FAA BILL INCHES THROUGH SENATE, FUEL TAX COULD RISE
It still has a long way to go, but Tuesday's approval by a key Senate committee was seen as a major step toward getting a new FAA funding bill passed. The bill would fund the FAA for two years, giving the Obama administration time to come up with its own plans for how to fund the agency (which some suspect will include a fresh push for user fees). The OK from the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee was a major step, but the bill also must go through the Finance Committee before going to the full Senate for a vote, AOPA said on Wednesday. That committee will decide whether to extend fuel taxes at their current level or approve the increase that was included in the version of the bill adopted by the House. The House measure would raise taxes from 19.3 cents per gallon to 24.1 cents for avgas and from 21.8 cents per gallon to 35.9 cents for noncommercial jet fuel, AOPA said. More...

FAA CHANGES POLICY, NATCA RESPONDS
The FAA said this week it is ready to change the way it deals with air traffic controllers, but the controllers union is skeptical. On Monday, the agency took what it calls "another step toward a new safety culture," by reducing the emphasis on blame in the reporting of operational errors. "We're moving away from a culture of blame and punishment," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "It's important to note that controllers remain accountable for their actions, but we're moving toward a new era that focuses on why these events occur and what can be done to prevent them." Effective immediately, the names of controllers will not be included in reports sent to FAA headquarters about operational errors, which occur when the proper distance between aircraft is not maintained. Necessary training will be conducted and disciplinary action taken, if appropriate, the FAA said. Both will be recorded in the controller's record. Patrick Forrey, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told AVweb that the FAA change doesn't go far enough. "We are puzzled by the press release in which the Administrator claims to be moving towards a safety culture absent blame, yet at the same time, states that controllers could still be disciplined for their actions," he wrote in an e-mail. "This philosophy is exactly the opposite of a safety culture. A safety culture doesn't look to 'blame'; rather it looks to be proactive in finding problems before they happen." More...

COUNTDOWN TO OSHKOSH — PREDATOR ARRIVES, LSA MALL MOVES, TFRS NEAR MKE
With the start of EAA AirVenture just a few days off, our inbox is flooded with updates and announcements. On Tuesday, an unmanned Predator B landed at Oshkosh, its first landing ever at a civilian airport. Click here for the video. The folks at the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association are excited about the new location for the LSA Mall, along one of the main throughways on EAA's redesigned grounds. "Putting many of the top-selling LSA wingtip-to-wingtip has definitely been a winner with [visitors]," said Dan Johnson, president and chairman of the board for LAMA. Anyone in the market for a new LSA can check out and compare nearly two dozen different models in one stop. Build A Plane will be debuting the Glasair Sportsman 2+2 that was built last summer by high school kids at Glasair's Two Weeks to Taxi Program. "All of us at Build A Plane are very excited to show off what kids can do!" said Lyn Freeman, founder of the organization. "When we tell people that this gorgeous airplane was built by high schoolers, their jaws drop!" Also, EAA this week urged pilots who are flying to Oshkosh via the Lake Michigan shoreline near Milwaukee to watch out for temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) in the area from July 23 to 26. More...

ELECTRIC FLIGHT UPDATE: FLIGHTSTAR ULTRALIGHT FIRST FLIGHT, YUNEEC STARTS U.S. FLIGHT TESTING
The e-Spyder, a single-seat electric-powered ultralight built by Flightstar Sportplanes of South Woodstock, Conn., flew for the first time last weekend. Company president Tom Peghiny, the test pilot, said the aircraft was a pleasure to fly. "Without the bulk of a two-stroke engine out front, there's much less drag," he told EAA. "This little machine flies very well." Peghiny mounted a Yuneec electric motor, built in China, on the nose of a modified Spyder ultralight, with the controller attached to the side of the airframe. Meanwhile, officials from Yuneec are in California this week test-flying their own e430 electric-powered two-seater. The company is working with the FAA to attain experimental exhibition certification in time for next week's EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh. Peghiny also plans to bring his e-Spyder to Oshkosh, and said he hopes to announce prices then for the kit. More...

PRIVATE EXPLORER, AN AERIAL RV, GOES TURBINE
We first saw the Private Explorer back in 1999, when a copy turned up on the experimental flight line at Oshkosh, and recently we heard of a pair that are working their way across Canada, fitted out for cross-country travel with PT6 turbine engines and amphibious floats. The airplane's cabin is over 7 feet wide and tall enough to stand up in, and in the rear is a platform for a full-size bed. The interior is fitted out like a camper, complete with galley and a dining area, and screened windows that open wide for ventilation. For complete autonomy in the backcountry, the airplane also includes a toilet, shower, water pump, and heater. The fuel tanks hold up to 200 gallons for a range of up to 13 hours. The kit was designed by Dean Wilson, who also designed the Avid Flyer. Explorer Aeronautique, based in Quebec, sells the kits. More...

NEXAIR UPDATES PIPER'S SARATOGA
NexAir Avionics, based in Mansfield, Mass., this week introduced the Saratoga NX, a spinner-to-tail modernization of Piper's single-engine six-seater. The NX features an Avidyne Integra Release 9 integrated flight deck and a zero-time factory remanufactured engine. The interior has been spiffed up with added soundproofing, leather seating, a center-console drink cooler, a DVD entertainment system for the back seats, and a fold-down work table. Other new features include AmSafe airbag seatbelts and improved ergonomics. The result is an airplane that is "better-than-new," says NexAir President David Fetherston, at a fly-away price of less than $400,000. Owners of Saratogas from model years 1980 to 2004 can transform their airplanes into an NX for less than $250,000, he said. New features from LoPresti include a cowling that improves engine cooling, flap gap seals that add knots to cruise speed, and exterior lighting. And it's all wrapped up in a sleek new paint scheme. The program "essentially creates a new aircraft that's better equipped and costs far less than a new or late model version," Fetherston said. More...

VIRGIN GALACTIC'S WHITEKNIGHTTWO READY FOR OSHKOSH LAUNCH
In an online news conference on Monday, Virgin Galactic president Will Whitehorn said the WhiteKnightTwo space launch vehicle is ready to launch and will arrive at Oshkosh for the EAA AirVenture opening airshow at about 2:30 p.m. on Monday July 27. "It's an amazing vehicle," he said. The aircraft, which is the largest aircraft ever built by Scaled Composites, has a wingspan of 140 feet and is capable of lifting 17 tons to altitudes of 50,000 feet and more. So far it has flown 14 times and accumulated about 45 hours of flight time. Besides the plane's initital space-tourism mission, it will also be used for space science and to launch satellites into orbit. "What we're seeing is the dawn of a new industrial revolution in space," Whitehorn said. WhiteKnightTwo will also fly on Tuesday and Thursday, and will remain on static display all week until it heads home to Mojave at roughly 10 a.m. Saturday. More...

SADLER TO DEBUT VAMPIRE LSA AT OSHKOSH
Sadler Aircraft Company, of Roseburg, Ore., will be at EAA AirVenture next week showing off the latest version of their Vampire airplane. The company has spent three years on research and development to develop a new interior and prepare the design, derived from military aircraft, for the LSA market. "We're really excited to go from R&D to delivering airplanes," said company VP David Littlejohn. "This has been a long road, especially in a challenging economy. I think light sport aircraft are going to emerge as true value leaders in the aviation community, and the Vampire should really deliver on that front." The Vampire is not your typical LSA. It's built on a scaled-back air-to-ground fighter plane airframe, stressed to more than plus-or-minus 6 g's. It's powered by a pusher prop that sits between twin tail-booms. The wings double-fold vertically, to make it easy to transport on a trailer or to store between flights. And the cabin doors are wide with a low entry point, which the company says makes entry more like stepping into a sedan than climbing into a cockpit. The Vampire LSA will be on display at space 77 at AirVenture. More...

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

IFR BY THE SUN AND STARS
Not that long ago, crews flew thousands of miles with no navigational aids except the sky itself. It's such an elegant solution.

Click here for the full story. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: WHY SEEING STARS CAN BE MORE COOL THAN GPS
Why bother knowing about celestial navigation? No reason, says IFR magazine editor Jeff Van West — except that it's part of being a better pilot all around. Jeff makes the case (and shares his insights on a recent article from IFR) in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog. More...

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT EAA AIRVENTURE 2009?
It's time for EAA AirVenture, and we want to know which big-name attraction is the most highly anticipated by AVweb readers: What are you most looking forward to at Oshkosh this year?

Plus: See which aviation trade shows AVweb readers told us are on their calendars for 2009. 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...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: A FEW WORDS ABOUT APOLLO 11
Now that he's tidied up the mess he made over this global warming thing, Paul Bertorelli has some comments on 40th anniversary of the lunar landing. He's actually old enough to remember that what was most impressive about it is how quickly the program progressed. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: U.S. MIGHT NOT LEAD IN ELECTRIC FLIGHT
Competition leads to innovation, but it can also lead to secrecy and self-interest that may just slow down the development of new technologies. In the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog, AVweb's Glenn Pew wonders if the fractured race for electric airplane supremacy may actually be slowing development of the necessary technology and costing the U.S. its dominance in this emerging sector. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: AIRTEX'S DIY AIRCRAFT INTERIORS
For 60 years, Airtex has been providing quality aircraft interiors that owners can install themselves. AVweb recently visited the Airtex factory in Fallsington, Pennsylvania to have a look. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: HOW GAMIJECTORS ARE MADE
GAMIjector calibrated fuel injection nozzles correct the characteristic air/fuel imbalance problems in most Continental engines. Here's how they're made. More...

AVWEB AND BENDIX/KING BY HONEYWELL ARE GIVING AWAY AN AV8OR TO CELEBRATE AIRVENTURE!

Bendix/King by Honeywell is helping us give away another AV8OR handheld MFD unit to celebrate EAA AirVenture Oshkosh! All you have to do is click the image at right to enter your name and e-mail address. And no, we're not going to rent or sell your name, but Bendix/King by Honeywell may send you information on the AV8OR. You may also forward this newsletter to friends and invite them to sign-up for AVweb's EAA AirVenture 2009 coverage and qualify for the AV8OR prize drawing, too. (We won't spam them, either, but we will send them our e-mail news Flashes.)

Deadline for entries is midnight EST on Sunday, August 2, 2009.

Click here to read the contest rules and enter.

(There's nothing to buy. All you need to do is be registered with AVweb.)

FBO OF THE WEEK: WAYNESVILLE-ST. ROBERT CITIES AVIATION (TBN, MISSOURI)

It's not just the little guys struggling for attention who provide great FBO experiences out there. This week, AVweb reader Ron McCormick tells us about Waynesville-St. Robert Cities Aviation, serving Fort Leonard Wood and the surrounding Missouri community.

"They are the only FBO on the field but do no act like it," writes Ron. "The manager was very helpful in negotiating this military/civilian airport ... and helped carry luggage in loading and unloading the plane. ... If you need to go to Ft. Leonard Wood or are in the St. Roberts/Waynesville area, stop in at TBN; it is easy to in out of the miliary base [if] you just show your driver's license."

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!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK: AVWEB'S FLYING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
We're gearing up for EAA AirVenture even as we prepare this week's edition of "POTW" — and so, apparently, are many of you. Paul Thomson of Overland Park, Kansas is already on his way, judging from this week's winning photo! If you're coming to Oshkosh, we look forward to meeting you (or seeing you again) at the show. And if you're not, you can keep the home fires burning by submitting a few photos for possible inclusion in our post-AirVenture edition. (As is traditional, "POTW" will be on hiatus next week as we bring you the sights and sounds of Oshkosh.) More...

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
Mariano Rosales

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