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Fly With Bose® Aviation
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Enjoy an unmatched combination of full-spectrum noise reduction, clearer
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Product of the Year" by Aviation Consumer. Purchase by May 3, 2008, and receive a complimentary
pair of Bose in-ear headphones ($99.95 value).
Learn more and order. 
Quotes reprinted with permission: Professional
Pilot, 2007 Headset Preference Survey, 12/07; Aviation
Consumer, 8/07.
» Try out the Headset X™ and other Bose Corporation
products at booth SNF-009 at Sun 'n Fun
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Larger Image |
SPORTAIRUSA
HIT BY TORNADO, HEADING TO SUN 'N FUN
Sun ‘n Fun is a
big show for most aviation concerns but it’s especially important
for the up-and-coming Light Sport Aircraft manufacturers. And
they’re not going to let anything like taking a direct hit from a
tornado keep them from the show. Sportair USA’s hangar in North
Little Rock, Ark., was in the path of a small (ef1) tornado sporting
winds of up to 110 mph on Apr. 3. The briefly destructive storm twisted
one hangar into a pile of rubble that collapsed on a brand-new Sting
LSA. Another hangar was simply carried away, leaving nothing but the
concrete slab. Luckily, SportairUSA founder Bill Canino was in a hangar
that survived the onslaught. More... HERPA
WINGS "FLY THE DC-3" CONTEST WINNERS
We've chosen the winners
to fly left seat in the Herpa Wings DC-3 at Sun 'n Fun! Aircraft owner
Dan Gryder has opened up another flight for a left-seat winner,
so we were able to pick two of our favorite essayists from more
than 200 entries. First and foremost, we say thank you to Dan and
to every AVweb reader who took the time to share their DC-3
stories and aspirations with us. Joining us for DC-3 flights on Tuesday
morning, April 8, will be Joe Kaminskas of Biglerville,
Pennsylvania and Christa Mabry of Batavia, Ohio. Both have
confirmed that they can be there for the flight, and we'll be inviting a
couple of the runners-up to come along with us as passengers.
More... JOIN
US FOR SUN 'N FUN AT LAKELAND FLORIDA
(WE'VE GOT THE NOTAM HERE FOR
YOU)
AVweb will be at the big spring airshow held
annually at Lakeland, Fla., this April 8 - 13, providing full coverage
-- video, podcasts and text updates, every day. Sun 'n Fun this year
includes all the latest gear, gadgets and aircraft ready for prime time
... and may include some early previews of big announcements to come
later at AirVenture Oshkosh. And don't forget the airshow; the U.S. Air
Force Thunderbirds will be there this year and Lancair's turbine
evolution is expected to be there, too. If you're thinking of flying in,
be sure you've seen, read, and understand the NOTAM and choose another method of
transportation if you think the flight might make you uncomfortable.
(AVweb has been made aware by some pilots that the arrival
situation is not for them.) Of course, if you can't go, just watch your
inbox -- we'll be putting as much of the excitement from Lakeland that
we can fit in there (virtually). Plus, if you do make it to the show,
and have a video or video content you'd like to share with AVweb
readers, just send an e-mail to AVweb video editor Glenn Pew at
gpew@avweb.com. We'll see what we
can do ... .
Can't wait for the daily AVwebFlash
e-newsletter? Watch our Sun 'n Fun coverage as it unfolds at http://www.avweb.com/news/snf.
More... |
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Discover the
Thrill
You are here when you discover that the thrill of hanging 10 has nothing
on hanging around Cloud 9. In a brand-new Cessna Skyhawk, you too
will discover life in a brand-new way, whether you're learning to fly or
fulfilling the lifelong dream of owning a new Cessna. Call 1
(316) 517-6056, or
visit
CessnaYouAreHere.com. 
» Be there with Cessna Single-Engine at booths
SNF-001-005 at Sun 'n Fun
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BOEING
FLIES FUEL CELL AIRCRAFT
Boeing has successfully flown the
world’s first fuel-cell-powered aircraft and it took its time
announcing it. The Diamond Dimona motorglider has flown three times
since February out of an airfield at Ocana, south of Madrid. The
aircraft took off on a combination of battery power and the fuel cell
but used the fuel cell alone to cruise at 3,300 feet and about 55 knots
for 20 minutes. “Boeing is actively working to develop new
technologies for environmentally progressive aerospace products," said
Francisco Escarti, Boeing Research & Technology Europe (BR&TE) managing
director. "We are proud of our pioneering work during the past five
years on the Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane project. It is a tangible
example of how we are exploring future leaps in environmental
performance." Click to watch the
video. More... |
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Envision® Integrated
Flight Deck Now Available for Retrofit Installation in Cessna 400-Series
Aircraft!
Avidyne's Envision® Integrated Flight Deck modernizes the
popular Cessna 400-Series piston-engine twins with state-of-the-art
situational awareness and safety systems and the industry's
easiest-to-use integrated flight deck. Purchase and take delivery of an
Envision® System (EXP5000 PFD and an EX5000 MFD) and get an
MLB700 at no charge! This $5,495 value provides you with WSI
Datalink Weather and Sirius® Digital Audio! Offer valid from 1/15/08 to 5/15/08.
Click here for more info. 
Sign up to be an Avidyne Insider. 
» See Avidyne technologies in action at booths
D-069-070 and N-028 at Sun 'n Fun
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MILITARY
PILOTS ASK FOR SOME SPACE
While pedestrians have the right of
way, you don’t see many sticking their arm out and marching across
a freeway. Likewise, military pilots who use military operating areas to
hone their skills and get a little afterburner time are asking that
civilian pilots understand the kind of screeching halt their presence in
MOAs can cause. “You’re talking about tens of thousands of
dollars of taxpayers money,” retired F-16 pilot Lt. Col Fred
Clifton told AVweb in a podcast
interview last week. Clifton also noted such interruptions eat into
already-scarce flight time by fighter jocks thanks to military cutbacks.
Similar sentiments have been expressed by forum contributors to
AVweb’s blog, the AVweb Insider, in which Editorial
Director Paul Bertorelli also pleaded
for some consideration for the fighter operations.
More... AIRGATOR
ANNOUNCES NAVAIR 3D APPROACHES
AirGator Inc. says its new
NAVAir Approaches 3D offers "unparalleled situational awareness" to
pilots by offering a three-dimensional view of the aircraft during
approach, viewable on certain pocket- or tablet-PC products. The system
shows the aircraft's position in both the plan view and on the vertical
profile and works with AirGator's NAVAir moving map or NAVAir Approaches
simple interface. After providing visual position representation through
a successful approach and landing, the system then automatically
displays the aircraft on the airport diagram for better awareness while
taxiing. Pricing for the viewer is $249 with 12 months of data updates
and program enhancements. After that, subscription renewals are $189 per
year. And, remember, you'll need something to view it on. The company is
inviting you to watch a demonstrations of the product, here and here. More... NTSB:
SAFER FLYING BY REPORTING UAV ACCIDENTS
The NTSB is proposing
changes to regulations that concern reporting and notification with
regard to aircraft incidents, accidents, or collisions, because they
currently do not adequately cover unmanned aircraft. The notice of proposed rulemaking seeks comment prior to
July and suggests that the definition of "aircraft accident" be made to
include "unmanned aircraft accident." Specifically, revisions would be
made to 49 CFR part 830 to cover unmanned aircraft for the period
starting from the time the vehicle is activated and concluding when the
vehicle is deactivated. A UAV accident would be indicated by any person
suffering death or serious injury, or substantial damage done to the
aircraft while it is in operation. These additions, says the NTSB, "will
enhance aviation safety by providing the NTSB with notification" of the
aforementioned events. More... |
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Inflight. Every
Flight.
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industry alike. It's simply the best way to soar with confidence —
inflight and every flight.
Click here to learn more about XM WX
Satellite Weather. 
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ATA
BANKRUPTCY RIPPLES THROUGH INDUSTRY, ECONOMY
When ATA
Airlines filed for bankruptcy, Thursday, it immediately and without
warning halted all flights -- after 35 years in operation, the airline
Thursday left its passengers stranded and nearly all of its 2,200
employees are now unemployed. The sudden stoppage was explained by ATA
in a statement that said FedEx had cancelled a charter agreement with
the airline, leaving ATA unable to offset fuel prices. World Airways and
North American Airlines, two airlines acquired by ATA's parent group,
ATA Acquisition Inc., are not in bankruptcy, according to court
documents. While ATA warned other airlines of its impending shutdown,
asking them to help its soon to be stranded passengers. Northwest
Airlines said it will honor ATA tickets for flights to and from Hawaii
and Cancun through May 3 for a fee of $100 per leg. Southwest will honor
any tickets issued to is own customers, or provide those customers with
refunds. For those passengers that arrived at ATA check-in points to
empty counters said they received no notice of their flight's
cancellation. They are encouraged to seek financial return from their
credit card companies (if that's how they purchased their tickets). ATA
frequent fliers currently can expect their accrued mileage to be
worthless. Some employees say they got phone calls, some at 3 a.m.
letting them know their services were no longer required.
More... "NATIONWIDE
FRACTIONAL" U.S. AVIATION GROUP
U.S. Aviation Group claims to be the first
nationwide program catering to general aviation pilots seeking
fractional ownership of an aircraft. Each share begins with one pilot,
in any community between the two U.S. coasts, according to the company.
That pilot may purchase a 1/6 share of a 237-knot Mooney Acclaim, a
Diamond DA40 XLS, or a 1/10 share in a light sport aircraft -- each to
be held for three years. The company then finds five other pilots
willing to put their money where their mouth is and fills in the rest of
the shares. U.S. Aviation Group then applies a monthly fee ($587 for the
Diamond) and maintains the aircraft's needs from hangars and insurance
to maintenance and cleaning. The company then charges hourly use rates
with a limit of hours per year (75 for the Acclaim). For LSA owners, use
rates can be as low as $43 per hour. More... |
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Pilot Insurance Center specializes in providing pilots —
from student to ATP — with the life insurance protection they need.
For a personalized quote, call PIC today at 1 (800)
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visit PIC online. 
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WATHEN
AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL EXPANDS
After three years of operation,
Wathen Aviation High School (WAHS) is expanding to include more students
in grades 9-12 on the grounds of Flabob Airport, in Riverside, Calif.
Children at the school have the opportunity to develop hands-on skills
through a variety of airport projects (like restoring a Stinson 108 to
airworthiness) and can earn free flight lessons from participation.
Students previously restored and flew an Aeronca Champ to Oshkosh and
back. "We think aviation is a great way to motivate kids to learn," says
Wathen Foundation executive director John Lyon. A trustee at the Thomas
W. Wathen Foundation, which owns Flabob airport, Major General Pat
Halloran once flew the SR71 Blackbird -- now he shares with students his
firsthand experience of the Cold War and the world's fastest airplane.
While unique, WAHS is a free public charter high school and enrollment
(which is now open for fall 2008) is open on a first-come, first-served
basis. More... ON
THE FLY ...
China Eastern Airlines denies pilot revolt rumors
...
Australia is restricting laser devices ...
Three young
pilots flying Mustang in record attempt. More... |
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JA Air Center, Your Garmin
GPSMap 496 Source, Is Looking to Purchase Used GPS Units, Avionics, and
Aircraft
Call (800) 323-5966 for current value, with no purchase required.
JA Air Center is your source for Garmin GPS and Avionics,
including the popular GPSMap 496 with XM Weather, Terrain, AOPA
Airport Guide, Taxiway Database, and built-in StreetPilot Auto GPS.
JA Air Center [Dupage Airport (KDPA) in West Chicago, IL]
provides the finest avionics installations, turbine/piston maintenance,
avionics/instrument service, mail order, and aircraft sales. Call
(800) 323-5966, or
click for more information. 
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Cirrus Announces New Standard
Maintenance Program
A planemaker fond of comparing its planes to high-end luxury automobiles
just brought those two seemingly disparate markets a little closer.
Cirrus Design has announced the launch of Cirrus Maintenance, a new
"standard with purchase" benefit designed to help reduce the
cost of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. For more information,
click here. 
» Experience the fun of flying with Cirrus Design at booths
MD-032C and MD-033B at Sun 'n Fun
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AVMAIL:
APR. 7, 2008
Reader mail this week about fuel economy,
position and hold and pilot firearms, and lots of comments about GA vs.
F-16s in MOAs. More... |
| |
Motion Sickness Solution for You and Your
Passengers
The Relief Band Explorer offers the most effective and
predictable relief available for nausea and vomiting associated with
motion sickness. Your passengers will never feel the ill effects of
motion sickness in your plane again! This FDA-cleared wristwatch-like
device is available exclusively at Aeromedix.com. It's the best
$129.95 purchase you will ever make. Call Aeromedix at (888)
362-7123, or
go online to purchase. 
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HEROES
OF ATC: THE 2008 ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARD
WINNERS
As you read
on AVweb, air traffic controller Patrick Eberhart of
Detroit Metro TRACON is this year's winner of the NATCA Archie League
Awards. In this podcast, you'll hear the dramatic audio of Eberhart
guiding an aircraft with malfunctioning instruments and low fuel to a
safe landing. Plus, you'll hear other amazing recordings, featuring some
other finalists from this year's Archie Awards. More... VIDEO
OF THE WEEK: FLYING LOW UNDER THE RADAR
We've seen some
low-flying aircraft in the past, but this clip, originally from
Military.com, gave a us a little thrill — on the rare occasions we
weren't peeking between our fingers. (Click through to watch.)
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. 
» See Jeppesen e-charts in action at booths C-017-021
at Sun 'n Fun
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FBO
OF THE WEEK: PARLIN FIELD AIRPORT (2B3, NEWPORT,
NH)
 AVweb
reader Dick Bicknell couldn't find enough nice things to say
about this week's "FBO of the Week" winner — Parlin Field
Airport (2B3) in Newport, New Hampshire. Six
or so years ago, while searching for low fuel prices, we discovered a
perfect gem of an airport located 45 nm north of the Massachusetts
border and 5 miles west of Lake Sunapee, NH. Their fuel prices remain
the lowest, or equal to, any in New England, and their attractiveness,
hard to beat. The airport facilities are immaculate. The north/south
runway is 3450' paved and NW/SE 1950', excellent turf. 2B3 features an
exceptional Mexican restaurant and an ice cream stand ... but the "piece
de resistance" is found at the end of Runway 30 — shaded picnic
tables, a crystal clear river, sandy beach, and a picturesque covered
bridge. The FBO, Dick tells us, is owned by the town
of Newport and operated by Maura and Dean Stetson, "whose welcome
is always enthusiastic, friendly and helpful." 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!
More... |
SHORT
FINAL
 | | Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the
Air" |
Heard on the scanner over Adelaide,
South Australia: Airliner (I think it was a Qantas,
but I didn't hear the start of the
transmission):
"We won't need to divert into
Adelaide now. The passenger is feeling much better now that he has been
moved to business
class." Controller:"Amazing what
recuperative powers business class has." Leigh P.
Bunting
via e-mail 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 Contributing Editors
Mary Grady
Glenn
Pew Features Editor
Kevin
Lane-Cummings
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. More... |
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