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| Technology That Will Change the Way You Fly — Soon | back to top |  |
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Teledyne Continental Plans Certified Diesel Within Two Years
Related Content:
New Guidance For Kitbuilt Aircraft On The Way
To curb these abuses, the FAA has proposed changes to the guiding documents rather than a rewrite of the FARs that govern the category. Specifically, changes are expected to Advisory Circulars 20-27 and 20-139 that more accurately tally and identify outside commercial assistance on the forms used by the builder and the final inspector of the aircraft. The intention is, according to Earl Lawrence, vice president of industry and government affairs at the EAA, to clarify which parts of the airplane are completed by the builder, what is done by the factory as part of the original kit, and what has been done by commercial assistance. Now, for example, a kit manufacturer can construct all but one wing rib while the builder “fabricates” the remaining rib, and both entities get credit for all the work. There is also no requirement to state which parts of the aircraft have been fabricated or assembled by third-party commercial assistance. The revised ACs are expected to address these issues with specific guidance. “The vast majority [of the report] is what we expected. We still don’t know what the FAA intends,” said Michael Via, of Glasair Aircraft. “We’re waiting to see what the policies and orders state. Nothing here affects our existing customers.” Jeremy Monnett, of Sonex Aircraft, said his company has always taken the 51 percent rule to heart and enforcement is the key to ensuring all kit manufacturers and builders adhere to the rules. “The resources required to carry out this enforcement have not been made available by the FAA over the last few years,” Monnett said in a news release. “Without these resources, enforcement loosens and the rules are pushed beyond their spirit and intent, compromising the rules' continued existence.” The FAA has proposed forming a group of Aviation Safety Inspectors to validate a manufacturer’s claims that its kit allows the builder to complete the “major portion” of the aircraft. In addition to publishing the report, the FAA announced Friday that it was temporarily suspending inspection of aircraft kits for inclusion on the “51% list.” This does not impact local inspections of completed airplanes. The move halts inspection of designs at the manufacturer level until the final rulemaking is published. |
With the future of 100LL avgas looking ever more iffy, Teledyne Continental's new president, Rhett Ross, says the company is planning to aggressively develop a diesel or heavy fuel engine for
certification in late 2009 or early 2010. "We are kicking off a major aerospace engine project this year with some realistically aggressive targets," Ross told AVweb's Paul Bertorelli in 
On Friday, the FAA published the final report (
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| New Airplanes on the Horizon | back to top | |
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D-Jet To Be Built In London, Ont.
Supersonic UAV Nearly Ready To Be Shot Down
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D-
Diamond Aircraft confirmed on the weekend that its five-passenger D-Jet will be built at its London, Ont., facilities after the Canadian government announced it was giving the company a “$19.6
million strategic, repayable investment.” The money is being provided under a new aerospace business incentive program. “This investment will play a vital role in enabling our company to
complete the final development, flight testing and certification of the D-Jet, and to complete our transition to production,” said Peter Maurer, president of Diamond Aircraft Industries.
“There is already tremendous demand for this new aircraft.” The Ontario government earlier chipped in $11 million. Diamond did the research and development for the D-Jet in London and says
it cost the company $95.2 million. The first type-conforming D-Jet has been flying since last November and certification testing is under way. About 500 people will likely be employed building the
D-Jet in a factory that’s expected to cost at least $100 million.
Composite Engineering Inc. of Sacramento, Calif., has announced the successful flight of its newest supersonic unmanned aerial
target system, the BQM-167X. The aircraft achieved sustained supersonic flight Jan. 31, 2008, at the U.S. Navy Pt. Mugu Test Range. The aircraft is powered by a Microturbo turbojet and equipped with
an avionics suite from Microsystems. CEi expects to complete its demonstration contract by the end of the Q1 2008. Sometime after that, the BQM-167X may be ready to be blown out of the sky, regularly
-- shot at and shot down as part of weapons and weapons systems projects. The BQM-167A aerial target system is currently used by the U.S. Air Force for all subscale target missions at Tyndall Air
Force Base in Florida.
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| Reevaluating FAA Funding ... And Noise Pollution | back to top | |
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House Passes FAA Funding Extension
Health Study: Aircraft Noise And Blood Pressure
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The House of Representatives has arranged for the FAA to remain funded through June 30, including provisions for $2.76 billion in
"contract authority" to restart the suspended Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Timing is seen as key to AIP construction projects that can be negatively impacted by weather if those projects are
not started early in the year. The Senate must now approve the extension prior to the current funding's expiration -- currently set for Feb. 29. Major industry players are expected to step forward to
press governmental powers to see beyond the conflicts and confusion surrounding funding mechanisms (read: the user-fee argument) and secure FAA reauthorization. Many of those major players could
become contract winners should this year's reauthorization provide for development of the NextGen satellite-based air traffic control system currently sought by the FAA.
"Nighttime aircraft noise can affect your blood pressure instantly and increase the risk of hypertension," according to Dr.
Lars Jarup of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Imperial College, London. ...And so can sleeping next to someone who snores, according to a study co-authored by Jarup and published
in the February issue of the European Heart Journal. Researchers remotely measured the blood pressure of 140 volunteers and analyzed the noise level in each person's bedroom. The sample included
people living near London's Heathrow, and airports in Athens, Milan and Stockholm. Noticeable increases in blood pressure were correlated with increases in noise levels reaching more than 35 decibels
-- which can be similar to the amount of noise generated by snoring or nearby automobile traffic. The level of noise, according to researchers, was the key factor. The type of noise was not. Similar
increases in blood pressure have been reported in other environmental noise studies. The study found that systolic blood pressure increased by 0.66 mmHg per 5 decibels of noise and increases were
apparent even when individuals remained asleep.
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| News Briefs | back to top | |
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Raytheon Business Jet Rescued From Runway Overrun
Aspen Avionics Evolution Flight Display
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Aspen Avionics recently completed its TSO performance tests and final systems integration testing and is ready for final FAA
certification test flights for its EFD1000. The digital electronics glass panel LCD cockpit display consolidates primary flight data and is designed vertically (the display is a vertical rectangle)
with pairs of instruments -- one on top (an EFIS, for example), and one on the bottom (maybe an HSI). System software versions allow the units to function as primary flight displays (PFD) or
multi-function displays (MFD). They are designed to work with whatever is currently in your panel and built to fit into a top instrument hole, replacing both it and the instrument below it
simultaneously. Test flights are expected to take place almost immediately. A Cirrus SR22, Cessna 412C and multiple Pipers have been or will soon be used for test installations. At last check, the
Cirrus was scheduled to begin testing at Aspen's Albuquerque headquarters on Valentine's Day. Pricing for units is currently just under $6000 not including professional installation.
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| News Briefs | back to top | |
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DC-9 Runs Amok At Venezuelan Airport
On the Fly ...Two US Airways aircraft clipped wings at Reagan National Airport Sunday. There were no injuries and a total of 63 passengers were booked on later flights ...
Three people were killed when a helicopter and a Cessna (type not specified) collided above Paraparaumu Airport in New Zealand Saturday. A 30-year-old instructor and 19-year-old student were on the helicopter and a 17-year-old man was flying the plane ...
A Chicago judge has declared Steve Fossett legally dead. Fossett went missing in Sept. on a flight in northern Nevada and an extensive search failed to turn up any sign of him or the Citabria he was flying. |
There were apparently no serious injuries but it looks like it might be awhile before an Aserca Airlines DC-9 is back in service after a bizarre accident at Simon Bolivar Airport in Maiquetia,
Venezuela, last week. According to the aviation Web site
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| Readers' Voices | back to top | |
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AVmail: Feb. 18, 2008Reader mail this week about ATC, ethanol, Adam Aircraft and more.
Click here to read this week's letters to the editor.
Tell Us About Your Interior Shop
To take part in the online survey, click here.
The results will appear in a future issue of Aviation Consumer. For subscription information, click here.
AVweb's Newstips Address ...
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Our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, is preparing a report on interior shops. If you recently had an interior redone, the editors would like to hear from you, whether the experience was
good or bad.
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news
tips via email to
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| New on AVweb | back to top | |
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Columns | Features | What's New | Calendar | Brainteasers
Probable Cause #52: Burden Of OwnershipSome airworthiness directives may not seem all that important. Others are critical.
Click here for the full story.
Owning an airplane can be a real pain. There are costs for insurance, tiedown/hangaring, annual inspections and debt service, all of which are incurred before the engine even turns over. Add in the hourly costs of fuel, oil, tires, unscheduled maintenance and overhaul reserves, and it's a wonder anyone even wants to own their own airplane, much less fly it. Then there's the paperwork and other responsibilities that come along for the ride. It starts with making sure the FAA has correct documentation of the craft's ownership, that all the required documents are both in-order and aboard the airplane, and making sure that other various requirements cropping up from time to time -- like airworthiness directives (ADs) -- either do not apply or are properly complied with. Then, owners are often forced to spend hours poring over logbooks and other documentation to ensure all required inspections are conducted and properly documented. Any modifications or repairs must also be recorded. All of this can generate mountains of paperwork, especially for older aircraft. The more detail-oriented owners and operators among us come up with inventive ways to catalog and maintain all this documentation, including three-ring binders and multiple copies kept in fire-proof lockboxes. Some produce CD-ROMs of all records and maintenance manuals and carry them in the airplane. While these paperwork requirements can often seem burdensome -- and, when compared to automobiles, they are -- there are reasons we track all of this information. One owner learned this the hard way on a cold night in January 2004.
Background
On Jan. 5, 2004, at approximately 1825 Central time, a Cessna 182RG was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near El Dorado, Ark. It was owned and flown by a non-Instrument-rated Private pilot who was seriously injured in the crash. His lone passenger was fatally injured. Night visual conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight originating from the South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field (ELD) near El Dorado at approximately 1815, and destined for the Memphis International Airport (MEM), Memphis, Tenn. Shortly after takeoff, while in cruise flight at 3000 feet msl approximately 19 miles from the departure airport, the pilot heard "a very loud bang, followed by another loud bang." While he was looking for a place to land, the engine "seized up." He saw sparks from the engine, and smoke had filled the cabin area. The pilot attempted to return to ELD, but the engine had lost all power and he initiated a forced landing to a field with the Cessna's landing gear retracted. Cockpit doors were partially opened to ventilate the smoke. The airplane collided with unseen trees and a steel fence during the ensuing crash landing.
Investigation
Maintenance records indicated that the airplane's Textron-Lycoming O-540-J3C5D engine was overhauled by a factory-authorized repair station to manufacturer's new-part limits, including all applicable ADs, on April 25, 2000. At the time of the accident, records indicated the engine had accumulated 438.6 hours since major overhaul (SMOH). Since overhaul and installation on the airplane, a series of service bulletins had been issued on the engine, noting reports "that operation at high temperatures can cause the converter-plate gasket on the oil-filter base to become extruded from its seat, allowing oil to leak out between the plate and the accessory housing." Subsequently, Emergency AD 2000-18-53 was issued addressing this same problem. The AD stated, "... engines with more than 50 hours time since new (TSN), time since overhaul (TSO), or time since last replacement of the oil-filter converter plate or gasket must have the gasket replaced before further flight" to "prevent complete loss of engine oil and subsequent seizing of the engine, and possibility of fire." The NTSB could not find any logbook entries noting compliance with the various service bulletins or the AD. The engine-overhaul work order revealed the affected oil-filter converter-plate gasket was installed at the time of engine overhaul. At the accident scene, the engine crankcase had two holes in the top half of the crankcase. The rear accessory housing and components were wet with fresh oil. Teardown of the engine revealed the oil-filter converter-plate gasket was extruded in multiple locations. The oil-filter element, oil-suction screen, and oil sump contained metal debris. Two of the main crankshaft bearings displayed signs of severe heat distress, as did several connecting rod journals. Four of the engine's six connecting rods were separated.
Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause(s) of this accident to include the "loss of engine power as a result of loss of engine oil due to the failure of the oil-filter converter-plate gasket and the noncompliance to an AD. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the dark-night lighting conditions." In addition to being legal requirements for continued airworthiness, ADs and a manufacturer's service bulletins are designed to highlight a deficiency in an airframe, engine or appliance that demands attention to ensure safe flight. Of course, great controversy often surrounds a proposed AD -- whether for reasons of cost, impracticality, perceived benefit or other reasons. Owners of specific aircraft types, in fact, have grouped together from time to time in well-financed efforts to modify or defeat proposed ADs they don't consider appropriate or cost-effective. This is as it should be. But many other ADs are fairly simple affairs, mandating simple replacement of one small part or another. In this instance, an AD requiring replacement of an oil-filter gasket we found online for under $25 seems like a no-brainer. Especially if it's designed to prevent all of the engine's oil from going overboard. This winter might be a good time to sit down in front of a roaring fire and go through all your logbooks to make sure everything that should be done has been done. That's something we strongly support, especially on a cold, January night.
More accident analyses are available in AVweb's Probable Cause Index. And for monthly articles about safety, including accident reports like this one, subscribe to AVweb's sister publication, Aviation Safety. // -->
LightSPEED Zulu Headset ReviewIs LightSPEED's new ANR headset good enough -- quiet, cool, comfortable -- to unseat Bose from the top of the class?
Click here for the full story.
It's almost a given that the Bose Headset X is at or near the top of every pilot's wish list, in large part because the $1000 noise-canceler is comfortable, quiet and sleek. Now comes the LightSPEED Zulu, a clear shot across the Bose bow. So here's the question: Can the $850 Zulu's performance earn it best-in-class status? Although LightSPEED claims that the Zulu is the quietest headset on the market, there's more to beating the Bose than just noise reduction. Along with quietness, we also weighed comfort, audio fidelity and the headset's feature complement. This was a subjective pilot test, conducted in two different cockpits: a pressurized Lancair IV and a two-year-old Columbia 400. The Columbia had a jack setup, combining Bose's unique single connection and the two-plug industry standard in the same jack, so we could have two headsets connected at the same time, swapping them in seconds. It was as close as you could get to back-to-back using one pair of ears.
LightSPEED's Zulu uses full-coverage, magnesium ear cups because this lightweight metal is claimed to be a better sound barrier than plastic ... 10 times better than any plastic at passively blocking noise, according to LightSPEED. The manufacturer also claims that the technical result of this cup/seal combination is the best passive noise-reduction combination you can buy. Compared to the Bose X, we noticed a significant reduction in cockpit noise in passive mode, which is only marginally important because most active noise reduction (ANR) headsets will be powered at all times. When the ANR system was turned on, the Zulu got even better. How much? The techies say the combined passive/active noise reduction is about 8 decibels better than anyone else. Regardless, in our subjective testing, the Zulu was more than a match for the Bose Headset X, though it's not a runaway victory: "very good" versus "even better." Both the Zulu and Bose's X are extremely light: 13 ounces for the Zulu and 12 ounces for the Bose X. Both have low head-clamping pressure, too. In two-hour flights, they both felt comfortable and unobtrusive. Call the comfort contest a tie. The Zulu's audio quality was extraordinary. Supposedly, LightSPEED's engineers spent significant development time and dollars on sound fidelity. While ATC's calls won't be made or broken by this, we sure noticed it when listening to music. If cockpit music isn't your thing, this will not be a significant measure. But if you've opted for satellite-delivered music along with your invaluable new in-cockpit weather, you will notice the difference. As one iPod-listening teenager asked, "Do we have to leave these in the plane?" The superiority is hard to quantify. It's like trying to assess the difference among in-home speakers in an audio component store: You know which you like better, but to articulate why, you use adjectives like "richer" and "fuller" and "purer." New models always have the advantage in features. After all, the competition is already out there, so you know exactly where you can outgun them. Because the Bose X doesn't have a cell-phone interface, much less Zulu's Bluetooth wireless capability, the features area is a no-contest. So what? Well, when it's expedient to call ATC for a clearance in some remote location instead of trying to contact them by radio on the ground, or if you have cell-phone-delivered NEXRAD weather, this is not only a valuable convenience but a real-world safety feature. The icing on the cake is the Zulu's "FRC" capability. The initials stand for front row center, and when it's engaged and you're listening to music, it has a live-concert quality. Gimmicky in an aviation headset? Depends. How important is in-cockpit entertainment to you? So, better than the Bose X? We say the Zulu is as good or better in every category, and when you add the fuller feature set to the slightly (by $145) lower price, the gap widens. It's not a slam-dunk, but it sure looks like Bose has serious competition. Bring it on!
More AVweb product reviews are available here. And to hear an independent voice for homebuilt aviation, subscribe to AVweb's sister publication, Kitplanes magazine. // -->
Make Room in the Aerodiesel Market, Thielert — TCM Tells Aviation Consumer About Some Big Engine PlansFile Size 21.9 MB / Running Time 23:55
With Diamond and Cessna onboard, the German-based Thielert Group dominates the aerodiesel market. But Teledyne-Continental would like to change this and has announced its intention to aggressively develop its own heavy fuel or Jet A engine for certification, possibly as early as 2009. In this detailed podcast, TCM's Rhett Ross tells Aviation Consumer editor Paul Bertorelli that the company will ground-demonstrate a diesel later this year or early next.
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| Your Favorite FBOs | back to top | |
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FBO of the Week: Santa Ynez Airport (KIZA, Santa Ynez, CA)
Nominate an FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions | Winning FBOs
You guys have been doing a lot of flying lately! We received more "FBO of the Week" nominations over the last seven days than we have in months. Despite some outstanding recommendations, we're awarding our "FBO of the Week" ribbon to the FBO at Santa Ynez Airport at KIZA in Santa Ynez, California.
Not only do they have a great webcam on their site (where you can check real-time fuel prices and ground conditions at a glance), but they inspired this heartfelt endorsement from AVweb reader Eric Cobb:
This is the way airports used to be, and I believe [Santa Ynez] is the best small airport in the U.S. Made me feel like a kid again.
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! |
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| AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Learn and Laugh | back to top | |
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Video of the Week: Ilyushin IL76 Nail-Biting Runway Take-OffRecommend a Video | VOTW Archive
A couple of weeks ago, we ran a pretty impressive video of some Alaskan pilots doing short-runway take-offs. This week, we offer up something that can only be described as the opposite — a Russian Ilyushin IL76 freighter making the most of a runway that seems nail-bitingly short in this clip from YouTuber jerrabomb.
"NSFW" Note: This video does contain some objectionable language — you'll see why as you wait for the Ilyushin to take to the air — so keep that in mind when playing it at the office or in the company of others.
Don't forget to send us links to any interesting videos you find out there. If you're impressed by it, there's a good chance other AVweb readers will be too. And if we use a video you recommend on AVweb, we'll send out an official AVweb baseball cap as a "thank you."
Exclusive Video: Amazing Feats of Aviation — DHL BaghdadOriginal, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos
Recounting one of the most impressive feats in recent aviation history, AVweb video editor Glenn Pew
Related Content: |
recalls the circumstances of the DHL A300 shot by a surface-to-air missile over Baghdad. The crew successfully landed the aircraft without the ability to manipulate any
control surfaces. (Note: The aircraft shown in simulation is a Boeing 777, not an Airbus A300.)
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| The Lighter Side of Flight | back to top | |
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Short Final
I was on the ILS into Oakland, California one busy dav and was cleared to land behind two other aircraft that were in the pattern. The pilot of the aircraft ahead of me was clearly flustered:
Piper:
Tower:
Piper:
[pause]
Piper:
[pause]
Piper:
Tower:
John Ewing |
| More AVweb for Your Inbox | back to top | |
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AVwebBiz: AVweb's Business Aviation Newsletter
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HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST weekly business aviation newsletter, AVwebBiz? Reporting on breaking news,
Business AVflash focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the business aviation industry. Business AVflash is a must read. Sign up today at | Names Behind the News | back to top | |
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Meet the AVwebFlash TeamAVwebFlash is a weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.
The AVwebFlash team is:
Click here to send a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.)
Comments or questions about the news should be sent here.
Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team.
If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your PDA or handheld device), there's also a text-only version of AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here.
Aviate. Navigate. Communicate. |
