Aircraft Spruce East Coast Annual Super Sale Aircraft Spruce East will be holding their Annual Super Sale and Fly-In on Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 8am-4pm in Peachtree City, Georgia. Come and
join the Aircraft Spruce Team and vendors for lunch, special pricing, vendor demonstrations, and educational seminars. Lots of opportunities to win raffle prizes from some of your favorite
vendors, and a complimentary shuttle will be offered to and from Falcon Field Airport. Call Aircraft Spruce at 1-877-4-SPRUCE, or
visit online.
A subpoena issued by a California court last week in response to a request by Eclipse Aviation seeks to obtain the names of about 28
people who have posted anonymous comments on the Eclipse Aviation Critic NG blog. The blog, hosted by Shane Price of Dublin,
Ireland, is the "next generation" of the original Eclipse critic blog, which was started by Stan Blankenship in 2006 but stopped publishing earlier this year. The subpoena commands Google, which hosts
the NG blog, to supply IP addresses of the commenters. "We're not trying to suppress dissension or criticism," Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn told the Albuquerque Journal. "We're just trying to find out where it's coming from." Raburn said he wants to know if any of
the posters are Eclipse employees or others who are legally bound by non-disclosure agreements. In a letter posted on the NG blog, Google says it will release the identifying information to Eclipse
unless the posters object in court; several of the blog contributors have said on the blog site they will pursue such an action. Price wrote online that several of the blog aliases listed in the
subpoena had never posted on his blog. "It seems to be very out of date," he wrote, "and I'm actually feeling left out, as they didn't include me."
The subpoena allows the bloggers until May 9 to respond.
Do You Zulu? ... From Lightspeed
"The Zulu is the company's best headset ever ... . Lightspeed has knocked the competition out of the park." — Ian J. Twombly, AOPA Pilot
Associate Editor
Zulu sets a new standard in ANR performance, comfort, and audio quality. Includes built-in BlueTooth for your cell phone, not available on any other headset. See why more pilots are Zuluing.
Click here for more
information and to order!
The FAA has made it official, in a written notice
published Friday, that existing aircraft kits already approved by the FAA will not be re-evaluated. The clarification is certainly a relief to many kit manufacturers, as well as homebuilders with
unfinished kit projects. The agency has temporarily suspended kit evaluations while it develops new procedures, and speculation as to whether existing kits might be re-evaluated has been widespread.
"Previous FAA-conducted amateur-built aircraft kit evaluations remain valid," the agency now declares. "As is current practice, a re-evaluation of any kit on the current eligibility list would only
occur if a potentially unsafe condition is identified." Kim Smith, manager of the FAA's Small Airplane Directorate, first announced the "grandfathering" policy at a forum at Sun 'n Fun.
Kit evaluations have never been required, says the FAA, but are conducted as a courtesy to manufacturers to determine if an amateur-built aircraft kit would be eligible for certification as an
amateur-built aircraft. Upon determination that the percentage of a kit presented for evaluation by a manufacturer permits the major portion (51 percent) of the aircraft's fabrication and assembly to
be completed by an amateur builder, the aircraft kit is added to a list of eligible kits that is maintained by the FAA. However, existing policy and guidance used to evaluate these kits has resulted
in "inconsistent determinations regarding regulatory compliance," the FAA says, prompting the moratorium on such approvals until new evaluation guidelines are established.
Avoiding Thunderstorms — Your life Can Depend On It!
Few pilots are willing to fly through convective activity. Those who do soon discover why they're in the minority. Learn about effective ATC communications and the weather-radar equipment that can
help you avoid convective activity — in a no-cost online safety course from the Air Safety Foundation. This knowledge will help you make sound decisions as a pilot-in-command.
Take the no-cost
Thunderstorms and ATC online course now.
The diesel engines produced by Thielert in Germany have made inroads in general aviation aircraft, with
installations in both Cessna and Diamond
airplanes. But the company has run into multiple financial problems -- as AVwebrecently reported, CEO Frank
Thielert has resigned as CEO, though he will remain with the company as chief operating officer. An extensive report published this week in Defense Industry Daily details the timeline of recent events at
Thielert, as well as various interpretations of those events put forth by the company and investigators. The company has faced multiple challenges in recent months as stock values plummeted and cash
reserves were depleted.
The company said recently it is working to address its "liquidity crisis" and expects to
restore "positive cash flows" by early 2009. AVweb's sister publication, Aviation Consumer, features a report on GA diesels in this month's issue.
Precise/Cirrus Fixed Oxygen Is Now Available as an SR22 Retrofit
Because every SR22 deserves the best, we have acquired STCs for the G2 and G3 Models. The Precise Flight Certified Fixed Oxygen System, unique in its clean and simple integration into the
aircraft, is making its way "standard" on the industry's leading airframes.
Click here to find
out more about the Precise Fixed Oxygen System.
With Earth Day celebrated around the world on Tuesday, executives from Boeing and Airbus joined together at the third Aviation & Environment Summit, in Geneva, to announce they will work together to create a more efficient air traffic system that will save energy. "I am convinced technology and innovation hold the key to reducing aviation's
environmental impact and increasing eco-efficiency," said Airbus CEO Tom Enders. Other aviation leaders at the event joined in signing a declaration on climate change, vowing to work toward
carbon-neutral growth and a totally sustainable industry. The declaration is not "just fine words," according to summit organizer Philippe Rochat. "For the first time, the industry can agree on a set
of common goals and a pathway to achieve those goals ...[we are devoting] energy, investment and sheer determination to ensure the industry has a sustainable future." Keith Johnson, blogging at The Wall Street Journal, suggests the industry's
green agenda may be driven more by economic concerns than environmental ones.
"Airlines got the green bug a few years ago when fuel prices started rising," says Johnson. The summit's four-step plan includes new technologies, including cleaner fuels; better fuel efficiency;
more efficient air-traffic management; and "positive economic instruments" to cut greenhouse gasses wherever it's "cost-effective." The summit's declaration calls on governments to help finance these
changes -- all of which will also help the airlines' bottom line.
Plenty of people have turned to the Internet to find dates for social occasions; now the Aircraft Partnership Association aims to use the Web to find matches for pilots who want to share airplane ownership. "Trying to find suitable aircraft partners by posting a flyer
at your local airport ... is tremendously ineffective," says David Kruger, president of the APA. The difficulty in finding the right match discourages potential partnerships, Kruger says. The APA will
help users search its database for potential partners based on member profiles that include the type of aircraft desired, location, flying experience, and more. The entire matching/selection process
occurs online before potential partners ever meet.
"Take Tulsa, Oklahoma, for example," says Kruger, in a news release. "There may not be a professionally managed fractional ownership opportunity for piston aircraft in that market, yet there may be
many pilots based at a variety of local airports who all share a common interest -- a new light sport aircraft, a Mooney Acclaim, or a pre-owned Cherokee Six. Through APA, members can find each other
and review each other's flying experience and aircraft desires online, before making contact." The company also offers management services to support new partnerships.
Despite lobbying from AOPA and aircraft owners who have been slapped with hefty tax bills after flying their airplanes into Maine,
the state has refused to change its ways, AOPA said this week. "We've told the legislature that they won't be
able to get much revenue from the use tax, because new aircraft owners won't fly into the state," says Greg Pecoraro, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. The state has billed aircraft owners for
up to 6 percent of the value of their aircraft. The use tax kicks in during the first year of ownership if the owner hasn't paid a 6-percent sales tax elsewhere, and the airplane is in Maine for at
least 20 days. Those 20 days can sneak up on you, Pecoraro warns. "Let's say your aircraft gets weathered in during your weekend trip, but because of work obligations, you have to leave your airplane
and drive or catch a train home. The clock is ticking the whole time the aircraft is stuck in the state," he says. A bill that AOPA had lobbied for to make the law less egregious has been "gutted" by
the legislature. Details of the Maine tax are posted online.
Maine tax lawyer Jon Block is defending eight aircraft owners against the tax in that state, and he spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles recently about the issue. Click here for the podcast. Meanwhile, nine Maine airports will get $5.5 million in FAA grants this year, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday.
Aircraft Financing to Fit Your Needs AirFleet Capital offers a competitive and experienced approach to each and every loan program by focusing exclusively on aircraft financing. AirFleet Capital provides exceptional terms
coupled with personal service and a long-term commitment to support the business and shared passion of aviation. From Light Sport Aircraft to VLJs and Business Jets, AirFleet Capital has a
loan program to fit your needs. Call an AirFleet Capital financing specialist at (800) 390-4324, or
request a quote
online.
A new nonprofit called the Scott Crossfield Foundation
has launched this week. The foundation's mission is to continue and expand upon the lifelong work of the legendary test pilot, the first to fly Mach 2, who died in 2006. The group will work to promote
the Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year Award, which was created and funded by Crossfield in 1986. To help support the Foundation, limited-edition reproductions of William J. Reynolds' painting
"On The Way To The Stars" are available for purchase through the Foundation Web site. These 27-year-old, mint-condition prints are each numbered and signed by the artist, with a limited number also
signed by Crossfield. The Web site also features archives of historical material about Crossfield and his life and work, including photographs, slideshows, videos, stories, and comments from friends
and colleagues.
All of the Reynolds prints come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Suddenly, airplanes are the big thing for the big screen. We caught up with producer Karl Koeppen at Sun 'n Fun, who is ready to start
work on "Northern Lights," about airshow pilots, later this summer. (Click here for the podcast interview with AVweb editor-in-chief Russ
Niles.) This week, a film crew visited EAA in Oshkosh, Wis., to shoot aviation scenes for "Public
Enemies," a gangster movie starring Johnny Depp. Also this week, Variety reported that Hilary Swank
and Richard Gere will star in a movie about Amelia Earhart. Shooting will start later this month in Toronto, Nova Scotia, and South Africa.
Of course, airplanes are nothing new in the movies. The Reel Stuff Film Festival opens this week in Dayton, Ohio, with eight classic
movies on screen, Thursday through Saturday. The lineup includes "633 Squadron" with Cliff Robertson, "Top Gun," the Imax film "Fighter Pilot," and more.
Diamond DA40 XL Demonstrator Sale For a limited time only, while quantities last, Diamond DA40 XL Demonstrator models are available at a special price of $299,950. The aircraft also qualify
for special 2008 tax incentives. You can enjoy owning a Diamond DA40 and write off up to 93% of the purchase price.
Visit Diamond
Aircraft now for more information.
Wing panel fasteners that failed on a B-757 in March were new fasteners that had been redesigned after earlier problems with the wing panel fastening system, the NTSB said this week...
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.
Make Plans Now to Attend a 2008 Savvy Aviator Seminar
Mike will be conducting Savvy Aviator Seminars in Chicago, Las Vegas, Norfolk, and Santa Maria. Sign up for one of these classes and learn how to save thousands of dollars on maintenance
costs, year after year. Do it before your next annual inspection!
For complete details
and to reserve your space, click here.
AVweb founder Mike Busch has been selected by the FAA and supporting aviation organizations as the National Maintenance Technician of the Year. Busch will be presented his award
at a ceremony during EAA AirVenture.
Last week, we asked AVweb readers what they make of the new wave of synthetic vision technologies.
Fully half of those who responded to our survey called SVT a nice-to-have addition to the panel and said they plan (or hope) to integrate it into their cockpit eventually.
Another 27% of you said you'd buy it in a minute. And only 5% of those who answered our poll called SVT just a gimmick.
For the complete breakdown of reader responses, click here. (You may be asked to register and answer if you haven't already participated in this poll.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION ***
If you're able to read AVweb, we can safely assume you've heard about Earth Day and all the new ways to conserve, recycle, and take a little better care of our environment that
came out of this year's celebration — and if you've heard about it, there's even a chance you actually did something about it. This week we'd like to know if (aviation-wise) you did anything to
mark Earth Day.
Have an idea for a new "Question of the Week"? Send your suggestions to
.
NOTE: This address is
only for suggested "QOTW" questions, and not for "QOTW" answers or comments.
Use this form to send
"QOTW" comments to our AVmail Editor.
Knowledge Is Power; Knowledge Is Also a Safety Factor When Flying IFR
The IFR environment is constantly changing. You need to keep informed. IFR Refresher is the publication for you if you're serious about flying IFR. No other publication can help
maintain your IFR flying and decision-making skills.
Order your
subscription online for savings from the regular rate.
Maybe it's all the travel related to Sun 'n Fun, but we received quite a few (really compelling) nominations for "FBO of the Week" over the last few days. The standout among these was a rather
unusual recommendation (and plea) from AVweb reader Doug McDowall of EAA Chapter 165. Doug raved about two airports he frequents in North Little Rock, Arkansas — Barrett Aviation and Air Charter Express (ACE) — both located at North Little
Rock Municipal Airport, KORK (formerly 1M1). On April 3, the airport was hit by a tornado, causing massive damage to both FBOs' rental and charter airplanes. The two have still managed to keep up
with Doug's demands, and he hopes the exposure as AVweb's "FBOs of the Week" might encourage more people to stop by and support the FBOs during their reconstruction.
Doug writes:
[Fuel sales] may be the only source of income for both Barrett Aviation and Air Charter Express for months to come. If you are coming through this area and need to make a fuel stop, it would really
help these two FBOs to get through some tough times. Barrett Aviation is a Phillips 66 dealer, and Air Charter Express handles Shell products (also has a 24-hour self-fueling faciltiy on the SW
corner of the field). Both Barrett Aviation (Harry Barrett) & Air Charter Express (Tommy Murcheson) ... have taken a major hit from Mother Nature and deserve a helping hand.
Each week, we go through dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of reader-submitted photos and pick the very best to share with you on Thursday mornings. The top photos are featured
on AVweb's home page, and one photo that stands above the others is awarded an AVweb baseball cap as our "Picture of the Week." Want to
see your photo on AVweb.com? Click here to submit it to our weekly contest.
*** THIS WEEK'S WINNERS ***
Oh, yeah — summertime has arrived in style, as evidenced by the bevy of incredible photos we found waiting in the submission box this week! It's been a long, cold winter, but if
the quality and quantity of submissions we received this week for our "POTW" contest are any indication, we've got a great summer ahead. As you look through this week's top photos, remember
that you too can be part of the fun; just submit your own airplane (or aviation-themed photos) right here on AVweb.
With only 60 photo submissions this week, our initial stack of contenders for the top spot consisted of eight photos, and we can't recall a week where it's been tougher to pick out a
single winner. At the end of the tooth-gnashing, coin-flipping, and wishy-washing, however, we were left staring down this pic from Suzy Kryzanowicz of Bay City,
Michigan.
(That's Suzy's rather vulnerable-looking Taylorcraft at Sun 'n Fun, hunkered down in advance of some weather that's neither sunny nor much fun.)
Christopher Ebdon of Pasadena, Texas brings the thrill, with a little help from the Commemorative Air Force: "Since 1972, the Tora! gang has
been recreating the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, 'a date which will live in infamy.' Jim Ryan, Tora Lead, had a vision for the new publicity art for his Tora! Tora! Tora! Gang. As usual,
it included aircraft and a wall of fire. Jim came to Fellow CAF 'Colonel' Christopher Ebdon to get his shots. Shown here are the results of the last pass of the evening, utilizing a Zeke, Kate and
Val. Taken at KLBX."
Oh, how we fretted over whether this photo or the one above should be our "Picture of the Week"! Since Suzy's photo edged Christopher's out by the narrowest of possible
margins, we'll break with tradition and send both shutterbugs official AVweb baseball caps. (And we'll do our best to straighten this out with the hat-accounting department so that next week's
winner doesn't get a Polaroid of a hat instead of the real thing!)
Ever since "widescreen" computer monitors became all the rage, we've had a harder time finding good images to use as desktop wallpaper. If you're having the same trouble, go
ahead and click through to the large version of this image. And when you're done gawking, say thanks to Yinjie Zhang of White Plains, New York.
Yes, there really is a helicopter in there, and the photo hasn't been modified in any way. Thanks for Josh Gates for the ultimate "You
Are There" image. Makes you a little more appreciative of flying VFR, doesn't it?
We started this edition with a pic from Sun 'n Fun, and that's how we're going out. Kevin B. Torman of Altoona, Florida captured Mike Theeke
on final "after a full day at Sun 'n Fun ...resting in our chairs in the parking lot, not quite ready to leave."
We know what you mean, Kevin. (See you at Oshkosh, eh?)
More Reader-Submitted Photos!
... can be found in the slideshow on AVweb's home page. Head on over there!
A quick note for submitters: If you've got several
photos that you feel are "POTW" material, your best bet is to submit
them one-a-week! That gives your photos a greater chance of seeing
print on AVweb, and it makes the selection process a little easier on
us, too. ;)
A Reminder About Copyrights: Please take a moment to consider the
source of your image before submitting to our "Picture of the Week" contest.
If you did not take the photo yourself, ask yourself if you are indeed
authorized to release publication rights to AVweb. If you're uncertain,
consult the
POTW
Rules or
or
send us an e-mail.
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/.
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.
A subpoena issued by a California court last week in response to a request by Eclipse Aviation seeks to obtain the names of about 28
people who have posted anonymous comments on the 
The FAA has made it official, in a 
The diesel engines produced by Thielert in Germany have made inroads in general aviation aircraft, with
installations in both 
With Earth Day celebrated around the world on Tuesday, executives from Boeing and Airbus joined together at the third 
Plenty of people have turned to the Internet to find dates for social occasions; now the 
Despite lobbying from AOPA and aircraft owners who have been slapped with hefty tax bills after flying their airplanes into Maine,
the state has refused to change its ways, 
A new nonprofit called the 
Suddenly, airplanes are the big thing for the big screen. We caught up with producer Karl Koeppen at Sun 'n Fun, who is ready to start
work on "Northern Lights," about airshow pilots, later this summer. (
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 
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 
