DOT SECRETARY PETERS: CHANGE IS IN THE AIR
Mary Peters, recently appointed as head of the U.S. Department of Transportation, says traffic is up, air traffic controllers are retiring and safety equipment needs to be upgraded -- all of that costs money, and it will have to come from somewhere. Peters toured the GA world of Wichita, Kan., on Monday, and said she would "listen to everyone." Since the legislation that determines where the FAA's money comes from is up for reauthorization next year, the debate over user fees versus other funding measures is pressing. "We must rethink the aviation financing system," she said, and asked for all segments of the industry to weigh in. She stopped at a Cessna aircraft assembly plant and visited a nearby FAA control tower at Olathe. More...

AVIATION GROUPS LOBBY AGAINST USER FEES
Peters spent the day with GA supporters, and after the tour, she told reporters she heard "loud and clear" that user fees would have a negative impact on the GA industry. When asked if the day left her leaning against user fees, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), who accompanied her on the tour and opposes aviation user fees, pulled Peters toward him and told reporters: "She's leaning over here." Peters concurred, "I am," according to The Associated Press. More...

USER FEE DEBATE CONTINUES IN D.C.
While Peters was in Wichita, AOPA President Phil Boyer was in Washington, D.C., speaking out against aviation user fees during a panel discussion at an air traffic control conference. The topic: what's "fair" when it comes to paying for the air traffic control system? "Grandma in seat 28B should only have to pay her fair share," said Sharon Pinkerton, a spokeswoman for the airlines. But Boyer countered: "Should grandma have to pay the true cost to get a first-class letter to Alaska, rather than 39 cents? Should highway users in New York help pay for an interstate highway in Montana?" Boyer said the air traffic control system is built to meet the peak demands of the airlines, and general aviation uses the excess capacity. More...

GA FLIGHTS RESTRICTED IN BRAZIL
As Brazil continues to cope with the repercussions of the Boeing 737 midair accident that killed 154 people last month -- the country's worst air disaster ever -- aviation authorities there have restricted private flying in certain airspace segments. Air traffic controllers said they have to impose the restrictions so they can try to reduce delays for commercial flights, according to the ASI Group. Controllers already have increased the minimum spacing for commercial flights from 5 to 10 nautical miles, and that change has been causing delays. The new restrictions mean private flights now are banned from 0730 to 1200 and from 1700 to 2000 local time, ASI said. More...

BRAZILIAN CONTROLLERS NOT TALKING
Air traffic staffing in Brazil is down because the 10 controllers who worked in Manaus and Brasilia on the day of the crash have been taken off duty to undergo psychiatric treatment. They were scheduled to testify before investigators this week, but said they cannot talk until after Nov. 13, when their treatment is complete, according to The Associated Press. Controllers across Brazil yesterday enacted a "work-to-rule" campaign to protest the situation. The controllers say they were already overworked, understaffed and underpaid, and now they are coping with even less staffing and that the new airspace rules are too much. In the last week, news analyses have increasingly questioned the role of ATC in the crash, while earlier reports tended to focus on the American pilots of the Legacy jet. More...

NTSB: CHALLENGER PILOTS DIDN'T CHECK WEIGHT AND BALANCE
A Bombardier Challenger CL-600-1A11 that ran off the departure end of a Teterboro runway while trying to take off in February 2005 was incorrectly loaded, the NTSB said in its final report that was released on Tuesday. The jet was not within weight-and-balance limits and the center of gravity was well forward of the forward takeoff limit, which prevented the airplane from rotating upon takeoff, the Safety Board said. Neither pilot properly checked the weight and balance before takeoff. "This accident clearly shows what can happen when crucial operating steps are not adhered to," said NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker. "When it comes to transportation safety there are no shortcuts and it is important that operators and flight crews ensure that proper procedures are followed at all times." More...

FAA WARNS OF AVIDYNE GLITCH
Owners of Cirrus, Columbia and Piper airplanes with Avidyne primary flight displays were advised by the FAA on Tuesday of a possible glitch in the system. The FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin said a modification is available to eliminate the possibility that the system will display misleading attitude and heading information. Avidyne has already issued a Service Alert to owners. The FAA recommends that pilots using the Avidyne panel should pay increased attention to standard and emergency operating procedures when flying in instrument metrological conditions. Avidyne can modify the units to prevent the problem, and owners should call Avidyne to ensure that modification is completed, the FAA said. More...

CHALK'S AIRLINE TO RESUME FLIGHTS
Chalk's Ocean Airways, which operated seaplanes out of Fort Lauderdale for decades before a fatal flight last year grounded the fleet, is ready to resume service to the Bahamas on Nov. 9. Instead of its Grumman Mallards, the company, now known as Chalk's International Airlines, will operate a 19-seat Beech 1900D leased from Big Sky Airlines of Billings, Mont. Chalk's is working with the FAA to eventually return its Mallards to the air. The airplanes were grounded after a crash that killed 20 people on Dec. 19, 2005. More...

NEXT-GENERATION SYSTEMS MOVING FORWARD, FAA SAYS
Tests of an airborne networking system that will help make possible the next-generation air transportation system (NGATS) were successfully completed over the summer, the FAA said this week. The trials showed that messages can be relayed air-to-air, enabling radio communications to reach very long distances, greater than the curvature of the earth normally allows. This capability was achieved by establishing connectivity between a distant aircraft, an intermediate-placed aircraft and a ground station. Tests were conducted using a Bombardier Global 5000 business jet. The project engineers successfully relayed messages and simulated flight-planning information from one aircraft to another, and then to the ground station, over an extended airborne network. More...

CESSNA'S LSA ON EXHIBIT NEXT WEEK
AOPA Expo starts a week from today in Palm Springs, Calif., and among a few other things, Cessna's new Light Sport Aircraft will be there. The airplane flew for the first time just a couple of weeks ago. CEO Jack Pelton says he expects to decide by early next year whether Cessna will produce the airplane. "An important part of our thought process in looking at LSA is the value in terms of new pilot starts," Pelton said. "Experience has shown that Cessna brand loyalty is a powerful force in our success, and we believe this new category of aircraft could provide a conduit for new pilots to grow through the Cessna product line in the years ahead." More...

EVEKTOR FLIES SUPERCOBRA
Evektor flew its new SuperCobra for the first time last week, from its base in the Czech Republic. The all-metal single-engine four-seater features retractable landing gear and is powered by a 315-hp Lycoming IO-580A1B. "It's a real predator in the sky," said test pilot Josef Charvat. "It will be a fantastic pilot touring airplane." The airplane is an upgrade of Evektor's 200-hp model, the VUT100 Cobra. The SuperCobra is designed to reach a top cruise speed of 175 knots, with a range of 1,000 nm and useful load of 1,260 pounds. The cabin is the widest in its class, the company says, and a glass cockpit is standard. Evektor hopes to achieve EASA and FAA certification in early 2008. More...

FAA TO OVERHAUL PART 21 REGS
The FAA is proposing a major rewrite of the Part 21 regulations affecting the production of aviation parts, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) said this week. According to the FAA, the update is needed to address changes in the global aviation market since the current rules were written back in the 1960s. The proposed changes affect every element of producing aircraft parts including standard parts, owner-produced parts and parts produced as part of maintenance. Primarily, the proposed rule would standardize requirements for production approval holders; require production approval holders to issue airworthiness approvals for aircraft engines, propellers and other aviation parts; require manufacturers to mark all parts and components; and revise export airworthiness approval requirements to facilitate global manufacturing. More...

AVWEB'S NEWSTIPS ADDRESS...
Our best stories start with you. 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. What have you heard? More...

ON THE FLY
A Piper landed on a Tulsa racetrack instead of the nearby airport...
A Continental 757 landed on a taxiway at Newark...
An Alaska Airlines 737 took off from the wrong runway at Sea-Tac...
Two airliners clipped wings while taxiing at Newark...
Mooney Aerospace Group will become a private company...
PATCO says it will proceed with a class-action suit against the FAA. More...

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...

NEW ON AVWEB

BRAINTEASERS

Quiz #113: Get Instrument Rated
It seems as though every pilot is either instrument-rated or working on an IFR ticket. Whatever your status, let's review the Part 61 requirements to legally cross swords with an ILS in the clag.

More...

AUDIO NEWS
AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. Last Friday's podcastcontains exclusive news about rumored changes to the ADIZ. AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass, recorded live at the recent NBAA Convention in Orlando. Monday's news summary covers the rash of Cirrus accidents in recent weeks and Cirrus' appeals to pilots to fly within their limits; a recent VLJ forecast; GAMA aircraft exports; the new LAAS contract; the law officer that beat an FAA rap; a controller that allegedly fell asleep at the scope; FAA rejection of AOPA's efforts for reduced medical requirements; and use of aircraft to help predict weather. Plus: Listen in to an exclusive interview with Cirrus' Dale Klapmeier about the current state of Cirrus Serial Number 1, courtesty of our sister publication, Aviation Consumer. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.

FBO OF THE WEEK: SCOTTSDALE AIRCENTER

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 Scottsdale AirCenter at KSDF in Scottsdale, Ariz.

AVweb reader Alan Tipps praised the friendly service received at Scottsdale.

"The line-staff are totally heads-up, proactive, professional and courteous, and on-the-ball. Just about every time we are into Scottsdale, the line staff anticipates our needs. Their ramp management is progressive and efficient, and I find these folks to be one of the best line crews in the country."

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
Does the average pilot's sense of invincibility increase when flying an aircraft with an parachute recovery system? This week, AVweb wants to hear your opinion on the psychological effect of airplane parachutes on a pilot. Plus: Results of last week's question -- how much will your candidate's stance on user fees affect your vote at the polls? More...

PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Rifling through our virtual mailbox and marveling at your photo submissions is probably our favorite part of the work week. Every Wednesday, we download the contents of our submission folder and go through the images one by one, picking out our favorites. Then we make a second pass, reading all the comments and trying to pick a winner. And finally, once we have a list of photos we plan to share with readers in our "POTW" feature story, we go back to the server and fish out the submitters' names to see who's getting this week's AVweb baseball hat and who to credit for all our runner-up photos. From time to time, we get a little extra surprise when we discover that a winning photo's been submitted by someone we actually know! That was the case this week, with a photo from Oregon Aero's own Steve Badman. Steve asks a question that we hear in e-mail quite often: "Where [have all] the skywriters flown?" And he provides an answer: "Look no further than Suzanne Asbury-Oliver," writes Steve, "who placed this mile-high smoke signal in the sky over EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2006. She crafted her signature smiley face from the cockpit of the Oregon Aero SkyDancer." 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).

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