HOUSE REJECTS TRACON CONSOLIDATIONS
The House dealt a significant blow (psychologically, anyway) to the FAA's cost-cutting plans last week when it included language in the agency's appropriations bill that would prevent it from spending money to combine terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities. The FAA says it can save millions of dollars a year by having larger and fewer TRACONs but the political fallout that has ensued may prevent the move. Although a similar measure would have to be passed by the Senate, there are indications of similar support there. More...

FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVES LEAD THE CHARGE
Although Democrats have traditionally been opposed to these types of measures, this amendment has bilateral support and was sparked by the FAA's intention to move the Palm Beach TRACON to Miami. Two Republicans, Mark Foley and Clay Shaw, joined Democrat Robert Wexler in backing the amendment, which was proposed by Alcee Hastings, another Florida Democrat. In a letter to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, Hastings said putting all of South Florida's TRACONs under one roof would be a risky venture. "If a terrorist attack or natural disaster were to strike the Miami TRACON, then all three major international airports would lose their approach radar systems," the congressmen wrote. More...

FAA DEFENDS CONSOLIDATION
FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told reporters that other TRACON consolidations have been accomplished with no impact on safety and they do save money. She also discounted the Florida delegation's fears about hurricanes and other threats to service. "When we build a facility in an area prone to natural disasters, we make the facility capable of handling those kinds of events," Brown said. "We also have procedures in place so other facilities can handle the air space that that facility handles." The National Air Traffic Controllers Association disagreed with Brown, saying the consolidations threaten safety. More...

STC APPLICATIONS RAISE ISSUES
Anyone who's owned a vehicle with one knows that a diesel engine is a different animal, requiring different care and feeding. Well, the same goes for aircraft applications and the FAA has come out with a list of special conditions that must be satisfied before the switch is made from 100LL to Jet-A. And while you'd expect there to be some regulatory requirements, the list is (so far) pretty long and deals with some rather esoteric distinctions between the two types of mills. More...

FAA'S SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR ALTERNATE TECHNOLOGY
In a torrent of regulatory verbosity last week, the FAA issued five diesel-related notices of proposed special conditions dealing with its concerns about putting Jet-A-powered engines in planes designed to use 100 LL. It detailed the many and varied factors that those seeking diesel STCs from the two main manufacturers will have to consider and prove not to be a threat to the safety of the aircraft. For instance, diesels tend to vibrate more (or differently) and the FAA wants to ensure the vibration (including the shaking that would result from one cylinder shutting down) isn't beyond the tolerances of the airplane. It's also concerned about the effect of diesel on fuel-system components, the adaptation of wiring and other systems, fuel grades, fuel filters and a host of other technicalities. There are also requirements to protect the full authority digital engine controls (FADEC) from electrical interference. More...

DELTA TRIES TO DUMP PENSIONS
Delta Air Lines will try to dump its dysfunctional employee pension program on the beleaguered Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. effective Sept. 2. The bankrupt airline intends to apply to the courts to rid itself of the costly burden today. Delta's pensions are believed to be under-funded by about $10 billion. The move has been expected for some time and Delta's pilots have already said they won't oppose it. Word of the action came in a letter from Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein to Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson on Friday. More...

CESSNA DEMO MUSTANG FLIES
The first Cessna Mustang not designated for FAA certification testing took flight last week in a two hour and 20 minute flight that put it through all its functionality tests. The aircraft, serial number 003, is the first to come off the production line at Cessna's Independence, Kan., assembly plant (which is where the company's piston singles are made) and is destined to become the customer demonstration aircraft. Revenue-producing aircraft, serial numbers 004 to 015, are on the line in Independence in anticipation of certification by the end of the year and first deliveries in 2007. More...

SPACEPORT BOOM?
While regular airports all over the country struggle for survival, spaceports, which some might argue are a tad less practical, are a growth industry. Oklahoma is the latest to move to the starting line trying to cash in on the private space race. The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) was issued a Launch Site Operator Certificate by the FAA for its spaceport at Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, located adjacent to the town of Burns Flat, Okla. OSIDA spokesman Bill Khourie is predicting big things for the Oklahoma Spaceport. "The dream of many that Oklahoma would become the planet's premier location for the launch and recovery of suborbital reusable space vehicles is now a reality," he told Space.com. Rocketplane Ltd. will be its first space-bound tenant. More...

POWER LINES THREATEN PRIVATE STRIP
Power to the people of a rural Chicago suburb may come at the expense of a small private airport. ComEd is proposing to string high-voltage power lines about 410 feet from one end of the main runway at Reid Airport, near Huntley. The airport has an FAA certificate and is owned and operated by Bruce Starrenburg. He flies a T-6 out of the grass strip and other aircraft drop in from time to time. There are about 10-20 operations a week from the field, which is part of the 230-acre farm purchased by his father-in-law Howard Reid, then a Delta Air Lines pilot, in 1971. For 35 years Reid, and later Starrenburg, lived the dream of flying from their home but it seems likely the dream will end in 2008 with the completion of the power project. More...

FIREWALL FORWARD SHUTS DOWN
A well-known Colorado engine and general repair shop closed down earlier this month, maybe for good. Employees of Firewall Forward, in Loveland, Co., returned from lunch to find the doors locked. A total of 38 employees are out of work. Company CEO Andrew Chumney said the company had no other choice when its bank called about $1 million in loans. Chumney told The Coloradoan that Firewall Foreward was current with its payments but the bank pulled the financing based on the company's inability to turn a profit. He estimates the company will need an immediate cash injection of $2.5 million to get going again. More...

SERVICE BULLETIN INTERPRETATION FOUGHT
AOPA is fighting a potentially expensive NTSB ruling that it believes would allow manufacturers' service bulletins to carry the same legal weight as an airworthiness directive on Part 91 aircraft. The case revolved around an A&P mechanic's engine repair that did not comply with instructions contained in publications issued by the engine and parts manufacturers. The upshot of the legalese, according to AOPA, is that the NTSB's ruling in that case changes the service bulletins from an advisory nature to mandatory under the law. "That is neither AOPA's nor the FAA's interpretation of the regulations," said Luis Gutierrez, AOPA director of regulatory and certification policy. "Service bulletins are considered advisory, not mandatory, for Part 91 operators." Now, while it seems prudent that service bulletins be complied with, the difference here is in who decides what's mandatory -- the FAA, or individual companies. More...

BIG-SCREEN IN THE SKY
Blimps are often shown on television but a new aircraft from the Lightship Group is the television. The company, which builds advertising and promotion blimps, has figured out how to attach an array of LED screens to the envelope of a 170-by-55-foot blimp and display any image that could normally be played through a television. It can only display red during the day, but at night it can show a full color image. Full color for the day is coming. Lightship spokesman Toby Page told The Associated Press the sky-high screen is a real head-turner. "It totally rises above the clutter because this is the only one of its kind in the world," he said. More...

ON THE FLY...
NTSB recommended icing training for commercial pilots...
Chalk's awaits inspection standards from FAA...
Rocket helicopter tested...
F-14s say goodbye...
Air show pilot Scott Manning killed in crash. More...

AVWEB'S NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...
What have you heard? There might be something to it. If you've heard something that 130,000 pilots might want to know about, tell us. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. Our best stories start with your tips. More...

INTRODUCING AVWEB'S FUEL FINDER

For local prices, enter your U.S. ZIP Code or Airport Identifier: Fuel prices provided weekly by AirNav, based on prices from the past 2 weeks. Changes are relative to last week.

Ever wonder what the national average is for a gallon of avgas? Need to find up-to-the-minute fuel prices at all the FBOs along your route? Starting this week, you'll be able to answer those questions with our handy AVweb Fuel Finder (to your right). Featuring data provided by AirNav, the Fuel Finder will appear every Thursday in AVwebFlash -- listing the latest prices for 100LL and Jet A, along with a quick view of how those prices have changed in the last seven days. To get local fuel prices, just enter a U.S. ZIP Code or a 3- or 4-letter Airport Identifier into the Fuel Finder and click "Go." To get local fuel prices, visit the full-featured HTML Fuel Finder on www.AVweb.com. (Look in the upper right corner of the home page.)

PODCASTS
Online Now: Listen to, or take today's news with you. Find exclusive interviews featuring the biggest names in the business. AVweb's Podcast index, is available online. More...

NEW ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
COLUMNS
The Pilot's Lounge #101: Balloonatics
A quiet evening with little wind may be good for students to practice landings, but it's even better for those who like a flight in a balloon. AVweb's Rick Durden went along for a slow, relaxing, wind-directed flight.

More...

READER FEEDBACK ON AVWEB'S NEWS COVERAGE AND FEATURE ARTICLES ...
http://www.avweb.com/avmail/

Reader mail this week about British Airway's 747, NATCA vs. FAA, VLJs for commuting pilots and more.

More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: HOUMA JET CENTER

Nominate an FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions | Winning FBOs

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to HOUMA JET CENTER at KHUM, Houma, LA.

CAROL SCANLON told us, "THE BEST FBO RED CARPET TREATMENT AND FUEL PRICES IN THE COUNTRY. THEY NOT ONLY TAKE CARE OF YOUR PLANE THE SERVICE TO THE PILOT AND CREW IS WONDERFUL. THEIR EXTRA CARING TOUCH IS ONE THAT MAKES YOU PLAN TO STOP THERE ON EVERY CROSS COUNTRY TRIP."

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!

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...

SHORT FINAL...
No, that's not what I said.

"I was about to lift off with my instructor from a class D airport in a Robinson R-44. The route of flight would take us very near neighboring Class C airspace. The controller questioned us after we gave our initial heading..."

Controller: Staying clear of all airspaces?

My instructor: ...Except yours.

(short pause)

Controller: Did you just say, 'Up yours'?

We were both laughing too hard to respond. More...

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).

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