| This issue of AVweb's AVflash is
brought to you by ... Oregon Aero
 AEROBATIC CHAMPION KIRBY CHAMBLISS
DEPENDS ON OREGON
AERO TO ELIMINATE PAIN
U.S. National Champion Kirby Chambliss is one of many aerobatic
winners performing at this year's Sun 'n Fun Fly-In who depends on
Oregon Aero for comfort in the cockpit. "I use the Oregon Aero™
Pilot SoftSeat™ in my Edge 540," says Kirby. "When pulling up to
10Gs, the seat cushion takes on about 2,000 pounds. It helps to make my
performance more bearable and also reduces back pain when I'm done
performing." Visit Oregon Aero at Sun 'n Fun Building A, Booth
#A-40-42, to see what Kirby means — or check out all of Oregon
Aero's products online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/oregon/avflash. |
The Top Headlines From AVweb's
Expanded, Illustrated News Coverage At AVweb's
NewsWire.
SUN
'N FUN 2004
A bit damp, a bit breezy, but well worth the wait. Revised figures for
past years' attendance suggest we'll see about 160,000 aircraft lovers
wandering the grounds of Lakeland Linder Regional airport this year. The
impact on the local economy should reach toward $27 million ... on the
positive side. And while there will be no roll-out of the Sport Pilot
rule at the air show, and the economy (plus nasty world-changing events
we've grown tired of mentioning) has flushed the fields of those brand
new design hopefuls so prevalent in years past, still, the scene this
year is uniquely refreshing. If it's true that the strong survive,
recent history mandates that pretty much all that made it to this year's
show is the cream that's risen to the top ... or maybe just not sink to
the bottom. There are exceptions to prove the rule, but for the most
part, those that are left are the real deal. To kick off the air show
season in the East, it just doesn't get much better than Sun 'n Fun.
More...
SPORT
PILOT, BETTER LATE? OR NEVER?...
FAA officials made clear on Tuesday at Sun 'n Fun how highly the agency
views its still-pending sport pilot/light-sport aircraft (LSA) proposal
... sort of. Many view LSA as the salvation of sport, entry-level
aviation and continued flying by older pilots. Meetings yesterday with
industry leaders at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, LSA staffers
confirmed that the OMB rejected the proposed rule but that FAA
Administrator Marion Blakey pulled the rule for further explanation and
possible changes. The action perhaps reflects momentum earned through
time effort and money already spent. Among her other options -- throwing
her hands up in frustrated disgust and letting it die. FAA LSA team
leaders Sue Gardner and Scott Sedgwick were upbeat despite repeated
delays of a rule that is deemed critical to the survival of some
companies committed to production of ready-to-fly aircraft and kits.
More...
...AND
WHAT CHANGES MAY COME
The proposed rule -- one of the most complex in FAA history -- would
establish a new sport pilot license with a minimum of 20 hours of flight
training, use of any state driver's license for medical qualification,
and day VFR flying with one passenger or solo. Sport pilots could be
endorsed to fly any of five categories (single-engine airplanes, land or
sea; glider; gyroplane; powered parachute or weight-shift powered hang
glider) that meets the requirements. Former KITPLANES Editor Dave Martin
speculates that the weight limit may move up to 1300 pounds gross as
recommended by many including the EAA, and that gyroplanes will be
allowed factory-built status -- not simply amateur-built status -- as
indicated in the proposed rule. More...
AVEMCO
LOWERS RATES ON AVIATOR SERIES NON-OWNED INSURANCE
Come by
the AVEMCO Booth (#C-055-056) at Sun 'n Fun and ask about reduced
rates on Non-Owned insurance. Today there may be as many as 300,000
pilots flying aircraft they have rented or borrowed without insurance to
protect their liability should an accident occur. Many of these pilots
believe the owner's insurance will cover them, only to find they were
not covered under that policy following an accident. Don't take the
chance of flying without adequate protection. For as little as $215 for
the Aviator Series Silver package, you can have coverage and the peace
of mind you deserve. For complete details, come by AVEMCO's Booth, or go
online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/avemco/avflash. |
CIRRUS
PROBES BEGINS
Canadian authorities have determined a Cirrus SR20 was in a
potentially-deadly spiral dive when the pilot deployed the aircraft's
emergency parachute over the rugged mountains of southern British
Columbia last Thursday. "We have radar data showing the aircraft in a
spiral before it goes off radar,"said Bill Yearwood, who heads the
Transportation Safety Board's regional office in Vancouver. "It did two
360s." Yearwood wouldn't speculate on why the Cirrus, carrying the pilot
......Volk, two other men and a 14-year-old boy, went into the spiral
but he did confirm that the pilot "talked about some fuel management
problems" during initial interviews with investigators.
More...
...FAILURE
CITED IN SECOND DEPLOYMENT
Cirrus officials are also hesitant to speculate on the factors leading
up to the Canadian mishap or a subsequent chute deployment (this time on
an SR22) two days later in Florida. Interviewed by AVweb at Sun 'n Fun,
Cirrus spokesman Randy Bolinger said that in both cases the aircraft
have to be examined before any causes can be pinpointed. In the Florida
case, Bolinger said, the aircraft was in for some type of electrical
repair at an approved Cirrus service center. The owner .......... was
flying it home when he took off into low overcast and reported several
instrument malfunctions. Bolinger said air traffic control tried to
direct him to VFR conditions on top of second cloud deck but ......
decided to pull the chute. "There are five people walking and talking
and flying who might not be," he noted. More...
RYAN
INTERNATIONAL OFFERS 9900B TCAD AT NEW LOW PRICE OF
$7,990
The 9900B TCAD (Traffic Collision Alerting Device)
bridges the gap between TIS (Traffic Information System) and TAS
(Traffic Advisory System). It provides real-time information that
operates in any type of radar environment and is unaffected by the
limitations of TIS, which operates only in select approach radar sites.
The 9900B will interface with many manufacturers' Multi-Function
Displays (MFDs) and offers a cost-effective upgrade path to the 9900BX
(TAS) system. For more details, go by Ryan's Sun 'n Fun Booth
(#D-071-072) or go online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/ryan/avflash. |
LANCAIR
400 -- THE FASTEST CERTIFIED PISTON-ENGINE AIRCRAFT?
Hot off the press and delivered fresh to Sun 'n Fun, Lancair's latest
data sheet (and aircraft) lists a maximum recommended cruising speed of
235 KTAS -- at FL250 -- and an approximate useful load of 1100 pounds
for the 310hp turbo-charged dual-system-all-electric (no, not the
engine) Lancair Columbia 400. The Lancair Company's Mark Cahill told
AVweb yesterday that the performance numbers don't tell the whole story.
"The 400 is a product of the company's ongoing philosophy of preventive
medicine as opposed to remedial medicine." Our translation: Lancair
engineers have worked extremely hard to design aerodynamic features that
will keep you out of trouble over an extremely broad performance
envelope. Lancair has asked AVweb to keep the specifics of the
aeronautical innovations under wraps until the 400's official unveiling,
Friday. More...
EXTRA
HOPES TIMING IS RIGHT FOR NEW TURBOPROP
Extra Aircraft is gambling that the million dollar mini-jet is nothing
more than a "great dream." CEO Ken Keith told AVweb that he thinks
Eclipse Aircraft personal jet will end up costing much more than the
company is currently predicting. That, he says, will leave room in the
market for the Extra EA 500, a $1.545 million, six-place single
turboprop developed in Germany. So far, there are just five orders for
the aircraft, something Keith frankly told a Sun ‘n Fun news
conference that he hopes to improve upon at the show. Keith told a news
conference at Sun ‘n Fun Tuesday that European certification is
expected in May followed about a month later by the FAA nod.
More...
YOU
TOO CAN BE A WINNER WITH SCHEYDEN, AVIATION'S FINEST
EYEWEAR!
"I was surprised that I won, and even more surprised
at the quality of these glasses!" said recent AVweb winner Ted Weiner of
Massachusetts. A pair of Scheydens will be given away every other week
to a lucky AVweb winner — a retail value up to $395! The unique
flip-up design has become the choice of pilots who demand quality and
function in every aspect of aviation. Handmade titanium frames, quality
lenses, a Rosewood case, plush micro-fiber bag and cloth are standard
equipment on all styles. For more information (and to register to win),
go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/scheyden/avflash. |
TO
OUTFIT YOUR AIRPLANE WITH A NEW TURBINE
Affordable Turbine Power Co.
Inc. (ATP) told AVweb they have, and are currently flying, an
experimental Vans RV-4 pulled by their less-than-200-pound turbine
engine, which puts out roughly 200hp through a double planetary gear
reduction, while burning 13.3 gallons of $1.35 kerosene per hour. Now,
the company tells us, "we're geared up aiming for full production in
July," you too can have one for about $30,000 and (wait for it)
certification is just three years away ... just as soon as an estimated
five million dollars presents itself to ATP. While we checked our
pockets, an Aviat representative dropped by and expressed the sentiment
to "help out" with certification ... but people say a lot of things at
air shows. More...
JETCRUZER
RESURFACES AS KIT JET
Aircraft designs may come and go but the dreams that drive them never
seem to fade away. Remember the Jetcruzer? Investors sunk upwards of
$100 million in the development of the single-engine turboprop pusher
that looked like a sure-bet aircraft for the new millenium during the
salad days of the late 1990s. Those investors saw all that money fly
away when the whole program was auctioned off for just $125,000 a little
more than a year ago. Well, the Jetcruzer is back, but this time as
either a single or a twin jet kit that will cost the builder somewhere
around $800,000. "We have a lot of people interested in it," said
Michael Spearman, director of business development for the new company.
More...
DIABETIC
TO FLY 48 CONTIGUOUS IN 65 HOURS (OR LESS)
Insulin-dependent pilot Michael Hunter expects to test his blood sugar
levels roughly 200 times over the next 60 or so hours as he shares
piloting duties with two other pilots in a bid to set a record for the
fastest time to land in each of the 48 contiguous states. The flight
left Lakeland yesterday morning, is being flown in a Cirrus SR22 made
available to Hunter by Cirrus Design, and will succeed if it manages the
tour in less than five and one half days -- the three pilots hope to
return Friday to Sun 'n Fun. Hunter is the first person with diabetes
granted FAA approval to fly as an air show performer (he flies a Laser
230) and is believed to be the only insulin-dependent diabetic air show
pilot in the world. He lives and flies in good health with the aid of an
insulin pump, which supplies a dose every three minutes. Check FlightForDiabetes.com for periodic updates including
route information and a trip log -- as well as Hunter's diet and blood
testing information. More...
SUN
'N FUN, 2004 -- DAY ONE IMAGE GALLERY
Opening day offered little in the way of sun, but the fun was aplenty
... as were the fancy paint jobs. And while many of those were still
wet, it wasn't for lack of curing. Yes, Virginia, sometimes it rains --
even at Sun 'n Fun. Fortunately, rain makes us slippery and wresting
ourselves from the hoards of adoring fans gets just a tad easier. In
other words, enjoy the
pictures... 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...
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SHOPPING
DEALS
AEROSHELL KNOWS WHAT PILOTS WANT TO PROTECT AND SHINE
THEIR AIRCRAFT
AeroShell Flight Jacket products are
specifically designed for general aviation aircraft. The AeroShell
Flight Jacket Kit Bag contains all six AeroShell Flight Jacket Polish
and Cleaners, along with the application pad and cleaning cloths. Visit
Shell at Sun 'n Fun Booth #C-085-089, and order the best in
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NEW WINGX VERSION 1.4 FOR THE POCKET PC
RELEASED!
WingX Version 1.4 builds upon an already solid
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example: WingX now has AC61-65D endorsements (great for CFIs), NWS
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to FARs 1, 43, 61, 91, 119, 141, 830, and the Pilot/Controller Glossary.
WingX has a powerful E6B, now with wind chill calculations. WingX will
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GLEIM
OFFERING "AVWEB ONLY" SPECIALS & SUN 'N FUN DISCOUNTS
Gleim
Publishers is offering during April a 15% discount on the 2004 FAR/AIM
and their flight bag, plus 10% off all Pilot Kits. Check out Gleim's
online Private Pilot Refresher and Flight Instructor Refresher Courses.
All course students receive a no-cost 2004 FAR/AIM, a $21 value. Stop by
Gleim Publishers' Sun 'n Fun Booth (#B-037-038) for show
discounts — and tell them how you appreciate their AVweb special
deals. Gleim's April AVweb deals are online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/gleim/avflash.
ORDER A CHASE-DURER CHRONOGRAPH WATCH & RECEIVE DISCOUNT
ON PLATINUM PEN
Just in time for Mother's and Father's Day
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GIVE
MOM SOMETHING TO TICKLE HER FUNNY BONE & SHOW HER LOVE OF
FLYING
For Mother's Day, the Carprop is perfect! The Carprop
is a free-spinning propeller mounted on the front of a vehicle to
indicate the driver's enthusiasm for flying. As the vehicle moves, the
propeller spins — but when parked, the propeller goes horizontal so
it doesn't interfere with the license plate numbers. For the pilot or
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GET INTO TODAY'S MOST INNOVATIVE AIRCRAFT
Start
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"SAFETY BY DESIGN" AND "PARTIAL PANEL PARANOIA" ARE JUST
TWO ARTICLES
appearing in the May issue of Aviation
Safety. "Storm Trackers," "Shopping Checklists," "Gauging
Safety," and "Siren's Song" round out the Aviation Safety
articles. Supported solely by subscriptions, "Aviation Safety" gives
pilots an unclouded view of aviation safety. For your subscription, go
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