THE WORLD COMES TO OSHKOSH!
Well, maybe not the whole world, but in EAA's opening-day excitement, it does feel like the whole aviation world has descended upon AirVenture. As visitors stream in through the main gate, they find the now-venerable Cirrus Design on one side, showing a mock-up of the Cirrus Vision jet (the real one will fly into Oshkosh for the first time on Wednesday), and on the other side, the Icon light sport aircraft, with its folding electric wings, fresh from its first flight. That sets the tone for the mix of old and new, tried-and-true and cutting-edge, vintage and experimental, industry leaders and hopeful upstarts, that mix it up across acres and acres of nonstop aviation exuberance here in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. With the "virtual" unveiling of Burt Rutan's giant WhiteKnightTwo -- the world's largest-ever carbon fiber aircraft -- set for Monday in Mojave, with a live video link here to the AirVenture crowds, the show promises to be off to a grand start, showcasing its experimental roots and celebrating the futuristic vision of Virgin Galactic. AVweb staff has the event covered, with daily videos, podcasts, newsletters, and photo galleries. Be sure to check the AVweb.com Web site every day for all the latest news-as-it-happens, and every morning our AVwebFlash digest will be delivered direct to your inbox. The weather for the whole week promises to be severe clear, with cool breezes and low humidity -- and no doubt a thunderstorm or two tossed in -- sure to help keep the airplanes flowing in and out nonstop, great for the thousands of campers, and encouraging for the EAA folks, who hope that their usual throng of visitors will be willing for a week to forget about high fuel prices and other dreary economic woes and come to Oshkosh to explore the world of flight. More...

LYCOMING GOES BIG; FADEC, LSA AND NEW IO-390 DEBUT
At this year's AirVenture, Lycoming has blown the doors off the notion that engine manufacturers aren't capable of fresh thinking and innovation. Lycoming revealed Monday that it's about to certify a new closed-loop FADEC system for its large displacement engine line, the O-540 series. The new system is called the IE-2 and it will eventually apply to the company's entire line of powerplants. Lycoming's Ian Walsh told AVweb that the IE-2 system is a fully integrated solution with individual cylinder control with electronic knock detection and fuel and ignition controls with state-of-the-art sensors. Walsh says the IE-2 equipped engines are effectively brand new engines, with a redesigned accessory section.

Related Content:
Podcast interview with Lycoming's Ian Walsh More...

FIRST PRODUCTION SKYCATCHER AT AIRVENTURE
Cessna's Skycatcher has been a fixture at various air shows since its introduction two years ago at AirVenture but those attending this year's EAA AirVenture get to see the real thing. The first production model of the aircraft, complete with the standard interior, final panel configuration and factory paint job (which is quite conservative compared to the paint treatment on the proof of concept plane). More...

XM WX INTRODUCES NEW IN-FLIGHT WEATHER PRODUCTS FOR PILOTS
Pilots can never have too much in-flight weather information, and to help fill that infinite need, XM Satellite Radio on Monday said it is releasing a new real-time weather package called Aviator Pro, from XM WX Satellite Weather. Although designed for the professional aviator, the product aims to serve all pilots, the company said. "This increased weather data will significantly improve pilots' situational awareness in-flight, especially at higher altitudes," said Roderick Mackenzie, vice president of advanced applications for XM Radio. New features include high-altitude turbulence data, a convective outlook that classifies severe thunderstorm threats across the U.S., a severe weather watch that provides warnings before a watch is issued, hurricane track forecasts,icing probabilities, and more. The brand-new product is being unveiled for the first time at AirVenture this week, and costs $99.99 per month. XM WX also said on Monday it will add more functionality to its standard $49.99 per month Satellite Weather Aviator package. More...

BENDIX/KING'S APEX AFTERMARKET GLASS IS READY
Honeywell/Bendix/King has proven that it has a legion of loyal customers, many of whom have been waiting for the company's glass panel product. Bendix/King says the wait is over, or nearly so. This week at AirVenture, it announced that it will begin accepting orders for the new Apex Edge series aftermarket EFIS system in October. Unlike aftermarket offerings from other manufacturers, the Edge consists of two discrete units, the KFD 840 primary flight display ($16,995) and the KSN 770 integrated multi-function display at $13,995. Integrated in this case means it contains a single digital navcomm and a WAAS-capable GPS navigator all rolled into a single panel-mounted box.

Related Content:
Podcast interview with Chad Cundiff of Bendix/King More...

FLIGHT DESIGN INTRODUCES METAL VERSION OF CT LSA
Flight Design USA, makers of one of the most popular Light Sport Aircraft designs in the U.S., unveiled a new all-metal model at EAA AirVenture on Monday. The Flight Design MC -- for Metal Concept -- is essentially the same as the Flight Design CT-LS but is constructed mainly of metal, and is aimed to appeal to the flight school and training market. Matthias Betsch, CEO of Flight Design in Stuttgart, Germany, said the company has been working on the new design for three years. The wings and tail are metal, the MC has a simpler tail structure, and the cockpit sill is lower for easier entry. It will be about 5 to 7 knots slower than the CT-LS. The LS also carries about 50 pounds more load and has about 500 miles more range with full fuel. The MC is available with 80 or 100 horsepower and analog instruments or a glass cockpit; the LS is only available in the high-end configuration. Check back with AVweb later this week for more details about the new airplane and a video tour direct from Oshkosh. More...

WANT A FREE SATELLITE BEACON? SPOT HAS ONE
If you're an EAA member, Spot International has a deal for you. At EAA AirVenture this week, the company is giving away free satellite messenger units, a $169.99 value. So what's the catch? They'll ask you to sign up for at least one year of locating service, which costs $99 for basic service and an additional $49 for tracking. A Spot works by plotting its position via GPS, then reporting or messaging that data through a separate low-altitude satellite system that then forwards the data to a web-based network that can be accessed by others.

Related Content:
Podcast interview with Spot's Derek Moore More...

AUDIO PANEL HAS BUILT-IN MP3
For those who like to take their own tunes along to add to cruise enjoyment, PS Engineering has taken the hassle out of listening to those MP3s. The company has introduced the PMA8000B-MP3, which adds a 1 Gig MP3 player to the PMA8000B audio control panel. The company is already selling a non-certified audio controller with a built in MP3 player and the popularity of that model prompted development of the certified version. More...

DIAMOND TRIES TO SOOTHE DA42 CUSTOMERS
Diamond Aircraft is offering DA42 position holders a variety of options after suspending the production of the twin, which the company said had 80 percent of the piston twin market. But the insolvency of Thielert Aircraft Engines and the decisions of the insolvency administrator (among them canceling warranty support and TBO prorating) on the diesels prompted Diamond to stop production while it gets alternatives in place. Most of the options involve a significant wait time for delivery but there is one way to get instant gratification if the owner is willing to bet on TAE's recovery from its current woes and Diamond's ability to fill in the support gaps in the meantime. More...

AEROSHELL TEAM LEAD DETERMINED TO BATTLE BACK
The condition of Aeroshell Team Lead Alan Henley is guarded after several surgeries and some deterioration of his general health since his fall from a chinning bar last Tuesday. In a blog posted on the Aeroshell Web site last night, his wife Jennifer says that while the affable team lead is determined to beat the partial paralysis that resulted from the broken vertebrae in his neck, he's facing immediate surgery to prevent blood clots from entering his lungs and heart. Meanwhile, the rest of the team is determined to go on with their shows at EAA AirVenture next week and that includes the practice flight with a lucky winner from AVweb in the rear seat of one of the beautiful T-6s. More...

FAA MEDICALS NOW LAST LONGER FOR YOUNGER PILOTS
Pilots who haven't turned 40 yet now have five years between medicals and the new term is retroactive in many ways. As of July 24, a third class medical for someone who hasn't reached his or her 40th birthday lasts five years, instead of three years, and a first class medical is valid for a year, up from six months. AOPA says it even reactivates some medicals that were expired on the day the new regs came into effect. More...

'BY THE BOOK' DECOMPRESSION INCIDENT ENDS HAPPILY
There may be a few new grey hairs on some passengers but the apparent explosive decompression of a Qantas Boeing 747 over the Pacific on Friday resulted in no injuries and , other than the six-foot hole in the baggage compartment of the aircraft, near the right wing root, no serious damage. Flight QF-30 from London to Melbourne was at 29,000 feet when there was a big noise that caught everyone's attention (and if that didn't,the appearance of the oxygen masks did). Remarkably most mainstream media news reports focus on the "sudden plunge" of the aircraft to thicker air that is the standard response during a decompression incident. After the emergency landing in Manila, passengers have arrived in Melbourne and the work of determining cause will begin. More...

AVWEB'S NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 200,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. What have you heard? More...

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

CEO OF THE COCKPIT #85: TWO GUYS, A GAL, AND A BLOODY MARY MIX
People in aviation may have their differences, but there is peace in the valley at a fly-in. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: AVIDYNE'S NOT TO BE OUTDONE
GA's next big thing is synthetic vision. Everyone knows it, including Aviation Safety Editor-in-Chief Jeb Burnside, who acknowledges as much on the AVweb Insider blog. Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about some things we could still use up there — like a HUD. More...

AVWEB'S AIRVENTURE 2008 GALLERIES: DAY ONE
Fun an frolic were the order of the day during our first outing to the AirVenture grounds this year. Come along for a few sights. (No need for a jacket — the weather's perfect!) More...

AVWEB'S AIRVENTURE 2008 PODCAST #1: BENDIX/KING INTRODUCES AFTERMARKET GLASS
Bendix/King's loyal customers have been waiting for the company to launch an aftermarket line of glass panel devices, and the wait is almost over. AVweb Editorial Director Paul Bertorelli spoke with Bendix/King's Chad Cundiff about the Apex system.

This podcast is brought to you byWxWorx XM WX Satellite Weather, official weather provider of EAA AirVenture ... More...

AVWEB'S AIRVENTURE 2008 PODCAST #2: LYCOMING LAUNCHES NEW LINES
There's been a lot going on at Lycoming in the last little while, and the result is a string of major announcements at AirVenture. AVweb Editorial Director Paul Bertorelli talked with Lycoming manager Ian Walsh about the innovations coming from Williamsport.

This podcast is brought to you byBose Corporation's Aviation Headset X™ ... More...

AVWEB'S AIRVENTURE 2008 PODCAST #3: FREE SPOT TRACKING DEVICES FOR EAA MEMBERS
For pilots who want loved ones or associates to be able to track their progress and, if necessary, come looking for them, there's a new satellite tracking system available that follows your every movement. AVweb Editorial Director Paul Bertorelli talked with Derek Moore of Spot about the unique system.

This podcast is brought to you byLightspeed Aviation, makers of the Zulu ANR headset ... More...

AVWEB'S AIRVENTURE 2008 VIDEO #1: SEAN D. TUCKER, ERIC TUCKER FORMATION AEROBATICS
Behind the scenes with ambassador of aerobatics and National Aviation Hall of Famer Sean D. Tucker with his son Eric, flying power aerobatics in the "Z," courtesy of AVweb Video Editor Glenn Pew. (Click through to watch.)

This video is brought to you byLightspeed AviationandWxWorx XM WX Satellite Weather ... More...

AVWEB'S AIRVENTURE 2008 VIDEO #2: BELVOIR AVIATION GROUP'S EDITORS PREVIEW THE SHOW
AVweb's Russ Niles, Aviation Consumer's Paul Bertorelli and Kitplanes editor Marc Cook look forward to the week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. (Click through to watch.)

This video is brought to you byBose CorporationandWxWorx XM WX Satellite Weather... More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: OAKLAND AIR (KPTK, PONTIAC, MI)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Pontiac, Michigan's Oakland Air (KTPK), an FBO that recently went the extra mile to make an unplanned trip a little easier for AVweb reader Tom Ahonen.

Tom shared the story with us:

I received one of those phone calls you dread. A parent had passed (my wife's mom). So I hastily organized a trip from Minneapolis to Pontiac. I called Oakland Air to organize a car. Upon arrival, two line guys guided me to parking, where my car was waiting. They helped with bags, the plane cover, anything we needed. And in the car, there was a gift basket and a sympathy card. Wow. Thanks, Oakland Air. You really brightened our otherwise dark day.

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!

SHORT FINAL

Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air"

Thunderstorms moved across the Cleveland area, and approach control tried to get one more airplane in:

Cleveland Approach:
"Northwest Twelve Thirty-Four, if you can descend to 3000, I'll vector you for a straight-in ILS 28."

Northwest 1234 (no doubt sensing a last-chance opportunity to beat the storm) :
"We're outta one zero thousand for three like a sack of hammers."

Ted Patterson
Marango, Illinois

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

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