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| Kit Industry Addresses Safety, NTSB Concerns | back to top |  |
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Kit Association Responding To NTSB
The Aircraft Kit Industry Association (AKIA) officially organized at AirVenture 2012, affirming its role as a proactive voice to address safety issues, expanding membership, and moving to establish itself as a legal entity. AKIA emerged following a recent NTSB report that focussed on the lagging experimental amateur built aircraft safety record. Its mission is to represent and support the kit industry, from manufacturers to supporters, offering a unified voice that promotes the industry and enhances safety. The group is headed by its president, Dick VanGrunsven, of Van's Aircraft, and worked this week to establish relationships with EAA, AOPA, FAA, NTSB, GAMA, NBAA, HAI, and LAMA. In general aviation, the kit segment holds the highest percentage of fatalities. Said VanGrunsven, "We have to get involved."
The NTSB has placed general aviation safety on its Ten Most Wanted list and the safety record of experimental amateur built aircraft has contributed to that. Manufacturers like VanGrunsven's company produce the parts that make up many of those aircraft. "We do have a direct link" to experimental amateur built aircraft, "and it's time we make our presence known and become proactive in addressing safety issues," VanGrunsven said. Speaking for AKIA, VanGrunsven called out specific areas of concern, adding that "more attention should be paid to the first pre-flight," along with transition training for pilots and early stage flight testing. "Collectively, we have the knowledge and experience to make a difference in the culture." Since its formation, AKIA's membership has swelled to 20, including aircraft builder suppliers, like Wicks and Aircraft Spruce, and manufacturers like Vans, Sonex, Lancair, Kitfox and Zenith. |
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| Eclipse Donates Top-of-Line Total Eclipse | back to top | |
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An Eclipse Jet Just For Veterans
Eclipse Aerospace unveiled a specially painted Total Eclipse jet and presented it to the Veterans' Airlift Command at EAA AirVenture this week. The jet was donated by an anonymous patron, and Eclipse then contributed more than $500,000 worth of upgrades to convert the airplane into "one of the finest Total Eclipse aircraft ever produced by EAI," the company said. "The airplane will initially go to work in the Chicago area," Eclipse CEO Mason Holland told AVweb at Oshkosh. "But it won't really be based anywhere. It will go wherever it's needed." Eclipse pilots around the country have volunteered to fly it on missions in support of wounded veterans and their families, Holland said.
"The VAC is one of the greatest organizations we have heard of with regards to supporting our returning troops," Holland said. "It is a privilege and honor to be giving our troops and their families a lift." The VAC will support the operating costs of the jet through donations and fundraising, Holland said. In other Eclipse news, Holland told AVweb at the show, the Total Eclipse jets -- which are the original Eclipse 500 fleet with upgrades -- are expected to sell out by the end of this year, and new production airplanes are on track to start deliveries next July. "We have dealers in over 30 countries now, and the airplane recently was certified in Brazil," he said. |
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| Another Way to Track Flights | back to top | |
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DeLorme inReach Targets Pilots
Mapmaker DeLorme's inReach messenger/tracker uses the Iridium satellite network to send position reports and text messages from almost anywhere on earth. The handheld device can send pre-determined text messages with an up-to-date position included. Pairing it via Bluetooth with an iPhone or Android device allows for custom text messages or short emails. It can also send SOS messages, including detailed information in a text message, that will initiate a search and rescue. The SOS isn't automatic like an ELT, and the service isn't cheap.
The inReach is $250 and subscription plans vary from $17.95 to $62.95 a month, depending on how much data you want to pump through the satellites. The latest version of the device can send off position reports every two minutes, which the company hopes will appeal to pilots who would want more precise position reporting. It also can link directly to Facebook and Twitter. |
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| Want to Fly? (Who's Doesn't?) Here's Your Chance | back to top | |
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Podcast: Sennheiser Wants You to Live the DreamFile Size 3.9 MB / Running Time 4:17Podcast Index | How to Listen | Subscribe Via RSS
Headset manufacturer Sennheiser is giving away $1,500 each month, as well as flight training gear, to applicants working toward a pilot certificate. Jeff Van West sat down with Christian Pulm to learn how you can "Live Your Dream."
Entering the contest consists of writing a short appeal as to why you want to become a pilot. Applicants must also be associated with a school that's registered (for free) with Sennheiser, but winning applicants also win benefits for their home flight school. You can find out more at Sennheiser-LiveYourDream.com.
This podcast is brought to you by Avidyne
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| Cessna Rollouts Round-Up | back to top | |
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More From Cessna: Grand Caravan Upgrade, M2 Update
Cessna arrived at EAA AirVenture this week with a long list of news, including a major addition to its popular Caravan line, and a first look at the M2, the new jet that aims to be a step up for Mustang owners. The Grand Caravan EX is powered by the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, providing a power boost of about 25 percent, Cessna said. That extra power means a 350-foot reduction in takeoff roll, a 20-percent improvement in the rate of climb, and 10 to 12 knots of additional cruise speed. "We listened carefully to our customers when designing the EX, and we think they will be pleased with the outcome," said Lannie O'Bannion, Cessna business leader for the Caravan. The M2 is 200 hours into its flight-test program, Cessna said, and on schedule for first deliveries next year.
The eight-seat M2 features a Garmin G3000 avionics suite and a pair of Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 turbofan engines. It has an all-new cabin design, flies at up to 400 knots, and can cover 1,300 nautical miles. It sells for $4.2 million. The jet program was announced last October, and the jet flew for the first time in March. AVweb saw the mock-up when it was introduced at NBAA; click here for the video. |
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| D-JET Turns Heads at Diamond Display | back to top | |
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D-JET Progresses Toward "Abused Stalls"
Diamond's single-engine five-place D-JET prototype S/N 003 arrived Thursday at Oshkosh with blended winglets that change the jet's look and improve its performance as the jet heads toward advanced performance testing. Diamond's test program has flown about 70 hours since January. Test pilot Mark Elwess told AVweb the winglets have delivered measurable improvements in cruise, low-speed handling, roll authority and lateral stability. "It handles like a sports sedan," said Elwess, "and now it's better." A forthcoming prototype, S/N 004, will be a conforming model that reflects the now "frozen" aerodynamic design and incorporates some changes not seen in S/N 003. Diamond hopes to take that design through certification. And the company's specific plan for certification means some exciting flight testing may still lie ahead.
According to Elwess, the winglets have improved dihedral effect and improved roll control at all speeds, especially in slow flight. He said roll-off in stalls performed at idle in the landing configuration previously could be as much as six or seven degrees. The new winglets have cut that to three. But the company is following an approved and extensive program that allows it to seek certification with a stick pusher instead of normal spin resistance testing. The idea is that a properly applied stick-pusher system prevents stall, and without a stall there is no spin. Diamond's task now is to show that the stick pusher performs properly in all configurations. That means Elwess will be flying abused stall entries, including a wide range of yaw rates, to satisfy regulators. Assuming success, Diamond is planning to achieve certification in about 18 months. |
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| We Test Drive Garmin's Wireless GDL39 | back to top | |
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Video: Garmin's Portable ADS-B ReceiverOriginal, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos
Garmin's GDL39 streams free weather and traffic data to an iPad or Garmin portable GPS. AVweb's Jeff Van West tried it out on the way to Oshkosh this year and shares his thoughts.
This video is brought to you by Bose
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| Flying Autogas | back to top | |
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Autogas Support System For Pilots
The Aviation Fuel Club celebrated at AirVenture 2012 the 30th anniversary of the first autogas STC by presenting a network of support options for pilots concerned about the future of leaded avgas, or interested in crossing over. Established in January 2011, the Wisconsin-based non-profit answers questions from pilots about running aircraft engines on automotive fuel, but also does more. Its support system includes autogas STC experts; flyunleaded.com, which "maintains the most accurate list of autogas supplied airports" and a list of ethanol-free gas stations; InPulse, a company that provides an anti-detonation water-injection option for operators of high-compression engines interested in using autogas; and U-Fuel , a supplier of small low-cost self-serve fuel stations.
The group's research says that 80 percent of the 159,007 piston aircraft they found in U.S. databases are capable of running mogas right now, and continued production of leaded avgas is precarious, at best. InPulse's process enables installation via STC of a water-injection anti-detonation system that is FAA-approved on Cessna's 188 and 210 models and Beech Barons (IO-470 and IO-520 engines). According to the founders of flyunleaded.com, avgas comprises 0.15 percent of the fuel produced in the U.S., and that percentage is getting smaller. Avgas costs roughly $1.40 more than auto fuel per gallon and environmental concerns along with cost benefit analysis puts continued pressure on the manufacturers of TEL, the leaded octane enhancing additive in 100LL. |
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and search on "Bendix King."
| An Aerobatic Ride-Along | back to top | |
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Video: Hanging (Upside Down) with the AerostarsOriginal, Exclusive Videos from AVweb | Reader-Submitted & Viral Videos
AVweb's Adam Cutler gets some attitude issues when he meets up with Paul Hornick of the Aerostars and takes a turn at the controls of a Yak 52 TW.
This video is brought to you by Bose
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| Outside Oshkosh: Navigating "Through the Fence" | back to top | |
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FAA "Through The Fence" Policy Advances
The FAA on Friday released a proposed final policy (PDF) to address "through-the-fence" situations, where airplane owners who live adjacent to an airport are able to park their aircraft at home and access the field through a gate. The FAA had moved to stop all such access several years ago, and various interest groups have been working since then to forge a compromise. The agency is asking for public comment on the proposal. Bill Dunn, AOPA's vice president of airport advocacy, said the proposal contains "no surprises." The policy is open for comments for 30 days. AOPA said its staff will analyze the proposal and submit comments to the FAA.
An interim FAA policy was published last year, which requires airports involved in TTF agreements to develop a plan that outlines how they will meet federal standards for security, safety, sustainability and nondiscriminatory airport rates. No new agreements will be approved, the FAA said. A final policy is not expected until next year. |
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| Having a Wonderful Time, Wish You Were Here | back to top | |
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AirVenture 2012 Photo Gallery
The action out at the flightline has calmed down just enough for us to tear away from the main grounds and head out to EAA's Seaplane Base for a few photos with floats.
AirVenture 2012 Photo Gallery
We wrap up our visit to the Seaplane Base and return to the static displays and flightline today, just in time to catch the weekend crowds start to pour in.
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| We Ask, You Answer | back to top | |
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Survey: Have You Had Your Aircraft Interior Refurbished?
Have you had your aircraft interior redone in the past five years? If so, our sister publication, Aviation Consumer, wants to hear about it. Please take a moment to answer this completely confidential survey and help your fellow aircraft owners find the best shop to replace their 1970s Royalite-and-velour with something less embarrassing.
Click here to take the survey.
The results will appear in a future issue of Aviation Consumer. For subscription information, click here. |
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| The Top Reporter on Our Crack Staff ... Is You! | back to top | |
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AVweb's Newstips Address ...
Our best stories start with you. If you've heard something 255,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part. |
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| Names Behind the News | back to top | |
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Meet the AVwebFlash Team
AVwebFlash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the world's premier independent aviation news resource.
The AVwebFlash team is:
Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? Your advertising can reach over 225,000 loyal AVwebFlash, AVwebBiz, and AVweb home page readers every week. Over 80% of our readers are active pilots and aircraft owners. That's why our advertisers grow with us, year after year. For ad rates and scheduling, click here or contact Tom Bliss, via e-mail or via telephone [(480) 525-7481].
Click here to send a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.)
Comments or questions about the news should be sent here.
If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for your phone 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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