ALWAYS WANTED TO FLY A DC-3?

copyright © John Fleck

Entry Deadline: April 1, 2008

Flight Date: April 8, 2008 (7 a.m.)

Flight Location: Linder Airport, Lakeland, Florida

Winners Announced: April 3, 2008

To qualify, you must have a valid pilot certificate and current medical. (It doesn't have to be a U.S. certificate.)

Arguably the most important aircraft ever produced, the DC-3 ushered in the "modern" era of air transportation. But until you've sat in the left seat, gripped that huge yoke and tried to muscle the big bird onto final, you can't appreciate what life was like for the tens of thousands of pilots who have shaken, rattled and rolled in the confines of that cockpit.

Or maybe you're a former DC-3 pilot looking for a trip down memory lane. Whatever the motivation, now's your chance to fly left seat in the iconic aircraft, courtesy of Herpa Wings, AVweb and the owner of N143D, Dan Gryder, at Sun 'n Fun on April 8. You'll be in control as Dan guides you through takeoff, pattern work and even a few low and overs in a beautifully maintained but still very historic DC-3. All you have to do is tell us (and 200,000 AVweb readers) why you want to. Send us a short (no longer than 200 words) essay on the topic: "Why I Want To Fly The Herpa Wings DC-3."

E-mail your entry to fly-the-dc3@avweb.com by April 1, 2008.

(Click through for rules and details.)

CRIME INSTITUTE WARNS OF ENHANCED THREAT OF AIRCRAFT THEFT
Officials in Mexico have cracked down on aerial drug trafficking, says Bob Collins of the Aviation Crime Prevention Institute, and this has created a need for criminals to quickly steal more airplanes to replace those that are seized. Collins said the threat to King Airs, Caravans and Cessna cabin-class twins has intensified, and interest in Cessna single-engine models is likely to continue. "ACPI does not send this kind of information lightly," said Collins. "The threat is real." He suggested that pilots should take extra care to be sure their aircraft are secure. More...

EAA REACTS TO FAA ACTION ON "51-PERCENT RULE"
"FAA should not attempt to change the experimental amateur-built rules," says Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president of industry and regulatory affairs, in a response to a report published by the FAA last month that raises concerns about the way those rules are being implemented. Lawrence said now is the time for EAA to "articulate a definitive position," while the aviation community awaits the FAA's next move -- a draft proposal of its new guidelines, which is expected to be released in the next month or two. Lawrence said the FAA should not prevent paid professionals from helping to construct an experimental aircraft, as long as the amateur personally carries out a majority of the work. He also said that aircraft eligible for amateur-built status should not be limited by complexity, power, size, or performance. EAA urges the FAA to "preserve the amateur-building movement and the constructive environment that exists today," Lawrence said. More...

CIRRUS INCLUDES MAINTENANCE PACKAGE
While business jet demand continues to exceed supply, piston manufacturers have noticed a significant softening of the market this year. Cirrus Design’s new Chief Operating Officer Brent Wouters told AVweb in a podcast interview that the current economic downturn and declines on financial markets have hit his sector noticeably. “People are feeling less rich,” he said. Rather than simply discount prices, Cirrus has taken an automotive industry approach and launched an ambitious incentive program that covers scheduled maintenance for two years or 600 hours, whichever comes first. Wouters said Cirrus has been planning the maintenance program for some time as part of the company’s ongoing effort to change the way people think about owning airplanes. More...

CONTROLLER UNION BLAMES SEPARATION ERRORS ON POOR TRAINING; FAA SAYS TRAINING OK
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is blaming poor controller training practices for a March 13 incident in which a Boeing 737 and an Embraer regional jet did not have adequate separation while on approach to Chicago's Midway Airport. But the FAA says the current training regime is an improvement over old methods. More...

ASPEN AVIONICS GLASS-PANEL UNITS GET FAA OK
The new Evolution Flight Displays that were introduced last summer at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh by Aspen Avionics now are FAA-certified and will be ready to deliver by the end of the month, the company says. The system aims to be an affordable upgrade for general aviation cockpits, with modular units that can be installed directly into existing three-inch instrument panel holes. The basic model lists at $5,995, and a pro model goes for $9,995. The market has been enthusiastic about the launch, according to the company, buying over $1.5 million of the units in the first week after Oshkosh. "This is the right product, at the right time, for the right price, and is a joy to fly," said Doug Cayne, Aspen's vice president of marketing. About 300 authorized avionics dealers are ready to begin installations of the Evolution system next month, the company said. More...

RAMTECH ALDERA, AN S-LSA FROM CANADA
Since the launch of the light sport aircraft, many of the LSAs on the U.S. market have arrived from Europe, where airplanes that fit the certification parameters have long been in production. Now, a company in Canada is building a new clean-sheet LSA for the U.S. market. Rex Meade, president of RAMtech Aviation, based near Toronto, Ontario, says his young company has zeroed in on a market sector that has not been addressed. "The Aldera utilizes advanced composite technology, resulting in a uniquely 'Canadian tough' airplane that incorporates innovative production methods," he says. The company hopes to keep the introductory price under $80,000, which would be a considerable price advantage over much of the current fleet. RAMtech has recently completed its prototype aircraft, after two years of development. First flight is expected in May. More...

EADS SEES POTENTIAL FOR SPACE PLANE MARKET
It may be easy to be skeptical of dreamers who imagine they can launch a space-tourism industry, but when a hard-headed gigantic company like EADS starts talking about building a production line for rocket planes, that's harder to ignore. "To satisfy the market you will need more planes than you think, because once there is regular operation, the price will decrease, which means there will be more customers," Robert Laine, chief technical officer of Astrium, EADS's aerospace division, told BBC News. Astrium is developing a six-seat rocket plane, Laine said, that will take off from a runway using normal jet engines. At about 40,000 feet a rocket engine will ignite to boost the aircraft to the edge of space. More...

ATLANTA'S GA AIRPORTS SPARED TORNADO DAMAGE
The tornado that ripped through downtown Atlanta on Friday night, damaging parts of the CNN Center and the Georgia Dome, spared the city's two general aviation airports. More...

LOS ANGELES TEENS SOLO SIX PLANES, HELICOPTER IN ONE DAY
Last weekend, two Los Angeles-area teenagers completed what they hope will be a record-setting solo marathon, flying six airplanes and a helicopter on the same day. Kelly Anyadiki and Jonathan Strickland, both 16, are among the more than 800 young flight students who participate in aviation-themed after-school aviation programs provided by Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum at the Compton/Woodley Airport in Compton, Calif. More...

ON THE FLY ...
Jeppesen will stop updating NavData databases for some older GPS units ...
Vicki Van Meter, who set aviation records at age 11, died at age 26...
A crackdown in Mexico increases the threat of aircraft thefts, says ACPI...
 Big Sky Airlines, of Montana, flew for the last time last week...
A helicopter self-monitoring system is being flight-tested at ERAU. 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...

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

BRAINTEASERS QUIZ #131: REFLECTIONS ON SHORT FINAL
When you're on final, aiming for the numbers, with passengers squawking, "Are we there yet?" there's little time to preplan. So, take a moment -- assuming you're not on final -- to test your approaches to landing.

Take the quiz.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: AIRPLANE THEFTS AND PERSONAL SECURITY
With the Crime Institute reporting an increased risk of aircraft theft, we're curious: How secure is your airplane? Plus: How much of a damper did winter put our our readers' flying time? More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: OUT OF THE BLUE AVIATION (KAWO, ARLINGTON, WA)

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!

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
Over the last several weeks, we've witnessed the annual "spring thaw" in reader-submitted photos. Perhaps our readers' fingers are just now warming up enough to upload their photos, or maybe it's the lure of hanging around the FBO for a couple of hours when the sun stays out later. Whatever the case, photo submissions are up, so hang onto your seat as we dive into our latest batch of reader images, starting with this one from Leonard Duncil of Titusville, Florida. 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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