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
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Two pilots have filed a patent for a device that they say could help to prevent mid-air collisions like the one that killed two helicopter pilots and two videographers in Phoenix, Ariz., in July. The crews were covering a police pursuit for television news. Inventors Chris Morrison
and Ralph Gannarelli knew two of the men who died and said the crash convinced them to move forward with their efforts. “We both were deeply affected by the crash, and thought there could be a
better way for news pilots to see where each helicopter is located in relation to one another while so many are in the air at one time,” Morrison told the East Valley Tribune. The two have developed a wireless GPS device that could issue voice announcements to keep pilots apprised
of the location of other aircraft within a one-mile radius. The system would also sound a warning if another helicopter comes within 300 feet.
Patent paperwork was filed last week, but it could be up to two years before the device can be marketed.
Aircraft Spruce West Holds Their Annual Super Sale on October 13th Aircraft Spruce will be holding their Annual Super Sale in Corona, CA on Saturday, October 13th from 7:00am-3:00pm. Raffle prizes will be given away hourly. Seminars will include Light
Sport Airplanes West, Garmin, and the FAA. Numerous discounts, hot dogs, and lots of fun! Complimentary shuttle service available throughout the day from the Corona Airport (AJO). For more
information, please call 1-877-SPRUCE, or
visit Aircraft
Spruce online.
The House Ways and Means Committee passed an FAA reauthorization bill on Tuesday that has no user fees for general aviation. The legislation still must pass through the Rules Committee before heading
to the House floor, but that could happen within a week. If the bill passes as is, fuel taxes would increase -- from 19.3 cents per gallon for avgas to 24.1 cents, and from 21.8 cents per gallon to
35.9 cents for Jet-A -- but all of that increase would go to pay for airspace modernization. AOPA and NBAA both were pleased with Tuesday's vote, and hopeful that it's the beginning of the end for
user fees. But the end is still some distance away, since the Senate version of the FAA bill remains in play. The Senate bill contains a $25 per flight fee that GA groups say would open a Pandora's
box of future user fees. Once passed, the two bills must be reconciled before a final version is sent to the White House for approval. AOPA President Phil Boyer said he was pleased with the House
committee's vote. "This bill ensures that there will be more than enough money to pay for air traffic control modernization," he said. "General aviation is willing to pay more to improve the air
traffic control system, unlike the airlines who wanted to change the entire FAA funding system to obtain a huge tax cut for themselves." NBAA President Ed Bolen also was congratulatory. "We applaud
the Committee for rejecting user fees and instead building upon a proven, stable, reliable and ultra-efficient system of fuel taxes that clearly reflect aviation system use," he said.
PowerLink™ FADEC Certified on Liberty XL-2; Is It Right for Your Aircraft? Liberty Aerospace is the first certified piston-powered aircraft with PowerLink™ FADEC as standard equipment. PowerLink™ FADEC is now also available for several additional
certified and experimental aircraft, including the A-36 Bonanza and VANS RV series. Find out how you can bring your aircraft into the state-of-the-art
online.
After two weeks of searching and no sign of Steve Fossett or his airplane, the rescue effort will be scaled back, officials said on Monday. Fossett took off on Sept. 3 from a private airfield in
Nevada for what was supposed to be a three-hour flight, but he never returned. The Civil Air Patrol has searched 98 percent of the 20,000 square mile region where Fossett was last seen, according to
spokeswoman Maj. Cynthia Ryan. She said two CAP aircraft will remain on standby at Minden-Tahoe Airport in support of ground searchers. Any new tips that are received will be followed up with ground
and aerial searches, officials said. The Nevada National Guard will continue to deploy helicopters as needed, and a fleet of privately funded aircraft based at the Flying M Ranch will continue to methodically cover a search grid, flying as low as possible. Eight helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft are flying
24 hours a day, some of them equipped with infrared and other spectrum-analysis assets. Tips based on Google Earth searches have been checked and continue to arrive, but many are repeats of earlier
sightings, according to the Nevada Appeal.
Announcing the Online MBA for Aviation Professionals from Daniel Webster College
Did you know that professionals with an MBA earn an average of $10,000 to $30,000 more per year? Within 27 months, you can be one of them!
Daniel Webster College MBA for Aviation Professionals is a fully-accredited, 100%-online program built for the busy schedule of the aviation professional. Being "on the road" is no
longer a barrier to career advancement. Call (866) 458-7525 or
click here for more
information.
Henry (Hank) Krakowski, vice president of flight operations for United Air Lines, has been named chief operating officer (COO) of
the FAA's Air Traffic Organization. He will lead the 35,000 controllers, technicians, engineers and support personnel who run the National Airspace System. As COO, he will oversee operations and
finances as well as research and acquisition programs. “Hank is the right person to help implement the next generation of aviation technology,” said Department of Transportation Secretary
Mary Peters. “His commitment to safety, outstanding operational experience, and leadership abilities will advance our efforts to modernize our nation’s air transportation system.”
Krakowski worked at UAL for almost 30 years, and his background includes all aspects of aviation, including flying, labor relations, air traffic and scheduling. He's a Boeing 737 captain and has flown
the Boeing 747, 737 and 727 as well as the Douglas DC-10 and DC-8. Krakowski starts his new job Oct. 1. He replaces Russell Chew, who left in February.
As the first air-charter companies flying very light jets line up along the starting gate, Pogo, led by former American Airlines CEO Robert Crandall,
has been closely watched. At first the company said it would fly Adam 700 jets, then revised that, saying none of the new VLJs nearing certification quite fit its needs. Back in May, Pogo President
Cameron Burr confirmed to AVweb that Eclipse 500 jets would make up its fleet. Recently, the company filed papers for an Initial
Public Offering that said operations will begin in early 2009 with a fleet of 25 Eclipse jets, which will grow to 100 by 2011. The company Web site says it will offer charter services at about $2,000
per hour block time, along with jet-card and lease-back options. All trips will be flown with a two-pilot crew. The jets initially will be based in Western Massachusetts and offer service within a
600-mile radius of New York City, a region that includes over 700 GA airports. Linear Air, based at Bedford Field just outside of Boston, has
already taken delivery of its first Eclipse jet, though service hasn't yet started. Linear Air says a 300-mile day trip for four passengers in the jet, flying 345 mph, will cost $3,590. DayJet, in Florida, also has taken delivery of three Eclipse jets, and has said operations should start soon.
In-Flight Emergency Maneuvers: Are You Prepared?
Pilots learn to recognize, avoid, and recover from any upset scenario. Courses directly address Loss of Control In-Flight, one of the leading causes of aviation accidents worldwide. All instruction
provided by expert military instructor pilots in a friendly, success-oriented environment.
Two years of painstaking work was not enough to get a replica of a 1914 Glenn Curtiss Rodman Wannamaker America flying boat airborne in time for the annual Seaplane Homecoming in upstate New York last
weekend -- a result that shows how amazing it was that the original aircraft was successful. The flight crew was able to start both of the vintage 90-hp OX-5 engines and taxied the replica across
Keuka Lake, to the cheers of hundreds of spectators on shore. But the trick seems to be to get both engines to run at top RPM at the same time. The volunteers working on the project have changed the
elevator dihedral and added weight in the front of the hull, and plan to continue testing and achieve first flight soon. A video of the America taxiing at the Homecoming is posted online.
The replica is being built at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, N.Y. The team will continue to work on the airplane and attempt to fly it again at next year's seaplane event.
Think you have the right stuff? Here's your chance to give it a try. NASA is recruiting its next class of astronauts, for
2009. The agency says it is looking for "a few men and women who want to fulfill their dreams and be a part of the next generation of explorers." Candidates must be willing to travel extensively on
Earth and in space, NASA says: "Possible destinations may include, but are not limited to, Texas, Florida, California, Russia, Kazakhstan, the International Space Station and the moon." But it's not
all fun and adventure. When not exploring the final frontier, astronauts are assigned duties such as scientific research, mission control communication with on-orbit crews, robotic training, spacewalk
training, aircraft operations, technical design and engineering, and wilderness training. If you want to give it a go, NASA says you must meet physical standards and educational requirements, which
include a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math or science and at least three years of experience in one of these fields. Teaching experience, including experience at the K-12 level, is also
considered to be qualifying experience; therefore, educators are encouraged to apply. Candidates will undergo two years of training and evaluation at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, before
NASA decides if they make the cut as astronauts.
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.
With the U.S. pilot population aging, and new starts in decline over the last 30 years, EAA has launched a new effort to recruit more students. The "Reach For The Sky" monthly e-newsletter, available
free to all who sign up via EAA's Web site, aims to inspire people to learn to fly and answer their questions about how to do it. "The newsletter
focuses on giving those interested in learning to fly the confidence to take that first step," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. The idea for the newsletter evolved from EAA's interaction with
potential pilots at the Learn-to-Fly pavilion at this summer's EAA AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh. The event gave EAA insight into the questions and doubts people have about aviation, which will guide
the newsletter content. The 5,000 members of EAA's affiliate, the National Association of Flight Instructors, will also contribute to the newsletter. You don't have to be an EAA member to sign up.
Look for the "Reach For The Sky" link on the home page in the upper left corner.
The chairman of One-Two-Go Airline, Kajit Hapananont, told reporters on Monday the pilot of the MD-82 that crashed at Phuket on Sunday was one of his airline’s best. Wind shear has been
speculated as the cause of the accident, which killed 89 people, including the captain, 56-year-old Arief Mulyadi. Forty-one people survived. The aircraft went off a runway and caught fire. “The
pilot who flew the doomed aircraft was one of our best. He was very experienced, patient and very decisive,” Hapananont said. He was apparently countering media reports that referred to a pilot
shortage in Asia in the midst of rapid expansion of air travel. Hapanonont said suggestions of pilot error are premature since the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have not been examined. Other
reports said Mulyadi was warned about wind shear by the crews of two previous aircraft, as he set up to land in the middle of a monsoon storm.
AFSS Is Up to Speed. And Gaining Altitude.
The new automated flight services system is here. Revolutionizing flight service operations. Reducing legacy sites. Bringing 15 upgraded sites and three hubs online. Retaining 1,200 specialists.
Marrying local needs with national information sources. The result: ever-improving levels of performance. And a future of efficient, effective service that give general aviation pilots more
flexibility than they've ever thought possible.
To see for yourself,
visit AFSS.com.
Bennett Avionics: Used Avionics Guidance You Can Trust
Used avionics is Bennett Avionics' only business! Bennett Avionics has served general aviation worldwide with reliable and quality used avionics for over 30 years. Bennett
Avionics can help you meet your avionics needs, improve the capability of your aircraft, and maintain your budget. Call Bennett Avionics at (860) 653-7295, or
go online for a
complete list of available products.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Lancaster Aviation at McWhirter Field (KLKR) in Lancaster, South Carolina.
AVweb reader Alex McDowell recommended Lancaster for the usual reasons — "down-home hospitality, excellent service, and very reasonable rates" — but like many pilots, Alex
discovered the true value of good service during an unscheduled stop for emergency maintenance. Alex writes:
Suffering complete electrical failure upon takeoff from a military base, I diverted 95 miles out of my way because I knew I could count on them really taking care of me. I wasn't disappointed.
Gary's team jumped right in, troubleshooting my problem while I enjoyed reading all the heartfelt notes to parts manager Carrie from deployed service men and women in appreciation for the many care
packages she has sent to these overseas troops. Sandy loaned me the crew car overnight, and the gang had a fix in the works by the time I arrived back at the airport. Fred the pooch was even keeping
my parking spot on the ramp warm! Neil, Mark and Justin had me repaired, refueled, and ready to go before lunch, but I couldn't pass up the invitation to stay for the barbecue chicken and fixin's
Mike had been grilling up all morning. I had been anxious to get back home for meetings the next day, and the gang made sure I made it on time, but I sure hated to leave the wonderful family
atmosphere.
Alex will definitely return to Lancaster Aviation and recommends any other pilots in the area check them out.
AVweb is actively seeking
out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
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!
AVweb's award-winning editors will be at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention and Trade Show September 25-27 to cover all the business and commercial aviation
news. Enjoy daily show news, podcasts and videos delivered to your inbox in the AVwebBiz newsletter. If you don't already get our AVwebBiz newsletter,
click here to subscribe
at no cost.
AVweb has an opening for an able and experienced aviation writer and editor with proven experience in both print and web publishing, although we're willing to train the right person in the finer
points of massaging content for the web. This position requires relocation to our Sarasota, Florida office. If this description fits you, contact aviationeditorial@comcast.net.
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. You're a part of our team ... often, the best part.
Diamond DA40 A Fleet Favorite
Airline Transport Professionals, Beijing PanAm, Empire Aviation, European-American Aviation, Middle Tennessee State University, Sabena Airline Training Academy, Utah Valley State College, and Utah
State University have all selected the G1000-equipped Diamond DA40. For value, efficiency, and safety, the Diamond Aircraft DA40 is the fleet favorite.
Go online for
information on all Diamond Aircraft.
Two weeks into the search for Steve Fossett,
the aviation community is still doing all it can to find the missing
adventurer, despite increasing difficulties in navigating the terrain
and gathering new leads.
Last week, we asked what AVweb readers thought of the massive
search that's been conducted on Fossett's behalf. We received
quite a bit of
e-mail
on the subject, and 38% of those who responded to our poll thought
that Fossett shouldn't have gotten any more attention than any other
pilot who was lost or missing.
For a complete breakdown of the responses,
click here. (You may be asked to register and answer, if you haven't already
participated in this poll.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION ***
With NASA
aggressively recruiting astronauts for their 2009 graduating class,
we thought it might be a good time to ask AVweb readers what
constitutes "the right stuff" these days — and whether it should always
include a pilot's license.
Have an idea for a new "Question of the Week"? Send your suggestions to
.
NOTE: This address is
only for suggested "QOTW" questions, and not for "QOTW" answers or comments.
Use this form to send
"QOTW" comments to our AVmail Editor.
No Cute Cartoons, No Fancy Covers, IFR Magazine Brings You the Facts IFR magazine has insightful facts to polish your proficiency, updates on changing regs, and articles that help keep your decision-making skills sharp in the demanding IFR environment.
Order your
subscription online for savings from the regular rate.
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." Want to see your photo on AVweb.com?
Click here to submit it to our weekly contest.
*** THIS WEEK'S WINNERS ***
Things have quieted down on the "Picture of the Week"
front over the last couple of weeks, but the competition heats up this
week, with nearly 100 top-notch submissions vying for the coveted title
— and the nifty baseball cap that goes along with it!
This week's top spot could've gone to any one of the five photos we'll
be featuring today, but when all was said and done, this incredible
aerial view of NYC — from Suyapa Villalobos
of Teaneck, New Jersey — barely edged out the competition. "Flying
south over the Hudson River in New York City at 2,000 feet, we spotted
EAA's Aluminum Overcast flying northbound 500 feet below us,"
writes Suyapa.
Update: Eagle-eyed AVweb reader Kevin Kearney points
out that the "Aluminum Overcast" Suyapa photographed was actually
the Yankee Air Museum's B-17 Yankee Lady "participating in an
event at TEB on 9/15 and 9/16"!
Harry Leicher of Whittier,
California had his camera on hand at Oshkosh's Sea Plane Base this
summer — which is good for us, because we never get to spend as much
time there as we'd like during AirVenture.
Ryan Johannes of Hillsboro, Oregon
uses a tried-and-true technique to get his photo noticed — including
some amazing scenery! Thankfully, Hillsboro Aviation pilot
Morgan Kozloski was available to make the trek and pose (with his
206B JetRanger).
Got one of those nifty widescreen monitors? Tired of complaining
that you don't get as many cool wallpapers as the squares with their
standard-size monitors? Here's one just for you guys, courtesy of
Vahid Jahed from Minden, Nevada.
(With a little tweaking, it looks sharp on a dual monitor setup,
too!)
Timothy
O'Connor of Batavia, Ohio flies us out with the
obligatory (but nonetheless stunning) sunset pic of the week.
(That's Popular Rotorcraft Association President Rusty Nance in
the pilot's seat, lending his name to the pun.)
Thanks to everyone who submitted this week. Remember:
We'll be at NBAA next week, along with lots of you. Look for
us roaming the show in Atlanta, and if you're staying home, please
feel free to pick up the slack and
submit a
photo or two, as our submission numbers are liable to dip
during the show. (P.S. That means a little better shot
at picking up an AVweb hat, folks!)
A quick note for submitters: If you've got several
photos that you feel are "POTW" material, your best bet is to submit
them one-a-week! That gives your photos a greater chance of seeing
print on AVweb, and it makes the selection process a little easier on
us, too. ;)
A Reminder About Copyrights: Please take a moment to consider the
source of your image before submitting to our "Picture of the Week" contest.
If you did not take the photo yourself, ask yourself if you are indeed
authorized to release publication rights to AVweb. If you're uncertain,
consult the
POTW
Rules or
or
send us an e-mail.
AVwebFlash is a weekly summary of the latest news, articles, products, features, and events featured on AVweb, the internet's aviation magazine and news service.
The AVwebFlash team is:
Publisher Timothy Cole
Editorial Director, Aviation Publications Paul Bertorelli
Editor-in-Chief Russ Niles
Contributing Editors Mary Grady Glenn Pew
Features Editor Kevin Lane-Cummings
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.
Two pilots have filed a patent for a device that they say could help to prevent mid-air collisions like 
The House Ways and Means Committee passed an FAA reauthorization bill on Tuesday that has no user fees for general aviation. The legislation still must pass through the Rules Committee before heading
to the House floor, but that could happen within a week. If the bill passes as is, fuel taxes would increase -- from 19.3 cents per gallon for avgas to 24.1 cents, and from 21.8 cents per gallon to
35.9 cents for Jet-A -- but all of that increase would go to pay for airspace modernization. AOPA and NBAA both were pleased with Tuesday's vote, and hopeful that it's the beginning of the end for
user fees. But the end is still some distance away, since the Senate version of the FAA bill remains in play. The Senate bill contains a $25 per flight fee that GA groups say would open a Pandora's
box of future user fees. Once passed, the two bills must be reconciled before a final version is sent to the White House for approval. AOPA President Phil Boyer said he was pleased with the House
committee's vote. "This bill ensures that there will be more than enough money to pay for air traffic control modernization," he said. "General aviation is willing to pay more to improve the air
traffic control system, unlike the airlines who wanted to change the entire FAA funding system to obtain a huge tax cut for themselves." NBAA President Ed Bolen also was congratulatory. "We applaud
the Committee for rejecting user fees and instead building upon a proven, stable, reliable and ultra-efficient system of fuel taxes that clearly reflect aviation system use," he said.
After two weeks of searching and no sign of Steve Fossett or his airplane, the rescue effort will be scaled back, officials said on Monday. Fossett took off on Sept. 3 from a private airfield in
Nevada for what was supposed to be a three-hour flight, but he never returned. The Civil Air Patrol has searched 98 percent of the 20,000 square mile region where Fossett was last seen, according to
spokeswoman Maj. Cynthia Ryan. She said two CAP aircraft will remain on standby at Minden-Tahoe Airport in support of ground searchers. Any new tips that are received will be followed up with ground
and aerial searches, officials said. The Nevada National Guard will continue to deploy helicopters as needed, and a fleet of privately funded aircraft based at the 
Henry (Hank) Krakowski, vice president of flight operations for United Air Lines, 
As the first air-charter companies flying very light jets line up along the starting gate, 
Think you have the right stuff? Here's your chance to give it a try. 
With the U.S. pilot population aging, and new starts in decline over the last 30 years, EAA has launched a new effort to recruit more students. The "Reach For The Sky" monthly e-newsletter, available
free to all who sign up 
The chairman of One-Two-Go Airline, Kajit Hapananont, told reporters on Monday the pilot of the MD-82 that crashed at Phuket on Sunday was one of his airline’s best. Wind shear has been
speculated as the cause of the accident, which killed 89 people, including the captain, 56-year-old Arief Mulyadi. Forty-one people survived. The aircraft went off a runway and caught fire. “The
pilot who flew the doomed aircraft was one of our best. He was very experienced, patient and very decisive,” Hapananont said. He was apparently countering media reports that referred to a pilot
shortage in Asia in the midst of rapid expansion of air travel. Hapanonont said suggestions of pilot error are premature since the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have not been examined. Other
reports said Mulyadi was warned about wind shear by the crews of two previous aircraft, as he set up to land in the middle of a monsoon storm.
AVweb's award-winning editors will be at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention and Trade Show September 25-27 to cover all the business and commercial aviation
news. Enjoy daily show news, podcasts and videos delivered to your inbox in the AVwebBiz newsletter. If you don't already get our AVwebBiz newsletter,
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 
