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 Mach 1 Headset
by LightSPEED: Sleek, Durable &
Ultra-ComfortableAfter years of pilot input,
LightSPEED has introduced the MACH 1, a high-performance
in-the-ear (ITE) headset. The "born to be worn" MACH 1 packs a lot for
its size. Easily connect to cell phone and music interfaces while
getting supreme comfort with unbelievable noise attenuation. To order,
contact a LightSPEED dealer or call (800) 332-2421 (PST
business hours). Click here to view the 60-second MACH 1 video.
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The Top Headlines From AVweb's Expanded, Illustrated News
Coverage At AVweb's
NewsWire. DIAMOND
D-JET FIRST FLIGHT
Diamond
Aircraft flew its single-engine D-Jet SN001 for the first time
Tuesday afternoon, taking off from London International Airport in
Ontario, home of Diamond's North American operation. After a run of
high-speed taxi and rotation tests, the jet lifted off at 5:08 p.m. and
flew for an hour and six minutes. Nineteen distinct test points were
completed, the company said in a news release yesterday. The jet climbed
to 12,000 feet, and checked for stability and control with flaps and
landing gear extended and retracted. The test speeds ranged from slow
flight at 1.1 Vs to 160 KIAS. Engine and systems tests were successfully
performed, as well as roll rate and lateral directional stability tests
and simulated landing at altitude, the company said. See AVweb's
NewsWire for in-flight images and Diamond's full press release.
More... COMPANY
IS ECSTATIC
"We are absolutely delighted with this flight,"
said Diamond CEO Christian Dries, who flew the chase aircraft. "The test
flight went exactly as planned. ... Our crew did a fabulous job." The
D-Jet is a five-seat single-engine personal jet, powered by the
FADEC-controlled Williams FJ33 turbine and equipped with Garmin
all-glass flight deck and autopilot. Diamond has said it has orders for
125 copies of the D-Jet, which are expected to sell for under $1 million
each. The jet's maximum altitude target is 25,000 feet and the cruise
target is 315 knots. As for delivery, one flight school is laying plans
to be near the head of the line. 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
sky today -- the perfect package of speed, range, and good looks.
Click
here for details.
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AIR
TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS READY TO TALK
Contract talks between the
FAA and air traffic controllers remain at impasse, but John Carr,
president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA),
claims it doesn't have to be that way. "We have always been dedicated to
good-faith bargaining and a voluntary agreement, and we still believe
both good faith and an agreement are possible," he said in a news release on Tuesday. Carr was responding to
Monday's AVweb story that quoted an FAA spokesman who said the
agency would welcome renewed talks if there was some movement from NATCA
on the issue of new-hire pay scales. On March 31, NATCA circulated a
press release stating in its headline, "...Talks Break Down."
More... FAA
REITERATES IMPASSE POSITION
"John Carr is grasping at
straws," FAA spokesman Geoffrey Basye told AVweb on Tuesday. "The
FAA remains at impasse in its contract negotiations with NATCA." Basye
said the FAA already has spent more than nine months in negotiations at
a cost to the taxpayers of $2.3 million, and the two sides remain far
apart on pay and work rules. The decision to declare impasse is "in
accordance with the procedures Congress established in 1996," he said.
Congress has 60 days to review the proposal. "The clock is ticking.
Congress can act on it, or the clock can run out. It's out of our
control now," Basye said. If the clock runs out, the last offer will
stand. More... FAA/NATCA
NOW WRANGLE FOR POPULAR OPINION
"NATCA has shown significant
movement at the table," Carr said. "We proposed $1.4 billion in
concessions, and we are still willing to get back to the table and work
on our proposal and theirs, continuing to negotiate in good faith to
secure a voluntary agreement." Basye said NATCA "has shown no
willingness to meet in the middle. We are still $600 million apart on
the wage issue, and their work-rule proposals are outrageous." In its
62-page submission to Congress,, the FAA details each of its
proposals and the union's objections, from pay scale, overtime, and
annual-leave issues to dress-code disputes. NATCA described the FAA document as "a collection of
revisionist history, misrepresentation, finger pointing and contempt for
the role of the Legislative branch." More... |
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 Aircraft Spruce
Introduces MBX(R) Remove-All
SystemThe MBX(R)
System is the latest German technology for surface preparation. It
is the ultimate power tool to remove seam sealant, corrosion, paint,
vinyl decals, adhesives, and glue on aluminum and alloy. The
MBX(R) Starter Set includes the
MBX (R) Pneumatic Power Tool S (3500rpm,
90psi, 4cfm), the adapter systems for 11mm & 23mm brush belts &
31mm Rubber Eraser, a Fine 11mm V2A Brush Belt, a Medium 11mm V2A Brush
Belt, and the Rubber Eraser wheel (31mm). Call 877-4-SPRUCE, or
visit
online.
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INSPIRING
FUTURE PILOTS
As EAA works to give introductory flights in GA
aircraft to another million Young Eagles, other programs around
the country also turn to aviation as a source of inspiration for youth.
In Naples, Fla., third-graders last week took a tour of the local
airport, and pupils who read more than 100 books get to go flying. "It's
so neat," teacher Diane Rowe told The Naples News. "The idea is to turn them on to
reading outside of the classroom." The airport tour is meant to inspire
them further, by showing them the airplanes and terminals up close. Rowe
said she hopes at least 40 students will meet the reading challenge in
time for this Saturday's flights. More... AND
FUNDING PILOT TRAINING
Getting kids excited about aviation is
one thing, but helping them to follow it as a career and find the money
for flight training is another. For one aspiring pilot, help came from
an unexpected source -- the Montel Williams Show. Randy Waldron, 24, of
Revere, Mass., works as a flight attendant, but his dream is to fly.
That dream was derailed when he reportedly discovered his credit rating
had been ruined by his own father, who allegedly used his identity to
run up thousands of dollars in debts, leaving Waldron with no way to pay
for training. A producer from the show called Daniel Webster College, in
Nashua, N.H., and Waldron was offered a $54,000 scholarship.
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.
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COURTS
ADDRESS AVIATION SAFETY, LIABILITY ISSUES
Hendrick
Motorsports has filed suit against the U.S. government over the 2004
crash that killed 10 people near Martinsville, Va., according to SceneDaily.com, alleging that the feds should
contribute to the paying of damages if any negligence is found. Hendrick
believes the actions of air traffic controllers contributed to the
crash, SceneDaily.com reported. The NTSB blamed the crash on the flight crew's failure
to properly execute a missed approach, which resulted in controlled
flight into terrain. Another issue being hammered out in court is
whether or not faulty parts have been used in the assembly of Boeing
737s, and if so, whether they pose any danger. More... A
NEW NICHE FOR LSAS? AIRBORNE PREDATOR CONTROL
Ranchers in the
American West have been saying for years that when it comes to shooting
coyotes that threaten their livestock, powered parachutes are the way to
go. But the FAA disagreed, saying ultralight aircraft are for sport and
recreation only. Now with the advent of the Light Sport Aircraft rules,
that obstacle is gone. "Ranchers can take eight hours of instruction,
pay a small certification fee and then just take a felt pen to write
your 'N' number on the side of your craft and bingo, you're legal,"
ranch lobbyist Stanley Boyd told The Associated Press. According to the AP, the
FAA has OK'd the use of LSAs for aerial hunting. More... |
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The 2006 New Piper Mirage Offers Serious
SophisticationAvidyne's Flightmax Entegra Integrated
Flight Deck is standard equipment on the New Piper Mirage. Three
flight displays, moving map, Garmin GNS 430, autopilot, color radar
system, and dual Air Data/Attitude and Heading Reference System (ADAHRS)
combine to provide serious sophistication for a higher level of
confidence. Click here for complete information on the New Piper
Mirage.
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WSI
OFFERS "FREE" HARDWARE UPGRADES
Faced with concerns about the
long-term viability of the satellite network that provides data to its
popular cockpit aviation weather system, WSI recently announced a partnership with Sirius
Satellite Radio. But with that deal in place, WSI now is faced with
another problem ... how to update all of its customers' hardware. The
company has announced a rebate program that will offer "free" upgrades
to customers who sign up for four years of service. Lesser rebates will
offset costs to those who renew their contracts for shorter periods. The
rebates apply to all WSI InFlight subscribers who purchased their system
on or before Feb. 7, 2006. More... RADAR
FOR YOUR PC
With the AerFlight Virtual Radar system, just about any
desktop PC can be turned into a virtual ATC-style radar screen. The
AerFlight captures the Mode-S signals emitted by aircraft. Users can
control parameters such as range, data displayed, waypoints and
geographic outlines. Online databases provide extensive details for each
aircraft. AerFlight VR software also can communicate with other users,
providing real-time, live airspace traffic positioning around the world.
The system is being marketed as a security asset and to anyone with an
interest in what's going on in the airspace above them, including flight
departments, FBOs, flight schools and aviation enthusiasts.
More... |
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Pilots Know They Need to Protect &
Improve Their EyesAs a pilot, Brian Grote knows that
visual acuity is an asset he can't afford to lose. After years of
declining vision, he's finally found an all-natural supplement that may
help protect and improve the health of his eyes for years to come. Click
here to find out more about Claroxan, an all-natural
supplement for your eyes.
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TWIN
BEECH HITS SUV AND TERMINAL, THREE KILLED
All three people on
board were killed when a Beechcraft Duke crashed shortly after taking
off from Gainesville (Fla.) Regional Airport on Sunday. The airplane hit
a Ford Explorer in the airport parking lot then both vehicles crashed
through a wall into the terminal. The airplane had just been fully
fueled, and an intense fire ensued. Nobody on the ground was hurt. No
distress call was made, an FAA spokeswoman told The Associated
Press. The pilot, Guiseppe Basile, 69, was a retired University of
Florida engineering professor. Steve Varosi, 40, was a former student.
Also on board was Varosi's nephew Michael Varosi, 12. The two men had
been working on an autopilot system together, according to The Gainesville Sun. More... TOWER
AT SEA-TAC MYSTERIOUSLY SILENT FOR HALF HOUR
At about 3:15
a.m. on April 11, the crew of a 747-400 inbound to Seattle-Tacoma
Airport radioed the tower for permission to land. There was no response.
On the ground, a Delta jet was ready to back away from the gate, but
also got silence on the frequency. The 747 crew reached someone in a
nearby radar facility, who sent a guard to the tower, and at 3:40 the
facility was back online. An airport spokesman said the incident was
under investigation, and the FAA had no comment. Only one person was
required to be on duty in the tower cab during that time, but starting
the next day, minimum staffing was upped to two. More... |
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DA40 Diamond Star a Fleet
FavoriteAirline Transport Professionals, Beijing PanAm,
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University CAPT, Empire Aviation, Middle
Tennessee State University, and Utah Valley State College -- all
have selected the G1000-equipped DA40 Diamond Star. For value,
efficiency, and safety, the DA40 is the fleet favorite. For more
information, click here.
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ECLIPSE
CUSTOMER ROLLOUT DELAYED
DayJet, a new company that plans to pioneer
point-to-point, on-demand service for business travelers with a fleet of
Eclipse 500 jets, last week postponed a rollout announcement. A conflict in
executive schedules caused the delay, DayJet's public-relations company,
Schwartz Communications, told AVweb yesterday. No date has been
set to reschedule the event. DayJet has said it plans to launch its
service from Delray Beach, Fla., toward the end of 2006, "subject to
receipt of the necessary government operating authority." The company
says it has 239 Eclipse jets on order, with options to purchase 70 more.
More... ON
THE FLY...
Boeing to lay off 900 workers in Wichita,
Kan....
Rob Penrod joined Adam Aircraft as VP of
manufacturing...
A vintage Aeronca crashed in a N.H. schoolyard,
nobody was hurt...
Airline pilots are biking 3,000 miles for a 9/11
memorial...
Liberty XL2 goes for European market...
BA pilot asked
pax if he could have a ride home, none offered...
A hearing-impaired
pilot flying around the world in a TwinStar...
NTSB member Ellen
Engleman Conners, former chair, to leave May 31. More... |
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Avidyne Introduces Large-Format Version of
MHAS6000Avidyne has a large-format version of the
MHAS6000 Multi-Hazard Avoidance System featuring the Avidyne
FlightMax (R) EX5000 Multi-Function
Display (MFD) and TAS600 Series active surveillance traffic system. It
joins the FlightMax EX500 version as a comprehensive situational
awareness package available immediately for retrofit installation in
most general aviation aircraft with savings of up to $3,000 over
individual system purchases. For
complete details, go online.
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AVWEB
PODCASTS
Visit AVweb's homepage each Friday for new podcasts.
Online Now: A recap of Monday's news, including information not
available in AVweb's Flash or NewsWire. Click here to
listen. Subscribe
free to AVweb's podcasts and receive them automatically,
or check this spot each Monday and Friday to download them individually
for listening on your computer, iPod, or while traveling with any MP3
player. Find AVweb's Podcast index, here. The content includes exclusive interviews
with Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier, FAA administrator Marion Blakey,
and more... More... NEW
ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
BRAINTEASERS
Quiz #106: Fly
Raw Cross-Country
Long before GPS, pilots navigated with compass,
plotter, and E6-B computer. Lindbergh found his way to Paris using a
cheese sandwich. You, too, can dead-reckon like an aviation pioneer by
testing a few basic skills More... |
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Attention, Piper Owners and
Pilots!The Piper Flyer Association ( PFA)
provides parts locating, tech support, a monthly member magazine, online
forums, national and regional events, an annual convention, seminars,
and more. With a one-year membership for $39, access the needed
information to expand your knowledge and get more enjoyment from owning
and flying your Piper aircraft. The PFA is located on the Waupaca
Municipal Airport in Wisconsin, just 35 miles NW of Oshkosh. For more
information, and to request a sample copy of the magazine, click
here.
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FBO
OF THE WEEK: ACKER AVIATION
 AVweb's "FBO of the
Week" contest is sponsored by Aviation
Safety magazine, the monthly journal of risk management and
accident prevention.
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers
who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week"
contest. Today's ribbon finds its target in Michigan. AVweb's "FBO of
the Week" ribbon goes to ACKER AVIATION at 48D, Clare
Municipal Airport, Michigan. MARCELAINE LEWIS put it simply,
"THE WELCOME MAT SAYS IT ALL. IT'S A RUNWAY LEADING RIGHT IN THE DOOR.
IF YOU'VE MADE YOUR POSITION REPORTS 10 MILES OUT, YOU ARE GREETED BY
THE FRAGRANCE OF A FRESHLY BAKED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE! SMILING AIRPORT
MANAGER." Keep those
nominations coming. Click here to nominate
your favorite FBO and here for complete contest
rules 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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Tired of the High Cost of Fuel? GAMIjectors
Are the Answer!Don't be grounded by sky-high gas prices.
Install GAMIjectors, and you could see up to a 20% cut in your
aircraft's fuel bill. Balanced fuel/air ratios make your aircraft's
engine run smoother, cooler, and more efficiently. Call
888-FLY-GAMI, or order a
kit online for your Continental or Lycoming engine.
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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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Bring Digital Audio Technology to Your
AircraftWith the flying season getting into full swing,
owners of retractable-gear aircraft can add an extra margin of safety by
installing a P2 Audio Advisory System. Just like the new jets,
the system combines audio and visual advisories for landing gear
position, Vne overspeed, stall warning, and output for a Hobbs meter.
Digital voice technology actually speaks to the pilot via headset and/or
speaker: "GEAR IS DOWN FOR LANDING"; "OVERSPEED"; "CHECK GEAR"; and
"STALL." Regularly priced at $1,795, these systems are now available for
$1,295. To order, call (888) 921-8350; or learn more online.
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QUESTION
OF THE WEEK
If we gave you a closetful of cash — but
only enough for one jet — which VLJ would you choose? Chime in with
this week's "QOTW" poll. PLUS: Results of last week's question on
crankshaft replacement costs. More... PICTURE
OF THE WEEK
 Two weeks out from Sun 'n
Fun, the photos are starting to roll in. Pictures from the Florida
fly-in dominate our current batch of "POTW" entries. As
it turns out, many AVweb readers attended the show this year and had
their cameras on hand. (Good thing, too, since you folks saw some
things we missed!) Of all the Sun 'n Fun pics — and a few
stunning non-air show pictures — our favorite this week came
from Rich Spolar of Orlando,
Florida. Rich submitted several photos from the show, but (alas!)
we had to choose only one. 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
FAA-Approved Flight
Instructor Refresher Clinic (FIRC) from ASA
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web site. See What ATC Sees & Then
See What They Do with the Information
The AVweb Edition
of Flight Explorer is the PC-based graphical aircraft situation
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Plus: Showing the risks in flying various
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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 Mary Grady (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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