The Top Headlines From AVweb's Expanded,
Illustrated News Coverage At AVweb's
NewsWire.
AIRPLANES
UPDATE: ATG JAVELIN...
Aviation Technology Group (ATG)
--owner of the hottest looking mock-up in town -- says it expects to
roll out and fly its two-seat, twin-engine Javelin Jet prototype in
the first quarter of this year. "Not long after, we will host an event
where the Javelin will break records in the VLJ [very-light jet]
category," CEO George Bye said mysteriously, in a recent company
update. "This is a very exciting time ... and it's just the tip of the
iceberg of what is to come." ATG has been building up its high-level
staff, hiring former Cessna president Charlie Johnson to oversee
manufacturing and flight ops, and also adding Horst Bergmann, former
Jeppesen president, as right-hand-man to Bye. The company also
announced late last year it has entered an agreement with Israel Aircraft
Industries for the design, development and manufacture of an
Advanced Jet Trainer for military use, based on the Javelin Jet
design. More...
...A
NEW TWINPROP FROM GERMANY...
"But what the general aviation needs most is this: It must be
cheaper!" So says the English version of the German Web site of High
Performance Aircraft (HPA), which is working on a shaft-driven twin-prop
five-seat business aircraft. The TT62 Alekto ran its first taxi test
last month -- you can watch it online. The composite airplane is driven by two
Thielert 310-hp diesel FADEC engines, which will be installed centerline-ish,
inside the fuselage, behind the cabin. The two five-bladed props
then extend on pylons aft of the wing. "By this, excellent aerodynamic
properties of the engine installation is realized -- there is no need
of direct air-exposure of the liquid-cooled engines!" the Web site
says. More...
...GINORMOUS
A380 ROLLS OUT, WHILE (MUCH SMALLER) QUEST LOGS TIME
In the world of big airplanes -- and we mean realllly big -- tomorrow
in France, Airbus will roll out with great fanfare (5,000 guests are
expected) its brand-new A380, the world's biggest airliner, with capacity
for 550 to 1,000 passengers. The superjumbo so far has cost $12
billion to develop. Airbus has orders for 139 of the aircraft, which
is expected to fly in March. A much more affordable and differently
tasked contender, Quest Aircraft's new Kodiak STOL 10-place
turboprop prototype, has completed 50 flights and 40 hours in its test
regime, the company said last week. "Performance of the Kodiak in most
areas has exceeded our projections," said Tom Hamilton, chief
technical officer. The Idaho company plans to debut the Kodiak at the
Alaska Airmen's Trade Show in Anchorage, Alaska,
May 14-15. More...
HELP
FOR SPORT PILOT HOPEFULS...
The FAA's Sport Pilot knowledge-test question bank has been posted for
about two months, and now test-prep guides are reaching the market to
help prospective pilots ace the exam. ASA is ready with its Sport
Pilot Test Prep, in software format or book form, with all the FAA
questions, answers and explanations arranged by subject matter. Demand
reportedly has been so great that the publisher
can't keep up, but orders in now should be filled by the end of the
month. Gleim also has a selection, from software to books
to an online ground school, as well as a study guide for the practical
test and a syllabus with lesson plans for ground and flight training.
King Schools is working on a Sport Pilot course in
partnership with EAA. More...
...
AS FAA ISSUES FIRST SPORT PILOT CERTIFICATES
The FAA last week issued the first certification of an ultralight
trainer (a Maxair Drifter) as an experimental light-sport aircraft
(E-LSA), and also awarded the first weight-shift (trike) ratings, EAA has reported. The events took place in
Sebring, Fla., where the staff of the FAA's Light-Sport Aviation
Branch had arrived from Oklahoma City to prepare for this week's first
sport pilot examiner training course. The staffers set to work flying
at the Sebring Airport. Larry Clymer checked out in an Air Creation
GTE and added a private pilot weight-shift rating to his pilot
credentials, becoming the first to hold that rating.
More...
|
PAYING TOO MUCH FOR LIFE INSURANCE?
If you
are a pilot who currently has or is applying for a life insurance
policy with anyone other than the Pilot Insurance Center (PIC),
STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING! You are probably overpaying for your
insurance or awaiting a higher premium once you are approved. PIC
assures you the best policy at the best price from an agent who knows
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UPDATE
ON TSA'S CFI RULE
Yes, tomorrow is the deadline for CFIs to complete online security-awareness training. If you're an active
CFI, you're required to do it, but don't worry that men in black suits
will come knocking at your door to follow up. Several CFIs told
AVweb that course-takers can expect to spend more time than
advertised -- from one hour up to three hours -- mainly because of
slow download times. Others said that FAA officials at local FSDOs had
no information about the course or the TSA requirements, and that it
was a waste of time. "Don't get me wrong, I agree that it is a good
idea to raise awareness," one reader wrote. "But the TSA should have
raised our awareness that our awareness needed raising." According to
AOPA, officials at the Transportation Security Administration say they
want to focus on compliance, not enforcement. More...
ARMED
AIRTRAN PILOT ACCUSED OF DRUNKENNESS, FIRED
Add guns to drinking, and you have worries, but add flying too, and
you have potential disaster. Thus when a federal security screener at
McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, Nev., smelled alcohol on an armed
AirTran pilot last Wednesday, police quickly descended. They
questioned him, gave him a breath test and removed him from the
cockpit. Oliver Paul Reason Jr., 37, was fired from his flying job and
also suspended from his duties as a federal flight deck officer. Tracy Price, an
airline pilot and an advocate for guns in the cockpit, told reporters
the greatest danger is not a drunk pilot with a gun, but a drunk pilot
with an airplane. "The issue is making sure a pilot who is
irresponsible with alcohol is never, ever given access to an
airplane," said Price. More...
PENNSYLVANIA
PILOT FORFEITS AIRPLANE
In Pennsylvania, a pilot who was accused of flying drunk last year has
lost his airplane. The Cherokee was sold for $34,000, and now a judge
has decreed that the proceeds belong to the district attorney's
office. Asst. D.A. James Staerk argued pilot John Salamone's actions
were "egregious" and warranted forfeiture of the airplane, and the
court agreed. Salamone was convicted of risking a catastrophe and
endangering others after flying recklessly for four hours in January
2004. His arrest prompted the state legislature to propose a new law
against drunken flying, after prosecutors (and the public) were aghast
to find that no such law existed. More...
MEDEVAC
FLIGHTS UNDER SCRUTINY MAY GO HI-TECH
The pilots often fly in conditions similar to what caused the accident
to which they're responding, but thirty-seven people died in 12
crashes during medical-evacuation flights last year, and the FAA and
NTSB now are working on recommendations to improve the safety record.
Night flying and weather have been cited as the most common causes.
One step that's expected is that the FAA may require pilots to fly
with night-vision goggles after dark. "I think the FAA is a little
late getting on board," rescue pilot Will Eldredge told the Channel 3
News in Idaho Falls, Idaho, last week. "People have been pushing for
goggles for many, many years." Eldredge said the goggles amplify
existing light -- starlight, moonlight or city lights -- as much as
2,000 to 3,500 times. More...
JOIN
NAA AND CELEBRATE AVIATION'S PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
What
a great time to join the National Aeronautic Association (NAA),
the nation's oldest aviation organization — marking their 100th
anniversary in 2005! NAA membership is a terrific value for any
aviation enthusiast. You will receive two magazine subscriptions
— Smithsonian's Air & Space and NAA's Aero —
and access to aviation records, product discounts, and much more. Call
NAA at (703) 527-0226 to become a member of the NAA family, or sign up
online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/naa/avflash. |
HIRING
RULES FOR CONTROLLERS EASED
College graduates with training in air traffic control now can get
hired by the FAA even if more than two years have elapsed since they
graduated, the FAA said last week. The change in policy is
expected to give the agency more flexibility in reaching controller
candidates as it prepares to hire and train 12,500 air traffic
controllers over the next 10 years. "We want to leave the door open as
long as possible," said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. "By extending
the hiring period, we can tap a valuable source of potential new
controllers and be fair to those who have already invested in their
aviation careers." The FAA has said it will hire 1,249 controllers in
fiscal year 2006. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association
(NATCA) was glad to hear of the policy change. More...
ON
THE FLY...
TSA asks GA to be alert during inauguration week...
EAA unveiled
its new Web site for AirVenture...
China GA Forum set for March 16-18 in Shaanxi Province...
A C-182
reported stolen from Falcon Field, Mesa, Ariz....
X Prize
Foundation has named three new board members...
A new spaceport in
the works in west Texas...
Albatrosses can fly for weeks and for
thousands of miles nonstop...
Concorde program, "Supersonic Dream,"
tomorrow night at 8 on PBS.
More...
|
ASA'S AIRCRAFT FLIGHT LOG IS EASY &
COMPLETE
ASA's Aircraft Flight Log provides the operators
of individual aircraft an easy-to-use method of keeping track of
detailed items pertaining to the care and use of their airplanes.
Inspections, VOR/ELT checks, oil changes, and simple squawks are all
easy to find without digging through a stack of maintenance logs.
Instantly know the disposition of the aircraft you are about to fly,
simply by checking your ASA Aircraft Flight Log. Available now
for $9.95 from ASA at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/asadirect/avflash. |
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 to newstips@avweb.com.
More...
NEW
ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
_______
COLUMNS
CEO of the Cockpit #41: Risky
Business
Safety is an indistinct concept -- in airplanes and in
more terrestrial vehicles. You can be the safest person, attentive and
defensive; but when a car (or plane) just misses you, luck seems to be
much more involved. AVweb's CEO had a close encounter that kept him
wondering how safe we are. More...
|
ATTENTION, PIPER OWNERS & PILOTS
The new
Piper Flyer Association (PFA) provides parts locating, tech
support, a monthly member magazine, online forums, national & regional
events, an annual convention, seminars, and more. For less than a tank
of fuel ($39.00 for a one-year membership), you can access the needed
information to expand your knowledge and get more enjoyment from
owning and flying your Piper aircraft. Join the Piper Flyer
Association (PFA) today as they build the ultimate Piper association.
Go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/pfa/avflash. |
READER
FEEDBACK ON AVWEB'S NEWS COVERAGE AND FEATURE ARTICLES:
http://www.avweb.com/avmail/
Reader mail this week about escaping spins, pit(iful) landings and
lots more about lasers in the cockpit. More...
AVWEB'S
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...
|
SEE CLEARLY METHOD IMPROVES & STRENGTHENS VISION
NATURALLY
The See Clearly Method does this without
the risk or expense of laser surgery. Developed by award-winning
optometrists and research scientists, the See Clearly Method is based
on the same principles and techniques used by thousands of pilots in
WWII. As one pilot states, "I never thought it was possible to
actually improve your vision, but it worked. I tell other pilots that
this is an effective way to improve your vision, naturally."
Call (800) 881-7934 for a no-cost informational video, or visit http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/seeclear/avflash. |
SHORT
FINAL...
Short runway, shorter fuse, and usually carrying substantially less
animated cargo...
Tower: Understand you're without cargo today. If you're
light, cleared for runway 6.
N1234: All I have on board is my wife ... and she's
heavy, but not THAT heavy.
(pause)
Tower: Roger N1234, and she's flying with you, now?
N1234: Yep, she's got her headset on and is punching the
heck out of me. Cleared to land runway 6, N1234.
Tower: Copy. We'll roll the trucks. More...
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DON'T HAVE A LOW-LEVEL MONOXIDE MONITOR YET? GET
ONE FOR WINTER!
Low levels of carbon monoxide can be
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an impending life-threatening problem. Don't take chances!
With its digital readout that displays CO concentrations as low as 10
parts per million, the CO Experts Model 2004 from
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SEE WHAT ATC SEES AND THEN SEE WHAT THEY DO WITH THE
INFORMATION
The AVweb Edition of Flight Explorer is
the PC-based graphical aircraft situation display that gives you a
real-time picture of all IFR aircraft in-flight over the U.S. and
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GLEIM
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RECOMMEND AVWEB & AVFLASH TO FELLOW PILOTS AND/OR
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| SPONSOR NEWS |
STUCK ON TOP — IT'S EVERY VFR PILOT'S
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them; "Defensive IFR" — here's how to refuse a bad clearance;
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POWER FLOW STC INCREASES CESSNA 172N GROSS WEIGHT
CAPACITY
Power Flow Systems, manufacturers of the
Power Flow Tuned Exhaust, has received an FAA STC that increases the
gross weight of C172Ns equipped with 0-320 engines. The only
requirement is installing a cowl cooling lip and limiting flap travel
to 30°. With the additional 100 pounds, owners can take on 15
more gallons of fuel, an extra passenger, or additional baggage. For
full details, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/power/avflash. |
COMPLETELEARNING AUTOPILOT SOFTWARE ADDRESSES VOID IN
EDUCATION
The FAA is now requiring students be examined on
understanding and utilization of autopilot systems in order to earn an
instrument rating. Pilots can now gain access to ElectronicFlight
Solutions' performance training software in order to effectively
understand the autopilot. The FAA Wings-accepted ElectronicFlight
CompleteLearning Autopilot module covers operation of the
Bendix/King KAP 140, KFC 225, and S-TEC 55/55X/550 (including Altitude
Selector/Alerter). For complete information and to order, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/efs/avflash. | |
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