NEW PAINT PROBED IN A320 CRASH
The Airbus A320 that crashed in the Mediterranean last Thursday had just been painted in Air New Zealand livery and The Australian says investigators are probing whether the fresh paint led to the crash. Although only two bodies have been recovered, it's assumed all seven people aboard the four-year-old aircraft died in the crash. The plane had recently been rented to a German airline and was in the process of being returned to Air New Zealand. The cockpit voice recorder has been recovered but the flight data recorder, which will likely provide more insight to the paint-clogged sensor theory, has not. More...

CHINA HALTS AIRCRAFT ORDERS DUE TO OVERCAPACITY
The booming aviation market in China -- expected by some manufacturers to support nearly 15 percent of worldwide demand for mid-sized commuter and airline jets over the next two decades -- has gone bust, at least for now, upon news that the Civil Aviation Authority of China has halted all future aircraft orders until overcapacity within the country can be resolved. That condition means that manufacturers like Bombardier, which had expected significant Chinese orders for its CSeries aircraft, can only count on existing orders to be honored as forecasts for future orders fall into question. Running a reported $758 million loss and stuck with reduced demand (passenger numbers dropped more than 6% year over year for the month of October), huge losses on fuel hedges and expensive mergers, the Chinese government has sunk about $541 million into just one of its airlines. The government is planning bailouts for other Chinese airlines, according to the Financial Post. The situation is a huge turnaround from predictions that called for rapid expansion of air travel and has now left the Chinese fleets overpopulated in a depressed economy. The Chinese government is reportedly considering lowering fuel prices for its state-owned carriers and cutting taxes imposed on the airlines until demand catches up with seat availability. More...

BOEING FLOATS HYDROGEN-POWERED AIRCRAFT IDEA
Boeing in August filed a patent that states the company believes an unmanned liquid hydrogen powered aircraft might be designed to fly for up to 10 days at 60,000 feet carrying loads of up to 2,000 pounds. Liquid hydrogen's physical properties would help both dictate and optimize the aircraft's design. To create the same energy, liquid hydrogen must occupy more than four times the volume of jet fuel, while, at the same time, it takes about 2.9 times more jet fuel (by weight) to produce the same energy. That being the case, Boeing's proposed design would use a higher volume fuselage for fuel storage and highly efficient, very high-aspect ratio low-camber wings not aerodynamically compromised by internal fuel-carrying requirements. The wings particularly could be optimized for load carrying and high-altitude, long-endurance performance. To make power, the aircraft would "use one or more internal combustion engines adapted for hydrogen combustion" to drive propellers, not jet engines. The resultant aircraft, according to Boeing, would be useful for loitering on station as an airborne observation platform or flying cell tower. It would theoretically be more capable than an airship in negotiating winds and could increase its endurance toward 30 days if operated near sea level. More...

GOOGLE ADDS MILITARY TRAINER TO FLEET
Google has upped the ante to keep its corporate aircraft at the spacious and convenient Moffett Field thanks to some snags in the way such aircraft are certified. In September of 2007, NASA, which operates Moffett Field, just north of San Jose, Calif., admitted it had entered an agreement with Google to rent hangar space and allow the comings and goings of Google's Boeing 767, Boeing 757 and two Gulfstreams in exchange for placing scientific gear on the planes. That satisfied NASA's requirement that all Moffett traffic be NASA-related and it gave Google a convenient base for the aircraft, a five-minute drive from their Mountain View headquarters. But according to the New York Times, the problem with that deal is that adding electronics or just about anything else to the aircraft isn't allowed under FAA certification rules if Google still wants to use them for carrying people. So, Google bought a used military trainer, a Dornier Alphajet that will be registered as an experimental aircraft so NASA can modify it at will. More...

AEROCAR SERIAL NUMBER 2 ON EBAY
The Moulton B. Taylor Aerocar registered N103D and built in 1956 has become available through auction on eBay. The seller claims it is a Model One and carries the manufacturer serial number of "2." The Aerocar is an FAA-registered aircraft that can cruise at 100 mph for about 300 miles in the air. When operated without its removable wings and tail, it becomes a roadable vehicle capable of legal highway driving while towing its aerodynamic appendages. This particular one comes complete with 1,103 hours of flight time and 303.3 hours of road time. The vehicle is powered by a 160-hp Lycoming 0-0340B1A that's seen 22 hours since its last major overhaul. Those interested in flying it should know that the vehicle had its last annual inspection in 1976. Those interested in purchasing it should know that the listed "buy it now price" is $3.5 million. Merry Christmas. For reference, at the time we posted this story, the same seller was offering a 1973 Boeing 727-200 for just under $3 million. The Aerocar auction ends Dec. 16, and all potential buyers must be approved by the seller before they're allowed to bid. Or you can bypass the whole bidding war and contact the seller directly through the Web site, here. More...

NASCAR SUES CESSNA
The fatal crash of a Cessna 310R into a Sanford, Fla., neighborhood on July 10, 2007, has spawned a lawsuit prior to release of the NTSB's final report on the crash. Michael Klemm, a NASCAR pilot, and Bruce Kennedy were killed when the aircraft attempted an emergency landing, clipped a tree and crashed into two houses, in which three more people died as a result of the crash. NASCAR has already paid at least $1 million to Klemm's family and is seeking reimbursement for its payments to family members of those killed on the ground. Early investigations by the NTSB cited an aircraft mechanic's testimony that Klemm was aware of squawks with the aircraft, though the extent of his understanding of the reported problem is unknown. Aircraft records found at the accident site record a notation written by the pilot of the previous day's flight, which described a "smell of electrical components burning." According to the NTSB, there is no evidence that action was taken to address the issue. There were no witnesses found by the NTSB who could recall seeing either Klemm or Kennedy (who held a commercial pilot certificate) reviewing the aircraft's discrepancy log prior to the flight. NASCAR believes the accident was caused by faulty wiring installed by Cessna when the aircraft was built, back in 1977. Its attorneys allege that "the incident was entirely due to the negligence or fault" of Cessna and "not the negligence or fault" of NASCAR, according to Daytona Beach's News-Journal Online. Cessna's lawyers were not available for comment. More...

REVISITING THE ONE-WING LANDING VIDEO, JUST FOR PILOTS
While the very popular YouTube video of an aerobatic aircraft seemingly landing safely after losing its right wing appeared sufficiently unrealistic to most pilots, it's impressive editing (and poor resolution) did lend it some credibility and enough to lead us to create a video critique; but we did leave out one key point. AVweb has previously explained that the video is a promotional piece for a clothing manufacturer, but in catering to that broader audience, there is one more technical piece of information we left out of our video critique. It's a bit more complicated than mismatched paint schemes, but is truly the nail in the coffin for the video ... and for any real pilot flying an airplane like the one depicted. And so, here's the test. Have another look and pay close attention to the still frames -- particularly the one that frames the aircraft's nose as it rolls out after landing. Take a good look at that wing, or rather where that wing used to be, and see if you can remember how an aircraft's wing is constructed. There's something important missing from that wing root. Important enough that you'd not fly an airplane without it, and if you did, you'd be right to expect results similar to those in the video. We'll give you a hint: It's nothing to fight about. More...

WHEELS UP LANDING AT PENSACOLA

Click for more photos

For an aviation photo buff, there's nothing like being in the right place at the right time and having the presence of mind to start shooting. Tom Callahan, of Pensacola, Fla., was shooting photos of the Blue Angels Homecoming practice day a couple of weeks ago when he noticed an FJ-4B Sea Fury on final approach without something important. Callahan said the owner and pilot of the beautiful Navy version of the F-86 Sabre forgot to lower the gear. The aircraft is repairable and work began the next day. More...

GOT A MOMENT? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD WITH AVIATION CONSUMER'S MAINTENANCE SURVEY
Our sister magazine, Aviation Consumer, wants your opinion on aircraft maintenance. If you'd like to participate, click here to complete a short, confidential survey.

(The results will be used in an upcoming Aviation Consumer article on managing your maintenance. For subscription information, click here.) 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...

AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, AND COMPREHENSIVE ELECTRONIC LOGGING WITH AIRCRAFTLOGS
Put down that pencil! Doug Stewart of AircraftLogs took a few minutes to talk with us at AOPA Expo about how electronic logging can improve almost every aspect of record-keeping. (Yes, that means for you, too.) More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: HONEST, THAT ONE-WINGED LANDING VIDEO REALLY IS A HOAX
On Oct. 29, Ric Lee sent us an amazing, actually unbelievable, video of an aerobatic airplane losing a wing in flight and landing successfully. We were initially amazed, then became skeptical, and finally, in our AVweb Insider blog, explained some of the reasons this dramatic video could be nothing more than an (ultimately very successful) attempt to create a viral video that flashes the name of a skateboarder clothing line in front of millions of viewers. Trouble is, people by the dozens keep sending us the video and urging us to present it on our site. Our video editor, Glenn Pew, spent some time illuminating the glaring shortcomings of this admittedly clever hoax and put them together in a single video. We should have thought of this a month ago ... . (Click through to watch.) More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: CROWNAIR'S "NEW" CESSNA 210 CENTURIONS
CrownAir makes Cessna 210 Centurions new again. The company modernizes the old aircraft, upgrading its oxygen system, its avionics, its internal airflow and more. AVweb's Glenn Pew has the details. (Click through to watch.) More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: JOHN H. BATTEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KRAC, RACINE, WI)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the FBO at John H. Batten International Airport (KRAC) in Racine, Wisconsin.

We've heard quite a few nice things about Batten Airport recently, but one of the earliest comments came from AVweb reader A. M. Radel, who wrote:

The fantastic service that I experienced at KRAC should be used as a benchmark for every FBO across the U.S. The professionalism and low fuel prices made me a believer that there is still pride and personal care in aviation companies. Don't be foolish and overlook this FBO if [you are] able [to visit them]!

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"

Overheard on a busy Friday afternoon with Seattle Center/Approach:

Center (handing off to Approach):
"Cross JAXON at 8,000 and reduce speed to 250."

Airliner 123 (checking in):
"Approach, will we have to slow to 250 knots at JAXON?"

Center:
"Airliner 123, I wish I could say no, but approach insists that they need it for spacing."

Airliner 123:
"How's the ride at 8,000 feet?"

Center:
"No complaints so far, except for controller ability."

Dave Chuljian
via e-mail

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
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Glenn Pew

Features Editor
Kevin Lane-Cummings

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Scott Simmons

Contributors
Jeff van West

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