REACTION TO ADS-B PLAN TEPID
The FAA has a lot of input to consider as it takes the first steps toward implementing its NextGen airspace and air traffic control system. Commentsclosed on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the implementation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) on Monday. ADS-B is considered the fundamental technology of NextGen and there’s a lot at stake in making sure it’s done right. So far, it appears that most stakeholders agree ADS-B is the way to go but they aren’t completely satisfied with the way the agency is going about it. For instance, the Aircraft Electronics Association, which represents virtually all the companies that make and fix avionics, says the FAA’s proposed next-generation communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) system is more elaborate than it needs to be and wastes the money aircraft owners have already spent on their current gear. In a news release AEA government affairs expert Ric Peri described the system envisioned as “ADS-B on steroids” and called for the agency to take a deep breath. “The FAA must develop a proposal utilizing an ‘evolutionary’ process that utilizes existing avionics to the maximum extent possible, rather than this stepped ‘revolutionary’ process of wholesale technology replacement of the entire CNS suite in general aviation aircraft,” Peri said. It’s worth noting that AEA wasn’t consulted on the NPRM. More...

GROUPS URGE FAA FUNDING PASSAGE
A coalition of 35 business, political and aviation organizations has sent a joint letter to the Senate requesting that a long-term FAA reauthorization bill be given top priority. In a news release Airports International Council President Greg Principato says aviation is too important to languish in the legislative ether and the organizations just want something passed. “While individual goals are diverse [like, say between the Portland Cement Association and the Airline Pilots Association], the organizations are unified in recognizing the importance of advancing a multiyear FAA reauthorization legislation,” Principato said. But the letter is noteworthy as much for who didn’t sign as who did, including the two largest general aviation groups. More...

GA GETS A TAX BREAK
When Congress passed a tax law back in 2003 that allowed buyers of new general aviation aircraft to depreciate up to 50 percent of the value in the first year (providing the aircraft was bought for business use), the incentive was credited with helping to boost sales by as much as 30 percent. Now Congress has passed a new economic incentive plan that will extend that tax break through 2008, for aircraft that cost at least $200,000. Under the new "economic stimulus package," the owner must put a deposit on the airplane this year and take delivery before the end of 2009. Diamond Aircraft already is taking advantage of the new law to tempt buyers. Take delivery of your new airplane by April 15, Diamond says, and you'll get $3,000 cash back to pay for a tax advisor to figure it all out for you. More...

DC ADIZ SUBJECT OF RENEWED SBA WATCHDOG EFFORT
The Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (DC ADIZ) last week made the Small Business Administration's “Top 10” list of government reforms to be pursued this year by the SBA's Office of Advocacy. More...

NTSB TO HOLD SAFETY FORUM ABOUT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
The growing use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System is raising a number of safety concerns, and the NTSB said this week it will address them all in a three-day forum, April 29 to May 1, in Washington, D.C. The forum will provide an opportunity for the board and interested parties to discuss issues such as regulatory standards, perspectives of current UAS operators, certification and airworthiness, perspectives of current users of the National Airspace System (that would be all of us), and future UAS applications. The forum is a result of the safety board's investigation into the crash of a Predator B unmanned aircraft near Nogales, Ariz., in April 2006. "The Nogales accident surfaced a number of important questions that need to be addressed if UAS's are to operate safely in the National Air Space," said board member KittyHiggins, who will chair the forum. The Board's investigation of the Nogales accident resulted in 22 safety recommendations to address deficiencies associated with the civilian use of unmanned aircraft. "We are very interested in the military's experience with UAS's, training of pilots, maintenance of the aircraft, communication with Air Traffic Control and oversight of UAS operations by public-use agencies and other operators," Higgins said. More...

TEMPEST FINALIZES PRECISION MSA CARBURETOR ACQUISITION
The Tempest Plus Marketing Group of Greenville, S.C., announced this week that it has formed a new company called Volare Carburetors to complete its acquisition of Precision Airmotive’s MSA line of carburetors and spare parts. More...

ATG STIRRING BACK TO LIFE?
When start-up aviation companies throw in the towel it’s almost unheard of for them to come out for another round, but Aviation Technology Group (ATG) is apparently game for another swing at developing its sexy two-place “executive” jet, the Javelin. The Colorado company suspended operations in December and a news release issued Tuesday says the board of directors has successfully renegotiated deals with its main lenders. Now, the company is in a position to look for a buyer to (hopefully) fund the completion of the certification process and starting production, which could run $200 million. “Multiple teams are pursuing a list of potential buyers,” the release said. “Though subject to change, the general plan in this regard is to ask for best and final offer bids from prospective buyers to reach ATG within the next few weeks.” More...

HUSKY TAKES AIM AT NEW EFFICIENCY RECORD
The ink wasn't even dry on the National Aeronautic Association's newest category for aviation records before a Husky pilot in Indiana took off to try for the top spot. The new category, "Aeroplane Efficiency," officially went on the books March 1, and that same day, Kris Maynard departed Sheridan, Ind., in hot pursuit. Hot pursuit may be overstating it though, since Maynard said his speed over the 654-nm course averaged about 65 knots. His fuel efficiency worked out to an impressive 23.43 miles per gallon (13.71 km/kg), by Maynard's so-far-unofficial calculations. He said he was thrilled with his results and hoped his attempt would encourage others to enter the competition. "This flight exceeded my expectations by more than 1 km/kg," he said. "I am fully convinced that there is no other production aircraft in the world today that can achieve such efficiency. When my record falls -- and I know it will -- it will be to an Experimental." That sounds like a challenge. More...

PILOT'S SHORTCUT DOESN'T CUT IT WITH POLICE
An Illinois pilot who tried to beat traffic and fly his son to a tennis match -- landing his ski-equipped 1949 Piper Clipper on a snow-covered golf course -- is being investigated by the FAA. Police arrived at the scene Saturday afternoon after concerned neighbors called to report a crash, and found pilot Robert Kadera, 65, and his 14-year-old son trudging through the snow, the Chicago Tribune reported. "We're all pretty dumbfounded," Lincolnshire Police Chief Randy Melvin told the Tribune. "I don't have any idea what the guy was thinking. ... He was going to park his plane across the street, like nobody would notice." The FAA is checking that the pilot and aircraft are properly certified, a spokeswoman told the Tribune. The golf course owner said no trespassing charges would be filed, but the police wouldn't allow to Kadera to fly home. More...

NASM LEADER DON LOPEZ, 84, DIES
Donald S. Lopez, 84, author, aviator, and deputy director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington, D.C., died of a heart attack on March 3. Lopez joined the Smithsonian in 1972 as part of the team that planned the NASM, which opened in July 1976. "The nation has lost a true hero and the Smithsonian has lost a great leader," Smithsonian Institution acting secretary Cristián Samper said in a news release on Wednesday. "Don Lopez was an American Ace fighter pilot, author, educator, and museum professional beloved by all who came in contact with him." Lopez flew 101 missions in China, piloting Curtiss P-40s and North American P-51 Mustangs for the U.S. Air Force, and later flew North American F-86s in Korea. Among many other awards and honors, Lopez was heralded as one of the "living legends" at the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends at Rickenbacker Field in Columbus, Ohio, last year. More...

AIRBUS ALMOST LOSES IT IN NASTY WINDS
A Lufthansa A320 with 130 passengers onboard nearly crashed during its landing approach to the Fuhlsbuettel airport in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday in winds gusting as high as 55 mph. More...

ON THE FLY...
ICAO has extended the deadline for pilots' English-proficiency certficates...
Mistubishi wants Toyota to invest in its regional-jet project...
Substandard parts have been used on airliners, OIG reports...
The NAA will award the Collier Trophy on Thursday...
The V-22 Osprey will fly to Sun 'n Fun next month for the first time...
SeaMax USA has delivered its first flying boat SLSA to a U.S. pilot. More...

Columns | Features | What's New | Calendar | Brainteasers

PROBABLE CAUSE #53: UNTIMELY DISTRACTION
A Caravan pilot stalls and crashes during a critical phase of the approach. A caution light may have drawn his attention from flying the airplane. More...

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: THE SPRING THAW — HOW MUCH FLYING DID YOU DO OVER THE WINTER MONTHS?
As the days get longer and warmer, flying suddenly seems a little easier to do than it did during the winter months — and a lot more appealing. But before you take to the springtime skies, tell us: How much of a damper did Old Man Winter put on your air time? Plus: What did AVweb readers have to say about their recent FSS experiences? More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: KITPLANES EXAMINES EXPERIMENTAL "51%" SOLUTIONS — IS PRIMARY CATEGORY THE ANSWER?
Be sure to visit our new blog, AVweb Insider, for personal insights and commentary on the aviation industry from our staff of writers and editors. Today, Kitplanes editor Marc Cook sifts through the buzz around the so-called "51%" rule and asks, "Could, as the Aviation Rulemaking Committee suggests, Primary Category be the bridge between super-fast-build Experimentals and the turnkey (but noncertified) aircraft the market seems to demand? Is the so-far good record of LSA enough to make it viable?" More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: DASSAULT FALCON 7X FLY-BY-WIRE BUSINESS JET
Dassault has introduced a jet that changes the playing field for business jet manufacturers, operators and pilots. That jet is the $40 million Falcon 7X. In this exclusive video, AVweb video editor Glenn Pew takes us inside the Falcon 7X. (Click through to watch.) More...

PICTURE OF THE WEEK: AVWEB'S FLYING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
In a week where green grass and sunny skies dominated the "POTW" submissions, Charles Peterson of Jubcos, Puerto Rico gave us our favorite taste of spring fever.  Watch your mailbox for a brand-new AVweb cap, Charles.  (It'll keep the sun off your head the next time you boys get together.) More...

AVWEB'S NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 200,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard? More...

AVWEBBIZ: AVWEB'S BUSINESS AVIATION NEWSLETTER
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 http://www.avweb.com/profile/. More...

MEET THE AVWEBFLASH TEAM

AVwebFlash 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:

Publisher
Timothy Cole

Editorial Director, Aviation Publications
Paul Bertorelli

Editor-in-Chief
Russ Niles

Managing Editor
Meredith Saini

Contributing Editors
Mary Grady
Glenn Pew

Features Editor
Kevin Lane-Cummings

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