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Aircraft Spruce Carries the Redline STIFFY Tow
Bar
A spring-loaded, reversible one-way ratchet that delivers tremendous
power and allows the wheel to continue rolling in the direction it is
being levered, but it has to be "unlocked" in order to allow
movement in the other direction. Traction on the tire supplied by
quot;teeth" on the "friction pad." The basic system
consists of two pieces (special one-piece tow bar and the STIFFY
mechanism). For more information, please call Aircraft Spruce at
1-877-4-SPRUCE or visit online.
TOWERS,
MONEY, AND CONTROLLERS Although conflict over staffing levels
for air traffic control has been simmering for years between the FAA and
the controllers union, last week's fatal crash in Lexington, Ky., has
upped the rhetoric. The FAA said this week that towers at Duluth, Minn., and
Fargo, N.D., were the only towers besides Lexington that have both
ground and radar functions that didn't have two controllers on duty
Sunday night. In New York, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is demanding that all
towers in the state must be fully staffed around the clock. He also
wants Congress to allocate $60 million to replace the 42-year-old tower
at LaGuardia Airport, which has been plagued by leaks and power
problems. "The FAA says we don't need as many controllers because we
have updated our equipment, but they haven't updated the equipment, at
LaGuardia and at too many other towers," Schumer said.
More...
NATCA:
UNDERSTAFFING IS WIDESPREAD "It isn't just about one-person
midnight shifts and airports like LEX," Ruth Marlin, executive vice
president for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA),
told The Eagle Tribune. "The FAA is short-staffed at
O'Hare, Atlanta and Dallas towers. If you don't have enough people, you
either can't provide the service or can't maintain the safety margin."
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said last week at a news conference in
Louisville, Ky., that staffing is not a problem. "Overall, across the
country, we do not have a shortage of air-traffic controllers," Blakey
said. Dr. Charles Czeisler, professor of sleep medicine at Harvard
Medical School, told The Eagle Tribune that the sleep-deprived schedule
kept by the lone Lexington controller could cause attention lapses and
cut reaction time. More...
WILL
CONGRESS TAKE ACTION? The senator from New York is not the
only voice in Washington calling for change. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn.,
and Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., who are both on the House
transportation committee, have demanded an investigation by the
Transportation Department's inspector general, USA Today reports. "In aviation, there's no curb to
pull over and look under the hood," Oberstar said. "What you're always
looking for is widening the margin of safety." On Tuesday, The Associated Press reported that a control tower
supervisor at Lexington had filed an anonymous safety report with
NASA in 2004. More...
PowerLink™ FADEC Certified on Liberty
XL-2; Is It Right for Your Aircraft? Liberty Aerospace is the first certified piston-powered aircraft
with PowerLink™ FADEC as standard equipment. PowerLink™
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.
MARY
PETERS CHOSEN TO SUCCEED MINETA Mary Peters has been nominated by President Bush to take over Norman
Mineta's cabinet seat as Secretary of Transportation, the White House
announced on Tuesday. Peters was formerly the head of the Federal
Highway Administration and director of the Arizona Department of
Transportation. She is currently working in the private sector as a
transportation policy analyst. "Mary has a reputation for character and
common sense," the president said. "She's an innovative thinker. She
knows how to set priorities and to solve problems." In accepting the
nomination, Peters noted that the nation's transportation infrastructure
is "showing signs of aging." More...
ALPHABETS
ON DOT NOMINEE Within hours, AOPA, NBAA, EAA, and the General
Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) had issued statements reacting
to the announcement. Their main concern -- what will be Peters' position
on user fees for GA? AOPA said the nominee would pose both an
"opportunity and [a] challenge." Her position on user fees is far from
clear. In the past, she has advocated for collecting highway tolls to
upgrade the road system. "That's because the highway trust fund is going
to go broke. The aviation trust fund isn't," said AOPA President Phil
Boyer. He added that, "While I don't yet know her personally, Mary
Peters has a reputation for honesty, integrity, and a willingness to
listen and understand all sides of an issue ... AOPA fully intends to
take every opportunity to take advantage of her good listening skills to
explain why user fees would be harmful to the world's best aviation
system." More...
GA
GROUPS DIG IN FOR INFLUENCE Boyer is not the only GA leader
ready to give Peters an earful about the needs of GA pilots. NBAA
President Ed Bolen said, "I look forward to working with Mary and
ensuring that she is fully aware of the concerns of business aviation."
GAMA President Pete Bunce said, "We congratulate Ms. Peters and look
forward to continuing the same great working relationship on aviation
issues that we had with Mr. Mineta." EAA President Tom Poberezny noted that Mineta leaves
big shoes to fill. "Secretary Mineta was a friend to EAA and to sport
and recreational aviation," he said. "Under his watch, the sport
pilot/light-sport aircraft rules became a reality. He's been to Oshkosh
on a number of occasions and we truly enjoyed working with him."
More...
Fly in Ultra-Comfort with LightSPEED
Headsets "Custom ear molds made my Mach 1 as quiet as any headset I've
tried." — Bing Lantis, President of Columbia Aircraft
Manufacturing. Discover what thousands of pilots already have: the most
comfortable headsets in the industry. The in-the-ear Mach 1
weighs less than 1 oz.; the full-size Thirty 3G, just under 16
oz. and uses soft conform-foam ear cushions. Try a LightSPEED
headset with a 30-day money-back guarantee. To order, contact a
LightSPEED dealer or call (800) 332-2421 (PST, business hours).
View the 60-second video clip!
TSA
ASKS FLIGHT SCHOOLS FOR EXTRA VIGILANCE Transportation
Security Administration officials have asked airport managers, flight
schools, flight-training providers, and aircraft operators to remain
vigilant for suspicious behavior and activities. The notice was prompted
by a recent undisclosed incident involving suspicious activities at
flight schools, the TSA said. The TSA advisory, issued on Friday, warns of continuing
Al-Qaeda efforts to conduct multiple attacks against the U.S., and says
those attacks may involve aviation. Owners of GA aircraft and airport
owners and operators are urged to review the security measures contained
in the TSA publication, "Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports,"
as well as AOPA's Airport Watch Program materials.
More...
A
RENTAL CAR/FBO CONNECTION A source of complication for many
GA pilots has always been that once you land, you still have to get to
your destination, and it's not always easy. One car-rental company is
trying to solve that problem, with a program aimed directly at GA
pilots. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the biggest car-rental company in North
America, has an easy-to-use Web portal, where pilots can plug in any airport
identifier and get immediate detailed information about rental-car
availability. In some cases, there is a branch on the airport, but if
not, Enterprise will deliver the car to your FBO or pick you up there
and shuttle you to their facility. The site lists what service is
available, as well as car models and prices. Response to the project has
been "tremendous," Enterprise spokesman Brad Carr told AVweb on
Tuesday. More...
Introducing New AeroShell® Oil W 80
Plus
The newest member of the AeroShell® family, AeroShell®
Oil W 80 Plus is designed to provide excellent protection for pilots who
fly in colder weather or less frequently. With the same anti-wear and
anti-corrosion additives found in AeroShell® W 100 PLUS, new
AeroShell® W 80 Plus provides pilots with a lighter
single-grade oil they can trust. Learn more online.
RIDING
THE MOUNTAIN WAVE When pilots Steve Fossett and Einar
Enevoldson reached 50,699 feet in a glider over the Andes last
week, there was more to it than just catching another world record. The
pair was conducting scientific research on atmospheric phenomena, trying
to learn more about the structure of mountain waves and how they
interact with polar winds. Because the stratosphere is generally stable,
with no thermal lifting, the only way for a glider to get up there is to
hitch a ride on mountain waves. The objective of Fossett and his team
was to "surf" from one wave to another, to climb as high as possible.
They tried for five seasons on three continents before reaching their
target height, surpassing the 1986 record by 1,662 feet.
More...
RC
AIRPLANE COLLIDES WITH PARAGLIDER A paraglider was flying
along above Utah last Friday, about 75 feet high, when he encountered an
airplane at his altitude ... which quickly became an unpleasant
surprise. The remote-controlled airplane, with a 21-inch wingspan,
dispensed enough force to disrupt the parafoil. The paraglider pilot,
Wade Hutchinson, 31, of Wyoming, crashed on the side of a slope, but was
spared serious injury. "That mountain helped break his fall," local
police officer Clint Fackrell told the Salt Lake
Tribune, referring to the angle of the terrain. The glider "folded
up" on impact, according to the Tribune (not much of a surprise
considering paraglider wings have no solid structural members).
Hutchinson was flown to a hospital by helicopter, but his injuries were
reported to be not life-threatening. More...
If Brokers Say They Cover the Whole Market, Why
Can't They Get a Quote from Us?
The fact is brokers can't get a quote from Avemco, the only
direct provider of aviation insurance. On top of that, only
Avemco lets you talk directly to the aviation underwriter for
fast, accurate answers in one simple phone call. Plus, Avemco
offers consistent rates and coverage as well as short,
easy-to-understand policies. So if a broker tells you he covers the
whole market, he's only telling you half the story. Call Avemco
at (888) 241-7891 or visit online to hear the rest of the story.
MU-2
CRASHES PROMPT MORE SAFETY QUESTIONS Two Mitsubishi MU-2
aircraft that crashed in the last two weeks in Florida have successfully
raised additional concern over the safety of the twin turboprop. The
MU-2 accident record prompted the FAA to undertake a safety review of the aircraft in December 2005. The
review found that although the airplane's fatal accident rate is about
2.5 times that of similar twin turboprops, the airplane is not
inherently unsafe. The FAA mandated extra training for MU-2 pilots. Last
Friday, Hardy Head, 64, was killed when the MU-2 he was flying crashed
in rural Walton County, Fla. On Aug. 26, Ward and Barb Walter, a
Michigan couple in their 60s, died when their MU-2 crashed near Ormond
Beach, Fla. The aircraft "operate more like a business jet than they do
a turboprop," FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen told the Daytona Beach News-Journal. More...
FLYING
FOR ADVENTURE Jim Carlaccini and John Long plan to fly from
Florida to California next month to raise money
for children's charities. They'll fly an FPNA A-22 Valor
LSA and an Airborne XT-912 trike. The trike has been adapted
with hand controls for Carlaccini, who uses a wheelchair since a
skydiving accident several years ago. Their trip will take about two
months. In South Africa, two rotary pilots plan to crisscross their country, one flying an R22 Robinson
helicopter and the other an ELA gyrocopter. More...
AVIATION
EDITOR WANTED Belvoir Media Group (AVweb's parent
company) is seeking an aviation writer/editor for a staff position at
Kitplanes magazine (AVweb's sibling). We're looking for someone
with a proven track record in writing, reporting and editing. The ideal
candidate -- we know you’re out there -- should have a good working
knowledge of experimental (amateur-built) aviation as well as a
broad-based background in general aviation. Familiarity with Adobe
InDesign page layout software and advanced flight ratings are a plus.
Contact editor@kitplanes.comMore...
The 2006 New Piper Mirage Offers Serious
Sophistication
Avidyne'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.
ON
THE FLY... Comair first officer's condition upgraded,
injuries detailed... Delta can terminate its pilots' pension plan, a
judge said... ATG chose Op Technologies avionics for its Javelin
Jet... Scott Carson is new CEO of Boeing Commercial
Airplanes... The A380 flew with 474 company employees on board
Monday... A German entrepreneur plans to launch an all-smokers'
airline... NTSB says firefighter didn't break up in flight, it was
CFIT... A new laser could power cheaper missile-defense systems for
aircraft... Qantas to offer in-flight wireless access and cellphone
service. 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 tonewstips@avweb.com. Our best
stories start with your tips. More...
Use the Best — ASA's 2007 FAR/AIMs and FAA
Exam Prep Now Available ASA's 2007 FAR/AIMs, Test Preps for pilots, and Fast-Track Test
Guides for AMTs are now available. Prepware combines all the information
in the Test Prep and Fast-Track Test Guide series in computer-based
training. Contains all FAA Knowledge Exam questions. Virtual Test Prep
lets students study from their TVs or computer DVD players. For complete
details about these products, visit ASA's web site.
Quiz #111: Flapped, Foiled and Dragged The
Earth's atmosphere is composed of 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent
oxygen, leaving only one percent for airplanes. Let's see what we can
force into that airspace with a few aerodynamic questions and
controversies. More...
AUDIO
NEWS For AVweb subscribers who prefer their news
straight from the horse's mouth, AVweb posts fresh audio news
issues each Monday, and interviews, Friday -- it's information you won't
find anywhere else. We call them podcasts, but no iPod is required.
Check our audio news index and hear what you've been
missing.
Find exclusive interviews featuring Cessna's Jack Pelton on
his company's LSA, TCM president Bryan Lewis, NATCA president John Carr,
New Piper CEO Jim Bass, Hal Shevers for Sporty's Pilot Shop, Light Sport
guru Dan Johnson, Excel Jet's Bob Bornhofen, Adam Aircraft's Joe Walker,
FAA administrator Marion Blakey, Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier and
more. AVweb's Podcast index, is online, now. You'll hear
things you won't find anywhere else.
Cessna Single & Twin Owners: Learn to Save
Thousands on Maintenance!
Aircraft maintenance expert Mike Busch will be offering his
acclaimed weekend Savvy Owner Seminar in cities throughout the
U.S., including a location within easy flying distance of you. In one
information-packed weekend, Mike will teach you how to have a safer,
more reliable aircraft while saving literally thousands of dollars on
maintenance costs, year after year. For seminar cities, details, and to
reserve your space, click here.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon
goes to Aitkin Aviation at KAIT, Aitkin,
MN.
Offering up Aitkin, Helen Woods told us, " My boyfriend and I
stopped in for fuel during a long cross country trip to find a beautiful
little country airport -- the type with a cub in every hanger and
folding chairs in the hanger doorways gazing out onto the runway. The
FBO manager came out and topped us off with reasonably priced fuel. They
offered three grades including MoGas, which saved us a good deal of
money. We then discovered that they had a beautiful grassy and tree
lined campsite, complete with fire ring, grill, picnic table, and a huge
mountain of firewood. They also had a 24hr pilot lounge complete with a
shower, clean restroom, and weather computer, which they offered to us
for indoor camping if we preferred. As the weather had deteriorated, we
took them up on their hospitality decided to camp in their beautiful
campsite. No sooner had we unrolled our tents than the FBO manager drove
a car over to us and handed us the keys, maps of town, and directions to
good food and enjoyable places to visit. We spent two nights at this
airport and left on a Saturday morning when we found the FBO manager
making huge pots of chilli for a vibrant volunteer airport community
that had come out to repaint the runway markings. We said our good-byes
and were handed two bags of locally grown wild rice as parting gifts
from the FBO manager as we left. All of this, except the fuel and charts
we purchased, was free of charge. If this FBO isn't worthy of an AVweb
award, I don't know what is!"
If You Think "Bargains" Are Something
Alien to Aviation — Think Again!
Spending hard-earned money on your aircraft and its avionics can be
expensive. But don't think good deals aren't available in today's
marketplace. Bennett Avionics provides pilots with quality
avionics to meet their needs and maintain their budget. Before you buy
anywhere else, check out Bennett Avionics at (860)
653-7295 or online. You'll be glad you did!
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...
Join NAA and Help Shape the Next Century of
Flight
It's a great time to join the National Aeronautic Association
(NAA), the nation's oldest aviation organization. At $39 a year,
NAA membership is a terrific value for any aviation enthusiast!
Members receive the Smithsonian's Air & Space and NAA's
Aero magazines, plus access to aviation records, product
discounts, and much more. Call (703) 527-0226 to become an
NAA member, or sign up online.
The Best Tool in Your Toolbox Is
Information!
Save money and time with helpful articles from Light Plane
Maintenance magazine. Light Plane Maintenance brings you
tips and techniques for maintenance procedures you can perform legally
and easily on your aircraft. Order your subscription online for savings from the
regular rate.
PICTURE
OF THE WEEK This year's Labor Day
holiday may have been more eventful than usual,but it still signals the
end of summer for many. (Say it ain'tso!) But don't let that
discourage you — with extended DaylightSaving Time this year and
just a little bit of luck with regard to theweather, we may still have a
few good weeks of short-sleeve shirts andairport afternoons in
store. While you're enjoying the last raysof summer, remember to
keep a roll of film (or an extra memory card)handy. Make AVweb a
part of your end-of-summer adventures bysubmitting
youraviation photos to our "POTW" contest every week. Thomas Clough of Wauconda,Illinois did —
and his bush flying photos climbed all the way up theranks to take the
top spot in this week's contest. As our "POTW"winner, Thomas will
receive an official AVweb hat in the mail, alongwith a few thousand
oohs and ahhs from fellow AVwebreaders. Thanks for
taking time to submit, Thomas! More...
AVWEB APPRECIATES YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF
OUR SPONSORS,
WHO BRING YOU TODAY'S NEWS AND FEATURES AT NO COST TO YOU
AVweb's Flight Explorer 5.0 Available
at Same Low Price! Version 5.0 is now available at the same low price! New features
include FAA Airport delays; enhanced terrain/elevation map depictions;
updated Airways, NAVAIDs, Fixes, Special Use Airspace, and Flight
Service Stations; and more. Click here for more information and to
subscribe.
Ensure Yourself and Your Passengers' Safety
for Under $149!
CO Guardian has reliable and proven CO detectors in both portable and
panel-mount models starting at $149. You can't afford not to purchase
from CO Guardian. Order online.
Gas Prices Keeping You Grounded? Share
Expenses on Your Next Flight!
Join PilotShareTheRide.com. This unique site is offered at no
cost to pilots AND those who love to fly and don't have access to an
aircraft. You can share costs on your next flight! Pilot Share The
Ride is supported by advertisers, just like AVweb, so there are no
membership costs. Check out PilotShareTheRide.com.
Comm1 Radio Simulator — Special Offer
to AVweb Subscribers
Receive a complimentary Communications Reference Card with the purchase
of any Comm1 Radio Simulator. Fly confidently by training with Comm1
Radio Simulators — unique, interactive CD-ROMs designed to
teach pilots how to communicate safely and professionally with Air
Traffic Control. Available in VFR, IFR, and Clearances on Request
versions. Experience real flight situations through high-quality audio
and graphics from the safety and privacy of your desktop. Also
Available: VFLITE's Garmin GPSMap 396 Interactive Guide. Order online.
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
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Comments or questions about the news should be sent
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sales team.
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