Now You Can Zulu with Panel Power!
With the new Zulu headset, Lightspeed has raised the bar in performance, comfort and crystal-clear audio quality, with more total noise cancellation than any other headset on the market ... and
now you don't need batteries! The Zulu: P (Panel Power) uses the same LEMO plug that you may already have installed in your aircraft. And it also comes with built-in Bluetooth for your
cell phone. No one else offers you this much in a total headset package.
Click here for more
information.
What are the differences between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama when it comes to issues involving aviation and
aerospace? A special report by Aviation Week this week examines their policies, noting that "for many aerospace and aviation interests, McCain is a known but feared quantity, while Obama is a blank
slate." FAA reauthorization, fuel costs, and modernizing the national airspace system will all be on the next president's agenda. Senator Obama has said he aims to modernize air traffic control, wants
better aviation security, and also wants to revitalize the nation's infrastructure, including airports, according to Aviation Week. Senator McCain has taken an active role in aviation matters as they
pertain to military procurement. Editor-in-Chief Anthony L. Velocci Jr. notes in the report that ironically, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and her team had provided the most detailed policy positions on many of these areas.
"She produced a position paper that framed her thoughts on subjects that McCain and Obama have either skirted or ignored during 16 months of campaigning - even though one or the other, as
President, will play a pivotal role in decisions that will have far-reaching consequences," says Velocci. The rest of the online report is available only to subscribers.
The Transportation Department's Office of Inspector General is investigating a complaint that the FAA certified the Eclipse
E500 jet "despite safety concerns raised by the engineers and test pilots," USA Today reported on Tuesday, citing
"congressional officials." A briefing on the report is expected "within weeks," according to Jim Berard, spokesman for the House Transportation Committee. Questions about the certification process
were raised in October 2006, when the National Air Traffic Controllers Association filed a grievance with the FAA
alleging that the type certificate was issued by FAA managers over a weekend and safety issues raised by staffers were not addressed. FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told USA Today that the FAA stands
behind its certification of the jet, and Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn said the airplane is in "complete and total conformity" with federal regulations.
He added that he believes the issue is just a dispute between workers and management at the FAA.
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is calling for a "rolling safety stand down" of medevac aircraft operations after the
tragic collision of two medical airlift helicopters near a hospital in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Sunday. Initial reports indicated seven people had died but six people died and one woman, a nurse, survived
the crash of two Bell 207 helicopters operated by Air Methods and Classic Helicopters as they tried to land on the same helipad at the Flagstaff hospital. "AAMS is recommending an industry 'rolling'
safety stand down to focus the attention of the air medical crew on safety while continuing the ability to provide life saving services to their local communities," said an AAMS news release. The
accident has also caught the attention of the NTSB, whose chairman, Mark Rosenker, says he's "very concerned" that this was the tenth accident involving medical airlift aircraft this year.
"We are going to try very hard to make sure we understand exactly what happened here, determine the probable cause and make recommendations to prevent it from happening again," Rosenker told The New York Times. Rosenker said the NTSB is
worried about the safety record of medevac services and will take action. "We are very concerned about that," Mr. Rosenker said.
Watch for an exclusive podcast interview with Chris Eastlee of AAMS, coming this Friday to AVweb!
Visit Aircraft Spruce at the Annual 2008 Arlington Fly-In
Come join the Aircraft Spruce team at the Arlington, Washington Fly-In in Booth #43 on July 9-12 from 9am-6pm and July 13 from 9am-3pm. Take advantage of some of your favorite products on
sale, complimentary ground shipping (does not apply to hazardous or oversize products) and a helpful staff to answer all your questions. The 2008 Arlington Fly-In features 128 acres of "Family
Friendly" aviation exhibits, fun and a spectacular daily air show. Call Aircraft Spruce at 1 (877) 4-SPRUCE, or
visit online.
The proof-of-concept PiperJet has started low-speed taxi tests and the jet is performing as expected, the company said
this week. "Piper test pilots reported light rudder pedal forces and excellent response as the PiperJet POC was maneuvered with confidence in the tight confines of the Vero Beach factory test ramp for
the first time," according to a company update released on Tuesday. The Williams FJ-443A jet engine with FADEC is a breeze to operate, the company says. The pilot simply presses a starter button, then
brings the thrust lever forward when the engine monitors show that the proper speed has been reached. The FADEC system automatically corrects for heat, humidity, and altitude. The next major milestone
for the POC jet will be high-speed taxi tests, the company said.
In those tests, pilots will accelerate to just below liftoff speed, to check runway handling characteristics and elevator control authority. Next after that -- first flight. Click here for a Piper
video of the first taxi tests. Click here for a recent podcast of a Russ Niles interview about the jet
project, with Piper's Bob Kromer.
Kate Hanni, an advocate for airline passengers' rights, put it this way this week: "We won't take this sitting down (or belted to a
seat locked in the upright position) any longer!" A federal judge in Oakland, Calif., has agreed to hear her case against American Airlines, the airline that left her and a planeful of passengers
trapped on the tarmac in Austin, Texas, for nine hours in December 2006. Hanni says the passengers were denied access to food and water, and the toilets overflowed -- which the airline denies -- and
went on to form the Coalition for an Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights, to take her case to Washington and the courts. Hanni also succeeded
last week in disengaging the Bill of Rights from the stalled FAA reauthorization bill, so it can proceed on its own.
The bill would require airlines to create detailed plans specifying how they will provide food, water, restroom facilities, ventilation, and medical treatment for passengers on board an aircraft
that is on the ground for an extended time without terminal access. The bill also would allow the Transportation Department to assess fines against airlines that do not comply.
Sensenich: Right on the Nose ... Again!
For more than 75 years, Sensenich has been the industry's fixed-pitch prop leader. No surprise Sensenich leads the way again with new composite propellers for light sport and homebuilt
aircraft. Proven on 5,000 airboats over the last eight years, plus Rotax- and Jabiru-powered planes, the new lightweight, precision composite props are now available for Continental- and
Lycoming-powered planes. Call (717) 569-0435, or
click here to learn
more.
Officials from U.S. and European aviation agencies and industry wrapped up a two-day meeting in Brussels on Tuesday with general agreement on business and safety issues. FAA Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell and Antonio Tajani, head of transport for the European
Union, signed an agreement to promote technical cooperation between the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The agreement addresses aircraft certification, environmental approvals, and
maintenance, and aims to enhance safety while reducing regulatory costs for manufacturers, operators and aviation authorities. Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers
Association (GAMA), welcomed the new agreement. "We view this strategic partnership between the U.S. and the European
Community as a real milestone that will advance our shared safety visions," said Bunce.
"The relationship between the U.S. and Europe has proven its resilience and continued trans-Atlantic cooperation will increase efficiency and help bring new products to the global market more
expeditiously. It's good for aviation safety and business, it's good for Europe, and it's good for the United States." Bunce added that he hopes the next step will be to update validation processes
and EASA certification fees and charges. Those concerns had held up the agreement for several months.
U.S. pilots who fly in Canada pay a fee for their use of their airspace, but recently, the Canada Revenue Agency (the equivalent of the
IRS) told Nav Canada it should have been collecting taxes on top of those fees. So the agency is trying to retroactively collect those taxes, going back five years, AOPA reported this week. "We have always opposed user fees, and this latest insult shows just how flawed and
inefficient the system is," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "How much is Nav Canada now going to spend to attempt to track down the pilot of the aircraft to collect this tax? A simple fuel tax makes
so much more sense." AOPA is asking Nav Canada to waive the back taxes for U.S. operators. "This burden shouldn't be placed on the backs of pilots who rightfully believed that they had completely
fulfilled their financial obligations to Nav Canada," said Boyer.
"Chasing after customers who have paid for services in full is poor business practice."
You Could Win a Refurbished Piper Archer II!
Enter AOPA's "Get Your Glass" Sweepstakes today and triple your chances of winning. Simply join AOPA as a new member or renew your existing membership, and you're
automatically entered in the sweepstakes contest.
Enter to win a plane
now.
Too much regulation and too many small airports closing down or being sold off to the private sector are the main culprits causing
the decline of general aviation in Australia, according to the Australian unit of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. "A viable GA industry is
essential for the health and expansion of aviation in Australia," the group said in a report issued this week. If the country would adopt a
set of rules more like those in the U.S., as New Zealand has done, the industry could yet rebound, the group said. And the government should reconsider its policy of selling off its GA airports, the
report said. Commercial operators hike their prices, driving out small flight schools and private owners. Notably, while the GA industry overall is in trouble, the recreational aircraft sector in
Australia is booming. More than 4,000 recreational/sport aircraft and over 1,000 gliders are flown there.
"The less onerous regulatory requirements that are helping the recreational sector to grow need to be applied to traditional GA," AOPA says. "CASA [the Civil Aviation Safety Authority] needs to
adopt a more proactive, less punitive role."
While Australia's GA community has problems, in Greece, no GA community even exists. "Which is precisely why the International Council
of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) decided to hold their biennial World Assembly in Athens," the group said this week. "Yiouli
Kalafati, president of AOPA Hellas (Greece), wanted to show Greek authorities what they could gain by promoting, rather than restricting, general aviation," said Phil Boyer, president of IAOPA and
AOPA-USA. "The presence of general aviation representatives from 26 different nations around the world helped change attitudes in Athens." Kostas Hatzidakis, the Greek Minister of Transportation,
attended the meeting, held June 9 to 14. "His perspective on GA was positive and forward looking," said Boyer. "This attitude can only help the cause of GA in Greece. We are pleased to see that
holding our World Assembly in Greece has had a positive effect on the government's perception of GA."
About 125 delegates and observers from around the world attended the IAOPA World Assembly. Pilots from other nations counseled U.S. pilots to continue resisting user fees. Direct user charges have
only harmed GA in other parts of the world, AOPA said. Also, IAOPA resolved to urge national and international regulatory authorities to permit affordable and practical alternatives to emergency
locator transmitters (ELTs) for general aviation. The group also addressed security issues, and sponsored Icarus 2008, the first air show and general aviation Aero Expo in Athens.
Almost 65 years to the day after the original 390th Bomber Group departed for their trip across the Atlantic, the Liberty Belle B-17 is
repeating her historic journey to England. The flight, which departed on June 30, took the historic aircraft on its original famed route, which originates from its home base in Georgia. Day one of the
Liberty Belle's trip took the B-17 to Bangor, Maine, then to Goose Bay, Canada, where it stayed for the night. Day two's first stop was Narsarsuaq, Greenland, for a short fuel stop. Then it was off to
the "Lost Squadron" location on the Greenland Icecap followed by another stop at Reykjavik, Iceland. After one more short stop at Prestwick, Scotland, the Liberty Belle will be back at home base at
RAF Airfield in Framlingham, UK. The total round-trip distance is 7,800 miles.
While in England the Liberty Belle will be participating in many different events to commemorate the brave airmen and all other service men and women who fought in the war. A team of documentary
filmmakers will also be on board to record this historic journey. While on tour visitors will be to visit with the crew, view this historic aircraft, and be able to purchase a chance to go on a flight
in the famed aircraft.
The FAA needs to be a better job overseeing airlines, according to a report issued this week by the
Transportation Department's Office of Inspector General. The FAA says the report is "extremely
helpful"...
Cockpit traffic alerts occur up to 10 times more often around some U.S. airports than at European hubs, the Wall Street Journal reports...
FAA is offering bonuses up to $75,000 for air traffic controllers to move to Alaska, and up to $100,000
for some New York posts...
Houston's 1940 Air Terminal Museum is raffling off a 1947 Cessna 140, tickets are $50, just 2,500 will be sold, Friday July 18, is the last day to buy. Call 713-454-1940 or email info@1940airterminal.org for info.
What You Don't Know About Charts Can Hurt You — Or Worse
Instrument flying and aeronautical charts are inextricably linked. From SIDs to IAPs, this interactive course will get you up to speed on instrument charts and how to use them effectively in
the system. Covering everything from departure procedures to approach plates, it's a comprehensive look at the world of IFR charts — both NACO and Jeppesen.
Begin the IFR Insight
Charts course today!
Last week, we asked how much is too much for avgas.
At what price did most readers say they would stop flying? Shockingly, 29% of those who responded said they're already too high (and I've already quit)! Another 45% of
respondents drew the line at various points along the $7/8/9/15-a-gallon spectrum we outlined, and the final 26% of you said I could never quit, no matter how much I have to pay for gas.
For a complete (real-time) 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 ***
With fuel prices constantly on the rise, we've been getting a lot of QOTW suggestions from readers about alternative power. Here's one from Bruce B., who sent us a rather specific
list of characteristics and wonders if any of these might tempt AVweb readers to make the jump to a battery-powered electric airplane:
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.
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.
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.
"We've been gone over 50 days now, and had just one weather-related delay," says Thierry Pouille, organizer of Air Journey's unique round- the-world GA tour, now in Asia. "It's just chance,
really!," he admits, noting that several times weather would have been a factor if they had planned to fly just a day before or after. "We've been lucky." Part of the group's luck stems from Pouille's
work ethic. Back in Florida now, he is staying up nights and sleeping during the day, to manage the needs of his group of five world-spanning aircraft.
So your local FAA guys are amiable as can be and a pleasure to chat with, but you'd still rather not have them underfoot whenever you turn around? You're not alone — on the AVweb Insider
blog, AVweb Editorial Director Paul Bertorelli explains why Sporty's front man Hal Shevers has deciced it's just more trouble to rent airplanes to the FAA than it's worth.
Join NAA and Help Shape the Next Century of Flight
It's a great time to join the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), the nation's oldest aviation organization. At $39 a year, NAA membership is a terrific value for any aviation
enthusiast! Members receive the Smithsonian's Air & Space magazine, plus access to aviation records and much more. To become an NAA member,
sign up
online
or call (703) 416-4888 and press 4.
Hands down, our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Columbia Air Services at Southern Vermont
Regional Airport (KRUT) in Rutland, Vermont.
The Cessna Pilots Society recently held their annual gathering in Rutland, and praise for the FBO has been pouring in to AVweb ever
since the participating pilots returned. Almost everyone who took time to rate the FBO pointed out that the staff stayed very busy throughout the five-day event but never faltered when it came
to top-notch service and friendliness, working their fingers to the bone to provide tie-downs, refreshments, rental cars, and local information. In particular, Kate, Al, and Brian received a lion's
share of praise for going the extra mile to help out these Cessna flyers.
(And while we can't send hats to everyone, we will be sending one to AVweb reader Abbott de Rham, who was the first to sing the praises of Columbia. It's certainly gratifying to know
we have so many regular readers and contributors among the CPS membership!)
AVweb is actively seeking
out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Understanding Your Airplane's Mechanics Could Save Your Bank Account Light Plane Maintenance is the monthly magazine for aircraft owners who aren't satisfied with just flying. Aircraft repair can be simple when explained in concise, step-by-step details.
If you want to truly learn about the workings of your airplane (and save a few dollars, too), Light Plane Maintenance is for you.
Order online today and
receive LPM's Top 40 Maintenance Tips as a gift.
With new personal jets popping up all the time, AVweb takes a look at what may very well be the next certified single-engine very light or personal jet to enter the market.
Diamond's D-Jet is expected next year to earn its type certificate, and that's when the company hopes to make first deliveries. Diamond recently announced plans to upgrade the aircraft with Garmin's
G1000 Synthetic Vision package and the Williams FJ33-19 powerplant — offering 20 percent more thrust and a 4,000-hour TBO. AVweb's Glenn Pew offers this look inside.
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.
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 ***
Submissions remain high this week as we sit between the long weekends of Canada Day and U.S. Independence Day. That means we get a three-day weekend, an excuse to eat way more
barbecue than anyone should, and plenty of great airplane pictures to show off on our PDA while we wander around outdoors looking for the mustard. And better still, AirVenture is only weeks away!
But don't worry — you can enjoy the same great photos as us while sitting in front of your computer, even if work prevents you from taking a day off (or good sense prevents you from gorging
yourself).
Bob Rybak of Saunderstown, Rhode Island kicks off the summertime fun with an air show photo from the Rhode Island National Guard's recent affair.
As this week's top photo contributor, Bob will get an official AVweb baseball cap to shade his eyes during the next weekend air show he gets out to visit.
Here's something you don't see every day — at least not in our line of work. Darrell Rayfield of Roanoke, Virginia tells us the Virginia State
Police helicopter seen here broke down on the rooftop helipad of Carilion Roanoke Memorial and had to be towed to the hangar for repair by this Black Hawk.
Doug Wildhagen Beats Up the Sky in His Magni Gyroplane
While we're stuffing our faces and staring up at the sky this weekend, John English of Lawrence, Kansas will likely be up there playing passenger
and snapping photos, as he did recently with Doug Wildhagen.
We fell in love with this image from Owen Peterson of Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) while playing around with our monitor in "POTW"
headquarters today. If you happen to have one of those portrait-style monitor layouts (or if you're just messing around with turning your widescreen on its ear, as we did), this looks fantastic as a
desktop wallaper.
(Or, you know, you can just enjoy it without tipping your monitor on its side.)
Timothy O'Connor of Batavia, Ohio sees us off with a serene moment from his first-anniversary balloon ride. "Our squadron (gaggle?) ...
land[ed] at Caesar Creek Glider Port where a Boy Scout troop was camping," writes Tim. "We woke them up with the sound of the burners and balloons."
Spend a Few More Minutes with Us Before You Wander Off ...
There are more reader-submitted photos in the "POTW" slideshow on AVweb's home page, including a couple of Independence Day-themed shots you won't want
to miss!
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.
What are the differences between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama when it comes to issues involving aviation and
aerospace? A special report by Aviation Week this week examines their policies, noting that "for many aerospace and aviation interests, McCain is a known but feared quantity, while Obama is a blank
slate." FAA reauthorization, fuel costs, and modernizing the national airspace system will all be on the next president's agenda. Senator Obama has said he aims to modernize air traffic control, wants
better aviation security, and also wants to revitalize the nation's infrastructure, including airports, according to Aviation Week. Senator McCain has taken an active role in aviation matters as they
pertain to military procurement. Editor-in-Chief Anthony L. Velocci Jr. 
The Transportation Department's Office of Inspector General is investigating a complaint that the FAA certified the Eclipse
E500 jet "despite safety concerns raised by the engineers and test pilots," 
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is calling for a "rolling safety stand down" of medevac aircraft operations after the
tragic collision of two medical airlift helicopters near a hospital in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Sunday. Initial reports indicated seven people had died but six people died and one woman, a nurse, survived
the crash of two Bell 207 helicopters operated by Air Methods and Classic Helicopters as they tried to land on the same helipad at the Flagstaff hospital. "AAMS is recommending an industry 'rolling'
safety stand down to focus the attention of the air medical crew on safety while continuing the ability to provide life saving services to their local communities," said an AAMS news release. The
accident has also caught the attention of the NTSB, whose chairman, Mark Rosenker, says he's "very concerned" that this was the tenth accident involving medical airlift aircraft this year.
The proof-of-concept PiperJet has started low-speed taxi tests and the jet is performing as expected, the company said
this week. "Piper test pilots reported light rudder pedal forces and excellent response as the PiperJet POC was maneuvered with confidence in the tight confines of the Vero Beach factory test ramp for
the first time," according to a company update released on Tuesday. The Williams FJ-443A jet engine with FADEC is a breeze to operate, the company says. The pilot simply presses a starter button, then
brings the thrust lever forward when the engine monitors show that the proper speed has been reached. The FADEC system automatically corrects for heat, humidity, and altitude. The next major milestone
for the POC jet will be high-speed taxi tests, the company said.
Kate Hanni, an advocate for airline passengers' rights, put it this way this week: "We won't take this sitting down (or belted to a
seat locked in the upright position) any longer!" A federal judge in Oakland, Calif., has agreed to hear her case against American Airlines, the airline that left her and a planeful of passengers
trapped on the tarmac in Austin, Texas, for nine hours in December 2006. Hanni says the passengers were denied access to food and water, and the toilets overflowed -- which the airline denies -- and
went on to form the 
Officials from U.S. and European aviation agencies and industry wrapped up a two-day 
U.S. pilots who fly in Canada pay a fee for their use of their airspace, but recently, the Canada Revenue Agency (the equivalent of the
IRS) told Nav Canada it should have been collecting taxes on top of those fees. So the agency is trying to retroactively collect those taxes, going back five years, 
Too much regulation and too many small airports closing down or being sold off to the private sector are the main culprits causing
the decline of general aviation in Australia, according to the Australian unit of the 
While Australia's GA community has problems, in Greece, no GA community even exists. "Which is precisely why the International Council
of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (
Almost 65 years to the day after the original 390th Bomber Group departed for their trip across the Atlantic, the 
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 
or call (703) 416-4888 and press 4.
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 
