GARMIN G1000 PROBLEM AFFECTS GA DELIVERIES
A problem with a component of the Garmin G1000 glass panel, a popular choice for avionics in many general aviation aircraft, has stalled production and delayed deliveries at factories around the country as Garmin searches for a fix. The problem stems from a sudden increase in failure rates in recent flight tests of new GRS 77 AHRS (Attitude Heading Reference System) units used in G1000 installations, Garmin said on Tuesday. A component failure in the GRS 77 results in a loss of attitude information on the primary flight display. "After communication with Garmin's OEM partners and the FAA, it was determined that in all G1000 installations, continued safe flight can be conducted with the stand-by attitude indicator and other available instruments," the company said in a statement. "If pilots should experience a failure of the GRS 77 AHRS, they should follow standard procedures and refer to the standby attitude indicator." More...

COLUMBIA LAYS OFF 300, CITES GARMIN G1000 ISSUE
At Columbia Aircraft in Bend, Ore., the company announced on Monday that it would halt its production line and lay off about 300 workers until problems with Garmin G1000s could be resolved. Although Garmin says the AHRS problem does not require limitations on use of the aircraft, Columbia spokesman Randy Bolinger told AVweb that, nonetheless, "the FAA will not allow us to complete Certificates of Airworthiness with a known defect. The FAA will allow us to certify the aircraft already on the assembly line for VFR only." Columbia said in its statement that the production line will "grind to a halt" until a fix is found and parts shipments are restored. More...

GARMIN SNAFU ALSO AFFECTS OTHER AIRFRAMERS
At Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kan., production has continued despite the G1000 problems, Director of Corporate Communications Doug Oliver told AVweb on Tuesday. "We anticipate a resolution from Garmin literally any minute," he said. However, deliveries of single-engine piston aircraft are suspended until the issue is resolved. "Mustang deliveries were originally suspended as well," Oliver said, "but due to its lower production rate its avionics systems were installed some time ago, before the suspect batch was produced. This has, of course, been confirmed through testing and approved by the FAA." Oliver said he doesn't anticipate any impact on production at Cessna. At Diamond Aircraft, spokeswoman Heike Larson told AVweb that production will continue. More...

CHICAGO FIRM FIRST WITH PART 135 ECLIPSE VLJ
North American Jet Charter Group at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling, Ill., on Tuesday received FAA approval as the first U.S. Part 135 very light jet (VLJ) operator using an Eclipse 500. Operations are expected to begin Wednesday under the company moniker “Q,” for Quintessential Traveler service that offers an air limo at half the traditional charter rate, according to North American Jet. "Today begins a new chapter in aviation history," said North American Jet Charter Group President Ken Ross. "With the operating efficiency of a VLJ like the Eclipse, the flexibility and productivity benefits previously available only to company presidents and CEOs are now available to virtually any business traveler." Pricing has initially been based on one-way fares with no daily minimums for aircraft usage or overnight charges. North American Jet claims that up to three travelers will enjoy all the benefits of first-class travel on their Eclipse 500s for about the same rate as a one-way first-class airline ticket. More...

WASHINGTON ADIZ "SPEED RING" IS CONFUSING, SAYS AOPA
Pilots using certain GPS receivers to navigate the complex airspace around Washington, D.C., have been receiving images that make the airspace look even more confusing than it is, AOPA said this week. A new VFR speed-limitation ring, with a radius of 60 nm around the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), is set to become active as of Aug. 30. But the speed zone is already being depicted on some in-flight displays with graphics similar to that of a temporary flight restriction (TFR), AOPA said. The association has contacted Garmin, Honeywell and Avidyne about the problem and is working to have the speed-ring depiction removed until the zone becomes active. More...

SPECTRUM UPGRADES S-33, ACCELERATES S-40 SCHEDULE
The S-33 Independence very light jet, under development by Spectrum Aeronautical, will be powered by a Williams International FJ33-4A-19 engine instead of the previously planned FJ33-4A-15, the company said on Monday. "This will give the jet a substantial step up in both thrust and efficiency," said Spectrum Chairman Linden Blue. "The Independence already had the highest thrust-to-weight ratio of any business jet, and now it's even better." The bigger engine is also more fuel efficient, he said. According to Blue, the company will accelerate the FAA type certification program for its new midsize jet, the S-40 Freedom. More...

FAA REMINDS PILOTS: KNOW THE TAXI RULES
Runway incursions continue to rank among the most persistent hazards in civil aviation, the FAA says, and to increase awareness the agency has published an InFO, or Information for Flight Operators, alert. Awareness of pertinent FAA regulations and a clear understanding of every taxi clearance are essential defenses for pilots against incursions, the FAA alert says. For example, FAA regulations state that clearance to "taxi to" the takeoff runway is not a clearance to cross that runway. Other relevant regulations are reviewed in the InFO alert. The FAA suggests that pilots and instructors should be sure that they clearly understand regulations regarding taxi clearances and the meaning of taxi clearances issued by ground controllers. More...

NASA AWARDS "PERSONAL AIR VEHICLE" PRIZES
NASA over the weekend awarded $250,000 to participants in the Personal Air Vehicle competition, which promotes the use of personal aircraft for fast, safe, efficient, affordable, environmentally friendly and comfortable on-demand transportation. Four teams competed at the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in California. The $100,000 Vantage Prize went to Vance Turner of Rescue, Calif., owner of a modified short-wing Pipistrel piloted by Michael Coates of Australia. The Pipistrel also won top prizes for efficiency and short-runway performance, and second place for speed, for another $60,000 in prize money. Coates told CNet News the airplane is the "Prius of airplanes" because it can go as fast as 170 mph and get 50 mpg. More...

CZECHS EYING LARGER AIRCRAFT MARKET
About 500 light sport aircraft are produced each year in the Czech Republic, and the industry there now is researching a possible move into the production of larger aircraft with as many as 15 seats, the Czech News Agency reported this week. A three-year project is underway that seeks to boost production efficiency. "Forty organisations from 14 European countries are working on the project, and 11 participants are from the Czech Republic," said Vlastimil Havelka, secretary of the Czech Association of Aviation Manufacturers. The three-year CESAR (Cost-Effective Small AiRcraft) project aims to cut costs for manufacturers and shorten the time required for a new airplane to launch. More...

"GATHERING OF MUSTANGS" GAINS MOMENTUM
A once-in-a-lifetime aviation event is in the works for next month, when up to 100 Mustangs will fly into Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, for the "Gathering of Mustangs and Legends." The last such gathering took place in Florida in 1999. This year's event is billed as "The Final Round-up," as it might be the last chance for many of the original Mustang pilots and crew from World War II to attend. About 50 such "legends" are expected at the event, including Aces, crew chiefs, WASPs and others who were part of the P-51 family. The event will take place Sept. 27 to 30. Besides Mustangs, the show will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor, the Red Baron Stearman squadron, air show pilots Patty Wagstaff and Mike Goulian and more. More...

FAA SUCCUMBS TO REASON
It's not often we can report that a pilot complained to the FAA about an unreasonable regulation, and -- a mere nine months later -- the pilot came away saying, "We asked the FAA to be reasonable -- and they were." But that's what happened to Dan Nachbar, a pilot in Amherst, Mass., who built his own small experimental blimp and wanted to take passengers for rides. The FAA's way to do that would have been for Nachbar to get an FAA airship pilot certificate. But since that rating presumes that the airship floats via helium, while Nachbar's depends on hot air, he thought the training would be "utterly pointless." He explained to the FAA that his certificates to fly both hot-air balloons and powered aircraft should qualify him to act as captain aboard Alberto, his homebuilt blimp. The FAA mulled it over and eventually agreed, and Nachbar can now take passengers aloft in his "aerial yacht." More...

ON THE FLY
American Legend extended its AirVenture Special Edition offer...
MetLife has debuted a third "Snoopy" blimp...
Mercury Air Center FBOs will be rebranded as Atlantic Aviation FBOs...
AeroLEDs has reduced the prices on its LED landing and taxi lights...
Sunday is National Aviation Day, events at Wright Bros. national park...
CubCrafters has named Todd Simmons as president and CEO. 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...

AVWEBBIZ: AVWEB'S BUSINESS AVIATION NEWSLETTER
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVweb's NO-COST weekly business aviation newsletter, AVwebBiz? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the business aviation industry. Business AVflash is a must read. Sign up today at http://www.avweb.com/profile/. More...

Columns | Features | What's New | Calendar | Brainteasers

ACROSS THE POND #7: LONDON AIR RACING, AIRSHOWS AND BROKEN RECORDS
This month AVweb's report from Europe includes a Red Bull race over the Thames River, a German airport for sale (to a good owner, please), summer airshows 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 ConocoPhillips' Gabe Giordano on aircraft engine oil. And AVweb's podcast index includes interviews with Lycoming's Ian Walsh; Avidyne's Paul Hathaway; Aerion 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; and Cessna's Jack Pelton. In Monday's podcast, EADS Socata's Jean-Michel Léonard talks about future plans at his company. Remember: In AVweb's podcasts, you'll hear things you won't find anywhere else.

More...

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: WAS NASA'S PERSONAL AIR VEHICLE CHALLENGE A GOOD USE OF FUNDS?
NASA's first Personal Air Vehicle Challenge concluded this past weekend, with the full $250,000 in prize money awarded in various amounts to the four contestants. The entered airplanes were modified versions of certified and experimental models, but none incorporated any truly groundbreaking technology, nor will any of them lead to a personal air vehicle for the masses. Do you think this money was well spent? Plus: Last week, we asked how many of you have chosen to fly non-ATA airlines because of ATA members' widespread support of user fees. Click through to find out how your fellow readers voted. More...

FBO OF THE WEEK: MCMINNVILLE COUNTY

AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to McMinnville County at KRNC in McMinnville, Tenn.

AVweb reader Jerry Trachtman said the county-run facility's staff went above and beyond:

"Traveling from my home base of Melbourne, Fla., to Oshkosh, I stopped for fuel at McMinnville, Tenn. (RNC), based upon availability of low-priced avgas (lowest price within 100 miles). Due to thunderstorms, I could not depart as planned and had to spend the night. Without hesitation, the FBO staff gave me their only crew car for the overnight, and pointed me in the right direction. My early departure the next morning was met with a top cowl latch on my Piper Lance popping open on takeoff roll. I aborted the takeoff and sought help with the FBO's mechanic, who was at work early before any other staff had arrived. He repaired the latch, sent me on my way and refused compensation. This FBO demonstrated service above and beyond the call of duty."

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."

Before we dive into this week's photo submissions, a quick word of thanks to all the AVweb readers who stepped up to the plate over the last seven days. Of 64 submissions we received this week, 55 of them could very well have found their way into this morning's issue of AVwebFlash. The bar has been set high this week, and that means a stellar mix of photos right here and in our home page slideshow. Michael J. Gallagher of Peoria, Illinois kicks off the festivities. Once you've seen these babies, keep the magic alive and send use some of your photos, eh? 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.

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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.

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