http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/index.html en-us Copyright 2013 AVweb. All rights Reserved. editor@avweb.com webmaster@iproduction.com 1000Sun, 19 May 2013 20:35:37 CDT 1000Sun, 19 May 2013 20:35:37 CDT IPS - www.iproduction.com Cirrus Aircraft has sent an investigative team to Addison, TX to look into a report that a repacked Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) failed to deploy when a pilot pulled the handle late last week. "We did have an incident in Texas at the end of last week that involved a repacked CAPS parachute," Cirrus spokesman Todd Simmons said in an email to AVweb. "While we understand that an anomaly may have occurred related to extraction of the chute, it is premature to draw any specific conclusions at this point much beyond that." AVweb contacted the owner's home Sunday evening but was told he was out for the evening. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Cirrus_Chute_Incident_208720-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Sun, 19 May 2013 20:07:28 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Cirrus_Chute_Incident_208720-1.html Avidyne Corporation announced the STC certification of the DFC90 plug-and-play retrofit autopilot system for Beechcraft Bonanza applications. The STC, which covers 25 models of the Bonanza, allows the DFC90 to replace existing S-TEC autopilots when interfaced with the Aspen Evolution Pro Primary Flight Display (EFD1000Pro). Avidyne previously certified the drop-in DFC90 with the Aspen PFD in Cessna 182 Skylane series aircraft and with the Entegra PFD in the Cirrus SR20 and SR22. It’s also certified in the Piper PA-46 Matrix and Mirage. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/DFC90_Certified_Bonanzas_208719-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Sun, 19 May 2013 15:17:05 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/DFC90_Certified_Bonanzas_208719-1.html A documentary based on the insights of individuals who became sole survivors of commercial aviation disasters appears set for release in August. According to the movie's creators, the film includes commentary from at least three survivors who have never spoken publicly about the events that changed their lives. Among them is one pilot, Jim Polehinke, who acted as copilot of Comair Flight 5191, which crashed at Lexington on August 27, 2006, killing all 49 others aboard. The NTSB found the probable cause of the accident included multiple failures of the flight crew. Click through for the trailer. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/sole_survivor_aviation_accident_documentary_august_208718-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Sat, 18 May 2013 03:12:45 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/sole_survivor_aviation_accident_documentary_august_208718-1.html The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology said earlier this month that students there had created and flown a small remote control aircraft made of concrete, but their level of success may be open to interpretation. The aircraft had a wingspan of 40 inches and weighed 18 pounds. A news release from the school notes "viral" coverage of the event. It also states that the "flight was quick and wobbly with the landing equally erratic, but it was enough for the record books." After viewing video of the flight, it may not be clear that the vehicle's return to earth can be categorized as a "landing." The concrete plane isn't the first of its kind. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/concrete_airplane_flight_pilot_dakota_ERAU_video_208717-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Fri, 17 May 2013 19:41:45 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/concrete_airplane_flight_pilot_dakota_ERAU_video_208717-1.html A retired Air Force Lt. Colonel and a former NASA space shuttle commander have been hired to fly space tourists in Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, the company has announced. Michael "Sooch" Masucci has 30 years of civilian and military operational and test flying, according to the company, has served as a U-2 pilot with the Air Force and has flown 70 different types, including gliders. Frederick "CJ" Sturckow has 26 years of military flight experience, flew as commander of two Space Shuttle missions and has logged 1,200 hours in space. The men are currently training to operate commercial suborbital space flights, carrying passengers for $200,000 per ticket. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/virgin_galactic_pilot_hire_spaceshiptwo_208715-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Fri, 17 May 2013 04:25:45 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/virgin_galactic_pilot_hire_spaceshiptwo_208715-1.html The Sam light sport aircraft, which first flew in March, was on display at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, Florida. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_Sam_LightSportAircraft_208714-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Fri, 17 May 2013 02:02:05 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_Sam_LightSportAircraft_208714-1.html Eclipse Aerospace is touring the country with a Total Eclipse jet, using it as a demo for the soon-to-be-delivered Eclipse 550. In this AVweb video, Paul Bertorelli offers a quick product overview. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_TotalEclipse_QuickLook_208713-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Thu, 16 May 2013 23:53:43 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_TotalEclipse_QuickLook_208713-1.html There might be a big solar flare that could affect GPS later this week. If it happens while you're flying and knocks out your wonder boxes, what will you do?Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers what role they believe EAA should play in the aviation community; click through to see the breakthrough of answers. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/qotw/QuestionOfTheWeek_GPSDependence_208711-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Thu, 16 May 2013 03:24:49 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/qotw/QuestionOfTheWeek_GPSDependence_208711-1.html The sun this week unleashed a series of X-flares, classified among the most intense solar activity, that each became the most energetic of the year until the next one; none were directed toward earth but that may change next week with possible effects for aviation. The Space Weather Prediction Center is watching the activity for potential disruption of space-based communication systems and ground-based electronics. Aviation activities most susceptible to the flares include aircraft communication. If affected, scientists say we would see it first with aircraft flying near the poles. The increase in solar storm activity was predicted years ago and AVweb sat with a specialist to talk about its affects on GA. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/solar_flare_storm_communication_gps_208708-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 15 May 2013 21:23:47 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/solar_flare_storm_communication_gps_208708-1.html The U.S. Navy this week announced it has -- for the first time -- successfully launched the X-47B combat-capable aerial vehicle from an aircraft carrier and, separately, set a new record for flight endurance with a fuel cell-powered UAV with the Ion Tiger. The X-47B's testing Tuesday saw it launch from the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush during flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean off the Virginia coast. The launch was followed by several low approaches and a flight mission to the naval base at Patuxent River, Md., that also demonstrated a ship-based to land-based transfer of control. Also this week the Navy reported that its Ion Tiger unmanned vehicle set a record for endurance, flying 48 hours and one minute on liquid hydrogen fuel. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/x47b_carrier_first_fuel_cell_ion_tiger_flight_drone_208707-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 15 May 2013 21:18:12 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/x47b_carrier_first_fuel_cell_ion_tiger_flight_drone_208707-1.html A new law that will require first officers in regional jets to hold at least an ATP certificate is not yet official, but it's already affecting aviation careers, Kent Lovelace, chair of the aviation department at the University of North Dakota, told AVweb this week. The law will take effect this August, whether or not the FAA has completed its proposed rulemaking process, Lovelace said. The regionals already have started to reject applicants who aren't likely to log the minimum 1,500 hours total time by this summer, and the change also has caused some students to choose a different career track. The regionals' applicant pool has shrunk "to where some carriers, the usable applications they have on file are virtually nil," says Lovelace. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/ATPRuleChangeAffectsCareerChoices_208706-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 15 May 2013 19:03:57 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/ATPRuleChangeAffectsCareerChoices_208706-1.html In a study of amateur-built aircraft completed last year, the NTSB cited a need for transition training to help new owners safely fly their airplanes, and this week Sonex said it has developed a training program for its fleet. Sonex said the FAA has authorized the company to provide flight training for pilots who are building, buying, or considering a Sonex design. "Preparing to fly your Sonex with the proper training and type-specific flight time is just as important as building the aircraft properly," said Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett. The training is offered by Sonex staff CFIs at the company base in Oshkosh, Wis. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/SonexToOfferTransitionTraining_208703-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 15 May 2013 08:46:37 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/SonexToOfferTransitionTraining_208703-1.html Two pilots sat in the cockpit of 16-seat BAE Jetstream 31 and did nothing as it flew for 500 miles from England to Scotland in civil airspace, controlled by an operator on the ground, according to news reports this week. The flight reportedly took place sometime last month. The on-board pilots handled the takeoff and landing, according to the BBC. The test was done by Astraea, a research group funded by the government and commercial companies, in cooperation with the National Air Traffic Services. In an online video, Astraea official Lambert Dopping-Hepenstal says the company has been working with authorities to develop a process for certifying and operating an unmanned Jetstream in the civil airspace. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/TwinTurbopropFliesByRemoteControl_208699-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Tue, 14 May 2013 21:22:51 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/TwinTurbopropFliesByRemoteControl_208699-1.html With the busy summer flying season upon us, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on Tuesday met with leaders from EAA, AOPA, GAMA, NBAA and others in the general aviation community to discuss actions to enhance safety and reduce accidents. The GA fatal accident rate has remained flat over the past five years, Huerta noted. "We cannot become complacent about safety," he said. "Together, we must improve the safety culture to drive the GA fatal accident rate lower." The group agreed to set short-terms goals to raise awareness on the importance of basic airmanship and to promote a positive safety culture. Huerta also asked the aviation community to commit to several longer-term goals. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAACallsForGASafetyImprovements_208696-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Tue, 14 May 2013 12:11:35 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAACallsForGASafetyImprovements_208696-1.html Flyers' Rights, an advocacy group for airline passengers, said on Tuesday the FAA should restrict 787 flights to within two hours of an airport "until the safety of its lithium-ion batteries is proven." The restriction wouldn't affect flights over the continental U.S. or most flights to Europe, but trans-Pacific and transpolar routes would be off limits. "Our proposed actions are both urgent and necessary," said Paul Hudson, president of the organization. "Adequate testing of the batteries haven't been done and the fire investigation is not finished." United Airlines, the only U.S. carrier flying 787s, plans to resume domestic flights with the airplane next Monday, and will start flying the Denver-Tokyo route on June 10. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FlyersGroupSeeksLimitOn787Flights_208695-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Tue, 14 May 2013 11:42:43 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FlyersGroupSeeksLimitOn787Flights_208695-1.html NASA is providing a half-million-dollar prize for Phase 1 of a Centennial Challenge that aims to develop technology to help unmanned aircraft operate safely in the national airspace system, the agency has announced. The first phase of the UAS Airspace Operations Challenge will focus on safe airspace operations and robustness to system failures, NASA said. Competitors will need to demonstrate skills including separation from other aircraft using ADS-B, and respond to failures such as unreliable GPS or lost links. The first competition event is expected in May 2014. Phase 2 of the competition will focus on how to detect UAS that are not cooperating with the system. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/NASAFundsPrizeToAdvanceDroneIntegration_208694-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Mon, 13 May 2013 15:37:56 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/NASAFundsPrizeToAdvanceDroneIntegration_208694-1.html I was flying just northeast of Dallas on Monday, April 22. This was the first day of sequester-induced cutbacks of controllers.Fort Worth Center:"King Air 12345, cleared direct FINGR for the FINGR3 arrival."King Air 12345:"Cleared direct FINGR."Fort Worth Center:"They told us not to give any shortcuts today, but I don't see any way to do it except to give you the finger."I was laughing too hard to hear the King Air's reply.Steve Beckerditevia e-mail http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/shortfinal/ShortFinal_AviationHumor_208691-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Mon, 13 May 2013 01:30:35 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/shortfinal/ShortFinal_AviationHumor_208691-1.html >>> AVWEB FUEL FINDERCURRENT PRICE FOR 100LL: $6.04 (up 3¢ from last week)CURRENT PRICE FOR JET A: $5.49 (no change from last week)Fuel prices provided weekly by AirNav, based on prices from the past 2 weeks. Changes are relative to last week's prices. /TEXT_ONLY-->AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Sonoma Jet Center at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (KSTS) in Santa Rosa, California.AVweb reader Austin Kalb told us about the FBO:Wow. Either I'm really a VIP, or the people at the Sonoma Jet Center in Santa Rosa, California just made me feel that way. When I arrived in my Mooney, I was immediately swarmed by staff unpacking my luggage, loading the rental car (that was brought to the airplane), hooking up a tow, [and] handing us some cold waters. Then Josh said hello. He owns the place — and when I found out he was a Mooney driver, I stepped out of the airplane to chat. A couple of minutes later, I was offered hangar space with the big guys. Nice! That night, my rental car experienced a flat tire. [The rental company] was less than helpful — they left me pretty much on my own. I called the FBO. They simply took care of the issue. I left my car at the B&B in the morning, and when I returned later that day, a new rental was sitting where the old one was. When we left Santa Rosa, Josh showed up again to see us off. Last time I visited Santa Rosa, Joyce at the front desk was exceptional. Now I get why — it starts at the top. Great job, guys!Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday! http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/fbo/FBOOfTheWeek_SonomaJetCenter_SantaRosaCalifornia_208690-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Mon, 13 May 2013 01:16:54 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/fbo/FBOOfTheWeek_SonomaJetCenter_SantaRosaCalifornia_208690-1.html Comments have closed on the FCC's proposal to phase out 121.5 MHz ELTs but a group of senators has made it a political issue. Five members of the Senate GA Caucus, led by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., have written the head of the FCC, Julius Genachowski, urging him to drop the plan. The senators argue that ELTs will be redundant when the NextGen air traffic system is fully implemented, and effectively making new 406 MHz ELTs mandatory for the big majority of GA pilots who still have 121.5 units is a waste of time and money. "Should the FCC move forward with its proposed rule to ban the use or manufacture of 121.5 MHZ ELTs, the general aviation industry will be required to install $500 million of technology which could soon become obsolete once the FAA fully implements that satellite based navigation system authorized under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012," said the letter. But a 406 MHz ELT manufacturer says the 406 MHz units are vastly superior and not as costly to pilots as opponents are saying it will be. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Senators_ELT_Phaseout_208689-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Sun, 12 May 2013 20:27:06 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Senators_ELT_Phaseout_208689-1.html The countdown has begun for the ambitious re-enactment of a record-setting flight that helped usher in the modern age of air travel. The National Airline History Museum hopes to re-create the inaugural coast-to-coast flight of a Lockheed Constellation flown by Howard Hughes and Jack Frye in its own Connie. Right after the first Constellation was rolled out on April 17, 1944, Hughes and Frye jumped in the cockpit and flew across the country in less than seven hours. Orville Wright was onboard and it was his last flight. The museum hopes to have its Connie fully restored and ready for the flight on the 70th anniversary in 2014. "There are so many great stories and great people associated with this effort," said John Roper, VP of Operations for the museum. There is a huge fundraising task ahead of the volunteer-run effort, however. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Museum_Constellation_Flight_208688-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Sun, 12 May 2013 12:25:11 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Museum_Constellation_Flight_208688-1.html A DC-9-32 owned by the U.S. Department of State is up for auction May 15, with a starting bid of $50,000 and, according to the seller, the aircraft was "part of Air Force Two" and "may have acted as Air Force One." According to auction documents provided by the government, "In the thirty years this aircraft was assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing (Feb 1975-Sep 2005) it flew Presidential missions." The document (PDF) does not specifically name individuals flown, but does list the positions those individuals held. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/air_force_two_auction_208687-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Fri, 10 May 2013 22:29:49 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/air_force_two_auction_208687-1.html Two men suffered minor injuries Friday when the Maverick "flying car" they were in crashed in an elementary schoolyard in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. Children had just started classes for the day and no one on the ground was hurt. Ray Seibring, the pilot, and passenger Ed Haaskyk were on a demonstration flight of the aircraft, which is essentially a large powered parachute whose chassis is street legal. AVweb's Russ Niles was scheduled to fly next in the Maverick and witnessed the crash sequence, but not the actual impact. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Flying_Car_Crash_208686-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Fri, 10 May 2013 20:44:04 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Flying_Car_Crash_208686-1.html The 149 federal contract air traffic control towers previously targeted for closure beginning June 15 will remain open through Sept. 30 the FAA said Friday, as other programs also found funding. The Department of Transportation said Friday it would fund air traffic technology and maintenance programs with $21 million by moving funds within its budget. The FAA was required by sequestration to cut $637 million from its budget. As drafted, the agency was granted little latitude in how it applied the cuts. That changed when controller furloughs correlated with commercial flight delays, and more changes soon followed. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA_control_tower_open_night_maintenance_sequestration_cut_208685-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Fri, 10 May 2013 18:19:49 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA_control_tower_open_night_maintenance_sequestration_cut_208685-1.html A relative surge in shipments of multi-engine turboprops led a positive first quarter for all GA shipments as billings improved by 31.7 percent over last year's number, GAMA announced Thursday. Improvements to piston aircraft and jet shipment numbers were modest, posting positive changes of 3.8 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively. Diamond's DA40 led all models in the piston single group with 27 sold. Cirrus and Flight Design were close behind. And Beechcraft Corporation, which emerged from bankruptcy in February, managed deliveries of multiple models. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/gama_shipment_imrpovement_2013_208684-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Fri, 10 May 2013 03:48:51 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/gama_shipment_imrpovement_2013_208684-1.html Chairman of the board and interim CEO Jack Pelton says EAA represents personal aviation — everything from jet warbirds to paragliders.Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers how they planned to advance themselves (or aviation in general) this year; click through for the breakdown of answers we received. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/qotw/QuestionOfTheWeek_ExperimentalAircraftAssociation_WhoDoesEAARepresent_208676-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Thu, 09 May 2013 01:13:58 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/qotw/QuestionOfTheWeek_ExperimentalAircraftAssociation_WhoDoesEAARepresent_208676-1.html The FAA Wednesday announced that 72 control towers (PDF) and other facilities that had been slated to shut down night operations to meet budget cut requirements will stay open. The FAA had planned to eliminate night shifts at 69 towers, two regional approach control facilities and one tower that also provided approach control services. The sites were targeted in response to spending cuts required by sequestration. Most of the facilities saw light traffic during the proposed hours of closure, but not all. Chicago's Midway -- which handles about 250,000 flights per year -- was on the list. There are other tower closure issues still pending. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/faa_federal_contract_tower_closure_furlough_night_208675-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 08 May 2013 20:46:36 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/faa_federal_contract_tower_closure_furlough_night_208675-1.html When Rotax introduced its high-tech 912iS a year ago, it claimed that the engine would be about 20 percent more fuel efficient than previous 100hp models. But new testing done by the company last year reveals that those claims fell short of the engine's actual efficiency. In this video shot at Aero in Friedrichshafen, Germany last week, Paul Bertorelli reports that the 912iS may improve fuel efficiency by up to 30 percent. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_Aero2013_Rotax912iS_FuelEfficiency_208674-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 08 May 2013 20:09:11 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/exclusivevids/ExclusiveVideo_Aero2013_Rotax912iS_FuelEfficiency_208674-1.html Honda Aircraft Co. confirmed this week it will delay until late 2014 its certification effort for the HondaJet light business jet to accommodate more testing for the aircraft's GE Honda Aero engines. The company announced last October that it was aiming for full FAA certification in the first half of 2013 with deliveries to customers to follow before year-end. Honda Aircraft said it now expects the jet's engines to be certified late this year. The company has not yet set a new delivery schedule. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/hondajet_faa_certification_delayed_ge_honda_aero_engine_208672-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 08 May 2013 19:50:45 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/hondajet_faa_certification_delayed_ge_honda_aero_engine_208672-1.html Anyone who has been a flight student in the last two years is invited to take part in an online poll and share their experience and insight, AOPA said recently. The poll deadline is Aug. 9 and is open to all; you don't need to be an AOPA member to participate. "This unique pilot poll will give people a great opportunity to share feedback on their flight-training experiences," said Shannon Yeager, vice president of AOPA's Center to Advance the Pilot Community. The poll also asks participants to nominate a flight school and instructor for AOPA's Flight Training Excellence Awards. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/AOPASeeksInputOnFlightTrainingExperiences_208670-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 08 May 2013 13:32:00 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/AOPASeeksInputOnFlightTrainingExperiences_208670-1.html United Airlines will start using the Boeing 787 on domestic routes on May 20, USA Today reported on Wednesday. A flight from Houston to Chicago will be the airline's first flight for the jet since it was grounded by the FAA in mid-January, after two incidents when the airplane's lithium-ion batteries overheated. It's also the first flight announced for the jet on a U.S. route. Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways already have resumed 787 service. The FAA has approved a modification that aims to both "prevent and isolate a fault should it occur," Boeing said. Meanwhile, the NTSB is continuing its investigation to try to determine why the batteries malfunctioned. http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/UnitedWillRelaunch787May20_208669-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS 1000Wed, 08 May 2013 12:41:02 CDT http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/UnitedWillRelaunch787May20_208669-1.html