SOURCE REPORTEDLY LEAKS AIR FRANCE 447 CONCLUSIONS
The French news agency AFP reported Wednesday (one day ahead of the official final report's release) that investigators have concluded that pilot error and technical malfunctions caused the crash of Air France Flight 447 in 2009, killing all 228 aboard. "A source close to the case" told AFP that speed sensors on the Airbus A330 "froze up and failed" as the aircraft entered a line of thunderstorms while flying from Rio to Paris. That information was reported more than a year ago in factual findings. However, the source also told AFP that the official report of the French Accident Investigation Bureau, BEA, concludes that the captain then "failed in his duties," and "prevented the co-pilot from reacting." BEA is due to release its final report on the crash today (Thursday).   More...

75 YEARS LATER, EARHART SEARCH CONTINUES
It was 75 years ago this week that aviatrix Amelia Earhart went missing, and on Tuesday yet another expedition launched with hopes of solving the mystery of her disappearance over the South Pacific. The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery departed from Hawaii aboard a research vessel bound for the remote atoll of Nikumaroro. They plan to search the nearby ocean using a remotely operated submersible, in hopes of finding wreckage from Earhart's Lockheed Electra. "This is the high-tech deep-water search we've long wanted to do but could never afford," says the TIGHAR website. More...

C-130S RESUME FIREFIGHTING AFTER FATAL CRASH
Five C-130s were back in the air fighting wildfires in several western states on Tuesday after being briefly grounded following a fatal crash over the weekend. Four crew members were killed and two were seriously injured on Sunday at about 6:30 p.m. local time when a C-130 from the North Carolina Air National Guard crashed while fighting fires in the Black Hills of South Dakota. "Operational flying was suspended for one day to review flying and safety procedures, in the context of what is known so far about the crash," according to a statement from the Northern Command, which oversees the airplanes while they are on firefighting duty. The cause of the crash is under investigation and no details have been released. More...

JETBLUE PILOT RULED INSANE
The JetBlue captain whose mid-flight meltdown a few months ago resulted in crew members calling for help by passengers to restrain him has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of criminal charges related to the well-publicized incident. Clayton Osbon, a well-respected senior pilot with a clean record, began acting irrationally on a New York-to-Las Vegas flight last March 27 and was ultimately restrained by a group of mostly ex-law-enforcement professionals headed to a security conference in Sin City. After the nervous FO locked him out of the flight deck, Osbon ran the length of the aircraft ranting about terrorism and religion. The FO, with help from a commuting JetBlue pilot who happened to be on board, landed the aircraft uneventfully in Amarillo, Texas. Osbon has been in jail, and on the JetBlue payroll, ever since. More...

RED BULL'S LONG JUMP SET FOR THIS SUMMER
As the Red Bull Stratos project continues preparations to break Joe Kittinger's long-standing freefall record with a jump from a balloon at over 120,000 feet later this summer, the team this week released an animation of what the experience will be like for skydiver Felix Baumgartner. The video shows the balloon and the capsule suspended beneath it climbing through the atmosphere into the blackness of space, with the Earth's curved surface far below. Baumgartner pauses on the capsule's threshold to take in the view before leaping off. Red Bull says Baumgartner may reach supersonic speed on his descent. More...

SONIC BOOMS RAISE CONCERN, CAUSE DAMAGE
The Brazilian air force has offered to pay for damage to that country's Supreme Court building and the U.S. Navy has offered an explanation to San Diego residents after two separate supersonic incidents since last Friday. Residents across at least 40 miles of coastal communities near San Diego experienced a two- to three-second rumble Friday at approximately 12:45 p.m. that shook windows and raised concerns after local Marine bases and the Navy initially denied responsibility. The Navy later revealed that two F/A-18s had gone supersonic some 35 miles off the coast as part of a "family day" ahead of July 4 celebrations. Monday in Brazil, two Mirage 2000 jets participating in a national flag exchange ceremony buzzed the country's Supreme Court building at low altitude and high speed. The flight shattered the building's three-story tall glass facade. Video of both events after the jump. More...

PODCAST: JAMES FALLOWS GOES TO CHINA
China Airborne, the new book by James Fallows is a journalist and pilot's journey through the complex and often contradictory quarter of the world that is modern China. Aviation and aerospace development is, by government fiat, China's next big thing. And no one can predict its success or failure, says Fallows. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: 'CHINA AIRBORNE'
On the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli discusses the new book China Airborne by James Fallows and its findings. Read more and join the conversation. More...

MORE LAYOFFS AT HAWKER; BIDS CONSIDERED
Hawker Beechcraft laid off another 125 workers in Wichita last week, and six bids are under consideration from potential buyers of the company's assets, the Wichita Eagle reported on Monday. The company said no final decision has been made regarding a sale, but the bids were solicited as the company continues to restructure under bankruptcy protection. "The Debtors are continuing to evaluate potential sale alternatives and may elect to incorporate one or more sale or plan sponsorship transactions into the plan," according to the bankruptcy filing, the Eagle reported. More...

GRAND CANYON RESTRICTIONS STOPPED
Some last-minute political maneuvering by Nevada and Arizona congressmen from both sides of the aisle has stopped the National Parks Service from imposing more restrictive anti-noise regulations on air tour operators in Grand Canyon National Park. The Parks Service wanted to introduce rules that would have resulted in the "substantial restoration of natural quiet" to the park by limiting flights in such a way that two-thirds of the park would have been free of audible aircraft 75 to 100 percent of the time. It also would have encouraged operators to buy quieter aircraft by allowing them more flights in those aircraft. Aviation groups were concerned about the proposed regulations on philosophical grounds in that they would have effectively given the Parks Service control over airspace. But the politicians who banded together to shoot down the initiative had more practical concerns. More...

AVWEBBIZ: AVWEB'S BUSINESS AVIATION NEWSLETTER

Have you signed up yet for AVweb's no-cost weekly business aviation newsletter, AVwebBiz?

Delivered every Wednesday morning, AVwebBiz focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the business aviation industry, making it a must-read.

Add AVwebBiz to your AVweb subscriptions today by clicking here and choosing "Update E-mail Subscriptions."

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: HAVE YOU FUDGED A FLIGHT MEDICAL?
Australia has liberalized medicals for recreational and private pilots, and the U.S. seems poised to do the same. Have you ever fibbed to your air medical examiner?

Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers about their flight training: Where did they get it? Click through for a complete breakdown of responses. More...

BRAINTEASERS QUIZ #173: CALL ME A TAXI
Inside a big sky, little mistakes are easily masked before ATC calls a foul. But on the ground, the margin for error shrinks, and one slip across a hold-short line could ruin your day. Save that day by acing this quiz.

Take the quiz. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: DUTCHESS AVIATION (KPOU, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY)

AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Dutchess Aviation at Dutchess County Airport (KPOU) in Wappingers Falls(/Poughkeepsie), New York.

Dutchess recently hosted the Cessna Pilots Society for its annual fly-in, and multiple CPS pilots were impressed enough to nominate them. Reader Jeffrey Chipetine wrote:

The FBO was heavily tasked as our operational tempo included daily fly-outs and New York Corridor tours. Fuel requests were filled quickly and with a smile. Many flights were "all seats full" and required careful, accurate fueling to keep the weight & balance inside the envelope, and Dutchess Aviation did it right every time. Service with a smile was the rule! The FBO enthusiasm was met equally by the airport maintenance personnel and by those manning the Tower Cab. The airport was spotlessly clean, the grass trimmed like it was being manicured. An unused building was even retasked to serve as our unofficial clubhouse for the event, complete with restrooms, A. C., and even a grill for afternoon burgers on the deck. The airport manager, Ed Rose, directs a dedicated and impressive staff. ATC was equally friendly, with multiple rapid-fire requests for clearances to begin flying the NYC Corridor Tour handled without a ruffle. From-out-of-the-area pilots were made to feel welcome and comfortable. While this is a nomination for "FBO of the Week," the award for the overall excellence we enjoyed during our stay really demands that the entire crew at KPOU be recognized. Nicely done, all!

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!

AVWEB'S NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 255,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard? More...

VIDEO: 'AVIATION CONSUMER' TAKES THE SHOW ON THE ROAD WITH FIVE FOLDING BICYCLE REVIEWS

The July issue of our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, features a blow-by-blow comparison of some of the best folding bikes for pilots we could find. See them in action in these five video reviews by Consumer's Jeff Van West.

VIDEO: ANA 767 HARD LANDING CREASES FUSELAGE
An All Nippon Airways Boeing 767-300 carrying 193 passengers was damaged during a hard landing at Tokyo Narita airport, Wednesday, June 20, 2012. The ANA jet touched down on Runway 16R. Airport weather reports show winds at 230 and 16 knots gusting to 29 at that time, suggesting a potential crosswind component of more than 27 knots. However that may have affected the pilots and aircraft, security camera footage shows the airliner came down first on the right main, then on the nosewheel alone, before porpoising into a second impact that appears to impart visible flex on the airliner's forward fuselage. No injuries were reported, but an early post-flight inspection clearly showed buckling and creases in the fuselage skin forward of the wing root. Japan's transportation safety board is investigating. Click the image at right for video. More...

PICTURE OF THE WEEK: AVWEB'S FLYING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
Our latest winning photo comes from Charlie Zabinski of Garden Grove, CA. Click here for the rest of this week's submissions. More...

MEET THE AVWEBFLASH TEAM

AVwebFlash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the world's premier independent aviation news resource.

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Editorial Director, Aviation Publications
Paul Bertorelli

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Russ Niles

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Jeff Van West

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