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 Use
Trade-A-Plane's New Search Feature to Search the Entire
Site — up to 10,000 ads — or just specific portions
from the advertiser and product indices. It's your choice. It's that
easy! Call Trade-A-Plane at (800) 337-5263, or go
online to " Buy, Sell, Fly!" Visit Trade-A-Plane at Sun 'n Fun Booths
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The Top Headlines From AVweb's Expanded, Illustrated News
Coverage At AVweb's
NewsWire. SENATOR
CALLS FOR AIRLINE MISSILE DEFENSE
Sen. Barbara Boxer
(D-Calif.) is calling on her colleagues to reignite programs to equip
airliners with anti-missile systems. Boxer told The Associated Press in
an interview that the Bush administration's apparent abandonment of the
initiative is a mistake. "We are being irresponsible by not moving
forward on this today," said Boxer. Congress has appropriated more than
$200 million for development of suitable systems (that, for instance,
don't drop white-hot magnesium on suburbs) and at least two companies
say they have systems that work, according to the AP report. However,
the Bush administration asked for only $4.9 million for the program in
its latest budget, a signal to some that it's been shot down
politically. More... THE
SURFACE-TO-AIR THREAT, PARANOIA AND PROBABILITY
Although it
(probably) hasn't happened on U.S. soil, missile attacks are a
disturbingly common cause of commercial aircraft crashes elsewhere.
There have been 24 commercial planes officially downed by shoulder-fired
missiles in the last 20 years, killing about 500 people, according to
The Associated Press. That figure does not include TWA
800 (July '96), EgyptAir 990 (Oct. '99), or AA 587 (Nov. '01). In each of those cases, a jumbo
jet and all aboard were lost near (or on) the south shore of Long
Island, N.Y. Each event spawned its own missile theories -- and some
came with scores of eyewitnesses. All ultimately were attributed by the
NTSB to other causes. Boxer says the U.S. should have received a wake-up
call last November when an American Airlines pilot reported seeing a rocket fly past just after
crossing the shoreline on departure from LAX. "American 612, can you
verify whether you saw a flare or a rocket?" radioed an air traffic
controller recorded on the ATC tapes. "It looked more like a rocket to
me," the pilot at first responded. More... ALMOST
NUMBER 25
The most recent attack was on a DHL cargo plane in 2003. The missile hit the A310's
left wing as it took off from Baghdad. The explosion and fire destroyed
the aircraft's hydraulic system, eliminating any cockpit-initiated use
of the control surfaces. The crew, using differential thrust only,
managed to haul the airliner into a pretty respectable approach and
landing and all of them walked away (see AVweb's NewsWire for the
PowerPoint presentation). A year earlier, an attack on an Israeli
airliner in Africa prompted action by the Israeli government.
More... |
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Your Mach 1 Headset at Aircraft SpruceMach 1's
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CIRRUS,
CESSNA ASKED TO JOIN DIAMOND IN CHINA
With Diamond already establishing partnerships in China, a published
report says Cirrus and Cessna have both been approached by the Chinese
government to jointly produce existing models or to develop new aircraft
for the Chinese market. According to Flight International, Xian General Aircraft Research
Institute (XGARI) is in active discussions with Cirrus and Cessna to
help satisfy what the Chinese government appears to believe is a
burgeoning market there. "It's a nearly empty market in China. Only 350
[GA] aircraft are flying. We need more," XGARI President Li Daming told
Flight International. "The market demand is urgent. We welcome a Western
manufacturer to do joint design or joint manufacturing." However, Cirrus
told AVweb yesterday that you shouldn't anytime soon count on a
groundbreaking in China for a Cirrus factory. More... CHINA
EXPLORES DOMESTIC-BUILT VLJS
China is also predicting a boom
in light jets although it seems to want that market to itself. China's
First Aircraft Design Institute is examining the feasibility of an
indigenously designed and built aircraft but it has to decide whether
turboprops or jets will be in greater demand. There's not much current
market data available. There are only three privately owned bizjets in
all of China, a Beechcraft Premier 1 owned by a chemical company and two
Citations owned by an air conditioning company. However, more are
reportedly on order and, according to Flight International, a study done
by Embraer suggests there's immediate potential for more than 500 sales.
However, China doesn't make it easy to buy a private jet.
More... AS
MADE IN CHINA PISTON SINGLE TESTS ITS WINGS
China's fledgling
GA industry got off the ground in 2004 with the first flight of the Sky Car, a six-place low-wing with a price tag of
about $450,000. The plane still hasn't been certified and
project-managing Nanjing Light Aircraft says that without the paperwork
it's been unable to generate any sales. "Over a dozen customers are
interested and have intent to buy, but no contract yet," Nanjing
spokeswoman Yu Enfeng told Flight International. "Without an
airworthiness certificate we can't sign contracts with customers." (A
novel concept.) Certification is expected in August. More... |
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 PowerlinkTM FADEC
Certified on Liberty XL-2; Is It Right for Your
Aircraft?Liberty Aerospace is the first certified
piston-powered aircraft with PowerLinkTM FADEC as standard equipment.
PowerLink TM FADEC is now also available
for several additional certified and experimental aircraft, including
the A-36 Bonanza and VANS RV series. Find out how you can bring your
aircraft into the state-of-the-art online. Visit TCM at Sun 'n Fun Booths
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LUSCOMBE
FOUR-SEATER REVIVED (AGAIN)
The name may have changed but the
airplane remains the same as Quartz Mountain Aerospace (formerly
Luscombe Aircraft Corp.) rolled out the Model 11E for the TV cameras at Wiley
Post Airport in Oklahoma City earlier this week. The revival version of
the 11E, which has a modern engine, avionics and other gear, has been
around for years and is fully certified but there's never been enough
financial backing to get into full production. Quartz Mountain is hoping
that its partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Career and
Technology Education will give it part of the boost needed to get into
production. The state-funded agency is essentially training a labor
force for the aircraft company in a facility next to the Quartz Mountain
factory in Altus, Okla. The first graduating class is already working
there. But it takes more than government-sponsored training to get an
airplane into production. More... PRIVATIZED
FSS SETTLEMENT
Automated Flight Service Station employees,
who now work for Lockheed Martin, will likely continue to be represented
by the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists (NAATS) following
a deal reached between the two earlier this week. NAATS and Lockheed
Martin have agreed to allow the National Labor Relations Board to
conduct a secret-ballot vote among flight service station employees to
see if they want to continue being unionized. According to a news
release issued by NAATS, Lockheed Martin has agreed to respect the
outcome of the vote and begin contract negotiations if the workers
embrace the union. NAATS President Kate Breen said the settlement could
prevent years of expensive legal wrangling. More... |
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 LightSPEED's MACH 1 Headset Has Custom-Fitted
EarpiecesFound in the ears of competitive race car
drivers and NASA astronauts, pilots can now opt for custom-molded
earpieces. MACH 1 customized earpieces provide the ultimate
comfort. Fitted perfectly for your ear canals, these earpieces block out
ambient noise while getting concert-hall sound quality. For more
information on the MACH 1 and optional earpieces, contact
LightSPEED at (800) 332-2421 during business hours (PST).
Or visit online. Try it out at Sun 'n Fun Booths #D-052-053 &
075
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KIWI
PILOT ADMITS FAKING DITCHING
It was the perfect crime, right
up until someone found, high and dry, the airplane that Howard Jamison
claimed was under water somewhere off the coast of New Zealand. As AVweb told you in February, the Ashburton
skydive operator was charged after the plane was found. Last week
Jamison admitted to concocting an elaborate scheme to claim a $258,000
NZD insurance settlement aimed at getting him back on his feet
financially. He pleaded guilty in court to two charges of using a
document to obtain pecuniary advantage, according to a story in NZ
Lawyer. Now, he faces a possible jail term and will likely have to sell
off all of his assets, including the Cessna 185 he "ditched" in a
storage container. More... COAST
GUARD PILOTS HONORED FOR KATRINA EFFORTS
With winds howling
at more than 70 mph and his rescue basket tangled in a tree, Coast Guard
Lt. David Johnston battled the elements as crewmen freed the cable and
then went looking for more people to rescue in the devastation left by
Hurricane Katrina last Aug. 29. Flying an HH-65B helicopter in
conditions few of us could fathom, Johnston and his crew rescued a total
of 43 people around Port Sulphur, La., as the trailing edge of Katrina
blew through. For his efforts that day and for days afterward, Johnston
was among three pilots from the Coast Guard's New Orleans Air Station
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross earlier this week. Johnston, of
Olympia, Wash., and his crewmates were the leading edge of a massive
rescue operation that would eventually see 33,000 people evacuated by
air and boat by the Coast Guard. More... |
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 The SJ30-2 Is
the World's Fastest Light Business JetNot only is it
fast; it has intercontinental range -- 560 mph and over 2800 sm
range. The SJ30-2 is the most advanced light business jet in the
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Click
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DELTA
MAY DUMP COMAIR, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS THREATEN STRIKE
If you
think service with a smile is a rare commodity in airlines today, we can
only imagine how hard it would be for Comair flight attendants to keep a
positive attitude at these rates. The Delta-owned regional carrier is
asking a bankruptcy court to allow a pay reduction of more than $10,000
annually, leaving the average Comair attendant with a salary of less
than $18,000. The attendants have threatened to strike and bankruptcy
judge Adlai Hardin has recommended the two sides negotiate a deal rather
than have him rule on it. It's all part of a restructuring bid put forth
by the wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta that the parent company's CFO
says may be rewarded by an attempt to sell the regional carrier. "If
Comair is able to restructure, we will explore the possibility of
monetization," Edward Bastian told the court. More... RECORD-SETTING
PILOT KILLED IN PATTERN CRASH
He soared over Mt. Everest in a
hang glider, crossed the Mediterranean in one and set myriad aviation
records, but died in what appears to be the most ironic circumstances at
an air show in Italy. Angelo D'Arrigo, also known as the Human Condor, was
the passenger in a Sky Arrow 650 TNT that crashed on approach, according
to witnesses, and dove into an olive grove beside the airport at Comiso.
The plane was flown by retired Italian Air Force Gen. Giulio De Marchis,
described as an experienced pilot. Sky Arrow spokeswoman Arabella
Bortolotti said the accident shocked those who knew the victims. "It's
mind boggling to think that two of Italy's best pilots were aboard," she
told ANSA.it. More... |
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The World's Greatest Headset Is the One You
Already OwnTM — with an
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of equipment. Oregon Aero also offers custom-designed, shock-insulated
headset bags to protect your investment. Visit Oregon Aero online to select the right Upgrade
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Oregon Aero at Sun 'n Fun Booths #A-040-042
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ON
THE FLY...
Blakey confirmed visit to Sun 'n
Fun…
Meigs anniversary marked…
Long Beach Airport tries
flashing PAPIs to prevent incursions...
Second World War Ace Pierre
Clostermann died…
More... |
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CS&A Represents Over 40 Property &
Casualty Underwriting Companies, including all major aviation
insurance markets. CS&A Aviation Insurance is able to meet
your needs for aircraft coverage and competitive pricing. The veteran
CS&A staff of specialists have the knowledge to ensure each client
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no-obligation quote, call (800) 761-2557, or go
online.
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NEW
ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
COLUMNS
Say Again?
#61: It's Here!
Some of Don Brown's predictions about safety
compromises caused by lack of ATC staffing are starting to come true.
And if the number of planes increases (see VLJs) before the number of
controllers does, we might see a hurricane of accidents and the FAA may
replace FEMA as the agency of ill repute. More... |
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One Product -- Everything You Need!
Preflight to Enroute!The Voyager Flight Software
System integrates all the flight information you need into one
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FBO
OF THE WEEK: PREFERRED JET CENTER
 AVweb's "FBO of the
Week" contest is sponsored by Aviation
Safety magazine, the monthly journal of risk management and
accident prevention. This week's FBO of the Week ribbon belongs to Preferred Jet
Center at KRYY in Atlanta, Georgia. John Austin wrote
us to say, "I fly a 206 but am treated like I came in a jet!" ... "they
bring my rental car out on the ramp, assist with my luggage" ... and
when there for a brief visit "have been generous with a courtesy
car." Keep those
nominations coming. AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in
the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here
next Monday! More... |
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Don't Leave the Financing of Your Dream
Airplane to Chance!Dorr Aviation Credit
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45 years. Dorr will personally work with you using their years of
experience and service to bring you the best choice in aircraft
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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... |
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When It Comes to Aircraft Insurance, the
Choice Is EasyThe AOPA Insurance Agency is the
only agency that offers the built-in expertise of AOPA's 66+ years'
commitment to general aviation and the only aircraft insurance agency
qualified to carry the AOPA name. More than 405,000 pilots trust AOPA
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call anyone else? One call to the AOPA Insurance Agency, and you'll have
multiple quotes from major A-rated underwriters in minutes. Call AOPA
Insurance Agency for a complimentary quote at (800) 622-2672,
or go online. Visit the AOPA at Sun 'n Fun Booths
#SNF-010
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QUESTION
OF THE WEEK
This week, AVweb wants to know how you feel about
expensive missile defense initiatives. PLUS: Results of last week's
question about new taxi-and-hold procedures. More... |
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DA40 Diamond Star a Fleet
FavoriteAirline Transport Professionals, Beijing PanAm,
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University CAPT, Empire Aviation, Middle
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PICTURE
OF THE WEEK
 We have a slightly shorter
installment of "Picture of the Week" for you today, as we're preparing
for next week's Sun 'n
Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida. As usual, we'll be skipping "POTW"
next week in favor of bringing you all the sights (and some of the
sounds) of the air show that kicks off the spring season in our neck of
the woods. If you plan on attending the show, please remember to visit with our
sponsors and thank them helping us pay the bills. And while you're
at, keep your eyes peeled for AVweb staffers. We're hoping to meet lots
of you at the show and hear what you have to say about us. If you're not
attending the show, don't forget to upload your
photos for our next "POTW" contest! Your entries will be safe and
sound on our server until we return from the show and resume the "POTW"
festivities on April 12. With two weeks' worth of submissions to choose
from, we hope to have a spectacular week. Speaking of which, this week's
selections aren't half bad, either! Trey
Carroll of Knightstown, Indiana takes the top honor this
week, with a photo of the spectacular WWII-era Corsair soaring across
the skies of the 21st Century. As usual, we'll be sending Trey an
official AVweb baseball hat to commemorate his top-notch photo.
More... |
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 AVWEB
APPRECIATES YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR SPONSORS, WHO BRING YOU
TODAY'S NEWS AND FEATURES AT NO COST TO YOU
Going to Sun 'n Fun? Plan on Visiting AVweb's
Sponsors!
Our sponsors help us bring you the news -- twice
a week -- at no cost to you. Please stop by their Sun 'n Fun booths to
say "thank you" for their support. Click
here for a list of AVweb sponsors attending the show and where to
find them.
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Finding aircraft share buyers
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Cessna Owners
Do you need to modernize your old, tired
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Visit Narco at Sun 'n Fun Booth
#B-082 Bring Digital Audio
Technology to Your Aircraft
With the flying season just
around the corner, owners of retractable-gear aircraft can add an extra
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landing gear position, Vne overspeed, stall warning, and output for a
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#C-034 If You Are Looking
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A pilot's
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AVwebFlash is a twice-weekly summary of the latest news, articles,
products, features, and events featured on AVweb,
the internet's aviation magazine and news service.
Today's issue was written by news writer Russ Niles (bio).
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.
Have a product or service to advertise on AVweb? A question on
marketing? Send it to AVweb's
sales team.
If you're having trouble reading this newsletter in
its HTML-rich format (or if you'd prefer a lighter, simpler format for
your PDA or handheld device), there's also a text-only version of
AVwebFlash. For complete instructions on making the switch, click
here.
Freedom, independence, responsibility.
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