OPERATION MIGRATION RAISES FUNDS FOR NEW AIRCRAFT
Operation Migration says it's found a way to satisfy the FAA and whooping cranes to continue leading young birds on a migration from Wisconsin to Florida each fall. Two years ago, when a former pilot complained to the FAA about the nature of the flying in the operation (he claimed improperly licensed pilots were flying for hire in non-compliant aircraft), the FAA gave Operation Migration two years to meet new standards for the flying portion of the unique initiative. The FAA said the pilots, who are salaried employees, must have at least private pilot certificates and the aircraft have to meet at least SLSA standards. That's a considerable compromise from the normal standard that requires professional pilots to have commercial tickets and fly fully certified aircraft when they're on the clock. "Even though we're the regulators, we believe what they do is a good thing and we want to help them achieve their mission," FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory told The Associated Press. Washington State trike manufacturer North Wing Operation Migration says it's found a way to satisfy the FAA and whooping cranes to continue leading young birds on a migration from Wisconsin to Florida each fall. Two years ago, when a former pilot complained to the FAA about the nature of the flying in the operation (he claimed improperly licensed pilots were flying for hire in non-compliant aircraft), the FAA gave Operation Migration two years to meet new standards for the flying portion of the unique initiative. The FAA said the pilots, who are salaried employees, must have at least private pilot certificates and the aircraft have to meet at least SLSA standards. That's a considerable compromise from the normal standard that requires professional pilots to have commercial tickets and fly fully certified aircraft when they're on the clock. "Even though we're the regulators, we believe what they do is a good thing and we want to help them achieve their mission," FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory told the Associated Press. Washington State trike manufacturer North Wing has taken on the task of providing an aircraft that meets the requirements of the birds and the FAA. Operation Migration has turned to crowdsourcing to raise the $84,700 needed for three new SLSA-compliant trikes. More...

WILLOW RUN PRESERVATION CAMPAIGN ON
An ambitious campaign to save a unique part of aviation history is on in Michigan but just like the events that created the Willow Run bomber manufacturing plant, the volunteers trying to preserve it face a daunting challenge. The Ford-owned plant, which churned out B-24 Liberators at the astonishing rate of one an hour during the Second World War, was bought by GM in the 1950s and used to build transmissions until 2009. The trust created to manage GM's assets when it went bankrupt a has been trying to sell the defunct facility but the massive five million-square-foot building has to come down before anyone will buy it, they say. The Michigan Aerospace Foundation wants to preserve 175,000 square feet of the structure to house the new home of the Yankee Aircraft Museum but it needs to raise almost $5 million in six weeks to do it. More...

FAA SEEKS INPUT ON NEW TEST STANDARDS
If you have any opinions about the FAA's proposed revisions to the knowledge tests for private pilot and instrument rating, the FAA wants to hear them, but don't delay -- the comment period closes July 8. This is the second go-round after an initial comment period closed on May 24, just a few days after the FAA Safety Team sent out a notice about the planned revisions. The FAA says it got about 130 comments during that first period, and will be starting to review them now. To read the revised standards or to file comments, go to the federal docket and enter the code FAA-2013-0316. Documents with details about the proposed revisions can be found here. More information is posted in the Federal Register notice. More...

PILOT WANTS OTHERS TO LEARN FROM CRASH VIDEO
Last month, nearly 8,000-hour ATP certificated pilot Dale Hemman posted to YouTube multiple views of his 2012 engine-out controlled crash in a Bonanza at Fairbanks, Alaska and, Wednesday, the NTSB released its probable cause report, but questions remain. On the morning of July 26, 2012, Hemman was leading a flight of 12 aircraft on an aerial tour for a group called "Let's Fly Alaska." He was flying with one other occupant. Neither was significantly injured in the crash. His aircraft, a 1975 Beechcraft F33A Bonanza modified by D'Shannon Products with a 300-hp Continental IO-550, carried four video cameras -- all externally mounted. Each camera recorded a different angle of the events that transpired approximately 41 seconds after the plane began its takeoff roll. They show that while climbing at 400 feet AGL on departure with the gear up, the aircraft lost power. Hemman was faced with several options that included trees and an open field that sat just across a channel of water. It was, possibly, at the optimistic end of the aircraft's glide range. After an initial roll away from it, Hemman chose the field. It was roughly 90 degrees off his right wing.  More...

COMPANY ADOPTS A-4 SKYHAWK JET FOR UPSET TRAINING
An Arizona-based company announced Thursday that it is now offering pilots emergency upset training in a two-seat version of the famed A-4 Skyhawk attack fighter. Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) says its new program is designed to offer first-hand experience in real high-performance aerobatic-capable jet trainers. Their upset training course includes high-altitude stalls, high-mach conditions and "all-attitude upset prevention and recovery scenarios." According to the company, the course is designed for direct transfer of upset knowledge and skills to high performance operations flown at high altitude and it is serious about the training. Some pilots may question the applicability of transferable skills from an A-4 -- a former U.S. Navy Blue Angels selected design -- to their current aircraft. And APS offers an answer to that.  More...

PRINTED AIRPLANE PARTS
China's AVIC Heavy Machinery has produced what it claims to be the world's largest titanium aircraft part critical to an aircraft's structure printed from a 3D printer -- and with massive cost savings. The part, displayed at the 16th China International High-tech Expo, fits a J-20 or J-31 stealth fighter. According to the company, the titanium alloy structural part costs $212,000 to produce through 3D laser direct manufacturing, versus $1.3 million through traditional methods. China's C919 passenger jet, which is expected to enter service in 2016, will incorporate a five meter-long titanium printed wing spar. The company also made bold claims about the potential benefits of printed parts in U.S. military aircraft. More...

NEW AIRCRAFT RENTAL SERVICE LAUNCHED
There's a new way to rent an airplane at six airports across the U.S. and the founders of OpenAirplane hope it will modernize and rationalize the way people rent aircraft. The online service puts renters and aircraft owners together with an eBay twist. "Both pilots and operators contribute to a reputation system, creating first of its kind transparency for the community," said OpenAirplane spokesman Rod Rakic. OpenAirplane launched today with affiliates in New York, L.A., Chicago, San Jose, Kissimmee and Detroit and almost 6,000 pilots have registered even though the service has been in a beta mode until today. Rentals can be arranged through almost any kind of Web device and it's open to anyone with an FAA pilot certificate from Sport Pilot to ATP and it's free for pilots and the aircraft providers to join. More...

LEARN TO FLY WHILE TRAVELING
A Silicon Valley company is tackling head-on one of the most-cited impediments to flight training (the time it takes) with an innovative flight training program. Visionary Airlines will teach its customers to fly while they're on their way to destinations they select for business or pleasure trips. They'll get real-world training while getting to their destinations more quickly and efficiently. The concept is the brainchild of Michael Flint, a former business jet and Air Force pilot, who believes private aviation is the answer to many transportation issues. Flint has launched an Indiegogo campaign to launch Flight Training Adventures, which will be limited to regional flights around the San Francisco Bay area at first. More...

EAA AGREES TO PAY
Thursday, EAA finalized a one-time agreement with the FAA that will assure air traffic control services for the 2013 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in at a cost to EAA of nearly $450,000, but according to EAA Chairman Jack Pelton, "This isn't over." Pelton has described the FAA's position as "holding AirVenture and GA hostage this year." The FAA, acting under budgetary constraints created by the sequester, this year must cut more than $600 million from its budget, this fiscal year. It determined in May that the cost of supplying a full complement of 87 air traffic controllers and supervisors at AirVenture will be $447,000 and that cost is EAA's to fill. Under the deal signed by EAA, the FAA will accept partial payment prior to the event with the remainder to be paid after the show. In a statement released Thursday by EAA, the organization said, "EAA maintains that this equates to the imposition of GA user fees without Congressional approval." The organization is seeking a policy reversal from the FAA. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: IS THE FAA GOUGING EAA?
Without an itemized invoice for air traffic services at AirVenture, how can we tell? If the FAA forces industry to pay for these services, we at least ought to have the courtesy of an invoice, says Paul Bertorelli on the AVweb Insider blog. The FAA gilds the lily on costs and shouldn't force private events to pay for that. Read more and join the conversation. More...

VIDEO: DIAMOND DA40 TUNDRA EDITION
It turns out there's money in Russia, and people want to fly sophisticated airplanes into places where the runways suck or don't exist. Diamond has risen to the challenge with its DA40 Tundra edition. Paul Bertorelli recently had a flight demo in the airplane and prepared this video report. 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: ATLANTIC AVIATION (KAUS, AUSTIN, TEXAS)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlantic Aviation at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) in Austin, Texas.

AVweb reader Diane Myers let us know about their outstanding service:

We always park at Atlantic in Austin. Large airport means more expensive fuel, but their service is outstanding. Two years ago, we needed maintenance on Sunday after Thanksgiving. They called out a mechanic. He was out of town but called his co-worker to drive out to the airport to fix our problem. Great service!

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!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK: AVWEB'S FLYING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
Our latest winning photo comes from Christopher DeSalvo of Marion, IA. Click here for the rest of this week's submissions. More...

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