NEW ECLIPSE LINING UP SUPPORT
New Eclipse Acquisition LLC moved forward with plans to acquire the assets of defunct Eclipse Aviation over the weekend, holding meetings with various stakeholders in Albuquerque. Phil Friedman, who's spearheading the bid, told AVweb in a podcast interview that he met with key Eclipse employees to try to bring them into the new company and get working on a two-year recovery scheme. He's also busy lining up support among existing aircraft owners, investors and creditors of the old company. He said that by first upgrading existing aircraft the new company can generate cash flow necessary to resume production in 2011. The company is setting production goals, "at modest levels, approximately 100 aircraft per year," and hopes to price the jets at roughly $2.4 million each. Friedman, currently CEO of an aircraft electro mechanical and structural assembly company in Wichita said he intends to take advantage of "an excellent business opportunity if managed correctly." Friedman says he's studied Eclipse for a year and, working for the past several months with former Eclipse CFO, Peter Reed, has developed a business plan that aims to first upgrade and service the existing fleet, driving the jet's value "up to the $2 million range." More...

$7 BILLION IN AVIATION USER FEES IN OBAMA BUDGET
Aviation groups are raising the alarm after combing President Barack Obama's first budget and finding the term "direct user charges" in relation to FAA funding. In fact, the Obama administration targets raising $7 billion annually, roughly half the FAA's budget by "repealing some aviation excise taxes and replacing these taxes with direct user charges." The charges would begin in 2011. The language is on page 129 of the budget. (View the PDF.) Not surprisingly, general aviation groups are unanimous in their opposition to the language. More...

LASP COMMENT PERIOD ENDS AMID WIDESPREAD REJECTION
Framed by some commenters as a "death sentence" for the functionality of operations that, according to the EAA, "raises serious constitutional questions about personal liberty," the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) comment period ended Friday amid a chorus of new negative opinion. The National Air Transportation Association Thursday released its recommendation that LASP, a TSA-proposed program that would govern security operations for all aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds, be withdrawn. "Overall, this NPRM demonstrates a troubling lack of knowledge and understanding of the general aviation community by the TSA," stated NATA President James K. Coyne. In Alaska, where aviation is often a critical component of daily of life, State Sen. Gene Therriaut and Rep. Mike Kelly separately introduced identical resolutions in the Senate and House this week expressing the legislature's opposition to LASP. Friday, GAMA added that while it was willing to work with the TSA toward a practical effective proposal, the current one "completely misses the mark." Both EAA and AOPA have expressed comments opposing the proposed security rules as well. More...

NTSB ON REMOS LIGHT SPORT EXPO CRASH
The NTSB has released a preliminary report that includes a witness account of the Remos GX Special Light Sport Aircraft that crashed Jan. 25, during the Sebring Light Sport Expo at Sebring Regional Airport in Florida and notes evidence of problems with the controls. The crash seriously injured the aircraft's pilot and killed its passenger. A witness who took off in-trail of the accident aircraft reported that both the left and right ailerons of the accident aircraft appeared to be drooping as the accident aircraft started to roll right and climbed through 50 feet. The right roll progressed as the witness observed the aircraft's rudder "fully deflected to the left." The accident aircraft then flew a slipping right turn to roughly 100 feet agl but lost altitude as the bank angle increased. Eventually turning through 270 degrees, the aircraft struck the ground at 80-degrees right wing down. More...

RELATIVES OF BUFFALO CRASH VICTIM SUE CONTINENTAL
The lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court alleges that the Continental Connection Dash 8 that crashed Feb. 12 in a Buffalo suburb had inadequate deicing equipment and was flown by an improperly trained crew. The suit names Continental, Pinnacle Airlines, and Colgan Air, along with Bombardier -- all of which have declined comment. Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft operate in frequently cold parts of the world. But attorney (and pilot) Ronald Goldman, acting on behalf of the victim's family, told Fox news that the aircraft's deicing system "cannot guarantee the safety of passengers on a commercial flight." He concludes that the aircraft therefore "should never be flown in these kinds of conditions." The NTSB has not yet offered its own conclusions and a full investigation by the board could take more than a year. Goldman says his legal team will conduct its own investigation and is seeking wrongful death damages, along with monetary compensation for any pain and suffering endured in the flight's final moments. More...

FIRST RESPONDERS: BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR OLD ELT
Concerned that an exodus from old 121.5 MHz to new 406 MHz Emergency Locator Beacon (ELT) technology may translate into otherwise capable ELTs activating as they're tossed into dumpsters, AOPA and CAP have initiated a communications offensive. Feb. 1, 2009, marked the end of satellites' ability to notice your 121.5 MHz-specific ELT, while 406 MHz ELTs are satellite supported. Though responders still make efforts to monitor 121.5, 406 MHz is more widely supported and "switching to the new beacon is important," CAP said in a news release. It is similarly important that the people who would search for you and your downed aircraft aren't dispatched to spend their time digging through dumpsters and landfills to shut off improperly disposed of equipment. If you're changing out your ELT, properly disconnect the ELT from its battery or make sure that whoever does the work does so. Do not risk misusing search and rescue resources and personnel through improper removal or disposal of your old unit. The stories are already piling up. More...

ROLLS-ROYCE PRESENTS HELICOPTER FORECAST
From 2009 through 2018, Rolls-Royce predicts deliveries to total roughly 15,000 turbine helicopters. The new number represents a 5-percent increase from the company's February 2008 forecast and that uptick is entirely due to an expected increase in civil helicopter deliveries. Over the next 10 years, the civil market is expected to account for 9,000 aircraft -- most of which will be entry-level turbine helicopters. The value of those airframes is expected to chime in at about $26 billion, with a combined cost of $4 billion for engines. Still, the market, according to Rolls, will not escape near-term weakness, but should come out of that period with a resumed strength that translates into growth and strong demand by 2013. Overall, the projected 15,000 turbine helicopter deliveries are valued at some $130 billion in airframes and $12 billion in engines. More...

RUSSIANS ARE COMING (AGAIN)
About 24 hours prior to President Obama's Feb. 19 visit to Canada, Norad CF-18 fighters were dispatched from Cold Lake, Alberta to intercept a Russian military bomber that closed on northern Canadian airspace. The Canadian Hornets met the Russian aircraft and "sent very clear signals" that the Russian aircraft was to turn around, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said at a press briefing. The Minister did not name the type of bomber and said he would not "stand here and accuse the Russians" of any particular intent regarding the president's visit. MacKay said the incident was not especially unusual and said the timing of the event could have been either deliberate or coincidental. He did however say it was a "strong coincidence," regarding Canada's temporary focus on Ottawa and the visiting American president. The aircraft did turn around prior to entering Canadian airspace. More...

AVMAIL: MARCH 2, 2009

Letter of the Week: Lake Placid Runway Closure

In response to Steve Comer:

I believe that when an airport manager closes the entire airport, any state or federal aid is cut off for the duration of the closure. This occurs frequently during winter hours when runways are being plowed. If it is a solo runway, many times, the airport manager will close the runway but leave the airport open. Technically, helicopter traffic can still land at the airport, thus the airport is not closed.

I assume that maintenance run-ups can also still be performed. I do agree that the ball was dropped on this incident/accident, but the ball was dropped by the FAA when they contracted out and closed 95% of the Flight Service Stations and allowed an ill-prepared company to take over the system. Congress promised to monitor this contract, but it appears they too have dropped the ball.

Daniel Holodick

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

ATTENTION, AIRCRAFT OWNERS/OPERATORS: 'AVIATION CONSUMER' WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH ENGINE WARRANTIES
Our sister publication, Aviation Consumer magazine, wants to hear about your experiences with engine warranties. We'd like to know about warranties of new or remanufactured engines from the factory, field overhauls and "boutique" engine shops. In your opinion, was the warranty sufficient? Did you encounter problems after installation, and were they resolved to your satisfaction? Did any factory, overhauler or installer go beyond their warranty to address any problems?

Please send a note to aviation_safety@hotmail.com and let us know your experiences, including the factory or shop doing the work, the aircraft type and the nature of any problems.

(The results will appear in a future issue of Aviation Consumer. 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...

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

BRAINTEASERS QUIZ #140: WINTER BE DAMNED
When temperatures drop below an acceptable level of civility, pilots must face some cold realities: What you don't know about ice could severely chill your flight plans. Ace this ice-bound quiz to once again feel the warmth.

Take the quiz.

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: OH, THE HUMANITY! OR — WHY MAINSTREAM AVIATION REPORTING IS SO BAD
Actually, it's not. And to prove the point, Paul Bertorelli carefully dissects a few select passages from the New York Times in the latest installment of the AVweb Insider blog. (He gives the working press a B+ for its coverage of the Colgan crash in Buffalo.) More...

CAN ECLIPSE BE SAVED?
Wichita businessman Phil Friedman thinks it can — and, in a short time, he's gathered some important support in his bid to keep the company alive. He spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: CAN'T GET TO THE AIRPLANE DEALER? THE DEALER WILL COME TO YOU
With perfect weather — almost — over the weekend, Florida Aircraft Expo kicked off something new in aircraft sales. Would-be buyers could kick tires and twist knobs on new aircraft at two Florida airports — St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Sarasota. The Expo shows off most models of new aircraft across a range of manufacturers, offering serious buyers a chance to spend as much time with the airplanes as they like and even get a demo flight, all on one day and in the same place. Fort Lauderdale-based Premier Aircraft Sales developed the Expo idea by expanding on its own regional sales efforts. Premier's Jeff Owen told AVweb Saturday that although turnout at the Expos is designed to be small, the leads it generates tend to yield real sales. (And yes, there are buyers out there, although many are hesitant to pull the trigger, awaiting yet a better deal.) Owen told us the new and used aircraft market has never had better inventory or more high value offerings. Check out the event's web page at FloridaAircraftExpo.com. (Click through to watch the video.) More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: LANDMARK AVIATION (GSO, GREENSBORO, NC)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Landmark Aviation's Greensboro, North Carolina location.

AVweb reader Chris Fischer tells us "the line staff was second to none; these guys are on top of their game."

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!

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."

SHORT FINAL

Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air"

While on a Bay tour near San Francisco, a Cessna 172 pilot received an instruction from San Francisco tower to turn to a heading of 120 degrees for noise abatement.

Cessna:
"Noise abatement?"

ATC:
"Yeah. Did you ever hear the sound a Cessna makes when it hits a 747?"

Richard Bertoli
via e-mail

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

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Scott Simmons

Contributors
Jeff van West

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