UND OFFERS FIRST DEGREE IN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS
The University of North Dakota has launched the first-ever bachelor's degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, and according to instructor Mike Nelson, it's just in time. "The last fighter pilot's already been born," Mike Nelson, a former fighter pilot, told Minnesota Public Radio. "The last fighter is being built. And these [UASs] are just getting started." About a dozen students signed up for the first year of the program. Ben Trapnell, a professor in the program, told MPR the graduates of the program will help to build a new industry. "What we hope to do is educate and train students with the best available technology that exists right now, but we know that technology is going to change extremely rapidly," he said. "We may even need to teach courses in technology that hasn't even hit the street yet." Jeffrey Kappenman, director of UND's Unmanned Aircraft Center, told Discovery News the program has practical appeal. "College students like to be employable when they graduate," he said. "This market is a growing market." More...

CESSNA CONFIRMS SKYMASTER WING INSPECTIONS
Cessna Aircraft Company this week confirmed to AVweb it is developing a supplemental inspection document (SID) focused on the wing attachment points of its long out-of-production model 336/337 centerline-thrust piston twins. According to company spokeperson Doug Oliver, the forthcoming SID may be released as early as the third quarter of 2010 and will call for "relatively involved" inspection procedures despite there being no related accident or incident. Although a SID is not mandatory for non-commercial small piston-powered aircraft registered in the U.S., operators in other countries may be required to perform the inspection by their regulatory authorities. Cessna, for its part, would consider the inspection called for under the SID mandatory, according to Oliver. AVweb first reported Cessna was developing the SID late last month. More...

FIRST DELIVERY: EMBRAER'S PHENOM 300 LIGHT JET
Embraer announced this week it delivered the first copy of its recently certified Phenom 300 executive jet on Dec. 29. Executive Flight Services, a subsidiary of Executive AirShare, took possession of the aircraft at Embraer's headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil. Executive AirShare, a fractional operator, already has a fleet of Phenom 100 aircraft, which started deliveries about a year ago. "As the world's leading operator of Phenom 100 aircraft, we have been extremely pleased with the performance and low direct operating costs of this entry-level jet, and hold similarly high expectations for the Phenom 300," said Keith Plumb, president and chief operating officer of Executive AirShare. Embraer's training facility in Dallas, Texas, graduated its first four Phenom 300 pilots last month. All four already held type ratings for the Phenom 100. More...

NEW ONLINE SERVICE EASES BORDER CROSSINGS FOR PILOTS
Since last May, general aviation pilots have been required to file flight manifests online with Customs and Border Protection for all international flights. Now a new service from Air Journey aims to simplify that chore for a fee of $99 per year. The new Web site, called Easy Air Journey, allows pilots to create and file their manifests and also to save their information online to help expedite future filings, while the official e-APIS site (electronic Advance Passenger Information System) requires users to start from scratch for each entry. In addition, Easy Air Journey will automatically generate general declaration forms (in English and Spanish) requested by the Bahamas, Mexico, and other Caribbean islands. The service also includes access to a 24/7 Help Desk that can answer questions or file your manifest on your behalf if Internet access is not available at your location. Pilots can preview the system via a video tutorial, or sample the service with a free trial online, though no filings will take place without a paid subscription. The service has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security. More...

COMING UP IN 2010, GA SHOWS ABOUND
The aviation calendar seems to grow more crowded every year, and 2010 looks to be no exception. First to come up is the annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, right around the corner, Jan. 21 to 24, in Sebring, Fla. Just a few years old, this event has established itself as the place to be if you're in the market for a sport aircraft, or just want to learn more about sport flying. The event is still small enough for exhibitors to spend quality time with visitors, but big enough to explore the full range of sport aviation, from fixed-wing to trikes, powered parachutes, motor gliders and gyroplanes. Europe's AERO Friedrichshafen show, from April 8 to 11 in Germany, will focus on environmentally friendly engine developments this year, with examples of electric, hybrid, diesel, and fuel-cell engines on display. Starting this year, the show will be an annual event. Back in Florida, Sun 'n Fun launches in Lakeland, from April 13 to 18, and another European show, this one in Cannes, France, will take place June 4 to 6. The fourth Eur-Avia Cannes International General Aviation Exhibition aims to provide visitors in southern Europe with a showcase of all sorts of GA aircraft, from sport planes to helicopters to executive jets. More...

DC-3 MASS ARRIVAL SET
A total of 35 DC-3s and C-47s have been registered for the mass formation arrival at AirVenture Oshkosh to mark the 75th anniversary of the design. The goal is to have a formation of at least 25 aircraft fly over Wittman Regional Airport on the opening day of the show but organizers allowed an extra 10 registrations to allow for the inevitable scrubs. The 35 aircraft that are registered all have the ability and intent to be there and all that are airworthy on that day will be allowed to participate, meaning the formation could be significantly larger than 25 aircraft. Although no more registrations are being accepted for the formation flight, any and all DC-3s and C-47s are invited to the show itself and should contact EAA for arrival and parking information. More...

ANOTHER CELEB JOINS GA -- ZACH BRAFF FLIES CROSS-COUNTRY
Zach Braff, the longtime star of the Scrubs TV show, got some positive press recently for GA when he flew his Cirrus from New York to California to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres show and talked about it during his appearance (click here for the video). He brought along his dog and an experienced pilot friend as co-pilot, and showed some pictures from the flight on the show, describing it as "just miraculous." Braff wrote about his decision to learn to fly to overcome his fears in an article for BestLife magazine early last year. He said earning his certificate was "one of the coolest moments of my life." Braff now joins Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, John Travolta, Angelina Jolie, and other celebrities in helping to convince the masses that it's fun to fly GA. More...

PIPER SELECTS AVIALL FOR WORLDWIDE PARTS NETWORK
Piper Aircraft announced on Monday that Aviall Services, a subsidiary of Boeing, will become Piper's sole global parts distributor, providing supply-chain support for Piper dealers and customers around the world. Piper CEO Kevin Gould said customers will benefit from Aviall's experience as a parts supplier. “Aviall’s extensive experience and excellent reputation in parts management and distribution will give our customers world-class service that is fundamental to the total Piper experience,” he said. The change will mean a "quantum leap" in the ability of customers to get the parts they need, when they need them, at excellent price and quality, said Derek Zimmerman, Piper's vice president of supply chain and aftermarket development. "Aviall's strategically placed distribution centers worldwide, coupled with its ability to stock sufficient inventory to meet customer needs in a timely fashion, make it the logical choice for Piper," he said. Aviall Services, based in Dallas, is one of the world's largest providers of new aviation parts and related services, with more than 2 million catalog items available through 39 customer service centers in North America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific region. Boeing acquired the company in 2006 for $1.7 billion. More...

DHL MAY DONATE AIRPORT
Cargo giant DHL Express and authorities in Wilmington, Ohio, are reportedly close to an agreement allowing DHL to donate Wilmington Air Park, the airport it formerly used as a hub, to the community. DHL closed the Wilmington hub over the past year in a cost-cutting move and laid off more than 8,000 workers, which naturally devastated the local economy. There are still about 700 people working at the airport, which the air freight company owns, and the proposal would see it become a publicly owned airport and industrial area. "DHL Express and the Clinton County Port Authority are pleased about the prospects of this solution supporting the region and people of Wilmington, and are very hopeful that such a donation could serve as a stimulus for redevelopment and future commerce in Southwestern Ohio," the two said in a joint news release. Wilmington would gain a pretty capable airport from the deal. 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: TOUGHER SECURITY ... FEWER PASSENGERS?
There are more checkpoints, procedures, delays, and red tape than ever involved in flying commercial. This week, we'd like to know if the hoops are changing your reliance on the airlines to get from Point A to Point B.

Plus: Last week, we asked how much flying you plan to do in 2010; click through to see how AVweb readers 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...

15 YEARS AND NOW 15 GRAND GIVEAWAYS ... IT'S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A BOSE AVIATION HEADSET X

Win a Bose Aviation X headset as we celebrate our 15th Anniversary! All you have to do is click here to enter your name and e-mail address. (You only have to enter once, and you'll be entered in our prize drawings for the entire year — so if you've already entered, you're all set.)

And no, we're not going to rent or sell your name, ever. Tell your friends, and invite them to sign up for AVweb so they can qualify for our 15 Grand Giveaways prize drawings, too. (We won't spam them, either — but we hope they will sign up for our newsletters.)

Deadline for entries is 11:59pm Zulu time Friday, January 29, 2010.

Click here to read the contest rules and enter.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK TO FLY THIS BADLY
Come along for the ride as Kyle Franklin explains his entertaining Super Cub comedy act and Ben Wabknoski goes flying. Franklin makes it look easy — but trust us, it's anything but. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: GEORGETOWN AIR SERVICES (GED, GEORGETOWN, DE)

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Georgetown Air Services at Sussex County Airport (GED) in Georgetown, Delaware.

AVweb reader Mark Galbraith had high praise for the staff and facilities at Georgetown:

I'm in my third year of flying regularly to GED for both business and pleasure, and the guys at Georgetown Air never disappoint. The large ramp assures parking is available. All requested services are done immediately and to high standards. Free long-term vehicle parking is available, as are several courtesy cars. Randy and Greg are like family, giving my daughters rides on the golf cart and, when I'm in on business alone, helping me with all of my belongings and airplane duties. I am always treated as well as the corporate jet folks.

See? We told you Mark gave them high marks all around!

With the new year upon us, there's no better time to tell us about your favorite FBO. Click here to nominate someone. 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
Douglas Abbott of Scottsdale, Arizona zooms in low and slow with this week's top photo. Taken at an Operation S.A.F.E. clinic in Collidge, Arizona, this rig is dropping spray at a rate of 20 gallons per acre. With everyone making their way back from the holidays, we have a low-key start to 2010. Not to worry, though — we're certain we can count of AVweb readers to pony up to the submission form and send us lots of great photos over the course of the next week — right? 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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