January 15, 2009

By The AVweb Editorial Staff

Holiday Special Extended! Get $100 Off a Panel Power Zulu Lightspeed has lowered their price from $900 to $850, plus they'll give you a $50 mail-in rebate. So there's still time to give your special pilot everything dreams are made of — performance, comfort, and crystal-clear audio, with more total noise cancellation than any other headset, plus built-in Bluetooth. Purchase from an authorized Lightspeed dealer by January 31st, 2009. Click here to see why Zulu is Aviation Consumer's Headset of the Year for 2008. Top News: Federal Aid for Aviation Infrastructure? back to top  Sponsor Announcement GA, Airlines Join Forces To Lobby For Aid After several years of bickering among airlines and business-aviation advocates about who will pay what taxes and user fees, all the aviation groups now are banding together to lobby for a piece of the expected stimulus package under discussion in Washington. "As we've gone around and done meetings on Capitol Hill, that's been one of the first observations they've made -- that 'this is great, you guys are all together on this,'" AOPA's Andy Cebula told the Bloomberg News. Lobbyists are hoping to get about $4 billion to advance the development of NextGen technologies such as ADS-B, improved cockpit computers, and better equipment and procedures for instrument approaches. The Air Transport Association, the National Business Aviation Association, the National Air Transport Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and several other groups are all working together to lobby for the aid. Cebula said he hopes the newfound collaborative spirit carries over when the issue of FAA funding and user fees arises in Congress again later this year. Just last May, the ATA was griping about how private jets clutter the airways while failing to pay for their share of the system, and NBAA responded that delays were the airlines' own fault due to poor scheduling practices. Aircraft Spruce Is a Proud Sponsor of the Sebring Expo January 22-25 Come join Aircraft Spruce in Sebring, Florida (Tent E: 18-20) on January 22-24 from 9am-5pm and January 25 from 9am-3pm. Take advantage of some of your favorite products on sale, complimentary ground shipping (doesn't apply to hazardous or oversize products), and the Aircraft Spruce staff on-site to answer all questions. Call Aircraft Spruce at (877) 4-SPRUCE, or order online. Aviation Safety back to top  Sponsor Announcement NTSB To Release Nine Helicopter EMS Accident Reports In an unusual move, the NTSB on Thursday will release four probable-cause reports all at once, together with interim factual reports on five other accidents. All nine of the accidents involved helicopters that were engaged in emergency medical flights, all of them occurred since December 2007, and all of them were fatal, resulting in 35 deaths. The NTSB says that helicopter EMS safety has been an "ongoing concern," and the board will hold hearings in Washington, D.C., Feb. 3 to 6, to examine the issue. The board will hear expert testimony from invited witnesses. The public is invited to attend, and the proceedings will be webcast live. The issues to be discussed include flight operations and aircraft safety equipment. In January 2006, the board released a special report on the safety of helicopter EMS operations, recommended changes in training and oversight, and also suggested that all helicopter EMS aircraft should have terrain awareness and warning systems installed. The safety board also added helicopter EMS safety to its Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements for 2008. Fugitive Pilot Captured And Charged An Indiana pilot who is alleged to have faked a distress call on Sunday night, parachuted from his Piper Meridian and fled a small Alabama town on a motorcycle he'd hidden there was facing the end of his marriage and the collapse of his business empire, authorities say. Marcus Schrenker, 38, was found by U.S. marshals Tuesday night, in a tent at a Florida campground, close to the Georgia border. He had slit his wrist in an apparent suicide attempt. "There was a large loss of blood and he was pretty incoherent," Frank Chiumento, a U.S. Marshal Service deputy chief in Tallahassee, told the IndyStar. "If we didn't arrive at the time, his survival was questionable, that's for sure." Authorities said Schrenker is expected to recover and will face charges of criminal fraud and several lawsuits, as well as federal charges alleging that he faked the distress call and abandoned the airplane. In an e-mail to a friend sent on Monday night, which has been posted online by Fox News, Schrenker insists that a side window broke at 22,000 feet and he jumped out in hypoxia-induced panic. He added that he had considered suicide for some time but would never intentionally endanger others by abandoning the airplane. "If I would have wanted to commit suicide with an aircraft I just would have flown it into a mountain," he wrote. He added, "I have embarrassed my family for the last time and by the time you read this I will be gone." After Schrenker jumped, the empty aircraft continued heading south at about 2,000 feet for about 200 miles. Military aircraft intercepted and reported the door was open and the left seat empty. The airplane eventually crashed in a swamp in northern Florida, narrowly missing several homes. After bailing out, Schrenker landed in Harpersville, Ala., where he had allegedly stashed a brand-new red Yamaha sport bike in a storage unit he'd rented the day before. Schrenker collected luxury cars, owned at least two airplanes and starred himself in a YouTube video in which he flies under bridges in the Bahamas in an Extra 300. Schrenker is expected to appear in a Florida court this week. His company Heritage Wealth Management took thousands of dollars in investments from many commercial pilots, according to CNN, and complaints have been filed in Georgia and Indiana about the handling of those funds. His wife filed for divorce last month. Zero-Down Factory Engine Financing! Guaranteed Lowest Price! Most Knowledgeable Factory Engine Team! It's no wonder Air Power is the #1 Factory Engine Distributor, with over 27,000 engines sold! To get a quote and see what everyone is talking about, call Air Power at (888) 759-4295, or visit online. Air Power The Best Engines, at the Best Prices, by the Best People! Cessna's SkyCatcher — And the Skies It Will Fly In back to top  Cessna Reports Progress On New Aircraft Despite the ongoing economic downturn, Cessna continues to move forward on new product development, including the Model 162 SkyCatcher LSA, the large-cabin Citation Columbus business jet, and the Citation CJ4, the company said in a news release on Wednesday. "Despite the uncertainty of the world's economic environment, we believe it is critical that we not compromise our future," said Cessna CEO Jack Pelton. "Our new product development programs are proceeding on schedule. We remain committed to investing in these programs, whether it is in aircraft development, facility construction or ensuring we have the people resources to meet our schedule." The SkyCatcher is nearing final ASTM compliance certification and deliveries are planned to begin later this year, the company said. Flight testing is focused on gathering data and making minor refinements to ensure the aircraft complies with ASTM requirements and fulfills its intended role in the training and sport flying market, Cessna said. An extensive ground vibration test, though not an ASTM requirement, was conducted to ensure a high standard of airframe integrity. Additional testing beyond the ASTM requirements will include a full airframe fatigue test on a production aircraft. The company is investing $780 million in the Columbus program, which was formally launched about a year ago. The airplane, which will be Cessna's biggest ever, is on track to start deliveries in 2014. More than 850 workers are assigned to the project, and a massive new assembly facility is under construction in Wichita. The Citation CJ4, the newest member of the CJ series of light jets, is expected to be certified later this year and to enter service early in 2010. FAA Weather Consolidation Plan Draws Opposition The FAA's plan to take forecasters out of the 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers around the country and consolidate weather services at two sites, in Maryland and Kansas, is drawing opposition from the GA alphabet groups. The FAA has set a deadline of Feb. 23 to come up with a plan for the change, which also could eliminate up to 39 forecaster positions. "If these employees are removed from the centers, we will lose a valuable asset," Ron Carpenter, NATCA rep at the Memphis Center, said on Wednesday. "We currently receive instant updates on the ever-changing weather. We don't believe any technology that exists now will give us the speed or effectiveness with which we must have our weather reports delivered." Forecasters in the centers provide "a vital means of communicating late-breaking weather warnings and advisories to pilots," AOPA said this week. "Meteorologists with local weather expertise, who are co-located in each ARTCC, are able to quickly relay information about adverse weather to controllers, who in turn advise pilots whose routes may take them near danger." FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto told the Memphis Commercial Appeal, "We're simply looking for ways to reduce costs. The main thing to keep in mind is this would not compromise safety at all." The FAA hopes to launch the consolidation plan later this year, and complete the project by 2011, AOPA said. "These [Center forecasters] have weather information not only for the continental United States, but also have more specific information for the facility to which they are assigned," said Kevin Bianchi, NATCA rep at the Boston Center. "It is this detailed and specific information that is invaluable to controllers." The current system has been in place since 1978, after the NTSB determined that a major contributing factor to the 1977 Southern Airways DC-9 crash in Georgia, in which 62 people died, was ATC's inability to quickly send hazardous weather information to flight crews. The consolidation plan would save the FAA an estimated $4 million per year. Choose Cutter Aviation PHX for NBA All Star 2009! Cutter Aviation PHX is your premier FBO for Phoenix, AZ destinations! Make your FBO fuel and ramp reservations today for the NBA All Star Game in Phoenix with Cutter Aviation, and you're automatically entered to win your choice of a Citizen Black Eagle Skyhawk watch or a Coach handbag at tip-off! Reservations must be received by February 8th to be eligible. Click here to reserve online! What You Missed in AVwebBiz This Week back to top  Phil Boyer Joins Aspen Avionics Board Soon after retiring from his 18 years as AOPA's president, Phil Boyer has taken a next step common to many executives who complete a successful career while still healthy and full of energy -- he has joined the board of an industry stalwart. Aspen Avionics announced on Tuesday that Boyer will be the first outside member of its board of directors, joining six investors and company executives. The board will help to guide the company through its next stages of growth. "Nearly two decades spent listening to the concerns and issues of the nation's pilots, aircraft owners, manufacturers and regulators has given Phil a deep understanding of the GA industry's opportunities, as well as its challenges," John Uczekaj, president and CEO of Aspen Avionics, said in a news release. "Phil's extensive expertise and relationships will be invaluable in helping chart Aspen's strategic course in the years ahead, and in ensuring that our products meet the needs of pilots around the world." Aspen Avionics sells the Evolution Flight Display System, a glass cockpit for certified GA aircraft. The opportunity to continue bringing transformational technologies to all segments of the GA industry is part of what attracted Boyer to join the board, according to the company. "Aspen enjoys an active board of directors, with everyone contributing to the company's success," said Uczekaj. "Phil Boyer will be an outstanding addition to our team." Boyer retired from AOPA on Dec. 31. Shortly before leaving office, Boyer sat down with AVweb Editorial Director Paul Bertorelli for a one-on-one video interview about his 18-year legacy. Click here (and here and here) for parts one through three. Eclipse Auction Cancelled The Associated Press is reporting that a public auction to sell the assets of Eclipse Aviation Wednesday has been cancelled for lack of qualified competing bidders. According to AP's story, that will pave the way for EclipseJet Aviation, owned by current Eclipse Chairman Roel Pieper, to pick up the company for roughly 20 cents on the dollar. ETIRC is proposing to pay $188 million ($28 million cash, $160 million in new notes) and offer 15-percent equity to senior secured creditors. Eclipse's total liability was estimated at more than $1 billion when it filed for Chapter 11 protection in late November. It was rumored that there were at least two competing bids for Eclipse but if there were other bids they were not considered to be qualified. Two committees of secured creditors and a committee of unsecured creditors who reviewed the bid(s) determined that there were no qualified bids, Eclipse lawyer Dan Guyder told the AP. AVwebBiz: AVweb's Business Aviation Newsletter Have you signed up yet for AVweb's no-cost weekly business aviation newsletter, AVwebBiz? Delivered every Wednesday morning, AVwebBiz focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the business aviation industry, making it a must-read. Add AVwebBiz to your AVweb subscriptions today by clicking here and choosing "Update E-mail Subscriptions." Putting More Power in Your Logbooks Subscribe to AircraftLogs, a total aircraft management service for private and corporate aircraft operators. AircraftLogs has developed industry-leading technologies that automate aircraft records and eliminate paperwork. Flight data, maintenance records, expense records, even tax requirements are captured with FAA-compliant technology that is secure and simple to use. AircraftLogs is the Cadillac option for tracking pilot and aircraft time! Subscribe. Click. Fly. For complete details, call (888) 359-5647, or go online. D.C.: T Minus Five Days and Counting ... back to top  Planners Hope To Cope With Inauguration Air Traffic Unprecedented crowds are expected in Washington, D.C., next Tuesday for the presidential inauguration events, and that will lead to unprecedented air traffic problems, especially on Wednesday. "People will be trickling in over the weekend, and all coming out on the 21st," Tad Hutcheson, a spokesman for AirTran Airways, told the Chicago Tribune. AirTran and other airlines have boosted traffic into Washington's two main airports by 20 percent, and Delta is planning to fly Boeing 767s into Reagan National, the closest airport to the Mall, which usually accommodates smaller airliners and private jets. At Dulles, Baltimore-Washington International, and several local GA fields, taxiways will be used as parking areas for transient aircraft. AOPA is inviting GA pilots to fly in to Frederick, Md., AOPA's home base, about 50 miles from downtown D.C., and take the train to the city. The FAA has imposed extra restrictions for pilots flying in either the ADIZ or the Flight Restricted Zone; go to the FAA Web site for full details. The FAA makes clear that erring pilots will not be tolerated: "Pilots who do not adhere to the following procedures may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by Law Enforcement/Security Personnel," the notice reads. In addition, the FAA may impose civil penalties and suspend or revoke airmen certificates, or the U.S. government may pursue criminal charges, or may use deadly force against the airborne aircraft, if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat. Icing and Precipitation Can Be Deadly — Refresh Your Skills Now! Icing and precipitation are among the top causes of fatal weather-related accidents. Learn how to recognize the hazards and create a strategy for avoidance with the newest interactive course from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation — Weather Wise: Precipitation & Icing. Check out this no-cost online course now! News Briefs back to top  Quest Delivers First Kodiak Aircraft For Mission Work When Quest Aircraft launched its Kodiak design back in 2005, the company said it was motivated by a need to support missionary activities in remote places around the world. This week, that goal has been fulfilled with the delivery of Kodiak serial number 008 to JAARS Inc., the first mission or humanitarian customer to take delivery of one of the 10-place turboprops. JAARS was originally formed in Peru in 1948, where it was known as the Jungle Aviation And Radio Service, and provides support to Wycliffe Bible Translators, a group that aims to translate the Bible into thousands of languages. "We looked into the future of aviation for a safe, effective solution to our passengers' unique transportation requirements," said David Reeves, president of JAARS, who took delivery of the airplane in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Monday. "The Kodiak is well-poised to meet the challenging needs of the translation community in remote operations." The airplane burns Jet A, which is much easier to find in many remote locations than the avgas that powers much of JAARS' current fleet of aging piston airplanes. Kodiak No. 008 will spend the next several months in the U.S. for pilot training and then will be exhibited at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., this summer before heading for its new base of operations in Papua New Guinea. Wycliffe translators are working on 190 different language projects in PNG, a small tropical country just north of Australia, and the Kodiak will provide transportation in the country's rugged mountains and remote coastal areas. On the Fly ... Lorraine Howerton has joined AOPA as vice president of legislative affairs to help lobby for GA-friendly legislation in Washington, D.C.... Sean Oskvarek, 45, of Woodbridge, Ill., is facing seven charges relating to the crash of his Cessna 182 on Nov. 11, 2008. Tests revealed he had alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, opiates and benzodiazepines in his system at the time of the crash... Charlie Johnson, who was formerly with Cessna and the ATG Javelin program, has joined Viper Aircraft as director of business development... John H. Winant, a former president of NBAA, died Tuesday at his home in Williamstown, Mass., at age 85... EAA will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canada's first successful powered flight at AirVenture this summer. $99 Online Pilot Specialty Courses! Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a variety of online Pilot Specialty Courses ranging in topics from Cold Weather Operations to Required Navigation Performance. For more information, visit Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's web site. New on AVweb back to top  Columns | Features | What's New | Calendar | Brainteasers AVweb Insider Blog: Aviation United? We Can Hope Virtually all aviation industry groups are in on a lobbying effort to get the government to allocate money for aviation projects. AVweb Editor-in-Chief Russ Niles wonder why it isn't like this all the time, in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog. Read more. Cut the Cost of Aircraft Ownership by At Least 50% — Or More! With most pilots flying under 75 hours out of 8,766 yearly hours, co-ownership is the smart-money way to own. The Aircraft Partnership Association helps find co-owners for any type of aircraft, anywhere, for any reason: to purchase, to add to an existing co-ownership, or to form any kind of co-ownership — partnership, cooperative, fractional, or club. Individual memberships are at no-cost! For more information, call (972) 334-0403, or visit online. The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! back to top  Question of the Week: Aviation Stimulus Money — If It Comes, Where Should It Go? This Week's Question | Previous Week's Answers PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Last week, we asked AVweb readers if 2009 might be the year they take the plunge and buy a light airplane. Despite the prevailing economic indicators, the most popular answer was Yes, something nice but pre-owned. (That choice accounted for 38% of responses.) Perhaps there's a silver lining in all these clouds, at least for the aftermarket. We should note, however, that our second most popular answer was No, because I can't afford it. For a complete (real-time) breakdown of reader responses, click here. (You may be asked to register and answer if you haven't already participated in this poll.) (Some of you wrote to tell us that we should have listed the recession or the bizjet brouhaha among our choices — and maybe we should, but both seemed to be somewhat in-progress at the time we thought up the question.) THIS WEEK'S QUESTION *** Times are tough, and money is tight — but everyone knows there are plenty of projects that need tackling in the aviation world. We may have to re-shuffle priorities soon, and AVweb is curious what you think should be at the top of the list. In case the newly-unified aviation industry succeeds in getting federal spending for aviation infrastructure, what should be the first priority? (click to answer) Have an idea for a new "Question of the Week"? Send your suggestions to . NOTE: This address is only for suggested "QOTW" questions, and not for "QOTW" answers or comments. Use this form to send "QOTW" comments to our AVmail Editor. 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. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. Diamond Aircraft Raffle — Win a Diamond Star DA40 XLS! Win a Diamond Star DA40 XLS! Only 5,000 tickets will be sold to benefit Wings of Dreams, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Help Wings of Dreams complete their aviation museum and warbird restoration facilities at Keystone Heights Airport, Florida (42J). Target drawing date (if 5,000 tickets are sold) is February 22, 2009. Void where prohibited. For more information, visit WingsOfDreams.org. AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Laugh and Learn back to top  Bonus Video! Aviation Safety Profiles the Garmin 696's Top Safety Features Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos By now, you've seen and heard a lot about Garmin's new GPSMap 696 GPS device. In this video, Jeb Burnside, Editor-in-Chief of Aviation Safety magazine, walks you through four key safety features of the 696. Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly. Bonus Video! IFR Magazine Goes Inside the Tower at JFK International Airport Original, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos IFR magazine Editor-in-Chief Jeff Van West spent time in the Tower at Kennedy airport to see what it takes to run the operation during the evening push and why it takes two years for a controller to reach full qualification at one of the busiest airports in the Northeast. Don't see a video screen? Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page. If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly. Economic Challenges Call for Proven Advertising Results — AVweb Delivers Results Since 1995, AVweb has been the most comprehensive no-cost aviation site online. Advertisers reach over 255,000 pilots, aircraft owners, and aviation professionals via a unique and effective combination of newsletter text messages and web site banner ads. Links send readers directly to advertisers' web sites for instant information. Click now for details on AVweb's cost-effective programs. Your Favorite FBOs back to top  FBO of the Week: Desert Skies Executive Air Terminal (Lake Havasu, AZ) Nominate an FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions | Winning FBOs AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Desert Skies Executive Air Terminal at Lake Havasu City Airport (HII) in Lake Havasu, Arizona. AVweb reader Claudia Huber confessed that she stopped at Desert Skies "because of the cheap fuel," but was surprised by the hospitality: Our first stop was at the wrong place, but there was no problem to get the fuel truck from Desert Skies to our parking. Inside the building, there were free coffee, donuts, popcorn, and much more for free for pilots. As a Swiss pilot usually flying in Euorpe, this was a wonderful arrival. Nice, helpful, friendly people, smiling all the time. Great! 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! Reader-Submitted Photos back to top  Picture of the Week: AVweb's Flying Photography Showcase Submit a Photo | Rules | Tips | Questions | Past Winners Each week, we go through dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of reader-submitted photos and pick the very best to share with you on Thursday mornings. The top photos are featured on AVweb's home page, and one photo that stands above the others is awarded an AVweb baseball cap as our "Picture of the Week." Want to see your photo on AVweb.com? Click here to submit it to our weekly contest. *** THIS WEEK'S WINNERS *** The cold snap affecting much of North America is keeping many AVweb readers indoors, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Judging by the uptick in submissions to our "POTW" contest this week, you're finding worthwhile ways to keep yourself occupied indoors. So keep sorting those photos — and keep sending them our way! medium | large copyright © Michael Senese Used with permission Full Moon Fly-By, January 10 Michael Senese of San Francisco, California claims this week's top honor with a photo of two of our favorite nighttime sights — the moon and a GA night flyer. medium | large Used with permission of Greg Soaper Another Bad Day in Paradise Greg Soaper of Fullerton, California returns, with a photo shot at "Park Moabi Marina on the Colorado River." Yeah, Greg — it's a rough life, all right. medium | large copyright © Eric Cobb Used with permission Everything But the Train "The photo says it all," writes Eric Cobb of Santa Ynez, California — and he's right. medium | large Used with permission of Terry Klein B-17 in Heavy Icing Terry Klein of Averill Park, New York warns, "You should never give an engineer a welder and a bunch of steel." (Oh, you don't need to tell us that, Terry!) "Here's what our B-17 windmill looked like after the recent ice storm," he continues. "No power for four days; lots of time to take pictures." (Note that we skipped the customary NTSB/deicing recommendations medium | large copyright © Contributor #5 Used with permission Spruce Creek RVs Over Arthur Dunn Air Park Susan J. Sherrill of Titusville, Florida sees us off with a great formation shot from EAA Chapter 866's pancake breakfast. Nice scenery to start the day! Oops! Last week we had a problem with the photo slideshow on AVweb's home page, but this week everything should be running smoothly. Be sure to check out lots of great photos we just couldn't squeeze into the regular installment of "POTW"! And click here to submit your own photos to "POTW." You know you want to. — A quick note for submitters: If you've got several photos that you feel are "POTW" material, your best bet is to submit them one-a-week! That gives your photos a greater chance of seeing print on AVweb, and it makes the selection process a little easier on us, too. ;) A Reminder About Copyrights: Please take a moment to consider the source of your image before submitting to our "Picture of the Week" contest. If you did not take the photo yourself, ask yourself if you are indeed authorized to release publication rights to AVweb. If you're uncertain, consult the POTW Rules or or send us an e-mail. Names Behind the News back to top  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 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.