AIRPORTS SEEK ALTERNATE INCOME
Airports are getting more creative at finding ways to make money, USA Today reported this week. At Houston's Bush International Airport, for example, some empty spaces are being put to work growing high-grade hay to sell to local ranchers. Other airports are developing golf courses, hotels, office parks, and residential developments. In Miami, the county shut down the Opa Locka West GA airfield after it was damaged by hurricanes, and will mine limestone rocks at the site. The quarry is expected to generate $300 million to $600 million, which will go to the aviation department. The advantages are that airport operators can keep costs low and thus more competitive, and also can supplement the sometimes volatile aviation revenues. More...

FAA CRITICIZED FOR FINANCIAL WASTE
Meanwhile, the FAA is under fire for wasting money in a project that was designed to fast-track its contracting process by using pre-qualified vendors. The project has been shut down after costing the agency tens of millions of dollars in overruns, The Washington Post reported last weekend. The FAA awarded 114 contracts under the system, with a potential value of about $543 million, according to a recent report by the Transportation Department Office of Inspector General. The report found problems with the project's structure, its implementation, and its cost analysis. More...

MORE RUNWAYS AND AIRPORTS
For years, pilots have complained that it's not the skies that are crowded -- it's the runways. The FAA is catching up a bit with a slew of new airports and expansion projects. St. George, Utah, one of the nation's fastest-growing metro areas, will get a new $17-million airport, the FAA said this week. "Aviation is about more than just airplanes -- it's about providing the kind of economic connections communities need to thrive," FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said. On Tuesday, Blakey said the FAA will commission six airfield projects, including four new runways, a runway extension, and an airfield reconfiguration, by the fall of 2008. More...

MOONEY CEO GRETCHEN JAHN STEPS DOWN
Mooney Aerospace Group announced on Tuesday that CEO Gretchen Jahn is leaving to pursue other opportunities. Jahn's resignation will be effective Oct. 1, but she will remain with the company as an advisor to oversee the (235-plus knot turbo) Acclaim certification. Jahn led during a dynamic time for Mooney, when exciting new products hit the market and the company rebounded from a period of change and upheaval. "I have a passion for getting companies up and running. It has been exciting to participate in this process at Mooney," Jahn said in a news release. "We have accomplished many goals over my two years here, including increasing deliveries from 36 deliveries in 2004 to 85 deliveries in 2005, dramatically increasing brand recognition and order backlog, revitalizing customer support, and introducing two new aircraft." More...

DENNIS FERGUSON NAMED MOONEY CEO
Dennis Ferguson was named on Tuesday as the new CEO. He was previously president of Airshow Inc., an avionics manufacturing company. Prior to that, he was a vice president at Dynatech/Acterna Corporation. He introduced lean manufacturing practices that reduced manufacturing costs and increased product quality, Mooney said in a news release. "Dennis brings a strong background in the aviation industry and experience in transitioning a small, entrepreneurial company into a significant force in the marketplace," said Steven Karol, chairman of the board. More...

HONDAJET WILL GO ON SALE NEXT MONTH
The Honda Aircraft Company will start accepting orders for its HondaJet VLJ next month at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention, Oct. 17-19 in Orlando, Fla. A full-scale interior mock-up will be on display in the exhibit hall. Honda created the aircraft subsidiary in August to handle the development, production and sales of HondaJet, and will pursue FAA type certification and production certification in the U.S. Honda's goal is to complete certification of the jet in three to four years, and deliver the first customer copy in 2010. The jet's attributes include fuel efficiency, large cabin and luggage space, and higher cruise speed than conventional aircraft in its class, says Honda. More...

WORRIES PERSIST ABOUT FOREIGN FLIGHT STUDENTS
Efforts to check on and monitor foreign students at U.S. flight schools have been marked by "confusion and misinterpretations" among the various government agencies involved, according to an internal Homeland Security document obtained by ABC News. ABC says the FAA is investigating reports that "dozens" of foreign students at U.S. flight schools have incomplete paperwork and/or background checks. The Transportation Security Administration says it's revising its vetting process. The FAA told ABC News it couldn't comment because of an open investigation on the issue. AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy says flight instructors must be sure they're aware of and in compliance with the parts of the alien flight-training rule that apply to them. More...

COAST GUARD TAKES OVER ADIZ PATROL
Pilots who stumble into the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) above Washington, D.C., now will be intercepted by helicopters flown by the U.S. Coast Guard, which takes over the job from Customs and Border Protection. The change was made official on Monday. "The Coast Guard is fully ready to [provide] air defense in the National Capitol Region," said Rear Adm. David Pekoske at a ceremony. Coast Guard crews will fly orange HH-65C Dolphin helicopters. The Dolphins will be equipped with civilian-frequency VHF radios plus electronic signboards so they can communicate with pilots who might be having radio problems, AOPA said. More...

A LAMBORGHINI WITH YOUR DIAMOND
Here's another new way to fly, not quite a flying club or fractional deal, but something else altogether. Called an "exclusive transport club," V International is now open in the U.K., offering members access to a fleet of luxury vehicles that includes the Diamond DA42 Twin Star, the Diamond DA40, and the Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, plus a Bentley, a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a Porsche, and a few high-performance boats, too. Members pay about $66,000 for the first year, which gets up to 50 driving days and 6,000 miles plus 50 flying hours and 50 boat days. The company, started by a team of managers from Diamond Aircraft, has plans to expand across Europe and around the world. More...

NTSB: COMAIR PILOTS HAD 45 SECONDS
The NTSB on Monday released a factual report from its on-the-scene investigation into the Comair crash that killed 49 people in Lexington, Ky., last month. The Comair crew was cleared to 7,001-by-150-foot Runway 22. The flight data recorder shows the crew stopped near the end of Runway 26 for about 45 seconds before the flight was cleared for takeoff. Six seconds later, the airplane started to taxi onto 3,500-by-75-foot Runway 26. It took about 36 seconds for the airplane to taxi onto the runway and complete the turn before power was increased to initiate the takeoff. The airplane accelerated to about 137 knots, ran off the end of the shorter runway through the airport perimeter fence, and impacted trees on an adjacent horse farm. A series of surgeries continue for first Officer James Polehinke, the sole survivor of the crash, who has already lost his left leg to amputation. More...

TIRED OF FUEL PRICES? VIRTUAL FLIGHT GETS REAL
Now you can take a step beyond your desktop flight simulator, and fly an actual remote-control aircraft equipped with a head-movement-synchonized camera and a virtual-reality headset that makes you feel like you're right in the cockpit. At least, you can fly this way if you are willing to spend the time and money tinkering with complicated and delicate gear to make it work. Denis Gratton, of Québec, Canada, has done just that, and has the impressive videos to prove it. (See AVweb's NewsWire for links to the videos.) How much does it cost to build a system like this? "It's hard to tell how much it cost, I prefer not to know it," Gratton told AVweb in an e-mail. He says others are starting to join in his hobby, and he expects the costs will come down within a year or so. More...

CONCERNS ABOUT VIDEO CONTENT
Monday's online version of your AVwebflash e-mail newsletter was originally published with video content that began to play when the page was opened -- whether readers wanted it to, or not. That presentation was not how AVweb intends to present video content. Readers should expect future video content to play only when they "press play." (If you like the expanded content of the online version, don't be afraid to click through.) More...

ON THE FLY...
A blimp landed in trees near Boston after a rudder failed...
Scottsdale, Ariz., has banned helicopters in residential areas...
Rocket launch at New Mexico's spaceport failed to reach altitude...
Spiders on a plane lead to lawsuit...
Four people saved in the first BRS deployment in Jamaica...
The NTSB wants controllers to be clear when they issue a runway change. 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...

NEW ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB

COLUMNS

AUDIO NEWS
Audio news, plus a new in-depth interview are posted online each Monday and Friday. Check AVweb's audio news index to hear the news directly from the newsmakers.

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.

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...

FBO OF THE WEEK: HENDERSON EXECUTIVE (KHND, HENDERSON, NV)

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.

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Henderson Executive at KHND in Henderson, Nevada.

AVweb reader Thomas Okerlund offered his praise for theservice and facilities.

"The Line and Customer Service staff are top notch and match the new facilites just opened at Henderson. On a recent after hours late night trip, the Line Staff came into assist with parking and luggage. To accomodate the crew, they took everyone to their hotel and then turned down a tip when offered. Wow!"

Keep those nominations coming.For complete contest rules, click here.

AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: GOVERNMENT REGULATION A GOODTHING?
Our latest "Question of the Week" comes from an AVweb reader, who writes:

Since de-regulation more than 25 years ago, the U.S. has seen airlines soar and sink. Mostly sink. September 11 didn't help. Delays caused by airport caused by airport capacity don't help. The impending air traffic controller shortage surely won't help. The legacy major air carriers haven't seen sustainable profit in a very long time. Would you like to see some form of government regulation for the airlines in hopes of bringing a more stable path for them to succeed?

PICTURE OF THE WEEK
"Stiff competition" is the order of the day in our latest installmentof "Picture of the Week."  Not only do the number ofcontributions continue to rise as we enter fall here in the U.S., butthe quality of photos seems to be on the rise, as well.  Notthat quality has ever been a problem when it comes to picking "POTW"contenders, but the last few weeks have been chock-full of great-lookingphotos that we simply couldn't find a way to squeeze in.  Restassured, we've saved plenty of them to our hard drives and turned theminto lovely wallpapers — sokeep sending 'em! Even those that don't make it into our weekly round-up are ogled andappreciated by the AVwebbers who go through 'em.

Robbie Culver of Waukegan is afamiliar name at "POTW" headquarters.  Robbie's signature has shownup on several contenders over the last year or so (most notably lastweek), but he's never sent us the right photo on the right week to winone of our coveted "Picture of the Week" AVweb hats.  This week,circumstance and an awesome photo come together to push Robbie'slatest submission to the top of our pile.  Congrats, Mr. Culver —it's always fun to see your name on the back of our photo submissions,and it's about time you won an AVweb hat.  You've earned it! 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 Mary Grady (bio).

Click here to send a letter to the editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not intended for publication.)

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