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November 3, 2008
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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JA Air Center, Your Source for the New Garmin GPSMap 696
JA Air Center is YOUR source for Garmin equipment, including the new GPSMap 696 with Victor Airways, Jet Routes, XM Weather, Terrain, AOPA Airport Guide, and Safe Taxi. JA Air
purchases used GPS units, avionics, and aircraft.
JA Air Center [Opening - Aurora (KARR) in Sugar Grove, IL December 1, 2008] provides the finest avionics installations, turbine/piston maintenance, avionics/instrument service, mail order, and
aircraft sales. Call (800) 323-5966, or
click for more
information. 
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 Two aircraft collided Saturday, Nov. 1, in the air near Plymouth Municipal Airport, N.C., and though "one plane was in a tree and the
other was in a river," according to Kathleen Bergen of the FAA, "both pilots survived." The midair collision took place about 9:30 a.m. local time and involved a Piper PA-28 and a Piper PA-32.
Separate callers then reported plane crashes: one in the Liverman Heights area and, ten minutes later, another in the Roanoke River, some distance from the Plymouth waterfront. Early reports indicate
that one pilot was hospitalized, but the other was not injured. A weather report for Roanoke Shores, Plymouth, N.C., for Nov. 1, showed a temperature/dewpoint spread of about 10 degrees and diverging,
light winds and no rainfall. The cause and circumstances of the accident are yet unreported. On Oct. 22, a Cessna 180 and a Cessna 210 collided near Grand Junction in western Colorado. One of the
aircraft was operated by a Colorado sheriff and was delivering inmates to a corrections facility. In that case, the two aircraft landed safely (although one ended up inverted) and all six people
aboard both aircraft survived.
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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 December 31, 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.
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Search for Missing Aviator Drawing to a
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 One part of the complex mystery of Steve Fossett's disappearance 14 months ago may have been solved with the discovery of bones, a
pair of shoes and his driver's license. "We talked to the family and advised them that we possibly, most likely, found the remains of J. Stephen Fossett," Madera County Sheriff John Anderson told a
news conference Thursday.
Fossett disappeared in September of 2007 while on a flight to scout locations for a land speed record attempt. The wreckage of his Super Decathlon was found a month ago and a bone fragment was also
found at the wreck. It turned out to be from an animal. DNA tests are being conducted on the bones.
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Smart Safety ... Leave Anxiety Out of Your Flight Plan
As a Cirrus owner, you join a lifestyle that takes safety very seriously. Whether flying for pleasure or business, you always fly smart and safe. Cirrus Perspective by Garmin is
designed to help by giving you more time and information to make better decisions, reduce workload, and improve your overall flying experience. Cirrus Perspective adds more ability to
experience the Cirrus lifestyle fully and leave anxiety out of your flight plan.
For complete
features, go online. 
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 Nuclear-powered aircraft will be carrying millions of passengers around the world before the end of this century, according to
Ian Poll, head of technology for a U.K. government-funded project to reduce the environmental impact of air travel. Poll, a professor of aerospace engineering at Cranfield university (Bedfordshire,
U.K.), offers that experiments performed by both the then Soviet Union and the United States during the 1950s demonstrated that the development of nuclear-powered aircraft is possible. The U.S. has
long ago flown a B-36 carrying a nuclear reactor -- and a lead-lined cockpit -- to prove the crew could be protected. It has also tested nuclear-powered jet engines on the ground. In an interview with
The Times UK, Poll said the idea "was proved 50 years ago, but I accept it would take about 30 years to persuade the public of the need to fly on them."
The big challenge is demonstrated safety. Poll theorizes that reactors should be engineered into the wings along with the engines and that the risk of crash-damaged reactors could be lessened "by
jettisoning them before impact and bringing them down with parachutes" ... which may or may not bring comfort to doomed passengers watching from inside the aircraft's powerless cabin, but likely to
any person living within a two- or three-mile radius. Alternately, nuclear-powered unmanned aerial vehicles could be used for reconnaissance or in combat without the need for heavy reactor shielding,
according to proponents.
 Even before fly by wire becomes the standard, companies have been exploring the next steps to remove hydraulics from the aircraft
control equation. In mid-October, Gulfstream successfully demonstrated primary aircraft flight-surface control using "fly-by-wireless" technology. And, last week, Bombardier announced it had executed
a first test flight with an all-electric Meggitt braking system, called EBrake. For the earlier test, Gulfstream outfitted a GV test aircraft with mechanical, fly-by-wire, fly-by-wireless, and
fiber-optic fly-by-light systems to control ailerons, outboard spoiler, mid-spoilers and inboard spoilers respectively. Pilots noted consistent handling regardless of the applied control-actuation
technology and Gulfstream noted that test results make fly-by-wireless -- and its benefits of reduced complexity and weight -- a potential backup for other flight control systems. Bombardier's test of
the EBrake system during normal, emergency and parking-brake functionality showed improved control in normal and emergency modes "resulting in tight centerline control even during maximum brake
applications," according to test pilot Gary Bruce. The system couples brake-by-wire control with electric brake actuation and removes relevant hydraulically actuated control systems, with the benefits
of increased reliability and (fire) safety, decreased maintenance and associated costs. Both Gulfstream's fly-by-wireless and Bombardier/Meggitt's EBrake systems could reduce system weight on aircraft
while removing toxic hydraulic fluids and therefore can claim environmental friendliness as side benefits to improved performance.
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Life Insurance Premiums Continue to Decrease in 2008!
According to a Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education report, 3/4 of Americans think life insurance is too expensive. Term and permanent life insurance rates are generally half
from a decade ago, partly due to life expectancy increases. Pilot Insurance Center specializes in providing pilots — from student to ATP — with proper insurance planning at the most
affordable rates available. A+ Rated Carriers – No Aviation Exclusions – Quick and Easy Application Process. Call 1 (800) 380-8376 or
visit online. 
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 Some 27,000 of Boeing's machinists, who walked off the job on Sept. 6 after contract talks failed to adequately address their
interests, should be back at work after an agreement was reached on Oct. 27. The contract doesn't just keep, but increases, pension payments, brings wage increases totaling 15 percent and preserves
health-care benefits while addressing the key issue of job security, according to MarketWatch.com. It also adds lump-sum payments for each employee totaling $8,000 per worker over four years ... and,
by ending the strike, makes the future of some of Boeing's suppliers more certain. Boeing said in a statement that the new agreement "addresses the union's job-security issues while enabling Boeing
to retain the flexibility needed to run the business." The company, which during the strike faced losses estimated at $100 million per day along with production delays, has amassed an order backlog
worth $349 billion. It expects production to reach pre-strike efficiency within two months.
Boeing now faces negotiations with 21,000 engineers, scientists, technicians and other members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace whose contract expires on the first
day of December. Over the past decade, Boeing has lost 203 days of production to work stoppages, according to a report by the International Herald Tribune.
Recently made famous in general aviation through the Cirrus' Perspective avionics package (AVweb video), a
similar little blue button has been introduced on the Sting S3 LSA's instrument panel and it aims to provide pilots with similar results -- wings-level, fixed-heading and fixed-altitude flight -- at
the touch of a button. The Sting S3 light sport aircraft already offers multiple safety features, like AmSafe inflatable safety harnesses, Zaon collision avoidance (Aviation Consumer video), and a full plane parachute. The Straight/Level system is intended
to add to that score. Employed by a blue button on the avionics panel labeled S/L, the system commands the autopilot to level the wings, lock the heading and altitude, and allows the pilot time to
reassess matters in the event he or she recognizes signs of spatial disorientation or experiences some other duress. Of course, should the pilot be somehow incapacitated, the S/L button also lowers
the demands on a passenger who needs to become a quick study. Bill Canino, president of SportairUSA (which distributes the S3), says his company provides the system "at no additional cost on all of
our TruTrak EFIS/autopilot equipped Stings." Those aircraft are priced close to $125,000, according to the company's Web site. According to Canino,
his company's goal is to provide an aircraft that "is fun, safe, and responsive" and "with backup systems that are easy to deploy."
More than 500 Sting aircraft have been delivered worldwide and the "continuously improved" design offers a salvo of safety features that include a whole plane parachute, PCAS collision avoidance
avionics, full-time carburetor body heat, and AmSafe air-bag type seat belt restraints, in addition to the new Straight/Level system.
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Cessna Caravan
Introducing the perfect union of brains and brawn. With more than 10 million fleet hours under its heavy-lifting wings, the Cessna Caravan now has brains to match. The standard Garmin
G1000® glass cockpit combined with the WAAS-certified GFC700 automated flight control system integrates all primary flight, engine and sensor data to provide intuitive, at-a-glance situational
awareness and precise flight guidance and control.
For complete
information, go online. 
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 The first European Aerial Firefighting Conference was held Oct. 21 and 22 in Athens, Greece, and it collected operators and suppliers from
22 nations running in association with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Primarily formed to address technologies and techniques to improve the efficacy and safety of
aerial firefighting, the conference has been hailed as highly successful and marks the first in a series of such meetings to be held at other locations around the world. Panel sessions hosted in
Athens by the EU Civil Protection Directorate's Chris Allen, at the Aerial Firefighting Conference, debated whether Europe should finance a cross-border aerial firefighting squadron. The conference's
many interagency meetings covered topics from aerial firefighting management to shared knowledge systems and was dominated by safety management and technologies and an exhibition of some of the
world's leading operators. Here in the U.S., the California Department of Forestry this year has made use of Canadian-owned Bombardier 415 "Super Scooper" aircraft that have already flown to combat
this season's southern California wildfires. Upcoming events announced in Athens include another conference to be held in Anaheim, Calif., on February 19 and 20, 2009, and another to be held in
mid-June in Sydney, Australia.
 Probably one of the most surveyed subjects in general aviation in the U.S. is the effect of competitive
outsourcing of the Flight Service Station system. Some said it was long overdue but it seems like there is a constant buzz of discontent from all corners on how the system delivers services. Lockheed
Martin, which now runs the system, politicians, aviation groups, the media and pilots have all had their say in various forums, including AVweb. The only voices that haven't been heard are
those of the diminished ranks of flight service specialists, who aren't allowed to comment publicly under their contracts. However, they do chat amongst themselves and one or more of them have come up
with a song that the specialist who shared it with us says sums up their feelings.
Download the MP3 (7 mb) here.
 If today's issue of AVwebFlash seems a little later than usual, that's because it is.
We experienced some problems with the server overnight, but everything is back to normal now.
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AOPA Expo 2008 — Destination for the Latest in Aviation Products & Services
The 2008 AOPA Expo November 6-8, in San Jose, California offers the latest in aviation-related products and services.
Register
online
for daily Seminar and Exhibit passes and social event tickets. Expand your aviation knowledge with over 60 hours of educational seminars, stroll through AOPA's largest show hall ever (with
over 500 booths), and view over 80 aircraft at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.
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The airplane may not know it's dark, but the pilot does, and the accident record shows it. AVweb's Thomas P. Turner helps reduce the risk of night flight.
Click here to read.
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Dr. Blue Says, "Be Smart — Carry a PLB!"
Flying, hiking, camping, riding your ATV or bike — accidents happen that can become a life-threatening situation. Be prepared with a Personal Locator Beacon ( PLB). It's as easy as
pushing a button. PLBs from Aeromedix.com include the ACR MicroFix 406 MHz for pilots when you're enjoying activities in unpopulated areas.
Click now to visit
Aeromedix.com for complete details. 
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Hill Aircraft, Your #1 Source for Online Cessna Parts
Everything for your Cessna Single/Multi-Engine Aircraft and Caravan — airframe, engine, aftermarket items, and accessories. Hill Aircraft's staff has 50+ years of combined Aircraft Parts
Experience. Personalized attention ensures all orders are to your complete satisfaction on pricing and delivery.
Go online to
CessnaParts.com for complete information. 
The fastest and easiest way to order parts online. Se habla español.
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Nominate an FBO
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Rules
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Tips
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Questions
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Winning FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Winnemucca Flying Service at KWMC in Winnemucca, Nevada.
AVweb reader Mick Collins told us about the FBO last week:
We had a group flight (eight planes) land at KWMC ... for an overnight. Buster and his crew performed flawlessly in supporting all our various needs and wants, even loaning us his personal car to run
folks into town. (We had already commandeered the courtesy van!) I highly recommend anyone looking for top-notch service and the chance to meet some good folks stop in at Winnemucca Flying Service!
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!
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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. 
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The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is
You! |
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 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.
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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. 
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 | | Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air" |
Heard on the Detroit approach frequency while flying just north of Detroit City Airport one Sunday evening:
Approach:
"Airliner XXXX, turn left heading 350. Direct Flint when able."
Airliner XXXX:
"Left three-fifty, direct Flint."
Approach:
"Airliner YYYY, proceed direct Salem when able."
Airliner YYYY:
"Direct Salem."
Airliner XXXX:
"Airliner YYYY — hey, Dave, is that vou? How's it going?"
Airliner YYYY:
"Yeah. That you, Bud? Just fine ..." (and other pleasantries)
Approach:
"How about I go and work another frequency and let you guys chat?"
Airliner XXXX:
"That'll work."
Andrew C. Taylor
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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 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/.
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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
Click here to send a letter to the
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Comments or questions about the news should be sent here.
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version of AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here.
Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.
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and 
