Volume 10, Number 16a -- April 12, 2004

Email this AVflash to a friend

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

SUN 'N FUN IS READY TO GO
Watch for two Special Editions of AVflash in your e-mail inbox this week only, arriving on Wednesday and Friday, brimful of fresh news. Plus links to lots more content on our Web site, including photo galleries packed with bright sunny pix of airplanes of all sorts. The 30th annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-In opens tomorrow in Lakeland, Fla., bringing with it the start of the air show season and seven full days of aviation in all its diverse forms. Pilots packing up to fly there can find the arrival procedures posted online, and visitors can check a five-day forecast for the area at the WSI Web site. AVweb staffers are converging in Lakeland now to cover all the latest new airplanes and products, the fly-bys and the demo flights, and deliver it direct to your computer screen. More...

...WITH ALL THE LATEST STUFF...
Sun 'n Fun is traditionally when the industry trots out its new and in-the-works models, gizmos and gadgets, knowing that pilots who have been cooped up all winter can't wait to get out and fly -- and buy. This week, Lancair will make the most of the spotlight, hosting a public ceremony to accept the FAA's certification of its quick new turbocharged "fastest certified piston-engine aircraft," the Columbia 400. Liberty Aerospace will show off its newly certified XL2 two-seater. Adam Aircraft's A500 twin-engine piston aircraft and the new Adam Aircraft A700 personal jet will both make an appearance. OMF plans to offer an update on the progress of its new aircraft in development -- the Jet-A/diesel-powered Symphony 135D and the four-place Symphony 250. More...

...PLUS STARS AND SPECTACLES
But Sun 'n Fun is not all about technological tourism -- there are plenty of people to see and daily air shows to watch and hands-on workshops to take part in. Speakers at the Florida Air Museum will include Bob Hoover and Paul Tibbetts. Forums include updates on the Sport Pilot rule; plus how to buy, build, restore, fly and/or take care of your airplane. Perpetual workshops offer advice on welding, woodworking, composites and more. On Thursday and Friday, seaplanes will splash in at nearby Lake Parker, and on Sunday morning, hot-air balloons will gather to launch from the field. More...

TWO CHUTES DEPLOYED, TWO CIRRUS "SAVES"
Two pilots activated the ballistic chutes in their Cirrus aircraft late last week and landed safely, one in Canada and the second in south Florida. The two incidents were the second and third time that pilots have deployed the chute; the first was in October 2002. "The CAP [Cirrus Airframe Parachute] system has done its job," Cirrus Design spokesman Randy Bolinger told AVweb Saturday. "They all survived." On Saturday, Jeffrey Ippoliti, 41, of Celebration, Fla., deployed the chute in his SR22 shortly after takeoff from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, landing just six miles north. And Thursday night, Canadian pilot Albert Kolk, 67, and his three passengers walked away after deploying the chute of their SR20 above rugged terrain in British Columbia. More...

...AS SR22 LANDS IN FLORIDA TREES...
Early news reports about Saturday's incident in Florida say the pilot experienced "mechanical difficulties" or an "engine failure" shortly after taking off about 10 a.m., bound for Palm Beach. Cirrus spokesman Bolinger said that preliminary sketchy reports were that the airplane was being picked up after maintenance, and there was a low overcast and instrument meteorological conditions at the time. The airplane settled in trees in Hampton Pines Park and was slightly damaged on the way down. "It was amazing," park attendant Humberto Alvarez told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Alvarez said he heard a bang and looked up to see the airplane floating to the ground. "I thought I was dreaming. I said, 'What the heck is that?'" More...

...AND CANADIAN SR20 FLOATS 9,000 FEET TO A TOUCHDOWN
On Friday, Canadian pilot Albert Kolk was flying on autopilot late Thursday night when "for some reason one wing dropped and it started to get out of control," he told the Calgary Herald. Unable to recover and losing altitude, he pulled the chute at about 9,000 feet. "We came down safe and sound and just stepped out of the plane," Kolk said. "It did substantial damage to my plane, but nobody got hurt. ... It's amazing." Bolinger, citing local news reports, said he understood that the aircraft had encountered severe turbulence over the mountains. Bolinger also said Cirrus has sent representatives to both sites to aid in the crash investigations. More...

FAA LICENSES MOJAVE SPACEPORT, SCALED'S SPACESHIPONE FLIES AGAIN
At somewhere around Mach 2 and 105,000 feet, Scaled Composite's SpaceShipOne last Thursday took Peter Siebold to a place where civilian pilots have never gone before. The test flight launched just one day after the FAA's announcement that it had granted its first-ever license for suborbital manned rocket flight to Scaled Composites, of Mojave, Calif. The license was issued April 1 by the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation for a sequence of flights spanning a one-year period. The FAA license is required for U.S. contenders in the X PRIZE competition. The X PRIZE foundation will award $10 million to the first company or organization to launch a vehicle capable of carrying three people to a height of 62.5 miles, return them safely to Earth, and repeat the flight with the same vehicle within two weeks. More...

...AS X PRIZE SEEMS IN REACH...
Last week's events brought aircraft designer Burt Rutan another step closer not only to capturing the X PRIZE , but to realizing his dream of creating a commercial space-tourism industry. "We look to the future, hopefully within ten years, when ordinary people, for the cost of a luxury cruise, can experience a rocket flight into the black sky above the earth's atmosphere, enjoy a few minutes of weightless excitement, then feel the thunderous deceleration of the aerodynamic drag on entry," Rutan wrote last year when he unveiled the program. "I strongly feel that, if we are successful, our program will mark the beginning of a renaissance for manned space flight." More...

...BUT COULD CANADIANS COME FROM BEHIND?
The da Vinci Project, an X PRIZE contender based in Toronto, Canada, announced last week that it is ready to launch a test flight later this year, and will announce a date by the end of this month. Computer designer-turned-astronaut Brian Feeney told AFP News, "We are going for it, it's getting exciting." Feeney said the competition is turning into a "David and Goliath" race as his team, funded by a host of smaller sponsors, goes up against Rutan and his billionaire backer. Feeney plans to fly to about 80,000 feet in a 15-foot-long Wildfire rocket strapped to the world's largest helium balloon. At altitude, he will fire the twin rocket engines and blast into stratospheric sub-orbit for five minutes, then float down to a landing via parachute. More...

FAA NOW OFFERS 12-HOUR ICING FORECAST ONLINE
The FAA on Thursday unveiled a new Web-based product that offers warning to pilots about icing hazards up to 12 hours in advance. The Forecast Icing Tool provides a high-tech color weather map and/or a flight-route display of icing potential at flight levels from 3,000 to 18,000 feet. The user can view freezing-level graphics with forecast times at three-, six-, nine-, and twelve-hour intervals to plan safe routes of travel, the FAA said. "One of the best ways to manage the effects of bad weather is to avoid it altogether," said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey in a news release. "With information provided by this automated tool, pilots flying aircraft under 18,000 feet can make critical flight decisions." More...

TROUBLE IN DETROIT'S STARS, NATCA SAYS
The FAA's controversial Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) was the subject of a complaint from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) last week, as glitches plague the system in the Detroit Terminal Radar Approach Control room where it was installed last month. But what really got NATCA rankled was that the FAA is testing its potential fixes with live traffic in the field, instead of trying them first in a lab setting. That's "an inexplicable and unnecessarily risky decision that is putting controllers and the flying public in jeopardy," NATCA said in a news release. But FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro told The Detroit News, "We feel the controller's union claims are really wildly overstated." More...

PARASTARS CONVENTION LEADS OFF SPRING FLY-IN SEASON
The annual Parastars convention of powered paraglider pilots was held on and above the grounds of Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida, over Easter weekend. The three-day event attracted over 140 pilots of these slowest ultralight vehicles from all over the United States and beyond. A wide array of dealers and parts vendors intent on supplying the growing market these machines are scratching out were also in attendance. This fourth installment of the Parastars Convention remains an entirely volunteer get-together, staffed by the pilots themselves. More...

KEEP OUT, AND THAT MEANS YOU
A Piper Arrow was intercepted by an F-16 fighter jet near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, on Friday, and escorted to a landing at San Marcos Municipal Airport (about 100 miles south), News 8 Austin reported. The airplane was searched, and the pilot and his passenger were questioned by the Secret Service and later released. The F-16 pilot reportedly fired flares at the Arrow, but they were either unnoticed or ignored. Recently, when Mr. Bush visited Cleveland, Ohio, at least 10 GA aircraft stumbled into the 30-mile no-fly zone that was in force during his three-hour visit. One flyer was intercepted by a jet and escorted to a nearby airport to land. Bruce Anderson, an Ohio pilot, told the Akron Beacon Journal he thinks such large restrictions are not necessary. "Once they take away our freedoms," he said, "they don't give them back." More...

ON THE FLY...
Airplane distress call Friday night a false alarm, Coast Guard said...
National Aviation Hall of Fame plans $29 million in new projects...
Slate magazine suggests travelers avoid single-engine aircraft...
Boeing ready to sell Wichita plant, which has 8,500 aviation jobs...
Adam Aircraft's FITS syllabus for A500 twin has won FAA approval. More...

READER FEEDBACK ON AVWEB'S NEWS COVERAGE AND FEATURE ARTICLES:
http://www.avweb.com/avmail/

Reader mail this week about Sport Pilot, shooting at crop dusters, provocative Questions of the Week and more. More...

NEW ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
____
ATIS
Sharing the Air With Skydivers
As the weather warms, skydiving operations are cranking up. Here's how to co-exist peacefully with parachute jumpers and avoid encounters of the too-close-for-comfort kind.

_______
COLUMNS
CEO of the Cockpit #31: Goodbye, B727
Boeing's ancient three-hole jet is still around, although you're more likely to see it hauling cargo and mail than actual passengers, at least in North America. But AVweb's CEO of the Cockpit spent many a noisy hour in the front end of the 727, and has some advice for any pilots jumping into that seat.

More...

BUSINESS AVFLASH
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. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE "SPOTLIGHT". Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/ More...

SHORT FINAL...
A Cessna 182 and a Christen Eagle were on parallel approach for 28L and 28R, respectively, at FCM...

Tower: Cessna XXX, do you have traffic?

Cessna: Cessna XXX has the traffic, he's right beside me.

Tower: Eagle XXX, traffic is a Cessna 182 on parallel for 28L, Eagle XXX is cleared for landing, Runway 28R.

Christen Eagle: Roger, Eagle XXX has traffic, cleared to land Runway 28R.

Cessna: Tower, Cessna XXX here, can you let me know when ...

(pause)

.... "the Eagle has landed"?

(several seconds of silence)

Unidentified voice: Smart @ss. More...

Sponsor News and Special Offers Access to AVweb and AVflash is provided by the support of our fine sponsors. We appreciate your patronage.

GOING TO SUN 'N FUN? Print out and pack AVweb's advertisers list! Stop by and tell our advertisers how much you appreciate their support of your no-cost AVflashes. http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/snf/avflash

SHOPPING DEALS

DON'T WISH YOUR AIRPLANE HAD ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES
BENNETT AVIONICS makes that wish affordable! Bennett Avionics meets your aircraft's needs while maintaining your budget. Used avionics is Bennett Avionics' only business. Bennett stocks a complete line of used avionics that will add tremendous capability to your aircraft at a price that makes sense. Bennett also purchases used avionics equipment and will work out an exchange for newer electronics. Bennett Avionics is your one-stop used-avionics specialist, online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/bennett/avflash.

HASSLE-FREE AUTO BUYING FOR THE AVIATION INDUSTRY
CrewCar and Consumer Guides have teamed up to offer hassle-free auto buying to the aviation industry! Next to your home and airplane, a vehicle is the most important item you will purchase. Don't go blindly into a dealership; look to CrewCar. CrewCar is a car-buying service formed by aviation professionals providing shoppers with a complimentary integrated phone and electronic concierge-level buying service offering value no matter the geography. The service is provided gratis and meets the Consumer Guide dealership network standards. For more information, visit CrewCar at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/crewcar/avflash.

NAVAL RESERVE — FROM 9-to-5 TO MACH 1.5!
Fast-forward your career and life. Veteran pilots and NFOs can serve in the Naval Reserve. Earn benefits and rewards training on the most sophisticated combat and transport aircraft in the world, including F-18 Hornets, EA-6B Prowlers, E2C Hawkeyes, and H-60 Sea Hawks. Click here to learn more: http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/navalreserve/avflash.

WHICH SIX-PLACE RETRACTABLE HAS THE BEST SAFETY RECORD?
How good is the new Garmin 196? Which low-cost ANR headset is most failure-prone? Only Aviation Consumer gives pilots full, unbiased reviews and evaluations of aircraft, avionics, gear, accessories, and more. Right now, you can subscribe to general aviation's most outspoken and respected monthly at a special money-saving price. For complete details, go online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/belvoir/avcons/avflash.

AIRSPORT AVIONICS CELEBRATES THE SUN-N-FUN FLY-IN WITH A SPECIAL OFFER
AirSport Avionics has a special price on their Portable Altitude Alerters 'til April 25th. Take $100 OFF any of the AirSport PRO or IFR Altitude Alerter models. AirSport Alerters work by listening to everything your transponder and encoder are reporting to ATC, both Modes A and C. No Installation Required. Safety is affordable with AirSport Avionics! Details and ordering information at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/airsport/avflash.

SPONSOR NEWS

"USE EVERYTHING YOU GOT" AND "HOLD THAT GLIDESLOPE" ARE JUST TWO
articles appearing in the May issue of IFR Magazine. "Fly It by the Book" and a look at "Experimental IFR" pilots round out the articles that keep IFR Magazine readers focused and safe. Join the thousands of other IFR pilots who increase their knowledge and safety factor with every issue of IFR Magazine. Order online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/belvoir/ifrmag/avflash.

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.

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.