REPORT: STEVE FOSSETT ITEMS FOUND BY HIKER
A hiker in a rugged off-trail region near Mammoth Lakes, California, has found some items that may have belonged to missing adventurer Steve Fossett, authorities said on Wednesday. A weathered fleece pullover, about $1,000 in cash and an FAA pilot's certificate bearing Fossett's name were found Monday, close to Minaret Lake and Minaret Mine, according to reports by Fox News and the Associated Press. The hiker, Preston Morrow, found what appears to be two FAA certificates, tattered and crumpled on the ground, that listed the name Steve Fossett. Morrow said he didn't recognize the name but showed the finds to a co-worker on Tuesday who told him about the missing aviator. Morrow then returned to the site on Tuesday with some friends who searched further, and they found the fleece pullover nearby. He then attempted unsuccessfully to reach Fossett's relatives before reporting the find to authorities on Wednesday. Search teams led by the Madera County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to the scene, and an air and ground effort was expected to be under way by Wednesday afternoon, sheriff's spokeswoman Erica Stewart told the AP. More...

MIDWAY AIRPORT PRIVATIZED: CANADIAN COMPANY TAKES OVER
Midway Airport in Chicago will become the first major airport in the U.S. to be privatized and it will be run by a Canadian company. Vancouver Airport Services, which runs Vancouver International Airport and 17 other airports in British Columbia, the Caribbean, South America and Europe, was the successful bidder for a $2.5 billion deal that will include a lease on Midway for 99 years."This contract marks a milestone in the growth of our company, and is a clear example of how we can leverage our success at home to develop the best airports in the world," Larry Berg, president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority, which owns half of Vancouver Airport Services, told The Canadian Press. More...

CREDIT CRUNCH AFFECTING BIZJET SALES
The CEO of Embraer, of Brazil, said at a media briefing in Singapore this week that it's getting harder for some buyers to get access to the credit they need to place orders. "We see signals that the customers' financing options are getting scarce. But so far we have had no direct impact," said CEO Frederico Fleury Curado. The future is uncertain, however. "Nobody is immune to what happens in the U.S.," he said. "For now, we're keeping our estimates for 2009. If things deteriorate more, who knows?" He added that there is no change in the company's plan to deliver 215 aircraft by the end of this year and no current orders have been cancelled. However, some customers have asked for their deliveries to be postponed, including Jet Blue and Virgin, according to Bloomberg News. More...

LSA SECTOR HANGS TOUGH IN ECONOMIC WINDS
"Things are slow, no question," Dan Johnson, chairman of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, told AVweb on Wednesday, "but nobody's bailing out." The current economic slowdown is the first significant downturn since the Light Sport Aircraft sector launched just a few years ago, and so far the industry seems to be coping, Johnson said. "One advantage for many of these companies is that they're small, owner-run companies, and can be more nimble when it comes to responding to changes," he said. He added that the AOPA Expo is coming up in early November, followed by the Sebring show in January and then Sun 'n Fun in April, all of which have had a positive impact on sales in the past. So far the number of LSA exhibitors who plan to show up for those events is equal to or greater than last year, Johnson said. More...

VIRGIN SPACESHIPS WILL FLY FOR SCIENCE
Virgin Galactic will partner up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to use the fleet of SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo vehicles for scientific research, Virgin announced on Tuesday. "We need data and observations to understand how our climate changes," said NOAA Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher. "This affords us a new and unique opportunity to gather samples and measurements at much higher altitudes than we can usually achieve." NOAA and Virgin Galactic hope to fly NOAA science instruments aboard both the WhiteKnightTwo carrier vehicle, which will regularly reach altitudes up to about 50,000 feet, and SpaceShipTwo, which will soar into space. The instruments would provide data on atmospheric composition -- particularly carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases -- and would also provide a way to calibrate measurements made by satellites. More...

AVIATION EDUCATORS INVITED TO GATHER IN D.C.
Everyone in aviation knows the future depends on keeping the next generation interested in things that fly, and the National Coalition for Aviation Education works to do exactly that. On October 16-18, the group will host its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., gathering educators from around the country to share ideas, get inspired, network, and learn all the latest about aviation and space. Former astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, now president of The Museum of Flight, in Seattle, will address the meeting. Many other aviation notables will speak, including Gregory Condon, manager of the NASA Smart Skies Education Project; Barrington Irving Jr., the first black pilot and youngest person ever to fly solo around the globe; NASA astronaut Janice Voss; and more. Industry reps will exhibit the latest materials and programs they offer to the educational community. The meeting will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. More...

FIVE SEIZED CESSNAS STOLEN IN MEXICO
A gang of about 20 men, heavily armed, have stolen five Cessna 206 aircraft from an unpaved airfield in the town of Navolato in Mexico, in the Pacific Coast state of Sinaloa. The gunmen tied up a guard who was on the site to watch the airplanes, according to a statement released on Tuesday from the Attorney General's office of Mexico. The light aircraft had been seized by the Army because they were used to deliver seeds and fertilizer for illegal crops of marijuana in the "Golden Triangle" area, according to authorities. Staff at airports around the country have been notified to watch out for the airplanes. The army, which is battling drug cartels across the country, has confiscated 245 small planes and helicopters since November 2007, according to Reuters. More...

WICHITA AERO CLUB LAUNCHES
Several Aero Clubs around the country, most notably in Washington and Atlanta, have proven to be valuable networking assets to their local aviation community. Aiming to follow that pattern, a consortium of business, government and educational organizations in the greater Wichita area has announced that it will form the Wichita Aero Club. "Aviation is the driving force in the greater Wichita area. There have been more airplanes produced in Wichita than anywhere else in the world," said Bob Stangarone, vice president of corporate communications for Cessna and chairman of the ad-hoc committee that launched the group. "It is appropriate that this community have a world-class platform for discussion of key industry issues, the recognition of achievements and innovations in aerospace, and a forum that encourages interaction and cooperation," he said. The new group plans to host monthly luncheons and invite high-profile speakers to address major aviation industry issues. More...

LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT DEBUTS AT NBAA
The annual trade show of the National Business Aviation Association is the place where new corporate jets often are introduced -- but at this year's NBAA Expo, coming up next week in Orlando, Fla., a light sport aircraft also will be on display, for the first time. Flight Design USA says their new all-metal MC LSA will be featured in the EAA's display space at the NBAA Expo. Flight Design staffers will be on hand at the EAA exhibit to answer questions from visitors about the aircraft and the category. Flight Design President Tom Peghiny said the show offers an opportunity to reach out to a different slice of the aviation marketplace. "For the price of one business jet or business-configured airliner, you could buy a sizable fleet of MCs or our top-of-the-line CTLS," he said. The NBAA Expo runs Monday to Wednesday next week, October 6 to 8. AVweb Editor-in-Chief Russ Niles will be there to bring you live daily reports. More...

ON THE FLY ...
Mooney Airplane Co. has a new CEO, Robert Gowens...
Diamond is offering $1.99 fuel to new buyers of the DA40 XLS...
An attempt to cross the English Channel in a pedal-powered airship failed...
FAA's comment period has closed for its new homebuilt policy...
Coming up November 8-9, Roar & Soar at Fantasy of Flight...
The first Zeppelin airship bound for the U.S. is on its way across the Atlantic. More...

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: PRIVATIZED AIRPORTS, FOREIGN OPERATORS — IS THERE A SECURITY RISK?
In an age where security concerns dominate the American psyche, many AVweb readers may be surprised to learn that a Canadian company is taking over the operations of Chicago's Midway airport, making it the first major privatized airport in the U.S.. We're curious how you're reacting to the news (if at all). Is the privatization of major U.S. airports wise, and should foreign operators be allowed to bid? Plus: Do AVweb readers think the very light jet revolution is over? More...

BRAINTEASERS QUIZ #138: WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE
TERPS means terminal instrument procedures, and procedure designers (a.k.a., TERPSters) build safe arrival and departure paths to clear ridges, trees and tall shrubbery near many airports. Test your TERPS savvy or prepare to bring us that shrubbery.

Take the quiz.

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: FSS UNDER LOCKMART — STOP WHINING AND LOBBY FOR SOME BETTER TOOLS
Don't like the brave new world of Lockheed-Martin's Flight Service? Too bad. It's here to stay and after three years of working at it they've clawed their way back up to the level of adequate. Some of what we once had with locally knowledgeable briefers is gone forever, but at least one gem of bygone days could be brought back with the right software and some willing users, according to IFR magazine Editor-in-Chief Jeff van West, who takes the new FSS system to task in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider Blog. More...

HELP AVWEBBIZ SPREAD YOUR NBAA NEWS
The world's most important business aviation event, the National Business Aviation Association's annual convention, is coming up Oct. 6-8 in Orlando and there will be hundreds of product announcements and updates. AVweb will be there with daily coverage of the events, news conferences and announcements that make this show so important but if your company has something more than 100,000 business aviation decision-makers need to know about, we're encouraging you to let us know in advance. That way we can give your news the full attention it deserves and make sure it's released in a timely fashion during our coverage. Don't worry. We'll strictly observe all embargos. Send your advance material to rniles@avweb.com and thanks for your help in making our coverage the most comprehensive available. 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...

FBO OF THE WEEK: TUNICA AIR CENTER (UTA, TUNICA, MS)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Tunica Air Center at UTA in Tunica, Mississippi.

AVweb reader Steve Spinney did his research before a 600-mile flight and learned about the FBO online:

I started by checking out their web site and also called and asked a few questions on the phone. This place is building quite a reputation for rolling out the red carpet for their customers; big or small, they can do it all. The facility is as nice as the people that run it. ... One attendant even took my picture by the airplane for me. I base out of Fort Smith, AR and I have to say we have a first-class FBO with TacAir, but you can't get a hamburger with your fuel. The cafe at Tunica has a great burger and some sandwiches made with Boars Head Deli products. So fly to Tunica — there is lots of runway and amenities!

Mmm — Boar's Head! Thanks for the recommendation, Steve!

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!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK: AVWEB'S FLYING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
With NBAA's annual convention coming up next week, things are beginning to get a little more hectic around AVweb world headquarters. Thankfully, we have a great batch of photos in this week's submission box, so let's kick up our heels and take a break to see what AVweb readers have sent in over the past seven days. Daniel Valovich of Hot Springs, Arkansas kicks things off with a photo we can only describe as luminescent. More...

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/. More...

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
Jeff van West

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