|
This issue of AVweb's AVflash is brought to you by ... LightSPEED Aviation
 GULF COAST AVIONICS ANR II, VALUE
& PERFORMANCE THAT'S HARD TO BEAT!
The GCA ANR II is
the second generation of ANR headsets from Gulf Coast Avionics. This
design was recently rated "Top ANR Under $500" by Aviation
Consumer. Just two AAs provide up to 40 hours of operating time, and
this is the only product at this price to include Auto Shut-Off and the
Cell Phone/Music built-in interface. All this and more for the low price
of $279! For additional information, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/litspeed/gca/avflash. |
The Top Headlines From AVweb's Expanded,
Illustrated News Coverage At AVweb's
NewsWire.
NTSB:
IMPACT AFTER COMPLIANCE WITH ATC INSTRUCTION...
The FAA appears to be challenging an NTSB report that points the finger at air traffic
control for a fatal accident in California two weeks ago. The NTSB
findings on the crash of a Piper PA-44-180 near Julian, Calif., read:
"The airplane descended to 5,200 feet in response to an ATC instruction.
The airplane impacted trees on a 5,500-foot ridgeline ..." The two
private pilots, who were at the time flying a training exercise for a
flight school, died. FAA spokesman Greg Martin declined detailed comment
on the report but noted the investigation is still underway and the FAA
is helping. "I wouldn't reach any conclusions until the report is
complete," he said. That could take about two months. More...
...CAPSTONE
BEGINS TO LEVEL THE FIELD IN ALASKA...
Meanwhile, the life expectancy of some Alaska bush pilots is increasing
thanks to a technological battle against the high accident rate there
(2.5 times higher than the lower 48). The Capstone Project -- which has
fitted aircraft operating in the mountainous, weather-ravaged and
isolated area of southeast Alaska known as the YK Delta with GPS, the
latest in weather-radar technologies and Automatic Dependent
Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) systems -- is credited with a whopping
40-percent reduction in plane crashes over the past three years,
according to a report released last week. More...
...AND
INCREASE RELIABILITY
While safety was the prime motivation of Capstone, it has had some
operational benefits as well. For instance, the use of GPS instrument
approaches at remote airfields has greatly improved the reliability of
air service to those communities. "At villages where Capstone has
created instrument approaches, the fraction of time weather makes air
travel unavailable has been reduced by 50 percent," the report says.
Company managers can also keep track of their aircraft in real time over
the Internet by using a flight-monitoring function added in 2002. Likely
one of the reasons Capstone has been such a success is that pilots seem
to like using it. More...
MICROLIGHT
CONQUERS EVEREST
So, what would you do if the turbo-intercooled Rotax 914 engine powering
your Pegasus Quantum trike, flying under a Pegasus XL wing, was so hard
to start that it flattened two batteries before finally catching?
Perhaps they were mildly hypoxic, but Angelo D'Arrigo and Richard
Meredith-Hardy chose to fly that engine (typically capable of 115 hp)
over the world's highest mountain -- towing a hang glider (a rigid-wing
ATOS 2 from ICARO 2000) for good measure. In Tibet on Sunday, microlight
pilot Meredith-Hardy hauled hang glider pilot D'Arrigo to the rarified
air of Mount Everest and put on what must have appeared to be the
world's highest air show for a group of climbers tackling the peak
through the more conventional method -- on foot. But it's a show that
almost didn't get off the ground, according to Meredith-Hardy's account
of the adventure. More...
...EXTREME
LOW TEMPERATURES AND HIGH DRAMA
Once the Rotax was running, it pulled the two aircraft up at a rate of
about 450 fpm from the 12,000-foot-high base camp. There was a lot of
circling involved in getting up to the height of Everest and enjoy the
minus 40-degrees Centigrade temperatures. At times, Meredith-Hardy
noticed that D'Arrigo was being "bounced around" by turbulence. As they
approached the peak, the tow line broke and D'Arrigo was on his own.
Without the hang glider in tow, Meredith Hardy said the aircraft "shot
up" and he did three fly-bys of the peak, before an audience of about
six climbers standing on the peak and four or five others inching up the
final few feet. More...
THE
SCHEYDEN GIVEAWAY CONTINUES! LOG ON TO SEE THE LATEST
WINNERS
"The quality is superior to any pair
of sunglasses I have ever had. The lenses are so natural. And to flip
them up — oh, Heaven!" Jake Garn, USN/USAF/Astronaut, Shuttle
Discovery Mission STS 51D, and owner/pilot of a 1948
Navion. 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. Handmade titanium frames, quality lenses, a Rosewood case,
plush micro-fiber bag and cloth are standard on all styles. For
information, and to register to win, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/scheyden/biz. |
ADAM
"SELLS" 75 JETS
Is it Adam Aircraft's foothold in the potentially lucrative mini-jet
market or just another one of those on-again, off-again deals that have
seemingly marked the (so far) speculative and seemingly illusory
air-taxi industry? Whatever it is, the Colorado-based plane-maker is
crowing about a $150 million order for 75 of its A700 jets, which it
claims it can start delivering in less than a year. The buyer is iFly, a
Connecticut company put together by Donald Burr and Robert Crandall. But
as AVweb's business publication BizAv notes, (subscribe here, free)there
could be some significant details to overcome before the deal, the
air-taxi company and the industry can launch with Adam jets.
More...
CESSNA
TWINS SPAR ADS WITHDRAWN ... FOR FURTHER REVIEW
The fix identified in two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking would have
required the $70,000-plus addition of a spar strap to all affected
Cessna 400-series twin aircraft. Now, the potential ADs that might have
resulted in the grounding of a lot of aircraft have been withdrawn -- but that doesn't mean they've been
cancelled. Bob Vila, president of the Cessna Twins Spar Corporation (no,
the company name is not a coincidence) told AVweb the FAA,
perhaps under the pressure of public outcry, is simply looking at other
(hopefully less-expensive) options to fix the pesky problem affecting
the main spars on the twins. The NPRMs put a lot of owners in the
uncomfortable position of having to decide whether their planes were
worth that kind of investment. More...
MOJAVE
TO BECOME (ALREADY IS?) FIRST CIVILIAN SPACEPORT
It's (almost) being used as one anyway, but the Mojave Airport in
California is close to getting government approval to become the first
private spaceport. SPACE.com reports that the Mojave Airport Civilian
Flight Test Center will be certified as a non-federal spaceport to
handle horizontal launches of reusable spacecraft -- specifically, like
Scaled Composites' hen-and-chick creation that reached an altitude of 40
miles after taking off from Mojave about 10 days ago. SpaceShipOne (the
aforementioned "chick"), which launches from the mother ship White
Knight (the hen), is the odds-on favorite to win the $10 million X-PRIZE
for development of a reusable spacecraft without government funding, but
Scaled's team isn't Mojave's only tenant harboring celestial ambitions.
More...
FAA
FACING BIG PROBLEMS, SAYS GAO
There's big trouble ahead for the FAA if it doesn't get a handle on its
out-of-control budgets and terrible record on technology acquisition,
and time is running out, according to a
report by the General Accounting Office (GAO). But even the GAO is
apparently out of ideas on how the agency should reinvent itself,
because it made no recommendations in the scathing indictment of the
FAA's looming crisis. Rather, it urges the FAA to become a "high
performing organization" to address the increased demands on its
services and the funding crunch that affects all arms of government. The
GAO does, however, list four fundamental qualities of such
organizations. More...
SEE
AND AVOID? A SKYFULL OF UAVS
Not yet, but it may not be long... While one arm of the government
worries about how the FAA will cope with the existing air traffic load,
another is spending $360 million to figure out how to squeeze scores of
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the mix. NASA, along with five
companies that make remotely piloted and robotic aircraft, are
undertaking a five-year study aimed at putting unmanned aircraft on the
same airways and at the same altitudes as conventional planes so they
can take on jobs like forest-fire surveillance, relaying communications
and keeping watch on hurricanes. "The fundamental tenet is to preserve
the safety of the airspace," said NASA project manager Jeff Bauer.
More...
CHARLIE
VICTOR ROMEO BACK IN PRODUCTION
For those who missed its first run, Charlie Victor
Romeo is returning to off-Broadway. The controversial and compelling
play, which uses the final few minutes of cockpit voice recorder (CVR)
conversations from crashing airplanes as its dialogue, has been revived
and it may be even more poignant now. The show's initial run in New York
ended before 9/11; it toured thereafter and served up some stark reality
for the audiences, including AVweb's Pete Yost , who saw it in
the tiny Collective Unconscious theater on New York's Lower East Side.
More...
|
OREGON AERO PRODUCTS — PERFECT FOR FATHER'S
DAY
Does the pilot dad in your family fumble around in the
cockpit at night? Oregon Aero has a gift idea that will throw
some light on the subject. Our FlashPoint™ Flashlight Holder mounts
on a headset or helmet, providing a hands-free light source. Other gift
ideas: Hand-sewn flight bags and painless portable cushion systems from
Oregon Aero. Get more great Father’s Day gift ideas online at
Oregon Aero's web site, http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/oregon/avflash. |
ON
THE FLY...
Paris airport terminal may have to be torn down after roof
collapse...
Eurofighter Typhoon plagued with systems problems...
Global warming blamed for flooded runway...
Sea-Tac's new tower may be too high, too close to runway...
Air New Zealand, Qantas flights almost collided over Indonesia.
More...
NEW
ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
_______
COLUMNS
Say Again?
#37: VFR In A Vacuum
Have you been turned down lately when you asked ATC for VFR advisories?
Expect it to happen more and more often, especially when you and other
pilots don't file a correct flight plan or use the proper phraseology.
AVweb's Don Brown points out how the impending controller shortage will
reduce the additional services ATC can provide. More...
|
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR A $100
GIVEAWAY!
Take a moment to answer a few questions, and your
name will be entered into a contest to win one of three $100 prizes.
This interactive online survey is being conducted by East/West
Consulting for an aviation client. Your responses are confidential,
and you will NOT be contacted regarding your comments. To thank
you for your participation, all respondents will be entered into a
drawing in which three lucky people will win a cash prize of $100 each.
Go online now at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/eastwest/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...
AVWEB'S
QUESTION OF THE WEEK ...
In July of 2001, the words of a controller may have directed a Russian
passenger jet into the path of a DHL 757. The results were fatal. Two
weeks ago, a PA-44-180 impacted ridge after complying with an ATC
instruction to descend to an altitude below the ridgeline, according to
an NTSB report. This week, AVweb asks: How often do you invoke your
discretion to defer the suggestion of a controller in the interest of
your own safety? PLUS: Results of last week's question on the dwindling
supply of 100LL. More...
|
NEW BACKCOUNTRY REPORT ON AVIAT'S NEW PUP & WHERE IT CAN
TAKE YOU
Only Pilot Getaways magazine combines
the best in in-depth travel information with technical content on the
aircraft that can get you there. This spring, Pilot Getaways
features destinations around the country — from Martha's Vineyard
to San Francisco, Texas, and North Carolina. Catch the thrill of the
Kentucky Derby even after the event is over, or take a picnic lunch to a
remote backcountry strip. Order your travel adventure subscription
— or a gift subscription — at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/pilotgetaways/avflash. |
AVWEB'S
PICTURE OF THE WEEK ...
All right, we confess: We were beginning to worry about the slowdown in
reader-submitted "Picture of the Week" entries. But, thankfully, our
worries were unfounded — AVweb readers turned out in force this
week, with dozens of great new "POTW" contenders. The Golden Age of
Reader-Submitted Photos is back! Don Laffranchi Jr. leads the pack this
week, with a WWII-era winning photo that's sure to bring a tear to your
eye. We won't be sending Don a recommissioned P-38 — but we do have
the next best thing, an official AVweb logo baseball cap. To add one of
these spiffy hats to your wardrobe, make with the clicky and send us
your "POTW" contenders! More...
|
Sponsor News and Special Offers
Access to AVweb and AVflash is provided by the
support of our fine sponsors. We appreciate your patronage.
|
Terrific Ideas for Father's Day at
AVWEB'S SHOPPING
GUIDE
SHOPPING
DEALS
WINGX FOR THE POCKET PC NOW HAS OVER 270 AIRCRAFT
MODELS!
WingX Version 1.4 for the Pocket PC now has
over 270 predefined aircraft models; graphical ramp, taxi/runup, and
flight fuel weight-and-balance calculations; route planning with the
latest FAA database of airports and navaids; and more. WingX has
AC61-65D endorsements (great for CFIs); NWS Contractions; and local
no-toll FSS numbers — 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 on special for $39.99 — 30% below
regular price. Take a look at screen shots and download the demo at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/hiltonsoftware/avflash.
CALCULATE OPERATING COSTS WITH THE INTERACTIVE AIRCRAFT
BUDGET ANALYZER
AirPower Software offers multiple
software editions that create instant budgets by manipulating your
preloaded information to address particular usage amounts and/or costs.
In addition to preloaded aircraft databases, the Budget Analyzer lets
you create individualized budgets via the "My Aircraft" selection,
allowing you to input operating numbers for any type of aircraft. There
are six editions: Lite (no databases); Piston; Turbo Prop; Helicopter;
Jet; and Full (includes all four databases). Instant downloads are
available on all software products. For complete information, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/airpower/avflash.
LET YOUR FAMILY KNOW WHEN YOU'LL BE
LANDING
Sign up for the AVweb Edition of Flight
Explorer, the PC-based service that provides a real-time picture of
all IFR aircraft in flight. Your family simply enters the aircraft
N-number to track your flight, be alerted to delays, and get updated
ETAs. AVweb Flight Explorer costs just $9.95 a month, a small price for
such big peace-of-mind. Order at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/flightexplorer/avflash.
COMPLIMENTARY SHIPPING FOR A LIMITED TIME, ONLY FROM
USED AIRCRAFT GUIDE
Enjoy complimentary ground
shipping on the ninth edition of Aviation Consumer's Used Aircraft
Guide. The Used Aircraft Guide will pinpoint the plane
that best fits your needs and budget, resulting in savings of thousands
of dollars when you buy and thousands more when you sell. The
Guide will also help minimize maintenance and operating costs.
Order your copy at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/belvoir/avcons/acuag/avflash.
COME
INTO THE ELECTRONIC AGE & UNCOMPLICATE YOUR LIFE WITH FLIGHT
LEVEL
FlightLevel is the premier electronic logbook
provider for pilots of general and commercial aviation. No matter your
level of proficiency, you need to keep that logbook up to date.
FlightLevel is essentially the same as other computer logbooks —
except FlightLevel does it better, quicker, and easier — even on
your Palm Pilot and Pocket PC! Use the best for your important logbook
entries. For a complimentary, no-obligation online demonstration go to
http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/fltlevel/avflash.
SOFT LEATHER HOLDS YOUR IDENTIFICATION IN
STYLE!
Pilotmall.com is offering a complimentary soft
leather ID holder with a stamped airplane on the cover (a $19.99 value)
with any order of Pilotmall's quality leather flight bags, backpacks, or
Scheyden sunglasses. Show your style and save now at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/pilotmall/avflash.
CARBON
MONOXIDE KILLS! GIVE THE GIFT OF SAFETY FROM CO
GUARDIAN
CO Guardian has carbon monoxide detector
models from portable units to panel-mount units. Each unit's solid-state
sensors and temperature sensors (EMI-shielded to prevent radio
interference) are built in the USA and FAA-certified. Go online to find
the CO Guardian model right for your aircraft — and order in time
for Father's Day (June 20) — at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/cog/avflash.
FLYING CARPET: THE SOUL OF AN AIRPLANE BY NOTED
AUTHOR GREG BROWN
Join Greg Brown in the cockpit of
his Flying Carpet and share the struggles, triumphs, and crazy
adventures of a pilot as he matures from fledgling to seasoned aviator.
Some stories are harrowing, some are downright hilarious, and all of
them will make you wish you'd been along for the ride. AVweb
Exclusive: Order online for an autographed copy at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/paperjet/avflash.
FLYING MAGAZINE'S JUNE ISSUE IS TYPICAL
"FLYING"
Starting with the new Cessna Citation XLS on the
cover, Flying magazine's June issue covers articles on:
That approach to landing; a look at Piper's new 6X and Saratoga with
Avidyne's FlightMax Entegra glass cockpit; fractional ownership; and
columns written by aviation's top journalists. Order your personal
subscription (with AVweb special prices!) at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/flying/avflash.
REMINDER ...
Specials Ending May 31
GLEIM'S MAY SPECIAL IS FLIGHT-BAG-SIZED
...
Gleim is offering the new Flight-Bag-size (7"x9")
FAR/AIM for only $9.95, a savings of $6! Be prepared for your checkride
with Gleim's Flight Maneuvers books (containing all the information
needed for the practical exam) at a 10% discount! These Gleim books
contain a copy of the PTS and Oral Exam Guide, plus all the maneuvers
you need to pass! Order at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/gleim/avflash.
AIRSPORT ALTITUDE ALERTERS OFFER 10% DISCOUNT &
COMPLIMENTARY SHIPPING
AirSport Avionics is the only
manufacturer of Altitude Alerters that work by listening to everything
your transponder and encoder are reporting to ATC, both Mode A (squawk
code) and Mode C (altitude). A double benefit! AirSport Alerters are
completely portable and don't require permanent installation. MAY
SPECIAL: 10% discount on all models, with complimentary ground shipping.
Order online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/airsport/avflash.
GIVE
DAD SOMETHING TO TICKLE HIS FUNNY BONE & SHOW HIS LOVE OF
FLYING
For Father'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 enthusiast who has everything, the Carprop is perfect!
MAY SPECIAL: Complimentary sunglasses with any order placed
online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/carprop/avflash.
PHOTON
MICRO-LIGHT 3s AT NEW LOW PRICES + COMPLIMENTARY
SHIPPING
Check out new low pricing on the entire selection of
Photon Micro-Light 3s! If you've been waiting to get your hands
on a Photon 3, this is your chance. The Photon 3 gives you a brilliant
key chain-sized light with three levels of brightness, three beacon
modes, and a convenient auto shut-off mode. Prices start at only $17.95,
with complimentary U.S. shipping! Order online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/photon/avflash.
SPONSOR
NEWS
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.
_____________________________________
We Welcome Your Feedback!
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 Russ Niles:
http://www.avweb.com/contact/authors.html#rniles
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.
Want to subscribe or unsubscribe? Review/update your AVweb Account?
Forgot your password? No problem! Simply go to our friendly Member
Services menu.
|
