FDR CONFIRMS LEGACY FLEW STRAIGHT AND LEVEL
The NTSB yesterday released "factual information" on the progress of the Brazilian government's investigation into the Sept. 29 midair collision between a Boeing 737-800 operated by Gol Airlines of Brazil and an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet owned by Excelaire of New York. The report says flight data recorder information from the Legacy jet confirms that it was flying straight and level and at a steady speed up to the time of the collision, debunking rumors that the pilots had indulged in "abnormal maneuvers." There was no indication of any TCAS alert onboard either airplane, no evidence of pre-collision visual acquisition by any flight crewmember on either aircraft, and no evidence of evasive action taken by either crew. More...

NTSB: RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT SPORADIC
The NTSB reports very detailed information about the interactions between both flight crews and ATC throughout the flight. In the last two-way communication, the Legacy crew reported that it was at FL370. ATC acknowledged and instructed the crew to "ident." Radar indicates that the ident was observed. After that, radar contact was sporadic and both the crew and controllers attempted radio contact, but they never connected. Controllers never asked the jet crew to change altitude, and the crew never requested an altitude change. Examination of the wreckage indicates that the left winglet of the Legacy (which includes a metal spar) likely contacted the left wing leading edge of the 737. The impact resulted in damage to a major portion of the left wing structure and lower skin, ultimately rendering the 737 uncontrollable. More...

MORE GROUPS CALL FOR RELEASE OF PILOTS
U.S. airline pilot groups and the Flight Safety Foundation recently began calling for the release of the two American pilots, Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, flying the Embraer Legacy that was involved in the Brazilian midair accident. Now the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and National Business Aviation Association have joined in that chorus. On Tuesday, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva calling for the immediate return of the pilots. "It is our understanding that the pilots and their attorneys have fully cooperated with investigators from your government. Yet, despite their cooperation, the pilots are being held in contravention of internationally recognized practices and with no date certain for their release," Bolen wrote. More...

HONDA AIRCRAFT OFFERS SNEAK PEEK OF HONDAJET BIRTHPLACE
On Monday, Honda Aircraft for the first time hosted a group of outsiders -- in this case about 25 journalists -- at its Greensboro (N.C.) Piedmont Triad Airport facility, where the company designed, developed, tested, built and has flown the HondaJet very light jet (VLJ). The complex houses a small group of engineers, flight-test personnel and company executives in a setting that allows, and encourages, employee interaction. "This small building is filled with very sophisticated technological abilities and big dreams," noted CEO Michimasa Fujino, who is unarguably the father of the HondaJet. He began work on Honda's aircraft program some 20 years ago as a "pure home-grown effort," which not only included the airframe but also the turbofan engines. (Click on "more" link to see AVweb's video footage of the HondaJet.) More...

HONDAJET SALES RACK UP, SETTING UP DEALERSHIPS
On the sales front, the HondaJet backlog stands at more than 100 aircraft, even though first deliveries of the $3.65 million twinjet won't start until 2010. However, Honda Aircraft GM of Sales and Marketing Doug Danuser told AVweb that this count includes only individual orders and that there is significant interest (and most likely some orders already placed) from fleet operators, a group that includes fractional and air-taxi operators. Danuser comes from Honda's Acura luxury auto group, and it shows in Honda Aircraft's approach to sales and service. More...

NEW ARTICLES AND FEATURES ON AVWEB
COLUMNS

Pilot Workshops #1: Wake Turbulence
This week AVweb introduces free online training programs provided by PilotWorkshops.com. The first workshop features Bob Nardiello explaining the causes of wake turbulence and the characteristics of the vortices that are generated.


The Savvy Aviator #38: Aircraft Owners, Keep Out!
It's increasingly difficult to find shops that permit owner-assisted annuals and other supervised maintenance-by-owner. That's a pity, but the reasons for it are understandable.
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...

CESSNA BEATS OUT ECLIPSE IN FIRST VLJ DELIVERY
On Wednesday, Cessna delivered the first Citation Mustang very light jet (VLJ) following the receipt of the FAA production certificate for the aircraft’s Independence, Kan. assembly line. The Mustang became the first FAA-certified VLJ on Sept. 8, and this delivery marks another first in the emerging VLJ class. Last month the six-seat, $2.65 million jet received FAA approval for flight into known icing. Cessna said Mustang Management Group (MMG) of Fresno, Calif., took delivery of the first Mustang and will lease back the aircraft for 10 months as a demonstrator. MMG then plans to use the Mustang in its Scott Aviation subsidiary for flight training. More...

COLUMBIA RESHUFFLES PRODUCTION LINE
Out in Oregon, Columbia Aircraft is working to rebalance its production line as it regroups following last June's hailstorm, and the process could result in some workers seeing a cut in hours over the next month or two, Vice President Ron Wright told AVweb on Tuesday. When about 20 percent of the crew was redeployed to repair the 66 airplanes damaged by hail, the production line got out of balance, Wright said. "We ended up with not enough of some parts, and too many of others." With the hail repairs complete, managers have been working to redeploy workers and get back to building five to six aircraft a week, after cutting back to four. But there are limits to that strategy, Wright said, because the workers all have different skills and are not interchangeable. More...

TREATY NOTICES MISLEAD OWNERS, REPORTS NBAA
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Edward H. Kammerer of law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge say letters or e-mails from a company called International Aircraft Registry (IAR) in Oklahoma City are misleading and can be disregarded. Apparently, the communication from the company informs aircraft owners that they have not registered their aircraft in compliance with the Cape Town Convention, allegedly putting their lien and/or title position at stake. According to NBAA spokesman Dan Hubbard, “NBAA has received reports of mailings sent to Members related to registering aircraft to the Cape Town International Registry (CTIR), an international aircraft registry that went into effect on March 1, 2006. [Those] with ownership or international interests in aircraft assets that have been in place since before the effective date of the CTIR -- March 1, 2006 -- are grandfathered, and therefore are not required to register those assets.” More...

GET YOUR (LOPRESTI) FURY GOING FOR CHRISTMAS
LoPresti Wednesday announced that position holders for its two-place 215-mph-on-10.5-gph cross-country and aerobatic Fury aircraft will now have first dibs on special pricing for the first 60 Furys produced ... but there's a twist. The company says it has the names of 615 individuals who ordered 615 aircraft; however, through years of difficulty in bringing the aircraft to market, some of those names have moved on to new addresses and the company has lost touch. "To fulfill a promise" LoPresti is reaching out to those 615 individuals and will "start taking orders Monday morning." The first 60 from that 615 will secure their aircraft at a reserve price only available to the previous position holders. The company plans to build the aircraft at its yet to be built Belen, N.M., facility (groundbreaking is set for January). But that's not all. More...

NEW AFSS SYSTEM FACES GROWING PAINS
Despite occasional complaints from pilots about long hold times, Lockheed Martin's new Automated Flight Service Stations are working pretty well overall, according to Program Manager Dan Courain. "At times, when the weather is bad, there have been some long wait times," Courain told AVweb on Tuesday. "We're limited in staffing. We try to offload the calls but sometimes we do get behind." Overall, the average wait time is just 19 seconds, he said, but about 2 percent of callers hang up without getting through. New technology that will come on line early next year should resolve the sporadic back-up issues, Courain said. AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy told AVweb that when pilots do complain, Lockheed Martin has been "very responsive." More...

EMBRAER ANNOUNCES DELIVERY FORECAST
Embraer's market outlook sees demand for 11,115 business jets over the next 10 years. With most pundits predicting boom years ahead for business aviation that figure may come as little surprise, but it's the very light jet (VLJ) market where analysts are most at odds. That said, the company is projecting delivery of 2,715 of its VLJs between 2008 and 2016, and lists current orders at more than 340. The number includes both the six-seat Phenom 100 and the eight-seat Phenom 300. More...

RAYTHEON HAWKER 4000 FINALLY EARNS ITS WINGS
Better late than never. On Tuesday, Raytheon Aircraft Company said it finally received FAA type certification (TC) for its Hawker 4000 super-midsize business jet. The approval is some five-and-a-half years later than originally planned and couldn’t come at a better time – on May 31 Raytheon missed the FAA’s five-year limit for certification of the Hawker 4000 and had to apply for, and was granted, an extension to December 31. However, the extension also means that the Hawker 4000 must comply with Part 25 amendments adopted between May 31, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2001, notably more restrictive fuel-tank and hydraulic regulations. More...

FAA OKS HONEYWELL'S NEW RADAR
The FAA last week approved a new onboard radar system by Honeywell that helps airline pilots detect turbulence and wind shear in the air mass directly ahead of them. The new RDR-4000 radar's patented 3-D scanning technology introduces new capabilities, Honeywell said. It scans ahead of the aircraft from the nose out to 320 nautical miles, and from the ground to 60,000 feet, or more than 1.5 million cubic miles. It includes a unique vertical profile view of weather ahead of the aircraft that can be presented simultaneously with the normal radar view. It suppresses ground clutter and automatically compensates for the curvature of the earth. More...

ON THE FLY
Diamond's Twin Star DA42 got its TC from Transport Canada this week...
Avantair plans to expand, growing its Avanti P.180 fleet to 40...
New Sport Aircraft directory at Dan Johnson's Web site. 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...

AVWEB AUDIO NEWS
AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In Friday's podcast, you'll find an interview with Cirrus Design cofounder and CEO Alan Klapmeier, who addresses the rash of fatal accidents in October involving Cirrus pistons. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Cessna chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton, Spectrum Aeronautical chairman Linden Blue, Adam Aircraft chairman Rick Adam and New Piper CEO Jim Bass. In Monday's news summary, hear about how the DOT Inspector General supports aviation user fees, the looming air traffic controller shortage, a call condemning "criminalization" of aviation accidents, Eagle Aircraft bids to open a second FBO at Tallahassee Airport and more. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else. More...

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: LOCKHEED MARTIN'S AFSS REPORT CARD
AVweb recently reported on the triumphs and tribulations of AFSS privatization. Program Manager Dan Courain says Lockheed Martin is doing well, but what do AVweb readers think? Rate their performance in today's "Question of the Week." Plus: How many AVweb pilots said they'd be willing to fly a single-engine piston into IMC conditions last week? More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: NORTH ALABAMA AVIATION

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 North Alabama Aviation at KDCU in Decatur, Ala.

AVweb reader Stan Poelstra was literally floored by the FBO’s low fuel price and high level of service.

"We stopped here twice. The first time, on the way to Florida, the FBO owner lowered the price of fuel of the self serve while I was fueling to $3.25. He said he just got the new quote so he would give it to me. On the way back two weeks later, the price was the same but it was so windy one could hardly stand up, so my wife and I stayed over night. They gave us the use of the courtesy car that afternoon and overnight. No charge, just lots of smiles and thank you’s for stopping. 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!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK: THANKSGIVING DAY EDITION
It's Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. — time to reflect on the blessings of the year and spend a little time appreciating the good things that have come our way. "Picture of the Week" may not be a national institution, but you'd be hard pressed to find a web feature today that's more thankful for its loyal readers (and contributors) than this one. So, before we delve into this week's crop of photos, let us say "thank you" to everyone reading today's AVweb news. Without your pictures, your encouragement, your financial support (through shopping with our sponsors), and your constant readership through the years, we wouldn't be here to look at airplane photos and have a bit of fun with you every Thursday morning.

The phrase "kick things off" has never been more appropriately used in a "POTW" column than it is here, with this photo Christian Hauser of Vienna, Austria. "Boeing's chief type test pilot Ricardo Traven lets the Hornet thunder off for one of the displays at RIAT 2006," writes Chris. "Really a mighty machine!" Thanks for participating, Christian! As the submitter of this week's lead photo, you'll be getting an official AVweb baseball cap and thank-you note in the mail. (Keep your eyes peeled!) 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 Contributing Editors Mary Grady (bio) and Glenn Pew (bio) and Editor In Chief Chad Trautvetter.

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