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March 17, 2008
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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Lancair President Joe Bartels said this week new rules for homebuilts under consideration by the FAA could put his company out of business. "If the FAA succeeds in doing what they tell us they want to
do, I think it would be very difficult for us to stay in business here in Central Oregon, or anywhere in the U.S.," Bartels told the Bend Weekly News. "While we are certainly in the business of developing and selling high performance aircraft, and staying in the forefront of aviation technology, a key aspect
of our business is the ability to provide the customer with all of the parts necessary to build a plane. To now say that I can't provide a section of carbon fiber wing as part of a kit, would really
affect the entire industry." As AVweb and our sister publication Kitplanes have reported extensively, the FAA is looking at tightening homebuilt rules, particularly with regard to
the amount of “professional” help builders can use to complete their projects.
The line between supplying parts and aiding in construction has been blurred as companies like Lancair and, more recently, Epic have developed complex, high-performance aircraft that require
sophisticated construction techniques. Oregon likely has the greatest concentration of companies involved in the homebuilt industry, with 60 firms involved, and state officials wonder what the
FAA’s agenda is. “What we cannot understand -- and what has never been explained by FAA -- is who is being harmed by the current standard?” said Roger Lee, executive director of
Economic Development for Central Oregon.
Two Florida congressmen are calling on the FAA to make its investigation of Lantana-based Kemper Aviation a priority. Last Thursday company owner Jeff Rozelle and three passengers died when the Cessna
172 they were in crashed. It was the third crash of a Kemper aircraft since October and there have been a total of eight deaths. "On its face, with all these accidents, common sense would tell you
this company has some problems and something is wrong," Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, said. He and Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, have written the agency asking for urgent action on an already
existing probe into the company, which suspended operations after Thursday’s crash.
However, the agency is apparently unmoved by the political pressure and will continue its investigation. "We can't determine if any enforcement action is necessary until that inspection has been
completed," FAA spokesman Warren Woodberry told The Associated Press. Rozelle was flying three
biologists on a bird survey when the aircraft went down. Earlier accidents involved students. On Oct. 27, and instructor and two students reported engine trouble on a night flight and were killed in
the subsequent crash. On Dec. 8, a student from India died in a midair collision with a Twin Comanche in the Everglades.
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The historic and continuing contributions of women to aviation will be front and center at EAA AirVenture this July. Women in Aviation International (WAI) announced at its annual conference in San
Diego that WomenVenture will culminate in the largest gathering of female pilots ever assembled on Aeroshell Square, the centerpiece exhibit area of AirVenture. The gathering will follow a week of
seminars, speakers, business and social events in Oshkosh. “This is a dynamic time for Women in Aviation, International, as we continue in our mission to spread the word about the passion,
excitement and career opportunities aviation offers to more and more women,” WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian said as the conference closed on Sunday.
A total of 3,320 people registered for the weekend conference, including 250 active military personnel, and there were 151 companies and organizations in the commercial exhibit. WAI handed out
$710,855 in scholarships to WAI members for training and the permanent endowment fund used for some of those scholarships swelled by $28,000 to $563,000 thanks to a well-received silent auction. Next
year’s conference, the 20th, will be held in Atlanta from Feb. 26 to Feb. 28.
 Squadron Leader Sue Jones commanded all air movements out of Basra in southern Iraq last year for a six-month stint that began in June
-- she also served earlier in her career with the Royal Air Force as a married man and father of two. "These are medical matters of personal privacy; we will not comment on individual cases," a
Ministry of Defense spokesman told the Telegraph.co.uk. Now remarried to a man, Jones told the Telegraph, "Following a heart to heart with my then wife six years ago, I decided to personally fund a
sex change." The Sea King helicopter pilot says she's received full support from her colleagues in the RAF, never suffering any abuse and being judged only on her ability to do the job. "I am a
determined, focused professional individual," she said, "who simply wants to get on with my life and do the job I love."
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 Fallout from the recent Southwest Airlines maintenance oversight fiasco that led to the airline's temporary grounding of 40
aircraft has resurrected accusations that the FAA is getting too cozy with the airlines. The FAA is quick to point out that the aircraft it oversees help compose one of the safest aviation systems in
the world. Critics contend that the airlines the FAA is meant to regulate are too often referred to by the agency as customers, indicating an inappropriate relationship maintained by the regulating
agency. For Southwest, reports suggest that the FAA inspector assigned to the airline knew of but did not report the shortcomings that ultimately prompted the agency to levy a record $10.2 million
fine against the airline, and later led the airline to ground scores of aircraft. It may be the contradictions inherent in that series of events that have now led congressional investigators to call
on airline and FAA employees with knowledge of substandard oversight practices to contact them. But it's not that simple. Today, some airline maintenance is performed overseas without oversight of any
full-time FAA certified mechanics.
And so, the Transportation Committee is expected to include discussion of those practices during hearings regarding Southwest's maintenance concerns on April 3. Congress may also address regulating
the way inspectors are assigned to airlines -- paying closer attention to exactly how the relationship is fostered.
 A New Zealand jury deliberated for roughly 10 hours before finding former maintenance company owner John Horrell, 56, and senior
engineer, Ronald Potts, 60, guilty of manslaughter for the death of a pilot in a helicopter crash. The pilot and father of nine, Philip Heney, was killed when a tail component failed while landing a
Robinson R22 helicopter, near his home. A passenger survived the crash. The accident took place Aug. 26, 2005, the same day Heney retrieved the aircraft from Skytech Aviation, where it had undergone
maintenance. A prosecutor claimed the defendants failed to ensure that a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer directly supervised the work and failed to ensure it was inspected twice by qualified
engineers. Counsel for the defendants argued former shop owner Horrell could not be expected to determine if the supervision was sufficient and that the accident was not the result of intentional
criminal action, but human error. Horrell and Potts are now set to be sentenced in May. Heney's son, Keiran, is set to earn his private pilot's license very soon, perhaps holding it by the time you
read this.
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 Worldwide, bird strikes cost airlines about $1.2 billion per year in repairs and downtime, according to the UK Central Science
Laboratory, but new radar software designed to distinguish between the radar returns of birds and insect swarms may improve upon that. Serge Zaugg of the Swiss Ornithological Institute worked with
colleagues across France, the Netherlands and Germany to combine statistical analysis, data-mining and artificial intelligence to create a computer algorithm that correctly identifies birds in radar
returns, with roughly 95-percent accuracy. The key to the system's utility in the air traffic control environment is its speed. The researchers argue that air traffic controllers do not have the
luxury of dedicating the amount of time necessary to accurately identify and distinguish returns from birds or bugs -- a function their new program provides, automatically. Most bird strikes occur on
lower-altitude flight paths and near airports and the researchers' program was "trained" by information collected from flocks of birds or insects flying over the Sahara desert, but researchers are
optimistic that their work my be ultimately be of benefit to air traffic controllers.
 Boarding an aircraft could be seven times more efficient, saving airlines and passengers time and so potentially improving the
income potential and quality of life for both, according to astrophysicist Jason Steffen of the Fermilab Center for Particle Astrophysics in Illinois. Challenging the current standard of loading
passengers in blocks from the back of the aircraft forward, Steffen instead employed the Darwinian "Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm" to streamline things. Translation: He picked random boarding
plans, ran them through a computer and kept the best attributes of each until he arrived at an optimum combination. His solution requires slightly more concentration and cooperation (and perhaps
intelligence) from the boarding public. The winning plan has occupants lining up outside of the aircraft in order from window seat to aisle and skipping every other row. A 30-row aircraft would be
boarded first by the passengers holding tickets for seats 30A, 28A, and 26A. Behind them in line would be those assigned to 29A, 27A and 25A. This would go on until all the window seats were filled.
Then, the same system would fill in the middle rows and then the aisles. The real advantage of the system, according to Steffen, comes from spreading out individuals instead of concentrating them, and
their baggage, together.
Of course, this method would also temporarily separate the jealous husband from his flirtatious wife, part loving parents from their unruly children, and otherwise rely on the organizational
skills, patience, cooperation and common sense of the flying public ... which some might argue are commodities not in generous supply. Regardless, the astrophysicist says his research indicates that
even random boarding would be more efficient than the grouping method currently employed by most airlines, today ... saving them time spent on the ground and therefore potentially allowing them to
make more money.
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AOPA spent almost $4.8 million—or a little more than $10 per member—buttonholing federal politicians and bureaucrats on a range of issues of interest to GA pilots in 2007. Groups are
required to disclose the money they spend on lobbying in Washington and give a breakdown on the issues addressed by those efforts. Of course, most of that money has been used to bend the ears of those
who can affect the outcome of future FAA funding. The FAA wants to introduce a user fee system, which AOPA and virtually all GA groups oppose. AOPA spent more than $1.4 million in the second half of
the year on that issue alone.
But hardly a week goes by that the organization doesn’t report that it’s stirring the pot on any number of issues involving the feds, and stumping the hallways of the Capitol costs money.
While the Department of Transportation would eat up most of that time and money, AOPA also reported that it drummed on the desks of officials in the Department of Defense (military operating areas)
and Transportation Security Administration (TFRs, ADIZ, etc.), among others.
Has the final chapter been written in one of the great aviation mysteries? A former Luftwaffe pilot says he shot down Antoine de Saint Exupery as the French writer, considered by some to be the
greatest aviation author, flew his P-38 off the coast of France in 1944. But Horst Rippert, now 88, who claimed 28 victories during the Second World War, says he never would have opened fire if
he’d known his favorite author was at the controls. "If I had known it was Saint-Exupery, I would never have shot him down,” Rippert told the London Daily Telegraph. "He knew admirably how to describe the sky, the thoughts and
feelings of pilots. His work inspired many of us to take up our vocation."
Apparently Rippert has kept the secret all these years and gave it up after being tracked down by Luc Vanrell, a diver who found the wreck of Saint Exupery’s aircraft in 1998, and a war
researcher named Lino van Gartzen. Saint Exupery was flying for the Free French from Corsica and was on a reconnaissance flight when Rippert said he spotted the Lightning from above and it was easy
prey for his Me-109. Many believed the writer, who penned such classics as Pilote de Guerre (Flight to Arras), had committed suicide, but there has also been a persistent theory that he was shot
down.
The FAA has granted a Technical Standard Order (TSO) for Aspen Avionics' Evolution primary flight displays. The company says deliveries of the innovative devices will begin,
as scheduled, on March 31 ...
The Australian Owners and Pilots Association says the country’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority "sensationalized" an emergency airworthiness directive issued to address problems with
Precision Airmotive fuel injection systems on some aircraft. CASA said the AD might affect 3,000 aircraft but AOPA says only 200 are in Australia ...
Continental Airlines, Boeing and GE Aviation are teaming up to fly an airliner on biofuel. Last month Virgin Atlantic flew a Boeing 747 on vegetable oils.
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Sensenich Does It Again!
The industry's fixed pitch prop leader for more than 75 years has just introduced an amazing line of composite propellers for even more light sport and homebuilt aircraft. Proven on 5,000 airboats
over the last eight years, as well as Rotax- and Jabiru-powered planes, the new lightweight, precision, composite props are now available for Continental- and Lycoming-powered planes. For more
information, call (717) 569-0435 or
click here. 
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Reader mail this week about Southwest Airlines, sunken airplanes, the Distinguished Flying Cross and more.
Click here to read this week's letters to the editor.
 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. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part.
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AOPA Aircraft Financing
Larry Jones of Bay City, Texas has used AOPA Aircraft Financing four times to purchase everything from a Cessna 152 to a Beechcraft Baron. "I do flight instruction and rentals, and when
someone comes to me interested in purchasing a plane, I tell them to go through AOPA," Jones said. "The staff makes it really easy to go through the process, and they explain the
paperwork and what it's for and how to do it. It's just so easy."
Click here to learn
more. 
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Aviation got a big boost from ex-military pilots and aircraft after WWII, especially in air races, as Carl Moesly recounts in this history.
Click here for the full story.
To get results from your weather briefing, you have to make a small investment of your time.
Click here for the full story.
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, Aviation
Consumer Editor-in-Chief Paul Bertorelli shares a few insights gleaned from the month he's spent shaking down diesel engines and comparing them to their avgas counterparts.
Read more.
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Welcome to Jeppesen E-Charts
Jeppesen Electronic Charts — or e-charts — are here. They're compliant and replacing paper charts worldwide. E-charts will make your flying faster, safer, and better.
Whether you display your electronic charts in the cockpit or print them out and use the paper, e-charts are easier to carry, easier to use, and easier to revise than traditional paper charts. You'll
spend more time flying and less time preparing to fly. Learn more about the many benefits of switching to electronic charts by
visiting
Jeppesen online. 
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Nominate an FBO
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Rules
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Tips
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Questions
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Winning FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Out of the Blue Aviation at KAWO in Arlington, Washington.
According to AVweb reader Jeanne Howe, Out of the Blue "has it all":
There is a comfortable lounge with great espresso, pilot supplies and top-notch instructors. Owner Cathy Mighell is enthusiastic about all she has developed. As a Cessna Pilot Training Center, the
staff is knowledgeable and able to guide students and pilots to meet their needs. Everyone is friendly and excited about their seminars and events. I've enjoyed the North Sound Poker Run and look
forward to their Mountain Flying seminar and beach BBQ getaway.
From Jeanne's description, it sounds like the FBO at Out of the Blue is a destination unto itself!
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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Piper Owners & Pilots — Gain Knowledge, Have Fun
Join the fastest-growing and best association for Piper Flyers — the Piper Flyer Association ( PFA), since 2004 providing same-day parts locating, faster answers to technical
questions, an informative monthly magazine, online forums, national and regional events, an annual gathering, seminars, member discounts, and more for only $40 yearly. The PFA is located in
the Blue Hangar on the Waupaca Municipal Airport (PCZ) in Waupaca, Wisconsin, 35 nm NW of Oshkosh.
For more information,
visit PiperFlyer.org. 
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File Size 11.3 MB / Running Time 12:24
Podcast Index
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How to Listen
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Subscribe Via RSS
When you fly more than one model of aircraft, it can be a challenge to stay current in each one. This month, IFR magazine's Glenn Pew asked Greg Lewis, deputy director of the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, Calif., what he recommends. Greg is a 7,300-hour test pilot who routinely flies 13 different types of aircraft and
has a few helpful tips for any pilot trying to keep his head in the right cockpit.
Click here to listen. (11.3 MB, 12:24)
File Size 10.1 MB / Running Time 11:04
Podcast Index
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How to Listen
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Subscribe Via RSS
Based in South St. Paul, Minnesota, BRS produces the parachute systems installed as standard equipment on all Cirrus Design aircraft and available as an after-market installation on several other
makes and models (including the Cessna 172 and 182 and various light sport aircraft). BRS claims to have saved more than 200 lives with the system. To get more insight into the decision-making
process involved in deploying an aircraft parachute system, Meredith Saini caught up with Larry Williams, CEO of Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS), and John Gilmore, BRS technical and
sales representative.
Click here to listen. (10.1 MB, 11:04)
Recommend a Video
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VOTW Archive
Given the U.K.-based auto show Top Gear's penchant for racing, one wonders how "Video of the Week" made it this far without
running this showdown between a twin-engine jet (the Eurofighter Typhoon) and the made-for-speed Bugatti Veyron. This one puts a new spin on the classic battle between land and air speedsters and
comes to us courtesy of AVweb reader Dave Gwinn:
Don't see a video screen?
Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page.
If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly.
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."
Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb
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Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos
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.
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 | | Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air" |
We've heard different variations on this tale through the years, but here's one that can't be beat, if only for sheer enthusiasm:
I tried to pass on this little tale many years ago without success, and since I never saw a response, I will try one more time, just for my old Yankee mate, Ken Sunderland:
An Aussie grazier flew his antique Auster aircraft to Mascot airport, Sydney, some time back to enact some business at the offices of business acquaintances. Not being familiar with controlled
airspace procedures (although making it safely to the airport), he required and requested guidance to the GA parking area. Much later, after the completion of his business and returning to the
airport, he eventually taxied out to the major runway 16, again guided by ATC to take his place in the queue for take-off clearance.
When finally cleared to line up and subsequently cleared for take-off, his instructions were to call "123 airborne" (the departure frequency). Applying maximum power and concentrating on
keeping his aircraft on the centerline on the roll, the tail rose, and soon after that, the aircraft became airborne — whereupon the pilot pressed his transmit button and called:
"1! 2! 3! ... Airborne!"
Geoff Litchfield
via e-mail
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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
Click here to send a letter to the
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Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.
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