NEXT STOP FOR IRVING, ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS
Barrington Irving, who in 2007 became the youngest person and the first black pilot to fly solo around the world, now has a new project -- planning another round-the-world trip, this time to all seven continents, flying a Hawker 400XP. The flying classroom project aims to inspire kids to study science, technology, engineering, math, geography, culture, and history. "This isn't just an aircraft; it's an exploration vehicle for learning that will teach millions of kids in ways they've never been taught before -- making them part of the expedition and research," said Irving. The ambitious project helped inspire the National Geographic Society to name Irving an Emerging Explorer, a designation usually given to early-career scientists, and never before to an aviator/educator. More...

PODCAST: AROUND THE WORLD IN A HAWKER JET, FOR EDUCATION
Barrington Irving, whose Experience Aviation nonprofit helps to inspire kids in Miami to pursue science and engineering careers, aims to reach millions of kids with his next project -- a six-month flight around the world, via all seven continents, communicating with kids via satellite along the way. AVweb's Mary Grady spoke with Irving about his plans and his recent designation as an Emerging Explorer by the National Geographic Society.

This podcast is brought to you by Bose Corporation. More...

GA ADVOCATES SUGGEST CHANGES TO TSA SECURITY GUIDELINES
After six months of study, a group of representatives from 16 general aviation organizations has submitted a list of proposed revisions to guidelines for GA airports that were published in 2004 by the TSA. The aim of the review, said Doug Carr of the National Business Aviation Association, was "to ensure that the interests and concerns of general aviation and business aviation pilots remain adequately addressed in our shared goal with TSA to improve security at general aviation facilities." The group reviewed topics such as security for flight-school operations, improved airport fencing, and the use of gated access and closed-circuit television feeds to monitor ground traffic into secure areas. More...

AIR FORCE PICKS EMBRAER'S SUPER TUCANO (AGAIN)
Embraer's A-29 Super Tucano turboprop single has been selected by the U.S. Air Force for its Light Air Support program, Embraer announced Wednesday, reinforcing the selection that had been made once already, prior to objections from Hawker Beechcraft, the predecessor of the new Beechcraft Corporation. Hawker Beech had proposed its AT-6B single-engine turboprop for the contract, but lost out to Embraer in an earlier decision. Following that decision, Hawker put forth legal objections and a court forced the military to revisit its selection. Now, the military has, again, chosen Embraer's product, delivering the company a $427 million contract for 20 Light Air Support aircraft, and support equipment, to be supplied in partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation, the prime contractor. Beechcraft issued a brief statement in reaction to the announcement. "Although the U.S. Air Force did not select the AT-6 Light Attack Aircraft for the Light Air Support program, Beechcraft is committed to advancing the aircraft's capabilities and continues to pursue additional close air support opportunities," the statement read. "We are disappointed that our proposal was not chosen. We will meet with the USAF for a full debrief of the award and determine our next steps forward at that time." More...

HUMAN-POWERED AIRCRAFT COMPETITION SET FOR JULY
The second annual Icarus Cup will be held in Northampton, Great Britain, July 19-28, and for the first time, the competition will be officially sanctioned by the Federation Aeronautique International. Teams will compete in a variety of trials, including a 200-meter sprint, a slalom course, landing accuracy, duration of flight, and takeoff performance. Organizers hope the competition will help to promote and develop the sport of human-powered flight, with the goal to one day see competitors in the Olympic Games. The event is organized by the Royal Aeronautical Society. Registration is open to all. More...

GREEK HELI PRISON BREAK FAILS (THIS TIME)
A helicopter dropped a rope into Trikala prison's courtyard, near Athens, Sunday, in an apparent attempt to free convicted murderer Panagiotis Vlastos, but the event ended with no escape, a helicopter riddled with bullets, and Vlastos being shot in the legs. Some 500 shots were reportedly fired during the escape attempt as guards exchanged gunfire with at least two gunmen aboard the helicopter. A Kalaskinov assault rifle and two Uzi submachine guns were later found aboard the helicopter. The aircraft appears to be a Eurocopter. Its pilot has said he was forced by the gunmen to participate. The aircraft landed in the prison parking lot after the failed escape attempt, exhibiting multiple bullet holes. Two prior prison breaks that took place in Greece during the past decade also involved helicopters. Both were more successful. More...

JETMAN ROSSY CONFIRMS SCHOOL PLANS
As AVweb reported recently, Yves Rossy, who flies a unique jet-powered strap-on glider, apparently has plans to teach his skills to others, and last week, a reporter at EpicTV.com followed up to learn more about the Jetman's plans. Rossy confirmed that he is planning to open a flight school, which would accept as students only experienced skydivers who also have experience flying either airplanes or wingsuits. "We plan courses between one to four weeks depending on the abilities of the students, the weather and the level of proficiency targeted," said Rossy. "From controlled solo in blue sky, to multi-formation flights around clouds." Rossy also said he would build and sell a copy of his jetwing for a million Euros, but he is developing a glider version that he hopes to offer at an "affordable" price. More...

COLLAPSED INVESTMENT DEAL CONTRIBUTED TO DIAMOND'S WOES
An 2011 investment deal from a Dubai company never materialized and that contributed to Diamond Aircraft North America's decision to curtail operations and suspend the recently-resurrected D-JET personal jet program. Diamond CEO Peter Maurer said Tuesday that although the deal was made, Medrar never executed the plan and no funding flowed to Diamond. "We have pursued others, but nothing in time to prevent [the] current action. In [the] meantime shareholders were continuing to fund. We will continue to try to find the funding," Maurer said in an email to AVweb. Late Monday the company announced that most of its employees will be laid off pending a reorganization. More...

'BAD BOY' PILOT SURRENDERS HELICOPTER
A Tulsa pilot's ham-handed attempt to cover his tracks has cost him his helicopter and earned him a two-year ban on flying or even owning an aircraft. William Stokely agreed to a plea deal with federal authorities last week to surrender his Robinson R44 and accept the flight ban after admitting he tried to outwit them by using a piece of electrical tape to change one of the registration marks on his aircraft from a Q to an O. Turns out that his five-cent solution to the fallout from a previous encounter with the FAA is a felony that could have put him in jail for three years. "I've been a bad boy in the eyes of the FAA," he told Tulsa's News On 6. More...

AVWEBBIZ: AVWEB'S BUSINESS AVIATION NEWSLETTER

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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."

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: SAVED BY A DITCH
Although we write about it often in the aviation press, propping an airline that isn't properly secured is a disaster looking for a grid reference. On the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli reports that a strategically placed ditch kept it from happening again. The takeaway? Try to avoid pulling props through unless you know the magnetos are grounded. Even then, tie it down and chock it. Read more and join the conversation. More...

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: AIR SHOWS WITHOUT JET TEAMS?
One of the impacts of sequestration will be an end to military flight displays. Will you still go to your local air show if there are no jets?

Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers if they'd ever flown with an unruly passenger; click through to see the breakdown of responses. More...

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...

FBO OF THE WEEK: CLARKE COUNTY AIRPORT (QUITMAN, MS)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Clarke County Airport (23M) in Quitman, Mississippi.

AVweb reader Dee Ann Ediger clued us in to the airport's excellent FBO:

We were making our way westward toward questionable weather and keeping in contact with Flight Service while watching the visibility ahead and scouting out landing prospects. We had been landing at two-hour intervals to check weather from the ground, and Clarke County fit our time, course, runway length, and fuel availability, so we dropped in. The inside of the FBO was immaculate, and the freshly painted facilities were just about the cleanest I have ever seen at a small airport. The refrigerator was stocked with microwave sandwiches, drinks, and snacks with an honor pay system so we didn't have to dig into our crackers-and-cheese emergency rations. The excellent service and availability of mogas in addition to the very low priced avgas makes this a very likely stop for us on future trips. We even had our picture taken with our airplane to add to the wall of infamy "documenting those who stop in."

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!

VIDEO: HISTORIC FLIGHT FOUNDATION DC-3
Everett, Washington's Historic Flight Foundation recently flew home its newly-restored DC-3 from Sealand Aviation in Campbell River, British Columbia. The museum's founder, John Sessions, talks about the aircraft's rich history and its future at the Foundation. More...

PICTURE OF THE WEEK: AVWEB'S FLYING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
Our latest winning photo comes from Dave Oberg of Anchorage, AK. 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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