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BIG
DAY FOR DAYJET: FIRST THREE ECLIPSE 500S DELIVERED
On
Saturday, Eclipse Aviation delivered three Eclipse 500s to DayJet-- the
planned per-seat, on-demand air-taxi operator -- at themanufacturer's
headquarters in Albuquerque, N.M. According to Eclipsespokesman Andrew
Broom, these three very light jets do not yet havethe required backup
air data/attitude and heading reference system(ADAHRS) display needed
for Part 135 operations, but the airplaneswill allow DayJet to start
training pilots under Part 91 rules whileEclipse continues to pursue FAA
approval for the backup system, whichis expected soon. DayJet, which has
firm orders for 239 Eclipse 500sand options for 70 more, plans to start
air service with the VLJs bythe end of June. "Today is a major milestone
for DayJet, as we beginto take delivery of our Eclipse 500 jets," said
DayJet President andCEO Ed Iacobucci. More... MORE
FAA OVERSIGHT OF REPAIR FACILITIES NEEDED
The Department of
Transportation’s Office of Inspector General says the FAA needs to
significantly step up oversight of contracted repair facilities used by
airlines for everything from minor adjustments to major repairs. The OIG report to the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee’s aviation subcommittee, delivered by DOT
Inspector General Calvin Scovell, says the FAA doesn’t always know
who’s doing the maintenance or what maintenance is being performed
by the thousands of shops --certificated and non-certificated -- all
over the world that are used by the airlines. And it also says that
airlines don’t always provide accurate information on what’s
being fixed where under a new reporting program put in place by the FAA.
"Our primary concerns with the reports are that air carriers do not
include all repair stations that provide critical component repairs and
that FAA does not validate the information provided," the report reads.
While he agreed that more oversight is needed, the FAA’s Associate
Administrator for Aviation Safety testified that the system remains
safe. More... TUSKEGEE
AIRMEN GET CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
It took more than 60
years, but arguably one of the most effective fighter squadrons of World
War II is getting the formal recognition that matches its historic and
cultural impact. Members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the all-black P-51
group that protected B-17 bombers over Europe, on Thursday were awarded
the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony attended by former Secretary
of State Colin Powell and President George Bush. But while aviation
buffs know well the remarkable record of the squadron (the claim that it
never lost a bomber has been disputed), the impact of their wartime
exploits is considered by many to have had a much more profound impact
on the country they served. "They were bold in battle and capable in
command -- at a time when many in the military thought blacks could be
neither," wrote The Washington Post. More... |
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WHAT
WE LEARNED AT AEA 2007
The Aircraft Electronics Association
can put on an impressive show. It held its 50th annual convention in
Reno late last week, and the trend in new products at this year's show
revolved around satellite phone service, increased data and voice
transfer capabilities, onboard broadband, WAAS supportive/compatible
products and retrofits of new black boxes and/or glass panels sized to
swap out old black boxes and instruments. That and FAA Administrator
Marion Blakey has "drawn a line" in the fight over user fees and
believes it's high time we (read general aviation users) all stopped
griping about the price of a cup of coffee and stepped up to pay our
fair share. AVweb's Glenn Pew was there, click through for your
own private ticket to the show -- a video compilation of some of the flash and dazzle,
including show-stopping excerpts from Marion Blakey's speech.
More... FAA'S
PUSH FOR USER FEES AT AEA
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey's
comments at the Aircraft Electronics Association show was full court
press for a user-fee-based and fuel-tax-enriched FAA funding system. Her
words seemed particularly stark following AEA past president Monte
Mitchell's closing reminder to "take time to compliment a coworker, or
give thanks to your friends -- these are the things you remember as you
look back on life." Blakey quickly dried every eye in the room with a
sandblasting no-nonsense tone that seemed to directly attack outspoken
naysayers who have spoken against user-fee plans in the press, but had
yet to speak up at the so far warm and welcoming convention. The
Administrator offered a stunning spectrum of quote-worthy phrases from
"one of the most exciting things for me is when I go to Oshkosh each
year" to stating that "Joe Pilot," who owned a very expensive aircraft,
would feel a hit to the tune of "four dollars per hour" and was now
fighting tooth and nail over a plan that would add to each flight hour
the cost "of a Starbucks Latte." (Listen
for yourself.) More... AVIDYNE
INTROS EX500 SOFTWARE UPGRADE
At the Aircraft Electronics
Association show, Avidyne introduced software release 3.0, a $345
upgrade for EX500 multifunction displays that expands the range of XM WX
Satellite Weather data displayed and simplifies database updates with
USB memory stick support. "EX500 MFDs now can display XM WX Storm
Tracks, Hail Alerts, TAFs, Winds Aloft and Freezing Levels," the company
said. The software upgrade will be available in the second quarter,
pending full certification. According to Avidyne, the new software
release also "prevents XM WX service disruption inadvertently caused by
XM de-activation signals." More... |
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GARMIN
UNVEILS NEW GOODIES AT AEA
To make an even bigger splash at
the Aircraft Electronics Association convention, Garmin adapted a James
Bond movie to announce its new products. Garmin touted the GMX-200
multifunction display's 6.5-inch screen and faster processor, offering
increased resolution and compatibility with the GDL 69 XM receiver to
feed XM satellite weather to the MFD's moving map. The unit offers
Jeppesen chart view and a remote control (for XM radio). Package upgrade
deals are available. More... NEW
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM AEA
Lux Aviation
Engineering's announcement at the Aircraft Electronics Association
show of its research into lithium polymer for use in aircraft batteries
(yes, they're aware that lithium can burn) could one day vastly improve
cranking power and add the benefit of significant weight savings. The
company says it's working with the Navy and has shared thoughts with
Eclipse Aviation and Cirrus Design, to name a few. Cost, for now, is a
significant obstacle, but the nanotechnology necessary to achieve
required reliability is coming within the next few years, says Lux. With
many AEA announcements focused on improving cabin life for the bizjet
set, or cockpit life for its pilots and operators, there were still some
products that might catch a private flyer's eye. A new very lightweight
406-MHz-ready ELT from Kannad for less than $1,000
caught AVweb's eye at the event. More... |
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Reason #31 — Look Ma, No
Hands
The new Garmin GFC 700 autopilot gives you more hands-free flying
control than ever. The flight director is seamlessly integrated into the
G1000 glass cockpit and standard on new Skylanes and Stationairs.
Letting go never felt so good. For more great reasons,
visit CessnaReasons.com. 
» Visit Cessna Aircraft in booths SNF-003-007 at Sun
'n Fun
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FIRST
PHENOM GETTING IT TOGETHER
Embraer says its entry in the
entry-level jet sweepstakes is starting to look like an airplane. The
first Embraer Phenom 100 fuselage and wing are being mated at the
company's Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil facility and the Pratt & Whitney
Canada PW617 engines should be installed soon. That puts the very light
jet project on track for a first flight sometime this summer (winter in
Brazil) and for deliveries in 2008, according to the company. "We are
thrilled to announce yet another key milestone in the Phenom 100
program," said Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer executive vice-president,
Executive Jets. "The advanced technology applied to the Phenom 100
product design and manufacturing has enabled a smooth assembly of the
fuselage and wings, and we have already begun the production of the
second aircraft." More... GREENSBORO
FIGHTS FOR HONDA ENGINE PLANT
Greensboro, N.C., already knows
it will be home to the HondaJet, but it apparently wants more. All signs
point to the joint GE/Honda engine plant being built at
Burlington-Alamance (N.C.) Regional Airport, but Greensboro officials
are trying to convince Honda to put the plant at its Piedmont-Triad
International Airport alongside the airplane factory. Kathi Dubel, of
Greensboro’s Economic Development Alliance, told the Greensboro News-Record that they’re still
talking with Honda about the engine plant. Honda never comments on such
things, according to spokesman Jeffrey Smith. But if actions speak
louder than words, it looks like Burlington has the inside track.
More... |
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XM WX Satellite Weather Uses
a Continuous Satellite Broadcast to Deliver Graphical Weather Data to
the Cockpit
Pilots view and interact with the data — including radar, winds,
METARs, lightning, and more — on compatible MFDs, EFBs, and PDAs
from a wide range of industry partners, as well as on laptop PCs. The
situational awareness afforded by XM WX Satellite Weather allows pilots
to enjoy their journeys with more confidence and comfort than ever
before. For more information, please visit
XMWXweather.com. 
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PILOT
CATCH-22 IN INDIA
Indian airlines are apparently eating their
young as flight instructors desperately needed to train the thousands of
pilots they need are, instead, being offered jobs as pilots. According
to Daily News and Analysis, 18 of 35 flight schools in
India are out of business because they have no instructors and foreign
CFIs that are attracted to India are soon snapped up by the airlines.
But personnel shortages are not the only issue. “It’s not only
the shortage of CFIs but also the shortage of aircraft, coupled with the
large number of students that makes it impossible for them to
function,” an unnamed source told the news service.
More... C-5S
MAY BE SACRIFICED FOR C-17S
The Air Force may retire up to 30
C-5 Galaxy aircraft in favor of boosting the order for the more modern
and generally more versatile C-17. The Air Force currently has 190 C-17s
on order but Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate
defense appropriations subcommittee, told GovExec.com that the administration’s plan
to boost the permanent number of Army and Marine personnel will result
in a corresponding need for more airlift capability. But rather than buy
more C-17s at the expense of other government programs (like healthcare
and education), Inouye says he’d rather cut other defense programs,
and the C-5s are the prime target. Inouye said he believes it will be
cheaper in the long run to buy new C-17s (at $200 million each) than to
continue upgrading the Galaxies. More... |
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Speed, Safety, Performance — How About
Some Comfort?
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don't have to drive to the airport in luxury then fly in pain. Oregon
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Learn more online at
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» Visit Oregon Aero in Building A at Sun 'n Fun
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ON
THE FLY
Fireballs narrowly missed an A340 over the South
Pacific...
Cirrus to issue mandatory SB for parachute
system...
Tense moments as tornado heads toward OKC
TRACON...
Expanded warbird line-up activities planned for AirVenture.
More... |
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Attention, Piper Owners and
Pilots!
Join the fastest-growing and best association for Piper Flyers —
the Piper Flyer Association ( PFA), since 2004 providing
same-day parts locating, faster answers to technical questions, an
informative monthly magazine, online forums, national and regional
events, an annual gatheringseminars, member discounts, and more for only
$39 yearly. The PFA is located in the Blue Hangar on the
Waupaca Municipal Airport (PCZ) in Waupaca, Wisconsin, just 35 nm NW of
Oshkosh. For more info, visit
PiperFlyer.org. 
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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. 
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AVWEB
AUDIO NEWS
AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new
in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's
podcast, you'll find an interview with Jim Schuster at Raytheon
Aircraft. And AVweb's podcast
index includes interviews with Avfuel's Craig Sincock; Comp Air's
Ron Lueck; Expedition Aircraft's Andrew Hamblin; Eclipse Aviation's Vern
Raburn; NBAA's Ed Bolen; Open Air's Michael Klein; Air Excursions' Cable
Wells; Stephen Brown; NATCA's Paul Rinaldi; AOPA's Kathleen Vascouselos;
Maule Air's Mikel Boorom; Professsional Aviation Maintenance Association
president Brian Finnegan; aviation forecaster Richard Aboulafia; and
Bill Lear, Jr. In today's special
podcast, Jeff Simon talks with AVweb about synthetic vision systems
for general aviation airplanes. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll
hear things you won't find anywhere else.
More... |
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FBO
OF THE WEEK: PHAZAR FLIGHT SUPPORT
 AVweb's "FBO of
the Week" ribbon goes to Phazar Flight Support at KFTW in Fort Worth,
Texas. AVweb reader James Knox says the facility staff are
attuned to customer's every need. "Phazar is a relatively new FBO,
and they are just puppy-dog eager to please. (Or else it's a plot to
make you feel guilty about asking for anything.) They parked my little
plane under the wing of the biggest Gulfstream and gave me the same
treatment they gave them. Everything is done quickly and on
time." 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!
More... |
VIDEO
OF THE WEEK: SHOOTING ULTRALIGHTS OUT OF THE SKY
Whenever we
put
out the call, we get a wide variety of links and video clips from
AVweb readers. This one, from reader James Fender, made us
sit up and take notice. Before you watch, we should warn you that it is
indeed part of an air show performance — no ultralights were
actually shot down over New Jersey. (Click through to watch.)
More... |
SHORT
FINAL
 | | Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the
Air" |
While cruising at flight levels in a
Cheyenne, we heard the following between an American airliner and Miami
Center: American: Center, American Fourteen Eighty-Two
looking for higher. Center: Didn't hear you check
in. American: "First time I've heard your voice. I must've
forgot. Center: That happens when you're over twenty-six or
seven. American: I hope you're talking thousands of
feet. Center: No, age. Sorry. More... |
MEET
THE AVWEBFLASH TEAM
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 Russ
Niles (bio)
and Glenn Pew (bio)
and Editor In Chief Chad
Trautvetter. Click
here to send a letter to the
editor. (Please let us know if your letter is not
intended for publication.) Comments or questions
about the news should be sent
here. Have a product or service to advertise
on AVweb? A question on marketing? Send it to AVweb's
sales team. If you're having
trouble reading this newsletter in its HTML-rich format (or if you'd
prefer a lighter, simpler format for your PDA or handheld device),
there's also a text-only version of AVwebFlash. For complete
instructions on making the switch, click
here. Aviate, navigate,
communicate. |
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