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NORTHWEST FLIGHT 188 PILOTS BLAME ATC
The Northwest Airlines pilots whose FAA certificates were revoked after they overflew their intended destination with a planeload of passengers have appealed to the NTSB for a review, and both cited failures by air traffic control as a "causal or contributing cause" in the incident. Capt. Timothy Cheney, 54, of Gig Harbor, Wash., and First Officer Richard Cole, 54, of Salem, Ore., stated in documents filed with the NTSB that controllers didn't follow rules and practices as described in the FAA's ATC manual and failed to coordinate effectively with Northwest dispatchers. National Air Traffic Controllers Association spokesman Doug Church told the Associated Press he couldn't comment on the matter because NATCA is a party to the ongoing NTSB investigation. Cole also said he shouldn't take a full share of the blame since he relied on Cheney to take responsibility for the flight as the flying pilot. Both pilots said that since they filed reports about the incident with NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System, sanctions should be waived. More...

Related Content:

• Click here to read the full text of both pilots' appeals. (PDF)
• Click here for the FAA's emergency revocation letter, which includes the original charges against both pilots. (PDF)
• The FAA has released its recordings of the ATC exchanges concerning Northwest Flight 188. Click here to listen online to AVweb's edited highlights of those tapes.

TSA SCREENING MANUAL POSTED ONLINE
The Transportation Security Administration has confirmed an ineffectively censored copy of its airport screening procedures manual was posted online. It was taken down after the mistake was discovered but not before the unsophisticated redactions of sensitive material were cleaned up and the uncensored version became widely available on the Internet. AVweb has chosen not to make it available on our site. The TSA told ABC News the manual was an outdated version (June 2008) "improperly posted by the agency to the Federal Business Opportunities Web site wherein redacted material was not properly protected." More...

USAF CONFIRMS EXISTENCE OF NEW UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE
Pictures of a mysterious secret drone flown by the U.S. military have been circulating around the Internet for months now (click here and here), and this week the U.S. Air Force confirmed that it is flying a new unmanned aerial vehicle called the RQ-170 Sentinel. The online images show what appears to be a squat flying-wing design. The unarmed UAV is being developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works and is intended "to provide reconnaissance and surveillance support" to combat forces, the Air Force said in a brief statement to Aviation Week. The Air Force did not release any images of the aircraft. The drone is flown by the Air Force from Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. It has reportedly been spotted in the skies above southern Afghanistan. More...

WOLF AVIATION GRANT DEADLINE, DECEMBER 15
The Wolf Aviation Fund grants seeks to improve public perception and technology as it relates to general aviation and has in past years supported Build-A-Plane, Fly4Life, a project to help provide wind shear information at smaller GA airports and more -- this year's deadline for proposals is Dec. 15. The Fund prides itself on its simple application process and does not require extensive documentation. It has issued grants based on simple e-mailed proposals. However, "the worst mistake anyone can make is to not follow the instructions by a granting entity." Often times Wolf grants are used by their recipients as leverage to approach other sponsors to seek additional funding. The Foundation is also always working to increase its available funds while also encouraging any interested parties to visit the Wolf Aviation Fund Web site and make direct contributions to projects the Fund previously supported. To earn the Fund's attention this year, click through to get a better idea of what the Fund supports. More...

REMOS RESTRUCTURING MANUFACTURING ARM
Remos Aircraft, which has been aggressively marketing Light Sport aircraft in the U.S. of late, will issue a statement later today concerning restructuring of its German manufacturing business. The company filed a notice of insolvency (definition - PDF) with German authorities 10 days ago but that's not as dire as it sounds according to Ken Weaver, executive vice president of marketing and communications for the three companies that make up the Remos group. In fact, he said, it's the foundation for the development for new programs that will be announced in 2010. "This is not a bankruptcy," he said. "It is a procedural option that is open to us under German commercial law that will allow us to launch these programs in 2010." Legal considerations prevented him from providing more detail in time for AVweb's publishing deadline. More...

POWER FLOW'S HOLIDAY TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE
Tuned exhaust systems manufacturer Power Flow Systems has teamed with the U.S. Marine's Toys for Tots Foundation to offer both savings on their products and donations to the charity. Power Flow "will triple the donation amount by way of an instant rebate." What that means is that buyers who donate $50 to Toys for Tots will receive $150 off a tuned exhaust system from Power Flow. The program, promoted as "give a little, save a lot," is in place until Dec. 24, 2009, and there is a cap. The maximum discount is $600 for a $200 donation. Power Flow asks that receipts be faxed or e-mailed to the company or one of its dealers. Purchases under the program are still covered by a 60-day money-back guarantee. Power Flow now has products that support Cessna, Beechcraft, Grumman, Mooney and Piper, products called "one of the best performance mods" for your airplane by Aviation Consumer magazine. More...

DC-3'S ANNIVERSARY GATHERING AT OSHKOSH 2010
EAA is hoping that its celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Douglas DC-3 will gather at Oshkosh the largest group of gooney birds (possibly more than 25) seen in more than 60 years. The aircraft will be on display, flying in formation and the subject of various technical and historical presentations. The 2010 AirVenture Oshkosh event at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh will be held July 26 through August 1 and the DC-3 will serve as the event's centerpiece, EAA said Friday. While more than 14,000 examples were built, serving both in war and peace, fewer than 100 of the aircraft are airworthy today, according to EAA. Beyond paying tribute to the aircraft, EAA says it will also mark this "final major reunion" by gathering "scores of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, crew chiefs and passengers that flew, operated and traveled in these aircraft." EAA president Tom Poberezny is "looking forward to welcoming these iconic aviation legends" to America's largest general aviation gathering. More...

VIRGIN GALACTIC ROLLS OUT SPACESHIPTWO
The public, or at least the press and politicians and a few aviation luminaries, got a first look at SpaceShipTwo in Mojave on Monday evening, at a grand rollout event hosted by Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic and designer Burt Rutan. "This is truly a momentous day," said Branson. "The team has created not only a world first but also a work of art. The unveil of SS2 takes the Virgin Galactic vision to the next level and continues to provide tangible evidence that this ambitious project is not only moving rapidly, but also making tremendous progress towards our goal of safe commercial operation." To honor a long line of ships in the U.S. Navy and Britain's Royal Navy, as well as spaceships flown by NASA and perhaps most famously in Star Trek,, SS2 was christened Virgin Space Ship (VSS) Enterprise. The name also "looks to the future of the role of private enterprise in the development of the exploration, industrialisation and human habitation of space," according to Virgin Galactic's news release. The spaceship, which holds six passengers and two pilots, will start flight tests early next year. SS2 was rolled out mated to its WhiteKnightTwo carrier vehicle, which has already been flying for about a year and has mostly finished its flight-test phase. More...

GULFSTREAM G650 COMPLETES INITIAL FLIGHT TESTS
A quick first flight for the G650 the day before Thanksgiving was terminated after 12 minutes to check out a vibrating gear door, but now Gulfstream has relaunched its biggest ship for a thorough wringing-out by the test crew. The company said last week the jet now has flown for an hour and 45 minutes, at speeds up to 240 knots and altitudes up to 9,500 feet. The crew checked handling qualities, pitot-static systems, avionics, hydraulic systems, electrical power generation and distribution, flight controls, and cabin environmental and pressurization controls. "The pilots' reports indicate that the G650's flying qualities were outstanding," said Pres Henne, senior vice president of programs, engineering and test at Gulfstream. The jet is on target for certification in 2011, he said, by both FAA and EASA, with entry into service in 2012. More...

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."

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: THROUGH-THE-FENCE AGREEMENTS
The FAA has issued new rules banning "through-the-fence" agreements, and the TSA effectively closed down one in Punta Gorda last week. Should they be allowed at all?

Plus: Last week, we asked AVweb readers how much flying they did in 2009 (compared to previous years). Click through to see how they answered. 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: G100UL — THE REAL DEAL?
If it turns out to be, Paul Bertorelli figures the fuels industry is going to have some 'splaining to do. The experimental fuel is octane-enhanced with a material that's obtainable from the refinery stream. What needs to be shown is if it can be done economically. So why did it take this long to try it? That's the question Paul mulls over in the latest installment of our AVweb Insider blog. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: JACKSONVILLE JETPORT AT CECIL FIELD (KVQQ) (JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA)

Judging by the latest batch of reader nominations for "FBO of the Week," Florida is a hot destination this time of year. It seems migrating snowbirds are finding the warm smiles and friendly line staff as welcoming in the state as the pleasant temperatures.

To wit: AVweb reader Jesse Farr was recently diverted to Jacksonville Jetport at Cecil Field (KVQQ) in Jacksonville, Florida, and found himself enjoying the change of itinerary:

Thank you to Samantha Fowlkes of Jacksonville Jetport. We tried to go into KJAX and/or KCRG on the 19th, but both were hard IFR with them having some computer problems finding and/or keeping up with those supposedly already in the system that day. They sent us over to KVQQ where it was clear, no traffic, and a very pleasant experience in and out.

We were handled promptly and properly, with some of the greatest courtesy I have seen anywhere from approach, tower, and departure. Samantha outfitted us with a courtesy car and even programmed in a destination on the loaner GPS that went with it. Upon return, we were already fueled at competitive rates and were on the way out very quickly as well.

Facilities were some of the nicest, traffic was no problem, and everyone was nice, friendly, and pleased to see us. Needless to say, next trip to Jacksonville, we will probably go to KVQQ, even if we are going to northeastern Jacksonville.

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
If you're tempted to describe this photo from Jeff Randall of Abilene, Texas in sentimental terms, there's a good reason. According to his comments, Jeff some real quality time with the setting sun and this Cessna 150, shooting from all different angles and with different exposures until he managed to get just the right photo. It paid off, with one or two of Jeff's photos giving us that warm, fuzzy feeling that normally only comes from a lazy afternoon chat with a cherished old friend.

You'll have to excuse us if we get a bit of drool on your monitor today. This week's reader-submitted photos are nothing short of incredible! Any of our top 15 submissions could easily have been our latest "Picture of the Week," which made this week's choices particularly tough. But using a complex and foolproof methodology derived from years of intense study, we did finally manage to settle on a top photo and four runners-up.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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