Zulu Time ... From Lightspeed
The new Zulu headset looks different because it is different. Made with magnesium, stainless steel, and four types of composite plastics, it's extremely durable and yet weighs just over
13 ounces. Rather than concentrating purely on cutting decibels, Lightspeed engineers looked at how pilots perceive noise at different frequencies. You get broader noise attenuation over the
entire audible range. Zulu has more total noise cancellation than any headset on the market.
Click here for a
dealer near you.
HalogenGuides Jets, which calls itself the "Insider's Guide to Private Aviation," is reporting that Cessna is working on development of a supersonic business jet. Cessna spokesman Doug Oliver
declined comment. "We generally don’t discuss what we may or may not be doing in the world of advanced design," he said. However, the Web site, which also offers insight on real estate and
travel, seems pretty sure that a Cessna SSBJ is on the horizon. In an analysis of the current SSBJ market, the Web site says "An intriguing third player has emerged with the news that business jet
stalwarts, Cessna, has entered the ring with a design of its own. Little is known about Cessna's plans at the moment, but the fact that such a reputable private aviation brand is developing a
supersonic jet ought to lend some credence to the movement."
The balance of the article deals with Aerion's much-publicized order book for 40 of its $80 million offering and the less well-known but potentially more-developed Quiet Supersonic Transport under
development at Lockheed's Skunkworks. The focus of much of the research is on softening the sonic boom but there are inevitable questions about fuel burn and environmental impact. The article says
that time savings for the busiest of business people may drive some sales but practicality is unlikely to be the motive for many buying an SSBJ. "For the billionaire boys club, meanwhile, a supersonic
private jet will likely be irresistible as the ultimate toy," it opines.
Tulsa TowBots Available at Aircraft Spruce
The iTowBot's patented technology eliminates lifting, positioning, electrical cords, fueling or hard starting of traditional towing machinery. The iTowBot rotates the aircraft inside of
its own wingspan. With its hybrid zero-turn capability and fully-articulating, self-locking carriage, turn limits of the aircraft nose wheel cannot be exceeded. The powerful 24V DC motors start and
stop smoothly, delivering power needed to put your aircraft asset on the ramp or back in the hangar. Call Aircraft Spruce at 1 (877) 4-SPRUCE or
visit online.
AERO Friedrichshafen, a general aviation show in
Germany, has been growing in recent years -- as shown by its recent decision to switch from an every-other-year schedule to an annual event -- and this week, AERO organizers announced a new strategic relationship with EAA. "We're convinced that this will
lead to more aviation enthusiasm and additional value for our common customers on both sides of the pond," said AERO Friedrichshafen project manager Thomas Grunewald. Both organizations aim to expand
their global reach, he said. "We've seen that their show and our AirVenture show attract the same kindred spirits," EAA spokesman Dick
Knapinski told AVweb on Wednesday. "This is a way for us to reach out to the general aviation community in Europe, and also for AERO Friedrichshafen to add more visibility at our events."
AirVenture at Oshkosh is one of the world's premier aviation events, and AERO Friedrichshafen is the largest and most established general aviation show in Europe. "We look forward to developing our
relationship with AERO. The special opportunities that AERO presents for EAA members will be a great benefit," said Tom Poberezny, president & CEO of EAA.
Used jets are selling for higher prices than new jets in today's hot marketplace, says a report this week in The Wall Street Journal. For example, a Gulfstream G450 from the factory sells for about $40 million, but used ones
are selling for $44 million and up. "That's because you can fly it next month, instead of the first quarter of 2013," Matthew Hartnett, a Gulfstream sales executive, told the Journal. The topsy-turvy
market is also attracting speculators who will buy up delivery slots then sell them at a profit a year or two later. "If you need a plane in six months you have to go and buy a position from someone,"
Paolo Carmassi, president for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India for Honeywell Aerospace, told the Journal. "And there are people who are making a business out of selling their positions."
That practice makes manufacturers nervous -- if the market takes a downturn and demand dries up, they could be left with a surplus of airplanes and no buyers.
Recognizing global concerns about the immediate and long-term availability of aviation-grade 100LL fuel, Lycoming Engines announced this week that it is working to get approval for the use of unleaded automotive
gasoline for its standard-compression-ratio O-360 and IO-360 product lines. Ian Walsh, general manager for Lycoming Engines, told AVweb the approval will not require any modification to the
engines, the fuel will not need any additives or special treatment, and there will be no degradation in engine performance. "It's essentially a paperwork drill, to make this happen," he said. He
expects to have approval from the FAA by this fall, but owners cannot implement the change until the airplane also gets certified. That is up to the manufacturers, Walsh said, and he could not
estimate how long that would take, but said it is also essentially a paperwork issue. The engines will require a specific type of unleaded 93 AKI automotive gas, designated as Euro Norm EN228 (in
Europe) or ASTM D4814 (in the U.S.). This fuel is not difficult to find, Walsh said, but users must verify that they are getting that particular type -- not just any unleaded auto gas will do.
The unleaded automotive gas is generally cheaper than avgas and provides an alternative in areas where avgas is scarce. Also, the continuing use of leaded avgas provokes environmental concerns.
The popular O-360 and IO-360 engines are found on many GA aircraft, including Cessnas, Mooneys, Diamonds, and more.
Economic jitters and rising fuel costs have had an impact on piston aircraft sales, and this week Diamond Aircraft came up with a way to try to fight back -- the company is
offering a year's worth of free fuel, plus free maintenance, insurance, and training for buyers of a new DA40 XLS. "We are very excited about this offer," said Fred Ahles, president of Premier Aircraft Sales, the Diamond distributor in Florida. "The DA40 XLS has always been a very economical plane to operate -- typically
costing less than $1,000 per month -- and with this special offer, there are few costs beyond the monthly payments for the entire first year of ownership." The company says it hopes the offer will
appeal to "the fiscally responsible left-brain pilot."
The offer is not without limits -- the free maintenance includes all scheduled maintenance for one year or 250 hours, whichever comes first – a $2,750 value; insurance up to $3,500; fuel for
100 hours of flying at $5 per gallon, or $5,000; and a $2,000 training credit at any Diamond Flight Center, for transition training or toward any rating. The offer expires July 31, and is limited to
inventory on hand at Diamond distributors. And Diamond is not the only manufacturer offering enticements to buyers. Tuesday, US
Aviation Group, in Denton, Texas, said it will supply free Sport Pilot instruction for anyone who buys a new light sport aircraft from its inventory. They have 10 airplanes in their showroom to
choose from. US Aviation sells REMOS, Breezer, Tecnam Sierra and Bravo, and Skylark LSAs.
NEW Real Pilot Story:
Toddler Overboard ... Power Loss on Takeoff ... Mountain Crash ... Vacuum Failure in IMC
Each Real Pilot Story on the AOPA Air Safety Foundation web site is a true account of a good flight gone bad. These multimedia presentations allow you to watch, listen, and learn as
pilots tell their harrowing tales of survival. The quick thinking and skillful techniques shown in the ASF Real Pilot Stories can help make better pilots of us all.
Listen now.
Angel Flight Central, based in Kansas City, Mo., has flown over 10,000 charitable missions to help people in need of
medical care. But on Tuesday, one of those missions ended tragically when a two-year-old girl was killed. The child had traveled with her mother from their home in Georgia to Iowa City for treatment
of the child's clubfoot. About 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the TBM 850 charity flight took off from Iowa City Airport to return home. Witnesses said the airplane "turned sideways" shortly after takeoff and
quickly descended, skimmed across a highway, hit a ditch, skidded about 100 yards, hit a light post that sheared off a wing, and came to rest in a parking lot. The weather was reportedly overcast and
raining, with winds gusting up to 36 mph. The mother and the pilot were injured in the crash.
The pilot is from Bloomington, Ill. Crystal Gollnick, executive director of Angel Flight Central, told The Gazette that the pilot has flown 67 missions for the group. "He is very experienced, very
generous," Gollnick said. She added that she could not recall another time when an Angel Flight patient was injured in an accident. Rol Murrow, of the Air Care Alliance, told AVweb on Wednesday that "the NTSB doesn't separate out public benefit flights [from other statistics]." He said he could recall a few accidents over
the years, and estimated that the accident rate for charity flights is about the same as the overall GA rate. The nationwide Angel Flight Network runs about 20,000 missions a year in the United
States.
It would seem reasonable that with some pilots parking their airplanes due to high fuel costs, Build A Plane would see an influx of donations for their program, which collects unwanted aircraft and gives them to schools (and gives the donor
a tax deduction). But in fact, the nonprofit group is facing a critical shortage of aircraft donations, according to Lyn Freeman, founder of the organization -- almost 200 schools are on a waiting
list. "When schools have to wait that long to receive an airplane, sometimes they move on to a different area of interest, away from aviation," Freeman said this week. "We can't afford to have that
happen, so we really, really need more aircraft donations." Build A Plane has helped kids at over 70 schools learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics by building real airplanes.
"It's amazing to see what happens when a Build A Plane aircraft shows up at a high school," says Katrina Bradshaw, the program's executive director. "Kids who have not even started to think about
what they want to do when they grow up suddenly see a real airplane right in their classroom. The next thing you know, kids are learning about the technology and math and engineering and the science
of aviation, and then we see kids enroll in flying lessons, aviation technician programs and all kinds of things. It's really very exciting!" To donate an aircraft to Build A Plane or to learn more
about its projects, go to BuildAPlane.org.
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.
Scaled Composites, based in Mojave, Calif., announced on
Wednesday that Douglas Shane has been appointed president and will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations of the company. Company founder Burt Rutan is named chief technology officer and
chairman emeritus. "I suggested this change to our organizational structure because I want to focus on developing our talented, innovative team and ensuring we continue to provide our customers the
creative technical approaches that only Scaled offers," said Rutan. "I am successfully recovering from about eight months of significant heart health challenges, and with this move look forward to
many more years of fun here at Scaled." Doug Shane was previously vice president.
He joined Scaled as a founding member in 1982 and since 1989 has been responsible for business development, contracts and proposals, as well as the company's flight-test operations.
The Evergreen Aviation Museum,
known as the home of Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose flying boat and a rare SR-71 Blackbird, will open a new space facility this Friday. The new museum will feature Titan missiles, a replica Lunar Module
and Lunar Rover, and the Russian Photon Space Capsule. The new 120,000-square-foot building is a twin to the original museum. Interactive exhibits and simulators will be used to tell the story of
spaceflight. The museum also plans to host a series of educational programs and space camps, and will offer programs for local high schoolers. The museum is located about 20 miles southwest of
Portland, Ore., at the McMinnville Airport.
A dedication event on Friday morning will feature a visit from astronauts Gen. Joe Engle and Gen. Tom Stafford, and Titan II expert Chuck Rash.
CAV Aerospace Offers Summer Savings for TKS Ice Protection
Schedule summer installation of CAV Aerospace TKS ice protection today for $1,000 or more in savings for: Cessna 182, Piper Saratoga, Mooney 252, Encore,
TLS/Bravo, Ovation, Eagle, and Acclaim aircraft. For peace of mind, call (888) 865-5511,
contact TKS sales by
e-mail,
or go to
WeepingWings.com.
Pilots planning to attend AOPA's Fly-In and Open House in Frederick, Md., this Saturday should be aware that the FAA plans to expand a nearby P-40 prohibited area during the fly-in time frame. The
area will grow from a 3-nm radius to 5 nm. Pilots flying in the ring from 5 nm to 10 nm must be on an active IFR or VFR flight plan, maintain positive radio contact with ATC, and use an ATC-assigned
discrete transponder code. Pilots who violate the airspace can expect to be intercepted by the U.S. Air Force and questioned by the U.S. Secret Service, and can expect enforcement action by the FAA,
AOPA says. "By all means, come to Fly-In," said AOPA President Phil Boyer, "but be very thorough in your pre-flight planning. Our goal is zero airspace incursions in spite of the challenges thrown our
way."
All pilots flying into or departing from Frederick Municipal Airport during the P-40 expansion (3 p.m. EDT, Friday, June 6 until 1 p.m. EDT, Sunday, June 8) should monitor the Guard frequency,
121.5 MHz. And as always, check Notams before each and every flight. "AOPA is already seeking ways to alleviate the issue," said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. "We
are speaking directly with the FAA and security agencies to make sure they understand the potential trap they've created for Fly-In visitors." AOPA is also using every communication avenue available
to make pilots aware of the temporary flight restriction, including their Web site, e-mail alerts, alerts to every FBO and flight school in the region, and announcements on automated weather
broadcasts.
In addition, the Civil Air Patrol has asked squadrons east of the Mississippi River to station members at airports on Saturday morning and ask pilots if they are headed to the Washington, D.C.,
area, and ensure they are aware of the expanded P-40 area. The FAA will operate a temporary air traffic control tower at Frederick Municipal Airport on Saturday. Arrival and departure procedures
developed in conjunction with the FAA are available online. AOPA has also developed a graphic to show the correct arrival traffic flow to avoid the prohibited area. And finally, to be prepared in case a
pilot accidentally violates the airspace restriction and picks up a fighter escort, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation has developed an intercept procedures card. "Early indications are that we're going to have great weather this Saturday, so by all means, come," said Boyer. "Just make sure you're fully aware of
the procedures and the restrictions. Let's show the FAA and the security folks just how conscientious pilots really are."
The NTSB wants the FAA to do a better job of ensuring that airport diagrams are accurate, to prevent taxi
accidents.
A to Z — Aeromedix.com Has It All — One Stop Shopping!
Safety, survival, travel, medical gear — it's all at Aeromedix.com. Don't wait till you have an emergency to have the right gear onboard. Oxygen systems, medical kits, ReliefBands for
motion sickness, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, smoke hoods, all types of survival gear, PLBs, portable urinals, hearing protection, leather jackets — whew! The list goes on.
Click here for a
complete catalog, and don't leave home without the essentials from Aeromedix.com.
The RTW pilots left Paris behind them and took off for Marrakech, in Morrocco, on the northwestern coast of Africa. The distance of about 1,100 nm meant only the PC-12 and the Cessna Conquest could
fly nonstop. The TBM 700 and Cessna Mustang crews planned a stop in Gibraltar, near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
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.
Last week, we asked AVweb readers what they have planning (flying-wise) for the summer.
With gas prices climbing and the economy stumbling, it seems most of our readers are planning to stay current and maybe attend a few local fly-ins — but that's it. Fewer grand
pilgrimages to the big shows than in years past, with only 14% of those who answered attending AirVenture and a full 9% telling us they're seriously considering hanging up their wings!
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 ***
This week's Question comes from AVweb reader Steve Allen:
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.
As the editor of Aviation Consumer, Paul Bertorelli gets to handle a lot of top-notch kit — some of it so good that he has a hard time imagining why the rest of the world hasn't embraced
it. Case in point: With avgas more than $5 a gallon for most, why aren't more people running lean of peak? "If you could run your car the same way you run your airplane lean, you could increase
fuel economy by about 20 percent. Who wouldn't do that?" wonders Paul on our AVweb Insider blog.
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 Busch will be conducting Savvy Aviator Seminars in Rapid City, SD and Santa Maria, CA. 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.
AVweb reader Alec Thigpen recommended the FBO, telling us how manager Stephen Leidigh helped him (and others) during the very busy week of Sun 'n Fun:
[O]n a busy Saturday of Sun 'n Fun, [Stephen made time] to personally take us to our plane on a somewhat distant parking area when we were unable to get a SNF shuttle to come get us. He also took
another group to their airplane as well. The facilities were perfect for all of our needs, and there was a fuel discount during the week of the show as well. Their friendliness was quite nice and
not all that common at many FBOs when things get hectic.
AVweb is actively seeking
out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb Bookstore Features Downloadable Jeppesen Training Manuals AVweb Bookstore offers Jeppesen (and other) maintenance and pilot training manuals in e-book and book format, letting customers choose how to receive content. E-book advantages
including complete search ability, no-cost and instant delivery, and storing hundreds of volumes on a laptop or mobile device. Attention, international customers — no import taxes or fees! For
a complete list, call (800) 780-4115 or
go online.
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 ***
Last week's coffers were filled to overflowing with great photos, the coin of the realm in the "POTW" kingdom — but that doesn't mean you folks can take a week off. The
number of submissions to our contest are just now starting to creep back into familiar summertime territory, so don't give up on us now. Keep those photos
coming, O.K.?
This week's top honor goes to semi-regular contributor Daniel Valovich of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Daniel's certainly uploaded some great photos over
the last couple of years, and he always leaves us wondering the same thing: Just how cool is it to spend all your time attending fly-ins, barbecues, and fireworks displays? Seriously, if
flying over Lake Hamilton watching fireworks is all in a day's "work" for Mr. V., we shutting down AVweb and getting into another line of work ... !
Brett Bohannon of Augusta, Georgia is back at work now (sorry, Brett), but he took this great photo while on vacation at Alaska's Lake Hood a
couple of weeks ago. "When I arrived, the lake was still frozen," writes Brett, "but it was [soon] thawed ... and they were sticking planes in the water."
Charles ("Lindy") Kirkland of Fredericksburg, Virginia was quick on the shutter, capturing this Raptor with its bay doors open at the
Andrews Air Force Base open house.
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.
Used jets are selling for higher prices than new jets in today's hot marketplace, says a report this week in 
Recognizing global concerns about the immediate and long-term availability of aviation-grade 100LL fuel, Lycoming Engines 
Economic jitters and rising fuel costs have had an 
Angel Flight Central, based in Kansas City, Mo., has flown over 10,000 charitable missions to help people in need of
medical care. But on Tuesday, one of those missions ended tragically when a two-year-old girl was killed. The child had traveled with her mother from their home in Georgia to Iowa City for treatment
of the child's clubfoot. About 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the TBM 850 charity flight took off from Iowa City Airport to return home. Witnesses said the airplane "turned sideways" shortly after takeoff and
quickly descended, skimmed across a highway, hit a ditch, skidded about 100 yards, hit a light post that sheared off a wing, and came to rest in a parking lot. The weather was reportedly overcast and
raining, with winds gusting up to 36 mph. The mother and the pilot were injured in the crash.
It would seem reasonable that with some pilots parking their airplanes due to high fuel costs, 
The 
,
or go to
As the editor of Aviation Consumer, Paul Bertorelli gets to handle a lot of top-notch kit — some of it so good that he has a hard time imagining why the rest of the world hasn't embraced
it. Case in point: With avgas more than $5 a gallon for most, why aren't more people running lean of peak? "If you could run your car the same way you run your airplane lean, you could increase
fuel economy by about 20 percent. Who wouldn't do that?" wonders Paul on our AVweb Insider blog.
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 
