Volume 9, Number 51b – December 18, 2003

Email this AVflash to a friend

The Top Headlines From AVweb's Expanded, Illustrated News Coverage At AVweb's NewsWire.

GREAT DAYS IN AVIATION HISTORY
At about 12:35 p.m., at Kill Devil Hills, N.C, yesterday, EAA’s Wright Experience replica Wright Flyer pilot Kevin Kochersberger and crew attempted a launch ... and failed to fly. (See AVweb's NewsWire for a video clip of the run.) In front of 35,000 visitors (still wet from a morning downpour) and millions of worldwide television viewers, the very expensive, very time consuming project ended its historic journey into the past slightly damaged and in a puddle at the end of a 200-foot portable runway/rail. EAA President Tom Poberezny said that the wind dropped below the minimum 10 knots required for liftoff from the length of rail and high humidity reduced engine rpm and output by several horsepower. But apparently the team thought it best to try anyway. More...

...SHOWCASES AVIATION'S OLD FOILS (WEATHER)...
The planned 10:35 a.m. launch was delayed by a downpour that soaked visitors and would have made the Flyer too heavy to fly well, according to The Wright Experience founder Ken Hyde. A subsequent flight, following the first (less successful) one was anticipated later in the afternoon, but a frontal passage accompanied by shifting, gusty winds prevented it. No subsequent public flight of the Flyer was announced. The aircraft was purchased for display in the Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. President George W. Bush talked exclusively about the achievements of the Wright Brothers and other aviation heroes and dispelled rumors by making no announcement of a new manned-space program. The President’s party arrived and departed in helicopters a few hundred feet from the site where Orville Wright flew the Flyer 120 feet in 12 seconds 100 years ago.

NOTE: AVweb thanks former Kitplanes editor Dave Martin for his contributions to this story. More...

...AND NEW ONES, AS TFRS CLOSE AREA AIRPORTS
While President Bush's visit to Kitty Hawk yesterday (by helicopter, Air Force One, and helicopter) was widely viewed as a boost for aviation, it brought with it huge chunks of TFR'd airspace, giving the folks at AOPA a chance to vent. "This has got to be the bitterest irony -- that America will celebrate a century of powered flight by grounding aircraft," fumed AOPA President Phil Boyer in a news release Monday. The TFRs closed the two fields closest to the Centennial events -- Dare County Airport and Elizabeth City Regional Airport (ECG) -- from 7 a.m. till noon local time on Wednesday. However, airport manager Joe Lamothe at ECG told AVweb Tuesday that he didn't think the shutdown would affect the plans of too many GA pilots. "It's busy here tonight," he said, "but most people who are planning to be here are already here." More...

MAINTENANCE PRACTICES CITED IN AIRLINE CRASHES...
Flying today is certainly much safer than it was in the early days, when the Wrights and others were developing the first airplanes, but things still can go wrong. Last week, the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported that faulty maintenance played a role in at least three, and perhaps four, of the last five fatal airline crashes, including the January crash of an Air Midwest Beech 1900D that killed 21 people in Charlotte. NTSB member John Goglia told the Observer that cost-cutting by the airlines is at the root of the problem. "Unless we start dealing with these issues sooner rather than later, we're going to pay the price, and that could mean more deaths," Goglia said. More...

...AND NTSB STRUGGLES TO RESOLVE SAFETY ISSUES
For the first time since 1975, the number of "open" safety recommendations on the NTSB's books has dipped below 1,000, the board reported Monday. "Open recommendations mean that the safety loop is not closed -- open recommendations mean that our job is not done," said NTSB Chairwoman Ellen Engleman Conners. The current number of open safety recommendations is now 989, and 335 of those are aviation-related. Some recommendations that have been resolved in the last six months, according to the board, include better terrain depictions on aviation charts and maps, spurred by the 1995 crash of an American Airlines 757 that hit a mountain ridge on a nighttime approach to Cali, Colombia, killing 160 of the 164 on board. More...

HONDAJET GOES LEGIT
Breaking its long silence about its clandestine jet program, Honda Motor Co. on Tuesday announced a flight-test schedule for its new composite-structure six-seater, but stopped short of saying it will develop the airplane for the commercial market. After all, why would the market want Honda's HF118 engines that are 40 percent more efficient than conventional engines, according to Honda, and mounted on wing pylons? The design also incorporates a laminar-flow forward fuselage/cockpit section that reduces drag at high speeds, and increases cruising efficiency. Plus, the unconventional configuration also eliminates the need for structural engine mounts in the fuselage, which affords 30 percent more cabin space compared to similarly proportioned aircraft. The aircraft has already flown at its North Carolina base. Honda plans 200 hours of flight testing. More...

BOEING MOVES AHEAD WITH 7E7
While Boeing has taken a beating over the last couple years from its archrival Airbus, this week's announcement of its 7E7 Dreamliner launch offers somewhat of a silver lining on the manufacturer's ominous storm cloud. On Tuesday, the beleaguered aerospace giant officially announced the start of the sales and marketing effort for its new 7E7 Dreamliner jet, a major step toward a formal launch of its first new aircraft in a decade. After mulling over several other sites, Boeing decided to build the new mid-sized jet in the Seattle suburb of Everett. The 7E7 would replace the slow-selling 757, which Boeing is discontinuing, and the 767 line, which has slowed to just one aircraft per month to sustain production until a controversial order for 100 U.S. Air Force fuel tankers is finalized. More...

WILL ATC "INCENTIVE PAY" HURT GA?
The contract extension that recently took effect between the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) includes a change that for the first time links pay to performance. The incentive-pay provision sets as its goals reductions in runway incursions and controller errors, and increased arrival efficiency rates and on-time performance for airlines. If the targets are not met, the controllers won't see their raises. Does this mean that more resources will be leaning toward expediting airline traffic, to the detriment of general aviation? Not according to NATCA President John Carr. "Air traffic control is about safe, orderly and expeditious flight, in that order, and nothing in this contract changes that," he told AVweb on Tuesday. More...

AN INVENTOR'S AVIATION ALCHEMY
Mike Pohl, of St. Louis Park, Minn. -- living the small-business-owner's version of the American Dream -- recently took his little flight-simulator company from a strip-mall storefront, where he sells $39.95 gift certificates for an hour of dogfights, to a six-figure contract with aerospace heavyweight Lockheed Martin. Pohl's customers line up to "fly" in the AeroDome simulator he designed -- an enclosed cockpit built of wood and fiberglass, with motion, a 180-degree projection screen, and off-the-shelf computer technology. Earlier this year, he sold two of the simulators to Lockheed, and delivered them to the defense giant's simulation training facility in Orlando, Fla., where they are being evaluated. More...

FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT STRUGGLES WITH DEBT
This centennial year had its share of hits and misses, in efforts to draw public attention -- and funding -- to the world of aviation. One event that had mixed results was the Festival of Flight, held last May in Fayetteville, N.C. The event's organizers met on Monday to try to agree on a plan to retire their debt of $262,000, most of it owed to 29 vendors. Low attendance hurt the financial returns. The group is hopeful that some creditors will forgive their debts, and that a fundraising effort after the New Year will bring in enough cash to settle the rest. More...

TWO MASS. PILOTS HONOR FIRST FLIGHT
Two Massachusetts pilots celebrated the centennial of flight on Tuesday by spending nine hours in a Skyhawk, flying in and out of each one of their state's paved, public-use airports. Bill Herp, 41, and Doug Barth, 47, a former flight instructor, landed at 36 of the 40 airports on Tuesday, missing out on four remote fields that still had too much snow from the weekend's storm. In the process, the two raised thousands of dollars for a Boston homeless shelter. "It was a great flight," Herp told AVweb, just minutes after landing the plane at its Hanscom Field home base. "It went just like we planned. The FAA gave us expedited service, and the weather was perfect. It was a beautiful day." More...

SUPERSONIC VERTICAL GLIDING FLIGHT
OK, not exactly. Scaled Composites' X Prize hopeful, SpaceShipOne, a Burt Rutan design, yesterday achieved ignition of its hybrid rocket motor, driving it to 1.2 Mach and 68,000 feet near Mojave before demonstrating its "feathered" high-drag descent feature. The aircraft reached 48,000 feet with the aid of Scaled's White Knight turbojet host aircraft, after which the supersonic portion of the flight was achieved by test pilot Brian Binnie, who released from White Knight at 8:15 a.m., ignited the rocket and flew the craft under power in a 60-degree climb, ultimately going vertical to reach zero airspeed at 68,000 feet. The rest of the flight test went well ... right up until landing. More...

ON THE FLY...
Gulfstream IISP pilot flies route from Los Angeles to Kitty Hawk to new record...
An Enola Gay protestor was arrested Monday at NASM's Hazy Center...
Congress allotted $298,000 for Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania...
Garmin is now listed in the NASDAQ-100 index...
A Montana man who crashed while shooting coyotes aloft faces charges...
Two space tourists paid $20 million each to fly to the Space Station...
Australian pilot Jon Johanson landed safely at Adelaide yesterday. More...

NEW ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
Each month, AVweb will bring you a quick survey of the latest products and services for pilots, mechanics and aircraft owners. This month we have a few books, a new GPS, handheld software and more. In some cases, AVweb has actually examined the product; in other cases, we are just letting you know it exists. If you know of a new product or service other AVweb readers should hear about, please send us a note. More...

BUSINESS AVFLASH
&lid=bizav">HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb’s NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read! Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/ More...

AVWEB'S PICTURE OF THE WEEK...
We received over 300 pictures last week. Congratulations to this week's winner, Duncan Marshall, of Chelsea, Quebec. His photo captures the beautiful early morning scene of his Ski equipped Citabria on the Gatineau River at Cascades Quebec, 20 miles north Ottawa - Canada's Capital. The aircraft is awaiting removal of frost from its wings for a day of freedom flying to any lake, river or field the lucky pilot chooses. Great picture, Duncan! You AVweb hat is on its way.

To check out the winning picture, or to enter next week's contest, go to http://www.avweb.com/potw More...

AVWEB'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK...
We received over 200 responses to our question last week on attending this week’s Kitty Hawk event. Nearly half (48 percent) of those responding advised they will not be attending the event, as the hassle of getting there is too much to deal with. Only five percent of respondents said they would attend, while 8 percent advised they could care less about the event.

To check out the complete results or respond to this week's question, go to http://www.avweb.com/qotw
This week, we would like to know your thoughts on the overall Countdown to Kitty Hawk/Centennial 0f Flight celebration. More...

______________
SHOPPING DEALS

SHOP ON AVWEB'S SHOPPING PAGE. GREAT PRODUCTS AT FANTASTIC PRICES AThttp://www.avweb.com/shopping

OURPLANE FRACTIONAL AIRCRAFT OWNERSHIP: SAVE $2,000 UNTIL DECEMBER 24TH OurPLANE Fractional Aircraft Ownership is the #1 World leader offering brand new Cessna, Cirrus and Raytheon aircraft at a fraction of the cost of sole aircraft ownership. No hassles, no responsibilities with these brand new aircraft including the glass cockpit Cirrus SR22 and Cessna 182T. Lowest cost aircraft ownership..GUARANTEED! Locations throughout California, Texas, New York, and Connecticut. SAVE $2000 until December 24th with $0 down, $0 principal and prime rate financing by calling 1 877 775-2631 and mention this AVflash, or go online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/ourplane

A PORTABLE SOFTSEAT™ CUSHION OR AN OREGON AERO GIFT CERTIFICATE MAKE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFTS! Need something for those "hard-to-buy-for" people on your holiday list? An Oregon Aero Gift Certificate or Portable SoftSeat™ would make their day. Oregon Aero has more than 500 gift ideas with some not just for pilots. For complete details and to order go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/oregon/gift

THE BUZZARD HAS LANDED Original Lazy Buzzard T-Shirts are now available. Join in his ongoing adventures in future designs as he dedicates himself to finding life, liberty, and definitely, the pursuit of happiness. Share the journey and live the life he inspires. Order for yourself and those on your holiday gift list at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/lazy

LIMITED TIME ONLY! COMPLIMENTARY SHIPPING! Enjoy complimentary shipping of the ninth edition of Aviation Consumer's Used Aircraft Guide for a limited time. The Used Aircraft Guide will pinpoint the plane that best fits your needs and budget, resulting in savings of thousands when you buy and thousands more when you sell. The Guide will also help minimize maintenance and operating costs. Order your copy at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/avconsumer/acuag

GLEIM MAKES HOLIDAY SHOPPING EASY AND AFFORDABLE WITH 10% DISCOUNT ON Gleim's Private Pilot, Instrument, Instrument Commercial, and Commercial Pilot Kits, plus the 2004 FAR/AIM (both sizes) is discounted 15 percent. And with Gleim's new flight bag to put Kits in all you need to add is a bow! Order at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/gleim

SUMMIT AVIATION'S COMPUTERIZED AVIATION REFERENCE LIBRARY KEEPS TRACK FARs can change on any government working day. Many handbooks and advisory circulars are updated at predetermined intervals, others are updated irregularly; and others are rarely changed. Summit Aviation keeps track of all of this for you with the Computerized Aviation Reference Library. The Library is a collection of hundreds of FAA publications and other vital information on a single CD-ROM that organizes, formats and makes information accessible! Updates are available from twice a year to every two weeks. YEAR-END SPECIAL: Save 25% off any subscription through December 31, 2003 at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/summit

GIVE THE GIFT OF SAFETY WITH CO GUARDIAN'S CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORCarbon monoxide can kill. CO Guardian has models from portable units to panel-mount units with solid-state sensors and temperature sensors, EMI-shielded to prevent radio interference, are built in the USA, and FAA certified. Go online for the CO Guardian model right for your aircraft at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/cog

CHASE-DURER WATCHES COME IN STYLES FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMENTruly in a class by themselves, Chase-Durer's award-wining style and Swiss dependability, make these chronograph watches a wonderful gift or as a purchase for yourself at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/chasedur

FIRST WORLD FLIGHT: THE ODYSEY OF BILLY MITCHELL IS A MUST READ!Three years before Lindbergh's flight to Paris, the U.S. Army joined the race to be the first to fly around the world. Many countries had tried. All had failed. Most pilots had died. Could the United States capture aviation's greatest prize? This hardcover book by Spencer Lane tells it all in great detail. Order your (non-autographed) copy today for $27.95 at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/firstworldflight

TAKE ANY VEHICLE FOR A SPIN WITH THE CARPROP!The Carprop is a free spinning propeller mounted on the front of a vehicle indicating the driver's enthusiasm for flying. As the vehicle moves the propeller spins. The Carprop's design feature allows the propeller to park in a horizontal position when the vehicle stops and doesn't interfere with the license plate numbers. For the pilot who has everything this is the perfect gift! Order at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/carprop

BRIGHTEN UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE WORLD'S MOST BRILLIANT MICRO LIGHTSfrom Photon Micro Lights. Many models and colors to choose from. Order these stocking stuffers athttp://www.avweb.com/sponsors/photon

ATTENTION ROD MACHADO FANS & THOSE SOON-TO-BE FANS! DVDs are now available of these fantastically fun and educational Rod Machado videos: "Defensive Flying"; "IFR Tips and Techniques"; and his just-for-fun "Aviation Humor". These make great holiday gifts for any pilot or aviation enthusiast. Order at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/machado

TWO NEW PRODUCTS FROM SACRAMENTO SKYRANCH-THE GATS JAR AND REJEX The GATS JAR is the only fuel analysis tester to separate non-petroleum contaminants and thereby purifying water and debris from contaminated avgas and jet fuel allowing extracted fuel to be put back into the aircraft and not on the ground. REJEX is a thin-film polymer coating that reduces adhesion of bugs, oil, grime and more to any aircraft surface and lasts for months. See these and other fine products at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/skyranch

______________
SPECIAL REMINDER…This special ends December 21, 2003

COMPLIMENTARY SHIPPING ON SPIRIT AND CREATOR & 2012:AIRBORNE PROPHESY The "Spirit and Creator" showcases documents and designs that inspired the Spirit of St. Louis team to triumph. "2012:Airborne Prophesy" is a suspense novel bringing readers a global takeover plot with lots of Hawker 800 right seat "time." Order either, or both books, and receive complimentary shipping! Go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/safegoods

______________
SPONSOR NEWS

AVIATION SAFETY-A SAFE FLYING INVESTMENT. SAMPLE JANUARY'S HIGHLIGHTS:"Bang for the Buck", simple exercises to help keep your proficiency sharp; "No-Engine Approach", can be done with a little preparation; "Admired & Reviled", the Piper Malibu; "Too Far to Glide", fly with an engine out over wooded terrain; "Nose for Trouble", how every landing brings the nose gear closer to collapse; "Nap of the Earth", Marine chopper pilot finds uncharted obstruction; plus, accident reports, maintenance issues and lessons learned. Stay sharp, order your Aviation Safety subscription at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/belvoir/avsafe

AVflash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest aviation news, articles, products, features and events featured on AVweb, the Internet's Aviation Magazine and News Service. http://www.avweb.com

Letters to the editor intended for publication in AVmail should be sent to mailto:editor@avweb.com.com. Have a comment or question? Send it to mailto:newsteam@avweb.com.

Today's issue written by News Writer Mary Grady:
http://www.avweb.com/contact/authors.html#mgrady
AVweb's editorial team: http://avweb.com/contact/authors.html.

Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team: mailto:sales@avweb.com.

Let's all be careful out there, okay?

AVflash is now available in optional easier-to-read graphic format, which includes some photos and illustrations. If you prefer, you can continue to receive AVflash in text-only format. Simply follow these instructions and AVflash will continue to arrive as it always has, in text format.