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| Top News: User Fees and the Obama Era | back to top |  |
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On User Fees, And The Nomination Of LaHood For SecDOT
If confirmed as Transportation Secretary, LaHood would bring with him the bipartisan support of James Oberstar, the sitting House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman, who said LaHood would be "excellent, superb, in fact" in the position. Sitting Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters offered similar confidence that "our nation's transportation network will be in good hands under the leadership of Congressman LaHood." |
Illinois Rep. Ray LaHood, currently a member of the House Appropriations Committee, was nominated Friday to serve as Secretary of
Transportation and aviation's alphabet groups are chiming in. AOPA president-elect Craig Fuller had positive remarks regarding President-elect Barack Obama's decision. "The Appropriations Committee
has adamantly opposed aviation user fees," said Fuller, who said that LaHood's experience there "should be helpful to general aviation" when Lahood's input reaches the White House. The Air
Transportation Association of America, which as early as 2006 called for aviation user fees to bolster the FAA's budget, said in a statement that Congressman LaHood has earned a reputation as an
"even-handed, thoughtful" deliberator. The ATA says it is looking forward to working with LaHood on "revitalization of the aviation infrastructure," with an eye toward "prudent and equitable action on
the reauthorization of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund." The ATA intends to work with LaHood to "best utilize the airlines' potential" to generate economic growth. As for LaHood, "I understand what
good infrastructure and transportation means to local communities," he said.
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| Aviation Safety | back to top | |
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NTSB Go Team To Investigate 737 Crash At DIA
DIA opened in 1995 and has never suffered an accident resulting in mass casualties. The accident Saturday may be the worst in the airport's history. The aircraft burned until 9:30 p.m., local time, by which time the overhead bins had been melted to to the seats, according to the Denver Post.
NTSB, AAIB Investigate Another 777 Engine Power Loss
The AAIB had written of the Heathrow accident that the accident aircraft had been exposed to both low fuel flows and temperatures as that aircraft had flown its descent. Circumstances surrounding the Delta flight may have been at least partially different. Flight data recorders have been retrieved from the Delta flight and both pilots have been interviewed. Final conclusions regarding the Heathrow crash have not yet been reached, but the accident led to new procedures for pilots that include varying altitude en route when fuel in the main tank falls below 10 degrees for more than three hours.
FAA Targets Flaps On Bombardier Challenger Jets
Operators and other interested parties may find the complete language of the proposed AD published, here. The FAA is requesting comments to be received no later than Jan. 20. |
The NTSB sent a Go Team to Denver, Sunday, to investigate the 
The NTSB has initiated an investigation involving a Boeing 777 that experienced an uncommanded engine power rollback late this fall and
its potential ties to a dual engine rollback that led to the crash landing of a British Airways 777 shy of the runway at Heathrow last winter. The Air Accidents Investigation Board investigating that
Jan. 17 nonfatal crash of a Boeing 777-236ER out of Beijing that crashed short of the runway at Heathrow released an 
The FAA Thursday invited comments on a proposal for a new airworthiness directive to correct flap failures on Bombardier Challenger
CL-600-2B19 twin jet commuter aircraft, after the agency received a report that a previous AD was "not effective." According to the FAA, flap failures on the aircraft have been reported over several
years with the flaps sticking in various positions. The failures have resulted in flight diversions, higher fuel consumption and longer landing-distance requirements for affected aircraft. The
proposed AD would revise the airplane flight manual to incorporate operational procedures and corrective maintenance actions, including a pressure test of the flexible drive-shaft and low temperature
torque test of the flap actuator. The FAA estimates the cost of the proposed AD to be $1,440 per some 680 aircraft working in the U.S. The requirements are expected to eventually encompass about 1,000
Bombardier CRJ models worldwide.
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| Tomorrow's Airspace Today | back to top | |
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Garmin Transponders ADS-B Ready
The FAA has proposed a mandate that all aircraft be capable of providing ADS-B Out information by Jan. 1, 2020. AOPA has requested the FAA modify its proposal in the interests of realistic pricing, stating that "the cost of ADS-B equipment currently outweighs the proposed benefits to GA." With the improved services to general aviation and lowered cost of equipment, AOPA hopes general aviation pilots will opt in to participation in ADS-B when the benefits become compelling and affordable.
Related Content:
Consolidation Plan Would Pull Weather Experts From ARTCC
Proponents of the consolidation note that Canada's similar consolidation model has been used successfully. Opponents note that Canada's air traffic represents less than 10 percent of the traffic operating in U.S. airspace. |
Thursday, Garmin announced that it received FAA TSO authorization for the GTX 330 and GTX 33 transponders, and says it now provides an
industry first for general aviation ADS-B Out capability. The specific TSO-C166a authorization applies minimum standards for 1090 MHz ADS-B and TIS-B equipment. In English, that means the transponders
can provide precise aircraft location information to both air traffic control and other ADS-B equipped aircraft operating in the vicinity. So, these units introduce to general and business aviation a
product designed to comply with the FAA's "NextGen" ATC system requirements. The faster update rate of 1090 MHz "extended squitter" (ES) capability allows the transponders to provide more accurate
information for "surveillance" of the aircraft while in operation allowing for improved collision avoidance. "Garmin will offer the ES technology as a retrofit upgrade option for GTX 330 and GTX 33's
already in the field" and as an option on newly purchased units. The company did not provide pricing information in its news release. The GTX 330 is a solid-state, Mode S transponder with TIS data
link functionality capable of displaying traffic information on the Garmin GNS 430W/530W series. It currently sells for roughly $3,500.
The FAA's intent to reduce costs and better utilize information technology would remove meteorologists from all 20 air route traffic
control centers and has prompted weather service workers union president Dan Sobien to tell the Miami Herald, "If we let this happen, people will die." Sobien said a plan to be delivered to Congress
on Tuesday would move 84 employees to two central forecasting locations – one in Kansas City, and one backup in College Park, Md. That would force controllers dealing with emergencies to consult
with weather experts halfway across the country, instead of one sitting right next to them, according to Sobien. Controllers, who have worked side-by-side with weather experts since 1978, agree that
the idea may cause unwelcome complications. The consolidation plan would begin with a test phase. If it is both accepted and implemented by the FAA, it could save the agency roughly $4 million,
annually, and make the U.S. system more resemble Canada's model.
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| Eye on the Economy | back to top | |
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As Your Fuel Prices Drop, Airlines Still Suffer
The turn to profitability is expected to come through capacity cuts and continued low fuel costs, but many airlines locked into term fuel contracts at 2008 prices. Those carriers will not be able to adjust their fares down until those contracts expire and new deals are negotiated. To make up for it, targeted deal pricing between specific locations may be offered ... and there's always general aviation and air taxis that may be more flexible and may also offer more affordable travel options for pioneering travelers willing to think outside the box.
HondaJet Progress May Help Greensboro, N.C., Economy
Companies already showing a presence at Triad include Cessna, B/E Aerospace, Timco Aviation Services and Atlantic Aero, Inc. FedEx is a major contributor, expecting to open a new facility at the airport in the middle of next year (2009). "Our aviation inquiries are up as far as other aviation-related companies looking in the area," Dan Lynch, president of the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance, told the Winston-Salem Journal. |
Jet and avgas fuel prices have dropped significantly from a peak hit this summer, but that particular savings has not been passed on
to passengers as ticket prices reflect new challenges for airlines faced with global economic frugality. In short, the airlines have traded a fuel crisis for an economic one and are still not making
money. Fuel surcharges are on the decline, as is business and premium travel, combining with fare revenue that has fallen more than 13 percent in November. Cutting capacity by 10 percent has barely
helped increase revenue per seat mile by less than half of one percent domestically, showing the smallest year-over-year improvement in more than a year. The changes have played out so violently and
so rapidly -- fuel prices in 2008 surged more than 40 percent -- that airlines have ground to make up and airfare fuel surcharges have not yet followed fuel prices down. Presently, the Air Transport
Association forecasts a nearly 20-percent drop in air travelers over the three-week Christmas/New Year season, and looking ahead on a more global scale ICAO predicts that average passenger load
factors will dip through 2009 before rebounding in 2010 to 2007 levels. That is expected to translate into operating losses for ICAO airlines for 2008 with profitability expected to return in 2009,
increasing in 2010. But some carriers locked in to fuel contracts may suffer.
Honda Aircraft hopes to have multiple conforming HondaJets in the air this summer for use in FAA certification testing, still aiming for
first customer deliveries by late 2010. The company's research and development facility was completed at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, N.C., earlier this month and plans to build
its production facility while working with the FAA toward certification. Honda facilities at the airport will eventually capture 400,000 square feet as the result of a $100 million Honda investment
that should produce about 500 full-time positions (each averaging $75,000/year) when production begins. A local community college is being tapped to establish training programs for future Honda
facility staff. The presence of Honda at the airport is hoped to encourage area business expansion and has already resulted in at least one company move to the area. A recent count listed more than 50
companies doing business near Piedmont Triad, injecting the local economy with $1 billion annually and supporting 4,000 employees. Local officials are hoping those numbers are on the rise.
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| The State of Cirrus | back to top | |
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New CEO At Cirrus, Klapmeier Still Chairman
In an interview with AVweb, Klapmeier said the move reflects the reality of the current organizational structure at Cirrus. In fact, as chairman of the board, he said he retains overall responsibility for the company but he will not play as big a role in the day-to-day operations of the company. "This is just the reasonable thing to do. It's not really that big of a change," he said. Klapmeier said the company remains focused on developing and manufacturing the Vision jet and on keeping costs in check during the current downturn. Klapmeier said he also intends to try and change the perception of general aviation in the public and mainstream media, a perception that's taken a beating in recent weeks with the controversy over auto executives' use of business jets. Klapmeier said his goal is to change that perception from one that revolves around luxury and perks to one that expresses general aviation's value in enhancing productivity and saving time. He acknowledged that changing the perception will be difficult. "But does that mean you don't try?" he said.
An article in the Duluth News Tribune paraphrased Wouters as saying the Klapmeiers "will continue to be quite involved in charting Cirrus' strategy but will be less involved in day-to-day operations." He also praised the brothers for their pioneering work in creating the company. "This is a very good opportunity for me, but I can't say enough about the foundation that Alan and Dale have built for this company," Wouters told the News Tribune. He also said the brothers gave Cirrus "a great launching pad."
Related Content:
A Chat with Cirrus's Incoming CEO, Brent WoutersFile Size 6.6 MB / Running Time 7:10
When word got out last week that Alan Klapmeier was passing on the post of CEO of Cirrus Design to President and Chief Operating Officer Brent Wouters, it ignited speculation on the background of the decision. Wouters told AVweb's Russ Niles that it's business as usual at the Duluth planemaker.
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Cirrus Design co-founder Alan Klapmeier said Thursday that Chief Operating Officer Brent Wouters has been promoted and will take over from him as Chief Executive Officer of the company effective Feb.
1. Klapmeier said he will continue as chairman of the board of directors and his brother and company co-founder Dale will continue as vice chair.
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| News Briefs | back to top | |
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Weather 1, Weather Station 0
Surplus Space Shuttles For Sale
NASA notes that "it may not be possible to completely remove all residual hazards from the hardware," and the agency "will clearly identify any unusual hazards that are not removed" prior to delivery to any recipient. According to the agency, to officially qualify as a potential recipient, "you must be: 1) a U.S. museum, institution, or organization dedicated to education or educational outreach, including NASA Visitor Centers; 2) a U.S. Federal agency, State, Commonwealth, or U.S. possession or any municipal corporation or political subdivision thereof; or 3) the District of Columbia." See all the details, here. |
If you've ever wondered just what kind of weather a weather radar site can withstand, the National Weather
Service has an answer. It's something less than 140 mph. The fiberglass dome that encases the radar gear at 
NASA Wednesday announced it is seeking information from educational institutions, science museums and the like, which may be able to
afford and are interested in acquiring for display a retired Space Shuttle Orbiter. The cost to detoxify the fuel systems on each of three Space Shuttles currently in NASA's fleet (the Atlantis,
Endeavour, and Discovery) will be passed on to the purchaser, along with the costs of preparation for final display and a ferry flight delivery to any U.S. destination that has an accessible
8,000-10,000 foot runway. Currently that lands the cost of one used Space Shuttle at about $42 million of which about six million will go toward delivery. (NASA's Web site lists the cost of the Space
Shuttle Endeavour at $1.7 billion.) The agency expects to have officially retired the Shuttles from service by September 2010 and wants to have them out of their hands "no later than May 31, 2012." A
Shuttle first went into orbit April 12, 1981. Prior to delivery, each retired Shuttle will have been neutered, arriving to its new owner lacking the liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen main engines located
at the rear of each Shuttle. But organizations may be able to acquire those separately (for anywhere from about $400,000 to $800,000 each), and perhaps as early as mid-2009. At least six
non-flight-worthy unassembled or partially assembled but complete main engine packages would be brought together by NASA for "display engine 'kits.'" At this time, NASA is just "interested in
identifying whether potential recipient organizations are capable of bearing the full cost" involved in making the vehicles safe for public placement. And the agency does have at least one preferred
recipient in the National Air and Space Museum. The remaining two flown Orbiters would be placed in storage at the John F. Kennedy Space Center until final placement decisions are made. NASA does list
important considerations for other aspiring recipients.
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| AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Laugh and Learn | back to top | |
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Video of the Week: Cow StrikeRecommend a Video | VOTW Archive Oh, the commentary (both serious and otherwise) we could offer with this week's "Video of the Week"! But, in the end, what could we add that isn't already said beautifully by the title of this clip — "Plane Hits Cow (With Slow Motion)"? Thanks to AVweb reader Mike Whaley for sending us the link. And let us assure you no cows were harmed in the presentation of this video — according to Florida Today, the star of this video escaped the encounter "apparently uninjured."
Don't forget to send us links to any interesting videos you find out there. If you're impressed by it, there's a good chance other AVweb readers will be too. And if we use a video you recommend on AVweb, we'll send out an official AVweb baseball cap as a "thank you."
AVweb Insider Blog: Diamond Doing the Right Thing by Thielert Engine Owners?
AVweb's Video Gift Ideas 2008
Looking for a gift for yourself or your pilot friends? AVweb can help! Video editor Glenn Pew has put together our most useful product overviews for you to peruse and get ideas.
If you see something you like in one of these videos, visit our sponsors and get your shopping done online.
Stay informed; stay entertained.
Happy holidays from your team at AVweb.
Exclusive Video: Avidyne Entegra Integrated Flight Deck (Release 9)Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos Avidyne has upgraded its Entegra Flight Deck. Join us as we have a look, courtesy of Paul Bertorelli and Glenn Pew. For more on the new Entegra, click here.
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For some TwinStar owners, the Diamond/Thielert front has been a little too quiet this fall. But Diamond now has solutions for beached DA42 owners, or soon will have, and AVweb Editorial
Director Paul Bertorelli explains how Diamond is stepping for owners in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog. (And yes, he even admits that he may have been a little harsh
on the Big Three in an earlier blog post.)
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| Your Favorite FBOs | back to top | |
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FBO of the Week: Galaxy Air Services (Conroe, TX)
Nominate an FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions | Winning FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Galaxy Air Services at Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO) in Conroe, Texas.
AVweb reader David Hertz described a nightmare lay-over in Conroe that was made a little easier by the dream team at Galaxy:
We were on our way east, heading towards New York when terrible weather saw us landing at Lone Star Executive in Conroe, Texas. Little did we know how fortunate this choice would be. ... Held in by a two-day ice and snow storm — the Houston natives kept telling us "it never does this in Texas" — we enjoyed terrific hospitality and use of a courtesy car ... . Two days later, the weather cleared and [when] we had said our thank yous and goodbyes , we went to launch, and the starter in the airplane failed. Five minutes after hearing our story (and certainly surprised to see us again), the mechanics at Galaxy were tearing into the airplane to get us on the way. ... [One UPS delivery and another night in Conroe later,] we launch, but Houston approach said our radios were unintelligible. Turning around was the last thing we wanted to do, but Galaxy put us onto their avionics neighbor, Avionics Unlimited. ... The crew car having been given to another crew and unavailable, David and Nancy directed their son to "give them Grandma's car" (a beautiful Lincoln Calais). So we spent one last night in Texas, while styling along in a luxury ride. These fine people went far out of their way for complete strangers. We couldn't have felt more welcome or accommodated. Every effort was to ensure our comfort during this unintended stopover. Giving us Granny's car to drive was just completely over the top. Being native New Yorkers, we were very impressed by "hospitality Texas-style" as shown us by David and Nancy of Galaxy Air Services. In our eyes, they earned "FBO of the Week" and did so many times over.
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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| The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! | back to top | |
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Attention, Power Flow Customers: Aviation Consumer Wants to Hear from You!
Send a note to aviation_safety@hotmail.com to share your experiences. We're particularly interested in your opinions on the exhaust system's price and performance, its ease of installation, before and after performance measurements, fuel flow, whether you'd purchase the system again and any other comments you'd care to share. Please include information on your airplane (make/model/year) and its engine (e.g., Lycoming O-360).
(The results will appear in a future issue of Aviation Consumer. For subscription information, click here.)
AVweb's Newstips Address ...
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Have you installed a Power Flow Exhaust on your airplane? Our sister publication, 
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
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| The Lighter Side of Flight | back to top | |
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Short Final
Over Southern California, United 202 requested direct to Winslow, Arizona from Southern California. Instead, Center gave him this:
Center:
United 202:
United 18 (foreseeing good fortune):
Center:
Harry W. Lerch |
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| More AVweb for Your Inbox | back to top | |
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AVwebBiz: AVweb's Business Aviation Newsletter
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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 | Names Behind the News | back to top | |
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Meet the AVwebFlash TeamAVwebFlash 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:
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. |
