The Top Headlines From AVweb's
Expanded, Illustrated News Coverage At AVweb's
NewsWire.
BLAKEY:
SHE CAME, SHE SAW ... SHE WAS HUMAN...
"I knew I couldn't come back unless we had this rule out. This is going
to be an important advance in aviation -- it will encourage people to
come into aviation." -- FAA Administrator, Marion Blakey. Blakey is no
stranger to AirVenture, (she visited Oshkosh in '03) but this trip will
likely stand out as a highlight -- at least for the gang down on the
farm. The "Farm" is the ultralight encampment; an area that's a stretch
of the legs or a puttering shuttle ride away from the activities of
AeroShell Square and show center. Blakey arrived in the FAA's Gulfstream
at nine a.m. Oshkosh time Thursday, and was greeted in true AirVenture
style -- ATC waved her pilot off when a plane that had just landed on
Runway 9 couldn't vacate fast enough. Regardless, her first stop was the
EAA Sport Pilot Headquarters. More...
...AND
GOES UP, UP AND AWAY -- IN A POTENTIAL LSA...
After slipping away from the media throng at the Sport Pilot center,
Blakey and crew made a beeline for the ultralight area, where 2,000-hour
instructor Kenley Snyder and his green and orange Quicksilver Sport 2S
steed were waiting. Blakey strapped into the Quicksilver to the admiring
comments of the ultralight faithful, winning minds and hearts in a way
Harrison Ford should note. The day before Blakey's visit, Ford refused
to consider a ride in an ultralight, telling media he had "a strong
desire to keep living." Word of the comments made it back to the Farm
quickly. "Blakey has bigger [hand]s than Harrison Ford," said one EAA-er
who asked to remain unnamed (probably because, aside from the plurality
of the noun, that's not exactly what he said). More...
...BLAKEY,
LSA AND Q&A: WHAT WE LEARNED
Aside from wandering into the wrong airspace at the wrong time (TFRs),
being able to wander in it at all under the LSA rules (and with what
medical conditions) was a hot topic generating concern, questions ...
and confusion. Blakey settled down to an hour of AirVenture's annual
question-fest in her best effort to clear things up (or at least to be
communicative). Nearly one thousand AirVenture visitors attended. "The
second century [of flight] is beginning with Sport Pilot-Light Sport
Aircraft." ... "I believe the rule will have a profound effect on local
and national economies." Then came the questions... ranging from making
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) more accessible and up to the
minute -- which the FAA is doing (says Blakey) -- to LSA and medical
history. If you haven't already, click through to see what happened.
More...
Oh, hey. New image galleries. Go look.
'NEW'
ENGINES BEAT, OSHKOSH 2004
Diamond Aircraft arrived in style with the DA-42 Twinstar, powered by
dual 135-hp Thielert Centurion turbodiesels. The FADEC-controlled,
four-cylinder, double-overhead-cam engine promises amazing fuel
specifics: 4.5 gph in cruise, making the Twinstar less thirsty than many
singles. Diamond has received type approval in Europe and is working
toward certification in the U.S. The Thielerts fit into slim nacelles on
the Twinstar partly because the engine is laid over on its side, with
water and oil radiators on top. In the Twinstar installation, the engine
breathes through a single large scoop beneath the propeller.
More...
THIELERT:
OFFERS FADEC TO SUPERIOR
...Slightly incestuous, but for the greater good. A version of
Thielert's electronic engine controls appeared on a Superior O-360
engine (a modified Lycoming) intended for homebuilts. The fully
electronic, throttle-by-wire system uses many off-the-shelf automotive
components and is, in this application, boosted by a small turbocharger.
The installation includes a single throttle lever and full engine-status
instrumentation. Superior has no plans to certify the system.
More...
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OREGON AERO HAS A PAINLESS SOLUTION FOR EVERY AIRCRAFT AT
OSHKOSH
The EAA reports that, "Typically, about 2,800 show
aircraft participate at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, including homebuilts,
antiques, classics, warbirds, ultralights, and rotorcraft." Oregon
Aero™ Universal Portable SoftSeat™ Cushion Systems can
make flying in virtually all of these aircraft much more comfortable, no
matter how long the flight. Visco-Elastic Foam "reads" body temperature
and pressure and prevents hot spots, while the cushion design shifts
your hips and pelvis into a comfortable seating position. You can use
the cushions just about anywhere you sit — cars, boats, office
chairs, even wheelchairs. Sample the cushions at Oregon Aero's
booth in Building C (#3137-3140), or purchase
online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/oregon/avflash. |
SMA:
PLANS FOR SR305 DIESEL
The French-built SR305-230 is currently flying in several testbed
aircraft, including a Cessna 182, Maule MX-9, and Piper Arrow. SMA
expects to have STC approval for installation in the Cessna by fall.
Including engine, prop, new cowling, engine mount and instruments, the
update will sell for $77,000. SMA predicts traditional Skylane speeds on
just 9 gallons per hour of Jet A. Current TBO is 2000 hours, but the
company plans to expand that to 3000 hours with a predicted overhaul
cost of $20,000 to $25,000. More...
BOMBARDIER/ROTAX/EVINRUDE/SKI-DOO/...:
V-6 MAKES APPEARANCE
Now part of the BRP group (which we think stands for Bombardier
Recreational Products). Bombardier's liquid-cooled, V300 engine debuted
last year with fanfare at OSH ... then mysteriously missed Sun 'n Fun a
few months back, and re-appeared at OSH this year on the nose of the
massive Murphy Moose utility kitbuilt. (The company offered no news
conferences, no press releases, no beautiful people in tight V300
T-shirts, no balloons ... you get the drift.) The company says it
is working on certification for production aircraft. The
double-overhead-cam, turbocharged engine is rated for 300 horsepower at
6000 engine rpm. A 3:1 gear reduction drive helps keep prop noise down.
The engine is fully FADEC controlled. More...
|
THE CESSNA SKYHAWK GOES GLASS
The 2005
Cessna Skyhawk will be available with the cutting-edge Garmin
G1000 glass cockpit. The G1000 is the most advanced flight deck package
ever installed in this class of aircraft and features a primary and
multi-function display, GPS with terrain mapping, satellite weather and
radio, and many other exciting components. It's a Skyhawk so
state-of-the-art, you'll have to see it to believe it. Stop by the
Cessna AirVenture exhibit (booths
#143-156), or, for more information, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/cse/avflash. |
WANKEL:
MISTRAL ROTARY HMMMMS IN
Mistral's two-rotor turbocharged G-230-TS Wankel engine was on display
in the Piper Arrow airframe it pulled to the show. The Swiss-built
230-hp, liquid-cooled is being developed in Daytona Beach, FL, with the
assistance of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The installation
amassed more than 30 flights before arriving in OSH. Testing for FAA
certification is underway. Although the engine itself, which displaces
just 654cc from the twin rotors, is little bigger than a beer keg, it
requires considerable ancillary equipment, including a radiator and
plumbing for the turbocharger. More...
LYCOMING:
NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT
Alas, the hot-rodder's adage that more engine displacement is always
better is borne out by Lycoming's two new engine models. Based on the
IO-360 angle-valve engine, the IO-390-X produces 210 horsepower. A
six-cylinder version tapes out to a whopping 580 cubic-inches version
capable of 315 horsepower. Both engines are currently offered only for
experimental applications, but don't be surprised to see the
next-generation original-equipment engines grow into these displacement
classes. And the experimental Lycomings may now come with the company's
own version of FADEC. More...
|
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this CD course NOW by calling (800) 854-1001 and mentioning this
AVflash, or go online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/king/awwx/avflash. |
LIGHT
JETS GOING MAINSTREAM
The CEO of Eclipse says he wouldn't be surprised to see some heavy
hitters in the industry join the fun. Vern Raburn, the affable and
voluble head of Eclipse Aviation told AVweb he's heard that Brazil's
Embraer, Europe's Airbus and even the grandaddy of them all, Boeing, are
poking around with the idea of entering the market. "There's lots of
talk," said Raburn. During his presentation Raburn noted that VLJ is now
"a very mature segment" of the industry, adding the 500's development
schedule is pretty much being met, with the goal to have a test airplane
in the air with the new Pratt and Whitney Canada 610 F engines by the
end of the year. Although there hasn't been a peep to confirm Raburn's
speculation about the looming competition, it would be hard for the
large companies to ignore the numbers. More...
...DEVELOPMENT
'PLUGGING ALONG'...
While the VLJ market generated a lot of excitement at last year's
AirVenture, the various companies are having search for "news" to talk
about this year. Eclipse's news conference was called to unveil the four
interior design schemes being offered on the 500. Adam Aircraft, which
stole last year's show by flying the prototype A700 to Oshkosh only a
few days after its first flight, brought the same airplane this year,
although it now has an interior and some spiffy paint. It's also
sporting a new price tag that pushes it above the $2 million threshold
to $2.1 million. More...
...COMP
AIR JET PROGRESSING
Perhaps the only significant news out of the VLJ market in recent weeks
were the initial flights of Aerocomp's CompAir Jet. The eight-passenger,
single engine kit jet first flew on July 21 and is, shall we say, a more
grass-roots approach to the market. "I'd never flown a jet before," said
test pilot Ron Lueck. "I'd never even started a jet before." Aw shucks
aside, the company, which builds highly-regarded turboprop STOL aircraft
kits, estimates there's a market for 2,500 kit jets over the next 10
years. It's overcome the biggest hurdle to building a jet (either at the
factory or in the garage)by finding serviceable engines that cost only
$60,000 for a factory rebuild. The AI-25 bypass engine is built by
Nanchanko in Russia and is used in the L39 Albatross and Yak 40. It will
produce up to 3,400 lbs. of thrust. More...
LIGHTSPEED SELLS RECORD NUMBER OF XL SERIES HEADSETS AT
AIRVENTURE
"The new cell/satellite phone feature was the
kicker," said LightSPEED's marketing director. "Last year, that
was the number one requested feature, so we added it to all our models
— even the passives. That, combined with our patented auto
shut-off, makes this headset series extremely desirable in its price
range." To order or learn more about the XL series headsets by
LightSPEED, visit their AirVenture booth (#2023 in Hangar B) or their website, http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/litspeed/avflash. |
FLIGHT
SCHOOLS TO BE TSA-TESTED
Within a few weeks, all flight-school operators will be required to take
an online tutorial developed by the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA), Security Specialist Steven Calabro told AVweb
yesterday at Oshkosh. The tutorial, called "Flight School Security
Awareness," is on display at the TSA's booth in the Federal Pavilion.
"It will go online in about a month," Calabro said. "Flight-school
operators can take the test online and print out a certificate to show
they've met the requirement." Calabro said a similar program is in
development for airport managers, and it may be extended to FBOs and
corporate flight departments. At present, there is no plan to require a
test from individual pilots, Calabro said. More...
TO
MARKET, TO MARKET, TO SELL A SPORT PLANE
While it used to be the conventional wisdom that if you build it, they
will come, the sport aviation industry isn't buying it ... they are
already hard at work behind the scenes to develop a marketing plan to
let the "great unwashed" know all about sport flying. "Preaching to the
choir just won't get us where we need to go," said Dan Johnson, EAA's
sport-pilot guru, who is spearheading the so-far-informal LSA Industry
Promotional Board. The group held its second meeting yesterday, at
Oshkosh. Johnson said he believes the FAA's estimate of 12,000 new
pilots over 10 years is not enough. "That's only 100 new pilots a
month," he said. "We think we can triple or quadruple the current
market." More...
|
NON-OWNER (RENTER) PILOTS EXPOSED: PILOTS ARE HELD
FINANCIALLY LIABLE
for losses involving rented or borrowed
aircraft. You rent an aircraft on a beautiful day to fly around
the patch for a couple of hours. It's time to land, and you get
caught in a crosswind. The aircraft is damaged. Fortunately
you are okay, but the airplane is in bad shape. Who is responsible
for the plane's repair expenses and the FBO's lost revenue? Far
too often, it's YOU — uninsured renter pilot. Get the
comprehensive coverage you need by calling AVEMCO
today. For as little as $215 annually you can have liability
and aircraft damage (hull) coverage. Stop by AirVenture Booth #1159-60 to speak with an AVEMCO
professional, or call (888) 241-7891 and mention this AVflash, or go
online NOW at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/avemco/avflash. |
GARMIN
RECALLS CNX80 GPS NAVIGATORS FOR DISPLAY FIX
Garmin -- actually GarminAT -- began contacting dealers and owners of
the sophisticated CNX80 GPS navigator on Thursday to fix a potential
transformer failure that could blank the display screen as cause minor
smoke in the cockpit. Garmin told AVweb on Thursday that there have been
three known failures of the transformer and that the condition has been
reproduced on the test bench. Although further failures are unlikely,
Garmin says it will replace transformers and a small resistor wired into
the same circuit. An unknown number of units are affected and owners
should contact dealers or Garmin at www.garmin.com for more information
before removing and returning the unit for a repair covered by warranty.
More...
AND
NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT: NEAT SHOW STUFF
One of the neat things about the really big shows is the airplane stuff
that's either new or just new to us. Here are a few things members of
the AVweb staff noticed while poking about the show grounds and found
interesting. We hope you do, too.
A new high intensity Xenon landing light that gives off six times more
light than standard incandescent or halogen bulbs burns a lot cooler and
is guaranteed for the rest of your natural life. OK, so the light costs
$550.00, but according to Tom O'Neill at Wag-Aero, it's the "last light
you'll ever need." The light is STC-ed for most airplanes. The light is
# B-226-000 in the latest Wag-Aero
Catalog. By the way, the company is also developing a new tailwheel
towbar that they say will be a much improved method of towing your
tailwheel aircraft.
Pilot-friendly GPS manuals from ZD
Publishing. (My gosh, you can read them, you can actually read
them!) The type is larger and the pages are task-oriented in plain
English. Who would have guessed that common sense and larger type could
make such a difference? Not all GPS models are available, but those that
are in manual form cost between $34.95 and $39.95.
Even if you've never cared about designing an airplane, it might be a
fun project to tackle. Don't do it with graph paper and a slide rule
because now there is an easier way. DaVinci Technologies is offering an
AirplanePDQ computer package to help you build an airplane that could
carry your name. Choose your type, high-wing, low-wing, trike or
taildragger, and you're off! Price of this package is $99. (www.davinci.aero.) More...
|
ATTENTION, CESSNA PILOTS & OWNERS! THIS IS THE BEST
$45 YOU CAN SPEND
With over 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
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, access to CPA's
giant online knowledge bank and popular online member forums, a monthly
magazine, and a weekly e-mail newsletter. Join by calling (805)
922-2580 and mentioning this AVflash, by visiting the Cessna pros at
AirVenture Tent #183-193, or by signing up
online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/cpa/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
NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...
Drop us a line. Heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to
know about? If it caught your eye, it will probably interest someone
else, too. Submit news tips via email tonewstips@avweb.com.
More...
|
AVIDYNE'S NEW CMAX™ APPROACH CHARTS TAKE SITUATIONAL
AWARENESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
CMax™ Approach
Charts, which can be displayed on Avidyne's FlightMax EX500
or Entegra/EX5000 MFDs, provides geo-referenced approach charts and
airport diagrams. CMax reduces the amount of paper in your cockpit and
allows access to critical chart data more quickly and easily. CMax
overlays your flight plan and aircraft position for optimum orientation.
CMax even shows runway incursion hot spots and improves taxiway
awareness, reducing the need for "progressives" at unfamiliar airports.
With CMax, you'll know exactly where you are on the approach, or on the
field. Stop by AirVenture Booth #2100 for a
demonstration, or, for more information, go online to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/avidyne/avflash. |
| Sponsor News and
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Access to AVweb and AVflash is provided by the
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| SHOPPING DEALS |
ATTENDING OSHKOSH? Don't Forget to:
|
CHECK WITH MARV BEFORE YOU BUY ANY PILOT
SUPPLIES!
Marv Golden takes the time and trouble out
of looking for everything aviation — from apparel, avionics, ELTs,
GPSs, headsets, Jepps, and manuals to oxygen systems, watches,
videos/DVDs, and much more. Marv Golden Pilot Supplies
— the pilot's one-stop shopping with the best prices in the
industry, at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/marvgold/avflash. |
IN
CASE OF FIRE, AN EVAC-U8 ESCAPE HOOD FROM AEROMEDIX CAN SAVE
LIVES
Whether it's smoke in the cockpit or a fire in your
home, hotel, or office, the EVAC-U8 escape hood provides 15
minutes of breathable air to help you get to safety. The patented
EVAC-U8 has a canopy made of DuPont Kapton that protects your head,
face, and eyes from temperatures up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, plus an
active air-purifying filter to remove carbon monoxide and other toxic
gases. Priced at $64.95 each, or less when ordered in a 4- or
10-pack. Stop by AirVenture Booth
#3002-03 to see this and all Aeromedix's products.
Order by calling (888) 362-7123 and mentioning this AVflash, or go
online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/aeromedi/avflash. |
LET YOUR FAMILY KNOW WHEN YOU'LL BE HOME
Sign
up for the AVweb Edition of Flight Explorer. It's the
PC-based service that provides a real-time picture of all IFR aircraft
in flight. Your family simply enters your N-number to track your flight,
be alerted to delays, and get updated ETAs. AVweb Edition
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. |
SUBSCRIBE TO AVIATION CONSUMER AND
SAVE!
Plus, get access to the AviationConsumer.com
subscribers-only web site packed with ratings and evaluations of
aircraft, avionics, aviation products, and accessories. If you
want to enjoy greater confidence when you buy and when you fly, start
your Aviation Consumer subscription now at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/avcons/avflash. |
AIRSPORT ALTITUDE ALERTERS OFFERS A $100 DISCOUNT —
PLUS —
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. OSHKOSH SPECIAL: $100 discount on all models, with
complimentary ground shipping. Offer ends August 10th. Order online at
http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/airsport/avflash. |
POWER FLOW DEBUTS C-172N WEIGHT INCREASE STC & AN
EXHAUST SHINE KIT
at AirVenture. Cessna 172N owners, you can
now increase the gross weight of your aircraft by 100 pounds with this
new STC. To meet the STC's requirements, your aircraft must have
complied with Cessna's Oil cooler relocation from the firewall to the
engine baffle and the installation of a cowl cooling lip, and flaps have
to be limited to a maximum of 30 degrees. Best of all, the introductory
STC cost is only $300.00. (This gross weight STC does not require the
installation of the Power Flow Exhaust.) For more information, go see
the Power Flow experts at AirVenture Booth
#1050, or go online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/power/avflash. |
| SPONSOR
NEWS |
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AVIATION PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH YOU ON YOUR AIRCRAFT
INSURANCE,
contact CS&A Aviation Insurance.
CS&A combines one the most knowledgeable teams of aviation insurance
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ENHANCE AIR TIME ON THE GROUND!
Wouldn't it be
great if you could take all the time you "waste" on the ground —
driving to work, mowing the lawn, puttering around the house — and
apply it to the hours you log in the air? Now you can, with the
monthly CD program called Pilot's Audio Update. Order your
subscription at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/belvoir/avcons/paucd/avflash. |
ONLY A COUPLE OF
DAYS LEFT TO VISIT AVWEB at AIRVENTURE 2004 in
OSHKOSH!
-
If you plan to attend AirVenture, stop by
AVweb's booth #1007-08 and meet our editors. You'll find a complete
schedule online at http://www.avweb.com/news/osh2004/187681-1.html.
-
Also, many of our advertisers will be
exhibiting. Print out our list to stop by and say "thanks" for bringing
AVweb and AVflash to you at no-cost. You can find our guide to AVweb
advertiser booths at Oshkosh here: http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/oshkosh.
| |
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