Q400 PITCHED UP 31 DEGREES BEFORE CRASH
The crew of the Bombardier Q400 that crashed in Buffalo on Thursday got a stall warning and the stick pusher engaged but still the aircraft pitched upward 31 degrees before turning almost 180 degrees and dropping onto a house in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence Center, near the outer marker for Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The sequence of events, which included a 45-degree dive with a 106-degree right bank ended 26 seconds later in the fireball on the ground, killing 49 people on the plane and one on the ground, the owner of the house. Although icing continues as a theme in the investigation, reporters were told at an NTSB press briefing on Sunday that the aircraft's anti-icing system had been on for most of the flight and, while both pilots discussed the "significant" icing their aircraft was experiencing, at no time did they use the "severe icing" descriptor that is the official notification of flight-threatening buildup. "We don't know that it was severe icing," NTSB member Steve Chealander told reporters. "They [the crew] didn't say that it was severe icing....The weatherman didn't say that it was severe icing." More...

CIRRUS SHIFTS FOCUS TOWARD JET DEVELOPMENT
Under its new CEO, Brent Wouters, Cirrus Design announced last week that future workforce cuts are likely coming to the company, but its push for development of the Cirrus Vision SJ50 very light jet would help retain some jobs. The company is aiming for FAA certification of the Vision by year-end 2011 and is targeting a $1 million price point. Cirrus is currently holding more than 400 orders for the aircraft, each backed by a $100,000 deposit. Its piston single production has fallen to 20 percent of its former 16 aircraft per week capacity, leading Wouters to characterize present demand as "awful." Cirrus is currently operating on about 655 employees in Duluth, with 150 more at Grand Forks, N.D., and a few dozen scattered elsewhere. The company has vacated 350 positions since September 2008, with 250 dismissals and 100 more officially on furlough. "We are increasing our focus on the jet, because that is going to be our future engine for growth in my estimation," Wouters told the Duluth News Tribune, adding that he did see opportunities, even now. More...

BAN EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT AT LAS VEGAS?
A state senate and local assembly joint resolution in Las Vegas is urging Congress to authorize a ban on flights of experimental homebuilt aircraft to and from the North Las Vegas Airport. The resolution points to increased residential density in the neighborhoods "directly in the flight paths" of aircraft arriving and departing at North Las Vegas and states that experimentals have "higher accident rates" than other aircraft groups. Experimental aircraft account for "more than 12 percent of airplane accidents nationwide in 2007," according to language in the resolution, which also states that in the area surrounding North Las Vegas, "several persons" on the ground were killed due to experimental aircraft crashes in 2008. As federal law grants the U.S. government exclusive sovereignty of airspace, the senate and assembly of the state of Nevada is jointly requesting the Congress of the United States to enact legislation granting Clark County authority to ban flights of experimental homebuilt aircraft. Sponsors of the proposed legislation are Senator Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, and Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick. If you have an opinion on the matter, and are interested in voicing it with them, click through. More...

CONTINENTAL RECALL AFFECTS 9,600 CYLINDERS
Piston cylinders produced by Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM), installed in certain Model 470, 520 (including turbo-normalized models) and 550 engines shipped since November 2007 are the subject of the manufacturer's voluntary recall. The company expects to replace some 9,600 cylinders currently in the field. According to TCM, "new cylinders will be provided at no cost to the affected customers." Owners have found cracks in the affected cylinder's head castings -- 36 cylinders so far, installed in engines with more than 400 hours on them. The company has issued an a Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB09-1) [PDF] to direct owners in identification and replacement procedures. Affected aircraft include Bellanca Super Vikings; Beechcraft Debonair, Bonanza and Barons; Commander, Meyers and Navion aircraft; as well as a slew of Cessnas ranging from 180s to 414s. The company has traced the problem to a specific production tool and castings from that tool may be subject to cracking "at the top of the cylinder head near the fuel injector and spark plug bosses." Both new engines and those fitted with replacement parts (top-end overhauls, aftermarket sales, rebuilt engines) are affected. More...

FSS SHARES BLAME IN CLOSED RUNWAY ACCIDENT
The NTSB says Flight Services is partly to blame for the surprise the two occupants of Cessna 310 got when they landed at Lake Placid, N.Y. last Sept. 9. Although the pilot got an FSS briefing while en route from Iowa, the briefer didn't tell him that a runway was closed for construction. On final for the closed runway, the pilot was able to activate the runway lights with his radio and didn't notice the unlit X at the approach end, the cones or the flashing markers at the middle. The plane ran over several foot-deep gaps in the runway surface during the landing roll and the gear was ripped off but the pilot and his passenger weren't hurt. More...

AIRLINE GROUP PROACTIVE ON AVIATION EMISSIONS PLAN
Four airlines in conjunction with a British airports operator last week announced formation of the Aviation Global Deal Group (AGD), which supports a "fair and effective global policy solution" for aviation emissions not currently managed by any existing global agreements. Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic, along with the UK airport operator BAA, are seeking a plan that offers real "environmental benefits" enacted in a manner that is both operationally sensible and economically feasible. The group recognizes that the effort must seek to avoid unbalanced market impact so as to maintain fair competition between carriers. AGD's active participants are clearly aiming to alter the perception of commercial aviation as an emissions contributor and make it instead an active part of an emissions solution. The group hopes to offer effective realistic emissions solutions from inside the industry and seeks to recruit other airlines and industry players to the cause in offering a compelling plan. The United Nations climate summit will be held in Copenhagen in December and an agreement referred to as the "new climate deal" will be negotiated there. More...

JEPPESEN PUTS PRIVATE PILOT COURSE ONLINE
Jeppesen has launched a new online training product with interactive content the company says was enhanced directly by customer feedback "to create the most comprehensive online private pilot training course on the market." The $240 training and test preparation course is the first in a series of courses the company plans to release. The already available Private Pilot course "fully prepares students to take the FAA written knowledge exam," and provides detailed flight and animated maneuvers lessons Jeppesen hopes will be used by both students and instructors. The online program is actually based on Jeppesen's private pilot textbook content and, through Jeppesen's Learning Center, tracks each user's progress so that a student's instructor can have access to the student's lesson work. That feature, according to Jeppesen, allows the instructor to examine the student's performance from the standpoint of specific questions to overall results. Jeppesen says its Private Pilot online course is available in three versions in an attempt to best match a student's learning environment. More...

SCOTT CROSSFIELD TEACHER AWARD SEEKS ENTRIES
Recognizing and rewarding teachers for "outstanding achievement in aerospace education," the National Aviation Hall of Fame is accepting submissions for the annual A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year Award. Founded by Crossfield in 1986, the award is open to active K through 12 teachers from any public, private or parochial school. The winner, as judged by a committee of aerospace industry and education professionals, will be granted a $1,500 stipend plus an all-expenses-paid trip to Dayton for the 48th Annual Enshrinement Ceremony, to be held July 18. Deadline for nomination is May 1, 2009. Forms and instructions can be found here. More...

ON THE FLY ...
Aircraft back at airport, owner in hot water...
Shark-mutilated bodies found after Puerto Rico crash...
Southwest's cheesecake conundrum. More...

AVMAIL: FEBRUARY 16, 2009

Letter of the Week: Careful What You Wish For?

Vikram Pandit of CitiGroup acknowledges the new reality: Business aviation is no longer acceptable in Washington. I hope no one is surprised.

Rather than defending the freedom of individuals and businesses to make decisions in their own self-interest (and profit or fail by them), everyone, including the aviation community, is asking for handouts. This is the inevitable result.

Therefore, all I can say is: "Brother, you asked for it."

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

SPECTRUM FREEDOM S.40: A TRUE NEXT-GEN JET?
Linden Blue's Spectrum Aeronautical may be the first non-Honda company to fly the GE Honda HF-120 fanjet, and, when they do, it may be in the most structurally advanced design available. Mr. Blue recently accepted the Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year award, and it's the particulars of his company's Freedom S.40 jet that may carry his company through the economic downturn and land it in the winner's circle on the other side. Find out why in this podcast. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: BUFFALO FLIGHT 3407 CRASH — FAA BETTER HOPE IT'S NOT ICING
For years, the NTSB has complained that the FAA hasn't done enough to improve flight-in-icing requirements in the airline industry. If the Buffalo crash is icing-related, AVweb Editorial Director Paul Bertorelli thinks there will be hell to pay. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: JETLEV-FLYER WATER-POWERED JET PACK
Fly on water thrust — this new jet pack idea may not be the best way to get to work, but it sure does look like a good time. The German company MS Watersports GmbH is marketing the JetLev-Flyer and selling it (lessons included) for about $128,000 — or just about what a brand-new two-seat 120-mph light sport aircraft costs. (Click through to watch.) More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: ARE LED LIGHTS BRIGHT ENOUGH?
Judge for yourself by viewing AVweb's latest product report video. Editorial director Paul Bertorelli demonstrates traditional incandescent bulbs, HIDs, and new-age LEDs. The results are revealing. (Click through to watch.) More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: BAY MINETTE AVIATION (1R8, NEAR MOBILE, ALABAMA)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Bay Minette Aviation at 1R8 in Bay Minette, Alabama (near Mobile).

AVweb reader Al Airey tells us he "actually had to go back and research the 'FBO of the Week' archives because I could not believe they had not previously been recognized":

[I] had to stop in both directions between Texas and Florida because of the pleasant service and fair price. The all-girl line crew make this a must-see FBO, and the facilities are first class, as well. You can do a quick turn, but you will probably want to stay and chat with the staff and maybe purchase one of their newly available photo calendars. This has to be the most unique FBO in all of aviation. The spacious facilities are spotless, prices are the best in the Mobile area, and did I mention the gorgeous crew that makes this a most memorable fuel stop? You should consider a wide deviation in your routing if needed to make a fuel stop at this amazing FBO.

We have to admit: This is the first nomination we've seen where the line crew drew 'em in and the prices brought 'em back ... .

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"

After several practice instrument approaches into Lakeland, Florida, I stopped and headed to the restaurant. Later, when ready to leave, I called ground control:

Me:
"Control, ready to taxi VFR to X39."

Ground (chuckling) :
"Cessna Three Four Five, it would be quicker if you flew, but if you would rather taxi, I-4 is just up the road. Cleared via taxiway Bravo to Alpha Three for departure."

Me (somewhat embarrassed) :
"Ah — ground, Cessna Three Four Five cleared by Bravo to Alpha Three. And I think we'll fly."

Rick Stapleton
via e-mail

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