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July 29, 2010
By The AVweb Editorial Staff
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Top Pick EFB by Aviation Consumer:
ChartBook, Again!
FlightPrep™ ChartBook™ EFB wins "Top Pick" again with the call-outs "best 3D, simple, big buttons, highly configurable, fast rendering." Dedicated Charts and IP
(instrument procedures) buttons make using the system easy and intuitive. Our Exclusive Flight Definition display upgrade gives you improved brightness, clarity, contrast and freedom from glare.
Includes standard solid state disk, too. Add XM Wx or traffic awareness when you're ready. Demo ChartBook™ yourself at Oshkosh booth #C3140 or buy online at
FlightPrep.com/AVweb10. 
| Booths at EAA AirVenture: |
3140 |
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FAA administrator Randy Babbitt appeared to contradict Tuesday's statement by the EPA that it doesn't have the authority to regulate or control the use of tetraethyl lead in avgas. In answering a
question at a press conference at EAA AirVenture on Wednesday, Babbitt said, in part, "We have some pretty good studies undergoing ... ATSM process is developing the standards for new unleaded
fuel and we've had some pretty good discussions with the EPA. They've been cooperative and helpful. The EPA of course has the ability and they have the statutory authority, in fact, to say there will
be no more lead in fuel. We have asked them to please don't get ahead of us. Let us develop the standards so that we will have an easily deliverable safe efficient fuel that performs just like 100
leaded fuel does today and let us get that in place and, the time track that we're both on, I'm very comfortable that we will have a suitable deliverable alternative fuel long before the EPA says no
more." The EPA earlier this week offered a different understanding of its role.
On Tuesday, AOPA reported that EPA responded (PDF) to a request for clarification on the EPA's
position on the future of lead regulation and clean air standards. The Environmental Protection Agency told GA's industry Avgas Coalition that the agency "has not established or proposed any date by
which lead emissions from aircraft operating on leaded avgas would need to be reduced. In fact, the EPA does not have authority to control aviation fuels." Again, Babbitt said Wednesday, "The EPA of
course has the ability and they have the statutory authority, in fact, to say there will be no more lead in fuel."
Related Content:
A recently formed grassroots coalition to press the FAA and industry groups forward met with high-level FAA officials Monday and delivered an unambiguous message: Any new fuel under consideration
to replace avgas should be of at least the equivalent of 100 octane and to make that happen, the FAA needs to clarify the fuel certification rules and level the playing field. Jon Sisk, who's
president of the Malibu/Mirage Owners Association and also a principal in the Clean 100-Octane coalition, described the meeting with agency officials as positive and encouraging. But he urged the FAA
to assume its rightful role in clarifying the fuel certification process and he explained that the coalition's position is that while the alphabets and the industry's FAST fuels group have an
appropriate role, developing fuels and setting the certification rules for them to be approved isn't one of them.
"We want to make sure the FAA is creating an environment where the innovators -- the people who are actually going to come up with the fuels -- understand the process they're going to have to go
through to get these fuels approved. People are not going to expend the capital to do these things if the rules aren't clear and the playing field is not level."
Sisk further said there's no excuse for not doing what needs to be done now to speed this process along. He described yesterday's confusing statement by the EPA that it has no authority to regulate
aviation fuels as a dangerous distraction.
Related Content:
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Tired of Trying to Find Sunglasses That Work with Your Headset?
Then check out the new Lightspeed Aviation Optics in our pavilion, just outside Hangar B. Designed in Italy, these glasses can be fitted with your prescription, and the attached sunshades are
up and out of your way in an instant. Designed to work with the Lightspeed Zulu, they are just one more feature that adds to the freedom of flying that comes with the world's most comfortable
headset.
More details are
available at LightspeedAviation.com.
| Booths at EAA AirVenture: |
259 |
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FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said at EAA AirVenture on Wednesday that the homebuilt community needs to do a better job of preventing accidents. "Last year, amateur-built aircraft accounted for
25 percent of all general aviation accidents," he said. "But the troubling number here is that they represent only 10 percent of GA aircraft. We're trying to change that trend." Many accidents seem to
happen in the transition time after a new owner buys an aircraft from the original builder, Babbitt said, and he would like to see an effort to ensure that new owners get thoroughly trained in the
performance and characteristics of the aircraft. He also said the GA numbers overall are not where they should be, with 120 fatal accidents already this year.
Babbitt, a former airline pilot, also reprised his emphasis on professionalism for pilots at all levels. "This is not something we can regulate," he said. "It's up to every pilot to go that extra
mile, to take recurrent training. Take that extra step and bring that accident rate down." Babbitt also said the advantages of NextGen for the GA pilot will be substantial, providing improved weather
and traffic information in the cockpit. He said he's not too worried about the cost of the gear to GA pilots, since they have 10 years to comply, and they have the choice to opt out. Most pilots, if
they look at the advantages of the upgrades, will decide that the level of safety the system provides will justify the cost, he said.
The members of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association will work with EAA to produce a new website where safety alerts -- the LSA equivalent of airworthiness directives -- will be posted to
ensure that all owners, mechanics and pilots have timely access to the information, LAMA announced at EAA AirVenture on Wednesday. The site will also provide an archive for the data to ensure it
remains available for aircraft owners even if the manufacturer is no longer in business, LAMA chairman Dan Johnson told AVweb. "The FAA was extremely keen on that," Johnson said. The
information mainly is already available online at manufacturers' websites if you know where to look, Johnson said, but having a central site should be useful to shoppers, mechanics and others. He said
the site should be up and running by September.
At a later stage, the site will also compile service difficulty reports that are filed by mechanics, Johnson said. The plan was developed in various meetings this week at AirVenture, Johnson said.
In other LSA news, Johnson said the LSA Mall is filled to capacity, showing that the segment is continuing to hold its own despite the long economic downturn. A few manufacturers have stopped
production, though. "As of now, there are 72 manufacturers and 108 models of Special LSAs," Johnson said. For that many new models to be approved in so short a time -- just five years since the LSA
rules were finalized -- is unprecedented in aviation history, he said.
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Introducing: Our Best Pilot Headset Ever
NEW Bose A20™ Aviation Headset
Bose was the first to introduce active noise reducing headsets to aviation more than 20 years ago, forever changing the way pilots fly. Now the Bose A20™ Aviation Headset sets an entirely new
standard, providing significantly greater noise reduction than currently available. It also features an improved level of comfort, clear audio, Bluetooth® connectivity, auxiliary audio input and
priority switching.
Learn more.
| Booths at EAA AirVenture: |
283-287 |
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On Tuesday morning, about 20 representatives of various public benefit flying groups met with representatives of the NTSB at EAA AirVenture to talk about how they plan to address the concerns
expressed by the safety board in a letter issued last month. Rol Murrow, chairman of the Air Care Alliance, told
AVweb the meeting was productive, and the NTSB was responsive to the group's suggestions. "They are not recommending new regulations," Murrow said. "They believe the solution lies in working
with the groups." Murrow said three main areas were addressed at the meeting, and response from NTSB representative Timothy Burtch was positive.
One of the NTSB's concerns, Murrow said, is that there should be a way to ensure that pilots who volunteer to fly for charitable flights are qualified to do so. The consensus from the meeting is
that a self-certification checklist will be proposed to address that concern, Murrow said. The second issue is that patients who are traveling should be properly informed of the nature of the flight,
and understand that it is not a commercial operation. Murrow said some groups already have documentation and briefing packets they use to ensure that information gets to the passengers, and those
models can be developed and expanded. The third issue was pilot training, to ensure that pilots understand the nature of the flights and the pressures to complete them and help them to make good
launch decisions. The ACA is working with AOPA's Air Safety Foundation to create an online course for volunteer pilots that will address the NTSB's concerns. The ACA will respond formally to the
NTSB's recommendation letter by Sept. 7, Murrow said.
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Get More Rewards Faster with WingPoints®!
Reward yourself when you refuel with WingPoints from Phillips 66® Aviation. Start earning points immediately, and earn double points when you use
WingPoints with any Phillips 66 Aviation branded card.
Get your card
today!
| Booths at EAA AirVenture: |
304 |
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As regulatory authorities in the U.S. decide how to handle commercially manufactured non-ultralight electric-powered aircraft, Yuneec International is growing and improving its stable of
electric-powered aircraft. The company's two-place high-wing E430 debuted at AirVenture Oshkosh in 2009 and Wednesday, AVweb spoke with Clive Coote, Yuneec International's managing director,
about improvements to the design, the company's progress and its coming offerings.
Regulatory agencies are currently working to develop standards for electric-motor-driven aircraft in the light sport category. Meanwhile, Coote says Yuneec has started to accept signed orders for
the E430 and will be taking deposits "after the show" this year at Oshkosh. Yuneec says its E430 can currently offer an endurance of 2.25 to 2.5 hours while carrying a useful load of 390 pounds. In
that configuration, the aircraft's max takeoff weight of 1,050 pounds would put it well under the current light sport aircraft (LSA) limit of 1,320 pounds. The have more designs in the works. First
deliveries of the E430 are currently expected to arrive to customers late in 2011.
Related Content:
A company that does gas-electric auto conversions in California, a technology integration company, and Sikorsky have teamed up to prove the manned electric helicopter by way of Project Firefly. The
Firefly is actually an S300C two-seat bare-bones helicopter. Sikorsky has had the S300C's original Lycoming HIO 360 engine swapped out for a permanent magnet electric motor from U.S. Hybrids -- a
company that will gladly convert your automobile, too. Systems integrated by Eagle Technologies, LLC, help the Firefly's motor deliver about 10 hp more than the Lycoming's 190 hp but has the
helicopter carry 1,000 pounds worth of lithium ion batteries to do it. The batteries put the Firefly within about 150 pounds of the S300C's 2150-pound max gross weight and offer about 15 minutes worth
of flying time in return. But that's not the point. We spoke to Jonathan Hartman of Sikorsky's innovations division to further explain.
The Firefly is not meant to corner the market on manned electric helicopters. What it is meant to do is help Sikorsky better understand how they might be doing that in the future. Flight tests are
expected to begin later this year and development will continue behind the scenes. To keep things simple, the Firefly's tailrotor is conventionally driven by a shaft connected to the helicopter's main
electric motor. In future designs it is possible that the shaft could be replaced with a lighter motor at the tail linked by wires to the flight controls and main motor controller. Clear advantages of
electric power are reduced vibration and noise, plus a vastly reduced parts count and maintenance requirements for the powerplant. Clear challenges include weatherproofing and the current limits of
battery technology.
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Bendix/King by Honeywell KFD 840
The KFD 840 Primary Flight Display is now certified and available from your local dealer today. To mark the occasion, initial pricing is set at an unprecedented $11,995 MSRP. The KFD 840
makes flying easier with features like an expansive 8.4" diagonal LCD and wide horizon, much larger than other systems. It includes a solid-state attitude sensor that outperforms the competition.
And the KFD 840 protects your investment with ongoing upgrade capability.
Click here for more
information.
| Booths at EAA AirVenture: |
3130 |
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Icon Aircraft has announced that structural composite assemblies for the folding-wing amphib LSA will be provided by Liberty Aerospace of Melbourne, Fla., and Flytech, a Hungarian company. Icon
plans to outsource the major composite work then assemble the airplanes and install all the systems at their facilities in southern California. The company also announced some significant design
changes.
Icon says the changes will improve flight safety and enhance the user experience of the A5. Wing cuffs will be added, to contribute to a spin-resistant design. And flaps will be eliminated to
simplify pilot operations. "This is yet another example of Icon raising the bar to not only make the A5 one of the coolest sport planes on the planet -- but to make it simultaneously one of the safest
and easiest to fly," said Kirk Hawkins, Icon CEO. Matthew Gionta, the company's VP of engineering, said that since LSA regulations require a maximum zero-flap stall speed of 45 knots, the flaps offer
marginal benefit while adding complexity.
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As Vital As Vision
XM WX Satellite Weather provides comprehensive in-flight weather data directly to your cockpit. Never fly blind again when you sign up today for one of XM WX Weather's Aviator LT, Aviator, or
Aviator Pro weather data packages. Enhance your situational awareness with data products like Radar, Lightning, Winds, and more. Come see the latest from XM WX Satellite Weather at booths #3037-3039
during EAA AirVenture or
visit us online at
XMWxWeather.com/aviation. 
| Booths at EAA AirVenture: |
190, 3037-3039 |
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All 152 souls on board an Airbus A321 were killed on Wednesday when the aircraft crashed into a hill while trying to land at an airport near Islamabad in clouds and rain. Fire and smoke was visible
at the scene, the Associated Press reported, and the wreckage was strewn widely across the hillside of broken trees. No distress calls were heard from the pilots, according to the AP. The flight was
operated by Airblue, a private service based in Karachi, where the flight had departed from. One witness told the AP the airplane appeared to have "lost balance" in the air, and then went down.
Airblue flies from Pakistan to Dubai, Oman and the U.K. The accident was the first major crash in Pakistan since 2006, when a Pakistan International Airline Fokker F-27 crashed outside the city of
Multan, killing 45 people, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
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Introducing Cobalt's Co50
A 5-place canard for the certified market using the latest innovations in composites, chassis structure, and fuel/power management systems. TCM's FADEC, 350 hp, twin-turbocharged TSIOF-550-D2B and
Hartzell's Constant Speed 3-blade aluminum propeller produce high performance to go 600nm with four adults and one child at +200 KTAS, including 45' reserves. Luxurious and ergonomic interior with
great panoramic views. Discover Cobalt's Co50 in the Main Aircraft Display, booths #21-22, at EAA AirVenture.
Experience the next
stage in aircraft evolution.
| Booths at EAA AirVenture: |
21-22 |
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In his latest post to the AVweb Insider blog, Paul Bertorelli seems dazed and baffled by a world class case of whipsaw. On the one hand, EPA says it has no authority to ban leaded fuels; on
the other, FAA Admin Randy Babbitt says oh, yes it does. Who the hell is driving this thing?
Click here to read Paul's blog and make your best guesses as to what's going on.
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| Click for more photos |
We doubt you'll ever get three quarters of a million pilots to agree on anything outside of coming together at Oshkosh during the summer — but when it comes to finding common ground,
the warbirds display area is a good place to start. Everyone makes their way here at some point during the show. Some are attracted by history, others by engineering, and still others by the comic
books and TV shows that drew them to magnificent aircraft as kids.
Click for photos.
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Fly Safely. Reduce Your Work Load. Increase Your Fuel Economy. Fly Intelligently.
Save $750 Now! The Auracle Engine Management System from Flightline Systems offers comprehensive engine and fuel situational awareness, delivered on a stunning full-color
glass panel display. Now available for both single- and twin-engine aircraft, Auracle helps you make critical decisions rapidly. It's the most sophisticated, intuitive engine management system
available.
Learn more at
Ultra‑Fei.com/auracle.
| Booths at EAA AirVenture: |
2137 |
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File Size 8.8 MB / Running Time 8:35
Podcast Index
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How to Listen
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Subscribe Via RSS
They've heard from the alphabets and the FAA administrator, and that hasn't changed the message from the 100 Octane Coalition. AVweb's Paul Bertorelli spoke with Jon Sisk, of the
Coalition.
This podcast is brought to you by Lightspeed
Aviation and Conoco-Phillips.
Click here to listen. (8.8 MB, 8:35)
File Size 6.6 MB / Running Time 7:15
Podcast Index
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How to Listen
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Subscribe Via RSS
Electric airplanes: The U.S. may not have a regulatory structure to guide them, but Yuneec International is moving forward with its E430 two-seat electric aircraft. AVweb speaks with
managing director Clive Coote about the company's progress and its coming offerings.
This podcast is brought to you by WxWorx XM WX
Satellite Weather and Bose
Corporation.
Click here to listen. (6.6 MB, 7:15)
File Size 10.0 MB / Running Time 9:44
Podcast Index
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How to Listen
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Subscribe Via RSS
Well, it's not really a paint job but a new decorative scheme consisting of precision-cut vinyl appliques available in a dozen different designs and a range of colors. Scheme Designers, well known
for its color scheme designs for airplanes of all sizes and types, has developed the product in association with LoPresti Speed Merchants. In this podcast, Scheme Designers' Craig Barnett
fills AVweb in on the details. If the company doesn't have what you want, it specializes in custom work. For more, see SchemeDesigners.com.
This podcast is brought to you by Conoco-Phillips and Lightspeed
Aviation.
Click here to listen. (10.0 MB, 9:44)
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Something New Your Garmin Can Do
Now you Can fly an approach in real time on your Garmin 696, 496, 396 or 296.
To find out more,
go to True Flight
TV. 
Now with exclusive Winds Aloft Fuel Savings feature!
| AirVenture Coverage Sponsor |
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View Trade-A-Plane's New Edition
at No Cost on Your Mobile Device!
Just enter
Trade-A-Plane.com/mobile. 
Search for aircraft (hourly updates). Find companies, products, and services. Locate dealers/brokers. Call or e-mail sellers, and click directly to their web sites. With our web and mobile
editions, you can view all of our ads at no cost, all the time! Call (800) 337-5263, or
visit us
online. 
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Win a Spidertracks Aviator 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, August 6, 2010.
Click here to read
the contest rules and enter.
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New Teledyne Alphabeam LED Landing & Taxi Light
The new Teledyne LED Landing & Taxi Light replaces the following incandescent replacement lamps: 4313, 4509, 4591, 4594, 4595, 4596, Q4631, and Q4632 — with no need to modify or alter
existing incandescent mounting. This is a patented optical design that draws less power and uses fewer LEDs than other LED-based bulbs. No dimming or loss of intensity across voltage range of 11 Vdc
to 30 Vdc. Meets all environmental requirements of RTCA DO-160-F. Anticipated FAA/PMA approval, June 2010. Call 1 (877) 4-SPRUCE or
visit
AircraftSpruce.com. 
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Nominate an FBO
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Rules
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Tips
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Questions
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Winning FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the FBO at St. Clair County Airport (KPLR) in Pell City, Alabama.
AVweb reader Randy Martin put PLR to the test when he decided to change his go-to airport for trips to Birmingham. Having already spoken with the airport manager (Larry), Randy
expected thins to run smoothly when he arrived. What Randy didn't expect was an experience he called "Southern hospitality at its finest."
Upon my arrival, a silver van was planeside before the prop stopped spinning, and Heath [a lineman] ask me if I needed a ride to the motel. ... [After finding myself stranded at the motel later on, I
reluctantly called Larry and asked for a ride.] Bill arrived at the motel within half hour and happily drove me over, offering several local attractions to visit my next time in, and would not take
any money for gas — or even a tip. ... A very big thank you for all the guys at KPLR. I will definitely be back.
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!
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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
Click here to send a letter to the
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Comments or questions about the news should be sent here.
Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's sales team.
If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your PDA or handheld device), there's also a text-only
version of AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click here.
Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.
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Where to Find Our Sponsors at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (booth numbers)
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