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November 10, 2008
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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Lycoming® — The Engines of Choice
Lycoming® produces the most complete line of horizontally opposed, air-cooled four-, six-, and eight-cylinder certified aircraft engines available, with
power ranging from 100 to 400 HP. For homebuilders, air race and aerobatic pilots, and others looking for non-certified engines with Lycoming dependability, Lycoming offers custom-built
Thunderbolt Engines. Lycoming piston engines have a reputation for reaching or exceeding TBO.
For more information,
please visit Lycoming.com. 
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 He calls himself an "equal opportunity antagonist" and he's ready to get down to business with the new Democratic
regime — even though he's spent his whole career as a top Republican advisor. In a session with the aviation media at AOPA Expo in San Jose on Saturday, incoming AOPA President Craig Fuller said
bipartisanship is alive and well in the backrooms of Washington and he's no stranger to the people who will help President-Elect Barack Obama take the reins of power. He knows Obama's chief of staff
Rahm Emanuel from the 1990s when they worked together on implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement and says he'll have no problem getting heard in Congress and the White House. But he
also said that might have to wait a while.
As others said during the convention, Fuller said aviation matters will take a back seat to more pressing matters. "I doubt we'll get a mention in [the] inaugural address," he said. But FAA
reauthorization, ATC modernization, airport expansion and other hot button issues in the aviation world will be dealt with eventually and AOPA will be at the table when they are discussed. He said
AOPA is well respected in Washington because of its bipartisan nature and he stressed the importance of putting the issues forward to the policy makers. He also offered an olive branch to the airline
industry, which was, at times, harshly criticized by the GA community in the battle over user fees. Fuller said it was a "fight that had to be fought" but the entire aviation industry has to work
together to put the U.S. back at the forefront of technological development in aviation.
Related Content:
AVweb's video interview with Fuller
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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
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Purchase by December 31, 2008 and receive a complimentary pair of Bose in-ear headphones ($99.95 value).
Learn more and
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Quotes reprinted with permission: Professional Pilot, 2007 Headset Preference Survey, 12/07; Aviation Consumer, 8/07.
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The FAA recently commissioned its 1,333rd WAAS approach (technically known as Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance or LPV) and that means there are now more of them than ILS approaches. The
agency calls it a milestone in the transition to universal space-based navigation. The system is in use at 833 airports and the agency says it's planning to add 500 approaches a year until every
qualifying runway in the U.S. has one. "This is clearly a turning point for aviation and the way pilots navigate," the agency said in a news release.
Something the agency doesn't mention but which is undoubtedly a factor in the rapid deployment of LPVs is they cost of a fraction of the millions of dollars that ILS systems cost. WAAS, or Wide
Area Augmentation System, was commissioned in 2003.
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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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Here's How You Can Spend Your 2009 Vacation
Time |
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 Glasair's controversial Two Weeks To Taxi program, in which builders of Glasair Sportsman aircraft build an
almost-complete aircraft in two weeks at Glasair's facitlity in Washington State, has been endorsed by the FAA's Production and Airworthiness Division after a week-long audit. "The FAA's on-site team
found that the "lean manufacturing" processes employed, combined with the provided educational assistance, accelerates the Sportsman build time significantly without violating the spirit or intent of
Part 21, Section 21.191(g)," the company said in a news release.
More than 100 Sportsmans have been built in the program, in which company staff lay out tools, round up the necessary parts and provide instruction to customers who, according to the FAA's
findings, do at least 51 percent of the work. "We have worked very, very hard to develop a program that makes aircraft building more accessible, more organized, and as efficient as possible, while
staying within the letter and spirit of the amateur built rule," said Glasair CEO Michael Via. The company says it will expand the program. The decision would seem to set the tone for the current
discussion by the FAA's Amateur-Built Rulemaking Committee, which is reviewing the level of participation required by builders in all aspects of the construction of their aircraft. Among those
auditing the Glasair program was Frank Paskiewicz, who heads up the FAA's Production and Airworthiness Division and is a key member of the 51 percent rule committee.
Related Content:
AVweb's video interview with Glasair's Harry DeLong
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When Is the Last Time You Reviewed Your Life Insurance?
Annual reviews of life insurance needs can help determine if you lack important coverages — or if you can save on existing policies. As a pilot, you are likely paying more for life insurance
than you should be. Pilot Insurance Center specializes in providing pilots — from student to ATP — with insurance planning at the most affordable rates available. A+ Rated
Carriers – No Aviation Exclusions – Quick and Easy Application Process. Call PIC at 1 (800) 380-8376 or
visit online. 
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As you ponder your own economic circumstances don't forget that non-profit groups are especially feeling the pinch and the good work they do in all facets of aviation is at risk. For instance,
volunteers at Keystone Heights Airport in Florida are aggressively fund raising to build a warbird restoration center, and they're raffling
off a Diamond DA40 XLS with the help of Premier Aircraft Sales. "The tough economic climate has put a damper on our raffle sales even though we have received a lot of interest and support,"
spokeswoman Susan King told AVweb.
King said the plane will be raffled Feb. 22 when the tiny airport hosts the Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom tour. Keystone Heights has a warbird them to most of the events it hosts, which is
considerable for a small airport with an all-volunteer organization staff. In the past year they've hosted a Women Air Service Pilot reunion, promoted oral history projects in local schools and
spearheaded an aviation and aerospace science fair initiative.
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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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There's been a strange sight on highways and byways of Massachusetts and it could soon be an airborne apparitition. Transition, the so-called roadable aircraft conceived by Terrafugia has been
undergoing road tests for the past few weeks and AOPA Online is reporting that a first flight could occur in early December. The prototype, with functional electric folding wings, was a hit at EAA
AirVenture and the company reportedly took more than 100 orders for the $194,000 vehicle.
The Transition uses a 100-horsepower Rotax engine for road and flight mode. A simple clutch arrangement shiftes power from the front wheels to the rear-mounted prop. Test drivers have had the
Transition up to 40 mph and the company stresses that the two-place vehicle is not intended to replace the family SUV. Rather it's to provide transportation to and from the airport without all the
usual inconvenience. Deliveries are expected in 2010 assuming testing go according to plan.
Related Content:
AVweb's AirVenture 2008 video of the Terrafugia Transition
 Jim O'Neill, 65, was flying at 15,000 feet in clear weather over the UK when he suffered a stroke that compromised his
vision. The pilot of 18 years sent a mayday and eventually made contact with an RAF base at Leeming in Northallerton. During that contact, O'Neill complained of trouble seeing the instrument panel.
"At first he believed he was being blinded by sunlight," Wing Cdr Andy Hynd, commanding RAF officer at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, told BBC news. But the situation was worse -- O'Neill had a blood clot
pressing against his optic nerve blinding him in one eye and compromising his vision in the other. Hynd's facility took the handoff from Leeming and directed O'Neill to a landing at Linton-on-Ouse but
O'Neill in seven attempts failed to see the facility. Finally, with a chief flying instructor Wing Cdr Paul Gerrard flying O'Neill's wing in his Tucano T1, "telling him to turn left and right, to
lower the plane and to do his pre-landing checks," and zigzagging to keep pace with the slower aircraft, O'Neill managed to pilot the aircraft down. It was "only at the last minute" on the eighth
attempt and some 40 minutes since first contact that O'Neill visually picked up the runway as he touched down near its halfway point and came to a stop at its end.
While the RAF routinely practices guiding lost aircraft, "we are not used to shepherding blind pilots," said Wing Cdr Hynd. Following his successful landing, O'Neill was checked by base medics and
then transfered to Queen's Hospital in Romford, Essex. His sight appears to be gradually returning, in that he "can see the clock on the wall in his hospital room but is not yet able to read the
time," according to the Times Online.
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Between Wheels Up and Wheels Down, There Is One Important Word: How
As the team managing the FAA AFSS system, Lockheed Martin serves nearly 90,000 general aviation pilots every week. Providing timely, accurate information and helpful service 24/7. From
weather forecasts to en route information, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico, ensuring flight safety in the National Airspace System is all a question of how. And it is the how
that makes all the difference.
Click here for
more. 
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Not all airplanes are created equal. You need to think about whether yours is appropriate for the mission.
Click here for the full story.
Slowly but surely, the TSA is chipping away at the freedom of movement general aviation flying represents. And that's why you need to comment on its latest proposal, says Aviation Safety
Editor-in-Chief Jeb Burnside in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog.
Read more.
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No-Cost Interactive Courses Available from AOPA Air Safety Foundation
Interactive courses are available online from AOPA Air Safety Foundation ( ASF) 24/7 at no cost. Choose your topic and your pace.
Visit ASF's Online
Courses to take one now!
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The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is
You! |
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Reader mail this week about T-38s, planes that lose a wing, Zeppelins, EMS and much more.
Click here to read this week's letters to the 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.
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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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Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb
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Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos
A 300+ hp (flat-rated) turbine that weighs well under 300 pounds designed for small general aviation aircraft — is this what the high-end piston market has been waiting for?
Pilots may be asking, and Mooney may have an answer, via Rolls Royce. (Video by Glenn
Pew.)
This video is brought to you by Bose
Corporation.
Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb
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Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos
As our on-site audio teams packs their bags to leave San Jose, California, we bring you a collection of nine audio podcasts recorded at (or, in some cases, just before) the show. Once again, our
johnnies-on-the-spot have captured some of the most interesting voices in aviation, from CEOs and service providers to innovative thinkers, technical experts, and salesfolk. In case you missed any of
our nine exclusive podcasts from the show, we're re-presenting them here.
Click here for our podcast round-up from AOPA Expo 2008.
AVweb's audio coverage of AOPA Expo has been brought to you by Bose
Corporation's Aviation Headset X™; WxWorx XM WX
Satellite Weather, the premier weather provider for pilots;
and Lightspeed
Aviation, makers of the Zulu ANR headset. If you've enjoyed our coverage, please click on the links and check out their products.
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Jeppesen Avionics Knowledge Library — Garmin G1000 IFR Training
The Jeppesen Garmin G1000 — IFR Procedures training is an advanced, extensive computer-based training program developed with Garmin teaching skills to master the operation of and
confidently fly the G1000 in IFR conditions. Learn how to: Pull up and fly instrument procedures; load and activate approaches including RNAV and GPS; perform new WAAS-enabled approaches; and perform
course reversals, fly holding patterns, and execute missed approaches. Call Jeppesen at (303) 328-4274, or
visit online for
more information. 
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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 Volo Aviation at KEFD in Houston, Texas.
AVweb reader Brian Hunnell recommended the FBO for making an Angel Flight go as smoothly as possible:
I called the folks at Volo Aviation [during preflight, and] ... they informed me that 100LL would be $3.75 (normally $3.95) and if we needed "anything" they would accommodate us to the best of their
ability. Landing 10 minutes after closing time, we met Buddy Roberts, the mid-day and night manager. He gave us a ride to the hotel, where the patient could relax. This was the patient's first
experience with General Aviation (along with his slightly nervous wife!). Thank you to all who helped and made this a success.
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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 | | Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air" |
Overheard near the Tennessee/Alabama border:
Memphis:
"Heavy Iron 123, reduce speed to 210."
[no response]
Memphis:
"Heavy Iron 123, reduce speed to 210."
[no response]
Memphis:
"Heavy Iron 123, reduce speed to 210, now. You're about to knock the rudder off that traffic in front of you. Or, if you'd rather you can have a tour of the state of Alabama ... ."
Heavy Iron 123:
"Reducing to 210."
John Austin
Memphis, Tennessee
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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.
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and 
