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. More...

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. More...

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 using tail surfaces to help with noise attenuation (blade failure notwithstanding). 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. More...

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." More...

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. More...

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?" More...

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. More...

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. More...

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. More...

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! 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: 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. More...

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

IS THE VLJ DEAD?
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. More...

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: AUSTRO ENGINE ANALYSIS
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. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: PACIFIC STATES AVIATION (KCCR, CONCORD, CALIFORNIA)

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.

The PSA folks were our main support the whole time. They came to the ER with flowers Saturday night. On Sunday they rented, paid for, and delivered a rental car to the hospital for me. They paid for my hotel, waived fuel/hangar fees, waxed our plane, talked with me daily, and then drove us 1.5 hrs to a commercial flight home. All because it was the right thing to do.

PSA's generosity and kindness lifted a heavy burden from us. They cared. Words cannot describe how much they opened their hearts to us and helped us feel we weren't alone. We are deeply grateful for all Greg, Shari, Jennifer, Marcy and the line guys did for us. They represent the best in aviation and the best in human beings. They deserve to be not only "FBO of the Week," but of the year, of the decade, and of the century.

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"

Most Center controllers don't have a highly developed sense of humor about radar limitations, but one I heard at Jacksonville Center does:

Cessna:
"JAX Center, Cessna One Two Three Four."

Center:
"Cessna One Two Three Four, JAX Center. Go ahead."

Cessna:
"Cessna One Two Three Four is 20 miles north of Jacksonville, 1500 feet, and we would like flight following."

Center:
"I would like to oblige, but at that altitude the only radar picking you up would be the highway patrol."

Barry L. Steinman
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
Mariano Rosales

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