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| Top News: NextGen Inches Closer | back to top |  |
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FAA Steps Closer To NextGen Navigation With Naverus Approval
Required navigation performance (RNP) flight paths are an element of performance-based navigation (PBN) that will be a building block of NextGen air traffic control, and the FAA has now granted a letter of qualification to Naverus to design those flight paths. Naverus has pioneered development in satellite-based navigation technology for aircraft that allows more efficient and precise traffic patterns near airports that rely less on ground-based navigation aids and more on procedures and onboard equipment. In the U.S., the company has previously worked with Southwest Airlines to develop RNP procedures and it has already created more than 300 RNP procedures worldwide. Use of 28 RNP procedures the company will design in Australia are expected to reduce annual aircraft carbon dioxide emissions by 269 million pounds, according to the company. The FAA's letter of qualification is an approval that allows Naverus to develop traffic procedures in the U.S. for any airplane equipped to use them, thereby also facilitating development of the FAA's NextGen air traffic control system.
Aside from working with Southwest Airlines in the U.S., Naverus has deployed its technology in China, Central and South America, and Australia. Accelerated deployment of RNP is expected to improve airline operating efficiencies while also reducing their environmental impact, providing users with "significant environmental and economic benefits," says Naverus. |
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| Aviation's Legal Eagles (Part I) | back to top | |
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NAFI Sued By Former Directors
Two former board members of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) are suing the organization, alleging NAFI is using instructional materials they developed without authorization. Joanne and Sandy Hill were dismissed from the board of directors late last year in an acrimonious dispute that caused bitter divisions within NAFI and prompted the creation of a new instructors' group called the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE). The Hills were particularly involved with NAFI's Master Instructor program and they claim that NAFI has continued to use the program they developed without acknowledgement and are alleging copyright infringement. Rich Stowell, who developed the aerobatics section of the program, is also suing NAFI. NAFI spokesman Jason Blair said his group has not been served legal documents and declined to comment for now.
The Hills and Stowell are accepting financial donations to fund the legal battle and say they've had contributions from hundreds of flight instructors across the U.S. They say the suit is not about money. They say they want to ensure the credibility and integrity of the credential program.
Fresh Off Illegal Subsidies Ruling, Airbus Seeks Govt. Funds
Following close on the heels of a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that, according to one insider, labeled as "illegal subsidies" certain government-supplied, financial launch aids for new Airbus designs, Airbus is again seeking government cash to bring its next-generation designs to market. To compete with stirrings in China (which expects to bring its new C919 jumbo jet to market before 2020), Airbus wants to produce by 2015 its own more efficient, less noisy aircraft. Rough targets for the new aircraft are set at half the noise and half the emissions. Reuters reported last week that the manufacturer may be considering open rotor engine technology, mounting the engines aft and perhaps using tail surfaces to help with noise attenuation. To do that, or something like it, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Bregier last week told Le Figaro newspaper the company needs $1.2 billion over six years and he encouraged the French government to invest. But even if the company does receive government funding, that doesn't necessarily mean it will be bypassing a WTO ruling -- thanks to complications from Boeing.
By the time the WTO is done, it may have found that both Airbus and Boeing (which initially brought the case against Airbus) are guilty of winning "illegal" financial aid from supporting governments. In that case, one potential outcome would see the companies arrive at collectively determined acceptable parameters for such support. |
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| Mythbusting on Behalf of BizAv | back to top | |
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NBAA, GAMA Champion Study On Business Aviation
Months after events on Capitol Hill negatively associated big business with bizjets, a recent study has concluded that the vast majority of businesses that dominate "the list of companies strongest in corporate governance and responsibility" rely on business aviation. NEXA Capital Advisors LLC, a highly specialized transaction-focused advisory services company for the aerospace and transportation sectors, produced the study. GAMA and NBAA believe the study's conclusion, which states in part that "business aircraft users had a dominant presence, on average of 92 percent, among the most innovative, most admired, best brands, and best places to work," is no surprise. According to NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, "This study shows what the people in the business aviation community have always known," that "a business airplane is the sign of a well-managed company." Said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce, aviation creates "concrete and unique competitive benefits that are reflected in shareholder and enterprise value."
NEXA's study (PDF) correlates measures of businesses' success with business aircraft. It found that annual revenue growth was higher for business aircraft users than for non-business aircraft users. It found that annual earnings growth was 434 percent higher for users of business aircraft than non-users and that share price growth was 156 percent higher for those companies operating business aircraft, according to GAMA. |
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| Research & Development | back to top | |
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New Option-Rich Sirius High-Wing LSA
TL-Ultralight, s.r.o., in the Czech Republic manufactures the Sting S3 low-wing LSA and now its stablemate, the TL-3000 Sirius high-wing, has also earned light sport aircraft certification. SportairUSA, LC, distributes both composite aircraft and announced Saturday that the Sirius is available for purchase in the U.S. The Sirius sports yoke steering, what appear to be race-car-like seats, and a luggage compartment that Sportair says is "more spacious than the trunk of a Honda Accord" (but comes with a weight limit of 100 pounds). The aircraft's useful load is 600 pounds, which it carries behind a carbon-fiber prop spun by a 100-hp Rotax 912ULS. It also comes standard with "the industry's fastest-opening GRS whole-plane ballistic parachute," according to Sportair, and can be fitted with floats. Sportair offers the aircraft with a variety of panel options that range from traditional six pack to a choice of multi-function displays form from a variety of suppliers that, says Sportair, would allow for ASTM-compliant instrument flight.
Sportair lists the Sirius at just under $131,000 with options, including AmSafe harnesses and TruTrak dual-axis autopilot, that can push it well over $140,000. Sportair even sells the ForeSight EVS, a forward-looking infrared enhanced vision system, and it will install it on the Sirius LSA if the spirit moves you.
Martin Jetpack Test Pilot Picked By eBay Bid
Results on eBay suggest that someone has, for $35,101, purchased the chance to become a temporary test pilot for the Martin Aircraft Company, developer of the Martin Jetpack. Martin partnered with Total Experience, which sells adventure packages, to market the chance to become the first person outside the aircraft's development program to fly the Jetpack. The winner is promised "Jetpack test pilot training" as well as at least six flight sessions over the course of three days. The experience was put up for auction on eBay and two bids, plus that of the winner, were registered. Martin answered queries about the adventure, stating that the six flight sessions would span about two hours each, "which would normally amount to 100 flights or more." The flight program may include limitations set by the aircraft's then-current flight test envelope. Presently, the aircraft is restricted to 2 meters in altitude, 5 knots left, right and backward, and 10 knots forward. "Flights can be up to 5 minutes," according to the company, "though we may go to 10 in an outdoor setting." Martin even had an answer to "why do we have to pay to be a test pilot?"
The experience, says the company, "is an opportunity for someone who may value taking their place in aviation history," and that perceived honor (along with the experience) is what the winner is paying for. The flights, which can be shared by as many as three people, will take flight in Christchurch New Zealand at a time to be determined by the winner in consultation with the company. The winning bidder's payment will not, according to Martin, go toward the purchase of a Martin Jetpack. |
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| Aviations Legal Eagles (Part II) | back to top | |
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Suspects Arrested In Helicopter Cash Heist
Swedish police arrested "several" suspects Sunday after thieves raided a cash storage unit for ATMs near Stockholm last Wednesday, making their approach to the facility and the first leg of their escape by stolen helicopter. Authorities suspect the group of bandits may include as many as ten participants. One of those arrested on Sunday is one of 552 licensed helicopter pilots in the country, according to a Swedish newspaper. The gang landed a helicopter on the roof of the cash storage facility, gained access through a window and apparently used explosives to gain access to the cash. They then loaded the helicopter with a yet undisclosed booty and departed, leaving no one wounded and, later, left the helicopter about 15 miles away. First responders to the heist were not equipped to confront heavily armed criminals and the thieves were able to leave before properly equipped authorities arrived. Critics have been quick to point out what they view as shortcomings in the police's state of readiness, bolstered by the reason the police did not employ their own local helicopter in the operation.
The bandits apparently dissuaded the police from following them in, or intervening with, the Stockholm-area police helicopter by placing a suspicious bag close to the aircraft. The bag turned out to be something other than the bomb the police originally suspected it was. But, following the explosions at the cash storage unit, the police avoided the potential risk and instead had a helicopter flown in from Gothenburg, some 250 miles away. The police in the area have previously attempted to respond to robberies only to find their vehicles sabotaged.
18-Year-Old Suspected Of Plane Thefts
Authorities on Camano Island in Washington state suspect a one-man crime spree that's now spread to include the theft of two aircraft -- one of which resulted in an alleged 9/11 joy ride -- to be the product of an 18-year-old previously held at a minimum-security Renton juvenile facility from which he escaped. The Seattle Times quotes local authorities who call Colton Harris-Moore a "menace" and an "incredible liability to people's safety." Local sheriff Bill Cumming told the Times be believes the teen stole a Cessna 182 from an Orcas Island hangar last November , flying it east to a hard landing on the Yakama Indian Reservation. The Sept. 11 incident involved a new Cirrus SR22 allegedly stolen by the teen from Friday Harbor and flown to Orcas Island where it too was put down, hard, according to authorities. (At least one report suggests the boy read a flight manual and learned how to fly on the Internet.) The next night, when the Times says the teen was chased by a policeman on Orcas Island, authorities say the young man "laughed out loudly" when he realized he'd escaped. The teen is also suspected in multiple other thefts (including that of a boat) and local burglaries with some episodes caught on surveillance video. His mother has a slightly different opinion of the events.
"I know for a fact he is not doing all of these crimes," Pam Koehler told reporters Tuesday. "Anytime the cops can't catch whoever is doing them, they blame it on Colt," she said. Wanted for failing to appear in court on 10 criminal counts, the teen's record traces back to 2004 or 2003 (depending on the source), when he would have been 12. A warrant for his arrest is outstanding.
Low Flights 'Stalking' From The Air?
A dozen complaints from residents led police to the pilot of a small plane witnessed, photographed and filmed flying low over their homes last Wednesday, but there's more to it than that. The pilot, Tom Huey, of Concord, Calif., who'd flown his 1957 Beech Bonanza over the neighborhood prior to July 2008, resumed that habit this September. And here's the more: Huey's flight pattern, which circled over the neighborhood, also circled over the house of his ex-girlfriend. And his timing apparently coincides with the restraining order she filed against him. The flights stopped in July when the girlfriend obtained the order, but resumed mere hours after authorities finally served Huey with the papers. Authorities believe the return of Huey's aircraft over the neighborhood now means he violated the restraining order that police finally served earlier that same day. If that's the case, it may make him guilty of felony stalking, and with that (and upon his landing, Wednesday) they arrested him. Huey didn't make it complicated, having flown low enough to put his plane's registration number well within the range of neighbors' camcorders ... and leaflets found in the neighborhood didn't help.
Police have not confirmed that the leaflets, which included racial slurs and that named a local female resident, were dropped by plane, but are considering that the events are not coincidental. Huey was arrested after the aircraft he landed at Buchanan Field airport had made eight passes over his ex-girlfriend's neighborhood (eliciting the dozen complaints) was then taken to county jail, where he was held on $155,000 bail. |
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| The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! | back to top | |
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Ever Made a Forced Landing on a Road? Aviation Safety Wants to Hear About It!
If you've ever had to make an emergency landing on a road, we'd like to hear more about it. As part of sister publication Aviation Safety magazine's new podcast series, we're looking for pilots who have had the combined misfortune and good luck to make a forced landing on a road. Especially if your event includes a "teachable moment," we may ask you to help inform other pilots about the lessons you learned by participating in an upcoming podcast, moderated by Aviation Safety magazine Editor-in-Chief Jeb Burnside.
If you've "been there, done that" and would like to share your experience with other pilots, please drop us a note at aviation_safety@hotmail.com briefly describing what happened. Please also include your name, e-mail, and telephone number. We'll take it from there!
AVweb's Newstips Address ...
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Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 200,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips
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As a Mooney owner herself, Jennifer can guide you through the purchase process.
| Opinion & Commentary | back to top | |
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AVweb Insider Blog: No Hair Shirt for GA Over New York Congestion
AOPA Prez Craig Fuller met with FAA and industry officials in New York this week to talk about ways to reduce congestion in New York. Resident blogger Paul Bertorelli points out that he quite rightly pledged that GA would do its part but isn't sure GA has a part to play. Traffic volumes are already in the tank, and not many of us file New York's three major airports as a final destination. If you really want to cut congestion, says Paul on the AVweb Insider, eliminate about every third RJ operation into New York.
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| New on AVweb | back to top | |
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Columns | Features | What's New | Calendar | Brainteasers
Is the VLJ Dead?File Size 5.5 MB / Running Time 6:00
A few years ago, very light jets were going to be the next big thing that changed aviation forever. Business aviation analyst Brian Foley spoke with AVweb's Russ Niles about the sector that never really was and how the market is actually evolving.
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| AVweb Media: Look, Listen, Laugh and Learn | back to top | |
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Exclusive Video: Austro Engine AnalysisOriginal, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos The Austro aerodiesel, based on the Mercedes-Benz A-class sedan automotive engine, is now certified in the U.S. and Europe. As part of AVweb's flight trial of the new DA42 NG, we did a detailed video tour of the engine.
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| Your Favorite FBOs | back to top | |
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FBO of the Week: Pacific States Aviation (KCCR, Concord, California)
Nominate an FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions | Winning FBOs
Reporting on your favorite FBOs is usually a feel-good occasion, but this week we found a story in our inbox from one couple who had to rely on an FBO as their lifeline when they encountered a terrible situation while traveling. Bryan Liang explains what happened and how Pacific States Aviation at Buchanan Field Airport (KCCR) in Concord, California helped him cope:
My wife and I flew to CCR, hangared our plane with PSA, and borrowed its crew car. During our stay, we were carjacked. I suffered broken wrists and head wounds, and my wife spent eight days in ICU and twelve days in hospital literally fighting for her life.
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! |
| The Lighter Side of Flight | back to top | |
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Short Final
Most Center controllers don't have a highly developed sense of humor about radar limitations, but one I heard at Jacksonville Center does:
Cessna:
Center:
Cessna:
Center:
Barry L. Steinman |
| Names Behind the News | back to top | |
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Meet the AVwebFlash TeamAVwebFlash is a weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.
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