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Mastering ILS Approaches:
Position & Airspeed
This online refresher covers: Strategies for maintaining positional
awareness and airspeed during an ILS approach;
the importance of using "raw data" to back up your GPS and
MFD; and a common mistake pilots make at DA and what you can do to
ensure a smooth transition to landing.
Click to view the full workshop. 
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ADAM
AIRCRAFT NO LONGER ADAM'S FAMILY
On Monday, Adam Aircraft's
board of directors named John D. Wolf as chairman and CEO, replacing
company founder Rick Adam in the position. Wolf, along with company
president Duncan Koerbel, joined Adam Aircraft in February to help with
A700 type certification and to build up manufacturing capabilities at
the company. According to Adam Aircraft's board, Wolf's 39 years of
experience in the aerospace industry and Koerbel's 24 years of
experience in certification and manufacturing were part of the
transition initiated earlier this year. "This new leadership change
helps move the company from a start up to what will become one of the
country's premier developer and manufacturer of Part 23 aircraft," the
company said. More... NATCA
DISPUTES TRAFFIC-SEPARATION CLAIMS
"Canada, Australia and the
United Kingdom are using next-generation precise satellite systems that
permit much less than the normal three miles separation between planes,"
wrote a columnist in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, citing David
Castelveter, a spokesman for the Air Transport Association, as the
source of that information. But on Wednesday, Doug Church, spokesman for
the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said that information
is incorrect. "There are only four places in the world where aircraft
are allowed to legally be closer than three miles," Church said in a
statement sent to AVweb on Wednesday. "London Heathrow, but only
during the daytime in good weather within 15 miles of landing; the
United States at most major airports within 10 miles of landing; one
terminal area in Sweden; and in Mr. Castelveter's imagination."
More... DAYJET
FACILITATES ITS DEBT, PRE-OPERATIONAL GROWTH
DayJet -- the
"per-seat on-demand" air taxi that plans to begin service later this
month in Florida using Eclipse 500s – on Tuesday announced it "has
closed debt facilities totaling $140 million" for the acquisition of its
very light jet fleet. Perhaps shedding some light on the company's
previously and widely reported "orders" from Eclipse, the company
stated, "The facilities include senior debt on the aircraft and
financing of pre-delivery deposits." DayJet has so far raised more than
$200 million pre-operational dollars in anticipation of services yet to
be provided with aircraft yet to be delivered for a VLJ air-taxi market
yet to be proven in practice. More... |
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Aircraft Spruce at the 2007
Camarillo Air Show
Aircraft Spruce will be at the Camarillo Air Show in Camarillo,
California on August 18th and 19th. Gates open at 8:00am. Visit
Aircraft Spruce for special show pricing. Complimentary shipping
available on show orders. (Doesn't apply to oversize or hazardous
goods.) For more information, call 1-877-4-SPRUCE or
visit Aircraft Spruce
online. 
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CESSNA
SKYCATCHER -- TWO WEEKS OLD, 720 SOLD
It seems that Cessna
has found a big hole in the airplane market ready for a two-seat
all-aluminum high-wing airplane. In the first two weeks after
introducing SkyCatcher at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, the company has
taken in 720 orders, adding up to about $75 million in sales. "It has
been very exciting to hear the overwhelmingly positive response from our
customers, many of whom had waited to purchase a light sport aircraft
until Cessna launched the SkyCatcher," Cessna Chairman, President and
CEO Jack Pelton said on Wednesday. "We look forward to providing another
safe, reliable and fun airplane to a new generation of pilots." The
SkyCatcher features an exclusive Garmin glass cockpit -- the G300 -- and
a 100-hp Teledyne Continental O-200D engine designed for light sport
aircraft. More... CIRRUS
SRS S/N 001 AUCTIONED TO BENEFIT YOUNG EAGLES
Cirrus held an
auction at EAA's annual Gathering of Eagles fundraising dinner during
AirVenture to sell the first copy of its new SRS light sport aircraft,
with the proceeds going to support the Young Eagles
program. Sporty's founder and Chairman Hal Shevers was the highest
bidder, with a winning bid of $170,000. "I am committed to bringing new
people into aviation," said Shevers. "This airplane represents a great
entry point for aircraft ownership. Of course, the purchase benefits the
Young Eagles, a vital program that Sporty's has long supported." Since
its inception in 1992 and through the generosity of pilots volunteering
their time and aircraft, EAA's Young Eagles program has provided flights
in general aviation aircraft to more than 1.3 million youth between the
ages of eight and 17. Sporty's will take delivery of the airplane at
AirVenture 2008. More... |
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Adam, Cirrus, Columbia,
Diamond, Liberty ...
The most respected new aircraft on the market all choose Continental
engines. Bring your aircraft up to speed with a genuine Continental
engine. Select from factory-new, factory-rebuilt, or factory-backed
overhauls by Mattituck. Add value to your aircraft and the peace-of-mind
that you're flying behind the best — Continental.
Click here for further details. 
» Visit Teledyne-Continental Motors (TCM) in
booths 76-102 at AirVenture
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TOWER
REOPENS AT NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AIRPORT
The control tower at
Lakefront
Airport in New Orleans, which has been closed since Hurricane
Katrina damaged it in 2005, is now back in operation. General aviation
groups had lobbied for the tower to re-open, saying the airport was
getting busier and several close calls already had caused concern about
safety. Three controllers and one supervisor now are staffing the tower,
with more controllers to start training soon. "With the tower now
operational, traffic is expected to climb rapidly, and business
operators requiring a tower now will be able to return to Lakefront,"
the National Business Aviation Association said on
Monday. The tower will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More... FEDERAL
BOARD DISMISSES NATCA CHARGES AGAINST FAA
The Federal Labor
Relations Authority has dismissed charges by the National Air Traffic
Controllers Association (NATCA) that the FAA engaged in unfair labor
practices related to negotiating and implementing the 2006 air traffic
controller contract, the FAA said on Monday. "This decision validates our
new contract, which is saving taxpayers $1.9 billion over five years,"
said FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. NATCA President Patrick Forrey, in
a statement sent to AVweb on Tuesday, said the FAA's news release
was "at best factually inaccurate and at worst intentionally
misleading." NATCA will submit an appeal, he said, and he expects the
dispute will eventually be heard by a bipartisan three-member board of
the Labor Relations Authority, which so far has not weighed in on the
issue. More... |
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Introducing Zulu ... From
LightSPEED
Zulu is the world's quietest ANR headset. More quiet, more
comfort, more features than any other previous headset. Zulu
includes Bluetooth compatibility. For more information, call
LightSPEED at (800) 332-2421, or
go online for complete details. 
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VIRGIN
AMERICA LAUNCHES, FIRST FLIGHT DELAYED
Virgin America got a
tough introduction to flying in the U.S. airspace system on Wednesday
morning -- the airline's very first flight, scheduled to launch from New
York Kennedy Airport at 9:59 a.m., was delayed almost an hour by
thunderstorms. Virgin America, in which Sir Richard Branson's Virgin
Group has a 25-percent stake, has entered the U.S. market with promises
of better customer service and lower fares. The airline's 10 Airbus
A320s feature leather seats, mood lighting and personal video screens
for each passenger. The airline is offering round-trip fares of $278
between New York and San Francisco, with more routes to be added soon.
More... UNMANNED
AIRSHIP GETS FAA OK
The FAA has granted an experimental
airworthiness certificate for an unmanned, remotely operated airship,
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) announced on
Monday. The Skybus 30K airship prototype, which has a volume of
30,000 cubic feet, has been tested at the Loring Unmanned Aircraft
Systems Test Center in Limestone, Maine, under a contract with the Naval
Air Systems Command. The prototype has a 300-pound payload and can carry
sensors for operations such as border patrol, port security, search and
rescue, wildlife management and sports-event monitoring. The aircraft is
operated from a ground-control station. The FAA certificate allows for
operation in the Class G airspace near Limestone, Skybus spokesman Tom
Hampton told AVweb on Wednesday. More... |
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Cessna SkyCatcher™
Grab hold of the sky. And never let go. The very latest technology. Unprecedented affordability. Extreme flyability. Introducing the SkyCatcher — an all-new Cessna destined to bring your dreams well within reach. If you've ever flirted with the idea of owning a brand-new aircraft, it's officially time to get serious. Place your order at 1 (800) 4-CESSNA, or
visit online to get up close and personal. 
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FOUR
AIRPLANES TO COMPETE FOR NASA EFFICIENCY PRIZE
This weekend
in Sonoma, Calif., four airplanes will compete for $250,000 in prize
money from NASA, which will be awarded for qualities that are sought
after for the personal air vehicle (PAV) of the future. The PAV
Challenge offers prizes for quiet operation, ease of handling,
short-runway performance, fuel efficiency, and speed. The goal of the
competition is to encourage the development of aircraft that can provide
reliable, everyday transportation for the masses with ease and
efficiency. The four aircraft in the competition include a modified
RV-4, two Slovenian-built Pipistrels, and a Cessna 172. The contest is run for
NASA by the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE)
Foundation. More... AEROSCRAFT
TO BUILD CORPORATE AIRSHIP
If an ordinary bizjet is too small
for your corporate needs, you can always buy an airliner and reconfigure
the interior. But if that won't do, you now have another option -- buy
yourself an Aeroscraft ML866 airship, which will have 5,000
square feet of interior cabin space. This "office in the sky" can be
equipped with computers, videoconferencing capability, high-tech
communications and personal staterooms. It can operate from just about
any open space, no airport needed. Worldwide Aeros Corp., based in
California, said on Tuesday it will officially announce the new airship
project at the NBAA Convention next month in Atlanta. The Aeroscraft
will use both buoyant and dynamic lift to generate "unique operational
capabilities beyond what is available from any other air platform
today," the company said. More... |
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If Brokers Say They Cover the Whole Market, Why
Can't They Get a Quote from Us?
Actually, brokers can't get a quote from Avemco, the only direct
provider of aviation insurance. Only Avemco lets you talk
directly to the aviation underwriter for fast, accurate answers. So if a
broker tells you they cover the whole market, they're only telling you
half the story. Call (888) 241-7891, or
visit online for the rest of the
story. 
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ON
THE FLY
FAA has been sued by a regional airline whose
certificate was yanked...FAA chief Marion Blakey spoke on PBS
NewsHour, video is online...Scaled Composites fund will help
families of explosion victims...Aurora Flight Sciences will sell
DA42s outfitted for sensor gear...Satellite TVs interfere with
radar systems on B-2 bombers...An Idaho airport is named in honor
of WWII ace Pappy Boyington...CubCrafters named Blake Maygra
director of all new aircraft production. More... |
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Need AFSS Information?
Click here. 
Lockheed Martin
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QUIZ
#123: IFR UPDATE
BRAINTEASERS
Home from Oshkosh, your head is
filled with Sean Tucker acrobatics in the fourth dimension. But
darkening skies delay your dreams of airshow stardom as you pause to
demonstrate your IFR savvy with a quiz.More... |
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Attention, LSA Builders & ROTAX 912 Engine
Operators
ASA, the industry's leader in aviation supplies, software, and
publications, offers the ROTAX Engine Introduction DVD with tips
and techniques for trouble-free operation of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)
with the ROTAX engine. This DVD also provides an introduction to the
specific concepts important to maintaining the ROTAX 912.
Go online for complete details and bonus
features!
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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 hear you'll hear Avidyne's Paul Hathaway on future
avionics requirements. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews
with Arion Corp's Brian Barents; BusinessJetSEATS Alfred Rapetti; EAA's
Dick Knapinski; AOPA's Andrew Cebula; Cirrus Design's Alan Klapmeier;
NBAA's Harry Houkes; Reason Foundation's Robert Poole; SATSair's Sheldon
Early; 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 and LAMA's Dan
Johnson. In Monday's
podcast, Lycoming's Ian Walsh talks about "green" engine initiatives
at his company. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you
won't find anywhere else.
More... |
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If You Think "Bargains" Are Something
Alien to Aviation — Think Again!
Spending hard-earned money on your aircraft and its avionics can be
expensive. But don't think good deals aren't available in today's
marketplace. Bennett Avionics provides pilots with quality
avionics to meet their needs and maintain their budget. Before you buy
anywhere else, check out Bennett Avionics at (860) 653-7295 or
online. 
You'll be glad you did!
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QUESTION
OF THE WEEK: IS THE USER-FEE DEBATE AFFECTING YOUR COMMERCIAL FLIGHT
CHOICES?
Last week, Delta Air Lines was the latest Air
Transport Association member to toe the group's pro-user-fee line when
it sent an e-mail to customers blaming general aviation for delays. Have
the repeated attacks on general aviation from ATA and its individual
members influenced what airline you fly? Plus: Of all the big
news to come out of Oshkosh this year, which did our readers deem the
biggest announcement of AirVenture 2007? More... |
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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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FBO
OF THE WEEK: CORPORATE WINGS
 AVweb's "FBO of
the Week" ribbon goes to Corporate Wings at KCHS in Charleston,
S.C. AVweb reader Val Nasano said the FBO's staff really
delivers: "I have been using Corporate Wings CHS since
I started traveling to Charleston on business in 2006. I receive the
same royal treatment in my C182 each time I taxi in as any bizjet or
large corporate client. Last trip in, the crew at Corporate Wings went
above and beyond. I always rent a car through the FBO and when I ended
up with a flat tire on the side of the interstate at 9 p.m., I called
the FBO for the number of roadside assistance. Not only did they call
the car rental company for me, one of their lineman went out on his own,
located our car and changed the flat for us so we could get off the busy
highway in the dark. I can't say enough about this crew. I nominate them
for FBO of the year!" 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... |
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Mike Busch Is Coming to a Town Near
You!
If you live near or in one of these states — California,
Massachusetts, Georgia, New Mexico, and Oklahoma — Mike Busch will
be offering his acclaimed Savvy Owner Seminar. In one
information-packed weekend, you will learn how to have a safer, more
reliable aircraft while saving thousands of dollars on
maintenance costs, year after year. For complete details (and to reserve
your space),
click here. 
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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." A big thanks to
today's "Picture of the Week" winner George
Pariza and all the other AirVenture photographers who spent
the week emptying out their digital cameras and sending us photos from
North America's premier GA spectacle. Since we returned, we've been
receiving upward of 100 entries for our contest each week. Please —
keep 'em
coming! 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 Editor Mary
Grady (bio).
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.
More... |
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