NAFI: STATES TRY TO REGULATE FLIGHT TRAINING
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) says it is concerned that specific states may increase the burden on flight training providers by attempting to regulate their operation, and the latest state to enter that mix could be Tennessee. California and Arizona have both recently initiated efforts to regulate and/or license flight training operators, says NAFI. Now, the group says a NAFI member in Tennessee has received notification from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission that the state's Division of Postsecondary School Authorization seeks to regulate fight schools there. NAFI is currently seeking to assess whether that notification was sent to a broad base of operators, one specific location, or if it was somehow mischaracterized. Whatever the case, the organization is seeking relevant input and is hopeful that a positive outcome can be reached. More...

DEADLINES LOOM FOR PILOT ACTION
Your chance to comment on the proposal from EAA and AOPA asking the FAA to change its medical requirements for some private pilots ends on Friday, the groups said this week. "EAA especially encourages the 39,000 pilots who will be directly affected by the FAA's ultimate decision on this proposal to indicate their support for the exemption request," said Randy Hansen, EAA government relations director. The proposal would allow pilots to fly some GA aircraft without a third-class medical if they take an online course, self-certify, and hold a driver's license. Friday is also the last day for comments on FAA's through-the-fence policy draft. The FAA also reminded GA pilots this week to take part in their annual safety survey, which is open until Nov. 30. The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association encouraged LSA pilots especially to respond to the FAA survey. More...

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: HOW ACTIVE ARE YOU IN AVIATION POLITICS?
Various groups this week sent out reminders of government initiatives whose comment period deadlines are looming. How often do you submit comments?

Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers what GA issue they'd most like to address with their representatives in government; click through to see a breakdown of their answers. More...

REPORT: NEXTGEN PROGRESS IMPROVING
The FAA was slow getting NextGen up and running, Transportation Department inspector general Calvin Scovel told the House aviation committee on Wednesday, but he said the program has improved and will be worth the investment in the long run. In a hearing to examine the progress of NextGen initiatives, FAA officials told the House panel they have learned from their mistakes and expect the system to deliver major benefits. The agency will spend $2.4 billion over the next five years to move from a radar-based system to a system using satellite technology, according to the Washington Post. The increased efficiency is expected to save billions of gallons of fuel. More...

AD ADDRESSES CESSNA IN-FLIGHT FIRE
The FAA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) affects nearly 3,000 of Cessna's retractable-gear aircraft and seeks to prevent the possibility of in-flight fire on the cabin side of the firewall. Affected aircraft are models R182, TR182, FR182, 210N, T210N, 210R, T210R, P210N, P210R, and T303 airplanes. The agency acted based on a report of an accident involving a Cessna 172RG. In that case, a fire "rapidly accelerated" inside the cabin, caused injuries to the aircraft's occupants, and ultimately resulted in a complete hull loss for the airplane. That description closely matches the experience of Jade Schiewe, who was interviewed last year by AVweb's Glenn Pew (podcast). Compliance with the AD, which involves the placement of terminal lug caps at each aircraft's hydraulic power pack, is estimated to have relatively little impact on owners. More...

GAMERA PROJECT CRASHES SHORT OF GOAL
A human-powered rotorcraft built by a team of students in Maryland was damaged in a hard landing recently during a test flight, after setting a new (unofficial) altitude record of 9.4 feet. Pilot Henry Enerson was not hurt. The altitude was only 5 inches from the required height to win the elusive Sikorsky Prize. The $250,000 prize, first offered in 1980, requires a human-powered helicopter to hover for one minute and reach an altitude of 3 meters while remaining under control within a constrained box, all in the same flight. The University of Maryland team has so far attained a duration of 65 seconds with its Gamera II rotorcraft. The team is repairing the damage from the Sept. 1 crash and plans to try again soon. More...

HELP FOR ASPIRING PILOTS
EAA said this week that Sporty's has made its new Learn To Fly course available to all Young Eagles free of charge. Sporty's has previously offered its recreational and private pilot courses free to Young Eagles, and more than 15,000 students already have accepted that offer. The new Learn To Fly course helps students to focus on the first step -- the first solo -- and then choose whether to pursue a sport, private, or recreational pilot certificate. The upgraded course is available for iPads and other mobile devices as well as desktop computers, EAA said. EAA also said it will provide a free first flight lesson and will pay for the FAA knowledge exam for all Young Eagles who complete the Learn To Fly course. Also this week, the Flying Musicians Association and the 99s announced programs to help those seeking an aviation career. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: CRASHWORTHINESS AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY
If manufacturers have a moral obligation to build in crashworthiness, are journalists equally obligated to opine when they fall short? In a mea culpa posted to the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli says the answer is yes. But you read the blog and tell us what you think. Read more and join the conversation. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: TIME FLIES
In her latest post to the AVweb Insider blog, editor Mary Grady polishes off her crystal ball for a quick look into the future — and then packs it away to make room for the real thing. Read more and join the conversation. More...

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS IN AVIATION: A MEMOIR; CHAPTER 17: THE C-123K, TWO RETIREMENTS AND A NEW CAREER
For his final years with the Air Force, Dick Taylor flew a Fairchild C-123, an aircraft whose parentage included both glider and jet versions. After retiring from the Air Force and then later from Ohio State, Dick began yet another career, consulting for aviation-accident cases. Click here to read the 17th and final chapter. More...

U.S. INVESTORS BUY 200 OF NEW BRAZIL GA DESIGN
Ledyard Capital Management, an investment firm that in the past has specialized in transport aircraft and the marine industry, announced this week that it is buying 200 copies of a new four-seat general aviation carbon-fiber aircraft from Novaer, in Brazil. Douglas Brennan, a partner in the company who is also a GA pilot, told AVweb on Tuesday that his firm plans to partner up with an existing distributor network to market the airplanes in the U.S., Europe, and China. "We plan to do the final assembly here in the U.S., just like Embraer does," he said. He added that the airplanes will be eligible for financing from the Brazilian government, which he believes will give them an edge in the U.S. market. The airplane, which is all carbon-fiber and derived from a military-trainer design, should be certified around mid-2013, Brennan said. A prototype has already flown. A price has not yet been set. More...

EMBRAER EXPANDS U.S. PRODUCTION LINE
Embraer now will assemble the Phenom 300 light jet in Melbourne, Fla., the company said this week, in addition to the Phenom 100, which has been produced at the Florida plant since last year. Both aircraft are on the same assembly line, the company said, with an ultimate capacity of eight aircraft per month. Twelve Phenom 300 jets are scheduled for production at the plant next year, with the first delivery in March. The production certificate recently granted by the FAA for the Phenom 100 will be expanded to include production of the 300, the company said. More...

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FBO OF THE WEEK: GTO AVIATION (KM33, GALLATIN, TENNESSEE)

Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to GTO Aviation at Sumner County Regional Airport (M33) in Gallatin, Tennessee.

AVweb reader Ronald Goro explains how GTO has worked tirelessly to promote aviation at their airport:

GTO Aviation is a relatively new FBO at Sumner County Airport. In the last year, they have done more for the area and promoted aviation to its fullest. They have put on a Warbirds Aviation Day — a big sucsess — and also an RV Aircraft fly-in. Lots of great-looking planes.

In June, [they held] an all-Tennessee fly-in, [which drew] lots of vendors as well as new and old aircraft, light sports, and biplane rides. At all of these events, gas prices are very cheap — like, $4.99 a gallon!

The EAA has their great breakfast at all the events, and lunch is usually catered. They also have two bands going. It is just a great friendly atmosphere all the time, and anyone can check out all the planes and really get close to aviation like the old days. Hopefully it will just keep on growing.

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...

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