OBAMA TEAM ON ADIZ REGULATIONS
AOPA has suggested that the Obama administration's hold on new and pending regulations "could affect implementation" of the rule that would otherwise make permanent the Washington, D.C., ADIZ. The rule has not been specifically extracted by the new administration from the collection of regulations not yet published, but as a part of them it will be reviewed by the new administration. AOPA has pledged to apply the full measure of its influence to the process in an effort to stop the ADIZ from becoming a permanent fixture in America's airspace. At this time, it appears that before any changes are considered, the administration would first have to determine that the ADIZ should be subject to review. In that case, it would ask the FAA to reopen the comment period. Otherwise, the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone would become a permanent special flight rules area, beginning Feb. 17, 2009. More...

FEBRUARY 406 MHZ ELT CONVERSION MAY PUT FOCUS ON 121.5
Feb. 1, 2008, marks the end of satellites' ability to notice your 121.5 MHz-specific emergency locator beacon (ELT), but -- in the U.S. -- changing your equipment to the satellite-monitored 406 MHz is optional. After January, voluntary use of 121.5 MHz equipment, only, means that those operators accept they will be depending on ground stations listening on 121.5 and pilots of overflying aircraft -- that means you -- to find them. Search and rescue will still use whatever methods are available to help them find you, and in the case of your 121.5 MHz ELT, that may provide some measure of comfort. But the truly safety-conscious may now consider adding the layer of 406 MHz technology either through an ELT upgrade or the many personal locator beacons now available. As for Canada and Mexico: Canada has not yet required that aircraft flying in its airspace be equipped with 406 MHz ELTs. The country is planning a two-year conversion period and has yet to set rules for the transition, according to AOPA. Flying to the Bahamas will not require 406 MHz equipment, but that may change after January of 2011. Mexico will allow U.S. aircraft using 121.5 MHz ELTs to fly within the country until the end of June 2009, unless they reach a mandatory ELT battery replacement date first. The Cospas-Sarsat System has been and will continue monitoring signals transmitted on 406 MHz. More...

REMOS LSA CRASHES AT EXPO
A Remos light sport aircraft which may have been associated to the company's display at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Fla. crashed on takeoff at Sebring Airport early Sunday, killing the passenger and sending the pilot to hospital with undisclosed injuries. According to the Tampa Tribune, the aircraft attempted to take off about 7:45 a.m. and crashed on the airport's south ramp. Airport spokesman Mike Willingham told the Tribune that another aircraft was to take off in formation with the crash airplane. The identities of the people involved were not released but authorities did say they weren't local. More...

CIVILIAN PILOTS SUE FOR HAZARD PAY
Flying supplies to U.S. diplomats in Baghdad and Kabul's war zones, Vision Airlines collected $21 million in federally subsidized hazard pay for pilots and a class action suit now claims it's money the pilots never saw. According to the suit, federal hazard pay was standardized at $2,500 for every arrival and departure at airports in Baghdad and Kabul, or $5,000 per round trip. Specific to operations at Baghdad International, the flight crew was required to follow special procedures that included "blackout procedures which require all exterior an interior aircraft lighting (except for cockpit instruments) to be turned off." Aircraft arriving and departing the airport were required "to fly in a spiral directly above the airport in order to stay within the areas most heavily fortified by the United States military." The suit states that the "high degree of skill and judgment" did not necessarily prevent attack, noting the DHL Airbus that made a miraculous landing without hydraulics after being struck by a missile. (AVweb's video coverage is here.) It alleges that beginning in August of 2005, the airline stopped paying the money to flight crew making the trips, and according to one pilot quoted by CourtHouseNews.com, the airline also began firing personnel who were aware of or had received hazard pay. More...

LAHOOD CONFIRMED AS DOT SECRETARY
Former Rep. Ray Lahood, R-Ill., was confirmed Thursday by the Senate as Department of Transportation Secretary for the Obama administration. LaHood may soon oversee a wealth of public money expected to fall under his hand in support of the new president's not-yet-finalized stimulus plan, which makes LaHood the target of numerous aviation advocacy groups. The 63-year-old LaHood called his appointment to the position "the capstone" of his public service career ... though there's no indication he was making reference to implementation of ADS-B in the lower 48. The Air Transportation Association of America, which supports the use of user fees, called LaHood an "even-handed, thoughtful" deliberator. LaHood's past experience may predispose him to a position against user fees. He has served as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which "has adamantly opposed user fees," according to AOPA. AOPA is among many aviation groups that have together written the president to make the case for a part of the economic stimulus plan to be applied directly toward modernization of the country's national airspace system -- specifically, air traffic control and the implementation of ADS-B. More...

MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK?
With the announcement of 1400 layoffs, Microsoft seems to be closing its game studios, and the future of Microsoft Flight Simulator appears at best uncertain, according to two publications devoted to computer gaming, Gamasutra and Venture Beat. Gamasutra, which spoke with developments sources, printed that "multiple reports" indicate that "the entire Flight Simulator team has been axed." However, Microsoft's official offering on the subject is the statement that "all we're announcing at this time is what we are committed to flying games." According to Microsoft, Flight Simulator X, the game's most recent incarnation, "is the culmination of nearly 25 years" of the franchise, and "the most significant addition to date." The question for many is how committed the company might be to its flight games line if they do in fact lay off the teams that develop the games. While other flight simulator programs exist, Microsoft's Flight Simulator programs have been in circulation since the early 1980s and have developed a very large and dedicated fan base, as well as a loyal following of pilots who sometimes use the program to help them stay sharp. Many future pilots, too, have shot complex ILS approaches on their home computers before ever joining the ranks of airborne pilots. And, if the game's maker does close the storefront for Flight Simulator, there may be many entrepreneurial computer programmers waiting in the wings who may soon see new opportunities. More...

LIVING LEGENDS GALA HONORS FORD, BRANSON
Hundreds of aviators, celebrities and industry leaders attended the 6th Annual "Living Legends of Aviation"® Awards Banquet last Thursday. It was a star-studded tribute held at the Beverly Hilton to recognize and honor individuals who have made significant contributions in aviation. The overwhelming sentiment expressed by the award winners and presenters was the joy of sharing their love of flying and the commitment to spark the passion for aviation in others. One Six Right pilot Si Robin gave airplane rides to 250 students in Santa Monica who got an A on their report cards. Harrison Ford told the crowd that "aviation is an earned reward," and said that as chairman of EAA's Young Eagles, he encourages kids to "study & focus." Sir Richard Branson updated the crowd on his plans to make the experience of space travel more accessible with Virgin Galactic. More...

1549'S SULLENBERGER BECOMES HONORARY POLICEMAN AND SEAPLANE SOCIETY MEMBER
The national media covered Chesley Sullenberger's public appearance as the guest of honor at a homecoming celebration held Saturday in the small California town where he and his family live, but may not have mentioned the interesting accolades he won from one aviation organization. The Seaplane Pilots Association is presenting Sullenberger with an honorary lifetime membership in the association. The group is also offering him "a complimentary seaplane rating course" at Jack Brown's Seaplane Base in Winter Haven, Fla. Back in his hometown, Sullenberger was named an honorary police officer and presented with the key to the city. Some 3,000 people gathered to see him proclaim on behalf of his crew: "We were simply doing the job we were trained to do." He also thanked the crowd for its "incredible outpouring of support." Also over the weekend, investigators made an initial assessment of the left engine that briefly powered Sullenberger's most famous flight and was recovered from the Hudson River on Friday afternoon. More...

AVMAIL: JANUARY 26, 2009

Letter of the Week: Flight 1549

I am not here to belittle [Captain Sullenberger's] landing, but I am here to mention that we are professionals. I have alway said I was the captain to save my bottom and if I did that everyone else would be taken care of, and that is what he did. He took off and climbed to 3,200 feet, lost both engines, saw he could not make it to Teterboro, did not want to crash into a populated area, and saw that the Hudson was the best place to land. The media tries to make everyone out to be a hero. He was just a damn good professional. He needs the paycheck he gets, and he should get at least 160 Christmas cards for years to come.

Louis Klemp

Click through to read the rest of this week's letters.

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...

Columns | Features | What's New | Calendar | Brainteasers

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FROM U.S. SPORT AVIATION EXPO 2009: LSA ENGINE OVERVIEW
New to the world of LSA? One of the things you'll discover is that your engine choice makes a big difference, in terms of both weight and performance. For an overview of the three top choices in the light sport segment, Marc Cook, Editor-in-Chief of Kitplanes magazine, visits Rotax, Jabiru, and Continental on the grounds of the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida. (Click through to watch.) More...

HAVE BOMBER, WILL TRAVEL
For years, the Collings Foundation has been barnstorming the country, offering hands-on tours and flights in World War II aircraft. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli recently talked to Jim Harley of the Collings Foundation about what it's like to tour and fly these amazing aircraft. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: WEST PLAINS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (KUNO, WEST PLAINS, MISSOURI)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the center at West Plains Municipal Airport (KUNO) in West Plains, Missouri.

AVweb reader Jim Vick recommended the FBO after several top-notch visits to the facility:

[E]ach experience is the same, with terrific hospitality and service. A phone call in advance will get a courtesy car waiting (even after hours), and, if needed, after-hours assistance with fueling. A great place to stop for fuel or a few days of stay.

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"

Near Boca Raton, Florida, I heard an unknown airplane call, its transmission totally garbled.

Boca Raton Tower:
"Aircraft calling Boca Raton: Unreadable!"

Unknown Airplane:
[Again, totally garbled.]

Boca Raton Tower:
"Aircraft calling Boca Raton: Suggest trying another radio. You sound like Charlie Brown's teacher."

Don Tripp
Tequesta, Florida

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