AVANTAIR CREW PREVENTS COLLISION AT TEB
On Sunday at about 1:20 p.m., the crew of an Avantair Piaggio Avanti P.180 took evasive action during takeoff from New Jersey's Teterboro Airport, averting certain disaster. According to an NTSB preliminary report, the tower controller cleared the twin turboprop (N152SL, operating as Avantair Flight 152) to take off on Runway 24 and seconds later cleared a Cirrus SR22 (N6026K) for takeoff on intersecting Runway 19. The NTSB said the crew of the fractional Avanti saw the Cirrus during their departure roll and applied maximum braking, which blew out two of the twin turboprop's tires but slowed the airplane enough to avoid a collision by a mere 50 feet. N512SL eventually came to rest in the intersection, just after the Cirrus safely crossed. According to the NTSB report, "The tower controller stated that he did not see the incursion, so he did not cancel either takeoff clearance." More...

FAA'S BLAKEY: AVIATION CAN BE ECO-FRIENDLY
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey this week committed to an effort to reduce the carbon emissions from air travel, both by exploring the use of alternative fuels and by improving efficiency. Speaking at the Paris Air Show, Blakey on Monday announced that the U.S. will participate in an international effort called AIRE -- the Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions. The initiative will comprise efforts from government, industry, airlines, manufacturers and service providers to develop operational procedures and standards that are environmentally friendly. "The focus of AIRE is gate-to-gate," Blakey said. "We want to take every opportunity to whittle away at a carbon footprint that's already low. Every place we can make a difference, we will." On Tuesday, Blakey said two studies now are underway to examine fuel alternatives, with results expected in September. More...

EAA OPENS GROUNDS, ANNOUNCES LINE-UP FOR AIRVENTURE
It's just about a month until the festivities begin in Oshkosh, Wis., at EAA AirVenture, and this week the first campsites will open for visitors. Some campers arrive early to reserve favorite spots or to volunteer for the show preparations. Many say that camping out amid thousands of other aviation enthusiasts is the best way to enjoy the show's atmosphere and camaraderie. EAA has also this week posted online its schedule of almost 1,000 presentations, forums and workshops, in a new integrated format. "The new online schedule makes it easier to find exactly what you're looking for, not just in the Forums Plaza, but all over the entire convention grounds," said EAA staffer Mark Forss. Topics cover every aspect of aviation, from aerobatics to welding. One notable absence from the roster this year -- for the first time since 1971, Burt Rutan will not be found presenting a forum at Oshkosh. More...

EMBRAER'S VLJ SEES LIGHT OF DAY
The first Phenom 100 very light jet rolled out on Saturday from Embraer's headquarters in São José dos Campos, Brazil, and is now in the paint shop. After its cosmetic upgrade, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F-powered twinjet will begin a series of ground tests in preparation for its first flight this summer. "We are thrilled to see the Phenom 100 become a reality," noted Embraer Executive Vice President for Executive Jets Luís Carlos Affonso. "We are confident that the Phenom 100 … will become the benchmark of the very light jet segment." Embraer launched the Phenom 100, as well as the derivative Phenom 300 light jet, in May 2005 and cut the first metal for the VLJ in May last year. More...

CONGRESS COULD ROLL BACK ATC CONTRACT
House Democrats might insert a clause into the FAA reauthorization bill that would force the agency to reopen contract negotiations with air traffic controllers, the Federal Times reported on Tuesday. Unless the two sides make progress this week, the bill "will essentially turn back the clock and reopen the NATCA contract," Justin Harclerode, a spokesman for the Republican members of the committee, told the Times. He said it would also give controllers back pay retroactive to the end of their last contract. However, if the bill does include such a provision, it would be vetoed by President Bush, Harclerode said. He added that the Republican committee members are willing to go along with a requirement for arbritation, but would not support retroactive changes. More...

MUSTANG GLOBETROTTING FLIGHT TO LAUNCH FROM PARIS
Frederick Furth took delivery of his new Cessna Citation Mustang a month ago, and on Thursday will launch it from the Paris Air Show grounds on an eight-day round-the-world trip. Furth will fly solo, accompanied by his Great Dane (insert your favorite dog copilot joke here). After launching from Paris Le Bourget Airport, the first stop will be Warsaw, Poland, then Furth will fly across Russia, landing at Moscow, Eketeringsburg and Novosibrisk. He will also make stops in Alaska, Canada and Iceland before returning to Le Bourget. The entire trip will cover 14,000 nm with about 15 stops. Furth, who owns Chalk Hill Vineyards and Winery in California, has been an avid pilot for many years and also owns a Citation X and Cessna Caravan. More...

PILOT INPUT ON ADS-B NEEDED
Researchers at the MIT International Center for Air Transportation are working to identify potential ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast) applications that would be useful for flight operations, and they are seeking input from pilots. "We are very interested in getting representation from all aviation segments that could potentially benefit from ADS-B, including Helicopter, Fixed Wing, Part 135 operations, Part 121 operations and the military," Prof. R. John Hansman tells AVweb . Pilots are invited to complete an online survey, which requires no prior knowledge about ADS-B and takes less than 10 minutes to complete, Hansman said. This survey will be useful in informing the FAA on ADS-B implementation, but it is only advisory and other factors may influence the final ADS-B implementation plans, he added. More...

NASA AERONAUTICS FOR THE FUTURE
It's not the stall that kills you, it's the failure to recover from the stall. That's the idea behind NASA's Integrated Resilient Aircraft Control research project, which is looking for ways to recover an aircraft from an upset condition to a stable configuration, assuring a safe landing. This week, NASA put out a call for research proposals to advance that project. Other aeronautical projects in the works include the Integrated Intelligent Flight Deck Project, working to improve the operational environment for the flight crew, and the Integrated Vehicle Health Management Project, which aims to find ways to integrate, process and use large amounts of data effectively when dealing with complex flight-critical systems. More...

AERION COURTS SSBJ PARTNERS AT PARIS
Aerion executives are at the Paris Air Show this week, with their biggest presence yet, conducting business from their own chalet. Their goal is to facilitate discussions with potential OEM partners and potential launch customers, as they continue to tweak the design for their proposed supersonic business jet. "The level of interest we are seeing ... suggested to us it was time to raise our profile at Paris," said Aerion Vice Chairman Brian Barents. "We expect in the course of this week to move the Aerion aircraft much closer to reality." The company is seeking partners who will bear the cost of developing the estimated $80 million aircraft and bring it to market, an effort expected to take five years and $2 billion. More...

SMALL UAV OK'D FOR NATIONAL AIRSPACE
The CyberBug, a small hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that comes in several models ranging from about three to 15 pounds, has been granted an experimental airworthiness certificate by the FAA. Cyber Defense Systems, which builds the aircraft, says it is the first vehicle less than 100 pounds that has been approved to fly in the U.S. National Airspace System, and one of only 12 unmanned vehicles to be granted experimental certificates from the FAA. Cyber Defense successfully completed a CyberBug demonstration flight for FAA officials in Florida on June 15. The company expects to market the vehicle for military, law enforcement and commercial applications. More...

ON THE FLY
Aerobatic scholarships offered by the ICAS Foundation, apply online...
Cessna announced a $1 billion order for 96 Citation jets at Paris...
Hawker Beechcraft has contracted with InterGlobe for sales in India...
DOT-OIG will review NY-area NMACs and audit FAA's future ATC plans...
Signature Flight Support to open a new FBO at Boston's Logan Airport. More...

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ACROSS THE POND #5: A BIG FAT GREEK CONFERENCE, FLYING IN NORWAY AND MORE
This month's Euro news includes a big welcome in Greece, Red Bull Races, Norwegian fjord flying and more. More...

AVWEB AUDIO NEWS

AVweb posts audio news on Mondays, plus a new in-depth interview each Friday. In last Friday's podcast, you'll hear SATSair's Sheldon Early talk about how his company proved the air-taxi model using Cirrus SR22s. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Epic Aircraft's Rick Schrameck; AOPA's Randy Kenagy; Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn; Xwind's Brad Whitsitt; BoGo Light's Mark Bent; DayJet's Ed Iacobucci; Pogo Jet's Cameron Burr; Teal Group's Richard Aboulafia; Air Journey's Thierry Pouille; Epic Aircraft's Rick Schrameck; Cessna's Jack Pelton; Embraer's Ernest Edwards; LAMA's Dan Johnson; Piper's Jim Bass; AOPA's Andrew Cebula; Hawker Beechcraft's Jim Schuster; and Avfuel's Craig Sincock. In Monday's podcast, hear Robert Poole of the Reason Foundation explain why aviation user fees would be good for airspace users. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK: THE FAA ADMINISTRATOR—IT'S A TOUGH JOB, BUT WHO WILL DO IT WHEN BLAKEY STEPS DOWN?
Both FAA Administrator Marion Blakey's term and the current FAA reauthorization legislation expire on September 30, though the aviation community is heavily focused on the latter issue and has largely ignored the former. So we'd like to know who you think should be the next FAA Administrator. (We've assembled our own short list of potentials; if you choose "other," please e-mail us your choice.) Plus: How many hours (and what certifications) did AVweb readers think should be required of new hires at regional airlines? More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: VAIL VALLEY JET CENTER

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Vail Valley Jet Center at KEGE in Gypsum, Colo.

AVweb reader Snorri Snorrason said the FBO is tops in his book.

"Great setup with remarkable pilot accommodations. A lobby that makes your grandma feel comfy, and staff so helpful it feels like a five-star hotel. We had to stay the night for maintenance, which was taken care of promptly as soon as our part came in. We took the courtesy Hummer to town for dinner, and while the FBO closed down we were allowed to use the recliners and TV till the next morning. A brilliant experience with top-notch staff. They are the number-one FBO in my book."

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: AVWEB'S FLYING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
Each week, we go through dozens (and sometimes hundreds) of reader-submitted photos and pick the very best to share with you on Thursday mornings. The top photos are featured on AVweb's home page, and one photo that stands above the others is awarded an AVweb baseball cap as our "Picture of the Week." We've always heard that children are our future, but it seems they're finally taking over the present — at least as far as "Picture of the Week" is concerned. John and Brady Gardner stole the show last week, and this week's top spot goes to Keith McQueen of Orem, Utah, whose winning photo really caught our eye. More...

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