FAA KILLS "TAXI TO" FOR TAKEOFF
Effective June 30, 2010, the FAA is deleting the term "taxi to" from taxi and ground movement operations as it pertains to aircraft cleared to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway. The change requires controllers to issue explicit runway crossing clearances "for each runway (active/inactive or closed) crossing." And aircraft issued clearance to cross a runway must cross that runway before receiving clearance for a subsequent runway crossing. There is an exception: "At airports where the taxi route between runway centerlines is less than 1,000 feet apart, multiple runway crossings may be issued after receiving approval by the Terminal Services Director of Operations," according to the FAA. More...

NEXTGEN NOW ONLINE IN PHILADELPHIA
Air traffic controllers in the Philadelphia area now have ADS-B services up and running, the FAA said this week. "This new technology is a tremendous leap forward in transforming the current air traffic control system," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "The operational benefits in Philadelphia extend as far as Washington, D.C., and New York, which has some of the most congested airspace in the world." The satellite-based NextGen system provides more precise data to controllers, who can then more safely and efficiently separate traffic. Using ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) technology, controllers get one-second update rates on their scopes, compared to four-and-a-half second update rates with radar. Potentially, they will be able to reduce separation in the en route environment from the current five nautical miles to three miles, the FAA said. More...

AVWEB INSIDER BLOG: PAYING THE PRICE FOR ADS-B
In the latest installment of the AVweb Insider, guest blogger Paul K. Sanchez takes on the FAA's plan for implementing ADS-B. If you're thinking of updating your equipment for NextGen, you may want to hear Paul out first. Click here to read Paul's thoughts and share your own. More...

RED BULL SKYDIVER'S AMAZING STUNT
Paul Steiner, a member of Red Bull's Skydive Team, climbed out of the cockpit of a glider, hung from under the wing, and then hitched a ride on the wing of a second glider passing underneath -- and of course, it's all on video. Steiner then straddles the wing and reaches up to touch the tail of the first glider, as it flies upside-down overhead. And finally, he leaps from the glider to sail back to earth beneath his chute. The stunt took place in Austria earlier this month. More...

A CLASSIC NEW CUB FROM LEGEND
The Classic J3, a new model from American Legend, aims to deliver simple, fun flying with a lower price tag than many S-LSAs, at about $95,000. "The new Classic J3 sprung from many conversations with current Legend Cub owners," said Darin Hart, owner of the company. "They convinced us that there are additional buyers out there who would jump on the opportunity for a slimmed-down, brand-new Cub." The Classic J3 offers a slightly wider cabin than the original Piper J3, an aft bench seat, and a large baggage compartment. It's configured with a single clamshell door/window combination for right-hand entry and exit, and features a sliding window on the left side. More...

OSHKOSH NOTAM NOW POSTED
Pilots planning to fly to AirVenture at Oshkosh this summer now can begin planning in earnest, with the official FAA Notam (PDF) now available for downloading. "We cannot overemphasize this point for AirVenture-bound pilots," says EAA about the Notam: "THIS IS ESSENTIAL READING!" Several important procedures have changed from last year, so pilots shouldn't rely on past experience to get them through this year's event. Special air traffic rules will be in effect in the area from 6 a.m. local time on July 23 to noon on August 2. In other AirVenture updates, EAA said this week an aircraft auction will be held on the grounds. Also, a night airshow will be featured on Saturday. More...

GA'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO HAITI (AND AT HOME) RECOGNIZED
Sen. Mark Begich was joined in his praise for GA by Sen. Mike Johanns in introducing a resolution (PDF) Tuesday to formally recognize the contributions of general aviation pilots to relief efforts in Haiti, while actor Harrison Ford stumped for GA. Through more than 4,500 flights in the 30 days following the Jan. 12 earthquake, general aviation pilots "helped ship over one million pounds of cargo and supplies to the people of Haiti," according to a Tuesday release from Sen. Begich. "Their acts of humanitarianism and goodwill are worthy of our praise and support and I am pleased to recognize their efforts," Johanns said. The men are part of the Senate General Aviation Caucus that was founded in September of 2009 "to promote a safe and vibrant environment for general aviation." The resolution is meant to serve as a tangible recognition of general aviation pilots' contribution "and encourage their continued generosity." GA's impact here in the U.S. was also highlighted, Tuesday, as the Caucus used the star power of Harrison Ford to grab extra attention in Washington. More...

CAN HEAD-UP DISPLAYS PREVENT ACCIDENTS?
If pilots had head-up displays in the cockpit, hundreds of accidents over the last 13 years could have been prevented or at least mitigated, according to a study released on Monday. The Flight Safety Foundation analyzed 983 accidents between 1995 and 2007 involving large multi-engine aircraft (12,500 pounds and up). The study (PDF) found that overall the technology could have affected the outcome in about one-third of the accidents. About 69 percent of takeoff and landing accidents likely could have been prevented, the study found. The technology eliminates the need for the pilot to repeatedly transition between the instruments and the forward view, enhancing overall situational awareness. "Head-up guidance systems technology is a great safety tool for the prevention of runway excursions, loss of control, and approach and landing accidents," said Bob Vandel, one of the authors of the study. "This technology provides extremely useful data to the flight deck crew." More...

FAA TO PILOTS: PUT THOSE PHONES AWAY
The FAA on Monday told airline pilots they should "evaluate their personal practices" regarding the use of devices such as phones and laptops while on duty. Also, the FAA said, operators need to create a "safety culture" that reinforces the importance of controlling cockpit distractions. The FAA released its guidance in an Information for Operators memo (PDF). The memo cited several recent incidents of distracted flying -- the crew that flew past their destination while working on their laptops, a pilot who was texting after pushing back from the gate, and an FAA inspector's report that a crew member's mobile phone started to ring during the takeoff roll. The NTSB has asked the FAA to tackle the distraction problem, and will hold a three-day forum on professionalism among pilots and air traffic controllers next month. 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: CELL PHONES IN THE COCKPIT
The FAA and NTSB say cockpit distractions are a serious hazard. Where do you fit in?

Plus: Last week, we asked if it might be time to re-consider LORAN-C as a ground-based alternative to GPS — and got some great mail on the subject. Click through to see how your fellow 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...

IFR MAGAZINE SHOWS YOU HOW TO GET MORE FROM A PORTABLE GPS IN IFR
That gadget you bolted to the yoke can do a lot more than show pretty moving maps. Come along with IFR magazine editor Jeff Van West to see how correct use of track (and several other features) on your portable GPS can improve all aspects of your IFR flying. More...

RIDE-ALONG WITH DALE SNODGRASS
Famed air show and fighter pilot Dale Snodgrass took an AVweb camera along on his Paris Jet afternoon air show at Sun 'n Fun. In this unique video, he gives us the details about his routine. More...

15 YEARS AND NOW 15 GRAND GIVEAWAYS ... IT'S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN SCHEYDEN FRAMES AND FLIGHT GEAR

Win Scheyden Dual RX frames and Flight Crew Ensemble flight gear 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 April 30, 2010.

Click here to read the contest rules and enter.

Congratulations to Jack Feiden of Wichita, Kansas, who won an XM WX Satellite Weather Receiver from WxWorx in our last drawing! (click here to get your own from WxWorx)

FBO OF THE WEEK: FIRST FLIGHT CORPORATION (BROWN FIELD/KSDM, SAN DIEGO, CA)

Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to First Flight Corporation at Brown Field Municipal Airport (KSDM) in San Diego, California.

AVweb reader Thomas Perkowski has seen their top-notch service in action and taken regular advantage of First Flight's first-rate facilities:

I have been renting a Grumman Lynx from First Flight for six months now. I am very happy with the service and the support offered by owner Tom Sarvis and his team. Occasionally, when issues with the plane pop up, Tom comes right out and gets it fixed so I can get my flying done for the day. They have great prices for avgas and fantastic quality for the price for repair services. If you are flying to San Diego, give SDM and First Flight consideration for handling things for you.

Duly noted, Thomas!

AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday! Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK: AVWEB'S FLYING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
Wow. Your photos from Sun 'n Fun have started to roll in, and they're spectacular! We had so many photos that came in during show week, we had to roll over a few submissions (sight unseen) into next week's batch. We'll try hard not to peek until next week, but in the meantime, we've got a great line-up for today! Paul T. Gernhardt of Ashburn, Virginia cranks us into his gear with this photo we simply couldn't tear our eyes away from. We may have missed air show sensations Kyle and Amanda Franklin doing their "Pirated Skies" routine at Sun 'n Fun, but several AVweb readers sent us wicked cool photos of the performance. It's the next best thing to being there!

And you don't want to miss this week's slideshow, either — it contains what may be the best assortment of desktop wallpapers we've ever run in a single week. (You know where to find the slideshow, right? About 1/3 of the way down AVweb's home page.) 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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