| 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-040-042 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 WRAP: PLENTY OF BOTH
Sun 'n Fun
finished up with a spectacular weekend in Lakeland, Fla., as the perfect
weather combined with pack-em-in crowds to end the event on a high note.
The weekend schedule was filled with crowd-pleasers, from a pyrotechnic
air show on Saturday night to a stately balloon launch on Sunday
morning. Fly-bys and demo flights filled the sky nonstop, with sounds
from roaring jets to blatting radials to punchy opposed pistons, plus
the occasional silent sailplane. Officially, the show ends today, but
already many of the vendors and exhibitors are packed up and headed
home. Reports on attendance numbers and sales -- as the industry keeps
hoping for signs of an upswing -- should be available later in the week.
More...
EAA
PETITION PUSHES FOR SPORT PILOT
With the Sport Pilot/Light-Sport rule stalled again in the federal
bureaucracy, EAA took advantage of the eager crowds at Sun 'n Fun to
collect signatures on a petition demanding action. The petition says
that "Numerous U.S. small businesses ... are significantly financially
stressed due to delays in the release of the final regulations …
[and] the sale of new products and services for the recreational market
has declined as consumers are waiting until these regulations are made
final." Directed to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the
petition asks the agency to "approve the proposed regulations as written
... as expeditiously as possible." You too can read and sign the
petition online. More...
...COMPANIES
ANXIOUS BUT NOT WORRIED
A quick survey of companies directly affected by the rule at Sun 'n Fun
revealed reaction ranging from resigned acceptance to mild irritation.
Zenith Aircraft Company spokesman Nicholas Heintz said the delay hasn't
really caused much direct financial hardship but has stalled the
potential upsurge in business the industry is hoping for when it becomes
law. "We haven't really lost any customers because of the delay," he
said. "It hasn't completely dampened our sales." The major pent-up
demand will come from pilots who can't qualify for a regular medical but
will be able to fly under the relaxed Sport Pilot rules. But until they
know exactly what those rules are and they're etched in stone, they're
kicking the tires and keeping their wallets closed. 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. |
GADGETS
GALORE
Some attend shows like Sun 'n Fun for the airplanes, others the air
show, but plenty are there to find the latest hardware to attach,
install or otherwise hang from their airplane (or themselves).
AVweb scoured four hangars and about four acres of exhibitors'
booths to see what's available and we found a few things that have just
hit the market. Note that some of this stuff is for experimental
aircraft only but some are STC'd for certified planes. Drop by
AVweb's NewsWire to get a quick glimpse of 10 products that
caught our eye -- pop-out air-driven emergency alternators, fuel
computers, bronzing your certificate, "affordable" collision-avoidance
gizmos and more. Plus, if you've ever wanted to build your own prop, it
just got a lot easier. More...
...A
SMALL SAMPLE
If flying brings a song to your heart... Just when you thought every
sort of electronic option for an aircraft had been created, PS Engineering
has taken in-flight entertainment to new highs (or lows). The company,
which makes audio-control systems that provide single-panel access for
nav, com, stereo and even DVD systems is singing the praises of the
karaoke function it’s added to its latest offering, the PMA 8000.
For about $1,700, you and your passengers can croon the flight away.
Just please make sure the mic isn’t keyed. Click through for a look
at the others -- some may be more creative, some may be more useful. You
decide. 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. |
BRUCE
AND FLYIN' TIGER BREAK RECORD NO. 25
Bruce Bohannon and his Flyin' Tiger launched from Lakeland Linder at
noon on Saturday and returned to Earth about a half-hour later. "We were
aiming at 10 minutes, but we didn't quite hit that," he said. "We got 9
minutes and 51 seconds." That's time-to-climb to 9,000 meters, or almost
30,000 feet, a new record for piston-powered aircraft, the 25th record
set by Flyin' Tiger. Over the winter, the team added about 30 hp to the
Tiger's Mattituck engine, for a total of 380 hp. The airplane is now
ready for its Oshkosh flight, Bohannon said, when he hopes to reach
50,000 feet -- breaking the absolute altitude record for piston
aircraft, now held by the B-29. More...
DIABETIC
PILOT'S RECORD FLIGHT ABANDONED, WILL TRY AGAIN
Insulin-dependent pilot Michael Hunter and two other pilots launched
from Sun 'n Fun in a Cirrus SR22 last week in an effort to set a record for
the fastest time to land in each of the 48 contiguous states. To beat
the record, the team needed to complete the flight in less than five and
a half days -- but they ran into mechanical problems in Kansas when the
alternator acted up, and delays in getting it replaced put them behind
schedule. With other commitments looming, they decided to cut short the
attempt and return to Florida, to try again another time.
More...
THIS
AIRPLANE'S FOR THE BIRDS
As flying jobs go, Steve Earsom must have one of the best around -- as a
pilot-biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he flies out of
Puerto Rico in a twin VulcanAir with a big glass nose built for
wildlife-watching. "We monitor endangered species like whales, pelicans,
and manatees, work airborne ATC to help in aerial firefighting, assess
the condition of coral reefs, help with aerial mapping and oil-spill
detection, enforce the Clean Water Act ..." The list goes on and on,
ensuring a slim chance of pilot boredom. Fish and Wildlife operates a
fleet of about 60 aircraft, Earsom said, including five of the
VulcanAirs. About two-thirds of the fleet is based in Alaska.
More...
FLYING
(ALMOST) STRAIGHT UP
At the far end of the field, near the woods, the little village of
Choppertown hosts an assortment of ultralight and experimental
rotorcraft. Attracting attention this year was the Monarch-Butterfly kit gyrocopter, with new "g-force"
landing gear. The hydraulic gear offers a wide stance for more stable
landings, and high energy-absorption that is "friendly to low-time
pilots," according to the company brochure. Also popular was the
ultralight Mosquito one-place helicopter. The little Mosquito,
which sells for about $20,000 per kit, is a true helicopter, not a gyro,
with a two-cycle, two-cylinder engine, an aluminum main mast, and a
carbon-fiber tail boom and support struts. 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. |
FUEL
FIGHT GOES TO FAA
In what can only be described as a last-ditch effort, a Naples, Fla.,
FBO is appealing to the FAA to grant it the right to sell fuel at the
airport (and restore competition on the field). Whether the FAA feels
like trying to overrule a court decision that stopped the fuel from
flowing at Jet 1 Center Inc. could be another matter. Last December, a
circuit court ruled that the Naples Airport Authority had the sole right
to sell jet fuel and granted an injunction to lock up the pumps at Jet
1. It was the culmination of a years-long battle between Jet 1 owner J.
Scott Phillips and the airport authority. Now, admitting his legal
options don't look good, Phillips is asking the FAA to intervene,
according to the Naples Daily News. More...
727
GETS A NEW LIFE (OR LINGERING DEATH)
There might be a use (besides fire practice) for all those old Boeing
727-100s out there. A Guadalajara, Mexico, company has stripped the
wings from one and turned it into a 50-seat luxury limousine. For about
$300 an hour, Limousines de Guadalajar Vaca Meters will whisk you and
your closest 49 friends around Mexico (a big diesel replaces the
turbojets). Truck-style wheels and suspension replace the landing gear.
Inside, passengers are treated to neon strobes, a dance floor, a bar and
a "'romantic space in the back," according to Brunei.Direct.com.
More...
CPA
MEMBERSHIP IS THE BEST $45 YOU CAN SPEND ON YOUR CESSNA!
With
more than 12,000 active members, the Cessna Pilots Association (CPA) is
the world's biggest and best aviation "type club" for Cessna pilots and
owners. Members receive a monthly magazine, a weekly e-mail newsletter,
technical support by a full-time staff of A&Ps with tremendous expertise
in all Cessna models, model-specific buyer's guides and systems courses,
a group aircraft insurance program, and access to CPA's giant online
knowledge bank and popular online member forums. Join by calling (805)
922-2580 and mentioning this AVflash, or by clicking here: http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/cpa/avflash. |
CLARIFICATION
Our story about Superior Aircraft Parts' new engine in the April 16
edition needs some qualification. The Vantage may be the first
U.S.-built GA engine to be certified for unleaded automotive fuel but
it's certainly not the first overall. We believe Rotax claimed that
title years ago. More...
ON
THE FLY...
Red Knight T-33 rejoins air show circuit after an 11-year hiatus...
U.S. Ultralight Association offers liability coverage to its
members...
200 officers searched for missiles at OAK Friday, but found
nothing...
FAA said mechanics installed a piece backward on 1900D that crashed.
More...
NEW WINGX VERSION 1.4 FOR THE POCKET PC
RELEASED!
WingX Version 1.4 builds upon an already solid
software solution for the Pocket PC by offering over 240 predefined
aircraft models; graphical ramp, taxi/runup, and flight fuel
weight-and-balance calculations; user-defined routes; and more. For
example: WingX now has AC61-65D endorsements (great for CFIs), NWS
Contractions, and local toll-free FSS numbers — that's in addition
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
remember expiration dates, too. For a limited time, WingX is just $39.99
— 30% below the normal price. Take a look at screen shots and
download the demo at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/hiltonsoftware/avflash. |
NEW
ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
_______
COLUMNS
The Pilot's
Lounge #73: A Test Pilot's Story
As the WWII generation ages, we begin to lose details from the days when
flying turned from novelty to a true industry. Among many recent books
of dubious value, a gem is found in a self-published memoir by Al White,
one of the most self-effacing test pilots of his time. Rick Durden
reviews it from the Pilot's Lounge. More...
READER
FEEDBACK ON AVWEB'S NEWS COVERAGE AND FEATURE ARTICLES:
http://www.avweb.com/avmail/ Reader
mail this week about getting lost with glass cockpits, avoiding
blacked-out military aircraft, airport and aircraft security and more.
More...
MIKE
BUSCH'S SAVVY SEMINAR COMING TO VAN NUYS, HARRISBURG, &
OSHKOSH!
Ever had "sticker shock" when you got the bill after
an annual? Spend an illuminating weekend with Mike Busch — AVweb
founder, writer, teacher, pilot, aircraft owner, and A&P mechanic —
at one of his Savvy Owner Seminars. Mike will share his 40 years of
aviation experience, help you become more maintenance-savvy and
empowered, and teach you how to get better maintenance while saving
thousands of dollars. For seminar details, Mike's no-cost monthly
e-newsletter, and dozens of maintenance articles, visit http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/savvy/avflash. |
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...
Submitted to you without further comment ... the pilots of Cessna ABC
weren't as lucky.
Cessna XYZ: Cessna ABC, Cessna XYZ return to base due to
turbulence. Student unwell.
Cessna ABC: Cessna XYZ, my student suggests it will be
better for the both of you if you climb on top. More...
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SOFT LEATHER HOLDS YOUR IDENTIFICATION IN
STYLE!
During the month of April, PilotMall.com is offering a
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SPONSOR
NEWS
LAZY BUZZARD GOES RACING!!!!
Lazy Buzzard has
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Check out the site to see the Lazy Buzzard airplane and other great
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_____________________________________
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