August 2, 2008

By The AVweb Editorial Staff

Eavesdropping on Pilots With Zulu Bragging Rights There's nothing more fun than listening in on a group of pilots who are telling "Can you top this" stories about their Zulus ... and talking the rest of their friends into buying them. Actually, they tell us that it's an easy sale. They're such a great sales force for us that we're expecting them to start lining up for commissions. For more information, go online. » Try Lightspeed's Zulu and compare it to other premium brands at booths 2019-2020 & 2023 at EAA AirVenture Happy Saturday from Oshkosh! back to top  F-22 Raptor Wallpaper from Oshkosh Click for a larger image A hearty "thank you" to everyone who's sent kind words about our coverage of EAA AirVenture, everyone who's taken time to point out broken links and misspellings that our hastily-moving fingers have overlooked, and especially those who've stopped us on the show grounds to give us the thumbs-up. While we've been able to shake a few hands and give out some golf cart rides during the show, it hardly seems fair that we can't do anything nice for the rest of you, so here's a quick attempt at giving you a little Saturday morning present — a nice, big F-22 image shot by photographer Mariano Rosales Friday at the air show. Click through for a full-size version, suitable for using as desktop wallpaper. (And thanks.) Bendix/King by Honeywell The global provider of intuitive, reliable avionics products and services is continuing its tradition of leadership and innovation with the introduction of the Apex Edge Series. The Apex Edge Series offers an integrated and modular series of all-glass retrofit solutions for general aviation pilots who desire a modernized cockpit that surpasses even new production of piston aircraft. The kind of vision you would expect from a company with vision. For more information, go online. » Register to win a Bendix/King AV8OR by Honeywell at booths 2081-2086 at EAA AirVenture NATCA, FAA Friction Over Comments at AirVenture back to top  NATCA Slams Sturgell's Oshkosh Comments The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has reacted angrily to Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell's comment at EAA AirVenture that it would "cost a billion dollars to give NATCA what they want" in a new contract with the agency. NATCA President Patrick Forrey told AVweb the union has met all the FAA's financial goals set in previous negotiations. "The acting administrator's comments Thursday, putting a ridiculous $1 billion price tag on Congress' bipartisan attempts to restore fairness to the collective bargaining process are downright laughable and yet another insult to the men and women holding together our troubled air traffic control system under extraordinarily harsh working conditions," he said. Meanwhile, in an exclusive video interview with Sturgell, AVweb's Russ Niles touched on a variety of topics of interest to GA. Sturgell said the biggest issue among pilots he's spoken with at the show is the high cost of fuel but he also said it didn't seem to affect attendance at AirVenture. Listen to Sturgell's views on ADS-B subsidies for aircraft owners, relaxed medical standards and his future at the FAA in this AVweb-only interview. Fly With Bose® Aviation Headset X™ Enjoy an unmatched combination of full-spectrum noise reduction, clearer audio, and comfortable fit. Voted the #1 headset for the seventh consecutive year in Professional Pilot's 2007 Headset Preference Survey. Also rated "Best ANR Headset: The Aviation Consumer Product of the Year" by Aviation Consumer. Purchase by August 16, 2008 and receive a complimentary pair of Bose in-ear headphones ($99.95 value). Learn more and order. Quotes reprinted with permission: Professional Pilot, 2007 Headset Preference Survey, 12/07; Aviation Consumer, 8/07. » Try out the Headset X™ and other Bose Corporation products at booths 171-176 at EAA AirVenture Changing the Face of Aviation back to top  Branson's Private Commercial Airport On Track 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. The U.S.'s first private airport designed to accommodate airliners will open in May of next year and will be a new wrinkle in air transportation. The $155 million airport, with a 7,200-foot runway designed for aircraft weighing up to 700,000 lbs. is entirely privately funded, even though spokesman Gene Conrad told AVweb the project would likely have qualified for millions in FAA funding. But if the FAA had written even the smallest check for the development, that would have imposed right of access rules that are not part of Branson's business plan. As a private airport, the investors can pick and choose which airlines serve Branson, who gets the rental car concession and every other commercial consideration at the facility. That means the airport can cut exclusive deals with airlines for specific routes. Conrad said the airport can even include fare caps in the deals it makes with airlines to prevent gouging. Despite the successful marketing of Branson as a tourism entertainment destination, the closest commercial airport is more than 60 miles away and airfares are high because of the connections required. Conrad said he expects the airport to be popular with business jets, too, and not just because of the celebrity traffic. "With our central location and the price of fuel, I can see how a lot of business aircraft will be based there," he said. The airport opens with an air show and concert in May. ADS-B Vendors Waiting For Rule Garmin hosted a session at its seminar tent that was billed as an update to ADS-B. But the truth seems to be there's not much new to report. A Q&A session after the presentation got down to the more nitty-gritty: ADS-B will be required by 2020 but the details of what compliant equipment will be is not yet certain. Garmin spokesman Gary Keller said that the stumbling block is the lack of Notice for Proposed Rulemaking on the final standards. "For us to commit to building equipment without that … is a risky proposition," he said. Garmin's GDL90 is capable of ADS-B right now, but it costs around $7000. Even at that price, Garmin has sold about 1,800 of them but 500 of those were in China. Keller says a lower-priced ADS-B system is certain — once they know what standard is set. Meanwhile, a Texas company is offering an ADS-B add-on that works with Garmin and several other displays. NavWorx of Rowlett, Texas, has built a portable ADS-B system that can display on a Garmin GPSMAP 496 or several other cockpit displays. Bill Moffitt, V.P. of Engineering for NavWorx, showed us a unit that receives the ADS-B signal, but doesn't transmit. This lets you see weather and traffic information, but other traffic can't see you. NavWorx will also offer one that both receives and transmits. The system will be available soon for LSAs and experimentals. Certified installations should be available by next year. The kicker is the cost: The receive-only system is $1495 and the bidirectional is $2500. Discover the Thrill of a Family Getaway Discover that the best family vacation photos aren't taken through the window of a minivan. In a brand-new Cessna Stationair, every single weekend becomes your chance for a family getaway. Without ever hearing the dreaded words "Are we there yet?" Call 1 (800) 4-CESSNA. Or visit CessnaYouAreHere.com. » Discover the thrill of Cessna Single-Engine for yourself at booths 143-156 at EAA AirVenture Product Reports back to top  Here's the Details: Lycoming's New FADEC Lycoming showed AirVenture 2008 that it's bullish on the light aircraft market by unveiling a new variant of the popular O-540 series, the TEO-540-A, a 350-horspower engine with a full authority digital engine control, the second such certified system for piston engines to hit the market. Lycoming's Mike Kraft told AVweb that the new engine will appear first in the piston version of the Lancair Evolution but the company has its eyes on the certified market with an introduction next year. What's special here? Fuel is provided by an automotive timed pulse design rather than a manifold/air mass fuel injection system and each cylinder has its own closed-loop power control. Unique to the TEO-540 is automotive-style knock sensing for each cylinder which should help the engine adjust to what Lycoming sees as an inevitable decline in the availability of high-octane aviation gasoline. The engine's ignition source is powered by a permanent magnet alternator that can generate power without external excitation and, in the event of a failure, the system can run on ship's battery power. Weight wise, Kraft told AVweb, the new engine is expected to be a wash with the existing high-output 540 series. We don't yet have detailed data on fuel specifics, but Kraft told us that if airframers ask for it, the engine can be configured to run lean of peak in economy cruise. Related Content: Detailed podcast interview with Mike Kraft about the TEO-540-A Forward.Vision Expands Platforms, Gains RTCA Certification Forward.Vision announced this week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008 marketing and OEM agreements designed to make the company's EVS-100 infrared-based enhanced vision system available on many more experimental aircraft. The company also announced it had received RTCA DO-160E approval, paving the way for its first installation STCs. Airframe manufacturers embracing the EVS-100 include Comp Air, which will make the system available on its line of turbine-powered kit aircraft, and Expedition Aircraft, which will offer the self-contained unit on their EX-350 and EX-350 XC. Separately, both Eriksson Aviation of St. Paul, MN, and Australia-based Hawker Pacific have signed on as Forward.Vision dealers. Inflight. Every Flight. XM WX Satellite Weather has quickly become the leading way to fly for pilots across the country. And now, with Aviator Pro, the brand-new weather data package from XM WX, pilots have an even better reason to fly with the datalink weather leader — inflight and every flight. See the new suite of weather data at AirVenture 2008, or click here to learn more about XM WX and Aviator Pro. » See why XM WX Satellite Weather is the official weather provider of EAA AirVenture when you visit WxWorx at booths 3030-3032 Fostering a Lifelong Love of Flying back to top  For Build A Plane Kids, It's Two Weeks To Taxi The folks at Build A Plane, who have been working hard to give school kids around the world a chance to build their own aircraft using donated wrecks and discards, will bring a half dozen kids to Arlington, Wash., next week, to build a brand-new Sportsman 2+2, which will then be donated to Build A Plane. "The kids will get very excited about this and have a great time, and at the end, of course, they'll have been tricked into learning a whole lot about math and science and engineering," Build A Plane's Lyn Freeman told AVweb on Friday morning at EAA AirVenture. The Glasair program was announced here this week, and the effort continues to attract widespread support from the aviation world, from Snap-on Tools to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association to Cessna CEO Jack Pelton. Build A Plane donates aircraft projects to schools at no charge and supports their efforts to construct or rebuild the aircraft to flying condition. Many teachers team up with local EAA chapters to provide technical support. More than 70 projects already are underway, and the number is expected to reach 100 by the end of this year. Freeman is always looking for more airplanes -- for more information, go to BuildAPlane.org or call (920) 279-3714. Dual Antenna Traffic Systems Simply Perform Better Avidyne's dual-antenna TAS600 Systems detect other aircraft sooner and more accurately, avoiding the shadowing effects inherent with single-antenna systems. TAS600 actively interrogate other aircraft, providing timely alerts and precise locations of conflicting traffic. Starting at just $9,990, the dual-antenna TAS600 provides full-time protection and higher performance. When it comes to safety, you want to see the whole picture. Click here for more information. » See Avidyne's state-of-the-art technologies in action at booths 2098-2101 (Combo E) at EAA AirVenture New on AVweb back to top  AVweb's AirVenture 2008 Galleries: Day Six No time to talk; there's too many air shows to see today! Of course, you're welcome to come along — but grab your bag and don't dawdle! We don't want to be late ... . Click here to view photos. one | two | three | four | five CLICK FOR LARGER INDIVIDUAL IMAGES EACH IMAGE WILL OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW Duggy the DC-3 launches with the Liberty Parachute Team to start the afternoon's airshow. Embry-Riddle's jet car roared down the runway in an afternoon demo. The Goodyear Blimp floated silently over the convention grounds throughout the afternoon and evening. Zooming past at 200+ mph the V-22 Osprey brought a unique sight to the showline. Now in hover mode, the V-22 Osprey slowly inches toward show center. The V-22 Osprey comes in to land at air show center. The Iron Eagles fly a mirror pass with one aircraft flying inverted directly above the other. Julie Clark paints the sky with red, white, and blue smoke trails. Chuck Aaron does his bow to the crowd after flying flips in his stock BO 105 CBS helicopter. The airshow crowd watches in respect as Jenine Leslie sings the national anthem. The Liberty Parachute Team exits Duggy to start the show. Dale Snodgrass takes off in the P-51 Excalibur. The F-22 pulls vertical in a maximum performance takeoff. A condensation cloud forms over the wing as the F-22 pulls high g-forces. The F-22 shows off her wepons bays in a low-level fly by. Heritage Flight. Kent Pietsch spins his way into the airshow box. Kent Pietsch approaches the worlds smallest aircraft carrier. With team lead Alan Henley out for injuries, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team flew the show as a threesome. Aeroshell Aerobatic Team. Julie Clark rolls down the show line. Sean D. Tucker waves to the crowd in his low and slow pass down the flightline. The light winds couldn't blow the airshow smoke off the flight line fast enough to keep Duggy from getting smoked in. Thumbs up for airshows! one | two | three | four | five // --> AVweb Insider Blog: There Will Always Be an OSH ... Is general aviation about to tank and will it take EAA AirVenture with it? Not a chance, says Paul Bertorelli on the AVweb Insider blog — and he's happy to tell you why. Read more. Ever Wish You Could Flip a Switch and Turn IFR Visibility into VFR? To find out more, go to True Flight. AVweb Audio — Are You Listening? back to top  AVweb's AirVenture 2008 Podcast #17: Mike & Jude Dennis Share the Secrets of Oregon Aero's Success File Size 4.9 MB / Running Time 5:24 Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS Even if you don't know Mike and Jude Dennis by name, you almost certainly know the products and services they offer under the name Oregon Aero. Mike takes a few moments out of his hectic AirVenture 2008 schedule to talk with us about Oregon Aero's most popular products and share a bit of the company's philosophy. This podcast is brought to you by WxWorx XM WX Satellite Weather, official weather provider of EAA AirVenture ... Click here to listen. (4.9 MB, 5:24) AVweb's AirVenture 2008 Podcast #18: Lycoming's New FADEC — Lots of Innovation File Size 12.4 MB / Running Time 13:33 Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS Lycoming chief engineer Mike Kraft gave us a detailed tour of the company's new TEO-540-A FADEC-contolled engine. Hear his comments in this long-form podcast. This podcast is brought to you by Bose Corporation's Aviation Headset X™ ... Click here to listen. (12.4 MB, 13:33) AVweb's AirVenture 2008 Podcast #19: King Schools' New Online Offering File Size 7.9 MB / Running Time 8:39 Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS King Schools announced this week at AirVenture that they're offering their well-regarded private pilot knowledge test as a fully-integrated and interactive online course. Heretofore, the course has been available only via CD-ROM or DVD, but now you can complete the entire program — including a graduation certification — via the web. The course has the same content — video, text and graphics — as the DVD version. John and Martha King describe the new course in this podcast. For more, see KingSchools.com. This podcast is brought to you by Lightspeed Aviation, makers of the Zulu ANR headset ... Click here to listen. (7.9 MB, 8:39) Announcing: First-Ever, Zero-Down Factory Engine Financing! Air Power, Inc. — the World's Largest Factory Engine Distributor — announces an industry first: long-term, low-interest, no-money-down financing on all Continental and Lycoming Genuine Factory Engines: New, Remanufactured, and Overhauled, always sold at just $300 over factory invoice. Offering 20-year 6.9% simple interest Factory Engine Loans with no prepayment penalty and payments as low as $129.79 for a Cessna Skyhawk Factory Engine. For details, call Air Power at (888) 759-4295, or go online to FactoryEngines.com. AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Laugh and Learn back to top  AVweb's AirVenture 2008 Video #11: We Sit Down with FAA Acting Admin Bobby Sturgell Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos AVweb's Russ Niles talks with Bobby Sturgell at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008 about the state of the industry, ADS-B, fuel costs, pilot medicals, and Sturgell's future plans. Video by Glenn Pew. This video is brought to you by Lightspeed Aviation and WxWorx XM WX Satellite Weather ... 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. AVweb's AirVenture 2008 Video #12: Inside the (All-New!) World's Busiest Control Tower Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos For one week each year, the control tower at Oshkosh is the busiest tower in the world. This year it's all-new, taller, and staffed for safety. AVweb's Jeff van West got inside scoop from Oshkosh air traffic manager Wanda Adelman. (Yes, she actually had a moment to talk to us during EAA AirVenture!) This video is brought to you by Bose Corporation and WxWorx XM WX Satellite Weather ... 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. Piper Matrix — Piper Compelling Click here for more information on the new Matrix, Piper's next generation of cabin-class sophistication. Compellingly priced at $757,000. » Discover the Matrix and other Piper Aircraft at booths 72-75 & 79-82 at EAA AirVenture The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! back to top  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. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. Over 17,000 Happy GAMIjectors® Customers Can't Be Wrong! GAMIjectors® have given these aircraft owners reduced cylinder head temperatures, reduced fuel consumption, and smoother engine operation. GAMIjectors® alter the fuel/air ratio in each cylinder so that each cylinder operates with a much more uniform fuel/air ratio than occurs with any other factory set of injectors. To speak to a GAMI engineer, call (888) FLY-GAMI, or go online for complete engineering details. » Make your engine more efficient by visiting the GAMI engineers at booths 3005-3006 at EAA AirVenture More AVweb for Your Inbox back to top  AVwebBiz: AVweb's Business Aviation Newsletter 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/. Names Behind the News back to top  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 Webmaster Scott Simmons Contributors Mariano Rosales Marc Cook Amy Laboda Graeme Peppler Jeff van West Intern Adam Cutler Click here to send a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.) Comments or questions about the news should be sent here. Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team. If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your PDA or handheld device), there's also a text-only version of AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.