to build something that looks like a bat. We want to understand bat flight and be able to incorporate some of the features of bat flight into an engineered vehicle."
U.S. Pilot Numbers Dip Below 600,000 January 21, 2007 By Russ Niles Despite aggressive action -- including a whole new certificate classification -- to attract more people to flying, the number of certificated pilots in the U.S. dropped to 597,109, according to year-end preliminary stats released by the FAA. Rather than attract new pilots, the new Sport Pilot certificate appears to be extending the flying activity of older pilots. The average age of pilots as a whole was 45.6 years while the average of the 939 sport pilot holders was 52.9 years. AOPA’s mentorship program, Project Pilot, is reporting some success in encouraging people to learn to fly and there are plenty of instructors waiting. More than 90,000 pilots, almost one in six, are instructors.
Dark Runway "Weird" To Comair Pilot January 21, 2007 By Russ Niles The flying pilot in the crash of Comair Flight 5191 noted the runway was "weird with no lights" as he rolled the aircraft down the wrong runway. The cockpit voice recorder transcripts released by the NTSB also show co-pilot James Polehinke and captain Jefferey Clay talked about their kids and their dogs as they taxied to line up on that runway at the Lexington, Ky., airport (LEX) on the morning of Aug. 27. The chatter was in violation of an FAA regulation that bans "nonessential cockpit conversation" during taxi, takeoff and landing. The last word recorded was Clay saying "Whoa" just before the Bombardier regional jet smashed through a fence at the end of 3,500-foot Runway 26, became briefly airborne and crashed in a field, killing 49 people -- everyone on board except Polehinke, who lost a leg and suffered brain damage. The NTSB documents also identify Christopher Damron as the lone air traffic controller on duty at the time.
Age-60 Decision Near January 21, 2007 By Russ Niles FocusFAA, the FAA’s internal newsletter, says the online publication of the report of a committee looking at the contentious mandatory retirement of airline pilots at age 60 means FAA Administrator Marion Blakey is close to making a decision. And if we're reading between the lines correctly, it would appear Blakey is prepared to fall in line with other members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and allow pilots to keep flying until age 65 as long as there's another pilot younger than 60 in the cockpit with them. However, the newsletter says Blakey might need some legislative help to shield the government from a rash of lawsuits that could result from the move.
TSA Starts Random Ramp Checks Of GA Aircraft January 21, 2007 By Russ Niles If you thought flying your own aircraft was a way to avoid the scrutiny of the Transportation Safety Administration, think again. While you’ll likely be able to keep your shoes on, don’t be surprised if a TSA official checks out you and your plane at any of the hundreds of U.S. airports with scheduled airline service. According to AOPA, the TSA isn’t concerned about the toothpaste you carry on your own plane, but it does want to make sure banned items don’t get smuggled aboard an airliner. AOPA’s Rob Hackman said it’s part of a larger effort to ensure contraband is kept off airliners. "While GA access points will be randomly checked with all other points of entry, GA is not being targeted," he said. Pilots in Melbourne, Fla., were briefed by a TSA official on the program at a meeting last Thursday. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are saying GA is getting a free ride in the security department, and they want the TSA to give private aircraft more attention.
AVweb Audio News January 21, 2007 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with AOPA's Kathleen Vascouselos. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Maule Air's Mikel Boorom; Professsional Aviation Maintenance Association president Brian Finnegan; aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia; NORAD; Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; and Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier. In today's news summary, hear about Tiger Aircraft's bankruptcy filing, staffing problems at contract control towers, TSA security ramp checks for GA aircraft, the FAA's imminent decision on the age-60 rule and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
At Oshkosh last July, Garmin unveiled the G600, which looked like a pale offshoot of the G1000. But hold the phone; there's a lot more to this glass panel than meets the eye. Our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, recently reviewed the product and interviewed Garmin's Carl Wolf on the future of glass panels for the aftermarket.
The editors of Aviation Safety caught up with Brent Blue, co-founder of the very successful aviation medical and safety technology vendor Aeromedix.com. His company has brought to the general aviation marketplace numerous products previously unavailable to pilots at any price.
New to podcasts and audio news? You don't need an iPod (or any other special equipment) to listen! Our podcast is a simple .mp3 audio file. To listen, just click through to the podcast download page, then click on "download this podcast" link (by the orange POD logo) and play the file in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, or any other desktop audio player. (The file may take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection speed.)
Columbia Delivered Record Numbers In 2006 January 17, 2007 By Mary Grady Columbia Aircraft, of Bend, Ore., delivered a record 185 aircraft last year, the company said on Wednesday, despite delays certifying the Garmin G1000 glass panel and a summer hailstorm that affected more than 60 aircraft. The aircraft weren't significantly damaged but all had to be refinished. “No doubt, we endured more than our fair share of challenges in the first half of 2006,” said Randy Bolinger, Columbia vice president of marketing. The company's previous record for one year was 114 aircraft delivered, set in 2005. The 2006 total included 146 Columbia 400s and 39 Columbia 350s. The company also said that overall, orders last year were up more than 200 percent over the previous year.
Ohio Pilots Targeted In Anti-Terrorism Effort January 17, 2007 By Mary Grady Aircraft owners who live in Ohio now must sign a declaration stating they are not involved in terrorist activity when they renew their annual aircraft registration. Owners of other vehicles are not required to do this by the state Department of Transportation, only owners of aircraft. AOPA said on Tuesday it is "extremely displeased at this discrimination." The association has asked the state to remove this requirement. "Frankly, it is offensive to Ohio's pilot population to suggest that they are more suspect than people who own boats, trucks, or automobiles," wrote Greg Pecoraro, AOPA vice president of regional affairs, in a letter to the state's department of public safety.
Pilots Express Concerns About Safety At Indonesian Airline January 17, 2007 By Mary Grady "Every time you flew, you had to fight with the ground staff and the
management about all the regulations you had to violate," Feisal
Banser, 30, a former captain for Adam Air, has told http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/1-01162007-1058803.html "
target="_blank">The Associated Press. An Adam Air 737 went
missing on Jan. 1 with 102 people on board; the wreck has still not
been found. In May 2005, a group of 17 pilots jointly resigned from
the airline, citing alleged safety concerns, the AP said. The airline
is now suing them, saying they violated their contracts and must
refund money the airline spent on their training. Banser says he was
grounded for a week in 2005 after he refused to fly because he had
already flow five takeoffs, the daily limit. When the airline started
up four years ago, pilots lined up to sign on. But within months, at
least 20 left, citing safety concerns, according to the AP.
FedEx Jet Flying With Anti-Missile System January 17, 2007 By Mary Grady An anti-missile system is being tested aboard a FedEx MD-10 during its regular cargo flights, Northrop Grumman said this week. The airplane launched on Tuesday from Los Angeles International Airport with the Guardian system installed, starting the operational test and evaluation portion of the program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The tests will continue through March 2008. The Guardian system uses proven military technology to defend against shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, Northrop Grumman said. The system detects an approaching missile and directs a non-visible, eye-safe laser toward it to disrupt its guidance signals.
Concorde Fans Hope For Legislative Support January 17, 2007 By Mary Grady British fans of the Concorde are not giving up in the fight to restore one of the elegant birds to airworthy condition, and they are focusing on the London Olympics of 2012 as an event that deserves to be commemorated with a Concorde fly-by. Last week, they won some support in the British House of Commons when a bill was introduced that would promote the maintenance and preservation of "certain vehicles of cultural value." The legislation, if it passes, would authorize the restoration of a Concorde to airworthy condition for use on ceremonial occasions. Britain's Save Concorde Group is encouraged by support for new legislation.
Ethics Reform Bill Could Snag Flying Legislators January 17, 2007 By Mary Grady The newly installed House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., got to work last week, eager to approve a new ethics package during their first hours on the job. But EAA says their proposed law includes a provision that could prevent pilots who serve in Congress from flying their own aircraft. Intended to curb lawmakers from accepting free rides in corporate jets, the language reflects a lack of understanding about how aviation works -- a lack that's all too familiar to most aviators. According to EAA, the ethics legislation states that members of Congress "may not use personal funds, official funds or campaign funds for a flight on a non-government airplane that is not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for compensation or hire." But the FAA licenses carriers, not airplanes. The wording would virtually ban travel on any private aircraft.
AVweb Audio News January 17, 2007 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Mikel Boorom at Maule Air. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Professsional Aviation Maintenance Association president Brian Finnegan; aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia; NORAD; Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; and Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier. In Monday's news summary, hear about how the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo drew record crowds and exhibitors, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's planned use of UAVs along the Canadian border, a midair collision that controllers failed to prevent, an upcoming ADS-B mandate and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AOPA: San Diego Building A Threat To Air Traffic January 17, 2007 By Mary Grady Less than a mile from Montgomery Field, a busy GA airport just outside San Diego, developer Sunroad Centrum is moving forward with plans to finish up a 180-foot-tall building that the FAA has deemed a hazard to navigation. That's a bad idea, AOPA said last week. "This is a critical safety issue not only to pilots using the airport, but also to workers in the new office complex," said AOPA Vice President of Airports Bill Dunn. "AOPA is appalled that the developer is blatantly ignoring the FAA's ruling and the city's order to stop working on the building." AOPA has joined the city of San Diego and the California Department of Transportation as a real party of interest in a suit against the developer. A local pilots group, the Community Airfields Association of San Diego, has also joined in the suit.
Raytheon Aircraft Cuts Baron, Bonanza Prices January 17, 2007 By Mary Grady Raytheon Aircraft Company said on Tuesday it will cut the list prices of its 2007-model Bonanza single-engine airplanes by 14 percent over last year's prices. Beechcraft Baron twins will sell for 12 percent less. Additionally, the cost of popular options such as SkyWatch and Stormscope will be cut by up to 20 percent. The company said it can offer the new prices because of gains in production efficiency and strategic sourcing. The list price for a typically-equipped Bonanza G36 was $667,000 in 2006; this year it will be $574,000, a drop of $93,000. The price of a typically equipped Beechcraft Baron G58 last year was $1,186,000; this year it will be $1,046,000, saving $140,000.
AVweb Audio News January 14, 2007 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Mikel Boorom at Maule Air. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Professsional Aviation Maintenance Association president Brian Finnegan; aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia; NORAD; Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; and Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier. In today's news summary, hear about how the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo drew record crowds and exhibitors, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's planned use of UAVs along the Canadian border, a midair collision that controllers failed to prevent, an upcoming ADS-B mandate and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
CEO of the Cockpit #66: Night Flight, Direct Rome The amazing art and science of navigating an airliner didn't always dwell in the clicking CPU of a black box. Even AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit sometimes has to fly IFR -- I Follow Roads.
Embry-Riddle: Flight Training Continues After Christmas Storm January 14, 2007 By Glenn Pew Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Thursday announced students will return to classes on Jan. 16 at its Daytona Beach campus, following Christmas Day tornadoes that destroyed or severely damaged a number of aircraft, leveled a maintenance hangar and rendered unusable the main administration building. All the aircraft lost to the storm have been replaced "with others of the same high quality" and flight training has already resumed. "The best way to describe the spirit on campus is: onward and upward," said John P. Johnson, president of Embry-Riddle. Some classes and more than 120 employees have been displaced while repairs are made to the administration building.
Air Force Officer Wants His Airmen Back January 14, 2007 By Russ Niles A senior officer at a key strategic bomber base says he hopes the Army can stop using his personnel as cannon fodder and let them concentrate on their real job of "putting bombs on target from B-1s." In a commentary that appeared in Air Combat Command's Web newsletter on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Gerald Goodfellow of the 28th Operations Group at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota says that while he's proud of the job Air Force personnel do when they are assigned "light infantry" positions in the Army, it's not what they signed on for and he's worried it could sap the Air Force's strength. "In America's current wars the Air Force has found itself in a situation where it, in effect, has to pay for and train its Airmen to serve ground duty (a form of 'light infantry,' to quote Gen. Ronald Keys, Air Combat Command commander) and then pay to supply that light infantry with items from bullet proof vests to armored vehicles to keep them safe," Goodfellow wrote. "I believe the Air Force should spend its money on capabilities that will ensure future air dominance."
Flight Services Suit Against FAA Proceeds January 14, 2007 By Russ Niles Flight service specialists whose jobs were outsourced or eliminated when Lockheed Martin won the contract to take over the FSS system will get their day in court after all. According to the Federal Times, on Jan. 8, U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie Roberts denied the Department of Transportation's application for dismissal of the case, ruling that his court does have jurisdiction over the age discrimination issues raised in the suit. Roberts is the same judge who, in 2005, refused to delay the transfer of the FSS system to Lockheed Martin pending the outcome of the suit, saying the employees “are not likely to succeed on the merits of the age discrimination claim.” But whether he thinks they'll win the case or not, Roberts ruled they should at least have the chance to try.
ADS-B Airspace In Place By 2020 January 14, 2007 By Russ Niles Your airplane will have to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) gear by 2020 to have full access to the National Airspace System. According to Flight International, Nicholas Sabatini, the FAA’s associate director for flight safety, told an agency workshop last week that the FAA will soon issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will make ADS-B a requirement to “assure access to certain airspace.” It’s not clear exactly which class, or classes, of airspace will require ADS-B or whether a new airspace designation is in the works. FAA officials have been publicly touting the benefits of the system for a couple of years, and it’s believed to be the pivotal technology for modernization of air traffic control.
American Airlines Passengers Trapped On Diverted Plane January 14, 2007 By Russ Niles American Airlines says it will apologize to 138 passengers who spent nine hours stuck on the ground in Austin and ended up with overflowing toilets, no water to drink and only pretzels to eat. And the ordeal could have lasted even longer if the captain of the crammed MD-80 hadn’t defied company orders and taxied to an open gate without permission. "The stewardesses desperately tried to keep the tempers and the temperament of the passengers down,” passenger Kati Hanni told NBC News. By the time passengers got off the plane, they’d been on it for 15 hours and they weren’t at their final destination of Dallas yet.
Carter Aviation Enters Fly-From-The-Driveway Sweepstakes January 14, 2007 By Russ Niles Carter Aviation Technologies says it has developed a gyrocopter that will land and take off vertically. The company says the gyro, based on a commercially available kit-built aircraft, will evolve into the Personal Aerial Vehicle (PAV) the world has been waiting for. “We feel the [gyro] can now visually demonstrate that the age of true personal flight is at hand,” said Carter President Jay Carter Jr. “We now have a vehicle that can safely take off from your driveway, fly 200 miles and then safely land and take-off from a truck stop to refuel, or a restaurant to eat, or a hotel where you can spend the night.”
Controllers Ignored Alarms Before Fatal Collision January 14, 2007 By Russ Niles A review of audiotapes and computer records from the Gillespie Tower and Southern California Terminal Radar Control Center shows controllers failed to warn the pilots of two Cessnas of a potential collision even though the alarms sounded and displayed visual warnings for 51 seconds before the planes collided over La Mesa, Calif. All three occupants of the two aircraft died when the Cessna 182 and a 172 collided in midair, erupted into fireballs and rained burning debris over a square mile last Feb. 8. NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker released a letter outlining safety concerns arising from the accident in July and the San Diego Union Tribune recently obtained copies of the audiotapes and computer records through a freedom of information request.
AVweb caught up with Maule Air chief engineer Mikel "Mike" Boorom at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo this week in Sebring, Florida. While the family-owned company didn't show up with a light sport aircraft at the show, it does have intentions to enter this growing market segment. It's also working on several other projects to expand its product line.
New to podcasts and audio news? You don't need an iPod (or any other special equipment) to listen! Our podcast is a simple .mp3 audio file. To listen, just click through to the podcast download page, then click on "download this podcast" link (by the orange POD logo) and play the file in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, or any other desktop audio player. (The file may take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection speed.)
AVweb Audio News January 10, 2007 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Professsional Aviation Maintenance Association president Brian Finnegan. aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia; NORAD; Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; and Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier. In Monday's news summary, hear about Mooney laying claim to the fastest piston single with the certification of the Acclaim, Thielert AG's successful year, a 15-year-old who's building his own RV-7A, OP Technologies move to steal Chelton's experimental EFIS customers who ordered equipment from now-defunct distributor Direct To Avionics and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Probable Cause #23: Unnatural Selection The NTSB suspects a dry fuel tank in the crash of a Cessna 340, but did the loss of an engine on an approach have to end in tragedy?
Need Maintenance? When One Door Closes, Others Open Wide January 10, 2007 By Mary Grady Whatever you might say about the aviation industry, you can't say it’s not proactive. Over the last week, competitors jumped to the plate to scoop up customers dismayed by the closing of Direct To Avionics. And now, repair shops are speaking up to welcome owners of older aircraft who have been turned away elsewhere. Lynn Nichols, president of Yingling Aviation at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport, told AVweb on Wednesday that airplanes 18 years old and up are welcome to darken his hangar door anytime. "We believe we can provide them with what is arguably the best service available," he said. "We have established maintenance procedures, tooling and expertise working on Cessna single and twin-engine aircraft, and located across from the factory, so if we run into an anomaly, Cessna’s product support is minutes away.”
Jury Awards $10.5 Million For Fatal Airshow Crash January 10, 2007 By Mary Grady The family of a man who died after crashing at the Arlington (Wash.) Fly-in in 1999 was awarded $10.5 million this week by a jury that found EAA and the Northwest EAA didn't provide adequate fire and emergency response services, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported on Wednesday. Don Corbitt crashed while attempting to take off in his homebuilt RV-6. According to the plaintiffs' lawyers, Corbitt survived the crash but died in a post-crash fire, and rescuers on the field took more than five minutes to respond. According to the NTSB, the limited capacity of the portable fire extinguishers proved insufficient to put out the fire, and because the pilot's leg was jammed in the wreckage, witnesses were unable to pull him free before the heat of the fire became to intense to continue attempts to rescue him. Within a minute after the aircraft impacted the ground, the volunteer fire truck arrived at the scene and within a minute to a minute and a half after their arrival, the fire was extinguished, the Board said. EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski told AVweb on Wednesday that "EAA's position on the accident and related matters differ from the plaintiff's position. Although a jury verdict has been rendered, there are still post-trial proceedings that further address and could materially affect the jury decision. As the case is still active in the courts, it would be premature to comment further at this time."
NTSB Blames Crew For Pinnacle Airlines CRJ Crash January 10, 2007 By Mary Grady The NTSB on Tuesday blamed the pilots of a Pinnacle Airlines Bombardier CL-600-2B19 regional jet for the crash that killed them both in October 2004. "This accident was caused by the pilots' inappropriate and unprofessional behavior," said NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker in a news release. "Simply adhering to standard operating procedures and correctly implementing emergency procedures would have gone a long way to averting this tragic accident." But a contributing factor, the Board said, was that the engine cores locked, which prevented at least one engine from being restarted, and the airplane flight manuals didn't communicate to pilots the importance of maintaining a minimum airspeed to keep the engine cores rotating. The Safety Board also recommended that the FAA should require air carriers to provide their pilots with opportunities to practice high-altitude stall-recovery techniques in the simulator.
Build A Plane, Wathen Foundation Join Forces January 10, 2007 By Mary Grady Build A Plane, a nonprofit group that has donated more than 30 aircraft to schools in the U.S., has teamed up with the Thomas W. Wathen Foundation in Riverside, Calif., an aviation-education operation based at Flabob Airport. The new partners aim to develop world-class aviation education curricula to motivate students to learn science, technology, engineering and math. "It’s really a dream come true for us," said Lyn Freeman, founder of Build A Plane. "The goals of the Wathen Foundation are in perfect alignment with Build A Plane’s, and I felt this was a once in a lifetime opportunity." Freeman will oversee the growth of the new aviation education task force.
Loran's Last Chance? January 9, 2007 By Mary Grady With GPS available everywhere, cheap and reliable, do we really still need Loran, the venerable long-range navigation system? The U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday issued a request for public comment to search for reasons to continue to maintain the aging system -- or not -- beyond the end of fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30). At question is whether Loran should be decommissioned; maintained as is; or upgraded to be used either as a back-up or as a complement to GPS. If you have an opinion, DOT wants to hear from you by February 7.
FAA InFO: Dangers Of Noise-Canceling (ANR) Headsets January 9, 2007 By Glenn Pew The idea is simple enough: What you don't hear could kill you. The Flight Standards Service last week released an InFO to alert operators that "noise-canceling" headsets might be susceptible to "misdetection" and subsequent electronic attenuation of some things you'd probably rather hear. (Note: The memo might also pertain to what many pilots refer to as active noise reduction [ANR] headsets, but that specific verbiage was not used.) The alert states that the range of frequencies attenuated by a noise-canceling headset is often proprietary and may not be publicly available. This makes it "difficult to assess any effects" of attenuation, particularly as they pertain to things like communications, abnormal mechanical noises, audible alarms, vibrations, wind noises and other sounds that might alert an unattenuated observer to impending doom. For now, rather than regulate, the FAA's solution involves passing the buck to you.
FAA Approval For ATG Javelin Requires Trial By Fire January 8, 2007 By Glenn Pew As Aviation Technology Group works toward certification of its 500-knot, $2.795 million Javelin executive jet and military trainer aircraft, the FAA on Monday proposed special conditions regarding the aircraft's internally-mounted turbofans. The FAA believes "applicable [Part 23] airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards" for two turbofans set side by side inside the fuselage and "not in the pilots' field of view." Central to the issue is fire suppression and specifically how one ill-fated engine's malaise (read: violent conflagration) would be isolated from the adjacent engine, fuel lines, a nearby 280-gallon fuel tank and primary structure and systems "passing through or near the engines" that support "critical flight controls." So far, the FAA is suggesting that the Javelin 100 be required to incorporate extinguishing along with fire detection systems and fire isolation. ATG told AVweb it is aware of the special conditions and is working closely with the FAA. "It is not uncommon for jets to have special conditions under Part 23. We don't expect any problems in certifying the Javelin," spokeswoman Sara Newton said.
Pelican's Perch #82: The Dreaded Three-Engine 747 With 27 years as a worldwide 747 captain, five as a worldwide Gulfstream IV captain, and lots of overwater time in a host of piston aircraft (including singles), AVweb's John Deakin has some pretty strong opinions about overwater flying in general, and about the recent flight of a British Airways 747 from Los Angeles to England with one engine inoperative. As usual, he seems to be in the minority.
WHAT'S NEW
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you a Husky tow kit, aviator wings, metal bending tools and more.
Teen Tackles Homebuilt Airplane Project January 7, 2007 By Russ Niles While there may be nothing unusual about a 15-year-old spending the holidays working on an airplane kit, Rusty McCullough plans to do more than hang this one from his bedroom ceiling. Just before Christmas, McCullough, who lives in Tehachapi, Calif., received the empennage of an RV-7A he's now building at the local airport. “It's a lot of fun, but it's going to be a lot of work to build this airplane,” Rusty told the Tehachapi News. "This will be a bit more complicated than the Lego models I used to put together." The only help he's getting from adults is a lift to and from the airport, as well as some carefully selected Christmas presents in the form of some of the tools he needs.
Embry-Riddle Back In The Air Jan. 16 January 7, 2007 By Russ Niles Just three weeks after tornadoes destroyed most its training aircraft, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's (ERAU's) Daytona Beach campus will resume flight training Jan. 16. ERAU is leasing airplanes from other flight schools, Cessna dealers and several individuals to replace the 40 airplanes that were tossed to destruction by two Christmas Day tornadoes. The twisters also did substantial damage to nine of the campus's buildings. EAA sent an alert to its members looking for Cessna 172s for the university to borrow and hundreds of responses were received. AVweb is spearheading a fundraising drive to help the university mitigate insurance deductibles and other non-insured costs arising from the storm.
FAA: Plastic Pilot Certificates Mandatory in 2009 January 7, 2007 By Russ Niles Your paper pilot certificate will be suitable for framing -- and not much else -- likely sometime in 2009 as the FAA puts every pilot on plastic. The new, more forgery-resistant certificates were introduced at EAA AirVenture in 2005 as a security enhancement. The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) Friday that will make them mandatory two years after the final rule is adopted. A comment period lasts until March 6 so the final rule could be adopted as early as this coming spring. Those holding mechanic or flight engineer certificates will have five years to convert, but student pilots won't be affected.
AVweb Audio News January 7, 2007 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Professsional Aviation Maintenance Association president Brian Finnegan. aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia; NORAD; Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; and Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier. In today's news summary, hear about Mooney laying claim to the fastest piston single with the certification of the Acclaim, Thielert AG's successful year, a 15-year-old who's building his own RV-7A, OP Technologies move to steal Chelton's experimental EFIS customers who ordered equipment from now-defunct distributor Direct To Avionics and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Competitor Offers D2A Customers A Discount January 6, 2007 By Russ Niles A rival avionics company is offering some solace for customers of Direct To Avionics (D2A) who may have been left hanging by the company's abrupt closure late last month. OP Technologies of Beaverton, Ore., is offering a $1,000 credit toward the purchase of one of its EFIS systems to D2A customers who have been financially affected by the closure. The systems have to be purchased by Jan. 31, 2007. D2A was the exclusive dealer for Chelton EFIS systems for experimental aircraft.
Mooney Acclaim Certified January 5, 2007 By Russ Niles Mooney is now formally laying claim to the title of "fastest piston single" with the final certification of its Acclaim speedster. The aircraft, which was introduced at Sun 'n’ Fun last April, sports twin intercooled turbochargers on its 280-hp TSIO-550-G Continental engine. The airplane is said to hit 237 ktas while cruising at its 25,000-foot service ceiling. Next fastest is the Columbia 400, which is marginally slower (two knots so) with a similar engine (it's a C model rather than a G). The Columbia model previously held the "fastest" title for several years. "With the certification of the Acclaim, the debate is over," said Mooney Vice President of Sales and Marketing David Copeland. "Now there’s no question which single engine piston airplane can claim the title as the ‘fastest’ since the Acclaim clearly boasts the highest maximum cruise speed and it is now officially 'in service.'"
Bombardier Water Bomber Wins Kudos January 5, 2007 By Glenn Pew Bombardier was recently awarded by Spain for the "greatest technological advancement in firefighting," citing the accomplishments of the 1960's era Canadair CL-215, -215T and, since 1994 its current incarnation, the Bombardier 415. Continuous improvements were credited for making the series "the most efficient tool for the aerial combat of forest fires," a status held "over more than 30 years." Two juries composed of "the most reputed and recognized technicians in firefighting in Spain" offered the award. In accepting, Bombardier noted that 64 of its latest model (the 415) have been delivered to and put to work in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Ontario, Quebec and Spain.
Stealing From Peter's Airport To Pay For Paul's January 5, 2007 By Glenn Pew Tracy Municipal Airport in California is getting $500,000 for upgrades that will at least make trips to the bathroom there more pleasant, but are ultimately intended to draw more business to the field. Toward that end, the city will seek more than $2 million in state loans for the purpose of adding 44 hangars. City staff intends to repay that loan with increased fuel sales that would result from the population increase created by the new hangars and estimates those sales could generate almost $90,000 in profit by 2011. The airport already owes the city more than $1 million, which it is paying off at a rate of $20,000 per year and the effort comes at the continued expense of New Jerusalem airport.
Rigby's Recognition January 5, 2007 By Glenn Pew Alden Rigby, who on Jan. 1, 1945, shot down four German aircraft in 25 minutes, on Memorial Day (May 28) will join the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame at the Hill Aerospace Museum. Rigby and fellow WWII fighter pilots found themselves on the runway at their base in Asch, Belgium, when it was attacked by an estimated 50-plus German fighters, part of a coordinated attack aimed at 16 Allied bases. Over Rigby's base that day, 11 American P-51s downed 23 German aircraft without losing one of their own in a battle that has come to be known as the legend of Y-29. Rigby's own account of the battle can be found here.
In today's Friday podcast, AVweb literally talks shop with Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) President Brian Finnegan. He dismisses the notion reported in AVweb earlier this week that insurance concerns are behind some maintenance shops' decision to refuse to work on older airplanes. Instead, he suggests that a shortage of skilled maintenance technicians could be behind the problem. To hear about this and the expected looming maintenance technician shortage, click here to listen.
New to podcasts and audio news? You don't need an iPod (or any other special equipment) to listen! Our podcast is a simple .mp3 audio file. To listen, just click through to the podcast download page, then click on "download this podcast" link (by the orange POD logo) and play the file in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, or any other desktop audio player. (The file may take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection speed.)
Clarification January 3, 2007 In Monday's "On The Fly," an item about an Eaglet in Kansas City looking for a new home contained a link to Marty Reichelt's Eaglet Web page. While his airplane is indeed an Eaglet, it is not the specific one mentioned in the item. AVweb apologizes for any confusion this might have caused.
AVweb Audio News January 3, 2007 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with NORAD; Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; and Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton. In Monday's news summary, hear about how two shops in the Southwest are refusing to work on airplanes that are more than 18 years old, the FAA's ban on "commercial" radios endangers safety, the Wright Experience's quest to replicate the Wright Military Flyer, Ballistic Recovery Systems' turnaround year, the FAA's push to roll out ADS-B throughout the entire U.S. and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Tower Alert System Cited In Fatal Crash January 3, 2007 By Mary Grady The "inadequate design and function" of the Minimum Safe Altitude Warning System in an FAA airport tower was cited as a contributing factor by the NTSB in its final report on the fatal crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 in Colorado in August 2005. The approach controller handed off the flight to the tower when it was about 10 miles out, but the tower controller's radar display issued an aural alarm to warn of terrain conflict only within five miles of the airport. The discrepancy meant the tower controller was not warned until it was too late. The commercial pilot, who was flying cargo, was attempting a precision instrument approach at about 2 a.m. in instrument meteorological conditions when the airplane collided with terrain about four miles short of the runway.
Report: 2006 A Safe Year For Aviation January 3, 2007 By Mary Grady Around the world, 1,292 people died in plane crashes in 2006, according to the Geneva-based Aircraft Crashes Record Office (ACRO). That was the lowest total since 1963, and a drop of 11 percent from the year before. The group keeps track of crashes involving commercial airplanes that seat at least six people, plus the crew. About one-third of the accidents occurred in North America, with 45 accidents in the U.S., according to ACRO, and about three-quarters of the crashes involved piston-powered aircraft. Among airliners, two Airbus jets crashed, five built by Boeing and 16 Antonovs built in the Ukraine.
Iceland Air Traffic Controllers Protest Privatization January 3, 2007 By Mary Grady With the new year, the administration of Iceland's air traffic control system shifted to a new public corporation, Flugstodir ohf, and controllers are apparently not happy about the change, which affects salaries and pension funds. About 60 of the controllers said they would resign on Jan. 1, which an Iceland Express official said would have "catastrophic" effects on the aviation system. But the two sides have been in talks since Sunday, trying to resolve the issues.
AOPA Sets Agenda For 2007 January 2, 2007 By Mary Grady "We must increase the number of student pilots," says AOPA President Phil Boyer, in setting out his priorities for the coming year. "For our own survival, we must grow the pilot population ... [or] general aviation will become here what it is in much of the rest of the world -- something enjoyed only by some businesses and the wealthy few," he said. At one time, there were more than 800,000 active pilots in the U.S., but now this number has dropped below 600,000. To encourage more people to start flying, Boyer is asking all pilots to step forward and mentor a newcomer. He also encourages pilots simply to fly more often, which not only keeps skills sharp, but creates more opportunities to bring passengers aloft and introduce them to the benefits of general aviation.
UFO Takes A Look At O'Hare, Retreats January 2, 2007 By Mary Grady If a spaceship were to travel across the vast emptiness of space, enter Earth's atmosphere, and then find itself hovering above the busy ramp at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, can you blame those astronauts for deciding to just turn around and leave, without even stopping to say hello? According to about a dozen United Air Lines workers, including some pilots, that's just what happened one overcast night in November. The observers said they saw a flying elliptical object, dark gray and about 20 feet across, that hovered about 1,000 feet or so above the airport for several minutes about 4:30 p.m. They told their story to the FAA and the airline, who kept it quiet until a Chicago Tribune reporter got a whiff recently and started asking questions. The FAA at first denied any knowledge of the event, but after the Tribune filed a request for documents a record of a telephone call from a United supervisor surfaced.
AVweb Audio News December 31, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with NORAD; Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; and Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton. In today's news summary, hear about how two shops in the Southwest are refusing to work on airplanes that are more than 18 years old, the FAA's ban on "commercial" radios endangers safety, the Wright Experience's quest to replicate the Wright Military Flyer, Ballistic Recovery Systems' turnaround year, the FAA's push to roll out ADS-B throughout the entire U.S. and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
The Pilot's Lounge #108: For 2007 -- Would You Fly In The Backseat With You? It's a valid question: Do you trust your flying enough that, if you were
with someone else flying that way, you wouldn't be uncomfortable? Honest pilots know they can't stay safe unless they stay current, and Rick Durden's New Year's resolutions reflect that.
2006 Year In Review Brisk sales, new airplanes, no hurricanes -- despite troubles in the
towers, some tragic flights, and worries about the future, overall a pretty good year for general aviation. Here's our year-end review of the news.
Capstone Goes Mainstream December 31, 2006 By Russ Niles Lessons learned in the wilds of Alaska may soon be applied at an airport near you. The FAA has announced that the experimental Capstone program, which implemented automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) service in some of the most challenging flying environments on earth, will be rolled into the national program to exploit the technology in the Lower 48. But the FAA says Alaskans need not fear the advances in safety and convenience they’ve pioneered will be somehow diluted as they join the national effort. In a Dec. 22 news release, the FAA promises that combining the programs “will advance the national ADS-B deployment while it accelerates safety improvements in Alaska.”
LSAs Help BRS Back Into The Black December 31, 2006 By Russ Niles Ballistic Recovery Systems increased sales by 13.3 percent in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 and recorded a small profit of about $45,000. And while that might not seem much for a company that sold almost $10 million worth of airframe parachutes last year, it’s a major improvement over the $1.76 million loss it recorded in the previous year. "We are pleased with our fourth quarter and full year performance as well as our ability to achieve consistent growth in revenue and a return to profitability,” said CEO Larry Williams in a news release. Fueling that growth was a 47-percent increase in sales to the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) sector.
Hanging Around With The Wrights December 31, 2006 By Russ Niles Although the big anniversary associated with the Wright brothers has passed, a potentially more significant milestone in the development of practical aircraft comes up in 2009. That’s when the Wrights sold a wary U.S. military its first aircraft. The original Wright Military Flyer is hanging from the ceiling of the National Air and Space Museum. Significant though it might be, however, that’s not the airplane Ken Hyde and his crew from The Wright Experience want to replicate. The 1909 plane was an evolution of a 1908 aircraft that crashed during a demonstration flight for the Army and has the same engine. It’s an important link to the 1908 aircraft and one that Hyde wants to get right. After erecting scaffolding and lighting inside the museum, Hyde’s engine expert Greg Cone was allowed to measure the parts inside the engine after its cover was removed by museum staff. It was the first time the cover had been removed since the Signal Corps transferred the aircraft to the Smithsonian in 1911.
Angel Flight Flap December 31, 2006 By Russ Niles Angel Flight Georgia (AFGA) has won a court battle for exclusive use of the name Angel Flight in the Southeast after a judge ruled that Florida-based Angel Flight Southeast (AFSE), which is not affiliated with the Georgia group, had not only inappropriately taken the name but had exploited the confusion that resulted from having two similarly named volunteer pilot organizations operating in the same general area. In his Nov. 20 ruling, U.S. District Judge Jack Camp says AFSE siphoned donation money away from AFGA by contacting known supporters of AFGA (gleaned from an AFGA pamphlet) and asking for donations without drawing a distinction between the two groups. “The record evidences that AFSE has intended for the public to be confused and to benefit from that confusion,” Camp wrote. “AFSE contacted AFGA donors that AFSE would not have normally contacted due to the donors’ size and location, except that they were known AFGA donors who could be expected to donate to 'Angel Flight.'” Neither AFGA nor AFSE officials returned AVweb's phone and e-mail messages requesting comment.
Unconscious Pilot, Passenger Pulled From Plane December 31, 2006 By Russ Niles A Cincinnati couple is in an Indianapolis hospital after apparently being overcome by exhaust fumes while taxiing their aircraft at Delaware County Airport in Muncie, Ind., on Wednesday. Thomas and Marilyn Kroll were pulled from their aircraft by another pilot after the airplane was seen taxiing off the edge of the pavement. Gene Marlin was also taxiing nearby and pulled up beside the Krolls' plane to see what was going on. "Whenever I got there, the line-boy had the door open but the gentlemen and the lady were still in the airplane and the airplane was running," Marlin told Indianapolis television station WTHR. "I just shut the engine off and pulled the people from the airplane out." As AVweb reported in November, the FAA issued a safety bulletin reminding mechanics to be especially careful in checking exhaust systems and heat exchangers as the cold weather approached.
Where Will The PiperJet Be Built? December 31, 2006 By Russ Niles The hot topic in political circles around Vero Beach, Fla., these days is the future of its largest manufacturer, Piper Aircraft, and it appears some local officials are ready to use taxpayers' money to ensure that the company's latest project -- the PiperJet -- is built there. A proposal is being floated that would involve Indian River County becoming Piper's benevolent landlord. "I'd like to see them build the jet here in Indian River County," County Commission Chairman Gary Wheeler told Scripps News Service on Thursday. "I'd like to see something worked out where the county buys the land and leases it back for $1." On Dec. 20, Piper CFO Michael Kelley wrote Vero Beach City Manager Jim Gabbard to let him know Piper had hired a Boston consultant to scout potential locations for the jet plant. Among the options consultant BDO Siedman has been told to consider is an expansion of the existing facilities at Vero Beach.
Direct-To Avionics Closes Its Doors? December 31, 2006 By Marc Cook Direct-To Avionics has reportedly ceased operations as of late last month, leaving potentially dozens of kitbuilders without equipment or immediate support for experimental versions of the Chelton EFIS. Chelton sold experimental versions of its EFIS systems to dealers exclusively through Direct-To. While some builders claim to have paid for components that have not been delivered, Chelton’s official release said, “Chelton has received various inquiries from persons who have alleged that they were told by D2A [Direct-To Avionics] that parts for which they claimed to have paid D2A were ‘back ordered.’ Chelton currently has no purchase orders from D2A and there are no ‘back orders’ to be filled. Chelton has also suspended taking any further purchase orders from D2A and has suspended D2A's status as an authorized distributor."
AVweb Fund To Help Rebuild Embry-Riddle Fleet December 29, 2006 AVweb has set up a "Rebuild the Fleet Fund" to help Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach, Fla. campus get back in the air following a direct hit from two devastating F2 tornadoes on Christmas day. University President John Johnson estimates that the Daytona Beach campus suffered between $50 million and $60 million in damage, $11 million of which is from the 40 airplanes that were destroyed and another 10 that were damaged. We've been assured that any donations to Embry-Riddle will be devoted to the flight line, and to help students continue their training. Contributions will be allocated to meet the school's significant insurance deductible, we're told, but also to help defray the cost of flying in leased replacements and to reduce losses by fixing repairable damage. The bottom line is that AVweb wants to support any mission that helps build tomorrow's pilots, so we consider a donation as an investment in the future.
To kick-start the "Rebuild the Fleet Fund," AVweb's parent company, Belvoir Media Group, is contributing $1,000. AVweb subscribers will soon be able to donate online to the fund, but for now those wishing to help can send checks to:
The AVweb Rebuild The Fleet Fund
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Office of Development
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Attn.: Jamie Belongia
NATCA: Radio Ban Threatens Safety December 29, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter According to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the FAA's decision in early September to ban "commercial" AM/FM radios and cellphones from ATC facilities placed Daytona Beach Airport (Fla.) controllers -- as well the crew and passengers aboard a landing Comair regional jet -- in "extreme danger" last Monday. One of the two tornadoes that ripped apart Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's on-airport campus came within 150 yards of the ATC tower on Christmas afternoon, and without an emergency weather radio the six controllers in the facility had no forewarning, NATCA said. FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen confirmed that the agency in September banned, and removed, "commercial" radios in ATC facilities because "most were tuned to music stations during tours by FAA officials, which is a distraction to on-duty controllers." She also verified the cellphone ban.
The planets aligned for the general aviation industry in 2006 with growth in sales of corporate aircraft roughly matching the bottom lines of the people who buy the airplanes. What with Cessna taking on Gulfstream and Gulfstream taking on Boeing for the top end of the market, is there any end in sight for the GA boom? The Teal Group's Richard Aboulafia recently spoke with AVweb about a very prosperous year for aviation companies and how the future looks.
Everyone knows Honda is building a jet -- but at the same time, they're building an engine, along with some help from General Electric. Although few (even in the industry) know it, Honda isn't exactly a newcomer to the jet engine business, having begun work on the HF118 that will power the HondaJet some 20 years ago. And that experience is why GE thinks the HF118 will sail through its certification paces. In this podcast from Aviation Consumer, you'll hear the Honda story from GE's Mark Wagoner and Rick Kennedy.
New to podcasts and audio news? You don't need an iPod (or any other special equipment) to listen! Our podcast is a simple .mp3 audio file. To listen, just click through to the podcast download page, then click on "download this podcast" link (by the orange POD logo) and play the file in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, or any other desktop audio player. (The file may take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection speed.)
The Fight For Mars December 28, 2006 By Glenn Pew Built in Baltimore in the early 1940s, the last two remaining four-engine Martin Mars seaplanes, now owned by TimberWest of Vancouver, British Columbia, are up for sale -- but the owners may be among a local minority that would like to see the aircraft go. And so it is that while the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum seeks your support for a fundraising effort to "bring one home," governments of more combustible provinces in Canada have maneuvered to seek funds to retain the immense and unique water bombers. The fully operational Martin Mars airplanes can each carry 60,000 pounds of water, and that puts them in a very elite (and hard to replace) class of water-hauling aircraft. But at 65 years of age, their abilities may not be the only thing that's hard to replace.
Quiz #115: Beyond Fixed Wing We've taken it on the chin for not quizzing much outside the fixed-wing realm. The Brainteaser's response: "You can fly without fixed wings -- who knew?" See what you knew about things that go whump-whump-whump in the night.
AVweb Audio News December 27, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with NORAD's Stacia Reddish on its Santa tracking project. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; and Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue. In Monday's news summary, hear about the Goldman Sachs/Onex deal to buy Raytheon Aircraft for $3.3 billion, Loran making a resurgence in the UK as a GPS backup, a truly personal jet called Jet-Man, Pratt & Whitney Canada's plans to build more fuel-efficient turbofans and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Industry To Focus On New Pilot Starts December 27, 2006 By Mary Grady Despite the interest in sport-pilot training, the number of pilots in the U.S. has been steadily declining for the last 20 years, and that has repercussions through all of aviation, The Wichita Eagle reported on Wednesday. Manufacturers worry that the market for their aircraft won't be there in the future. Airlines and other operators worry that they won't be able to find qualified pilots. And with thousands of very light jets expected to join the fleet in the next few years, the demand for professional pilots will likely grow. The trend has not gone unnoticed. AOPA, for example, has recently refocused its efforts on Project Pilot, which recruits current pilots to act as mentors to new students.
Sportsplanes.com Expands LSA Training Network December 27, 2006 By Mary Grady As the sport aircraft sector has ramped up in the last couple of years, one concern has been getting enough qualified instructors and sport aircraft at airports around the country to train eager new students. One company working on a solution is Sportsplanes.com, which has created a network of Sport Aircraft Regional Centers. On Wednesday, CEO Josh Foss said Leading Edge Aviation, of Rutherfordton, N.C., is the latest addition to that network. "It was a perfect fit with our plans for expansion," said Greg Turner, manager of Leading Edge.
New Injector Tested For Hypersonic Engine December 27, 2006 By Mary Grady A team of engineers in Maryland has developed a scramjet engine design that they say solves the problem of how to mix fuel efficiently in an aircraft that might be traveling as fast as Mach 25 (that's not a typo). Faculty members from the University of Maryland teamed with Astrox Corp. to develop the combustor design. Astrox President Ajay Kothari said the engine is shaped like a funnel, with air entering through a circular opening, which develops more thrust and less heating than a rectangular scramjet engine. Kothari and the research team designed an injector resembling a small aerodynamic wing, which enters the engine at an angle in the same direction the air is flowing. Fuel is injected just at the wake where the air, which is moving at supersonic speeds, crosses the injector. The novel design provides both strong thrust and good mixing.
DOT Blocks Virgin America Launch December 27, 2006 By Mary Grady Virgin America's application to operate in the U.S. was tentatively denied Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Virgin America would have to demonstrate that it is independent of the Virgin Group and other non-U.S. citizens, and that the president of the company and at least two-thirds of the board of directors are U.S. citizens, before it can receive an operating certificate, the DOT said. Just last week, Virgin America said it passed a comprehensive FAA review and all it needed to start operations was the OK from the DOT.
Pilot Convicted In Alaska "Air Rage" Incident December 27, 2006 By Mary Grady A pilot in Alaska endangered hunters, guides and another pilot when he harassed them with his Super Cub, a jury decided last week. Edward Lamb, 38, a hunting guide, was found guilty of assault for the aerial attacks, the Anchorage Daily News reported. In one incident, Lamb buzzed a competing guide who was scouting in a meadow with two clients, forcing them to run for cover in the trees. Another time, Lamb circled above as another pilot was trying to take off from a lake after picking up the competitor. Lamb told the Daily News that the issue is complicated and he is innocent. The competitor was working in area traditionally used by Lamb, according to The Associated Press.
Skyhawks Selling In Europe December 27, 2006 By Mary Grady The venerable Cessna 172 Skyhawk faces a lot of competition these days for spots on the flight school lines where it once dominated. But four European flight schools are upgrading their aircraft fleets with new Skyhawks, Cessna said last week. Flight schools in Romania, Italy, Spain and Germany have ordered a total of 22 new Skyhawks, four of them with G1000 glass cockpits. "The Skyhawk combines safe and economical operation with the best avionics on the market," said Pana Poulios, regional sales manager for Cessna.
Feedback Wanted: CermiNil and Nickel Carbide Cylinder Treatments December 27, 2006 Our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, is conducting a research project on customer experiences with ECI's CermiNil cylinder plating process. If you have experience with this product and would like to participate, drop an e-mail to aviationeditorial@comcast.net and we'll send a questionnaire your way.
Able Flight Awards First Two Scholarships December 27, 2006 By Mary Grady A new scholarship program that helps people with disabilities learn to fly gave away its first two awards last week in Atlanta. Able Flight chose Brad Jones and Stephany Glassing to take part in an intensive and demanding flight-training program. "Able Flight's goal is to challenge its scholarship winners so that their own achievements will help them become more self-reliant and confident in their abilities,” said Executive Director Charles Stites. Jones, 22, was paralyzed in an automobile accident last summer. Glassing was also injured in an auto accident, 22 years ago, when she was a teenager. "Being in a chair instantaneously makes everyday life and events challenging," said Jones. "The challenge of learning to fly will be a difficult one, but upon successfully completing the training, will bring a renewed sense that anything is possible, no matter what other challenges life might have for me in the future."
New York Pilots Caught In Restricted Airspace December 27, 2006 By Mary Grady Pilots flying above New York City are getting sloppier, according to an analysis by the New York Post based on FAA data. Incidents of pilots flying into restricted airspace in the area in the last year increased 42 percent over the year before, according to the Post. Violations included flying into temporary restricted areas over Yankee and Shea Stadiums during games, and flying into airspace restricted during visits by President Bush, the Post said. Private pilots weren't the only violators -- on Sept. 18 jets were scrambled when a State Police helicopter violated a presidential TFR.
Motor Head #17: All I Want for Christmas... AVweb's Marc Cook doesn't believe in fairy tales -- he knows he can't get turbine power and reliability at piston prices and fuel consumption, for instance -- but he does want Santa to give him a few nice improvements to his engine.
AVweb Audio News December 23, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with NORAD's Stacia Reddish on its Santa tracking project. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Bill Lear, Jr.; NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; and Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue. In today's news summary, hear about the Goldman Sachs/Onex deal to buy Raytheon Aircraft for $3.3 billion, Loran making a resurgence in the UK as a GPS backup, a truly personal jet called Jet-Man, Pratt & Whitney Canada's plans to build more fuel-efficient turbofans and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
The Ultimate Personal Jet? December 23, 2006 By Russ Niles While it may not be exactly what more traditional aircraft makers have in mind for the term, it would be hard to argue the definition with Yves Rossy. The 47-year-old adventurer, who made headlines two years ago by gliding across the English Channel with a pair of strap-on wings, has taken the natural evolution of that feat and added power -- and plenty of it -- to his birdman exploits. For the past couple of years he’s been tinkering with model jet engines and earlier this year felt ready to demonstrate their remarkable effectiveness with the fold-out, strap-on wings that he’d developed earlier and produced a pretty interesting video of his exploits.
Runway Closure An Improvement? December 23, 2006 By Russ Niles Officials in Hickory, N.C., say one way to improve the Hickory Airport would be to close a 4,400-foot runway. The runway, which sees only 6 percent of the airport’s traffic, will need a $2.3 million paving job in a few years and that got the creative thinkers at city hall pondering its fate. Tearing up the asphalt and relying entirely on the 6,400-foot main runway would pave the way for more hangars and commercial development, they reason. “This is an opportunity to have more planes and more activity at the airport that will make it more self-sufficient in the long term,” Assistant City Manager Tom Carr told the Hickory Record.
Will That Be One Hump Or Two? December 23, 2006 By Russ Niles The maintenance supervisor for Turkish Airlines lost his job, but it was a camel that paid the ultimate price for a maintenance crew’s jubilation over the retirement of a particularly troublesome aircraft. As is customary during times of great joy in Turkey, the maintenance crew was so happy to be rid of the Avro RJ100 aircraft the airline had leased for the past 13 years that they decided to kill a camel -- on the tarmac at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport. According to The Associated Press, newspapers carried photos of the joyous event, which is apparently in step with the tradition in Turkey of sacrificing an animal to God when wishes come true. Well quaint though it might be, Turkish officials thought the ritual slaughter was a little too old-fashioned for a country that’s trying to get in step with more modern practices as it tries to join the European Union. So Turkish Airline officials called for chief mechanic Sukru Can’s head (figuratively, of course).
Seattle’s Big Blow A Matter Of Perception December 23, 2006 By Russ Niles While a union spokesman described a “state of panic” in air traffic control facilities in Seattle Dec. 15 during a record storm that interrupted power, the FAA was patting itself on the back for a system that functioned “almost uninterrupted thanks to ingenious coast-to-coast ATO teamwork and a new organization-wide contingency plan.” These notably divergent points of view grew from the system’s experience with one of the worst storms ever to blow through the Pacific Northwest. When power went out to the Seattle terminal radar approach control center (TRACON), an emergency generator kicked in as planned. But the generator failed 16 hours later, leaving the TRACON on battery power. Before the batteries faded, the decision was made to move TRACON controllers to the Sea-Tac tower and an air route traffic control center (ARTCC) 25 miles away. According to local rep for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association Dan Olson, that’s where things fell apart.
Obstruction Light Focus Of Crash Probe December 23, 2006 By Russ Niles The NTSB is looking into the role a reportedly unreliable obstruction light played in the crash of a Cessna 210 at Lee Airport in Edgewater, Md., on Dec. 9. According to the NTSB preliminary report, witnesses who arrived on the scene shortly after the crash reported that the light was not illuminated and a pilot who landed there three days earlier had also reported the light wasn’t on. However, tests conducted by the NTSB the day after the crash showed the light was in proper operating condition, and “when power was applied to the switch, the light illuminated.” The light is about 30 feet below the tops of 130-foot trees and 560 feet from the runway. The 210 hit those trees about 15 feet from the light before cartwheeling to the ground, killing the pilot and part owner of the aircraft, Timothy Kramer, and his passenger Deborah Giant.
Britain Eyes "New" Loran December 23, 2006 By Russ Niles Even though you likely turn it on only to see if it still lights up, it might be premature to throw out that old Loran taking up space on your panel. What’s old is new again as Britain is considering revamping the venerable ground-based radio navigation system as a backup for GPS. And, according to a report in FCW.com, the U.S. is looking at a similar system to ensure precision navigation is available if GPS signals suddenly become unavailable because of jamming or other causes. Whether your current gear will work on the so-called eLoran (the "e" is for extended range) is not clear in the reports.
When Santa Flies, Satellites Will Be Watching December 22, 2006 By Mary Grady Starting at 2 a.m. Mountain Time on Sunday, Christmas Eve, visitors to NORAD's Web site will be able to track Santa's progress around the world online. NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, has been offering the Santa-tracking updates for over 50 years. Four high-tech systems are used to do the job -- radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft, the site says. Originally a phone-in service, with updates mainly heard via news shows and radio, the Web site has been tracking Santa online since 1998. Last year, the site got over 900 million hits. Other options are available, too. Google Earth uses its satellite imagery to capture activity on the runway at the North Pole, and Flight Explorer is watching Santa's flight plans and practice flights.
FSS: Lockheed's Graduating Class December 22, 2006 By Glenn Pew Lockheed Martin recently graduated 46 Flight Service Specialists from its Flight Service Academy in Prescott Valley, Ariz. The class includes U.S. Air Force veteran John Lockheed, great grandson of company founder Allan Loughead. Together with the group, Lockheed will have experienced 10 weeks of academic classes that present "pre-requisite core knowledge, including meteorology and basic navigation." The classes and graduation will be followed by deployment -- the students will be sent to actual Flight Service Stations to receive on-the-job training with an end goal of certification as Lockheed-employed Flight Service Specialists. Presumably the move brings Lockheed Martin closer to its own stated goal for FSS.
P&WC Takes Aim On Light Turbines December 22, 2006 By Glenn Pew Lighter, more fuel-efficient gas-turbine engines are $1.5 billion closer to reality, or at least closer to creating some 1,500 jobs at Pratt & Whitney Canada's facilities and its network of suppliers. The company is investing its own money (and the equivalent of $350 million from the Canadian government) in what company President Alain Bellemare told CBC News is "the most important commitment made by [Pratt & Whitney Canada] in its history." Company facilities at Longueuil and Mississauga, Ont., will bear the brunt of research and development while Pratt & Whitney Canada itself bears the brunt of rhetoric from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
In the spirit of the holidays, AVweb got the skinny on the fat guy in the big red suit from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which for the past 51 years has been tracking Santa on his 'round-the-world-trip on Christmas Eve. We talked with NORAD Tracks Santa Project Officer Major Stacia Reddish to find out how the defense group got into the Santa-tracking business and how it performs this unique mission.
New to podcasts and audio news? You don't need an iPod (or any other special equipment) to listen! Our podcast is a simple .mp3 audio file. To listen, just click on the "download this podcast" link and play the file in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, or any other desktop audio player. (The file may take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection speed.)
The Savvy Aviator #39: Temperamental Ignition The multi-probe digital engine monitor indicated that something wasn't right with the left engine of my Cessna Turbo 310, but it took some head scratching before I figured out exactly what the problem was.
AVweb Audio News December 20, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Bill Lear Jr. on light jet progress. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; and Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue. In Monday's news summary, hear about the DOT Inspector General is starting an audit to determine who is using U.S. airspace, Diamond Aircraft's possible foray into a high-performance piston single, the FAA's use of crushable concrete for runway arresting systems and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Is New Piper Ready For A Move? December 20, 2006 By Mary Grady A story in TCPalm.com on Wednesday said local officials are concerned that New Piper Aircraft might be weighing offers to move out of Vero Beach, Fla. "We've all heard the rumors, and at this point it's time to get a hold of [New Piper CEO Jim] Bass," County Commission Chairman Gary Wheeler told TCPalm. New Piper spokesman Mark Miller told AVweb on Wednesday afternoon that those concerns have been "blown out of proportion." Officials from other counties in Florida and other states have expressed an interest in wooing the company's PiperJet production facility, he said, but the company is not out there looking for offers. "Would I say we would never leave Florida? No, but we don't have any agenda or mandate to move."
Eclipse Secondary Sales Brisk December 20, 2006 By Russ Niles Although Eclipse Aviation has yet to actually deliver an airplane, there are dozens of Eclipse 500s for sale as the secondary market picks up. And, according to analyst Michael Press, Eclipse itself is dabbling in the market, selling an unconfirmed number of early positions for $1.75 million, well above the $995,000 that Eclipse spokesman Andrew Broom said it would have originally realized on the sale of a so-called Platinum position. Press suggests the Albuquerque, N.M.-based start-up manufacturer might have even undervalued those sales, since the owners of positions No. 3 and 19 are currently asking $1.85 million and getting interest. There are now 39 Eclipse positions listed for sale on Controller.com.
Appeal Of Anti-homebuilding Law Fails December 20, 2006 By Mary Grady When Jacksonville, Fla., passed a city ordinance in June banning the home-based construction of aircraft, it seemed so unfair that it was expected to fail under court scrutiny. But now an appeal to the courts to reverse the ban has been rejected. "Cities have the right to zone based on aesthetic (or noise) considerations," Judge John Moran said in his ruling on the case, according to the Jacksonville Times-Union. While aviation enthusiasts may disagree with the policy, that doesn't mean the city's decision was "arbitrary and capricious," he said. Homebuilder Brian Kraut had challenged the law as unconstitutional. It was imposed after neighbors complained about his working on a Midget Mustang.
AOPA Report Shows Rise In GA Accidents December 20, 2006 By Mary Grady AOPA this week released its annual review of aviation safety, the Nall Report, and this year's edition shows the overall 2005 accident rate increased to 7.2 accidents per 100,000 flight hours, compared with 6.5 the year before. The rate of fatal accidents also increased, from 1.3 to 1.4 per 100,000 flight hours. "While the sky certainly isn't falling, the record that we chalked up in 2005 could stand some improvement," said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. The number of fatal accidents related to weather declined, but the number due to maneuvering flight rose. In response, the ASF will produce a new online course to help improve those pilot skills.
Pilot Charged With Manslaughter After Fatal Crash December 20, 2006 By Mary Grady A 30-year-old man who was flying a 1972 Bellanca Super Viking when it crashed into a lake in northeastern Oklahoma on Saturday night, killing all three passengers, has been charged with three counts of manslaughter. Thomas Brent Caldwell, 30, of Pryor, Okla., apparently never had a pilot certificate and was drinking at the time of the accident, authorities said. Killed in the crash were Mariano Carlos, 15, of Pryor; and Eduardo Robles, 20, and Campos Gonzalez, 33, both from Mexico. Investigators said it appears the engine was not producing power when the airplane hit the water, and the passengers appear to have drowned.
Airplane Crashes Into Sewage Pool December 19, 2006 By Mary Grady On Tuesday morning, officials in Gilroy, Calif., drained a sewage tank that held the wreck of a small airplane. The aircraft was a Beech 95 Travel Air that went missing on Monday afternoon after taking off from Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose with an instructor and two students on board. All three were Japanese, and a Japanese passport was found near the site of the wreck, according to the FAA. The tank is about 20 feet deep and 25 feet in diameter, and took most of the morning to drain to recover the aircraft.
Your New Pilot: H.A.L. December 19, 2006 By Glenn Pew The European Commission (EC) is funding development of a 230-seat pilotless airliner, according to a report this week by Flight International. According to the magazine, the math behind the program forecasts a jet with 10 more seats than its piloted brethren plus design and technology improvements that would allow it to burn 1,500 fewer gallons while also requiring less maintenance. The report does not indicate if those advances would be for some reason unavailable to pilot-included aircraft. The EC's $691 million project aims to produce an aircraft "capable of seamless operations in the proposed Innovative Future Air Traffic System."
More Details Emerge For Diamond's Super Star December 19, 2006 By Glenn Pew Diamond Aircraft's Austrian unit today announced the DA50 Super Star five-place "up to 350 hp" aircraft, offering what it says will be "the most spacious in the new generation of single-engine aircraft in General Aviation." An image of the aircraft shows a DA40-like planform (fixed-gear, low-wing and T-tail), but the horizontal stabilizer sports anhedral tips and on the opposite end, the close-cowled powerplant shows only one front-side opening below the prop -- a fat four-blade MT. The aircraft was "unofficially presented" to attendees at a Diamond Christmas party in Austria. Diamond's North American arm told AVweb they offered no additional comments, but said more information would be forthcoming from its headquarters in Austria.
Pilot Workshop #2: GPS Tips for IFR Flight In this 10 minute workshop, 2004 National CFI of the Year Doug Stewart will provide operational tips to ensure your GPS is your ally. He’ll also point out the common mistakes that can get you in trouble.
AVweb Audio News December 17, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Bill Lear Jr. on light jet progress. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with NATA President Jim Coyne; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; and Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue. In today's news summary, hear about the DOT Inspector General is starting an audit to determine who is using U.S. airspace, Diamond Aircraft's possible foray into a high-performance piston single, the FAA's use of crushable concrete for runway arresting systems and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Another Great Year December 17, 2006 By Russ Niles The aerospace industry had record sales for the third year in a row, according to an analysis by the Aviation Industries Association (AIA). In its annual review of aviation commerce, AIA said total sales were up $14 billion to $184.4 billion, an increase of 8.4 percent over 2005. "It would be hard to overstate aerospace's positive contributions to our national economy, as evidenced by these very strong indicators," said AIA CEO John Douglass. He also noted that the total represented a positive trade balance of more than $52 billion and he said there’s no immediate end in sight.
Fourth New York Airport Eyed December 17, 2006 By Russ Niles The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has set aside $150 million to invest in a fourth major airport to serve the metropolitan area over the next 10 years and the favored location appears to be Stewart International Airport, about 50 miles north of the city. The airport is a former Air Force base and boasts a runway almost 12,000 feet long. It’s currently an Air National Guard base. There is scheduled air service by several airlines (including a shuttle to JFK). But despite these significant attributes, there’s another factor the Port Authority might find hard to ignore. The community seems to actually want the airport.
Aircraft Drown Out Nature? December 17, 2006 By Russ Niles Residents of Pacific Palisades, Calif., are complaining that increased jet and helicopter traffic is affecting their quality of life. A story in the Palisadian Post even suggests a cover-up, of sorts. "I have a neighbor who used to sunbathe nude,” laments one unnamed resident of Marques Knolls. “But she stopped because she felt as if her privacy was violated by all the low-flying airplanes and helicopters.” According to the Post, jet traffic is up 1,400 percent in the last 23 years and helicopter flights now make up 3 percent of the operations in and out of nearby Santa Monica Airport (KSMO) and that’s making it hard to hear the birds and the bees. “The reason that the Palisades is so nice is that you can hear nature,” resident Hal Oliver told the Post. “But all these planes are changing that.”
Grob Jet Program Proceeds December 17, 2006 By Russ Niles Grob Aerospace says European certification of its SPn business jet has been pushed back about six months to early 2008 due to the crash of the second prototype on a demonstration flight in Germany on Nov. 29. The crash -- which occurred near the manufacturer’s Mattsies-Tussenhausen, Germany facility -- killed test pilot Gérard Guillaumaud. While the company awaits the cause of the accident from German authorities, work is proceeding on a new test aircraft, which should be flying in the New Year. In a news release, CEO Niall Oliver said Grob remains committed to developing the $7 million jet and that customers have been “superb” in their understanding and reaction to the tragedy.
Aspen Avionics Fights Eclipse Suit December 17, 2006 By Russ Niles Aspen Avionics founders Peter Lyons and Jeff Bethel say their hazard awareness system retrofit for older aircraft was developed before they went to work for Eclipse Aviation and that invention and non-disclosure forms they signed with Eclipse weren’t valid. According to the Albuquerque Journal, Lyons and Bethel claim -- in a response to Eclipse’s October lawsuit over ownership of the AT300 Hazard Awareness Display -- that they developed the technology in 2001 and 2002, before joining Eclipse in late 2002. Lyons and Bethel also say the only invention and disclosure agreements they signed were during the interview process and not as employees of Eclipse. Eclipse claims the pair created the device and developed their business plan on company time.
Is Diamond Taking On Cirrus, Columbia, Mooney? December 17, 2006 By Russ Niles A report out of Eastern Europe suggests Diamond Aircraft is ready to mix it up in the 200+ knot piston single range. The Ukrainian Web site wing.com.ua is reporting that Diamond intends to build a 350-hp, five-place, fixed-gear airplane that promises to be the “most spacious” of piston aircraft in its class. There’s nothing on the Diamond Web site to confirm this, and the company's North Amertican office in London, Ontario, was closed for the weekend when we called, but the platform suggests an adaptation of the D-Jet configuration, which also has room for five.
FAA's Attempts To Stop Overruns December 15, 2006 By Glenn Pew Brought into the headlines by overruns at acreage-challenged airports like Chicago and Teterboro, the FAA-approved engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) now crowns 21 runways at 16 airports, with four more airports and five runways due for the upgrade in the next year. Teterboro recently had one of the systems installed at the end of 6,015 foot Runway 6 to the tune of $8.5 million (all but $1 million covered by the FAA). That system was unwittingly put to use October 25, when a Challenger made a $15,000 wrong turn (estimated EMAS repair costs) on the way to the terminal. Teterboro Airport's second system will reside at the south end of Runway 18 following the relocation of Redneck Avenue.
Athough you'll get some arguments in some quarters, it's generally accepted that the Lear 23 was the first practical business jet. It's been flying for more than 43 years, and, remarkably, of the 100 Lear 23s made, 45 are still flying. Bill Lear Jr. worked on the project with his father Bill Sr., and he wonders just how much progress the new crop of very light jets represents, in light of the relatively fast, relatively inexpensive, and relatively problem-free development of the 23. Bill Lear Jr. spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles on the history — and the future — of small jets.
In a special bonus interview, AVweb's Glenn Pew (on assignment for our sister publication IFR Magazine) speaks with AOPA Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg. In just over 12 minutes, Landsberg shares a wealth of knowledge on the causes of accidents; flying in inclement weather; and ways you can train yourself to reduce risk — regardless of whether you fly IFR or VFR.
New to podcasts and audio news? You don't need an iPod (or any other special equipment) to listen! Our podcast is a simple .mp3 audio file. To listen, just click on the "download this podcast" link and play the file in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, or any other desktop audio player. (The file may take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection speed.)
Brazil Midair: Police Release Preliminary Report December 14, 2006 By Glenn Pew On Wednesday, a preliminary police report released in Brazil said U.S. pilots Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino could have prevented the Sept. 29 midair that killed 154 people when the Legacy jet they were flying collided with a Gol Airlines 737 if they had noticed their transponder was turned off, according to The Associated Press. The two men returned home to New York on Dec. 9 after being detained by authorities in Brazil for more than two months. According to the police report, the Legacy's transponder was turned off for at least 50 minutes before the crash and turned on two minutes after, but the report does not determine whether the pilots or the instrument itself failed. Police investigators have asked for an extra 30 days before presenting a final report. A judge will then decide whether an indictment and trial will follow.
AVweb Daily News Coverage December 13, 2006 You can now get the latest general aviation news from AVweb -- the world's premier independent aviation news source -- as it happens at AVweb.com. Or sign up for our news feed and have the most recent headlines pushed directly to your RSS-based news reader. Either way, you'll be able to read the same concise, but comprehensive, news stories that you've come to expect from AVweb. And for major breaking general aviation news, AVweb will send out news alerts via e-mail to keep subscribers informed. Don’t worry -- you'll also continue to receive AVwebFlash every Monday and Thursday.
AVweb Audio News December 13, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with NATA President Jim Coyne. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; and Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue. In Monday's news summary, hear about what's next for the Legacy midair pilots now that they're back home, the possible acquisition if Raytheon Aircraft by Onex, safer ATC in Europe, China's proposed GPS system and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
NTSB: Crews Should Check Runway Heading Before Departure December 13, 2006 By Mary Grady When a Comair CRJ-100 crashed in August while trying to depart from the wrong runway at Lexington (Ky.) Airport, killing 49 people, it was one of those error chains that gave pause to many pilots. While most aviators will say that checking the runway heading is part of their pre-takeoff routine, many admit they don't always do it, and many checklists don't include it. Now the NTSB wants that to change, at least for airline crews. In recommendations issued on Tuesday, the safety board asks the FAA to require all Part 121 operators to establish procedures for flight crews to positively confirm and cross-check the airplane's location before crossing the hold-short line for takeoff. The NTSB also wants those operators to provide specific guidance to pilots regarding the runway lighting requirements for takeoff operations at night.
A380 Gets Joint FAA-EASA Certification December 13, 2006 By Mary Grady The world's largest commercial airliner, the 555-seat Airbus A380, received joint European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA Type Certification on Tuesday in a ceremony held at the Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France. FAA Administrator Marion Blakey was there, and said it was "a great day for aviation." It was the first-ever concurrent certification between EASA and FAA, Blakey said. The A380 is also the first aircraft to which 21st century certification standards were applied, according to Airbus. The company said it has 166 orders for the A380, with the first copy due to be delivered to first operator Singapore Airlines next October.
Learjet Loses Part Of Tail, Lands Safely December 13, 2006 By Mary Grady A Learjet 36 was flying off the coast of San Diego on Friday, Dec.1, when it sustained "an in-flight loss of the right elevator," the NTSB says. In its preliminary report, the Safety Board said the flight had departed from the North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego at about 9:30 a.m. On board were an ATP-rated pilot, a commercial-rated second pilot and one passenger. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. "The operator reported that the airplane joined up with another airplane, and was doing a cross-under maneuver," says the report.
FAA: Deactivate Thermawing Deicers December 13, 2006 By Mary Grady Some owners of Columbia aircraft who were looking forward to flying through the winter with heated wings will have to put those plans on ice, at least for now. The FAA says all Thermawing (aka E-Vade) systems on Columbia airplanes must be deactivated and a placard must be installed in the cockpit that clearly says the deicer is offline. The compulsory Airworthiness Directive (AD) follows up on a recent Service Bulletin issued by Kelly Aerospace, which builds the wing deicing system. The deicer, which has been STC'd for some Columbia models, can short circuit if it's not installed correctly, says the FAA, causing possible burning of the wings and horizontal stabilizer, as well as a possible reduction in structural integrity.
Probable Cause #21: No Pulling Over When the tanks run dry, there's no stopping on the side of the road. Yet some pilots are willing to push the limits, even when they had ample warning.
Forget Flying Cars -- Personal Blimp Is Flying Today December 13, 2006 By Mary Grady It might not be the perfect vehicle for everyone -- and its usefulness is yet to be proved -- but for the pilot who yearns to simply launch from the backyard and tool around for fun, the personal hot-air blimp could fit the bill. Dan Nachbar of Amherst, Mass., launched his homebuilt airship for the first time in late October, and recently completed its first 10 hours of test flights. Unlike other hot-air blimps, Nachbar's design has a rigid internal frame. And unlike helium blimps, it can be deflated and stored between flights, without the need for a hangar. The internal frame also can be folded for storage. "Our team's mission has been clear -- to create a unique aircraft capable of quiet, steerable, safe and affordable flight," Nachbar said Tuesday. "We have succeeded beyond our wildest imagination."
WSJ: FAA Likely To Retire Age-60 Rule December 12, 2006 By Mary Grady Citing unnamed sources in government and industry, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the FAA is likely to propose a rule change to raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots to 65 early next year. The report said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey "is crafting the new position slowly but steadily." Pressure for a change has grown since the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently implemented a rule for airline crews that allows one pilot to be over age 60, but not more than 65, as long as the other pilot is under 60. The WSJ also cited a tight labor market and the lack of data to substantiate safety concerns as adding to the impetus for change.
Report: Raytheon Aircraft May Sell For $3 Billion December 12, 2006 By Mary Grady An offer to buy Raytheon Aircraft Company may reach $3 billion, Bloomberg reported on Monday. Citing an unnamed source "with knowledge of the agreement," Bloomberg said Onex Corp., a buyout firm based in Toronto, and Goldman Sachs Group would each acquire stakes of under 50 percent in the company, with the rest being held by the current management team. The deal is expected to be publicly announced by the end of the month. Raytheon Aircraft, based in Wichita, Kan., manufactures the Beechcraft Bonanza G36, Baron G58, King Air series and Premier IA and Hawker 400XP, 850XP and 4000, as well as the T-6A/B military trainer.
End Of The Line For EAA Sport Pilot Tour December 12, 2006 By Glenn Pew The last scheduled event of the EAA's Sport Pilot Tour took place this past weekend at Brown Field in sport-pilot-friendly San Diego and capped a 13-stop run that began in 2005. AVweb was there to collect a summation from industry advocate Dan Johnson, who told us enthusiasm for the category (mostly from an estimated 100,000 pilots nearing or already enjoying their golden years) currently has demand outpacing supply. Deliveries for aircraft ordered today have, for many manufacturers, backed up until next March or April, said Johnson, and the small, local events that often included less than 20 static display aircraft seduced about 500 to 800 enthusiasts per stop.
Click here for a gallery of AVweb photos from the event.
Pelican's Perch #81: It's a Jungle Down There Brazil's courts held two U.S. bizjet pilots for two months without charges, seemingly on the assumption they were at fault for a midair collision with a 737. AVweb's John Deakin has flown into Brazil many times and he thinks otherwise.
AVweb Audio News December 10, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with NATA President Jim Coyne. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; and Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue. In today's news summary, hear about what's next for the Legacy midair pilots now that they're back home, the possible acquisition if Raytheon Aircraft by Onex, safer ATC in Europe, China's proposed GPS system and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Crash Site Landowner Wants More Money December 10, 2006 By Russ Niles The owner of a farm where Comair Flight 5191 crashed has sued the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board over its valuation of the property, which it would need to lengthen the runway that the regional jet mistakenly took off from. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Elkhorn Bend, a limited liability company that owns the 115-acre property off the end of 3,500-foot Runway 26, paid $748,000 for the land in 2005. Now it says it's worth $3.4 million. A certified appraisal commissioned by the airport board pegged the value at $1.75 million last May. Elkhorn Bend filed the suit Nov. 28, saying the county intends to acquire the property through condemnation and the suit is intended to prevent it from paying too little.
Maryland Authorities Consider Airport December 10, 2006 By Russ Niles Cecil County commissioners have voted to keep studying the possible construction of a relatively large county airport on land near I-95. The county has been given an FAA grant to study the feasibility of an airport and gauge public opinion. The commissioners are looking for an airport that can handle corporate jets. Raintree Airport, the existing private facility now serving the county, doesn't cater to bizjets but it is undergoing expansion. The commissioners insist their airport won't compete directly with the private airport.
FAA Top Gun Moves To Private Sector December 10, 2006 By Russ Niles Former FAA Director of Oceanic and Offshore Services David Ford, who led a series of successful initiatives to make airspace more efficient, has joined Rannoch Corporation. Ford recently retired from the FAA after a 31-year career. He led the team that developed the Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP) system that allowed a reduction in lateral separation of transoceanic flights from 300 miles to 100 miles. Ford also helped develop a daily tracking system for transoceanic flights and helped develop airport surface movement monitoring systems using ADS-B and multilateration. At Rannoch, Ford will be the vice president of strategic operations, where he'll manage development and implementation of ADS-B and multilateration gear "to improve air traffic safety, capacity and efficiency for the next generation of air traffic management," according to Rannoch.
China Wants Its Own GPS December 10, 2006 By Russ Niles China is expected to launch two satellites next year that will start its GPS constellation. The Beidou (Compass) satellites will provide coverage for most of China and some neighboring countries before the country launches the remaining 33 satellites to yield worldwide coverage. The plan was confirmed by state-controlled news services last week. The open frequency from the system will give navigational accuracy to 10 meters, with speed accuracy to within 0.2 meters per second and timing accuracy to within 50 nanoseconds. The "authorized" service will be better on all three counts.
Prince Charles Flies "Green" December 10, 2006 By Russ Niles Well, we don't expect to sit beside him while we're putting our shoes back on after security at the airport, but Britain's Prince Charles says he's going to skip the convenience of private transport as his sacrifice to help save the planet. Starting in February (no point in rushing these things), Charles reportedly intends to make more use of commercial airlines, trains and biodiesel-powered cars to commute between his various castles and his princely appointments, rather than hop on a private helicopter or bizjet. A spokesman for the prince says he's determined to "reduce our carbon footprint" and will be taking a variety of measures to lighten his considerable environmental load.
European Skies "Safer," Report Says December 10, 2006 By Russ Niles Air traffic safety has improved dramatically since ATC-related accidents in Milan and Uberlingen, Germany, according a report issued by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol). The group says the average "level of air traffic safety mechanisms" among the 42 countries whose airspace management systems it represents is now 70 percent, up from 55 percent in 2002, while regulators have lagged behind at 65 percent. It seems like an average of extremes, however, since more than 25 percent of European countries achieved scores above 90 percent. It would then follow that the bottom quarter is somewhere below the 50-percent mark. The Eurocontrol release did not give a country-by-country breakdown of the safety levels.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... December 9, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
AVweb's Business AVflash December 9, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly business newsletter, AVwebBiz? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/.
Pierce County Pilots Fighting Rent Increases December 8, 2006 By Russ Niles A hangar tenant at Washington state's Pierce County Airport (Thun Field) is trying to rally local pilots against hangar and tie-down rent increases that he claims are at least immoral and may be unconstitutional. John Prukop, "organizer" of the Thun Field Pilots' Association, says the proposed increase (to $197 a month) was approved at the Nov. 21 meeting of the local county board, only three days after most tenants at the airport received notice. He claims the increase is unjustified because there have been no improvements to the already-substandard hangars (no doors, leaking roofs) and there's no economic justification because the airport is debt free and covering its costs. But what he says particularly rankles him is that the county ordinance wording appears to apply retroactive rate increases for 2004, 2005 and 2006 in a section that says "Pierce County Public Works and Utilities is proposing an increase to the fees representing a 5-percent increase per year for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006."
NATA president Jim Coyne knows Washington, D.C., having served as a Congressman and as an aviation association head for many years. AVweb asked him to clarify the FAA reauthorization debate and give his insight into other aviation-related hot topics on Capitol Hill. Click here to listen.
New to podcasts and audio news? You don't need an iPod (or any other special equipment) to listen! Our podcast is a simple .mp3 audio file. To listen, just click on the "download this podcast" link and play the file in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, or any other desktop audio player. (The file may take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection speed.)
AOPA Takes On New York's Pilot Background Checks December 7, 2006 By Glenn Pew Buttressing its argument with the negative effect on small business and significant logistical obstacles that prevent the law from fully achieving its goals, AOPA has filed a federal lawsuit against New York state's pilot criminal background check requirement. More to the point: "This law is unnecessary, discriminatory, anti-business and ineffective," said AOPA president Phil Boyer, "and it violates the U.S. Constitution." AOPA further argues that because Congress has enacted legislation to create a single system of aviation security regulation to be maintained by the federal government, any state attempt to do so is therefore preempted.
New Articles and Features on AVweb December 6, 2006 Say Again? #70: Speaking Freely AVweb's Don Brown is freed from the confines of the FAA and can speak his mind -- and he's got a lot on his mind, what with massive retirements in ATC, user fees, restructuring and more.
AVweb Audio News December 6, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Eclipse Aviation CEO Vern Raburn. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue; and Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam. In Monday's news summary, hear about how Lexington Airport denies any liability for the Comair crash, the age-60 commission deadlocked on extending the retirement age for airline pilots, rules for maintenance facilities and technicians could get more strict, a bomber that crashed some 62 years ago was unearthed and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash December 6, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... December 6, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
AVweb Now Has Daily GA News Coverage December 6, 2006 You can now get the latest general aviation news from AVweb -- the world's premier independent aviation news source -- as it happens at AVweb.com. Or sign up for our news feed and have the most recent headlines pushed directly to your RSS-based news reader. Either way, you'll be able to read the same concise, but comprehensive, news stories that you've come to expect from AVweb. And for major breaking general aviation news, AVweb will send out news alerts via e-mail to keep subscribers informed. Don’t worry -- you'll also continue to receive AVwebFlash every Monday and Thursday.
Stunning Number Of TFR Violations Since 9/11 December 6, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter According to data obtained from the FAA by AOPA, there have been 6,658 Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) violations between Sept. 11, 2001, and the end of last month. Broken down even further, 1,632 of these infringements are presidential TFR busts and another 3,254 are due to "Washington, D.C. security-related" breaches, AOPA said. Some 2,672 of the Washington violations are related to pilots straying into the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) surrounding the nation's capital. The good news is that Washington ADIZ busts are trending downward, an AOPA spokesman told AVweb. Late last year, the FAA introduced a D.C. ADIZ training course, which might account for the decline in these violations.
Helicopter Departs For Flight Across North And South Poles December 6, 2006 By Mary Grady Two helicopter pilots, Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill, took off from Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday on the first leg of a flight that will take them to both the North and South Poles. If they succeed, it will be a first. The two will fly their Bell 407 helicopter through 34 countries and cover more than 36,000 miles in about six months. From Texas, they will head south to Mexico and South America, and are scheduled to reach the South Pole on Jan. 9. They head back across South America and along the U.S. West Coast to Alaska and Canada, reaching the North Pole on April 13. They plan to return via Russia, Europe and across the North Atlantic, reaching Fort Worth on May 23. You can follow their flight at their Web site, polarfirst.com. The same team attempted a similar flight in 2003, but crashed in Antarctica.
Virgin Atlantic To Test Clean-Air Strategy December 6, 2006 By Mary Grady Virgin Atlantic is making good on recent promises from CEO Richard Branson to cut emissions of carbon dioxide. Driven by intense consumer concern about global warming in the U.K. and the rest of Europe, Branson has committed billions to research for new biofuels, but also said he'd work to cut consumption right away by reducing waste. The airline will carry out tests with its Boeing 747s throughout December at London Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. The idea is to create a holding area for airliners close to the runway that they can be towed to, so they don't use so much fuel taxiing from the gate and then holding on the taxiway. A longer, more detailed trial is then expected to take place in the first quarter of 2007.
More Than Just Runway Repaired At Venice Municipal December 6, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter "This doesn't happen that often," AOPA President Phil Boyer said Tuesday morning at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to reopen a refurbished Runway 13/31 at Venice (Fla.) Municipal Airport. According to FAA Regional Administrator Doug Murphy, the FAA picked up all but $200,000 of the $4 million tab to repair the 5,000-foot runway. "The runway refurb was done with complete cooperation between local, state and federal officials, as well as the airport users," Boyer added. But just a decade ago this cordial relationship between airport and community was nowhere to be found. In fact, the FAA twice cut off federal funding due to spats with previous local leaders. Now Venice Mayor R. Fred Hammett calls the Gulf Coast airport "a lifeline for our community."
Brazil Allowing U.S. Pilots To Return Home December 5, 2006 By Mary Grady The two U.S. pilots who have been held in Rio de Janeiro since a fatal midair collision in September will be allowed to go home, a Brazilian court said on Tuesday. The pilots -- Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, both of New York -- will have their passports returned to them and can leave the country in 72 hours, after being further debriefed by police, the court said. The two must agree to return to Brazil for any further inquiry and judicial action. "Restricting the freedom of movement for foreigners is not backed by the domestic legal system," the court's statement said, according to Reuters. Brazil is still investigating the crash, which was the worst in the country's history.
UND Flight Students Crash In Minnesota December 5, 2006 By Glenn Pew Two teenage freshmen students attending the University of North Dakota (UND) were killed Friday in the crash of a 1971 Cessna 172L not owned by the school. The aircraft departed Crookston Municipal Airport (Minn.) at roughly 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of closed pattern work, which was expected to last an hour, according to a friend (and fellow student) who spoke with the students before the flight. The plane's wreckage was discovered at 1:40 a.m. in a field about one mile southwest of the airport. Lowell Miller, manager of the Crookston airport, told The Associated Press that high winds and sporadic snowfall were present at the time of the flight. Jacob Rueth, 18, was the flight's pilot and a pre-commercial aviation major at UND. FAA records indicate he had been a certificated private pilot since July.
NTSB Investigating First Frax Cirrus Accident December 4, 2006 By AVweb News Team The NTSB has finished its on-scene investigation of a Cirrus SR22 that crashed Thursday night while on approach to Runway 18R at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Killed in the crash of N665CD was George Vrana, the sole-occupant pilot and a partner with accounting firm Ernst & Young. Notably, the event marks the first accident at AirShares Elite, which managed the airplane under its fractional program. According to the NTSB, the Cirrus's recovery parachute and rocket separated from the aircraft, most likely during the impact sequence, yielding no early clue as to whether the pilot tried to deploy the emergency system before the single-engine airplane crashed seven miles from the airport. The Safety Board has examined the airplane's engine and is still interviewing witnesses and gathering ATC communications and radar data. A preliminary report is expected to be issued later this week.
The Pilot's Lounge #107: Penny Foolish, Pound Stupid How can someone spend a lot of money and even more time restoring an old airplane to a glorious work of flying art and then not spend the money it takes to make it safe? AVweb's Rick Durden is shaking his head in The Pilot's Lounge...
AVweb Audio News December 4, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Eclipse Aviation CEO Vern Raburn. Honda v-p Jeffrey Smith, who talked everything HondaJet with AVweb at Honda Aircraft's open house last Monday. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue; and Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam. In today's news summary, hear about how Lexington Airport denies any liability for the Comair crash, the age-60 commission deadlocked on extending the retirement age for airline pilots, rules for maintenance facilities and technicians could get more strict, a bomber that crashed some 62 years ago was unearthed and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash December 4, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... December 4, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
AVweb Now Has Daily GA News Coverage December 4, 2006 You can now get the latest general aviation news from AVweb -- the world's premier independent aviation news source -- as it happens at AVweb.com. Or sign up for our news feed and have the most recent headlines pushed directly to your RSS-based news reader. Either way, you'll be able to read the same concise, but comprehensive, news stories that you've come to expect from AVweb. And for major breaking general aviation news, AVweb will send out news alerts via e-mail to keep subscribers informed. Don’t worry -- you'll also continue to receive AVwebFlash every Monday and Thursday morning.
AVmail: Dec. 4, 2006
AVmail this week about safer, shorter runways, WAAS upgrades, TCAS troubles in Brazil and much more.
AVweb Audio News December 3, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Eclipse Aviation CEO Vern Raburn. Honda v-p Jeffrey Smith, who talked everything HondaJet with AVweb at Honda Aircraft's open house last Monday. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Honda Aircraft's Jeffrey Smith; Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue; and Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam. In today's news summary, hear about how Lexington Airport denies any liability for the Comair crash, the age-60 commission deadlocked on extending the retirement age for airline pilots, rules for maintenance facilities and technicians could get more strict, a bomber that crashed some 62 years ago was unearthed and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash December 3, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... December 3, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Bones Recovered From WWII Bomber Wreck December 3, 2006 By Russ Niles Human remains have been recovered from the wreck of a Halifax bomber that was shot down in Poland in 1944. Ground penetrating radar was used to pinpoint the hulk of the four-engine bomber that was on a secret mission to supply Polish resistance forces. It was brought down by anti-aircraft fire, killing five Canadian and two British crewmembers. "It turned out that there is only a few tons of scrap, but we also found personal belongings, badges, maps, containers with ammo and cardigan pullovers," Piotr Sliwowski, chief historian of the Warsaw Rising Museum told CanWest News. "The most important were, of course, human remnants which gave it another, deeper dimension."
Small Airport Lands Re-Engining Facility December 3, 2006 By Russ Niles Inspiration for all those little airports out there looking for industry to help justify the business case for their existence comes from Three Rivers, Mich. The small community (8,000) has been chosen by the Clifford Development Group and Hov-Aire as the site for facility to install FADEC-controlled Williams FJ44 engines in Citation II aircraft. The mod, which is expected to be STC'd in 2007, boosts performance and range in the older-model Cessnas. The program was announced at the National Business Aviation Association's convention in October.
Barnstable Airport Welcomes Audit December 3, 2006 By Russ Niles The manager of Barnstable Airport in Hyannis, Mass., says he's looking forward to the results of an audit by FAA officials last week. "I think it will help us," said Airport Manager Quincy "Doc" Mosby. "I'm positive that we'll do fine." For whatever reason Barnstable, which is served by a handful of regional airlines flying to Cape Cod and nearby islands, is one of just two airports in the U.S. chosen by the FAA for audit this year, according to the Yarmouthport Register. A lawsuit launched by one of the airport's tenants, Rectrix Aerodrome Centers, over the alleged improper use of airport funds might have something to do with it, but the FAA isn't saying. According to the Register, Rectrix claims it was prevented from selling jet fuel at the airport when regulations that would have permitted the sales were concealed by the airport.
Wagstaff, Diamandis Honored December 3, 2006 By Russ Niles Aerobatic performer and competitor Patty Wagstaff was named the first winner of the Greater Miami Aviation Association's Amelia Earhart Award recognizing outstanding achievement in aviation by women. Another new award, the Neil Armstrong Award for aerospace leaders, went to Peter Diamandis, the CEO of the X Prize Foundation, which sponsored the competition for privately funded space exploration won by SpaceShipOne in 2005. The awards were handed out as part of the association's Wright Brothers Memorial Awards Gala Evening on Nov. 17. "We are the oldest aviation association in the U.S., and we are honoring women in aviation for their contribution through the years for the first time," Association President Oscar Garcia told the Miami Herald.
GAO Recommends NTSB Tighten Up December 1, 2006 By Russ Niles The Government Accountability Office wants the NTSB to tighten up its operation on several fronts while doing more in-depth analysis on transportation safety issues. The GAO recently completed a report on the internal practices of the NTSB and found, essentially, that it was very busy investigating accidents and had not fully implemented so-called "leading management practices" in seven identified functions. The best definition for that process we could find is that functions are codified and written down so that all staff (theoretically) follow the same game plan. At any rate, the NTSB says it agrees it needs to pull up its socks in that area and also that it should do more safety studies when it sees trends developing in accidents. It's done four such studies in the last six years. On the financial side, the GAO says the NTSB's money-losing training center should either be made more effective or closed.
NATA: TEB Town Hall Meeting An "Outstanding Exchange" December 1, 2006 By Glenn Pew A town hall meeting held in Teterboro this week to discuss traffic patterns at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey (the ILS approach takes aircraft directly over Hackensack Hospital) and safety and security concerns was "an outstanding exchange between the members of the community surrounding Teterboro Airport and the airport operators and tenants," according to National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President James K. Coyne. Residents not attuned to aircraft noise, emissions and traffic were introduced to new technologies including Required Navigation Performance and the elimination of circle-to-land approaches aimed at improving safety while also addressing quality-of-life issues for groundlings. Other steps have already been taken to improve airport/community relations.
ATL Class B: Legislation Without Representation? December 1, 2006 By Glenn Pew Atlanta's Class B airspace changed in October through direct final rule action, and EAA Wednesday publicized its discontent with the FAA's choice to exclude general aviation from that rulemaking process. According to EAA, exclusion of affected parties disregards the FAA's own guidelines for "input by those who will be affected by rule changes." The FAA contends that actions were taken to "enhance safety and to prevent significant air traffic delays in the National Airspace System," but EAA made clear its position that such reasoning in this case is not supported by "valid and legal reasoning" and it fears that such action could be used to set a precedent.
Following up on Eclipse's pre-Thanksgiving announcement that there are unavoidable delays in the completion and delivery of the EclipseJet, company CEO and President Vern Raburn joins us for a special 2-part podcast.
In Part 1 (7.3MB / 8 mins.), Raburn answers Eclipse critics with an upbeat eye toward the future of the EclipseJet. Go behind the announcement as Raburn explains that this is all part of the process and provides some insight into what's causing the delays.
In Part 2 (11MB / 12 mins.), Raburn addresses some of the many contributing factors that have caused the delay, including vendor and supplier problems. And if Eclipse jets are going to hit their promised price mark, the company will need to sell an awful lot of them to turn a profit, won't it?
New to podcasts and audio news? You don't need an iPod (or any other special equipment) to listen! Our podcast is a simple .mp3 audio file. To listen, just click on the "download this podcast" link and play the file in QuickTime, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, or any other desktop audio player. (The file may take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection speed.)
Boeing Demonstrates Automated Aerial Refueling Capability November 29, 2006 By Mary Grady Automated flight systems took another step forward in August, when Boeing's Automated Aerial Refueling test program successfully demonstrated for the first time an unmanned air vehicle's ability to autonomously maintain a steady refueling station behind a tanker aircraft, the company said this week. The idea is to develop UAVs that will be able to fly up to a tanker and refuel themselves. "This can enable a quicker response for time-critical targets and will reduce the need for forward-staging refueling areas," said David Riley, manager of the program for Boeing Phantom Works. "Another benefit is increased in-theater military presence with fewer military assets."
Another Chance For Taylorcraft November 29, 2006 By Mary Grady A few weeks ago, Taylorcraft President Harry Ingram, facing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, was told he would have to vacate his hangar at the Brownsville/South Padre Island (Texas) International Airport. A city attorney at the time said "the outcome is inevitable," but that just goes to prove how the future defies prediction. This week, the city and Ingram reached an agreement that will allow the airplane manufacturer to stay. “The opportunity doesn’t happen ordinarily,” City Commissioner Ricardo Longoria Jr. told Ingram, the Brownsville Herald reported. But it happened this time, and that gives Taylorcraft another chance.
Sound-Wave Detector Could Enhance Aviation Safety November 29, 2006 By Mary Grady Ash from volcanic activity can be a real hazard aloft -- over the last 20 years, more than 200 aircraft have reported encounters with ash, and seven lost engine power. Now a new method of sonic detection may help to predict where the ash will occur, so airplanes can have advance warning to avoid the area. Milton Garces of the University of Hawaii has developed a prototype system known as ASHE (Acoustical Surveillance for Hazardous Eruptions). In January, his team deployed the system in Ecuador, and it detected distinctly different infrasound signals between ash-rich eruptions that occurred in July and August and an eruption in May that injected very little ash into the atmosphere.
FAA's Blakey: Better Icing Info Coming Soon November 29, 2006 By Mary Grady General aviation pilots will soon have access to new icing forecasts, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said on Tuesday. The Current Icing Product Severity tool, which has been in testing and development for a few years, will be fully operational in two months or less, she said, in time for much of this icing season. "This product combines observations from satellite, radar, surface, lightning networks and pilot weather reports with model output to provide a detailed, hourly, three-dimensional diagnosis of in-flight icing conditions and potential for super-cooled liquid droplets," Blakey said. Speaking at the Washington, D.C., Aero Club on Tuesday, Blakey also described other weather-enhancement programs in the works.
Quiz #114: Aerodynamically Speaking
When airfoils slam into enough innocent air molecules at just the right speed, lift results. Seems like magic, but there is a little science involved. So let's explore a few basic tenets of aerodynamics.
AVweb Audio News November 29, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Honda v-p Jeffrey Smith, who talked everything HondaJet with AVweb at Honda Aircraft's open house last Monday. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue; Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam; and New Piper CEO Jim Bass. In Monday's news summary, hear about who's bidding for Raytheon Aircraft, another Lycoming crankshaft lawsuit, a smaller turbofan engine that could spawn more personal jets, Project Pilot gift-giving idea and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash November 29, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 29, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Air Tour Final Rule Due Soon, Says EAA November 29, 2006 By Mary Grady When the FAA published its proposed Air Tour Safety rule back in 2003, it was met with just about universal opposition from the aviation community. Comments and hearings went on through 2004, and since then, the FAA has quietly been working on its final version of the rule. EAA has been carefully watching the progress of the rule through the bureaucratic maze, and says it should be published sometime in the next month or so. The FAA is not giving any hints about what to expect. “We usually get some sort of an indication as to what a final rule will look like, but not this time,” says EAA's Earl Lawrence, vice president for industry and regulatory affairs.
Cirrus Design Expands Global Sales, Sets New Record November 29, 2006 By Mary Grady Cirrus Design Corp. hit a new record for aircraft orders in the third quarter, the company announced on Monday. As reported in the General Aviation Manufacturers (GAMA) third-quarter report, Cirrus has sold 529 airplanes so far this year. The company credits the creation of a worldwide sales network for the increase. International orders accounted for 24 percent of all business through October, up from 5 percent in 2002. John Bingham, vice president of sales, says the Cirrus strategy of shipping airplanes overseas for local reassembly is paying off. Cirrus aircraft are distributed from the U.K. for European sales and from Australia for buyers in that country and Asia. “Once again, our factory-direct-to-the-consumer sales model has proven itself," Bingham said. “In 2005, we anticipated a 26-percent increase in overall international sales, and we are on target to make and exceed that goal.”
The Semantics Of "Known Icing Conditions" November 27, 2006 By Glenn Pew AOPA on Monday reported that wording contained in a June 6 letter from the FAA's Eastern Region counsel attempting to clarify the legal interpretation of "known icing conditions," would, if literally applied, "unnecessarily ground many safe general aviation flights" this winter. A sentence in the counsel's letter reads, "Reduced to basic terms, known icing conditions exist when visible moisture or high relative humidity combines with temperatures near or below freezing," and thereby introduces "high relative humidity" as a factor that contributes to structural icing in flight, according to AOPA. Cryogenics aside, the association argues the wording would place anyone flying any aircraft not equipped for known icing in conditions of high relative humidity and temperatures at or near freezing in violation of federal regulations.
Vintage Aircraft Seeking Peace In Phoenix November 27, 2006 By Glenn Pew The potential for a new vintage aircraft museum housed at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport has all but evaporated after Councilman Dave Siebert (the project's main proponent) withdrew the motion from the City Council agenda. Mayor Phil Gordon told Tucson's KVOA news that Siebert withdrew the item to defuse division between veterans and arts groups, which may have squabbled over the source of the funds. Siebert may yet seek alternative methods of funding, including community support through the city's next bond program and/or corporate sponsorship, but the proposed $9 million vintage aircraft museum plan has already been countered by a feasibility study setting the mark at $50 million for a "premiere museum," according to KVOA.
Probable Cause #20: Switching Tanks It's an article of faith that major maintenance work isn't complete until a
full test of all components and systems can be made. Here's why.
Flight To Canada By "Refugee" Raises Security Concerns November 26, 2006 By Mary Grady A Colombian man living in the U.S. was refused permission to enter Canada when he tried to cross the border earlier this month. So he rented a Piper Cherokee in Illinois, flew across the border, landed at Windsor Airport in Ontario and claimed to be a refugee. Officials wouldn't release many details about the case, but said the man was returned to the U.S., according to Canada.com. The incident raised concerns about security. ''The broader question is a very important one,'' said Canadian Senator Colin Kenny, who chairs a committee on national defense. ''What protections are in place in the event the plane was larger and loaded with explosives?"
Insurer Asks Victim's Widow To Pay Court Costs November 26, 2006 By Mary Grady Ellen Dixon, of Brentwood, Calif., survived the helicopter crash that killed her husband, David, at a Livermore air show 11 years ago. She won a lawsuit against the helicopter company -- the pilot had run out of gas -- but there was little money there to collect. She also won a suit against the city, which sponsored the show, but it was overturned on appeal. Now the city's insurance company is demanding that Dixon come up with $41,000 to pay their legal bills -- money that Dixon, who still suffers pain from the injuries she suffered in the crash, doesn't have, reports the Tri-Valley Herald. The only way she could raise it is to sell the house that she bought with her husband, where she still lives.
Give The Gift Of Flight Via Project Pilot November 26, 2006 By Mary Grady Most pilots know somebody who's shown an interest in learning to fly "someday," and you can help bring that day closer with the gift of a Project Pilot introductory flight. AOPA's new learn-to-fly initiative has an online database of over 3,500 flight schools, many offering first flights for $49 to $89. The Web site also has FAQs for beginners, an introductory video, tips for choosing a flight school and an instructor and advice on how to finance training. At the airport, the gift recipient will be shown how to preflight the aircraft, how to taxi and take off and go for a local flight. It’s a gift that’s more memorable than just another gift card or necktie.
Socata And EAA Offer Oshkosh And Paris To College Interns November 26, 2006 By Mary Grady Two North American college students will get a chance to intern at EADS Socata in France next summer, under a new program developed by Socata and EAA. The students, who must be juniors or seniors pursuing an aviation career, will spend five weeks in France. They'll visit several Socata factories and tour the Paris Air Show. Then they’ll spend a week in Oshkosh at the EAA Advanced Air Academy, where they'll act as mentors to the youngsters at the camp and attend AirVenture. The internships, which include transportation and accommodation, will be awarded to one male and one female student.
Personal Jet Engine In Development November 26, 2006 By Russ Niles So-called personal jet manufacturers may soon have another power option for their aircraft. Price Induction, of Tarnos, France, has reportedly test run its DGEN380 turbofan engine, which is designed specifically for aircraft weighing as little as 1,650 lbs. Company President Bernard Etcheparre told AVweb Sunday the engine was run on the bench for the first time three weeks ago. We target a certification type CS-E for the end of 2008, meaning a first flight around the beginning of 2008," Etchebarre said in an email. "But this phase is a complex period and you have to be conscious of the difficulties [in following] this timing." The engine puts out about 600 lbs. of thrust (most current VLJ engines are 1,100 lbs. and up) and weighs just 150 lbs. (dry but including the accessories needed to run it).
Martinsburg Picked For Corporate FBO November 26, 2006 By Russ Niles Arcadia Aviation is building a $20 million corporate aviation center at Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (MRB) in Martinsburg, W. Va., just outside the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) that surrounds Washington, D.C. The company announced last week that it will initially build a 20,000-sq.-ft. hangar and administrative offices, but future plans call for purpose-built facilities that can handle Boeing Business Jets, 757s and other airliners. Arcadia also operates the full-service FBO at the airport. The airport will have no problem accommodating the big iron Arcadia hopes to attract, thanks to the West Virginia Air National Guard.
GAMA Elects Officers November 26, 2006 By Russ Niles John J. Grisik, Executive Vice President of Operational Excellence and Technology at Goodrich Corp., has been elected chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association for 2007. Grisik is vice chairman for 2006 and Cirrus CEO Alan Klapmeier will move into that spot next year. GAMA also announced that it had accepted three new members, including Eclipse Aviation, Sino Swearingen and SMA. Eclipse and Sino Swearingen recently received type certification for their Model 500 and SJ30 jets, and GAMA CEO Pete Bunce said it’s the first time GAMA has simultaneously added two OEMs with freshly certified products to its ranks. SMA is developing diesel light aircraft engines and is based in France.
Point2Point Growing Exponentially November 26, 2006 By Russ Niles A North Dakota air taxi operator that uses Cirrus SR22 aircraft has doubled its business in each of the last two quarters. In an update to city of Bismarck officials, principal John Boehle says he expects to have 100 airplanes (not necessarily all Cirruses) and 134 pilots by 2010. The company started last January and flew about 30,000 miles in the first three months, Boehle told the civic officials (who fronted $1.25 million in public funds for the startup). Business almost doubled to 54,000 miles in the second quarter and it doubled again in the third quarter to 112,000 miles. A 600-mile round-trip flight costs about $500 per seat, according to a report in the Bismarck Tribune.
Identity Theft Unlikely In DOT Laptop Thefts November 26, 2006 By Russ Niles The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) says it’s unlikely that any of the personal information on 9,500 pilots stored in two laptops stolen from its agents earlier this year will be used for identity theft. And in determining that welcome news, the OIG may have helped bust up a laptop-theft ring in Miami. In July, a laptop containing the names, Social Security numbers and other personal information on the pilots was taken from a locked car outside a restaurant in Miami. Three months earlier, another OIG laptop went missing in Orlando. To date, according to the OIG, none of the information has been used to commit fraud. In fact, in the case of the Miami laptop, it’s more likely to have been used on a teenager’s term paper.
Another Lycoming Crankshaft Lawsuit Filed November 26, 2006 By Glenn Pew A separate legal complaint recently filed in Illinois against Lycoming carries similar wording, and may be added to, original suits filed this September (see AVweb's prior coverage) seeking class action status representing owners ill-affected by a series of Lycoming Service Bulletins (SBs) ultimately calling for "early retirement" of nearly 4,000 Lycoming crankshafts within three years. Attorney Robert Mills, who filed the initial suits (two in Philadelphia covering 49 states, and one in California), this weekend told AVweb that six law firms are already working cooperatively on the case and the new filing may seek inclusion, or lead to wrangling for lead attorney status. The case has been stayed and awaits review -- either in January, or more likely March -- by a multi-district litigation panel that will determine its class certification and assignment, or throw it out altogether, Mills said.
AVweb Audio News November 26, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Honda v-p Jeffrey Smith, who talked everything HondaJet with AVweb at Honda Aircraft's open house last Monday. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier; Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton; Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue; Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam; and New Piper CEO Jim Bass. In Today's news summary, hear about who's bidding for Raytheon Aircraft, another Lycoming crankshaft lawsuit, a smaller turbofan engine that could spawn more personal jets, Project Pilot gift-giving idea and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash November 26, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 26, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
FAA OKs Honeywell's New Radar November 22, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA last week approved a new onboard radar system by Honeywell that helps airline pilots detect turbulence and wind shear in the air mass directly ahead of them. The new RDR-4000 radar's patented 3-D scanning technology introduces new capabilities, Honeywell said. It scans ahead of the aircraft from the nose out to 320 nautical miles, and from the ground to 60,000 feet, or more than 1.5 million cubic miles. It includes a unique vertical profile view of weather ahead of the aircraft that can be presented simultaneously with the normal radar view. It suppresses ground clutter and automatically compensates for the curvature of the earth.
Get Your (LoPresti) Fury Going For Christmas November 22, 2006 By Glenn Pew LoPresti Wednesday announced that position holders for its two-place 215-mph-on-10.5-gph cross-country and aerobatic Fury aircraft will now have first dibs on special pricing for the first 60 Furys produced ... but there's a twist. The company says it has the names of 615 individuals who ordered 615 aircraft; however, through years of difficulty in bringing the aircraft to market, some of those names have moved on to new addresses and the company has lost touch. "To fulfill a promise" LoPresti is reaching out to those 615 individuals and will "start taking orders Monday morning." The first 60 from that 615 will secure their aircraft at a reserve price only available to the previous position holders. The company plans to build the aircraft at its yet to be built Belen, N.M., facility (groundbreaking is set for January). But that's not all.
Cessna Beats Out Eclipse In First VLJ Delivery November 22, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter On Wednesday, Cessna delivered the first Citation Mustang very light jet (VLJ) following the receipt of the FAA production certificate for the aircraft’s Independence, Kan. assembly line. The Mustang became the first FAA-certified VLJ on Sept. 8, and this delivery marks another first in the emerging VLJ class. Last month the six-seat, $2.65 million jet received FAA approval for flight into known icing. Cessna said Mustang Management Group (MMG) of Fresno, Calif., took delivery of the first Mustang and will lease back the aircraft for 10 months as a demonstrator. MMG then plans to use the Mustang in its Scott Aviation subsidiary for flight training.
Pilot Workshops #1: Wake Turbulence This week AVweb introduces free online training programs provided by PilotWorkshops.com. The first workshop features Bob Nardiello explaining the causes of wake turbulence and the characteristics of the vortices that are generated.
The Savvy Aviator #38: Aircraft Owners, Keep Out! It's increasingly difficult to find shops that permit owner-assisted annuals and other supervised maintenance-by-owner. That's a pity, but the reasons for it are understandable.
AVweb Audio News November 22, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier, who addresses the rash of fatal accidents in October involving Cirrus pistons. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton, Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue, Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass. In Monday's news summary, hear about how the DOT Inspector General supports aviation user fees, the looming air traffic controller shortage, a call condemning "criminalization" of aviation accidents, Eagle Aircraft bids to open a second FBO at Tallahassee Airport and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash November 22, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 22, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Treaty Notices Mislead Owners, Reports NBAA November 22, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Edward H. Kammerer of law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge say letters or e-mails from a company called International Aircraft Registry (IAR) in Oklahoma City are misleading and can be disregarded. Apparently, the communication from the company informs aircraft owners that they have not registered their aircraft in compliance with the Cape Town Convention, allegedly putting their lien and/or title position at stake. According to NBAA spokesman Dan Hubbard, “NBAA has received reports of mailings sent to Members related to registering aircraft to the Cape Town International Registry (CTIR), an international aircraft registry that went into effect on March 1, 2006. [Those] with ownership or international interests in aircraft assets that have been in place since before the effective date of the CTIR -- March 1, 2006 -- are grandfathered, and therefore are not required to register those assets.”
Raytheon Hawker 4000 Finally Earns Its Wings November 22, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter Better late than never. On Tuesday, Raytheon Aircraft Company said it finally received FAA type certification (TC) for its Hawker 4000 super-midsize business jet. The approval is some five-and-a-half years later than originally planned and couldn’t come at a better time – on May 31 Raytheon missed the FAA’s five-year limit for certification of the Hawker 4000 and had to apply for, and was granted, an extension to December 31. However, the extension also means that the Hawker 4000 must comply with Part 25 amendments adopted between May 31, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2001, notably more restrictive fuel-tank and hydraulic regulations.
Columbia Reshuffles Production Line November 21, 2006 By Mary Grady Out in Oregon, Columbia Aircraft is working to rebalance its production line as it regroups following last June's hailstorm, and the process could result in some workers seeing a cut in hours over the next month or two, Vice President Ron Wright told AVweb on Tuesday. When about 20 percent of the crew was redeployed to repair the 66 airplanes damaged by hail, the production line got out of balance, Wright said. "We ended up with not enough of some parts, and too many of others." With the hail repairs complete, managers have been working to redeploy workers and get back to building five to six aircraft a week, after cutting back to four. But there are limits to that strategy, Wright said, because the workers all have different skills and are not interchangeable.
New AFSS System Faces Growing Pains November 21, 2006 By Mary Grady Despite occasional complaints from pilots about long hold times, Lockheed Martin's new Automated Flight Service Stations are working pretty well overall, according to Program Manager Dan Courain. "At times, when the weather is bad, there have been some long wait times," Courain told AVweb on Tuesday. "We're limited in staffing. We try to offload the calls but sometimes we do get behind." Overall, the average wait time is just 19 seconds, he said, but about 2 percent of callers hang up without getting through. New technology that will come on line early next year should resolve the sporadic back-up issues, Courain said. AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy told AVweb that when pilots do complain, Lockheed Martin has been "very responsive."
Embraer Announces Delivery Forecast November 21, 2006 By Glenn Pew Embraer's market outlook sees demand for 11,115 business jets over the next 10 years. With most pundits predicting boom years ahead for business aviation that figure may come as little surprise, but it's the very light jet (VLJ) market where analysts are most at odds. That said, the company is projecting delivery of 2,715 of its VLJs between 2008 and 2016, and lists current orders at more than 340. The number includes both the six-seat Phenom 100 and the eight-seat Phenom 300.
Cessna Offers Online Ice Training November 19, 2006 By Russ Niles Cessna Caravan operators and pilots who want to beat the rush can register now for an online training package that will likely be mandated by the FAA for those who operate in known icing. The curriculum was developed by Cessna with help from the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association in response to a series of Caravan accidents where icing may have been a factor. Hundreds of Caravans are in use by cargo companies and are exposed to icing conditions almost every day during the icing season.
FAA Chimes In On Ethanol In Fuel November 19, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA has issued a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) explaining the hazards posed to aircraft operation with automotive fuels that contain alcohol. EAA and other aviation groups have been warning about the increased use of ethanol in fuels. The alcohol is a substitute for chemical oxygenates MTBE and ETBE that have been linked to environmental concerns. But while ethanol may be safer for the environment, it’s toxic to airplane engines and the FAA says that if you can’t find alcohol-free mogas for your STC’d aircraft engine, you’ll have to switch back to 100LL.
New FBO For Tallahassee? November 19, 2006 By Russ Niles A Tallahassee firm hopes to become the city airport’s second FBO but, as there always seems to be, there are a few wrinkles to iron out. Eagle Aircraft Group has applied to open fueling and maintenance facilities to compete with Flightline Group, which has operated Tallahassee Regional Airport’s only FBO for decades. However, it appears that before Eagle Aircraft can open its doors, it will need concessions from the company it intends to compete with. Both companies have their eyes on an old FedEx hangar and it will be up to council to decide how the property is used.
AD Process Streamlined On Foreign Notifications November 19, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA says it’s streamlining the process of turning around airworthiness directives from other countries on aircraft that are flying in the U.S. Last week, the agency issued two ADs on TBM 700 aircraft that relate to problems found in France one and two years ago, respectively. France issued an AD in 2005 regarding loose rivets in the tail assembly and, a year earlier, French authorities ordered inspections of a tail attachment fitting after corrosion was found on an aircraft in service. Chances are that the work on U.S.-registered aircraft has already been done because manufacturer EADS Socata issued mandatory service bulletins for both problems, but the catch-up AD from the FAA formalizes the actions prescribed by those MSBs.
Lawyer Urges Release Of Pilots November 19, 2006 By Russ Niles The lawyer for American pilots Joe Lepore and Jan Paladino says a preliminary report into the collision of their Embraer Legacy business jet and a GOL Boeing 737 fails to establish a cause for the accident and it could be 10 months or more before one is established. In news release, Robert Torricella also noted the report clearly shows the pilots held their assigned altitude and did not perform the “stunts” that some Brazilian officials alleged occurred before the collision, which caused the 737 to crash, killing all 154 on board. Torricella also notes that Brazilian Air Force Col. Rufino Antonio Da Silva Ferreira noted that flight plans are not necessarily the final word on determining an aircraft’s flight profile, but he stopped short of explaining that air traffic control guidance supersedes them. The Legacy was assigned 37,000 feet by ATC even though its northwesterly track should have put it at 36,000 feet, which was what the crew had flight planned. It’s still not clear why they were assigned the unusual altitude.
Accident "Criminalization" Prompts Action November 19, 2006 By Russ Niles Some high-profile organizations have issued statements condemning the so-called “criminalization” of aircraft accidents and are calling on the world’s aviation authorities to pull the focus of accident investigations back to cause rather than blame. The protracted confinement and threat of criminal charges against two American pilots over the collision between their Legacy 600 business jet and a Gol Airlines Boeing 737 (the 737 crashed, killing all 154 aboard) in Brazil has prompted the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations and a multinational group of aviation industry organizations from the U.S. and Europe to call on governments to leave criminal proceedings out of accident investigations unless there is evidence of “extremely egregious” behavior (like flying drunk or sabotage). They agree that the threat of prosecution stifles the free flow of information that not only helps establish cause, but also could help prevent future accidents.
Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier isn't one to shy away from the topic of safety. In fact, after a succession of three fatal accidents involving Cirrus airplanes last month, he addressed the topic head-on in a letter recently sent to Cirrus owners and in an interview last week with AVweb at AOPA Expo. Listen to that interview here.
AVweb Audio News November 17, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier, who addresses the rash of fatal accidents in October involving Cirrus pistons. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton, Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue, Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass. In today's news summary, hear about how the DOT Inspector General supports aviation user fees, the looming air traffic controller shortage, a call condemning "criminalization" of aviation accidents, Eagle Aircraft bids to open a second FBO at Tallahassee Airport and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash November 17, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 17, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Probable Cause #19: Fuel And The IFR Pilot A pilot in IMC runs out of options as the fuel needles bounce on empty. When flying IFR, there's never such a thing as too much fuel on board.
FAA Staffing A Factor In Fatal Crashes, Says NATCA November 15, 2006 By Mary Grady Two fatal crashes this year might have been affected by FAA staff changes, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) said yesterday. In one incident, a local radar facility was closed for the night when a twin-engine Beech Baron crashed on approach in Lawrenceville, Ill., last month, killing the pilot. NATCA says local approach controllers should have been guiding the aircraft, but instead the flight was being handled by the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center. An accident in April at the Bloomington, Ind., airport, in which five people aboard a Cessna U206G were killed, also resulted from the reduced quality of air traffic services available to the pilot, NATCA said. FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told AVweb yesterday that the NTSB has not yet determined a probable cause for either of those two accidents. She added that many airports have transferred their approach control radar services over to a center during times of low activity.
Freedom Amphibian LSA Certified November 15, 2006 By Mary Grady The Freedom amphibian, built by Spanish manufacturer Colyaer, was approved last week as a Special Light Sport Aircraft. The airplane, which is built of carbon fiber, Kevlar, Nomex and epoxy, won recognition earlier this year at Sun 'n Fun, where it was named best composite seaplane. It also won a takeoff award, averaging six to eight seconds to skip into the air. Its three-bladed pusher prop is powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912, and its 40-foot wingspan brings a reported 20:1 glide ratio. It's been tested in seas as high as one foot, and the retractable landing gear is designed to tolerate unimproved fields. The FAA's rule against reconfiguring the landing gear in flight remains in force.
New Garmin Autopilot Approved For Mooney Cockpits November 15, 2006 By Mary Grady Mooney's Acclaim, Ovation2 GX and Ovation3 can now be equipped with Garmin's new GFC 700 autopilot, Mooney said this week. The FAA has certified the installation on all three models. The GFC 700 is a three-axis, fully digital, dual-channel, fail-passive Automatic Flight Control System. "The GFC 700 marks the first time single-engine piston pilots will have the option of flying with a completely integrated cockpit -- where all of the elements of the avionics panel are designed to communicate with each other for the purpose of reducing pilot workload and enhancing safety of flight," said David Copeland, Mooney's vice president of sales and marketing.
First Flight: Veterans Airlift Command November 15, 2006 By Mary Grady Wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have many challenges ahead, but finding transportation shouldn't be one of them. That's the view of a new nonprofit group, Veterans Airlift Command (VAC), which is recruiting volunteer pilots and aircraft owners to lend air support to recovering soldiers and their families. The group recently flew its first mission, bringing an injured Marine from Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., to his home in Florida. Walt Fricke, founder and CEO of VAC, called on father and son Billy and Christopher Ball to pilot the first mission. They flew their Cirrus from Jacksonville, Fla., to pick up Cpl. Christopher Brink. The trip home to Florida, which would have required 13 hours and three layovers on commercial flights, took only three hours in the Cirrus.
Thielert Denies Fraud Allegations November 15, 2006 By Mary Grady Thielert, a German company that builds diesel aircraft engines, has rebutted accusations alleging that some of its financial reports were fraudulent. The allegations first surfaced in October, and briefly deflated the company's stock price by 40 percent, Thielert says. At that time, the company said its balance sheets had been approved by auditors and also passed an additional stringent review before its initial public offering. CEO Frank Thielert comments: "We are confident that our good products and excellent market position will enable us to press ahead ... We will do everything in our power to defuse the allegations as quickly as possible."
Rotax Kills V6 Program November 15, 2006 By Mary Grady The new V-6 engine that was promoted at Oshkosh last summer as the REV will be shelved, BRP-Rotax said this week. BRP-Rotax, based in Austria, said it will complete the certification of the engine next month, but then will not proceed with bringing it to market. The company will continue to offer its 912 and 914 models for recreational aircraft. "We have come a long way with the V6 engine and are proud of what we have accomplished," said Gerd Ohrnberger, general manager of BRP-Rotax. "However, when BRP was sold three years ago, management decided to concentrate the company's core activities on powersports products. Today's announcement will ensure that BRP-Rotax's human and financial resources continue to contribute to our company's mainstream activities and its growth."
AVweb Audio News November 15, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton, covering the company's light sport aircraft and next-generation piston family. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue, Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass. In Monday's news summary, hear about how the elections will affect the user-fee push; the FAA takes a hard stand on preserving airports; AOPA Expo sets record attendance in Palm Springs; Foxjet revived after being on the shelf for nearly 30 years; the Aviation Safety Reporting System celebrates 30 years; and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash November 15, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 15, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
AVmail: Nov. 13, 2006
Reader mail this week about PATCO, user fees, Deland tower and skydivers outcome and much more.
New Features This Month November 12, 2006 WHAT'S NEW FOR NOVEMBER
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you diesel engines for new Skyhawks, glass-cockpit flight training devices, an electric folding bike and more.
AVweb Audio News November 12, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton, covering the company's light sport aircraft and next-generation piston family. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue, Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass. In today's news summary, hear about how the elections will affect the user-fee push; the FAA takes a hard stand on preserving airports; AOPA Expo sets record attendance in Palm Springs; Foxjet revived after being on the shelf for nearly 30 years; the Aviation Safety Reporting System celebrates 30 years; and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash November 12, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 12, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Dynasty Makes Public Debut At AOPA Expo November 12, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter With some 1,100 hours of flight testing logged, the Epic Dynasty -- the $1.9 million certified version of the owner-assisted-built Epic LT -- made its first public display last week at AOPA Expo in Palm Springs, Calif. With a high-speed cruise of up to 340 knots and an 1,874-nm NBAA IFR range, Epic said the single-turboprop pressurized Dynasty is very competitive with very light jets. AVweb had the opportunity to conduct a short demo flight of the Dynasty on Saturday at the show, and the airplane appears to be a solid performer.
Tiger On The Ropes? November 12, 2006 By Russ Niles The media around Martinsburg, W. Va., are chronicling the fortunes of Tiger Aircraft and the implication is that the company can't last much longer. According to a story in the Martinsburg Journal, the latest nail in the coffin is that the company owes $115,000 in back taxes. It has, however, paid its lease to the airport through next April for a building that, according to the Journal, houses only two employees at the moment. The company hasn't shipped any airplanes for at least three months and civic politicians are now pondering the potential demise of the company. "You sense it's coming," noted Bob Crawford, executive director of the Berkeley County Development Authority. The Journal says a company employee declined comment. A phone message left by AVweb this weekend was not immediately returned.
Aerostar Aircraft Introduces Newest Model November 12, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter Hayden Lake, Idaho-based Aerostar Aircraft unveiled its latest model, the Aerostar 702P, at AOPA Expo. The company holds the type certificate of the venerable recip twin, but is now only modifying previously manufactured Aerostars to this new model. Aerostar vice president Jim Christy told AVweb at the show that the 702P recently completed extensive FAA flight testing that allows for an increased max takeoff weight of 6,850 pounds, a 2,200-pound useful load and a 6,850-pound max landing weight. To handle the extra loads, Aerostar beefed up the landing gear and brakes on the airplane.
RV-12 Prototype Flies November 12, 2006 By Russ Niles Van's Aircraft's entry in the LSA category had its first flight last Thursday. The mini-RV, which sports many of the characteristics of its larger stablemates (bubble canopy and a big, fat wing), was flown by company founder Dick VanGrunsven, who put it through a variety of speed profiles and basic handling tests. "It’s far too early to make any statements about what the airplane is like or what it will do, or what the performance numbers may eventually be," said Van's Web site. "We can report that when Van taxied in and opened the swing-up canopy, he was grinning."
NTSB Issues Update On Comair Crash November 12, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter Late last week the NTSB said its investigation of Comair Flight 5191 continues to make progress. The board will not hold a public hearing on this investigation, but the public docket is expected to open in January. According to the NTSB, the docket will contain the cockpit voice recorder transcript, flight data recorder information and the other group factual reports, including interviews.
Nexaer Took Low-Altitude Route To Expo November 12, 2006 By Russ Niles One of the first high-tech American-built light sport aircraft (LSA) made the trip to Palm Springs for AOPA Expo on a trailer, but it should be flying freely soon. The Nexaer LS1, with its distinctive swooping fuselage, has flown a couple of hours at home base at Meadow Lake Airport near Peyton, Colo., but its experimental research and development designation with the FAA prevented it from being flown to the show, said spokesman Scott Belliveau. The plane, which is surprisingly large for an LSA, made its first flight in October but then the emphasis switched to getting it painted and in show condition in time for Expo, Belliveau said. The aircraft is only being flown a few feet above the runway at first to assess its flying qualities and the FAA restrictions will keep it within a few miles of Meadow Lake when it does put some air under its wings.
Aviation Safety Reporting System Turns 30 November 12, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), which is widely used by pilots and other airline employees to identify potential safety hazards, last week marked its 30-year anniversary. Established under a memorandum of understanding between NASA and the FAA, the system collects, analyzes and responds to voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident reports to reduce aviation accidents and improve safety. The confidential reports are also used to identify deficiencies and discrepancies in the National Aviation System that need to be remedied.
Foxjet Revived After Nearly 30 Years November 12, 2006 By Russ Niles The project that started the very light jet movement almost 30 years ago might be revived in a modern form. Millennium Aerospace earlier this year purchased the rights to manufacture the rakish little jet that Tony Fox predicted would revolutionize air travel when he introduced it in 1977. Although there are plenty of opinions about why the project never progressed beyond the mockup stage (it still hasn't), Fox says it was just too far ahead of its time. His plan was to use modified cruise missile engines from Williams International (sound familiar?) but the federal government wasn't keen on having the technology released to the public at that time and there were no suitable substitutes. Fox, now 85 and promoting his latest invention, talking garbage cans for fast food restaurants, said times have changed and the world is ready for his jet, even though he considers himself too old to take it the rest of the way. "I just want to see it take off," he told AVweb last week at AOPA Expo.
(Almost) "Live" from Palm Springs: AOPA Expo 2006 Photo Gallery, Day Two November 11, 2006 By Russ Niles AVweb staffers managed to see quite a bit at the AOPA Expo on Friday — and in between press conferences and tire-kicking, we even managed to snap a few photos. Sample the sights of the AOPA Expo without ever leaving your computer chair, in our Day Two Gallery.
Diesels for Cessnas November 10, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter At AOPA Expo, both Thielert Aircraft Engines and SMA are promoting their diesel engines for light general aviation airplanes as efficient and greener alternatives to avgas-fueled powerplants. On Thursday, Thielert said Van Bortel Aircraft in Arlington, Va., will install the Centurion 1.7 diesel aircraft engines in brand-new Cessna 172 Skyhawks, which Bortel will then resell worldwide. Van Bortel has already retrofitted several Skyhawks, one of which is at the static display at the show in Palm Springs, Calif. Meanwhile, SMA said it recently delivered 18 of its SR305-230 diesel engines to U.S. distributors for installation in Cessna 182Q/R models. SMA received an STC for the re-engine modification in late July.
Microsoft Flight Sim as Learning Tool? November 10, 2006 By Russ Niles Can a video game (albeit a pretty sophisticated video game) make you a better pilot? Bruce Williams thinks so and he's written the book on the subject, called Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid. Williams, a 30-year pilot and instructor who was also the business development director for Microsoft Flight Simulator, told a news conference at AOPA Expo that the software package can be a powerful training tool if it's used to focus on specific topics in a logical order. "Using the parts is better than trying to use the whole," he said. Williams said the tendency is to try and create a complete flying experience with the simulator when it's greatest training strengths lie in the details. In addition to the written word, Williams has included a CD with hundreds of "practice flights" which teach a specific skill or range of knowledge. For instance, one lesson focuses on VOR navigation with specific tasks to accomplish.
VFLITE Series Takes Training to a Higher Plane November 10, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter Pegasus Interactive is at AOPA Expo touting new additions to its VFLITE series of aviation training software for PCs, including the Weight & Balance Visualizer, CFI iTools and GPSMAP 496 Interactive Guide. Its new VFLITE Weight & Balance Visualizer software instantly determines and displays center of gravity and weight loading, ensuring that an aircraft is properly loaded before takeoff. The program, which costs $39.95, provides fast loading of fuel via a draggable slider, while other inputs are made in an overhead view of the cabin. CFI iTools (retail price $34.95) is a suite of multimedia-based modules that enable and enhance live training and student practice.
Delta Connection Academy Flight School Picks Cirrus November 10, 2006 By Russ Niles Delta Connection Academy will buy 50 Cirrus SR20 aircraft in a fleet modernization program that it says will better equip its graduates to enter the modern world of airline operations. At a news conference at AOPA Expo on Thursday, Delta Connection CEO Capt. Gary Beck said the company researched the market for three years before settling on Cirrus. The company will do its ab initio training on the Cirrus so that students are exposed to the technology from the start. "The SR20 G2 incorporates the latest advancements in flight technology to provide our students a realistic, airline-style flight training environment," he said. The school is a busy one and will put the Cirruses through their paces. "We do 100-hour inspections an average of every nine days," Beck said.
Mountain High Makes It Easier to Breathe Easier (And Longer) November 10, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter Redmond, Ore.-based Mountain High announced at AOPA Expo that it is now shipping the single-user EDS-O2D1 digital "pulse demand" oxygen delivery system. According to the company, the shirt-pocket-size system automatically regulates the flow to deliver only the needed amount of oxygen, cutting consumption by up to six times that of constant-flow systems. Additionally, the system profiles the breather and adjusts the flow as needed and warns the user when not breathing enough through the canulla or face mask to prevent hypoxia.
AVweb's Friday Podcast: Cessna's Jack Pelton November 10, 2006 By AVweb's Audio News Team Today's podcast features an interview with Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton at AOPA Expo. Pelton talks about his company's next-generation small airplanes, namely Cessna's light sport airplane and Next Generation Piston family, both of which are being spotlighted at the show. Click here to listen.
Bonanza Turns 60 and Has Never Looked Better November 10, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter A special 60th anniversary package was revealed yesterday by Raytheon Aircraft for 2007 model-year Beechcraft Bonanza G36s. The anniversary editions will come with several upgrades, including a redesigned sidewall that offers more space and comfort, leather seats tailored with a combination of embossed stingray and wheat leather, removable headrest covers embossed with the Bonanza shield, leather-wrapped control wheels, tweed carpet and a sculpted 60th anniversary entry mat. Raytheon said the exterior will preserve the Bonanza legacy, while advancing technology and design with specially formulated paints.
Mustang Approved for Flight into Known Icing November 10, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter Cessna yesterday said the FAA cleared the Citation Mustang for flight into known icing, some two months after the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F-powered very light jet received type approval. "While approval for flight into icing is not required for certification of the airplane, we wanted to have this in place prior to delivering our first Mustang and in advance of this year's major icing season," said Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Pelton. "The Citation Mustang has met or exceeded every performance objective established when we announced the program in 2002, and we beat the schedule doing it."
Pilot/Journalist Barry Schiff Entertains Crowd November 9, 2006 By Russ Niles Barry Schiff has been checked out in more types of airplanes than most people have probably even seen in a lifetime but his message is consistent. "It doesn't matter what you fly," he told the opening luncheon crowd at AOPA Expo. "What matters is that you fly." Schiff, who retired as a Boeing 747 captain in 1998 after 34 years with TWA, has more than 300 types in his logbook and he's aiming for 400. While aviation has been his job for his entire adult life, he said he's never forgotten to have fun with it. Schiff, who has written several books and numerous magazine articles on the subject, said he tries to make his love and awe of aviation infectious. "And I urge you to pass it to others," he said.
Garmin GNS 400/500 Series Get WAAS TSO November 9, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter Garmin announced yesterday that the GNS 400/500 series have been TSO'd for lateral-precision with vertical (LPV) guidance approaches and receive GPS navigation via the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). The FAA also granted approved model list STC approval, allowing the 400W/500W equipment to be installed on more than 980 makes and models of aircraft. The GNS 400/500W series joins the G1000 and GNS 480 in providing WAAS enabled navigation for aircraft.
Diamond Announces D-Jet Fleet Order November 9, 2006 By Russ Niles Airline Transport Professionals, which provides direct track training for airline pilots, announced the purchase of 20 Diamond D-Jets at AOPA Expo. In turn Diamond has announced that ATP will develop and provide type certificate training for the D-Jet. Diamond President Peter Maurer said training is a key component of any jet program, because of the type certificate requirement, and he noted that ATP trains about 300 transport-rated pilots a month. Diamond is also developing a simulator. But the training arrangement goes both ways and ATP President Derek Dennis said the D-Jet is an ideal platform for his airline ticket students. "What the airlines want is jet time," he said.
Piper Picks Williams Power November 9, 2006 By Russ Niles The PiperJet will be packing plenty of punch when it flies off the drawing board. Piper President Jim Bass announced yesterday at AOPA Expo that a Williams FJ44-3AP will be in the tail-mounted nacelle of the jet. The engine is normally rated at 3,000 pounds of thrust, but this one will be derated to 2,400 pounds, giving it 1,000 pounds more than the belly-mounted FJ33 on the Diamond D-Jet, and 500 more than the-jet proposed by Cirrus, which will also have an FJ33. Bass told AVweb he wanted a big engine in the plane to ensure it had the kind of performance he desired. But he also said the derated engine gives them the flexibility to make larger versions of the aircraft as demand warrants. Bass said Williams was the clear choice even though Piper has a business arrangement with Honda, which has developed a new jet engine in cooperation with GE.
Say Again? #69: So Long AVweb's Don Brown is finally retiring from his job at the Atlanta Center radar scope. This month in his Say Again? column he looks back on 25 years of change -- or lack thereof -- in ATC and aviation.
AVweb At AOPA Expo November 9, 2006 Not going to AOPA Expo this week? Don't worry, AVweb is, and we'll be delivering the latest news from the show to your inbox. Check your e-mail inbox tomorrow and Saturday morning for special issues written and produced from the show.
AVweb Audio News November 8, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Last Friday's podcast, you'll find a one-on-one interview with Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass, recorded live at the recent NBAA Convention in Orlando. In Monday's news summary, hear about how ATC transcripts might vindicate Legacy pilots in Brazilian midair; NTSB says wind was a factor in NYC crash of Cory Lidle's SR20; more air traffic controllers complain of six-day workweeks; NavCanada turns 10; Russia relaxes constraints on general aviation; FAA issues safety bulletin for Continental engines with ECi cylinders; "safety admonition" released for aircraft exhaust systems; future of airspace management takes root in Cleveland. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash November 8, 2006
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb’s NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile / .…
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 8, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Explore Costa Rica With LightHawk November 8, 2006 By Mary Grady LightHawk has been working for 25 years to provide free flights to conservation groups in the fight to protect the environment. Now the group is organizing a special fundraising airborne eco-tour of Costa Rica for February 2007. LightHawk adventurers will visit the beautiful Osa Peninsula and go flying above some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, while receiving an unparalleled education in the environmental issues facing the area. The tour group will stay in the Iguana Lodge, meet LightHawk's local conservation partners and get the full briefing on how they are working to protect this incredible region. Ready to go?
Lessons Learned In Past Midairs November 8, 2006 By Mary Grady The NTSB has determined that in two midair collisions involving GA aircraft, the failure of the pilots to see and avoid was the main cause of the accident. However, in both cases failures of air traffic control were cited as contributing causes. In 2002, three people died when a Mooney and a Beech Duchess collided while on downwind for Runway 24 at Palomar, in Carlsbad, Calif. In August 2005, a Cessna 150 and a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver collided in Renton, Wash. A student and instructor in the 150 were killed. In the two cases, a controller either gave inadequate information or missed a chance to avert the crash, the NTSB said.
Two Bonanzas Land On Same Runway, At Same Time November 8, 2006 By Mary Grady On Monday afternoon, pilot Robert Johnson had just touched down in his Bonanza at the Los Alamos County Airport in New Mexico when his passenger noticed an ominous-looking shadow just ahead. Another Bonanza, on short final, was trying to land on the same runway, and crashed into the top of Johnson's airplane. Unhurt, Johnson struggled to maintain control as the two entangled aircraft rolled down the runway and coasted to a stop. The pilot of the second airplane, who also was uninjured, said he'd mistakenly been tuned to the wrong radio frequency, and the first Bonanza was not visible to him as he flew the approach. Johnson and his passenger were unable to open the doors or windows and had to be extricated from the cockpit by rescue workers. A similar accident occurred in Florida in December 1999.
"Silent Aircraft" Debuts Loudly November 8, 2006 By Mary Grady Plans for a quiet, energy-efficient airliner that could be flying in less than 25 years were unveiled Monday afternoon by researchers from Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The design uses technology that should be ready to fly by 2030. Besides reducing noise around airports, the airplane would require about 25 percent less fuel. It would use a flying-wing design, eliminate flaps and slats, simplify the landing gear, improve its aerodynamics and mount the engines above the fuselage to screen the noise from the ground. Variable-size jet nozzles would allow for slower jet propulsion during takeoff and climb for low noise, and would be optimized for maximum efficiency during cruise.
Changes In Congress Will Affect GA, Says AOPA November 8, 2006 By Mary Grady On Tuesday, voters changed the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives, and apparently the Senate, from Republican to Democratic, and this will have a positive impact for pilots, says AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Now we can be assured of a fair hearing from people who understand aviation and aren't beholden to the White House," Boyer said. Aviation user fees have been strongly pushed by the Bush administration. But the power shift in the House will most likely put Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., in charge of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and he is a long-time friend to GA, AOPA said yesterday.
The Pilot's Lounge #106: Why Do Smart People Bend Airplanes? It's easy to say that a person who got in an airplane accident was not as smart, well-trained, or endowed with the right stuff as other pilots. A little too easy, in fact. And research shows it's wrong, as AVweb's Rick Durden discusses this month in The Pilot's Lounge.
AVweb Audio News November 5, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find a one-on-one interview with Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass, recorded live at the recent NBAA Convention in Orlando. And in Monday's news summary, hear about how ATC transcripts might vindicate Legacy pilots in Brazilian midair; NTSB says wind was a factor in NYC crash of Cory Lidle's SR20; more air traffic controllers complain of six-day workweeks; NavCanada turns 10; Russia relaxes constraints on general aviation; FAA issues safety bulletin for Continental engines with ECi cylinders; "safety admonition" released for aircraft exhaust systems; future of airspace management takes root in Cleveland; first officer named in Comair crash lawsuit. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash November 5, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 5, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
AVweb At AOPA Expo November 5, 2006 Not going to AOPA Expo this week? Don't worry, AVweb is, and we'll be delivering the latest news from the show to your inbox, starting with the regular Thursday AVwebFlash on the opening day of AOPA Expo. Then check your e-mail inbox on Friday and Saturday morning for special issues written and produced from the show.
Comair First Officer Named In Crash Suit November 5, 2006 By Russ Niles First Officer James Polehinke, the lone survivor of the Comair Flight 5191 crash, is among those named in a lawsuit filed on behalf of the family of a Florida man who died in the crash. In a news release, lawyer Stephen Marks, who has won a number of multimillion-dollar settlements in airplane crash suits, said he tried to keep Polehinke out of the case directly but he was unable to come to terms with his insurance company. The suit also names Comair.
Cleveland Picked For NGATS Test November 5, 2006 By Russ Niles The future of airspace management might start in Cleveland. Sensis Corporation, in partnership with federal and local governments, is installing equipment at NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland that will link three local airports to a system that will include, among other things, “4D trajectories and virtual air traffic control towers.” It’s all part of the Next Generation Air Traffic System (NGATS) research effort to try and find technological solutions to the capacity and congestion problems that are looming in the skies. Datalinks, “decision support systems” and a whole range of futuristic-sounding gear will be part of the system.
Forecasters Predict Legal Action November 5, 2006 By Russ Niles The National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO) says it will take legal action against the FAA’s plan to eliminate on-site weather forecasters at 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers. In a letter to the agency, Richard J. Hirn, the NWSEO’s general counsel, says the FAA’s plan to centralize the weather-forecasting operation in a single, contracted-out facility violates various laws that, in a nutshell, say it’s the National Weather Service’s job to provide weather information to the FAA. Hirn also notes that NWS forecasters have been consistently exempt from contracting out because they provide services that are “inherently governmental.”
Carbon Monoxide Warning November 5, 2006 By Russ Niles In what it calls a http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/aviation_maintenance/media/2006/2006_10_Alert.pdf " target="_blank">“safety admonition,” the FAA is reminding aircraft mechanics to pay special attention to the exhaust and heater systems on light planes at this time of year. It’s also a good idea to check and/or replace the carbon monoxide detector in your plane. (You do have one, right?) Most small aircraft have some sort of heat-exchanger setup on the exhaust system to provide cabin and defroster heat. If the exhaust system leaks, engine gases can get into the heating systems and pump carbon monoxide into the cockpit. “Technicians should inspect all exhaust system components for condition with particular attention to areas associated with cabin heat and defrost systems,” wrote aerospace engineer Barry Ballenger from the FAA’s Kansas City Office of Continued Operational Safety. “Look for deformation, corrosion, erosion, cracks, burned spots, and loose or missing hardware.”
Cylinder Crack Alert November 5, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin recommending that owners of certain larger Continental engines with ECi cylinder assemblies inspect the cylinders for cracks every 50 hours after they’ve accumulated more than 500 hours in service. The bulletin affects 520- and 550-series engines with certain ECi components. The cracks started showing up in 2003 and start as fatigue cracks that eventually go through the cylinder wall near the exhaust valve seat. This causes decreased compression but is unlikely to cause separation of the cylinder from the engine, according to the FAA.
Russia Relaxes GA Regs November 5, 2006 By Russ Niles Russia has significantly relaxed constraints on general aviation in a move that’s expected to stimulate growth of business and private flying. According to Flight International, regulators have dropped rules that required GA operators to get permission for each flight. The new rules also make aircraft ownership, certification, registration and maintenance a lot easier. Of particular note to the burgeoning bizjet business is the elimination of a rule that required filing of flight plans for cross-border flights a minimum of 24 hours in advance. "It's a long-overdue decision," Alexander Yevdokimov, managing director of JetTransfer, told Flight International. "It will help us compete with foreign rivals who enjoy fast-track treatment by their regulators." It might also help open up an overland route from North America to Europe. For the past five years, a group of Alaskans has been working with Russian authorities to establish VFR routes in the Russian Far East. It’s now possible, but not very convenient, to fly from Alaska to a couple of airports on the east coast of Russia. The goal of the Alaskan effort is to open up GA routes that will link North America with Russia, Asia, Europe and Africa, with the longest open-water crossing being about 30 nm over the Bering Strait.
Nav Canada Marks 10th Anniversary November 5, 2006 By Russ Niles Canada’s private-sector provider of air traffic control, information and weather service for civilian aviation is celebrating its 10th birthday and it says the system is in better shape and costs less than when it was in government hands. Nav Canada bought Canada’s airspace management system lock, stock and console for $1.5 billion in 1996 and since then it says it has thoroughly modernized equipment and facilities, developed airspace-management software that’s in demand in other countries, increased the number of air traffic controllers by 250 and improved safety (loss of separation incidents are down by 40 percent). According to its math, it’s done all this while at the same time charging about 20 percent less on a per-passenger basis than the old ticket tax its direct-billing system replaced. However, the company-generated news release glosses over some significant controversies that have erupted over the past decade, most notably the introduction of general aviation user fees.
Audio News November 1, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Last Friday's podcastcontains exclusive news about rumored changes to the ADIZ. AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass, recorded live at the recent NBAA Convention in Orlando. Monday's news summary covers the rash of Cirrus accidents in recent weeks and Cirrus' appeals to pilots to fly within their limits; a recent VLJ forecast; GAMA aircraft exports; the new LAAS contract; the law officer that beat an FAA rap; a controller that allegedly fell asleep at the scope; FAA rejection of AOPA's efforts for reduced medical requirements; and use of aircraft to help predict weather. Plus: Listen in to an exclusive interview with Cirrus' Dale Klapmeier about the current state of Cirrus Serial Number 1, courtesty of our sister publication, Aviation Consumer. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Quiz #113: Get Instrument Rated It seems as though every pilot is either instrument-rated or working on an IFR ticket. Whatever your status, let's review the Part 61 requirements to legally cross swords with an ILS in the clag.
AVweb's Newstips Address... November 1, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
FAA To Overhaul Part 21 Regs November 1, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA is proposing a major rewrite of the Part 21 regulations affecting the production of aviation parts, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) said this week. According to the FAA, the update is needed to address changes in the global aviation market since the current rules were written back in the 1960s. The proposed changes affect every element of producing aircraft parts including standard parts, owner-produced parts and parts produced as part of maintenance. Primarily, the proposed rule would standardize requirements for production approval holders; require production approval holders to issue airworthiness approvals for aircraft engines, propellers and other aviation parts; require manufacturers to mark all parts and components; and revise export airworthiness approval requirements to facilitate global manufacturing.
Evektor Flies SuperCobra November 1, 2006 By Mary Grady Evektor flew its new SuperCobra for the first time last week, from its base in the Czech Republic. The all-metal single-engine four-seater features retractable landing gear and is powered by a 315-hp Lycoming IO-580A1B. "It's a real predator in the sky," said test pilot Josef Charvat. "It will be a fantastic pilot touring airplane." The airplane is an upgrade of Evektor's 200-hp model, the VUT100 Cobra. The SuperCobra is designed to reach a top cruise speed of 175 knots, with a range of 1,000 nm and useful load of 1,260 pounds. The cabin is the widest in its class, the company says, and a glass cockpit is standard. Evektor hopes to achieve EASA and FAA certification in early 2008.
Cessna's LSA On Exhibit Next Week November 1, 2006 By Mary Grady AOPA Expo starts a week from today in Palm Springs, Calif., and among a few other things, Cessna's new Light Sport Aircraft will be there. The airplane flew for the first time just a couple of weeks ago. CEO Jack Pelton says he expects to decide by early next year whether Cessna will produce the airplane. "An important part of our thought process in looking at LSA is the value in terms of new pilot starts," Pelton said. "Experience has shown that Cessna brand loyalty is a powerful force in our success, and we believe this new category of aircraft could provide a conduit for new pilots to grow through the Cessna product line in the years ahead."
Next-Generation Systems Moving Forward, FAA Says November 1, 2006 By Mary Grady Tests of an airborne networking system that will help make possible the next-generation air transportation system (NGATS) were successfully completed over the summer, the FAA said this week. The trials showed that messages can be relayed air-to-air, enabling radio communications to reach very long distances, greater than the curvature of the earth normally allows. This capability was achieved by establishing connectivity between a distant aircraft, an intermediate-placed aircraft and a ground station. Tests were conducted using a Bombardier Global 5000 business jet. The project engineers successfully relayed messages and simulated flight-planning information from one aircraft to another, and then to the ground station, over an extended airborne network.
Chalk's Airline To Resume Flights November 1, 2006 By Mary Grady Chalk's Ocean Airways, which operated seaplanes out of Fort Lauderdale for decades before a fatal flight last year grounded the fleet, is ready to resume service to the Bahamas on Nov. 9. Instead of its Grumman Mallards, the company, now known as Chalk's International Airlines, will operate a 19-seat Beech 1900D leased from Big Sky Airlines of Billings, Mont. Chalk's is working with the FAA to eventually return its Mallards to the air. The airplanes were grounded after a crash that killed 20 people on Dec. 19, 2005.
FAA Warns Of Avidyne Glitch November 1, 2006 By Mary Grady Owners of Cirrus, Columbia and Piper airplanes with Avidyne primary flight displays were advised by the FAA on Tuesday of a possible glitch in the system. The FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin said a modification is available to eliminate the possibility that the system will display misleading attitude and heading information. Avidyne has already issued a Service Alert to owners. The FAA recommends that pilots using the Avidyne panel should pay increased attention to standard and emergency operating procedures when flying in instrument metrological conditions. Avidyne can modify the units to prevent the problem, and owners should call Avidyne to ensure that modification is completed, the FAA said.
NTSB: Challenger Pilots Didn't Check Weight And Balance November 1, 2006 By Mary Grady A Bombardier Challenger CL-600-1A11 that ran off the departure end of a Teterboro runway while trying to take off in February 2005 was incorrectly loaded, the NTSB said in its final report that was released on Tuesday. The jet was not within weight-and-balance limits and the center of gravity was well forward of the forward takeoff limit, which prevented the airplane from rotating upon takeoff, the Safety Board said. Neither pilot properly checked the weight and balance before takeoff. "This accident clearly shows what can happen when crucial operating steps are not adhered to," said NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker. "When it comes to transportation safety there are no shortcuts and it is important that operators and flight crews ensure that proper procedures are followed at all times."
Audio News October 29, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find exclusive news about rumored changes to the ADIZ. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass, recorded live at the recent NBAA Convention in Orlando. And in Monday's news summary, hear from Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan and Dale Klapmeier and more. Plus: Listen in to an exclusive interview with Cirrus' Dale Klapmeier about the current state of Cirrus Serial Number 1, courtesy of our sister publication, Aviation Consumer. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 29, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... October 29, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
A Note to Readers October 29, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli With this week's edition of AVweb news, we have two staff changes to announce, one a new face and the second the departure of an old friend. Joining the AVweb staff as editor in chief is Chad Trautvetter, a seasoned aviation journalist, CFII and graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Before joining AVweb, Trautvetter was most recently an editor at Aviation International News and before that, he did a stint as an editor at Pro Pilot. He'll join AVweb as part of an ongoing expansion of our Sarasota, Fla., editorial offices. We were unable to pry Glenn Pew loose from California to join us here in Florida, but he'll remain aboard as a contributing news editor. Long time AVweb readers have come to appreciate the entertaining and insightful writing of Michael Maya Charles in his As the Beacon Turns column. But even good things must end and as of this week, Michael will be moving on to other writing pursuits, including growing his own publishing company, Artful Publishing. You can follow Michael's career and order a copy of his book at www.artfulpublishing.com. We wish him the best in both his continuing flying and publishing careers.
Weather Gathering Service Expands October 29, 2006 By Russ Niles Next time you get bounced into the headliner on a short-haul flight you can take some comfort that you might be helping other aircraft avoid that weather. After an initial trial of Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) with Mesaba Airlines, AirDat LLC has attached weather sensors to aircraft toiling for regional carriers in all areas of the continental U.S., providing real-time, real-world meteorological data through satellite transmissions. AirDat CEO Jay Ladd said in a news release that the rich stream of data from airliners-turned-weather-stations is improving forecasting accuracy and allowing the airlines to adjust routing and scheduling on the fly to minimize weather delays.
Driver's License Medicals Rejected (Again) October 29, 2006 By Russ Niles AOPA says it won't give up trying to convince the FAA to accept a state driver's license as proof of medical fitness to fly with a recreational permit. Recreational pilots are restricted to fixed-gear, 180-hp, four-place aircraft flown day VFR only. AOPA argues that the difference in performance and weight between the recreational permit privileges and those allowed under the new sport pilot permit (which allows the driver's license medical) are not enough to continue requiring a third class medical for the recreational certificate. "Too many healthy pilots have lost their medicals, yet they could still fly simple aircraft like Cessna 172s safely," AOPA's VP of government affairs noted in a news release. "We're going to find a way to make that happen."
Asleep At The Console? October 29, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA isn't saying whether a controller who allegedly fell asleep while on duty in Charleston, S.C., last month has faced disciplinary action. But spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen did say that he's been cleared medically and has returned to work. A fellow controller arriving for work allegedly found his colleague dozing at the scope about 6 a.m. on Sept. 13. "He allegedly dozed off for a few minutes," Bergen told The Associated Press. "We're looking into the circumstances surrounding the allegations that someone was sleeping on duty." No flights were affected but things were about to get busy with the early morning departures. Doug Church, spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) told The Associated Press he wasn't surprised, since a shortage of staff has resulted in six-day workweeks and a heavy workload for many controllers. Not all controllers agree.
Law Enforcement Pilot Beats FAA Rap October 29, 2006 By Russ Niles A law enforcement pilot for the State of Wisconsin has been cleared of all charges that he violated airport procedures at Chetek Airport in Wisconsin. According to the Chetek Alert newspaper, Larry Schasinger was originally found guilty by an FAA administrative judge of flying a right-hand pattern, in his personal aircraft, a Christavia, at Chetek instead of the standard left-hand pattern. He appealed to the National Transportation Safety Board and the charge was dismissed. Schlasinger offered as evidence documents showing he was flying in his law enforcement role for the state on Aug. 6, 2003, the day he's alleged to have fudged the approach to Chetek. He also entered his plane's maintenance log, which showed it was grounded for propeller work at the time of the alleged incident. As you might expect, there's more to this story.
First WAAS, Now LAAS October 29, 2006 By Russ Niles Work is continuing on development of Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) to further enhance GPS navigation, particularly during precision approaches. The Wide Area Augmentation System has been running for about three years and has opened up hundreds of airports for ILS approaches, to established minimums, using GPS data. The LAAS system is another refinement of GPS that allows even greater precision. "LAAS will offer very precise guidance to aircraft, eventually providing guidance all the way to the runway surface even when visibility is near zero," said Rick Cassell, head of safety systems for Rannoch Corporation. Rannoch recently won an FAA contract to provide engineering support on the project.
GAMA Says Exports Help GA Boom October 29, 2006 By Russ Niles Emerging markets in Europe, Russia, China and India are helping fuel the continuing boom in aircraft sales worldwide, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association's (GAMA's) report on third-quarter results for 2006. Most companies are reporting healthy sales increases both in terms of billings and in the numbers of units sold. And an increasing number of those aircraft are being shipped overseas. "Our manufacturers have seen growth in all airplane segments, part of which we attribute to strengthening sales in Europe, and into Russia, China, and India," GAMA President Pete Bunce said in a news release. "Business people and government officials are recognizing the dynamic role that general aviation plays in building a vibrant economy and, as our manufacturers continue to bring new innovations to market, we expect this trend to continue."
The Savvy Aviator #37: Scope That Jug! Pulling a cylinder without first borescoping it is a lot like performing major surgery without first getting a CT or MRI. If your A&P doesn't have a borescope or doesn't know how to use one, you'd be wise to educate him ... or find another mechanic.
WHAT'S NEW
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you an aircraft engine calendar, a weight & balance visualizer, a cargo/pilot bag and more.
Audio News October 25, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam, Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan and Dale Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 25, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... October 25, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Epic Plans Lasting Dynasty October 25, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter With the lawsuit between it and Farnborough Aircraft resolved by mediation in July, Epic Aircraft is now fully focused on developing the Dynasty turboprop single on its own, as well as a derivative Elite Jet with Republic of Georgia-based Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing. The two aircraft will be completely certified at the Canadian Center for Aircraft Certification in Calgary, with approvals for the $1.9 million turboprop and $2.235 million twinjet expected in the first and third quarters of 2008, respectively. Epic CEO Rick Schrameck told AVweb that the turboprop fleet has logged more than 1,100 hours, while the Elite Jet is scheduled to make its first flight early next year.
Taylorcraft Aviation Faces Eviction, Chapter 11 October 25, 2006 By Mary Grady In the last couple of years, Taylorcraft Aviation moved to Brownsville, Texas, and earned Special Light Sport Aircraft approval to manufacture its Taylor Sport airplane. But now the company is being evicted from its manufacturing facility at the airport and has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company listed 23 creditors that are seeking a combined $847,400, The Brownsville Herald reported last week. Taylorcraft President Harry Ingram said he hopes to work things out and stay at the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, which is operated by the city.
Sikorsky Tests Advanced Hover Capability October 25, 2006 By Mary Grady A new system being tested by Sikorsky Aircraft will make it possible for pilots to lock in and fly point-in-space approaches, hands-off, and hover for rescues, the company said in a news release on Tuesday. "This system does a fully coupled approach, hover and departure. A nighttime, IFR rescue in icing conditions is now possible, military or civilian," said test pilot Ron Doeppner. The tests were completed flying an S-92 helicopter. The system can fly automated approaches to a set position "hooked" by a search radar, flight management system waypoint, thermal imager or digital map.
A Fresh Twist On The Problem Of Flight October 25, 2006 By Mary Grady As aeronautics, Dave Clews' attempt to fly in a rubber-band-powered aircraft was a dismal failure. As art, though, Clews achieved precisely his goal. "It was spectacular," he said. "Everything I hoped it would be, apart from actually flying." The airplane, with a 20-foot wingspan and a cockpit for one, was built to resemble the tiny balsa-wood gliders that Clews fondly remembers from his childhood. A 200-foot-long bungee cord provided power, and the wings were built of pine and covered in fabric. Clews said his balsa models could fly over 100 feet, so if you scale that up, his human-size version should have been able to fly over 2,000 feet. Instead, the aircraft moved just six feet along the runway ... backward. Clews was not flagged. "We are taking a step in the right direction just by moving," he said. "I mean, technically it is a step in the wrong direction I suppose, but at least it's a step."
FAA Reprimands JetBlue For Pilot Research Project October 25, 2006 By Mary Grady Some pilots for JetBlue Airways spent extra hours flying -- beyond the FAA limit of eight hours per day -- as part of an experiment to see if pilots could work longer without affecting safety, according to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal. The experiments took place on regular trips with paying passengers on board. This week, the FAA reprimanded the company for conducting the experiments without the proper permission. The airline says they got an OK from officials at their regional FAA office, but the FAA says they should have gone to headquarters in Washington. The tests took place on about 50 flights in May 2005 on mostly coast-to-coast trips. Twenty-nine pilots each flew up to 11 hours a day. The passengers were not told about the experiment.
Gulfstream's Quiet-Supersonic Technology Passes Flight Test October 25, 2006 By Mary Grady A sonic-boom mitigator mounted on the nose of a NASA F-15B worked as expected during its first airborne test, successfully flying at Mach 1.2 last Friday, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. said this week. The Quiet Spike, which is made of composite materials, extends 24 feet from the nose of the aircraft. It creates three small shock waves that travel in parallel to each other all the way to the ground, producing less noise than typical shock waves that build up at the front of supersonic jets. Gulfstream, in collaboration with the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, has been flight-testing the structural integrity of the retractable spike since mid-July.
Watch Out For Airspace Changes In Atlanta October 25, 2006 By Mary Grady The Class B airspace over Atlanta has been lowered in some sectors, from 6,000 to 5,000 feet. The changes aren't really a big deal for VFR pilots, says AOPA, but the procedure used by the FAA to implement them has raised some eyebrows. "The FAA failed to follow the standard process of consulting with airspace users before making a change," said Heidi Williams, AOPA's director of air traffic services. "We've been assured that future changes will go through the [public review] process so that users have a chance to participate."
CEO of the Cockpit #63: Flyboyz Nobody's made a realistic airplane movie since, well, ever. So says AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit. And no modern, special-effects-filled, multiplex pablum is going to change his mind.
WHAT'S NEW
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you an aircraft engine calendar, a weight & balance visualizer, a cargo/pilot bag and more.
Audio News October 22, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find exclusive interviews with Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass, recorded live at the recent NBAA Convention in Orlando. And in Monday's news summary, hear from Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan and Dale Klapmeier and more. Plus: Listen in to an exclusive interview with Cirrus' Dale Klapmeier about the current state of Cirrus Serial Number 1, courtesty of our sister publication, Aviation Consumer. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 22, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address... October 22, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Paint Us a Picture... October 22, 2006 Our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, is conducting a survey of aircraft paint shops. If you've had your airplane painted recently, we would like to know how the job turned out. To take the survey, visit www.aviationconsumer.com and click on the surveys button on the left side of the screen. We'll take care of the rest.
Correction October 22, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter In AVweb's Wednesday, Oct. 18 special issue we inadvertently mischaracterized Caterpillar President and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chairman Gerald Sheehan's aviation user-fee remarks at the National Business Aviation Association convention opening session. Sheehan tells AVweb, "I specifically pointed out that a debate over who pays -- and how much -- is premature. We must first convince the Congress and the public that the need for [aviation] infrastructure improvements is critical. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce does not oppose transportation user fees, but has not yet taken a position on user fees in this instance. My remarks focused on the principles that the industry and Congress [need] to consider as FAA reauthorization legislation moves forward next year."
Firewall Forward Offers Cam Mod October 22, 2006 By Russ Niles Firewall Forward Technologies of Loveland, Colo., is now supplying modified camshafts for Lycoming 320-, 360- and 540-series engines it says dramatically reduce premature cam and lifter failures. The Centrilube cam distributes oil directly to the lifter face from holes drilled in the cam lobes. The result is increased lubrication, reduced temperature and less wear. Similar technology has been used in high-performance automotive and marine engines for decades. Customers can either buy a cam from Firewall Forward or have their existing cam STC modified.
SATSair Buys More SR22s, Expands To Florida October 22, 2006 By Chad Trautvetter Air-taxi provider SATSair last Tuesday said it is soon expanding service to include Florida as part of the company's growth plan. Additionally, SATSair placed an order with Cirrus Design for 50 Cirrus SR22s and options on 50 more. "We're excited about expanding our fleet and service area to include Florida," said SATSair President and CEO Steve Hanvey. "The decision was customer-driven. We've had a tremendous interest level from people living in Florida; so starting November 1, we can now provide point-to-point, on-demand service to them at over 100 airports throughout the state."
Spaced-Out Google Rumor Put To Rest October 22, 2006 By Russ Niles With its meteoric stock price increases and recent acquisitions such as YouTube, it's generally assumed that Google can buy just about anything. But could it really pluck a treasure from the National Air and Space Museum and use it as a bauble in the lobby of its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters? The answer, thankfully, is no. Internet tech sites were buzzing Saturday with rumors that Google had purchased SpaceShipOne to hang in Building 43 at its headquarters. Even the rumor-prone geek sites were a bit sheepish about running with the "news," but they also weren't about to be caught flat-footed with this juicy bit of technogossip like most apparently were with the YouTube takeover. So, in the interests of good journalism (and just in case it was true), AVweb e-mailed SpaceShipOne designer, builder and project engineer Burt Rutan, who seemed a little puzzled by the inquiry.
Halloween Display Plane Scary October 22, 2006 By Russ Niles Well, we'll agree with Steve Chambers that there are few things scarier than a plane crash scene. But neighbors and complete strangers by the hundreds are converging on his West Hills, Calif., home for a look at what that might be like. Chambers, with help from a few buddies and an undetermined amount of beer, isn't disappointing them. With a good-sized section of a Gulfstream III bizjet as its centerpiece, and replicas of severed body parts for the dramatic touch, Chambers' Halloween display is the talk of Southern California. "It caught my eye. I thought a plane had crashed, and when I spoke to the owner he advised me that he was setting up a Halloween display," Greg Andrachick, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, told the Los Angeles Daily News.
Nexaer LSA Takes A Short Hop October 22, 2006 By Russ Niles A made-in-the-U.S. light sport aircraft (LSA) that has many of the design and technology features of the European models that still dominate the sector took its first flight in Peyton, Colo., last week. The mockup of the Nexaer LS-1 turned heads at EAA AirVenture a couple of years ago with its swooping fuselage and big glass area. Although it will be restricted to 120 knots like other LSAs, the all-composite LS-1 looks like it could go faster and might go head-to-head with the sporty designs that have landed in the U.S. from offshore (mainly Eastern Europe) since the category was approved two years ago. "Today we took a small step, but we're celebrating a great accomplishment," said CEO Paul Klahn.
User-Fee Rhetoric Turned Up October 22, 2006 By Russ Niles There are plenty of CEOs who do more than handle the purse strings. Many of them also sit in the left seat of the company plane and AOPA has taken direct aim at them in its latest offensive in the fight against user fees. In a recent edition of Chief Executive magazine, privatization champion Robert Poole of the Reason Foundation wrote a column on his contention that user fees are the most equitable way to fund the aviation system and that airlines should control it. AOPA president Phil Boyer said in a news release that AOPA asked for equal space to rebut Poole but was denied, so the organization bought a full-page ad. Boyer said Poole may have misjudged his audience when he wrote: "Don't let your chauffeurs -- the corporate flight department -- speak for you."
Say Again? #68: ATC Programming
Does your local, stuck-in-the-past, traditionalist pilot complain about how difficult it is to use the latest glass cockpits and how "Real pilots should be able to fly with just needle, ball and airspeed"? ATC has its own technical and safety issues any time a new software version comes out, says AVweb's Don Brown.
Audio News October 18, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index and get your news straight from the source.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 18, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... October 18, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
NASA Expands Personal Air Vehicle Challenge October 18, 2006 By Mary Grady NASA has expanded its original one-year, $250,000 Personal Air Vehicle Challenge to a five-year set of competitions with rewards of up to $550,000 per year. The competition's goal is to stimulate the development of Personal Air Vehicles (PAVs) that will be viable for the consumer market. The vehicles must have two to six seats, be easy to fly, quiet, safe, fuel-efficient, and capable of coping with most weather variables. NASA hopes that PAVs can help to relieve surface gridlock and save fuel while giving travelers more freedom.
Circle-The-Earth Team Heads For Europe October 18, 2006 By Mary Grady It's a dream many aviators share -- to fuel up their airplane and head east, and keep going until they land again at their home airport, having circled the earth. Right now, three aviators from New Zealand are in the midst of living just that dream, flying a Cessna 421. "Our intentions are to travel across the world and film it, while educating ourselves on the various local cultures and people we will discover," they write at their Web site. "We will also be looking for the effect aviation has had on the places we will visit." They launched on Sept. 14 and as of Tuesday had reached Narsarsuaq, Greenland. They expect the entire trip to take about four months.
Brits May Require Cuts In Airplane Emissions October 18, 2006 By Mary Grady In Europe, where the threats of global warming and air pollution are taken much more seriously than in some other parts of the world, the contributions of aviation to rising carbon-dioxide levels are coming under scrutiny. The U.K. aims to cut its carbon emissions 60 percent by 2050, but a new report released this week says that can't happen without including aviation, which is not addressed under current schemes. About 5.5 percent of U.K. carbon emissions are from aircraft, but that percentage will rise to about 25 percent by 2050. Richard Branson, of Virgin Airlines, has said that airlines could cut their emissions by 25 percent right now by implementing new procedures, such as taxiing less and carrying less fuel.
FAA Finalizes Cirrus Brake-Fix AD October 18, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA has finalized its airworthiness directive (AD) on some Cirrus brakes. Cirrus Design argued that the best fix to avoid overheated brakes (or brake fires) is to taxi more slowly. The FAA agreed but said it will nonetheless also require maintenance and hardware upgrades as proposed. The AD applies to some 2,135 Cirrus SR20 and SR22 airplanes. It requires replacement of O-ring seals or brake calipers as well as modifications to landing-gear wheel fairings to allow for temperature monitoring, plus changes to the Pilot's Operating Handbook. The AD results from several reports of the castering-nosewheel airplanes experiencing main gear brake fires and two airplanes losing directional control, the FAA says.
D-Jet Mockup To Visit Florida October 18, 2006 By Mary Grady Floridians who didn't make it to AirVenture last summer in Oshkosh, Wis., will have a chance soon to check out the one and only mock-up of Diamond's D-Jet. The mock-up will visit Europe-American Aviation (E-AA) in Naples, Fla., the first (and so far the only) Diamond Brilliance Flight Center in the U.S. E-AA offers Diamond flight training exclusively, with a fleet of two DA20 Eclipse two-seaters, seven DA40 Diamond Star four-seaters with G1000 glass cockpits, and one DA42 Twin Star. E-AA also has the only Diamond Elite Twin Star simulator in the U.S. The D-Jet mock-up will visit the flight school on Sunday, Oct. 29, and the public is invited to come by and check it out.
Probable Cause #17: Commander's Last Call
We all know the axiom: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. But when we reverse this order in high-stress situations, trouble awaits.
WHAT'S NEW
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you an aircraft engine calendar, a weight & balance visualizer, a cargo/pilot bag and more.
Audio News October 16, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 16, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... October 16, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Comair Sues FAA Over LEX Crash October 16, 2006 By Russ Niles Comair is claiming that the FAA was at least partly responsible for the crash of one of its regional jets in Lexington, Ky., that killed 49 people, according to The Associated Press. In a suit filed on Friday, the airline claims that signs and lighting that would have led the pilots of the aircraft to the correct runway were missing because of a construction project. It claims that other aircraft had made the same mistake recently and had been redirected by air traffic controllers. And it also notes in its suit that the Lexington tower was manned by a single controller when it should have been staffed by a minimum of two. The controller on duty had his back turned to the runway, doing paperwork, when Flight 5191 lined up on a 3,500-foot general aviation runway instead of the 7,000-foot runway it should have been on.
Earth To EarthJet (Another Air Taxi) October 16, 2006 By Russ Niles Things are moving fast in the very light jet and air taxi business but a company called Earthjet seems to have arrived on the scene in a split second. In a news release issued last Friday, the company says it's guiding the development of a "purpose-designed" air taxi aircraft with a stand-up cabin and a fully loaded range of 1,000 miles. It says the plane will be certified and built by an unnamed established aerospace company and provide an unheard-of level of service and convenience for customers -- at "airline prices." Although the aircraft hasn't been built, the company is set up to take reservations on the point-to-point service. It's also offering franchises for sale. The office was closed Sunday when we tried to reach someone for comment.
Petition Calls For Lead-Free Avgas October 16, 2006 By Russ Niles The Bluewater Network (a division of Friends of the Earth) has filed a petition with the EPA calling for the reduction or elimination of lead from aviation's gasoline. The group says leaded fuel threatens the health of airport workers, pilots, passengers and communities next to airports. It also claims that 70 percent of aircraft can use unleaded automotive fuel and the remaining 30 percent can use ethanol-based fuels. It didn't say where this information came from but the authors of the petition, David Zizmor and Damir Kouliev, seem pretty convinced of their data. "Safe unleaded alternatives to aviation gasoline already exist," said Zizmor.
NTSB Issues Alert On Thunderstorm Avoidance October 16, 2006 By Russ Niles The NTSB says pilots and air traffic controllers need to cooperate better to keep airplanes from flying into extreme weather. In a safety alert issued last week, the NTSB says avoiding thunderstorms is mainly the pilot's responsibility but air traffic controller training and briefings "have not been sufficient to ensure that pilots receive the weather advisories needed to support good in-flight weather avoidance decisions." The alert cited four fatal accidents in which the aircraft involved were flying IFR and under ATC control when they hit the weather. Among the accidents cited was the one that killed former test pilot Scott Crossfield in Georgia last April.
Cessna LSA Flies October 16, 2006 By Russ Niles Cessna's proof-of-concept entry into the light sport aircraft category flew for the first time last Friday (the 13th). The 33-minute flight originated at McConnell Air Force Base and ended at Mid-Continent Airport in Wichita. The plane was put through various flight maneuvers and got up to a speed of more than 110 knots, according to a company news release. The aircraft, which is mostly aluminum, was unveiled at EAA AirVenture last July. It was announced in January. And, although comparisons to the discontinued 152 are inevitable, Cessna appears to be making an effort to draw distinctions.
AVwebFlash Reader Pledges $2 Million For B-29 Engine Job October 16, 2006 By Russ Niles A news item in AVwebFlash has resulted in a major boost to a fundraising campaign that may put what was once the world's only flying B-29 back in the air. Texas inventor and industrialist Joe Jamieson has pledged $2 million toward a $3 million project to install more reliable engines in Fifi, owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force. The plane has suffered engine problems since she rolled off the Boeing assembly line. The aircraft has Wright R-3350-57AM engines and last June, after discovering metal shavings in the oil, the CAF decided, for safety reasons, to ground the big bomber until more reliable engines could be installed. Jamieson, a former military and transport pilot, develops safety-related equipment for the transportation industry, so the donation is a good fit for him.
Aircraft Tire Selection and Maintenance
Tires don't get the respect they deserve. Most folks just say that they are "round, black, and dirty." The reality of the situation is quite different.
Audio News October 12, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 12, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... October 12, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
On The Fly... October 12, 2006 By Mary Grady The new Airbus CEO quit after just three months on the job...
Watch for two special editions of AVwebBiz from NBAA next week...
Daniel Webster College will raffle off a free online MBA...
Final report on Helios 737 crash is completed...
FAA tells controllers they can't go out for lunch...
SJ30 deliveries delayed due to problems with wing installation...
Popular Mechanics honored Burt Rutan for Breakthrough Leadership...
Special from Sam's Club... buy a Citation Mustang jet...
Operation Migration again leading endangered cranes to winter home.
Cessna Pilot Charged With Cocaine Smuggling October 12, 2006 By Chad Troutvetter A pilot from Calgary, Alberta, was indicted last week in California for allegedly carrying about 300 pounds of cocaine, worth some $30 million, aboard a Cessna 340 headed from San Diego to British Columbia on Sept. 27. The pilot, Daniel Raymond LeClerc, 35, was arrested when he landed to refuel at an airport in a small northern California town. According to the Calgary Sun, California narcotic task force agents received a tip that a large drug shipment was en route via a Cessna twin that would be stopping to refuel at Montague Airport.
Researchers Work On Morphing Aircraft October 12, 2006 By Mary Grady It's a simple idea: If a wing could change shape in flight, it could do things that our rigid wings can't do. The Wright brothers attempted it with wing warping. We use the same idea when we employ flaps and ailerons, and some military aircraft have variable-geometry wings that can sweep back and change aspect ratio in flight. This week, the University of Dayton was awarded a $580,000 federal contract to further the development of "morphing" aircraft. The researchers will evaluate flexible-skin concepts that would enable wings to change shape, develop better simulations, and try to find ways to use devices within the wing skins to recover or "harvest" energy as the wings move.
Flying With Google 3-D October 12, 2006 By Mary Grady Google's 3-D maps of the Earth are proving useful in the aviation world. Dispatchers who work with firefighting airplanes for the U.S. Forest Service are incorporating the 3-D maps into their flight-following system, and they say it works great. Linda Naill, an aircraft dispatcher at the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden, Nev., uses the Google system to manage up to 20 aircraft at a time. "When I put a [temporary flight restriction] in place, I can really see if I'm impacting someone, and if someone violates it, we can easily figure that out," she told Government Computer News (GCN). The software helps avoid air-traffic conflicts and makes it easier to coordinate aircraft converging on the fire from different directions, according to GCN. Others also have found uses for the maps.
More Air Traffic? No Problem, Says Chew October 12, 2006 By Chad Troutvetter The FAA's Air Traffic Organization (ATO) is preparing to make the necessary changes to handle predicted increases in air traffic over the next two decades, says Chief Operating Officer Russell Chew. "It isn't about being the best and the brightest," he told aviation industry executives last Thursday, at the Aerospace Industries Association's civil aviation council meeting. "It's about being able to change." Chew stressed that the ATO needs to pursue a single "revolutionary" goal, and avoid spending years developing programs that will be obsolete by the time they're done. "Whatever you build, you have to have the future in mind," he said.
Report Shows Engine Problems In Mooney Crash October 12, 2006 By Chad Troutvetter A recently released NTSB factual report on the May 23 crash of South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer's Mooney M20E says the Lycoming engine had flown just 20 hours since a recent overhaul, and suggests that some bolts may have been incorrectly installed. The piston single was halfway down the runway at a private airstrip near Blacksburg, S.C., when power began to drop, according to passenger John Leonhardt, who holds a commercial pilot certificate. Bauer said there wasn't room left on the runway to abort, so he took off. The Mooney collided with trees and power lines. Both men suffered serious injuries, and the airplane was destroyed in a post-crash fire. The NTSB report indicates that at least two bolts securing an engine induction tube were a quarter-inch too short and had vibrated loose.
The Eclipse Lawsuit October 12, 2006 By Mary Grady Late last month, Swiss aviation startup Aviace filed suit against Eclipse Aviation, saying the Albuquerque-based aircraft manufacturer delayed and then canceled its order for 112 Eclipse 500s at a price of $1.045 million apiece. When Aviace placed the fleet order for the very light jets in May 2002, it said it planned to offer the aircraft through a jet club scheme, with the Eclipse 500s to be used for point-to-point, on-demand private jet travel, at attractive prices, throughout Europe. Aviace says it later shelved this business plan due to delays in the aircraft program, and last year decided it would sell some of its Eclipse 500 positions for nearly a half-million-dollar per airplane profit (Eclipse currently prices the jet at $1.52 million), putting Aviace in direct competition with Eclipse Aviation. And that, according to Aviace, is where the trouble began.
Audio News October 9, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 9, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... October 9, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Wolf Aviation Fund Deadline Nears October 9, 2006 By Russ Niles The application deadline for funding from the Wolf Aviation Fund is Nov. 15 and organizations with projects worthy of consideration are urged to get them in soon. Last year, there were 130 proposals and funding was approved for 45. The fund will consider application for any project "supporting or promoting general aviation" so the types of projects funded are as diverse as the industry itself. In most cases, only partial funding is provided to be used as leverage in approaching other organizations for money.
Diamonds Used For Air Force Flight Screening October 9, 2006 By Russ Niles The first 11 of 44 Diamond DA-20 C1 two-seat trainers have been delivered to Doss Aviation, in Pueblo, Colo., for use in a flight screening program for the U.S. Air Force. The program takes potential candidates for military flight training and ensures they have the right stuff to continue. These types of programs cut the failure rate in later training by half. Doss President Frank Hunter said the low acquisition, maintenance and insurance costs for the Diamond made it the logical choice. Those candidates who move on from the screening program will get their first taste of military flight training in the same aircraft.
Moller Skycar For Sale October 9, 2006 By Russ Niles Paul Moller finally has his Skycar for sale but don't expect the skies and carports of the nation to fill up with them anytime soon. The brains behind what could be the longest-lived aircraft development program in history is selling the original prototype of the vehicle on eBay. We couldn't find a listing on Sunday. He's expecting to get $4 million. The prototype has slipped the surly bonds on its own power in an unmanned, tethered flight. But anyone hoping to use it for the morning commute is likely to be disappointed. "Potential buyers are cautioned that this is a prototype model and considered an experimental aircraft," says a Moller news release.
Inhofe Groundloops RV-8 October 9, 2006 By Russ Niles Sen. Jim Inhofe says he knew there were problems with the rudder of an RV-8 he was flying as he approached Jones Riverside Airport in Tulsa, on a flight from Duncan, Okla., last week. He was right. The taildragger groundlooped and was substantially damaged but Inhofe and his passenger, long-time aide Danny Finnerty, were unhurt. Inhofe told reporters he noticed problems with the rudder on takeoff from Duncan but couldn't see what the problems were. He asked to land on the main runway at Tulsa, rather than the one normally used by GA aircraft and "prepared for the rough landing," according to an Associated Press report. The FAA is investigating.
Caravan Crash Prompts Suit October 9, 2006 By Russ Niles The family of a Canadian pilot killed when her Cessna Caravan crashed in downtown Winnipeg last year is claiming $25 million in damages from Cessna and Goodrich. The suit filed on behalf of the family of Nancy Chase-Allen by the Nolan Law Group, of Chicago, alleges Cessna is misrepresenting the ability of the Caravan to safely fly in icing conditions. "The Cessna Caravan is presently being marketed as a safe and secure aircraft for winter operations, a contention disputed by Nolan Law Group," the law firm said in a news release. Operation of the Caravan in icing conditions attracted attention and produced action from the FAA earlier this year. We were unable to reach Cessna on the weekend but the company does not normally comment on pending litigation.
Pilots Deny Wrongdoing In Brazil Crash October 9, 2006 By Russ Niles U.S. bizjet pilots John Lepore and Jan Paladino are denying accusations they caused a collision with a GOL Boeing 737, in which the airliner crashed and killed all 154 people on board (not 155 reported earlier). The pilots have been openly accused of turning off their transponder so they could perform "pilot tricks" without detection by air traffic controllers. Ralph Michieli, a spokesman for ExcelAir, which owns the Embraer Legacy 600 involved, called the allegations "untruthful, absurd and insulting" in an interview with the Brazilian Web site Folha Online. Lepore and Paladino were quoted as saying they did not turn off the transponder and that they were flying at the proper altitude, assertions that have made Brazilian authorities "furious," according to news reports out of Brazil.
Quiz #112: Take a Commercial Break
The transition from Private to Commercial pilot begins when you give yourself an "F." Subpart F of FAR Part 61 clears you to fly for hire. So get your Lazy-8 off the couch and ace this quiz.
Audio News October 4, 2006 AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 4, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... October 4, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
Boeing Pouncing On Stumbling Airbus October 4, 2006 By Russ Niles Analysts say Boeing may have to speed up production of Boeing 747s in light of the latest production delay of the Airbus A380. Airbus recently told customers the program has been delayed another 10 months and customer patience is wearing thin. Emirates, which has 45 of the 555-passenger jets on order, says it's considering "all options" and Virgin Atlantic is threatening to cancel its six-plane order. Singapore Airlines wants compensation for the delay. An all this makes the tried and true Jumbo, which is going through a makeover aiming to make it 21 percent more efficient, an appealing alternative.
New DOT Secretary In Alphabets' Sights October 4, 2006 By Russ Niles Mary Peters, the new Secretary of Transportation, hadn't even been officially put on the job before AOPA President Phil Boyer had had a "frank discussion" with her. "Mary Peters reached out to me before the Senate vote, and we began the dialogue on the future funding of the FAA and AOPA's opposition to user fees," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "I'm sure that will be just the first of our many frank discussions of issues important to AOPA members and GA pilots." Peters was confirmed by the Senate but hasn't been sworn in yet but there are plenty of people who want to talk to her. Pete Bunce, of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, noted "There is important work to be done in the coming months and years," and he said Peters should be able to handle the job.
Warbird In eBay Flap October 4, 2006 By Russ Niles An Australian court is being asked to rule whether a man who placed a last-minute bid on a vintage airplane presented on eBay should be its rightful new owner. Peter Smythe says Dr. Vin Thomas didn't abide by the rules of eBay when he sold the plane, a 1946 Wirraway (a variation of the T-6 built under license in Australia) to someone who didn't bid through eBay. Thomas had a reserve price of $150,000 on the aircraft and Smythe matched it with just 20 seconds left in the sale term. But Thomas had already sold the plane to someone who saw the eBay listing but contacted him privately and offered $250,000. Smythe says the whole entrepreneurial foundation of eBay is at stake in the case.
"Invisible" Drones Proposed October 4, 2006 By Russ Niles If the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) now in the air are such a danger to other aircraft that they have to fly in restricted airspace, how potentially dangerous would an "invisible" drone be? That's not likely one of the factors being considered as VeraTech, a Minnesota company, continues work on an aircraft that uses the principle of "persistence of vision" to make the drone appear to be nothing more than a blur against the sky. (Persistence of vision is described as what makes spinning propellers seem to disappear before our eyes.)
Homebuilt Fatalities Drop October 4, 2006 By Russ Niles While aviation safety has generally improved over the years, it appears the homebuilt sector is making the biggest gains. Granted, it had the farthest to go, but stats released by EAA this week seem to show it's getting there. In a news release, EAA says the number of fatal homebuilt crashes from Oct. 1, 2005, to Sept. 30, 2006 (49) is 21 percent lower than in the previous year. "This is excellent news, especially since the number of homebuilt aircraft continues to rise each year," said Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president of industry and regulatory affairs. "While one fatality is always one too many, the trend continues toward increasing safety by those who build and fly homebuilt aircraft."
Audio News October 1, 2006 Don't trust reporters? AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news straight from the horse's mouth.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash October 1, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... October 1, 2006 Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard?
FAA Will Examine Age-60 Rule October 1, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA last week established a forum of airline, labor and medical experts to review the long-debated rule, established in 1959, that requires airline pilots to retire at age 60. The forum will recommend whether the U.S. should adopt the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard, due to take effect in November, that will allow one of the two pilots on the flight deck to be over age 60. The forum also will determine what actions would be necessary if the FAA were to change its rule. "The FAA must ensure that any future rule change, should it occur, provides an equal or better level of safety to passengers," said FAA head, Marion Blakey.
SpaceShipTwo Gets Its Curtain Call October 1, 2006 By Mary Grady Richard Branson, the U.K. airline mogul who has joined with Burt Rutan to build spaceships for tourists, unveiled a mockup of SpaceShipTwo last week at the Wired NextFest event in New York City. The ship, as expected, is a larger version of SpaceShipOne. It's designed to carry six passengers and two pilots. It will be carried aloft to about 60,000 feet on a carrier named White Knight Two, then detach and rocket into space at about Mach 4. Virgin Galactic has also launched a spiffy new version of its Web site, with lots of new movies and information about the project. According to the site, flight testing of the prototype is expected to start next year. It was also reported last week that Branson is negotiating with British TV networks to develop a reality show where six contestants will compete for a spot on a ride into space.
Adam A500 OK'd For Night, IFR, And Pressurization October 1, 2006 By Mary Grady Adam Aircraft, of Englewood, Colo., last week received an amended Type Certificate from the FAA for its A500 piston twin. The TC now OKs the airplane for night and IFR operations, for single-pilot operation, and for cabin pressurization up to 12,500 feet. Operating altitude expansion to 25,000 feet is on hold until de-icing certification tests are completed over the winter. The TC was originally handed over in May 2005, but with numerous limitations. Adam was recently awarded an FAA Production Certificate, allowing it to ramp up its production process. The company has a two-year backlog of orders for the airplane.
DOD: Wind Farms' Impact On ATC Radar Minimal October 1, 2006 By Mary Grady In a long-awaited study that was released last week, the Department of Defense said its tests have shown that large wind farms degrade the effectiveness of military radar if they are located within the line of sight of the installation. However, Air Traffic Control radar systems used by the FAA are much less prone to such interference. According the report, "ATC radars can rely on both primary radar returns and [transponder] returns to ensure safe airspace operations. ... The presence of a wind farm does not appear to significantly affect the performance of [those] systems." However, the report notes that decisions about wind-farm impacts on ATC radar are up to the FAA.
Prediction Of Solar Flares, GPS Disruption October 1, 2006 By Mary Grady As GA pilots become increasingly dependent on GPS signals not only for navigation but for instrument approaches, it now appears that it may be possible for the signals to be disrupted by solar flares. Right now that's not a problem because the sun is in a quiet phase, but it's expected to get active again in 2011. That seems a long way off, but it will be here before you know it. The intense solar flares could cause GPS signals used by aircraft navigation and emergency location systems to degrade by up to 90 percent, for hours at a time. GPS has become ubiquitous during a quiet solar period, and no easy fix for the problem is immediately apparent.
737 Crashes, BizJet Damaged October 1, 2006 By Mary Grady Searchers who parachuted in on Saturday to the crash site where a Boeing 737-800 went down Friday afternoon found no sign of survivors. The wreckage was located in a remote jungle area in the Amazon region of Brazil. The 737, with 155 souls on board, was en route from Manaus to Brasilia when it crashed. Seven people aboard an Embraer Legacy 600 executive jet flying the area felt a jolt, and the pilot found the airplane was damaged. He made a safe emergency landing at Cachimbo air force base. Early reports said the two jets had collided in the air, but later reports said those on board the Legacy saw only a shadow, and the jet may have been hit by debris (we recognize that is an unusual collection of words). An online photo shows damage to the left wingtip and stabilizer on the Legacy.
Concerns About Video Content September 28, 2006 Monday's online version of your AVwebflash e-mail newsletter was originally published with video content that began to play when the page was opened -- whether readers wanted it to, or not. That presentation was not how AVweb intends to present video content. Readers should expect future video content to play only when they "press play." (If you like the expanded content of the online version, don't be afraid to click through.)
Audio News September 27, 2006 Audio news, plus a new in-depth interview are posted online each Monday and Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news directly from the newsmakers.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash September 27, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... September 27, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Tired Of Fuel Prices? Virtual Flight Gets Real September 27, 2006 By Mary Grady Now you can take a step beyond your desktop flight simulator, and fly an actual remote-control aircraft equipped with a head-movement-synchonized camera and a virtual-reality headset that makes you feel like you're right in the cockpit. At least, you can fly this way if you are willing to spend the time and money tinkering with complicated and delicate gear to make it work. Denis Gratton, of Québec, Canada, has done just that, and has the impressive videos to prove it. (See AVweb's NewsWire for links to the videos.) How much does it cost to build a system like this? "It's hard to tell how much it cost, I prefer not to know it," Gratton told AVweb in an e-mail. He says others are starting to join in his hobby, and he expects the costs will come down within a year or so.
NTSB: Comair Pilots Had 45 Seconds September 27, 2006 By Mary Grady The NTSB on Monday released a factual report from its on-the-scene investigation into the Comair crash that killed 49 people in Lexington, Ky., last month. The Comair crew was cleared to 7,001-by-150-foot Runway 22. The flight data recorder shows the crew stopped near the end of Runway 26 for about 45 seconds before the flight was cleared for takeoff. Six seconds later, the airplane started to taxi onto 3,500-by-75-foot Runway 26. It took about 36 seconds for the airplane to taxi onto the runway and complete the turn before power was increased to initiate the takeoff. The airplane accelerated to about 137 knots, ran off the end of the shorter runway through the airport perimeter fence, and impacted trees on an adjacent horse farm. A series of surgeries continue for first Officer James Polehinke, the sole survivor of the crash, who has already lost his left leg to amputation.
A Lamborghini With Your Diamond September 27, 2006 By Mary Grady Here's another new way to fly, not quite a flying club or fractional deal, but something else altogether. Called an "exclusive transport club," V International is now open in the U.K., offering members access to a fleet of luxury vehicles that includes the Diamond DA42 Twin Star, the Diamond DA40, and the Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, plus a Bentley, a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a Porsche, and a few high-performance boats, too. Members pay about $66,000 for the first year, which gets up to 50 driving days and 6,000 miles plus 50 flying hours and 50 boat days. The company, started by a team of managers from Diamond Aircraft, has plans to expand across Europe and around the world.
Coast Guard Takes Over ADIZ Patrol September 27, 2006 By Mary Grady Pilots who stumble into the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) above Washington, D.C., now will be intercepted by helicopters flown by the U.S. Coast Guard, which takes over the job from Customs and Border Protection. The change was made official on Monday. "The Coast Guard is fully ready to [provide] air defense in the National Capitol Region," said Rear Adm. David Pekoske at a ceremony. Coast Guard crews will fly orange HH-65C Dolphin helicopters. The Dolphins will be equipped with civilian-frequency VHF radios plus electronic signboards so they can communicate with pilots who might be having radio problems, AOPA said.
Worries Persist About Foreign Flight Students September 27, 2006 By Mary Grady Efforts to check on and monitor foreign students at U.S. flight schools have been marked by "confusion and misinterpretations" among the various government agencies involved, according to an internal Homeland Security document obtained by ABC News. ABC says the FAA is investigating reports that "dozens" of foreign students at U.S. flight schools have incomplete paperwork and/or background checks. The Transportation Security Administration says it's revising its vetting process. The FAA told ABC News it couldn't comment because of an open investigation on the issue. AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy says flight instructors must be sure they're aware of and in compliance with the parts of the alien flight-training rule that apply to them.
HondaJet Will Go On Sale Next Month September 27, 2006 By Mary Grady The Honda Aircraft Company will start accepting orders for its HondaJet VLJ next month at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention, Oct. 17-19 in Orlando, Fla. A full-scale interior mock-up will be on display in the exhibit hall. Honda created the aircraft subsidiary in August to handle the development, production and sales of HondaJet, and will pursue FAA type certification and production certification in the U.S. Honda's goal is to complete certification of the jet in three to four years, and deliver the first customer copy in 2010. The jet's attributes include fuel efficiency, large cabin and luggage space, and higher cruise speed than conventional aircraft in its class, says Honda.
CEO of the Cockpit #62: Garden Party
It's really easy to get into the mode of complaining and bemoaning the state of aviation and, in particular, the airlines. Get a bunch of recently retired CEOs of the Cockpit together and it's downright maudlin. Until someone comes by with a new perspective....
Audio News September 25, 2006 Audio news, plus a new in-depth interview are posted online each Monday and Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news directly from the newsmakers.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash September 25, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... September 25, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
DC-10 Firefighting Tanker Busy September 25, 2006 By Russ Niles A DC-10 converted to drop firefighting retardant helped crews battle a stubborn fire near Santa Paula, CA Sunday. The aircraft dropped 12,000 gallons of retardant on the fire, which has been burning for three weeks and is threatening homes. "It's been very, very effective and very impressive," forestry agency spokesman Matt Streck told the Los Angeles Times. "Each drop looks like it covers more than half a mile of terrain." As AVweb reported in 2004, the plane was quietly developed by a company called 10 Tanker Air Carrier, of Victorville, Calif. The aircraft made a splash (sorry) at the 2005 Paris Air Show with a demonstration drop and it's been busy since July, helping to snuff fires from Washington State to California. The California Department of Forestry caught it on video on a fire in July.
"Dumbo" The Aerocar For Sale -- $3.5 Million September 25, 2006 By Russ Niles As a car, it can charitably be described as ugly. As an airplane it's almost beyond description but one of four Aerocars left in the world (one crashed) is for sale in Grand Junction, Colo. Carl and Marilyn Felling say they don't want to sell the machine they call Dumbo but it's part of their divorce settlement. Ironically, they obtained the extraordinarily rare contraption through a divorce sale 20 years ago. "I wouldn't say it's cursed by divorce," Marilyn Felling told the Grand Junction Sentinel. The Molt Taylor design was actually certified by the Civil Aviation Authority in 1956 but it never went into production.
Graves Divert Airport Expansion September 25, 2006 By Russ Niles While it's doubtful any airplane is loud enough to wake the dead, Craven County Airport Authority, near New Bern, N.C., isn't taking any chances. The county is giving back $204,000 in federal funding after Civil War-era graves were found near the proposed site of new hangars and right where the new taxiway was supposed to go. The army leveled the cemetery during the Second World War to build an airstrip and the dearly departed from historic days gone by were all but forgotten. But they came to light in a 1970s battle against a runway extension and, to date, 522 graves have been identified on the airport land, not including the unknown number found recently.
Plane Hits Car -- Car Owner Pays First September 25, 2006 By Russ Niles A Montreal man whose SUV was damaged by a Piper Cherokee making a forced landing last week says he can't believe the spin his insurance company is putting on the mishap. Allstate says Bill Mack must pay the $1,000 deductible on the $4,000 in damages his Dodge Durango sustained when the Cherokee dropped in on him. There were no serious injuries in the crash. Quebec has a no-fault type of system in which insurance companies cover their clients' losses with no deductible. But that only applies to car crashes and Allstate spokesman Derek Tupling told the Montreal Gazette the company has to investigate cases like this to determine who's at fault, something Mack found hard to take. Perhaps adding insult is that the Canadian Transportation Safety Board's initial report faults the pilot for moving the plane's fuel tank selector to the wrong position and starving the engine of fuel.
F-14 Tomcat's "Final" Flight September 25, 2006 By Russ Niles It was perhaps an appropriate scenario to end a storied era in military aviation. The Navy, quite wisely as it turned out, had a spare airplane waiting in the wings for the ceremonial final flight of an F-14 Tomcat at Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia last week. Sure enough, the first airplane failed to perform and it was a spare that took off to the cheers and applause of about 3,000 people attending the ceremony. In practical terms, most of the remaining F-14s have at least one more flight left as they get dispersed to air museums around the country but their days as Cold War air superiority fighters and, later, ground support aircraft are officially over.
Warbird Restrictions Lifted September 25, 2006 By Russ Niles Locally imposed restrictions on the operation of experimental exhibition aircraft, most of them warbirds, have been lifted at airports in the Los Angeles basin. EAA says the relaxation came after three years of lobbying by the group. In 2003, the Van Nuys Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) decreed that experimental aircraft were effectively banned from four local airports. Although the existing aircraft could continue using the airports where they were based, if they moved or were sold they weren't welcome. Van Nuys FSDO officials reasoned that experimental aircraft, by their classification, posed an increased risk to the densely populated areas surrounding the airports in question (Van Nuys, Santa Barbara, Burbank and Whiteman).
As the Beacon Turns #105: NOTAM -- The NOTAM System Is Broke
How can you follow all the changes in rules and procedures -- announced by NOTAMS -- when you have to wade through dozens that have nothing to with your flight? AVweb's Michael Maya Charles knows: You can't.
Audio News September 20, 2006 Post-crash fire supression. A new in-depth interview is posted online each Friday. Check AVweb tomorrow. Click through to listen. And check our audio news index tomorrow to hear what's next.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash September 20, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... September 20, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
On The Fly... September 20, 2006 By Mary Grady Senate yesterday considered nomination of Mary Peters as DOT head...
A Nigerian Air Force Dornier 228 crashed Sunday, killing 13...
Space tourist Anousheh Ansari has arrived at the ISS...
Boeing will build towers and deploy UAVs along U.S. borders...
The first launch from New Mexico spaceport is set for Monday...
The Embraer 175 regional jet is now certified by the FAA...
E-mails reveal FAA sniping about LEX tower management after crash...
If you fly a Continental engine, TCM invites you to a party.
Strike Fighter Catch-22 September 20, 2006 By Mary Grady Here's the catch (according to the manufacturer and military) -- costs are rising, but if you try to cut back, it's going to cost even more. Congress is getting edgy about the money sink that is the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and is trying to slow down production. That will only drive the cost per unit higher, say Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force. The projected price under the current plan would be about $47 million each. If production slows, that could rise as high as $62 million, leading to fewer purchases and yet higher costs. "We're trying to get out of that spiral," Lockheed exec Tom Burbage told Reuters. The prototype of the fighter is now in development, and first flight is expected later this year.
Off Airport Landings, No (Huge) Problem September 20, 2006 By Mary Grady Usually, an airplane making an off-airport landing is pretty routine -- though it might be a memorable event to those involved. But last weekend there seemed to be a rash of pilots without runways. On Sunday, Robert Berkoski was flying his Piper Super Cub, towing a banner to New York's Giants Stadium. He started losing altitude, so he dumped the banner in the water, then headed for a sparsely-populated Staten Island beach, where he landed safely. On the opposite coast, another banner tower, on his way to Gillespie Field in a Cessna 150, had fuel problems and landed on California Route 125 in El Cajon. Near Chicago, an instructor and student in a Piper Cherokee 140 took off from Palwaukee at about 10 a.m., but didn't get far. They put it down about two miles to the southwest, in a backyard in a residential area. Some tree branches were broken, and the airplane and occupants were a bit worse for wear, but nobody was seriously hurt. And just one more, from the far side of the world.
Reno Air Races Wrap September 20, 2006 By Mary Grady The Reno National Championship Air Races wrapped up a safe week of high-speed flying on Sunday afternoon. Mike Brown and "September Fury" won the Unlimited Class Gold Race with a speed of 481.619 mph. Matt Jackson flew "Dreadnought" to a second-place finish, roaring around the pylons at 453.559 mph. The winners shared a purse of $1 million. "This is the only place in the world where you can come and do this [fly low and fast] and not get in trouble," race president Michael Houghton told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "We've got the largest race field we've ever had." The event has grown in the last few years, now attracting about 200,000 visitors, lots of vendors and displays on the ground, and dozens of airplanes that race in six categories from biplanes to jets. Fastest and most popular are the "unlimiteds," modified warbirds that fly close to 500 mph. According to Reno's race results page, a Lancair Legacy qualified for the Sport class at better than 354 mph.
Synthetic Jet Fuel Test A Success September 20, 2006 By Mary Grady Tests of a new synthetic aviation fuel in California this week attracted wide attention as airlines -- and other oil-guzzling industries -- hoped for a break from high oil prices. The U.S. Air Force tested the fuel in a B-52 bomber Tuesday morning at Edwards Air Force Base. The bomber flew with two of its eight jet engines burning a 50-50 blend of conventional JP-8 and a synthetic fuel produced from natural gas. An Air Force spokesman said the engines running on the synthetic fuel performed as well as the others, though final test results are pending. The flight was cut short due to a mechanical issue with the B-52's left wing-tip landing gear, which was unrelated to the fuel test. The aircraft landed safely without incident.
Adam Aircraft Gets A500 Production Certificate September 20, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA on Tuesday issued a Production Certificate to Adam Aircraft for its A500 twin-engine piston airplane. This allows the company to inspect its own aircraft to verify that they meet FAA requirements and are ready for delivery. With that certificate in hand, Adam can now boost its production schedule. "An FAA Production Certificate represents a major step toward the Adam Aircraft goal of delivering six A500 aircraft every month," said CEO Rick Adam. "Issuing a Production Certificate means the FAA accepts the Adam Aircraft Quality System as one that will reliably produce A500 aircraft that conform to the approved type design."
GA Accident Rate Up Slightly In 2005 September 20, 2006 By Mary Grady Aviation fatalities from all sectors dropped a bit last year, according to preliminary figures released this week by the NTSB, while GA deaths were up slightly, to 562 from 558 the year before. The number of people killed in all aviation accidents in 2005 dropped to 616, from 652 in 2004. Airline fatalities increased from 14 to 22, while air-taxi deaths dropped sharply from 64 in 2004 to 18 last year. General aviation fatal accidents amounted to 1.3 for every 100,000 hours of flying, according to the NTSB's estimate. "It is very disturbing to see transportation fatalities rising," said NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. "We need a concerted effort by government, industry and the traveling public to establish a strong downward trend in the number of fatal accidents."
Probable Cause #15: IFR & Meds — A Deadly Mix by Brian M. Jacobson
A pilot loses control while executing a missed approach. The NTSB believes that cold or allergy medication played a role in the accident. This accident report first appeared in AVweb's sister publication, IFR Refresher.
FEATURES
What's New for September
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you amphib floats for Glasairs, tour of the Bahamas, training DVDs and more.
Audio News September 18, 2006 By Russ Niles For many aviation buffs, there's nothing like the sound of four big radial engines on a B-17 or the sight of a Mustang in flight to stir the soul. There are hundreds of warbirds still flying, but the supply of qualified personnel to fly and fix them will run thin if something isn't done to ensure those skills are passed on. AVweb's Russ Niles spoke with EAA's Earl Lawrence about a program that addresses that issue, in today's Audio News podcast.
AVwebBiz: AVweb's Business Newsletter September 18, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice-monthly AVwebBiz newsletter? Reporting on breaking news, AVwebBiz also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. AVwebBiz is a must-read. Watch for a Biz regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... September 18, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Pilot Run Over by His Own Plane September 18, 2006 By Russ Niles An unidentified pilot suffered serious injuries after he was hit by the main wheels of the airplane he commanded and was then dragged across the ramp at Gatwick Airport. The freak accident happened last March but a report on the mishap was just released by Britain’s Air Accidents Investigations Branch. The pilot and co-pilot were getting ready to take the Lear 45 to Paris when the co-pilot accidentally moved a thrust lever forward. The pilot, who was stowing his baggage in the rear, noticed the change in pitch in the engine and rushed forward to warn the co-pilot. Along the way, he somehow lost his footing and fell out the open door. The plane, with the pilot in tow, hit a ground worker and a vehicle before spinning 180 degrees and coming to rest against a large truck.
Certified Epic to Be Built in Canada September 18, 2006 By Russ Niles Aircraft Investor Resources, of Bend, Ore., says it will begin certification tests on the Dynasty, a certified version of its Epic LT turboprop single, this fall in Calgary, Alberta. Assuming all goes well with the turboprop, the company says it will then start work on certifying a twin-engine jet called the Elite. The company turned heads at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh a few years ago with the turboprop, which it took from a paper airplane to first flight in less than a year. It was selling a builder-assisted kit version of the plane but was attracted to Canada to certify it by the more streamlined process north of the border, according to CEO Rick Schrameck. "The Canadians have been wonderful to work with," Schrameck said in a news release.
"Hijack-Proof" Plane Under Development September 18, 2006 By Russ Niles After they’ve beaten the explosives detectors, scammed the baggage scanners, avoided the ever-vigilant scrutiny of security screeners and knocked down the bulletproof door to the cockpit, terrorists of the future might face an even more daunting adversary -- the plane itself. European scientists began working on a $35 million project in July to see if they can’t make the last line of defense against airborne terror the aircraft. "You never reach zero level of threat, no risk, but if you equip planes with on-board electronics, it will make them very difficult to hijack," Daniel Gaultier, coordinator of the Security of Aircraft in the Future European Environment (SAFEE) project, told the Evening Standard.
Cessna Dedicates New Plant — In Mexico September 17, 2006 By Russ Niles Cessna and its parent company Textron dedicated a new parts factory in Chihuahua, Mexico, last week that officials from both companies seem to think is the shape of things to come. "We believe the Textron Aerospace Mexico facility is a positive step toward expanding Cessna's global presence as we continue to ensure Cessna products remain competitive in the world-wide aerospace market," Cessna Senior Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain Ron Alberti told Jobwerx.com. The Mexico plant makes wiring harnesses for Cessna jets and employs 138 people in a 62,000-square-foot facility. Meanwhile, back in Wichita, aircraft parts suppliers gathered to look at the future of their business.
GA Squeezed Out of the Future? September 17, 2006 By Russ Niles AOPA President Phil Boyer says there's not much room for general aviation in NASA's and the FAA's vision of future air travel. The so-called Next Generation Air Transportation System is geared toward commercial carriers and heaps expense on GA while diminishing its access. "But in this nightmare of the future, GA would lose access to airspace, experience increased security requirements, and operate from fewer airports," said Boyer, "even if we equipped with all the expensive technologies envisioned." There are some major shifts in the way airspace management would work under the plan [1.3 meg PDF file] but it's the expense that small aircraft owners would incur that’s got AOPA particularly riled.
Jumbo-Sized Jumbo Arrives September 17, 2006 By Russ Niles What adjective do you use to describe a jumbo jet that’s been given a plus-size makeover? While the spinmasters come up with one, Boeing is celebrating the arrival of the first of its Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighters at Boeing Field in Seattle. The plane, which is modified with an outsized fuselage and a hinged empennage, is one of three that will be used to carry wing and fuselage parts for the new 787 from offshore contractors. The arrival of the plane, which was on its first long-distance flight (from Taipei), was symbolic for those on the 787 program. "These planes will be a cornerstone," Scott Strode, who’s in charge of the 787 program, told the Bellingham Herald. "It's one of our most visible milestones this year for the 787 because we have to have it certified and ready to ship hardware by early next year."
Keeping Warbirds Flying September 17, 2006 By Russ Niles EAA and its Warbirds of America division are working with the FAA to ensure the regulatory environment allows historic aircraft to keep flying long into the future. The FAA has come up with what it calls its Road Map to keep warbirds and other vintage aircraft in the air. During EAA AirVenture, EAA officials met with the FAA to discuss the document and make recommendations. "During the weeks immediately following EAA AirVenture 2006, EAA's Industry and Regulatory Affairs Department and the Warbirds of America's Advocacy Committee thoroughly reviewed the draft and made numerous recommendations to enhance the document," EAA said in a news release. Earl Lawrence, EAA’s regulatory expert, told AVweb much of the focus is not on the aircraft themselves but on the people needed to fly and fix them.
Say Again? #67: The Book and Beyond
AVweb's Don Brown is a big fan of quoting "The Book," but there's more than one book to read and lots of information out there to help you become a better and safer pilot.
Audio News September 14, 2006 A new in-depth interview is posted online each Friday. As for Monday, Lycoming's latest crankshaft problem is now a legal one. AVweb spoke with Robert Mills who is handling the case against Lycoming. Click through to listen. And check our audio news index tomorrow to hear what's next.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash September 14, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... September 14, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Alabama Airshow's "74th" September 13, 2006 By Mary Grady If you like your airshows down-home and old-fashioned, Alabama has got one for you. The 74th Anniversary Wings and Wheels Airshow, at the Shelby County Airport (found at the "Heart of the Heart of Dixie," the Web site says), will have Full Moon barbeque, Zeigler hot dogs, Blue Bell ice cream, and Pepsi, not to mention airplane rides for all comers, all day long, for $20 to $30, as long as they last. Up in the air, the Red Star Formation Team of warbirds will make its local debut, with a massive formation flyover of Yaks and Nanchang aircraft. The show began as the National Air Carnival in 1932, and may be the longest-running annual airshow in the world.
Eclipse Hires New Head Of Manufacturing September 13, 2006 By Mary Grady Eclipse Aviation said last week it has hired Paul Schumacher, formerly of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, as vice president of manufacturing. He'll oversee the company's acceleration into high-volume production of the Eclipse 500 VLJ (last reported as 50 before the end of this year). "Paul is a highly accomplished manufacturing professional, and his leadership will be invaluable," said Peg Billson, COO of Eclipse Aviation. "We are leveraging advanced manufacturing methods like moving assembly lines and robotics to dramatically increase production efficiency and redefine the general aviation landscape. Paul's extensive experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to pursue this overriding strategic objective."
Airplane Wreck Found While Fighting Wildfire September 13, 2006 By Mary Grady The thoroughly burned wreck of a light aircraft with two bodies on board was found by firefighters on Tuesday as they battled a wildfire in Plumas National Forest, north of Lake Tahoe, in California. The airplane was tentatively identified as perhaps a Citabria or Decathlon. Smoke jumpers discovered the wreckage Monday in a remote area inside the fire's perimeter. Tricia Christofferson, public information officer for the National Forest, told the Oroville Mercury Register. The fire had burned about 20 acres, in rugged canyon lands near the the South Fork Feather River. Whether the airplane crash started the fire was unclear. The fire was caused by "human activity," according to the Mercury Register, but no further details about the cause were available.
Aero-Trek: Low, Slow, And Far, For Fun September 13, 2006 By Mary Grady Aero-trekking is the term coined by sport fliers who enjoy long-distance, low-level, open-air flying (although some say they "don't hold with this high-sounding, techno-babble, aero-trekking moniker," but prefer to use the term "kite-plane airtrekking"). The treks follow designated routes, ranked from 1 to 5 in difficulty, that extend for 50 miles or more across sparsely populated regions of the western U.S. The Yellow Birds (flying club), for example, have established an impressive 500-mile circuit across Arizona and New Mexico with seven fixed airstrip sites, each with a fuel farm and overnight accommodations, to free the trekkers from the "limitations and annoyance" of depending on ground-support vehicles. Last week, the Southwest Aerotrekking Academy said it will soon open 11 new sites across four states, with runways, hangars and accommodations, and miles of low-level routes in between. The scenery sounds impressive.
Paralyzed Pilot Sets Sights On Reno September 13, 2006 By Mary Grady ftp://mandala@ftp.st.bendtel.netstarted flying 40 years ago, when he was 16, and kept at it till he was a 767 captain, flying international routes for US Airways. But four years ago, a truck smashed into his pickup in North Carolina, and he's now paralyzed from the chest down. "Fortunately, my hands and arms work fine," Griff told the Charlotte Observer last week. And that means he can still fly. Griff lives at Long Island Airpark, with his wife, Dina, and he has flown with friends to Florida, Guatemala and Mexico. Now he wants to fly in next year's Reno National Championship Air Races. As far he knows, Griff will be the first paralyzed pilot to compete there. "I want to show people with injuries that the sky is no longer the limit," he said. "What they want to do can be achieved."
iFly -- A New GA Fractional September 13, 2006 By Mary Grady "Half the cost, with none of the hassle." That's what iFly founder Erik Lindbergh aims to deliver to pilots who want to fly state-of-the art Columbia 350s in his new fractional-ownership program, now ready to launch at six sites in Southern California. "Now more than ever, personal aircraft travel has the ability to transform your lifestyle," Lindbergh said. "You can go where you want to go when you want to go. With iFly, it's much more affordable and we take care of all of the management details." The company handles insurance, maintenance, ground facilities, scheduling, and training. The member-to-aircraft ratio is 4 to 1. All scheduling is done online, with no preset limit on hours or overnight trips.
The Pilot's Lounge #104: Preserving Our Aviation Treasures And Heritage
Airports are not the only things that can be destroyed by a developer's bulldozer. Sometimes progress at the airport itself can jeopardize treasures on the field, as AVweb's Rick Durden reports from the U.S. heartland.
Audio News September 11, 2006 Lycoming's latest crankshaft problem is a legal one. AVweb speaks with Robert Mills who is handling the case against Lycoming. Click through to listen. Check our audio news index and hear what you've been missing.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash September 11, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... September 11, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Fugitive Pilot Arrested 24 Years After Fatal Flight September 11, 2006 By Russ Niles The Canadian pilot of a Cessna 150 that was allegedly intentionally ditched in a Montana lake 24 years ago has been arrested in Texas and faces charges in connection with the death of his girlfriend in the ditching, according to the Vancouver Sun. Jaroslaw "Jerry" Ambrozuk, who had been living in Plano, Texas, under the name Michael Lee Smith, was arrested a week ago and is fighting extradition to Montana where authorities want to charge him in the death of Dianne Babcock, whose body was found in the airplane at the bottom of Little Bitterroot Lake. According to police, the couple, then 19 and 18, planned to fake their deaths in the crash and disappear into the U.S. in a bizarre elopement scheme.
Arizona Pilots Join Hurricane Relief September 11, 2006 By Russ Niles A handful of Arizona pilots are flying supplies to a town on Mexico's Baja Peninsula that was partly destroyed by Hurricane John earlier this month. The waterfront area of Mulege was inundated by flood waters of the Rio Mulege caused by the hurricane. The town has about 3,100 people, including about 500 Americans, many of whom live close to the water. According to the Arizona Republic newspaper, the relief effort is being led by John McCormick, of Baja Bush Pilots, who's already delivered water and supplies to the remote town. Up to 20 pilots are expected to join the effort. Hundreds of homes were damaged or washed away by the wall of water that spilled out of the river during the storm.
Skydive Record Set September 11, 2006 By Russ Niles If the thought of jumping from a perfectly serviceable airplane just once gives you the jitters, consider how Jay Stokes spent his Saturday. The Yuma, Ariz., skydiving instructor got in 640 jumps (641 if you count the night jump where he missed the airport) in 24 hours. That's one jump every two minutes and 14 seconds (counting the extra one) and is even more remarkable considering Stokes tore a leg muscle about a third of the way through the marathon, which took place at Greensburg Municipal Airport in Indiana, where he teaches during the summer. The old record was 534, which he set in California in 2003.
Nap Ban Rouses Controller Protest September 11, 2006 By Russ Niles Among the FAA's new work rules imposed on air traffic controllers last week was a ban on napping during breaks and, predictably perhaps, the agency and the controllers union differ on the impact of such a rule. "Even though they're on break, they can be called back to work at any time," FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told The Associated Press. "If they had to be called back to work traffic and they had been sleeping, they would be groggy." But Dave O'Malley, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association representative at the Indianapolis center, said controllers on the night shift, particularly, can go hours without a flight before getting very busy toward the end of the shift. "It just ambiguous and punitive," he told the AP. "The work itself requires you to rest and recoup between sessions," O'Malley said. The nap ban is nothing new in FAA regs but its universal application is.
Congressman Wants MU-2 Banned September 11, 2006 By Russ Niles A Denver television station says Colorado Democratic Rep. Tom Tancredo plans to introduce a bill that would ban the Mitsubishi MU-2 from U.S. airspace until the FAA does a full safety review of the aircraft. Tancredo has also written the president suggesting that FAA Administrator Marion Blakey and NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker be fired over their "failure to act responsibly for hundreds of deaths." Tancredo became interested in the MU-2 after back-to-back crashes of the speedy twin at Centennial Airport, which is in his district. Two crashes in Florida in recent weeks prompted his latest tirade. In December 2005, the FAA performed a safety review of the aircraft, and earlier this year, the FAA said it would require enhanced training for MU-2 pilots but stopped short of requiring a type rating. A Mitsubishi official says the extra training will help. "We've seen overseas, when these training programs go into effect, the accident rates plummet," Scott Sobel told the Walton Sun.
Lexington Controller Under Wraps September 11, 2006 By Russ Niles As a flood of details about the crash of Comair Flight 5191 two weeks ago in Lexington come to light, there is one glaring omission and it's likely to stay that way. So far, the FAA, NTSB and National Air Traffic Controllers Association have been able to keep the identity of the lone air traffic controller on duty at the time of the crash a secret, on the record, at least. Although it seems unlikely that the secret has been kept perfectly, so far as we can tell the controller's name hasn't been made public and it likely won't be until he testifies at public hearings into the disaster. "It's the foxhole mentality," Doug Church, spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told Forbes. "These are brothers in arms. They have each other's backs." The FAA and NATCA have gone so far as to refuse to even release the full list of names of the 19 controllers who work in Lexington and the controller himself has reportedly been told that if he so much as utters a peep to the media, he'll be fired and lose his imminent pension.
Quiz #111: Flapped, Foiled and Dragged
The Earth's atmosphere is composed of 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen, leaving only one percent for airplanes. Let's see what we can force into that airspace with a few aerodynamic questions and controversies.
Audio News September 6, 2006 For AVweb subscribers who prefer their news straight from the horse's mouth, AVweb posts fresh audio news issues each Monday, and interviews, Friday -- it's information you won't find anywhere else. We call them podcasts, but no iPod is required. Check our audio news index and hear what you've been missing.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash September 6, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... September 6, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Aviation Editor Wanted September 6, 2006 By Marc Cook Belvoir Media Group (AVweb's parent company) is seeking an aviation writer/editor for a staff position at Kitplanes magazine (AVweb's sibling). We're looking for someone with a proven track record in writing, reporting and editing. The ideal candidate -- we know you’re out there -- should have a good working knowledge of experimental (amateur-built) aviation as well as a broad-based background in general aviation. Familiarity with Adobe InDesign page layout software and advanced flight ratings are a plus. Contact editor@kitplanes.com
Flying For Adventure September 6, 2006 By Mary Grady Jim Carlaccini and John Long plan to fly from Florida to California next month to raise money for children's charities. They'll fly an FPNA A-22 Valor LSA and an Airborne XT-912 trike. The trike has been adapted with hand controls for Carlaccini, who uses a wheelchair since a skydiving accident several years ago. Their trip will take about two months. In South Africa, two rotary pilots plan to crisscross their country, one flying an R22 Robinson helicopter and the other an ELA gyrocopter.
Mu-2 Crashes Prompt More Safety Questions September 6, 2006 By Mary Grady Two Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft that crashed in the last two weeks in Florida have successfully raised additional concern over the safety of the twin turboprop. The MU-2 accident record prompted the FAA to undertake a safety review of the aircraft in December 2005. The review found that although the airplane's fatal accident rate is about 2.5 times that of similar twin turboprops, the airplane is not inherently unsafe. The FAA mandated extra training for MU-2 pilots. Last Friday, Hardy Head, 64, was killed when the MU-2 he was flying crashed in rural Walton County, Fla. On Aug. 26, Ward and Barb Walter, a Michigan couple in their 60s, died when their MU-2 crashed near Ormond Beach, Fla. The aircraft "operate more like a business jet than they do a turboprop," FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen told the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
RC Airplane Collides With Paraglider September 6, 2006 By Mary Grady A paraglider was flying along above Utah last Friday, about 75 feet high, when he encountered an airplane at his altitude ... which quickly became an unpleasant surprise. The remote-controlled airplane, with a 21-inch wingspan, dispensed enough force to disrupt the parafoil. The paraglider pilot, Wade Hutchinson, 31, of Wyoming, crashed on the side of a slope, but was spared serious injury. "That mountain helped break his fall," local police officer Clint Fackrell told the Salt Lake Tribune, referring to the angle of the terrain. The glider "folded up" on impact, according to the Tribune (not much of a surprise considering paraglider wings have no solid structural members). Hutchinson was flown to a hospital by helicopter, but his injuries were reported to be not life-threatening.
Riding The Mountain Wave September 6, 2006 By Mary Grady When pilots Steve Fossett and Einar Enevoldson reached 50,699 feet in a glider over the Andes last week, there was more to it than just catching another world record. The pair was conducting scientific research on atmospheric phenomena, trying to learn more about the structure of mountain waves and how they interact with polar winds. Because the stratosphere is generally stable, with no thermal lifting, the only way for a glider to get up there is to hitch a ride on mountain waves. The objective of Fossett and his team was to "surf" from one wave to another, to climb as high as possible. They tried for five seasons on three continents before reaching their target height, surpassing the 1986 record by 1,662 feet.
A Rental Car/FBO Connection September 6, 2006 By Mary Grady A source of complication for many GA pilots has always been that once you land, you still have to get to your destination, and it's not always easy. One car-rental company is trying to solve that problem, with a program aimed directly at GA pilots. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the biggest car-rental company in North America, has an easy-to-use Web portal, where pilots can plug in any airport identifier and get immediate detailed information about rental-car availability. In some cases, there is a branch on the airport, but if not, Enterprise will deliver the car to your FBO or pick you up there and shuttle you to their facility. The site lists what service is available, as well as car models and prices. Response to the project has been "tremendous," Enterprise spokesman Brad Carr told AVweb on Tuesday.
TSA Asks Flight Schools For Extra Vigilance September 6, 2006 By Mary Grady Transportation Security Administration officials have asked airport managers, flight schools, flight-training providers, and aircraft operators to remain vigilant for suspicious behavior and activities. The notice was prompted by a recent undisclosed incident involving suspicious activities at flight schools, the TSA said. The TSA advisory, issued on Friday, warns of continuing Al-Qaeda efforts to conduct multiple attacks against the U.S., and says those attacks may involve aviation. Owners of GA aircraft and airport owners and operators are urged to review the security measures contained in the TSA publication, "Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports," as well as AOPA's Airport Watch Program materials.
Audio News September 3, 2006 If you missed Friday's audio news, you missed an interview with a former member of the NTSB regarding the Comair crash. AVweb posts fresh audio news issues each Monday, plus interviews, Friday. We call them podcasts, but no iPod is required. Check our audio news index and hear what you've been missing.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash September 3, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... September 3, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
NASA To Go Wingless September 3, 2006 By Russ Niles Astronauts who make the next foray to the moon will go and return in much the same way as their predecessors did but they might be more comfortable. Last week NASA awarded a $3.9 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to build next-generation spacecraft to replace the space shuttle that look -- and function -- a lot like the Apollo capsules of 30 years ago. Gone are wings and other aerodynamic surfaces in favor of heat shields and parachutes in a reusable craft, called Orion, that will go to the International Space Station and the moon after the space shuttle is retired.
Pilot Locked Out Of Cockpit September 3, 2006 By Russ Niles A bizarre incident aboard an Air Canada Jazz flight last week has raised questions about just how terror-proof those new bullet-proof (and apparently pilot-proof) cockpit doors are. With 30 minutes left in the flight from Ottawa to Winnipeg, the captain left the cockpit to use the washroom in the rear of the CRJ-100. When he got back, the door lock had apparently malfunctioned and he was unable to get back to his post. Now, the first officer was up front and fully capable of landing the plane but the captain apparently insisted on being in his seat. In front of 50 passengers, he and the cabin crew popped the hinges on the door.
Training Incentive Offered By Avemco September 3, 2006 By Russ Niles Avemco Insurance is offering new pilots up to 10 percent off premiums (including non-owner coverage) if they learn to fly in a Cessna Pilot Center training program. Avemco says the Cessna program goes beyond the FAA minimums for flight training and that's a cornerstone of its incentive program. Students get a 5-percent discount just for enrolling. Completing the course extends the discount another year and if the student also takes a Practical Risk Management Course from King Schools, the discount is 10 percent. The incentive is part of Avemco's Safety Rewards Program started in 2002 and Jim Lauerman, Avemco's VP of Insurance Operations, said the results are encouraging. "With three years of solid claims data there is no question this program has helped to reduce accidents and stabilize insurance premiums," Lauerman said. "Our underwriting results are better for customers who have participated in one or both aspects of the program."
First Production Seawind Takes Flight September 3, 2006 By Russ Niles What seems to enthusiastic onlookers like one of the longest aircraft development programs, Seawind, hit a major milestone last week with the first certification test flight of a Seawind amphib built at the factory in St. Jean sur Richelieu, Quebec. Details of the flight weren't released. But until this flight, all other Seawinds, including the well-worn demo plane flown from air show to air show, were built from kits. The company now says it hopes to have Transport Canada certification for VFR within four months. IFR and other certifications will follow, including full authority digital engine control (FADEC) on the big Continental 550 that rests on a pylon protruding from the tail.
Emergency AD On Beech 1900s September 3, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) on Friday ordering operators of all Beech 1900s to inspect wings for cracks. The AD came after reports of cracks in two 1900s. No accident have been reported. Beech spokesman Mike Turner told The Associated Press that the company had already notified owners and most of the 350 aircraft, generally used for short-haul commuter flights, had already been inspected. It's not known if any more cracked wings were found. According to the AD, the cracks found in the two 1900s were significant and, in one of the aircraft, may have occurred after the detailed inspection that is required after 17,500 hours.
Light Sport First -- For A Good Cause September 3, 2006 By Russ Niles A Cincinnati pilot hopes to become the first to touch down in a Light Sport aircraft in all 48 contiguous states later this month but it's the worried parents of sick children who will benefit. Preston Bentley, 26, who works at Blue Ash Aviation and Charter, will fly a T-II Sky Skooter on the epic 8,000-nm flight, which he hopes to finish in 30 days. Along the way he'll be trying to raise $500,000 for Cincinnati's Ronald McDonald House, one of 259 comfortable places for families of sick children to stay while the kids are in the hospital away from home. "I want to do something good for this world, and I want to see and experience as much of it as possible in the process," Bentley said.
Audio News August 31, 2006 For AVweb subscribers who prefer their news straight from the horse's mouth, AVweb posts fresh audio news issues each Monday, and interviews, Friday -- it's information you won't find anywhere else. We call them podcasts, but no iPod is required. Check our audio news index and hear what you've been missing.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 31, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 31, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
The Savvy Aviator #35: Teardown Dilemma
By Mike Busch
Owners often agonize over whether to do an engine teardown inspection after a prop strike, but the decision is really a no-brainer if you think it through logically.
On The Fly... August 31, 2006 By Mary Grady NTSB wants FAA to require inspections of some Cessna control wheels...
Seven died in the crash of a Cessna 401 in Kentucky on Monday...
CFI sport pilot instruction guide free online, from EAA...
Elite athlete's artificial leg lost by an airline...
Webster, N.Y., banned private airports and outlawed helicopters...
NTSB wants "urgent" action to prevent failures of jet engines...
NASA helping pilots to fly airliners with throttles only...
Fewer carry-ons means faster boarding, longer luggage wait...
A hydrogen-powered UAV is being flight-tested in Georgia...
Adventurer Steve Fossett has reached 50,699 feet in a glider...
Want a free car? Just buy an airplane from CompAir.
Aviation Editor Wanted August 31, 2006 By Marc Cook Belvoir Media Group (AVweb's parent company) is seeking an aviation writer/editor for a staff position at Kitplanes magazine (AVweb's sibling). We're looking for someone with a proven track record in writing, reporting and editing. The ideal candidate -- we know you’re out there -- should have a good working knowledge of experimental (amateur-built) aviation as well as a broad-based background in general aviation. Familiarity with Adobe InDesign page layout software and advanced flight ratings are a plus. Contact editor@kitplanes.com.
Diamond Aircraft Expands In Northeast August 31, 2006 By Mary Grady Diamond Aircraft on Monday named Columbia Aircraft Sales as its exclusive distributor in New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Columbia group operates FBOs throughout the region, providing aircraft sales and fuel, with a staff of over 100. The company also provides maintenance, charter and management services for jet, turboprop, and piston-powered aircraft. "Columbia brings more than 25 years of aviation experience and deep familiarity with aircraft sales and customer service across nearly every segment of the market," said Peter Maurer, president of Diamond Aircraft, in a news release.
Embry-Riddle To Expand Worldwide August 31, 2006 By Mary Grady Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will open branches in Asia and South America and boost its operations in Europe, the Orlando Sentinel reported Tuesday. The school is scheduled to announce its plans today. The global plan will include the construction of a new international headquarters near its main campus in Daytona Beach, Fla., to be completed in 2008. The school aims to train workers in aircraft and airport management to meet booming needs in China, India, Brazil, Spain and Ireland, according to the Sentinel. Embry-Riddle currently operates a second residential campus in Prescott, Ariz., as well as 130 branches in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East.
Jacksonville Bans Aircraft Kit Projects August 31, 2006 By Mary Grady A city ordinance that was passed in June in Jacksonville, Fla., bans home-based construction of aircraft, EAA says. The building or restoring of anything that flies is forbidden. The ordinance aims to solve a dispute between an EAA member and some of his neighbors, who contend the project was noisy and an eyesore. "We can imagine the outcry from the public if Jacksonville passed a rule saying residents could not work on automobiles, boats or motorcycles at the their own homes," said Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president of industry and regulatory affairs. "It seems quite unfair that an aircraft builder could not quietly fit two parts together while his neighbor might be able to rebuild and engine test a muscle car next door."
AOPA: Service Bulletins Not Mandatory August 31, 2006 By Mary Grady If a manufacturer wants an owner to do something with his aircraft, the FAA has to approve it -- that's the bottom line, AOPA said on Monday. A manufacturer's Service Bulletin doesn't carry the same weight as an Airworthiness Directive, which has gone through a complex, public rulemaking procedure. AOPA has always held that position, but sought clarification recently after an NTSB judge issued a ruling a couple of months ago that clouded the issue. Now, the FAA says AOPA is right. FAA Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations Rebecca MacPherson issued an interpretation of the regulations to answer a question raised by Cessna Pilot Association's Mike Busch almost a year ago.
Jet, Glider Collide, All Survive August 31, 2006 By Mary Grady A Hawker XP800 corporate jet flying about 300 mph at 16,000 feet near Reno, Nev., on Monday afternoon collided with a Schleicher sailplane. The collision damaged the nose and landing gear of the jet, but the crew was able to make a safe belly landing at Carson City. The pilot suffered minor injuries, but the co-pilot and three passengers were fine. Meanwhile, glider pilot Hirao Akihiro, 58, bailed out over the Pine Nut Mountains, landed safely, and hiked about three miles until rescuers found him about 6:45 p.m. Other than some cuts and bruises, he was unhurt. The wreckage of the glider has not been found. On Tuesday, a local pilot said jets approaching Reno shouldn't be directed over the mountain range, which is a popular site for gliders.
Three Survive With Cirrus Chute August 31, 2006 By Mary Grady Pilots may debate the value of on-board parachutes for small aircraft, but one of the scenarios that is always cited in their favor is, "What if something happens to the pilot?" The value of a chute in that circumstance was proven on Monday, when the pilot of a Cirrus SR22 suffered an apparent stroke while in flight with three passengers on board. The passengers were able to deploy the chute, and all survived. The Cirrus landed in a drainage pond in a subdivision near Indianapolis, and residents rescued the passengers. The airplane had taken off from Eagle Creek Airport on the city's northwest side and was en route to Hilton Head Island, S.C. The pilot, Robert Edesess, 66, was killed in the crash.
CEO of the Cockpit #61: There's No Trying to Reason With the Terrorist Season
Do you want to see the captain of your airline flight walk through security in stocking feet with his "air marshal" government-approved gun in a clear plastic bag? AVweb CEO of the Cockpit just wants to keep his deodorant, thank you very much.
Audio News August 28, 2006 For AVweb subscribers who prefer their news straight from the horse's mouth, AVweb posts fresh audio news issues each Monday, plus interviews, Friday. We call them podcasts, but no iPod is required. Check our audio news index and hear what you've been missing.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 28, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 28, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Enflight Founder Died In Crash August 28, 2006 By Russ Niles Geoff Peck, whose software creation evolved into one of the most popular flight planning services on the Internet, died earlier this month when the Piper Arrow he was flying crashed in the mountains of Colorado while he was returning to his California home from EAA AirVenture. Peck, a computer scientist, devised a program to translate weather information into plain language. That breakthrough evolved into Enflight. According to the preliminary NTSB report, Peck was making a forced landing at the 12,000-foot level of the Rocky Mountains near Salida, CO., on Aug. 7 when one of the Arrow's wings hit a tree and the plane skidded to halt in rocky terrain. An unidentified passenger in the plane was injured.
Scottsdale Bans Aerial Commuting August 28, 2006 By Russ Niles Scottsdale, Ariz.'s planning commission has passed a motion that would ban landing aircraft in residential areas. Commission spokesman James Heitel said legislation with that intent has been on the books for 20 years but the motion passed last week clarifies the old law and makes it "black and white" according to a report in The Arizona Republic. The new rule fixes a problem that might hardly exist. The Republic states, "Scottsdale planners say that to date, only a handful of residents have landed aircraft on their properties," but the community's apparent failure to deal with another planning issue has prompted the pre-emptive strike against those who might want to change that condition.
First "Air-Port" To Close August 28, 2006 By Russ Niles The iconic airport labelled as the first to use that particular term will close next month. Development pressure and what appears to be an almost complete lack of community support has sealed the fate of Bader Airport in Atlantic City. A local newspaper reporter was credited as the first to use the term "air-port" in describing the facility in 1919. The name stuck. Bader has been in continuous operation since 1910, making it one of the oldest in the U.S. (College Park in Maryland opened in 1909) and saw its share of firsts, including being the launch point for the first attempt to cross the Atlantic by air. Development of Atlantic City International Airport 15 years ago shifted interest and business from Bader (though Bader is closer to and a few minutes from casinos and beaches) and there are now only about a dozen aircraft based there.
Re-engined Citation Certified August 28, 2006 By Russ Niles Sierra Industries has obtained a supplementary type certificate (STC) to install modern engines on a classic bizjet. The company says that by putting Williams FJ44-2A engines on the Cessna Citation 500 and 501 series, the 30-year-old jets can compete with modern designs in terms of performance and endurance. It calls the faster-climbing, faster-cruising, longer-legged creation the Stallion. "The Stallion offers the exhilarating performance that comes with a substantial power increase and provides owners with choice when it is time to overhaul engines," Sierra CEO Mark Huffstutler said in a news release.
FAA Starts Paperless Transition August 28, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA has announced it will no longer mail certain airworthiness-related documents to affected owners and operators as the first stage of its program to eventually distribute all of this kind of material electronically. According to Helicopter Association International, starting last Friday, the agency stopped mailing corrections to Airworthiness Directives that don't trigger a new amendment number or AD number. The corrections will continue to be published in the Federal Register and on the FAA Web site.
Orenda V-8 Making Comeback? August 28, 2006 By Russ Niles A Texas group in the Midland/Odessa area is revving up plans to build the Orenda 600, a geared aircraft engine based on an 8-cylinder big-block Chevy racing engine. Trace Engines holds all the rights to the engine, which went into production in the late 1990s in Nova Scotia but was dropped by Orenda Aerospace's parent company Magellan Aerospace about five years ago. According to the Odessa American, Trace Engines now expects to spend about $20 million to set up a manufacturing plant for the engine, which previously achieved certification but has yet to make much impact on the commercial market. When originally developed, the engine was touted as a low-cost replacement for turbine and radial engines in the 600-hp range -- Trace says that market still exists.
As the Beacon Turns #104: History Books
A pilot's logbooks can be a simple list of flight times, or they can be a journey into the past as you relive each flight. Or someone else's flights, as Michael Maya Charles discovers in this months As The Beacon Turns column.
A Tale of Whoa
With the right tools and the right techniques, you can replace your brakes quickly and easily.
Audio News August 24, 2006 For AVweb subscribers who prefer their news straight from the horse's mouth, AVweb posts fresh audio news issues each Monday, and interviews, Friday -- it's information you won't find anywhere else. We call them podcasts, but no iPod is required. Check our audio news index and hear what you've been missing.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 24, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 24, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
David Clark's Latest August 24, 2006 By Mary Grady David Clark Co.'s new X11 Electronic Noise-Canceling aviation headset has hit the market, with "dramatically enhanced" comfort and new user-friendly features. The X11 represents the culmination of years of research and development, the company says, based on the input of dozens of commercial and GA pilots. The sleek, lightweight headset uses a low-force carbon-fiber suspension assembly and fabric-faced, contoured gel ear seals for comfort. The entire headset weights just 12 ounces and folds compactly into its own carrying case. A small control unit, powered by two AA batteries (good for about 30 hours), features inputs for your cellphone and music player.
How Much Is A Live Weather Briefer Worth? August 24, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA and the National Weather Service are running a test in the Leesburg, Va., Air Route Traffic Control Center this month to see if it's really necessary to have on-staff meteorologists in the center, or if off-site weather briefers could do the work instead. The FAA says it's trying to determine if it can save money and at the same time enhance services. "We pay the Weather Service $12 million to do face-to-face briefings for us at our facilities," FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto told The Baltimore Sun. "We could be doing this remotely through video conferencing. It's a more efficient and cost-effective way of doing things."
Palm Springs Tower As An Economic Issue August 24, 2006 By Mary Grady Advocates for a new tower at Palm Springs International Airport in California say it's needed not only for safety, but also to ensure that business and tourism continue to grow in the area. In an editorial in The Desert Sun on Sunday, the newspaper said airplanes have nearly collided at the airport once every four months during the last year, and one reason is that the control tower is too short. The tower, built in 1967, sits in a gully, and controllers can't see to the ends of the runway. A new tower and new radar equipment would cost about $20 million. "Our $1 billion tourism industry is heavily dependent upon people flying here," the editorial says. "If our airport gains a bad reputation for safety, that's a mark against our ability to draw tourists and conventions."
Boater Arrested For Interfering With Seaplane August 24, 2006 By Mary Grady A boater repeatedly swerved in front of a floatplane on Bantam Lake, near Hartford, Conn., earlier this month, apparently trying to prevent it from taking off because he thought the airplane shouldn't be operating on the lake, the Hartford Courant reported this week. The boater was arrested on Sunday. The floatplane pilot had been donating rides to inner-city campers for many years, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection, whose officers made the arrest. On Aug. 4, the pilot was trying to take off with two girls on board, when the boat pulled in front of the airplane and stopped, forcing the pilot to abort, state officials said. It happened a second time, and the pilot returned to the dock and dropped off the girls.
Russian Airliner Crash Kills 169 August 24, 2006 By Mary Grady A Tupolev 154 operated by Pulkovo Airlines, of Russia, crashed in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, with no survivors. Reports varied from 169 to 171 killed. The aircraft was flying at about 33,000 feet in stormy weather, with heavy rains and strong winds, and the crew issued several emergency calls. Some reports said the airplane had caught fire in flight and the crew was trying to make an emergency landing. Others said it didn't start to burn until after it hit the ground. Authorities don't suspect terrorism. The airplane hit a hillside field and was destroyed. Both data recorders have been recovered by investigators. It was the third major incident involving a Russian airliner in less than four months. Tuesday, Russian officials said a criminal inquiry will look into a possible violation of safety rules.
Adam A700 Certification -- $93 Million Closer August 24, 2006 By Mary Grady Adam Aircraft has attained $93 million in fresh funding, led by new investor DCM, a venture capital firm, the company said on Tuesday. "This funding round puts Adam Aircraft in a strong position to accelerate our product development and production plans," spokeswoman Shelly Simi told AVweb yesterday. Deliveries have started on the A500 piston twin, though full FAA certification for night and IFR operations is still pending. That certification is now just "days away," Simi said. The company now will roll its resources over to the A700 VLJ program and hire additional engineers for its facilities in Colorado and Utah. A700 certification is currently aimed at early 2007, Simi said.
Audio News August 21, 2006 For AVweb subscribers who prefer their news straight from the horse's mouth, AVweb posts fresh audio news issues each Monday, plus interviews, Friday. We call them podcasts, but no iPod is required. Check our audio news index and hear what you've been missing.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
COLUMNS Probable Cause #13: Circling Into Danger
A circling approach is one of the most challenging maneuvers in an instrument pilot's repertoire. While it sounds simple, it's also easy to get it wrong.
WHAT'S NEW What's New for August
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you a new handheld GPS, a diesel engine for Cherokees, icing training and more.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 20, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 20, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Flugtag Record Set August 20, 2006 By Russ Niles This is one record you'll never see in any official chronicles of aviation achievements but the team behind Vancouver's Big Shooter couldn't be happier. The "aircraft" managed to stagger about 86 feet before falling into False Creek, an ocean inlet in Vancouver's downtown core. That was good for a North American record for Flugtag (means flying day in German), which is sponsored by Red Bull (yes, the same Red Bull that sponsors those nifty aerobatic races), and is held in about 40 cities worldwide each year. "When I left the flight deck I thought I'm really flying. And while I'm excited about setting a new record, I know we can fly at least 40 feet further," pilot Mike Perreten is quoted as saying in a news release.
Twin Otter Production May Resume August 20, 2006 By Russ Niles A Canadian company is testing the waters to see if it makes sense to resume building Twin Otters. The last of 844 of the high-wing, twin turboprops rolled off deHavilland's assembly line in Toronto in 1989 and Viking Air Ltd., of Victoria, B.C., says the notoriously rugged and reliable STOL aircraft are in serious demand. "A decent 20-year-old 300 Series fetches well over $2 million USD on amphibious floats, making it a viable candidate for new manufacture," said Viking Air President David Curtis in a news release. Viking recently acquired type certificates for the Twin Otter, Single Otter and Beaver designs from Bombardier, which bought out deHavilland in the 1980s. Viking will hold an operator's forum in Victoria Sept. 13 and Sept. 14 to gauge demand. An undisclosed number of order commitments will be needed to get the project going.
Heliplane Research Continues August 20, 2006 By Russ Niles Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has given Groen Brothers Aviation the green light (and $6.4 million) to continue its efforts to develop a militarily-capable aircraft that lands and takes off like a helicopter but flies as fast and as far as a conventional airplane. In a news release, Salt Lake City-based Groen Brothers said DARPA had passed its submission of the third milestone of its contract to develop the aircraft, whatever that means. Groen Brothers are big believers in the "gyrodyne" concept for such an aircraft. Essentially, it's a gyrocopter with jet engines on the tips of the rotors that run only when the plane is in helicopter mode.
AOPA On Top Of "Threat" To Satellite WX August 20, 2006 By Russ Niles AOPA says it's monitoring a couple of bills that some worry will mean the end of satellite weather beamed to aircraft cockpits. Internet rumors are circulating that the loss of Sirius and XM aviation weather services will be one result of the Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act, which has been lying dormant in House and Senate committees for more than a year. The bill is intended to protect local radio stations from competition by the satellite broadcasters by prohibiting the satellite stations from offering content tailored to specific markets. Some have interpreted that to cover local weather data and forecasts prepared for aviation customers. It's an unlikely result, says AOPA's government affairs specialist Andy Cebula, but it's also something AOPA is keeping an eye on.
ADS-B Covers More Ground August 20, 2006 By Russ Niles Most of the Eastern Seaboard as far north as New Jersey now has virtually seamless automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast service (ADS-B -- a system that automatically and precisely reports an equipped aircraft's position, identity and velocity twice each second) thanks to a nudge from AOPA. The last gap was filled when the Pennsylvania Department of Aviation agreed to partner with the FAA to set up ground stations at four airports in the state. Now, ADS-B equipped aircraft can pick up continuous traffic and weather information en route from Florida to New Jersey. AOPA says it gave Pennsylvania officials a demonstration of the technology in 2004 and that helped them decide to implement it.
NASA Picks ATC Software As Its Best August 20, 2006 By Russ Niles Software originally designed for computer simulations has become an important tool for air traffic control centers to predict and manage the flow of aircraft traffic. Therefore NASA has declared its Future Air traffic management Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET) the Software of the Year. The software crunches air traffic and weather data across the country and can predict the trajectories of aircraft, including climb, cruise and descent phases. It enables a single computer to track 15,000 flights and tell controllers when and how each is going to get to its destination. Its core technology is now use by 100 ATC centers and has been commercially licensed to Flight Explorer.
Say Again? #66: Common Phraseology
Back to basics this month. AVweb's Don Brown has some reminders on how (and why) common phraseology is not as good as clear phraseology.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 16, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 16, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
Audio News August 16, 2006 Online Now: Listen to, or take AVweb's no-iPod-requiredaudio news with you. We post fresh audio news issues each Monday and Friday. Tomorrow, we're with the group working to restore the Avro Vulcan delta-winged bomber.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Datalink Or Stormscope? August 16, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli In the span of just a few years, NEXRAD weather datalinked to the cockpit has become all but standard equipment. But has it displaced the previous standard in storm avoidance, spherics devices such as Stormscope and Strike Finder? For an upcoming issue, our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, is preparing an article comparing the two technologies. If you've been using both systems and you have an opinion on the topic, the editors would like to hear from you. Contact aviationeditorial@comcast.net for a survey form. The editors would also like your views comparing onboard weather radar with datalinked NEXRAD.
Your Laptop's Terrorism Plot? August 16, 2006 By Mary Grady We've written before about snakes on a plane, and bees, too, but with this week's recall of 4.1 million Dell laptop batteries because they might suddenly burst into flame -- the biggest such recall ever -- pilots may be wondering if it's a good idea to allow laptops on a plane. Last month, an NTSB hearing about the onboard fire that destroyed a UPS DC-8 in Philadelphia in February focused on lithium-ion batteries. And a Wall Street Journal story earlier this week, prior to the Dell recall, explored concerns about the batteries, citing 60 incidents since 1991 logged by the FAA. In the last two years, five known battery fires have occurred on aircraft, the Journal reported. So should you leave your laptop out of the cockpit?
Texas Town Not Ready For Powered Parachute August 16, 2006 By Mary Grady The powers that be in Nacogdoches, Texas, have decided to look a gift parachute in the mouth, and told the local sheriff to keep his Buckeye Dream Machine on the ground, at least for now. The sheriff got the powered 'chute for free last month from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, funded by a federal grant to test the usefulness of the craft in crime fighting. But when three deputies started practicing in the aircraft, working toward a Sport Pilot certificate from the FAA, questions arose about liability and insurance. "I haven't really achieved a high level of comfort with this," said County Judge Sue Kennedy, quoted in The Daily Sentinel. "I have some concerns that we are being rushed into something we haven't had time to look at."
Aerial Expedition's Tragedy August 16, 2006 By Mary Grady The Flight of Discovery will go on, its organizers say, despite the loss of three members of the expedition on Sunday morning, when their Robinson R44 helicopter went down off the foggy Oregon coast. Two helicopters were flying together from Washington state, with 100-foot ceilings and about a half-mile visibility reported. The pilot of the other helicopter called the Coast Guard after losing contact with the R44. The crash site was found about a mile offshore. The Flight of Discovery is a team of general-aviation pilots and scientists who will fly the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition during the 200th anniversary of their trek, in an effort to inspire an interest in history and science.
Vulcan Needs A Million Pounds, Now August 16, 2006 By Mary Grady No, not Mr. Spock's home planet, but the giant Avro Vulcan delta-winged bomber, formerly of Britain's Royal Air Force. Despite widespread support and some £2.75 million already spent, the restoration of the retired airplane is "on the brink of failure," Robert Pleming wrote to AVweb on Monday. The impressive-looking aircraft was one of three British V-Bombers designed to drop nuclear weapons during the Cold War. The fleet fought in the Falklands War and was retired in 1993 -- none have flown since. After more than seven years of work, Vulcan XH558 is almost ready to be rolled out of its hangar, with the goal to return to the air next year. But the project has run out of funds, and now is trying to raise a million pounds by the end of August.
Planned "Fix" A Threat To GPS, Scientists Say August 16, 2006 By Mary Grady The tax dollars that fund the U.S. Air Force and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) are not for nothing ... the brains there are hard at work finding ways to deflect threats most of us didn't even know existed. The trouble is, according to some New Zealand researchers, their fix might cause problems of its own, disrupting GPS signals and aircraft radios worldwide for up to a week. DARPA says it could protect Earth-orbiting satellites from nasty charged particles by clearing them out with very-low-frequency radio waves. But according to researcher Craig Rodger, "Earth's upper atmosphere would be dramatically affected by such a system, causing unusually intense [radio] blackouts around most of the world."
"Gear Of The Year": Twin Star, Garmin GPS August 16, 2006 By Mary Grady Aviation Consumer (AVweb's sister publication) named Diamond Aircraft's DA42 Twin Star as its "Airplane of the Year" in the August 2006 issue. The magazine was impressed with Diamond's use of Theilert aerodiesel engines, especially with the price of 100LL reportedly peaking above $7 per gallon in some areas. According to Aviation Consumer, the aircraft addresses the "head-in-the-sand blind hope that fuel prices will somehow decline again." The Twin Star "has decent cruise speed [172 knots], a comfortable cabin and exceptional economy [12.5 gph of Jet A]. If the future of GA lies in more efficient airplanes and powerplants, Diamond is leading the way." Product of the Year was the Garmin GPSMAP396, and other favorites were chosen from airport bikes, EFIS displays and more.
The Pilot's Lounge #103: The FAA As Customer -- Good Business?
Somebody has to rent planes to FAA personnel so they can maintain currency. And with the government backing them up, you shouldn't have to worry about collecting the fees, right? AVweb's Rick Durden has a cautionary tale from the Pilot's Lounge this month.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 14, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 14, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Audio News August 14, 2006 Online Now: Listen to, or take AVweb's no-iPod-requiredaudio news with you. We post fresh audio news issues each Monday and in-depth interviews, Friday.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Public Benefit Flying Awards August 14, 2006 By Russ Niles The National Aeronautic Association and the Air Care Alliance have chosen the 2006 Public Benefit Flying Award Winners. Ted Ruscitti, of Sewickley, Penn., gets the Distinguished Volunteer Pilot award for his many efforts in public benefit flying from 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina. Distinguished Volunteer Award goes to Jubel Caldwell, the director of maintenance for Med+Flight in Texas. The Teamwork Award went to Remote Area Medical and Wings of Hope for their joint projects in 40 countries. Thomas Holcom, of Kansas City, Mo., gets the individual award for organizing cooperation between volunteer groups. Air traffic controllers in general and Continental Airlines will both receive the Champion of Public Benefit Flying Award. Presentations will be made Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lyndon B. Johnson Room of the Capitol building.
Thunder Mustang Comeback? August 14, 2006 By Russ Niles A Canadian company is considering resuming production of the kit-built Thunder Mustang, a three-quarter scale replica of the P-51 that's been turning heads at the Reno Air Races. The original company closed its doors several years ago but Mike Paller says it wasn't because of the airplane. Paller said there is demand for the $285,000 kit-built plane, which is actually faster than a real P-51 (when flown below 10,000 feet). He's working to acquire the tooling and intellectual property from the existing owners in Oregon and hopes to resume production in Abbotsford, B.C., where he flew it in front of tens of thousands attending the Abbotsford International Airshow on the weekend. The Thunder Mustang is powered by a Falconer V-12 engine that puts out 640 hp, normally aspirated.
CAP To Patrol Border August 14, 2006 By Russ Niles The Civil Air Patrol has been pressed into service to conduct "reconnaissance" missions along the border between Arizona and Mexico. Three CAP Cessna 182s and pilots from Nevada will head south to fly the missions, which will be in support of government border-patrol efforts. The CAP crews have no authority to try and stop anyone trying to sneak across the border but they will be acting as eyes and ears for the feds. CAP volunteers often have lengthy military and law enforcement experience. The duty will rotate among Nevada CAP units, which have a total of 450 volunteers and 10 aircraft between them.
Promising New Ultralight Engine August 14, 2006 By Russ Niles Not all the innovation is taking place in the very light jet and other ivory-tower sectors of aviation. One of the great things about EAA AirVenture is that recognition is given those whose more homegrown tinkering can result in technological advances for those whose flying is a little less complex than some. Take, for example, the Custom Power Plant Award winner at the 2006 fly-in -- the Big Twin. Valley Engineering, of Rolla, Mo., has come up with what appears to be a viable four-cycle alternative to the noisy, smoky two-cycle engines in the 30- to 50-hp range that power a lot of ultralights. The company adapted a 990-cc V-Twin motorcycle engine for aircraft use and came up with a package that weighs a maximum of 117 lbs. (depending on configuration) and puts out a maximum of 38 hp.
Airline Pilots "Too Tired To Fly" August 13, 2006 By Russ Niles Security delays at the airport can't be helping, and a British study has concluded that most British short-haul airline pilots are running on empty at the end of their shifts, according to a report in The Scotsman. The study, done by the University of Central England, says one of the 160 pilots interviewed reported being so tired at the end of one day that he couldn't drive home without pulling off the road and taking a nap first. The pilots told researchers that airlines are forcing them to work longer days by getting them to fly in the "discretionary hours" that are supposed to be set aside for coping with weather and equipment delays. About 80 percent say they've flown when they believe their judgment has been impaired by fatigue. However, the British government and at least two airlines seem to think the researchers found an unusually bleary-eyed bunch of pilots.
NATA Wants Landing Distance Order Delayed August 13, 2006 By Russ Niles Fallout from a Southwest 737 accident in Chicago last winter continues. The National Air Transportation Association says the FAA is fudging the regulatory process and creating confusion and uncertainty with its new requirement that the operators of jet-powered aircraft do detailed stopping-distance calculations just before landing. It wants the agency to delay implementation of the orders for at least 60 days to deal with the concerns. In a letter to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, NATA says the new requirements are being issued through "operation specifications" or "management specifications" instead of going through the formal rulemaking process, with its opportunity for public comment.
The People's Turbine Makes Another Showing August 13, 2006 By Russ Niles Our last update on the 188-pound turbines that put out 165 to 255 horsepower, with a TBO of 5,000 hours and price tag of between $26,500 and $34,500 was this past January. Innodyn LLC announced last week that the first customer-delivered turbine engine had flown in that customer's RV-8 (renamed an RV-8T). Innodyn didn't name the customer, nor did it provide much detail about this "first" flight, but says more information will be posted by the customer himself. "The turbine worked great, and we were up about 15 minutes and reached an altitude of about 9,000 ft," Innodyn quotes its customer as saying. Further flights from the customer's home base in Colorado are planned. A photo of the turbine-equipped RV and "additional images, video, and comments from the builder/owner will be posted in the near future," according to Innodyn.
Quiz #110: Turn Sour Notes Into Sweet Approaches
Whether you're a Jepp fan or sing NACO's praises, instrument approach procedures are full of tidbits you need to know before entering the clag. Test your interpretative mettle in this musical IFR trip.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 10, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 10, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
Audio News August 10, 2006 Online Now: Listen to, or take AVweb's no-iPod-requiredaudio news with you. We post fresh audio news issues each Monday and Friday.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
We Hear The Strangest Things August 9, 2006 By Glenn Pew You dropped what from 6,500 feet? We were able late last week to speak with an individual who makes this story from AirVenture complete. During an AVweb "Meet the Editor" session at Oshkosh this year, pilot Ray Walker approached with, "Man, have I got a story for you!" ... and so it began. Ray was flying his float-equipped ACA Scout at 6,500 feet (and a blistering 100 mph) out of Texas for Oshkosh when the unusual struck. Ray's wife was "asleep in back" when suddenly a window popped open. In the brief mayhem that followed, Ray successfully convinced his wife (who temporarily lost her headset) they were not crashing, but also lost his cellphone, forever ... or so he thought.
Australia's AOPA Blasts Privatization Policy August 9, 2006 By Mary Grady The Australian government's policy to hand over airport control to private operators is bad for the nation's aviation system, the Australian Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) said in a news release this week. "AOPA does not believe these operators have the interests of aviation or the local community at heart and see the airport simply as land to be developed," the statement says. "Airports are affected across Australia ... all Australian airports are potentially at risk; property developers see only dollars, not national assets." The federal Transport Department failed to properly investigate the issues involved with privatization, the group says.
FAA To Ease Restrictions On Warbird Flying August 9, 2006 By Mary Grady Warbird pilots got some good news from the FAA during EAA AirVenture last month. "The FAA has proposed removing the proficiency area requirements currently in place for warbirds," said EAA Warbirds of America (WOA) Executive Director Bill Fischer. "It will mean that a civilian pilot who flies a military or surplus aircraft can fly it anywhere that a civil aircraft can go." Current FAA regulations restrict most warbird flights to 600 miles or less from their home bases. WOA has been involved in a "continuing dialog" with the FAA to try to ease those restrictions for qualified pilots, Fischer said.
Yet More Fishers Of Fresh Pilots August 9, 2006 By Mary Grady Monday's AVweb story about the lack of new pilot starts drew a response from multiple sources, including the folks at Pilot Journey, who have been busy thinking up multiple ways to help flight schools keep busy. Latest from the Nashville, Tenn., company is an effort to help international students locate and apply to U.S. flight schools. Pilot Journey will facilitate the official paperwork, find English lessons, and match the student to schools that offer whatever kind of training they want. The company, established in 2001, also offers a $99 Discovery Flight at over 800 flight schools, and says it's been signing up about 1,000 people a month.
UAV Crashes Raise Safety Concerns August 9, 2006 By Mary Grady Several crashes this year of unmanned aerial vehicles have raised questions about their safety, as the drone aircraft continue to proliferate. According to a USA Today story this week, a Customs and Border Protection Predator B drone, which is 36 feet long with a max weight of 10,000 pounds, crashed within several hundred feet of homes in Arizona on April 25; a prototype of a 2,000-pound tilt-rotor crashed during tests April 5 in Texas; and a 3-pound drone carrying cameras crashed while being demonstrated for the media by a Los Angeles County sheriff on June 16, a flight that took place without FAA permission. Both the Air Line Pilots Association and AOPA have said safety protocols for UAVs are inadequate.
LoPresti's Fury, Alive In New Mexico August 9, 2006 By Mary Grady LoPresti Aviation, based in Vero Beach, Fla., will soon start building a 100,000-square-foot production plant at the Belen airport in central New Mexico, the Albuquerque Journal reported last week. The company, which for years has been in the aviation business as LoPresti Speed Merchants, plans to start production on the LoPresti Fury, a sporty two-seat airplane that cruises at about 175 knots. The airplanes are expected to sell for about $295,000. LoPresti's vice president for operations, Arjay Siegel, told the Journal that Belen, which is about 30 miles from Albuquerque, rated highest among 75 communities in a national search. The company needed a site with a long runway that was located near a major transportation hub and with access to a good labor force.
New Articles and Features on AVweb August 7, 2006 COLUMNS Probable Cause #12: Siren Song
As home beckons, a commuting pilot slugs through storms and delays before finally meeting his match a half-hour from home.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 6, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 6, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
Audio News August 6, 2006 Online Now: Listen to, or take AVweb's no-iPod-requiredaudio news with you.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
Correction: EAA AirVenture Procedures August 6, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli Our story in Thursday's news about the fatal taxiway accident in Oshkosh on July 30th inadvertently gave the impression that EAA hasn't reviewed its safety procedures following the accident. EAA is awaiting the results of the NTSB's investigation of the accident before considering any changes in safety procedures. EAA President Tom Poberezny told AVweb on Thursday that it constantly revisits safety, whether there are accidents or not. "Safety is our number-one priority," he said. "We address it year after year." Meetings are held year-round to establish safety procedures, and every suggestion and comment is looked at and taken very seriously, he said.
Joyrider Sentenced August 6, 2006 By Russ Niles A young man who according to his sentencing judge loaded two young friends aboard a Cessna 172 in Danbury, Conn., and flew it for three hours before landing almost out of fuel and "drunk" at Westchester, N.Y., will have another year in jail to think about that night. He'll also have six months of enforced rehab to sort out the alcohol problem that he's now admitted to having. A Connecticut judge imposed the sentence last week after Philippe Patricio, now 21, pleaded guilty to a string of charges relating to the incident on June 22, 2005. He had already been in jail for nine months on charges laid by New York authorities.
Venerable Balloon Manufacturer To Stop Production August 6, 2006 By Mary Grady Many piston pilots have likely never heard Aerostar mentioned in relation to anything but an airplane, but to the ballooning community, the Sioux Falls, S.D., company is kind of like Cessna, Piper and Beechcraft all rolled into one -- and the company just announced last week that after Jan. 31, 2007, it won't be in the hot-air balloon business anymore. Aerostar, which started as Raven Industries back in the 1960s, virtually invented the system that gave birth to the modern sport of hot-air ballooning. Company President Mark West said the decision was an economic one. "The entire general aviation industry took a marked decline after 9/11 and the hot-air balloon industry has never recovered," he said in a news release on Tuesday.
Senate Looks At NATCA Bill August 6, 2006 By Russ Niles Arkansas Democratic senator Mark Pryor has introduced a bill that would force the FAA to resume negotiations with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association toward a new contract. The FAA imposed a contract on the union in June under the terms of legislation that would have required congressional intervention to resolve the dispute. Under that law, Congress has 60 days to act after the agency declares talks "at impasse." The impasse was declared April 5 and a last-ditch attempt by House members to halt the process failed. However, the union thinks Pryor's bill has a good chance. "We believe we have overwhelming support on both sides of the aisle," NATCA representative James Keith told the Springdale Morning News.
Cessna Looks To Homebuilts For LSA Ideas August 6, 2006 By Russ Niles Cessna may adopt a construction method used by some kit airplane companies to simplify assembly of the aircraft. Computerized match-hole drilling involves pre-drilling sheet metal pieces so that the holes line up perfectly when it comes time to fit them together. Companies like Van's aircraft (which estimates its homebuilt flying fleet at more than 4,500) have had good success with the system, which saves the builder time and improves the fit of the components. "It's very accurate," Neal Wilford, who's heading up Cessna's LSA project, told The Wichita Eagle. Wilford is building a Thorp Sky Scooter using the same technique. "So I knew it worked." The process might offer Cessna more than just a precise fit and finish.
CAF B-29 Fifi Needs $3 Million Engine Job August 6, 2006 By Russ Niles A "national treasure" has been grounded indefinitely and it'll take $3 million to get it back in the air. Fifi, the Commemorative Air Force's B-29 bomber, has had chronic engine problems for years and the CAF has decided that they must be resolved for safety's sake. Fifi is the only airworthy B-29 in the world. As the CAF's Kay Crites told AVweb in our Aug. 4 audio news, the original equipment engines were maintenance hogs when they were new and they haven't gotten any better in 60 years of service. The CAF has decided to replace the engines with custom-built variants of the Wright Cyclone 18-cylinder radials and it's launched a fundraising effort to do the work.
AVweb's Business AVflash August 3, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
New Articles and Features on AVweb August 2, 2006 COLUMNS The Savvy Aviator #34: Is This Engine Airworthy?
How do we assess whether a piston aircraft engine is airworthy? Compression tests and oil consumption are only part of the story ... a smaller part than most owners and mechanics think.
Podcasts August 2, 2006 By Glenn Pew Online Now: Listen to, or take AVweb's no-iPod-requiredaudio news with you.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... August 2, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Microsoft's Newest Flight Simulator August 2, 2006 By Mary Grady For many wannabes it's the next best thing, but the same goes for many instrument pilots looking to keep their skills up. It's almost three years since Microsoft Flight Simulator's Century of Flight 2004 edition let you trade places with Orville and Wilbur in the original Wright Flyer. The latest flight simulator isn't quite so radical, but it does add the chance to fly a Grumman Goose, De Havilland Beaver, a Maule on Skis, a Cosmos Trike Ultralight, and a DG808 sailplane with a tow plane. Flight Simulator X -- pronounced as "Ex," not "ten," even though it is the tenth version -- made its biggest advances in realism and multiplayer modes. The FSX world is much higher resolution and contains dynamic objects you'd better watch out for.
NTSB: Spectrum 33 Was Misrigged August 2, 2006 By Mary Grady In its preliminary report, the NTSB says the controls of the Spectrum 33 (very) light-jet prototype that crashed on July 25 in Spanish Fork, Utah, just short of its 50th flight, were misrigged. "Specifically, the linkage was connected such that left roll input from the side sticks would have deflected the ailerons to produce right roll of the airplane," the report says. The jet entered a right roll almost immediately after takeoff. The roll continued to about 90 degrees right wing-down when the right wingtip impacted the ground. The two crewmen on board were killed.
Sport Aircraft Sales Growing August 2, 2006 By Mary Grady Over in the Light Sport Aircraft segment of GA, sales also have been brisk. Just a year ago at AirVenture, the first 14 approved aircraft were on display. This year, the number of LSA-approved aircraft was up to 38, a pace of two new airplanes a month. "I think that pace will start to slacken a little," Dan Johnson, director of the LSA Mall, told AVweb at the show. He estimates that by next year, the Mall will host 48 different aircraft. This year, about 500 LSAs have been delivered so far in the U.S., and about 500 more will be in pilots' hands by the end of the year, Johnson said. With many manufacturers working now to ramp up production capacity, deliveries for 2007 could easily total 1,500 or even 2,000, Johnson said.
GA Sales Breaking Records This Year August 2, 2006 By Mary Grady Shipments of general-aviation aircraft totaled 1,843 units in the first six months of this year, a 19-percent increase over the same period last year, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced last week at AirVenture. "This is the highest recorded billings for the first half of a year in general aviation's history," said Pete Bunce, president of GAMA. "With our manufacturers' current backlog, we are confident that this trend will continue throughout the remainder of 2006." Industry billings totaled $8.8 billion, a 35-percent rise over last year. The biggest increase was in business-jet sales, which rose 28 percent to 415 units, but the overall upward trend was evident in all aircraft segments, GAMA said.
New Leadership For NATCA August 2, 2006 By Mary Grady Pat Forrey will be the new president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) starting Sept. 1, replacing John Carr, who took office in September 2000. Forrey has worked as an air traffic controller at Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center for 18 years. The election campaign spanned a contentious time for the organization, as the leadership tried fruitlessly to negotiate a complicated contract with the FAA. Forrey said he will develop strategic long-term plans for the organization and engage diplomatically with the FAA, Congress, industry groups, and others. "My philosophy has many facets, but the main premise is this: Dialogue is imperative to solving problems," says Forrey in a statement on his Web site. The FAA issued a statement on Monday congratulating Forrey for his win.
Cessna LSA: Under $100K, Or Not At All? August 2, 2006 By Mary Grady Cessna's LSA proof-of-concept design was "mobbed every day," at AirVenture, Jack Pelton, Cessna CEO, told The Wichita Eagle. "I can't tell you how many have said, 'I'll write you a check today.' It's been unbelievable." With many still waiting for a new $40,000 airplane, Pelton said the trick would be to produce Cessna's LSA offering for under $100,000. "If we can do that, I think the market is very much there," adding that even that won't be easy. "As you dissect the cost, if you do business as usual, we'll never make the price point," Pelton said. "We're going to have to look at every possible place to be competitive." From what we heard in AVweb's audio news segment with Pelton, that very much means Europe, too. He said current estimates suggest Cessna could sell 600 LSAs per year.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
New Articles and Features on AVweb July 31, 2006 COLUMNSAs the Beacon Turns #103: It's a Tribal Thing
Airplane type club can be a great place to learn more about the quirks and habits of your favorite steed -- and other owners too. AVWeb's Michael Maya Charles has a Cessna 185 and a great gang to hang out with.
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COLUMNSCEO of the Cockpit #60: The Rebel Alliance
There is a certain rebelious streak among pilots; anti-authoritarian attitudes are admired if not quite encouraged. But among airline pilots? No one, least of all AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit, wants to lose their job ...
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 31, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
AVweb's Business AVflash July 31, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
Wrapping It All Up July 31, 2006 By Mary Grady Tough as it was to live up to last year's spectacular lineup, opening day at EAA AirVenture this year was the biggest ever, EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski told AVweb on Saturday, with the Beach Boys and the B-1 bomber helping to draw that crowd. This year's show also had huge breaking news announcements, with the Eclipse certification, the unveiling of two new Cessna piston airplanes, and the Honda decision to move into jet production and partner with Piper Aircraft. "We had more news conferences than ever, almost 50," Knapinski said. What's in the works for next year?
Thunder Of Mustangs -- The Ones With Guns July 31, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli Of all the warbirds that appear every year at AirVenture, a perennial favorite is the North American P-51 Mustang, examples of which arrive at OSH in the dozens each July. But that's a pale shadow of a gathering of P-51s planned for September 2007 at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. "Gathering of Mustangs and Legends" is next year expected to attract at least 100 of the famed World War II fighters. As important as the airplanes may be, however, it's the guys who flew them -- the legends -- who are more interesting. GML 2007 says of the 1279 aces in World War II, 274 were Mustang pilots. Sadly, only about 80 of those pilots are still living and GML 2007 hopes to get as many of them as possible to the Columbus event, which will take place at an airport with a rich World War II history.
GA Goes To The Movies July 31, 2006 By Mary Grady Some of you who went out to catch a movie over the weekend may have noticed that a distinctive GA airplane made its Hollywood debut in "Miami Vice." An Adam A500 flew to Florida and the Dominican Republic – the first international flight for an Adam aircraft –- and took part in the filming of the Michael Mann picture. Some segments were shot from the cabin, and many of the movie crew, including Mann and stars Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell, took the opportunity to fly in the airplane. Also this week at Oshkosh, a screening was held of the movie "Flyboys," which tells the story of the Lafayette Escadrille -- the American pilots who volunteered to fly for the French in the early stages of World War I, before the U.S. entered the fray.
Thielert Expands Its Diesel Options July 31, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli Prowling the grounds at AirVenture, we couldn't help but notice that Frank Thielert, the Germany-based entrepreneur responsible for the engines in Diamond's brisk-selling aerodiesel-powered Star and Twin Star, was in intense discussions with Cessna officials. Is a Thielert diesel about to find its way into a new Cessna? Cessna CEO Jack Pelton said earlier this week that diesel may be an option in the new next-gen high-performance single Cessna shown in a low-key flyby on Monday. But it could just as well be a Lycoming diesel, a mock-up of which we saw in Lycoming's tent. Nonetheless, Thielert has a Cessna diesel program of its own in Europe and announced this week that U.S. approval for an STC to convert the Cessna 172 to the 135-hp Centurion 1.7 has just been granted. And there's more.
Honda's Powerplant For Aircraft July 31, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli General Electric, which has partnered with Honda to squire the engine through the FAA certification maze, says Honda did things differently when it developed its engines. In GE's large fanjets, such as the giant GE90-115B found in the Boeing 777, TBOs of 20,000 to 30,000 hours are common, with 5000 hours "on wing" not unusual. In Honda's 400-pound package, the 2000-pound thrust HF118, Honda and GE are aiming for a 5000-hour TBO, with no interim hot section overhaul, something that's predicted to reduce operating costs and downtime. Like the Pratt 600-series used on the Eclipse and Cessna Mustang, the HF118s have drastically reduced parts counts compared to small jet engines of even a decade ago.
The 51-Percent Solution? July 31, 2006 By Mary Grady Builders of experimental aircraft will be paying close attention in the coming months as the FAA begins its review of the rules that govern amateur-built airplanes. EAA's Joe Norris said a lot of issues have arisen with various aspects of the 51-percent rule, which was crafted back in the 1950s. A lot has changed since then, with more complex and higher-performance aircraft being built, which were never envisioned when the rule was written. Also, custom builders and owner-assist consultants sometimes operate in a grayish area. "The regulation maybe hasn't kept up with what is happening in the aviation community, so the FAA is going to take a look at some of these issues," Norris said.
Van's LSA Concept Unveiled July 31, 2006 By Mary Grady Cessna was not the only big player to bring a new "proof-of-concept LSA" to this year's show. Van's Aircraft, which has sold thousands of kit airplanes (and whose builders have thousands flying), brought out its RV-12, a work in progress that it expects to fly later this year. It has two side-by-side seats, an all-metal airframe, and a Rotax 912S 100-hp engine. Van's said it won't offer the kits for sale until flight testing is complete and they are satisfied with the performance and handling characteristics, which would be late 2007, at the earliest. The LSA would most likely be offered as a standard kit, with a quick-build version to come later. An LSA kit, which allows for the airplane to be completed to greater than 49 percent, might come later. What about a factory-built version?
AVweb's Business AVflash July 28, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 28, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
You Won't Hear It Anywhere Else July 28, 2006 By Glenn Pew Click here to download. Garmin talks shop about its latest leading-edge glass — and Chelton responds. A Swedish group tells how they took Diamond's DA42 across the Pacific and will continue around the world. Cirrus's Alan Klapmeier talks about his company's program that leaves buyers with a new airplane plus a CFII (for a year). ECI's Ed Salmeron explains the latest improvements his company's products add to aircraft engines. And you'll hear exactly how controllers at Oshkosh manage 2500 operations a day, both when things go right — and otherwise. Check AVweb's audio news index for more...
VistaNav Offers a Virtual Window July 28, 2006 By Jeff Van West With so many Tablet PC and Pocket PC navigators available, where do you even begin? A good place might be to leave the regular Oshkosh product hangars and go out to the flymarket looking for Mercury Computing's VistaNav booth. VistaNav's 3D synthetic vision recreates the view out the front of the airplane, complete with terrain, runways, and highway-in-the-sky (HITS) guidance. This actually isn't new, but newly completed -- in fact, a patent was filed the day of the announcement -- with three new features that help with approaches, emergencies, and collision avoidance. As for the unit's price: $4,300. If you were expecting something higher ... you can always buy more. Of course, this isn't a certified product. ... It simply appears that it may be a highly capable, practical and affordable one that would probably be nice to have.
Mooney Sells A Fast One; Hints At Fastest July 28, 2006 By Jeff Van West Mooney Airplane Company delivered its first Ovation 3 this AirVenture to Andre Kulaga. "I studied airplanes for the last couple years, and compared the price, performance, and the quality of the work," said Kulaga, "...and I think Mooney is the best airplane out there." The Ovation 3 is the normally-aspirated version of Mooney's twin-turbo Acclaim. There is some contention as to whether the Acclaim has displaced the Columbia 400 as the fastest piston single, but, according to Gretchen Jahn, CEO of Mooney airplane company, that uncertainty won't last long.
Paper Thin (Almost) And Sunlight Readable July 28, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli Makers of electronic flight bags and cockpit computers have struggled with making the things readable in direct sunlight and no one has really figured out an elegant way to display approach plates. But at AirVenture 2006, we saw an intriguing gadget that appears to have broken the code. The eFLYBook from Arinc was described by a company representative as "electronic paper." And it is, too. It's an impressively thin tablet computer (Linux based) about the size of a standard approach plate. Rather than a backlit LCD display, the eFLYBook uses proprietary technology from iREX that works sort of like a high-tech Etch-a-Sketch, requiring only tiny amounts of power and displays in a black and white (ish) format.
D-Jet Makes A Quick Stop And Go July 28, 2006 By Mary Grady Diamond's newest project, the single-engine D-Jet prototype, made its world debut at AirVenture on Wednesday morning. The jet rolled in to a welcome from officials from EAA and the FAA, then was displayed at Aeroshell Square before flying back home to Canada mid-afternoon to get back to work. Diamond CEO Christian Dries said the five-place jet is "extremely comfortable" to fly in, and so far has logged about 30 hours aloft. Labeling it as a "personal jet," Dries said its target market is the 500 to 700 hour owner-pilot. With that in mind, the aircraft is designed to be safe and easy to fly.
AirShares Elite, AOPA Team Up To Mentor New Pilots July 28, 2006 By Mary Grady Yesterday at Oshkosh, AirShares Elite said it will donate $100,000 worth of free flight time to help encourage AOPA's latest effort to recruit new pilots. In the few weeks since AOPA launched its revitalized Project Pilot at its annual Open House in Maryland, nearly 1,000 AOPA members have already signed up to be mentors and recruit new flyers. "When I learned that the pilot population had declined by 25 percent over the past 25 years, I knew that we had to inspire more people to move from being wannabe pilots to gottabe pilots," said AirShares Elite CEO David Lee. Lee said he hopes that introducing interested newcomers to flight in a Cirrus will help to convince them of the benefits of GA flying.
Post Crash, What's Next For Spectrum July 28, 2006 By Glenn Pew Spectrum's principals and associated manufacturer Rocky Mountain met Wednesday to discuss future plans, including certification of the Spectrum 33 light jet and matters far more personal. The light jet and its test crew were lost Tuesday at about 4 p.m. in a crash at Spanish Fork-Springville airport. It's been just four months since Linden Blue, veteran pilot, founder and managing director of Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, had his dreams take flight aboard a carbon fiber 10-seater design-prototype ultimately aiming for a performance goal 415-knot cruise at 45,000 feet and 2,000 nautical range. It's been some forty flights since the jet's first.
Podcasts July 26, 2006 By Glenn Pew Online Now: Check AVweb's audio news index (no, you don't need an iPod) for special off-day reports you may have missed. And watch for more 'casts this Thursday and Saturday.
AVweb's podcasts feature exclusive interviews with industry gurus, like: TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash July 26, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 26, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Around The World: The Long Way July 26, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli Barely a year after its official introduction, Diamond's DA42 diesel TwinStar is making a name for itself as a mega long distance flyer. Two were flown into AirVenture, from Germany, one across and the Atlantic and, get this, the other eastbound across the Pacific. We'll have an interview with the three Swedish pilots who navigated their TwinStar around the world as part of tommorow's podcast.
Inside EAA Photo Flights July 26, 2006 By Jeff Van West Ever wonder where the EAA gets pictures of all those pretty airplanes for their calendars and magazines? Well, if you come to Airventure with a showpiece, you might find out. David Hirschman, the new editor of Sport Aviation, has the pleasure of walking around the show and leaving notes for airplane owners saying the EAA would like to photograph their airplane. The note invites the owner to a briefing where they learn how to fly in formation with an EAA photo plane. (You're invited to ride along later this week, via podcast.)
Hot Vision, Pick Your Price: $69,375 or $9995 July 26, 2006 By Jeff Van West Kollsman Commercial Aviation Systems arrived at Oshkosh with a forward-looking infra red (FLIR) camera poking out the top of a C-Model Mooney. The GAViS (General Aviation Vision System) lets pilots see through haze, smoke, light fog, mist, and night by seeing differential heat. This is a simpler version of their million-dollar, enhanced-vision system used on Gulfstream jets. "The main thing is night ops, night VFR ops," said Exec Vice President Randy Moore. At $69,375 -- and that's the show special -- you'll pay a lot for that safety. Forward Vision just announced that the next 100 customers for its FLIR can get the entire system for $9995, and with extra features.
Cirrus' Turbo For The Flight Levels July 26, 2006 By Russ Niles Although the Cirrus SR22 is no slouch in the cruise speed arena, it still trails Columbia's 400 by 40 knots or so, especially when the Columbia hits the high teens. The Cirrus answer to this appeared at OSH in the form the new SR22-GTS Turbo, which promises to deliver 200-knot cruise speed in the low flight levels. Cirrus expects the turbo SR22 to be available sometime this fall, for an add on price of $59,800, bringing the total price for a typically equipped new SR22 to $509,795 -- a price that includes a new lighter Hartzell composite prop. But that's not the only new twist.
100 Diamonds Get You Point2Point July 26, 2006 By Mary Grady Point2Point Airways, a next-generation air-taxi/charter company based in North Dakota, announced yesterday at Oshkosh that they've placed an order for up to 100 airplanes from Diamond Aircraft. "We aim to be the world's first personal airline," said Point2Point CEO John Boehle. Diamond will deliver 10 of its DA42 TwinStars starting next month. Boehle also holds delivery options for the D-Jet, due to make its public debut here at AirVenture later today. The TwinStar is the right size and has the right capabilities to meet the growing needs of his company, Boehle said.
Cessna LSA Unveiled July 26, 2006 By Russ Niles The proposed Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) made its debut at AirVenture Oshkosh Monday to an eager sun-drenched crowd. LSA's are defined by a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds, maximum level-flight speed of 120 knots, and no more than two seats ... so that much was no surprise. Cessna's uncommitted proof-of-concept offering features a strutted high wing spanning 30 feet and side-by-side seating in a cabin with a maximum width of 48 inches (hop into your local Cessna 152 and add six inches). The cockpit is accessed via upward opening doors and sports large windows and dual control sticks.
Cessna's Next-Generation Flyby July 26, 2006 By Glenn Pew "It will set new standards in performance, comfort and safety, and will be backed by Cessna's worldwide sales, distribution, training and service infrastructure," said Cessna CEO and president, Jack Pelton of the company's "Next Generation Piston Aircraft" (NGP). The design's surprise appearance came during Monday's unveiling of Cessna's concept LSA (which was expected). The un-announced arrival of Cessna's NGP, however, simply dropped jaws. A close look shows fixed tricycle gear, a cantilever forward-swept wing, front and back access doors plus a baggage door, and subtle compound curves. With the introduction of two brand new aircraft designs -- the proof-of-concept LSA, and the forward-swept wing five-place(?) piston-single -- Cessna has re-entered the race and put its money where its mouth is.
Ethanol-Friendly Aircraft Engine July 26, 2006 By Russ Niles Aircraft Engine Services, which hopes to begin selling the REV 220 and REV 300 V-6 aircraft engines next year, says the mills will tolerate a nip of ethanol. AES head Luc de Gaspe Beaubien said the engines, which are finishing certification testing at their manufacturer, Rotax, in Austria, will be certified to burn automotive gasoline with 10 percent ethanol content (matching current trends). There are currently no aviation engines permitted to use ethanol/blended gasoline. De Gaspe Beaubien also told a press conference that the engines are performing well and he expects 2007 to be the watershed year for them.
AVweb's Business AVflash July 24, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
New Articles and Features on AVweb July 24, 2006 COLUMNS Probable Cause #11: Right Pilot, Wrong Equipment
Even experienced pilots can have trouble if their plane has instruments they're not used to using -- or doesn't even have the right instruments for a particular IFR approach.
_____________ WHAT'S NEW What's New for July 2006
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you Palm software, cleaning products, online training courses and much more.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 24, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Podcasts July 24, 2006 By Glenn Pew Online Now: Check AVweb's podcast index for special off-day reports you may have missed. And watch for more 'casts this Thursday and Saturday.
AVweb's podcasts feature exclusive interviews with industry gurus, like: TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
What Have I Forgotten? July 24, 2006 By Russ Niles Most pilots planning to fly to Oshkosh likely prepare more for this arrival than any other, and with good reason. Spend a half hour listening to a handheld radio and the closely choreographed parade of airplanes landing less than a half mile apart, sometimes three at a time on the same runway, gives you some idea how important that advance preparation can be. Mostly, it goes off without a hitch, with tense, but friendly controllers welcoming and even congratulating pilots for their performance in some demanding conditions. But icy silence greeted the pilot of a 182 who landed on Runway 36R late on Sunday morning. "I'm out of gas," the pilot reported as the plane rolled out.
Craving The Simple Life July 24, 2006 By Jeff Van West Francessco Rizzi flys left-seat in an Alitalia Airbus for his day job, but his passion is decidedly old-school. He has designed the Aerolab Sport Camper to meet the LSA standards in the U.S. and Europe, as well as sell as a kit. The airplane is an open-cockpit, radial-engine powered taildragger. The wings are even made of wood. The instruments have an old style but reveal modern amenities -- such as an electrical system. The radial engines -- you have a choice of two -- are also both modern. The Parmatechnik Mikron IIIC is an 80-hp engine out of the Czech republic and the Rotec R2800 is a 110-hp model out of Australia.
Columbia Still Fastest? July 24, 2006 By Russ Niles Columbia Aircraft says its 400 model remains "the undisputed speed champion" (Mooney might disagree) and a big reason for that is the Continental twin turbo TSIO 550C that pulls the composite airplane along at about 235 knots (true). To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Teledyne Continental Motors, Columbia has created the Columbia 400LCE (Limited Commemorative Edition). As you might expect, the aircraft is a fully decked out 400 with every bell and whistle offered by Columbia. It also has a platinum paint job. Only 10 will be made and joining that exclusive club has a price. The 400LCE will cost $676,700 and a non-refundable deposit of $35,000 is required to make you one of the 10.
Turbo Cirrus July 24, 2006 By Russ Niles While original equipment manufacturers put the whole package together, GA has thousands of smaller companies that specialize in all the bits and pieces that go into an airplane. And when a good airplane like the Cirrus SR22 starts flying in numbers, there are plenty of specialists ready to make it better. When AVweb talked to George Braly, of General Aviation Modifications Inc. last winter, his Tornado Alley Turbo engineers were testing a turbonormalizing system for the Cirrus and hoped to have it ready for AirVenture. Looks like they made it.
User Fee Discussion July 24, 2006 By Russ Niles A precedent-setting decision north of the border will undoubtedly come up in a discussion planned for EAA AirVenture on Tuesday. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association is hosting the forum and featured speakers include Cirrus CEO Alan Klapmeier and Cessna President Jack Pelton, along with NBAA President Ed Bolen, AOPA President Phil Boyer and GAMA President Pete Bunce. EAA President Tom Poberezny will moderate and the solidarity represented should send a strong message to the FAA. The session comes a week after the Canadian Transportation Agency upheld Nav Canada's decision to impose a so-called "daily charge" on general aviation aircraft using the country's seven busiest airports. GA operators will pay $10 for 24 hours of access to any or all of the airports but it's not the money that's bothering Kevin Psutka, president of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association.
New Articles and Features on AVweb July 19, 2006 COLUMNS Say Again? #65: Lost Perspective
A safety person can get a strange perspective on the world -- especially one who has seen as much as AVweb's Don Brown has.
Podcasts July 19, 2006 By Glenn Pew (Note: AVweb's podcast schedule will change for the duration of AirVenture Oshkosh, 2006 -- expect new installments Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.)
Check AVweb.com tomorrow for out latest in-depth audio interview. Or visit our podcast directory to find exclusive interviews featuring TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 19, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Aviation Journalist Wanted July 19, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli Belvoir Media Group is seeking an aviation writer/editor to staff the expansion of its Sarasota-based print magazine division, including Aviation Consumer, Aviation Safety, IFR, IFR Refresher and Light Plane Maintenance. We're looking for someone with a proven track record in writing, reporting and editing. Electronic page make-up, Web skills and higher flight ratings are a plus. Contact aviationeditorial@comcast.net .
Correction July 19, 2006 By Glenn Pew Monday, AVweb's news included a story about mice found aboard an American Airlines aircraft. In that story and headline, the aircraft was misidentified. The actual aircraft involved was a Boeing 767, registered N320AA to American Airlines (... reportedly now among the cleanest in the fleet). AVweb apologizes for the error and its longevity on our Web site -- a function of some errant architecture supporting our newly redesigned homepage. A thank you to all the readers who wrote in to let us know, and for your patience with some of AVweb's popular features as we put our new hardware and software through obedience training.
Manned Airplane Flies On AA Batteries July 19, 2006 By Mary Grady It never got more than 17 feet off the ground, and 59 seconds plus 391 meters later it was back on the pavement. (The time matches Orville and Wilbur's third attempt on Dec. 17, 1903; the distance is better by about 214 meters.) Sunday, a team of engineers and students at the Tokyo Institute of Technology flew the first manned airplane powered by conventional dry-cell batteries. The airplane has one seat, a 102-foot wingspan, and carries 160 AA "Oxyride" batteries, which last longer and are more powerful than regular alkalines. The 116-pound pilot weighed nearly as much as the aircraft. "As it soared five meters, people on the ground looked so small to me," said pilot Tomohiro Kamiya. "I did not expect it to take off so beautifully. I realized again how powerful it could be." The project has been underway since January.
European GPS System Hacked July 19, 2006 By Mary Grady When the Europeans who are working to develop their own GPS system stalled on a promise to release the signal code to U.S. researchers, a team at Cornell University decided to figure it out for themselves. "Even Europeans were being frustrated," said Mark Psiaki, leader of the Cornell engineering team. "Then it dawned on me: Maybe we can pull these things off the air, just with an antenna and lots of signal processing." He did just that, and published his results in the June issue of GPS World. But while the U.S. system is taxpayer-funded and its signal is free, the Europeans intend to sell the signals from their Galileo satellites to recoup some of the $4 billion cost. Psiaki says it won't work to try to copyright the data.
LAMA To Offer LSA "Seal Of Approval" July 19, 2006 By Mary Grady If the new Light Sport Aircraft rules leave it up to manufacturers to certify that their airplanes comply with the required standards, how much confidence should buyers place in those products? They can go by company reputation and their own personal assessment, but soon they'll have another option as well. The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) is offering to audit manufacturers and verify that they are in compliance with their stated quality-assurance standards. If the standards are being met, the manufacturer can put a sticker on every aircraft to show that it's been checked by a third party. LAMA will unveil more details about the program next week at AirVenture.
Honeywell Offers New Weather Gear July 19, 2006 By Mary Grady Honeywell will introduce a new datalink weather receiver, the KDR 610, at next week's AirVenture show, the company said yesterday. The 610, which is expected to be available later this year, will provide real-time weather information via XM satellite radio. It adds to Honeywell's current line of general aviation weather receivers by providing satellite-radio weather at any altitude, including on the ground, anywhere in the continental United States, the company said. It's designed to interface with the Bendix/King KMD 250, KMD 550 and KMD 850 multi-function displays (MFDs). It will enable the pilot to overlay the active flight plan on all graphical weather images, pan and zoom into specific areas of interest and gather more detailed information.
Sport-Jet To Fly Again July 19, 2006 By Mary Grady Development of the Sport-Jet will continue, despite a recent crash that left the lone prototype with substantial damage, the company said on Tuesday. That aircraft had already flown 25 hours, testing more than 95 percent of the projected performance envelope. "We discovered that the integrity of the aircraft and its systems were proved. We can and will move forward confidently," Excel-Jet President Bob Bornhofen said in a statement. Preliminary investigation by the NTSB revealed no mechanical failures with the jet, he said. The jet cartwheeled down the runway shortly after liftoff. The company statement said wake turbulence was the likely cause. The two pilots on board escaped without serious injury.
SJ30 Sets Records Crossing The Pond July 19, 2006 By Mary Grady Determined to get to Farnborough, England, for the big European air show this week, Sino Swearingen fueled up its new SJ30 light jet in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, made a quick fuel stop in Goose Bay, Labrador, then zipped on across the North Atlantic. It was the first time a "VLJ" (the jet can seat one pilot, plus six passengers) made the ocean crossing nonstop, the company said (some may argue the VLJ classification). Total flight time from Texas was 10 hours and 24 minutes, covering 4,600 nm. Average ground speed was 442 knots. Altitudes ranged from 41,000 to 47,000 feet, but cabin altitudes never exceeded 1,000 feet, the company said. That low cabin pressure makes a difference, says John Siemens, pilot in command on the flight.
Find exclusive interviews featuring TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash July 17, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 17, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
New Articles and Features on AVweb July 16, 2006 COLUMNS The Pilot's Lounge #102: The Last 10 Feet
The dreaded 709 ride -- it's just the FAA "here to help you," but your ticket could be on the line. AVweb's Rick Durden helped one pilot brush up on his skills and remind himself the best way to land.
Clarification: July 16, 2006 By Paul Bertorelli In Thursday's editions of AVweb's news, a Cessna display ad was published without a contrasting border, suggesting it was part of a news story about the cargo industry. The ad was unrelated to the news story. We apologize for the oversight.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 10, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
At Least 122 Dead In Siberian Crash July 10, 2006 By Russ Niles An S7Airlines A310 with 204 people on board apparently went out of control after landing at Irkutsk Airport (Russia) early Sunday and at least 122 people are dead. Passenger Margarita Svetlova, 15, told the New York Times the airplane seemed to land normally and, after initially starting to slow down, began speeding up. There were unconfirmed reports quoting anonymous crash investigators as saying the plane's brakes failed. What happened next, seems pretty clear, however. The plane veered off the runway and hit a row of storage buildings, caught fire and, it appears many people who survived the crash were killed by the fire.
Bees Buzz Burbank Aircraft July 10, 2006 By Russ Niles The buzz around Burbank Airport isn't the usual industry gossip. People are talking about the planes and the bees. The airport fire department has been kept busy recently dealing with swarms of bees that apparently think engine nacelles make ideal bee condos. The crew of a chartered King Air returned to the plane after a 25-minute paperwork break in the local FBO to find thousands of bees layered around the exhaust pipe of the left engine. They weren't quite sure what to do but the line staff had already called the, as it turns out, well-experienced fire department. It was the department's 20th bee complaint this year. See NewsWire for much
AVweb's Homepage Is Being Redesigned July 13, 2006 Watch changes come alive at http://www.avweb.com where features and links will be gaining functionality, daily. Explore and you'll soon find: the return of our popular no-cost Classified Advertising section; a new and improved forum for readers of AVweb Columns and Features; and more elegant intuitive drop-down menus throughout the site (easier navigation, less clutter). For a more personal experience, use the Register/Login button (found in the top right of every AVweb page) to log in. And please be patient. It will take time before some of the features are fully functional and functioning properly. For AVwebFlash readers -- our mailings will now arrive to your inbox from avweb@e.avflash.com. The change means your requested AVweb newsletters may suddenly be blocked by a spam filter. To guarantee safe passage, please add that address (or the domain @e.avflash.com) to your e-mail whitelist, safe list, or address book.
AVweb's Business AVflash July 12, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
New Articles and Features on AVweb July 12, 2006 BRAINTEASERS Quiz #109: Instrument Failure Is An Option
Flying on the gauges is easy. Instructors make it seem hard by covering up instruments with sticky notes. They're not being jerks but, instead, are simulating instrument failures. Show that you're prepared for failure by acing this quiz.
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 12, 2006 By Mary Grady What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Cincinnati Airport Saved From Meigs' Fate July 12, 2006 By Mary Grady For 20 years, civic leaders in Blue Ash, Ohio, have coveted the undeveloped acres that surround Blue Ash Airport, operated by the city of Cincinnati. But did they take bulldozers to the runways in the middle of the night? No, instead they came to a compromise that allows the GA airport to stay open, while handing over some of that green space for the citizens of Blue Ash to enjoy. They'll get 115 acres of parkland, with gardens, trails and an aviation museum. "Everybody gets something out of this deal," Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Father, Three Children Killed In Fiery Piper Crash July 12, 2006 By Mary Grady The pilot of a Cherokee Six was flying on Saturday afternoon with four of his children to High Valley Airport, a private field in the North Georgia hills, where they were going to spend the weekend in a cabin. The 2,000-foot grass runway is about 2,800 feet above sea level. According to reports from pilots who witnessed the crash, the landing was long and fast, the Six bounced a bit, and near the end of the runway, facing a fence and trees, the pilot tried to go around. He failed to gain altitude -- the flaps may have stayed down, and perhaps a turn was made -- and crashed into a house off the end of the runway. The airplane caught fire. The pilot was able to escape and extract his 13-year-old son from the flames, but both already were burning. Three girls in the rear of the airplane, ages 11, 7, and 4, perished. Rescuers were quickly on the scene and heard cries for help, but were driven back by the intensity of the heat. The pilot later died, the boy remains in critical condition. The pilot had been flying a little over a year.
NTSB Wants Tougher Icing Rules For Turboprops July 12, 2006 By Mary Grady It may be tough to think about icing in the middle of July, but that's their job at the NTSB, and on Monday the safety board asked the FAA to do more to prevent icing incidents in turboprop airplanes. The NTSB wants all operators of Saab SF340-series airplanes to install an icing-detection system and to instruct pilots to maintain a minimum operating airspeed if icing is encountered or expected. Crews should exit icing conditions as soon as performance degradations prevent the airplane from maintaining that airspeed. Further, the board would like the FAA to require operators of turboprops to instruct pilots, except during intermittent periods of high workload, to disengage the autopilot and fly the airplane manually when operating in icing conditions. More research needs to be done, too.
Effort To Change Age-60 Rule Intensifies July 12, 2006 By Mary Grady Airline Pilots Against Age Discrimination (APAAD) has hired Patton Boggs, a high-powered Washington, D.C., lobbying firm, to power up their campaign to get two bills through Congress that would let them keep flying till age 65 (without having to seek employment with a foreign airline), The Hill reported yesterday. Fifty pilots are expected to come to D.C. next week to lobby their representatives in person, the APAAD told The Hill. So far, the bills have gained support, but not much momentum. Both the FAA and the Air Line Pilots Association have made clear they are content with the age-60 rule as it is, leaving it up to pilots to organize and lobby on their own.
Seawind Rolls Out First Flight-Test Aircraft July 12, 2006 By Mary Grady The first conforming prototype of the Seawind amphibian is complete and ready to start flight tests, the company announced on Monday. Testing should be complete and a certified Seawind amphibian ready for market by this winter, company spokesman Bill Poirier told AVweb yesterday. "A lot of the certification testing is already done," he said. All the components, the seats, the gear, are already set, he said. The prototype will undergo spin testing, and is being fitted with a recovery chute. Because there is so much work to do, the prototype won't appear at Oshkosh, Poirier said, but he hopes to be showing it at the AOPA Expo in Palm Springs in November. Financing is secure through certification, he said.
Sino Swearingen Expands As Jet Nears Delivery July 12, 2006 By Mary Grady Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corp. announced last week it will expand its operations in San Antonio, Texas, building a 220,000-square foot, $20 million manufacturing plant and adding 850 jobs, doubling its workforce. The company is gearing up to start cranking out 100 copies per year of its SJ30-2 business jet, with first delivery expected by the end of this month. As of last November, at the NBAA annual convention, the company said it had over 300 orders for the airplane, totaling $1.5 billion, and no end in sight. "Orders are accelerating into the stratosphere," said company spokesman Gene Comfort.
New Articles and Features on AVweb July 5, 2006 COLUMNS The Savvy Aviator #33: Hangnails and Hand Transplants
Your engine is not too far from TBO when it develops a cylinder-related problem. Your mechanic suggests you might as well "bite the bullet" and overhaul the engine now, rather than pour any more money into it. Is he giving you sound advice?
First Space Launch From New Mexico Set For August July 5, 2006 By Mary Grady New Mexico's Spaceport has scheduled its first launch of a spacecraft for Aug. 14. The 20-foot-tall, 800-pound rocket will be fired by UP Aerospace, a Colorado company that designed the craft to carry light payloads into space at low cost. The rocket will carry over 50 payloads and experiments, mostly from high-school and college students. The SpaceLoft XL solid-fuel rocket will accelerate to Mach 5 in 13.5 seconds, reach the edge of space at 62 miles in a minute and a half, and achieve a flight apogee of about 70 miles shortly thereafter, according to Jerry Larson, president of UP Aerospace. The 30-minute flight will be tracked by radar at White Sands Missile Range, providing data that will help the Spaceport get licensed by the FAA.
Pilot Lands On Road, Is Killed Trying To Take Off July 5, 2006 By Mary Grady The pilot of a Cessna 180 landed on a residential street in Oklahoma on Sunday, then tried to take off, but clipped power lines and crashed nose-first into a suburban front yard. The pilot was killed and his 11-year-old grandson was critically hurt, The Associated Press reported. The airplane had taken off from a private airport just a few minutes earlier. The pilot may have intended to land at a nearby residential airpark, where the runway is bordered by hangars and homes, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol told the AP. That airport is less than a mile from the road where the pilot landed.
Neighbors: If You Can't Beat 'Em ... Buy 'Em July 5, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA might not have money to hire inspectors or examiners these days, but it's spending $59 million to buy 122 houses and soundproof 1,000 more near Mississippi's Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Another 1,300 homeowners will be paid $3,000 for right-of-flyover privileges, a strategy that's meant to ward off potential lawsuits, the Sun-Herald reported on Monday. The FAA will not fund noise-mitigation measures for houses built after 1998. After that, municipalities were expected to use compatible zoning and land-use rules to prevent noise conflicts. Still, airports around the country continue to spend millions to buy up or soundproof nearby older homes.
Canada Will Evaluate Human-Rights Implications Of Age-60 Rule July 5, 2006 By Mary Grady Pilots in the U.S. have been protesting for years that the FAA's mandatory age-60 retirement rule is age discrimination, but in Canada, pilots are taking the issue before a human-rights tribunal. A group called the Fly Past 60 Coalition says the contract between Air Canada and the pilots' union "forces healthy, competent and motivated airline pilots to retire from Air Canada at age 60, notwithstanding the fact that Canadian law allows individuals to continue to be licensed and to operate as airline pilots until age 65." Air Canada maintains that its retirement policy doesn't contravene the Canadian Human Rights Act.
D-Jet Expands The Envelope July 5, 2006 By Mary Grady Diamond Aircraft has flight-tested its D-Jet up to the design limit of 25,000 feet altitude and has flown as fast as 280 knots, the company said on Tuesday. "We are very pleased to have expanded the envelope in such a short time. The aircraft is a joy to fly, smooth, very stable and with all systems functioning perfectly," said CEO Christian Dries, who is also on the test-pilot team. "The aircraft is doing everything we are expecting of it." In a series of flight tests last week, the speed and altitude envelope was progressively expanded from the previously flown 170 knots and 12,000 feet. See it at AirVenture Oshkosh 2006.
Cessna Joins LAMA July 5, 2006 By Mary Grady It wasn't long ago that it seemed unlikely to many that Cessna would take a serious interest in the sport aircraft market, with their popular business jets and a full line of GA aircraft to keep them busy. But now Cessna has followed up on its recent announcement that it will bring a Light Sport concept aircraft to AirVenture by officially joining up with the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA). "We are very pleased to welcome Cessna to membership in LAMA," said Tom Gunnarson, president of the organization, in a news release on Tuesday. "We have all the important producers in the emerging light sport aviation industry, so as Cessna studies the opportunities, we believe aligning with LAMA was the right thing to do."
Find exclusive interviews featuring TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash July 3, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... July 3, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
New Articles and Features on AVweb July 3, 2006 COLUMNS CEO of the Cockpit #59: Do It for the Love of the Game
Passengers crammed into the back of an airliner may think otherwise, but airline pilots do end up working a lot of hours each month. So why would AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit take on an extra flight filled with steroid-enhanced athletes?
California Teen Sets Records July 2, 2006 By Russ Niles A 14-year-old Inglewood, Calif., boy is said to be the youngest African-American person to fly an international round trip in a helicopter. Jonathan Strickland landed a Robinson R44 at Compton Airport in California on Saturday after completing a 15-hour return trip from Boundary Bay Airport, in Delta, British Columbia. On his way to B.C., he became the youngest African-American person to fly a helicopter solo and to do so internationally, according to an Associated Press story.While at Boundary Bay, he took a flight in a Cessna 172 and an R22 and, according to AP, became the youngest to solo both a helicopter and airplane on the same day. "It feels good," Strickland told AP. "Anybody can do it. It just takes a lot of hard work." Fourteen is the legal age to fly alone in Canada (aside from age, there are other requirements). While in the U.S., Srickland was accompanied by an instructor.
Pioneering Helicopter Operator Dies July 2, 2006 By Russ Niles One of the first commercial helicopter pilots in the U.S. died June 15. Joseph Seward got his commercial helicopter certificate in 1947, while still a carrier-based Navy pilot. His company, Rotor Aids, did everything from crop-dusting to servicing oil platforms. He helped found the California Helicopter Association, which became the Helicopter Association of America (he was founding president) and finally Helicopter Association International. Seward retired from the helicopter business in 1980 and operated a hotel on Bora Bora for nine years, but the bug hit again and in 1991 he built and flew a kit helicopter. His ashes will be spread at sea from a helicopter.
ADIZ Pressure Mounts, Says AOPA July 2, 2006 By Russ Niles While there's still no word on what will happen to the FAA's (heavily influenced) bid to make the Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) a permanent fixture, the sore spot was rubbed a little earlier this month when the NOTAM that enforces the long list of flight restrictions was reissued. A couple of days after the new (old) NOTAM appeared on the FAA Web site, AOPA issued a news releaseclaiming progress in the political battle against the controversial measure. AOPA says a high-ranking Congressman on the Committee on Homeland Security has challenged the Department of Homeland Security to justify the ADIZ. "The Committee on Homeland Security has oversight responsibility over the DHS -- they can't get around this," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government affairs.
Exploding Airliners -- 10 Years Later July 2, 2006 By Russ Niles The NTSB said Thursday that "airliner fuel tanks are as flammable today as they were 10 years ago," as the tenth anniversary of the explosion of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island looms on July 17. (The incident was not the first of its kind -- one event happened quite recently.) And while an effective and relatively inexpensive (by airliner standards) system to prevent such catastrophes has been available for a couple of years (and has even spawned an updated design), the FAA has yet to implement regulations (though it has drafted a Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking) requiring that airliners be less explosion-prone. "The longer we wait, the possibility of a catastrophic explosion remains," Mark Rosenker, NTSB Acting Chairman, said in an interview. "The objective is to eliminate these fuel tank explosions as quickly as we can."
Flooding Closes Bloomsburg Airport July 2, 2006 By Russ Niles Well, you know that annoying high spot in the runway at your home airport? Those based at or visiting Bloomsburg Municipal Airport in Pennsylvania last week were counting their lucky stars that the grading crews weren't as thorough as they might have been as they huddled on the last patch of dry pavement during a week of heavy rain and widespread flooding. A stubborn low dumped a torrent of rain on the Northeast and the nearby Susquehanna River couldn't hold it all. Eight counties were declared a disaster area. There was no answer at the airport and a NOTAM closing the airport was still in effect when we last looked but the floodwaters were receding over the weekend and cleanup has begun.
Australia Postpones Universal ADS-B July 2, 2006 By Russ Niles As the U.S. eyes Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) as an important tool in the modernization of the National Airspace System, Australia is backing off on its ambitious deployment program. Airservices Australia has cancelled a request for proposals (RPF) to equip 1,500 GA aircraft with the necessary gear to perform a real-life test of the system. The company says the plan was premature. "Airservices' own consultation process has led the organisation to conclude that some elements of the aviation industry and government need more time to consider the costs, timeframe and implementation issues associated with the introduction of ADS-B technology in lieu of en route radars," CEO Greg Russell is quoted by Flight International as saying in a letter to staff.
AOPA Battles 12-Year Crank Replacement Rule July 2, 2006 By Russ Niles AOPA has writtenthe FAA asking that a section of a proposed airworthiness directiveon Lycoming crankshafts be scrapped since it will cost owners thousands of dollars and do nothing to increase safety. As we reported in June, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would require owners of about 3,800 360- and 540-series engines to replace the crankshafts at either the next scheduled overhaul, the next time the case is split, or at 12 years since date of manufacture or overhaul, regardless of the number of hours on the crank. AOPA's Luis Guttierez says in the letter that even the FAA knows the 12-year deadline has no practical value. "The FAA readily admits in the proposed AD [that] the unsafe condition is unrelated to calendar time and that the crank removal at overhaul is sufficient to reduce the risk of failure to an acceptable level," Gutierrez said.
Podcasts June 29, 2006 By Glenn Pew Coming, Friday: 250 knots, 450 ft. takeoff, landing speed about 80 and room for 4. Some people will likely be dropping $180,000 for the kit, but will this flying car fly? Check AVweb.com tomorrow for the podcast link at the top of the page.
Online Now: Exclusive interviews featuring New Piper's Jim Bass, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. Find it all in AVweb's Podcast index, or subscribe free to receive them automatically.
Mooney CEO Wins Air Race Classic June 28, 2006 By Mary Grady It's been good times for Mooney lately, with the introduction of two speedy new models in the past few months, and fair winds were with the company again last week, when CEO Gretchen Jahn took first place in the Air Race Classic, recording an average speed near 195 knots. In her 14th year in the race, Jahn and teammate Carol Foy flew a Mooney M20 R Ovation2 GX over a 2,400-mile course from Arizona to Michigan. Thirty-seven aircraft competed in the all-woman race, which traces its origins to the original Women's Air Derby in 1929. "This event is one of the highlights of my year every year, but this year will obviously be a memorable one," said Jahn.
Blue Origin Reveals Spaceport Plan June 28, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA has released its draft Environmental Assessment for a plan by Blue Origin to build a spaceport in West Texas. The move was welcomed by space fans as a move forward in what seems to be an excruciatingly slow-moving process, and a glimpse into what the secretive company has in the works. The FAA report says Blue Origin plans to launch reusable launch vehicles to altitudes above 325,000 feet. The spaceport plans include a launch complex, a training facility and a landing area. Space Review gleaned a few more facts from the 229-page document -- the planned reusable launch vehicle (RLV), dubbed the "New Shepard," will take off vertically, using hydrogen peroxide and kerosene as propellants.
Meigs: Chicago Pays $200K To Fight $33K Fine June 28, 2006 By Mary Grady "It may be time for the city to re-evaluate this strategy," Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a budget watchdog group, told Crain's Business News. The FAA levied the $33,000 fine against the city last October for failing to provide advance notice of its intent to close (that is, bulldoze) Meigs Field three years ago. The city has spent even more to fight FAA allegations that it misused $2.9 million in airport development funds, according to Crain's, and claims the fight is about more than money.
Islanders Face Shutdown Of Lone Runway June 28, 2006 By Mary Grady The 1,000 or so residents of Block Island, 12 miles off the New England coast, are facing six weeks or more with no aviation access later this year, when the local airport corporation plans to close their lone 2,500-foot runway for reconstruction. That will leave islanders dependent on the off-season ferry schedule, or in an emergency, helicopter service from pricey private operators or the U.S. Coast Guard. Bill Bendokas, operator of New England Airlines, has proposed that the grassy area adjacent to the runway should be made available so he can continue to fly the airlines' six flights per day. At a recent meeting about the shutdown, concerns were raised that using the grass would disturb the habitat of the endangered burying beetle.
Man Killed By Prop, Airplane Crashes Same Day June 28, 2006 By Mary Grady David Herrington, 74, had just climbed out of a Cessna 210 at Hayward (Calif.) Executive Airport on Sunday when he was hit by the propeller and killed. Herrington had been along on a banner-towing flight with pilot Robert Franklin, 58. Later that same day, Franklin took off in the 210 and the engine failed on climbout. Franklin was able to get the airplane down on a nearby golf course, and was unhurt. "We are all in shock," Brent Shiner, manager of the city airport, told InsideBayArea.com. "When you get a call about an incident and it was the same plane that we had just been out for, it was very disheartening ... We haven't had a fatality in I don't know how long." The FAA said a propeller should be inspected after a strike, and it wasn't yet known if this one had been checked before the last takeoff.
Stay Away From Nuclear Plants -- Unless FAA Routes You There June 28, 2006 By Mary Grady While GA pilots have been warned over and over to stay far away from nuclear plants (lest a Skyhawk might dive into one and ... bounce off), the FAA's proposed new departure routes from Westchester County Airport in New York would send airplanes directly above the Indian Point nuke. The plan is "a significant security risk that is not acceptable and must be avoided," according to Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano. U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel also was critical. "This decision by the FAA, coupled with the Homeland Security Department's decision to cut funding for New York City, makes me wonder what these people are smoking," he told midhudsonnews.com.
AVweb's Fuel Finder June 28, 2006 The price for one gallon of 100LL recently topped $7, according to AirNav.com. Fortunately, that all-time high price report was particular to Atlantic Aviation's Teterboro, N.J. facility.
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 28, 2006 COLUMNS As the Beacon Turns #102: The Eyes Have It
Flying is definitely a visual activity, and nowhere is that more obvious than when you're landing. Where you look has a big impact (sometimes literally) as Michael Maya Charles points out in this month's As The Beacon Turns column.
AVweb's Business AVflash June 28, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... June 28, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 26, 2006 WHAT'S NEW June 26, 2006
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you speed pants, high-lift wing tips, engine oil and much more.
_______ COLUMNS Probable Cause #9: Personal Minimums
Pilots flying under the rules of FAR Part 91 are allowed to attempt an instrument approach even when the weather is below minimums. But when skills are rusty, it may be time to be more conservative, as we see in this week's Probable Cause report.
Find exclusive interviews featuring TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash June 26, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... June 26, 2006 By Glenn Pew What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Symphony Stumbles Through Its Score June 25, 2006 By Russ Niles Symphony Aircraft Industries manufacturer of the Symphony 160 (a $160,000, 130 KTAS, two-seat high-wing) has filed for creditor protection under Canadian bankruptcy laws. The company is now seeking $6-10 million in fresh capital to continue operations at its Trois Rivieres plant in Quebec. CEO Paul Costanza told AVweb yesterday he's been having trouble raising venture capital in Canada and is considering moving the plant to the United States. The company plans to hold a news conference, Tuesday.
TRACON Plan "Reprehensible" Says Congressman June 25, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA is ignoring the wishes of the House and breaking a promise to four Florida congressmen with a secret plan to speed up consolidation of the Palm Beach terminal radar approach control center into Miami, according to Rep Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.). Hastings says on his Web site it's unbelievable that the agency would pursue its controversial cost-cutting plan in the face of a House vote ten days ago on a bill that would prevent the FAA from spending money from its 2007 budget on consolidating TRACONs. The Senate hasn't considered a parallel bill yet, although that's supposed to happen in July. Hastings, who sponsored the bill, suggested the FAA's decision to press ahead with consolidation may have been "political retribution" -- the agency working to punish those spearheading opposition. The FAA hasn't yet commented on the allegations.
Sport-Jet Crashes On Takeoff June 25, 2006 By Russ Niles Excel-Jet officials say it might have been wake turbulence or some kind of freak meteorological event that turned their Sport-Jet prototype on its wing and sent it cartwheeling along the runway at Colorado Springs Airport on June 22. According to a news release from Excel-Jet, witnesses reported the plane rolled 90 degrees about 30 feet above the runway while taking off on its 25th test flight. It struck a wing and cartwheeled onto its tail, causing substantial damage. Both pilots were checked at the hospital and released. The aircraft was nearing the end of its initial round of flight testing and the company had just received word that it had been approved to fly at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh next month.
Sheriffs' Drone Doesn't Fly With FAA June 25, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA says it's willing to work with the L.A. County Sheriff's Department in its quest to use a surveillance drone on official police business. But the feds left no ambiguity about who rules the skies when they ordered the Skyseer unmanned aerial vehicle grounded just before the department was about to launch a demo flight for reporters. "We said, 'Hey, you still haven't submitted the paperwork for this,'" FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told the Daily Breeze "He said, 'This is just a demo.' We've told him he can't operate these UAVs. We said, 'You have conditions you have to satisfy before you can fly it.' "The Sheriff's Office insists it had the approvals it needed for the demo flight but agreed to cancel until the dispute was sorted out.
$1 Billion Gamble To Accommodate Airplane June 25, 2006 By Russ Niles U.S. airports will spend at least $927 million to prepare for the arrival of the Airbus A380, and the chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee says not a nickel of it should come from federal coffers. Rep. John Mica said last week the Airport Improvement Fund shouldn't be used to beef up runways and bridges and expand terminals for the 555-seat jet because of the squabble the U.S. is having with the European Union over alleged subsidies paid to Airbus's manufacturer, EADS. If the government follows through on Mica's suggestion, it would knock a big hole in the plans of 18 airports to get ready for the double-decker jets. The airports plan to pay for about half the cost using the AIP.
Record Setting (?) Charity Flight For Pediatric Neurosurgery June 25, 2006 By Russ Niles The endurance and fortitude of two Wisconsin pilots (not to mention the wearability of certain parts of their anatomy) was put to the test last week as they raised money for sick children and (possibly) set an aviation record. Matt McDaniel and Dr. Bruce Kaufmann took a total of 17 hours to land at all 102 public-use, paved airports in the state, as well as a private field and a military base. But the real mission was to raise $10,000 for the pediatric neurosurgery unit at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (click "more" for details). Kaufmann runs the neurosurgery unit and owns the Cirrus SR-22 used in the effort. McDaniel (who has held the Master CFI designation) is a Boeing 717 pilot for Midwest Airlines and owns Progressive Aviation Services, which specializes in Cirrus. The duo got an early start on their flight.
Flight Schools Fight Background Checks June 25, 2006 By Russ Niles A bill that's been lurking under the legislative radar in New York for almost four years has been revived by the state Senate and will hurt the flight training industry there, according to local schools and pilot organizations. In 2002, New York, like many other states, thought it prudent to step into federal jurisdiction by trying to institute background checks on student pilots. As protests grew and federal regulations came into play, most states simply dropped their initiatives. However, New York's background-check law has remained on the legislative agenda and was revived last week by a vote in the Senate. If passed by the Assembly and finally adopted as law, it would prevent anyone from taking flying lessons without approval from the state's division of criminal justice services.
The price for one gallon of 100LL recently topped $7, according to AirNav.com. Fortunately, that all-time high price report was particular to Atlantic Aviation's Teterboro, N.J. facility. Ever wonder what the national average is for a gallon of avgas? Need to find up-to-the-minute fuel prices at all the FBOs along your route? Starting this week, you'll be able to answer those questions with our handy AVweb Fuel Finder (to your right).
Featuring data provided by
AirNav, the Fuel Finder will appear every Thursday in AVwebFlash -- listing the latest prices for 100LL and Jet A, along with a quick view of how those prices have changed in the last seven days. To get local fuel prices, just enter a U.S. ZIP Code or a 3- or 4-letter Airport Identifier into the Fuel Finder and click "Go."
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 22, 2006 COLUMNS Say Again? #64: Flying Higher
You wanna go high? Wanna take that single-turbroprop or new VLJ into the the rarefied air above FL240? Things are a little different there, as AVweb's Don Brown explains in this month's Say Again? column.
___________ SKYWRITINGS First Solo Stories
Last week in AVweb's Brainteaser we invited readers to submit short stories about their first solo flights. The response was so overwhelming we can't publish them all, but here are a few for your enjoyment. Congratulations to all who have ever soloed!
Podcasts June 22, 2006 Coming, Friday: Teledyne Continental Motors talks about FADEC and the future of general aviation engines, TCM-style. Check AVweb.com tomorrow for the podcast link at the top of the page.
Online Now: Exclusive interviews featuring New Piper's Jim Bass, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. Find it all in AVweb's Podcast index, or subscribe free to receive them automatically.
AVweb's Business AVflash June 21, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... June 21, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
On The Fly... June 21, 2006 By Mary Grady FAA issued its final rule for pilots regarding alcohol violations...
An RV-6A and RV-8 collided in midair in Illinois, one killed...
The nose gear failed on an MD-80, it landed safely at O'Hare...
NTSB will hold a hearing on safety issues regarding cargo aircraft...
CNN's "Welcome to the Future" will feature Cirrus aircraft.
AOPA Opposes FAA Radar Tower Near Airport June 21, 2006 By Mary Grady It seems the FAA would know that if it's going to mess around with the airspace near Frederick (Md.) Municipal Airport, AOPA is going to be paying close attention -- since its headquarters overlooks the field. Sure enough, a plan by the FAA to install a 122-foot-tall radar tower on a ridge just 100 feet off the extended centerline for Frederick's Runway 12 has attracted a quick and loud protest from AOPA. "One part of the FAA already says [the tower] would be a 'hazard to air navigation,'" AOPA said in a news release yesterday. The tower would affect traffic-pattern operations and some instrument operations. Also, it would probably prevent adding a needed LPV instrument approach to Runway 30.
Military Eye Surgery Affecting The Pilot Pool June 21, 2006 By Mary Grady Fighter pilots in the U.S. military are finding that the widespread availability of laser eye surgery is affecting their careers. Midshipmen at the Naval Academy all are offered free eye surgery, and in the last few years as many as one-third of them had it done. The Navy uses a procedure that grinds the cornea into shape, different from the Lasik approach generally used by civilians, which cuts a flap into the eye surface. The military method is considered more stable and less likely to cause problems for pilots operating at high altitudes and subjected to G forces. The widespread acceptance and availability of the procedure is having profound effects on the military that extend beyond the pilot pool, The New York Times reported over the weekend.
Congress Pressures FAA To OK Wind Farms June 21, 2006 By Mary Grady Representatives in both houses of Congress are lobbying the FAA and the Department of Defense to remove the FAA's roadblock to the development of major wind farm projects across the country. The FAA said recently it wouldn't OK the projects until the DoD completes its study of their impact on radar returns. The study was due in May but it's late, and no revised due date has been set. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) is asking others in the Senate to sign on to his letter urging the FAA to resolve the issue, The Associated Press reported on Monday.
Engine Explosion Shows Inspections Don't Always Work June 21, 2006 By Mary Grady When an engine on a Boeing 767 suffered uncontained failure and blew apart on the ramp in Los Angeles earlier this month, federal regulators took note. Not just because some engine parts were found more than a half-mile away, but because they had believed the exploding-engine problem had been solved. After several similar failures, including the famous one in 1989 when the crew landed a disabled DC-10 using just engine thrust after the controls failed (see AVweb's interview with The New York Times reported on Monday. That it failed on the ground and nobody was hurt was just luck.
Grounded Mallards Raise Aging Aircraft Issues June 21, 2006 By Mary Grady Six months after a Mallard seaplane broke up in flight near Miami, Fla., the fleet of 34 is still grounded. The FAA had planned to have an approved method of inspection for possible wing cracks in place by Feb. 15, but that hasn't happened, The Associated Press reported over the weekend. "We are waiting to figure out if there's a way to do the inspections without tearing the airplane to pieces," FAA spokesman Les Dorr told the AP. The Grumman G-73T Turbo Mallard seaplane that crashed shortly after takeoff in December was operated by Chalk's Ocean Airways. All 20 people on board were killed. Meanwhile, the NTSB said on Tuesday it will release a series of factual reports about the crash today.
FAA Revises DC Flight Procedures June 21, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA issued a new National Security Flight Advisory on Monday for flights in the Washington, D.C., Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ). The advisory replaces the previous Notice to Airmen and details procedures for operating within the FRZ. Also covered are operations at the "Maryland 3" airports that lie beneath the airspace. "[The advisory] includes some minor changes, none of which impact general aviation pilots or GA operations," AOPA spokeswoman Kathleen Vasconcelo told AVweb on Tuesday. The advisory also explains the procedures to be used in case of a transponder failure, and warns about the consequences for those who fail to observe the procedures.
Ever wonder what the national average is for a gallon of avgas? Need to find up-to-the-minute fuel prices at all the FBOs along your route? Starting this week, you'll be able to answer those questions with our handy AVweb Fuel Finder (to your right). Featuring data provided by AirNav, the Fuel Finder will appear every Thursday in AVwebFlash -- listing the latest prices for 100LL and Jet A, along with a quick view of how those prices have changed in the last seven days. To get local fuel prices, just enter a U.S. ZIP Code or a 3- or 4-letter Airport Identifier into the Fuel Finder and click "Go."
Podcasts June 18, 2006 Online Now: Listen to, or take today's news with you. Find exclusive interviews featuring the biggest names in the business. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online.
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 18, 2006 COLUMNS The Pilot's Lounge #101: Balloonatics
A quiet evening with little wind may be good for students to practice landings, but it's even better for those who like a flight in a balloon. AVweb's Rick Durden went along for a slow, relaxing, wind-directed flight.
AVweb's Business AVflash June 18, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... June 18, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Big-Screen In The Sky June 18, 2006 By Russ Niles Blimps are often shown on television but a new aircraft from the Lightship Group is the television. The company, which builds advertising and promotion blimps, has figured out how to attach an array of LED screens to the envelope of a 170-by-55-foot blimp and display any image that could normally be played through a television. It can only display red during the day, but at night it can show a full color image. Full color for the day is coming. Lightship spokesman Toby Page told The Associated Press the sky-high screen is a real head-turner. "It totally rises above the clutter because this is the only one of its kind in the world," he said.
Service Bulletin Interpretation Fought June 18, 2006 By Russ Niles AOPA is fighting a potentially expensive NTSB ruling that it believes would allow manufacturers' service bulletins to carry the same legal weight as an airworthiness directive on Part 91 aircraft. The case revolved around an A&P mechanic's engine repair that did not comply with instructions contained in publications issued by the engine and parts manufacturers. The upshot of the legalese, according to AOPA, is that the NTSB's ruling in that case changes the service bulletins from an advisory nature to mandatory under the law. "That is neither AOPA's nor the FAA's interpretation of the regulations," said Luis Gutierrez, AOPA director of regulatory and certification policy. "Service bulletins are considered advisory, not mandatory, for Part 91 operators." Now, while it seems prudent that service bulletins be complied with, the difference here is in who decides what's mandatory -- the FAA, or individual companies.
Firewall Forward Shuts Down June 18, 2006 By Russ Niles A well-known Colorado engine and general repair shop closed down earlier this month, maybe for good. Employees of Firewall Forward, in Loveland, Co., returned from lunch to find the doors locked. A total of 38 employees are out of work. Company CEO Andrew Chumney said the company had no other choice when its bank called about $1 million in loans. Chumney told The Coloradoan that Firewall Foreward was current with its payments but the bank pulled the financing based on the company's inability to turn a profit. He estimates the company will need an immediate cash injection of $2.5 million to get going again.
Power Lines Threaten Private Strip June 18, 2006 By Russ Niles Power to the people of a rural Chicago suburb may come at the expense of a small private airport. ComEd is proposing to string high-voltage power lines about 410 feet from one end of the main runway at Reid Airport, near Huntley. The airport has an FAA certificate and is owned and operated by Bruce Starrenburg. He flies a T-6 out of the grass strip and other aircraft drop in from time to time. There are about 10-20 operations a week from the field, which is part of the 230-acre farm purchased by his father-in-law Howard Reid, then a Delta Air Lines pilot, in 1971. For 35 years Reid, and later Starrenburg, lived the dream of flying from their home but it seems likely the dream will end in 2008 with the completion of the power project.
Spaceport Boom? June 18, 2006 By Russ Niles While regular airports all over the country struggle for survival, spaceports, which some might argue are a tad less practical, are a growth industry. Oklahoma is the latest to move to the starting line trying to cash in on the private space race. The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) was issued a Launch Site Operator Certificate by the FAA for its spaceport at Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, located adjacent to the town of Burns Flat, Okla. OSIDA spokesman Bill Khourie is predicting big things for the Oklahoma Spaceport. "The dream of many that Oklahoma would become the planet's premier location for the launch and recovery of suborbital reusable space vehicles is now a reality," he told Space.com. Rocketplane Ltd. will be its first space-bound tenant.
Cessna Demo Mustang Flies June 18, 2006 By Russ Niles The first Cessna Mustang not designated for FAA certification testing took flight last week in a two hour and 20 minute flight that put it through all its functionality tests. The aircraft, serial number 003, is the first to come off the production line at Cessna's Independence, Kan., assembly plant (which is where the company's piston singles are made) and is destined to become the customer demonstration aircraft. Revenue-producing aircraft, serial numbers 004 to 015, are on the line in Independence in anticipation of certification by the end of the year and first deliveries in 2007.
Delta Tries To Dump Pensions June 18, 2006 By Russ Niles Delta Air Lines will try to dump its dysfunctional employee pension program on the beleaguered Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. effective Sept. 2. The bankrupt airline intends to apply to the courts to rid itself of the costly burden today. Delta's pensions are believed to be under-funded by about $10 billion. The move has been expected for some time and Delta's pilots have already said they won't oppose it. Word of the action came in a letter from Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein to Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson on Friday.
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 15, 2006 BRAINTEASERS Quiz #108: Pre-Solo Prep
It's time to leave your Citation, Cirrus or Citabria and forget everything you thought you knew about flight, because you're going aloft, again, for your first solo. Let's begin with the mandatory pre-solo quiz as per FAR 61.87.
Podcasts June 15, 2006 Coming, Friday: Hal Shevers, of Sporty's Pilot Shop is not one to pull punches on aviation topics, and has plenty to say about the TSA, the FAA, user fees and the fizzle he thinks is coming for the very light jet market. But it's the comment he added on Cessna's "Cirrus Killer" that got us buzzing. Check AVweb.com tomorrow for the podcast link at the top of the page.
AVweb's Business AVflash June 15, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... June 15, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
"Cirrus Killer" To Be Unveiled In November? June 15, 2006 By Russ Niles One of the U.S.'s leading aviation gear dealers says he's been told the long-awaited next-generation Cessna single will be unveiled at AOPA Expo in Palm Springs next November. Hal Shevers, of Sporty's Pilot Shop, told AVweb that Cessna "announced" the unveiling recently but it's not clear to whom that announcement was made. Messages left with the Cessna communications department were not immediately returned. Shevers made the comment as part of a wide-ranging in-depth podcast interview that you can hear in its entirety on Friday. Shevers, who's never one to pull punches on aviation topics, has plenty to say about the TSA, the FAA, user fees and the fizzle he thinks the very light jet market will be.
FAA, Build A Plane Join Forces For Students June 14, 2006 By Mary Grady Are you one of the thousands of pilots who owns an unfinished kit project, or an old airplane growing rusty at a tie-down? The FAA has partnered with Build A Plane to help match those assets with high-school students to help them learn about aviation maintenance, math, science and engineering. The owners get a tax deduction, the students and their teachers get a great resource. "This program has the potential to help build the next generation of world-class American aerospace workers," said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. The two organizations will work together to promote teacher workshops, career expositions and conferences, and develop a computer-based aircraft construction and flight-testing program for students.
Commercial Crews At Their Best ... And Worst June 14, 2006 By Mary Grady The pilots of a South Korean Airbus 321 who managed to land safely last Friday after the jet was badly damaged by two-inch hailstones were honored with commendations for saving the lives of their 200 passengers, including 177 children on a school tour. The nosecone containing the jet's radar was blown off, the autopilot malfunctioned, and the cockpit windscreen became opaque with cracks and impact marks. Although the safety glass remained intact, the pilots were unable to see forward during the landing. The airspeed indicator also was damaged, so the Asiana Airlines crew got airspeed readouts from radar controllers. Meanwhile, over Europe, the crew of a Boeing 777 that flew silently through Eastern European airspace has been accused of napping in the cockpit.
Pro-Pilot Commuting Nightmare -- A Niche For VLJs? June 14, 2006 By Mary Grady For commercial flight crews in the U.S., commuting to work can be a job in itself. With airlines cutting back on flights and more jets flying at capacity, professional pilots and crew who need a ride to work are finding it tough. "Sometimes it takes me two days," Jason Miller, an Airbus 320 captain for JetBlue Airways, told The New York Times. Miller lives in Wichita but is based out of New York. Some crew members spend frequent nights away from home sleeping in the airport and eating in the food court. Commuting is not always by choice -- some workers were transferred after nearby operations closed, or have moved to less expensive areas to save for retirement, not trusting their pension plans. But the droves of very light jets headed for the market could be just what they need.
NTSB Finding Reassessed -- Case To Reopen, Decades After... June 14, 2006 By Mary Grady When a Piedmont Airlines 727 and a Cessna 310 collided over North Carolina in July 1967, all 82 people on both aircraft died in the crash, and the pilot of the Cessna was blamed. But Paul Houle, a truck fleet manager whose hobby is historical research, looked into the facts and came to a different conclusion. Now, the NTSB has agreed to take another look at the midair. It's unusual for someone who has no relation to a case to have their petition heard by the safety board, especially after so much time has elapsed. Houle claims it was the 727 crew (which may have been dealing with a fire in an ashtray) and air traffic controllers who made mistakes, not the Cessna pilot (who radioed a heading and apparently held it). Houle also questions the impartiality of the safety board at the time, finding some potential conflicts of interest not immediately defensible to the casual observer.
Church Vs. GA -- Win One, Lose One June 14, 2006 By Mary Grady While one church in Arkansas is glad to see a neighboring airfield shut down, a congregation in South Dakota goes out its way to invite airplanes in to visit. In Benton, Ark., the congregation at Holland Chapel reluctantly took down its steeple some 20 years ago to accommodate the traffic pattern at the GA airport next door. Last week, the Chapel bought the airfield, putting in a bid for $850,000, and now plans to replace the steeple. A bigger airport is being built nearby. Meanwhile, Dave Klawiter, pastor of a separate (Lutheran) church in Springdale, S.D., closed a road on Sunday to let an assortment of small airplanes and a helicopter land and entertain the flock.
FAA And NATCA, Far From The Last Word June 14, 2006 By Mary Grady We had asked the FAA to comment for our Monday issue on the latest remarks from NATCA President John Carr ("we will fight") regarding the failure of Congress to act on the FAA-controller contract, but when we heard back from spokesman Geoffrey Basye it was after deadline. He told us, "From Day One the FAA has adhered to the legal framework guiding the negotiations process; a framework already established by Congress in 1996. That process has wrapped up and effective Monday, June 5, in accordance with law, the FAA announced that it would move promptly to implement the new contract, which raises current average compensation and benefits for controllers from $165,900 to $187,000. So to close on this point, the FAA did not 'snub' Congress, it followed, in a good-faith manner, the established law set by Congress in 1996," Basye said.
Podcasts June 12, 2006 Online Now: Listent to, or take today's news with you. Find exclusive interviews featuring NATCA president John Carr, New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your pleasure, or subscribe free and receive AVweb's podcasts automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player.
AVweb's Business AVflash June 11, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... June 11, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 11, 2006 COLUMNS Probable Cause #8: Night Over Water
On a clear night with a full moon, a visual descent to the airport turned into a splashdown on a poorly flown instrument approach. This report first appeared in AVweb's sister publication Aviation Safety.
Exploding Engine Damages 767 On The Ground June 11, 2006 By Russ Niles An engine that came apart during a maintenance run-up on an American Airlines Boeing 767 caused extensive damage (maybe even wrote off) a Boeing 767-200 at Los Angeles International Airport June 2. No one was injured when parts from the disintegrating engine sliced through the aircraft and scattered debris over a wide area. More than 10,000 gallons of fuel leaked as a result of the damage but firefighters sealed it in foam and prevented a secondary fire. Click through for images and detail provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Crash Kills Two, Destroys House June 11, 2006 By Russ Niles The son of a pilot killed when his 1957 Bonanza crashed into a house in Reno last week says his father died doing something he loved. "No matter how tragic the result, I am glad he passed doing something he loved," John Monday's son, Ryan Monday, of Corinth, Texas, said in an e-mail to the Reno Gazette-Journal. "I am blessed to be given the time I had with him, so someday I can show the same (drive) for perfection." John Monday, 49, and a passenger, who may have been his flight instructor, took off from Reno-Tahoe International Airport about 3 p.m. last Wednesday and almost immediately reported engine trouble.
Composite Bubbles Block 787 Test June 11, 2006 By Russ Niles Boeing has confirmed published reports that it called off an FAA certification inspection of a 35-foot section of fuselage for the 787 after bubbles were discovered in the composite material. However, Boeing spokeswoman Yvonne Leach told The Associated Press the cancellation of the pivotal inspection will not delay deliveries of the mostly plastic airliner because it will build two fuselages at once to replace the bubbly one and then test them concurrently. The company has promised All Nippon Airlines its first 787 in mid-2008. Leach said the bubbles likely got in the resin via a faulty tool used in making up the piece.
Private School Students Get A Buzz June 11, 2006 By Russ Niles A student at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H., got an education in what happens if you run afoul of FAA regs. The unidentified student is alleged to have buzzed the school in a Piper Cherokee at about 250 to 300 feet several times over a 30- to 45-minute period last Tuesday, wagging his wings as he did so. "It was waving to the kids, as planes do," Mary Anderson, headmaster of the school told the Union Leader. Anderson says she considers the incident a "senior prank" and her punishment will fit the crime. However, she didn't get a crack at the student until after the FAA had a chat with him.
Tanker Driver Hailed As Hero June 11, 2006 By Russ Niles Chris Pugliese said his training kicked in when he quickly put out a fire in the engine compartment of the tanker truck he had just parked under the fuel-laden wing of a Boeing 767. Now officials at Orlando Sanford International Airport are saying he may have saved hundreds of lives. "He averted a horrible catastrophe," Diane Crews, vice president of airport operations, told the Orlando Sentinel. "Christopher is absolutely a hero to the airport and to all those passengers adjacent to the area." Pugliese, 26, who's only worked as a fuel-truck driver for four months, said it didn't occur to him to run when he saw flames coming out of the truck, which held 10,000 gallons of Jet-A. "They train us how to put out fires," he said. "If I started running it would have been a mess."
Opportunities After Age 60 June 11, 2006 By Russ Niles Healthy airline and cargo pilots who hit the magic (or tragic) number can potentially add five years to their flying lives as of Nov. 23. That's when the International Civil Aviation Organization will formally adopt 65 as the mandatory retirement age for professional big-iron pilots. The FAA isn't going along with the new standard and is maintaining its Age-60 retirement rule. But that doesn't mean there won't be American pilots in their 60s flying airliners and cargo planes over the U.S. All they have to do is get a job with any of a myriad of carriers from dozens of countries that will follow ICAO's standard. "A seeming irony to this is that American pilots who work for a foreign company will remain citizens of the U.S. and, frequently, continue to reside here," says a news release from Airline Pilots Against Age Discrimination (APAAD). "They will fly the same types of airplanes loaded with passengers and freight over the same exact routes as their counterparts who work for American companies."
ADS-B Coming To Gulf Of Mexico June 11, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA has committed to installing Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment to cover the Gulf of Mexico, thanks in part, no doubt, to a $100 million carrot dangled by the gulf-oil-fed helicopter industry. According to a news release issued by the Helicopter Association International, chopper operators will supply manpower, facilities and free flights totaling a value of $100 million to get the system up and running. HAI President Rick Zuccaro hailed the cooperative arrangement. "The need for accurate weather, direct communications, and surveillance capabilities has never been greater to support the 650-plus helicopters flying offshore," President Zuccaro said in a news release.
Two Survive Pacific Ditching June 11, 2006 By Russ Niles Two Australians are relaxing in Hawaii after they were rescued uninjured from a Piper Seminole they ditched in the Pacific last Thursday, 535 miles northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Pilot Lyn Gray told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin they were about 1,000 miles from Santa Barbara, Calif., when she noticed one engine "was using far more fuel than it should." (An airline pilot who says he monitored the radio exchanges while on his way from LAX to Honolulu suggested in an e-mail to AVweb what he heard implied to him there was a problem with the ferry fuel system and one engine was shut down to conserve fuel.) Gray told the newspaper she and co-pilot Kristian Kauter shut the offending engine down but there wasn't enough fuel remaining to get to Hilo, their first fuel stop on the ferry flight to Sydney. Gray's aircraft was accompanied by another Seminole flown by her boss, Ray Clamback. Clamback, who's survived two ocean ditchings in the same area in the last seven years, radioed advice to Gray as he circled over the ditching site, before he continued to a safe landing in Hilo.
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 8, 2006 COLUMNS The Savvy Aviator #32: 2006 Aging GA Aircraft Summit
The average GA airplane is now more than 35 years old. The FAA believes this represents a significant threat to safety, but most owner associations and type clubs disagree.
Podcasts June 8, 2006 By Mary Grady Check AVweb.com tomorrow for the podcast link at the top of the page. Online Now: Exclusive interviews featuring New Piper's Jim Bass, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your pleasure, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash June 8, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... June 8, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
An Analysis Of GA Fractionals June 8, 2006 By Mary Grady When the idea of fractional ownership for single-engine piston aircraft was introduced, it was greeted with plenty of skepticism. But now it's an accepted part of the GA landscape, and continuing to grow. Aviation Consumer's June issue analyzed the financial difference between single ownership and fractional, and found that for pilots who fly from about 50 to 250 hours per year, fractional plans can work. Pilots also appreciate having fewer worries. "The number one benefit we heard from fractional owners was the pleasure of not dealing with the details of ownership," the article said. Of course, the big operators like AirShares Elite and OurPlane aren't the only option for the part-time owner. Flying clubs have been around for decades, and AOPA recently added a flying-club section to its Web site.
Europe 2020: Planning To Accommodate Crowded Skies June 8, 2006 By Mary Grady 2020 is not that far off, only 14 years away, and air traffic above Europe is expected to double by then. Eurocontrol, the agency that manages Europe's airspace, is working on plans to cope. Those plans include not only upgrades to hardware and software, but a rethinking of the system's administrative structure. A Single-Sky vision mandates that airspace sectors will be determined by traffic flows rather than international borders. The change would create additional capacity and improve efficiency, Eurocontrol says. The Europeans also are experimenting with ADS-B technology. By 2020, the system should be able to operate with fewer ATC centers, according to Defense Daily.
Cessna Citations To Fly Special Olympians June 8, 2006 By Mary Grady It's the largest peacetime airlift in the world, according to Cessna. Coming up July 1, 400 Citation jets from around the country will fly into the Des Moines International Airport, carrying athletes and coaches to the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games. A Citation will land or take off every 60 to 90 seconds during a 12-hour period. "All the work leads up to that moment when a Citation door opens and an athlete steps out smiling from ear to ear," said Jack Pelton, Cessna CEO. The fleet will return on July 8 to carry the Olympians home. The first Citation Special Olympics Airlift took place in 1987 with about 130 jets.
New Zealand Faces Air Safety Crisis June 8, 2006 By Mary Grady The safety record of general aviation in New Zealand has come under scrutiny, with questions raised about the 2003 crash of a Piper Chieftain that killed eight people, including the pilot. Two others were seriously hurt. The official report on the accident was completed by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission last year, and concluded that pilot error was the most likely cause. But a report filed last week by coroner Richard McElrea cited the Civil Aviation Authority's inadequate oversight of the small charter company as a major factor. "One man, one aircraft and one part-time assistant were not a safe critical mass and the safety process of the CAA should have detected that and prevented the flight in question," McElrea said. The pilot had been cited in 20 prior incidents. On Tuesday, CAA chairman Ron Tannock vowed that the report would be heeded and changes are in the works.
Stricken Pilot Saves Three, Then Dies June 8, 2006 By Mary Grady Jack Francis, 61, was flying his Cessna 185 with his wife and another couple on board on Sunday afternoon, heading home to Park Valley, Utah, from Jackpot, Nev., when his heart began to fail. He was still 80 miles from his destination airport and knew he physically couldn't make it. So Francis put the Cessna down safely on a highway. The aircraft ran off the pavement and hit a fence, but the three passengers were unhurt. Francis died later that day. "He basically saved these other three peoples' lives by landing the plane on the highway," Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Derek Jensen told the Salt Lake Tribune.
Fly Like A (Jet-powered) Bird June 8, 2006 By Mary Grady Just in time for summer, it's Batman meets James Bond ... not at the movies, but up in the skies. A German company, ESG, introduced its prototype of a jet-powered wing that will enable parachutists to fly over 100 miles from the airplane to a landing site. Designed for the military, the system enables paratroopers with a new degree of versatility. The wing is now being tested sans jet engines, but still has a glide distance of about 25 miles with jumps from 32,000 feet. It also enables jumpers to operate at night and in bad weather, using a stabilization system to deal with adverse wind conditions, ESG said. And the next version of the system will have even more capability.
AVweb's Business AVflash June 4, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... June 4, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
Podcasts June 4, 2006 Online Now: Listent to, or take today's news with you. Find exclusive interviews featuring Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your pleasure, or subscribe free and receive AVweb's podcasts automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player.
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 4, 2006 COLUMNS CEO of the Cockpit #58: My Night with Mario
Young pilots may want a layover hotel with an excercise room, but those who've travelled the world know it's more interesting to get out of the hotel and find some authentic nightlife. AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit always tries to find a place like Mario's.
___________________ MAINTENANCE MATTERS Dealing With A Dirty Belly
Sure, you can't see it when you approach the plane, but a dirty belly can be a sign of problems in the engine compartment. AVweb has suggestions to fix the problems and clean up the mess.
Pilots Die, Passengers Survive Lear Crash June 4, 2006 By Russ Niles Both pilots died but their three passengers swam away with only minor injuries after the Learjet 35A they were on crashed in Long Island Sound just short of the Groton-New London Airport runway on Friday. According to the Hartford Courant, the plane went down just 100 yards short of the runway in shallow water. The passengers, three men in their 50's from Virginia on their way to play in a charity golf tournament, were covered in jet fuel but were able to walk away from the crash. The pilots were pronounced dead at the scene.
Paraglider Facing Charges June 4, 2006 By Russ Niles An outspoken Utah businessman is facing charges after allegedly flying his powered paraglider beside and over a busy interstate. And the FAA is also considering action against "Super" Dell Schanze for the incident about 10 days ago. As AVweb told you last week, motorists doing the morning commute on I-15 on May 24 complained of a low-flying paraglider and police responded. He's charged with creating a public nuisance, a class B misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, an infraction, according to the Deseret News. The FAA charges will likely hang on the definition of a "congested area."
Snake On A Plane (Not The Movie) June 4, 2006 By Russ Niles We all know the in-flight emergency mantra to "fly the airplane" but Monty Coles' handful on a flight from West Virginia to southern Ohio last week was of a different nature. Coles was just setting up to land his Piper Cherokee at Gallipolis, Ohio, when a four-and-a-half foot black snake slithered out of the instrument panel. After first swatting it to the floor (where the reptile landed under the rudder pedals) Coles finally grabbed the snake behind the head and held on while he called the tower -- as the snake wrapped itself around his arm and began reaching for anything else it could grab. "I told them I had one hand full of snake and the other hand full of plane. They cleared me in," he told The Associated Press.
New Registration Rules Create Concerns June 4, 2006 By Russ Niles Owners of most bizjets and larger twins have been swept up in a complex registration system that has changed the rules for buying, selling and financing aircraft. The Aircraft Protocol to the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment came into effect on March 1 and was largely unnoticed in GA because its intention is to establish a uniform set of rules and standards to sell airliners and freighters to countries in the developing world. But limits on the weight and horsepower of aircraft that must be sold via this new registry also covers aircraft with as few as eight seats and powered by engines of 550 hp or greater -- a Cessna 421 fits the category. Writing on the business law Web site Mondaq, Thomas Gillespie and Robert Hill say it's a much different system than aircraft sellers are used to.
Dakota Left Trail Of Debris June 4, 2006 By Russ Niles Authorities are puzzling over what may have been the in-flight break-up of a PA-28 that killed four in Stafford County, N.J., just north of Atlantic City last Wednesday. NTSB Investigator David Muzio told the Press of Atlantic City that the airplane left a trail of debris about 2,000 feet long before the main wreckage came down in a wooded area near a highway. The pilot and three passengers died. "Initial information suggests that the aircraft was at (3,600 to) 3,700 feet, and the plane entered a rapid descent after that," Muzio said. According to the newspaper, witnesses said they heard an explosion just before the crash. Investigators found no evidence of fire or explosion.
Alternative Energy Progress Hampered By DOD, DHS and FAA June 4, 2006 By Russ Niles The alternative energy movement, says the FAA, at the behest of the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, is threatening development of wind turbine projects, tagged by President Bush to become a power-producing mainstay in the U.S. The DOD is currently studying whether wind turbines interfere with defense and homeland security radar systems and that means the FAA is no longer routinely signing off on windmill farm applications as posing no threat to air navigation. The study was to have been finished by the end of April but wind-power proponents fear it could drag on for months, effectively stalling windmill farms that have already been approved by every other agency.
Rent Hikes Anger California Pilots June 4, 2006 By Russ Niles Pilots flying out of Oceanside Airport, near San Diego, say the local city council's shortsightedness will result in rent increases of as much as 50 percent this year. According to the North County Times, the city council meets Wednesday to consider raising rents on some old hangars from $400 to as much as $600 a month and to boost the monthly rate on recently built hangars 34 percent, from a range of $510-$740 to $685-$990. The airport offers a single 2,712-by-75-foot runway and single FBO. Tie-downs would go up a whopping 78 percent from $75 to $125 a month. Oceanside's director of public works, Peter Weiss, who termed the increases "pretty hefty," recently told the council that's the only way he can think of to cover a looming $80,000 budget deficit at the airport. The local pilots association is complaining that pilots are being expected to pick up the tab for a lack of foresight on the part of the council.
Podcasts June 1, 2006 Coming, Friday: New aircraft from New Piper? Check AVweb.com tomorrow and look for the podcast link at the top of the page. Online Now: Exclusive interviews featuring Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your pleasure, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
New Articles and Features on AVweb June 1, 2006 COLUMNS As the Beacon Turns #101: Returned To Service
Like pilots, planes that have been out of the air for a while shouldn't be taken up on a whim. AVweb's Michael Maya Charles needed to give his C185 some TLC this spring.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 31, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 31, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips.
A Cub Of A Fighter May 31, 2006 By Mary Grady When pilots think of fighter aircraft, the first thing to come to mind is not likely a little two-seat taildragger. But American Legend announced on Tuesday that its Cub Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) is now available as the Legend Combat, painted in military regalia for like-minded sport pilots. The new design is reminiscent of the historic Piper L-4, L-18 and L-21 models, the company says, which were used as military liaison aircraft in World War II. The Combat, built in Sulphur Springs, Texas, comes with standard features including modern instruments and electrical system, doors on both sides of the fuselage, an aircraft electrical system with starter, fuel storage in wing tanks, and the 100-hp Continental O–200 engine, the company said.
When Airlines Fight, Children Win May 31, 2006 By Mary Grady WestJet, Canada's biggest low-cost airline, "unreservedly apologizes" to Air Canada for an episode of industrial espionage, in a joint statement released on Monday. WestJet, the fast-growing low-cost airline, admitted that it snooped in Air Canada's computer files, using a password provided by a former employee. "This conduct was both unethical and unacceptable and WestJet accepts full responsibility for such misconduct," the statement reads. To settle their dispute, WestJet agreed to pay Air Canada's investigation and litigation costs of $5.5 million and will donate $10 million to children's charities.
Pilot Groups Seek Volunteer Geeks May 31, 2006 By Mary Grady The Air Care Alliance, a nationwide league of volunteer flying groups, is gearing up to bring its membership into the computer age. Many members already are using the latest technologies, the ACA says, but others are still working with pre-digital systems. At its recent convention in Oklahoma City, the ACA introduced a new initiative to find, adapt and disseminate "smart technology" solutions for its members. The group is soliciting savvy volunteers who'd like to join its Technology Committee, whose purpose will be to look for current and emerging hardware, software and Web-enabled technologies that would benefit members. Interested? Contact your local volunteer flying group by June 15 to submit your name.
India, The Hot Market For Heli's, Too May 31, 2006 By Mary Grady Meanwhile, the global economy is growing, and that adds to the growing heli demand. Bell Helicopter plans to open a pilot training facility in India next year and will also start to offer fractional ownership plans there. "We expect the Indian market for helicopters to grow to $4.3 billion over the next 20 years, with 40 percent of the demand from the civilian sector," Bob Fitzpatrick, Bell's senior vice president for business development, told a group of Indian journalists who recently visited Bell's Texas facilities. Of the 120 helicopters now flying in India, 70 of them are Bell products. "This figure will grow to 81 aircraft by the first quarter of 2007, and we want to be aggressive in India as it is going to be a big market," Fitzpatrick said. India's Army Aviation Corps is ready to buy 197 helicopters, and Bell is competing with Eurocopter for the contract.
Big Oil Searching For Helicopters, Pilots May 31, 2006 By Mary Grady With oil prices surging worldwide, rig operators in the North Sea are ramping up production, and running up against a shortage of helicopters and pilots to fly them. Bristow Helicopters, based in Aberdeen, has 10 new helicopters on order and is looking for more. "We have already had to turn down business because we did not have the assets available," Bristow manager Mike Duncan told The Scotsman. "It not just ourselves at Bristow that are in this situation -- it is an industry-wide problem. It is not just a question of getting the physical airframe; we've got to get the crew to fly them and the engineers to maintain them." It takes up to two years to get a new aircraft delivered, and five years or more to train pilots from scratch.
Clock Is Ticking On FAA/ATC Dispute May 31, 2006 By Mary Grady June 5 is the deadline for Congress to act on the FAA's proposed contract for air traffic controllers, and unless something happens between now and then, that proposal will become the new contract. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is far from giving up that something will happen. Several bills are in the works in the halls of Congress that would derail the FAA's plan, and the NATCA lobbying effort is at full force. John Carr, president of NATCA, says a majority of Congress "wants the FAA to restore fairness and accountability to the bargaining process." They have until Monday to act on that conviction. And if they don't?
Podcasts May 28, 2006 By Glenn Pew Online Now: Listent to, or take today's news with you via AVweb's downloadable podcasts. It's news you won't find anywhere else. Find exclusive interviews featuring Light Sport guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your interests, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 28, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 28, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
New Articles and Features on AVweb May 28, 2006 COLUMNS Probable Cause #7: Marginal VFR and Complacency of the Familiar
An IFR pilot may choose to fly VFR on a nice day -- but how good does "nice" have to be to let go of the IFR safety net? This week's Probable Cause report investigates the issue, which first appeared in AVweb's sister publication, IFR Refresher.
_____________ WHAT'S NEW What's New -- Products and Services
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you a Rotax engine school, wrap-around display for FTDs, flip-up sunglasses and much more.
Air Marshals Cleared In Passenger Shooting May 28, 2006 By Russ Niles Federal Air Marshals "demonstrated remarkable restraint in dealing with" an unarmed man whom they fired upon nine times and killed with at least four bullets outside a parked airliner at Miami International Airport. The Miami-Dade State Attorney's office has determined the unidentified marshals were "legally justified" in killing Rigoberto Alpizar when he bolted from the aircraft after the Air Marshals say he told other passengers that he was carrying a bomb and would detonate it. The names of the Air Marshals were not released and they will be flying again, "shortly," according to a TSA spokesman quoted by the Miami Herald.
MIT Flying Car Attracting Investors May 28, 2006 By Russ Niles The MIT students and faculty who are developing what they hope will be a practical, roadable, light-sport-compatible airplane say they've had offers of deposits, requests for dealerships and interest from hundreds of investors in their creation. As AVweb told you earlier this year, the Transition was runner-up in MIT's annual Entrepreneurs Contest. Carl Dietrich, a Ph.D student in aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, the principal designer of the vehicle and president of Terrafugia Inc., the company formed to develop it, said interest has come from all over the world. He told Bloomberg News at least 75 pilots have offered to put deposits on the (currently quoted near) $148,000 invention, which hasn't yet proceeded past the mock-up stage.
Delta Pilots Fight Retired Delta Pilots And Pension Agency May 28, 2006 By Russ Niles In another twist to the uncomfortable process of bringing Delta Air Lines back from the brink, the airline and its pilots will fight an objection from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. over the deal struck on wage concessions. The pilots accepted a 14-percent pay cut and promised not to interfere with Delta's plan to dissolve the existing pension plan. As part of the deal, pilots will get a $650 million note from the airline and also receive a $2.1 billion unsecured claim. The PBGC says both those financial instruments should go to PBGC because it will become the trustee of the pension if it is abandoned by Delta. The deal is also threatened by a group of retired Delta pilots.
Powered Paraglider Pilot Draws (Unwelcome) Attention May 28, 2006 By Russ Niles A powered paraglider pilot who calls himself "Super" Dell Schanze is denying he broke any laws last week when he flew low and slow near a busy Utah freeway. Schanze, who has apparently attracted this kind of attention before, admits he was trying to catch people's eye with the flight as a way to promote sales of paragliders, one of his businesses, but he said he did it within the rules. "I was flying over a wide open field. As far as I know I did everything correctly," he told the Deseret News. "I just happen to be the type of person that attracts more attention than anyone else on earth." However Schanze, who admitted to flying over the freeway at a height of more than 500 feet, may have violated an FAA regulation that prevents flying that kind of aircraft over congested areas.
Scottsdale Looks At Residential Heli Ban May 28, 2006 By Russ Niles Dropping in on the neighbors may be a thing of the past in Scottsdale, Ariz., if the city council proceeds with a revision to its helicopter ordinance. The city law already lays out where helicopters are permitted to land (airports, hospitals, industrial sites, etc.) but it doesn't specifically exclude residential areas. Jim Heitel, vice chairman of Scottsdale's Planning Commission, told the East Valley Tribune the new ordinance would make it clear that "residential areas are meant to be residential." In 2003, the commission's board of adjustment turned down a homeowner's request to build a helipad. A large, circular cement pad was poured anyway and the owner says it's a driveway. Some helicopter operators are wondering why the rule is needed since the air isn't exactly thick with helicopters.
Wing Tank Blows In 727 May 28, 2006 By Russ Niles A new dimension may have been added to the 10-year effort to prevent fuel tanks from exploding in airliners. The right wing fuel tank on a Transmile Airlines Boeing 727-200 apparently blew up while the plane was on the ground at Bangalore, India, last week. There were no injuries or damage to anything else but it brought into sharp focus the NTSB's 10-year battle to prevent fuel-tank explosions after the NTSB determined a belly tank blew on a TWA Boeing 747 in 1996 off Long Island, killing everyone aboard. (Though more people were killed, that incident was not the first of its kind.) The FAA is now preparing a final rule (from this NPRM) that may require systems to prevent fuel-tank explosions to be retrofitted on all airliners. But the rule applies only to center tanks and not wing tanks like the one that cooked off last week. The proposed rule is being opposed by the Air Transport Association.
Wisconsin Allows Aviation Fuel Price Wars May 28, 2006 By Russ Niles The Wisconsin Supreme Court says aviation fuel sellers are allowed to charge whatever they want to for avgas and Jet-A because it does not consider either to be "motor vehicle fuel." The ruling settled a three-year court battle in which Orion Flight Services had alleged that Basler Flight Service had violated state law by selling fuel below cost in a price war at Wittman Field in Oshkosh in 2002. But the Supreme Court ruled that aircraft fuel is not covered by the Wisconsin Unfair Sales Act, which says motor vehicle fuel prices must include a profit margin of up to 9.18 percent.
New Articles and Features on AVweb May 25, 2006 COLUMNS Say Again? #63: A Phrase That Fits
The FAA is trying to be a "customer service" organization -- which is all well and good unless some customers get quick service and others get 40-mile backtrack because of how they filed their flight plan. AVweb's Don Brown worries about this and other safety issues in his Say Again column.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 24, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 24, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Podcasts May 24, 2006 By Glenn Pew Coming, Friday: Interested in Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft? Check AVweb.com tomorrow. Online Now: You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else. Find exclusive interviews featuring Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your interets, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player.
Global Market Needs Aviation Workers May 24, 2006 By Mary Grady In India, airlines are finding it difficult not only to find experienced captains for their jets -- even low-time pilots straight out of school, to fill the right seat, are scarce. A recent effort to fill 239 vacancies turned up only 31 qualified candidates, according to the Times of India. In Oklahoma, a growing aerospace industry can't find skilled workers to drive rivets and repair aircraft. "What we have here is somewhat of an epidemic," Victor Bird, director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, told The Daily Oklahoman. "But it's a man-made epidemic that can be solved." In India, the growing civil aviation sector is draining experienced pilots from the military, but that supply is not enough.
Sport-Jet Flight Tests Verify Performance Goals, Company Says May 24, 2006 By Mary Grady Excel-Jet president and aircraft designer Bob Bornhofen said on Monday that the first eight hours of flight tests for the Sport-Jet validate his preliminary performance estimates, and he believes the jet may exceed initial projections. "Even at lower altitudes, we are indicating 195 KIAS," Bornhofen said. "This figure comes while there is still plenty of available thrust left." Based on these results, the airplane should easily reach its target of 340 knots TAS at 25,000 feet, he said. On takeoff, ground rolls have been less than 1,800 feet, with rotation in under 12 seconds, Bornhofen said, even at the Colorado Springs airport, with a density altitude of nearly 7,000 feet.
Flying Without Airplanes May 24, 2006 By Mary Grady Airplanes, of course, aren't the only ways to get aloft, and creative minds are always inventing new ways to defy gravity. One of the stranger flight modes we've seen is the one chosen by John Ninomiya, who gathers a cluster of small helium balloons together, straps himself in, and takes off. To ascend, he drops sand or water ballast; to descend, the balloons are cut away or popped, one by one. "Even after you've done it many times before, there's still something a bit unreal to it," Ninomiya says. "You wonder: Am I really doing this?" He'll be flying the colorful balloons at festivals around the country this summer. Another ancient way to fly that persists around the edges of aviation today is with wings that flap.
NTSB Blames Controller, Crew, For Air Ambulance Crash May 24, 2006 By Mary Grady The NTSB determined on Tuesday that errors by the flight crew and an air traffic controller led to the crash of a Learjet 35A near San Diego in October 2004. The jet was being operated as an air ambulance. Both pilots and all three medical crewmembers were killed. The board determined that the probable cause of the accident was the flight crew's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a VFR departure at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. But the air traffic controller shared the blame, the NTSB said. The controller provided the flight crew with a heading and told them to maintain VFR and expect an IFR clearance above 5,000 feet. The captain acknowledged the heading instructions; however, the heading issued by the controller resulted in a flight track that allowed the airplane to continue directly toward the mountains.
Some Controllers Not Getting Enough Sleep, NTSB Says May 24, 2006 By Mary Grady The NTSB says that fatigued air traffic controllers caused two near misses at O'Hare International Airport, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday. The incidents reveal a recurring pattern of fatigue, and officials should "emphasize the importance of sleep management," the NTSB said. On March 21, two airliners were cleared to take off from intersecting runways, and came within 100 feet of each other before stopping. Two days later, an airplane was cleared to taxi across a runway where another jet was on its takeoff roll. They missed by 600 feet. In one case, the controller had just four hours of sleep the night before, and in the other case, a trainee controller had an untreated sleep disorder, authorities said.
DOT On Privatization -- Aviation Infrastructure For Sale? May 24, 2006 By Mary Grady More private investment is needed to maintain the nation's transportation infrastructure, including airports, Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta said Tuesday at the NASDAQ market in New York. Airline delays are robbing the economy of $9.7 billion each year, Mineta said, and congestion represents "a looming threat to our economic prosperity." Mineta's plan does not propose any changes in federally owned and operated facilities such as towers, FAA spokesman Geoffrey Basye told AVweb. "However, some states and local governments have considered accepting private-sector investments in airports," Basye said. Mineta's plan focuses mainly on surface congestion, but does propose several ways to enhance aviation capacity.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 22, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 22, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
New Articles and Features on AVweb May 22, 2006 COLUMNS The Pilot's Lounge #100: Truth -- And Some Opinion
AVweb's Rick Durden has been writing "The Pilot's Lounge" column for eight years, and every one has tidbits of wisdom, advice, or just plane [sic] rumor. For his 100th column, Rick has assembled a bunch in one place.
Podcasts May 21, 2006 By Glenn Pew Online Now: Listent to, or take today's news with you via AVweb's downloadable podcasts. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else. Find exclusive interviews featuring Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your interets, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player.
But Is It Art? May 21, 2006 By Russ Niles We like aviation art as much as anyone but we suspect an Italian artist's interpretation of the term could be questionable in the minds of some. Paolo Pivi borrowed an apparently well-used Westland Wessex helicopter and had it placed, greasy side up, in a public square in Salzburg, Austria. The 9,000-pound helicopter comes from what The Helicopter Museum in Somerset, England, calls its "reserve collection" and is a complete aircraft. It will be flopped upside-down on the square until the end of July. At least Pivi didn't stretch too far in naming his "art." He's calling it Upside Down Helicopter In A Public Place. We are having a little trouble nailing down his inspiration for the work, however. It's apparently part of the 200th anniversary celebrations for the composer Mozart. ... An AVweb cap for anyone who can make sense out of that one.
First Pressurized Owner-Built Lancair ES Flies May 21, 2006 By Russ Niles It's been 16 months of hard work but what a prize Robert Simon got at the end. The Columbus, Ohio, pilot and homebuilder recently flew his Lancair ES-P for the first time. The P stands for pressurized but it could also mean pretty darn fast. Simon reports his four-place, fixed-gear aircraft (Lancair suggests a Continental TSIO-550-E) cruises at 260 KTAS at 25,000 feet with the occupants in shirt-sleeved comfort (Lancair's Web site currently says builders should expect 293 miles per hour at 24,000 feet in recommended trim). He says his aircraft has a high-speed range of 1,300 nm (Lancair's Web site quotes 1,200 statute miles for its kit). Simon plans to fly the plane to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh this summer, where he expects to have it on display at the Lancair booth. Lancair has long(er) offered its IV-P retract kit, but Simon believes though several other ES-P builders are nearing completion, his aircraft is the first to fly.
Chinese Pilots Train In Canada May 21, 2006 By Russ Niles A flight school in the Canadian province of New Brunswick says it will train up to 900 pilots for China Southern Airlines over the next five years. Officials of Moncton Flight College, of Moncton, N.B., say they expect to sign the $70 million deal in the next few days. The deal is the result of more than five years of inspections, negotiations and renovations (the college did a $6 million CAD expansion). "This is part of a very large growth and expansion program over the next five to ten years," Mike Doiron, the school's principal, told the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. "It's really going to place New Brunswick as a key player in the flight training market."
Exploring The Range Of Light Sport Aircraft May 21, 2006 By Russ Niles Two announcements this week are a case in point for the diversity of the newly regulated Light Sport category of aircraft. Nexaer, of Colorado Springs, announced that its LS-1, an all-composite low wing with a swooping fuselage, is ready for its first flight. Meanwhile, beleaguered Renaissance Aircraft said it's found a home at Flabob Airport in Riverside, Calif., and will produce an LSA version of the Luscombe 8, a 1940's taildragger, there. Nexaer showed its futuristic mock-up at AirVenture last year and the company says it got plenty of response to the design, which looks like it's going fast sitting on the ground. The company says what sets it apart from other LSAs is the 54-inch wide cabin and great visibility.
Predator Border Patrol Accident Worries Congress May 21, 2006 By Russ Niles Congress has trimmed funding for the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for border patrol duties until someone can explain what caused a Predator UAV to crash in Mexico last month. As AVweb reported, the UAV went out of control in the early morning of April 25 while scanning for drug runners and illegal immigrants. Cause of the crash wasn't immediately known. According to AOPA, funding appropriations of $6.8 million for 2007 were cut by Congress until U.S. Customs and Border Protection releases a report on the crash. However, funding from the 2006 budget is still in place and UAVs could theoretically be back in the air until Oct. 1, when the new budget takes over.
Student Pilot Solos At 91 May 21, 2006 By Russ Niles Cliff Garl satisfied a lifelong dream and may have set a record of sorts last week. The 91-year-old Shoreline, Wash., student pilot soloed for the first time over Arlington Airport. "You go into a nursing home and you'll see people a lot younger than he just sitting there," Garl's 75-year-old instructor Joe Bennett told The Seattle Times. "I actually don't know of anybody, even in their 80s, who's soloed." According to the Times, the FAA didn't have records of any student pilots over the age of 90 in 2004 and showed only 59 in their 80s. Garl told the Times he was nervous before the flight but once in the cockpit of the Cessna 172, the training took over. As might be expected, the medical was Garl's biggest obstacle -- even though he's in good health.
New Articles and Features on AVweb May 18, 2006 BRAINTEASERS Quiz #107: SIGMET/AIRMET Savvy
Slam into a developing thunderstorm that shakes your dentures loose and you'll appreciate the significance of a good weather briefing. Or you can circumnavigate that learning step and test your severe weather planning skills here.
Podcasts May 18, 2006 By Glenn Pew Coming, Friday: Check AVweb.com tomorrow and every Friday for feature interviews with the names making news in general aviation. Online Now: Find exclusive interviews featuring Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your particular interets, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 18, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 18, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Flight Explorer Adds IFR Routes May 18, 2006 By Mary Grady Flight Explorer, the popular flight-tracking software company, announced an upgrade in capabilities this week with the release of Professional Edition 6.1. The new version offers extended route analysis and display capabilities and additional weather information, the company said in a news release. Beyond flight tracking, the system incorporates multiple data feeds, dynamic weather overlays, situational alerts and predictive weather and air traffic tools. For IFR flight planning, Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) can be displayed. Decoded Terminal Forecasts are now available.
Contract Deadline Looming, NATCA Expands Public Outreach May 18, 2006 By Mary Grady The clock is ticking for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which is facing a June 5 deadline for Congress to take action, or else the FAA's contract will be unilaterally imposed on air traffic controllers. The union already has taken its case to the public via TV ads, but last week the union started a face-to-face campaign. At airports around the country, controllers handed out leaflets to the flying public, asking them to lobby their congressional representatives to support bills that would help NATCA's cause. The union told flyers that if Congress doesn't act, one in four controllers -- nearly 4,000 total -- could retire next year upon reaching their eligibility date, leading to staffing shortages and flight delays.
Politics And Airplane Crashes May 18, 2006 By Mary Grady The list of famous musicians killed in airplanes is a familiar one -- from Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper to John Denver -- but it seems politicians also have an unlucky record with GA flying. "It's push, push, push. We think we're so important and this admiring throng is waiting for us, we fly through thunderstorms and fog and whatever, thinking we can get there," former Sen. Lauch Faircloth, of North Carolina, a crash survivor, told The Twin Cities Pioneer Press. The list of politicians who have survived small-airplane crashes includes Senators Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Ted Stevens of Alaska. Among those who died are Sen. John Heinz of Pennsylvania, in 1991, Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan in 2000, and Sen. Paul Wellstone, of Minnesota, in 2002.
UND Flyers First In College Competition May 18, 2006 By Mary Grady Twenty-nine teams competed last week in the National Collegiate Flying Association's annual Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference, hosted at Ohio State University. More than 400 students and 100 single-engine airplanes converged in Columbus to test their skills with short-field and power-off landings, message drops, E6B calculations and more. First-place honors went to the University of North Dakota. Embry-Riddle Prescott placed second and Western Michigan University finished third. The competition consists of 11 events -- four flying and seven on the ground -- that test a variety of piloting skills, with a special emphasis on safety.
Aviation Fuel: In Alaska, Gas Prices Hurt Pilots May 18, 2006 By Mary Grady People who live in Alaska are accustomed to paying more for lots of things, but the price of avgas has been rising so steeply that it's having an impact on operations. Some fuel prices at Anchorage have almost doubled already this year, the Kenai Peninsula Clarion reported this week. "This is going to change the landscape of who is flying and who is not," Tim LaPorte, of Iliamna Air Service, told the newspaper. Prices of 100LL vary widely across the state, with some remote areas actually selling at some of the lowest prices. In isolated Homer, for example, fuel arrives on a barge just once a year, so 100LL was selling there recently at $3.93 while Anchorage was charging $4.49. Other airports, where fuel arrives weekly, have seen price hikes up to 20 cents per week.
Berlin Air Show Showcases GA May 18, 2006 By Mary Grady The Berlin Air Show opened Tuesday at Schoenefeld airfield, featuring what has become Europe's biggest exhibition of GA aircraft. General Aviation Avenue continues to expand its space for corporate, personal, and sport planes, and this year over 1,000 exhibitors from 40-plus countries will show 300 airplanes. The show also attracts commercial and military exhibitors, as well as rotorcraft. Just prior to the air show, an international conference was held on the situation of GA in Europe. Topics included navigation and air traffic control, new technologies, and the economic impact of the GA sector.
Podcasts May 15, 2006 By Glenn Pew Online Now: Take today's news with you via AVweb's downloadable podcasts. Find exclusive interviews featuring Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your particular interets, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
New Articles and Features on AVweb May 15, 2006 COLUMNS Motor Head 13: The Lakeland Routine -- Engines Are The News
Sun 'n Fun means new product announcements, especially for engine manufacturers. AVweb's Marc Cook made his annual journey and saw some very interesting products for Experimentals and certified aircraft alike.
_______ COLUMNS Probable Cause #6: Experience Can Kill You
A time-ridden cliché in aviation is, "Learn from your mistakes so you don't make them again." Of course, if what you learn is that you can press on in a bad situation and survive, someday you might not.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 15, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 15, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Alpha 160 Trainer Getting Attention May 15, 2006 By Russ Niles A New Zealand company says its decision to create a purpose-built two-place training aircraft is paying off. Alpha Aviation recently sold 12 aerobatics-friendly Alpha 160A aircraft and took options for 14 more from CTC Aviation, one of Britain's largest flight training companies. It beat Cessna, Diamond and Piper offers for the deal. The 160A is an updated version of the French-built Robin R2160. Company spokesman Richard Sealy said the world needs more trainers and some of the touring aircraft now being pressed into that kind of service don't have the strength and durability to handle the job. Alpha bought the rights to the Robin designs in 2004 and says it's updated and improved what was already a well-respected design. Meanwhile, Evektor, another manufacturer to watch, says it's considering building a U.S. assembly plant to handle a surge in demand.
Supertankers May Debut This Year May 15, 2006 By Russ Niles Jet-A (and lots of it) may be used to help fight forest fires this season. Two companies developing aerial bomber firefighting aircraft, so-called supertankers, from old airliners say they expect to have all approvals in place to accept firefighting contracts. In fact, Omni Air International says its DC-10 is ready to go to work, while Evergreen Aviation still has a few hoops to jump before its 747-200can tackle blazes. The aircraft represent a quantum leap in aerial firefighting capability. The DC-10 can carry up to 12,000 gallons of retardant or water (more than triple the capacity of the largest existing tankers) and the 747 can pack up to 24,000 gallons. Though they can't fill on the fly, they can get to and from the fire at 500 mph. Firefighting experts say the jets will have their uses but they're not a magic bullet.
Glider Just Missed Tornado May 15, 2006 By Russ Niles The UK Airprox (aircraft proximity) Board has called for the development of a lightweight (presumably battery-powered) transponder that can be installed on gliders after one came within a whisker of being obliterated by a Tornado fighter/attack jet flying at 450 knots. The Tornado and the glider passed within 50 feet of one another at 9,000 feet above the Scottish Highlands last October. Glider pilot David Smith told the board inquiry he felt a "terrific thump from the slipstream and could smell the kerosene fumes" after the jet, one of 10 involved in an exercise, passed overhead. And while the world waits for an electronic solution, a British Air Force spokesman suggests that, in the meantime, adding a splash of color to gliders' paint scheme would help.
Gear-Up: Those Who Have, Those Who Haven't Yet May 15, 2006 By Russ Niles The great thing about gear-up landings is they almost never result in any fatalities, unless you count dying of embarrassment. Somehow you expect guys like retired Capt. Dale Snodgrass (Top Gun grad, Navy Fighter Pilot of the Year) to be outside the grasp of "those who have and those who will," but "Snort" was at the helm of a vintage F-86 that went aluminum on concrete at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in March and it's been determined the only failure was Snodgrass's. "It's hard to believe that a guy with all that experience would not put down his landing gear," retired Maj. Jack Boileau, a former F-86 driver, told KVOA News. Snodgrass declined an interview.
Sun 'n Fun Crash Widow Settles Lawsuit Against FAA May 15, 2006 By Russ Niles The widow of a Texas pilot killed in a midair collision on final to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport the evening before the beginning of Sun 'n Fun in 2002 has settled her lawsuit with two defendants for a total of $700,000. Deborah Morrison is collecting $650,000 from the FAA and $50,000 from Sun 'n Fun's insurance company despite findings by the NTSB that both pilots ignored instructions from air traffic controllers, who saw the potential for a collision. Jerry Morrison was flying an RV-6 that was struck by a Piper Clipper (PA-16) flown by Stephen Pierce on final for Runway 27 right. The NTSB found Morrison ignored directions from ATC to slide left to line up with Runway 27 left and Pierce ignored instructions to "keep it high."
More "Virtual" Radar Available May 15, 2006 By Russ Niles Whether you're a flight school operator who wants to keep tabs on students or the anxious partner of a weekend warrior wondering when (if) your flying companion will be home for dinner, a British company might have the answer. Kinetic Avionics has developed a radio receiver and software package which picks up Mode S and ADS-B signals from aircraft within 100 or so miles (depending on terrain and antenna). In the case of ADS-B-equipped planes, it displays them on the computer screen as a realistic portrayal of an air traffic control monitor. Monitoring Times, a magazine which caters to amateur radio buffs, recently reviewed the gear and says it works as advertised, doesn't crash computers and can run on a modestly equipped PC. AVwebrecently reported on another similar product, currently available.
English Not The International Language Of Aviation? May 15, 2006 By Russ Niles English may be the language of aviation but that shouldn't be a barrier to getting a private pilot's certificate in countries that speak other tongues, according to a spokesman for an international pilots group. John Sheehan, secretary general of the International Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, says English should only be a requirement for pilots who intend to fly IFR or in controlled airspace. The International Civil Aviation Organization recently passed an amendment that would make English proficiency a requirement for all pilots, regardless of the type of flying they do. "While this requirement may be justified for those using the IFR ATS system, it is difficult to justify for the casual VFR user," Sheehan said in a news release announcing IAOPA's petition against the proposal.
New Articles and Features on AVweb May 11, 2006 COLUMNS The Savvy Aviator #31: Know Your Oleo
Oleopneumatic shock struts -- commonly known as "oleos" -- use hydraulic fluid, compressed gas and clever engineering to absorb the impact of those occasional less-than-grease-job landings. If your airplane uses one (or three), you need to understand how they work and what maintenance they require.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 11, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 11, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Podcasts May 11, 2006 By Glenn Pew Coming, Friday: AVweb speaks with the president of Adam Aircraft -- the company with the first VLJ to fly with its production engines. Check AVweb.com Friday to listen. Online Now: Find exclusive interviews featuring Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your particular interets, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
UFOs Identified, UK Reports May 10, 2006 By Mary Grady If there are unidentified objects flitting around in the airspace, lots of pilots would certainly like to know about it -- and so would the military. In the United Kingdom, a secret government report from six years ago was recently released to a professor who requested it under a freedom-of-information law. The report concludes that UFOs are mainly non-threatening aircraft or unusual weather phenomena. High-altitude plasma clouds, which glow and flit about, were one likely cause of many otherwise unexplained sightings. The report apparently has done little to convince believers. Even neutral skeptics have said the report is flawed.
China's Aviation Syndrome -- Growth Amid Restriction May 10, 2006 By Mary Grady As China's commercial aviation sector continues to grow at an ever-accelerating pace, the future of private general aviation is less clear. This week, a senior official told China Daily that the commercial fleet would double by 2010, growing to 1,580 aircraft, and reach 4,000 by 2020. Plus, 42 airports will be built in the next four years, and another 30 in the 10 years after that. Yet also this week, China Daily reported that two people were killed and a third critically hurt when their airplane crashed just 10 minutes after takeoff on an "illegal" flight. Since all airspace is controlled and supervised by military authorities, private flying requires a complicated application procedure.
Adam Aircraft Update May 10, 2006 By Mary Grady The Adam A700 jet is on track to be certified by the FAA by the end of this year, Adam Aircraft President Joe Walker told AVweb on Tuesday. Customer deliveries would start early in 2007. Certification is proceeding swiftly thanks to the commonality with the A500 twin and the well-established working relationship between the company and the FAA. Close to 300 orders have been received, he said, most of them from fleet operators. The jet recently flew to 41,000 feet and achieved a true airspeed of 340 knots, reaching its target. Two more test aircraft will be flying soon, Walker said.
NPRM Addresses Cirrus Brake Fires May 10, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA has issued a Notice Of Proposed Rule Making to address concerns about brake fires in some Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft. Four brake fires and two reports of airplanes losing directional control have been recorded, the FAA said. Cirrus issued Service Bulletins in December and January to address the problem. The bulletins required owners to upgrade the brakes and modify the fairings to make it easier to monitor brake temperatures. The proposed AD would also require the replacement of brake calipers or piston O-ring seals. The cost of compliance, the FAA estimates, could be up to about $2,700 if brake calipers need to be replaced.
Blakey Defends FAA Budget Before Congress May 10, 2006 By Mary Grady FAA Administrator Marion Blakey testified before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation last week, to justify her FAA fiscal year 2007 budget. Blakey reiterated her request for a change in FAA funding practices, saying the agency needs "a stable and predictable funding system that provides appropriate incentives to users and to the FAA to operate more efficiently." The future presents many challenges, she said, requiring an upgraded airspace system that can handle the giant Airbus A380, fleets of microjets and everything in between. Blakey asked overall for a lower budget than last year, but would add $8 million for 101 new aviation safety inspectors and 32 new staffers for the Air Traffic Safety Oversight office.
FAA (Quickly) Retreats On Temporary Tower Charge May 10, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA has backed off (in record time, it appears) on a proposal to charge a Michigan fly-in $3,200 for a temporary tower. As AVweb reported last Monday morning, organizers of the West Michigan Fly-In, at Alleghan Airport, near Grand Rapids, were scraping together donations to cover the charge. However, hours after the story appeared, and after some strategically placed phone calls from an EAA official, the agency withdrew the proposal and agreed to provide ATC services for free. "We're very relieved," said Andy Millin, an organizer whose job it is to arrange for the tower. Millin said the organizing committee was prepared to pay the fee from community sponsorships (Millin's business pledged $500) even though they were convinced it was wrong. "This turned out to be a whole lot more about pilots, the FAA, and user fees than it was about a regional airport holding a fly-in and wanting a temporary control tower," Millen told EAA's online news service.
New Articles and Features on AVweb May 8, 2006 COLUMNS CEO of the Cockpit #57: Mentors
Don't let experienced pilots convince you they got where they are solely through their own efforts. All good pilots had folks who helped them out along the way, including AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 8, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 8, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Podcasts May 8, 2006 Online Now: Take today's news with you via AVweb's downloadable podcasts. Find exclusive interviews featuring FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, Scott Crossfield, and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your particular interets, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
FAA Investigates Landing At Closed Airport May 8, 2006 By Russ Niles A Boise, Idaho, pilot can expect a call from the FAA (if he hasn't already had one) after authorities in Sun Valley reported that an aircraft landed on a runway, littered with heavy equipment, that had been closed for some extension work. But, according to SunValleyonline, what particularly annoyed the folks at Friedman Field was that the pilot declared a fuel emergency to justify his April 27 landing and then took off again, from the same closed runway, without taking on any fuel. The airport operations manager told the news service the pilot took off "without clearance, without approval and in defiance of the airport manager's directive." In the meantime, he'd dropped off a passenger (believed to be his sister) who grabbed a cab and left the airport.
Teenage Airplane Thief Gets Probation May 8, 2006 By Russ Niles A 16-year-old Tennessee boy who took a Piper Cherokee on a wild joyride last Feb. 1, possibly to impress his girlfriend, has been put on a year's probation by a youth court. Nathan Frost, of Rockvale, has also been ordered not to apply for a pilot certificate until he's 18. The boy pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, theft of a truck, attempted burglary and vandalizing a mailbox in the spectacular example of teenage drama that culminated with a pre-dawn buzzing of a neighborhood. Among the witnesses were amazed sheriff's deputies who said it was like watching an air show and described the boy as a "good pilot."
"Hero" Pilot Indicted May 8, 2006 By Russ Niles A former Vietnam helicopter pilot hailed as a hero for his emergency landing of a DC-3 on a residential street in Ft. Lauderdale last year is facing 20 charges relating to what authorities discovered in the plane. The DC-3 was carrying a load of granite bound for the Bahamas when it went down. Authorities subsequently discovered there was no customs paperwork with the rock and they also allege that pilot Charles Riggs doesn't have the FAA's authorization to fly cargo to the Bahamas, something they claim he'd done numerous times in the two years prior to the accident. The most serious charge is the lack of customs declaration but Riggs' lawyer, Chris Mancini, said Riggs intended to stop at a nearby airport to get the form. "They'll never prove that he intended to violate the law in any way," Mancini told The Associated Press.
Flying Cheaper Than Driving? May 8, 2006 By Russ Niles Vacationers heading for the open road this summer might want to pick a route to their local airport. With gas prices topping $3 a gallon, airfare on some routes might be cheaper than driving or close enough in cost that the speed and convenience will tip the balance. "With the price of gas, you have to evaluate closely whether you're saving much by not flying," Stan Gadek, chief financial officer of AirTran Airways, told Knight Ridder Newspapers. Although fuel prices have driven up airfares, there's still fierce competition on well-traveled routes. But checking airfares shouldn't be your only mathematical exercise. It could be that flying yourself will be comparable to driving.
Pilots Needed: Travel Required May 8, 2006 By Russ Niles It may be the ultimate irony that airline pilots can easily find lucrative jobs -- as long as they're willing to travel. According to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal, American pilots are flying the coop on cash-starved, morale-depressed, pension-gutting domestic carriers and landing high-paying jobs in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai. Former U.S. Airways pilot Brian Murray now works for Emirates Airlines and says it's like returning to the Golden Age of aviation in the U.S. He told the Journal that pilots are "treated with respect in this part of the world. We're driven to work. We're put in four- and five-star hotels, on the concierge floors. Captains are treated as vice presidents of the organization." And there's no shortage of work.
Air Show "Evictions" Recanted May 8, 2006 By Russ Niles Organizers of the Monaco Air Duluth Airshow are getting a hard-won lesson in public relations after their president told the owners of six homes bordering the airport they'd have to be somewhere else during the show. Ryan Kern told the six families that since their houses were in the air show box, they'd have to leave home from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for each of the three days (July 5-7) of the performance (he did offer them air show passes), according to the Duluth News Tribune. Well, the good folks of Lavacque Road in Hermantown, Minn., are reasonable folks who don't appear to want to spoil anyone's fun but they did kind of balk at Kern's apparently self-imposed powers of eviction. The local police also noted that private property rights supersede the air show's operational challenges. Fortunately, cooler heads (and a little spending money) prevailed.
AVweb's Business AVflash May 3, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... May 3, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Podcasts May 3, 2006 By Glenn Pew Coming, Friday: An in-depth interview with AOPA's president, Phil Boyer. Check AVweb.com Friday to listen. Online Now: Find exclusive interviews featuring Scott Crossfield, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your particular interets, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
New Articles and Features on AVweb May 3, 2006 MAINTENANCE MATTERS Aircraft Cleaning
Remember the good-old days when the choices of products to clean your airplane were few? Today it seems we are overwhelmed with choices to the point of bewilderment, but AVweb has some suggestions to keep a healthy shine on your steed.
Most Memorable Aviation Records Cited May 3, 2006 By Mary Grady A 10-minute rocket flight and a two-day-long balloon flight were among the most memorable aviation records of 2005, the National Aeronautic Association announced last week. Dick Rutan flew XCOR's EZ-Rocket, a modified Long-EZ, from Mojave to California City in just under 10 minutes, the "longest record flight" by a ground-launched, rocket-powered airplane. In February, Troy Bradley broke a 60-year-old duration-of-flight record when he flew a small gas balloon from Texas to Georgia. Other memorable flights included Steve Fossett's GlobalFlyer circumnavigation in March, and John Parker pushing his Thunder Mustang to 376 mph on a straight course less than a kilometer long. Other records recognized a wide spectrum of aviation achievements.
Alvin White, Supersonic Test Pilot, Dies May 3, 2006 By Mary Grady Alvin White, who was Scott Crossfield's boss at North American during the heyday of supersonic flight testing, died over the weekend. He was 88. "Al assigned Scott to the X-15 while Al took the less flashy XB-70, which he then proceeded to fly at Mach 3 for hours on end," Rick Durden, who knew both men, told AVweb in an e-mail. "He was one of the great test pilots ... he took the F-100 and F-107 to the edges of their performance envelopes. He survived that time of unprecedented exploration of extremely high speeds and altitudes within the atmosphere, when airframes and engines were developed as fast as engineers could put ideas to paper and metal could be bent to fit."
AOPA Opposes Loran Decommissioning Schedule May 3, 2006 By Mary Grady AOPA yesterday urged the FAA to support the continued operation of the loran navigation system until a permanent backup system for GPS is established. The U.S. Coast Guard plan to decommission the loran system is "premature," AOPA said. "Once gone, loran will no longer be a backup option, and any other suitable aviation alternative would likely be more costly, take longer to implement, and would be the responsibility of the FAA exclusively," AOPA President Phil Boyer told FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. "Let's look before we leap on this issue." Although most GA pilots use VORs as a backup navaid, the FAA is planning to decommission VOR stations, leaving no backup system should there be a major disruption to GPS.
Near-Death Experiences Rain Down From The Sky May 3, 2006 By Mary Grady Canadians had a string of close calls with falling airplane parts over the last week. "I was 12 feet away from being dead," Norm Kataras told pulse24.com, after a window from a Beechcraft Baron smashed into a car lot. The window apparently broke off shortly after takeoff from Buttonville Airport. Just two days earlier, Wayne Mathias, of Orillia, was cut by flying debris when the detached door of an airplane crashed down in a parking lot. "If it would have hit me ... my head would be gone, because that aluminum strip was so sharp," he said. Monday night, a wing flap from an A300 cargo jet hit the parked SUV of a Mississauga woman just moments before she would have been in the driver's seat.
Eclipse Expects Certification Soon May 3, 2006 By Mary Grady The Eclipse 500 is on track to receive FAA certification by the end of this quarter (June 30, 2006) and EASA certification by the end of the year, Eclipse Aviation said in a news release on Tuesday. The five-jet Eclipse test fleet has flown 1,700 hours and recently completed tests for flight flutter, structural strength, air-data compliance, and battery endurance, the company said. The highest-utilization jet, N506EA, has flown almost 600 hours over seven months, with a dispatch rate of over 99.50 percent. "It's amazing to see the Eclipse 500 excitement build as we near certification and first customer deliveries," said Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn. "Certification testing is progressing exceptionally well."
FAA Needs To Speed Up Tech Upgrades, Critics Say May 3, 2006 By Mary Grady It's not just aviators anymore who are frustrated with the snail's pace of technology upgrades in the National Airspace System. The FAA is taking heat from Congress over its lagging ADS-B project that would empower pilots and controllers with improved traffic situational awareness. By 2010, the agency plans to spend $300 million and install 400 ground stations to support the system, and the gear should be in every cockpit by 2016. But on Monday, two leaders on the House Transportation Committee sent a letter to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey expressing concern that the deadline couldn't be met: "It is not clear that [the FAA] budget supports this goal," wrote Reps. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), The Associated Press reported Tuesday. The Air Line Pilots Association has expressed support for the new system, but also says the budget is not up to the task. Other projects also have taken heat.
New Articles and Features on AVweb April 30, 2006 COLUMNS Probable Cause #5: Improper Procedure
A pilot salvaging an approach ended up in a stall and spin when turning from base to final. Did good IFR conditions cause him to drop his guard? This week's Probable Cause column presents some ideas. This report first appeared in AVweb's sister publication, IFR Refresher.
_____________ WHAT'S NEW What's New For May 2006
This month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners brings you logbook software, an airspace & weather review DVD, virtual radar and much more.
Podcasts April 30, 2006 By Glenn Pew Online Now: Take today's news with you via AVweb's downloadable podcasts. Find exclusive interviews featuring Scott Crossfield, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, and more. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online -- pick and choose your particular interets, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash April 30, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... April 30, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Coast To Coast In A Powered Parachute April 30, 2006 By Russ Niles A Pennsylvania man is planning an epic transcontinental journey by powered parachute that includes a carrier takeoff and landing. Baron Tayler plans to take off from the deck of the USS Midway in San Diego on May 10 for a two-month trip to Charleston Harbor, S.C., where he'll land on the deck of the USS Yorktown. He'll cover 3,600 miles and stop at least 53 times on the trip. Tayler was the first to get a sport pilot certificate for powered parachutes and part of the reason for the trip is to educate the public on some of their unique capabilities.
Ryanair Accused Of Landing Below Minimums April 30, 2006 By Russ Niles The Irish Aviation Authority is investigating complaints that several airplanes owned by budget carrier Ryanair landed at Stansted Airport near London when visibility was below minimums. According to the Scotsman newspaper, dozens of flights diverted from Stansted when thick fog settled on the airport and the runway lights went out. However several flights (the number isn't specified) "landed anyway to avoid costly delays," the newspaper reported. The newspaper also quotes an anonymous "insider" as saying the complaint was lodged by a rival carrier, also unnamed. Ryanair denied any safety breaches.
"Only" Flying Havoc For Sale April 30, 2006 By Russ Niles The "only" airworthy example of a World War II workhorse is being sold by a broker that specializes in warbirds. More than 2,800 Douglas A-20G Havocs were built but the only one in flying condition has been part of a private collection since 1991. The collection is being split up and Courtesy Aircraft is in charge of the sale. This aircraft was owned at one time by Paul Mantz, a movie and racing pilot. According to Courtesy Aircraft's press release, Howard Hughes is believed to have flown the plane. The company is also selling a Grumman 8F-2 Bearcat and a Grumman FM-2 Wildcat from the same collection.
NATCA Turns On Charm, Turns Up Heat On FAA April 30, 2006 By Russ Niles National Air Traffic Controllers Association President John Carr has offered to meet personally with FAA Administrator Marion Blakey to try to achieve a negotiated settlement in the current contract impasse. Last week, Blakey rejected the union's call for a return to the bargaining table, saying the two sides are too far apart on money issues. In a letter to Blakey on Friday, Carr says he'll deliver on earlier promises to get the talks moving on key issues. "I am offering to meet you unconditionally at the bargaining table, and at that meeting I will direct my negotiating team to bring you real and significant progress," he wrote. The text of Carr's letter was released shortly after a NATCA news release claimed majority support in the House for bill that would virtually disarm the FAA's impasse strategy.
Bill Aims To Fix Fuel Tax Quagmire April 30, 2006 By Russ Niles The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) say legislation aimed at solving a mythical problem has caused some real concerns for fuel dealers and, believe it or not, has resulted in taxes on jet fuel being pumped into a trust fund for highway improvements. New legislation (S.2666, which has not yet been posted on the Library of Congress Web site) has been proposed by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) that will put a stop to the bizarre arrangement until 2007 when all aviation fuel taxes expire and must be reauthorized, anyway. Last October, new rules went into effect that were designed to discourage the use of jet fuel, with its slightly lower taxes, in car and truck engines.
FAA Funding Crisis A Hoax(?): AOPA April 30, 2006 By Russ Niles AOPA President Phil Boyer says the FAA's justification for imposing user fees is just hot air. Boyer told the American Association of Airport Executives meeting in San Diego last week that, far from going broke, the Airport and Airways Trust Fund is awash in cash and will have billions in the bank in coming years. AOPA says it crunched the numbers using White House estimates and, using its most conservative forecast, predicts the trust fund will have a $4.3 billion surplus by 2011. By its most liberal interpretation, the surplus could reach $9.3 billion. FAA Administrator Marion Blakey says the trust fund, which is derived from a percentage tax on airline tickets, is a declining source of revenue and she wants a revenue stream that's based on the cost of services provided (definition: user fees).
New Articles and Features on AVweb April 26, 2006 COLUMNS Say Again? #62: Too Close for Comfort
We can learn a lot from accidents, but wouldn't it be great to learn from near accidents -- those that don't actually have to be reported? AVweb's Don Brown recently saw some dangerous situations that point out the problems with GPS, and he recounts them in this month's Say Again column.
Podcasts April 26, 2006 Online Now: Exclusive interviews featuring Scott Crossfield, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Monday's news, and more... Find AVweb's Podcast index, here, or subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. You'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.
AVweb's Business AVflash April 26, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... April 26, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Five Dead In Alaska Midair April 26, 2006 By Mary Grady Two professional well-regarded pilots -- one with his three children on board -- were at the controls on Sunday when their two airplanes collided in midair, about 20 miles northeast of Anchorage, Alaska. All five people were killed. David Beauregard, 45, an Alaska Airlines pilot, was flying a Cessna 170B with his three children, Ryan, 16; Conner, 13; and Remi, 9. They had just lifted off from Birchwood Airport at about noontime in clear weather, headed for Talkeetna. William Smoke, 55, a pilot for the Fish and Wildlife Service, was flying a 172. He had apparently just taken off from the same field but was returning for a landing when the two aircraft collided. "According to flight investigators, Smoke in the 172 probably saw the 170 and attempted to gain altitude to avoid the other plane but somehow he ended up crashing into the other plane's belly," a local CBS news affiliate reported.
TSA Training CD Offered By NAFI April 26, 2006 By Mary Grady The Transportation Security Administration said in 2004 that all flight instructors must complete recurrent annual security training -- but left it up to the aviation industry to develop its own materials. The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) has stepped in to that role, with a new CD-ROM. Required training, now available for $10. The course complies with TSA guidelines, NAFI says. Instructors must complete the material on the CD plus have a discussion with a local flight school owner or the manager of an FBO or airport. NAFI recommends that independent instructors get together as a group with the owner or manager to save time and create a more dynamic discussion.
Commercial Space Biz Update April 26, 2006 By Mary Grady It's been a year and a half since Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne took civilian astronauts into space -- and since then, nobody else has tried it. But a group of entrepreneurs who met last week in Phoenix, Ariz., hope to change that soon. At the Space Access '06 conference, company execs reported on their efforts. Besides trying to serve a space tourism market, several are competing for a half-billion-dollar NASA contract to provide commercial services to the International Space Station. According to a report in The Space Review, Space Systems/Loral says it can provide low-cost cargo transport. PanAero proposes a two-stage "space van" that could also carry tourists or satellites into orbit, at $1.3 million per launch.
Homes vs. Airports, From Sea To Shining Sea April 26, 2006 By Mary Grady Conflict over GA airports is one of those recurring issues that just won't go away, but with real-estate markets around the country at record highs -- pushing builders farther into urban outskirts, where the small airports are -- and with more and more GA aircraft being built and sold and flown, the outlook is for more of the same, only worse. That forecast is coming true right now in Southern California, where officials in Bakersfield and Rialto recently moved to shut down their airports. In the 1930s, the Los Angeles basin had 56 active municipal airports and only nine remain, the Los Angeles Times reported this week. Further, Santa Monica may turn into an aviation environmental research center of sorts. But across the country in Florida one airport is buying homeowners out of their homes for more space.
FAA Proposes Limits On Airliner Life April 26, 2006 By Mary Grady A new rule proposed by the FAA would begin a process to set what are essentially life limits for transport-category aircraft. The new rule would require manufacturers to develop an operational limit and substantiate that widespread fatigue damage will not occur prior to airplanes' reaching that limit. Once the operational limit is set, airplanes cannot be flown beyond that point unless an extension is approved. The FAA says the program would have a total cost over 20 years of $360 million, of which about 10 percent will be faced by manufacturers and the rest by operators. The rule has no affect on GA aircraft, and AOPA would like to keep it that way. "A review by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation shows that the problem of mechanical or maintenance failure due to age is actually declining," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs, last week.
New V-6s Moving Closer To Market April 26, 2006 By Mary Grady Aircraft Engine Services (AES) said this week it will market the V220 and V300T aircraft engines under the trademarked REV brand, and officially unveil them at EAA AirVenture in July. The all-aluminum, FADEC-controlled (the REV 220 and REV 300T are not limited to leaded aviation fuels) geared V-6s first made a splash at Oshkosh in 2003, when they were introduced by Bombardier. The engines reappeared last year with the AES label. The company says the engines are now on track for certification in the third quarter of this year, and are currently undergoing testing at OEM manufacturers of certified piston aircraft. "These launch partners will be instrumental in ensuring the product support organization is in place to support the REV V220 and V300T engines," said Luc de Gaspe Beaubien, director of operations for AES.
Podcasts April 24, 2006 Online Now: Interviews not included in AVweb's Flash or NewsWire, plus today's news. Click here to listen. Subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically, or check this spot each Monday and Friday to download them individually for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. Find AVweb's Podcast index, here. The content includes exclusive interviews with Scott Crossfield, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, and more...
New Articles and Features on AVweb April 23, 2006 COLUMNS The Pilot's Lounge #99: Turn Back? You Bet!
Press on. Finish what you started. You're better than the rest. What do the voices in your head tell you when you're considering turning around in the middle of the flight? AVweb's Rick Durden had to fight those voices during a winter VFR flight, as he tells in this month's The Pilot's Lounge column.
AVweb's Business AVflash April 23, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... April 23, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Experienced CFIs Wanted: Pilot's Audio Update April 23, 2006 Our sister audio publication, Pilot's Audio Update, is accepting applications for contributors. If you're an experienced CFI and you'd like to provide practical, incisive aviation information in an audio format, contact Richard Taylor at rltaylor5498@earthlink.net for more details.
747-Inspired House Irks FAA April 23, 2006 By Russ Niles Francie Rehwald's new Malibu digs may be the only house in the neighborhood that comes with a disclaimer that can be read from a passing plane. The Mercedes-Benz dealership heiress is having her $2 million spread built from parts of a scrapped Boeing 747-200. The FAA says the "strewn" design chosen by architect David Hertz will look like a plane crash from overhead and it doesn't want pilots (or passengers) of aircraft headed to LAX to be alarmed. The FAA has asked that "special numbers" be painted on the wings to assure pilots that it's not a crash site (no, we don't know what they're talking about, either). The wings will form the roof of the house and ailerons will control shade on the deck The wings will form the roof of the house and ailerons will control shade on the deck. Other parts, including the meditation temple made from the nose, will be scattered around the property, hence the crash site concerns.
Light Sport Pilot Amphibious Exemption Sought April 23, 2006 By Russ Niles Last week, the FAA granted an exception for one aircraft (Czech Aircraft Works "Mermaid"), but an ultralight pilots' group is asking the FAA to allow those with Sport Pilot certificates to operate the retractable gear on all amphibious aircraft that meet the Light Sport Aircraft criteria. The stopgap measure would exist while paperwork to fix the "error" made in the original Sport Pilot rule is corrected. According to Aero Sports Connection (ASC), the FAA has, after almost two years of lobbying by amphibian pilots, agreed to change the rule regarding retractable gear. The way it's written now, those with a Sport Pilot ticket can only use an amphibian as a land or water plane. They're not legally allowed to reposition the gear in flight.
Smoke Hoods Recalled April 23, 2006 By Russ Niles Owners of EvacU8 and Evac+ emergency smoke hoods have until June 16 to return them (with proper documentation) to Brookdale International Systems for a partial refund after the company recalled the hoods last week. In a letter to customers, the company said that tests confirmed the hoods, which pilots would theoretically don in the event of an in-flight fire, could fail to work properly and expose the wearer to harmful levels of carbon monoxide. The company had earlier recommended that pilots not use the hoods pending the outcome of tests and the recall was announced when the results came in. The hoods have a shelf life and there will be no refunds for those with an expiration date prior to March of 2006.
Rebooting Your Airbus (After All The Screens Go Dark) April 23, 2006 By Russ Niles Cures aside, pilots of Airbus A320-series airliners are getting new guidance on what to do if the screens on their electronically biased aircraft go blank. "Checklists will be streamlined so re-booting of power is quicker," an Airbus spokesman told the London Daily Mirror after Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch released a report on an incident aboard a British Airways A319 last October. The plane was carrying 76 passengers to Budapest from London when most of the electronic displays went blank. The crew was able to bring everything back online in 90 seconds and the passengers were blissfully unaware of the glitch. The incident brought to light five similar instances on Airbuses.
D-Jet Racking Up Hours April 23, 2006 By Russ Niles It's been widely speculated that the D-Jet was more than a logical business move for Diamond. Company President Christian Dries has apparently driven the project personally because he wanted a jet. Dries did little to dampen that speculation when he took the controls of the prototype on its second flight. "I was particularly impressed by the feeling of space, security and solidity," Dries is quoted in a Diamond news release as saying after his 53-minute hop. "The simplicity of operation, from engine start through take-off, flight and landing was very obvious and reflects my vision of what a personal jet should be." After Dries' April 19 flight, the D-Jet was also in the air on the 20th and 21st.
New Articles and Features on AVweb April 20, 2006 BRAINTEASERS Quiz #106: Fly Raw Cross-Country
Long before GPS, pilots navigated with compass, plotter, and E6-B computer. Lindbergh found his way to Paris using a cheese sandwich. You, too, can dead-reckon like an aviation pioneer by testing a few basic skills
AVweb Podcasts April 20, 2006 By Glenn Pew Visit AVweb's homepage each Friday for new podcasts. Online Now: A recap of Monday's news, including information not available in AVweb's Flash or NewsWire. Click here to listen. Subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically, or check this spot each Monday and Friday to download them individually for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. Find AVweb's Podcast index, here. The content includes exclusive interviews with Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, and more...
AVweb's Business AVflash April 20, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... April 20, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
Eclipse Customer Rollout Delayed April 20, 2006 By Mary Grady DayJet, a new company that plans to pioneer point-to-point, on-demand service for business travelers with a fleet of Eclipse 500 jets, last week postponed a rollout announcement. A conflict in executive schedules caused the delay, DayJet's public-relations company, Schwartz Communications, told AVweb yesterday. No date has been set to reschedule the event. DayJet has said it plans to launch its service from Delray Beach, Fla., toward the end of 2006, "subject to receipt of the necessary government operating authority." The company says it has 239 Eclipse jets on order, with options to purchase 70 more.
Tower At Sea-Tac Mysteriously Silent For Half Hour April 20, 2006 By Mary Grady At about 3:15 a.m. on April 11, the crew of a 747-400 inbound to Seattle-Tacoma Airport radioed the tower for permission to land. There was no response. On the ground, a Delta jet was ready to back away from the gate, but also got silence on the frequency. The 747 crew reached someone in a nearby radar facility, who sent a guard to the tower, and at 3:40 the facility was back online. An airport spokesman said the incident was under investigation, and the FAA had no comment. Only one person was required to be on duty in the tower cab during that time, but starting the next day, minimum staffing was upped to two.
Twin Beech Hits SUV And Terminal, Three Killed April 20, 2006 By Mary Grady All three people on board were killed when a Beechcraft Duke crashed shortly after taking off from Gainesville (Fla.) Regional Airport on Sunday. The airplane hit a Ford Explorer in the airport parking lot then both vehicles crashed through a wall into the terminal. The airplane had just been fully fueled, and an intense fire ensued. Nobody on the ground was hurt. No distress call was made, an FAA spokeswoman told The Associated Press. The pilot, Guiseppe Basile, 69, was a retired University of Florida engineering professor. Steve Varosi, 40, was a former student. Also on board was Varosi's nephew Michael Varosi, 12. The two men had been working on an autopilot system together, according to The Gainesville Sun.
Radar For Your PC April 20, 2006 By Mary Grady With the AerFlight Virtual Radar system, just about any desktop PC can be turned into a virtual ATC-style radar screen. The AerFlight captures the Mode-S signals emitted by aircraft. Users can control parameters such as range, data displayed, waypoints and geographic outlines. Online databases provide extensive details for each aircraft. AerFlight VR software also can communicate with other users, providing real-time, live airspace traffic positioning around the world. The system is being marketed as a security asset and to anyone with an interest in what's going on in the airspace above them, including flight departments, FBOs, flight schools and aviation enthusiasts.
WSI Offers "Free" Hardware Upgrades April 20, 2006 By Mary Grady Faced with concerns about the long-term viability of the satellite network that provides data to its popular cockpit aviation weather system, WSI recently announced a partnership with Sirius Satellite Radio. But with that deal in place, WSI now is faced with another problem ... how to update all of its customers' hardware. The company has announced a rebate program that will offer "free" upgrades to customers who sign up for four years of service. Lesser rebates will offset costs to those who renew their contracts for shorter periods. The rebates apply to all WSI InFlight subscribers who purchased their system on or before Feb. 7, 2006.
A New Niche For LSAs? Airborne Predator Control April 20, 2006 By Mary Grady Ranchers in the American West have been saying for years that when it comes to shooting coyotes that threaten their livestock, powered parachutes are the way to go. But the FAA disagreed, saying ultralight aircraft are for sport and recreation only. Now with the advent of the Light Sport Aircraft rules, that obstacle is gone. "Ranchers can take eight hours of instruction, pay a small certification fee and then just take a felt pen to write your 'N' number on the side of your craft and bingo, you're legal," ranch lobbyist Stanley Boyd told The Associated Press. According to the AP, the FAA has OK'd the use of LSAs for aerial hunting.
Courts Address Aviation Safety, Liability Issues April 20, 2006 By Mary Grady Hendrick Motorsports has filed suit against the U.S. government over the 2004 crash that killed 10 people near Martinsville, Va., according to SceneDaily.com, alleging that the feds should contribute to the paying of damages if any negligence is found. Hendrick believes the actions of air traffic controllers contributed to the crash, SceneDaily.com reported. The NTSB blamed the crash on the flight crew's failure to properly execute a missed approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Another issue being hammered out in court is whether or not faulty parts have been used in the assembly of Boeing 737s, and if so, whether they pose any danger.
AVweb's Business AVflash April 17, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... April 17, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
AVweb Podcasts April 17, 2006 Online Now: Interviews not included in AVweb's Flash or NewsWire, plus today's news. Click here to listen. Subscribe free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically, or check this spot each Monday and Friday to download them individually for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3 player. Find AVweb's Podcast index, here. The content includes exclusive interviews with Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey, and more...
New Articles and Features on AVweb April 16, 2006 COLUMNS Probable Cause #4: Scud Runner
There are many aspects to flying safely, and FAA regs just scratch the surface. An experienced Marine helicopter pilot seemed to have the skills necessary to fly close to the earth; but he forgot how quickly new towers are built, as we learn in this week's Probable Cause column.
_________ AEROMEDICAL Dr. Fredrick Tilton, Federal Air Surgeon
With a new Federal Air Surgeon in office -- one who is also a pilot -- many are wondering if changes will come to the medical certification process. Bureaucracies move slowly, but AVweb's Dr. Brent Blue learned about some interesting plans when he interviewed Dr. Frederick Tilton.
FBI To Give Planes Back April 16, 2006 By Russ Niles An Alaska air charter company with mysterious ties to at least two intelligence organizations is getting back six of eight L-39 Albatross jets seized by the federal government earlier this year. The planes were taken after Security Aviation and one of its principals, Rob "Commander" Kane, were charged with illegal possession of rocket launchers. The government has now determined that at least six of the planes couldn't be fitted with the rockets and it's still examining the other two. A judge has been asked to dismiss the six aircraft from the case and talks are underway to transfer them back to the company. Meanwhile, documents unsealed last Wednesday revealed that, contrary to earlier statements by prosecutors, the federal government now concedes that Kane worked for at least two intelligence agencies.
Sign-off Lands Instructor A Suspension April 16, 2006 By Russ Niles An Illinois flight instructor who his lawyer says mistakenly signed off a student's logbook has lost his commercial and instructor's ticket for six months, even though all the training was properly provided. Mark Clements, owner of Northwest Aviation, supervised the computer simulation part of a student's training while another instructor actually went flying with him. Clements signed off the logbook, when it should have been the other instructor's signature. It somehow came to the attention of the FAA, who charged him with submitting "false or fraudulent" records to the FAA. "It was just the wrong guy who signed the flight book," Clements' attorney John Scott Hoff told the Pioneer Press. "Had he just had (the other instructor) sign it, there would not have been a problem." Hoff said all the training recorded in the logbook was properly provided and recorded.
FAA Expedites Mustang Certification April 16, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA is clearing away at least some red tape so as not to impede the certification schedule of Cessna's new Mustang mini jet. The current regulations don't address some of the unique design and performance parameters raised by the Mustang and the normal process for adding the rules necessary to accommodate the plane's certification involves advance notice followed by a 90-day comment period. However, the agency has ruled that since the new criteria apply only to the Mustang, the notice and comment period can be waived and the certification process can proceed unimpeded.
Modernization Takes Time April 16, 2006 By Russ Niles A massive effort to replace communications and data lines that stitch together the air traffic control system is (surprise, surprise) behind schedule and not achieving its financial goals, according to the New York Times. The Times story also says the program has caused three failures that resulted in flight delays. However, Harris Corp., which won the contract to do the conversion, said in a news release last week that the work is on schedule and will reduce the FAA's costs. The program, called the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure, was awarded to Harris Corp. three years ago, and will replace all the lines linking 4,400 installations, including remote mountain radio and radar sites. It's supposed to be done by the end of the year but likely won't be finished until the end of 2007, according to the Times story.
FAA, NATCA Sniff The Wind April 16, 2006 By Russ Niles The FAA says it's willing to go back to the bargaining table with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association as long as there's some movement on the fundamental issue of pay for new hires. The FAA wants to impose a two-tier pay system that would start the 12,000 or so new controllers to be hired over the next 10 years at rates much lower than the pay received by existing controllers. The pay for new controllers has emerged as the key issue in the events that led to the FAA declaring impasse in the dispute. FAA spokesman Greg Martin said the agency would welcome renewed efforts at a voluntary agreement. "We need to see some movement on the pay scale for new hires," he told AVweb. We contacted NATCA repeatedly for comment but President John Carr was unable to respond in time for our deadline.
Delta Strike May Be Averted April 16, 2006 By Russ Niles Delta Air Lines and the union representing its 6,000 pilots have reached a tentative deal on long-term wage and benefit cuts but no details are being released. The deal averts a potential strike the union threatened for next week. The union leadership took the weekend to go over the deal and will inform its members of its recommendations in the next couple of days. Lee Moak told the Chicago Tribune the analysis will be done "in an unrushed, methodical manner." The deal must also be approved by a bankruptcy court. Delta has been in bankruptcy since last September. Delta pilots had already given up about $1 billion in concessions.
New Articles and Features on AVweb April 13, 2006 COLUMNS
The Savvy Aviator #30: The Mechanic's Signature
It's illegal to fly after maintenance until a mechanic signs a maintenance-record entry approving the aircraft for return to service. So what do you do if the mechanic says, "I can't sign it off"?
AVweb's Business AVflash April 13, 2006 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/
AVweb's Newstips Address ... April 13, 2006 What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, don't be shy. Submit news tips via email to
newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with you.
AVweb Audio April 13, 2006 By Glenn Pew AVweb audio presents information you won't find anywhere else.
Visit AVweb.com tomorrow for candid comments collected at Sun 'n Fun from Cirrus' chief, Alan Klapmeier.
Subscribe to AVweb audiocasts and receive them automatically, or check this spot each Monday and Friday to download them individually for listening on your iPod, while sitting at your computer, or traveling with any MP3 player.
Caravan Crash Report Cites Icing, Overload, Fatigue April 13, 2006 By Mary Grady Canada's Transportation Safety Board released its final report this week on a Caravan crash in which 10 people died in January 2004. Investigators found that the aircraft was over gross by at least 15 percent on takeoff, freezing participation was falling, and ice was visible on the leading edge of the wing. The aircraft climbed out at a shallow angle and stalled less than two miles out, most likely when the flaps were retracted. The Caravan impacted the frozen surface of a lake and sank. There were no survivors. The pilot's lack of appreciation for the known hazards associated with the overweight condition of the aircraft, ice contamination, and the weather conditions was inconsistent with his previous practices, the safety board said. His decision to take off was likely affected by some combination of stress and fatigue.
Javelin Jet In The Mainstream April 13, 2006 By Mary Grady The non-aviation press might not pay much heed to small airplanes most of the time, but one emerging exception to that is the two-seat Javelin Jet. Latest to notice it is Forbes Magazine. "In full sun on the runway at Centennial, surrounded by multimillion-dollar business jets, the Javelin stopped me cold," writes Taylor Antrim in the April issue. With the prototype still early in flight testing, Antrim didn't get to fly one, but he did try out the simulator, and that was close enough. "This novice pilot lifted off, executed some pretty wicked rolls and loops, flew inverted and even landed twice in a row. ... The Javelin simulator is probably the greatest video game on the planet -- and not surprisingly, it's ATG's most persuasive sales tool," he wrote.
At 20,000 FPM, Just Get Out Of The Way April 13, 2006 By Mary Grady The FAA has given a group of high schoolers clearance to launch a home-built rocket up to 17,500 feet on May 13 ... so if you're flying in the area, watch out. The rocket can climb at 20,000 feet per minute while making a lot of noise, but somehow it's "a hobby that doesn't get a lot of recognition," according to high school senior Joe Skitka, of Lower Dauphin, Pa. Skitka and his classmates have built a 20-foot-tall, 110-pound rocket, and plan to launch it to 10,000 feet sometime next month (hopefully, the 13th), The Patriot- News reported on Monday. Skitka and friends raised $4,000 for the project by washing cars and selling 600 T-shirts with slogans such as "Got rockets?" and "I've got a big rocket." According to Skitka, "Absolutely no adults help us in building the rockets or the organization of the club."
When GPS Is Not Enough April 13, 2006 By Mary Grady Sectionals, GPS, and moving maps are all well and good, but sometimes what a pilot needs is a good old-fashioned street map -- especially if you're flying at low level over urban areas, trying to find a fleeing bad guy or a person in distress or a house on fire. A company called AeroComputers has developed a system called UltiChart to meet just that need, but it's not cheap, running from $30,000 to $60,000 apiece. "We make very sophisticated equipment smart," company president Mark Gassaway told the Ventura County Star. "We're taking technology and making it useful for a very difficult environment." The system comprises a database and a camera, and with the flick of a switch can show the pilot the helicopter's location on a street map.
Win A Goodyear Blimp For A Day April 13, 2006 By Mary Grady If flying in a Goodyear blimp is on your list of must-dos in life, this could be your chance. Goodyear has launched a new blimp and is holding a contest to find a name for it. The winner gets to have the blimp fly to his or her hometown and do their bidding for a day. Hopefuls can submit their name proposals online through April 30. Traditionally, blimps were named after sailboats that won the America's Cup race, but in recent years, the options have widened. Names included Spirit of America, Spirit of Akron, and Eagle. The company has built more than 300 airships since 1925, and currently operates three blimps that travel the country as "aerial ambassadors." (No, we didn't hunt down the other 297-plus.)
Disaster, War, Oil -- Commercial Heli Pilots In Demand April 13, 2006 By Mary Grady Offshore oil companies along the Gulf Coast are facing a critical shortage of helicopter pilots, the Daily Advertiser of Lafayette, La., reported on Sunday. Pay for pilots is going up, but many face long hours and mandatory overtime. Michael Suldo, whose company provides offshore aviation services, said 20 of his pilots have been deployed to Iraq. At the same time, the large cohort of Vietnam-era helicopter pilots is getting to an age where many are retiring or losing their medicals. Post-hurricane reconstruction work has created more jobs. Suldo has partnered with a local flight school with an old plan -- to train pilots from the ground up, then offer them jobs after a stint building time as instructors. Training hasn't gotten any cheaper, but for over 70 students now enrolled, school owner Joe Sheeran says there are more than enough jobs to go around.
AVweb sat down with 
Starting at 2 a.m. Mountain Time on Sunday, Christmas Eve, visitors to 
