CONTROL CABLE AD COMING FOR PIPERS
Piper Aircraft has confirmed the FAA will issue an AD on Monday requiring specific inspection, at annual, of the control cable assemblies of tens of thousands of aircraft that are 15 years or older. The AD will affect Cherokee, Saratoga, Lance and Seminole models. It will at first apply to the older aircraft but as each of the remaining aircraft hits its 15th birthday the inspections will become mandatory. Eventually 34,000 aircraft will be affected. Piper spokeswoman Jackie Carlon said the company has already issued a service bulletin and mandatory service bulletin regarding the control cable inspections and "cooperated fully" with the FAA in developing the AD. More...

DECEASED PILOTS CLAIMED AEROTOXIC SYNDROME
The death of two former British Airways pilots, both 43 years of age, who both believed they were poisoned by breathing contaminated air in the cockpit of jets they flew may now lead to legal action. Shortly before his Dec. 12 death, pilot Richard Westgate reportedly instructed his lawyers to sue BA over his alleged poisoning. Pilot Karen Lysakowska was grounded with poor health in 2005 and developed lung cancer, passing away a few days after Westgate. Lawyers for Westgate are now pushing for an inquest into the pilot's death to prove the existence of "aerotoxic syndrome." More...

ALASKA AIRLINES' FAINTING PILOTS
Alaska Airlines says illness caused one of its pilots to pass out Thursday, while flying a Boeing 737-700 with 116 aboard out of Los Angeles for Seattle, leading the copilot to declare an emergency, divert, and land safely at Portland. The pilot, who has reportedly flown with the airline for 28 years, stood up while the aircraft was at cruise and flying on autopilot. While leaving the cockpit, he became dizzy, lost consciousness and fell to the floor in the cabin in front of passengers. The airline says the pilot suffered from an illness that it reported non-specifically as a food or flu-like virus. Alaska Airlines experienced a similar fainting episode on Jan. 22. More...

JUDGE APPROVES HAWKER BEECHCRAFT PLAN
A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge Friday approved the joint plan of reorganization submitted by Hawker Beechcraft -- pension plan agreements were approved earlier. The judge had asked Thursday that a slight modification be made before issuing a final order regarding reorganization. The plan should become effective by the end of February. The court has approved pension plan agreements involving the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and the International Association of Machinists. The company estimates that very close to 100 percent of participants will see "the full amount of normal retirement pension benefits that have already vested." The court also approved exit financing plans. More...

IRAN CLAIMS NEW FIGHTER DESIGN
Iran has unveiled a new fighter/bomber (or a mockup of one) it says is stealthy and proves the country's ability to "conquer scientific peaks." The Qaher (Dominant)-313 looks like an F-35 with canards but technical details on its performance and capabilities are scant because Iran doesn't talk about such things in any way except with bellicose statements by its politicians. "This is a radar-evading plane that can fly at low altitude, carry weapons, engage enemy aircrafts and land at short airstrips," said Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi. A video was released purporting to show it flying. Although some analysts are skeptical, Iran claims it's a clean-sheet homemade aircraft. More...

IAOPA CHINA
China will host the next biennial World Assembly meeting of the International Council of the Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), AOPA announced Friday. Specifics have not yet been set, but the organization is considering later dates in 2014, with details to be resolved "soon." IOAPA is administered through AOPA and is made up of participating affiliates from 71 countries. AOPA says the selection of China "highlights just how important the country has become to the growth of general aviation" and the meeting there can "demonstrate just how vital general aviation can be." More...

WARBIRD GATHERING SET FOR TOPEKA DURING AIRVENTURE
A non-profit group is organizing what it hopes will be a major warbird event. The Gathering of Warbirds and Legends will be held at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kan., from Aug. 1-4 and is inviting warbird owners and operators to reserve on of 65 "slots" to participate in the event. Slot holders will be picked based on "aircraft and crew credentials." Those with slots will take part in a revenue-sharing scheme that will kick back at least part of their operating expenses and heavily subsidize their fuel for the event. Slot holders will also be invited to take part in a mass formation flight of up to 52 aircraft. About a third of the slots were claimed on the first day. Scott Glover, a warbird owner and one of the show's organizers, said the revenue-sharing plan is unique among aviation events. We certainly won't make any money in attending this Topeka event, but there is no doubt that this is unique, historic, and very affordable for all." The event is scheduled for the last four days of AirVenture Oshkosh, which is the largest annual gathering of warbirds (more than 300) but organizers said they've been in contact with EAA about the scheduling. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: TEL FALSE ALARM
Following a provocative article in Mother Jones magazine, the UK press went after Innospec, the principal supplier of tetraethyl lead for 100LL. Although some news reports said Innospec would end TEL production by the end of the year, Paul Bertorelli says on the AVweb Insider blog that the announcement is a false alarm. The company is phasing out TEL for automotive use but pledges to continue manufacturing it as long as it's required for avgas. Read more and join the conversation. More...

BRAINTEASERS QUIZ #180: REGULATION OSCURA
Before flight, every pilot must plow through a spaghetti bog of regulations designed to enhance safety by potentially scaring the flyer to stay on the ground. But you won't scare easily once you ace this quiz.

Take the quiz. More...

AVMAIL: FEBRUARY 4, 2013

Letter of the Week: Who Should Pay?

Regarding the story about iPad apps for aviation: Compare the cost of an iPad app to that of FAA paper publications needed.

Why shouldn't the FAA be compensated for gathering the data that goes to the app-makers? Why, and how, do people think they are entitled to something for nothing? Or, in Mr. Goldstein's case, pay nothing at wholesale so they can add some value and sell at retail. Come on.

John Sullivan

Click here to read the rest of this week's letters.

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: PARDO'S PUSH -- MCDONNELL F4 PHANTOM
"Pardo's push" of March 10, 1967 was preceded by a similar event. In 1952, fighter ace Robbie Risner pushed fellow flyer Joe Logan 60 miles. The two men were flying F-86 Sabre jets and successfully cleared hostile territory, but Logan bailed out over water, was tangled in his canopy lines, and drowned. Risner was deemed a hero, but by Pardo's account, pilots were not encouraged to partake in similar activities. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: PORT CITY AIR (KPSM, PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE)

AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Port City Air at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (KPSM) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

AVweb reader Ron Weinstein has had nothing but good experiences at PCA:

Not only did they not charge to park, but [they also] had a loaner available and a print-out of how to get to a great local lobster joint. Have gone three times in last year, and not a bad thing to say about them! They always go that little bit beyond! And the gas is cheap.

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!

SHORT FINAL

While listening to the approach frequency to LAX (Runway 25L), I heard an airliner report a party balloon at 600 feet during his approach on the ILS. The tower proceeded to report the balloon to the aircraft following. While doing so (and clearing another airliner to land), this communication took place:

Airliner:
"Los Angeles Tower, Airliner 123 at LIMMA for 25L."

Tower:
"Airliner 123, Los Angeles Tower. Caution: wake turbulence; following a heavy 757 on short final. Aircraft reported a party balloon at 600 feet."

Airliner
"A what at 600 feet?"

Tower:
"A party balloon."

Airliner:
"O.K. W'ell be ready to party at 600 feet. Airliner 123."

Efrain Gonzalez
via e-mail

HEARD ANYTHING FUNNY ON THE RADIO?
Heard anything funny, unusual, or downright shocking on the radio lately? If you've been flying any length of time, you're sure to have eavesdropped on a few memorable exchanges. The ones that gave you a chuckle may do the same for your fellow AVweb readers. Share your radio funny with us, and, if we use it in a future "Short Final," we'll send you a sharp-looking AVweb hat to sport around your local airport. No joke. Click here to submit your original, true, and previously unpublished story. 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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