INDIA MAY ALLOW COMMERCIAL PILOT POWER NAPS
DGCA, the regulating authority for Indian aviation has drafted strict rules under which airline pilots may be allowed to nap while on the flight deck.  Pilots' unions had sought changes to flight duty time limitations to combat fatigue associated with flight duty time limitation provisions. DGCA would allow controlled rest only under certain conditions and on flights of three or more hours during cruise in conjunction with added responsibilities for the cabin crew and non-sleeping pilot. Regulators in other parts of the world, including the U.S. and Europe, already regulate controlled rest periods for pilots during certain phases of flight to combat fatigue. More...

PIPISTREL'S MODEL-SPECIFIC PERSONALIZED ONLINE ACADEMY
Pipistrel has developed an online interactive training tool specific to Pipistrel owners or flight students flying Pipistrel aircraft as part of the "Pipistrel Academy Program" for Pipistrel certified flight schools, the company formally announced, Wednesday. The training solutions, which were introduced during AERO 2013, seek to provide "a deep understanding of flight theory with a specific focus on flying PIpistrel aircraft models." The full academy program provides both students and flight schools with training materials, syllabus, a business model and consultation and is for schools certified by Pipistrel.  The company describes its model-specific training as "online mentorship" tailored through interactive programs to meet the needs of individual students. Currently, model-specific training is limited to just one model, but the company says more options will follow. More...

PILATUS OFFERS WIFI CONNECTED PANEL
Aspen Avionics has been offering a wifi-connected panel interface in the aftermarket for about a year now, and this week Pilatus announced it will offer its own version of the system as a factory option or retrofit for its PC-12 NG turboprops. Pilatus worked with Aspen, Jeppesen and Honeywell to create four customized applications designed for the PC-12 operators' needs. One app will enable the pilot to wirelessly upload chart, navigation and terrain databases to the cockpit. Pilots also can create a flight plan on an iPad or other tablet and wirelessly upload it to the PC-12 NG flight deck. The other two apps provide wireless downloads of maintenance data and a moving map that can show passengers their current location and ETA on their own mobile device. The system can be installed at a retail price of about $16,500, according to Pilatus. More...

MIT TECHNIQUE PROMISES STRONG, LIGHT MATERIALS
Researchers at MIT recently developed two new methodologies for creating composite materials that are both lighter and stronger than today's materials. Their methods make it easier to create composites of carbon fibers coated with carbon nanotubes, a process that has proved problematic in the past. "Up until now, people were basically improving one part of the material but degrading the underlying fiber, and it was a trade-off," says Brian Wardle, an associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. Using the newly developed techniques, he said, "you can now get everything you want." The researchers have filed for patents, and they expect that advanced fiber composites incorporating their techniques will be developed for a range of applications, including aircraft. More...

HUERTA REMINDS PILOTS TO FLY SAFE
In an open letter to the general aviation community sent just before the Memorial Day weekend, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta asked each pilot to "make sure you're ready -- really ready -- to fly." The letter (PDF) noted that GA accident rates have remained "stubbornly flat" in recent years and asked everyone in the GA community, from pilots to mechanics to passengers, to share some simple messages. Huerta's advice includes: Take advantage of all training opportunities, know the weather for every flight, help to grow a safety culture among your local contacts, and intervene if you see someone doing something unsafe. More...

AIRVENTURE OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN
EAA is offering a special four-day program for high-school girls during AirVenture this summer, August 1 to 4, in an effort to "engage, inspire, and educate young women to pursue their dreams in aviation and beyond." The program, called Women Soar You Soar, will introduce 100 girls to 35 women working in a variety of aviation and aerospace fields, from engineers to fighter pilots. The event is "filled with career exploration, discovery, inspiration, and fun," says EAA. Girls in grades 9 to 12 can apply. A fee of $75 covers dormitory lodging at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, meals, seminars, T-shirts, and AirVenture admission. Financial aid and scholarships are available, and EAA can pick up and drop off the girls at the Appleton airport. More...

PODCAST: 25 YEARS OF GROWTH FOR WOMEN IN AVIATION
The organization Women in Aviation International launched with a conference in Prescott, Arizona 25 years ago, and members are marking that anniversary with several events in Oshkosh, Arizona, and Florida. Peggy Chabrian, the founder and president of WAI, talked with AVweb's Mary Grady about the group's achievements, her goals for the future, and what's in the works for EAA AirVenture this summer. More...

SINGLE-PILOT AIRLINE OPERATIONS STUDIED
A study funded by the European Commission and involving 35 aviation and government groups is taking a serious look at single-pilot operations for airliners. Advanced Cockpit for Reduction of StreSs and workload (ACROSS) will spend more than $40 million studying creating an electronic copilot to keep the human pilot flying correctly. The project is being coordinated by Thales Avionics. More...

FAA ASKS EAA TO FUND OSHKOSH CONTROLLERS
Every year for EAA AirVenture, the FAA sends a batch of controllers to handle all the extra traffic at the Oshkosh tower, but this year, the FAA is asking EAA to chip in to cover their costs. The FAA wants to collect enough to cover the controllers' travel expenses, per diems, and overtime. EAA is not happy about the change. "This may be an early indication of further efforts by the FAA to charge GA operators for functions in ways that could add unforeseen costs for the average pilot who simply wants to enjoy flying," said EAA, in a news release. Jack Pelton, EAA chairman, called the change "alarming," and AOPA president Craig Fuller said it was "extremely troubling news." 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: SHOULD EAA PAY FOR AIRVENTURE CONTROLLERS?
EAA has been put on notice by the FAA that it wants the organization to cover the extra costs of controllers for the annual extravaganza. What do you think? Who should foot the ATC bill at AirVenture?

Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers what kind of fuel they expect to be burning in their airplanes ten years from now; click through for the breakdown of answers. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: ACCIDENTS -- THE PILOT AS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE
That's how the Australian Senate characterizes its findings in its exhaustive review of the 2009 Norfolk Island ditching accident. But on the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli argues that this is exactly backwards. When your strap yourself into the airplane as PIC, command means you're in charge -- of everything, including being the first line of defense against a wreck. Read more and join the conversation. More...

SURVEY: HAVE YOU HAD ENGINE SHOP SURGERY?
The engine shop and overhaul market has changed dramatically in the past few years. Aviation Consumer magazine wants to know about your engine overhaul experience and the experience you had dealing with the shop. We'd appreciate you taking a couple of minutes to answer these questions. Click here to take the survey. 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...

VIDEO: DIAMOND'S NEW DA52
Diamond jumped into the aerodiesel market early, and it still leads the industry in the number of diesels flying. This spring, it's deep into certification work on a new diesel twin, the DA52. Based on the DA42 twin, the DA52 is larger, faster, and carries up to seven people. Diamond views it as a high-class, luxury minivan. On a recent visit to Diamond's factory in Austria, AVweb's Paul Bertorelli took a demo flight in the new airplane and shot this exclusive video report. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: COPECA JET CENTER (TJBQ, AGUADILLA, PUERTO RICO)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Copeca Jet Center at Rafael Hernandez Airport (TJBQ) in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

AVweb reader Bruce Huester told us about the FBO:

Copeca Jet Center is a well-run, family-owned and operated FBO on the northwest end of Puerto Rico. We have stopped there several times for fuel and customs. The customs folks are friendly, courteous, and quick! We park right outside the customs office and are typically processed in less than ten minutes. We had a pressurization issue after departure, and when we returned, Copeca was very helpful with lining up a mechanic, arranging accommodations, and providing transportation. I highly recommend Copeca for a tech stop or overnight.

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!

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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Karen Lund

Avionics Editor
Larry Anglisano

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