| Volume 11,
Number 46a — November 14, 2005 |
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| This issue of AVweb's AVflash is
brought to you by ... Sporty's Pilot
Shop
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Passengers can interface portable CD/DVD or MP3 players, satellite
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|
The Top Headlines From AVweb's Expanded,
Illustrated News Coverage At AVweb's
NewsWire.
AIRBUS
AND BOEING IN VERY PUBLIC COMPETITION...
Airbus took its new A380 behemoth on a jaunt last week from France to
Asia and Australia. The tour, which continues through this Friday,
began with a 12-hour nonstop flight to Singapore. The crew checked the
width of taxiways and runways and tested out a new passenger boarding
bridge. Airport workers and officials got tours of the airplane.
Singapore Airlines will be the first to fly the A380 on commercial
routes, starting in late 2006. The airplane then flew into Brisbane
and Sydney over the weekend, where it was greeted by crowds of
thousands and helped to celebrate the 85th anniversary of Qantas. It
will also stop in Melbourne, then fly on to Kuala Lumpur before
heading back to France. More...
...AS
BOEING SETS NONSTOP RECORD...
Meanwhile, Boeing established a new world record for distance traveled nonstop by a
commercial airplane last week, in its new 777-200LR
Worldliner. The airliner flew 11,664 nautical miles -- more than
halfway around the world. It took off from Hong Kong the evening of
Nov. 9, and landed at London Heathrow Airport 22 hours and 42 minutes
later, at 1:30 p.m. local time. The airplane traveled eastbound,
flying over the North Pacific Ocean, across North America and then
over the mid-north Atlantic Ocean en route to London. "The performance
of the 777-200LR during the record flight was exceptional," said
Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann, the project pilot leader for the flight.
More...
...AND
NEW TECHNOLOGY TRICKLES DOWN
Boeing also is hard at work on its new 787 Dreamliner, which takes
composite construction to new lengths for airliners. And following
that lead, upstart Spectrum unveiled its all-composite bizjet project
at NBAA's big shindig last week in Orlando (if you missed our
BizAvFlash coverage on Friday, check it out online...complete with exclusive
interviews). The company, headed by ex-Beechcraft honcho Linden Blue,
already has secretly constructed a prototype of its Model 33, and
expects to be flying by the end of this year. The entire airframe, the
control surfaces and even the rods that connect the sidestick
controller to the ailerons are all constructed entirely of advanced
new proprietary composite materials, the company says.
More...
AVIATION
NATION REMEMBERS...
At the Aviation Nation air show in Las Vegas over the
weekend, Veterans Day was honored with a special tribute to those who served in Vietnam.
Saturday's show featured a Vietnam-era air power re-enactment with an
AC-47 Spooky gunship and the simulated rescue of downed pilots by
three UH-1 Huey helicopters. Shows by the F/A-22 Raptor fighter-attack
jet and the red, white and blue F-16 Falcons of the Thunderbirds also
were dedicated to the veterans. The show attracted crowds of over
125,000 over the weekend. On a much smaller scale, two pilots from the
Missouri National Guard's 1st Battalion, 135th Aviation, at Whiteman
Air Force Base, flew an AH-64 Apache helicopter to the Mineral
Area Elks Lodge, where the annual Veterans Day dinner was being held.
More...
...AS
GA GIVES A LIFT TO WWII VETS
Meanwhile, a group of volunteer GA pilots in Ohio is working to help
the aging veterans of World War II travel to Washington, D.C., to see
the memorial in their honor. Making the trip to the capital can be a
hardship for many vets -- due either to infirmity or finances, or
both. Honor Flight, which started last year, flies veterans from Ohio to
D.C. in GA aircraft, for free, once a month. So far the group has
flown 132 veterans, and there is a waiting list of 257 more. Earl
Morse, a retired Air Force captain who started the project, recently
quit his job to work on it full-time. "You get bitten by this, and you
can't think of anything else," Morse told The Associated Press. More...
TSA
GETS A NEW ROLE MODEL ... THE FAA
It may be tough for some aviators to get their minds around the
concept that somebody out there considers the FAA a model for how a
bureaucracy ought to work ... but to the Homeland Security Committee
in the U.S. House, making the Transportation Security Administration
look more like the FAA seems to be the way to go. The operational side
of the TSA -- the screeners -- should be separate from the policy and
regulatory side of the agency, just as the operational side of the FAA
-- air traffic controllers -- is separate, Adam Tsao, a committee
staff member, said at a meeting of the Regional Airline Association
last week, according to Regional Aviation News. More...
TEENAGER
STARTS AN AIRLINE IN U.K.
Martin Halstead has loved aviation since his first flight at age 6,
and now that he's 19, he has his own airline. "I was joking with a
friend that as my chances of getting a job in the airline industry
were almost nil, I might as well start my own airline," he said. The
regional carrier, Alpha One, flew for the first time last Monday,
and will start twice-a-day trips between Southampton and the Isle of
Man later this month. So far the airline consists of one 18-seat BAE
Jetstream 31, with plans to lease another one. Halstead will work as a
pilot as well as CEO, and says he has lots of experienced staffers on
his team to make up for his own lack of years ... but he's relying
largely on his own financing skills. More...
ADAM,
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EAA
DISCOUNT DEAL COULD HELP KITFOX BUILDERS
When Kitfox kit manufacturer ETG Corp (Skystar Aircraft) declared
bankruptcy last month, Kitfox builders were stuck. Some had
already ordered and paid for their Rotax engines through the company,
but that money never made it to Rotax. Now the chances that they will
ever get that money back, or their engines, are slim at best. To help,
EAA says it is working out a deal with a Rotax distributor and Sport Plane,
of Idaho, to assemble a one-time bulk purchase of engines at a special
price. While paying more money to buy an engine they've already paid
for may be frustrating for builders, this discount deal may be the
best option they have if they want to complete their projects, EAA
said. More...
EZ-ROCKET
AIMS FOR XC RECORD
The folks at XCOR Aerospace, who built the one-of-a-kind
EZ-Rocket -- a modified Long-EZ powered by two liquid-fuel rocket
engines -- are planning to break a cross-country flight record -- by
flying for 10 minutes. The EZ-Rocket will launch from Mojave on Dec. 3
and fly to California City, all of 11 miles away, Space.com reported last week. But apparently
that's far enough to set a new record for aircraft in Class C1b Group
IV -- a vehicle that is launched from the ground and flies with its
rocket engines under control throughout the flight. The EZ-Rocket is a
technology demonstrator designed, tested and built by XCOR.
More...
|
NEW GARMIN GPSMAP 396 WITH TERRAIN,
XM WEATHER, AND
MUSIC — IN STOCK!
JA Air Center, one of
Garmin's largest dealers, would like to thank all customers who
pre-ordered the new Garmin GPSMap 396, and we are pleased
to announce limited quantities are IN STOCK and ready for
immediate delivery. Also, current inventory levels allow JA to offer
top dollar for used GPS, avionics, and aircraft. JA Air
Center [Dupage Airport (KDPA) in West Chicago, IL] provides the finest
avionics installations, turbine/piston maintenance,
avionics/instrument service, mail order, and aircraft sales. Also,
they offer FBO services and fuel at Dekalb Taylor Municipal Airport
(KDKB) in Dekalb, IL. Please call (800) 323-5966 [after hours, (630)
306-7117] and mention this AVflash, or order online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/ja/avflash. |
AIRLINER
MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS TESTED
BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman have been working to build systems
that could defend airliners from shoulder-fired missiles, and last
week both companies successfully tested their designs in flight. An
American Airlines 767 outfitted with BAE's Jeteye system flew from
Fort Worth, Texas, while Grumman's Guardian system was tested
Wednesday on an MD-11 that took off from Mojave Airport in California,
The Associated Press reported Friday. Both systems
use lasers to jam the guidance systems of incoming missiles.
Government contracts call for the systems to cost less than $1 million
each and to be easier to maintain and more reliable than military
versions now in service. More...
3,000
BIRDS DISRUPT RADAR
Large flocks of migrating geese are suspected of causing a breakdown
in the radar at the St. Louis air traffic control center last
Wednesday morning. About 7 a.m., radar screens showed about 3,000
blips, which the system interpreted as 3,000 aircraft. The Airport
Surveillance Radar model 9, or ASR-9, became overloaded and crashed,
the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported last week. Air
traffic controllers in Kansas City took over the airspace for about 15
minutes, until St. Louis controllers were able to switch to a backup
system. Similar flocks of birds are believed to have caused radar
crashes in ASR-9 systems at Kansas City on Nov. 2 and at Boston on Oct. 10. More...
THE 2006 NEW PIPER MIRAGE COMES STANDARD
WITH
AVIDYNE'S FLIGHTMAX ENTEGRA INTEGRATED FLIGHT
DECK
This package offers: Two Primary Flight Displays
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Multi-Function Display featuring moving map, flight plan information,
and EMax Engine Indication System; two Garmin GNS 430
NAV/COMM/GS/GPSs; a Garmin GTX-330 digital transponder with Traffic
Information System; S-TEC's System SSX Autopilot; and a
Honeywell-Bendix/King RDR-2000 Vertical Profile color radar system for
see-and-avoid precipitation. With these uncompromising features
and advanced technology, the New Piper Mirage provides
serious sophistication for a higher level of confidence. For
more, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/newpiper/avflash. |
YOU
WANT A CLEARANCE WITH THAT?
It was just a publicity stunt, but the concept of drive-thru fast food
from the comfort of your cockpit has stirred a lot of wishful
thinking. In Atlanta last Thursday, the captain of an AirTran Airways
737 taxied up to the window of a specially designed Wendy's
drive-thru. An honorary "air-food controller" passed carry-on bags of
food and drinks through the 737's cockpit window. The stunt launched a promotion offering frequent-flyer
mileage credits for soft drinks bought at Wendy's. "If drive-up
pharmacies and drive-in wedding chapels can work, the idea of an
airplane drive-thru just might take off," said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran
Airways vice president of marketing. More...
ON
THE FLY...
An inventor received a U.S. patent for an antigravity space
vehicle...
NASA's model of a blended wing body aircraft is in
wind-tunnel tests...
Garmin now has four-color digital WX radar for
G1000 and MX-20 MFD...
Spirit Airlines fare sale -- prices as low
as $9 out of DFW...
A N.J. man pleaded guilty to pointing a laser
beam at an airplane...
New Airbus A318 Elite will serve as
entry-level jet, for up to 18 pax. 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 to newstips@avweb.com. You're a part
of our team ... often, the best part. More...
NEW
ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
_______
COLUMNS
From The CFI #10: What Type Are You?
Ready to move into a
jet? No matter how big, all jets require a type rating if you want to
fly one. You might think that means they're hard to learn and harder
to fly, but usually that isn't true. AVweb's Linda Pendleton explains
what it takes to get a type rating.
WHAT'S
NEW
What's New -- Products and Services
This
month AVweb's survey of the latest products and services for pilots,
mechanics and aircraft owners brings you floats for all Cessna 172s,
panel design software for experimental aircraft, a new Husky aircraft
and much more. More...
BENEFIT AVIATION AND YOURSELF WITH THE NAA PLATINUM
VISA® CARD
In addition to favorable Visa rates, NAA
cardholders receive benefits including discounted rates on NAA
membership and on aviation products. You may also qualify for no-cost
accidental death and dismemberment coverage and aircraft damage
reimbursement. NAA, the first national aviation association, receives
a contribution from BankOne with every purchase made on the NAA
Platinum Visa® card. These contributions help NAA preserve
aviation heritage by supporting the presentation of prestigious awards
and the certification of national aviation records. For more
information, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/naa/visa/avflash. |
READER
FEEDBACK ON AVWEB'S NEWS COVERAGE AND FEATURE ARTICLES:
AVmail:
November 14, 2005
Reader mail this week about the
definition of General Aviation, the future of GA, fuel prices and
more. More...
|
ATTENTION, BARON AND CESSNA 310 OWNERS — NEWS FROM
McCAULEY!
A new STC has been approved to McCauley
Propeller Systems for installation of a new three-bladed
propeller. Replace your old threaded propellers with the new
Blackmac propeller. The Blackmac provides operators with
an average weight savings of 10 pounds, longer TBOs, and fewer ADs
than other propellers available today. The Blackmac also comes
with a standard three-year warranty. For more information and an
authorized service center near you, go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/mccauley/avflash. |
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...
|
ISN'T IT ABOUT TIME YOU CHOOSE SOMETHING
EXTRA?
Pilot-inspired, German-engineered, and
internationally renowned — that's the difference in Extra
Aircraft's EA-300 and EA-500. All it takes is one flight in the
EA-300, and you'll discover why so many world-champion
aerobatic pilots choose Extra. Extra's certified, Rolls Royce-powered,
6-seat turboprop EA-500 is in a class all by itself. The only
new technology cabin class airplane, the EA-500 averages 220 kts, gets
11 mpg, and costs less than $200/hr to operate. Find out more about
both aircraft at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/extra/avflash. |
|
WINGX FOR THE POCKET PC, VERSION 1.7 —
NEW!
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a flight bag powerhouse! Advanced Weight and Balance with over 400
pre-defined models; A/FD information (frequencies, runway lengths, and
more); excellent Route Planning with the latest FAA data; fast access
to FARs 1, 43, 61, 91, 119, 141, 830, AC61-65D (endorsements), and
more; superb E6B with winds aloft, fuel, and IFR climb calculations;
and much more. With Hilton Software's referral program, get $10 back
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X50 for you — it's called the WingX Pro Solution! Call Hilton
Software at 1 (866) 42-WINGX, and take a look at screen shots and
download the demo at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/hilton/avflash. |
SHORT
FINAL...
Clarity in communication...
ATC: N1234 traffic 1 o'clock, 6 miles.
N1234: Right ... uh ... we're in a cloud.
(short pause)
ATC: Then you won't see her.
N1234: Roger. Negative traffic, 234.
More...
GIFT-GIVING MADE
EASY
Visit AVweb's Holiday Shopping Page
Featuring
products and services from AVweb's sponsors — including very
special holiday offers!
http://www.avweb.com/shopping |
| Sponsor News and
Special Offers
Access to AVweb and AVflash is provided by
the support of our fine sponsors. We appreciate your
patronage. |
| SHOPPING DEALS |
|
DOC BLUE'S EMERGENCY MEDICAL KIT — DON'T LEAVE HOME
WITHOUT IT
Do you carry a first-aid kit in your airplane or
car? AVweb's Dr. Brent Blue says drugstore first-aid kits
are packed with mostly useless stuff. Dr. Blue has assembled a
traveling medical kit for dealing with all sorts of medical problems,
based on his long experience as an emergency room doctor, frequent
traveler, pilot, outdoorsman, and dad. It would cost more than
$500 to duplicate this kit, but it's available on sale from
Aeromedix for $333. Order by calling (888)
362-7123, or go online at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/aeromedi/avflash. |
LOW-COST DIGITAL REPLACEMENT
TRANSPONDERS!
Narco Avionics proudly announces the
availability of their all-new Value Series plug & play line of digital
transponders. The Value Series is designed for the
cost-conscious owner. Narco's Value Series plug & play transponders
includes the AT165/VS (a replacement for the AT50 through AT155), the
AT165/KA/VS (a replacement for the KT76A/78A), and the AT165/K/VS (a
replacement for the KT76/78). COMING
SOON: Narco's AT165/C and AT165/C/VS, plug & play
replacements for the ARC (Cessna) RT359A/RT459A. For more information,
go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/narco/avflash. |
FLYING THE LEGENDARY DC-3, A NEW DVD, PUTS YOU IN
THE COCKPIT
Flying the Legendary DC-3 DVD
puts you in the cockpit of one of the world's best-known and
best-loved aircraft. Five cameras and high-quality digital sound
allow you to see, hear, and feel what it was like
to fly the airliner that made aviation history. Order your copy
online direct from the producer, Rick Searle Productions, at http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/ricksearle/avflash. |
CHICAGO PALWAUKEE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (KPWK) REQUESTS
PROPOSALS
From master developers for 8.03 acres of
mixed-use land at the busy southeast corner of the airport. GA
commercial opportunities could include aircraft maintenance, avionics,
charter, aircraft management and rental, restaurants, rental car
facilities, or any combination thereof. A mandatory pre-proposal
conference is December 5,
2005. Contact Dennis Rouleau at (847)
537-2580; or, for the complete RFP, go online to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/rfp/avflash. |
SEE WHAT ATC SEES — AND THEN SEE WHAT THEY DO WITH
IT
The AVweb Edition of Flight Explorer is the
PC-based graphical aircraft situation display that gives a real-time
picture of all IFR aircraft in-flight over the U.S. and Canada.
Whether you're tracking a friend or want to learn more about the
system in action, Flight Explorer has the information you need for
just $9.95 a month. Go to http://www.avweb.com/sponsors/flightexplorer/avflash. |
LIGHT PLANE MAINTENANCE MAGAZINE SAVES OWNERS BIG
MONEY!
With your subscription to Light Plane
Maintenance, you will join thousands of savvy general aviation
owners who are saving big by doing it themselves! Each monthly issue
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HASSLE-FREE AUTO BUYING FROM CREWCAR & CONSUMER
GUIDES
Don't go blindly into a dealership when purchasing a
vehicle; look to CrewCar. CrewCar is a car-buying service
providing shoppers with a complimentary integrated phone and
electronic concierge-level buying service offering value nationwide.
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. |
| SPONSOR NEWS |
THE
DECEMBER ISSUE OF IFR MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS:
"Three
Flavors of Ice" — no, not rime, clear, and mixed —
horizontal, vertical, and diagonal; "CAT II for the CAT I Pilot"
— extras with the differences; "Don't Read the NOTAMS" — a
better way; "Waypoints Go AWOL" — getting around GPS quirks;
"Arriving on a Stump" — a slot, that is; "The Real Checkride"
— it's IMC that counts. PLUS: The controller's union looks
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never existed; and poorly designed plates could have you shooting the
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_____________________________________
We Welcome Your
Feedback!
AVflash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest aviation news,
articles, products, features and events featured on AVweb, the
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Today's issue written by News Writer Mary Grady:
http://www.avweb.com/contact/authors.html#mgrady
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